u/TheOverThinkingBunny

A busy weekend for the boys - lots of new experiences, sights and sounds. They both did great - but are now tuckered out and have been sleeping most of the day 😂❤️

I adore this dog.

But. In the last few weeks he has found his voice and won’t stop barking 😮‍💨

I’ve tried EVERY distracting, redirecting, giving a quiet command, crate time, everything. He just barks at the top of his lungs!

I work from home and have meetings I need to be able to speak in. I’ve got to figure it out.

Suggestions?? Please help me stay employed! 😂

Biz’s first time - Biggie’s 3rd or 4th.

I feel a little bad bc Biggie used to get all the attention - now it’s Biz bc he’s SO small! Biggie doesn’t seem to mind - but makes me feels some type of way for some reason 😂🙈

(Sorry for the creepy kid face - I blurred it bc I don’t want to post random kids on reddit - but it made it nightmare-ish 🤦🏻‍♀️😂)

Double post day!

Biz is finally eating! So we are now using meals as either enrichment or training for both dogs ❤️

Turns out that biggie didn’t have an issue with jail (what we call the crate) the issue is that he hated being alone.

Do division issues he has always protested the crate. I spent the first 4 to 5 weeks trying my hardest to crate train him. He literally screamed all night every night. I was exhausted and let him into my bed one night and we never looked back.

But I am ready to have my head back! Not sure if he will transition to sleeping in here with Biz at night - but I’m taking this as a big win at the moment!

Biz has always liked his crate - and goes in there with no problem and falls right to sleep. Today I put them both in the big one to see what would happen - they wrestled for about a minute, looked around a bit, and then both went to sleep!! 🙌🏻

I think it’s coming for biggie to have somebody in there that he can touch and smell ❤️

The results are in - the specialist said the benefits of neutering do not outweigh the risks of surgery with his von willebrands (especially his being so high). She recommended moving forward only if he starts showing signs/symptoms for prostate issues (which is hopefully either never - or much further down the road).

I used his new leash sleeve - to alert people that he is blind - for the first time today going to this appointment. It was great! People actually asked if they could approach him which allowed me to explain how they needed to do it to not freak him out. I’d say this is probably the most relaxed outing he’s had around people since we’ve had him!

Biz (12ish weeks and 2lbs) won’t eat kibble. He tries - he’s interested - but then spits it out. I’ve tried softening it with water - he does the same. I’ve gotten small/petite puppy food - that was a go until he got sick now he won’t touch it. The food the vet recommends (2 different kinds) is just a bit larger in kibble size - but he won’t chew it!

What do I do? Will he outgrow this? Part of me thinks he’s just too small - but - that can’t be - there are other 2lbs dogs who chew kibble, surely?

ETA he eats soft food now after the ER vet. But they want us to transition him to kibble. I can’t wait it out and just wait for him to be hungry enough to eat it (ie no wet food) until he’s a bit heavier per the vets orders…

Biz had a follow up apt with our reg vet yesterday. We have a game plan moving forward for feeding and gaining weight and his stool sample came back showing Coccidiosis - so we are treating for that now. Giardia is testing negative. He likely had both since we got him but he was too sick for a full stool sample until this week. Even with only one dose of meds for this he’s poop is better 😮‍💨🎉

He’s also scheduled for neutering at the end of July. He’ll be 4 months - it’s a bit on the early side - but he’s a humper and we are already seeing some challenging behaviors between him and Big.

THANK YOU all again for supporting me as we tried to get this guy healthy! What a ride - hard to believe it was a week ago today he was at the ER! But seriously, the support of this sub helped me so much ❤️❤️

His Pom (and Uggs) is definitely showing. The groomer said he could end up looking more Maltese as he grows - but for now she doesn’t want to bring his coat down any shorter to avoid ruining it if he is more Pom presenting.

40% Pom
20% Maltese
40% rando little dogs

Who knows what this guy will end up looking like - but if you don’t mind - I’m going to keep posting him here as an honorary Maltese ❤️ I’ll try to keep it with his actual Maltese-ish bro Biggie ☺️

Biggie: Alarm System
Fenway: Management
Biz: Oversized Guinea Pig

Biz update: he’s doing good! He needs to eat every 2-3 hours to help with his blood sugar - but other than that seems back to normal 🙌🏻

He got his first set of vaccines today (since he’s stable and we needed at least parvo) and will have his follow up health check Wednesday - hoping that all goes well too and he will have gained a bit of weight by then.

The vaccine has made him sleepy - so he’s crated - and Big is being a good big bro and watching over him ❤️

We have meds for the next 48 hours and an appt with his reg vet on Monday AM…but he’s stable and finally home!! ❤️

Thank you all SO much for the support!! I added an ETA to my original post - but wanted to do a standalone too just in case.

Biz update: unfortunately there isn’t too much of one.

He had an in-depth ultrasound and it was determined there was no obstruction. But, he’s an anemic and was unable to regulate his blood sugar - which in little dogs puts them at risk for seizures/death. So, he had to stay overnight to be closely monitored. They ran two more tests (checking for a faulty shunt) - but other than that they are at a loss.

We have a general “failure to thrive” diagnosis at the moment (as does my bank account 😂💸)…hoping to know more around noon 🤞🏻

It was a long 2 days and only 4 hours of sleep - so I apologize for the delayed response 😩❤️

He’s at VEG Hospital - and I can’t rave enough about their care and compassion!! Excellent experience - considering the circumstance. If you have a pet emergency and have one nearby - I highly recommend it!

ETA - he’s not vaccinated bc he’s been so sick since we got him and our long term vet wanted to wait until he was healthy enough. Hopefully that’s Monday 🤞🏻

ETA: Thank you all SO much for the support!!

Biz update: unfortunately there isn’t too much of one.

He had an in-depth ultrasound and it was determined there was no obstruction. But, he’s an anemic and was unable to regulate his blood sugar - which in little dogs puts them at risk for seizures/death. So, he had to stay overnight to be closely monitored. They ran two more tests (checking for a faulty shunt) - but other than that they are at a loss.

We have a general “failure to thrive” diagnosis at the moment (as does my bank account 😂💸)…hoping to know more around noon 🤞🏻

It was a long 2 days and only 4 hours of sleep - so I apologize for the delayed response 😩❤️

***

Yesterday we brought Biz to the vet and they gave us more giardia meds and told us if he starts vomiting then bring him back asap.

Of course he starts throwing up after they close. So, off to the ER Vet we go. They did ultrasounds and X-rays but the ER doc and radiologist didn’t really see eye to eye on the xray findings. So, the ER doc did more ultrasound imaging. She determined:

1. the stomach has stopped working (ie it’s not moving at all).

Now, the reason for this is where they don’t see eye to eye. The ER doc thinks there are two obstructions (shadows found on the ultrasounds)- but whatever it is didn’t show up on the xray. The radiologist thinks basically Biz’s stomach is angry and went into protest mode and shut off.

The ER doc gave him some meds to help with the nausea - and is having us a return at noon to do more ultrasound imaging. If what she believes are obstructions are still there - and his stomach still isn’t working - we will have to do emergency surgery.

Wish us luck! The cost of the surgery is insane! We have pet insurance but are pretty sure we are in the wait period since we’ve only had him for 12 days 🤦🏻‍♀️

He finished meds on Monday - was fine until yesterday evening - then declined FAST!

He’s lost .5lbs and is now 1.8lbs. He’s hydrated but sick. Not eating, low energy, not good poo. Vet put him back on meds.

I’m worried, sad and frustrated 😭

We just got Biz’s DNA back (left) - so interesting how he’s almost exactly the opposite of Biggie (right) re: percentage of Pomeranian & Maltese.

Sadly, he also has Von Willebrands disease 😭 so, we wil be making an appointment with the specialty vet to see what they recommend re: neutering and risks/benefits.

We aren’t sure about vision loss - but are keeping an eye out.

We had the training evaluation - and are discussing whether or not to move forward. They want to train both dogs together (so Biz understands Biggie’s needs) on a 2 week boarding situation in September…💸💸💸

These boys LOVE each other so much already! And we love them!!

We took the little dogs to lunch then shopping today. I noticed that stairs were really hard for biggie (previously have been tricky but okay) and he stayed under the table the entire time (used to come out if I asked to greet servers).

I don’t know why it’s made me sad today. It is just happening so fast. I’ve been putting off getting the halo for him - but my husband suggested it was time.

Tomorrow is his special blind dog training evaluation. I’m looking forward to it - but also feeling a bit sad too.

As my 12 y/o twins say: mom, you’re just being emo! 😂

I know it’ll be okay! But also feeling a bit guilty for “being emo” 😂

Biggie never slept through the night until he got his tent - it was recommended to try due to his vision issues. Best thing we have done for him yet!

So when I saw this strawberry tent - that was Biz-sized - I had to get it! And sure enough - he loves it too! He’s not ready for it to be his nighttime situation (still needs to be crated) - but one day 🤞🏻

And how stinking cute is it?!