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I am fostering a 36 pound Aussie/mix? and her 2 pups who ...


Sent to Pet Experts March 23, 2006 9:39 p.m.

I am fostering a 36 pound Aussie/mix? and her 2 pups who are now 5 weeks old. She is about 1 1/2 years old. She only gave birth to 2 pups who are very health but did have round worms which they have passed when I gave them Strongid. The problem is the mom, she is drinking excessively and urinating excessively. She drinks at least 6 to 7 cups of water a day and she also scratches a lot. I had blood work, urine test and stool samples taken. She does not have diabetes, she is slightly anemic, her eosinophiles are off the chart (as the vet described) her urine is normal and her stool sample showed nothing, no parasites. She tested for all types of worms and Giardia.   The vet wants her in tomorrow for a baseline x-ray. What do you think is going on. She was rescued from a high-kill shelter in the South so I don't know too much about her background. She also tested negative for heartworm and she did not have a temperature. She is eating, has 2 normal bowel movements a day, plays well with my Jack Russell and overall appears to be healthy.

Optional Information:
Age: 2; Female; Breed: Aussie mix

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status: Closed   Value: $15   
Answer
March 23, 2006 11:38 p.m. (1 hour and 59 minutes later)
REPLIED Check Mark

Hi Boomer..

I am going to suggest a different approach than you have so far.
May not be right, but consider it.

Your new dog had a street life in the South. She has had a litter of pups, two of which have roundworms, based on your worming.

Her medical efforts so far have found nothing amiss except a slight anemia and a high eosinophil count. Her water intake is not excessive according to lab results. The pups may still be nursing, or only recently shut off.

The only truely reliable test for parasites and heartworms is a positive test. Not finding any suggests another look if there is suspicion.

Eosinophilia is normally in response to an irritation like allergy, or parasitism. I am suspicious that Momma has roundworms too, since that is where the pups got them. Hookworms are very common as well. And heartworms may be a silent infection. Her scratching could be allergies to a light degree since she is a young dog. Anemia, slight, may be due to a lot of things related to living on the street and pregnancy.

Essentially, she may be a normal mother that needs care, possibly a worming for both hooks and roundworms using a medicine safe for use with heartworms (just in case).

I see nothing suggesting a rush to find something. Give her some more time.

For what it's worth... discuss it with your vets.

Hope this offers another route for you.
`
PicturePeter Bennett, DVM  -- Veterinarian -- 100% Positive Feedback on 182 Pet Accepts
20 years experience as a Small Animal veterinarian
Reply to Peter Bennett, DVM
Sent March 24, 2006 10:16 a.m. (10 hours and 38 minutes later)

She has been treated for Panacur (powder), 3 days on, which ended yesterday and after 3 weeks 3 days on again. She also tested negative for heartworm. She is drinking around 7 cups of water a day and goes out at least 12 times a day and will still have to eliminate urine in the house. This is not normal even with her pregnancy, they have nursed less and less, they are not only nursing 2 times a day.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Reply
Sent March 24, 2006 9:40 p.m. (11 hours and 24 minutes later)

Relist: I still need help.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)

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