Hello everyone, I'm looking for some collective wisdom here.

On Tuesday I picked up my 8 month old GSD, Mack, from a boarding facility where he spent a week while I was traveling. This is the first time I have used a boarding facility. I chose this facility via recommendation from family and three separate visits, one announced and two unannounced. He was fed only my food, I use kibble, Taste of The Wild, if it matters. They reported no change in eating habits and no change in stool.

Tuesday evening at home he behaved normally, drank, relieved himself, played, all like he had in the past. Wednesday morning he played and acted normal and ate his regular amount. In the afternoon when I went home at lunch to do his afternoon walk/play/train, he stopped to poop, which he doesn't normally do in the afternoon, and it was like thin pudding or pea soup. All other poops on Wednesday were normal (logs). Wednesday evening he only ate half his normal quantity of kibble. All other behaviour was normal.

This morning, Thursday, he again ate only half his normal amount. He also had to poop twice, which is not typical in the morning, the first was logs, but a smaller volume, the second was like pudding. This afternoon during his lunch walk/play/train he did not drink water upon coming out of the crate, which is unusual, and his play was a little (emphasize little) more subdued. He did drink some before going back into the crate.

I don't know how big a deal to make of this. On one hand, it doesn't seem like too much of a big problem, but on the other, I have not had to deal with any loose stools, and he hasn't left food in his bowl since he was 9 weeks old! My plan is to see how he is for the rest of day today and tomorrow morning before making any decisions. Any advice, opinions or suggestions would be appreciated.

Tom

Okay, my family got home at about 3:30 this afternoon and they said that he was even more subdued, with no interest in playing or anything. I got home at 6, took him out like usual and he was not interested in doing anything. He did poop, a small volume, but logs. Offered dinner but he ate nothing at all, no interest in even a normally high value treat. Right now he is alert and walking around, but clearly not himself, almost lethargic. I've never had to deal with a ill dog before, so any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

Tom

Lethargy and inappetence together are high-level red alerts for me.

Do you see signs of discomfort/pain? No vomit, right?

I'd be watching him very carefully tonight for any signs of discomfort or pain or restlessness or vomiting (which would make me call an e-vet tonight), and then I'd plan on a trip to the regular vet first thing in the morning.

JMO.

Lethargy, I'm at the vet. I should point out that the only times I've seen that like you're describing Tom, there was something in the dog. Could have been a coincidence, but its been my experience with dogs of my own and friends.

I would also want to make sure that your dog stays hydrated.
You could try baited water. Just boil some chicken, (no skin) and save and cool the water. Most dogs love the taste and will drink it. You could also try feeding some of that boiled chicken in small amounts to see if he will eat it.
I have also used plain Pedialyte added to the baited water for added electrolytes.
Sounds like your pup may have picked up a potential bug at the boarding facility.
I am with the others and would get in to the vet first thing in am., also I would take a fecal sample in with you to that vet appointment, just to make sure everything checks out.

Connie, no vomit or any appearence of pain or discomfort. The best way to describe what it looks like to me is when I have a bad cold and have aches and pains and don't want to get up, well that is what he looks like.

Just had a knock at the door, he gets up willingly moves to the door and when my neighbor comes in he greats her, wags his tail, stays in the hall while we talk, but once she leaves, Mack goes back in the living room and lays down. Normally he would be walking all over exploring, trying to get me to pet or play with him. So, he is clearly not himself, but he isn't out of it completely, either. At this point I plan on taking him to the vet tomorrow, and I will check on him during the night, but I don't think I need an EVet yet.

My 13 year old just let the cat out of his room and that definately got a rise out of Mack. Very alert. We put the cat away, and he just lay right down, normally he would be pacing wanting to play with the cat.

Yes, I'd watch him carefully all night, checking on him every couple of hours.

Let us know, OK?

Will do Connie, thanks Steve and Joyce, I appreciate the input. Joyce, I like the chicken water idea, I am going to get some ready, but I am leary about offering the chicken itself. Since he has not had it before and he has had a little loose stools today, I don't want to do anything that may upset his stomach any more.

Tom

 Quote: steve strom

Lethargy, I'm at the vet. I should point out that the only times I've seen that like you're describing Tom, there was something in the dog. Could have been a coincidence, but its been my experience with dogs of my own and friends.

You mean like blockage?

I have to say that was my first thought too, and I went back and re-read the previous posts until I found the log poop that was the last poop.

Still, I am certainly thinking the way you are. I don't want to see lethargy at all, and combined with not eating, I'm very worried.

Just gave him some of the chicken broth/water, he drank some, not alot though.