I just love people who live with high maintenance dogs, try everything they are told or can think of to solve the problem, and then are just as willing to try something else when they hear that. I admire the tenacity and forgiveness and unconditional love folks like Sharon show their pooches.
Since moving to Texas 3 years ago and living the country outside a small town, I do a lot of driving to Austin and San Antonio. I was so glad to hear you on Sirius on my trip on Wednesday.
Miller, our adopted mixed breed who was about one and half, adapted well to our two adults, no other pet home. He seems to have lived on the run and is still shy and startles easily after two years with us. To go with this sensitivity – his GI is sensitive as well. This morning he sat down, had a strange look on his face and then vomited an orange liquid with foam. He had no food and water for eight hours. He does this once a month. More often he has loose stools. He has us trained to take him out to do his “business.” I am fairly certain he is the only country dog that has to be walked to do this – he needs the company. Since Miller does not know how to request to go outside – he might stand by the door but one needs to notice – he has diarrhea accidents – always in the dining room on our most expensive rug.
I used to give him some of our dinner in his dish after we had eaten and this was in addition to his meal. He had half Merrick kibble and half canned – total 3/4 cup – he weighs 30 pounds. With his reoccurring diarrhea, I stopped the table food. Then I stopped the canned food. From the part of the show I heard on January 28th – I got this backwards.
I read about cooking the chicken and vegetables, Platinum Performance and Bio Sponge. What advice do you have for Miller and me?
When we travel, Miller boards at his groomer’s – a low-key kennel – but not home. Miller usually ends up with diarrhea from boarding after 4 days, which I assume, is from the stress. His vet has given us DiaGel to give him before going to board, which helped the last time. Any tips on that situation?
Miller loves people and living in the country. He has gotten into some trouble with a skunk and chased some deer and his favorite rabbit – but he is such good company. Cooking for him would be a pleasure.
Thank you for your enthusiasm and work on behalf of our four legged friends.
Fondest regards,
Sharon
Fredericksburg, Texas
Dear Sharon –
I am assuming you’ve had a vet check Miller over to make sure there is nothing medically wrong with him – if that is the case then it’s time to manage his stress and digestion system.
This guy needs some stress-reduction and some easily digested food. Absolutely cook up a big pot of chicken, rice and grated carrots (1/3 of each) and give him that. You can freeze big Baggies of it. He’ll need the Platinum Performance to supplement and make sure he’s getting all his vitamins and minerals. Bio Sponge might be a nice addition – but I’d also suggest a Pepcid AC (generic is fine – I use it on two of my own dogs) every NIGHT before bed to reduce acid in his stomach.
I cannot recommend the Spirit Essences highly enough for the underlying emotional issues – go to that page on my website and see which Essence best describes his personality. Is he fearful? Insecure? Separation issues? (Or does he just not like that boarding place??) Maybe try some other arrangement – a friend with a dog whom you could trust to take him?? Someone you trust to stay over at your house (you could give them the same as what you pay the boarding place).
For the Spirit Essences: I’d say NERVOUS NELLY – a few drops in both meals along with a few drops of TRAUMA FREE – it sounds like he’s got some old issues that haven’t resolved. STRESS STOPPER is great to have to put in his mouth or rub on ears or under his feet right at the moment he is freaking out. I use all 3 of these one on of my dogs who shares some of Miller’s issues. Mention CAT CHAT when checking out of the Spirit Essence website and you get 5% off.
Tracie
