Puppy bm

[Katyusharocket]

Calling the vet today once again. We were up every 2-3 hours due to Pepper having diarrhea. She woke me 2x this week with diarrhea and last night was 5x. Waking at night stopped for her at 4 months. Otherwise she is acting normal!
I’m worried she has a blockage, but she did have a normal bm yesterday with the bedding fuzz in it.
Making her chicken and rice now just to help her stomach settle.
When she woke this am for the day she did not have a bm, which has been the case the past few days after she had diarrhea at night.
Unless she has some parasite infection which would be much easier to treat.
Wish us luck I’m worried about her.

Getting in touch with the vet seems right. I'm worried about her too now, hope you can get solutions that work and aren't on the complicated side and that she's feeling better soon!

 

[MichiH]

Told me to keep an eye on her and if she doesn’t improve call back today. They’re not worried since she is acting normal, eating, and urinating.

Hoping she improves today with her bms.

 

[Ravenbird]

Hope you get some answers. Usually a blockage will be painful and the dog will NOT act normal, so hopefully that's not the problem. Maybe more bedding is still in the gut causing irritation but not blocking the pipes. Fingers crossed, keep us posted.
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oops, I wrote this before your update but forgot to push "post reply".

 

[Kswoodssue]

Told me to keep an eye on her and if she doesn’t improve call back today. They’re not worried since she is acting normal, eating, and urinating.

Hoping she improves today with her bms

Hope this clears up! Sasha has intermittent soft stools, and has always been a picky eater. As her stool is free of parasites, I don’t get too excited over occasional soft stools. I try to avoid high fat/high filler foods, and no alarm bells unless stool would turn watery, bloody, frequent, odd colored, or obviously accompanied by cramping. High energy and anxiety sometimes read the same. Self calming with chew toys at bedtime and no food/only water after 5 or 6 might help.

 

[MichiH]

Hope you get some answers. Usually a blockage will be painful and the dog will NOT act normal, so hopefully that's not the problem. Maybe more bedding is still in the gut causing irritation but not blocking the pipes. Fingers crossed, keep us posted.
******
oops, I wrote this before your update but forgot to push "post reply".

Thank you a relief to hear that. She’s acting normal for sure, such a good thing to see. Hungry and destroying her chicken and rice meals.

We played in the hose and she was full on herself and had fun.

Hoping she can pass the rest of the bedding soon if it’s in there. Or just have normal poop moving forward.

 

[Rits]

So sorry she isn't having 100% solid stools and having some accidents at night! Thats no fun for either party, ugh. Glad she seems to be feeling ok besides that.

I will say though, not to cause alarm but, Stavros had a foreign body in him for possibly weeks before it became a problem. I know because it had been weeks since I threw away (or thought) these toys Ripley's litter had once they left and I knew they weren't safe for the big dogs. Stavros was having some loose stools but otherwise energy completely normal. He even showed with this FB inside of him and was his usual hard to handle self, tugging on the lead lol. A week or so after his show, the FB must have moved down. It was like night and day. He went from 12/10 to 4/10 on the energy behavior level. Stavros found one of these stuffing-less long skinny toys (about 1' long) that fell behind the cushions of the couch that I was unaware of and chewed/swallowed it whole... He went from crazy train to wanting to lay down all the time or standing still with this "look" on his face, in under 12 hours. We called the ER vet immediately to let them know we were coming and on the way out the door he projectile vomited brown liquid, no food. Any brown liquid vomit and or odd behavior like that, to the vet immediately for an X-ray. Fortunately, 24hrs hospitalization of fluids pushed the FB to his colon and he passed it WHOLE as soon as we got home.

Also, I feed Muenster food - Perfect Balance Chicken to my adults, puppies and weaned newborns, and know MANY other doberman folks and breeders that do too and have never had any issues. It seems to be the perfect doberman food for their sensitive stomachs. Might be worth looking into: Muenster Pet Custom Dog Food, Kibble, Freeze-Dried Food & Treats

 

[MichiH]

So sorry she isn't having 100% solid stools and having some accidents at night! Thats no fun for either party, ugh. Glad she seems to be feeling ok besides that.

I will say though, not to cause alarm but, Stavros had a foreign body in him for possibly weeks before it became a problem. I know because it had been weeks since I threw away (or thought) these toys Ripley's litter had once they left and I knew they weren't safe for the big dogs. Stavros was having some loose stools but otherwise energy completely normal. He even showed with this FB inside of him and was his usual hard to handle self, tugging on the lead lol. A week or so after his show, the FB must have moved down. It was like night and day. He went from 12/10 to 4/10 on the energy behavior level. Stavros found one of these stuffing-less long skinny toys (about 1' long) that fell behind the cushions of the couch that I was unaware of and chewed/swallowed it whole... He went from crazy train to wanting to lay down all the time or standing still with this "look" on his face, in under 12 hours. We called the ER vet immediately to let them know we were coming and on the way out the door he projectile vomited brown liquid, no food. Any brown liquid vomit and or odd behavior like that, to the vet immediately for an X-ray. Fortunately, 24hrs hospitalization of fluids pushed the FB to his colon and he passed it WHOLE as soon as we got home.

Also, I feed Muenster food - Perfect Balance Chicken to my adults, puppies and weaned newborns, and know MANY other doberman folks and breeders that do too and have never had any issues. It seems to be the perfect doberman food for their sensitive stomachs. Might be worth looking into: Muenster Pet Custom Dog Food, Kibble, Freeze-Dried Food & Treats

Thank you for sharing this @Rits. Oh my that is terrible and scary. So glad that he is doing ok and passed it without issue. Can’t even imagine what you all went though.

Thank you for the food recommendation I remember @JanS posting she fed that to her Dobermans also. I will definitely look into it.

Pepper did vomit this week 1x at night, I didn’t get to see it as she cleaned it up…Although, some was outside of her crate and it was brown with grass in it. No other incidents since then.

So far today zero Bms since her explosions last night. I’ll continue to watch her and hope that this clears up and is nothing more.

So stressful

 

[MichiH]

Vet also informed me a virus is going around with vomiting and diarrhea this past week. Good to know as maybe that could also be the case.

 

[MichiH]

Made it through the night no issues slept all night. She seems totally ok just waiting for a solid bm, which could take a few days. Going to start some kibble tomorrow am and hope that she tolerates it well.

Thanks all for the help!

 

[MichiH]

As of yesterday Pepper has had normal bms. Hoping today she’ll be on her normal schedule. Guess she was sick and that was scary!
Reducing her kibble amount starting today. What do you all suggest? She’s 10.5 months getting 5 cups a day. I’m going to try 4.5 today. I’m still adding some chicken in since her recent issues and she’s doing well with it.
She’s very active and almost finished her heat.

 

[Katyusharocket]

What do you all suggest? She’s 10.5 months getting 5 cups a day. I’m going to try 4.5 today. I’m still adding some chicken in since her recent issues and she’s doing well with it.

From the photo I saw of 🌶 last in random pet photo of the day, 4.5 cups seems appropriate. Can't quite see her ribs in that Pic, though her back legs look very muscular. I'm constantly adjusting food amounts for mine, I like to barely be able to see ribs but not have them jumping out at me. If they stand out, then nursing home residents accuse me of starving my poor, neglected Katyusha I recently added raw topper for Katyusha and just this week cut her kibble back by about half cup per day. Zastava's weight gain has slowed and her ribs disappeared too so her kibble got cut back from 2 rounded half cups per day to 2 flat half cups(plus 2 other rounded one cups and raw topper) In my household the amount can be vary, often less food in winter because they just aren't outside burning it like they do in summer.

Keep doing the chicken if it's working for her. Glad you got a normal bm from her and she's not feeling so horrible anymore! It's nice when they recover and the hard worrying fades.

 

[MichiH]

Thank you! Yes, I was worried she was getting to be one size from ribs to hips this week. Her buns are really starting to develop which is cool to see!

Haha starving dobes they’re always starving aren’t they?!

Appreciate the feedback! And concern when she wasn’t well

How many times a day do you feed them? We are still at 3x and I have no idea how I’d reduce that because she knows when it’s time

 

[Katyusharocket]

How many times a day do you feed them? We are still at 3x and I have no idea how I’d reduce that because she knows when it’s time

Katyusha and Toby get fed at roughly 6:30 and 6:30. Zastava does too with raw topper at those times, with 2 rounded cups plus raw each. Zastava also gets fed a level half cup with no raw at 10:45 and 2:20. I find those smaller in between feedings for her increases the chances that my house stays clean and dry.

In your situation (that I am aware of), I don't think there's anything wrong with 3 feedings a day forever, if it's working for your schedule. Just adjust the total amount based on what you're seeing and time of year, activity level, and such. Dobies do love routine, after all!

 

[Ravenbird]

How many times a day do you feed them? We are still at 3x and I have no idea how I’d reduce that because she knows when it’s time

I went to 2x day at about 6 months I think. Some people feed 3x a day forever. I didn't make a big deal of it, I just stopped giving lunch and in a few days she quit expecting it. At 10 - 11 months your growth is slowing down and now she will be filling out. Don't go by measuring cups, go by what you see in your dog. There is no correct way to answer across the interwebs how much to feed your puppy! Too thin, feed more, too thick, feed less! Make a practice of going down her back and ribs with open hands. Ribs should be barely visible and easily felt, backbone and hip bones should never stick up or out.

Best gauge I ever found was comparing your dog to your own hand: A fat dog will feel like the pads on the palm of your hand, fleshy and unable to feel bone underneath. Too thin and the dogs backbone or ribs will be clear like your knuckles when your hand is in a fist. Just right your dogs ribs will be somewhat visible and palpable like your knuckles are when your hand is open.

 

[Katyusharocket]

Don't go by measuring cups, go by what you see in your dog. There is no correct way to answer across the interwebs how much to feed your puppy! Too thin, feed more, too thick, feed less! Make a practice of going down her back and ribs with open hands. Ribs should be barely visible and easily felt, backbone and hip bones should never stick up or out.

Best gauge I ever found was comparing your dog to your own hand: A fat dog will feel like the pads on the palm of your hand, fleshy and unable to feel bone underneath. Too thin and the dogs backbone or ribs will be clear like your knuckles when your hand is in a fist. Just right your dogs ribs will be somewhat visible and palpable like your knuckles are when your hand is open.

All of this is gold! Love that kind of gauge.

 

[MichiH]

I went to 2x day at about 6 months I think. Some people feed 3x a day forever. I didn't make a big deal of it, I just stopped giving lunch and in a few days she quit expecting it. At 10 - 11 months your growth is slowing down and now she will be filling out. Don't go by measuring cups, go by what you see in your dog. There is no correct way to answer across the interwebs how much to feed your puppy! Too thin, feed more, too thick, feed less! Make a practice of going down her back and ribs with open hands. Ribs should be barely visible and easily felt, backbone and hip bones should never stick up or out.

Best gauge I ever found was comparing your dog to your own hand: A fat dog will feel like the pads on the palm of your hand, fleshy and unable to feel bone underneath. Too thin and the dogs backbone or ribs will be clear like your knuckles when your hand is in a fist. Just right your dogs ribs will be somewhat visible and palpable like your knuckles are when your hand is open.

View attachment 148164View attachment 148165View attachment 148166

Perfect thank you!!!

 

[Kaiser2016]

Some people feed 3x a day forever.

That's us. Kaiser loves to eat and also acts like a starving dog, so we split his portions into three meals. If no one will be home with him for most of the morning, we give him a bigger first meal so he feels full for longer and so that he can still empty out during his bedtime potty - that way there is no request to poop overnight or any urgency to go come morning time.

 

[MyBuddy]

I am so sorry you have been going through such a rough time with this. Very scary to read through your thread not knowing what the real issue is. Knowing that she ate some of the dog bed was a concern. Reading about several blockages here on the board will put the fear of God in you! It's always a concern of mine. I've never gone through it but knowing that it's fairly prevalent makes it a concern. I don't know if Dobermans are getting more attracted to non-food items somehow or if every breed goes through this. But I know as a puppy, Annie wanted to taste everything! I spent every waking moment watching and saying, no no, drop it, leave it! It just becomes a part of your life. Frustrating as hell sometime! Like, why do you want to eat that!? But my main concern was not letting to turn into a habit. She's getting better at ignoring a lot of different things but it still goes on. She's so young and still learning. And it's hard to watch them every second.

And that said, it seems there's been a lot of people on here over the years who have seem to have Dobermans that have sensitive tummies. I guess like people, some are allergic to certain things while others are not.

I do believe food plays a great role. And finding the right food for your particular dog is important. Annie has been on Muenster food - Perfect Balance Chicken since bringing her home, as that is what her breeder feeds. (With toppers) She is always had a good BM, I will say.

I have Kali on this kibble:

Stella & Chewy's Raw Coated Dry Dog Food

Shop Stella & Chewy's Raw Coated Dry Dog Food from onlynaturalpet.com. Enjoy up to 15% off repeat delivery and free shipping on eligible orders

www.onlynaturalpet.com

Its raw coated kibble and she also gets Stella and Chewy's Frozen raw patties and other toppers. And she is always done well on it. I've been giving Annie some of the raw patties for a while and recently I've been throwing a handful of Kali's kibble into Annie's Bowl hoping to transition her over so they can both be on the same thing. So far, so good. But if I have any problems with the switch I will be going back to the Muenster.

I still feed Annie 3 times a day.

Have you tried a bit of pumpkin when Pepper had the diarrhea? Can't remember if I read that or not. Thinking of you and hoping that things go back to normal for Pepper.

 

[MichiH]

That's us. Kaiser loves to eat and also acts like a starving dog, so we split his portions into three meals. If no one will be home with him for most of the morning, we give him a bigger first meal so he feels full for longer and so that he can still empty out during his bedtime potty - that way there is no request to poop overnight or any urgency to go come morning time.

Yes, same with Pepper loves food and is also a starving dog 24/7.

I am going ti stick with 3 for

I am so sorry you have been going through such a rough time with this. Very scary to read through your thread not knowing what the real issue is. Knowing that she ate some of the dog bed was a concern. Reading about several blockages here on the board will put the fear of God in you! It's always a concern of mine. I've never gone through it but knowing that it's fairly prevalent makes it a concern. I don't know if Dobermans are getting more attracted to non-food items somehow or if every breed goes through this. But I know as a puppy, Annie wanted to taste everything! I spent every waking moment watching and saying, no no, drop it, leave it! It just becomes a part of your life. Frustrating as hell sometime! Like, why do you want to eat that!? But my main concern was not letting to turn into a habit. She's getting better at ignoring a lot of different things but it still goes on. She's so young and still learning. And it's hard to watch them every second.

And that said, it seems there's been a lot of people on here over the years who have seem to have Dobermans that have sensitive tummies. I guess like people, some are allergic to certain things while others are not.

I do believe food plays a great role. And finding the right food for your particular dog is important. Annie has been on Muenster food - Perfect Balance Chicken since bringing her home, as that is what her breeder feeds. (With toppers) She is always had a good BM, I will say.

I have Kali on this kibble:

Stella & Chewy's Raw Coated Dry Dog Food

Shop Stella & Chewy's Raw Coated Dry Dog Food from onlynaturalpet.com. Enjoy up to 15% off repeat delivery and free shipping on eligible orders

www.onlynaturalpet.com

Its raw coated kibble and she also gets Stella and Chewy's Frozen raw patties and other toppers. And she is always done well on it. I've been giving Annie some of the raw patties for a while and recently I've been throwing a handful of Kali's kibble into Annie's Bowl hoping to transition her over so they can both be on the same thing. So far, so good. But if I have any problems with the switch I will be going back to the Muenster.

I still feed Annie 3 times a day.

Have you tried a bit of pumpkin when Pepper had the diarrhea? Can't remember if I read that or not. Thinking of you and hoping that things go back to normal for Pepper.

Thank you for checking in! She is back to normal now, normal bms and normal poop times lol.

I do think she was sick with whatever virus is going around and the bed stuffing she consumed didn’t help.

You’re right you have to watch them 24/7 it’s a lot of work and stressful. She was awful as a small pup constantly I was saying leave it, no, drop it. She has made progress and having her prong on when walking is helpful.

I really can’t give her any chews and/or raw meat. I gave her a nice local bully stick when away weeks ago, diarrhea, ocean water - diarrhea and I tried another chew bison trechea as she did well with beef before and nope diarrhea. Just a bummer it seems most things upset her and I am really afraid to try anything besides some fruit, veggies, and cooked chicken.

Hoping the eating random stuff stops completely, but I did notice when I left her in her crate to run errands or whatever, no that long at all! She got bored and ate her bed and sheet on top of crate. So now it’s bare and she has one solid chew toy in there only.

I even removed her night time blanket because she was cobbing it and ate some of it, her bed she does leave alone because she’s zonked out.

We’ve had poop issues since week 1 and I am over it. My husband thinks I am crazy, but I keep telling him her poop matters lol. It tells so many things.

 

[MichiH]

I am so sorry you have been going through such a rough time with this. Very scary to read through your thread not knowing what the real issue is. Knowing that she ate some of the dog bed was a concern. Reading about several blockages here on the board will put the fear of God in you! It's always a concern of mine. I've never gone through it but knowing that it's fairly prevalent makes it a concern. I don't know if Dobermans are getting more attracted to non-food items somehow or if every breed goes through this. But I know as a puppy, Annie wanted to taste everything! I spent every waking moment watching and saying, no no, drop it, leave it! It just becomes a part of your life. Frustrating as hell sometime! Like, why do you want to eat that!? But my main concern was not letting to turn into a habit. She's getting better at ignoring a lot of different things but it still goes on. She's so young and still learning. And it's hard to watch them every second.

And that said, it seems there's been a lot of people on here over the years who have seem to have Dobermans that have sensitive tummies. I guess like people, some are allergic to certain things while others are not.

I do believe food plays a great role. And finding the right food for your particular dog is important. Annie has been on Muenster food - Perfect Balance Chicken since bringing her home, as that is what her breeder feeds. (With toppers) She is always had a good BM, I will say.

I have Kali on this kibble:

Stella & Chewy's Raw Coated Dry Dog Food

Shop Stella & Chewy's Raw Coated Dry Dog Food from onlynaturalpet.com. Enjoy up to 15% off repeat delivery and free shipping on eligible orders

www.onlynaturalpet.com

Its raw coated kibble and she also gets Stella and Chewy's Frozen raw patties and other toppers. And she is always done well on it. I've been giving Annie some of the raw patties for a while and recently I've been throwing a handful of Kali's kibble into Annie's Bowl hoping to transition her over so they can both be on the same thing. So far, so good. But if I have any problems with the switch I will be going back to the Muenster.

I still feed Annie 3 times a day.

Have you tried a bit of pumpkin when Pepper had the diarrhea? Can't remember if I read that or not. Thinking of you and hoping that things go back to normal for Pepper.

Yes, pumpkin in the freezer lol, although, this round of diarrhea it didn’t seem to help at all. Which again makes me think she was sick.