Labradoodle & Goldendoodle Forum
Health and Medical Issues (for our pets)
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Over the years that this group has been in existence it has assisted many doodles and their humans. It has offered advice, a place to vent, etc. This group MUST be a place where people can turn and be confident that the advice they will get is based upon FACT - medically and scientifically accepted FACT- not "I heard", anecdotes, advertising claims, or other unfounded or misleading advice. The moderators of this Group will delete any post that we feel does not meet this criteria.
Discussion Forum
Inflammatory matory Bowel Disease
Started by Rita and Fazzy. Last reply by Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle Aug 20, 2019. 18 Replies 0 Favorites
Hi all....after a scare of bloat without torsion in May, my7 year old labradoodle Fazzy was diagnosed with IBD via biopsy. He was doing OK once he got back to eating again until I thought it might be a good idea to switch to raw...didn't go well. Switched him back to what he was on prior, Canidae kibble, variety of canned "flavors" as well as chicken breast, turkey breast, low fat hamburger...just depending on what we had on hand and cooked for the dogs. I've never been able to get his stools back to normal and consistently solid and in the past week its just been yucky. He went to the vet yesterday and per their suggestion, we carried home a bag of Purina HA both dry and canned. He ate a few bites yesterday but wants none of it today. Over the past couple of weeks he has become less and less into eating, needing plenty of encouragement and hand feeding. Vet also sent us home with Cerenia, metronidazole and Diagel. Waiting for results of stool sample. I really don't want to deal with the rx diet, but we also need to get his gut back to feeling better. A couple of friends are pushing me to see a holistic vet, which I'm not opposed to, it's just expensive. I hate that I have to even throw that word out there, but seeing a holistic is not out of the question. Jolene suggested I reach out to Karen for some words of wisdom/suggestions ..and I know she'll see this.Any suggestions, feedback etc would be great!!Rita and Fazzy Continue
Denamarin for elevated liver enzyme
Started by Michelle and Chloe. Last reply by Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle Aug 6, 2019. 1 Reply 0 Favorites
Chloe is turning 10 years old in October. I recently took her to the vet to check out some new masses on her flank and to see if there was a correlation with these masses and her increased water intake and occasional vomiting. Her 2 masses were lipomas ( needle aspiration) and the vet checked lab values. Although most of the values came back normal, her ALT was slightly elevated at 213 (nl 12-118) so vet recommended placing her on Denamarin. She is also going to have an abdominal ultrasound and a chest X-ray. Has anyone have experience with Denamarin?Continue
Dinah has an enlarged heart and mild left ventricle dialation
Started by c zoomer. Last reply by Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie Jul 3, 2019. 15 Replies 0 Favorites
the Doctor (cardiologist) has ordered me to take her off of the grain free dog foods and retest in 6 months.Continue
Emergency stomach surgery and the after effects
Started by Gracie, Jade, & Barkley. Last reply by F, Calla & Luca Jun 30, 2019. 6 Replies 0 Favorites
It's me again. We are having the worst luck when it comes to our doodles this year. :( We lost Gracie who was only 4 in February to Hemangiosarcoma which appeared out of nowhere and hit us pretty hard. Now Jade who is 3.5 yrs is having issues. She was vomiting for hours early morning on Thurs and after getting a dose of cerrenia (She had gotten sick 2 weeks prior and we had some leftover), she was drooling excessively. The vet had us drop her off to observe, take tests, and xrays. She said it sounded like an obstruction of some sort. When she called, she said bloodwork was normal for a dog who had become dehydrated and was what she expected. But, had sent the xrays to a radiologist - which they didn't do two weeks prior. The radiologist said there was some sort of blockage in the upper gi and so the vet asked if we could do a barium treatment to see where it stopped - which was the stomach.I agreed to surgery and the blockage was caused by excess fluid and the pyloric muscle was thickened and the entry (exit?) was narrowed. The vet asked if she had had any issues prior as it looked like she had pyloric stenosis and maybe some ulcers as in the fluid there were flecks of blood. They do not have a flexible endoscope at their office, so she could only surmise that the flecks of blood came from ulcers. The only vomiting Jade has done previously was for car sickness which she outgrew. Then the episode 2 weeks ago which was an expulsion of her breakfast and she collapsed afterward which is why we took her to the vet. The vet took care of the fluid in her stomach and sent her home with sucraflate, famotidine, and omeprazole.Jade hasn't been eating much. She refuses the science diet l/i that they sent home, but she has ate some chicken and rice.She also continues to regurgitate small amounts of liquid. Sometimes it has yellow blobs in it. Usually this happens after she drinks some water. I am going to call tomorrow to update them, but am concerned we really haven't gotten…Continue
Flea and Tick Prevention Choices
Started by Cindy and Olive (Ollie). Last reply by Stacy Jun 26, 2019. 44 Replies 0 Favorites
It is tick season here in NJ and I have always given Olive Sentinel (every 39 days) and Frontline Plus every 27 days. What’s the deal with Frontline Plus vs Frontline Gold - I see one new med added to the Gold, but figured I’d ask the experts. I’ve stuck with Frontline as it has been the forerunner in this and is tried and true, and I’m a bit leery of those oral tabs. But should I switch her to Frontline Gold? Thanks!Continue
UTI infections
Started by DonMarie and Picco. Last reply by Jane, Guinness and Murphy Jun 24, 2019. 10 Replies 0 Favorites
A friend of mine has a sweet yellow lab that frequently has urinary tract infections. We were discussing cranberry pills since it works for humans. When I Google it I'm finding some sites it is okay but also finding that in larger dosages (who know what that is) that cranberries can be toxic to dogs. These aren't necessarily referring to the pills but dried or fresh fruit. I can't imagine a dog eating the fruit or juice, that's why we thought of the pills! So anyway I figured I'd pose this question here. Does anyone know or can clarify if cranberry pills can be helpful or harmful to dogs and can actually help UTIs?Continue
Fatty deposit
Started by Murph and Me. Last reply by Bonnie and Kona May 20, 2019. 4 Replies 0 Favorites
So Murphy has on his stomach some fatty deposit that the Vet has checked in the past and said no big deal he said. It has gotten bigger of late. It feels like a small balloon. Does not bother him when you squish it around. I'm going to bring him in for another checkup of it. I trust the vet but it doesn't hurt to ask here in the group if anyone has had any history with a similar situation. and if so what did you do about it. Thanks in advance.Continue
Recessed Vulva (this is a new one) and an ear infection
Started by Stacy. Last reply by Stacy May 20, 2019. 13 Replies 0 Favorites
Willow went to the vet yesterday with an ear infection, and Karen you should be pleased to hear I do finally have a vet who cultures ear infection goo. We treated it with a medication I hadn't heard of before called Claro. It's still a combination of antibiotic, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory. But the nice thing about this drug is it's a one time treatment that is supposed to work continuously for 30 days, so I don't have to squirt anything in there. She has an appointment for a recheck in 2 weeks. The vet said as an isolated event it's not a big deal, but if it becomes a chronic problem it's often associated with food allergies and we should do a food trial. I have mixed emotions about that. Right now I'm hoping it isn't a recurrent problem so we don't even have to go there. The other thing I brought up to him is that Willow always seems to pee on herself. The hair surrounding her vulva is always dirty. And she had that UTI a while ago. He looked at her and said she has a recessed vulva, and if it's a problem they can do a vulvoplasty to resect the skin folds there so the vulva protrudes more. Or if it seems to be more minor we can just keep the fur clipped from around that area - something I knew needed to be done but clippers, delicate skin, wiggly puppy and I have not been able to accomplish that on our own.This issue is something I haven't experienced before but I had been reading about it and I couldn't figure it out. The trick is, she looks normal when you look at her lying on her back with her belly up. But if you look at her from behind when she's standing you can see that her vulva is surrounded by skin folds and does look different than the other girls. I had heard that they usually grow out of it, but that's not really what I'm reading in the veterinary articles. But I'm still hoping that if she grows a little more she might grow into her skin folds. He also mentioned that slightly delayed spaying may help with this. We are doing slightly delayed…Continue
Struvite Crystals (Also posted in Food Group)
Started by Laurie, Wally & Charlotte. Last reply by Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle May 14, 2019. 1 Reply 0 Favorites
For the past six months, Charlotte's pH has been fluctuating and she has had a number of urine tests with some showing struvite crystals and some without. An x-ray was taken in December and revealed no bladder stones. Our vet concluded that Charlotte's pH just goes up and down, and without any stones, this is Charlotte's "normal." About 10 days ago, she was showing physical signs of a UTI and was put on an antibiotic since we'd be traveling, but the urine evaluation did not find any bacteria. We have been flooding her food (Acana Grasslands) with water to dilute her urine, hoping that this will help keep the pH down. Next week, she'll have another x-ray done as well as a sterile urine culture. Here are my questions: If the x-ray shows no stone/s and the culture indicates no bacteria, but possibly struvite crystals again, should I change her food to one without starches (since starch alkalizes pH) and one without magnesium and calcium? Should I give her any supplements such as ascorbic acid, cranberries, d-mannose? Some of these are just for bacteria prevention if I understand it correctly. And if she doesn't have any bacteria in her urine, what would be the point? I'm hoping to find some additional perspectives to help inform our decisions moving forward. Continue
Spay & Gastropexy Surgery - After Care Advice?
Started by Jolene, Sassparilla & Josie. Last reply by Jolene, Sassparilla & Josie May 6, 2019. 44 Replies 0 Favorites
So my baby girl goes in this week for the double surgery, I'm just reaching out for feedback/advice on aftercare. I know the gastropexy is much more invasive than the spay and I know I'll get a checklist of things to do from the vet when I pick her up but looking for feedback from those who have already been through it (hits, misses, things to watch for, etc). I'm just real nervous for her, she's my odd little wild child so I'm concerned about her plus the surgery facility is not local so any issues will fall on my vet and/or at an emergency facility. The more I know the better prepared I'll be. This poor girl had a rough start in the beginning so I want to make this as easy on her as possible.It's been a while since my other two were spayed and neither had any interest in the stitches luckily but Sassy was extremely hyper (spastic) the week following her surgery so keeping her calm was a real challenge. I'll be home with her the first few days then will do a tag team with my daughter.Any advice on keeping her from the stitches if it poses a problem, resuming her normal diet (vet office briefly mentioned transitioning slowly back to kibble), walking, stairs, downtime, etc.Thanks in advanceJolene and Miss MaisieContinue
Comment Wall
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Comment by F, Calla & Luca on August 8, 2011 at 7:56am
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If you do a search through the forums you'll find discussion on the pros and problems with dew claws.
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Comment by Tammy & Gracie on August 8, 2011 at 5:15am
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I think they are usually removed at a very young age. Gracie's were not removed. I discussed this with my vet when she was a puppy, asking if they needed to be removed and was told that it was similar to amputation one of my fingers or toes. Not necessary. I thought for a second and opted out of that idea!
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Comment by Liana & Jindi on August 8, 2011 at 12:25am
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Hello, I don't know if this is the right group to discuss this in. I was wondering if any Doodle owners have had their Doodles dew claws ( I think thats what you call them ) removed. Are they for any purpose? I looked at Jindi's today & there was a little dried sore next to the nail. Thanks for your input :-)
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Comment by Kyoko on June 2, 2011 at 7:06pm
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Karin, do you use the one with or without Hydrocortison?
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Comment by Karin, Kaya & Django on May 26, 2011 at 10:25am
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Django is five months old and has an ear infection. My friend has two Newfoundlands who tended to get ear infections. She is very knowledgeable and thorough with research when it comes to her animals. I've always trusted her experience and she's never steered me wrong. When I told her Django had an ear infection she made a suggestion. I've seen this product mentioned in this group and I thought I'd pass it in in case it can help. I'm going to try it. Here is what she said :"Zymox Otic....We haven't had any ear infections after we started using it and if their ears start to look red...we just give them a squirt and within a few days their ears are perfect. And you can buy without prescription. Amazon has it as well as Ebay....The one we use has Hydrocortisone as that's what the vet started us on...but looks like they sell one without the hydrocortisone.Anyway, my vet was really impressed and calls it a miracle for ear infections. It has enzymes that eat the bacteria, wax etc. Noticed on the web...they don't want you to use it if you are using anything else in the ears...but once Django is done with this infection....you can use it to prevent others. When one of ours has an ear infection...we squirt them every other day...I think...it's been a long time, the don't really get them anymore. But...for maintenance....vet said to just squirt some in once a month. No mess...You don't have to clean it out. Our vet said the enzymes eat all the bad stuff...and then I guess they just dry up and go away...but it's easy."
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Comment by Phyllis & Duffy on March 6, 2011 at 11:18am
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I'm new to this site and not sure I posted this already. Our dog just went through a horrible ordeal with Thrombocypotenia. Anyone else out there whose doodle had this also? His white and red counts dropped to almost nothing and he was not making any platelets. It was quite an ordeal, but he made it though and is recovering. He is on a ton of drugs and he is shedding. He's just 3 1/2 but all this shedding adds up to more hair that has been cut off in these past 3 1/2 years! The vet said it's coming from the prednisone and this past week, his dosage was cut in half. I'm hoping it will stop soon. It's like cotton balls everywhere! It cost us PLENTY, but he's our baby and it was worth it to see him coming back to use. Just curious if anyone else knows of this illness.
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Comment by Karina on March 1, 2011 at 10:23pm
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I saw this pdf on another dog site and thought I would share it here.
World small animal veterinary association.
Vaccination guidelines for the owners and breeders of dogs and cats
http://www.wsava.org/PDF/Misc/WSAVA_OwnerGuidelines_September2010.pdf
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Comment by Jennifer and Jack on February 20, 2011 at 6:44pm
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I am so glad she had more energy. I will tell you this as someone with Addison's disease that can speak. Having someone advocate for you is so important. I rely very heavily on my friends to help me know when I need to take more steroids because by the time I need more, I do not know I do. I am just confused, stumbling and cranky.
I agree that if it is in the dogs DNA it would not be a good dog to breed, I hate that. I also have a strange form of a lung disease too so between my two bad genes, I have chosen not to reproduce either, which was and is still very sad for me.. I just couldn't see myself doing it, but that is a whole other story
There are two tests for Addison's disease, or I should say two main ones, first they check your coritsol level, mine did not exists, I was at zero. The other one that is the one for diagnoses of Addison's is a test called an ACTH test, I am not sure if they do that test on a dog or not, It is extremely expensive, or it was when I was dx with Addison's but that is the true test to see if a dog or person has this disease.
The second thing after dx is to see what the cause is, Is it primary or secondary. Primary is what I have, but have since developed the secondary as well. It is all treated the same. I understand you said the test was just on the border, I would like to know which test it is.. If it is on the border now, it is slowly going to go down, I would beg you not to wait until it goes down, It took years of me feeling horrible, weak, dizzy and depressed before I was dx. Finally, after being diagnosed, and I was no where near on the boarder at this point, I was so low that I was close to death, but as soon as I got the steroids, within 30 minutes I felt completely normal.
I would say treat anyone, It will only make your baby feel better, You have to adjust the dose for when they are sick. I am on Corteff and Florinef, I am a bit complicated because of my lungs. I can't wait to talk to you and help Rosie feel better, believe it or not I know just how she feels... Hopefully they will keep giving her the corteff and florineff
Feel better Rosie, my Addison's twin
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Thank you so much for your kind note. It means a lot to me and my husband. Our doc on Friday was fabulous and showed us the print out of the blood work, today's doctor didn't offer to show it. Our original doc is there tomorrow and I would like to get a copy of the blood tests and a copy of her whole chart. Everyday we had to retell the story to the docs because it seemed like there were not on the same page. I think we advocated for Rosie pretty well. Thank you so much for offering your help with the results that is so kind of you. I will scan everything when we get home with her tomorrow. Also, today the doc said that Rosies numbers for Addison were on the just barely over the threshold.
My husband read here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labradoodle) that the Labradoodle lines have this issue and that breeders need to test their breeding dogs for it and stop breeding if the dogs have it.
I was so encouraged that Rosie had more energy today and ran into the room to give me a big kiss - made my day.
Thank you again for writting to me, your kindness and sharing your story. How are you feeling?
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Hi Karina,
I am Susan's friend on here that has Addison's disease myself as a human, and I am also an absolute doodle lover.
Addison's disease is actually more common in dogs then it is in humans.. Lucky me (lol)
The thing with Addison's if you are diligent, the dog can live a very normal life. You need to replace with medications what the adrenal glands would normally be producing. Adrenal gland is the gland just about the kidney. It is responsible for producing steroids that help maintain body function. When my steroids are off, if I too, walk sideways, am very confused and dizzy. I also because I can talk, get myself into trouble every time because I become quite mean.
Is Rosie's gums around her teeth brown at all? If it is addison's disease did they give her a shot of steroids? That would make her feel better almost immediately.
I can explain a lot more to you about it as I have lived with the disease for over 10 years. It is not a death sentence by any means, it is highly treatable with medication and being diligent to look for signs when they are sick.
The one thing that is a red flag for me is you said the kidney levels were high, do you have the specific tests and values that you would share with me. I am also an RN... and I am just wanting to know what the lab values are to see if it is more indicative of kidney disease vs addison's .
Anyway, that being said, we never want anything wrong with our babies ever and I know because I have had some health challenges with Jack that I would rather it be me then him.
Sending lots of love and hugs,
Jennifer and Jack
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