Z updates

[David C.]

If it's January, than it must be time for Zeke to have his nearly annual flare up of his pancreatitis.   Poor guy woke up with the mother of all tummy bumpers last Wednesday.   He improved somewhat through the day, but I still took him to the vet Thursday morning.  Zora began hooting and hollering when I tried to take Zeke, so I ended up taking Zora along for the ride, too.   She was thrilled until we got to the vet's parking lot.   

The vet has their office cat, Rascal, who is still a kitten.  Zeke was flipping out wanting to eat him.  Zora took a more curious stance.  Cat and dachshund sniffed each other.   Once Zora ascertained this was something she wasn't really interested in, she turned her back on the cat.   Still nervous, Zora was wagging her tail, which the cat thought made a neat toy.  Cat was swatting at the wagging tail, but Zora seemed to ignore her. 

Zeke did have pancreatitis.  They did rule out the back and neck problems (as I expected, but always nice to know).   He was given two prescriptions, one for Cimeditine and the other for Metraozinadole, as well as the i/d canned food.   Poor Zora flipped when she saw Zeke getting canned food and she didn't.  I ended up letting her lick the spoon.  Zeke is acting a lot more like his old self again.   I imagine it may have been bothering him for some time, because he has a lot more energy.   Sometimes their behavior changes so subtlely that you really don't realize something is amiss.  Zeke also got an abrasion from whipping out of his blanket too fast...kind of like a rug burn.   They cleaned that up and gave me some medication to help it heal.

We bought a puppy calendar for 2012.  When we showed the pictures to Zora, she immediately became very piqued by the calendar.   Zora really has strong maternal instincts (although, according to Yamisis, she couldn't stand Zeke when she first brought him into their home), and I imagine the sight of a small dog set off those instincts. 

Jessica has now changed her strategy from accidentally dropping food to intentionally feeding them.   In particular, she likes to throw them small pieces of cheese and Goldfish crackers.   Neither of these are of particular concern, and the Zs enjoy it immensely.   Zora has gotten adept at catching Goldfish in mid-air.   Jessica, though will sometimes try to drop them things that are not so good for them, such as grapes and potato chips.  Then it becomes a race to see who can snag the stuff off the floor first, us or the Zs.  I'd say we're batting about .500 in that aspect.   At least the potato chips are very, very low in sodium (Utz potato chips have the lowest sodium of any potato chip on the market, in some cases only 1/4 of some of the more recognizable national brands...and still taste good!), the grapes are a bit more of a concern, though. 

[Roberta]

DAvid is it the Royal canon, Amy has it for breakfast most days.  Poor Zeke, hope he is on the mend.
Isn't  some of the pairs Dachies so joined at the hip, its like it with who and moo as we call them. Take one you have to the other.
Roberta

[BonniesMom]

Poor Zeke got the royal treatment at the Room of Doom.  Sure glad he's feeling better.  That's funny about Zora and the calendar.  Jessica is learning that the best way to a pappy dawg's heart is through its tummy! 

[Barb]

Poor Zeke.......sending him some rays - but it sounds like with the meds...he will do fine !!!!

Great report on the kids !!!!

Brandy is on the Royal Canin HE canned food - not sure that she has pancreatitis...but she has a very sensitive tummy.....she has done well with it.

I smiled when you said you showed Zora the calender - LOL !!!!  Several of mine will act so interested when I actually show them something...the others.....if it isn't food....no need to see - HA!

[David C.]

It's the Science Diet I/D.   Zeke snarfed it up and Zeke seldom snarfs anything up. 

[Roberta]

David do you think they know that the chips and grapes are no no's which make it part of the fun...............

[papbouv]

Rays to Zeke hope he is feeling better soon. Patches is a red vacuum cleaner that is always on but  can say leave it and she will stop trying to eat what ever landed on the floor then I can pick it up. buddy is the same way if you teach Leave it  and Drop it and are willing to go after anything that is in their mouth. They soon learn you mean business this has worked for a dropped chicken bone when we were out walking.a very smashed frog, a recently killed squirrel  I just say drop it and then say leave it no one tries to gobble it down or anything. Since you also have two dogs train one then train the other you just have make them know you mean business doing NILF training really helps also. Good Luck

[hannah]

Hugs and vibes for Zeke.

I'm imagining, Zora's face seeing Zeke got a canned yummy food.