Scary dog trouble.

[MarkS]

Had a bit of a scare today with my little dog Bandit. He's a papillion, only 7lbs and around 2-1/2 years. My oldest boy got home from school and called me at work to tell me that something was wrong with Bandit, I went home right away and found him shivering uncontrollably and panting constantly with a wild look in his eyes. I took him for a walk and everything worked fine there, then I threw his ball for him a few times. He seemed enthusiastic but a bit uncoordinated and still with the wild eyed look and the profuse panting. I called the vet and told him what was going on and he told me to bring him in right away.

My vet examined him and couldn't find anything physically wrong but said that this was probably a poisoning issue with the dog probably ingesting something toxic. Possibly chocolates or coffee or some human medications that had fallen on the floor. I personally take blood pressure and cholesterol meds, with other members of the family taking anti-depressants or ADHD meds or allergy meds etc etc etc... . I've often thought that my family alone has probably put several drug company executives kids through collage. I would imagine that the likely hood that 'something' fell on the floor and got lost at some time or the other is pretty high.

Anyway, to make a long story shorter. We got some special food to give him to make things 'move through his system' a little quicker... (I've walked him about 4 time already tonight) Well, he's acting a LOT better now and the problem seems to have passed (get it??? passed???) ... It was a bit dodgy for a while though and I really thought something serious was happening. It's especially troublesome with such a little dog because little amounts that wouldn't even effect you can act really powerfully on them... and no matter how expressive their faces are, they still can't tell you what's wrong... Anyway it's been a rather tense evening and I just wanted to warn others to make sure they're dogs can't hoover something off the floor that could come back and hurt them... (or you too could wind up with a $400.00 vet bill......well, better safe then sorry I guess.....) I'm just glad he's okay, he's my little buddy.....

[CA cowgirl]

Beautiful little dog you have. It sure stinks to have an expensive vet bill due to mammalian friend getting into something they shouldn't. It was Christmas 2007 when Bandit (lol, that's my cat's name too), got into the holiday party centerpiece I took home. I forgot that Bandit would be drawn to it because it was real plants and he's a junkie for plants. But I didn't think it'd cause trouble. But after noticing his behavior being off for a day or two (he's very shy so its slower to notice him being off), and then seeing a large and sensitive buldge on his chin while brushing him... off to the vet we went on the night of the eve of Christmas Eve!

Thankfully both Bandits are fine. Here's my aptly-named critter named Bandit...

[Ash]

He's so pretty! I'm glad everything worked out for you alright. Poor little thing.

[MarkS]

Thankfully both Bandits are fine. Here's my aptly-named critter named Bandit...

Thank you much, he's my bud... I love your bandit... It appears that they share a common color scheme and a somewhat similar pattern... And even though they're from totally different families it's almost as if they're 'brothers from another mother...'

[rabernet]

I'm so glad to hear that both Bandits are doing well!

Mark, we get alerts from Canine Assistants where I volunteer, and just recently learned that artificial sweetners are also toxic to dogs - another thing to add to the list of things to avoid your dog getting into - any food sweetened with artificial sweetners.

CA - is your Bandit a Ragdoll? I have two kitties and avoid poinsettas at Christmas, because they are toxic to kitties!

[blackcrystal22]

I love papillions!!

But anyways, I find that people are very ignorant about their dogs and food. Many of them feed them far too much people food which can have a lot of dangerous consequences..
Chocolate, coffee, and popcorn are extremely dangerous to canines. I saw someone feeding their dog popcorn once and I was furious! I can't believe people don't realize that people food can kill your animal.

I'm glad he's alright! He's a really cutie!

[CA cowgirl]

Thank you much, he's my bud... I love your bandit... It appears that they share a common color scheme and a somewhat similar pattern... And even though they're from totally different families it's almost as if they're 'brothers from another mother...'

Totally look like brothers from different mothers! Mine used to be part chicken. And now he's still part chicken, but less so, and more of a lover. Is your Bandit all back to normal today?

[CA cowgirl]

I'm so glad to hear that both Bandits are doing well!

Mark, we get alerts from Canine Assistants where I volunteer, and just recently learned that artificial sweetners are also toxic to dogs - another thing to add to the list of things to avoid your dog getting into - any food sweetened with artificial sweetners.

CA - is your Bandit a Ragdoll? I have two kitties and avoid poinsettas at Christmas, because they are toxic to kitties!

I'm not sure what he is really. He was part of a feral colony and was caught by my friend at a WaMu parking lot back in fall of 2001. He does remind me of a ragdoll, his coat did take years to come through and he certainly has the weight of a ragdoll, plays without extracting his claws, and is extremely affectionate. Maybe he's part ragdoll. He also has some traits of a birman, in personality, blue eyes, and his white paws. This picture is of him as a kitten... almost doesn't look him him eh?
p.s. sorry, my old apartment looks dingy!

[CA cowgirl]

I love papillions!!

But anyways, I find that people are very ignorant about their dogs and food. Many of them feed them far too much people food which can have a lot of dangerous consequences..
Chocolate, coffee, and popcorn are extremely dangerous to canines. I saw someone feeding their dog popcorn once and I was furious! I can't believe people don't realize that people food can kill your animal.

I'm glad he's alright! He's a really cutie!

It is wild how some not so obvious foods are hazardous to cats and dogs. One cat I had used to love popcorn. So I'd let him enjoy a few. Good thing is I rarely allow my cats to have any human food.

[MarkS]

Thanks for all the well wishes, he's back to normal now. Still not sure what it was that he ate that gave him such a bad reaction but it's over now. I guess we just have to make extra sure we don't go dropping things on the ground that we don't want him to eat.