This is a little bit scary... it started on Tuesday, after we got home from our trip... actually, I think the first time we noticed it was Tuesday at her lunch time feeding, after seeing the vet for a booster shot and deworming in the morning.
Corona is eating a raw, complete meal patty from a company here in BC, their food was recommended to us by the feed store, and she has been on it for two weeks now.
But, starting this past Tuesday, after eating, she starts to shake really badly, an all-over violent body tremble, though she continues to walk around and whatnot during the episode. And within 5-10 minutes she stops it. The other thing that we have noticed is that she is having a lot of bowel movements... she used to have only about 2, sometimes 3, per day while on her kibble... but as of yesterday, she was having as many as six or seven.
Other than that, she still seems totally happy and healthy... playing tons, bright eyed and alert, sleeps well etc etc.
Any idea what could be going on?? And now we're going into the weekend, so the vet won't be around to call and ask until Monday...
Contact her breeder NOW! and get into the vet again. I would be careful with dog foods, dry dog food in a bag has been around for years and perfected by professionals to meet the needs of dogs, and in preticular small breeds. THIS IS NOT NORMAL. I don't want to scare you but unless you want to loose your dog, you need to tell a vet what is happening and your breeder.
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You think dogs will not be in heaven~ I think they will be there long before any of us... stevenson
Stacey, not to scare you, but I am with Beth on this one... that is not normal and I am very concerned for your little baby. Also, are there any side effects that you may have read about in switching Corona over to this raw diet? Please keep us posted on her condition...
Well, there isn't a whole lot I can do at the moment, as I'm at work. I did however call my mum and ask her to phone a vet (though we're really not happy with our current one) and at least try to talk to someone. She also cleared something up for me... Corona is not actually having quite so many bowel movements per day... her "norm" still seems to be 2-3, it was just that one day that she had six or seven (which is still wierd, but at least it was only the one day).
Unfortunately I don't share the view that commercial dog food is the best choice, hence the reason I chose to feed raw. Obviously I am going to have to re-examine exactly what it is I am feeding, but I have read/heard of a lot more allergy-type problems related to kibble food than I have about any problems with raw. Anyway, not trying to start a debate or anything, just stating my view.
So... I guess I'm just at the "wait and see" point at the moment.
Mum managed to get a hold of a vet in another town... the vet said it could be a liver problem, or perhaps a glucose issue. She said not to panic, but yes, get her into a clinic when we can.
I was actually trying to be nice about it, it takes along time and alot of research and dog knowledge to be able to feed a diet that is not bagged food, and I am no specialist so I feed the mmost compatible food for a small breed under 10 lbs. my sister (also a long time breeder) feeds the BARF diet, and it takes alot of careful calculations and mesuring to ensure that they are getting what they need. If it were liver or glucose related I would certainly be concerned.Sorry, I misunderstood you and thought you were a first time dog/chi owner, and that you were asking for advice, and was just trying to help. good luck with her, hope she improves.
-- Edited by Westcoastchihuahuas at 20:39, 2007-05-26
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You think dogs will not be in heaven~ I think they will be there long before any of us... stevenson
I am not feeding BARF for the exact reason that I don't know enough about it. I am feeding a raw complete meal that is pre-made and packaged to contain everything a dog is supposed to need, exactly like a kibble, so it doesn't need to be so difficult. It is, as I said, what was recommended to me by other raw feeders, and by the folks at the feed store, who all knew my more limited knowledge on the topic.
Dogs are unconditional LOVE!
