Loss of Appetite + Ate a Flip-Flop
As background, he's almost a year old. I got him when he was 7 months old and have fed him the same food he ate with his breeder. Never any problems outside of the occasional messy sheepdog bottom we're all familiar with. About three weeks ago, he randomly lost his appetite. He's gone from being a "good eater" to not caring about his food. He's eating about 50 percent of what he was originally (but interestingly enough, he'll readily eat out of my hand). I thought that perhaps he was done with his growth/energy spurts, that I needed to feed him less, and it was no big deal. While this has been going on, he hasn't had very nice trips to the bathroom. We've had either very loose stools or he's been impacted and needed help from his mom to go to the bathroom. I've had to clean off his bottom with a hose more frequently than normal (once every two/three days instead of once every six weeks). Then he ate one of my rubber flip-flops this week. I came home to find a shredded shoe, and the rubber foot straps were in pieces. I didn't think he ingested any of it, until later that day he threw up several chunks of the rubber strap pieces. Since then, he hasn't had a nice bowel movement, and he's still not eating super well (maybe 60-70 percent of what he should, but still better). He's thrown up occasionally. I've had to clean his bottom three times today. I haven't seen any more pieces of flip-flop appear since he ate the shoe (four days ago). He doesn't seem to be any different since eating the flip-flop, but since he's not any better I'm starting to get worried. He has a trip to the groomer scheduled four days from now, and he gets groomed at the vet. Does this sound like one of those odd sheepie phases, or something much more serious? His demeanor and energy are completely normal. We play and wrestle and go for walks. He just isn't having much fun going to the bathroom. Many thanks! |
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| I would be a little concerned at four days.
Does it seem he has moved sufficient stool (including the yucky stuff)? Watch his tummy carefully for any signs of swelling or bloating or distress. Feed small meals. If he vomits again and doesn't bring anything up, I'd see the vet. If he doesn't poop for more than a day since his diarrhea, I'd see the vet. In a nutshell, you want to see that things are still moving. As always-- if you are worried, go to the vet. |
| I'd go for the vet visit. It is possible to have diarrhea with a partial obstruction.
The change in appetite, known to have eaten an object that doesn't break down, vomiting and diarrhea are all warning signs for me. My Ben has had emergency surgery (twice) for obstructions. Last summer, he puked up a washcloth, thank heavens, or he would have had a third surgery. Honestly, is there any smell on Earth that is worse than dog puke? |
| I would go see the vet because decreased appetite for so long, and diarrea as well and then the shoe are definitely grounds for concern. I mean he could have started off with just a parasite or some gastroenteritis but now with the shoe, you start to worry about partial obstruction if not a blockage.
yes there is a worse smell than dog vomit, its called ruptured abscess on an outdoor kitty that has started to have decaying skin on it. now that is bad and we see it at the emeregency clinic a lot!! some even come in with maggots in the wounds. YUK!! |
| When Simon was 9months old he quit eating. He acted fine, was drinking water but just wouldn't eat. Numerous visits to the Vet and 9lbs later he started eating again.
Since you have had messy stools and the flip flop eating...take him to the Vet. It may be nothing or maybe not. You want it checked for your piece of mind if nothing else |
| Hi everyone,
Thanks for your help. Linus went to the vet, and fortunately it looks like he has a very, very upset tummy from eating the flip-flop, but nothing that some antibiotics and bland food won't cure. He's starting to feel better already!  |
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