Daisy constipated

[Daisy May's mummy]

Hi everyone

Rang vet and said Daisy was going but hard and he said give her a couple of teaspoons of milk three times a day. This sorted it out but starting again,she is on half a tray of Wainwrights turkey and rice with a little extra later on in the evening. When I got her a week ago the breeder!!! had her on cheap 4% meat dereatives dog food (not puppy food) which she wasn't constipated on.Changed her to WW quickly over a couple of days and I think it may be the rice binding her (she doesn't drink much so I put water with it) Should I give her a little milk every time she gets constipated? I do have lactose free or should I gradually change her food.The one they gave me for her (the tin was bigger than her) they must have fed all the dogs on, cheapest rubbish you can get. I think it was a puppy farm,vet said she is very healthy though.She is 10 weeks now  is settling in well. No dried food at all.

Thank you 

Christina 

 

[excuseme]

Hard poo is fine and is good for the anal glands, (it help's express them ! )

As long as Daisy is pooing each day 1 to 2 times I would not worry, it is perfectly normal if a raw fed dog does hard poo's (small and like torpedos' ) !

The last thing you would want to encourage is very soft poo or the "runs"!

Enjoy your new puppy )

 

[Daisy May's mummy]

Thank you, her little tummy is swollen I expect it's the worms but she has been treated.

Christina x

 

[excuseme]

A swollen tummy could be related to a tummy full of worms.

It can also be related to a poor quality food that the tummy is having difficulty digesting. Try to feed grain free products, it is these grains that our pets systems have trouble digesting properly ( rice) is also a grain. A raw chicken wing 2 to 3 times a week would be beneficial for her too, it will have loads of good  quality  nutrients and essential calcium for her. They are also very good for cleaning teeth and keeping the gums healthy.

Milk will be of no benefit for your puppy it may now even cause an upset tummy. Just stick with a good quality solid food. No dry kibble is fine!

I start my puppies with raw bones at 5 weeks, so your Daisy will be fine.

 

[bub1]

Hi Christina 

if you are worried about little ones swollen tummy take her to the vet to have it checked. 

When did she get wormed? I am not sure how long the worming process takes lol. 

See how Daisy May goes tonight and if you are still worried about her in the morning book her in to see the vet. It may be normal but it will put your mind at rest. 

X

 

[Daisy May's mummy]

She went straight away when I got her and had advocet and drontal, Vet very happy with her it's me that worries after my other little dog was so ill with liver probs.

Thank you both so much for you help

Christina x

 

[gypsysmum2]

Did the vet explain that puppies need worming fairly regularly? You can just ring up for advice on worming and they will put out some more  wormers for you to pick up. It is good for puppies to go the vet's surgery for a weigh, a treat, and some fuss from the staff  If you suspect worms then you could get a worm count done.

Shop bought wormers are useless.

 

[gypsysmum2]

Forgot to also say that puppies can have so many worms that they block the intestines. Given her poor start in life and the fact that she is constipated it is worth bearing this in mind.

 

[Daisy May's mummy]

Thank you, but the first day we had her took her to the vet for de worming, I have always had rescue dogs ,the last one had a liver shunt and I had her operated on and had to syringe her meds for months.It was just a change of food and she has settled down now

 

[leashedForLife]

for future reference -
Plain canned pumpkin  is marvelous for helping dogs who tend to bind / constipate, for anal gland issues, & for weight-loss.
Squash puree [butternut, acorn, whatever] will not do the same job, as it has less insoluble fiber than pumpkin, so there really is no substitute, sorry.

There are sources in the UK & Europe, it's not hard to find nor very expensive [especially considering the torture of constipation, poor dogs!, & the cost of vet treatment], many grocers put it in their baking aisle or in the 'American foods' section - it can also be bought on-line & delivered, & free shipping when it is sent with other items will cut the bill down.

for constipation, the amount depends on the dog's weight - a teaspoon per meal for a toy-sized dog [ 5# or less weight], 1.5-tsp per meal for a dog up to 15#, 2 tsp per meal for a 20 to 35# dog, 2.5-tsp per meal for a 40 to 55# dog,  1-Tbsp per meal for a 60 to 75# dog, & so on. //   Meals are measured, not eyeballed, & given twice daily 8 to 12-hours apart.

for anal glands that get impacted or infected, STOP the vet or the groomer from manually expressing them regularly!  
Groomers are especially prone to think they are doing U a favor by expressing them, & many don't mention it - but manual expression damages the glands' normal operation, & they become dependent - IOW, they stop working in their own, & swelling, pain, & possible abscess result.     The poor dog is then in a recurring cycle of retention, express, retain, express, impaction, express, retain, infection, Anti-Bs, etc.

here is some reliable info on the glands, their function, & exams:
http://www.putnamnorthanimalhospital.com/Anal-Glands.html

Manual expression is sometimes needed, but try to use it only when absolutely necessary, & that should be no more than bi-annual, even in a dog with chronic issues, if U add pumpkin to each meal [twice daily].
Start with a teaspoonful for a small dog under 20#, 2-tsp for a medium dog [25 to 50# ],  a Tbsp for a dog over 60#, & 1.5-Tbsp for a dog of 100# or more. Gradually increase the amount per meal, every other day - so that the dog's GI tract is not upset by a sudden change.  For a dog under 20#, another 1/2-tsp per meal added every other day should be fine - just listen for gurgly gut noises, & watch for gassy stools. If U hear gurgles, stop at any increase & wait 24-hours; most dogs' guts get accustomed to the extra fiber easily, just give some more time at the same amount.
When the dog's stools contain visible orange matter in small clumps or sections of the stool, U've reached an effective amount for self-expression of the anal glands, & they should be palpably SMALLER when U examine them.  This is easy, & does not hurt the dog  - just work gently.  Put on disposable medical gloves, preferably laetrile AKA nitrile rather than vinyl or latex, as both can irritate the anus & bowel;  insert the index fingertip of whichever hand is Ur most-dextrous, & gently feel from inside with the finger, & from outside with the gloved thumb.  THE OTHER HAND is palm-up, reaching forward from beneath the dog's tail, & supporting the belly so the dog can't sit down.

The anal glands are located at the bottom of a clock-face on either side, at approx 4 on the right, & 8 on the left.  They should feel slightly firm but giving, & proportionate to the dog - a toy dog under 5# has itty-bitty glands like blueberries, while a giant over 125# has small plums.
If U think Ur dog will wiggle during an internal exam, clean the front of the refrigerator, oven, or dishwasher, & spread a thin layer of sunflower-seed butter, peanut-butter, Low-Fat cream-cheese, or other lickable treat on that, & squat or kneel by the dog as they lick avidly - that keeps the front end busy, LOL, & the back stands quieter.  

I'll post for weight-loss / reducing BMI & fat, in my next post.
- terry

 

[leashedForLife]

here's a nutritional analysis for pumpkin puree -
View attachment 111972571

.

additionally, this wouldn't fit on the screenshot -
View attachment 111972572

.
And for butternut squash -

View attachment 111972573

the squash has 100 kcals / 8-oz cup, & 4 grams of fiber,  vs  73 kcals per cup for pumpkin & almost double the fiber.  Lower carbs, much-more fiber.

Pumpkin smells sweet, & nearly every dog adores it - they'll lick it from a fingertip at room temp, & eagerly look for more, LOL. // But U won't be feeding an entire can, & once chilled, it doesn't present the same appealing aroma.  If Ur dog turns their nose up at the refrigerated version, no worries - give it just a few seconds in the microwave, & THEN add it to the meal; it will be gobbled up in no time.
Pre-measured amounts can be easily scooped, frozen in ice-cube trays, & doled out singly by defrosting them in the microwave; once frozen, the scoops can be popped from the cube tray to be stored in bulk, in a ziplock bag, & taken out as they are needed.

[I'm sure U know this, but just in case -
never store food in the 'frig in the original can, empty any remainder from the can with a spatula to get every bit without scraping the can-liner, & store it in glass, plastic, or S/S / silicone, etc.  Cans can carry all sorts of dirt from their processing, shipping, & handling history, including rodent urine, roach droppings, & all kinds of bacteria; just empty them promptly, rinse, & recycle the tin.]

to dogs' good health,
- terry