What signs do you look out for in a sick doodle?

[Heidi]

Bear was feeling fine this morning, playing fetch and running around like usual.  I went out to clean up the backyard and found out he had the runs real bad.  Then this evening he threw up.  A few hours later he started to dry heave.  He's been laying down ever since.  Two days ago he ate half a paper towel and I hope that isn't what is making him feel so bad.  I'm going to the vet in morning if he doesn't look any better.  It's just so hard since they can't tell you what is wrong.  Is there anything I should be watching out for?

[Heidi]

His breathing looks normal and his gums are nice and pink but his tummy is making gurgling noises.

[shelly]

Hi Heidi! I feel your pain! This has happened to Tori a couple of times. The first time, she had gotten in the garbage when I wasn't home and she was home with my son. She ate some left over boneless pork from the Chinese restaurant. I thought nothing of it - until the next day when she started throwing up. - Only once, but then she acted fine... the next day she was fine all day until 3 in the afternoon and got sick again... the vet already closed, but she seemed ok after that. Then (on a Sunday) she got sick again, but this time it was watery and was streaked with blood. We took her to the ER and they tested her, by then she also had bloody diarrhea - she tested positive for pancreatitis. She spent the night in the ER and then the whole next day at the vet. She now is on a lower fat food. Then it happened again recently (Nov). I was frantic trying to figure out just what she ate again.. my poor kids - I was like a lunatic telling them that they must have left something out for her to get... well long story short - it wasn't the pancreatitis - she had actually swallowed this teeny tiny screw. Would never have thought it could have caused such problem. Don't even know where she could have gotten it... THANK GOD it did pass after IV fluids, an overnight stay and a lot of praying. It caused such stomach upset that it caused havoc to her system - with vomiting and the runs again streaked with blood. These little rascals could lap up anything... Tori is a paper towel scoffer upper too. She usually throws them up and come out nice and formed the other way. Was there a chance there was any food in the one Bear ate? Or perhaps Bear just got a hold of something else. I am sure the vet will do x-rays. Will Bear drink anything? Is there blood in her stool? How is he acting? Keep us informed on how he is doing. I feel so sorry that you are going through this. I too hate when Tori is not doing well. Good luck!

[Heidi]

Just reading this scares me. So lucky that screw didn't hurt Tori's insides.

No there wasn't anything but juice from some meat on the paper towel he ate. He hasn't eaten today and had just a small amount of water this morning. No blood, so that's good news. Did Tori get lethargic?

Bear likes to swallow weird objects like Tori. Bear has swallowed a 1 1/2 inch rock and a couple of days threw it up and another time he swallowed a guitar pic and it came up a few days later. None of us know if he swallowed anything but that paper towel the other day. Last time he did that it came out the other end thankfully. But I haven't seen it yet. I think I will take him in first thing in the morning and get an x-ray on his tummy if he doesn't change.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Heidi, take him to the vet in the morning. Diarrhea 'real bad' plus vomiting plus not eating and only a little water all day plus lethargy means he needs to be seen. He is probably already dehydrated. I hope he'll be okay, please keep us posted.

[Heidi]

Thanks, I am taking him first thing.

[Deirdre]

DON'T let him eat any food tonight or in the morning prior to going to the vet. I just went through this with Gus and stuffing. If their intestines are clogged then they vomit there is "no room in there" the runs are an indication that the bowels are not moving propelry. It could be a build up of prior paper towels, socks, toys ect. That's what happened to Gus. I really feel as though my Dood has a pouch in his body that stores all his favorite prizes until he can't hold anymore.

[Heidi]

I am waiting for the Vet Hospital to open and while I was cleaning up the kitchen ,Bear ate some food that was in his bowl, left from yesterday. I thought this was a good sign. Then I got on line and read this and threw the rest of his kibble out. He only threw up once again last night, but then he just couldn't get comfortable all night. Now he's just laying around again. Not typical for a 10 month old doodle. I have about another half hour when the vet is open. Will let you know how he is after we see the vet. Thanks everyone for all you advice and kind words.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Heidi, I will be thinking of you tonight and hoping Bear checks out fine at the Vet's.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Hugs and kisses to Bear. We will be hoping it is just a little bug and he will be good as new after his trip to the vet! Let us know, we will be watching for updates.

[Sue & Willy Babe]

How is Bear doing I was just reading all of these messages Wilson Loves Kleenex but have been trying hard not too keep any in my pockets he loves going in my pockets in search of kleenex.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I'm so sorry to hear about Bear. Hopefully your night was okay, and you will get good news from the Vet today. These dogs will eat anything....I have to watch Guinness like a hawk. It's so stressful, but any little thing will make him sick. Good luck, and we'll be looking for your update.

[DeeDee and Sheila]

You are doing the right thing. The paper towel could be caught in the bowel and nothing will be able to get through. Better to be safe than sorry. Oh, these guys!!! And they don't ACT sick most of the time. Hope you get good news. Oh, GO TODAY.