Is there a VET in the house???

LuckeeLaydee

Cathlete
I will start with a warning this will be kind of gross and not for the squeamish.
My husband's 12 year old dog is sick. We have an appointment for him on Saturday.
Here is what has been happening. Sunday we saw blood on the floor in the kitchen, quite a bit. The dogs had just been outside for a potty break. I told my husband to check their butts and noses. Sure enough there was blood around one dogs rear end. It had stopped and it wasn't coming out any more. My husband checked his stool in the yard and there was blood around it but it didn't look like any in it. We thought maybe he had a hemorrhoid or something! It was all fresh looking blood, not dark. Anyway, since then no more problems, he has been acting fine, eating, wanting to play etc. Then last night he threw up and there was blood in it. So we made an appt with the vet. The only thing that has changed lately is that at the recommendation of the vet at the last check up was to put him on "diet" food since he was overweight. Well we did and he lost weight quickly but now it seems he is sick! The change was from Purina little bites (which he has had all his life) to whatever purina diet version of little bites is. We kept his wet food the same, pedigree, which he has also eaten since he was a puppy. He only gets a tiny bit of that per day.
I personally think we should change his food back right away. Even if he is very sick at least he will be getting the food that didn't seem to bother him. I think it might even be the food making him sick.
Any ideas what might be wrong or suggestions from any vets or vet techs or anyone that know a lot aboutt dogs?

I am worried most about my husband as this is his "baby".



http://www.picturetrail.com/luckeelaydee

Paula
 
Paula, I don't want to be the voice of doom but I don't think a change in food would cause something that dramatic. Blood in the stool & vomiting blood aren't very good signs.

I'm not a vet & I'm not an expert, other than having dogs my entire life. But given the age of your dog it could be something serious. Call the vet back & tell them it's an emergency, & that he must squeeze the dog in tomorrow. Frankly I can't believe they didn't tell you to bring him in immediately.

Keep us posted on how he's doing--I have a sick old pup myself & I can really empathize with you.
 
Paula,

I am a vet and I think you should take him in before Sat., even if he seems to be feeling ok. This is definitely not normal and not related to a change in his food.

I'm not going to speculate on what might be wrong, because I can't see him or examine him. Take him in and get a good exam, bloodwork, etc.

Good luck and I hope it's nothing serious.

Edie
 
I agree with LauraMax. I can't believe your vet didn't insist that you bring your dog in right away. If it were me, I'd be at his door insisting on it or at an emergency clinic if there is one in your city. I am not a vet, either, but have had many dogs throughout my life, and this sounds serious enough to warrant immediate attention. Please get it. And keep us posted.

MissL
 
Here's another vote from another vet in the house that says get him in sooner than Saturday! Be prepared for bloodwork at minimum +/- xrays as well.

Let us know what you find out!

Heidi
 
Another voice to say 'get him to the vet ASAP'! Maybe what he has isn't serious, but it could turn that way if you wait too long. There is no way that a change in food could account for these symptoms.

Vet! Immediately!
 
I hope this isn't anything serious. Here's my two bits. I have an old dog and she had a growth coming out of her rectum. I took her to the vet and she said it was a wart. She had one on the end of her tail too. She said old dogs just get warty. This growth will occasionally bleed. We didn't remove it because the vet thought due to its location that would do more harm. She is a Lhasa and about 14 years old. Stone cold deaf at this point. We love her dearly.
 
UPDATE RE: Is there a VET in the house???

thanks to everyone for your concern and advice! I wanted to update you nice folks about Spencer.
The Vet says that he doesn't believe Spencer has stomache cancer (our worst fear). He doesn't feel a mass in his stomach, and the lumps he feels on the outside are fatty cysts (we've been told this before). The vet says he has a bacterial infection and /or colitis. We have him on two medicines and we will re-evaluate if he doesn't get better. I am so relieved.
Thanks to you all!



http://www.picturetrail.com/luckeelaydee

Paula
 

Our Newsletter

Get awesome content delivered straight to your inbox.

Top