Dexter unwell - what’s your experiences / advice ?

[Dexter1421]

Hi everyone. Posting for some advice from anyone that’s had similar experiences of their mini schnauzer suddenly changing. Dexter is 8 years old has up until 4 months ago walked and run 5-10 miles days. Hyper alert and fit.


1. In July 23 Dexter was treated at Vets for UTI detected by urine test and checkover and was put on antibiotics. He went to vet again back end July for extended antibiotics and completed the treatment.

2. Dexter has never resumed his pre UTI self but was doing well.

3. In October 23 Dexter was booked in for his vaccines, and health plan checks. We mentioned he yelped when picking him up so was in some pain. He was checked over again had blood test and urine test and showed no obvious issues but had a higher than normal temperature and slightly pale gums which vet said is normal following infection- so vet gave him an antibiotic shot and some dog Calpol which we finished the course.

4. Dexter began to pick up again (not to his normal level) but a few weeks after Dexter started to resume his listless self and awkwardness coming off and on the sofa, although is not whimpering in any pain, but not enjoying walks so much. On 28th Oct 23 we reported Dexter to vet, as has become lethargic and not himself again. He’s Not interested in walks and is off his normal daily royal canin food. But is drinking lots of water and eats liver, egg and other cooked foods ok.

5. He does not seem in discomfort and the vet who saw him a few weeks ago said to check anaemia if does not improve as his gums look pale.

So if anyone can relate your advice would be appreciated.

Thank you I

[zeta1454]

Sorry to hear about Dexter’s changed health which must be worrying for you and distressing for him too.

I cannot speak from experience of this with any of our dogs but there are a few things which you mention that I do have reservations about as regards dog health generally. Dogs thrive on a fresh food diet and it is no surprise that Dexter is keen to eat the home cooked food, eggs and liver which will be greatly superior in nutritional benefit than Royal Canin which is a poor quality ultra-processed food and can of itself contribute to a variety of health issues in dogs. If he does have a lack of iron leading to tiredness from anaemia these fresh foods should certainly help him.
Other significant factors which can trigger health issues in dogs are over-vaccination and unnecessary exposure to toxins through the regular use of chemical anti-parasitic treatments. Any of these can damage the immune system leading to auto-immune diseases as well as causing neurological damage - all these adverse issues are stated by the manufacturers as ‘very rare’ but it is well known that only a fraction of cases are ever reported formally so the true numbers may not be known.The more often a dog receives the vaccines the greater the risk of an adverse reaction and there is plenty of evidence that the DHP vaccine does not need repeating after successful immunisation as a puppy and the Leptospirosis vaccine is of dubious effectiveness and the most likely to cause adverse reactions.*

You will need a veterinary diagnosis for any specific health condition but going forward I would be looking at making sure Dexter has a good quality fresh food diet and avoid any unnecessary vaccines or anti-parasite treatments. If the vet gave Dexter any vaccines on the occasion when you took him in and described his yelping in pain etc. and the vet diagnosed that Dexter still had some infection which required antibiotics, this was going against the manufacturer’s recommendation in any event as only healthy dogs should be vaccinated as the immune system cannot respond effectively if it is fighting infection and adverse reactions are more likely. This is stated clearly on the data sheet :”Only healthy dogs should be vaccinated”

The antibiotic treatment Dexter had for his infection will also have had an effect on his gut as the treatment does destroy beneficial bacteria as well as the bacteria causing the infection. A good pre and probiotic will help with that e.g. Yudigest tablets or powder:

https://yumove.co.uk/products/yudigest-for-dogs

* “In very rare cases, clinical signs of immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia, immune-mediated thrombocytopenia, or immune-mediated polyarthritis have been reported. In very rare cases a transient acute hypersensitivity reaction may occur.”
From:
https://www.noahcompendium.co.uk/?id=-4 ... _printview

[Dexter1421]

Thank you very much for your advice here !