Help us help our puppy.

March 22, 2008 3:16 PM

We just got an adorable new puppy. We're ecstatic! The dog, however, seems less enthused... for the past two days, he has done almost nothing but sleep. He has yet to eat anything, and he has no desire to explore our apartment or walk outside. Why is this, and what can we do to help him adjust?

Our new dog is a gorgeous five-month-old shiba inu. We took him home with us yesterday, and since he got to our apartment he has seemed quite listless. At first we thought he was just tired, but now we're a little concerned. He doesn't want to eat his puppy food, even though we can hear his stomach growling. It's the same kind of food his breeder raised him on, so it's not that we're just feeding him something he doesn't like.

It's really hard to get him to come outside with us, even to go to the bathroom. When we do take him outside, he has little interest in exploring, and he completely refuses to take walks with us (if we wanted to get him to move, we would literally have to drag him across the ground). He has eaten a couple of milkbones, and we've been somewhat successful in getting him to play keep-away with a squeaky toy (he'll play as long as he doesn't have to get off the couch, that is.)

Why is our dog so dejected? Is he simply homesick, or should we be worried?

posted by arianell to pets & animals (13 comments total)

You should take your dog to the vet: it sounds like he is ill.
posted by fatllama at 3:21 PM on March 22, 2008

Have you taken him to the vet yet? Even if the breeder has taken the litter to get their puppy shots, you should have your vet check out your new best friend.
My chihuahua pup was listless too. Turned out that she had a tape worm. Once that was gone she was super hyper.
posted by nimsey lou at 3:22 PM on March 22, 2008

This puppy sounds very ill, and I wouldn't advise waiting until Monday to get him to the vet. A puppy who acts the way you describe could have an intestinal blockage or a serious illness.

Here's a page that lists emergency clinics in your area:

http://dogsarizona.com/emergency_veterinarians/index.htm

Keep us posted!
posted by freshwater_pr0n at 3:26 PM on March 22, 2008

Your puppy very likely needs attention today. As f_p said, don't wait.
posted by found missing at 3:41 PM on March 22, 2008

Sounds like it could be parvovirus, to which puppies are prone. Get to a vet.
posted by words1 at 3:45 PM on March 22, 2008

Yes, even nervous puppies are active. I normally think people on askme can jump the gun on the 'get to the vet now' answers, but in this case I entirely agree.
posted by frobozz at 3:52 PM on March 22, 2008

Seconding the possible worm infection (or another general illness).

How did the dog behave the first night? Any anxiety or was it listless,too?

Did you talk to the breeder? What type of breeder ist it. Is it an reputable breeder or "just" an at home breeder with not much experience? Five month is relatively old for a puppy, three month is more like the usual time, didn't anybody want your puppy before you? Or is this the time the breeder mandated? Did you see the littermates and the mother? How was their general behaviour? Did they seem healthy and energetic?

Did the breeder give the puppy its initial vaccination shots and a deworming? (If no, bad breeder.)

It can be many things. I would talk to the breeder if you trust her/him. Otherwise go to the vet. Go to the vet anyway. A general checkup can't hurt, eases your mind and shouldn't be too expensive.



How is the coat? Glossy? Matted? Are the eyes bright and clear? Cute pink era canals, or a fetid mess? Is the puppys belly bloated? How does the puppy react to gentle pressure on its belly? Are the stomach noises hungryness or a unhealthy gurgling in the intestines? How does the puppy's stool look like? etc. Did you visit and observe the litter before you decided on your dog?

Even if you answer these questions here, MeFi cannot help you. You have to talk to the breeder, a knowledgable dog person and/or a vet. It can be everything and nothing.
posted by mmkhd at 3:55 PM on March 22, 2008

Sorry for the excessive linebreaks.
posted by mmkhd at 3:57 PM on March 22, 2008

Nodding, nodding -- sounds like sick puppy. Not at all typical puppy behavior, even for homesick puppy. I would go to (emergency) vet.
posted by ClaudiaCenter at 3:58 PM on March 22, 2008

I work at an emergency animal hospital, and if you were a client calling in, I would suggest you bring your pup in immediately. Lethargy in puppies is a real "red flag" symptom. Hopefully it is nothing more than a little GI upset, but it could certainly be much more serious, and potentially life-threatening. Good luck.
posted by Rock Steady at 5:02 PM on March 22, 2008

I would definitely have him checked and IANAV; however our new Yorkie puppy acted just like that when we first brought her home to the point where we were so concerned we tried squirting baby food in her mouth just to get her to eat. Took her to the vet who couldn't find anything wrong. On the third day she perked up, started eating and has been fine ever since. Still, have him checked out.
posted by tamitang at 5:56 PM on March 22, 2008

Thanks for the quick and concerned responses, everyone. We ended up taking him to an emergency veterinary hospital last night, and the vet we saw couldn't find anything wrong with him, although she did give us some deworming meds. He's eating just fine now, although he's still very apprehensive about going outside. Hopefully that will get better as he gets more comfortable with his new home.
posted by arianell at 8:12 PM on March 23, 2008

thanks for the update and good luck with your new pup.
posted by nimsey lou at 8:41 PM on March 23, 2008