My 16 month old bitch has terrible diarrhea this morning and I've just noticed a little blood around her back passage.  I have an appointment with Vet this afternoon at 3.30pm - is this soon enough?

She came back from the boarding kennel on Saturday and hasnt been 100% since then (with loose stools, but still eating, playing etc.), I just thought it might be due to change of routine/scenery.  However, as I explained above she seems to be much worse this morning.  Do you think this is a coincidence, or could it be something she has contracted at the kennels?

Thank you for your help

Karen,

It could be anything so I'd wait and see what the vet says.  What looks like blood in stools isn't always blood.  I had a panic last year with Norman as it looked like a lot of blood.  It wasn't blood at all, just very bad diarrohea.  Keep giving her water and good luck at the vets.

Joe :)

Hi Karen

Fresh blood is generally less serious than dark driedish blood as this comes from high up the system.  Blood with dire-rear is not uncommon but it might be a good idea to take a stool sample in a clean jar for your vet in case he wants to send it off for testing.

Hope all is okay with your girl

Joe & Keriok,  Thanks for the reassurance, I'm not panicking quite as much!  She seems happy to see me, but isnt her usual self.  She's been quite sick, still has the diorrhea and there certainly seems to be signs of 'fresh' blood at her rear end.  She threw up her breakfast and i have refrained from giving her anything else apart from water.  I'll let you know what the Vet says.

Only a couple of hours to go
k.

Does seem as if she has a problem with her digestive system but these things often seem worse than they are. Just wait and see what the vet says.

Stupid thing is in my home if one of the dogs does a loose stool I worry myself sick but if my husband or I spend all day on the loo I take no notice.

I know what you mean Jackie - I think it is because you cant talk to them.  I felt the same when my daughter was a baby, but am much more rational about any ilnesses she has now she is 6.  But poor old Poppy was just like turning a tap on this morning and she had me up 4 times in the night, which is unheard of - desperate for the garden!  However, she still managed to make a complete mess of my utility room as a getting up pres. for me this morning!

BFN
Karen.

Hi,

The Vet confirmed that she is losing blood etc., she has had an antibiotic injection and stomach settler and is now on a course of antibiotic tablets and rehydration fluid.  Today she starts on egg/pasta etc., (which she will love). 

Already seems more more lively this morning and didnt get us up to be sick etc during the night.

Thanks for the help
Karen.

Karen, my mini same age had exactly the same thing three week's ago - haemoragic gastric enteritis.  Horrendous diareahha (?) passing blood and large amounts.  Vet gave same treatment and the antibiotics cleared it up in a day but I haven't a clue what caused it.  He's made a full recovery which I am sure yours will.  It's very frightening though.  Has the vet any idea what may have caused it.

Scattergood,

sorry for the late reply.  The Vet wasnt sure what had caused it.  She has finished her antibiotic tablets today (she also had injection at the vets) and is now fine and back to normal and as off yesterday back onto normal food. 

It could have been something she picked up at the kennels (she was there for 8 nights!).  Now really worried about her going to the kennels for a week in July.

As you say a frightening episode (and rather messy too ! )

Karen.

i no what this could be as my dog gets it at times hes had it all his life and you cant do alot about it  i feed him on superdog now thats weet and gluten free he only has a few treats like liver and things that are weet and gluten free this seama to be helping and he hasnt been so bad scince i have done this i no what this is called but i cant spell it hope all is well soon
bye bye for mow fiona

Karen,

She might have become stressed in the kennels and stress lowers resistance to disease.   I've had a bad experience with kennels.  First, I stupidly boarded a dog the first week of November .. peak fireworks time.  Big mistake - she had never liked fireworks, but coped.  After boarding she was terrified - drooling and shaking for the rest of her life as a result.  Another time the day I picked her up from kennels she started vomiting, which fortunately lasted only a day.  This same dog, if she spent too long at the grooming salon, would come home, squat and poured blood from her rear.   I then made sure she was only there for an hour at most and I bought grooming equipment and learned how to do it myself.

I guess the bottom line is that some dogs are more sensitive than others - and it's their digestive track that is most effected.

Stacey

Stacey

Poor dog, she does sound sensitive. 

Pop. is actually quite tough and v. brave, she isnt really that bothered about anything....fireworks, going in cars, the groomers, other dogs, loud noises etc. etc.  In fact I have never seen her act timidly or shake!  However, I fully appreciate that she could be sensitive to the change in routine and that she probably doesnt have a great deal of companionship at the kennels, which she gets heaps of at home.

She has used the kennels frequently since we have had her for anything from one day to a week.  But, the last two times i have collected her I havent been as happy and have noticed that she has a dirty back end, which I think should have been cleaned.  I have this week visited some other kennels for her summer stay and have decided to try a new place.

It is worrying.

Thanks for your help
Karen.

Karen,

Kennel management can change and that makes all the difference in the world.  Good idea to check other facilities.

Stacey