1st time dog owner - any thoughts?

[Carol B & Pilot]

My family and I are enjoying being first time dog owners. We have a 9 mo male goldendoodle, it's been wonderful.  I had him neutered on the 9th, and he was doing fine - wound looks good, energy, eating normal...  On the 18th he ate 1/2 his breakfast, and refused food since.  I'm having a hard time getting him to drink more too.  He's eaten a couple of favorite biscuits (lamb/rice), and I made him rice with broth, and put some broth in his water.  He's lethargic and doesn;t want to go out.  Of course, since he's not eating much, he not pooping much, but doesn't seem to be a problem there (we know when his stomach is upset, from 1 end or the other...).  I'm wondering, is this reduced testosterone from the neutering? A secondary infection? Doesn't seem to be in pain anywhere...I'm taking him to the vet tomorrow morning unless there is a complete turn-around tonight.  Any insight/thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I hope he perks up soon. One of the things I have done to encourage a sick dog to drink is hold some water in my hands - kind of like hand feeding - after a few handfuls, I put my hands closer and closer to the water bowl, finally drizzling it from my hands into the bowl.

[BG and Gavin]

I do the exact same thing with the water Nancy.  Great minds think alike or is it fools seldom differ? :)

[Richard Crowe]

Thank goodness, we have not had a drinking (or lack of drinking) problem with our goldendoodle, Holly.  However, for one reason or another we frequently have this problem with Maltese, mostly with rescue Maltese.  Sometimes it results from an infection or upset stomach and sometimes because they are in pain after neutering or spaying (different dogs have different pain tolerances).

This also happens after a dog has puppies and doesn't want to leave the pups for any reason.  Sometimes offering water close to the mom and puppies helps but, we often need to start the mom drinking with the syringe.  BTW:  this happens more often with our rescues who have been on the streets immediately before whelping pups.  They have an instinctive desire to remain with their pups to protect them. 

In any case, the important thing is to prevent dehydration.  One of the ways that we do this is with a small syringe of water and inject (no needle of course) the fluid into the dogs mouth so it has to swallow it.  We have also used Pedialite (used to prevent dehydration in babies).

I would expect that a doodle size dog would need a larger quantity of liquid than a little Maltese.  A turkey baster might be a handy tool to administer the fluids.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Glad to hear the vet didn't think it was serious. I pray he feels better very quickly!!

If you do not have pet insurance, this is a perfect time to get it.  

[Carol B & Pilot]

Another update...I followed the vet's lead, and bought some canned food (same brand/formula as his dry).  He's eaten almost 2 cans of it today, but still lethargic, and I'm using the turkey baster for get a little more fluids into him.  I am taking him back to see his regular doc tomorrow.  Some of you have asked about eating something he shouldn't, and I guess that's not out of the question.  He has in the past, but came out alright, but no change in disposition last time.  Can dogs have a blockage, but not vomit?  His poops have been normal, but since he ate next to nothing yesterday, he didn't poop today (that seems right?). When he ate a couple of bites a few minutes ago, he made a slight coughing/clearing his throat sound, which is why I'm thinking it could be something in his tummy (but he doesn't seem to have any tummy discomfort).  This is when I wish for a talking dog... 

[Carol B & Pilot]

I never thought I'd be so happy to see a dog poop as I did this morning.  I think that means I can rule out a blockage?  Still lethargic, vet appt this afternoon.

 

[Joani, Skadi & Elli]

Yes, let us know what happened at the vets

[Carol B & Pilot]

So, Tuesday's vet appt was with his regular doctor. He took some blood, gave him fluids under the skin and checked out his ears.  We're talking doodle here, and wearing the e-collar for a week after his neutering didn't help, and his ears are a lot gunkier than they should be.  I heard about the blood work this morning, and his white cells are up (along with the slight fever he had), could it be an ear infection?  I'm waiting on a call back from the doc to discuss.  He was perkier after the vet visit on Tuesday, and ate a lot for dinner.  Ate well on Wednesday, but is back to being picky and mopey today.  I never imagined that caring for a dog could be harder than a kid (my son is 10, and back before he was talking, it seemed easier to figure out what was going on with him...).  On the plus side, we finally had a bit of snow, and the dog thought it was pretty fun!

[Joani, Skadi & Elli]

Awww.  Poor poor baby.  I agree taking care of these puppies is the hardest thing I think I've had to do since raising my little ones.  Ears are an ongoing problem...anytime my doods ears were gunky was indeed an ear infection...once the vet tech said oh her ears are probably just dirty...and I listened to her and let another day go by before taking my puppy in to find a full blown infection.  We are the best advocate for our puppies...you know that puppy better than anyone else.  Keep us posted.  xxxooo to your sweet boy.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Although it could be an ear infection, it's not likely to cause an increased white count or fever. The usual ear infections are external , in the outer ear canal. I am concerned about something more serious.

[Carol B & Pilot]

Thankfully, Pilot is back to normal.  The vet said his blood showed an increased white count, so he was fighting something. Gave him a few more days of anti-biotics, and a couple of days later he was good as new.  Something I discovered, scratching under his chin I felt a bulge - like a swollen gland (had to google, and yes, dogs have tonsils and can get tonsillitis). Don't know if that's what it was (it made me realize how quiet he was being, along with the not eating thing) so poor baby had a sore throat.  I have a few more days for drops in his ears, but I have my rascally pup back.  Thanks to all who weighed in.

[BG and Gavin]

Gosh don't you wish they could talk and tell you where it hurts?  Glad Pilot is better!