Ozzy (my dog)

Wnet to the vet today for his Heartworm check. I told them last week that he was "sick" for a couple days.
They told me to bring in a stool sample, when I came in for his appointment. I did.
They did the heartworm check, and drew some blood. Heartworm was negative, that was good. Then the tech, came back with this small white plastic thing. It looked like a pregnancy test. She showed me the tester thing, and pointed to one of the ends on it. it was a white circle area, with a small greenish dot in the middle.
She said, "See that small green dot?"
Me. "yes".
Her. "Do you know what that means?"
Me. "He's pregnant?"
Her. Jaw hit the floor.:huh: I swear she thinks im an idiot now. lol.
Her. "You do realize he's a boy dog right?"
Me. "yeah..."
Her. "No, this means he has ehrlichiosis."
Me. ":huh: "

The conversation went on for a bit. Turns out that it is something like Lyme's disease. So, a small trip to the vet turned out really good. It wasn't serious at all, she said it was in the begining stages, so they gave me a bottle of pills, and a bill for $84, and sent me on my way. Now I just need to work on getting his weight back up to where he should be. From what I can tell, he is about 8 pounds lighter since he started showing that he was sick.

Anyone out there have any suggestions. He isn't allergic to ANYTHING. and he handles changing food really well.
I am pretty good with nutrition, and could probably figure something out. I was thinking of raising the protien, and carbs in his diet, but if anyone has anything better for suggestions, I would like to hear it.

 

Just give him his regular meals and, now that he is no longer sick, he will put the weight back on. He should gain the weight slowly. Fast weight gain/loss is not good for dogs.

If you exercise him regularly, I mean good physical activity, you may want cut back and then gradually increase that also.

A little on the light side is much better for dogs than a little on the heavy side.

 

Yes, I did cut back on the exercise. I normally don't like to run him on a leash, so I have been taking him out for about half an hour every night when I get home. At midnight, there is usually no one out where I live. So I take the leash off, and keep the training collar on him. I used to throw snowballs, and he would chase them, but now, he just runs around. I really wish this place would just fence in the larger part of grass that they have. I know alot of residents would really like it.

Fast weight loss/gain, is not good for anyone. But with this warmer weather out, we will be out alot more. I like to take him out to the WMA's, and anywhere I can get him off leash for a while. I feel that he gets better exercise like that. I know I can't keep up with him. My knees are shot. I can't run anymore.

 

Glad to hear he is okay.

I actually had to put my dog Sandy down a couple days before my birthday earlier this month. I'd had her 13 years to the day. She had bone cancer and was getting to the point of being unable to walk. Probably the hardest thing I've ever done and I cried like a baby that day.

Anyway, not to hijack your thread but I know how much an animal can impact someone's life. After reading yours I felt like I needed to share. Good luck man!

 

Sorry to hear that. Indeed, it is difficult.
Sounds like it was the right choice though.

PS, no one can high jack my threads. Most of the time, they aren't important. Just conversation starters. I get bored at work.

 

Thanks man. The vet said that she really respected me for not waiting until she was completely unable to walk. She was the best dog I've ever or probably will ever have. Here's a couple pics of her I took after one evening of hunting. This was a conversation starter you said. Post up some of yours too.



Here I am annoying her but I actually think she liked it. I love the way she covered her face.

 

Pics of the Ozzy. If you notice his eyes look a little off. They are. His original name was Bernie (mac). But my wife made me change it. About a week after we got him, I was slightly drunk, and took him outside. He started barking at the full moon. Hence the name Ozzy.

First day we got him.


Ozzy in Playdog mag??? IDK why she took this.


Ozzy and the niece.


Best friends.


The messed up ear. Favorite pic of him. I don't know why.

 

The "ear" pic is cool. I also like Ozzy and the kitten. Very cool!

 

I just wish we could get him a bed like yours is on. He loves them, but he also gets bored easily. lol.
We have bought about 10 of those, 4 or 5 of the liners for kennels, and a bunch of other kinds. It got too expensive, so now we give him old bed sheets, and towels.