First Thor has an appointment with his vet at 7PM tonight. I started him on Metacam about 3 weeks ago. He is 82lbs and started at the 80lb dosage. It has worked really well for him; all stiffness is gone and I have already reduced his dosage to the 70lb amount. As well as it is working; it will be disappointing if it is causing his symptoms but better than other options I can think of.

Thor's diet has not changed nor has he been exposed to any garbage or foreign substances. He ate Tuesday night around 6PM had a normal BM yesterday was very energetic and had the zoomies in the woods. We hiked for about 2 hours. After hiking I offered him his snack but he didn't eat and went to his crate. I went out around 3PM and came home at 6PM to find vomit all over the place 5 seperate piles of partially digested food with no smell. (about 20 hours after eating)

Thor stayed in his crate and did take some bated water but was completely lethargic. He did not vomit anymore but this morning was still unresponsive and crate bound. He perked up around noon and I took him for a walk. He was sluggish and when he moved his bowels it was a small amount of black, tarry pudding.

He is drinking small amounts of the bated water and his gums are pink and a little tacky but not too bad. The vet says I can bring him in anytime but I don't want to stress him by leaving him there for hours before they can see him so am monitoring at home until his appointment.

Any suggestions or questions I should ask the vet; I hate when he is lethargic...it is SO NOT him and worries me more than the other physical symptoms.

One other thing he is being treated for an ear infection Otomax drops twice a day. He has completed one week and has one to go.

Just for pre-vet support: More hydration .... what does he love? Poach some in water, then cool the water to room temp. Tacky gums = too dehydrated. JMO

Maybe Betty will see this ....

Just for your information, in humans black tarry stools MAY indicate internal bleeding. Digested blood has a black tarry appearance in feces. I don't want to scare you ... it's just to give you some information.

In dogs too. The vet appointment this same day is good.

Intestinal bleeding is one of the top serious side effects that NSAIDs can cause. Melena can be caused by some foods, too, as well as by some more innocuous meds than NSAIDs, but it doesn't matter at this point except as a point of interest. What matters is that the dog sees the vet today.

JMO, and I'm not a medical professional. Please let us know.

No worries Mary, I have already gone through all possible horrible scenarios..... it's what I do.

Beef broth is proving to be a much better lure to drink. Thanks Connie, I forgot I had some until I was snooping around for something to poach. He drank about a cup and is now sleeping; I have some in the freezer too as an ice cube option.

I don't have any advice other than get him to the vet asap.

Good luck and get well soon, Thor!

Good luck Sheila and Thor. Hope your vet visit is short and uneventful.

Thinking of you and Thor! Keep us posted.

Wishing Thor well, hoping all goes well at the vet.

Anxiously waiting for news....