We just got an 8 week old doberman puppy on Monday. The breeder wormed him that morning with Safeguard. He had loose stools with a little blood that day. Since Monday, he continues to have loose stools with blood. He is eating, drinking and playing. However, he has very frequent bowel movements, loose, but not like water, with blood. But starting last night when he finishes his bowel movement, he searches around for another spot and squats again, this time only to pass nothing but bright red blood, about a couple of spoons full (maybe). Of course, we have had blizzard conditions here on the Outer Banks, so the vet's office is closed. We haven't had a puppy in a long time, and really worried - sound familiar to anyone?

I would say that you should take him to the vet as soon as possible. Is there an animal hospital nearby?

There should be a vet "on call" even if the office is closed - ring them.

In the meantime, and only if you can't get hold of a vet, stop food for up to 12 hours but give boiled water - if you have any diorolyte (sp?) a childs rehydration mixture, give him that. If you don't then boil water and put some glucose or honey in it and give him that in small amounts instead and then contact vet asap taking a sample of his faeces with you.

Please let us know how he gets on

Christine

Hiya,

You definately need to get the pup to the vet. It could be something serious or it could be a tummy bug!

Let us know how the pup gets on.

Best wishes
Francy

I would definately call ur vet too, and ur breeder to let them know whats up with the little one.

Hope ur little one is ok.
ttfn :)

Hi Tam,
I take it you're referring to the 'outer banks' of the Carolinas?? I've heard about the serious and unusual ice/snow storm that's hitting y'all there on the radio. Good luck :)

If you're at that location, try calling your vet now -- I know you're 6 hours behind me here in Germany, so someone should be answering even if it's just a service. If there's no 'emergency' number provided, look up the nearest local animal shelter or animal control. I know you're in a remote area. But there should be something at the county level. They should have listings of emergency oncall services.

If you can't find anything in your phone book, feel free to email me with your county and region. I"ll do my best to find you information out online.
I hope all of your hatches are battened down :)
best wishes,
Sara
eoghania (at) yahoo.com

Thanks to everyone who replied! As the night went on the puppy seemed to get worse. I started calling every vet listed in the phone book, trying to get a home number or something. We finally got in touch with one and he told us to bring him right in. The vet found an unknown bacteria in his feces, but that is all. He prescribed Metronidazole and carafate. He also put the puppy on a prescription food (Hill's i/d canned food). The puppy has already started to improve, he's eating and playing, and his poop isn't quite so runny. We have to take him back to the vet on Monday morning for a recheck. I was really scared, I thought I was going to loose him before I could get to the vet. Again, thank you all so much!
Yes, I am in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. It's really strange with the storm because the county is not prepared for such weather! I only moved here last May, I thought I wouldn't be seeing this type of weather anymore - just about the whole area is closed down!

The weather followed you ;) :)
I"m glad to hear that you found help and your puppy will be ok. Dehydration due to dirarhea can be deadly to something so young and little. That was very decent of the vet to see you when everything was closed up and the weather was so foul. I haven't seen CNN, but the radio description was quite hairy, even to someone like me from the Pac. NW and used to very bad conditions.
It sounds as if your pup is on the right road to recovery :) :)
best wishes,
toodles

Pleased to see that your pup is improving, remember to leave water out and make sure that pup is drinking, hope everything is o.k. when you go backk to the vets.