Need Help! Dog Has Stomach Bowel Problem?

[rob78]

Hi everyone, i am the owner of a beautiful maltese named Mickey & is almost 8yrs old.

about 2 months ago he started doing realy smelly farts(sometimes we could hear gas coming out) & his stool would also stink. his stomach was bloated even before he ate & was making weird gurgling sounds. stupidly we put off taking him to the vet as my grandmother was staying with us cause she got realy sick, then we found out she had cancer & she past soon after.

about a few weeks back he started to have diarrhea which got worse. he started going to the toilet a lot, especialy at night waking us to go a few times a night. 2 weeks ago all of a sudden he didn't seem right, had no energy, was throwing up a lot & wouldn't eat or drink. we took him to our vet he was put on a drip & given antibiotics, we picked him up & he was back to normal. we were given hills i/d to feed him as the vet said it could be IBD, he ate as he hadn't eaten for a few days but started eating less every day & kept looking at me for his snacks & roast chicken which i used to feed him every night.

we gave him a very little of his liver treats & dental stick, the next morning he threw up white foam. that day he wouldn't eat at all so at night we cooked him some chicken breast with rice. he loved it, i gave him mostly rice with not even a quater of the chicken breast mixed in. the next day he was even worse, he threw up a ball of white foam. i got home & took him to the vet again he was given a shot for his vomiting & pred for his allergies, the vet said it would help if he has ibd as well.

took him home he was better until the next night/yesterday he started going down hill again. he has been realy restless, eating a lot of grass, panting, sometimes he does weird chest movements, & vomited the next morning. he came jumped on my bed 5 in the morning & was acting weird/resless, i got up let him out & he started eating grass went to the back yard & came back in. he went back to the vet this morning & had x rays done, it showed he has a lot of gas in his stomach. the vets aren't sure what is causing it, either a stomach bug or the IBD maybe. they said on the phone he has been drinking water there & looked a bit better. they have put him on antibiotics trizine & metronidazole, said to see how he goes on that as last time it helped him back to normal. they also gave him some liquid to help with the x ray, we have to take him back tomorrow for more x rays see if the liquid passes his system.

we brought him home tonight & he is looking realy bad, no energy, panting, eating grass, he wouldn't drink water. i had to get the syringe & squirt water down his mouth, then he just had a big drink. he still doesn't look good though & am realy worried. he's just laying down & breathing fast. he's usualy happy & playful running around. it kills me to see him like this. BTW blood test was done over a week ago & nothing showed.

vet said they might have to do ultrasound($450 just for that) which might show nothing, put tube/camera down his inside to see whats going on But as he is a small dog they can't get the tube all the way to have a complete look. the last resort is opening him up to have a look.

has anyone had any experience with these symptoms? any help is realy appreciated. i just want my boy back to his normal happy self.

thanks,

rob

[Sheridan]

The only way IBD can be definitively diagnosed is via a biopsy of the stomach. If the blood tests showed nothing, did they also do a urine test?

What are you feeding him?

[rob78]

my sister said he mentioned a biopsy. i don't think they have done a urine test.

he hasn't eaten for the last 2 days. before i would give him roast chicken, he's very picky. after he got sick the vet gave hills i/d but he doesn't like it much. we got him the dry hills food, he liked that but then he started to get sick again & hasn't been eating much.

[_PL_]

I'm so sorry what an ordeal. :D

Truly no idea on what his main medical problem might be but the immediate one of being released from the vet and going down hill sounds like the initial side effects from the drugs he's on.

Don't panic and stop them but do tell & ask your vet everything.

For sickies: this sounds silly but cooking something meaty in front of them can help. Seared steak, pan fried meatballs, chicken tenders etc. The smell helps make them hungry.

[sllebasi]

sounds like pancreatitis to me, its like getting a stomach ulcer as a human when you dont feel like eating because of the burning in your stomach and food pipe. also sounds like may be dehydrated which would explain a few of the symptoms.

[t-time]

How's his poo now?

I would get some Yakult or probiotic tabs (like Inner Health Plus) into him - can't hurt and will help with his sore gut as well promoting good bacteria.

Give roast chicken a miss and try just steaming plain chicken with no skin and continue with that and rice.

A bit of a mystery but the above should help a little.

[Staranais]

The only way IBD can be definitively diagnosed is via a biopsy of the stomach. If the blood tests showed nothing, did they also do a urine test?

What are you feeding him?

Yes. IBD is diagnosed by a biopsy of the intestines, plus excluding all other possible inciting causes (since IBD is by definition idiopathic - of unknown cause). There's a long list of other possible causes which should all be ruled out as far as possible before you go to biopsy for IBD.

Did the vet check for parasites (giardia, crypto, trichuris) with fecal tests? Could cause those symptoms & cheap to rule out. Have you considered a diet trial (Hills z/d or similar) to see if there's a possible dietary contribution to what's going on? Done a CBC and biochem of the blood, & a urinalysis, to look for systemic disease? Could be exocrine pancreas insufficiency? Ultrasound or rads with barium could show a partial obstruction?

Your vet has a far better idea than anyone here, none of use are vets and none have seen the dog either, but all of these things can be done before going to biopsy, which is expensive & invasive (although sometimes necessary).

Edited November 25, 2010 by Staranais

[cowanbree]

Honestly it could be anything. Your symptoms also match my boys Cowan's partial bowel obstruction which went on for mths before getting properly diagnosed. If I could go back again I would push to do a scope right at the start. That way you know exactly what is happening and it can take biopsies as well. The scope if only 1 1/2 cms wide and will go right through taking a video and biopsy's along the way. I spent thousands with all the other tests that showed nothing.

[rob78]

thanks so much for all the help guys.

my sister took him to the vet yesterday to do some more x rays & to see if the liquid/barium? had passed through. he hasn't eaten for the past 3 days so he isn't going to the toilet. the vet said it took some time but is slowly passing so doesn't seem to be a obstruction. he just said to my sister to take him home & keep an eye on him. i'm not happy with this, i've spent a thousand in the past 2 weeks & still don't know whats wrong & even worse he isn't getting better.

i came home yesterday & he looked realy bad, he was so lifeless. he has weird breathing patterns & acting strange. i try give him water from the tap & he just puts his closed mouth near my hand, its like a struggle for him to open his mouth to have a drink. he always wants to go outside & just sits on the grass or goes in weird places like he's trying to hide & just sits there.

last night he didn't look as lifeless as earlier, maybe from the heat? but still didn't look well. this morning about 6am i heard crying & woke up, he has been crying wimpering on & off since.

i have been reccomended a vet in pennant hills, i'm waiting for them to open to take him to get another opinion. i can't leave him like this!

anyone heard of them? any good or bad? & any other vets in sydney? i'm in marsfield/eastwood but we usualy take him to west ryde vet.

he seems hungry but whatever i try to feed him he turns away. he has lost over 1kg so far.

"Did the vet check for parasites (giardia, crypto, trichuris) with fecal tests? Could cause those symptoms & cheap to rule out. Have you considered a diet trial (Hills z/d or similar) to see if there's a possible dietary contribution to what's going on? Done a CBC and biochem of the blood, & a urinalysis, to look for systemic disease? Could be exocrine pancreas insufficiency? Ultrasound or rads with barium could show a partial obstruction?"

the vet hasn't done most of these things. they gave hills i/d about 2 weeks ago when this started, gave him the same antbiotics & put him on the drip for the day. we went picked him up & he was back to normal for a few days. my sister gave him some of his snacks & the next morning he threw up, that day/night he wouldn't eat so we fried a bit of chicken breast with rice & the next day he threw up white foam. it got worse from there & he hasn't been back to normal for the past week. they done a lot of x rays i think with barium but couldn't find anything besides a lot of gas in his stomach. he said to take him home & see how he goes & the next step is a ultrasound. he said a urine test wont probably show anything? & hasn't done fecal tests.

thanks

rob

[Trishm]

Have they done bloods and tested for pancreatitus, sounds like that to me.

Poor little man, I hope you have some success with the new vet.

[raz]

i have been reccomended a vet in pennant hills, i'm waiting for them to open to take him to get another opinion. i can't leave him like this!

anyone heard of them?

This vet?

http://www.pennanthillsvet.com.au/

A few people on this forum are clients and I met him the other day. He's fantastic, and his nurses are great as well. I couldnt recommend them highly enough.

[persephone]

Please take this little man to a vet hospital,or a different vet now--- he sounds very, very ill ,and in pain. :D You also need to know what's happening, for your peace of mind.

[labsrule]

thanks so much for all the help guys.

came home yesterday & he looked realy bad, he was so lifeless. he has weird breathing patterns & acting strange. i try give him water from the tap & he just puts his closed mouth near my hand, its like a struggle for him to open his mouth to have a drink. he always wants to go outside & just sits on the grass or goes in weird places like he's trying to hide & just sits there.

Your poor little guy sounds like a very sick little dog and I am so glad you are taking him to another vet :D The bit I have bolded is an indication that your dog is ill and depressed and when they are feeling like this they tend to seek out areas outside where they can hide and spend time on their own away from other dogs/family.

Sending lots of positive and healing vibes to your little guy and hope your visit to the vet today produces some answers and positive outcome for your poor little guy.

[cowanbree]

A partial obstruction will allow the barium to pass. Cowan had it 3 times and his obstruction was only found when we opened him up. I would be taking this dog to an internal specialist

[persephone]

A partial obstruction will allow the barium to pass.

especially as it's going slowly thru........

Hopefully the new vet will be able to help. It must be such a worry

[twodoggies2001]

I would definately go and see another vet, and I would ask him the possibility of it being pancreatitus and if so, run tests for that as well. It it does turn out to be pancreatitus, then you boy must be fasted for several days. Frankly, I'm surprised that the original vet sends him home each time when he is doing so poorly.

[rob78]

yeh i was recommended the pennant hills vet by another member. I called as soon as they opened & made an apoinment for 10:15, seemed like realy nice people. the vet seemed very honest & said he couldn't do a lot for him there in a short time. he said the best thing for him would be to take him to the SASH hospital at north ryde. he said he could do the same thing my vet was going to do but he thought i would be better off taking him to a specialist if i wanted to help him straight away. also said it wouldn't be cheap but they have all the latest equipment, have specialists & is one of the best places in sydney with 24hr care.

we couldn't leave him like that so we went straight there, good thing is it's only about 5min from our place. he is there now, they think it might be pancreatitis. they have put him on fluids, antibiotics & are doing a ultrasound & another bloodtest. we are waiting to hear the results, i pray that they can help him & its nothing seious. she seemed realy good & he is in good hands, she mentioned something about a small possibility of having to do a plasma transfusion?

she said they are going to keep him for the weekend to make sure he's alright. it will be very hard without him, he has never been away from home overnight. the maltese breed are like babies, they're very sensitive & get realy attached. the last time we left him at the vet for a few hours he was banging on the gate with his hand & barking at them. the good thing about this place is they let you visit your pet & have 24hr care.

wasn't cheap at about $1,800 but if they can fix him it will be worth it. will have to look into pet insurance.

the hospital is realy nice, its not the one next to the cemetary. its a new place just near it, just off delhi rd. there were some realy nice people there too, one older couple from bowral their dog had cancer. they thought this was going to be the end for him after everything they had been through in the past with their 14yr old dog. luckily looks like they can save him, i hope everything works out for them. my sister saw their bill when we were paying & i don't think too many people would have paid that much for any dog let alone a 14yr old.

also saw the funniest thing there, a young lab came in about a few months old with a mum & her 2 kids. we asked what was wrong & the mum looked at us & said he ate a sock. she said i tried to grab it off him but he just quickly gulped it down. they took him to the back to vomit it out & the vet comes back after about 10min with a blue sock.lol

& we saw one of the cutest dogs, i think it was a basset hound. long ears, short thick hands, long short body & cute narrow face. i think he had surgery on his back/spine as his back was shaved & the vet was helping him walk with a towel as he couldn't move his back legs properly.

thanks again everyone, will post back later & hopefuly this can help other dog owners.

[dogbesotted]

hope your dog is fine and that a diagnosis is made and treatment works quickly.

My experience at specialist clinics has been the same.. lovely people, lovely dogs... compassionate staff

H

[Sheridan]

Hope things go well at the hospital. Please keep us up-to-date.

[twodoggies2001]

yeh i was recommended the pennant hills vet by another member. I called as soon as they opened & made an apoinment for 10:15, seemed like realy nice people. the vet seemed very honest & said he couldn't do a lot for him there in a short time. he said the best thing for him would be to take him to the SASH hospital at north ryde. he said he could do the same thing my vet was going to do but he thought i would be better off taking him to a specialist if i wanted to help him straight away. also said it wouldn't be cheap but they have all the latest equipment, have specialists & is one of the best places in sydney with 24hr care.

we couldn't leave him like that so we went straight there, good thing is it's only about 5min from our place. he is there now, they think it might be pancreatitis. they have put him on fluids, antibiotics & are doing a ultrasound & another bloodtest. we are waiting to hear the results, i pray that they can help him & its nothing seious. she seemed realy good & he is in good hands, she mentioned something about a small possibility of having to do a plasma transfusion?

she said they are going to keep him for the weekend to make sure he's alright. it will be very hard without him, he has never been away from home overnight. the maltese breed are like babies, they're very sensitive & get realy attached. the last time we left him at the vet for a few hours he was banging on the gate with his hand & barking at them. the good thing about this place is they let you visit your pet & have 24hr care.

wasn't cheap at about $1,800 but if they can fix him it will be worth it. will have to look into pet insurance.

the hospital is realy nice, its not the one next to the cemetary. its a new place just near it, just off delhi rd. there were some realy nice people there too, one older couple from bowral their dog had cancer. they thought this was going to be the end for him after everything they had been through in the past with their 14yr old dog. luckily looks like they can save him, i hope everything works out for them. my sister saw their bill when we were paying & i don't think too many people would have paid that much for any dog let alone a 14yr old.

also saw the funniest thing there, a young lab came in about a few months old with a mum & her 2 kids. we asked what was wrong & the mum looked at us & said he ate a sock. she said i tried to grab it off him but he just quickly gulped it down. they took him to the back to vomit it out & the vet comes back after about 10min with a blue sock.lol

& we saw one of the cutest dogs, i think it was a basset hound. long ears, short thick hands, long short body & cute narrow face. i think he had surgery on his back/spine as his back was shaved & the vet was helping him walk with a towel as he couldn't move his back legs properly.

thanks again everyone, will post back later & hopefuly this can help other dog owners.

I'm so glad you took him to see the second vet. Obviously they are more switched on and if I were you, I wouldn't go back to the original vet, no way. Pancreatitus is a very painful and debilitating disease and can be fatal. Believe me, I know.