UUUGH. Darwin Just Ate a Chicken Carcass...UPDATE 4

[Camilla and Darwin]

Okay guys, we have been transitioning Darwin to free roam and he has been doing perfectly. We always put the garbage up though, because he is a sneak and will get into it. Well this time we forgot. And he ate an entire carcass of a rotisserie chicken out of it. I know that chicken bones are dangerous, and I know to feed him white bread. DH is getting that now. The question is, how serious is this? Can we feed him the white bread and just observe him? He seems to be acting normally but this only happened an hour ago or so. 

Our vet is 3 hours away and closed. So if possible I'd like to just watch him for any signs. But I'd appreciate any advice... 

How much white bread should we give him?

He seems so happy and pleased with himself that I keep forgetting to feel guilty. But I am... bad us. :-(

This morning I took Darwin out to go and he did go poo without any problem. I didn't see any chicken bones in it, but he didn't have trouble getting it out. I fed him more food and some more bread as well. He didn't finish the bread... I guess he's too full. He's been acting normally other than that. Thanks for you concern everyone, just when we think we have made all the dumb mistakes we possibly can.... always be watchful. :-) I will continue to update.

 

UPDATE 2:

He has gone poo 3 times today already. The first was normal, the last two have been diarrhea. No blood, or bone fragments. I'm concerned about the diarrhea but at least he's having no issues going?

 

UPDATE 3

He is still having liquid diarrhea and had to go at 4:30 this morning, then again at 7:00. He also threw up his kibble from last night, which still looked like kibble. I am stressing out because we really can't take him with diarrhea, but we really can't cancel this trip either. I would just take him to the vet, but it's a 5-6 hour drive round trip... in the wrong direction. Unsure of what to do at this point. DH is buying pumpkin.

 

UPDATE 4

Now that we are back from Idaho I thought I would update everyone again. Darwin is doing extremely well. The vet gave us medicine that coated his stomach to prevent small splinters from scraping or puncturing. She also gave him a shot to calm his stomach and an anti-diarrhea medicine. It cleared up almost immediately and it was pretty obvious that he felt much better. We went up to Idaho immediately after, and he slept most of the way which was nice. He was energetic and alert, and very well behaved the whole weekend. We fed him chicken and rice which he felt was a special treat. :-)  I was relieved and proud of him for being such a good boy. :-) He had solid poos the next morning and hasn't had a problem since.

Next, I want to thank all of you SO MUCH. You have all been so helpful. I received offers of help for any possible bills and so much awesome advice. This is truly such a special and supportive group and I am so grateful. Darwin is sending virtual doodle kisses to all of you!

Nobody is perfect, but that doesn't make it feel any less bad when you make a mistake that lands your dood in trouble. :-( I'm so glad he was okay and I am reminded to always be careful and watchful. Also I'd like to remind everyone to get insurance now! We have insurance for Darwin and it was a huge relief. I did look up the policy and found out that F was correct, our insurance does cover emergency vets, they cover 80% which is awesome. It's another good reminder to study your insurance policies so that if a situation like this comes up you won't panic or put off going like I did. 

Thanks again to everyone, you are the best.

 

[Sue & Lily Grace]

I hope calling the vet is a feasible option. I am hoping Darwin feels better and then you will too. It is times like this that I know how blessed I am to have 4 vets and two emergency vets within 5 miles of where I live. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Darwin.

[Elizabeth & Cosmo]

Camilla, are you in Logan? If so, there is a clinic in North Logan whose website says they opened at 8:00 your time. They're AAHA accredited.

Here's the URL: http://www.mtnviewvet.com/Mountain_View_Veterinary_Health_Center/Lo...

and phone: [phone]

Hope this helps! Sending up thoughts and prayers that this is just too much chicken fat for Darwin!

[Camilla and Darwin]

Well, I called the ER. They said they would watch him for a few hours, and if the vomiting and diarrhea continue then they would recommend bringing him in. I don't know if it's just diarrhea and no more vomiting is it an issue, or either? Also, I think I might rather take him earlier rather than later... due to the trip. One thing that does kind of concern me is that after each diarrhea he is straining for quite a while, as though trying to get something out although nothing comes out. Maybe we should just head down now, they will be open by the time we get there...

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I don't want to scare you, but JD was walking around with bone fragments from that hambone in his GI tract for a couple of weeks before he vomited them up, and he wan't even showing symptoms like diarrhea or vomiting prior to that. For all we know, that was what caused the initial inflammation/damage to his GI tract that precipitated the IBD.

No more vomiting would be a good sign. If the diarrhea stops and it's only vomiting, that would not be good.

[Camilla and Darwin]

He hasn't vomited since 4:30, but he also hasn't eaten anything else. He wouldn't eat the pumpkin. Not sure what that means.

[Jennifer and Jack]

I am so sorry!!! So sorry, from what i know about obstructions in humans it sounds like Dawin is having one. The fact that the food is coming up undigested and total liquid stool would lead me to believe that something's stuck.

Of course I don't know that. Is there a closer ER you can go to, anywhere that can do x rays to see what is going on. I wouldn't wait, perforated bowels is a night mare. Not saying that is going to happen but you don't want it to and to me Darwin is showing signs of distress!

Much love and prayers

[Camilla and Darwin]

I don't know if this sounds selfish or crass but we really don't want to take him to an er vet if we can help it. Unless our insurance (bronze plan pet plan) will cover an er vet, which I don't think it does. Because we can't afford it. I mean literally, CAN'T. 

The good news is that I just realized our vet has another location about an hour away. We are going to head there as soon as DH gets out of the shower I think.

Also, not sure if this is relevant, but Darwin is acting completely normal, energetic and drinking.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I would take him. Your insurance should cover an ER vet if it's an emergency, which it is. Why wouldn't it? The vomiting on top of the diarrhea concerns me. And to be on the road with no resources, not good. I am pretty conservative about these things but he could have pancreatitis or an obstruction.

[Jennifer and Jack]

If you have pet plan bronze ...it totally covers ER visits, I have gold and in emergency settings I don't even have a deductible.

I know and totally understand about not having the money, since you have insurance can you borrow it from someone? Pet plan pays you back pretty fast..literally days from the time you submit bills.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Camilla, We all love you and Darwin so much. I hope you know that you can turn to us for help. I don't have much money these days either, but honestly I could make a contribution to the vet bill for Darwin. I think your insurance doesn't care which vet you go to... particularly in an emergency... that's what insurance is for. Praying that all is okay and that you get some helpful answers today. 

[Camilla and Darwin]

You are so nice, I'm really touched. Darwin is in right now getting tested for blockage or pancreatis. I will keep you all updated as soon as we know anything.

[Sue & Lily Grace]

I will help also in honor of Cassie who I could not help no matter how hard I tried. Please leave me a message how I can get the help to you.