Calling all doggie docs... something's wrong with my baby

*krista* · #1 May 11th, 2009, 06:27 AM

Help! Something is wrong with Andy. He was fine when we woke up, about 30 minutes ago. He went on his walk with his daddy and was just as jovial as usual. Then we were sitting here eating breakfast and he started a soft whine, like he was in pain, but he didn't indicate where the pain may be. I poked around a bit on his belly, but he didn't yelp. Now he isn't being himself. He just wants to lay down, and he is panting when he shouldn't be. DF took him for a walk to see if he wanted to eat some grass, but he didn't. He did go poo, and DF said it was a little liquidy at the end, but that's it.

I'm really worried about him. Thursday I gave him part of a lamb leg bone, and I'm worried it might be that. Is it possible that could be bothering him today, several days afterward? Any thoughts on what it might be?

If it gets too bad, DF is going to take him to the vet. Luckily he took off today.

Mod-LadyCoconut · #2 May 11th, 2009, 09:24 AM

Jessie would probably be able to give a good response to this... I'm not really sure, but it sounds like the panting is b/c he's nervous/uncomfortable and the liquid poo could be from stress over what's bothering him. Is Andy normally a 'big baby' -? My littlest dog is such a trooper that he's had a lot of major health issues but he never really complains so we have to watch very carefully for any changes. Then one of our bigger dogs will like... step on a stick running and then limp around for 4 days even though when he's asleep and you touch it he doesn't flinch b/c it's not actually hurt... he's just being a baby. haha

The lamb bone could be cause for concern if perhaps it's splintered inside of him or something, but I'm really not sure. Hopefully Jessie will respond to this as I think she could offer some great help.

~*Bethy*~ · #3 May 11th, 2009, 09:28 AM

you havent called your vet??

**jessie** · #4 May 11th, 2009, 09:38 AM

It's so hard to say with just your description. The whining and frequent panting indicate pain somewhere, but it is possible the pain is elsewhere besides his abdomen.. It is also possible that the bone could cause problems days after it was eaten. It would only cause clinical signs once it lodged somewhere and basically obstructed his bowel. Is he bloated at all or vomiting? If it is an intestinal obstruction, then it is an emergency and I would advise you to get him seen asap. Sorry I can't be on more help, but his symptoms are sort of vague at this point. I would take him in quickly though, especially as it had such an acute onset.

#5 May 11th, 2009, 09:44 AM

Aweee I have no idea sweetie, but BIGG

to you and your puppy. Keep us updated I hope he feels better soon!

*krista* · #6 May 11th, 2009, 10:42 AM

Thanks so much ladies. Shannon, to answer your question, he's not normally a baby when it comes to pain. He doesn't "complain" about pain much, so it worried me quite a bit.

It is kinda strange because he seems fine now. DF has stayed home with him (I am on my lunch break), and it seems that not too long after DF took Andy outside this morning he started acting normal again. DF gave him maalox, I'm not sure if that helped or just the bowel movement helped. He has had problems with his tummy before (he has a sensitive stomach and will throw up food if it is the wrong food).

Jessie, or anyone else who could help, do you think I should be concerned at this point? I'm not sure since it seems to have left as quickly as it came.

**jessie** · #7 May 11th, 2009, 12:07 PM

I would say, that as long as he seems better now, then its okay to not rush him off to the vet. Just keep a real close eye on him and if the same thing happens again or if he continues to not be right, I would have him checked out. You might want to give him only a small meal tonight (1/2 his regular portion) just in case it is something in his GI tract.

*krista* · #8 May 11th, 2009, 04:33 PM

He had another episode. DF said at about 3:30 he started whimpering again. DF took him outside and he had another semi-liquid bowel movement. Again, he seems fine now. He has been eating grass too. Would that be a good sign? Would he be eating grass if the bone he ate splintered and is causing the problem? I would think that if the bone splintered it would be sharp pain, not really something he would eat grass for. I don't think it is a blockage since he has had two bowel movements today, right? (but both semi-liquidy, like the consistance of mud, sorry tmi).

It is just so weird how it is here one minute, gone the next. Does that point to just a bad case of indigestion?

I hope you are reading this Jessie!!! If you are, thank you so much for walking us through this. That goes to everyone else that offered advice and support as well. I love my JM gals!

Alison81 · #9 May 11th, 2009, 05:17 PM

I have a mini doxie, and that's usually the first sign of back problems in those dogs. And I have known people that say it comes and goes, whimpering for a bit, then stopping, then whimpering again. I'd probably make a call to the vet, especially since the pain seems to have come back.

**jessie** · #10 May 11th, 2009, 11:45 PM

Krista, I just read your message now... we are on opposite time zones. I really am not sure what to think. All you can be sure of is that there is pain coming from somewhere. Like Alison mentioned, it could be coming from somewhere you might not expect it to. No one is quite sure about the grass thing, as many healthy dogs enjoy a good munch on the stuff. Since the pain is coming and going (and he seems normal inbetween) it is high unlikely that he has a complete blockage or else he would keep getting worse. I'm not sure about the splinters... if they were loose in the gut then they would have been passed by now. If they were lodged in there, then I suppose they could still be causing a problem. I would take him in and have him looked at, especially as he has some element of diarrhea. Just make a regular appointment, it doesn't sound serious enough to warrant going to the emergency center.

*krista* · #11 May 12th, 2009, 06:09 AM

Thank you so much Jessie! You're the best. I really appreciate you checking back. I'll go ahead and make him an appointment.

#12 May 12th, 2009, 10:32 AM

Update us after his appt!! I hope your pup feels better!

Mod-LadyCoconut · #13 May 12th, 2009, 04:15 PM

Let us know how it goes at the appointment!

JediRach · #14 May 12th, 2009, 06:43 PM

Keep us updated!

*krista* · #15 May 13th, 2009, 06:20 AM

Well, I was going to make him an appointment today if he had another episode, but he seems fine now!

Brat just likes to give us a scare. He didn't have any episodes yesterday and has been his normal self. I'll probably give the vet a call today and see if she wants me to bring him in or not.

I'll admit, I probably freaked out a little more than I should have. Omg I can't imagine how bad I'm going to be when I have children. I'll probably have doc on speed dial!

Thanks for your concern and your help, everyone!