Non-stop health issues

Sage024 · Jan 19, 2022

Not sure if I just want to vent or am looking for similar experiences etc. As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, Kanda is my first dog and my first dobe. He’s 8 months old now and I got him as an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) for anxiety but I’ve had non stop anxiety over his health since I got him four months ago. Are puppy years notorious for worrying and then having ailments?

I got him from a good breeder. His parents have great pedigrees and their health tests are clean. The only thing is I got him at 4 months old after he’d been with someone else for a few months, rather than at 8 weeks. Ever since I’ve had him he’s had a nasty skin infection which we have been treating but has been persistent and expensive (he looks great now though and is nearly clear if it). When he was younger he had diarrhea and I was always concerned he had parasites or parvo. Turns out he has a food allergy (linked to skin). Now he’s had a cough for the last few weeks. Acting totally normal but with a cough and snotty nose. Vet had him on antibiotics and cough suppressants for two weeks but he still has a cough, although it’s not as bad. He has an appointment to see the vet today and they want to do a chest X-ray to see what’s going on. I’m horrified it’s going to be some terrible news like a heart or lung problem. Then last night he threw up at like 1am some partially digested food from hours ago. But he’s totally himself still. He was up at 7am barking to go potty. Running up and down the hallway with his toys after that, like usual. I gave him one cup for breakfast instead of two since he got sick last night and he was as hungry as ever.

I just love him so much and just want him to be done with all these health issues. Im constantly worried that I’m going to get some bad news that he has a life threatening condition etc. I waited over a year on a waitlist for him, saved money for ages, did so much prepping. Now I have him and I’m constantly worried that something is wrong. did anyone else have a puppy that needed so many vet visits? Is this somewhat normal?

Gpcoguy · Jan 19, 2022

Welcome from Colorado. Sorry to hear about your troubles. Please keep us up to date on his condition and hope all goes well

Ravenbird · Jan 19, 2022

I know some pups have more problems than others, but sounds like you have more than your fair share. Hopefully the chest x-ray comes out clean. Let us know how he is!

LifeofRubie · Jan 19, 2022

Hang in there!

Puppies can be pretty rough and tumble. The food allergy thing should be easier to manage now that you've identified it and the skin infection hopefully won't be an issue once it's cleared up. Sounds like you're going down the right road with the tests for the cough.

My dumb dumb went through periods where she wouldn't eat (or rather, would literally only eat exactly what she expended so she was a skinny puppy) which can then lead to hunger pukes, etc. She's gotten staples and stiches and scrapes and bumps; had broken teeth extracted; pooped out socks I didn't even know were missing (socks and undies now go from body to hamper behind closed door and no in between). My Lab puppy broke a toe and limped on and off for about a year. Insurance may be something worth looking to look into as I know stuff adds up (my apologies if you've asked somewhere else on the forum, I'm a bit back logged!).

Two Dobes · Jan 19, 2022

I feel your pain....I was just reflecting this past week, that the two I have now, are the healthiest we have owned in awhile. I had come across photos of a bitch we had 15 years ago, who had constant issues. Same thing; saved forever, did research, the breeder blamed me for it all

. This little girl had digestive issues, her liver enzymes were high her whole life (thank God for a holistic vet who had me keep her on Milk Thistle to keep them "lower") and when she went into the ring for her very first time at 6 months in conformation; she was covered in whelts....breeder said "Must be something in your home". She actually won the puppy class (we figured the judge felt sorry for her

). Vet felt that the hives were from inadequate immune system, and it would correct itself, and it did......And as an adult, she had chronic nail bed infections, from walking in the winter (I even had boots on her) vet said could be from sweating feet....it was ALWAYS something with her.

Some of the time they DO grow out of these things....I feel very badly for you...brings back my fretting memories.

Sage024 · Jan 19, 2022

LifeofRubie said:
Hang in there!

Puppies can be pretty rough and tumble. The food allergy thing should be easier to manage now that you've identified it and the skin infection hopefully won't be an issue once it's cleared up. Sounds like you're going down the right road with the tests for the cough.

My dumb dumb went through periods where she wouldn't eat (or rather, would literally only eat exactly what she expended so she was a skinny puppy) which can then lead to hunger pukes, etc. She's gotten staples and stiches and scrapes and bumps; had broken teeth extracted; pooped out socks I didn't even know were missing (socks and undies now go from body to hamper behind closed door and no in between). My Lab puppy broke a toe and limped on and off for about a year. Insurance may be something worth looking to look into as I know stuff adds up (my apologies if you've asked somewhere else on the forum, I'm a bit back logged!).

Thanks for the kind words. Waiting for the vet appointment is awful. I just want to know what’s up. I’m hoping it’s just some bug he’s caught and taking a while to kick. My mind just immediately goes to DCM, is this a heart cough etc.

Sage024 · Jan 19, 2022

Two Dobes said:
I feel your pain....I was just reflecting this past week, that the two I have now, are the healthiest we have owned in awhile. I had come across photos of a bitch we had 15 years ago, who had constant issues. Same thing; saved forever, did research, the breeder blamed me for it all . This little girl had digestive issues, her liver enzymes were high her whole life (thank God for a holistic vet who had me keep her on Milk Thistle to keep them "lower") and when she went into the ring for her very first time at 6 months in conformation; she was covered in whelts....breeder said "Must be something in your home". She actually won the puppy class (we figured the judge felt sorry for her ). Vet felt that the hives were from inadequate immune system, and it would correct itself, and it did......And as an adult, she had chronic nail bed infections, from walking in the winter (I even had boots on her) vet said could be from sweating feet....it was ALWAYS something with her.

Some of the time they DO grow out of these things....I feel very badly for you...brings back my fretting memories.

I hope he grows out of it! He’s my little baby, just want him healthy. I make the mistake of googling symptoms etc and get worried it will be something awful like heart failure or lung problems

Kaiser2016 · Jan 19, 2022

Sage024 said:
I got him as an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) for anxiety but I’ve had non stop anxiety over his health since I got him four months ago.

That's a bit of a Doberman thing. I've heard so much about how dogs are good for one's health, but maybe not when you're on the first Doberman :spit:

On a more serious note, the cough could be kennel cough if he goes to dog parks or spends time with other dogs (daycare?). It could also be...coronavirus (including Covid)! Dogs and cats can get this, but usually THEY will get it from (their own) people.

We've had Kaiser since he was 8 weeks old, but I also feel like we were always at the vet: all the vaccinations, the ears, the nails, and yes, the stomach issues. Enough people have come on here asking about poop issues, that I think Dobes just have sensitive stomachs in the early days. Get him on a good probiotic to help stabilize his gut flora, I prefer to use Goat's milk nowadays. Bone broth to boost his immune system during winter months and vit C everyday.

Sage024 said:
I’m horrified it’s going to be some terrible news

Ya, I recall having these feelings too. I think with a new pet, and one that requires so much intensity/time/commitment, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and then you start seeing ghosts. Especially if your pre-dog life was way more relaxed. Take a deep breath, stop googling, and enjoy your pup.

Sage024 · Jan 19, 2022

Kaiser2016 said:
That's a bit of a Doberman thing. I've heard so much about how dogs are good for one's health, but maybe not when you're on the first Doberman

On a more serious note, the cough could be kennel cough if he goes to dog parks or spends time with other dogs (daycare?). It could also be...coronavirus (including Covid)! Dogs and cats can get this, but usually THEY will get it from (their own) people.

We've had Kaiser since he was 8 weeks old, but I also feel like we were always at the vet: all the vaccinations, the ears, the nails, and yes, the stomach issues. Enough people have come on here asking about poop issues, that I think Dobes just have sensitive stomachs in the early days. Get him on a good probiotic to help stabilize his gut flora, I prefer to use Goat's milk nowadays. Bone broth to boost his immune system during winter months and vit C everyday.

Ya, I recall having these feelings too. I think with a new pet, and one that requires so much intensity/time/commitment, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and then you start seeing ghosts. Especially if your pre-dog life was way more relaxed. Take a deep breath, stop googling, and enjoy your pup.

Thank you for this. He’s such a sweetheart, I’m sure when he’s trained and out of the puppy stage he will be a great ESA but for now it’s definitely a huge stress!

He’s on hydrolyzed protein food now so his stools have been pristine, but before this food it was impossible to get a good poop out of him. Maybe that IS just a dobe thing. Prior to his kennel cough vet visit he was going to daycare twice weekly and the dog park occasionally as well. So he had plenty of opportunities to pick it up somewhere. My concern is from the antibiotic not totally knocking it out, so of course now my brain goes to, is it a bigger issue? Is it a chronic thing? Is it something bad?

hopefully the vet visit this afternoon will put my mind at ease. And you’re right on that one, so much time, effort, etc into these pups, it’s like a first child or something

Kaiser2016 · Jan 19, 2022

Sage024 said:
My mind just immediately goes to DCM, is this a heart cough etc.

Kennel cough for dogs is like the common cold is for humans. There's so much variety and since he is in ALL the suspect environments, I wouldn't over think it. It's like kids in daycare always getting sick. If your vet wants to vaccinate against kennel cough, you have to think about whether to proceed with that - Regardless, I would wait until he is more stable before giving any further vaccinations.

When we first got Kaiser, neither of us could be home with him, so I opted to leave him in the garage so he would be safe (no cars or chemicals to worry about) and not have to worry about potty accidents. I came home from a short day at work and he had pooped all over the damn place, like slurry pools of filthy poop. I googled it and all the links said he had parvo and would die

Especially if there was blood in the stool, so there I am, with a front facing garage wide open to the street, and I'm using a flashlight to closely examine the piles of crap to see if there's any blood. Meanwhile, I had not secured the puppy but he was so responsible he was just following me around wondering why I was so interested in the poop. Then I hosed down the whole place and as I was cleaning I noticed Kaiser's giant kibble bag was wide open. Yes, I did indeed keep a bag of kibble within reach of an unsupervised puppy. I really thought the velcro seal at the top of the bag would have kept him out :spit:

Also the bag was so tall compared to a pup. But no, he sniffed it out and he climbed that Mount Everest food bag without ever knocking it down

Sage024 said:
but before this food it was impossible to get a good poop out of him. Maybe that IS just a dobe thing

To this day, anything fatty will still stir up his intestines, so we know what foods to limit - we don't restrict anything really, but small doses/snack sizes are a happy compromise.

Sage024 said:
it’s like a first child or something

It's the worst :facepalm:

But cheer up, because the Doberteens are coming your way!

Sage024 · Jan 19, 2022

Sage024 said:
Not sure if I just want to vent or am looking for similar experiences etc. As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, Kanda is my first dog and my first dobe. He’s 8 months old now and I got him as an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) for anxiety but I’ve had non stop anxiety over his health since I got him four months ago. Are puppy years notorious for worrying and then having ailments?

I got him from a good breeder. His parents have great pedigrees and their health tests are clean. The only thing is I got him at 4 months old after he’d been with someone else for a few months, rather than at 8 weeks. Ever since I’ve had him he’s had a nasty skin infection which we have been treating but has been persistent and expensive (he looks great now though and is nearly clear if it). When he was younger he had diarrhea and I was always concerned he had parasites or parvo. Turns out he has a food allergy (linked to skin). Now he’s had a cough for the last few weeks. Acting totally normal but with a cough and snotty nose. Vet had him on antibiotics and cough suppressants for two weeks but he still has a cough, although it’s not as bad. He has an appointment to see the vet today and they want to do a chest X-ray to see what’s going on. I’m horrified it’s going to be some terrible news like a heart or lung problem. Then last night he threw up at like 1am some partially digested food from hours ago. But he’s totally himself still. He was up at 7am barking to go potty. Running up and down the hallway with his toys after that, like usual. I gave him one cup for breakfast instead of two since he got sick last night and he was as hungry as ever.

I just love him so much and just want him to be done with all these health issues. Im constantly worried that I’m going to get some bad news that he has a life threatening condition etc. I waited over a year on a waitlist for him, saved money for ages, did so much prepping. Now I have him and I’m constantly worried that something is wrong. did anyone else have a puppy that needed so many vet visits? Is this somewhat normal?

UPDATE:

X rays are all clear. No enlarged heart or fluid in the lungs. Just another course of antibiotics. Otherwise he’s going to be totally fine. I can’t believe how worried I get about this guy. Enjoy a pic of him post sedative

Sage024 · Jan 20, 2022

Kaiser2016 said:
Kennel cough for dogs is like the common cold is for humans. There's so much variety and since he is in ALL the suspect environments, I wouldn't over think it. It's like kids in daycare always getting sick. If your vet wants to vaccinate against kennel cough, you have to think about whether to proceed with that - Regardless, I would wait until he is more stable before giving any further vaccinations.

When we first got Kaiser, neither of us could be home with him, so I opted to leave him in the garage so he would be safe (no cars or chemicals to worry about) and not have to worry about potty accidents. I came home from a short day at work and he had pooped all over the damn place, like slurry pools of filthy poop. I googled it and all the links said he had parvo and would die Especially if there was blood in the stool, so there I am, with a front facing garage wide open to the street, and I'm using a flashlight to closely examine the piles of crap to see if there's any blood. Meanwhile, I had not secured the puppy but he was so responsible he was just following me around wondering why I was so interested in the poop. Then I hosed down the whole place and as I was cleaning I noticed Kaiser's giant kibble bag was wide open. Yes, I did indeed keep a bag of kibble within reach of an unsupervised puppy. I really thought the velcro seal at the top of the bag would have kept him out Also the bag was so tall compared to a pup. But no, he sniffed it out and he climbed that Mount Everest food bag without ever knocking it down

To this day, anything fatty will still stir up his intestines, so we know what foods to limit - we don't restrict anything really, but small doses/snack sizes are a happy compromise.

It's the worst But cheer up, because the Doberteens are coming your way!

Sounds about right, I have to crate him if I’m not home or unable to keep an eye on him because he still gets into everything. The garbage can lives under a barstool now so that he can’t get into it.

As for doberteens, I think we are in the thick of it! He talks back, has selective hearing and conveniently forgets house rules and training. I admit I enjoyed post-sedative, sleepy/clingy Kanda last night quite a bit because he was too sleepy to get into trouble lol

Tropicalbri's · Jan 20, 2022

His stools and vomiting are most likely related to his immune system.
It’s not fully strong yet and the need for use of antibiotics will have his gut flora stripped, creating soft stools, sensitive stomach etc.
He would benefit from daily probiotics to help his immune system.
My boy has environmental and food allergies.
I did the Hemopet testing for sensitivities.
He is allergic to fish, more specifically white fish types, so I had to eliminate those from his diet.

Just give him time and keep up with his needs and diet.
He will most likely grow out of the stomach issues and as @Kaiser2016 said get prepared for the doberteens.

You may need to take a Valium to calm yourself or a glass of wine. Lol
Don’t fret, relax and just enjoy him. He will pick up on your worry and stress, so the less the better.

Did the Vet say he may have kennel cough or it is just allergies causing the coughing and drainage?

Think positive, be positive, it helps to bring it all together for you!

Kaiser2016 · Jan 20, 2022

Tropicalbri's said:
You may need to take a Valium to calm yourself or a glass of wine. Lol

Definitely! :martini:

Sage024 · Jan 23, 2022

Tropicalbri's said:
His stools and vomiting are most likely related to his immune system.
It’s not fully strong yet and the need for use of antibiotics will have his gut flora stripped, creating soft stools, sensitive stomach etc.
He would benefit from daily probiotics to help his immune system.
My boy has environmental and food allergies.
I did the Hemopet testing for sensitivities.
He is allergic to fish, more specifically white fish types, so I had to eliminate those from his diet.

Just give him time and keep up with his needs and diet.
He will most likely grow out of the stomach issues and as @Kaiser2016 said get prepared for the doberteens.

You may need to take a Valium to calm yourself or a glass of wine. Lol
Don’t fret, relax and just enjoy him. He will pick up on your worry and stress, so the less the better.

Did the Vet say he may have kennel cough or it is just allergies causing the coughing and drainage?

Think positive, be positive, it helps to bring it all together for you!

The vet said it sounds like classic kennel cough and the random puke incident isn’t something to worry about unless it persists. Like you all said, he’s still young and developing his immune system. I can’t remember how many times I got randomly sick as a kid and probably freaked my mom out.

Seeing his chest X-ray and hearing that everything looks and sounds perfect was a huge relief for me and I haven’t been stressed about it since. I feel like he’s my first kid or something lol always worried about him. But he’s doing better and we are cracking down on training now and it’s becoming very enjoyable. Even if he is a little crackhead teen

Non-stop health issues

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