Expert: Dr. Christina Chambreau - 8/27/2009

Question
Hello Dr. Christina,
 We have a had our puppy Zumo for about 2 months now. He is a husky/chow chow mix. He is only about 13 weeks old. We got him from a rescue center. Within the first month (not sure maybe into the 3rd week we had him). He got really sick. His stomach area swelled up like a balloon that was ready to pop, he was dehydrated and lethargic. So we took him to an emergency clinic immediately. They ran necessary tests and they all came back negative. Same as they did our very first vet  visit prior. They ended up giving him an iv with fluids and performed an enema. They also took ex-rays and his stomach was the size of a softball. However, there was nothing but gas and stool. They said he over ate. Now I understand that puppies are able to get into anything but I control the food intake of Zumo. We are very careful about it. I tried to explain to the vet that Zumo does not dedicate like a "normal" puppy and that I thought that is was just building up and was the cause for it. Anyway they gave him pecid. and he was better in a few days. I have since changed his food from puppy chow to now science diet for puppies w/digestive problems. It has been 2 wks and he was doing great. However, now from the past almost 2 days he has had diarrhea (before that constipated), now I gave him so canned pumpkin to help and it has and he has been somewhat playful but mostly sleepy. Now it maybe in my head but I feel his stomach is starting to bloat. He has been good drinking water, I give him ice cubes, and I have been checking his skin (doing the tent test) and he seems okay. He has another vet routine check-up for his next set of shots come up next week. My question is this and emergency situation? How can I firm up his stool? Could this be somehow related to last time? What can I do? Anything at this time could help. Thank you so much for you time.
I await you response
Serious Concerned,
   Cassi

Answer
It is hard to say if it is an emergency. If he is active and eating (not clear on that from your question), you are probably ok. Since I did not get online last night, things have probably changed for the worse or for the better. You are going in the right direction to try pumpkin.

Do NOT get his vaccines next week. go to my web site, www.Christinachambreau.com and read the practice section to see that we are overvaccinating our dogs a lot. do drop off a stool sample to check for worms as they may cause diarrhea.

Then find an integrative veterinarian with whom to work - www.ahvma.org, www.theAVH.org, www.ivas.org. the homeopathic ones can work by phone if no one is near you.

Were you trained in Reiki, HTA, Flower essences, herbs, homeopathy or other holistic approaches, you could easily help him.

some help for diarrhea is:
Probiotics (acidophilus from the store or good yogurt for now, Mitomax (from my site - products - for long term healthy gut); Happy tummy from spirit essences (at my site);
marshmallow root (health food store).

do sign up for my newsletter and begin to research holistic approaches as you seem open to them.