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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Just brought my dog to the emergency vet

34 replies

ChicaWowWow · 20/02/2025 18:03

(Writing this here too, as I don't think Pets will have enough traffic)

I came back from our walk and 1h later, my dog started shaking, eyes, head and ears twitching, unsteady on his paws, unable to stand or walk for long. I drive him to the vet immediately (it's only a 15min drive away) and he threw up in the car (it stank of rotten things but I couldn't see anything i particular in it).

Vet said he must have eaten something toxic on the walk without me noticing giving him seizures. Took him in to sedate him and do blood tests, and told me he'll probably need to be kept in the overnight vet. We need to go and pick him up at 6pm from the vet to potentially drive him to overnight vet, depending on blood test results.

Anyone ever had this happen to their pet? What happens next? Was your pet OK?

I'm so scared for him. He's only 6! My mum lost her dog recently and his symptoms started the same way 😭

AIBU: it's just food poisoning, he'll get over it
YANBU: it sounds really bad, prepare for the worst

OP posts:
Kittkats · 20/02/2025 18:12

I’ve no experience of these symptoms, sorry, but I did have 2 cats that were poisoned. In their case it was antifreeze, and there is an antidote if the poison is identified in time.
It might be worth seeing if other local vets/ owners have encountered any poisoning recently and may know what the toxin is?
I hope he’s ok, it sounds terrifying xx

HoppityBun · 20/02/2025 18:13

I’m so sorry and I know how awful this feels. Antifreeze, yes, or a vape, perhaps. He’s in the best place xx

SingingSands · 20/02/2025 18:29

Option C: YANBU, it sounds really bad, but the vets will treat him.

I'm so sorry OP, this happened to my friend's dog recently - someone local has been leaving poisoned meat lying around and her Labrador gobbled it up unbeknownst to her.
He was treated overnight and came home the next day, a little subdued but all ok.

I really hope it will be the same for your boy. Take care x

Original poster
ChicaWowWow · 20/02/2025 18:47

Thank you all ❤️ My partner went to pick him up and is now driving to the overnight vet. The vet we saw said our dog vomited a few more times while he was there and that they couldn't see anything strange in it, but that the smell was really strange. They couldn't figure out what it smelled like. They said the kidney and liver are functioning ok and that he's lacking potassium (expected after vomiting). Not sure what they'll do at the overnight, if they'll just keep an eye on him until morning or if they'll pump his stomach or something like that.
The vet didn't seem extremely worried, so I'll try not to worry too much too.

@SingingSands I hope it is similar to your friend's lab, I'm so glad he got better so quick!

OP posts:
MatildaTheCat · 20/02/2025 18:52

My friend’s dog ate some human faeces which contained a high level of narcotic and caused similar symptoms. She did recover after prompt vet treatment.

I hope your dog is ok.

Invisablepanic · 20/02/2025 18:59

I hope your dog is ok, I think the main thing is that you've been very on the ball and gotten them straight to the vets.

Original poster
ChicaWowWow · 20/02/2025 19:27

Thank you for your replies, everyone. I feel a little less scared, but really teary. My partner said he was still shaking when he left him at the overnight vet, but he seemed calmer (earlier, his eyes were realy bulging out, his pupils looked massive, he was panting a lot and looked really bewildered, maybe it was something with drugs in?). The seizure-like shaking hasn't stopped, so they're gonna sedate him again, hoping for a settled night sleep for him.
I'm so glad I didn't think twice and just drove him there asap. I think if my mum hadn't lost her dog a few months ago after similar symptoms, I maybe would have been slower (my mum did bring her dog to the vet, by the way, but it was neurological and the vet couldn't do anything to save him, sadly).

OP posts:
Original poster
ChicaWowWow · 21/02/2025 05:55

Just had a pretty bad night sleep, but didn't have a phone call 🙏 They said no news is good news, as if anything bad happened, they'd call us straight away, so I'm feeling a bit more reassured this morning. They said that if they hadn't call us, to wait until after midday to call for news, so I'll keep this updated then (if anyone cares 😅😅😂).

OP posts:
Zanatdy · 21/02/2025 05:59

Really hope your dog is ok, mine has given me some worrying moments over the years. Try and get some rest

Swanchaser · 21/02/2025 06:06

Definitely care and would like an update! My dog can be a real scrounger, having been a stray in her past life. She will 'steal' anything she can find when we are out walking, so I can imagine how scary this is for you.

bluebalou · 21/02/2025 06:12

I care and wish your dog well and will be watching today ( in between working ha) hoping he's better Flowers

FastFood · 21/02/2025 06:15

100% would want an update!
Hope he's better soon ❤️

Hyperfish808 · 21/02/2025 06:16

Hope he’s ok.

JMSA · 21/02/2025 06:16

Update requested here too!
Really hope your dog is ok, but it does sound promisingSmile

Happyinarcon · 21/02/2025 06:20

How stressful, please update us

Original poster
ChicaWowWow · 21/02/2025 06:21

Thank you all 🥲🥲 I miss him so much! He usually loves a good fox poo to roll into, and he's food obsessed, but he's never eaten anything dangerous like this before, which makes me think that if it was drugs/rat poison or anything chemical, it was wrapped into meat and intentional (or I'm being paranoid?). Because at home, it's a struggle to make him have his worm treatment, even crushed in peanut butter, so I don't see him eat some random non food stuff like this. Anyway, you guys are so, so kind and supportive, it means a lot! I'll send you updates ❤️

OP posts:
LadyGrillingSole · 21/02/2025 06:31

I hope you get good news from your vet later and your boy is back home, on the couch, being spoiled for being so brave 🙂

Crikey, they do worry us, don't they!

YourSparklySeal · 21/02/2025 06:32

This happened to my dog when she was a pup. we rushed her to the vet and the vet basically just shrugged and said she must have eaten something. She was absolutely fine a few hours later.

Hope you get your dog back home today safe and well for lots of cuddles!

PinkCatInATree · 21/02/2025 06:46

Our dog found something when off lead in a field / open space and was poorly when we got home. Vets said it was likely to have been a cannabis plant - kept him in overnight (yes that's awful for us I agree). Right as rain in a couple of days. Do update please.

MuttsNutts · 21/02/2025 06:51

Good that you’re through the night without a phone call.

Hoping for good news later x

Fairislesweater · 21/02/2025 06:55

My friends dog had similar symptoms after eating some marijuana he found on a walk. He was fine.

Original poster
ChicaWowWow · 21/02/2025 09:01

We had a call from the vet saying his vitals are good, the shaking is down and he wants to eat. So all very good signs! Hoping we can pick him up later today, but they said they'd want to keep him 24h (so 6pm ish).

OP posts:
Honeyroar · 21/02/2025 09:04

That’s really good news.🎉🎉

Original poster
ChicaWowWow · 21/02/2025 09:47

Cannot wait to see his little face again and just curl up in bed with him 🥰 Not fully out of the woods yet (excuse the pun), but I think it is looking good 🙏

OP posts:
Happyinarcon · 21/02/2025 10:03

Fabulous news!! Thanks for updating us.
It’s good they’re keeping him in a bit longer just to be sure.