Please help me as I wait to speak to the vet

[Lionness5]

My dog is a nine year old retriever. Normally very healthy and very good.

Between 1.45 and 3.30 this morning she asked to go out at least six times. She went to the toilet each time and was also sick. This morning I went to pick up and it was all wet and soft, the vomit looked unusual. At 7.30 she had a poo, still wet and soft but with a smear of blood. Then at 8.05 she pooed again but this time just liquid and some blood. In between she's eaten her breakfast as normal.

Three times on two consecutive days she went into some bushes and would not come back. This is not like her and I suspect there was something too tasty. Then yesterday she went up a slope to explore, I looked away for a second and lost her. When I did find her she was very near to where I had last seen her and was looking shocked I wasn't there. I think she must have gone back whereas I went forward as was worried she'd carry on to the road. Just giving this information incase relevant.

I'll be ringing the vet as soon as possible but just wanted some reassurance or reality please.

Does sound like she’s eaten something she shouldn’t and is getting it out of her stomach. Vet will probably take bloods and suggest either chicken and rice or give a prescription food.
One of our dogs has to be muzzled when out as he’d eat anything.

I think so too. Will it be expensive? I'll obviously be taking her but it's been a tough month. I'll cancel my food shop anyway but it would be good to have an idea.

My dog had bloods taken a few weeks ago for a similar reason, given Calpol for stomach ache and antibiotics and it cost around £316.

Ouch. Is it possible to claim in the insurance?

Yes, you have to confirm your excess, if there is a co-pay in place and make sure there are no exclusions.

My excess was set at £300 so I didn't claim but, if it were set lower, I could have claimed with no issue.

Is she insured? My girl has had similar (blood in the poo isn't always a disaster- sometimes the straining can burst blood vessels) we were given painkillers to administer over a few days and fed her a bland diet of chicken and rice. If it is coming down to feeding you or the dog, contact a local animal charity. I make up free food packs for dogs at my work. No one wants either the animal or the humans to go hungry.

our lab had a few similar episodes over his life. Vet took bloods, x-rayed for any blockages , put on drip, gave anti sickness jab, kept in overnight or two to monitor. Each time was £600-£1000. Petplan paid vet directly each time.

hope he is better soon.

Yes, it should be covered under your pet insurance, so you will just need to account for the excess.

You could possibly go and look in the bush (obviously without her) to see what is in there? That way you can tell the vet?

She may be just clearing it out of her system and need meds to support her stomach (if blood then it is taking a strain on it) but you need her temperature etc to be checked, stomach felt etc by vet because it can also be the start of haemorrhage gastroenteritis which needs to be treated asap as it can kill.

Pro-kolin paste is brilliant stuff for firming up dogs poos etc after dodgy tummies - you can get from vets or Amazon - I always keep a tube in the house and dose dogs if they have a couple of loose poos. Would not do it until she has seen the vets as you need a better idea of what you are dealing with but may be useful to order a tube now as it may be helpful in the future or later in the week if it is (hopefully!) just her clearing out something she should not have eaten.

I used Pro-Kolin for my dog when he was sick, told the vet, and the vet told me that it wouldn't hurt but it wasn't going to help as it was strictly for diarrhoea and not vomiting. That all I managed to do was probably make his stool firm but not address the vomiting! So would agree go to vet before assuming Pro-Kolin can help but, let them know you have it if you do, in case it is useful after the consultation!

Should add Pro-kolin - much cheaper from Amazon than vets - hence worth buying a tube and keeping in the house so you have it when needed! It about £15 on Amazon and I think vet tried to charge me £40 for the same thing.

Whenever my dogs have had a bout of sickness and diarrhea the vets have examined them, given an anti sickness injection and told me to either starve for 24 hours or feed a bland diet. If she's healthy in all other ways, I wouldn't be jumping straight to blood tests and x-rays. I wouldn't for my children, so why for the dog?
I feed white fish and sweet potato. Lots of dogs are intolerant to chicken. Or I have heard lots of people swear by tinned Chappie as being good for sensitive stomachs.
Hope you get on alright at the vets and your dog feels better soon.

I may be a negligent owner but I probably wouldn’t even be seeing a vet at this stage. Just starve the dog but make sure he has plenty of water for the next day or so. If no better then a vet

Don’t think you need bloods for one episode of d and v. IME - anti sickness jab, maybe steroid jab to counter inflammation and some of the special tinned food. Quite recent - £155. Oh yes, the probiotic tube was in that too..

Same. I’d give it another 24 hours - depends if OP has work commitments that would make it difficult to get there though - that also plays a part in my vet visiting!

Thank you everyone.

Years ago she had a small amount of blood in her poo and I decided to wait and see. Not sure why I've panicked this time to be honest. I'm exhausted and tearful anyway as had a tough day or so.

I did look in the bush when I put her on the lead but couldn't see anything.

She seems fine, quiet and dozing as we've not gone out. When I went to the bin she thought we were going for a walk and was up for it. If I got up now she'd get straight up.

I can feed her fine as her new lot of food came last week so she's taken care of for the next eight weeks.I just don't have much in for me. I'd have to buy chicken and rice though for her. Just heard I didn't get the job I applied for.

She is insured. Just changed companies two months ago. I could use savings but would feel awful saying no to any tests as I'm struggling this month. I want the best for her and my cats and they always get everything they need. However, I've just moved, divorced, no job and it's scary.

Like pp, I'd wait before going to the vets as she sounds well in herself. If she was a young puppy or very elderly, I might do different. Either starve her for 24 hours or feed her normal food and she how she goes. If she's still got an upset stomach in a few days, go then.
I hope things improve for you soon too. I've been in your position and I can understand how a sleepless night with a sick dog can tip you over the edge.

I'd wait before going to the vets and I'm usually the first person to advocate seeking veterinary treatment.

If she's hungry and wants a walk, that's a good sign. If she was still having a funny tummy tomorrow I would goto the vet then.

I hope your dog improves quickly.

I'm a vet nurse and i strongly advise anyone reading this post not to give a dog calpol ,in fact not to give any human medicine without a direct veterinary surgeons instruction.

My dog is improved, thanks. The vet prescribed the CalPol, based on consultation and symptoms, so would agree don't just go buy some and think you know what you're doing! Thanks for picking that up!

It's so difficult when people say wait and others say go. I did google and it did say take her in. I just feel she needs checking

I would already be at the Vet.
If it's not bad, then it's just a check up / check over and maybe a prescription. You are insured you would only be paying the excess ? unless your Vet expects it all up front and you have to claim it back later.

When you changed insurance company was it for a policy that covered pre-existing conditions? If not then given that you’ve taken her to the vets for similar before I don’t think you’ll be covered unfortunately.

Hope you are ok sounds like you’ve had a tough time. I know you’ve just changed insurers. Worth checking if you have access to 24 hour video calls with a vet included. Ours does and it’s been really helpful a few times now.
Many pets and PetPlan do but I think several do now.

I've not taken her for similar before.

I didn't know about that option, thank you. I'll check.