Less energetic that ususal for 1-2 months. Still runs through the woods but not so fast.

Second questions: No, Yes and not sure. In the last few walks she seems to try bowel movements, but I see little or no evidence of success. A week or so ago she vomited a large (2-3 cups) spongy mass all in one piece. She's been eating grass.

As for her gums, she won't let me get a good look, which seems odd. But they seem not inflamed, but paler than normal -- maybe not everywhere.

She had a little cheddar cheese and a couple of saltines last night, but has eaten very little for almost a week. I've tried all her usual foods. She normally is a very enthusiastic eater.

She still steps up on a step stool for a hug and wags her tail.

Hi, Terri Riba --

I'm not sure you got my IM response yesterday (it was my first IM and not very well done).

Your advice to try milk and boiled chicken was astonishingly good! She drank I% milk and deli-sliced turkey rolled up and broken in two -- both eagerly. And she subsequently acted as if her only problem had been that she had been very hungry. She romped enthusiastically on our walk. (No visible BMs, though she assumed the poop-crouch 5 or 6 times) But the plot thickens.

I went out and bought Pedialyte and more turkey and lean chunks of stewing beef. She did not drink the water/Ped, but drank a little more milk. The thoroughly stewed beef she ate thoughtfully. After some of it got overcooked--almost burned after the water boiled away, she ate it eagerly. I tried it. A bit charcoaled but delicious! Today she enjoyed more just boiled normally ( 2 hours). She's stopped eating the turkey--maybe because it's low salt. She's not drinking, either.

1) What's you next advice?

2) Can she live on boiled beef and water for a week or two until her digestion seems OK and her food variety increases? I can weigh the beef on a postal scale; how many daily ounces will sustain her 60 lbs.?

3) Should I cook her a chicken? When should I try her regular dog food again? Why did you so definitely advise me to forget it? Do you have preferred types or brands?

I do and will greatly appreciate and value your advice.

--Eric Howlett (Snubbyboss)

OK, Terri--

Makes sense. Will do. Thanks!

I will assume that "soon" means before next week, 5 to 7 days.

Will keep you posted.

--Eric

Terri--

OK. Got it. Few days.

--Eric

Final report to Terri Riba--

Over the last week I have seen a respectable poop almost every day on the walk. Her listlessness has gone and her appetite is approaching normal. Back to her usual food except that she eats less of the dried kibbles.

Her general behavior is 100 percent normal.

If she develops any more oddnesses, I'll be right back to you!

Thanks again!! --Eric Howlett

Well, Terri, it seems as if all is not well yet with Snubbles.

She has never gone back to her crunchy dog kibbles, though in other respects she seemed, as I have reported, quite normal -- energetic and happy. However her rejection of the kibbles became complete over the last couple of days, and this morning she came to me looking mournful as if asking for help. I thought she might have a bad tooth or something and remembered your asking me to look into her mouth, which she would let me do only for a bare glimpse. So I determined to get a better look (with good light) and was astonished! I'm sure she had pink gums, but not today; they are splotchy black and white like the rest of her skin (and coat). Also, there seem to be white granularities and swellings. HELP! --Eric

I was able to get "Plaque Off" by Triple Pet. It contains "Yucca Schidigera" extract "combined with Stabilized Chlorine Dioxide."

Is it the same thing? --Eric