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If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

The doghouse

advice please - lab just "not right"

15 replies

tibni · 16/07/2011 19:09

2 year old lab, Alfie, just isnt right. He still has his waggy tail, is alert if a little quieter than usual, happy to play. BUT - he has had a little sickness (plant mainly coming up - he does like to prune our plants) and he is off his food (unheard of). More of concern is he has not drunk very much today, not that he is a huge drinker. He is still weeing, but possibly less than normal, and he has done a poo today.

Can't get hold of our usual vet (although there is an answer message with emergency number to another vet). Alfie is our first dog so I am prepared to be told I am being a bit precious . I can see he is not an emergency but I am concerned. Any words of wisdom appreciated.

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tibni · 16/07/2011 19:46

dh just took alfie a little walk on the field and he has come back and had a drink so I am relaxing a bit now. dc are older and ds is non verbal ASD so you would think I would be a bit more chilled but he is my first dog!

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TinFairy · 16/07/2011 20:10

If he's eating, drinking and was happy to have a walk, I wouldn't worry too much. Just keep an eye on him and he'll probably be fine but if he deteriorates at all, then ring the emergency vet.

Some plants can be toxic to dogs so you should discourage him from pruning or remove them from the garden, if possible. There's some info here about toxic plants.

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sharbie · 16/07/2011 20:13

don't let him eat plants - loads are v v toxic

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tibni · 16/07/2011 20:16

Thanks TinFairy - we have fenced off most our plants as ds ASD also likes to eat them but I know Alf has been chomping at the grass and trying to get at the plants.

Alfie enjoyed his walk, has drank but not eaten and doesnt seem hungry (v unusual). When he does regain his appetite it will be rice and fish for a couple of days.

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TinFairy · 16/07/2011 20:22

A Lab off his food is a bit of a worry. Eating grass can make them a bit boaky but shouldn't affect his appetite under normal circumstances.

Is it particularly warm or humid where you are? That can put them off their food a little.

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Ephiny · 16/07/2011 20:31

Sounds like one of the plants he's eaten might have given him an upset tummy? I wouldn't panic if he seems well enough in himself, but keep an eye on him and maybe take him to the vet on Monday if he still doesn't seem right?

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tibni · 16/07/2011 20:32

Not over warm no. Alfie is normally very food motivated, in fact has never been off his food before (even after we had his bits cut off!). He did eat a tiny square of cheese off dh earlier, in fact begged for it - but he didnt eat his breakfast.

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tibni · 16/07/2011 20:38

Thanks Ephiny, that is what I had in mind as I would prefer to use our normal vet if possible. Will def book him in Monday if in any doubt. Feel like we live at vet, Alfie has had a bad ear infection so we have been back and forward - ear was tested and it is a type of yeast infection.

We had noticed him trying to get to plants over the last few days - in fact I have started letting him sit on the drive at the side of the house watching the world go by rather than leaving him to wonder in and out of the back garden because of this.

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tibni · 16/07/2011 20:50

dh just put a bit of plain rice on his hand and Alfie has scoffed it so we have given him a small bowl of rice which he has demolished.

He is on escorted visits only to the garden!

Guess I trust my instincts with the dc (even non verbal ds) but I am still learning with the dog.

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Ephiny · 16/07/2011 21:47

Oh that's good, hopefully he'll be back to his usual self soon :)

I wonder actually if maybe the plant thing might be the other way round - not so much the cause of his sickness as an attempt to self-medicate, especially if it's just happened the last couple of days? Obviously not a good idea for him to be eating random plants either way of course!

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tibni · 17/07/2011 09:25

Well he is happy and bright this morning and obviously very hungry this morning. Enjoyed his walk, drank from a puddle and begging for food - so typical lab behaviour

I dont have any new plants and I know he has always tried to eat the existing plants and we have not had issues before. He sometimes chews things but these days mainly his nylon bone and the odd toy so I didnt think he would have swallowed anything he shouldn't.

He is such a fab dog, and very much a member of the family.

Thanks for all the suggestions and support.

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TinFairy · 17/07/2011 09:48

Glad to hear he's his usual self this morning

Labs are walking waste disposal units. You'll probably never manage to stop him eating the odd thing that he shouldn't so you can only try to manage the risk and be vigilant for changes in his behaviour - like you did this time.

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tibni · 18/07/2011 14:47

Not 100% again today so he is booked in at the vet at 6.30pm.

Slight sickness - slime and brownish earlier. Has eaten and drank but no enthusiasm. He is bright enough in himself but I want him checking out.

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sharbie · 18/07/2011 17:07

good luck hope he is ok

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tibni · 18/07/2011 19:09

Text from dh, Alfie has gastroenteritis. He has had an injection and has some tablets.

He has been brighter this afternoon, back to normal, but I wanted to get him checked and I am really glad we have.