Health concern need advice

[Snowco Labradors]

If she has ongoing UTIs be sure she does not have a recessed vulva. Here is info and a pic to compare to your pup.

https://www.lab-retriever.net/board/g...lvas-read.html

click on first link to see pic .

[Jacky's]

Puppies do get sick and change in behavior is also observed normally but your case does not seem that normal.. I think you must look for better vet and do have some patience.
I remember once I got so crazy about the height of my first dog and started feeding him a lot and instead of getting better I made him ill..
I'm sure the best answer is yet to come.

[patdog]

Thankyou everyone for your input.

I am wondering now if her vulva is hooded because that part of her anatomy does look bigger and have noticed she squats low and has urine stains on her hair surround the female anatomy.

She has been on prescription food for 3 weeks and I am hesitant to reintroduce normal kibble. She has had Science Diet and Eukanuba and both gave diarrhea. I thinking of trying grain free large puppy Canidea. She can't remain on the present diet because it's low in fat so even though she is gaining weight it doesn't have enough calories.

I haven't seen/found a Vet yet who will listen and take me seriously. I have been told "she is a puppy and will pee more", "puppies all get diarrhea", " did you buy her from a pet shop" and " the breeder sold you a sick dog and she was good in the first month you had her because she was so unwell".

The breeder did reply and no other puppy in her litter has had problems but then no one has contacted her since they purchased the pup. I have met both her parents and thet were happy and social dogs; neither barked or jumped over me. If the parents were over excited jumping and barking I would not have bought the puppy.

She has been socialised extensively and visited my Mum weekly. She is in aged care because she has ALS but in Australia called MND. She was also introduced to other residents, walkers and wheelchairs, sliding door and lift. She has been to the Post a Office, carried through the Shopping Centre and was really good.

Now I am reluctant to take her because she is too distruptive wants to jump on people and bark which all started when she became unwell and worsened towards the 2nd month of the 2 when she was sick. At the Vet we are sent to a room to wait because her barking and jumping causes the other animals there to react. When I first had her was was happy to see other dogs and people and just waited beside me. Of course this behaviour was encouraged with praise and treats. I use to take her her down the street to the outside cafe for coffe and to the pet stores where she ignored the fish, birds and other animals...even the dog food, treats and toys.

I was was so happy with this puppy and was looking forward to life with the both of us. Her giving me more confidence and independence in the outside world whilst she would be fulfilled working and going places with me. The most recent dog traing book I read was Postive Dog Training 3rd edition. Poppy is trained through play and food. She is also clicker trained. My daughter's chocolate lab is also trained and her niche is sniffing and tracking. I hide a treat and she remains focused till she finds it.

In summary here are the point forms:
1. Will have to find out if she has a hooded vulva. I would post a photo but not sure if it would be permitted.
2. Introduce a kibble that agrees with her...umm ?????
3. Address the behaviour but is it from
A. A stressed out puppy who has been chronically ill
B. A puppy who is still in pain; or
C. Behaviour modification with a trainer

have added more recent photos

[Woofie]

Have you actually changed vet clinics?

Do you live in a small town with only a few selective clinics; in which case, can you travel to another location. I can see your frustration with all of these responses. I too would be seriously finding other vets for input; these comments are uncalled for.

Again, her size to me does not look abnormal for a 5mnth old puppy; the hooded vulva CAN cause aggravation for the dog because that area is always feeling a burning sensation cause the pup basically has urine left in the fold.

Creek, my girl was miserable with UTI's and that area always seemed delicate; once surgery was done to correct the issue, after the stitches came out, she became calmer & happier. Haven't had a UTI in over a year.

Science Diet is not the greatest of foods; in fact, I wouldn't feed it to a bird. I'm in full agreement with you in the vet prescribed food not being appropriate for a growing puppy.

Has this girl been checked for giardia? Just because she was dewormed, doesn't mean she doesn't have an intestinal bug of some type.

[Snowco Labradors]

A recessed vulva and hooded vulva are not the same. Take a pic of her positioned like the pic in my blog posted above. And post it here, it is allowed. If you are not comfortable with that you can email me the pic and I will give my opinion on whether she is recessed, hooded, tipped and if so how severe or not it is.

You can email thru my website. Snowco Labrador Retrievers

Note: a RV can correct on a heat cycle (so can a tipped) A hooded, not necessarily - depends on the severity. Please do not consider surgery until you have had her fully diagnosed and tried other avenues to keep her UTI free till first heat may correct. (other avenues mean not constant antibiotic) Crancaps and PH testing as mentioned in my blog.

[patdog]

I have included the best picture I could take. It isn't very clear. She has been on Puppy Grain Free Canidea and doing better but her tummy is still noisy and faeces holding shape but not firm. She is back to drinking and peeing more and was house trained but reverted back to peeing inside.

Her personality has changed and she has tried to attack me a few times. I know people will say just rough puppy play at 6 months but I know the difference in body posture, eye contact and growl to know an aggressive gesture. My daughters 4 yr old lab is less tolerant of her at the moment too. She is still attending dog training and daily training as well. I also realised today she is not a dog that will back down. Has shown some resource guarding over treats and her bed. I will go see the Vet again and find out if she has a UTI and discuss her behaviour. This will be the Vet who said maybe you bought home a sick dog and maybe she was right.

I am questioning now if I did purchase a sick pup and maybe one with genetic aggression issues. I didn't mention this earlier because I was worried about her health. I don't know if either parent had aggression to some degree. Her sister who was being shown is no longer displayed on their information web page even though she had won puppy titles...just disappeared. When I purchased her I asked for a receipt but they wouldn't give me one; I thought they were nice people so let it go but now I question it!

Attachment 2947

[SunDance]

Patdog...your link comes up as hidden for some reason.

For what it's worth, Sunnie's anatomy is fine and she gets some urine on her fur, too. We wipe after potty trips. (Sunnie squats low when she squats...but usually she lifts either one of her legs just like a male.)

The one other thing I want to comment on is that the vet found protein in her urine. Protein in urine can cause incontinence...didn't the vet say anything about that? I'd pursue that line of thought with the vet. (Our Akita siblings had to be switched from a regular percentage of protein food to one with a lower percentage because of nocturnal incontinence....diagnosed by the special test to detect protein in urine.)

I'd never heard of a hooded vulva before and I've six female dogs during my lifetime. Never too old to learn something.

[Maxx&Emma]

I honestly don't think and sincerely hope your puppy is not aggressive. Please have the behaviors you are concerned about evaluated by a certified canine behaviorist before making a decision on something so serious. You seem to have concerns about your breeder, perhaps you could PM one of the breeders that are on the forum that could help you determine if you used a good breeder.
I am not sure how long you have been using the new food but please give it some time before you decide it is not working. That is, if I am counting correctly, 3 food changes since you have had your puppy. I would be surprised if your puppy did not have loose poops at this point.
I sure hope you are able to get these issues straightened out ASAP. I feel awful for those that can not enjoy a new puppy because of health issues, behavior issues, whatever. Sending good thoughts your way.

[windycanyon]

It sounds to me like a bad fit for you. I'd contact the breeder, who if reputable, should take back your pup w/o hesitation.

[Tanya]

It sounds to me like a bad fit for you. I'd contact the breeder, who if reputable, should take back your pup w/o hesitation.

This may be the route to go. The only other option is finding a behaviorist/positive trainer to asses the dog and work with you to train her.

Remember the parents were older and quite possibly well trained to be that calm and behaved wtih a stranger when you visited. they were not born that way and probably jumped and nipped and have crazy time too.