[Blipbug]

This morning I woke up not feeling so great but Quest on the other hand woke up full of energy! She didn't get her normal activities the night before, she went to the park, played frisbee, swam in the creek and played with some other dogs, but that wasn't nearly enough (30 minutes).

I left her alone in the living room while I tried to get some rest but she'd randomly get up and bark.. waking me up, as she was probably bored out of her mind. So I gave her a raw hide and put her in her crate. There were no knots so I thought she'd be fine. I went back to check on her 20 minutes late and it was gone! She ate the whole thing! This was around 7 or 8 am. I finally got out of bed at 10 (remember I'm sick to) and I fed her breakfast, just kibble. I aired her before I went to work and .... Explosive diarrhea!!!! Poor thing!!!!

Bah!! and then my husband, not remembering what happened in the morning, because he was half asleep, decided to treat her with a snozzle! He messages me "What's wrong with Quest she isn't eating her snozzle" (These are her FAVORITE) and by the time I got back to him to remind him what happened in the morning she had eaten that to!

She's normally on a pure kibble diet, and gets a snozzle or bone once a week.

She's all lethargic, drooling, and just dopey like. Do you think I should feed her dinner? I know that I sure as heck wouldn't want dinner if I had a tummy ache. What should I do?

 

[1st retriever]

I personally wouldn't feed her just for the way she is acting. I would watch her close tho.

 

[metalone67]

Is she eating and drinking? Watch for vomiting also. This is the number one reason why you shouldn't give dogs rawhides, when they get all slimed up the have an easier time swallowing big pieces. I use stuffed shank bones, the will gnaw on them for hours. Also stay away from those bones that have the smoked look they are preserved with fermeldhyde. Would you eat something with this chemical on it.
Don't take this comment the wrong way, but I have seen dogs die from eating rawhides.

 

[Blipbug]

Alright so the Tummy Ache has gotten worse...

She still had diarrhea today but she was acting herself so I decided to take her out for a little run. Mid run she pooped all over the place... yucky poops too, like melted chocolate milkshake. I ran her for a little while longer, I had thought that some exercise may help her poop more. (She usually only poops on walks). Then I threw out a few short retrieves in the pond where we normally go, then I drove her home. Her stool got even looser, and it started to look like a faucet... reminded me of fountain pop (sorry for the mental picture), and it was kinda green. I called the vet, and they prodded for a bunch of information and figured that since she eats grass a bit that she has kennel cough. They told me to fast her for a while and feed her hamburger and rice tomorrow.

Later on in the evening she threw up lots of old mushy kibble and started to act funny. She'd always stretch her butt up and lay down, then she started to crawl around in circles on the floor.

I emailed my breeder who is always a help, and she said it was is either due to one of the following. 1. Most common is Giardia(Beaver fever) caused by swimming in water where wild animals go to the bathroom 2. bacterial overgrowth 3. coccidia "Would recommend you either do a stool sample to check(the bacterial overgrowth would have to be done by a culture though not just a look in the scope). If it were my dog I would treat with Metronidazole for 10 days. Fasting probably won't help in this case but you can give it a try."

I'm going to sleep with her tonight to keep an eye on her, and more than likely bring her into the vet first thing tomorrow.

I also thought that with the stretching that maybe the rawhide was stuck in her... I'd never forgive myself. I usually never give her rawhide and when I do she's 100% supervised... I made a poor judgement call, and hopefully she gets well. btw no more raw hide

 

[Blipbug]

I'm still awake and it's 1:30... I can't sleep so I'm up reading up on the possibilities, and it's probably a freaking blockage.... I'm really upset with myself right now, I should have known better!

"Diarrhea can also be a sign of an obstruction, if the intestine is obstructed then only liquid stool can pass looking like the dog has diarrhea. "

 

[Rainmaker]

Kennel cough wouldn't be my first thought for diarrhea/vomiting. Kennel cough is just that, a cough. Anyway, I would get to a vet in the a.m. as soon as they open and get her checked for an obstruction. It may just be something she ate or got into causing it but with the history of rawhide, she should get some films, etc. At minimum, she needs some meds for the diarrhea if no obstruction. I wouldn't give her any food or water for now and get her somewhere as soon as they open, if she starts to act really sick before that, you may need an ER vet. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[YardleyLabs]

I would be worried about the rawhide as well. I won't let any of those rawhide pieces in the house because of my fear of what they will do to my dogs' intestines. If your pup is still in distress this morning, I would head for the vet.

 

[ErinsEdge]

I agree with the others. Rawhides cause obstructions. If your vet is still going to pursue it in a casual manner you need to get to an ER or another vet ASAP.

 

[jeff t.]

I suppose there aren't many veterinary choices up there in Yellowknife, but I can't imagine that a vet would diagnose it as kennel cough (what does eating grass have to do with kennel cough?) based on your description of symptoms.

Instead, they should have advised you to bring the dog in for examination IMO.

I'd be waiting at the vet's door when they arrive at the clinic.

 

[Blipbug]

Thanks everyone for your feedback. I was indeed the first person through those doors this morning, in fact I got in 30 minutes earlier than they opened. They asked me to leave her there, and I gave them ALL the history on her. Luckily they had two cancelations so there is lots of room for them to see Quest. The vet doesn't actually arrive until 9 so she'll have to wait until then.

I'll keep you all updated, and Jeff you're absolutely correct, there is only once clinic here and there are two vets there.

P.S... My baby is 51 pounds.... finally a large breed

 

[jeff t.]

Thanks everyone for your feedback. I was indeed the first person through those doors this morning, in fact I got in 30 minutes earlier than they opened. They asked me to leave her there, and I gave them ALL the history on her. Luckily they had two cancelations so there is lots of room for them to see Quest. The vet doesn't actually arrive until 9 so she'll have to wait until then.

I'll keep you all updated, and Jeff you're absolutely correct, there is only once clinic here and there are two vets there.

P.S... My baby is 51 pounds.... finally a large breed

Thanks for the update. Here's hoping you get good news and some answers soon.

 

[Blipbug]

X-rays have been completed and there are obvious signs of gas build up. They are going to proceed with treating her with barium (if that's correct). You are all probably a lot more knowledgeable about this than I am, but there is a sequence of x-rays that she'll need and it'd take anywhere from 2-4 hours before they know for sure that she isn't going to pass it. Then surgery will be necessary.

If anyone is able to explain this process in more detail or if they've had experience with it please let me know.

...Shucks I hate just leaving her there, but if I spent my whole day at the vet they might think I'm crazy... wait they probably already think that I am crazy.

 

[ErinsEdge]

X-rays have been completed and there are obvious signs of gas build up. They are going to proceed with treating her with barium (if that's correct). You are all probably a lot more knowledgeable about this than I am, but there is a sequence of x-rays that she'll need and it'd take anywhere from 2-4 hours before they know for sure that she isn't going to pass it. Then surgery will be necessary.

If anyone is able to explain this process in more detail or if they've had experience with it please let me know.

.

They take x-rays as the barium goes through the intestinal tract instead of doing exploratory surgery right away.

 

[jeff t.]

Here is a link with some radiograph images that give you an idea of how the barium swallow helps to identify the problem and its location.

http://www.thepetcenter.com/xra/ball.html

 

[Blipbug]

Oh my goodness!!!

The barium hasn't moved and it's been an hour and 15 minutes. Normally it gets passed within minutes. She will go into surgery within the hour, and they said it might be intestinal ilias(sp?) .. where the nervous system restricts movement.. but that's unlikely. Surgery will take 1 to 2 hours, her temperature is 103, and vet strongly advised surgery. She'll be under intervenes for 2 days and she's probably not able to come home until Tuesday.... eeps

I feel sick to my stomach.

 

[Lady Duck Hunter]

Prayers sent that all is going to be ok with your dog.

 

[Rainmaker]

I've been there, hope it all goes well and you have your pup back home soon safe and sound. It is not an uncommon occurrence with our retriever breeds, don't beat yourself up. The young ones especially heal quickly, will think good thoughts for you and pup.

 

[1st retriever]

Prayers for quick recovery! Keep us posted.

 

[Blklab]

I'm saying a prayer right now for you and your pup. Good luck and here is hoping for a speedy recovery.

 

[ylwlabs047]

I'm saying prayers for a speedy and complete recovery! Do keep us posted.