Not Eating And Bloody Stools...advice For Tonight?

[Guest Isabella]

Yesterday Izzy wasn't wanting to really eat but she was drinking and I did get her to eat some chicken mixed with some pumpkin, she had a loose stools and I thought I could see a little blood. Today when I got home from work she had not touched her food and doesn't seem interested in drinking either. Took her out to potty and she had blood and mucus in her stool, not really diarrhea but not normal consistency. Her gums are pink and she doesn't seem dehydrated. I can't get ahold of the vet until morning. Any suggestions on what to do in the meantime? She's alert and doesn't seem to be in any distress. She did have some merrick beef snout chews on Saturday and am wondering if bad reaction to them, haven't changed her diet otherwise. I guess I am most worried about her not wanting to drink. Should I try and get her to eat something or should I just have her fast ? I did get a sample of the stool to take to vet tomorrow, just want reassurance that I don't need to drive the 50 miles to the emergency vet clinic.

 

oh and yesterday she was wanting to eat grass which I know is a sign of stomach upset. Also I am noticing (as she is sitting right next to me) that she is having some gas .

Edited April 16, 2013 by Isabella

[PrairieProf]

Absolutely do not feed her. Her system needs time to rest. Don't go crazy about not drinking for now. She won't get dehydrated in a day, and she can get fluids tomorrow at the vet at the latest

 

I would say emergency vet, as blood in the stools can turn into HGE (hemorraghic gastroenteritis) very quickly -- that involves blood just pouring out copiously. This is a very serious condition that needs immediate treatment. Or just watch her now and take her in immediately if anything worsens. And take her in first thing tomorrow regardless so she can gets meds and fluids.

 

Beth also has gastroenteritis since yesterday morning (not eating, vomited once, feels crappy, progressed to liquid diarrhea) and spent the day at the vet getting fluids. But no blood. She is now 48 hours without eating but the vet doesn't want me to try to feed her until tomorrow -- they can go longer without eating and be fine. Think she's beginning to turn the corner but she's been on meds since yesterday (metronidazole bacteria and GI inflammation, Cerenia for nausea -- I keep both of those on hand so I was able to start them right away).

 

Gastroenteritis of undetermined cause (some kind of bacteria in the environment presumably) is evidently more common at this time of year -- read that online today and my vet confirmed it. Interesting that both Izzy and Beth are having the problem at the exact same time in the same region.

Edited April 16, 2013 by PrairieProf

[MaryJane]

Hmmm .... I went back to check the amber alerts and verified that she was lost for a few days in March ..... because of that I would say bring her in to the ER vet. She may have gotten into something when she was lost and she can't pass it. With that in mind, x-rays would be a good idea and some blood work.

[macoduck]

Possible reaction to that beef snack. Yup, take the poop sample in. Hopefully some Flagyl will fix her up.

Edited April 16, 2013 by macoduck

[BatterseaBrindl]

Update ??

 

[Guest Isabella]

Well vet visit this morning confirmed she had a pretty good case of C-diff, which vet believes probably came from her 30 hours on the run drinking dirty water and eating lord knows what, that triggered a bout of irritable bowel, a course of flagyl and some pepto bismol should take care of it. She is eating today and definitely feels better, she will be on rice and boiled chicken for the next few days. Thanks everyone for the advice !

[galgrey]

Glad to hear she's on the road to recovery.

[HoundHeavenAZ]

Really happy to hear that it's nothing too serious. Get well soon Izzy