Auggie is not feeling well

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

Auggie did not want to eat on Saturday morning and seemed a bit off the whole day. I took the boys out for a doodle romp in the afternoon and Auggie seemed to perk up and played with the other dogs just fine. I boiled some rice and chicken for him in the evening and he did eat some of it. Last night we heard him scratching constantly and at about 1pm my DH had to take him out because of loose bowels. I can smell bad gas coming out of Auggie on occasions this morning, he refused his breakfast again and is just moping around (although he did try to attack and chase Monty the first thing in the morning). But he is definitely not feeling well and I can't tell what's wrong. He is still scratching on occasions; I looked through his fur for flees, but did not see anything. I'm not sure if I'm imagining it or not, but it almost looks like his eyes are a bit swollen (just like mine since I did not get much sleep last night). I can't tell for sure. My DH said Auggie drank some water in the morning.

I'm going to the store to see if I can find some anti itch shampoo and give him a bath. Would you suggest a baby Benadryl or something? If so, how much? Any other ideas of what I can do before taking him to the vet tomorrow morning?

[BG and Gavin]

Oh poor baby. I do not have a lot of knowledge on the subject, but I do not see the connection between allergies and loose bowels and moping. Gavin has has allergies these past few weeks and besides the itching and licking there was nothing else off about him. Are u able to take his temp? Are his ears warm? Try and keep up with the water or ice chips. Hugs to you both.

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

Yeah, I did not think these two issues are related either. I will keep an eye on him.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I agree with BG, Jarka, I really don't think the itching is related. It may just be more noticeable because he's not being active and isn't distracted from it. 

I would not urge him to eat if he doesn't want to, and I don't think I would give Benadryl either. Offer small amounts of ice water or ice chips, and maybe just small amounts of food but don't push it. 

Is he drooling at all or smacking his lips? (signs of nausea). Holding his body in a hunched or curled position?

I'd keep an eye on him. I hope it's nothing.

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

No, no drooling or smacking his lips. No hunched or curled position. I just got back from the store and saw that he ate some of his breakfast. We had a guy come look at some water damage and DH said Auggie was trying to jump all over the visitor, like he always attempts to. I have not measured his temp yet. What is the right temperature for a dog? I guess I can look it up. He ate the treats I gave him just fine. Hasn't pooped since the middle of the night. I sure hope it's not the flu, poor baby.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

 A dog's normal temperature is 101 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit (38.3 to 39.2 degrees Celcius).

Try adding a little pumpkin or mashed sweet potato to his food, maybe.

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

I just took his temp. It was right at 102.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Good.

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

I still do think his eyes are a bit swollen, especially the right one. He is chewing his legs, butt, whatever he can reach. I just looked at his eye some more, it appears the corner of his eye (the eyelid) is red.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I wonder if he could have been bitten or stung by an insect. Maybe an antihistamine would help, I'm not sure, but I'd give Claritin (generic is loratidine), not Benadryl. My thinking is that you need to know if he is lethargic because of an illness, and Benadryl can cause drowsiness.

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

How much Claritin? I've got the generic at home. His right eye is definitely swollen and it appears to be getting worse. Do I need to take him to the emergency vet instead of giving him the antihistamine?

[F, Calla & Luca]

I would try the antihistamine first. I would start with one 10 mg. tablet and repeat in an hour if you think he needs it.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'd give him two Claritin. The dosage is higher for dogs than humans. JD weighs 80 lbs and gets three 10 mg tablets once a day.