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.

[Vivian & Mojo]

Thank you Jane, things are back to normal and I'm not even minding him humping my leg as much, it was so sad and frighting when he laid listless!

[Vivian & Mojo]

It is pretty funny Sandy and I'm glad I can laugh about it with all of you. (I am a pain in my vets rear also lol)

[Bonnie and Kona]

That dood of yours has some Mojo alright! Sneaking sausage out of the freezer right from under your nose! Such a funny boy! I'm so glad to hear that he has passed it and is on the mend. Hoping this is the last of the strange swallowings! hugs to you both. 

[Vivian & Mojo]

Thanks Bonnie, I'm kinda embarrassed that Mojo got by me with the sausage...this could have had a very bad ending. I will have to keep on my toes, he was sniffing around the kitchen a few minutes ago looking for trouble.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Wow, what a freak thing, but so glad you discovered the cause! Mojo, you stay out of the freezer!

[Vivian & Mojo]

Karen it is so freaky and the little stinker was stalking the fridge a little while ago. He will have to be created when I'm digging around in there. He is so quick.

[Colleen, Jake & Baxter]

I am glad that Mojo is doing better.  It is so scarey when they are ill and we don't know what is wrong with them.

[Vivian & Mojo]

I was really freaked out...thanks Colleen.

[Ginny Nightingale]

Wow--what a crazy story and so glad you were so watchful and caught the fact that he had just pooped out a sausage! Yikes!! I am glad he is feeling better--that sausage had to wind its way all the way thru the intestine--no wonder he felt sick! I have a bottom freezer too and my dogs' bully sticks are in there--so whenever I open the freezer they all come running--but none of them has ever grabbed at something. As far as swallowing it whole, I have told this story before, but it applies here too--I once witnessed my 38 pound doodle Mattie swallowing an entire squirrel in one very fast gulp--really. All that was left was about 1 inch of the tail. I would not have believed it if I had not seen it--so I am sure Mojo did the same.

[Vivian & Mojo]

Ginny I hover over Mojo with a poop bag every time he poops, I want to see it to tell how is is doing because he sometimes gets soft stools plus I want to pick it right up. I'm shocked about Mattie doodle swallowing that entire squirrel and amazed. I guess Mojo did it just like her.  Did she poop it out or did it digest?

[F, Calla & Luca]

What an ordeal, I'm glad things seem better.

[Vivian & Mojo]

Thank you Calla ;-) I'm watching him and the vet said to continue feeding the boiled chicken and plain mashed potatoes for the next week.