Hiya, my boxer is 2 years old and about 4 days ago he started to be sick, just once every morning. The first time he was sick it was a green slime (sorry!!) and the next day it was a very dark brown substance, and again the next. Yesterday he was sick something else...i dont think it is food, he is off his food. And today he was trying to be sick but just bringing up saliva. He hasnt eaten now for 2 days and I cant think what it could be. I am so worried, he isnt his usual self at all. I dont think I can afford to get him to the vets and am worrying there is something seriously wrong???

He needs to see the vet. He could have a blockage. What are his poos like?

His poos are normal. He had diorreah the first day he was sick but since then he has been fine. I just thought it had been something he ate but now I am getting worried as he is very reluctant to do anything and just sleeps where as normally he is very active.

Agree with JG get him to a vet, it could be almost anything some of which need urgent attention.

You MUST get your dog to the vets. He is clearly not well.

He sounds like a poorly Boxer, I'd get him to the vet ASAP.

As other posters have said the vets may allow you to pay off the bill in installments.

Thanks everyone, I will fone around a few vets and see if they allow me to pay in installments. DO you think it is an emergency and I need to phone out an emergency vet? Or could it wait till tomorow until the vets reopen?

I'd ring the vet and chat to them, but if your dog is de-hydrating (i.e not drinking fluids or enough)
it needs fairly prompt veterinary attention. Especially as he's not eaten for a few days too.
Most vets have 24 hour cover, i.e. the vet is contactable at home on a pager and will get back to
you.

Hi I really think that you do need to go to the vets, you say you dont think you can afford to go but the health of your dog is at stake, maybe you could put it to them you agree to pay half now and the remainder later on

Janines

I am really sorry to hear your dog is (by the sound of it) very unwell. If you can't afford a vet can't you get him to Blue Cross or PDSA who help people on low incomes/benefit? This sounds really serious to me, and I'm sorry, but I'd go to the vet, get the treatment and then worry about the bill. Is there no-one in the family that could help you out in an emergency? Perhaps you should also consider taking out a relatively cheap insurance plan for your dog. I cannot imagine being in a position where I would have to compromise the life of my dog, if it meant I couldn't eat for a week, I would lose a few pounds! How do you plan to cope with future health issues/accidents?
Kat

Hiya, I just went off line and called the vets who said they can see bailey first thing tomorow morning. In the meantime...I just encouraged him to eat. He was very dubious at first, merely licking the food, but then once he had one bite he ate the whole dish!!! He also is drinking! Do you think maybe he just has a stomach bug?? Or maybe was just a little off colour?

Why did you not encourage him to eat before? Yes, it could be a 'bug' but some bugs are serious and any dog that is depressed should be seen by a vet ASAP. Hope your dog is ok but do not delay seeing a vet again, next time it could be very serious. Although people on this forum try to help we can't diagnose and we can only tell you what we would do if our much loved dogs were in the state as that described by you.

Why have a dog or any animal if you know you cant afford to keep them healthy by going to see the vet?

I agree with the above post and I was actually quite appalled that anyone would take on an animal if they think they can't afford to pay for treatment when it is ill, board it in kennels if required etc etc. I myself am on a low income but I have a dog and a cat who are both registered with vets, are insured and go to the kennels from time to time. Something else just has to be sacrificed. I don't mean to be harsh here but the dog in question should be checked out immediately - PDSA will, I believe, treat animals for people proving they are on benefits if a donation is made. Hope the dog recovers anyway and please consider registering him with a vet.

CG