Sick Puppy - novice needs advice

[MGG]

I am looking after my parents 3 golden retrievers while they are on holiday. They are Grandma, Mother and her 3 month old Puppy. I have had them for about a week and they go back Friday. The puppy has had all her jabs and I checked carefully what she is allowed and not allowed to do and have been following instructions carefully. These dogs are everything to my parents

Thing is the puppy isn't well. She has been fine and gobbled up every feed and was very bouncy, but today she only ate a bit of her food and this evening was sick. She is very sleepy (though she was sleeping a lot anyway as she is still pretty young, so a bit hard to tell exactly how much more sleepy she is). I haven't seen her drink though I have offered her several times and there is a bowl of water close by.

When do I get worried? Well I am worried now, but in reality I know she has probably just found something to eat that upset her and she will be OK tomorrow. It's just that she is so yound and not mine. I guess she needs to drink quite soon and if she doesn't i should probably call the vet and consult them? Anything else I should be looking out for that would indicate more than a minor tummy upset?

We are out doing dressage tomorrow morning though teenage son will be here - i was thinking if she isn't herself by the time we get back at lunchtime i should call the vet for advice. Sound about right?

 

[MurphysMinder]

If she has only been sick once I wouldn't worry too much. Just carry on monitoring her as you are and if no improvement by tomorrow lunch time, or of course if she is sick again or develops diarrhoea, have a word with your vet. You can check if she is dehydrated by pinching a fold of skin and letting go, it should fall back quickly, if it stays in a fold means she is dehydrated and maybe better speaking to vet sooner rather than later. Fingers crossed she will be fine in the morning, she has probably just found something to eat that has upset her a bit.

 

[MGG]

Thanks MM, I just want to make sure I am doing the right thing and that she is ok. Animals are such a worry - especially if they belong to someone else and you are responsible!

 

[CAYLA]

Ditto MM, hopefully she will pick up by tomorrow, but if she does eat or drnk and brings it back up swiftly then get her checked, has she eaten anything, or does she usually eat random household objects or toys or could she have eaten something from the garden, grass/plant?
Puppys do not normally stay inactive for long periods or suffer lethargy for extended periods without an underlying problem, so keep a close eye on her.

 

[MGG]

Thanks. When I say she is usually quite sleepy I mean she does that baby thing of periods of activity sometimes quite frenetic then she crashes out and nothing will wake her and then when her batteries are recharged she's off again which I think is normal for a puppy.

At the moment she has crashed out in her basket, she does raise her head and is responsive and has moved from one basket to another etc but she is clearly not herself. She does pick up toys and things, but i don't think it is something she has swallowed in that sense since she was sick and had no trouble bringing it up. More likely she has eaten something she found in the garden or at the yard.

Fingers crossed she's ok in the morning.