Make sure they test for Coccidia...sometimes they don't check for that and just look for worms... Yes we will indeed have his stools checked for Coccidia, thanks :o) You know usually stress isn't the cause the diarrhea, it is usually something that was already there and the stress has lowered the immune system just enough to set it loose.... Does that make sense?? yes, totally, the same thing happens with hamsters but mostly Syrians. Syrians get wet tail because something shocks their immune systems when they are moved long distances. The bacteria are there but it doesn't strike them hard until they are stressed. Are his eyes clear and sparkly (no gunk)? his eyes get gooky when he goes out in the bitter cold but otherwise they are clear and no sign of infection, scleras are white throughout Is his nose runny at all...dripping?? No,no drips at all, dry most of the time and cold and damp when he comes in from the cold but dries up again What color are his gums? Should be a nice pink, not too pale.. very nice pink and well hydrated...been checking for that Does he feel extra warm? (normal is around 101º) no, normal How many rounds of shots has he gotten? one round of shots on December 19th In consideration of his breed mix, I would make sure to time his last distemper/parvo vaccination to be given after his 16th week of age (at the same time as his rabies vac). ok...what is the rationalle for that, just curious Did he get a vaccination immediately before you took him home? no, almost a month ago How old did you say he was?? 9 weeks Do keep me posted...I certainly get anxious when I hear the words "sick puppy"...aak! well, I really don't think he's sick with a fever or anything but he could still have something in his stools, so we'll have that checked. He's playing like a kitten, pouncing on sticks and leaves and chasing after toys and generally either getting into trouble or looking for attention...typical puppy stuff. He is napping much better now. He'll nap for a full hour now whereas he was only taking 10 minute cat naps before and crying a lot. Today there was no crying at all and he is back on his food eating about 50/50 steamed rice and dry chow. One thing I thought of was that darn oil tablet the lady gave him at the rescue. I don't know how long she'd been giving it to him but those things are big and I'm sure it was like giving him cod liver oil twice a day. I've discontinued that entirely and today he is having better formed poos and not feeling the urgency to get outside. Ugh! It's a horrid day today... freezing rain so the deck where I was letting him out is thick with ice and the poor thing is terrified. I am too...afraid of falling that is so now I have to trapse him through the garage and out the back garage door onto MORE ice but at least if he falls he will fall only the ground and not off the edge of the deck. I'll pop back in with at "Pupdate" later and let you know what a second slide of his stools shows. Thanks so much, Barb & "Lake" When I foster puppies, I always have my vet tech/or vet if necessary on speed dial!! LOL!! I have the whole routine down...

OHHHHHHH THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH!!! Everybody will soon see pictures of my babies!!! lol Just what everybody wanted to see right?? lol :-) I'm at work too but thank goodness I'm the manager and the only one in the office!!! :-) I can kind of get away with more. Also, you guys need to know what wonderful people you are!! I only started using this site about 2 months ago and I can't believe how nice everybody is. Thank you for your help and I hope all of us can keep in touch! I live in Wa State and there is not very many helpful, nice people around anymore. So again thanks for being my online friend!! Thanks, Elycia

Terri, one is brown & the other is a dark brown & the rest are black & white. They are Shih Tzus, Mom is brown & white & dad is brown, white & greyish. Luvs, there are 6 of them, they are only 2 days old & so active & eat like little pigs. Molly is a great mom, not too much work for me right now, but once they can get out of the box, then my work begins. I'll post more pics as they grow.

Cuties. I brought 2 weeks ago 3 kittens to a no-kill shelter, am still trying to catch mom and dad. They both let me pet them as long as I use just one hand and stay at arm length. They had no problem with me touching and carrying the kittens. One thing I had never seen before, that a tom babysits kittens. He is twice the size of the cat and both are constantly together. They definitely are not feral cats but abandoned.