ChiBella Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 Hello, I am so grateful I found this forum because I am beside myself with worry over my little puppy Chihuhua Bella. My teenage daughter brought a grow toy starfish into my house which little Bella (10 month old Chihuahua) happened to get ahold of. She ate all the legs off of it except for one. This toy grows 600% when placed in water (just read about it online). When I discovered the starfish with missing legs, I immediately rushed Bella to the emergency pet hospital. The vet on call gave her an injection to make her throw up, which she did...but the "after" xray still showed a small amount remaining in her stomach. The vet thought it would pass ok but I am not so sure and very worried. That was 10 hours ago. I am wondering if I should bring her in to my vet's office and have another xray before I feed her to see where this thing is inside her? Can it stay stuck in her stomach or somewhere else? The toy grows within 72 hours to 600% of the original size...that is gigantic. I'm thinking even a very small amount left behind can get very big inside her. I'm soooo freaking out about now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tramissa Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 Has she been number 2 since she ate it? Is she still eating/drinking/acting normally? Personally, I would be taking her back just to make sure of how much it had grown since 10 hours ago. At least call the vet and tell him about the 600% expansion and see what they say.p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiBella Posted February 21, 2007 Author Share Posted February 21, 2007 Has she been number 2 since she ate it? Is she still eating/drinking/acting normally?Personally, I would be taking her back just to make sure of how much it had grown since 10 hours ago. At least call the vet and tell him about the 600% expansion and see what they say.p She has not done #2, has been sleeping since I brought her home. It's 5am. I will call her vet at 8am before I feed her. I've had house guests with small children and one of them found the starfish leaving it where Bella could get a hold of it. Bella eats everything and anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mona Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 HI Chibella I agree with tramissa ,if she hasnt passed it by now - definitely off to the vet Hope your little baby is feeling better soon please update us when you can Take care .. all will be fine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiBella Posted February 21, 2007 Author Share Posted February 21, 2007 I called the doctor and they told me to feed her something she liked. I fed her and she looks ok today but she has not done #2 yet. I'm concerned why they are not concerned about the substance she injested. The report from last night stated gases and something in her stomach that could not be identified was left over after the induced vomiting. To me that is not good enough, but I will watch her closely like they instruct. The toy takes 72 hours to fully expand so I guess I have to just wait to see what happens. Seems wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 Go to another vet. Don't be fobbed off. An potential intestinal blockage is not something I'd be dealing with over the phone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tramissa Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 I hope you're back at the vets With an obstruction, you don't want to give anything to eat as she will need to undergo surgery. Also, any food etc will just get 'stuck' as she can't pass waste. Most of the times they will show signs of being in discomfort - i.e., trying to go but failing, or gut pain, but not always. Vet is definitely where you need to be, especially as it's now been about 24 hours. Hope everything is okay with her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiBella Posted February 21, 2007 Author Share Posted February 21, 2007 I thought so also. Calling them again. I don't think I should have fed her and I think they should have x-rayed her again this morning. I don't get why when she vomited something was left. Shouldn't it have all come out? I just tested some of the left over starfish in water and it has already started to expand quiet a bit. Just got off the phone and they insist that if she is eating and playing, she is ok. They said if she were in trouble, she would let me know. They also said that stomach acids can eat away at a lot of the material if any were left in her. This vet is very reputable...she has saved the life of a few of my pets in the past. Should I wait? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiBella Posted February 22, 2007 Author Share Posted February 22, 2007 Could be the report from the emergency clinic the vet is listening to. I emphasized several times about the substance ... she does not seem concerned at all. I hope and pray she is right this time...will wait a bit longer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tramissa Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 Try another vet. Call and speak to them over the phone. Would you accept a dr's diagnosis on you or your child if it didn't feel right? Then why accept one for your pet? A 2nd opinion will not hurt and may save. A dog needs to toilet more than once in 24 hours. If she's not toileting (and you need to keep an eye on her to know for sure), then you have a problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khan28 Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 Your poor little baby fur kid. What about sardines?? And dont get me wrong Im not an expert but sardines will make a dogs bowels let go when they are having trouble?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiBella Posted February 22, 2007 Author Share Posted February 22, 2007 Her stomach was almost empty from the induced vomiting and she also had a bowel movement from the same at the emergency clinic. She didn't eat until 8am this morning. So there may have been little for her to have in a bowel movement. I'm on the phone with another vet right now and he agrees with my vet. Said she should eat as much as possible to flush whatever is left out. So...guess I'll wait a bit longer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huski Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 Her stomach was almost empty from the induced vomiting and she also had a bowel movement from the same at the emergency clinic. She didn't eat until 8am this morning. So there may have been little for her to have in a bowel movement. I'm on the phone with another vet right now and he agrees with my vet. Said she should eat as much as possible to flush whatever is left out. So...guess I'll wait a bit longer. I've heard that tinned PAL food is great for making dogs bowels move, because it's such awful stuff it makes (this is gross) poo runny. PAL will go straight through a dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khan28 Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 Yep I agree with that!! Pal does tend to have that effect or the sardines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiBella Posted February 22, 2007 Author Share Posted February 22, 2007 Is there a boneless sardine? The ones I have are filled with bones. I am starting to freak because her stomach is looking bigger to me. She has a lot of gas also. I'm waiting 2 more hours and if she does not go, I'm taking her back to emergency hospital. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teebs Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 tin of Chum might work better then pal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nick&erica Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 hi chibella so sorry to hear what has happened! I pray for your dogs sake that it will not harm him. Sardines dont come boned as the bones in them are too fine so most companies opt out of doing this. It is quite easy however to de-bone most of it. If you get the sardines which have been marinated in their own brine preferably. They split in half length ways very easily and by taking the spine out most of the small bones come out with. Then it's just a case of wiping over the rest with your finger and removing the left over ones. I personally think you should stop waiting and go...go with your instincts, you will end up stressing yourself sick. Atleast this way you can put your mind at ease quicker. GL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shekhina Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 Why de-bone the sardines? Lots of calcium in bones, bones are good! I hope your little girl will be OK, if she's running around and being her normal self I would try to stress less and see how she goes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
king Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 We need an update...how is your little girl going. Sending lots of healing thoughts your way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiBella Posted February 22, 2007 Author Share Posted February 22, 2007 Took her in and same vet was there as last night. She took another x-ray. Vet said her tummy is hard but she is not in any pain. The x-ray showed dispersed material throughout her intestines and stomach but no obstruction. Vet feels the material will pass through her. She instructed me to feed her 4 times during the night chicken and rice. At least I know there is no eminent danger. Vet said if she begins to vomit, looks listless, or acts sick, then I have to worry. I'm so glad I have you guys to talk to. This little 6lb, tail wagging, puppy has become my baby no doubt about it. She is a very unusual chihuahua everyone tells me. She loves everyone she meets, especially children. She used to love going to the vet as if it were another opportunity to make new friends, but tonight she hid her little nose under her blanket and held on to me tightly no doubt remembering what happened at the same place, same room last night. Poor baby. Wish they would ban these toys or science experiments from the market or at the very least make people aware of how dangerous they can be. Imagine if a small child ate one! Will need to watch her closely over the next several days and pray ALL that stuff comes out. I had to take off work to watch her so now my "friends" at work are circulating an email "Honey I Blew Up The Doggie" aren't they nice? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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