Sick Pup

[TriciaK]

Hi All,

My 5 year old rottie has been ill since Monday morning. Symptoms include diarrhea and throwing up his food. His energy level is normal and he seems as happy as usual. His accidents occurred Monday am (just before my husband left for work) and then he was fine the rest of the day. When I came home around 5 and let him out, his stool was a bit soft. That night he threw up again. In the morning, his stool was much harder and it appeared he was getting over his illness. However, last night, he had diarrhea again and threw up as well. I'm going to call the vet this morning, but I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas as to why this is happening? He hasn't eaten anything different in the last few days to make his system act up. He appears as energetic as ever--no lethargy whatsoever. Any insight would be appreciated.

TriciaK

[mmgy]

With diarrhea, I usually give a dose or two of pepto bismol, and then if it doesn't clear up, go to the vet. But throwing up is another matter, so I think I'd see the vet at this point.

[TriciaK]

Thanks. I considered giving him some Pepto, but couldn't remember if it was safe to use on dogs. I initially wasn't worried too much because his energy level was normal. Now, with nothing staying down (or in), I'm getting nervous. Have you (or anyone) ever experienced anything like this? Razor's gotten sick over the years, but usually I can trace it to something. This time, I'm at a loss.

[mmgy]

Well, Pepto wouldn't do any good if he's throwing up.

You could be looking at a multitude of things. Blockages come to mind. Food intolerances. Etc. If he's acting fine, that's good, but today's the third day, I think I'd hit the vet and rule out some of the options. You don't want to add dehydration to the mix.

[Judy Chrusch]

How often has he had both diarrhea and vomiting bc you must watch for dehydration? I would definately call the vet bc with both, it's difficult to give anything by mouth to stop the diarrhea. If this has been since Mon. then definately call the vet. Let us know how he is.

Judy

[TriciaK]

I totally agree--dehydration is a definite worry, with everything leaving his system. I just phoned the vet and she said the same thing--that is, Pepto would have been fine initially, but now that we're going on 3 days, better to have him checked out by the professionals.

[TriciaK]

Judy,
My husband has left him with alot of water, so hopefully he'll drink it. He's been drinking more than usual in the last couple of days, now that I think about it(he usually only drinks after he comes in from his daily walks and runs). The vet is in surgery today, so he can't see him until tomorrow.In the meantime, I'm going to give him some Pepto (vet tech said this would be a good idea). I also have some hamburger and rice I'm going to cook up when I get home today. I've heard that settles the stomach. I'm really upset by this, because he's usually such a healthy pup. And I wish I could figure out what caused this. Ahhhhh.........

[samanthac]

The first step is fasting for 24 hours...no food or water in order to allow the digestive system to settle. Then is to start feeding a bland diet of boiled chicken and rice or boiled ground beef and rice. Make sure you BOIL the meat and not fry it. Boiling cooks off all the fat...frying cooks it in...fat will irritate them further when dealing with digestive upset. Do not add any seasonings, etc. as they will serve to only further irritate the digestive system. Just the boiled meat and rice.

Since the dog has not really had very much fluid in several days, buy some clear Pedialyte and try to get that into him for now. It will help prevent him from becoming dehydrated. If he will not drink of his own accord, then have hubby help you and use a turkey baster to squirt fluid into his mouth. I always keep syringes (minus the needle) around for this type of thing.

Basically I have hubby hold rear end and I straddle front end of dog. Tilt their head back just a tiny bit (don't want to choke them). Gently squeeze their back gums against their teeth to force them to open the mouth. Insert the baster a short way in and then take your hand and GENTLY hold their muzzle closed. Begin squirting fluid SLOWLY so that you do not choke the dog.

HTH and please let us know how you make out at the vet. :)

[TriciaK]

Wow! How unbelievably informative Samantha--many thanks! I did take out some hamburger from the freezer last night and planned on cooking it up with some rice when I got home--although I was going to fry up the hamburger. Not now! I also had no idea about the fasting for the first 24 hours. I just ended up feeding him smaller amounts of food--but it still came up. I'll let you know what the vet says.

Thanks again to all.
Tricia

[brunie's mom]

Originally Posted by samanthac

The first step is fasting for 24 hours...no food or water in order to allow the digestive system to settle. )

This statement is not correct. Food should not be given....but water should NOT be withheld!!!!
If the dog wants to drink large quantities of water and then throw up...then small amounts should be offered often or even ice cubes.

A dog that is vommiting and has diahhrea will dehydrate if water is not given for 24 hours.
The dog can live without food for days....but water is very important.

Gina

[samanthac]

Originally Posted by brunie's mom

This statement is not correct. Food should not be given....but water should NOT be withheld!!!!
If the dog wants to drink large quantities of water and then throw up...then small amounts should be offered often or even ice cubes.

A dog that is vommiting and has diahhrea will dehydrate if water is not given for 24 hours.
The dog can live without food for days....but water is very important.

Gina

Again I respectfully disagree. According to University of Pennsylvania Veterinary Hospital...the top veterinary hospital in the world...

...fasting from food and water for 24-hours upon onset of diahhrea is recommended in order to allow the digestive system to settle a bit. There is very little chance that an otherwise healthy dog will dehydrate to the point of death within a 24-hour period. We regularly see rescue animals who have been without food and water for longer periods than 24-hours that have survived and are sucessfully brought back to proper health.

This is an answer to an e-mail I sent directly to U of P.

[Anne]

I would not withold the water for 24 hours. Dehydration is a strong possibility.

[spidey]

I wouldn't withold water either. I have no problem witholding food from a puppy with diarrhea (as we've already discussed, this is standard procedure). I'm sure the chances of serious dehydration are slim, and I'm sure UPenn is right, but I'd still give water.

[Anne]

I don't know whether or not UPenn is right but I know my vet always advises to keep up the water.

Once the dog is dehydrated it will probably have to go on a drip (subcut fluids). Diarrhoea does deplete the body of fluids. I just would not take the risk of stopping the dog from drinking irrespective of what UPenn says.

[JBK]

Originally Posted by brunie's mom

This statement is not correct. Food should not be given....but water should NOT be withheld!!!!
If the dog wants to drink large quantities of water and then throw up...then small amounts should be offered often or even ice cubes.

A dog that is vommiting and has diahhrea will dehydrate if water is not given for 24 hours.
The dog can live without food for days....but water is very important.

Gina

I totally agree!!!
My pup had these symptoms and he was near deaths door! I was told by our vet to offer him small amounts of water so he didn't dehydrate! Water IS very important, I hope your pup gets better real soon ;)