How to cope overnight with doggy diarrhoea

[garibaldi88]

Our 16 year old lab collie cross had a large lump removed from his side on Wednesday, and now has open drains which are due to be removed tomorrow. He's on antibiotics and metacam. Vet advised to get him eating asap, and after slow start yesterday he's eaten pretty much as normal today.

Problem is, he started just leaking poo. It is dripping out if he walks, and when he lies down. We've spent last couple of hours cleaning him and the kitchen, where we've confined him because of wood floor.

My question is, does anyone have any tips to help him and us get through the night? I want to try to keep his wound and drains clean, but he's constantly in a puddle of poo. After changing the t-shirt he's wearing to cover his body and his towels three times already tonight, I'm running out of ideas.

Would human incontinence pants I could get from supermarket be adaptable to contain some of the mess? Any other tips? Thanks on advance!

I think this would merit a call to the vet, even at this time of night, to get advice.

I'd also be contacting your vet (or whoever operates the out of hours service if they don't run their own) about this.

It's not unusual for dogs to be a bit loose after a GA but constantly leaking poo is so far beyond normal it definitely needs investigating urgently, particularly given his age. Elderly dogs can become dehydrated very quickly if they've got severe diarrhoea or vomiting, even if they appear to be drinking ok. I once nearly lost an old dog to a simple stomach bug and the speed he went downhill once he reached the tipping point past which he couldn't keep hydrated was terrifying.

Meloxicam (Metacam/Loxicom) can also have gastro side effects which can be very serious and also need looking into immediately as it may be necessary to switch him to another painkiller.

Inco pants would work if he won't chew them off. I know people who use nappies on their dogs when they're in season, just vpcut a hole for the tail.

Thanks everyone, I've phoned the vet OOH and they've said not to give him more metacam, cover his body and drain with a t-shirt (now on my favourite ones as old tatty ones all in wash), and see vet first thing tomorrow. Have just done another full clean down and soaped his bottom half, but more mess. It gonna be a long night.

Poor you, poor dog. How is he doing?

Thanks mistysparrow, both he and I are a lot better thanks! He had a day of little food, then just chicken and rice. Vet prescribed tramadol for pain relief, which she said would also help with the diarrhoea. He also had something else (some kind of paste in a tube) to settle his stomach. He's happily on the mend.