Nervous Tummy
by PuppyLuv
ORIGINAL MESSAGE:
Hi! Dustin just got back from his first professional grooming yesterday, and boy! did he ever look adorable! We both loved the groomer, and she fell in love with Dustin. She said that he was such a good boy that she didn't want to send him home! (Big surprise, huh?) I had told her to watch out for biting and snaping, as he is a bit of a brat. (I'm working on it!)
Later that afternoon, my daughter noticed that Dustin was passing blood through his colon. I was frantic! I called the vet, and she was good enough to work us into her overbooked schedule. She ran fecal tests on Dustin, and checked all of the usual areas of concern. The fecal sample came out parasite free, and Dustin seemed healthy with a normal temperature, etc.
The vet decided that perhaps Dustin was "internalizing" his fright at his grooming and being with strangers, and his little colon was taking the brunt. She perscribed a soft diet of Hill's Perscription Diet ID, the same type of kibbles, and Meltronidazole for the next 3 days.
Dustin has loved the new canned food, and likes the kibble, too. He is back to his normal, aggravating little self, and no more blood. Has anyone else had a fur-baby with such a nervous temperment?
DISCUSSION:
In all due respect to your vet, I don't buy the nervous stomach especially when blood is involved. I would definitely get a second opinion and do make sure that your little one did not get into anything at the groomers that could be causing a reaction.
I would thoroughly check all avenues out because blood in the stool would send up a red-alert with me. Especially, when the dog was otherwise healthy prior to getting a haircut. Good luck and keep us posted.
Kathy
My Layla has a very sensitive digestive system. If I change her food just slightly she will have bloody stools. As far as being nervous, she will throw up. This has only happened two times and it was after going to the vet. The first time she threw up so much I got scared and called the vet. He said it was normal as she was just very scared and it upset her stomach. When she had the bloody stools the vet then told me that she has a sensitive stomach. She is doing much better now as long as I don't let any one give her something she shouldn't have. My biggest problem isn't Layla, it's trying to convince people to ignore those sweet little eyes of hers when she looks for a taste of what they are eating.
Lorie & Layla
I experienced the same symptoms with both of my Malt adoptees.
Everything seemed fine for the first couple of days after they
arrived--they ate fine, they pooped fine, they slept, they
played, etc. Then they got diarrhea with blood. Naturally,
I scooped them up and took them to the vet right away.
In both cases, 10 months apart, the vet diagnosed fear
induced colitis and prescribed much the same remedy as your
vet did. During the first few months of the adjustment
period, I noticed that both of them had very sensitive
stomachs. Now that they have both adjusted to their home
environment, I call them my little canine disposals. Neither
of them have had this problem in the past 2 years.
I agree with your vet. I think your little braveheart internalized the fear and it took a toll on the digestive system.
Tonya
Take it from a medical microbiologist (retired). Hookworms are shed in 'showers' so it is not uncommon for stools to be negative in an infected animal. Get three negatives before assuming they are not there. In our tiny dogs these are much more serious than on the big guys and small infections can do more damage. You can just take a fresh sample in without taking the dog.
Mary Lou
It's good you had him checked out, and follow-up is undoubtedly a good idea, too. The first dog I ever had as a child died of bleeding from his lower intestine. I was told he picked up a contagious illness from a stray dog. But I have always wondered if he got poisoned, accidentally or otherwise. Last year a friend's dog died from rat poison and from delay in diagnosis. Apparently the poison is so attractive that dogs will do extraordinary things to get to it, and their vet did not recognize the symptoms. On a less scary note, I do find that Spunky has had a delicate digestion, although it's getting better with age. I still find that if I give him too many freeze-dried liver treats (which he demands as a reward for putting up with grooming and doing other good deeds) he will get loose stools, sometimes with a drop or two of blood, though it is not severe. I have had to warn people who take care of him not to overdo it with the treats--including the vet's staff. I wonder if your groomer might have given him treats, too?
Margy S
| Please bear in mind when reading topics pertaining to health issues, that most of these questions were answered by helpful Maltese owners with no formal education in veterinary medicine. When in doubt seek a professionals advice. |
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