Just back from the vet. UPDATE, Monday Update

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I got home late last night from Amsterdam where I have been for the past four days.  I was on business but got to spend two whole days between meetings in that wonderful city.  Cheek by jowl with Van Gogh and Rembrandt!  This morning I got up to diarrhea in he lounge and Boris needing a bath.  I bathed him at 7.30 and got up.  He went again twice and then started throwing up bile.  This went on until lunchtime so I made a vet appointment and we went at 4pm. He had six bouts of diarrhea and vomited bile three times before the vet.   My major worry is that he has eaten something that is stuck and as I wasn't here I don't know what that could be.  My partner said he was eating fine while I was away and had his last meal yesterday evening.  The vet said he doesn't think there is something there bu couldn't rule it out.  No fever so he gave him an anti-emetic injection and told me to cook boiled chicken and rice.  He also gave me some paste in a syringe which I have to give three times per day.  He was full of beans in the vets and interestingly the vet told me to tap him on his head while he jabbed him with the needle saying this would help counteract the soreness of the injection which he said was a sore one and he said he hated the thought of hurting him and making him fearful of vet visits.   Boris didn't flinch so It obviously worked.  It's a T-Tellington touch thing but I wonder if the distraction of me tapping his head was what helped.  We are home now and he has eaten some rice and chicken and I am hoping for an uneventful night.  Fingers crossed.

*MORNING UPDATE*

We spent a very restless night with Boris waking every hour and needing to go outside.  He has stopped vomiting (probably due to the medication) but still has the diarrhea and this is just a little liquid now as he has nothing left in his tummy.  This morning he did take some water but refused all food.  I gave him a popsicle which he has been licking.  It's a frozen yoghurt one.  I'm cooking some chicken broth now and hopefully he will take some of that.  From the straining there is still a little bleeding but it is fresh blood and not internal.  Generally he is in better form than I would have expected but we are very worried.  I will wait to see how the morning goes and if this does not settle will take him to the ER this afternoon.  I cannot think what this could be and we have been wracking our brains to see if we can think of something he might have ingested.  No one fed him any treats that may be suspect and he has not chewed anything inappropriate as far as we know.  I am working to make sure he does not get dehydrated

*Monday Morning*

I think we've turned the corner! We were only woken once during the night at 2.30 and Boris slept straight through until 7.30.  He still has some diarrhea but is back to his normal self, hungry and playing with his toys and with Riley. No more bleeding either (TG) I called the vet and asked about transitioning back to food but she just advised  ID Hills food.  I asked what was in it and she said she didn't know but would call me back.  I did a search and here's what it is

Water, Turkey, Egg Product, Pork Liver, Rice, Whole Grain Corn, Rice Starch, Powdered Cellulose, Dried Beet Pulp, Dicalcium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Caramel Color, Flaxseed, Calcium Carbonate, Iodized Salt, Choline Chloride, L-Threonine, DL-Methionine, Vitamin E Supplement, L-Tryptophan, Taurine, Iron Oxide, Ascorbic Acid (source of vitamin C), Zinc Oxide, Ferrous Sulfate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Cysteine, Magnesium Oxide, Beta-Carotene, Manganous Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Biotin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Calcium Iodate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid, Sodium Selenite.

As I know from the Food Group there is nothing in the above that I would want or need to give to my dogs!!!!  I am waiting for the call back and will have the conversation LOL

I am just feeding the broth that I made myself.  Boiled fat free chicken, rice and sweet potato and hopefully his tummy will settle soon.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

No, he told me to call him tomorrow if he is not better.  I'm guessing that if that happens there will be bloods, fecal etc.  I'm just watching carefully and if necessary will not wait until tomorrow.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

My concern right now would be dehydration.  Is the frozen yoghurt popsicle "non fat"?  If it isn't I'd be pretty careful, just in case it's pancreatitis.  I find popsicles a great way to get fluids into them quickly but I always give the plain ones.  If you find he isn't holding down liquids by mid-day I'd be tempted to bring him back at least to get subqutaneous fluids until they can do more testing.  I'm a bit of an "over-worrier" but after my experiences with Guinness's pancreatitis I can't help it.  Please keep us posted....sending positive thoughts that this is nothing more than a "tummy bug".

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

The popsicle was non fat and he just had a good portion of the broth which was very liquid and he really seemed to like it so I'm a little happier that he has had both of these. I boiled a chicken for an hour and removed all skin and fat before boiling.  I added a little boiled very soft carrot and some white rice.  His gums are very pale though but they are now wet. I'm doing the pinch test on his neck very often and it's ok so far. I am very experienced with dehydration and am watching very carefully.  He is still wagging his little tail.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Oh good, this sounds like better news.  If he kept down the popsicle and the broth I think that's a really good sign.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Nicky, I'm sure you are so worried. Praying Boris is going to be fine!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Nicky, I think it sounds very reassuring that he is interested in the popsicle. I hope he feels better today. I am thinking about you.

Oops...I just read your comment above....even better with the chicken broth. Sounds like you are taking excellent card of little Boris.

[Doris, Knox & Flash]

So sorry that you had another restless night with Boris. I hope he starts to turn the corner soon and begins feeling better! Sending hugs from Texas!

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

This sounds like better news. I hope he begins to improve today. Sending positive thoughts your way.

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

I am so sorry to hear this is going on with your poor little baby Boris.  I don't know what to say except keep the vet informed.  I would be so worried too!  How is Riley dealing with this?  Does he seem to notice?  They couldn't tell if there was something stuck in his stomach or intestines?  Is it because of his age?  Please keep us informed.  We are all thinking of you.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I read your update and I hope today things will settle down. It could just be a virus, that's what I'm hoping.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Poor Boris and poor you. I hope he starts to improve very soon.

[Christine & Shelby]

So sorry to hear that Boris is having this issue. It sounds very similar to an episode Shelby had when she was still a pup and I remember the doc saying the shot to stop the nausea was not a fun one and that it stings quite a bit. Shelby's vomiting stopped first and for another 24 hours or so she was hesitant to eat. It took 24-36 hours until she showed interest in food again. So... Hopefully tonight or tomorrow morning his appetite will kick in :).
Keep us updated!!!