More so last night, he seemed tensed up. This morning not so much, he seemed more relaxed. I didn't really "probe" though, or try to palpate, just gently touched it to see his reaction. I will feel it a little more determinedly when he next wakes up.

 Quote: shody lytle

More so last night, he seemed tensed up. This morning not so much, he seemed more relaxed. I didn't really "probe" though, or try to palpate, just gently touched it to see his reaction. I will feel it a little more determinedly when he next wakes up.

Yes. If I felt distension (or pain), I'd call the/a vet immediately.

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

 Quote: Debbie Bruce

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

However, remember that we don't give sugar (including honey) when there's severe diarrhea. Sugar- and salt-heavy foods can exacerbate diarrhea in dogs. Also high-fat foods (which to me is anything that's over 10 or 15% fat).

Connie, it's a good thing your on-line. I'll just go to bed.

I'm sorry, Debbie.... saw this today and read back to see that yes, I was correcting you all over the place! I'm sorry. I just steamroller along, typing away and not noticing that I'm picking apart everything a poster says.....

That's alright Connie , I would rather you step in if you see something that can be done better. You do tend to be more cautious than I am, and I respect your opinions in dog nutrition. I learn alot from you.

Good news, He woke up and I palpated his tummy pretty firmly from up under the ribs to back near the nether regions, and he just wagged his tail and looked at me like "why ya doing that?" No sign of discomfort. He also is a little perkier, and tried to bug the chi's. He didn't even try one time yesterday, and that is unusual for him!

Another good sign, he just passed a formed stool, although it was a small amount. Funny thing about this whole illness is he never really had true diarrhea, the softest it got was thin pudding consistency.

I offered him baited water again, he drank a VERY small amount, less than 1/4 cup. But it's progress.

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

I'm sorry, Debbie.... saw this today and read back to see that yes, I was correcting you all over the place! I'm sorry. I just steamroller along, typing away and not noticing that I'm picking apart everything a poster says.....

I blame it on being the first-born of seven.

 Quote: Shody Lytle

Another good sign, he just passed a formed stool, although it was a small amount. Funny thing about this whole illness is he never really had true diarrhea, the softest it got was thin pudding consistency.

I offered him baited water again, he drank a VERY small amount, less than 1/4 cup. But it's progress.

Great! I'd concentrate on the water, and maybe 1/4 cup of mushy rice.... and see how that goes.

Shody,

I'm SO sorry to hear about all your trouble with Leo!! I just logged on and read through this whole thread... I have to say, within the first page of posts I was immediately concerned about bloat as well - some classic signs there (even if there was no progression to torsion, as Connie said, bloat can still BEGIN then pass on its own, or with assistance). I've been recently reading a lot about bloat and of the myriad of possible symptoms, the one most people suggest paying the most attention to is the dog simply not feeling right - it's general, I know, but that instinct of yours about your dog being "off" should be heeded every time.

You've gotten a lot of great advice here, and I'm so glad Leo seems to be coming 'out of the woods', but if I were you I'd begin raw immediately after his tummy was thoroughly settled (sounds like you're doing that already ). And I THIRD the suggestion to get "Natural Nutrition", Schultz's book - it's one of my favorites and I find her writing and theory a little more sophisticated than Billinghurst, who has numerous books on the subject (though if you can do it over time - read them all!! ). Even if you had only one "bad" bag of Candidae, the kibble diet in general may have been leaving his immune system open to the Demodex - before the tummy troubles even started!

You should have his health checked out completely after this episode to rule out any more severe problems - and I sincerely hope you can find a better vet - your description sounded just awful! And I can completely sympathize with breaking down in tears the moment I see my dog in pain or under undue stress (been there - done that!). I obviously don't have Connie's emotional nerves of steel!!

Hang in there Shody, please continue to keep us posted - and Oscar sends his best to Leo!!

~Natalya

 Quote: Natalya Zahn

And I can completely sympathize with breaking down in tears the moment I see my dog in pain or under undue stress (been there - done that!). I obviously don't have Connie's emotional nerves of steel!!
~Natalya

I don't either. Do as I say -- not as I do.

However, the intention to keep a positive and calm attitude for the dog can really help when I know I'm near the edge.

 Quote: Natalya Zahn

... if I were you I'd begin raw immediately after his tummy was thoroughly settled (sounds like you're doing that already

Me too. My hesitation was (and is) that a better diagnosis might just confirm an infection of food pathogens, in which case the pathogen load might be a consideration in the ingredients of the raw diet.

But yeah, I too really want to know why the vet said it didn't look like bloat.

I guess I would really want a second opinion, based on the whole thing with the first vet: no fecal, no bloodwork, no explanation of why it didn't look like bloat (plus the x-ray thing)....