I feel so horrible...........

by Gretchen956 27 Replies latest social family

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  Gretchen956

  My poor dog! I think its because he ate a big rawhide chew, its the only thing I can figure out. Anyway last night just about bedtime he starts barking and wants out. RUNS out to his "section" and is sick on the lawn (runny poop to be gross). So then every two hours almost on the dot he wakes us up again barking, races to get out to take care of it. By this morning I thought he looked better so I put him in his crate as usual (its big) and went to work.

  When I got home he had been sick in there, it was EVERYwhere, on the wall, on some books behind the crate on a shelf, on the carpet, his crate liner was soaking in sh!t, and he was covered. He had tried to get out and his paws were bleeding from trying to get out.

  I got him bathed, the room cleaned and bleached, the books in the trash, and the crate is in the yard waiting to be cleaned. But I've just literally been sick about him going through that experience. I feel like such a bad mom. aaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhh

  He's still only about 18 months old and although he usually does well in the potty training department, he still hasn't learned to stay out of trouble (as in chewed shoes, etc.). So usually I get home at lunch and let him out during the day.

  Thanks for listening. ..... (hangs head)

  Sherry
• 

  blondie

  My vet is dead set against rawhide chews. Our dog had a similar experience. Hope things iron out for all concerned. See if there is something else other than a chew that will work, Gretchen.

  Blondie
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  maybesbabies

  Ah hon, you are a good doggie-mommy! It's an isolated incident, don't beat yourself up over it! I'm sure your puppy won't hold it against you!
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  gypsywildone

  We have a wolf dog that had this exact thing happen, I think he got colitis from the thing, & he had the Atomic Hershey Squirts & some blood eventually was mixed in from the strain, etc. Turned out we spent a lot of money on him, because he was young & my husband's favorite out of 5. He had colonoscopies, etc. tests sent out of state.

  Finally I asked the vet to put him on Prednisone & it worked, cleared right up, & we don't get any of those rough things anymore! If this mess persists, remember this, & if it does not go away after several days, I would request your vet do the same.
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  Nathan Natas

  The rawhide may be bad, but ABSOLUTELY avoid the nylon chew toys (Nylabone, etc) They are completely indigestable and have killed bunches of dogs.

  Having the runs for so long may also have brought your pup into a dehydrated state. Make sure he has access to water, and if he doesn't seem to be drinking enough, you may want to talk to your vet. In severe dehydration, the sense of thirst is lost.

  http://www.animalhelp.com/hometown/articledetail.cfm?artid=189

  http://www.britannica.com/ebc/article?eu=387751
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  bikerchic

  Poor pup! Poor Gretchen!

  Just when I get the idea I would like a dog someone tells me a horror story like yours and I'm reminded that I just don't want to be responsible for a dog.

  I hope the little pup gets to feeling better and soon. You have a lot more patience than I do Gretchen.

  Kate
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  Gretchen956

  Oh he's been drinking practically nonstop since he's been out so I know he was really thirsty. Good to know about the nylabones he has some of them too. So what CAN they chew on??? They have to have something.

  Sherry
• 

  ohiocowboy

  Hope the Doggie feels better soon!

  Reminds me of one time when my little girlie-girl got sick. She sleeps with me every night, and one time when she was sick, I didn't wake up in time, and she squatted and squirted runny poopie all over my pillow that my head was on-I woke up REAL QUICK!!! I wish she would have found a better way to wake Daddy up to go outside!!!

  I rarely give her small rawhide chews, I hear that they are not really good for dogs, so they are given only on a rare occasion. To satisfy the chewing, she has several really hard, big, knotted rawhide bones that are really hard to chew up, and those last forever with her, so I don't have to worry about her getting sick from them. I always make sure too, that whenever she does get a cookie, I am there to watch her eat it, as dogs can choke too...

  Give puppy a big hug....
• 

  blondie

  http://nmnm.essortment.com/rawhidechew_rbzt.htm

  There are also wonderful alternatives to rawhide. Pet supply stores are everywhere, and carry many diverse alternatives including vegetable and meat-flavored bones made from potato starch, bones made from extremely strong rubber infused with flavorings, and corn-starch based bones also infused with flavor. All of these but the rubber ones break apart into tiny pieces while being chewed. Once they are chewed down to a small piece that your dog could swallow, discard it. All of these bones except for the rubber-based ones are easily digestible.

  What's in the Rawhide (Besides Hide)?

  The Internet provided a disgusting discovery; Dr. Markway was right on target with his diagnosis and comments. Salmonella bacteria is often present especially if the rawhide comes from outside the US. Another problem is arsenic used as a preservative. This is, in essence, giving your pet poison! Other dangerous additives can include antibiotics, lead and insecticides . Some countries like Thailand even include pieces of dog and cat skin in these products. Health problems from rawhide chews include sore throat, choking, intestinal blockage as well as the acute pancreatitis Taco and Seismo experienced.

  Symptoms of acute pancreatitis can vary from mild gastrointestinal upset to collapse and death. Most animals with common gastrointestinal upset have any or all of the following:

  • Vomiting
  • Not eating
  • Painful abdomen, hunched appearance (more common in dogs)
  • Fever or below-normal body temperature
  • Diarrhea
  • Depression
  • Dehydration (diagnosed by sunken eyes, dry mouth and the skin "tents" when pinched)1

  If you want to do your own investigating, try entering "rawhide chew" + sick in a search engine. Be prepared for a lot of results. Below you will find enough to get a good picture.

  http://www.millennium-ark.net/News_Files/INFO_Files/rawhide.chew.warning.html
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  Nathan Natas

  You may be able to get pieces of beef shinbones or femurs (hindquarters) or humerus (forequarters) from your butcher. It's probably best to cook the bones to make sure they're not going to cause bacterial complications, and those large bones will give him something to "work on" - especially if you include the joiint end of the bone. he'll have a ball getting the marrow out too. Celebrate his wolfy-tude!