We need a poo!

Candy

Candy

Biscuit Tin Guardian
Location
West Yorkshire, UK
Also just catching up, I do hope something has been sorted out for poor Snowie, it's awful to see our dogs in so much distress, so upsetting for you. :hug: :thelambiesarecoming::thelambiesarecoming::hug:
 
M

M.F.

Thank you everyone for checking in. Means so much. I was up every 2 hours with Snowie for squatting and grunting, but didn’t swim and wanted to come back to our bed after each go. So at least I slept in 2-hour bursts.

We went first thing to the highly recommended vet. Got there as the doors opened at 8am. First people there. The vet saw Snowie. Of course Snowie was cheerful and happy, being in pain does not affect his social skills. The vet’s two Golden Retrievers roam around and were first to welcome Snowie.

Good thing we got there early cos he is fully booked today. Examined Snowie. Said this is not an emergency but Snowie needs another enema (liquid paraffin and other slippery stuff) where he will also use long forceps to carefully remove bits of bone, as much as he can. Might need 2-3 more enemas over as many days to clear it completely. Until then Snowie will be in pain but not in danger. He could feel that the bone is in the large intestine, which is good: once it’s there, it can come out the end. Had it been stuck at the valve between the small and large intestine, then that would be bad news and require surgery, and he said he wants to avoid surgery cos cutting into the gut is a last resort as it can open him up to infection. He also said no risk of bloat, that that occurs in the stomach and all has past through the stomach already. He really put us at ease.

He asked us to put Snowie in a cage at the back. I was really happy about that. Usually the dog is dragged off by itself. This is his compassionate touch I’ve heard about. Snowie got in the cage and lay down quietly. It was amazing!

I took a quick snap. Shame, tongue hanging out panting, a sign of pain.


D353DC7E-2406-4307-BA02-42803704C360.jpeg

He’ll first have an X-ray to assess the extent of the blockage and the size of the bone fragments. And then the enema. All in between other bookings when there’s an available slot. I warned the vet that he has a loud bark. The vet said that’s good for Snowie cos it means he’ll get seen quicker!

So, we’re waiting for the phone call to pick him up.

I asked about massaging his tummy. The vet said no problem, it’s probably very soothing for Snowie. And also we gave him Buscopan over night on advice from a friend who works in dog rescue. He said that’s good and we must continue with it. He’ll also give a slippery laxative that will coat the intestines. I’d forgotten about this. I often hear about slippery elm being recommended but forgot this time.

Interestingly I learned that an intact dog of Snowie’s age (10 yo) has a prostate gland that has grown significantly and can partially block the passage of faeces (pushes up into the rectum) so it could also affect how easy it is for Snowie to poo. It’s normal, but is a factor. Which explains why, when Snowie poos, he does it in 2 squattings.
 
JES72

JES72

Location
SW London UK
Homer still intact and 10 years old, always poops two or three times on his morning walk. Although, I think he always has pooped a few times on his walks.
 
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