My GSD is a little sick, help?

[Hydro]

I picked up my GSD yesterday, he's now 9 weeks and 3 days. When I brought him home, I fed him the food I was recommended. Nuturo - Natural Choice dry food and Wellness for flavor. He ate it all up as soon as I gave him the bowl. Later through the day, as he walks or sleeps you can see heavy breathing but it looks more like it's a stomach spasm. He was throwing up a teeny bit and at night I came back in my room to find the entire meal, not even digested, laying on the floor. The pup is healthy, it was checked before it was given to me, it has all its shots except boosters. Earlier this morning I took him back to my friend who I got the dog from and he gave me a Stress Formula that I should force feed him, and Nutri-Cal which I should also force feed him.

He told me that the puppy drove 36 hours from the breeder and left it's mom the day I picked it up, so it is terrified and afraid of me. I was wondering what would help him out, I feel bad looking at the poor fella and his brown eyes when he's trying to vomit. When I took him this morning to my friends he put him in a cage while I waited and he ate up a whole heap of dog food. Can someone help me out? Does he just have to get used to my house?

Please, no one cares about your ethics on dogs, do not ask me if its a back yard breeder, store baught, or shelter pup. It doesn't matter nor do I care, I just want my pup feeling better.

 

[Renee750il]

Bottom line, Hydro, is yes, the ethics do matter, BUT our first concern is the welfare of the dogs.

Traveling for 36 hours is terribly hard on a pup that age! Try giving him some cooked chicken breast torn into small pieces in small portions several times a day, feeding him a bit at a time from your hands for a day or two. That accomplishes several things: you find out if he can keep any food down; he learns to be less afraid of you and the two of you get some good bonding done; his little system gets to de-tox a bit and have a chance to de-stress. See how he does on that and if he keeps it down okay. Remember, small portions

Now - the Nutro is pretty much crap food. Sorry. You probably don't want to hear that, but you got seriously misled on that.
Let us know how he's getting on, okay?

 

[Hydro]

Thanks Renee, I'll let you know. Should my pup overcome this in a few days?

 

[Stanna]

You should get him to a vet. Don't take anyone's word for his health status. There is alot that can go wrong with a puppy.

There could be a number of things wrong, or it could just be a matter of nerves or getting used to the food. Better than guess work though, would be a wellness check for a new puppy. Some places will do your first puppy visit free. Make sure to take the health records , it should have the deworming dates, vaccinations, and heartworm tests info so you can continue the regime he's already on.

Although he's had his first set of shots, you shouldn't let him out until the vet gives you the OK. This includes the street, the sidewalk to the vet's, and the waiting room in the office. he vet should be more aware of the danger level in your particular area. Keep him in his little crate, or carry him in, when going to the vet's office.

 

[Hydro]

My friend Mike has a vet who works right with him and the vet checked him out.

 

[Renee750il]

Unless there is something physiologically or organically wrong he should be able to keep the chicken down in at least a day or so. If the vomitting becomes projectile you will need to get him to a vet right away, or if he starts vomitting water or looking dehydrated. You can give him some Pedialyte as well. If he hasn't been able to keep small portions of chicken down tomorrow I'd get him to a vet. He could have picked up something that hadn't incubated long enough for your friend's vet to pick up or he could even have an obstruction in his digestive tract causing the problem.

 

[bubbatd]

Sorry to say this , Hydro, but the pictures of your baby didn't show a healthy, happy pup. Cute as a button , but something's up. I'd add a little rice along with the chicken and small amount of cottage cheese. When { if } switching foods, do it slowly. I know you have some issues with some of us here, but your sweet pup is our concern. Please get a second opinion from the vet you will be using....I'm sure you won't be travelling 36 hours to go to Mike's vet. Please keep us posted and good luck !! We care.

 

[Stanna]

Is mike the pet shop owner? The vet works out of there? In that case, great! The fecal exam is what he needed the most, glad he's cleared . Parasites and worms can really wreak havoc in a puppy.

I would personally still take him to my own vet, that wasn't afiliated in any way to the breeder or broker. I would do that to even a healthy puppy that I just got though, just as procedure.

 

[Hydro]

What exactly looks wrong with him?

Also thanks everyone, I'm trying to find a good vet in my area. I've heard of some nasty ass vets who don't even care if the pups they're taking care of die. I live in Brooklyn, NY. If anyone could help me thanks.

 

[Renee750il]

His coat looks too dry, Hydro. The thing that bothers me is a healthy German Shepherd pup isn't shy or fearful. They are almost TOO curious; so intent on exploring anything new that you're hard pressed to stay ahead of them. Confidence is one of the hallmarks of the breed.

I think you can overcome that by positive training and building his confidence little by little. First, let's get him healthy though! Good care and lots of love and affection is the way to start.

 

[Renee750il]

Being in Tennessee, I can't help you much with finding a vet in your area. This is a link to an index of vets all over North America who practice alternative and complementary veterinary medicine. Some practice alternative veterinary medicine in conjunction with standard veterinary care. http://ahvma.org/referral/index.html

One thing to remember: if you go to a vet and you're uncomfortable with the way your pup is handled or the way you are treated you're probably in the wrong vet's office! A good vet WANTS clients who will ask questions about the care of their animals and make an effort to learn. Just don't talk nutrition with most of them! The majority of vets get their nutritional training through seminars sponsored by major dog food manufacturers. You know, the ones who have vets sell their products in the clinics

 

[Hydro]

Oh definetly lots, time to time when he wakes up to go pee, I pick him up and let him sleep on my chest. I feel so bad for the sorry fella. Tomorrow when I go to the vet what should I tell him. The symptoms I've noticed, as well as a dry coat and he's very shy and scared. Anything else?

 

[bubbatd]

Hydro, I noticed his eyes ( along with the coat as Renee stated ) ....they weren't " happy" eyes a young pup should have. Could be sick, scared, uncertain etc. To me eyes tell alot....Next posted picture I expect clear happy eyes and a smile on his puss !!! Good luck !!!

 

[Renee750il]

Just anything that you've noticed. Try to remember how long after eating Rocky throws up and how much. The vet should be able to tell you, within reason, what's normal for a pup. Keep in mind that vets aren't necessarily experts on every breed and never see dogs at their best. A trip to the vet is usually pretty stressful for a dog, especially a new pup who isn't feeling his best. Maybe you'll luck up and get a vet who is a German Shepherd lover - and not just a show-dog afficionado - a REAL lover of the breed.

Personally, I don't ever want to be without a German Shepherd, no matter what other dogs I have. Bimmer's the one who keeps things sane and teaches everyone how to behave like something other than riot grrrrrls

 

[smkie]

if there is any odor..if it smells like rotten blood..the smell is distinctive and strong..if there is more mucus..and it is a bit runny take to the vet fast..a puppy can die from parvo in 48 hours..don't wait period. If he refuses food..and turns his head away from water..don't wait until you see a stool sign. You are way better off safe then sorry..i don't even let a puppy touch the ground from the car to the doc's exam table..i carry them in until they are completely protected. A puppy can live thru the virus (my last 4 that i tended to did) if he is hydrated while the virus runs it;s course...it could be worms..is his belly distended and hard..look at his gums are they bright pink or pale..still you need a vet..so there it is..just take him to the vet as quickly as you can.
if a puppy is given his parvo vaccine while he is still nursing the shot is negated by the mother's milk..that is one way...the other is someone said they vaccinated your pup and didn't. i have written a great deal about parvo and i pray i never see another dog with it as long as i live..i have bought the vaccine with my own money and given people i know the shot because they couldn't afford it and frankly neither could i..but it has to be done..parvo can live in the soil for 10 years..it is evil with life. I will hold your dear puppy in silent meditation and pray that this is not what has happened..that is is only a case of worms..and that he will be ok..

 

[Stanna]

Oh definetly lots, time to time when he wakes up to go pee, I pick him up and let him sleep on my chest. I feel so bad for the sorry fella. Tomorrow when I go to the vet what should I tell him. The symptoms I've noticed, as well as a dry coat and he's very shy and scared. Anything else?

In your puppy package you should have gotten health records with deworming dates, vaccinations, and heartworm tests dates. Make sure to take that. Mention the travel time, what you've fed him these last few days.

Start tracking how much you are feeding him, the time, and his bathroom visits. You want to have an idea if he's poo'ing normally. My puppy poo'ed pretty much after every feeding at that age.

I don't know what sort of housebreaking schedule he's on, but some folks with hold water at night to help out. I think i would let him have as much water as he wants until he's 100%. Anyone else have an opinion on this? I'm just guessing here. I wouldn't want him to get dehydrated. If he is throwing up EVERY time he eats, i might withold the water incase he had blockage.

 

[Renee750il]

At this stage I wouldn't withhold water. He's probably dehydrated some from the long trip and the vomitting isn't helping any. A blockage is a long shot and would have to be diagnosed by a vet, so in the meantime I wouldn't withhold any water. I have a feeling Hydro's going to be taking Rocky to a vet just as soon as he can find one!

What I worry about is the possibility that Rocky picked up something that hadn't incubated when he had that initial check. I think - I HOPE this is purely stress related and maybe not having a great start in life. That can be overcome relatively easily with conscientious care and plenty of reassurance and affection.

 

[Hydro]

Thank you everyone, I understand we've done some bickering in the past but I really appreciate all of your help and support to my pup.

He has been drinking, but he has not been pooping. He took a poop last night first time all day, and he hasn't went again yet. He is drinking from time to time but not eating, I'm feeding him Nutri-Cal.
Here is a picture of his gums, I believe they look fine. (I had flash on so it looks bright)

 

[smkie]

those are very nice and pink indeed...i have seen gums that looked like unprinted newspaper..i found a puppy in the park like that two years ago. that is almost always hooks..and that pale was on the brink. Someone else took the puppy much to my relief...it was passed out under the slide at the children's park. The not eating could just be depression from all the move...Victor didn't eat the first month i brought him home..i bought tubes of NUTRICAL at petsmart..it wouldn't hurt one way or the other for you to pick one or two up..they are a bit expensive..under 15 dollars..it is a high nutrition, high calorie gel like toothpaste..i run a line of it on my ring finger and then wipe it on the roof of the puppy's mouth..the suck it down and can't spit it out...they usually really like it as well. The stuff has worked miracles for me in the past..especially when i was nursing a puppy that was to weak to eat. So your pup may just depressed or you got something bigger on your hands..if it is parvo you will know by morning. They go down really fast. I can always tell..when a puppy turns his head away from water like it sickens him to even look at it..and he holds his little tummy off the floor like it hurts for it to even touch ..and i have never been wrong yet..that is the absolute sign for me..and occurs long before the runs and blood begin..parvo literally bleeds a pup to death.their vomit and bowels are just full of rotten blood..it is gory and heart breaking..but if detected in the early stages they make it thru the virus and bounce back so fast you won't believe they were ever on the brink...they can recover completely.

 

[Renee750il]

If he's been vomitting up his food there's not going to be much to come out the other end If what did come out seemed too dry you might want to let him lick a spoonful of bacon grease with his chicken. Just keep monitoring him so you can give the vet good information. The more objective information you can give the vet the better since Rocky can't tell him what's wrong.