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The doghouse

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

Original poster

How the hell do we get food into our dog?

44 replies

Sixmonthcruise · 23/07/2023 08:57

We have had our rescue for almost a year. He is nearly 3 years old. Although he has many behavioural issues he is basically fit and healthy.
However, at the beginning of last week he started to yelp when he ate and it became apparent there was something wrong with his mouth/jaw area.
Because of his history, he does not like to be examined thoroughly and absolutely hates the vets (we have to have examinations either in the car park or go through to the vets via the back door).

The vet could not examin him so we opted for him to be put under anaesthetic on Wednesday for a thorough examination of his mouth and ears.
He had two Trazadone beforehand to allow us to get him to the vets. The day before he had 2 Gabapentin for the pain and 2 afterwards.

The vets say they could not find anything but there was a bruised/purple area on his gum (which we believe was from him grabbing a branch from a bush on his walk a few days beforehand).

However, since Wednesday he has gone downhill somewhat. He was not too bad on Thursday but would not eat which I put down to the anaesthesia but has not touched any food since.

The most worrying thing is from Thursday he started getting diarrhoea which has progressively become worse and since Friday evening it has been pure blood (the colour of claret).

We took him to the vet yesterday. They didn’t seem at all concerned (he even passed this claret coloured diarrhoea in the examination room) and said this has probably been caused by the anaesthesia. The vet told us to get probiotics into him and try to get food in him over the next few days. He couldn’t examine him as he was too agitated, he wanted to check his gums for signs of anaemia but as he was fully alert and appeared to have lots of energy he was happy with the signs.

But dh and I are concerned this morning. We have got up to a few more piles of claret coloured watery patches in the kitchen (and he has been in the garden and passed some more) and although he has been able to go out into the garden and still seems to have energy, he will still not eat anything. Therefore I can not get the probiotics into him.
I managed to look at his gums and his under eye lids and they are very pale.

How the hell do we get food into him? I have tried everything:- scrambled egg, rice, chicken, ham, Turkey, wet dog food, his normal dry food etc all the foods he would normally gobble up in an instant.
The vets gave us some chicken flavoured hydration liquid but I can not get that in him either.

I am worried he will start to go down hill rapidly if he keeps passing this blood and doesn’t eat.
Any suggestions? What can we do?

OP posts:
Original poster
Sixmonthcruise · 23/07/2023 08:58

Sorry if tmi and I’ll have removed but this is the claret liquid/blood which he is passing.

How the hell do we get food into our dog?
OP posts:
Reallybadidea · 23/07/2023 09:01

I'd be trying another vet urgently for a second opinion.

BiteyShark · 23/07/2023 09:01

Honestly I would be taking him straight back to the vets as it sounds like it is getting worse. Sometimes it takes a few tries before they get to the bottom of the problem as dogs can't really say what is wrong.

Ostryga · 23/07/2023 09:03

Another vet today, blood in stool isn’t a reaction to GA I’ve ever heard of.

rcat74 · 23/07/2023 09:03

Oh my goodness. I would see a different vet although this will be a second opinion so more expensive. I can’t believe the vet isn’t concerned. Have you tried opening his mouth ( finger in corner) and popping the probiotics on the back of his tongue then hold his mouth closed. I have a nervous rescue too but she will let me do this. I hope you find help soon.

BiteyShark · 23/07/2023 09:04

Just to give you an example. I went to ooo vets and was told it was his anal glands, several hours later we were back saying he is deteriorating and the next vet scanned him and had to perform emergency surgery to remove a blockage.

Trust your instincts and go back.

HiHoHiHoltsOffToWorkWeGo · 23/07/2023 09:14

I'd be doing back and asking to see another vet, preferably one of the senior vets and not someone who graduated vet school two weeks ago.

Original poster
Sixmonthcruise · 23/07/2023 09:14

Thanks everyone, obviously on a Sunday it will be an emergency vet and I know we need to get him seen asap, which is why I took him to our regular vets yesterday but I was made redundant a few weeks ago and we just do not have the funds to pay lots out right now. Our insurance states we have to pay the first £150 and we have already paid £500 this week what with them putting him under and the other meds.
I don’t know what to do.
rcat74 I have but he won’t let us. I even mixed it with some liquid and tried syringing it with an old calpol syringe but it just dribbled back out.

BiteyShark I am a huge worrier at the best of times but am thinking all kinds of worst case scenario’s right now.

OP posts:
cinnamonfrenchtoast · 23/07/2023 09:24

Have you tried ProKolin to help soothe his stomach? Have they given him any kind of anti-sickness medication?

Scalottia · 23/07/2023 09:29

You really do need a second opinion. I wouldn't wait too long. Good luck OP.

FatAgainItsLettuceTime · 23/07/2023 09:39

He isn't well which does mean he needs a vet, appreciate this is expensive but he needs to be seen. In the meantime can you try him with some gravy, even just Bisto to check if he'll go for it? If he will give it a try and is OK eating it then you can upgrade to some good quality bone broth, some pet shops sell gravy/broth specifically for dogs. As he recovers you can start adding some dry biscuits to it, they'll soak it up and go soft so a good intermediary between wet and dry food.

BiteyShark · 23/07/2023 09:48

You mentioned insurance. For mine this would be a continuation of condition/symptoms so once the excess has been paid then I wouldn't have to pay that again (unless it went into another year) for further vet visits.

Obviously your insurance might be different but just mentioned mine in case yours is the same and you were worried that you would have to pay the excess again.

Blistory · 23/07/2023 09:50

Is he drinking ? If not, you don't have an option but to take him back in today.

Pate is my go to food (only small amounts) when my girl won't eat as she's a fussy bugger. I also have to hand feed her if she's off her food for a couple of days. Roast chicken skin also works to get her interested.

Our vet has also been unconcerned by bloody watery poo as long as it's only a couple of days.

It's horrible when they're ill.

IngGenius · 23/07/2023 09:54

If he needs a vet he has to go to a vet.

It will be continuation of treatment so you have already paid the excess

Itisyourturntowashthebath · 23/07/2023 09:54

Liquidise a tiny bit of food with water. Into the calpol syringe and right at the back of his mouth, behind the back tooth sort of where his tonsils are. Every 20 mins or so. Main job is to keep him hydrated.
Mine had the bloody stools after a GA.

Original poster
Sixmonthcruise · 23/07/2023 09:56

cinnamonfrenchtoast we have used it in the past for previous dogs, thanks I had forgotten about this stuff, I will go get some.

Thanks everyone. I have managed to get a little bit of chicken and turkey in him this morning. He is still bright and alert and does appear to want some food now which I am taking as a positive sign. I will monitor him over the next hour or so, if he’s not improving I will try and get him in the emergency vets but have no idea how well pay for it.

OP posts:
cinnamonfrenchtoast · 23/07/2023 09:57

I understand it's Sunday but if your dog isn't eating and hasn't eaten since Wednesday then you need to get him seen as a matter of urgency, especially as he's pooing blood.

Original poster
Sixmonthcruise · 23/07/2023 09:59

Blistory he is still drinking and he’s managed to eat some turkey just now which I’m taking as a good sign.
Itisyourturntowashthebath Thanks, I’ve just managed to do this so will continue for a while to get some food/liquid in him 🤞

OP posts:
cinnamonfrenchtoast · 23/07/2023 09:59

X-post!

Hotgoose · 23/07/2023 10:00

Another vet at a different surgery for sure. Hope your dogs ok x

blackclouds · 23/07/2023 10:55

I I hope the turkey eating continues. Poor thing

Original poster
Sixmonthcruise · 23/07/2023 11:00

So he has eaten some more turkey and a little egg. I’ve added a little probiotic powder each time. Just cooked up some chicken which I’ve puréed and he has had a tiny bit of that, fingers crossed we are heading in the right direction. He is quite perky and has ran up and down the garden a few times which I am taking as a good sign.
I have called the emergency vet, they say we can go in anytime today so I will give it till early afternoon.

OP posts:
BiteyShark · 23/07/2023 11:30

Hope he gets better quickly.

Waystation · 23/07/2023 11:38

My dog has has passed blood before (twice) both times he was put on a drip and kept in the veterinary hospital - once just overnight but the other time for three nights - I’m shocked your vet is not more concerned, I would take your dog to another vet - it’s just not worth the risk, as it’s the same issue check your insurance - with my insurance you only pay the out of pocket once.

cinnamonfrenchtoast · 23/07/2023 12:29

If he's now eating and is otherwise okay in himself, I personally wouldn't take him back to the vet.

While pooing blood is really scary to see, it's mostly fairly minor in dogs - generally it's the sign of an intolerance, colitis, an infection or a dog just eating something they shouldn't.

If the dog is drinking, eating (and keeping it down) and otherwise acting well then I would try not to worry too much. ProKolin is good for firming up poo.