Impacted Bowel / Constipation

[Christie and Jake]

I woke up Sunday morning to find Jake laying in his kennel where he had vomited.  I got him out and took him outside where he peed but didn't poop.  (He didn't poop Sat. night either)  I took him in and gave him a bath and fed him.  I noticed a sock in the vomit when I went to clean it up.  He's horrible about grabbing a sock or pair of panties and swallowing them before you can catch him.  He just layed around until he started vomiting again.  No blood, just mushy undigested food.  This went on all day.  He barely pooped once and it was very hard and very dark.  He didn't play, he just layed there all day.  Completely out of character as he is usually very wild.  He's 7 months old.  Never pooped anymore that day.  I thought it was because he had thrown everything up and didn't need too.  By Monday morning, he wouldn't eat at all and was still very lethargic.  I took him to the Vet worried that he might have an obstruction.  Vet ran blood work which was all normal, no temperature and xrays didn't show anything.  However, he could feel a mass in his intestines when he had him sedated.  It was soft but there was something there.  He gave him a major enema later and all kinds of fecal material and hair came out.  After that he couldn't feel the mass anymore.  He kept him on iv for fluids that day and started feeding him the next.  By Tuesday he was feeling more his old self and full of energy and eating really well.  He kept it all down.  He's still at the Vets being observed until he starts having bowel movements again.  I'm praying there's nothing else lodged in there and that he doesn't have to have surgery.  However, if he was just impacted what caused it and how do I prevent it from happening again?

[F, Calla & Luca]

Could he have eaten something he shouldn't have, including food. I'd watch him but if he's still like this tomorrow I guess you need to check him out with the vet. Don't force him to eat but see if he'll take some fluid, even broth flavored water.

[shelly]

Oh NO!  Do you think he can be eating something.. like a plant or berry outside when he goes potty?  Do you go out with him, or does he go out by himself?  Any houseplants around?  Does he snag contents of garbages?  I am sure you are so frustrated and worried.  I wouldn't force food on him... maybe some ice chips.. Is he on any medication?  What food does he eat?  Maybe there is something in his food that irritates him.  I know Tori had problems with food... every time I thought she was doing fine with one, she would vomit again.  I don't know if this actually was the problem, but once we switched her to canned food she did MUCH better.  Good luck!  I'll be checking in through the night!  As long as the vomit is not streaked with any blood., I wold wait andI would definitely call the vet in the morning.

[Christie and Jake]

Well, Jake continued to get sick so I took him back to the Vet Monday morning.  He did exploratory surgery that afternoon and found a think nylon sock that was stretched through the intestines.  This time he was totally blocked.  Apparently he had swallowed more than one sock and this one didn't come out.  He is doing well and will probably be at the Vet's all week.  They want to monitor him closely.  In the mean time, I will be making sure there is nothing laying around that he could get into when he comes home!  Bless his heart.  I feel so bad for him.  We should have been more careful.  I let my little guy down.  It's a wonder we didn't lose him.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Glad he pulled through but sorry the sock didn't. Silly doodle. But really he can't predict consequences.

[Mara, Sadie & Zoe]

So glad you got to the bottom of it all. Hope he will be feeling better soon.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I'm so happy to hear that he's going to be okay. 

[shelly]

WOW!  So sorry you are going through this!  I'm glad you finally found out what was bothering him and now he will begin to mend.  I am sure you feel upset with yourself.. try not to be so hard on yourself. ..we ALL do one time or another.  Tori has gotten herself into more than one "situation" and each time it was someone's fault in our house.  we too, have had to learn the hard way to be more diligent as to what we do with items dogs should not get a hold of.  I hope you ALL feel better soon!  {{{{{HUGS}}}}

[Colleen, Jake & Baxter]

So sorry to hear about Jake but glad that you finally know the cause.  These doodles are really something!  They will ignore something for a long time and suddenly develop an interest in eating it so it is so important to keep everything up and away from them.  I have learned the hard way myself.   My newest foster doodle loves underwear and I caught her chewing and ripping one of mine to shreds that I had inadvertently left out and she is almost 5 years old!  I had another doodle that would go through drawers and take things off of the dressers!!

My own Jake is sending your Jake doodle hugs and I am sending prayers for a speedy recovery.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Just catching up here now and reading all your news about the second sock and Jakes surgery. Sorry to hear all that .  I'm so glad he is Ok now and that he survived all that.  It's a pity that dogs don't associate eating all that stuff with the nasty illness and vet visits that follow on.  You should see my house.  All our shoes are on top of the highest cupboards.  Socks are firmly in the drawers and when they come off they go straight into the washing machine.  Put notices up in big writing "Sock free Zone"  Glad to know Jake is on the mend now, hopefully he is feeling a whole lot better and will be home very soon.

[Christie and Jake]

Thanks everyone for all your support!  Jake and I really appreciate it.  He is feeling better everyday and hopefully will be home by the weekend.  I miss my Doodle Boy!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I am so glad that you took Jake back to the vet's and that the 'real' problem was discovered. I am sure Jake will heal quickly now.