Day camp trauma or puppy flu?

[Amy M. and Molly]

  I took my 7 mos old goldendoodle to Doggy Day Camp for the first time on Tuesday.  We are boarding her for one night this weekend at the "hotel" where the day camp is, and wanted her to experience it for a bit before we dropped her off for an overnight.  This is the same place where she had her puppy obedience classes and has also been groomed there, so we have been there a lot.  She is familiar with the surroundings, although she had never been to  the "camp" before.  She was apprehensive when I dropped her off, but by the time I got back (about 5 hours later), she was playing with the other dogs.  I didn't have them feed her anything while she was there.

  When she got home, she was her normal self...swam in the pool, ate a normal dinner, and went to bed at the normal time.  She's been housebroken since she was 3 mos old, and has never had an accident in her crate.  She woke us up at 5 am and we were greeted with a cage full of diarrhea.  (first time EVER an "accident" in the crate.)  We usually feed her in the morning and at night,  but, because of the diarrhea I only gave her a very small amount of food for her breakfast.  She ate it enthusiastically and would have liked more.

  She had a few more episodes of diarrhea and a little vomiting during the day, but it was hard to keep her quiet because she was normal in every other way.  I thought maybe the upset tummy was because of a change in the routine with the day camp. She hasn't had a sensitive stomach up until now...and has had experiences with travel, tons of riding in the car, and dog beaches... but this is the first time we have left her "alone" with other dogs.  I'm not sure whether it might be a case of the "flu" (although I haven't taken her to the vet yet because she is normal in every other way!) or if she was "traumatized" by the day camp.  Has anyone else  had any experiences like this? 

 

[Becka]

Diarrhea along with vomiting would make me very nervous (as well as worried about dehydration), even if she seems otherwise OK. I'd take her to a vet as soon as possible.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

This really makes me think that despite your request, they did give her something to eat, treats or whatever. Just the experience of going to doggie day camp would not cause this kind of physical reaction; a little bit of loose stool, maybe, but not full-blown diarrhea in her crate and vomiting. A flu bug might, but I am sure the cause is medical or food related.

I hope she feels better soon.

[Amy M. and Molly]

Thanks Karen~ I am thinking the same thing.  She is better today...the stool is firming up a bit and she has an appetite, although I am reintroducing her food slowly.  If she were lethargic I would be rushing her off to the vet, but she is drinking and hydrated and active, and wants to go play and swim. Maybe she got some treat there (cookie or whatever) that didn't agree with her.  Not sure that she picked up the "flu" there either, since it came on so soon ~maybe the timing was just coincidental.  Anyway, she is on the mend.  I just wanted to see if anyone had that experience with the doggie day care before.

Thanks for your input!

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

I doubt that she picked up the flu there.  It usually takes a few days from the time you are exposed to a sickness for you to actually show symptoms.  It would only be if she had been exposed say a week ago from another dog or experience.  Hydration is the big thing, especially with puppies.  If things are firming up then you are probably ok but keep an eye on her. Please tell the Day Camp and Puppy Hotel to not give her even one ounce of anything that you have not provided.  It is possible she could have found a discarded treat from another dog at day camp.  It is so easy for these Doodles to pick up something when you think they are just sniffing.  Hope Molly is doing better...boy a swimming pool...how cool.  Gracie Doodle would love to have a pool!!! 

[Michele, Biscuit & Mo]

I'm in the "treat" category.  Experiencing a new adventure can be stressful, even if it's good.  And if they gave her a new kind of treat, it could have messed with her tummy.  I had this happen at least twice with our Penny.  I finally had to change groomers because I would demand that they not give her treats and then inevitably, Penny would get sick with vomit and diarrhea.  And there would be pieces of treats that I had never even SEEN before, let alone buy.  Glad she's feeling better today... just make sure she's getting lots of water.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Sorry, no experiences.  I was just wondering how Molly is feeling this evening and if her symptoms have subsided? Hope she is doing better!

[Amy M. and Molly]

Thanks, everyone, for your concern and your input!   She is much better tonight.  No more vomiting at all today and diarrhea has subsided.  I am hopeful that this was a food or flu thing and not day care trauma, as we have plans to board her there for one night this weekend.  I plan to tell them about this whole thing, and will stress that they not give her any treats or food that I haven't provided.  We will see!

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Glad to hear Molly is doing better and I hope this weekend works out well for all of you! Thanks for the update.