Sick Lab, I think...

[Erik Vigeland]

Not really sure what is wrong with my 10.5 m/o lab. He seemed fine this morning...went out an did his business like normal, came in and ate like normal. Now this afternoon he seems lethargic, seems like his back end is a little weaker than normal, and he lays down really gingerly (circles about 25x's before plunking down). He also had really bad gas all day. Yesterday morning he threw up, but it was the bile looking stuff...which isn't super uncommon for him. I can push on his stomach, palpate all of his rear joints, and he doesn't bat an eye at it.

Any ideas?

[JusticeDog]

Not really sure what is wrong with my 10.5 m/o lab. He seemed fine this morning...went out an did his business like normal, came in and ate like normal. Now this afternoon he seems lethargic, seems like his back end is a little weaker than normal, and he lays down really gingerly (circles about 25x's before plunking down). He also had really bad gas all day. Yesterday morning he threw up, but it was the bile looking stuff...which isn't super uncommon for him. I can push on his stomach, palpate all of his rear joints, and he doesn't bat an eye at it.

Any ideas?

Has he had a bowel movement like normal that you saw? I'd be worried about an obstruction. Could he have eaten something he wasn't supposed to? ie: sock, etc. Does he have a temperature? Will he eat?

[Bridget Bodine]

Ditto If he has not had a stool , I would be on my way to a vet

Has he had a bowel movement like normal that you saw? I'd be worried about an obstruction. Could he have eaten something he wasn't supposed to? ie: sock, etc. Does he have a temperature? Will he eat?

[Erik Vigeland]

He had one this morning, but not since...which isn't abnormal for him. He's really circling quite a bit and then having a hard time getting up. When I take him out he is urinating fine and seems to get around fine out there. Kind of stumped on this one...

[mwk56]

Sounds like a blockage--I would be on my way to the veterinarian.

Meredidth

[Saxxx011]

I hope your pup is feeling better.

[Erik Vigeland]

*Update*

Well, I didn't bring him in last night. We had white-out conditions in southern MN last night, so even if the vet would have wanted me to bring him in, I don't think I physically could have.

This morning we got up at our normal time, and he peed and had a normal bowl movement. I feed him some ground up chicken breast mixed with some water for breakfast, and he's been fine. He is getting around great and able to sit and pop up like a normal 10.5 month old lab!!!

Talked to the vet today, and he thinks he may have irritable bowl syndrome. I'm not sure if I agree. He rarely has diarrhea, but he does have some throwing up spells...always the bile stuff...never with food in it. I'm going in to talk with the vet some more. I really don't want to put him on Prednisone if I don't have to. Rather try some of the acid reflux stuff instead.

Thanks for your concerns! It was a LONG night last night (I'm a nervous Nelly!!!)...

[mostlygold]

You should not be putting such a young dog on prednisone. He may have a reflux problem (you mentioned he vomits bile). Easiest thing would be to try him on an acid blocker like Pepcid twice daily and see if that helps. Also go to www.petplace.com and look up a hand out on inflammatory bowel disease. It will give you some good information.

Dawn

[mwk56]

Usually if they are vomiting bile, they have an empty stomach...he's hungry. I have had it happen early in the morning, so I always give bedtime biscuits to help them through the night.

Meredith

[Erik Vigeland]

Usually if they are vomiting bile, they have an empty stomach...he's hungry. I have had it happen early in the morning, so I always give bedtime biscuits to help them through the night.

Meredith

And that could very well be, but we've tried feeding him a little before bed, and it was hit and miss. It almost seems like it goes in cycles...two weeks fine, a week of on and off again vomit. I am holding off on prednisone for now. I do have him on an acid blocker.