Update on Dublin and his stomach woes

[Sue and Cash]

I have read and reread the answers people gave when I posted that he hurt his foot and the meds from the doctor caused him stomach upset. He seemed back to normal and his foot healed and scabbed over nicely. Last night he did the same thing again with waking me every two hours to go out in the yard. He would not stop pacing. So now I have this bloat thing in my brain and felt very concerned. But was I over reacting again? After the third time he woke me to go out he had an explosive poop. Never saw him have one like that. Went out in a straight line sideways. And it had blood in it. Quite a bit, with mucus. Lovely subject sorry. Dog people usually don't mind it. He then settled down and went to sleep. I on the other hand was outside with a flashlight in my robe like a moron!! Do I get to the vet, do I wait and see how he is etc. I know that unlike people, dogs can bleed and it isn't always anything but an indicator of a very upset tummy. I have panicked in the past. And found this out. I was told maybe the yougurt wasn't working for him. Some dogs don't do dairy well. Perhaps? He was very stressed out last night. Had his ear cleaned and this dog freaks out if you try to do his nails or ears. Is it stress? He did swipe a pillsbury cresent roll of the counter at dinner. Did that make him so ill? He hasn't had a BM since for me to see what is up. He slept till I came home from work and then I boiled him chicken and rice. Still no BM so that is a good thing. He went to the park for a bit and he played fine and ran a little and seemed his usual self. So I guess what I am picking your brains about is, could you show signs of bloat several times a week? I wouldn't think so. He has one of the guts that talks often and it is always overnight. Maybe he shouldn't have an empty stomach. Meaning his dinner is early. Usually about 5ish. This strange stuff, if he has it starts up in the middle of the night. I already do three times a day, small feedings. Maybe a fourth later at night? This dog will be the death of me. I was so worried at work about him and I only leave him four hours a day. I was elated to come home and find him okay. I was thinking I would go to the vet but again, he seems okay now. So to recap, he never really had explosive runny poops before but he does have this stomach gurgling and grumbling at least one or two nights a week. And sometimes seems like he needs to puke but can't. But then can go for several months and be okay. Do I just watch for bloat or actually have him xrayed?

[Ilona & Gina]

Hello Susan,

I needed to read Dublin's story twice. And no, I don't think you overreact - better to be safe than sorry - I am just the same...and the vet bills are enormous.

Just for your peace of mind, maybe you go back to the vet?
I am not an expert, but I always thought bloating is when they he can't poop or let off wind at all, as the intestines are twisted? I guess you would soon notice and rush him to the vet ASAP!

Well, Gina's brother Anton had blood and mucus in his stool once, and it turned out to be a gut worm, something harmless. But then, you have the story with his paw - could you imagine it is his medicine? By-the-way, Mucus, so I was told, is nothing serious.

To four times feeding: The naturopath told me to feed Anton & Gina once a day - I feed twice, as I am not comfortable with huge amounts of food (danger of bloating, so I read). So I could imagine 3 times a day would be enough.

As to yoghurt, the vet told me that it should be fine, as it has all these good bacteria. It makes the stool a bit loose, though. I am sure it's not bad for Dublin.

I just had a look in my naturopath book, and it reads that whitre rice is good when your dog has an upset stomach. Or slippery elm bark (don't know what that is, though...).

I can see by your story that you are alarmed, and all I can do is wish Dublin (and you) well!

Ilona

[Catherine Carter]

Hi Susan
I am not a vet but these symptoms reminds me of what I experienced several years ago with one of my dog. In the end he had a gluten allergy. So was fed rice for the rest of his life( to nearly 15) and never anything with wheat in it. Tree bark powder (slippery elm bark) was also very helpful to calm all these bad stomach reactions.When his stomach was gurgling it would settle instantly if I fed him a bit of hard cheese( it used to happen in the morning usually)

[Sue and Cash]

Thank you for replying. So okay if they are pooping then bloat wound't be a worry? And yes he is on white rice and boiled chicken for another day with a slow mixing in of kibble. I have read that Irish Setters can have gluten intolerances. And that they have researched them to help humans with Celiacs Disease. Again which is Gluten Intolerance. So knowing that, with this dog, I made sure he was on a corn and wheat free diet. No corn gluten meal etc. His food is very simple with basically Salmon and brewers rice. We have decided no tasting of any people food anymore either. He used to occassionally eat a green bean, or some bread crust when I was eating. It kills us both to not share a taste! Those eyes beg so sweetly. I am hoping today will be a better day. Just waitiing to see his poop!!

[Tracy Drath]

I had a boy worry wort setter with stomach issues, a few tricks that worked for me was I gave him zantac over the counter stomach medicine an hour before I fed him, it seem to settle his stomach before the food hit, I have also given it to him when I can hear his stomach making lots of noise. We also used raw pumpkin in the can, he really likes it and it helps with the diarrea. The several small meals or treats often also helped.