Looking for advice from those with lots of dog knowledge...

[Left Is Write]

We just got Frankie on Saturday. He's a 9-month-old Border Collie mix who has clearly had some training in his past (he understands sit and come, for example).

On Sunday, he started showing symptoms of kennel cough. It seemed pretty mild, but he's been getting worse by the day (first he coughed up nothing, then he coughed up clearish-to-whitish mucous, today he's been coughing up fluorescent yellow phlegm). I took him to the vet today, and she believes he has a viral infection and a secondary bacterial infection. She gave him an antibiotic shot and a prescription of tablet form antibiotics to take home.

Frankie has been pretty good about elimination. He's had a couple of "I can't hold it" incidents when he lets a small amount of pee go, but only a small amount; he does the rest when we get him outside.

Today after the trip to the vet, he went into my daughter's room and peed all over her mattress (I had stripped her bed to wash sheets), in two places on her carpet, all over an area rug, and then made a poop on the area rug also.

I am wondering if this could be a result of his having been upset at the trip to the vet? So far he's been a very well-behaved, eager to please dog. I don't understand why he would do this, unless he was very unnerved by going to the vet and/or having the shot. I've had to clean up A LOT of phlegm and mucous the last few days, but today I almost broke down into tears having to clean up the various soakings (and I do mean soakings!) of pee and the poop on the area rug, and I just don't know enough about dogs to guess what Frankie is thinking.

He's crated now, napping, but I'm not sure if I can expect this to happen again, if he did it on purpose, or if it was some kind of lapse. There was enough soiling that it doesn't seem like an accident.

What do you think? And if you think this behavior is related to his trip to the vet, is there anything I can do to reassure him so that it doesn't happen again? Or maybe he had a lapse because he's sick? Any thoughts?

[flvegan]

1. Here's the TMI question

the poop...solid? Also, how soon after the trip to the vet? Did he have some time outside to go to the bathroom? Last question: what are the meds specifically?

A viral infection coupled with some perscription meds make for not only terribly upset stomachs, but also intense needs to eliminate. Additionally, this is a HIGH stress situation. He's only been there for three days, coming from whoknowswhere, then he's sick, then off to the vets for poking, etc.

[Left Is Write]

2. TMI answer....

It was formed, but somewhat less than solid. It was about an hour after we returned from the vet. I did take him outside when we got home, but he wasn't interested at that time.

He had a shot of Doxycycline at the vet, and she said to begin the pills tomorrow. I do know that getting the shot really scared him.

Is there anything I can do? And if the pills do give him an upset stomach, is there anything I can do to mitigate the problem? I don't plan to go in to work tomorrow (barring a staff emergency) so I can be home with him.

(I hope this thread won't get locked for bodily-functions violations!)

[Whoa_Nelly]

12. If the pills do make him sick, call the vet

Meanwhile, give him only water. My dog had a bladder infection that took 2.5 months to clear up, was on three different antibiotics, with the third one NOT making her throw up (she's a border collie mix, age11.) There are many antibiotics that can be used, so if one is making your pooch ill, call the vet, discontinue the med, and give only water. That's what my vet told me to do. And, if it happens on a weekend, you can get DogSure (it's like Pedialyte for dogs) at PetSmart or PetCo. It tells on the can how much to give per dog's weight. That way your pup won't be dehydrated of you have to go longer than 12 hours or so before getting to the vet.

Also, try PIll Pockets to give the medicine. My pooch has to take thyroid meds daily, and it makes it so easy. Available at PetSmart/PetCo.
http://www.greenies.com/en_US/products_pill_pockets.asp?

Sounds like your pup was upset, and that was the behavioral response, perhpas coupled with a reaction to the antibiotic injection. You may want to call you vet and let them know what happened. Could be they know more about it being or not being a response to the med.

[flvegan]

13. I'm going with stress-induced.

48 hours from now, you'll now exactly. If it continues, talk to the vet. If it doesn't, chalk it up to a very, very rough weekend for Frankie.

[philosophie_en_rose]

3. It could be a lot of things.

I suspect that the medicine is making him need to go more. He's probably feeling pretty lousy too. My dogs like to be near people or comfortable places when they're sick, so I always have to watch out. It can be very gross.

I suspect that he's probably not acting out. In fact, I'd guess he's feeling really bad that he's sick and breaking rules. I don't know your dog, but I watch mine like hawks if any one of them is sick. They would never, ever, ever vomit near their beds. But mine is a comfy place to recuperate. . . no matter how gross that is. Also, since he's peed on the area rug, he's likely to keep peeing on that. I wouldn't let him into your daughter's room for a while.

Basically, all you can do is watch for signs, take him out very frequently (1/2 hours), and give him his own place to recuperate (a room or a big dog bed or crate or something). Otherwise, keep in mind that this too shall pass. :pals:

[Left Is Write]

11. You might be right that he feels bad for breaking the rules -

I just took him out for a potty break, and I sat down in a lawn chair to wait for him to do his business. He lay his head down in my lap and just watched my face. I told him I wasn't mad at him, and he seemed to understand.

I've cleaned my daughter's carpet and used a pet odor neutralizer. The mattress is pretty much done for, as is the area rug. We're going to replace them.

[Beaverhausen]

4. You could call the vet and ask them, too

I think it might be from the meds, but you might want to get his/her opinion.

Good luck with Frankie. When things settle down post pics!

[Left Is Write]

5. I can post some pics now....

he's a gorgeous boy.

[Beaverhausen]

6. OH!!! He is so cute! Get well soon, Frankie!

:loveya:

He looks happy!!!

[marzipanni]

9. He is a very cute and healthy looking boy with that glossy coat!

While I was posting I was hoping you would be able to post pictures, so that was a pleasant surprise!

[barb162]

15. Oh he's A DOLL.

BTW, I think between the stress, medication, a new home, being very sick and the vet trip, this animal is doing really well. I think he had an accident. He may have a few more in the adjustment process and trying to get well. I'd take him outside for a lot more walks while he is getting adjusted and certainly while he is getting this medication.

[marzipanni]

7. Here are some helpful hints I've learned from experience

•A warm 'hot' water bottle propped against my old dog's abdomen was soothing when he had a bout of diarrhea. I had to go to work at 8:50 am, and when I came home for lunch he was still lying on his side with the warm hot water bottle leaning against his tummy.(I realize Frankie didn't have the trots, but in case he has an upset stomach)

•A good thing to have on hand for cleaning up barf/mucus/phlegm/bile(yellow stuff) is an aluminum foil type pie pan or baked-goods tray, cut in half; use it with a plastic spoon or knife like a dustpan and broom, because that stuff is so hard to pick up (like egg whites) with a cloth or sponge.

•You should probably buy some enzyme cleaner (pet supply area at grocery store, and pet supply store, and fabric store carry it) which removes the odor that might remind Frankie where he pee'd and pooped. Cats seem to be more inclined to use the same spot once it has that scent, but it would be a good to nip it in the bud.

•When Frankie is feeling better, Border collies/mixes (we have one named Sally) love, Love, LOVE getting some exercise. Every morning I throw Sally's tennis ball, kong toy, or cloth frisbee for her to retrieve until she's panting. For the rest of the day she's much calmer.

I hope Frankie, and therefore you, too, feel better soon!:hug:

[Joe Fields]

8. The trip to the vet clearly traumatized your pup.

[Catshrink]

10. Congratulations on your new baby.

He's a beautiful puppy! I love watching border collies "work" at the doggie park. They try to herd all of the other dogs by running circles around them. It's too freaking funny! My little dachshund runs right along with them though -- he loves to run too.

Hope he feels better soon.

[Nevernose]

17. My GSP used to do the same thing

I had a German Short-hair Pointer for a while, and all the other people, including greyhound owners, would come up to me and say, "I've never seen a dog run like that before. I've never seen anything like that dog before. What's wrong with her?"

She would run the other dogs until she literally, physically collapsed. She would run and run and run and run and run and run and them WHAM! Face down on the grass. More than once I had to pick her up and carry her to the car or house.

[Flaxbee]

14. the antibiotics, while necessary, can really screw up his

tummy for a bit, even as quickly as an hour after the first shot. The meds might wreak havoc with his intestinal 'flora and fauna'. Our cats (entirely different physiology, but still), when on meds, just have horrible poo and an urgent need to go. Clears up as soon as the meds are finished.

No real comfort to you as you might have to deal with a few accidents while he's being treated, but it was probably a mixture of freaked-outedness, as he's new to the family, doesn't feel well, went to the vet's, etc. and the medicine starting to take effect.

Definitely call your vet tomorrow and ask him/her about it, though. The vet will be able to give you information on the meds, any known side effects, as well as potential behavoiral issues.

We had a border collie when I was growing up - he was wonderful, INCREDIBLY smart and eager to please, and loved loved loved running.

[Left Is Write]

16. Thank you all - I feel reassured now, and I think Frankie does too.

The antibiotic seems to be kicking in already. He's much better now (11:00pm) than he was just a few hours ago.

He'll need to take the antibiotic for a week.