What wrong with my girl, Cloey Bell?

I have a 3-month-old Chihuahua. She has a bare spot that just appeared on her back with a little flakiness on her skin. Is this the mange? She isn't itching that much. Another question. She has been throwing up since I got her. She doesn't throw up food; it looks more like milky water and she does this every other day. She looks malnourished even though I feed her regularly. She poops all the time and lately it has been really runny and fatty looking. Am I being a worry wart or is there something going on with my girl?

[Misfits4Me]

You need to be a worry wart! Sounds like there's a few things going on with her. For starters, what do you feed her?

[Murmmie30]

Well, when I first got her, the breeder told me to feed her Puppy Chow and if she wouldn't eat to give her Old Roy soft food. Then when I got to Wal Mart to buy her food, a lady was there who owned Chihuahuas and told the best thing was Meow Mix, so I bought the Moew Mix and some Old Roy just in case she wouldn't eat anything. When I got her home she seemed to be doing fine. She wouldn't eat nothing but the Old Roy and very little cat food. Then she started dry heeving about ten times before finaaly throwing up milky water. She was doing this all the time. She never had runny poop so I didn't think was anything to do with her diet. She continued to throw up and it seemed like she was staying really skinny so I decided to change her diet to Purina Little Bites a few weeks ago. That is when she started having runny, fatty bowel movements. Now she is acting funny, uses that bathroom constantly (the runny kind) and still throws up after dry heeving and now tha place on her back. I am just at a loss. I don't know what is wrong or if I need to take her to the vet. I just need to know if this is serious and if she'll be alright.

[Misfits4Me]

OMGosh, How cute she is!!  She looks sick...It's her eyes that show it. Has she been Vaccinated? (Against Parvo?) Vomiting and/or diarrhea is very dangerous for a puppy. Dehydration can cost them their life very quickly. She needs to see a Vet ASAP. This could be internal parasites (If she hasn't been wormed), or an intestinal bacteria. Either way, she's in trouble....You have to get her some help. Also, please ask the Vet about food choices. They will probably try to sell you a prescription diet for intestional upset. Buy a few cans...She might like it and it will help her,alot. Don't buy a case until you see if she'll eat it. Here's the thing: IMO, any of the foods that you listed could be causing all of her problems. She should NOT ever have cat food. Cats require different nutrition than dogs. Old Roy is ****, and so is Puppy chow! She needs a higher quality food, NOT SOLD AT WALMART!  As little as she is, it won't be expensive to give her a better diet. I will be happy to give you some ideas on food, later. Right now, you need to make her a Vet appointment.....Please, keep me updated on her...I'll be wondering about her and hope she's feeling better soon......Make sure you tell the Vet everything that you've posted here...It's all important!!!         Good luck and again, please let me know.  Karla

[Murmmie30]

Thank you for all the info. We just moved to Tennessee and I am not familiar with the vets around here. But I'll locate one and schedule her an appointment right away. The breeder told me she had her first set of shots but I am not sure that includes parvo. She seems to be doing a little better today. Poor little girl. I just want her to feel ok. Can I get this better food at the vet's office? Thanks again Karla! -Mary

[Misfits4Me]

Mary,  The Vet will suggest a prescription diet (That he/she sells) till you can get her digestive system settled down. It will probably be Science Diet ID. She DOES need this for awhile. It's also fattening which it sounds like she needs, also. They will try to sell you a 20lb. bag of dry. You shouldn't have to buy this much, as it would take forever for her to eat it.  :)  Ask them to sell you 2-3 CANS of the ID till you can figure out if she'll eat it or not. It's actually good and I feel she needs the moisture of the canned, right now. It's about $1.50 a can. I'm hoping that her problem is the frequent food change and the bad food not agreeing with her. However, I would get her to a Vet to rule out other causes. (Bacteria or Parasites).  Then you can go from there.....Better quality food CANNOT be purchased at grocery stores or Wal-Mart. You will be able to find them at Animal Speciality Stores. There are many kinds available.....And many stores....Good luck and let me know how she's doing.....She is just Toooooo Cute!!!!           Karla

[Murmmie30]

Well, I took Cloey to the vet today. Good news is she'll be ok. Bad news is she has worms and lots of them. They were the cause of everything. They gave her medicine to get rid of them and boosted her vaccinations. I have to take her back in three weeks to get more vaccinations and another round of worm medication. Other than that she is doing great. I am so happy and relieved. But now there is another concern. There is a chance my boys may have worms. That really worries me. Is there a way I can tell or does a doctor have to do some kind of tests? TTYL- Mary

[Misfits4Me]

Hi Mary.......Thanks for taking Cloey to the doctor. .....I'm so glad it's just worms....They sure do cause problems, but now you know.  I am sorry that they chose to Vaccinate her while she's sick. I don't like that & I don't understand more vacs. in 3 wks????????? Did they explain that to you? Anyway, your question about the boys: What kind of worms does she have? That would be a factor...If you don't know, call the Vet and ask.....Let me know....Again, I'm happy she's on the road to recovery!!     Karla

[Murmmie30]

The vet just told me she needed a vac boost in another three weeks and then to see her once a month for heart worm medication. They did not specify the type of worm. They just asked me if it looked like rice and I told them it looked more like thread or string. I did ask if the boys could get these worms from Cloey and he said yes. But if I am not mistaken, they are roundworms because they look like what I saw and they cause the exact symptoms Cloey had (vomiting, diarrhea, and stunted growth). Really, waht is the difference in roundworms and threadworms? -Mary

[Tigereye1]

I'm glad you figured out her problem..

Sounds like roundworms, nasty little guys. Very common in puppies. You saw it? Usually the only way to test is to look for eggs in the stool. Sometimes they can be thrown up or passed in thr stool though..I would bring in another stool sample to test for coccidia, hookworm, and others that are also common in puppies.

3 week increments are typical for puppy's first shots, to increase first immunity to it. Also, most vets sell heartworm meds in 6-12 month packs, there is no need to go for monthly visits.. Just make sure she is tested for it before you start the med.. Good vets will tell you exactly which worms they found and would be more open and explanatory about things, especially to a new puppy owner, who is likely to have lots of questions. If your vet does not, you may want to research some more before settling on one. Just bring your records with you so they know her vax schedule.

If you are still changing her food (I agree with the above posts about a higher quality food), make sure you do it in little increments, mixing it with the old food in gradual increments. This will lessen the chances of tummy upset as they switch over.

Good luck!

[Murmmie30]

Cloey had an accident on my bed and when I went to clean it up, I saw the worms. They were moving a lot (raising up their heads or tails?). There were lots them. I had never seen them in her stools before but I knew something was wrong with her. I was relieved to finally know and get her some help. The vet took two fecal samples so I am sure they saw the worms and are treating her for the right ones. When I asked how Cloey could have gotten the worms, the vet did mention that sometimes puppies get them from their mothers and they are calle hook worms. I was shocked. If that was true about Cloey, she had them all this time poor girl. But like I said before, he didn't specify. Either way, I am happy she is on her way to recovery. She is already feeling better. It was difficult trying to house train her due to her illness but I think she will do well once she has normal movements and her digestive systems starts working properly. It has been frustrating but she is such a wonderful dog, it's been worth it. She is so loving and smart. I can't wait to see her at her best. I will check on the heart worm medication and the monthly visits. I may have misunderstood. I don't see a need to that often either. About the food, he told me to keep her on what I have her on now which is Purina Little Bites. She really likes it and eats well. So, my little girl should start gaining some weight and looking and feeling better. I can't wait.

[Murmmie30]

The vet also gave me a NEW PUPPY packet to read which exlained a lot and answered many of questions.

[Murmmie30]

Cloey Bell is doing so much better. It's like a complete turn around. She is so playful and happy now. It's like a whole new dog. Now... if I can just get her house trained :-)

[Misfits4Me]

Hi Mary, I'm so glad to hear that Cloey is better.  You know, I made a mistake in an earlier post. I forgot about all the puppy booster shots. It's been a very long time since I've had a puppy. Sorry bout that. I also agree with Tigereye about the heartworm treatment. That struck me as odd about monthly visits as your Vet requested...Common practice is to purchase your heartworm treatment (6mos. worth) and administer them  yourself every month...Oh the potty training.  :)  The only puppy I ever raised took exactly 1yr. to potty train. He was a tiny thing, too. I'm not trying to scare you, just don't give up...She'll understand, soon...I didn't think mine would ever understand, but the day he turned a year old, he got it....He was perfectly trained for the next 11yrs..... I sure miss that guy!  :(  Anyway, again I'm glad she's on the road to recovery....Oh yes, I wouldn't worry about the boys and worms....I've been exposed to every worm on the planet; and to my knowledge, didn't catch any...Even with the dog sleeping on my pillow, above my head, for a long time....Did freak me out, though!!!  Good luck to you and yours and take good care of Cloey Bell....She's precious!!!        Karla