Papillon, Megaesophagus, Underweight

This is a heart-warming story, and also a story we can all learn from.
It was sent to me by a Family, which owns one of our Paps.
Several recommendations are literally falling in "one pot" here.
Well worth your time to read.

Hi Antje and Ernie and Papillon pack! I hope this finds you happy and well. Unfortunately, Zen and I can't make the social this year. I'm in school for my nurse practitioner and with my class schedule I can't do any traveling right now. I'm going to miss seeing you all this year. I hope to have a more open schedule this time next year. 

Zen is doing wonderful. He is the ruler at home and nothing happens without him knowing about it and approving it. He remains my main running partner, although since it is hot I only let him go for two miles. And he is still the ball chasing king at the dog park. His sister Kenya passed away in April, she was 14 years old. Pippin (my Mom's pomeranian we adopted when she passed) is still his main squeeze. And Zen's main playmate/nemesis is Mouse.

I don't think we had Mouse yet when Zen and I visited last year.  Zen's vet asked us to foster a papillon pup that was turned over to them since he was not eating and failing to thrive. He was over six months old and they had him for three weeks giving him IV nutrition just to get him up to two pounds. We named him Mouse, after a character in a book we all like. Unfortunately, after we got him happy and healthy and were starting to look for a home for him (our neighbor was seriously considering adopting him), he ate a small button and string from a pair of PJ's that fell behind the bed. Unfortunately, due to complications of the many surgeries he now has megaesophagus. He recently had his feeding tube removed and is again healthy and happy. Because of the extra daily medical care he needs he will be staying with us (although my neighbor is still his next favorite person). 

I tell his story as a warning. It wasn't the button that did the damage-it was the string attached to the button that caused permanent bowel damage. The button was small enough it would have probably passed without us even knowing he ate it. Also, It wasn't the surgeries or bowel damage that gave him megaesophagus, it was the excessive nausea and vomiting that damaged the musculature of his esophagus. Although his case of megaesophagus is mild, he can no longer eat any hard solid food without triggering an episode of regurgitation which hurts him (he cries) and puts him in immediate danger of pneumonia. Thankfully because he still has some muscle tone he can drink regular water without worrying about him regurgitating it. Finally, once a dog has a history of ingesting a foreign object he no longer qualifies for pet health insurance.

The good part of this story is because of Mouse's dietary needs, we now make all of our own dog food. Not only do the dogs all LOVE it, Zen lost the extra weight he was carrying, and his fur is much softer and less prone to tangling than it was when we fed him kibble. The last vet checkup showed all three dogs in super good health with beautiful skin and their teeth have improved--no irritated gums and the yellowing on their teeth have decreased. The monthly cost works out to be the same as the higher end brands at the pet-store, except we look for sales on the meat so ultimately the cost has been less. It only takes 30-45 minutes to cook a months worth of food (we freeze the extra) and we just do that while we cook other stuff so it doesn't take any additional time. I've added diatomaceous earth to the dogs skin and that works wonders! The fleas in this area are out of control but the diatomaceous earth on their skin every 1-2 weeks controls them perfectly. Thanks for the tip!

All-in-all it has been a crazy busy year, but everyone here is doing well,

Arin

Following comes her chef's menu for the dogs. Just in case you want to know what miracle ingredients are served:

I make sure the food is at least 80% meat based. Primarily, I use ground beef with ground turkey. I drain off most, but not all, the fat. I try to add organ meats but not too many since it makes it very rich on their stomachs. If I haven't cooked a whole chicken for the house, I just pick up some from the store or butcher (very cheap). I use ground meat for the cost and because I have to ground it to a paste for mouse but the other dogs actually prefer small bites (I don't like giving them that because then they eat too fast).  

The other 20% is a mix of white rice and oatmeal. I don't add corn or other types of grains. Occasionally I will put a couple of tablespoons of pumpkin in there but not too much since it plugs them up. I also add some vegetables (green beans are their favorite) very small amount of broccoli, carrots, greens, or frozen mixed vegetables on sale. All of this I add to a very large pot of water to boil since the dogs cannot break down plant fiber and I overcook it until it is very soft. I do add a very small amount of garlic but information is mixed on whether this is okay or not (some say yes--it helps with fleas; and some say not safe in any amount). I use a hand held mixer to blend this to a watery paste and add it to the cooked meat. 

I also keep a fresh mix of bone broth for cooking with (for people food). I've started adding a tablespoon on top of the dogs meals to make sure they have enough calcium and other minerals. Occasionally I'll add eggs. For a treat they get cheese added on top.  

Ultimately I look around my refrigerator and see what is on sale at the store and use those ingredients. I do google what vegetables are safe for dogs just to make sure and double check that I'm not harming them. 

For an active papillon, their nutrition requirement is approximately 250-350 calories per day. This works out to 2.2-2.5 oz twice a day. I just keep an eye on their weight and adjust as needed. This is a really small quantity -- just a little bit larger than a golf ball. 

Typing this out makes it seem much more complex than the actual process is! It really only takes 30-45 minutes. 

I agree with you on the DE dust--it does get quite awful! With only three dogs I can get away with every 1-2 weeks. I've been using a spice shaker, do you have a suggestion on a better delivery system?

Here is another added recommendation from another Road's Paps Owner, I got as a response to the above on my FB page.
 Very touching story and great recipe! We make this for ours too but with variation(s). Overcooking veggies rids of good nutrients, we cook it just long enough to break down cell walls then chop into smaller pieces before mixing in. Once cooled and before freezing, we mix in plain yogurt for added calcium... also helps with digestion as it's an excellent source of probiotics!! We are currently mixing this with kibble just before serving but have been considering dropping the kibble altogether. I've been under the assumption that kibble isn't good for their teeth and this story reassured me all the more!! Thank you for sharing!

Papillons, Phalenes: Picky Eaters (cont)

This tip is well worth mentioning on this post again, in case you do not read the comments under the posts.
Anonymous wrote this advise:

 new comment on your post "Papillons, Phalenes: Picky Eaters":

To keep the canned food fresh, since I use such a small amount at a time, I put it into ice cube trays and freeze it then just thaw one at a time.
Also, there are freeze dried beef and chicken liver treats that don't have any additives in them; just the liver and some have apples or pumpkin. They crumble easily so I pound a few into dust with a rolling pin and put in an empty seasoning container with wide holes in the cap. A sprinkle over the food makes it desirable.

Thank you Ramirez 101

Papillons, Phalenes: Picky Eaters

If you have a Papillon, or Phalene, who is a picky eater, find out first, if this problem is illness related, or just boredom with his daily food.
Here are some tips in how you can break that cycle of boredom, change your dog from being a finicky eater to a "looking forward eater".

• Feed on a regular schedule, and walk away when he supposed to eat, not hand it to him with a spoon.
• Take the food away after 30 minutes.

• No snacks of any kind. Table scraps and other "goodies" will want to make your dog eat only those things,and in time, your dog will get sick, because most table scraps are not suitable for canines, and is for sure not a balanced diet.
• Get a very small amount of canned dog food, mix with his dry food. That is sometimes all he needs, to gulp down his food. Tiny bit of chicken broth is also good.
• Lesson these amounts with time, so that your dog gets his taste buds set back to appreciate his regular dog food.

U Ask: Can small dog eat big dog food.

Your Papillon, Phalene, or any other Toy Breed, can eat dog food , made for larger breed of dogs, but it is advisable to give him kibbles made for his small mouth and tummy.
Here are the reasons why:
Toy, and small breeds in general have  much larger energy requirements (per pound of body weight), than their medium + large brothers.
The energy requirements for your Papillon, or small breed puppy is 2-4 times higher than of it's adult version.
Puppies, especially in their first 6 months,  also need more minerals and protein in their diet, for their bone + teeth development.
Small dogs have small stomachs, but they need to eat large amounts of food in relation to their size/ body weight. They need small meals, given several times / day, to fulfill these requirements.

Kibbles, in bite -size, is the best dog food for our small companions. 

U Ask: What should I feed my Papillon

You ask: What should I feed my Papillon:

Get a quality brand of dog kibbles (dry dog food).
The most important is to read the label of  nutrition ingredients back on the bag.
The very first ingredient should be chicken, or lamb, or beef.

For instance:Purina 1, available in most food stores, has such label, where Purina   (just Purina) names whole grain corn as it's first ingredient.

Whole grain corn is just a filler, has no nutritional value.
Poultr, Poultry by products (meal) is no substitute for chicken. The by products are nothing but beaks, feet, intestine, claws....all the" no goods".Grind down to a meal, so the  dog and you don't know what it is!! and "meal" makes it digestible.
 Would you feed chicken beaks to your dog, or the nails, claws of the poor chicken?

You may not get better food in vets offices, or pet shops. You just get other dog food brands, and some of them may very well be of high quality, but others are just more expensive. You must read the label first!!
Also feeding your Papillon burger, or chicken alone is neither a substitute for the kibbles (unfortunately).
Most likely you will bring the dogs nutritional balance out of balance and the dog will get eventual sick, or will show nutrition deficiencies.
If you can't afford the so expensive dog food, and have to buy a lesser quality, you can sprinkle some chicken, or beef on your pets food, or mix it, so he has to eat both: the chicken + kibbles.

Canned dog food has the same applications, and to feed your dog only canned, moist food, will rot his teeth away in now time!! But if you buy a good, quality can of dog food, you could sprinkle it on top of his kibbles, instead of the fresh chicken or beef.
Here a link to some of my previous nutrition, diet articles.

Food Nutrition

Food-Snacks not to feed your Papillon,Phalene,Dog

Her is another reminder and list of foods/snacks you should absolutely not give your Papillon/Phalene, or any other dog.

• Chocolate:

Chocolate contains Theobromine, a poisonous substance. If your dog eats to much of it, it may cause death. Especially dark chocolate and baking chocolate contains a high concentration of this substance. A average size dog, consuming as much as 2 ounces could be fatal .

Symptoms include: rapid, or irregular heartbeat, diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration.

• Avocado:

Avocado has Persin in it, a highly poisonous substance to many animals. It may cause heart and lung damage.

Symptoms include, vomiting, and a very fast onset of diarrhea.

• Onions & Garlic:

Onions + Garlic contain a substance, which will deplete the red blood cells in a dog.

If ingested regularly,or large quantities,  it will cause anemia, and possible kidney failure.

Symptoms include: pale gums, lethargy, blood in urine, vomiting, diarrhea.

• Nuts:

Nuts contain several poisonous substances in them and should not be given to any dog.
Especially Walnuts, and Macadamia Nuts.

Symptoms, which can appear up to 12 hours past ingestion, include: vomiting, elevated heart rate, increased temperature, not able to walk or stand, paralysis.

Note: Nuts and chocolate combined, as of "Macadamia Nuts Cookies" are to be known as fatal.

• Caffeine:

Caffeine, as in coffee, tea, and other beverages is definitely harmful to your dog.

This substance will stimulate the dog's central nervous- , and also cardiac system.

Symptoms include :Panting, or heavy breathing,  heart palpitations, restlessness, muscle tremors, bleeding.

• Alcohol:

Do I have to get into this??

Alcohol has the same effect on dogs, as it does have on the human body.

The only difference is, as smaller the dog gets, as faster it will do the damage.

Alcohol contains Ethanol, and only a small dose will do heavy destruction to your pets central nervous system.

Symptoms of this poison include: depression, lack of coordination, difficulty breathing, panting, or may be coma/ death.

• Mushrooms: 

 Wild-growing mushrooms - even the backyard variety - can contain toxins, which may affect multiple systems in the body, cause shock, and result in death.

• Peach, plum Pits, or any other Pits:

Can obstruct the digestive tract. (Intestines).

There are seeds, and pits which have Cyanide in them and other fatally poisonous substances.

Apples, peaches, apricots, plums and cherries are some of these fruits.

Raisins - newly discovered to contain unknown toxins that may damage the kidneys when consumed in quantity.

• Raw eggs :

 Contain an enzyme called Avidin, which decreases the absorption of biotin, a B vitamin. This can lead to skin, hair and coat problems. Raw eggs also may contain salmonella.

• Salt:

Large quantities lead to electrolyte imbalance.

 

And there are a few other foods:

• Cat Food : too high in protein.
• Bones from fish, poultry, and other meats: causes obstructions and possible lacerations of the intestines.
• Trimmed Fat: causes pancreatitis.
• Human vitamin supplements containing iron : can be toxic to liver and kidneys, and other organs. Damages the lining of the digestive system.
• Liver: in large amounts can cause Vitamin A toxicity that affects muscles and bones.
• Sugar snacks-foods: leads to obesity, diabetes, and dental problems.
• Tables scraps: only less than 10% of the daily food intake, if at all!!

 
Don't forget to print this page and hang it on your fridge!!

You Ask: Tear Stains in Papillons

Tear Stains in Papillons:
The red stains below your Papillons eye are caused by tearing. (excessive tearing).
It is actually the hair around the eye, that is a great breeding ground for bacteria / yeast.It is the red yeast which causes a red/brown stain.

There are multiple causes of tear staining:

• Genetics
• Diet (feed dry kibbles with no additives, food coloring, of perservatives.)
• Health Problem (Vet visit)
• Fleas /Bugs. (Fleas go to the eyes to have moisture, they leave behind their feces, which has the digested blood in it; it irritates the eye)
• Ear Infections ( Ear mites are carried by fleas)
• Allergies/Irritations (smoke, perfumes, sprays, aerosol sprays, mold, dust......)

Make sure all these possible issues are resolved. If it is simply a genetic problem, there is not much you can do.

There are products on the market, and home- made recipes (believe me,I tried most of them) but my experience is, that they most often irritate the eyes even more so.
Keep the area around the eye clean, use a moist tissue, q- tip, to maintain a healthy eye.
Also, don't let your Papi look out of an open car window while driving speedy!!

You Ask: How long to feed puppy food to a Papillon.

How long to feed puppy food to a Papillon :
Puppy food (kibbles) has higher protein content as adult food.
I feed my "under eaters, skinny Papis, Papis under stress, pregnancy, post illness if any, all puppy chow, even as adults.
Only the gulpers, pudgy Papis get adult food.
Also if a Papillon of mine is very fit and active (athletic) I keep feeding puppy food.
The ones who do not want to play much and are kind of lazy, get adult food.

I have one Papi who does not exercise much, but eats very little: I feed puppy food.

This should give you a guide line. (I hope)

Papillon Weight Gain

Good nutrition is a must for our little companion, and it is vital to his health.

But do not show your love for him by giving him extra , and mostly unnecessary supplements.

Here are some common supplements:

Cottage cheese, cheese, milk, yogurt; all those things are high in fat for the most part, and diets high in fat will make your papillon gain weight.
Also: just like people, your Pap may overindulge on all those nice extras, and eat much more than  normal..

Juvenile Hypoglycemia in Papillons

Transient Juvenile Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in Papillons, and other Toy breeds is quite common in puppies less than 3 months old. (5-16 weeks of age)
Puppies at that age have not fully developed their ability to regulate the concentration of  blood glucose (a form of sugar) in their systems. They also have a higher requirement for glucose than an adult dog.
Possible causes for such Hypoglycemia are:

• Fasting
• Low body temperature
• Intestinal parasites: worms
• A cold,
• Infections 
• Low quality dog food
• Not eating enough food, or too seldom, or changing the feed itself
• Water/or lack of it
• Changing owners, and any kind of Stress

can trigger a bout of Hypoglycemia.
You should see that your young Papillon puppy eats a good quality, high protein, high energy diet  3-5 /day, pending in how much he likes to eat.
By picking the food up after a while you will establish a good pattern of eating behavior.

If you crate- train your puppy, give him his food only in the crate. He will love his place after a while and will use it as a "retreat"

The smaller the puppy the more predisposed he is to this type of Hypoglycemia.

Here are common signs of Hypoglycemia:

• Will not eat/loss of appetite, depression, listlessness
• Trembling, shivering, disorientation
• Extreme lethargy
• Seizure ,muscular twitching, collapsing, muscle weakness
• Incoordination

You may not see all symptoms, so, close monitoring of your puppy and "knowledge of the signs of hypoglycemia and acting upon  may mean the difference between life and death of your Papillon.
Hypoglycemia can permanently cause brain damage, if not death.

Always have a tube of "Nutri Cal" available for your Papillon. Teach him to lick a little of the stuff right of your finger.( Most dogs like it)
But in an emergency: (if unconscious)
 Squeeze some of it between his teeth and gums, and under the tongue.
Any kind of sugar (Karo Syrup)
Give him the sugary liquid with a syringe, or eye dropper in his cheek, if he can swallow.
If conscious:
Give him anything to eat he likes, from canned food, to cat food, or any snacks.

Keep him very warm with a heating pad, or other means and run to the vet.

Papillon Puppies: Feeding

A Papillon Puppy at the age of 7-9 weeks is called and infant, and it is common, that you pick your puppy up at this time to take him  home with you.
The dog food world out there is an overwhelming one.
Ask your breeder what food your puppy had till now, possibly take a little home with you. you will make the choice between buying the same, or decide for another kind.
Buy a high quality dry, smaller kibble food. The first 2 ingredients should be: chicken, meet, lamb, but not "poultry by-products". Mix a little of his new food to the one you brought home for a few days. Change the ratio more and more toward the new food. this way you don't have to mop up runny poop!!
As smaller your pup is ,the more often you feed your 7-9 week old  treasure. Small quantities, as on an average 3 times per day.
It is easier to house train your Papillon, if you feed him on a regular schedule, and not leave your food bowl standing around.
And yes, you could have an overweight puppy!! If you can not feel his ribs, then he is overweight. give him a little less food, no snacks!!

But if you see /feel his rib -and hip bones, then he is underweight.  see my article "weight gain diet" here in this blog.
Be aware, that your papillon is growing, so all these amounts do change in the upcoming weeks.
Get to know your Papillon puppy, feel his ribs frequently, and look at him closely.

Papillon Nutrition

Dry food.
Canned food.
Homemade diet.

Any dog would love canned food the best.
As it is the most expensive dog food, it is not necessarily the best.
They may not be completely balanced, claim that they are "all meat", and meat alone is not enough to provide a dog a balanced, nutritious meal.
Kibbles, the dry dog food, is the most economical, and the major brands offer a complete balanced meal.
Pick a brand, that offers first in row : poultry, beef, not "poultry, or beef by-products".
 Study the ingredients list very carefully every time you select something new to your dogs diet.
 Kibbles also contribute to healthier teeth. The friction serves as a toothbrush and keeps gums and teeth in a better shape.
Homemade dog diets are most likely not balanced, your dog could end up with deficiencies.
Decisions, Decisions, Decisions.....
What about taking Kibbles as a base staple, and every so often sprinkle some fresh hamburger, over it, along with peas, carrot snips, oats;  as a treat? (Eliminate the burger, if you and your dog is a vegetarian !)

Dangerous Food Items for your Papillon Dog

It’s only natural for dogs to be curious. But their curiosity can get them into trouble when they get into areas where you store household items such as medicine and detergents. Many common household items that you use everyday can be harmful, and sometimes even lethal, to your dog.


Foods that are harmful to your dog:
May cause vomiting, abdominal pain and/or diarrhea:
Wild cherry
Japanese Plum
Almond
Apricot
Balsam Pear
May cause varied reactions:
Yeast dough


Coffee grounds

Macadamia nuts

Tomato and potato leaves and stems

Avocados

Onions and onion powder

Grapes

Raisins

Chocolate

Pear and peach kernels

Mushrooms (if also toxic to humans)

Rhubarb

Spinach

Alcohol

Symptoms of possible poisoning are: vomiting, diarrhea, difficult breathing, abnormal urine (color,

aroma or odor, frequency, etc.), salivation, weakness. If your dog should ingest harmful chemicals,

contact a veterinarian or poison control center immediately.

(re-written from the AKC Puppy Handbook)

Weight Gain Diet & Tips for Papillons and other small Toy Dogs

Small dogs have smaller stomachs and small appetites. You will need to make sure your dog gets the proper nutrition in his small meals. Feed more often (3x per day or more) and provide high- calorie diet, with sufficient nutrition.


Small dogs need more calories to maintain their body heat: they produce less heat than big dogs, and radiate more of their surface (skin).

Small dogs tend to be more pampered and some of them are less active than big dogs. Therefore they can be overfed easily and hence; will gain too much weight.





There are plenty of Papillons and other small dogs, who are active, playful, and where food is not so interesting to them than other things, hence their calorie output exceeds the intake.

You can feed your dog more often, and more of the “goodies”, but there comes the point, where you would create an upset stomach in your dog, and with that, the dog having diarrhea, you may have achieved the opposite of the spectrum: weight-loss, de-hydration, and possible hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).



Here are some ideas for a higher calorie, higher fat diet than regular dog food.

I would recommend following supplements to add to your good quality dog kibbles:



High fat hamburger meat

Oats

Molasses

Wheat germ

Eggs- the yolks carry all the fat!!

High fat cottage cheese

High fat Cream Cheese

All Natural Crunchy Peanut butter

Corn Oil, or any other vegetable oil, or olive oil



Of course, sprinkle these ingredients ever so lightly over your kibbles. Very small amounts, especially in the beginning, then build up.

There are some dogs, who just don’t want to eat, including treats, or any other goodies.

Here are some things you can try to tempt his taste buds:

Small amounts from chicken-, tuna-, and sardine cans.

Eggs, slightly scrambled with extra cream cheese, little veggie oil.

Chicken liver (cooked) sautéed in butter

Just hard boiled eggs over their kibbles

Whole wheat noodles with cheese and minced beef, or hamburger



If you have a dog recovering from any kind of sickness, or whelping, purred baby food, containing meat,(comes in glass jars), is a good source of food.

Keep these jars and “Nutri Cal”( is a high –calorie dietary supplement for dogs + puppies) handy at all times. They are life savers!!