Any suggestions? Olivia seems to have some bug!

[Gail+Kathleen,(Sydney+Olivia:)]

Our first Doodle Sydney had some crazy bug last week.  She was sneezing (a bit) and then coughing every now and then for about 2 or 3 days.  Sydney seems fine now, but it seems as though Sydney passed whatever it was onto Olivia.  Two or three days ago, Olivia starting making funny noises thorugh her mouth sounding like she was very congested.  She has been walking around sneezing constantly for several days.  She did eat (not her usual portions) over the last few days and was drinking water.  But then this morning her stomach was making very funny noises, was trying to eat the grass outside, didn't poo, she refused to eat everything I offered her, did not drink any water and just wants to be held.  If it's a virus or dog flu, can you suggest what we can do today.  If she is not better by tomorrow we will take her to the vet.  Do you think it's OK to wait until tomorrow to have her checked out.  We are not crazy about the emergency vet which we have been to several times this past year.  Also, neither of our doodles were near any other dogs since early March when they went to the groomer.  We probably have stray animals and cats going through our yard.  We have seen a stray cat this past week.  Olivia has never had allergy problems and the stomach thing makes us think it's some type of virus or bug.  What would you do to make Olivia more comfortable.  THANKS!

[Sylvia and Malley]

I am anxious to hear the responses.  We let Malley go to daycare this past Thursday and she seems to have some tummy bug since then.   She vomited x 1 and diarrhea x 1 - no change in activity level at all - only change is that she doesn't want to eat food - she will still eat sticks and paper towels..  She will eat ice cubes out of my hand.  I hope Olivia is feeling better soon.  I share your apprehensions about ER Vets unless dire emergency.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Since she's still was eating and drinking as of yesterday I'd watch her today unless she seems  much sicker. Since Sydney had something similar I'd think this too shall pass. Just make sure to offer her water and hopefully she'll drinking.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Sounds like she definitely has a bug and probably running a fever.  If she is not drinking ( I wouldn't be too worried about the not eating) and not passing water by this evening then I think if she was mine I would call the emergency vet and not wait until tomorrow.  I'm not an expert though, just have had lots of animals over several years.  Seems she now has what Sydney had though is getting it in a harder way. If she drinks and passes water then perhaps wait until the morning first thing.  Is there a vet you can talk to over the phone before you decide? Sorry I'm probably not that much help.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I think it's fine to wait until tomorrow to see the vet, but I would definitely get it checked out.

[Frances Pendrous (Horan)]

I agree with the others. I think you can wait until the tomorrow and see how she does. Unless she starts to get really lethargic and unresponsive I don't think you need the emergency vet. I stopped sending my girl to doggie daycare because she kept picking up all sorts of weird sickness'. We ended up rescuing a second doodle as a playmate and that has worked out far cheaper than all the vet bills we incurred from doggie daycare. Keep us posted..

[Gail+Kathleen,(Sydney+Olivia:)]

Thank you, all!  Olivia is still not interested in anything to eat or drink.  I just tried carrots, since she usually loves them.  I tried string beans since she was eating the grass and I thought some greens might help get some fluid into her.  I will hold off on giving her anything else unitl dinner.  Hopefully, she will drink some water.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

You can try adding low-sodium chicken broth to her food; that may help get her to eat, and also get some extra fluids into her.

 

[Gail+Kathleen,(Sydney+Olivia:)]

Thanks, Karen.  We will try the broth with her dinner.  So far, her stomach is still making alien sounds and she hasn't had anything since dinner last night.  She is not even interested in water.  We will take her to the vet in the am if she doesn't improve.

[Gail+Kathleen,(Sydney+Olivia:)]

Karen, we added some low sodium chicken broth to Olivia's dinner and she actually nibbled on it a bit.  She went outside and poo'd and ran around a bit.  We will see how she is this evening.  Thank you for your good advice.  It is so nice when our Doodles feel better.  They cannot tell us what is bothering them!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Glad to hear she's feeling a bit better!

[BG and Gavin]

We just came back from an emergency visit - 104.2 fever and white blood cell count up.  Couldn't find the cause however.  This happened 7 months ago too.  They respond so quickly to the meds, it is such a relief.  Gavin started going down hill on Thursday night too and we waited, but last night was brutal, so we bit the bullet and took him in.  Haven't got the bill yet, but its worth whatever the cost to have a good day today and get a better night's sleep tonight.  Good luck.

[Gail+Kathleen,(Sydney+Olivia:)]

If we had a good emergency vet we would do the same.  The last several trips to the vet (and they were emergencies) were not to comforting to either our Doodles or our peace of mind.  Unfortunately, the better emergencies are quite a long trip and we hate to put Olivia through the drive at this time.  Usually as soon as we took our Doodles to our own vet the next morning, we felt that we got better care for our Doodles.  Hopefully, Olivia will not get worse.  It's horrible when this happens on a weekend or late hours.