Eating Poop, Vomitting, etc.

    • Gold Top Dog

    Eating Poop, Vomitting, etc.

    CoCo loves to eat her own poop...and she's LIGHTENING fast at it!  She'll be on her leash...and while she's pooping, her mouth is as close as possible to her butt....so at a blink of an eye.... literally if youre not vigilant...it's gone.
     
    I wouldnt mind too much...but she keeps reinfesting herself with coccidia...and I know all those anti biotics isnt healthy for her.  We've tried forbid from the vet, crushed pineapples, cleaning up after her, keeping her leashed...etc...but she's a fast little bugger.
     
    How bout meat tenderizer?  The vet said I could try that next...what do you think?  How bout tabasco sauce?
     
    Also, I'm disabled and an insomniac...hence I'm home all the time with her...and I'm always up...she tries her hardest to stay up with me...but that's not possible...and everytime I get up to move around or something, she bolts right up....that cant be too healthy for her....is it?  Or is it okay?
     
    Also, she started vomitting about 3 weeks ago.  I had to go to Philly, an hour away, and then an hour home to drive someone to the air port...and she started the vomitting process.... and threw up white foam.  I thought she was car sick.... but then she did it a few days later... and now its every morning, around the same time....
     
    She wakes up at around 9am when my sister walks her...and at the same time she throws up...either white or yellow foam.
     
    I asked the vet....and she couldnt think of what it was...
     
    So after researching, maybe its from an "empty" stomach?  She doesnt have a very big appetite...and there's not many "snacks" I can give her that she likes.... is there?  What else can I try?  And when should I try it?  Before bed time, or in the morning waking up?
     
    Also, she is getting spayed soon...next month hopefully.  Her vet wants 500$ and some odd change for it...(she's 7lbs) and to fix her umbilical hernia as well.  I thought that was a little too steep...(I mean..for her first couple shots, and check ups and what not..she's cost me over $600 alone...and I know it's because my vet is really expensive....maybe I should go looking for a new vet?  I only go to her because she's the few around here that sees my parrots...so because I had the parrots first...and then the puppy...I decided to take CoCo to her too)
     
    Anyways.  Sorry for rambling.  But the humane society...for her spaying, umbilical hernia, microchipping is a dollar or two shy of $200.  But what do you think about the humane society fixing her?  Is it reliable?  Just as good?
     
    Also...she whines and cries sometimes no end...and I wouldnt know why...it drives me crazy cause I think there's something wrong with her...and I dont want her hurt...and I start to feel "hurt."  Do you think she's really hurt?  Or needs something?  Or do you think it's just an attention seeker?
     
    Thanks in advance!
     
    "Please help my mommy help me!"

     
    • Gold Top Dog
    Wow,  I don't think I can answer all those, but I'll give a shot with a few.
     
    The Whole Dog Journal had an article in the Dec 2006 issue about eating poop.  There are others things to try.  SEP, stop eating poop, contains different ingredients than the For-Bid.  Also could try a bit of Fig Newton with the meal or a tsp of plain pumpkin.  They gave other tips, but it's one of those thing where you're just going to have to keep trying.
     
    First off, though, I would consider this:  In the meantime, the antibiotics have taken away all her good gut flora. When you take antibiotics, it kills all the bugs.  We need the good bugs to help digest our food.  So, she probably isn't getting good food absorption, and could be re-eating in an effort to re-supply her with stuff she needs.   Go to Target pharmacy dept. and ask for Culturelle.  Since she only weighs 7 lbs. I would only give 1/8 - 1/4 at a time at each main meal -twice a day, anyway. 
     
    Also, I would try giving her food more often during the day, and before bedtime.  Her stomach is so small that she can't hold much food at a time, and that could be the reason for the morning vomiting.
     
    You can also try and improve the digestion of the food she gets by adding an enzyme product.  I have read posts on here from some people who recommend Prozyme.  This will help to digest the food.  The WDJ says that many vets have had good results by adding enzyme powders to dog food to help with pica or coprophagia (stool eating).
     
    If Prozyme doesn't help, then try Seacure.  It's fermented fish.  Fermented means the amino acids will be pre-digested, so the amino acids will be readily available for the dog's body to absorb.
     
    This isn't an exhuastive list to try, but a good place to start.     I would not do the meat tenderizer - it has a ton of salt, and espeically for a dog your size, that could be wayyyy too much.    While waiting to get these products, you could try 1/2 tsp. of strongly brewed plain chamomile tea twice daily with the meal. Don't have a clue how that helps, but it's one of the things they list to try.  The other things makes more sense to me, but you never know.
     
    I don't know about the whining.  If you are feeding her twice a day, again, it might be helpful to feed more meals thruout the day.  This way you can find out if she's crying because she is hungry.     She might be crying because her stomach hurts - and that's possible with all the antibiotics.  So, maybe with the probiotics it will help to heal her gut.
     
    She needs to come off the antibiotics.  A muzzle does not keep a dog from eating - but it might slow her down enough that you can stop her from eating her poop.  This seems a necessary step in order to get off the antibiotics.
     
    The price of spay seems steep to me.  I don't remember what mine costs, but I think it was probably around $300.    It's not whether the humane society is any good or not.  It all depends on the vet.  Not who runs the place.  So, there could be an excellent vet at the humane place, or just someone out the door of vet school.  You don't *know* that person.
     
    I think working on a smaller dog would be more difficult, so I would want someone more experienced with this surgery.  I would not search around and get a new vet that operates without you getting used to the vet and seeing how much trust you can put in that person.  But, yes, it does seem a bit high.
     
    I would do a search and see if they are alternative vets around, and see what your options are.  If she was not around any other dogs, and no chance of getting pregnant, then I would wait to do the surgery.  I'm thinking that because of all the antibiotics may have depressed her immune system some, and I wouldn't want to do a major surgery when my dog wasn't in top shape, if I could help it.  That's if she's always indoors, no other male dogs around, etc.  If this is the case, then that would give you some time to see if you like any other vets and get recommendations from others, etc.
     
    But, that's going to put you in an ackward position with your other vet.  If you like her, then why don't you talk to her and be honest and upfront about the issue.  Say something like: I like you as my vet, and I'm glad you will treat all my different animals.  But, I have to be honest, I just don't have the funds for Coco's surgery.  I've already spent so much on the shots and puppy visits.  I'm not sure what to do.  Could you give me a break on the spay since I bring multiple animals here.  I really don't want to go to anyone else, but I am in a bind with the finances and not sure what to do. 
     
    If she says she can't change the prices, then tell her you understand, but will have to think about what to do next.  You need to leave this conversation in a good place since you still take your parrots there.  If you do leave, then make sure she understands it's because you simply couldn't afford it and not beacuse you don't trust her or like her.   
     
    But, again, I wouldn't just price shop and go just anywhere else.  Yes, it's common surgery - but it's your tiny 7 lb. baby.  You do want to go to someone who has had a number of years of experience and does multiple spays a week.
    • Gold Top Dog
    Your puppy is sooooo cute! My griend had a dog who liked 'hot lunches' as well. She used to stand behind him with a spay bottle of water and vinegar. Maybe worth a try, unless CoCo is Canadian. We like vinegar as a condiment! LOL