lorimomofasaint said
My doc had chuck on an iron supplement that was liquid. .liquid tinic? It helped quite a bit. . And didn't seem to have any tummy upset issues on it. It was beef flavor so I put it in his food. ..We got it from our vet. . But they sell it on Amazon too. Always worth asking the vet first. ..

Lori

Thank you for this info. I'm waiting on her onco to call me back since I really think the meds she is on now are really upsetting the belly. Thankfully her PCP (normal vet) said that it is probably the meds that made her drool a bit (just drops really and only noticed since they fell on my feet and her mouth felt 'wet'). And while I may not be the best driver in the world, I always drive w/care when Shelby is in the car so her theatrics in the back seat last night were probably due to nausea not my driving. I just have to believe there is an alternative form of iron. 

Thank you Erica and Jill!!! I am pretty convinced it was chemo related too (and iron thrown in there). She was literally fine (considering) up until dinner last night. Or she really wants me to go get her a burger! 

Spoke with her oncologist yesterday who truly believes that it was a mixture of adding new pills + the chemo treatment that caused the intense reaction in Shelby. She would like to me try the iron supplements one more time ONCE Shelby returns to her 'normal' ways (i.e., eating, energy levels, pooping normal). I hate to do it but I know I need to make sure her iron is supplemented since sadly, even iron-rich foods aren't enough for Shelby. The good news is - if we have the same reaction, we will stop the pills immediately and try something new (like what Pam suggested). 

Shelby had her chemo one week ago (today) and she's feeling MUCH better ... she was playful this a.m., eager for food, snuggles, cuddles, and was begging up a storm. She has decided she's no longer interested in baby carrots but ate cucumber and cookies for breakfast. This was her dinner last night: 

1/2 cup ground sirloin, 1/2 cup white rice, steamed spinach. She ate 95% of it... I had to get creative to get her to eat ALL the spinach (made her little 'wraps' with deli meat and the spinach/rice on the inside). Mainly because her other meds, probiotics, mushroom therapy and fish oil, were all mixed in and I wanted her to get them all in her belly! My dog has never been a picky eater and for the most part, she still is not. However, she no longer likes leftovers and I have to create her something "newish" each night! 

So we put Shelby back on her iron pills after getting over the hump of the chemo and almost immediately I noticed some changes in her demeanor. She didn't appear constipated (that was all normal) and no real nausea but she seemed different. Started up with the pacing and anxious behavior at night (inside/outside a million times). And back in my bathroom. 

So as a beta test, I didn't give her the iron tablet tonight. So far (and it's still early) she seems fine. I HATE these FLIPPING iron pills!!! Is it at all possible 1/2 tablet of the Ferrous Sulfate -325 mg is doing something to her? Our morning routines have doubled/tripled since she has to (or acts like she has to) go out many times to the point of pure panic that she's afraid I am going to leave her. 

Her poop is normal, consistent, regular (3 - 4X a day which is normal for Shelby) and not loose at all. 

We'll go back to her vet next week and I'll ask about the alternative supplements listed here BUT I wanted to know if my suspicions about that little red pill could be right. I hate seeing her uncomfortable and I hate seeing her in my bathroom! Thank you!