Help - throwing up and diarrhea! - Page 2

Are you in the post-spring-thaw period? All sort of yucky stuff tends to show up in the lawn at that time, and dogs often will eat it. Some are especially fond of poop or other really gross stuff that's been buried in the snow all winter. I had one bitch that would get sick nearly every spring, until I started muzzling her when I put her outside. Then, there's the grass starting to grow, and many dogs love to sample those green shoots, with predictable results!

My male has had terrible diarrhea for two days, and I'm still not sure if the cause was a switch in food, or something he got into. The second day, there was a lot of blood in the stool, so I got worried enough to take him to the vet.

Since he had no fever, and was obviously hungry, and otherwise acting normally, the vet said to fast him for 24-48 h. then start him on chicken and boiled rice. So far, so good.

And yes, being in heat will often throw a bitch's system for a loop!  Give her tummy a rest, then start with cooked chicken or chicken broth, and rice. Rice helps to slow the system down, and absorb water, so you don't get the "Hershey squirts' and chicken is very easy to digest.  The vet told me to remove the skin and bones, of course.

My first advise to anyone is call your vet. But with my own dogs, if it's a 1 time thing & all else seems normal, I fast them for a while 12-24 hours. They are allowed plenty of fresh water. Then if they seem OK, not lethargic, drinking OK & keeping it down, no more poops; then we restart with a meal of boiled chicken, boneless, skinless, & boiled rice. BUT if they have any of the symptoms I spoke of, they've earned a trip to the vets. And I watch them like a hawk for the next few days. When my girl had an intersusseption last fall, she seemed good for a couple of days, but she didn't look quite right to me. Even the vet saw her & sent her home, the first time. When she continued to decline, she went to the vets again, with a "I'm bringing her in NOW!" type phone call. And she did need emergency surgery, that afternoon. Thank goodness, she's OK now, but as you noted, stuff happens, so be very prudent & watchful, & trust your gut, if she doesn't look right to you, she's not right. Good luck, keep us posted! jackie harris

 Thanks all.

She's had a couple more bouts of "squirts" - olive green colored, runny, kinda the consistency of butternut squash soup.  She's sleeping now but when she's awake she doesn't seem lethargic, she seems hungry.  I'll keep food away until, maybe tomorrow?  Then start with rice and boiled chicken?

The vet is open for another 5 hours, then again in the morning.  They are less than 10 minutes away so that gives me some comfort.  There's also emergency vet care available after hours if necessary.

I'll keep you posted.

Do you know if the dog could have gotten into something??
I'd keep the feeding simple and consistant, its the best way to keep track of things.  I would never feed my dog rice period.
Everyones got their own ideas about feeding.
I'd at least ask the vet about the off color stool.  It should not be green.

Here's a handy link that tells you when to call your vet or get your dog to an emergency clinic for vomiting and diarrhea.
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2090&aid=265

You'll probably have to cut and paste the link.

Whats the big deal?
I call my vet all the time.

I call my vet too, but not everyone has a vet who will take phone calls. Some want the dog brought in every time and of course they charge for the office visit even if the owner is told to fast the dog and no meds are given. $$$$

 Thanks y'all for all the advice.

I thought we were good when she didn't have any more diarrhea overnight, but then she did it again this morning so I took her to the vet with a sample of the, um, stool?  Gloop?

She tested negative for parasites, the vet didn't feel anything wrong with her pancreas or any signs of intussusception, etc.  He said she didn't look dehydrated, she looked pretty good in fact.  He said it was most likely a combo of stress from traveling plus maybe picking up a slight infection, or possibly she's lactose intolerant and I've been giving her yoghurt.

He gave me some amoxi and something to settle her stomach, and some prescription canned food to start tonight.  I'll let you know how it goes, but I feel relieved.

That should be a relief to you that the vet didn't see anything seriously wrong. Sometimes dogs have a bout of gastroenteritis (vomiting and diarrhea) and you never find out what was the cause. I hope all goes well over the weekend.

Glad you made it to the vet.
Keep feeding simple.

Glad its nothing serious.