Not having a very good weekend Sam has had diahorrea sp for about 5 days I just put it down to a change in his diet but since yesterday it is like water and hes just brought up the rice that I gave him for tea last night. He is 10 months old and he is really looking very sorry for himself. Why do these things always happen on a weekend? I just can't wait until tomorrow when the vet opens my OH doesn't think he's bad enough to call the vet on a weekend. I've been reading dog books and frightened myself silly thinking he's got parvo. Sorry just had to share that with someone.

I am sure he will be ok. If you are in doubt then ring the vet for an out of hours consultation. It is your call on this as we haven't seen how bad he is but I would never hesitate if I thought one of my dogs life was in danger.

If he is now refusing food and water and has been bad for five days then perhaps it is time. If you are insured then you should be covered I would have thought ?

Let us know how you get on.

Lucy
xx

Sam seemed a little happier today but still had upset tummy so took him to the vet. We had to leave him there the vet wants to x ray as his tummy is tender he thinks it could be a blockage as he is not digesting his food. If not that he might have a bacterial  infection which can be treated with charcoal and something else I can't remember what now. So now I'm waiting by the phone just hope he will be ok.They are such a worry. 

Hi Ange,

It's going to be a long wait at the phone :(  You've at least got him in the best place and fingers crossed they'll find a minor problem that can be rapidly cured.

Keep us posted, will be thinking of you.

Regards, Teri  :)

Hi,

Just to add a dog with an upset tummy could well take longer than 5 days for vomiting and diarrohea to clear up.

I have Golden Retrievers and on the odd occasion I've had one with an upset stomach I starve them 2-3 days with just water and then the next day a few dried biscuits for next couple days but I would still be expecting a little diarrohea until their system is completely clear then slowly introduce their normal meals back .So in all the whole process would take 1-2 wks to get back to normal.With the diarrohea its not uncommon to get some mucous or blood from the dog from contantly wanting to go,but in most cases clears up by itself provided you give the dog plenty of time to clear its system before intoducing its normal diet back otherwise you will cause more diarrohea.
Sometimes people want the diarrohea to stop in 48hrs which is not always possible as body is clearing its system, and are to eager to resume dogs normal diet.
Sometimes I feel people rush to the vets with a dog with an upset stomach too soon and obviously the vets will give at least antibiotic *just in case* which might have been so unnecessary if they waited al ittle longer with just water only for few days and some dried biscuits,the dog would not come to any harm by losing a lilttle weight which can be put back on slowly once normal appetite resumes.

Obviously this might not be the case with your dog :-) but see it so many times,in the end there was nothing really wrong with the dog and the vets make a load of money out of you.

I hope your dog makes a full recovery and your vet find out any cause :-)

Briony :-)

Thank you everybody for caring. Not good news I'm afraid had a call from the vet there does appear to be a stone or a piece of bone which is causing the problem. Poor Sam I just thought he would be home today but he has to have the op to remove the blockage tomorrow because as I've starved him on and off for the last 5 days and because he hasn't digested what he could get down he needs to go on fluids for 24 hours to make sure he's strong enough for the op. He could be away until Wednesday as they might keep him on fluids for 24 hours after. The time just seems to be dragging. I asked the vet if anyone stays with the animals at night but she says someone just looks in on them.So that concerns me a bit but he is in the best place. Its going to be a long night,I sat up with him last night so I am feeling a bit knackered. 

Will let you know how he gets on.

Hi Ange,

Sorry about the news - for both of you :(  On the plus side you got it investigated and the vet's found the problem - you could have ploughed on longer and let him become weaker so remember, you done all the right things and now he's going to feel well again soon :)

I know it will feel horrible not having him at home with you but I think that part is probably harder on us humans than it really is on the furry folk.

Take care of yourself in the meantime and try to get some rest - Sam will be home soon and needing (demanding!) lots of love and attention.

ps. when you get the chance and have the energy, let us all have an update.  We'll be rooting for you ;)

Luv Teri

Sorry to hear he has a blockage. At least he is in the right place :)

Hope it all goes well and you have him home soon

Lucy
xx

Well Sam had his op at lunch time he's pulled through that thankfully. They found 'stones and a leaf'. Apparently they took him out before the op and he was trying to pick up stones then, the little monkey,mind you he must have been really starving by then. He is having rehydration therapy for the next 24 hours and  he could be out in the next 24 /48 hours. They said that I could pop and see him tomorrow but I am reluctant to do that as it might upset him.

I think he will need some kind of mussle when he is left unattended in the garden has anyone any thoughts about this or any alternatives.

I'll let you know how he progresses.

Hi Ange,

Great news about Sam  :)  You must be very relieved and no doubt desperate to get him home.  Don't know of any great tips to prevent stone eating I'm afraid except going over your garden area with a fine tooth comb to remove any :D  I've had an accomplished stone muncher who thank God never had a health problem through it but I could never prevent it :(

Anyway, fantastic to hear he's on the mend :)

Regards, Teri

Hi Teri

I've just spoken to the vet they want to keep Sam for another day. I was hoping that he'd come out today really but I know he's in the best place. Everyone is missing him so much,Sefa our other dog has been very down so we're spoiling her just a bit. Its my daughters birthday today so I'm keeping myself busy.

Will let you know how he gets on.
Best wishes
Ange

Hope Sam is better soon, but have to say my goldie was much the same at the same age, I never left him alone in the garden and have since taught him to "leave " when he goes stone hunting, when he keeps away from it, praise,etc etc, my lad had much a similar situ only when he had not eaten for 48 hrs and kept vomiting went to vet, they x rayed him, and found only lots of wind!, they said it could have passed through him but they said it is very common for goldies to have this as they are well known scavengers..!...

Hope he is back home soon.....

Hi Everyone

Sam is now home I'm meant to be keeping him quiet which is really difficult he just won't sit or lie down as he's obviously still got alot of discomfort there. He seems much brighter than I thought he would but he seems so thin, still it won't take long to feed him up.We were given the offending foreign bodies and I was really surprised just how small they were.They were mainly small terracotta crocks which I have caught him munching on. He's got this booster collar on now but he doesn't lift his head up so he just scoops gravel up in the collar I'll have to watch his every move for now.

Another sleepless night tonight but I'm just so glad he's home we've all missed him so much.

Best wishes
Ange

Hi Ange,

Glad things seem to be working out - he's been in the best place (vets) when he needed to be and now he's in the best place (your arms) for comfort :)

Give him a cuddle from me too!
Luv Teri

Sam is doing really well he will be having his stitches out on Saturday. I wish he could understand why he was poorly to start with as I'm still taking stones off him and he hides them in his jowls. I'm having to watch him like a hawk a muzzle seems inevitable.
Ange

Hi Ange, thanks for the update on Sam.  Glad that he's on the mend ;)

I know what you mean about wishing they could understand us - it's so frustrating sometimes when they keep doing something which is potentially dangerous and the usual training methods for "normal" misdemeanours just doesn't seem to offer any clues :(  As I said before, I've had the stone eater from hell but fortunately never raised a health issue - always passed them through :rolleyes:   Will keep my fingers crossed that you are at least able to keep up the mental and physical strength it takes to be on permanent patrol every time he goes into the garden.

Luv Teri :)