Help!!! Dog-sitting and doggy illness...

[JennyWren]

So my parents left for a two week cruise this morning and I'm dog-sitting. The dog has had bloody diarrhea all afternoon. Should I call my mother and ask her what I should do before they get on the boat tomorrow? I don't want to ruin her cruise because she is worried about the dog. Should I call the vet in the morning? Is their medication for dogs, like Immodium?

I'm not a 'dog' person and don't know what should be done.

 

[kerstfan1]

take the dog to the vet right now bloody diahrea is never good last spring my dog had it and he was sick for over a week

 

[quasar4legs]

Find an emergency vet today, the dog needs urgent medical care. My dog had this once and she was a very sick doggy for quite a while.
At this point I wouldn't ring your mum until you have spoken to the vet.

Good luck, I hope the dog is OK.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

If it were me I would want to know. And I agree bloody diarrhea is not normal and the dog should be seen. Good luck!

PS did the dog eat something not right? Any chance it's on a RAW diet?

 

[JennyWren]

I would assume that it's not on a RAW diet, though I don't know what that is. It's only had dog food since they dropped it off, though I can't be sure what it ate this morning. I have a call into the vet.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

How much blood are we talking? Blood streaked? Frank blood? Or something in between?

You might try to bring along a fresh sample when you go to the vet.

 

[JennyWren]

It's very watery, but the blood is in clots. I know that it has a hernia that the vet has been keeping an eye on, but don't know if the two could be connected, it's also a fairly elderly dog.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

How big is the dog? Small dogs can dehydrate and/or bleed out quickly.

Are you waiting for a call back from the regular vet or the emergency vet?

Do you have an emergency veterinary hospital near you? If you're not sure, start to research where it is.

I would probably just go if you're sure it's blood.

 

[JennyWren]

I would say it's around 20#, I've given it watered down pedialyte and it seems to be drinking and eating alright. I have a call in to the regular vet, we don't have an emergency vet.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

If he's had watery (or other) diarrhea all day you should hold off on food for now.

 

[JennyWren]

I can do that. On the plus side it's been about an hour and a half since she has went, so we may be alright...

 

[abdmom]

Here's a link to emergency vets in your area: emergency vets

20 lbs is a small dog. It hasn't gone because it has nothing left. Take it into a vet, don't wait until the morning.

 

[Janepod]

Emergency vet, now. Better safe than sorry. Poor little pup.

 

[Phil'sFrontier]

I just googled it and I came up with this.
Black means it is not fresh blood, meaning it is farther up the intestine.
Red blood could indicate the bleeding is happening in the lower intestine.

 

[torinsmom]

You don't need a regular emergency vet. They are set up to take any pet on an emergency basis, when the regular vets are closed.

I hope the doggie is okay. I would definitely call your parents and let them know what's going on. Like people, a small amount of blood in the stool infrequently can be normal(caused by constipation, etc), but if it happens several times or is excessive, it can be dangerous.

 

[pumba]

when our doggie has the doggie bug...maybe once a year...she goes on a chicken/rice diet...very bland...and plenty of water...she had to go on antibiotics once or twice with it...the stools are usually watery and with a bloody discharge and then eventually it goes away...
Hope your parents baby is better fast...

 

[luvwinnie]

How is he doing? I hope he has been seen by a vet.

 

[JennyWren]

She seems to be doing better. The vet has put her on a diet of boiled meat and rice for a few days and said it should clear up. Apparently I got way too panic-y, but she's old and not in such great condition. I don't want anything to happen to her on my watch.

 

[AlwaysMoving]

She seems to be doing better. The vet has put her on a diet of boiled meat and rice for a few days and said it should clear up. Apparently I got way too panic-y, but she's old and not in such great condition. I don't want anything to happen to her on my watch.

The poor thing. Being old, having problems already and on top of that, changing environments problably caused her stress, which caused intestinal irritation. The diet sounds mild and should help. The starch in the rice will help slow down that quick movement. She is lucky to have you watching her.

 

[JennyWren]

Thank you to everyone...