Writing this cos I'm feeling abit panicky and no one else to have a worry with. My 14month old dobe boy isnt well - This morning he was right as rain and being his usual mental self, driving us all mad etc etc. Later this afternoon he had the runs (he's had them for a couple of days) and is making some awful smells which is normal for him, only they've been worse.
The only things that have happened is 1) I gave him worming tablets yesterday - correct dosage and only fed him in the evening (and he was abit half-hearted about eating his dinner, not like him!) This morning he was fine, still very loose but mad as ever. 2) Before his walk we put his head collar on and dont ask me what happened but he somehow got it caught in the handle of one of the kitchen cupboards. He completely panicked, jumped backwards and pulled the door of its hinges!!! The door then smashed into me (OW!) and my dining room table!! He was ok as far as we could see, just abit shaken. He went for his walk and was totally normal (i.e running around like a mad thing)
He started acting odd later today, being quiet. He's been lying down since teatime (unheard of!) and when I tried to make him go out for a wee 10 mins ago, he wouldnt move and could hardly walk. Its almost as if his back legs cant carry him and want to give way.
He IS a baby but I'm so worried. Do you think its something to do with the worming tablets or do you think maybe he knocked himself today and its only just started to hurt (though that wouldnt explain the runs??)
Advice please..... desperate.

you may be dealing with two seperate thing here but I wouldnt like to take the chance by offering any advice other than ...I would get him seen by a vet.

You must have an emergency number for your local vet they usually have some sort of cover a phone call may be adequate until tomorrow.. at least it would put your mind at rest the price usually escalates after midnight.

Sorry I cant help further

Roni

Thanks starryeyes - he's asleep now and seems settled. Not sure whether to leave him till the morning and see how he is then. If he is no better I will call the vet out. Why do these things always happen late on a saturday night??? I wish he was a small dog so I could take him to bed with me... will keep a very close eye on him.

What worming tablets did you use, and did he have diarrhoea already before being wormed or did it start afterwards? It is possible to have a bad reaction to worming and so if there is no improvement soon I'd contact the vet, weekend or not, to play safe.

Looking at his age, has he had a vaccination booster recently? Worming and vaccinating close together can cause a reaction, as can either on their own. If he was a bit wormy he could just have a bit of a tummy ache as the wormer works, and loose stools can be from worms. The wormer itself can put some dogs off eating for 24 hrs...then watch out! They make up for it! He could well have pulled something in his back when he got caught which has only shown up since he rested, much like sore muscles hurt us after a sleep. Dobes can be big mummies babies.....:rolleyes:

But, if you remain unsure, regardless of the day I would have him checked, thats what the vets are there for and although I wouldnt insist on seeing a vet for just anything at weekends or BH, far better to see one in the daytime and be reassured than have a poorly dog in the middle of the night and have to get a vet out of bed. (Which I wouldn't hesitate to do if the dog was sick)

Hope by the time you read this he's picking up!

Hi Calmstorm and everyone - wow you were moreorless spot on! Update so far - spent most of last night  (this morning I should say) with him till I couldnt stand his crying and shaking anymore and picked up the phone at 6am! Managed to get him in the car which was a trauma in itself - met the vet at the surgery at 6.30. Basically I went thru everything with her and she checked him over. She thinks the worming tablets could have something to do with 'loseness' especially if he did have an infestation. She felt that he was flinching slightly on one side of his neck and thought this was probably where the problem lay and that he'd jarred himself slightly when he'd had his little accident with the kitchen door. She gave him an anti inflamatory jab and has given him some anti-inflam tablets and also some antibiotics which she says will help if his tummy is abit sore. I've got to take him back on Wednesday just so she can check his neck again.
You are so right about dobes being babies - he was the same when he had his growing pains.
I really feel alot happier now - terrible things go through your mind at 1 oclock in the morning!!!! Will keep an eye on him of course but at least feel its nothing life threatening...

Hi,
I would be worried about his neck and spine. We had a Greyhound who behaved like that and there was some damage that we didn't know about. Dobes have long necks and bodys like the long dog, so if he still isn't right ask for an X-ray. Good luck anyway, I'm sure he'll be fine.

Many thanks - yes will certainly be vigilant. He's had a sleep and seems to be rearing to go now. No walks today! No food either. Its not going to be easy!

Hi, pleased to hear nothing serious! Hope he gets better soon, no doubt all the cuddles will help..........;)