I'm not sure if I'm worrying for nothing, I can't quite put my finger on it, but our Ava just doesn't seem herself at all.  Hubby said the dogs were tugging on a bit of stick tonight and Ava gave a bit of a yelp, but seemed ok after.  When he got them home Ava seemed to go a bit strange, she's being extra clingy and unusually quiet, and coughing (but not exessively).  I've looked down her throat with a torch and checked her gums and tongue and I can't see anything obvious wrong - but to me she doesn't look right.  I tried tempting her with a bit of tuna on a cracker but she just held it in her mouth (she's usually a very greedy girl and would wolf down anything we give her).  I'm very tempted to phone the emergency vet because I'm worried in case she gets ill in the night (she's settled with my hubby on the settee now).  Do you think she may have just scratched her throat, - if she had got something stuck down there what symtoms would she be showing - would she be gagging more or trying to be sick?

Thanks in anticipation
Mair

Mair

I would ring the emergency vet and describe what has happened.  They'll be able to give you advice on what to watch for etc.  Better to be safe than sorry.  Hope Ava is ok.

Lesley

Thanks - I'll do that now

Having had a dog who got a 2-inch long splinter in her throat from a stick (never again will any dog of mine play with a stick) I would get the vet to look at her. She could have some stuck on her throat, or in her teeth - whatever it is, something is wrong.

I've phoned the vet - we're taking her in now, will let you know whats wrong later - thanks again

Hoping things are OK Mair.

Regards, John

We're back from the vets, we've had to leave Ava with them, they are going to put her out to have a good look....could be the early hours of the morning before we hear from the vet because they are very busy tonight. Lots of tears from my kids when we returned home without the little one, hope she'll be ok, the house feels very strange without her now. :(
This has been a disasterous Christmas for us.....Christmas morning hubby decided to take the boys out on their new bikes, and in the process put a hole in my front door (UPVC one) with the blinkin bike!!!
Thank God for insurance!

Thanks John, I hope so too. Vet said it could be a splinter in her tongue or back of her throat, although he couldn't see anything when he examined her.  He said if there is a wound, then he may stitch if it is wide, but if it's not too big then it can be left, but she would be given a course of antibiotics.  He said that it may just be a bit bruised.  You see my girls have got this habbit of picking up sticks, chomping them up or tossing them about between each other. Mark seems to think that Ava went after a stick that Scarlet was holding and it's caught her in the mouth, but he said she seemed fine for the rest of their walk, only when they got home did things not seem right with her. :(

Hope Ava is ok and you hear from the vet soon, Mair.

Lesley

Sorry to hear about Ava mair.  certainly doesn't sound like the whirlwind that flies round our field when she comes to stay.  I hope the problem is not serious and is rectified quickly.  Good luck and give them both a hug from me.
DAwn.

Hi there, still no news from the vet.  She definitely wasn't her usual self (couldn't manage a cracker with a bit of tuna on it! - not like Ava at all 'cos she's a greedy little miss) I'm feeling quite anxious waiting for the vet to phone, I feel tired but I don't want to fall asleep in case I'm in a stupor when the vet phones (you know how it is when you wake up suddenly) :( - just want to hear that she's Ok and can come home.  We had to take her over to a vets on the Aldridge Road - she hates travelling and I thought she might have sicked up whatever was stuck because she gets carsick, but she wasn't sick on this journey.

Sorry to hear about Ava Mair and hope you have now heard from the vets and that the news is good.  If you mean you had to go to Northside Emergency Vets at Gt Barr, have used them a number of times and have always found them very good.
Sue

Hi Mair, hope she`s alright & you`ve heard from vet now. One thing is you got her seen to quickly, that can only be good.

Christine, Spain.

Heard from the vet just after 1am this morning (yes it was the Northside emergency clinic).  He found a small but quite deep wound, but there was nothing in it so he's cleaned the area and decided not to put a stitch.  She will be given painkillers and antibiotics, and we can go and get her anytime after 10am this morning. Feeling much happier now, thanks to all who gave advice and support, it was very much appreciated ;)

'm so glad to read your news Mair - it does show just how dangerous it is, letting dogs play with sticks, doesn't it - I alwasy used to let mine do it - once used to bring whole trees back (well, almmost!) - until I read of a dreadful accident here on Champdogs!

Glad your girl is coming home.

Regards
Margot

It's so easily done tho'. We don't let ours play with sticks, but Tara picked a long stick up one day and ran off. As she ran she caught one end on the ground and it snapped in two, in her mouth. She had a cut at the back of her jaw, but fortunately nothing else and it healed up quickly :)

Daisy

Hi Mair

Pleased to hear that Ava will be coming home.  Even if your vet did nothing but examine and clean her you at least know what is wrong now - it is horrible when we get that feeling - "I know something is wrong but don't know what it is"

Hope you have A Happy New Year and may we all have minimal vet's bills for 2004 (says she, thinking of broken leg and mammary tumor removal in the last two months - ouch!)

Christine

I'm so glad the wound has been found and cleaned. An infection somewhere like that would be horrible. And well done for being observant enough to notice something was wrong. Hope she makes a quick and complete recovery.
:)

Good news then :D

Just like to say most of the time all we have to go on is *our dogs not right, don`t know what it is, just something I can`t put finger on*  then thats the time to go the vet. Prompt treatment of most health probs goes a long way in getting things sorted out :) We all now our own dogs best :)

Christine, Spain.

Well she's back where she belongs now (thank goodness). The vet said the wound was small but very deep (3cms deep he said), and that it was at the back underside of her tongue.  He said she had been very nervous and unsettled during her stay, so she was extremely happy when she saw us in the waiting room!! Got to take her back to our own vet on Tuesday or Wednesday providing she has no problems in the meantime.
Will definitely have to discourage the dogs from picking up sticks from now on... ;)
Thanks again
Mair

Glad to hear things are now sorted Mair. People who really know their dogs such as you know instinctivly when something is wrong and somthing like this which could have been major was caught in plenty of time to make treating relativly easy.

Best wishes, John

;) so happy to have her back - even if she can be a nuisance at times!! ;)

So glad your girl is okay,Sandra.

So glad to hear that Ava is home with you now and ok :)

Lesley