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for the attention of fitness - dog constipation

Hi Fitness, could you please have a look at nuala's problem for me please. Realised last night I should have addressed this for your attention. Molly's (21 year old cat) is still doing great.

I have a red female cocker spaniel. I was seen by a homeopath who also treated the dog with arsenicum album, apparently in 1M. This was given over 2 months ago and the latest problems have started since then. Nuala is on a dry food diet (gluten and dairy free) I placed my previous dog on the same diet when she was diagnosed with pancreatitis. It made a massive difference to her so I've kept it the same with nuala. I noticed about a month ago that her stools were changing colours - yellow, orange and was straining although not hard, they later became hard and dark and she started having difficulty. Then the fishy smell came so I cleared her anal glands and the colour has become more consistent and normal. The only time nuala has been restless through the night was when I had left the heating on. She also puts her nose up to the window for air if she's too hot. I've read about dogs with anal gland problems and remedies recommended seem to be sulphur (fishy smell) nux vomica (although no signs of trying to vomit, was wondering about that with the excitability/heightened sense to noise, silicea to clear them completely after the initial stages and once inflammation has seized and hepar sulph. But I'm also wondering wether phosphorus would help her - Electrical sensitivity?

She is a very high energy dog and apart from a few white hairs is showing no signs of her age. People on seeing her think she's about 5 years old.

Ongoing issues with her are she'll bark when I leave the house, very affectionat but can be jealous - of the cat, anything I'm doing that doesn't revolve around her. I'm thinking classic pulsatilla but over the last week, her anal glands had become blocked, I cleared them and they smelled very fishy, she's also quite constipated now, which she wasn't and extremely sensitive to noise. This morning I woke up with her coming out of my wardrobe panting, restless, digging and then back to me and then the cycle started over. Turned out the electricity box was bleeping and this set her off. She doesn't appear to be bothered by the constipation and other than her behaviour this morning, she's the same as she always is. Nuala can have 2 or 3 bowel movements a day, at the moment she isn't going every day, maybe every other day and only once. Her stomach is quite distended. Eating and drinking hasn't changed. One long standing problem is, she has.an incredibly Dry nose. I have seen several vets regarding this and have been told there's nothing wrong with her, some dogs just have a dry Bose. I've recently noticed, if we are away for a few days, it starts to improve and I'm now convinced it's because she's in eating out the cat litter box. I try and limit this happening but don't always know when the cat is going to the toilet or catch her quick enough to chase her. The Cat litter is clay, but I think it's more her toilet she's after as she doesn't attempt to eat or pick anything up from outside. She is very excitable, as soon as you mention she's going out, going to the park, going out in the car she runs round in circles until your out the door. She's also excitable in the car. She's very rarely on a lead as she's exercised in dog friendly parks and although she loves getting her nose in to everything, and running around her recall and general behaviour is great. She hates postmen, delivery men and generally barks quite a lot at people - she'll bark at some of the neighbours also but not all of them. She also gets a bit jumpy when the tv gets switched on (the electrical noise on it being switched on) but the digging and wardrobe carry on was a first.she also hates being in water, you would have to physically force her in some way to get her in and I'd never do that. She loves getting dirty though and when outside she's more interested in natural woodland - never plays with toys although she will in the house. She's exercised for 1-1 1/2 hours every day and usually walk with my neighbour and her dog.

The separation anxiety started a few years back after she was put in the kennels when we went on holiday. She was completely traumatised by the whole experience. Didn't eat and when I got back she was a nervous wreck. I couldn't even go to the toilet without it causing a lot of distress for her. I started behavioural work with het straight away to increase her confidence and to show her she wasn't being left again - leaving the house for 5-10 minute and slowly increasing. Everyone comments about how happy she looks, her "happiness" is endless its like it oozes out of her. She has been given pulsatilla in the past with great results but this "noise" situation along with the anal glands etc, well I'd prefer a further opinion. Last night I was watching a game show and she got quite anxious at the people pressing the buzzer. It's any kind of sharp noise.

Can you offer advice and a remedy to settle her back down, less fearful of noise and hopefully get her bowels moving again.

Kind regards
[message edited by kirsty28 on Fri, 27 Mar 2015 07:26:16 GMT]
[message edited by kirsty28 on Fri, 27 Mar 2015 09:49:06 GMT]
 
  kirsty28 on 2015-03-26
This is just a forum. Assume posts are not from medical professionals.
I'd recommend a single dose of Pulsatilla 200c and then update in one week unless something urgent comes up.
 
fitness 9 years ago
Thanks Fitness,

we had movement today! My neighbour and her dog was on holiday for a week and met up today. Nuala had a bowel movement as soon as she seen him and done 2 more when we were out. We've only been neighbours for a few months but the dogs really seem to love each other. Was she pining after him also? She has been as high as a kite all day. It's very sweet to watch.

The blocked anal glands were definitely an issue but maybe not the only one.

I'll go ahead with the pulsatilla and post in a week, before if necessary.

Thanks again,

Kirsty
 
kirsty28 9 years ago
Hi Fitness,

Nuala's bowels have settled back down again. I've discovered a few things about her this week. Nuala has never really been a dog that is particularly bothered about being with other dogs, she's more interested in people. As I've said, I've been walking with my new neighbours dog and she definitely misses him when he's not around. After the pulsatilla, she had a touch of diarrhoea, alternating with hard stools, neither of which bothered her. She's doing her usual now and still up to 3 Times a day. I've often wondered how she would react if something happened to her or me. This might sound a bit strange but I was brought up in quite an abusive household as a child/teenager and dogs that we've had although very gentle and playful, they were also very protective. If I said "get him" even if it was just for a carry on, previous dog would act on that - no biting, just growls and jumping in the middle or what was needed to stop whatever was happening. Nuala has no concept of this, you ask her to get something she'll look for her ball, the phone or remote control. when she was a pup, she was very difficult to train. I had her at 2 animal behaviourists, one with 25 years experience and what I was told was, she's the happiest wee dog I've ever seen but she's the first dog i've ever come across that doesn't want to be trained. You can either break her spirit or get creative. I got creative, trained her at a swing park using tunnels, slides. Anything I could find to use to get her to follow an instruction. She's also never "bad" if her behaviour in any way becomes extreme, excitable, overly jealous and pushy, I tell her to be gentle - she knows she has to quiet down. Anyway, there was 2 occasions last week where there were dogs wanting to play with her, well One was the other was sniffing round her a bit much, she didn't do anything to extreme but she did stand up for herself and became a bit snappy on one occasion and very on the other, not directly at the dogs, but more as a warning. I had never seen her like this before. Rauridgh, my neighbours dog, stood and watched this for about 20 seconds or so and then intervened. He's a cocker too and one of the dogs was a new Newfoundland. After this all settled, the two of them ran off playing. Wasn't sure at the time if this was going to become an issue but it's not, she's just sticking up for herself as there's been several others and although she's not interested in playing with them, she says hello as dogs do and just watches and makes sure I don't give them too much attention, she's right over if I do. So she definitely knows when she's not happy about something and will react without running to me. Also, with the noise situation. It was actually the fire alarm. It's sorted now but we've had a few mornings with it. On one occasion, I left the room to go and sort it, when I came back in maybe ten mins or so she had actually wet the bed. I've been trying to figure out exactly what noises get to her, using the tv and there's been sirens, banging - various and she's not remotely bothered. It's just this high pitch, bells ringing etc. Also, since my mum died she has destroyed 4 quilts, the latest being yesterday. She pulls all the stuffing out. She's not bored, under exercised and up until yesterday I wasn't sure what was causing it. I'm still not entirely sure but I'm now wondering if it's a reaction to how I'm feeling. I've had some tearful days. Neighbour also told me.she doesn't bark the whole time I'm out, just for about 10 mins after I leave and again when she hears my car back, so she's not distressed the whole time, which was good to know. So the bowels now seem regular again, should I continue/dose further with pulsatilla as the behaviours are still there or wait some. more.

Thanks Fitness,

Kirsty
 
kirsty28 8 years ago
I'd wait a week more and just observe with no more doses.

You are welcome.
 
fitness 8 years ago
I will do, thank you!

she's moved down a level today,she just unmade the bed and looked quite pleased with herself too. She didn't yesterday, I never gave her in to trouble. She new she shouldn't have done it, even if I haven't seen something that happens. I just say "who done that" if it's her, she goes in to the hall in a huff. It could be a reaction to me, time will tell.

Thanks Fitness
 
kirsty28 8 years ago
Hi Fitness, Happy Easter!

I'm just posting as things happen so I don't forget. We may be making progress. Up until the last few weeks I never noticed how many programs use bells! Last night again, same thing happened with Nuala. Bell was rung, she got quite anxious, went in to the kitchen, I thought to get away from the noise, and she came back with her ball. She has never done this before. She doesn't have any interest in playing with toys outside, never has. She just loves running around in natural surroundings. I, when I can try to use distraction to encourage better behaviour but I've never used her toys as I didn't want her to associate them with any kind of anxiety. There are times, like last week where she's too anxious to do anything except get her through it. Anyway, from her doing this, it gave me the idea of trying to desensitize her. She wanted to play with her ball, so we did. I threw it repeatedly towards the tv so she would have to go towards the noise, she was a bit nervous at the start, maybe the first 15 mins but kept at it and after about 30 mins she was much more relaxed and just a bit fidgety, no clingyness, no panting, digging, trying to hide. Don't know how she figured that one out on her own but she was happier for it and I'm actually very proud of her! Big improvement, all going well it's paid off and maybe the start of a less stressed dog. Thanks Fitness, I'll post back next weekend unless there's anything else to report. Kirsty
 
kirsty28 8 years ago
Thanks for the update, happy Easter to you too!
 
fitness 8 years ago
Hi Fitness,

A bit early I know. I've figured out the sudden dislike for the sharp noises (I tried nuala with every training method available when she was a pup/young dog. The whistle that dogs can only really hear - that didn't work or phase her either) a few weeks ago after having her out, I went in to the post office, her being restless, set the car alarm off. I remembered this last night and I'm as certain as I can be that this is the trigger. I know never to leave her in the car even for 5 mins now and hopefully over time it'll stop.

There's been a few things going on with her the last few days, firstly the fishy smell from her anal glands is back, I'd prefer not to go down the antibiotic route if I can avoid it. She's also becoming that very sure and confident way she was as a pup/young dog. If she wasn't so cute about it, it wouldn't be quite so amusing but she's a dog it's difficult to be angry with, for me anyway. The snapping has stopped. We met the Newfoundland again yesterday, he's only 18 months and very playful, anyway they just sniffed about each other and she was great. Yesterday (I knew it was going to be one of those days before we left the house, she was full of mischief) she wouldn't go in the car - running around wagging her tail and just refusing. She was told if she didn't get in the car, she wouldn't be going anyway. She knows that tone! Didn't bother her, spent 10 mins persuading her and eventually she went in. After being out, same thing again - this isn't fear based, she's just acting the goat. I tried various tones of telling her to get in the car after about 10 mins she was getting closer to me but as soon as I went to get her collar, she took off. Doesn't go far just round the car, looKing at me as she passes. I sat at the car acting completely uninterested in her arms folded etc saying various things - nuala I'm not playing, get in the car, don't act it Nuala etc, this usually works but as a last resort it resulted in me saying come and get a cuddle. Worked with no hesitation. I wouldn't give her in to trouble after I'd got her in the car regardless but I don't want to be rewarding her with cuddles either! :-) if she was a young dog that didn't know better that would be different but she's 10 And she does know. It's not a new behaviour, she's not frightened of being in the car. Off the lead when she's running around, she's great. She very rarely responds to come here, to get her to go where I want her to go its "Nuala this way, let's go" I make it sound so exciting she never refuses. She doesn't run away far when she's in this mode she more just pushing her luck. When out, she's very active, will usually always be up ahead but what she does is she circles until I reach her. If there's benches/seats I'll tell her to jump. She'll go on to one of them and wait that way - she was taught this after I had surgery and was on crutches. This isn't anything I'm not used to, periodically, she does really love herself and you can see it in her when she's doing it. Just more info on her personality. Shes more settled nerves wise and becoming the very cocky little cocker spaniel again. She's a field cocker. Any further advice, especially with the anal gland situation. Molly's still doing great, weather is quite mild now so although she hasn't ventured out yet, she's happy sitting up at the window. Get one sorted and the other one starts! :-)

Thanks fitness
 
kirsty28 8 years ago
You can try one dose of Puls and see how it affects her symptoms in 3 days.
 
fitness 8 years ago
Brilliant, thanks again.

Kirsty
 
kirsty28 8 years ago
The separation anxiety started a few years back after she was put in the kennels when we went on holiday. She was completely traumatised by the whole experience. Didn't eat and when I got back she was a nervous wreck. I couldn't even go to the toilet without it causing a lot of distress for her. I started behavioural work with het straight away to increase her confidence and to show her she wasn't being left again - leaving the house for 5-10 minute and slowly increasing. Everyone comments about how happy she looks, her "happiness" is endless its like it oozes out of her. She has been given pulsatilla in the past with great results but this "noise" situation along with the anal glands etc, well I'd prefer a further opinion. Last night I was watching a game show and she got quite anxious at the people pressing the buzzer. It's any kind of sharp noise.







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jamesjogi08 8 years ago
Morning fitness,

Not entirely sure why someone has reposted one of my posts, is that usual practice do you know?

The last couple of days have been a bit better. The fishy smell has gone again. Also with the bells (they're actually starting to annoy me now :-) ) last night a single bell rang, she barely flinched but again watching tv later on last night, and there was several. she became quite restless, but no digging or hiding in wardrobes. She was panting, and wanted to be as physically close to me as possible, head round my neck and wanting cuddles. This is manageable, I didn't speak to her,that can get her more worked up, I put my hand on her so she knew I was there and it was ok. She settled quickly once it had stopped and went to sleep. I waited until she was completely relaxed before telling her she was a clever girl and saying night night.Nuala and Molly were also lying together earlier on in the night, this happens, just not very often. so she's definitely settling down again.

My neighbour is away again for a few days so,we'll see what this week brings. Thanks Fitness your help as always is much appreciated. Should I wait further and see how long this dose stays effective?

Best wishes,

Kirsty
 
kirsty28 8 years ago
I think its better to wait and see the effect of the dose.

I am not sure why someone reposted your post.
 
fitness 8 years ago
She's great today! :-) playful and relaxed. If the sound of bells keeps upsetting her I'm contemplating writing to the producers to remove them from their shows. Poor dog. Her tummy is nice and soft again too. I actually came across a patient case a while ago about a wee girl needing pulsatilla. It was nuala in human form, she even blocks my face off with hers up against me if I'm on the phone/talking to someone.

Thanks Fitness, as soon as things relapse I'll post again.

Best wishes,

Kirsty
 
kirsty28 8 years ago
Hi Fitness,

I hope you're well!

There's been some really positive changes with nuala so thought they were worthy of posting.

she has been whimpering a bit after my neighbours dog whose away just now. I decided to change our walks to places they don't go together. It's working, today I had her down to a place where there's a beach, woodland walks and big things happened for her. This isn't somewhere she's never been, just not for a while. She was far more interested in other dogs, approaching them, they usually have to approach her, friendly and then just walked on. Didn't need me to reassure her. She knows to "be gentle" if it's an older dog/nervous dog and again with that today she was great. Even got told she was well trained. She is, but not in the conventional way and with her being so energetic and excitable, it doesn't usually get noticed. It's nuala and her temperament people usually complement on. She also stood in and walked through a very shallow stream. She'll walk round a puddle! :-) and has had to be physically carried over water before as she just refuses to do it.

There was also a local power cut today and alarms from local schools went off. The only response was her ears went up and she looked about and that was it, no anxious behaviour.

Her stools are bulkier and softer also and no fishy smell. I'm hoping now she's doing better stools it'll help to keep the anal glands clearer for longer. Don't know if I've mentioned this before, a number of years ago nuala looked and was acting like she had a sore back. All the examinations were showing nothing so asked the Vet could it be her anal glands. He didn't think so as its not a usual symptom but checked and it was, they actually made my eyes water that time the smell was so bad. Just interesting as pulsatilla has the backache with constipation.

She hasn't destroyed anymore quilts thankfully and generally seems very settled again. I was a bit concerned about eventually having to move and was I going to end up with a love sick dog on my hands and not very well but I'm quite confident now she'll be ok, as everything will be new and exciting for her although I have said I'll still come down so we can walk the dogs together.

She's also not been annoying Molly much either although I have caught Molly a few times with her paws grasped round nuala, trying to get her. Molly's still very cute about getting what she wants but nuala seems less reactive.

Things seem to be getting much better for her and we're definitely reaching new levels.

Hopefully, it continues for a while yet. I'll be in touch with any significant changes either way.

best wishes,

Kirsty
 
kirsty28 8 years ago
That's good progress Kristy. I am glad things are working out great.

Keep me posted. All the best.
 
fitness 8 years ago
Hi Fitness,

An update on nuala and further advice if you will, thanks!

Nuala is getting better with the high pitch sounds. On one occasion she got a bit unsettled (it was continuous) became a bit restless, I didn't react to her and she just came up and lay beside me with her back to me this time, a bit of heavy breathing until she fell asleep. This particular programme was repeated so I put it on again, this time during the day, I left the room to see what would happen with her and no reaction at all. She slept through it. We're getting there!

With the water situation, thought I was going to be calling the coast guards! Had her out on a walk, we go her quite often, Living on the coast we're pretty much surrounded by water, and she has never shown much, if any interest. Anyway, it's fenced off but there are small gaps, nuala decided she was actually quite interested in this patch of water she's been passing for over 10 years. Getting quite close and a bit too curious, I shouted no, come here! 2 commands nuala has never responded to. She persisted, it was probably only 30 seconds or so but felt much longer. Realised at this point I didn't have my phone and there was no way of getting her out if she did jump in, a quick "careful" pulled her back and then "this way, let's go" worked. I was trying not to frighten her but at the same point keep her safe. An improvement for her in this respect.

Anal glands and constipation also seemed to have settled.

As you know, Molly has required quite a bit of attention over the last week or so. Nuala as of yesterday has become, well attempted to become a bit Destructful. If nuala isn't beside me or sleeping, And quiet for longer than a few minutes, it generally means she's up to something. Yesterday, I was in the kitchen and shouted in to her "nuala what you doing" she came in to the kitchen, looking quite pleased with herself and a very small piece of fluff from Molly's bed in her mouth. Wasn't much and her bed isn't ruined so she was lucky with that one. nuala has never touched anything from my room. I'm now in my mum's room as its bigger, you know about the quilts.

Will I give her abother dose of pulsatilla just to settle her back down again?

Thanks Fitness,

Kirsty
 
kirsty28 8 years ago
Watch for a day or so and if things don't settle on their own, give one dose.

You are welcome.

If you are on facebook, please share/like my page "payaftercure". Thanks
 
fitness 8 years ago
Thanks again!

I am on Facebook so I'll do that for you,

Best wishes,

Kirsty
 
kirsty28 8 years ago
Thanks a lot
 
fitness 8 years ago
Hi Fitness,

Not much to report with nuala. The night before last she was very clingy, in a quite a forceful way. It was as if I will sit on you and you will allow it. I wasn't having that! I got her to lie beside me, it hasn't happened again.

When she was a pup/young dog. I had 2 occasions were she went for me, one was when she was on my bed, it was as if she was attempting to assert herself against me, that wasn't happening and she got barred from my room for a while with me then being really firm with her, the other time was to do with the car. She refused to stay in the back seat, preferring the front seat, again tried to move her and she went for me, again I wasn't having that so I bought a boot rack and started putting her in there. She knocked the first one out within 3 days and within 10 mins of leaving the house, she was in the front seat. I had to get the one with no gaps and screws in. I took her to the Vet about rage syndrome, apparently the red cockers are at times prone to this kind of behaviour (my gran blamed everything on the red hair too! :-) ) but he just said to keep doing what I was, she just needs to know whose boss, at the moment she thinks it's her. At this time, I also started taking her out with me on the bike. She was always ahead, so to conquer that, I got on my bike and got it out her that way. She does have that wee streak in her but it doesn't amount to anything. She just gets a bit full of herself at times and needs reminding.

She was microchiped yesterday and she was great. She's been quiet since but they said she would have a bit of discomfort for a day or two and to expect a slight change.

I'll keep an eye on her for a few days yet and see how she is once the site of injection has all settled. So far, everything is ok with her.

Thanks Fitness,

Kirsty
 
kirsty28 8 years ago
You can give her a dose of Arnica 30. Remember it as the first remedy of choice for every trauma.

You are welcome.
 
fitness 8 years ago
Thanks Fitness,

I'll give her that tonight.

Best wishes,

Kirsty
 
kirsty28 8 years ago

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