My Old boy suddenly can’t pee or poo, that’s not good is it?

[GazingAndGrazing]

Only started today and I have a vet appt this afternoon.

Google search is scary and I’ve also got the added worry that his is a recent rescue with no insurance yet.

He is approx 10, is there any easy fix and what can it be?

[fairydustandpixies]

OP, I've only just seen this thread and wanted to say how amazing you are looking after such a handsome boy! I have a 13yr old staffie who was a rescue and they are the absolute best. I'm sending you lots of love and hope he recovers quickly. They're tough old things who thrive on love, tickles, snacks, laps, your bed, more tickles and extra cuddles. My old boy is struggling in the heat atm so I'm using a plant mister to spray him with cold water every hour or so. Also ice cubes in his water bowl.
Keep us updated, sending him all the best! Hope to see photos of him jogging outside soon!

[Floralnomad]

@GazingAndGrazing how is he this morning ?

[GazingAndGrazing]

[quote Floralnomad]@GazingAndGrazing how is he this morning ?[/quote]
A bit hit and miss, I’m waiting for the nurse to call me back. His flank was very wet when we went to take him to bed at midnight.

He did sleep till 6am though but again his bed was soaked, not sure if that’s ok or not. The catheter is working and he quickly cottoned on that if I sit on the grass and he rolls for a belly rub I will then relieve him (eww typing that sounds VERY wrong )

The catheter is a doodle to do and he has eaten and drank. I didn’t expect such a big scar either!

[Floralnomad]

It could be that the catheter is bypassing , I’ve no experience of catheters with dogs but plenty with humans , and that was a fairly common problem . That in itself won’t be a major issue as long as you can keep the skin as clean and dry as you can . The fact that it’s still emptying when you do it manually proves it’s still in the correct place and not blocked .

[GazingAndGrazing]

@Floralnomad

It could be that the catheter is bypassing , I’ve no experience of catheters with dogs but plenty with humans , and that was a fairly common problem . That in itself won’t be a major issue as long as you can keep the skin as clean and dry as you can . The fact that it’s still emptying when you do it manually proves it’s still in the correct place and not blocked .

Thank you, that does make sense. I’ve just drained it again and only got a dribble out but he is sleeping on a cool mat in front of a fan so I’ll leave him be for now.

[GazingAndGrazing]

Quick update, another vet visit to remove the sodden bandages and we left with a dribble willy so I’ve bought Pack of dog ‘nappies’ and giving lots of garden time.

I haven’t managed to get anything drawn from the catheter since coming home from the vet with everything now exposed and we are going back tomorrow evening to have the catheter removed.

In himself he is much more lively, eating well and did a poo in the first dog nappy (thanks mr 23kg D dog who hasn’t had a proper one since sat morning...) that was worse than learning how to drain a catheter on a sick and grumpy dog!

Me, I’m done in, I ache from all the lifting and shuffling and worry. Early starts, late nights and the feeling of impending doom and helplessness and I smell of wee, even though I’ve showered, so does my car... wouldn’t change it though, he is my boy

[Floralnomad]

It sounds very positive that he feels better in himself and you are doing a great job as dog nurse , hope he has another peaceful night .

[JustAddCoffee91]

OP you sound like such an amazing person!
I lost my boy a few months back he wasn't peeing and his stools were black... not a good outcome in our case but I'm so happy your beautiful boy is doing so well and has an amazing owner... you should be proud of yourself x

[Pelleas]

That's brilliant news, it really sounds like he's on the mend now. Hopefully once the catheter is out he'll get back to normal weeing.

You need to take care of yourself now, I'm not surprised you feel all in. Is there something you can do to pamper yourself - lie on the sofa with a new book, or binge on a box-set, get a takeaway so you don't have to cook and give yourself a proper rest?

[Whitegrenache]

What an amazing thing you have done for this lovely Dog x
Hopefully he will be feeling better soon and live out his twilight years happily with you

[GazingAndGrazing]

Aww, I don’t feel amazing but it’s a nice thing to read about myself .

Not great news this morning, he slept well in his nappy but his catheter has disappeared ??? And he still isn’t wee’ing

I hate to talk about money but the invoice is enormous already, they charged me yesterday to remove and re dress the bandages even though I don’t think they should have dressed it like that in the first place and even when he dribbles it’s pure blood.

It’s nearly a week since this all started. I don’t know, I’m probably just tired and not thinking straight.

Really appreciate having some where to have a groan, thank you

[Wolfiefan]

We’re here and thinking of you both.

[GazingAndGrazing]

@Wolfiefan

We’re here and thinking of you both.

I don’t know what to do for the best. My DH is calling the vets now, I wimped out, I can’t talk to them about it anymore.

I’m so stressed, anxious my ibs has flared up and I think I have a bout of sciatica due to lifting the big old bugger up, over, down, just sitting on the grass and cold floor . I know it’s not about me, he has lost his spark and seeing him slumping about in a nappy is just heartbreaking.

He is sleeping on his own in the kitchen whereas he would normally kick up at right old grumble if I left him alone, he would be by my feet or sitting on the chair next to me whilst I work. We are buddies, this is fucking awful

[Wolfiefan]

I know you will do what’s best for him. And the vet will advise. I’m so sorry you’re going through this. And if you have to say goodbye then at least you know you tried your very best. It’s awful to say goodbye but better a day too early than a minute too late.

[Floralnomad]

Oh dear that doesn’t sound very good at all , please take care of yourself @GazingAndGrazing x

[Pelleas]

Wolfiefan is right - be guided by the vet. You've done everything you can for your boy and ultimately you have to consider his quality of life and whether further treatment is the right thing, given his age. I have had experience of PTS and a natural passing and saying goodbye in a planned and peaceful way is far, far better than the alternative. Thinking of you

[GazingAndGrazing]

The vet has given him stronger pain relief so he is zonked out and not passing about so much.

They want to do the same at 5.30 today plus a muscle relaxer, spasm thingy and hopefully that will do the trick.

I’ve had to ask DH to come with me I honestly can’t lift him anymore today! Luckily DH also thinks the world of him and has been a complete rockstar during it all.

I’m off for a lie down whilst he is peaceful. Thanks for being here

[Floralnomad]

Have they retrieved the catheter ?

[mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork]

Speaking from personal experience(!), it is normal to pass blood for some days after having stones removed (and catheter). It is early days yet and he will be feeling pain/discomfort until it all settles down. Also, in humans at least, they often can't pee after a catheter has been removed and it has to be put in again for a day or two and then removed (trial without catheter) again to see if they can manage without. When my old girl was in pain after an abdominal operation, she "lost her spark" too and it was very scary. However, as the pain abated, she "came back". Fingers crossed for your old boy.
Re the money, do you belong to a local facebook dogowning group? Sometimes on ours, people appeal for kind donations if their dog needs vet treatment they can't afford (especially if they have taken on a rescue such as yours). I don't think that is cheeky in the circumstances, as most people would struggle with unexpected bills like that for a newly rescued dog. After all, people have the option not to donate.

[Lougle]

You must be beyond exhausted. I'm glad you're back at the vet later.

[Pumpkintopf]

Fingers crossed for you op, you're doing amazingly well for your ddog.

[Pelleas]

Crossing fingers that he has a good night - and that you manage to get some sleep as you must badly need it.

[GazingAndGrazing]

Morning! Yay, a full nights sleep for us all and we were greeted with the usual wagging bottom and belly rubs which we haven’t seen for nearly a week!

Looks like we have turned a corner, finally! Thank you for holding my hand, such a worrying time

We refused to pay anymore than the original quote (which was already humongous) and after a few words back and forth they agreed we didn’t owe anymore. Phew

[Floralnomad]

That all sounds very positive , hope you all have a good day .

[Pumpkintopf]

Was wondering how everything was op, so pleased to read your update!