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The doghouse

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

When do you see a vet?

81 replies

lougle · 22/07/2014 09:28

Sorry if this seems like a stupid question.

Patch is a staffy x ?pointy of some variety.

Usually extremely energetic, bouncy, loves people. Usually he'll eat anything he sees and clears his food very quickly.

The night before last he was sick in the early hours. I'd say he vomited his whole dinner which had been given at around 6 pm.

Yesterday he seemed OK, eating and drinking, in and out of the house. But by last night he seemed a bit subdued. DH and I had a curry and normally he'd be right beside us in hope of us dropping some. Instead, he completely ignored it.

Last night he again vomited his whole dinner in the early hours. This morning he seems subdued. Didn't make a fuss when the children came into my bedroom. My father came in briefly to see him and although he trotted around a bit and jumped a couple of times, he usually goes dotty and he was noticeably calmer. Dad threw a toy for him and although he did trot off to get it, he didn't run and pounce like normal. He hasn't eaten his breakfast (Burns potato and pork).

He seems to be weeing and he's had a poo. The only other thing is that earlier he seemed as if he was nibbling something little in his mouth and his skin on his head was visibly jeering. I thought he was twitching when he was under my covers but I couldn't see if it was just dreamy jerks or something else.

DH has just come home and he hasn't even bothered to get up.

OP posts:
lougle · 22/07/2014 09:30

He's just been sick again.

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Lonecatwithkitten · 22/07/2014 09:30

So he has not kept down two meals 24 hours apart. And the weather is really hot I would say today. In the winter I won't rush so much. In the current weather thy can dehydrate really fast.

lougle · 22/07/2014 09:52

Yes, he managed to steal the left overs from my DD's cereal earlier and that's what he just vomited.

I phoned the vet and they've suggested starving him today, lifting his water and offering him regular small amounts so he can't gulp it, then tomorrow give either rice/chicken/egg/fish. If he's still vomiting after that I'm to phone again, or if he gets diarrhoea.

Does that sound sensible? It would mean he last had a meal 3 days ago by then and he's a skinny dog to start with -you can see his ribs without any effort.

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ClaimedByMe · 22/07/2014 09:59

I think I would want him to be seen by the vet today but our vet never gives advice over the phone unless you've already been seen in the last week, my mums dog had a sickness thing a few weeks ago and he was seen really quickly, sometimes I do worry I'm more over protective of my dog than children though so I'm probably not the best judge!

MitchellMummy · 22/07/2014 10:06

I'd be taking him to the vet today. One episode of sickness I don't normally worry about (unless it's bloody). But there's other signs too. Hope he makes a quick recovery.

lougle · 22/07/2014 10:14

Poorly boy Sad

When do you see a vet?
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moosemama · 22/07/2014 10:46

I'd want him checked over today. The fact that his behaviour is significantly different to normal would be the deciding factor for me. (Assuming he's usually his normally bouncy self in warm/hot weather.)

I've taken my dogs with a gut feeling they just weren't quite right and it's turned out that they had an illness I was unaware of. I would always prefer to waste a consultation fee and be told I am a fussy owner when there's any significant change in behaviour, than run the risk of missing something that could have been caught earlier if I'd trusted my instincts.

ClaimedByMe · 22/07/2014 10:48

Aww he is a sad looking boy! He is a stunning boy, loving his muscles, we have a staffy too but she's more like pumba the warthog from the lion king!

lougle · 22/07/2014 11:21

We moan about his boundless energy and enthusiasm when greeting us even if I've only been out of the house 5 minutes but I really want it back.

He's just vomited the small amounts of water I gave him 30 minutes ago.

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kilmuir · 22/07/2014 11:23

Get off here and get him to a vet!

FuckyNell · 22/07/2014 11:25

Take him to the vet!

FuckyNell · 22/07/2014 11:26

He may have a blockage

BellaVita · 22/07/2014 11:28

Poor boy. I would get him seen.

ClaimedByMe · 22/07/2014 11:29

I would insist on seeing a vet if he's not keeping water down it's too hot he may dehydrate quickly, bless him.

SpicyPear · 22/07/2014 11:38

Yep - vet for whiffie given multiple symptoms and weather.

lougle · 22/07/2014 13:15

I've phoned the vets back and asked for reassurance that starving him and offering small amounts of water is OK given the fact that he's not showing interest in the water and that the little he's had was vomited.

They've offered a 'sit and wait' appointment for 2 pm.

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MitchellMummy · 22/07/2014 13:45

Oh well it'll be worth it to get him on the road to recovery. Poor fella, not fun being ill in this heat. Hope he gets better soon.

moosemama · 22/07/2014 14:09

Fingers crossed it's nothing serious. Come back and let us know how you get on.

lougle · 22/07/2014 15:31

Thanks for your kind thoughts Smile

I'm back from the vets minus Patch.

The vet said that patch is very poorly and severely dehydrated. She wants to xray under GA as she suspects he's ingested a foreign body and has a blockage, but he's too dehydrated to sedate safely so they must give him iv fluid first. Once they've xrayed even if it's clear, they'll be operating if they have any doubt at all.

I need to call at 4 pm for an update.

I'm glad I didn't follow the phone advice and wait until tomorrow.

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soddinghormones · 22/07/2014 15:49

oh no - good thing you trusted your gut instinct and took him in

fingers crossed he picks up quickly and the vet gets him sorted

spiderlight · 22/07/2014 15:52

Oh, poor lad. I thought 'blockage' as soon as I read your OP. Hope he's soon on the mend, bless him. Keep us posted!

kilmuir · 22/07/2014 15:52

Hope he feels better soon

Ninetysixpercent · 22/07/2014 15:56

We had a dog in yesterday with exactly the same symptoms. Turned out to be a foreign body. Am surprised they told you to wait tbh.

Floralnomad · 22/07/2014 15:57

Fingers and paws crossed here for your little boy x

ClaimedByMe · 22/07/2014 16:00

Positive vibes for patch! My neighbours dog done this a few weeks ago and was back to his bouncing self less than 48 hours after they removed the pine cone!

Paws and fingers crossed here xx

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