Doodle health scare..'The good the bad and the ugly'!

[Vivian & Mojo]

Its been a rough week with Mojo's health...This past Monday morning he started vomiting and his stool went from hard little logs to soft. I  called the vet and made an appointment for him ASAP. The vet examined him and asked lots of questions...did he drink stream water, did he eat something he shouldn't, perhaps some strange plant on one of our walks in the woods. She palpitated  his stomach check for pain reaction (none) and said she could feel excess fluids. Since he was eating and drinking as normal, frisky and active she gave him a shot of cerenia plus some cerenia and metronidazole tablets and prescribed a diet of boiled chicken breast and plain mashed potatoes in small amounts once that day and 3 small meals for the next few days. I followed the vets orders and Mojo was fine the next 2 days.  Yesterday we went on a 30 minute walk. After he wouldn't drink, usually after walking he likes a long drink of water. We went home and he refused lunch, nothing could tempt him to eat a bite and he wouldn't drink either. He was lethargic and drooling just laying on the floor unresponsive. I called the vet after looking up the cerenia and metronidazole...they both have lots of side effects, loss of appetite,  lethargy, excessive drooling, vomiting and diarrhea.  I really felt the meds could be possibly causing the problem since at first he was eating and drinking and playful. The vet said to wait till morning to see if he improves. It was a long night, instead of the sleeping in his create since he was all splayed out I decided to doodle proof my sewing/grooming room and sleep on the futon in there and him on his bed on the floor or the bare wooden floor as he loves stretching out on. I barely slept all night, turning the flashlight on him to see if he was breathing and if he was ok. In the morning he woke and followed me into the kitchen after his quick walk to relieve his bladder, he humped my leg and was playfully nipping my pj legs, he seemed normal again. I went to the fridge to try the food, he ate the small amount I gave him in a few gulps so I gave him a tiny bit more. I called the vet and explained Mojo's progress and they said  he didn't need to come in but to keep a close watch and if any vomiting to call. He was totally normal all day, eating, drinking and playing, I was so relieved. I took him out on a short walk and he pooped a very long (I mean huge) log. When I saw it I worried it could be a big worm but they had done a stool test a few days before. When I picked it up with the bag it felt rubbery and I had to really examine it and was shocked to realize it was a vegetarian Italian sausage. I had a package of them in my freezer. I'm really shocked at this and went to the freezer to check and the package had a tear and one was missing. Now I'm a real helicopter mom, I watch my doodle like a stalker but a few times when I went into the freezer (its on the bottom of the fridge) he has swiped things but as quick as he was I was quicker but this time he got it and must have swallowed it whole to avoid me from seeing. From now on he goes in his create when I have to dig around the freezer. I did call back to vet to explain and see if they wanted me to bring him in and or examine the poo. They said to keep an eye on him and call if any problems. So far so good, I'm keeping helicopter Revved  up and spy glasses on with my doodle from now on. I love my little boy so much and was so afraid of losing him.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Wow, what a thing to happen, a vegetarian sausage was the cause of his poor tummy upset.  He must have swallowed it whole and it never got digested....yikes!  So glad that all is well now. 

[Vivian & Mojo]

Thank you Nicky, it was really shocking to see that sausage and I feel so guilty and at fault that it happened. (But so relieved)

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Yikes Vivian.  I had a standard poodle that did crazy stuff like that.  Wilbur swallowed one of my diamond studs, another time a safety pin that was thankfully closed!  It seemed like it was always something with him and he had a medical file 4 inches think!  On the other hand, he was super intelligent and a real character.  After he passed away, we got our first doodle (Charlie), he is totally the opposite - never eats anything he shouldn't.  I hope our new puppy will be the same as Charlie, but who knows!  I am so glad your Mojo is doing better.  You better put a combination lock on that freezer - LOL.

[Vivian & Mojo]

Wow Linda, Wilbur was a wild smart poodle with good luck. I'm glad Charlie is such a good boy and I hope teaches Beau to be one as well.. BTW your new puppy is scrumptious.

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

Oh, I sure hope Beau is the same as Charlie. I was hoping to get a clone of Monty as well. He never surfed the counters, never unrolled the toilet paper, etc. Instead, we got Auggie who's done it all by the age of 5 months. It's just so funny how different they can be.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

OMD - I know, but I fear I may have the same situation as you.  He love to chase Charlie and grab his tail - and ears.  Charlie has finally learned to put him down and say no!  I did not know if he would ever do that.  But little Beau is a tease and chases Charlie and then runs under the furniture.  That all being said, I notice Charlie is taking his ball with the rope at both ends and dropping it in front of Beau to play tug!  Actually, it is quite cute, but I hope Charlie does not let him win.  I fear Beau has a stronger will than Charlie did at this age.  Time & training will tell.  My breeder uses bio-sensor testing for temperament and Beau and Charlie were the same exact in two area they were one point a part on each.  I am thinking - oh right, he is not like Charlie.  I am sure it is me - since Charlie is my little heart dog.  I know in time Beau will be too.  My husband is thrilled with Beau, and I am encouraging him to do some of the training.  We shall see.

[Sue & Lily Grace]

Bless you both. They are quick and do gulp if they think you are going to take something from them. Hope he continues to feel better.

[Vivian & Mojo]

Thank you Sue, yes very quick, many time I shoved my hand down his throat to grab a sock or something he shouldn't eat.

[Carol and Banjo]

Poor you!   You must have been very worried about your guy.    I'm so happy to hear he's doing ok.   Please forgive me Vivian....but I couldn't help but chuckle when you wrote you thought it might be a LARGE worm.....what a surprise when you discovered the truth!!!!!!    (Still chuckling...)

[Vivian & Mojo]

Your forgiven Carol, I'm laughing also and the fact it was an Italian sausage is pretty funny also now that all is well. I've been singing Italian songs to Mojo the last few hours ;-)

[Carol and Banjo]

I can't imagine how he ate it frozen!?   Banjo is very sneaky and when he finds something of very high value...like a turkey leg or ear of corn he runs into the living area with his prize with the intent of "burying" it in the cushions of the couch.   UGH!   Thankfully, I've caught him before he's actually "buried" his trophy.    I wonder if Mojo hid his prize til it thawed.....

[Vivian & Mojo]

Carol I wonder if he hid it till later as he is very cleaver How he could swallow a big sausage is beyond belief.  One day he was chewing on his leopard or so I thought but he had my glasses hidden under the toy and destroyed them beyond repair. He may have swallowed the screws as I never found them.    These doodles are too smart for their own heath at times.