Take her to emergency clinic or wait until the morning? WARNING - POO Related

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

I have gone through four days of runny diarrhea (Sophie, not me). It's been messy and frustrating, but through it all she maintained her normal hyper personality so I didn't worry too much. Saturday morning I woke up to discover my apartment turned into an outhouse over night. I brought a sample in Saturday afternoon and the results were negative. I figured she got into something yucky. 

 

Sunday night I thought she was all good and gave her a meal of rice, boiled chicken, pumpkin, yogurt. I woke up Monday morning to find her covered in her own stinky diarrhea. Apart from having an awful mess to clean the diarrhea didn't stop for a while. Then it settled down and we took a long nap. thinking she'd be ok I stepped out for an hour and came back to diarrhea on my new love seat (thank goodness I had bought a cover for it). I put her in the tub while I peeled off the cover and while she was in there it was a constant stream. I got her all cleaned up and took her out and sure enough there was more to come.

 

I brought her to the vet clinic because I was too impatient to wait for a call back. The vet didn't see her but we had already had a note on file to give her panacur again around this time because of all the past issues she has had. I had refused it when they called a few weeks ago, she has been doing so well and figured she wouldn't need it (boy was I wrong!). They gave me the panacur, 5 days worth. I gave it to her last night with some yogurt, rice and a tiny bit of ground beef.

Back outside at 2am for another round, and again first thing in the morning. By this point each time she goes there is a tiny bit of fresh blood. Trying not to panick I chalk it up to a lot of irritation and figure my biggest concern is still dehydration. I made an appt at the vet for tomorrow at 8:30am, put her in her crate with a big bowl of water and head off to work. Come home at lunch, take her out and she has her bum tucked under as if she's 'holding it' and pulls me to the first patch of grass and lets loose. again after work with a little more bloodin it. I call the vet back. They already have on other emergency to deal with tonight so can't see her. They suggest if she's lethargic I need to take her to the 24 hr emergency clinic. She is definitely not as hyper as normal, but does perk up once in a while.  Her bum is really irritated, swollen and pink and she keeps licking it. I keep having to whipe her or put her in the tub for a full washing. Ever time she poops she drags her butt.

 

I'm really worried, but have been known to over react in the past. Should I wait till the morning or go to the emergency clinic at the cost of $155 for the visit, not including treatment?

 

What on earth could be causing this. For the past couple of months she's been thriving since she's been on orijen. She has not eaten anything weird and had a negative fecal. I'd do another fecal but there is nothing to collect. It is all liquid.

 

I have just given her rice and pumpkin and I put a bit of ground beef in the bottom of her water dish hoping she'd slurp some water up trying to get to it. It seemed to work, although more water ended up on the floor. I'm going to take her for a walk and see how she's feeling...I'm so so so worried.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

What doees it mean to have tacky gums?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Where they aren't real slick; when you run your finger over them, it should just glide. I never thought about that as a test for dehydration before.

[Jennifer and Jack]

That was one of the first tests they did on my Jack to see if he was dehydrated.... His gums were sort of sticky. It is a great way to tell.. or at least help you to know.. I never knew either...

[Ginny Nightingale]

First, you might be able to get her to lick or chew on ice cube--no food as others have suggested and NO MORE YOGURT! The rice chicken and pumpkin are OK, but dairy can really wreak havoc and could be the cause of your problems. My dog that had pups on Thursday needs calcium and I usually give her yogurt etc to keep her levels up--but i overdid it and she had the same issues until I cut the dairy out for a few days. I have slowly reintroduced it.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

oh my goodness, why didn't I realize this. I had been giving her some lately because I know she likes it and I had put a bit in Winston's bowl because I thought it would help his tummy deal with the antiobiotics he's on. That just might be it. Ok, no more yogurt!

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

We just got back from a long walk and there was definitely some of her usual spirit. I was so happy when she started pulling me around. I nearly lost control of the two of them when we came across a nice big bunny rabbit. Boy, Winston is so strong! I'm going to have to get him an Easy Walk Harness.

 

Honestly, my gut is telling me that the blood is from the bum scooting, like maybe she dragged her butt across a twig or a stone or something. I have a feeling that she might need her anal glands expressed and perhaps some metronidazole for her bowels. Definitely no more food, although I feel so bad because I can tell she is hungry, which I guess is a good sign. I'm thinking at this point I'd rather be up in the night with her than to have to go to the emergency vet. These vet bills are really taking a toll on my bank account, and I think with a few more vet trips I could open up my own practice as I'm becoming an expert!

 

... ok now she is wrestling with Winston, that's a good sign. I need to relax!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

For bad bouts of diarrhea I have given 1/2 tablet of Imodium.  It works.  At least until you get to the vet tomorrow. So sorry.  How frustrating.

[Kyoko]

Oh... poor Sophie... ( and Sherri ) you both must be exhausted and miserable.... :-( I dont have much of suggestions, but I hope she feels better soon.....

[Jennifer and Jack]

Oh I am so sorry.. I hate when our babies are sick.. I just went though this with Jack and I went to the ER several times so I hear you on the bills, (though I have insurance you have to put it out first) I literally had to stop payment on things until some money came back to me.

 

I worry about that amount of fluid coming out of her body, I agree no more food.. but if you think she is dehydrated, I personally would not wait till the morning.... I know the local vet is cheaper..

 

I am a little disappointed that your vet was too busy to see her.. my vet no matter what makes time, but just tells me I have to wait...

 

Hoping all goes well for you.... Keep us updated.

[Diana Erhart]

Just my two cents worth, but I would consider the emergency clinic if she has any more bowel movements tonight.  Personally, it would make me mad that my baby was sick and my regular vet wouldn't make time for me.  Maybe I am spoiled because we have a wonderful vet.  But maybe a look by a fresh set of eyes is needed since you said this has been going on for awhile.  I hope your poor baby gets to being better soon, that explosive poop can take its toll on both of you.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Good Luck Sherri, and only you can make the choice, I am on the side of waiting as long as her gums are pink and she is still playing and happy....you do have to be a bit sensible about the $$ too.

[Donna K & Quincy]

Sophie, hope you are feeling better soon, your mom is worried about you!