:'( come ON.

[Thehallk]

I know there are a lot of people with very serious and expensive issues going on here so my apologies if my problems sound petty. I just don't think my credit cards can take another hit with a vet bill, even with insurance coverage!

Gilly ate what I'm pretty sure was human feces on Tuesday. We were on our usual trail, with her off leash as usual and she went into the deep grass, as she always does, except I got a few feet in front of her and she still wasn't coming - usually an indication she found deer poop, except she didn't come when I called either... So I knew it was somethig more. Wen I got close to her I yelled "get outta there!" and she did and came back to me - her mouth covered in the foul stuff. I didnt go into the grass to confirm my suspicions but now I'm thinking I might have to go back to make sure there wasnt something that could cause an obstruction. She has very good energy, is drinking water, and eating. I haven't noticed her bowel movements but she doesn't have urgent diarrhea. She IS throwing up. Once yesterday afternoon (which was food and water - I didn't think much of it because she often throws up after drinking too much water). Then again last night a few hours after she ate, then not until this morning when she threw up yellows liquid with some froth (and more difficultly/effort regurgitating). What should I do (other than call the vet, which I will do as soon as they open)? And please, be kind to me today. I have only slept 2 hours since yesterday as I've been awake with my very fussy newborn human. Sigh.

 

[Brandie&Maggie]

Ugh. Sorry you're dealing with all this. It's frustrating, especially running on little sleep and with a new baby in the house. Lack of sleep makes everything feel worse I think.

You say you haven't noticed her poops, but is she pooping? If so, and she is otherwise normal, she most likely just has an upset stomach. However, she could definitely pick up some nasty stuff from eating poo, as you know. This morning's vomit just sounds like she doesn't have any food to throw up, especially since she threw up her dinner.

If she is acting normal I would just call the vet when they open. I wouldn't bother going back to the trail to look for something....if there was anything to cause an obstruction you're not going to find it out there!

Hopefully its nothing serious. Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[Jeannie]

I'd let her stomach rest for 24 hours - no food. Then I'd start back on a bland diet. The worst that could come from eating any poop is giardia. Of course unless she ate something to cause a blockage. As long as she is acting fine I wouldn't worry too much.

 

[Jager's Mom]

(((Hugs))) and breathe....

I think the above posts gave good advice...please keep us posted.

 

[DAWNMERIE]

My thoughts...would the vet charge an arm and a leg to keep her for observation over night, if she started to act differently? It does sound like the bile may be because of her empty stomach, and I'd be watching like a hawk for some poop. Can't hurt to just give them the heads up just incase. She's the one who ate the tennis ball, right? Did they ever find anything or have to go in? I'm sure others who have had this issue will chime in maybe with some advise but that's my thoughts at the moment. Sorry that your going through this, I'm sure it's a lot to deal with, with a newborn too. Take a deep breathe and keep your chin up.

 

[ElvisTheNewf]

1) Never apologize for being worried about your dog!!

2) Stomach rest and careful observation. I know this is so much easier said than done, but it's probably what the vet would do. When you're worried about the dog, suddenly everything becomes scarier. "On no, she just slept all morning. She doesn't want to get up. She hasn't peed in 8 hours" - these are things Elvis does every day, but when I'm worried about him they make me totally freak out.

It sounds like she's acting normal aside from the throwing up. If her behavior changes or she seems very uncomfortable, then I'd give the vet a call. You know her better than anyone!

*side note, the "when you're worried, even normal things become scary" will totally apply to the baby as well!!

 

[Thehallk]

Thanks all. I'm sure I knew to fast her then feed bland and observe, but my mind is so blank right now! She DID eat that tennis ball (she threw it all up but had to have meds to heal her stomach lining), and more recently she ate diapers and had to have an obstruction surgically removed (thankfully coincided with her scheduled spay and gastropexy, so no extra cuts or anesthesia). She doesn't OFTEN eat junk but she always has trouble when she does! Here's hoping for just an upset tummy/giardia/nothing serious. I'll keep you posted.

 

[lmfoltyn]

I would give her a pepto bismol tablet to sooth her upset tummy. From a doggy mom whose dog eats EVERYTHING, (the last thing was a bath sponge), I know how you feel. Since you've been through the ball passing and then the trauma of the diaper not passing, you are a pro by now. Watch for the poop, if she is pooping with no problems you are probably good. It can take up to a few weeks for foreign objects to pass if they don't cause a blockage. These guys can really be a handful...but we love them in spite of it all, right??! Good luck and hopefully nothing more will enter her mouth that isn't supposed to. LOL...

 

[Thehallk]

Update: Gilly seems much better - hasn't thrown up since yesterday morning, ate some rice for dinner last night. I'll give her more rice for breakfast and see how that goes before a small kibble lunch. Matter of fact, she chased a deer out of our yard this morning (I tried to catch her because the poor deer kept slamming into the fence (they were both much too quick for me to aid).

On a separate note, I think the ONLY time Gilly ever feels that "guilt" is when she throwss up. You know the face "normal" breeds make when they get in trouble? Gilly only feels remorse when she's sick, And then I feel bad for her with her poor sad face.

 

[lmfoltyn]

So glad she is feeling better...we just worry so with these guys. Poor deer too! My dogs bark their heads off at the horses that are being ridden on our hill. I always feel so bad for the owners trying to saddle these guys only to have 2 barking dogs scaring them to death.

 

[Leonard and his bud Snuffles]

Glad to read things are looking up. Hope she is on the path to total recovery.

 

[NewfieMama]

Update: Gilly seems much better - hasn't thrown up since yesterday morning, ate some rice for dinner last night. I'll give her more rice for breakfast and see how that goes before a small kibble lunch. Matter of fact, she chased a deer out of our yard this morning (I tried to catch her because the poor deer kept slamming into the fence (they were both much too quick for me to aid).

On a separate note, I think the ONLY time Gilly ever feels that "guilt" is when she throwss up. You know the face "normal" breeds make when they get in trouble? Gilly only feels remorse when she's sick, And then I feel bad for her with her poor sad face.

Yay, so glad she is better! I keep Pepcid on hand for tummy upsets, if that does not seem to settle them then I get worried (along with the fast/tummy rest of course).

Here's to no more vet bills for a while!

 

[ardeagold]

Glad she's feeling better...and she probably found dog poop. My dogs love to go into bushes, under trees, into weeds to go. It's privacy for them.

I'd just test her for worms again within a few weeks.

 

[Bucephalus]

How's she doing tonight, Liza? Hope she's back to normal. Time to hide the dirty diapers...sounds like Gilly has a taste for poo.

So does Bo (shame face). The vet said bird poop is bad, horse poop is just "extra fiber." Not yet sure about human, and I hope we don't find out.

 

[robertjt]

Glad to hear she's on the mends. Hope she fully recovers soon!

 

[NinaA]

For future reference, my vets say you should not give Pepto tablets. They do not readily dissolve. They like Pepcid AC - not Complete. And, the girls do well with that. It's easier to get down.

 

[Thehallk]

Thanks guys, I have Pepcid AC on hand but I didn't actually use it. After fasting a a few bland meals she was fine. I didn't actually see her poop until yesterday (i would try to watch her but she sure takes her time in the yard, there's so many other things to do first - chase a bird, bark at alpacas, pounce on bugs, stare at me for a really long time... though I knew she had pooped because there were remnants in her feathers... )

She usually turns her nose up at dog poop and seems as disgusted that someone wouldn't pick it up as I am! Plus the distinct odor led me to believe it was something more human. She does have a taste for deer poop though, and I've come to consider that part of her diet. And she gets the odd taste of horse and rabbit since they are often left on our trails. (her flea meds are combined with something for worms, I believe)

I'm just glad it's over!