could this be true?

[rouge coco]

My beautiful Rouge (4) has had an awful start to the year. She had haemorragic gastroenteritis the first week of January when we nearly lost her. Since then we havent been able to get her to eat a normal amount. She is still needing steroids and antacid treatment or she vomits. My vet has now suggested that it may be stress from us havind our new puppy Mouse who is now 6 1/2 months. We have had her since she was 8 weeks and although Rouge was less than impressed they had begun to find a more amenable co existence. I am now devastated that I may have caused this awful deterioration by getting another dog. The vet bases it on the fact that Rouge had a bout of vomiting and gastritis not long after we had Mouse which we thought may be a reaction to her arrival. Does anyone have any experience of such an extreme response as I am completely devastated to think this may not settle and I may not be able to keep Mouse who we all love to bits. Sorry about long post but so upset.

[Pearly]

Pearl had Diawotsits and vomiting at the end of August.

Initially the Vet thought it was viral but we'd had a weekend at a friends (who's husband was very poorly hence being there) who had 2 dogs that really didn't like Miss P and tbh it was mutual! Not sure which of the 3 of them was the instigator but there was a lot of stressful barking going on....

My friend now has 3 dogs - I was there for a few hours on Friday, it was definitely Clio that started all the fuss but P was very reactive.  She's been off her food again but no sickness or upset tum this time.

Bit of a long reply sorry but yes, I do think they can get stress related upset tums.  Maybe a behaviourist could help with some coping techniques for Rouge if it really is down to this?

I'm sure others will have more experience and maybe Pearls upset tum in the summer really was a bug

[Nicola]

Tilly has inflammatory bowel disease and stress definitely makes it flare up. Luckily she's not a naturally stressy dog, but when I looked after a friend's yappy and annoying terrier x puppy for a couple of weeks she hated him and within a few days she had IBD symptoms of a tender stomach, acid reflux and diarrhoea. I know you don't know for certain - and it could just be coincidence - but I can imagine you must be devastated at your vet having suggested this and I'm really sorry. I wouldn't lose hope yet though, as Pearly suggested I would definitely speak to your vet again and get a referral to a behaviourist.

[lescef]

Strangely enough I have just come back from Rally class where a friends rescue spaniel has had two bouts of pancreatitis.  She has become attached to one of her other spaniels who has had to spend time at the vets with a heart condition. These bouts start when she is away so the vet thinks they are stress related.
Maybe a behaviourist could help you. It must be very distressing so I hope you find a solution.

[rouge coco]

Thank you for your replies. Rouge was never particularly stressy although very attached to me. I will try and contact a behaviourist but not sure what they can do if she is that stressed about sharing life with another dog. I had hoped that as she had been more accepting and less interested in mouse after the first couple of months that she had begun to accept her. Really cant begin to imagine having to rehome mouse as she is the sweetest natured dog.

[Nicola]

I really hope it doesn't come to it but good breeders will take back any puppy they have bred if the owners can't keep it for whatever reason so if the worst did come to the worst that would be my first port of call for Mouse I really am sorry though, this is a truly horrid situation

[williamsmum]

Aw, I feel so sorry for you. William hated my GSD pup on sight and has never really grown to love him, although they do rub along well enough. Good luck with whatever you decide. Horrible decision to have to make.

[Archie bean]

I am so sorry, what a horrible situation to be in. Am I right in thinking that Mouse was also ill with the same bug? That does sound as though there is an external cause? My last cocker had pancreatitis which as definitely brought on by stress so I know it certainly can happen but maybe there is something else that your vet is missing that is stopping Rouge from bouncing back like Mouse did?
If stress is at the bottom of it then I wonder if the breeder might be able to foster Mouse for a while to see if it makes a difference. Or maybe one of the reputable rescues might have a fosterer who could look after her. It would be dreadful to make the decision to rehome her, only to find she wasn't the cause at all.
 

[rouge coco]

Mouse did have the same bug but managed to get treatment a lot quicker and recovered within days. I do think the bug precipitated the current problem as they were getting on a lot better. Its hard to know if the fact that she is feeling ill is what is making her more stressed with mouse or if the stress is what is making her ill. She has eaten some prescription food that the vet recommended today.
The breeder is a friend of mine and I would definetly let mouse go back to her if it became necessary. I think we will have a concerted effort over the next week to focus on lots of one to one time for rouge and giving her plenty of space. If there is no improvement my dog trainer has said he will happily have mouse for a holiday although im not sure how long would be needed to see if rouge responded.
The nurse at the vets said that even if it were that mouse were the cause things may improve as she gets older and less bouncy.
Thank you for the support...it means a lot. Not sleeping much with the worry.

[Mudmagnets]

Sorry to read you are having problems, no advice I'm afraid but just to hope things can be resolved without you having to lose Mouse. 

[rouge coco]

Thank you. Trying to stay positive. seeing vet again in the morning.

[LurcherGirl]

Have you tried some herbal calming remedies? Something like CSJ Calm Down! herbs for example have helped some of my dogs in stressful situations.

[rouge coco]

Hadnt thought of trying that. Had wondered about the dap collars. Will have a look at both. Thank you
 .