Sick Dog

[Ryan]

Hi- I live in southern florida and my dog was sick for a few days....got better.....and is now sick again. While he is sick he throws up every few hours and has very soft stool. We have taken him to the vet a few times because there was a small amount of blood in some of the vomit/stool. The vet had ruled out an obstruction and gave him antibiotics and fluids to keep him hydrated. His bloodtests are fine and he is fully vaccinated. Even when given a very small, bland diet.....he throws it up. The only thing I can possibly think of is that he is getting into something in our backyard. Does anybody know any common poisionous plants/vines/weeds in southern florida for dogs?

[Marty]

I'm sorry your dog is sick, Ryan. Check the links to the left under "emergency" and there is one called "poisonous plants." I really hope you can figure it out!

[k9Karen]

I live in Central Florida, and lived in So. FL for 10 years. There are numerous plants that can cause problems, but without having a description, I can't even begin to guess. Poinsettias are toxic, as is mistletoe - any holiday plants around? Was the stool checked for parasites?

Some thoughts:

Mold toxins - any decaying vegetation around? Most molds produce some pretty nasty toxins, and some can cause the symptoms you describe. this would also include the possibility that your dog's food has become contaminated with mold. If you are giving dry food, did it get wet? Also check the expiration date and try to think how long the bag has been open. Also, any chance he got into the garbage?

Pancreatitis - this is a not uncommon ailment in dogs. Did your vet run any lab work to check pancreatic or liver enzymes?

A viral infection. There was 'something going around' up here in central Fl about a year ago that caused this same type of symptoms. Two of my dogs got it, as did both dogs of a co-worker. If they ever figured out what it was, we never heard.

My suggestions: Keep in touch with your vet and monitor your dog's condition. If it gets worse, see the vet. In the meantime, feed a bland diet (white rice, boiled chicken, chicken broth or whatever your vet recommended) until the crisis is over. If the symptoms are not improved with treatment and bland diet after a couple of days, ask you vet to check the stool for bacterial pathogens, parasites, and also perform blood tests for pancreatitis. Watch your dog when he is outside to see if he is getting into anything that might be causing the problem

good luck!

[davet]

don;t know if oleander was mentioned but that can cause big trouble....

[Tanya]

Did your vet run a fecal? If not you should bring a stool sample in just in case. It's an easy way to rule out parasites, which can also cause vomiting and diarrhea.

[Traci]

My question is, was an x-ray done? The blood in the vomitis could be from wretching and irritated lining in the stomach but when it's also in the stool, this is concerning, and obstruction or perforation should be ruled out immediately. Toxins like rodenticide poisoning or human meds like pain relievers are also a main concern to rule out.

Bones and fragments from raw foods, chew toys, nylabones, unusual dog treats like hooves, etc all need to be considered as potential perforation problems. Please take a quick look around your home and your yard for problems, then call back your vet and express your continuing concerns, also ask for an x-ray...which could help rule in/out various things.

[Guest]

By coincidence, yesterday for no apparent reason - or maybe because she knows I live in the subtropics and have a yard full of philodendron ground cover and elephant ear et cetera (to most of which BTW my dog pays no attention whatever) - daughter in Austin sent a link on plants poisonous to dogs... Just now I looked briefly at the poisonous plant link Traci gives on this forum and did not see the one Nan sent, but it may be there... Anyhow, here it is and you might look it over to see anything rings a bell... Good luck with your dog.

http://www.uexplore.com/health/poisonplants.htm

[Guest]

Yes...the vet did a fecal test which was negative. He also took an x-ray which came back with nothing. They suggested a barium test to see if he possibly ate a sock or something that wouldn't show up on an x-ray. I didn't do that because I thought that was very unlikely. He seems to be in better spirits today so hopefully with a bland diet he will be back to 100% after a few more days.

[E's]

The above post with this link was mine
//www.uexplore.com/health/poisonplants.htm