Help! Sick Puppy?
Hello everyone. So, for the past 3 days my 8 week old Shiba puppy Mika hasn't eaten anything. She will only drink water and she barely even nibbles on treats much less touch her regular dog food. She has also had a tad bit of diarrhea and she has vomited about 4 times but it is usually just water. I have a vet appointment tomorrow to get her her first shots and I plan on asking his opinion of course. I just thought I might ask some of you as I know there is a lot of experience floating around here. Also, my friend who owns a Shiba said that it isn't odd for his to vomit so I didn't know if the vomiting would be connected. I just feel bad for her because it is apparent she doesn't feel well as she will barely play or get excited. She just wants to sleep rather it be in my lap or in her bed and she usually doesn't like sleeping in my lap so that is a sign as well. Thanks in advance for your response.
Comments
We experienced a similar thing with Loa and she had a bacteria infection - has your pup been around any other dogs?
----
Treats are probably the worst thing to feed her when she isn't eating normally. Most treats are the equivalent of McDonald's french fries and can further irritate an already upset tummy. I'm sure your vet will have some advice for you, but usually when your dog gets an upset tummy, you should put them on a bland diet. There are prescription vet diets that work (like Iams I/D) or you can boil some chicken breast and mix it with plain white rice which works just as well (assuming your dog doesn't have a chicken allergy) and is probably cheaper.
Good luck at the vet tomorrow! I hope its nothing serious. Please let us know how it goes.
I would not wait to take her in , not eating for a puppy is not a good sign especially for 3 days, and vomiting and diarrhea can be caused by some serious viruses in puppies.
It would be impossible from here to say what it is causing it, it can be many factors.. the best thing would be to get her in ASAP to a vet. to start at least symptomatic treatment, and testing. Like stated above she is probably going to require iv fluids or Subcutaneous fluids due to dehydration.
Your puppy should not be exposed to other dogs until all her vaccines are done or you are positive that the other dog she is having contact with has been fully vaccinated.
Good luck!
I hope it is nothing,
As for other dogs, she should not any ANY contact at all with other dogs, unless she is totally vaccinated ( in a few months )
She is only 8 weeks old, and very, very vulnerable. She can easily contract things from other dogs.
Now that we've assaulted you with all this advice, relax! You are going to get her checked today and hopefully get to the bottom of what is ailing her. As Amber said, it is a great idea to have your regular vet and a veterinary hospital programmed on your phone. I have all four of my vets stored in my cell phone and I have two emergency hospitals on the refrigerator. At the least, you can call and ask for advice on whether or not to bring your dog in. Most places won't charge you for quick phone consultation of that nature.
I hope she is feeling better soon.
Sending get well wishing towards Mika and you!
Did she get any fluids? Did she get her vaccinations?
From what you said about the symptoms thats what I initially thought it could be parvo, thankfully it is not!
Thats great coccidia is a easy fix.
Im sorry if I was vague in my statement about having contact with other dogs, and happy everyone else caught me on it.
I also think a puppy should not have contact with other dogs at all during their vaccination period. However if it is your only dog, the first 12 weeks of life are the most important for socialization and there are puppy classes that require full vaccinations from the puppies in the class and that they have also not had contact with other dogs. In order to socialize them before their important period of learning is over these classes can be very helpful. Everyone feels differently about this and there is some risk even though most trainers require proof of vaccination you never know what else they have been doing with their puppies. It's up to you but that would be a exception to the rule for me.
have fun with your puppy!
I will probably only expose her to my friends dog every now and again and that might be it. I don't want her to get sick and I definitely can't afford for her to get sick, haha. I will be cautious but I also understand that meeting new dogs is important so I will have to make a few compromises. Nevertheless, I am glad I got tat cleared up and thanks to everyone.