New Rescue dry-heaving?

[ReggieBaby]

I've had Reggie (Pit Bull/Great Dane mix) for almost 1 week. He came from a shelter and is very skinny. He eats well, is playful, pee/poop is normal...but he dry-heaves ALOT. He has this fuzzy squeaky duck that he LOVES playing with, so I'm not sure if maybe he has a hairball or not?? Maybe his food isn't agreeing with him??

I have no idea what he was being fed before I got him, but I am feeding him Purina Puppy Chow wet/dry mix (is that ok?). I've also thought maybe it's from missing his previous owner & he's making himself sick from the anxiety...I'm not sure.

Any ideas/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!

[rainbow]

Have you taken Reggie to be checked by your veterinarian? It could be intestinal parasites or something more serious and life threatening.

http://www.gopetsamerica.com/dog-health/dry-heaves.aspx

Only your vet will be able to diagnose his dry heaving so please take him asap.

As far as the Purina Puppy Chow there are much better brands out there and none of them are found in the supermarket or places like Walmart. You can only purchase top quality brands at local independent pet stores.

I prefer to feed the grain free kibble brands .....check out our food forum here for lots of great information. There is also excellent information at www.dogfoodproject.com and www.dogaware.com and click on all the links provided at both websites.

But, first, please take Reggie to your vet as dry heaving is something to take very seriously. Good luck and please post with an update.

[bambee]

Dry heaves may indicate that your pet has internal parasites, internal infection, food allergy, bloat, liver disfunction or has swollowed and ingested a poisoneous substance (such as bone meal fertilizer). Take your dog to the vet as soon as you can.
http://www.gopetsamerica.com/dog-health/dry-heaves.aspx

[Bailey_]

The best thing to do is have him looked at by a vet. Dry heaving also sounds like coughing, so it could be something to do with his respitory system.

[cell]

Originally Posted by Bailey_

The best thing to do is have him looked at by a vet. Dry heaving also sounds like coughing, so it could be something to do with his respiratory system.

Very True could also be backward sneezing/coughing either way a vet visit is likely a good idea if it is still happening. If you adopted him from a shelter it should be covered by their health warranty policy.
Dogs usually get diarrhea from anxiety not dry heaves, if it was heaves then he would probably also be vomiting occasionally if it happens after eating.
Any food that can be bought at a grocery store if definitely not the best option, the links provided by rainbow should be helpful.

This is a example of Kennel cough
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uN3Rp...eature=related

[BenMax]

Please have your dog tested for heartworm.

[kiara]

Often rescues get rid of sick pets to get a quick $$$$ and pass on problems to a new family. Was there an adoption fee and how much was it? Did they give you his veterinary records as proof that he has been to a vet and he has a clean bill of health? Was he tested for heartworm? This rescue should have explained to you what food to buy and if he eats dry food, he should be drinking a lot of water. Do not buy cheap food at a grocery store. I am not sure what dry heaves are, maybe you should take this toy away and get him something washable and see if he still gets dry heaves? He also may have something stuck in his throat. You could also call the rescue and find out if he had dry heaves before you adopted him?

[BenMax]

Originally Posted by kiara

Often rescues get rid of sick pets to get a quick $$$$ and pass on problems to a new family. Was there an adoption fee and how much was it? Did they give you his veterinary records as proof that he has been to a vet and he has a clean bill of health? Was he tested for heartworm? This rescue should have explained to you what food to buy and if he eats dry food, he should be drinking a lot of water. Do not buy cheap food at a grocery store. I am not sure what dry heaves are, maybe you should take this toy away and get him something washable and see if he still gets dry heaves? He also may have something stuck in his throat. You could also call the rescue and find out if he had dry heaves before you adopted him?

Sorry Kiara but you are passing on damaging information on rescues 'often' getting rid of sick pets to make money. There is NO money in rescue. If a rescue even breaks even then they are lucky. Please do not damn all rescues. Tsk Tsk.

To the OP - get all medical files. Contact this vet if this rescue did not provide you with a health guarantee. This could be the start of kennel cough.

I am editing because I am curious if you contacted the rescue. Please call them and advise them as to what is happening. If they don't know then they cannot further assist.

[Chris21711]

Originally Posted by kiara

Often rescues get rid of sick pets to get a quick $$$$ and pass on problems to a new family.

Ouch

[Bailey_]

Thanks for posting that link, Cell.

I also just wanted to provide this video link of another cough that actually LOOKS like dry-heaving. This is the same kind of cough that my pup developed when she had viral pneumonia - often times it actually really does look like they're trying to bring something up, as this video shows.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amGKQ...eature=related

[Bailey_]

Originally Posted by BenMax

Sorry Kiara but you are passing on damaging information on rescues 'often' getting rid of sick pets to make money. There is NO money in rescue. If a rescue even breaks even then they are lucky. Please do not damn all rescues. Tsk Tsk.

To the OP - get all medical files. Contact this vet if this rescue did not provide you with a health guarantee. This could be the start of kennel cough.

I am editing because I am curious if you contacted the rescue. Please call them and advise them as to what is happening. If they don't know then they cannot further assist.

[BenMax]

I am still alittle taken back with comments made in this thread. I just want to let the OP know firstly - thank you taking in a rescue as there are millions of cats, dogs, rabbits, birds etc that are waiting for loving new families.

All rescues are more or less different. They conduct themselves differently, their pre-requisites for a new home is different, their screening process...different and what they test for in an animal equally all different. One thing that they do try and do is maintain a good reputation. One small error can close them down and they will be torn apart by individuals, shelters and other rescues. For this reason they try and ensure that any animal in their care are handed over to new families with vetting to the best of their ability, and promise (if not already done - puppies or kittens) to be sterilized.

Rescues and shelters are normally very diligent when it comes to health and sterilization. If an animal falls ill once adopted, almost MOST rescues will follow up and either take the animal back to their vet (free of charge to the adopter) or if the situation is fatal, they will either re-fund or replace the animal in question. If they are notified that an animal is ill - they will quarantine all animals in their care until they know what is going on with the animal that is ill. They want to ensure that all animals are free of illness and this has NOTHING to do about the money or there lack of.

Don't forget, rescues rely on their reputation to continue a very important service to the animals and the public. It is NOT in their best interest to adopt out a sick pet and then turn their backs on the adoptive family. Mathematically it just does not make sense.

Let's just all remember number one - this OP needs a little direction on what to do and number two - this OP saved a life of an animal that required a new loving family. This thread is not about what rescues do and don't do - but I had to set the record straight in order to keep the integrity of rescues and the rescuers - there just is not enough of them.

[Bailey_]

Originally Posted by kiara

Often rescues get rid of sick pets to get a quick $$$$ and pass on problems to a new family. Was there an adoption fee and how much was it? Did they give you his veterinary records as proof that he has been to a vet and he has a clean bill of health? Was he tested for heartworm? This rescue should have explained to you what food to buy and if he eats dry food, he should be drinking a lot of water. Do not buy cheap food at a grocery store. I am not sure what dry heaves are, maybe you should take this toy away and get him something washable and see if he still gets dry heaves? He also may have something stuck in his throat. You could also call the rescue and find out if he had dry heaves before you adopted him?

Tsk tsk! :sad: Where is this comment coming from? Kiara, did you have a bad experience with a rescue in the past?

I'm affiliated with three rescues and shelters, all of whom have their OWN personal veternarian that works closely with the organizations to ensure that the dogs will have a clean bill of health before adoption. If they miss something, which sometimes can happen - they deal with a lot of animals, I've never known of any rescue organization to turn away an Adoptee and not help them with their new pets situation.
If anything, I'd say as an owner looking to adopt a healthy dog - you'd have a better chance of doing so with a rescue, than adopting from a breeder or petstore. (Of course I am not talking about the responsible breeders who have health garauntees.)

On a more personal note, I think it's unlikely the OP's dog is dealing with something caught in his throat. When the OP described what they were seeing as 'dry-heaving', this often implies that the dog will be wretching which is extremley different than how the dog would behave or sound if it had something caught in it's trachea; although one surely never knows until a vet check is done.

[kiara]

This is an open forum and if people don't agree with my opinion, it is their right. There is unfortunately an "ugly side" to rescuing, which the public does not want to hear about!!!! I am actually questioning this particular rescue? Adopting out a very skinny dog is not a good idea. Some (cats and dogs) are often at the brink of death, as their major organs are ready to shut down, because they are so skinny and malnourished, that's why I am questioning this rescue's operations ??? If anyone who lives in Richmond, Virginia knows about this rescue, please enlighten me! I think that people should give us more details about the adoption process itself, (especially if there was an adoption fee involved, for a dog that is in bad shape!) So we can make a better judgement of the situation. There are a lot of rescuers on this forum. I never had a bad experience with a rescue, myself. Please don't put words in my mouth, just because you don't agree. There is no need to get nasty, by sending me private messages. Unfortunately I know this industry very well and the only concern is to WARN THE PUBLIC. There are a lot of great rescues everywhere and I respect their work and dedication. These great rescues are the ones that truly deserve to get money from the public!!!! Actually a lot or "rescues" have been closed here. They became overwhelmed with too many animals, not enough volunteers, did not take care of the animals properly etc.. Many unsuspecting citizens give thousands of $$ in donations to these "rescuers", thinking that they are good and honest. Believe me some of them put the money in their own pockets. This particular rescue may be good and it maybe is a huge coincidence that this dog is sick, so soon after adoption????

[BenMax]

Originally Posted by kiara

This is an open forum and if people don't agree with my opinion, it is their right. There is unfortunately an "ugly side" to rescuing, which the public does not want to hear about!!!! I am actually questioning this particular rescue? Adopting out a very skinny dog is not a good idea. Some (cats and dogs) are often at the brink of death, as their major organs are ready to shut down, because they are so skinny and malnourished, that's why I am questioning this rescue's operations ??? If anyone who lives in Richmond, Virginia knows about this rescue, please enlighten me! I think that people should give us more details about the adoption process itself, (especially if there was an adoption fee involved, for a dog that is in bad shape!) So we can make a better judgement of the situation. There are a lot of rescuers on this forum. I never had a bad experience with a rescue, myself. Please don't put words in my mouth, just because you don't agree. There is no need to get nasty, by sending me private messages. Unfortunately I know this industry very well and the only concern is to WARN THE PUBLIC. There are a lot of great rescues everywhere and I respect their work and dedication. These great rescues are the ones that truly deserve to get money from the public!!!! Actually a lot or "rescues" have been closed here. They became overwhelmed with too many animals, not enough volunteers, did not take care of the animals properly etc.. Many unsuspecting citizens give thousands of $$ in donations to these "rescuers", thinking that they are good and honest. Believe me some of them put the money in their own pockets. This particular rescue may be good and it maybe is a huge coincidence that this dog is sick, so soon after adoption????

Kiara no one put words into your mouth - you did so on your own. I know when to back down and be humble but this is NOT one of those occasions. Your words will damage all rescues in general since you generalized.

By your writing I can see that you do not know as much as you say. Putting money in their own pockets??? What money Kiara - there is no money in rescue. And btw - yes a dog can fall ill after adoption it happens. Have you fallen ill from one day to the next....answer is YES right?

This thread is about someone asking about help for their dog and not about rescues.

[rainbow]

kiara, you are taking this thread way off topic. If you want to talk about rescuing then open your own thread.

And, I hope these replies haven't scared the OP away.

[BenMax]

Originally Posted by rainbow

kiara, you are taking this thread way off topic. If you want to talk about rescuing then open your own thread.

And, I hope these replies haven't scared the OP away.

Thank you Rainbow - but I am concerned about the OP as well. I hope that they contact the rescue to discuss the health of the dog and possibly getting further assistance through this rescue. I just hope that this does not scare them thinking that perhaps this rescue is now questionable.

[rainbow]

That's correct but I just didn't want to see a lot of arguing back and forth about rescues before the OP has a chance to reply.

[kiara]

If this rescue is questionable, they should not be in the industry. Because they ARE CAUSING MORE HARM THAT GOOD!!! They should not adopt out sick animals to unsuspecting public, especially first time cat and dog owners. The good rescues have nothing to worry about and the bad ones will lose their credibility!!! I am worried that ReggieBaby will be stuck with all kinds of vet bills. Please let us know what is happening and the best of luck with your dog. My husband thinks you should take the dog to the vet a.s.a.p. Please let us know what happened!