Prayers

[lindamarie]

I thought we got through this.
This morning, Bogart's poop had small pieces of digested looking wood.........and what looked like a larger piece of wood, tiny something that looked like blood and mucous in his stool.
Walt just took the sample in with Bogart to the vet.
My anxiety level is high again! I don't know if this is a good sign that things are moving through....or a bad sign that there is a blockage.
We are leaving on vacation Monday and all I can say is that I'm glad this happened now while we're still in town. I would hate to have some unfamiliar country vet dealing with this.
Prayers please.........thanks

[tuffystar]

Linda you and Bogart are in our prayers as long as you want and need our prayers! I am so sorry you have this worry! Sending you hugs and puppy kisses!

[lindamarie]

Kathy, Thanks for the prayers, huhs and puppy kisses!
Results........hmmm.......
They put Bogart on antibiotics and 2 other meds and gave him a shot.
His spirits are still up and he's acting healthy. He doesn't react in any kind of pain when his stomach is pushed on...........nor does it appear to be sore.
If things dont improve, they will keep him for about 3 days and do tests.
The doc said he thinks we'll be fine to go on vacation.
I asked what to look for from now on.........He said, if before we leave or while we're gone........if he continues to vomit or pass this type of stool, is lethargic etc.........to get him in somewhere.
He continues to say that there PROBABLY isn't a blockage since he's eating, passing and acting fine......no temperature.
He's calling it a severe intestinal irritation and will be kept on meds and a bland diet.
UGH!
How can ya not worry?

[Jac]

Actually, Linda, I think that this is good news...I know that you are worried...but it sounds, to me, like whatever was blocking Bogie's tummy is breaking up...keep in mind that dogs have the ability to digest things well...So, perhaps Bogie's stomach acid has broken up the wood chip he ate. The blood could very well be from irritation. Once we had a dog vomiting a lot and there was red blood streaking through the vomit. I was so worried...the vet said it was likely severe irritation...we treated the upset and before long the dog was fine.
In my, very uneducated, opinion...I think that Bogie probably did have a blockage but that his body has dislodged it...it has moved through and broken up...or is in the process...so your vet's advice makes sense to me.
Be sure that you remind your vet of your vacation plans and tell him that if you have to take Bogie to the vet somewhere else, you want them to be able to call him. Ask if you can give out his home number (or cell, or answering service) if he is not in the office or if there is an after-hour emergency so that the new vet can be advised what to do, according to your vet's direction.
That way, you won't need to worry about a vet knowing nothing about Bogie's history, if you need someone.
I really do feel relieved with this latest event...I hope that it all goese well for you and Bogie...
Prayers for sure!

[Raleighsmom]

Good grief Linda...I thought you got thru this too! But it sounds like your vet has everything under control, and you know what to watch for...hopefully all will be well with Bogie, and you'll get the much needed vacation you all deserve! Prayers and hugs all around!

[lindamarie]

I know, Kathie. Just when things started to look up!

Jac.......your theory sounds good to me! I sure hope that's what is going on!
At the vet we go to, there are several vets. Today, he saw the one who actually is a neighbor of ours a few blocks away. It might just be a good idea to get a phone number!
The vet is open until 9PM every night except Sunday.......I think it's 6PM. But, you're right........I think the more info I have and more contact with his vet, the happier I will be.
I'm hoping we will see huge improvement by Monday mornign when we leave.......maybe these meds will have helped by then.
Trying NOT to be concerned here!

[MaxandMe]

LINDA...glad to hear your vet said these are good signs for now BUT i will CONTINUE TO SAY PRAYERS

1. Jac is right, GET YOUR VET's CELL PHONE NUMBER just in case that way he can update a ER vet heaven forbid it happens
Also if YOU GET the Cell # to your vet then usually things are fine

2. the bland diet won't be hard on vacation, once you get used to making it , it really does become easy
( remember we've done it on and off for years hahhaaaaaa)

3. The blood, mucous lining is irritation BUT your VET is RIGHT.......if BOGIE get Lethargic get to ER

4. we've dealt with severe bacterial infections.......ask your VET if plain Yogurt is okay to give Bogie
it once helped save MAX with toad poisioning and also another episode of to this day no clue what he ate
but had straight blood coming out his bottom end with foul smell.

I am NOT trying to scare you..........just alert you like your vet did.

5. Sounds like BOGIE really is doing well and beign on ANTIBIOTICS w/bland diet is really going to help him tremendously

Soooooooo i'll be saying daily PRAYERS till I hear otherwise.............sure h0pe you all have a great time on your vacation!!!!
you sure need one honey!!!
HUGS to you all

[lindamarie]

Thanks! Ya know..........annmarie........look at the time you took to help when feeling so lousy! You are a saint!!

OOPS! Editing to add what today is like.
So far, so good.
Aside from doing our little routine of shoving 2 HORSE pills, one colt pill and 2 little mouse pills down his throat three times a day.........all seems well!

Maybe this is a good time to mention for others how we learned to DO pills.
We make him sit and stand over him so his head is right between our legs and we're bending over him.
We pry his jaws open.....shove the pills way back.....(BTW, we learned dogs don't have that gagging reflex we have)........then blow on his nose while holding his mouth closed and rubbing his throat.......follow with a treat! OH WHAT FUN WE HAVE!

[Jac]

Hmmm, I just wrap the pill in cream cheese and they gulp it down without chewing! Then I follow with smaller chunks...they just think that they are getting great treats for no reason!
If I have more than one pill to give, I wrap them all, before I start and I just give it to them one at a time...gulp, gulp, gulp...wag, wag, wag....

[lindamarie]

Well............WE ARE OFF!! Leaving today with prayers and hopes that things will be well.
I always thought the chicken and rice would help firm the poo's b/c Bogart BLASTED out this morning!
He was fairly firm last night.......but.....not awhile ago. OH! This all makes me nervous!!

[MaxandMe]

I HAVE A SIMPLE METHOD to give PILLS both hard and capsules IF YOU THINK you're dog will EAT all his food

i have a Mortar/Pistil i use to crush/grind up pills to a powder and capsules i open up
i then put this INTO their food with an extra treat vet recommended that is (yougurt or whatever)
then mix all food with MEDS

they eat all their food and WAHLAAA !!! NO more spitting pills out 10 min later on floor

WARNING: this may not work on ALL DOGS as each one is unique