Help me figure out what is wrong..

    • Bronze

    Help me figure out what is wrong..

    My three year old chihauhau has been with us about a year now, we found her outside of our auction house running back and forth across the busy highway and we took her home. Ever since we've brought her home, she's had some issues. At least once a month she has a day where she is sick to her stomach and has to eat grass, I typically try to keep her away from it so she won't throw up. Along with this, she has a single poo moment, usually ending up in the house, that is really smelly and dark. It is gelatin like in texture, but it is not bloody or anything. It almost reminds me of fake poo from a novelty store. I've already taken her to the vet and they don't find any parasites around her butt area, although they gave medicine for that anyways. She's also been de-wormed now, I've given her the two treatments the vet told me to do. After those treatments, she was fine for a while..but it happened again. I don't know if it is her food, or if it is just a regular issue, or if I should be more concerned although it isn't but maybe once a month. I was giving her a small bowlful of beneful original every day, but thought maybe she was eating too much at one time so I separated it into two separate meals - one at breakfast and one at dinner.
     
    Anyone have any suggestions as to what I can do? My father gets really angry with the dog, he can't stand her..he's not big on little dogs, we've always had chows. I just want to help her get better, and also appease him from getting angry. Thanks for the help ahead of time!
    • Gold Top Dog
    One of the first things I see is that you are feeding what you *think* is a good food, but it really isn't.  Read the label and see how many grains and unidentifiable things are in what you are feeding.  [linkhttp://www.mordanna.com/dogfood]www.mordanna.com/dogfood[/link] will give you a real education on what you are feeding.
     
    With a dog this small, you could be feeding a much higher quality food and never feel a pinch.  I personally feed and swear by Innova.  naturapet.com for a store locator.
    • Gold Top Dog
    Has Dad gone to any of the vet appointments with you?  What does the dog do that makes Dad mad?
    • Gold Top Dog
    Sounds kind of like my Chihuahua mix when we first got him.  He has been on Innova the small bites kind and has been doing great.  I was feeding him Eukanuba before that because I had no idea it wasn't good.  I'm actually saving a lot of money because Innova is the same price and he eats less of it. 
    • Bronze
    I appreciate all the replies so far! I will check out about the dog food, that is probably the entire issue.

    As far as my dad, he hasn't gone to any of the appointments..he just generally doesn't like the dog because it tends to use the bathroom, when it isn't feeling good, in his bedroom. >.>
     
    Oh dear, the closest place to get Innova is about 3 hours away from me. Is there anything that is similar to it or could possibly work like it? I see something called..Blue at petsmart when I research Innova. Or, know of anywhere that ships it?
    • Puppy
    PLEASE HELP....  My Basset Hound is very sick she has had what the doc. thinks is kennel cough thet turned in to Pneumonia but she keeps relapseing.  This has been going on since Feb. I have already spent 3,000 on her med bills and can't afford much more.  She has been to see a specialist but I don't think they have it right.  I don't want my dog to die please if you know any body who has experienced this before or that can help I would love to hear from them or you if you think it could help I am will to try just about anything.  I will respond as soon as possible on the message board or you can e-mail me at whitetigerpup@yahoo.com.
     
    Thanks in advance for your help,
     
    Stephanie Beck
    A helpless mother
    • Gold Top Dog
    Whitetigerpup, PM Callie with your dogs information. I think she would be the best person to help you out on this one.
     
    • Gold Top Dog
    If you did want the Innova you can order it from amazon.com
     
    [linkhttp://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=nb_ss_gw/104-1525845-1903141?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Innova+dog+food]http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=nb_ss_gw/104-1525845-1903141?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Innova+dog+food[/link]
     
    I cant believe this!  The store in my area where I get the 33lb bag charges $59.99, so while I was just now trying to see who ships it I saw a website that offered it for $33 I was shocked but then the shipping was $22 or so so it equalled out.  But amazon.com has it for $39.99 and the shipping is $10.  I will def order it there nect time... over the span of time you buy food $10 each time can add up![:)
     
    You can get smaller bags than 33lb which Im sure you would do in case you dont like it or whatever, plus it a very small dog.
     
    I have not used Blue Buffalo but have heard it was good.  Im sure more people will be here to list other great foods for you to pick from. Good luck.
    • Gold Top Dog
    • Gold Top Dog
    There is a wonderful website that has so much good information on it about health and food for dogs.  She also has a list  of recommended food AND phone numbers where you can find it. But I would try to find websites for these foods because usually they have locators to help you find where the closest to your house would be.  And you must make sure they have food for tiny dogs, I'm not sure which ones do.   [linkhttp://www.greatdanelady.com/articles/criteria_list_of_better_foods.htm]http://www.greatdanelady.com/articles/criteria_list_of_better_foods.htm[/link]
     
     
    • Gold Top Dog
    [linkhttp://www.drweil.com/u/Article/P175/]http://www.drweil.com/u/Article/P175/[/link] To add to Dyan's recomendations, Dr. Andrew Weil's article of what is in dogs food will also help you determine a better food for your boy.

    And another, [linkhttp://www.gooddogmagazine.com/dogfoodcosts.htm]http://www.gooddogmagazine.com/dogfoodcosts.htm[/link] By Good Dog Magazine in chosing the best food and it's costs compared to lower quality foods.