Hi, Merry Christmas! I've got a 11 week old puppy who hasnt been himself at all today. He's not a huge eater anyway, today he's had one bowl of food which he's been grazing at all day, when I'd usually be about to feed his third. He's drank some water, again not a massive amount. He's been pretty lazy and lethargic too, and he did vomit a tiny amount a few hours ago but nothing else since (he has eaten and drank a bit since). Could his be just the excitement of Christmas day? I have a 6 year old and the family are all around fussing over the dog. Should I just keep an eye on him at this stage? Sorry if this is daft! I've only had older rescues before so I've always skipped the young puppy stage. Thanks Andrea
Hi Andrea, welcome to the forum. How is your puppy today? Hopefully back to himself after the excitement of yesterday?
Hi Andrea... This would concern me a little bit. The majority of lab puppies are hugely into food (which makes them extra trainable!). The times when I've had a pup not into food, was one of the first signs the pup was coming down with some gastro issue - but often I don't see this until I look back, when things have become more obvious! Conditions like giardia, coccidia etc are there in a lower-grade way (ie lack of appetite) for weeks often, before you see clear and obvious signs that something's not right (like vomiting or runny stools). If you're in the UK, I'd suggest getting some Panacur 10% wormer - which you can buy from an online pharmacy without a prescription - and giving the 3 day giardia dosage for it, which you'll find on the data sheet which comes with it. It's a very gentle wormer (which is a good idea anyway for a young pup which is slightly off-colour) but Panacur also happens to be effective against giardia. If things continue, then go to the vet and let the vet know that you have already tried the Panacur. (Because otherwise it's the first thing they often want to try, so you can skip a step by trying it yourself first.) Hope things are better soon.
Hi, I took him to the vets Boxing day, he was vomiting and had awful diarrhoea. Vet gave him probiotics, antiacids and a Worming tablet with an antiemetic injection. The vomiting stopped but diarrhoea continued. He seemed much better yesterday, almost his usual self, drinking plenty but not eating. His morning we woke up to vomit and diarrhoea everywhere. Rushed back to the Vet, he's been kept in on fluids and electrolytes. He's had an x-ray and ultrasound which showed nothing. Antibiotics and fluids not improving his condition. Now hes being tested for parvo but he's never been outside so I have no idea how he could have caught it, he's from a lovely breeder and the rest of the litter are fine at the moment. He's such a lovely little boy, myself and my 6 year old are totally crushed at the moment. Thanks for asking. Andrea
Update, He's still unwell, not eating, vomiting and no energy, still on antibiotics, fluids and electrolytes but confirmed not parvo. Very very low white blood cell count. Temperature was low but is back to normal. No blockages showing on x-ray or ultrasound. Options to gice stronger antibiotics or open him up to search for an intestinal blockage. Every phone call I get I'm expecting to hear the worst.
I Hope your puppy starts to feel better soon. My latest pup was very poorly when I first had her at 8 weeks, quite similar symptoms to yours. She was eventually treated with Panacur and antibiotic erythromycin. Hope you get to the bottom of this.
