Max has odd poo-- dark and tar like.
Today it is dark and rather tar like, which is a worry. Isn't that a sign of blood from the intestine?? He also seems to be pooping more, and has been eating grass. The Vet is already closed, so thought I would come here and see what you think. Am I being overly concerned? |
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| Yeah, tarry poop can be a sign of intestinal problems, bleeding for example. I assume the vet will be open tomorrow, give them a call first thing and ask their opinion. Also get a sample of the poop for them to examine.
Bright red would be signs of bleeding closer to the exit port or very serious bleeding further in.....but he'd be way down if that would occur. Vomiting blood is another concern, but even then when MO did it, she was not "down" but rather "well, glad that's gone!" Her's was tummy irritation due to food allergies. Of course watch Max for signs of crashing tonight. I don't think this is an emergency situation. Why did you change dog food? Upset tummy? Could be an ulcer or other irritation. If he's still happy, bouncy, loving Max.....tomorrow is plenty of time. |
| Yes, dark tarry stools are a sign of bleeding. Either old blood passing through, or something bleeding far up the GI tract.
It needs to get checked, but if nothing else is going on, I wouldn't consider it neccessarily an emergency. Hope Max is OK!  |
| Poor guy! Some painkillers can cause intestinal distress and bleeding. I was often advised to give certain painkillers with pepcid. Is Max on any meds? |
| He seems ok otherwise.
What could cause that kind of bleeding? You mentioned ulcers. I am assuming he may have ate something that punctured the intestine as well. Poor Max. (sigh) |
Valerie wrote: Poor guy! Some painkillers can cause intestinal distress and bleeding. I was often advised to give certain painkillers with pepcid. Is Max on any meds?
No, believe it or not, he has been med free for about a year now. Just Glucosomine (sp) twice a day. |
Take him up to the vets when you can, also if you can take a sample of the stool with you so the vet can look at it, saves a lot of explanation then with a sample of how the poo is. Better at home to collect, get a clean sterial jar and when he goes, pick it up and pop into the jar and screw the lid on tight  |
Oh, poor Max. I hope he's okay. Keep us posted  |
Poo is in a jar  and we are on our way....
I'll let you know the outcome. |
Any word from the vet?  |
| Hoping for good news for sweetest Max. |
Wishing Max the best  |
Coccidia-- A single-celled parasite, primarily found in puppies and kittens.  Max is neither one, and we aren't sure how he contracted it.
He had loose stools a few weeks ago, but it cleared up in a day or two, and we didn't think much more about it. Dr. said that was a first sign..  She also said it is very hard to get rid of in adult dogs.
He is on antibiotics for a week, and then will be re-checked. My sister's little Sheltie Copper, needs to be checked too because they play together every evening. Poor Max. |
| I'm sorry.
Isn't cleaning the real issue with this? Clean everything with very hot water, strict hygiene for food, water & poop disposal and limit exposure to other dogs and cats? I'm even thinking bleach on the yard - or was that another one of the GI diseases. Ugggh! |
| Oh boy, a protozoal diarrhea.......
Yep, clean up, keep clean, isolate, treat. Hard surfaces bleach clean 1:30 proportions. Lawn......well, not much there other than keeping the poop picked up. Applications of compost would provide more microorganisms who would hopefully "eat" the protozoas...... Actually keeping the lawn well water, fertilized, mown is about all you really can do. Limit time on the lawn least you think the little buggers are really out there......that will disturb your sleep
Great food, maybe even food supplements-probiotics- to boost immune system to help dispell the micros. The upset tummy that resulted in food change was the Coccidiosis? |
| Glad you jared a sample and took it in with max. Nice quick result too so hopefully it will clear up soon.
Potty outside with the doo doo's make sure you pick up straight away and on hard surface to bleach the area on grass watered down bleach after going to make sure no re-infection. And of course pick up straight away and disposing of it appropriately.
Agree with Sheepie boss too, might help a lot to also supplement Max on probiotics. Wether that be yoghurt or looking at the powder form or you can get tablets, helps support the system while he is on the anti-biotics and also as susan said will help all over with the immune system and help dispell the micros and get a start on retaining the good flora in his bowel as anti-biotics kill off the good as well as the bad too. |
| Whew-- I have bleached and cleaned all hard surfaces Max comes in contact with (garage floor-- sidewalks-- porch--deck) and Max is clean and fresh. All of his bedding has been sani-washed and dried out side in the sun.
I took a bottle filled with bleach water out into the driveway and sprayed the best I could. With over 800 feet of driveway and 25 acres.... we will just have to do the best we can there. I have picked up the poo immediately and treated the area. He seems pretty lathargic today. It was almost 90 here, so that could contribute to his lazy day. We are mixing yogart with his food and giving him his antibiotics and pepcid ever 12 hours. Poor guy! |
| Poor Max, get better soon.
And poor you, you must be exhausted after all that!!! |
| We are on our way back to the vets. Max just isn't himself at all.. throwing up and very lathargic. Could be a reaction to the meds-- or something else. She wanted to see him ASAP. Off we go. Keep your fingers crossed! |
Abuckie wrote: We are on our way back to the vets. Max just isn't himself at all.. throwing up and very lathargic. Could be a reaction to the meds-- or something else. She wanted to see him ASAP. Off we go. Keep your fingers crossed!
 I hope he is better soon. I am so sorry. |
| Could easily be the meds as he's not himself already.
I hope things get sorted out and he's feeling better soon. |
| Seems that we have several things going on. The original problem is still there of course-the pesky little parasites. The sulfur based antibiotics most likely are causing the upset stomach- so- we have a different med.
He has been so lathargic, so they did a series of blood tests and also checked his thyroid. Everything looks good- except the thyroid, which is underactive. Actually that explains several things that have been going on with him that we contributed to his injury. For the last few weeks, his back legs have seemed to buckle when he is standing for extended periods. Not all the time, but enough concern that he has an appointment with the surgeon next week. The doctor said this was most common is animals with a sluggish thyroid, as well as the increased panting. (which we thought was pain from the back) I am learing that 1+1 does not always equal 2... He is such a sweetheart. All of this stuff---- upset tummy, parasites, sluggish thyroid... and he just lets us poke and prod. Like he knows we are trying our best. What a trooper. And a shout out for our Vet! Always so quick with results and cares so about Max. We are very lucky to have them! |
| sorry what did I miss - surgery? |
kerry wrote: sorry what did I miss - surgery?
Oh I'm sorry. I forget that not everyone just knows about Max's surgery! Two years ago he ruptured dics in his back and had surgery. We carried him for 6 months because he couldn't use his hind legs. And then, through a series of events and great advice from dear Chumley and Maggie's Mom Valerie--he started to improve. Today, other than a slight limp- he is doing great. We owe much to this forum, Val and a great vet for Max's recovery. |
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