vomiting

[dmoniz]

Well he had diarrhea at the vets office, which is a good sign. Unfortunately he vomited in the car on the way home which is not a good sign. He just seems so out of it. He perks up at times, but mostly wants to sleep.

[moondog]

He can have a partial obstruction and have diarrhea along with it, so keep a close eye on him for signs of distress. Did you call the vet and tell them he vomited on the way home? If he doesn't improve overnight, I would opt for the barium test, myself.

[dmoniz]

They closed after I picked him up. He is going back tomorrow morning. He is eating little bits that I give him and seems interested. He does not seem to be in distress, breathing is normal, color is good, so is hydration. I may leave him at the vet again for another round of fluids tomorrow. If he can't pass this on his own I think I will bypass the barium and go right for surgery...

[Argus44]

If you're still not sure it is a blockage, why put him through a surgery that might not be necessary? I would do the barium tests first.

Just my opinion...

Here's hoping no sx is needed!

[JeanT]

The barium would confirm/rule out a blockage. Why subject him to major abdominal surgery that may be unnecessary? I'm sure you're very anxious, but if your vet thinks there is time to do a barium exam, conservative may be best... but I also understand your worry. Would it help your decision making if surgery could be scheduled to follow immediately after the barium x-rays if there is a blockage? I've been following this thread, and I'm sorry that you're not seeing consistent improvement.

[BeverlyC]

Originally Posted by groupieindenial

If you've done all the tests, and he's not getting better, I would suggest the barium or more x-rays. I believe BeverlyC? had similar symptoms, and on day#11 they finally found the obstruction, fuzz. Fuzz don't show up on X-rays too well.

Yes, I would suggest the barium before you have surgery performed. Depending on the possible blockage, the barium can push the item(s) out without having to do the surgery. Lothar was scheduled for surgery because the barium wasn't moving through him as it should, they wanted to keep him overnight and do the surgery the next morning. We talked them into letting us take him home with us for the night and he basically had an explosive bowel movement when we got home with about a fist full of fuzz in it. The next morning they did more x-rays and the barium had completely moved through him. So, I would try the less evasive approach first and see if you can save him from having to go through surgery and save you a great deal of money. We are very glad we went the barium route first.

[Judy Chrusch]

It's always best to do the lesser of 2 evils so to speak. Do everything you can before you commit to surgery and only do that if it's necessary. What about an ultrasound, has that been a consideration? It's always so frustrating not knowing. As was mentioned, keep a close eye on him and check his poops every time he goes. Keep a log on a daily basis so you know exactly what to report to your vet. I agree with moondog, he could still have a partial blockage even though he has diarrhea. I hope all works out and you find the culprit soon.

Judy

[dmoniz]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure it is a partial blockage. He was eating fine last night and had no problems, although he did remove his catheter. The vet wanted to see him again this morning so I took him in. He again vomited in thecar. Hid abdomen feels and sounds fine, so theya re having me keep him on a bland diet. Now he doesn't seem to want to eat again. No poop since last night when he was picked up. I guess I want to go straight to surgery because I already know there is a blockage, even if it is partial.

[dmoniz]

Well, things are looking up. He is pretty much acting his old self now. Still a little quiet, but wanting to eat and play.

[Argus44]

Other than the 4 times of vomiting on the 1st day (1/23/05), he hasn't vomited except for the return trip home in the car and on the way back to the vet's in the car. Any chance he still gets motion sickness?

I still think barium tests are in order. How can you "know" he has a blockage if rads have not been done? Symptoms seem to be pointing in that direction, but have not been confirmed. Why put him through major abdominal sx when it may not be needed??

Hope he gets better soon!

[moondog]

Originally Posted by dmoniz

I guess I want to go straight to surgery because I already know there is a blockage, even if it is partial.

I haven't had a dog with a blockage, but if I did, wouldn't the vet need to run some preliminary tests to try and locate the blockage BEFORE using a scalpel?

How do you know it's a partial blockage? You did say he had his hips xrayed, but did he have any tests to look for a blockage?

[dmoniz]

He had xrays done at the emergency vets. There were questionable areas in his intestine. The fact that he was vomiting and there was some very liquidy stuff coming out his butt it pretty much points to a partial blockage. His appetite and behavior have been great this evening, so here's hoping its all over. He rarely had motion sickness before, maybe just once or twice. I do think the fact that he had been sick though that he was more sensitive to it.

[moondog]

The vomiting and diarrhea, along with the questionable on the xray, does sound like a partial obstruction. Vomiting and diarrhea alone don't, because there are many other things that can cause that.

Has he pooped yet? Hopefully, whatever it is is moving along. Keep a close eye on him, because as whatever it is travels along, there's always a chance it could cause intestinal damage or a complete block before it finds its way out.

I've got my paws crossed that all will be well and he'll continue to feel better!

[dmoniz]

No poop yet, but he ate this morning again and is still behaving close to normal. It doens't suprise me that there is no poop because he hasn't eaten as much as normal. Of course now my boxer isn't eating and had diarrhea this morning (no vomit), so maybe something is going around. The boxer will be going on the same bland diet tonight. Here's hoping for poop when I get home!

[groupieindenial]

Okay, so this started Sunday, according to the date you started this thread. YOu are well onto day #4. If you havn't seen improvement, which you havn't, this can realistically become very serious, very fast. I would take these people's advice, and do the barium. Get moving on teh next step here. If all the tests have come back, and they are all negative. This is seems to be your next option.