Question:
I never miss your column. Have you written a book?I have two neutered Pekingese littermates who are almost 5 years old. They have two problems: 1) They're retching bile-colored saliva, and 2) there's mucous in their stools.Feeding earlier in the day may have corrected the retching. Time will tell. The mucous comes and goes. What is the cause of these symptoms? Does it portend a dangerous disease?I would appreciate enlightenment. My veterinarian has little to say except "give them this antibiotic." I'm leery about so many antibiotics.There is a table of symptoms in my dog book, but it isn't very helpful. There is no apparent blood or undigested food. They are happy, active, eat well and have good coats.
B.F.W., Winston-Salem, NC Sep 26, 2004
Answer:
Yes, the routine prescribing of antibiotics by many animal and human doctors is deplorable. The overuse of antibiotics is bringing on a major animal and human health crisis of antibiotic resistance to infection-causing bacteria.Consult with another veterinarian who has a less cavalier attitude, especially since your two dogs are otherwise active and healthy. Consider making home-prepared meals for them since what you are feeding them is probably the cause of their retching and abnormal stools. There are ingredients in some commercial pet foods that I wouldn't even use as garden fertilizer. For more details and a basic recipe to start you off, visit my Web site at http://twobitdog.com/DrFox/Dr-Fox-Homemade-Dog-Food and click "Recipes for Dogs and Cats." My published books are also listed on this site.
Subscribe