I am worried about a blockage as well. If it were my dog, I would be at the e-vet.

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

 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.

Yeah. But one time a friends Rott ate a buckeye and it was just trapped gas. I think he ended up pooping out the buckeye, and then he was ok.

Going to the vet this morning. Didn't want to drink during the night, but did this morning, a pretty goog amount actually. Also did not want to eat his regular food, but was very excited to see his favorite treat and ate four or five of them readily (they are small). I don't want to give him more then that right now, but he acts like he would take them. Definately is more active, but still not like normal. His gums and tongue are still bright pink, so I don't feel that he is dehydrated.

Tom

Good luck today! I know my little dog tends to do this at least once a month. We not feed him anything but dog food and dog treats since we learned that he has such a sensitive stomach (but he tends to clean himself like a cat and does it all the time - so maybe its hairballs ). Once 24hrs goes by and he takes a nice poop he is good to go.

Thanks for keeping us up on all the news

Please let us know how your boy is when you get home from the vet Tom, I hope everything goes well.
BTW, very handsome boy in your sig pics.

I hope the vet visit goes well, good luck! Please keep us posted

Sorry it has taken me so long to post results, but here goes. There was some improvement from last night to 6 am this morning, then BIG improvement from 6 am to noon. At noon Mack ate a little (about half a cup) and drank some (not as much as normal) and was much more active, but again not like normal. Still no bowel movement, though.

Vet said he is not overly concerned yet. Spent time feeling belly area, doesn't feel that there is a blockage. He said that he would expect vomiting if there was a blockage. Wants us to give metronidazole (spelling?) and suggested a bland diet, either boiled chicken and rice or one of the Prescription Diets, "ID" I think it was. He also wants to do an xray tomorrow if we don't see continued improvement, or if we see any vomiting.

Now for my opinion, I am not at all a fan of Science Diet foods and I'll be damned if I give Mack that stuff for this issue. These foods may have their place, but I don't think this is it. I am happy with the improvement I have seen in the past half day and not nearly as concerned. I think the metro is a good idea, and maybe the boiled chicken and rice. I am not sure about the change in diet though. Mack is used to kibble, and I don't want to upset his system right now. What are all of your thoughts?

Thank you all. I will post again later to give an update.

Tom

Glad to hear that the vet doesn't think there is anything to be overly concerned about. Did they do a fecal smear to know what if any were determined as the reason for giving metronidiazole?

Tom I think you are indeed wise to stay away from Science Diet.
Boiled chicken and rice will definitely firm up the stools and calm any irritation in the gut.
Also, you could try putting a teaspoon to a tablespoon of pure plain canned pumpkin (not the spiced pie filling) Libby's makes one that many of us raw feeders use to regulate the bowels.
The high fiber content will help diarrhea or constipation.

Others may chime in here, and say to just start with the rice and chicken first. I just know that I have had good success with the pumpkin when I have had bowel issues.

I hope your pup starts to get better real soon, it sounds like he already is.

I thought there was no diarrhea? Or was there?

If not, I see no reason to do the rice and boiled chicken or to switch kibbles - that makes no sense. If his stools are normal (firm, normal color etc.) then there is no GI upset and no reason to give him GI upset by mucking with his diet.

If there was diarrhea, then I would do the rice and boiled chicken (think gruel) until I saw firm stools for at least 3 days - then I would gradually (1/4 cup at a time) add in his regular kibble each time waiting 24-36 hours to make sure the stool is still firm before adding the next 1/4 cup, until you get him back to his normal amount.

 Quote: Tom Keywork

.... suggested a bland diet ....

What is his present/usual diet? (Sorry if I missed that .... one of those days .... )