Thursday, February 20, 2014

Here We Go Again

I really do try to be a good person, so why are the Poop Gods so angry with me? I must have done something to annoy them because the past two years have been filled with poop events. Let's recap.

It all started two years ago when my entire pack had the Cryptosperidium experience. It lasted for months and ended tragically with the loss of Samba and Sky. I was spending most of every day and night dealing with explosive diarrhea.

Once we got thru that horrible experience, last year Fudge and Noah started having bright orange diarrhea that we couldn't control. They both lost a lot of weight and were pretty sick. The university tested them and found it to be Corona Virus which is normally a puppy illness. After being re- vaccinated and having meds prescribed, they both got better, but again it was a couple months of poop.

Then Lola started having diarrhea and all three of her sisters caught the bug from her. The three sisters got over it fairly quickly but Lola had a harder time and we treated her for several weeks. She's fine now.

Now it's Noah who has a problem. This time is a little different. Noah has a poop problem, too much and too soft, but he has some other things going on, too. You see, Noah has always had an anxiety issue. Noah was the littlest pup in our litter. The others were all between 8 and 10 ounces at birth, but he was only 5 ounces.
He was developmentally behind the others by about a month. When the others started racing up and down the stairs on the way to the back yard, he couldn't do stairs and would whimper till one of us carried him. Once outside the others loved climbing the rock pile, but he was too little and couldn't negotiate the big rocks. He couldn't jump into the wading pool with the others and so forth.  His anxiety seemed to start there.

Then there's the Fudge problem. Fudge is a bully and like most bullies there's not much behind the facade. He likes to get in the other dog's faces and he likes to sneak up on them and bark to startle them or steal whatever they're playing with. The girls all know that Fudge is all bluster and they either ignore him or chase him away, but Noah overreacts. He either attacks or runs away and hides.
Last week Noah's poop problem became a crisis and we met with Dr B on Tuesday. We did an exam and some blood work. The blood report was good but from the weight loss and straining and loose stool, we're convinced that he has colitis. Last nigh we had a long conversation about how to deal with the problem and came up with a plan.
Noah will no longer eat dog food. I'll be making him a stew from ground turkey, carrots, peas, sweet potatoes and barley. He'll eat only that. For treats he'll get sweet potato chips. He'll take supplements of calcium, B complex and fish oil plus a multi-vitamin.  For the stress that's contributing to his intestinal issue, he'll have time away from Fudge to play with his sisters, plus some obedience training to help build his confidence. He's also wearing a bandana sprayed with a calming pheromone.
Unfortunately, this is a plan that Noah and I will be living with for the rest of his life as there is no cure, only maintenance.

So obviously I  have done something to get myself on a major 's**t list' and I'd really like to get off now. I promise to be good.

20 comments:

Tammy said...

Wow.. So sorry you are having to endure this, uh, stuff. Sounds like you have a good plan in place that will help Noah. I have several issues with the cats and I know it is 'behavioral' since they've been checked out and I'm sure it's because of the numbers. Some cope just fine, but you can see a few of them struggle to 'fit in' with the general population. It does take creativity and time for sure. Hoping that this will help Noah and I bet he'll really relish his special foods! (and one on one time).

Tammy

Jo's World said...

You are such a good dog mom,Sue! I think everything you are doing for Noah sounds just great and you will be successful.

One thing, where are you sending that rascal Fudge?

Cheers,
Jo

Matilda the Boxer said...

Noah, I hope your momma's plans help you out a lot!

Rubye Jack said...

I hope the new plan works for Noah. I particularly like the idea of the pheromone kerchief. May even try that one for myself. :)

Two French Bulldogs said...

I want that stew!! Hope your hiney feels better
Lily

Marjie said...

It's funny how you can see Noah's coloration even as a tiny baby. I'm glad you and Dr. B have come up with a plan, even though it's going to be difficult. BTW, I just got a shipment of rolled Barley from Amazon and the price was quite reasonable if you're willing to buy 12 boxes. It's one less thing you have to drag home from the store.

And, like Jo asked, where's that rascal Fudge going? AT least the girls play nicely, so Noah won't be lonely.

Bella Roxy & Macdui said...

We hope all the plans work!

XXXOOO Daisy, Bella & Roxy

Anonymous said...

Oh so sorry that all that comes your way, hey we will take cutie Noah off your hands. He looks like such a softie, he would love our little pack!

The Mad scots

bichonpawz said...

You sure have been through your share of issues! It sounds
Ike this is a good plan for you to follow! My girls love home cooked meals! Good Luck!

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

I hope the plan works and Noah regains his health and gains the needed confidence--I have a strong feeling that because of your dedication and determination, it will!! Let us know!!

booahboo said...

Poop issues seem to never leave you Sue... so sorry about that. You are a wonderful wonderful mommy and its because you love Noah so.. you have come up with a great plan! Sometimes its about maintenance. But i am sure someone is so gonna feel so loved with all the special cooked meals. Hang in there Sue! Have a wonderful weekend!

Taffy said...

I sure hope it works out for him. I'm sorry you have had to endure so much of this crap (I'm not sure if that pun is intended or not!)
Noah will love getting to have special time with you.

gMarie said...

Oh Sue - when I saw the title, my heart fell. I do hope that Noah is going to be okay. How will the other dogs feel about Noah getting homemade stew while they eat kibble? g

ps - tell Fudge I read his history on the presidents' dogs. We too are related to John Adams, through Abigail - that's were Abby got her name ;)

Molly the Airedale said...

Our paws are crossed that this new plan works! You are such a cutie, Noah!

Love ya lots♥
Mitch and Molly

soulbrush said...

Sue, how I love you, and your posts, how I love the daily love and attention you give these babies of yours. Now what about a book?? I think it is high time all of these posts get published, they are quirky, endearing and totally awesome, this post made me worried, laugh, anxious and gave me another huge lump in my throat. please do consider this suggestion.Love you all dearly.

ElleC said...

Oh no. As someone who prepared ibe dog's food for several years, you have my sympathy.

And the poop, have you noticed the poop incidents increase the more dogs you have, and more. For instance, 1 dog=1 poop incidence per week (pipw), 2 dogs=3 p1pw, 3 dogs=5 pipw, 4 dogs=7 pipw, etc etc etc. Or at least that's the way it works in my house. We always have issues, not to the degree you have in the past, but lots by most standards.

Poor Noah. Jasper feels for him, he was the runt too, and doesn't have a lot of confidence either.

How Sam Sees It said...

Sam had a very sensitive digestive tract and would get the runs easily. A spoonful of pumpkin twice a day made a huge difference for him. I don't know if it will work for Noah, but it might help?

Monty and Harlow

Jed and Abby in MerryLand said...

We're keeping our paws crossed that the new diet and new confidence-building regime will help Noah back to perfect health - and you back to a normal poop patrol. And Fudge, everytime Noah gets yummy stew and the rest of you get kibble, you can just look in the mirror when you're assigning blame. The others will just be looking at you.

Because of Jed's autoimmune disease and the IBS that goes with it, his digestion is also more delicate than it used to be [although no diarrhea, thanks God]. Turns out he can handle a regular kibble breakfast as long as he gets a special diet for dinner every day [rice, oatmeal, yogurt, hard-boiled eggs and occassional salmon].

Lapdog Creations said...

Oh, poor Noah... poor Mom. I hope things are working and sending lots of good vibes!

SissySees said...

Misery doesn't actually love company, but if helps, I *STILL* examine every poop of Sis's, much to her chagrin, and we celebrate the non... "soft serve" ones. Hem.

First on my June 1, not the keeper of the JLC list, is confidence-building with Gg. I don't know what that will be yet (private lessons? a carefully chosen small-group obedience class?), but I'm determined.