Gundog Training Forum

Hi everyone just after some advice on what to do with my pup.

Pip had a bad night on Wednesday a few hours after eating his dinner his normal kibble with some leftover sausages. He was sick and had the diorhea through the night.

On Thursday he was no longer sick but still had diarrhoea. He was not his usual perky self but he still had some of his playfulness and seemed to be over the worst.
My girlfriend wanted to take him to the vet which we did and they gave us some anti biotics and anti sickness ( which I have not given him as he is no longer being sick)

The vet did say however that he was quite dehydrated and they would like to take him in and put him on a drip. The vet said that he was on the borderline of needing to come in.
I just didn't feel right putting him through that when he seemed to me to be over the worse of the sickness.

On getting him home we encouraged him to drink and syringed some water to him which he was fine with. He took on lots of water and was weeing normally too.

He still has a bit of diarrhoea this morning but again is drinking ok.

Just wondering if I should have put him in overnight. I looked online about testing for dehydration. A pinch test on the skin and a capillary refill on the gums and on both of those he is fine. Just not sure what the vet saw which made her feel he could be admitted.

Sorry for the long post just wanted to put this out there to get some more opinions.

When my parents came over they thought we were making this up as to them he was his usual bouncy self when he greets them. I know they can hide sickness well or am I just over thinking things again.

James & Jess

By the time you see skin tent and dry membranes a dog is very dehydrated, earlier symptoms can be subtle (a headache would be common in humans) but could include the coat looking starey, the pup being a bit dull, or we may assume dehydration based on the amount coming out and the amount going in not adding up! We tend to be a little more cautious with pups as they can't balance their body water as well as adults, plus the weather has been warm. If he's ok now then your decision was obviously not a bad one! Remember pups are like babies; they go downhill very quickly but bounce back amazingly well too.

PERCENT DEHYDRATION CLINICAL SIGNS
<5 Not detectable
5-6 Subtle loss of skin elasticity
Definite delay in return of skin to normal position
6-8 Eyes possibly sunken in orbits
Possibly dry mucous membranes
Tented skin stands in place
10-12 Eyes sunken in orbits
Dry mucous membranes
As above plus possible signs of shock
12-15 (tachycardia, cool extremities, rapid and
weak pulses, prolongation of CRT)

Well after not having any food yesterday he is now enthusiastically scoffing his boiled chicken and rice.

I think we made the right decision it's just nice to have some reassurance and some other opinions. With any luck he will keep this food down and the diarrhoea will stop. I will keep up the anti biotics as advised and keep a close eye on him.

We have used ice cubes to encourage him to drink, are there any other ways to encourage him to drink?


James

If I'm doing the boiled chicken and rice thing I give him the water that the chicken was boiled in (once it's cool) - he'll drink that even when he's reluctant to drink plain water.

When my dog has a tum upset, he gets purely natural yogurt no sugar first he loves it then a couple of hours later a very little portion of brown rice cooked and chicken. I usually keep it up for 24 hours, followed by half and half with the normal food...

Love this forum for the great advice and reassurance. Vicki, you're a star. T

Thanks for all the replays and advice. He is doing well touch wood. He is back to his playful self trying all he can to have a game with him.

We know of another older dog which has recently come down with similar symptoms to what pip had. Could it be a bug going around?

James

Of course it could!

If it is a bug. How many days after showing signs of sickness would he be deemed ok to socialise with other dogs. I have a BBQ today and wanted to bring him with me.