My dog is sick…anything else I can do?
We have a 10 month old female Cocker Spaniel and she’s been throwing up the past week. It hasn’t been food shes thrown up, its just green mucusy slime…She seems to be acting fine for 75% of the time, but then the other 25% of the time she just mopes around and you can tell she isn’t feeling well. We took her to the vet on Friday and they said she had a fever and they diagnosed it as a respitory infection. They prescribed pills and this liquid to give her. She has lost weight because she hasn’t been eating. We are getting really worried about her, but the vet seems to think that its nothing serious. Is there anything we can do to help her get better faster? Has this happened to anybody else’s pets?
There are many reasons that any of this could happen. I would suggest getting a second opinion, or maybe talk to a breeder about the breed. I used to work in a vet clinic (at one point I was taking care of over 60 canines and 30 monkeys!). When a dog got really sick, we would give the animal subcutaneous injections of saline or lactated ringers to replace the fluids they may have loss. Alternatively we would give them Gatorade or Pedialyte. To get them to eat, try mixing a wet food with dry (assuming you feed dry food). You can also try heating the food up, this gets the dog’s nose involved and can make the food taste better.
I have a cocker spaniel. He is now 14 years old, partially deaf and partially blind. He has had ear problems and we have had to put him on steroids. I checked with a vet and a breeder to know what to expect, here is a list of known problems:
Slipping stifles (Patellar Luxation)
The patella (kneecap) is a small bone which guards the knee joint. The patella sits in a grove in the femur, and is held in place by a combination of ligaments and muscles. This bone can slip out of position due to injury, poor alingment, weak ligaments, or insufficient grove in the femur. Generally the dog will limp, carry the leg off the ground, or hop when running. If the problem is severe it can necessitate surgery.
Ears
Cocker Spaniels can have difficulties with their ears. This is primarily due to the shape of their ear flap and the fact that they are relatively low to the ground. Cocker’s ears must be cleaned and maintained.
Deafness
American cocker spaniels (and especially English cocker spaniels) have been reported with cases of congenital deafness. Most instances of congenital deafness are caused 3-4 weeks after birth due to the degeneration of blood supply to the inner ear or cochlea. This type of deafness is associated with white pigmentation (i.e. white hair, blue eyes) and is permanent. Congenital deafness may affect one or both ears. A puppy that fails to wake up during a loud noise is likely to have bilateral deafness. The brain stem auditory evoked response (BAER) test is used to diagnose deafness in dogs. Bilaterally deaf dogs are difficult to train and may develop behavioral problems as they are easily startled. Most often these dogs are discarded at animal shelters.
Autoimmune: Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA)
Cocker spaniels have a predisposition for autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA). In AIHA, the dog’s own immune system attacks its blood cells. In some cases the cause is known such as AIHA secondary to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In other cases, the cause is unknown but possibly due to bacterial infections, medications or vaccines. Cocker spaniels are particularly affected with the acute form of AIHA. Symptoms include pale complexion (i.e. the gums), fatigue, and sometimes jaundice. A swollen abdomen is also indicative due to an enlarged liver. Diagnosis is made by physical examination and blood tests. Treatment includes the use of steroids as they subdue the immune response. Blood may be transfused if too much hemoglobin is lost. If steroids do not provide adequate results, chemotherapy drugs such as cyclophosphamide or azathioprine are given as well. Most forms of AIHA are treatable but death may occur due to blood loss and related complications. Cocker spaniels with AIHA should not be bred.
Autoimmune: Autoimmune Thyroiditis
Autoimmune thyroiditis also results in hypothyroidism (see below). Studies have concluded American cocker spaniels have a high prevalence for autoimmune thyroiditis. The cockers’ immune system forms antibodies that attack its own T3, T4, and thyroglobulin, a substance necessary for forming thyroid hormones. Symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment are similar to those listed below under hypothyroidism except diagnosis of autoimmune thyroiditis includes the presence of thyroid antibodies in the blood.
Hypothyroidism
The cocker spaniel has a predisposition for hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism results when its body fails to produce sufficient amounts of thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormone increases the metabolism rate and is necessary for normal regulation. Dogs are most commonly affected with secondary hypothyroidism: that is the thyroid gland becomes hindered in some way. In this case, the hindrance is most likely caused by a space-occupying tumor between the ages 4-10 years. Hypothyroidism my also occur via autoimmune destruction of the thyroid gland. Symptoms are related to a slowed metabolism including mental dullness, exercise intolerance, lethargy, weight gain (without increase food consumption), hypothermia, dry skin, and excessive shedding or hair loss. With hair loss, darkening of skin and itching may also occur. Infertility may occur. In severe cases, thickening of the skin results giving the dog’s face a puffy appearance. Lethargy may progress to stupor and coma. Diagnosis is made by blood test. Treatment is provided
December 12th, 2009 at 2:49 am
If you don’t trust your vet’s diagnosis or treatment, you should see a different vet for a second opinion.
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December 12th, 2009 at 3:19 am
I would suggest a second opinion, and go from there.
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December 12th, 2009 at 3:54 am
Tell the vet you are still worried, if they still dismiss you then find a new vet that will listen to you.
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December 12th, 2009 at 4:41 am
Just follow the vet’s advice and stop worrying .. No this has not happened to my dog yet.
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December 12th, 2009 at 5:26 am
go to pet smart and buy NUTRICAL.
if shes not eating well she needs this. it has tons of protein and stuff.
if she does not get better take her to another vet for a 2nd opinion.
good luck and best wishes.
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December 12th, 2009 at 5:47 am
just take her to the vet and they will figure it out for you so you won’t have to stress and when they are done with her she will be just fine
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December 12th, 2009 at 5:55 am
one thing to try to get her to keep food down is to feed a bland diet or plain white rice and par-boiled skinless, boneless chicken breast. it will help put weight back on too. Also, I’ve never heard of a dog throwing up b/c of a respitory infection – I would definitely get a second opinion at another vet’s office.
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December 12th, 2009 at 6:41 am
while she is sick stop feeding her dog food, feed her rice with ground beef, its good for dogs stomachs when there sick like how humans eat chick noodle soup and moat vets tell you that.
Hope she gets better!
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December 12th, 2009 at 7:20 am
Vomiting up green stuff can either be bile or it can be infectious mucus. I’m more worried if an animal stops drinking water.
I am all for getting a second opinion. There is so much that can go wrong and with a puppy on your hands, better safe than sorry. Based on the teeny tiny amount of info you have provided, I’m not horribly concerned but then again it took me 4 goes before I had a vet that I trusted and whom I felt that I could work with and I’m in the industry.
Second opinon, make sure she is getting plenty of water and rest and vacuum and dust the house so it is easier for her to breath if it is dusty.
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Animal care worker
December 12th, 2009 at 8:06 am
Give the prescription time to work- you probably won’t see any significant change for a few days. Try feeding her boiled boneless chicken and rice or canned dog food to get her appetite better. If she still doesn’t seem better, then take her back to the vet or get a second opinion.
Good luck!
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December 12th, 2009 at 8:22 am
For time my dog has been sick I’ve cooked rice and add protein, cooked meats or eggs. It ’s easier to keep down that dog food. Green mucous doesn’t sound good though. Check back with the vet.
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December 12th, 2009 at 8:33 am
Just hope for the best.
My dog was just the same like that he was throwing up like every now and then and it looked slimy to
turns out it was what he was eating
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December 12th, 2009 at 9:15 am
There are many reasons that any of this could happen. I would suggest getting a second opinion, or maybe talk to a breeder about the breed. I used to work in a vet clinic (at one point I was taking care of over 60 canines and 30 monkeys!). When a dog got really sick, we would give the animal subcutaneous injections of saline or lactated ringers to replace the fluids they may have loss. Alternatively we would give them Gatorade or Pedialyte. To get them to eat, try mixing a wet food with dry (assuming you feed dry food). You can also try heating the food up, this gets the dog’s nose involved and can make the food taste better.
I have a cocker spaniel. He is now 14 years old, partially deaf and partially blind. He has had ear problems and we have had to put him on steroids. I checked with a vet and a breeder to know what to expect, here is a list of known problems:
Slipping stifles (Patellar Luxation)
The patella (kneecap) is a small bone which guards the knee joint. The patella sits in a grove in the femur, and is held in place by a combination of ligaments and muscles. This bone can slip out of position due to injury, poor alingment, weak ligaments, or insufficient grove in the femur. Generally the dog will limp, carry the leg off the ground, or hop when running. If the problem is severe it can necessitate surgery.
Ears
Cocker Spaniels can have difficulties with their ears. This is primarily due to the shape of their ear flap and the fact that they are relatively low to the ground. Cocker’s ears must be cleaned and maintained.
Deafness
American cocker spaniels (and especially English cocker spaniels) have been reported with cases of congenital deafness. Most instances of congenital deafness are caused 3-4 weeks after birth due to the degeneration of blood supply to the inner ear or cochlea. This type of deafness is associated with white pigmentation (i.e. white hair, blue eyes) and is permanent. Congenital deafness may affect one or both ears. A puppy that fails to wake up during a loud noise is likely to have bilateral deafness. The brain stem auditory evoked response (BAER) test is used to diagnose deafness in dogs. Bilaterally deaf dogs are difficult to train and may develop behavioral problems as they are easily startled. Most often these dogs are discarded at animal shelters.
Autoimmune: Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA)
Cocker spaniels have a predisposition for autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA). In AIHA, the dog’s own immune system attacks its blood cells. In some cases the cause is known such as AIHA secondary to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In other cases, the cause is unknown but possibly due to bacterial infections, medications or vaccines. Cocker spaniels are particularly affected with the acute form of AIHA. Symptoms include pale complexion (i.e. the gums), fatigue, and sometimes jaundice. A swollen abdomen is also indicative due to an enlarged liver. Diagnosis is made by physical examination and blood tests. Treatment includes the use of steroids as they subdue the immune response. Blood may be transfused if too much hemoglobin is lost. If steroids do not provide adequate results, chemotherapy drugs such as cyclophosphamide or azathioprine are given as well. Most forms of AIHA are treatable but death may occur due to blood loss and related complications. Cocker spaniels with AIHA should not be bred.
Autoimmune: Autoimmune Thyroiditis
Autoimmune thyroiditis also results in hypothyroidism (see below). Studies have concluded American cocker spaniels have a high prevalence for autoimmune thyroiditis. The cockers’ immune system forms antibodies that attack its own T3, T4, and thyroglobulin, a substance necessary for forming thyroid hormones. Symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment are similar to those listed below under hypothyroidism except diagnosis of autoimmune thyroiditis includes the presence of thyroid antibodies in the blood.
Hypothyroidism
The cocker spaniel has a predisposition for hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism results when its body fails to produce sufficient amounts of thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormone increases the metabolism rate and is necessary for normal regulation. Dogs are most commonly affected with secondary hypothyroidism: that is the thyroid gland becomes hindered in some way. In this case, the hindrance is most likely caused by a space-occupying tumor between the ages 4-10 years. Hypothyroidism my also occur via autoimmune destruction of the thyroid gland. Symptoms are related to a slowed metabolism including mental dullness, exercise intolerance, lethargy, weight gain (without increase food consumption), hypothermia, dry skin, and excessive shedding or hair loss. With hair loss, darkening of skin and itching may also occur. Infertility may occur. In severe cases, thickening of the skin results giving the dog’s face a puffy appearance. Lethargy may progress to stupor and coma. Diagnosis is made by blood test. Treatment is provided
References :