Vomiting and (bloody) Diarrhea

[vicky2200]

This is disgusting so dont read it if you have a weak stomach.

Ditto is a nearly 4 year old female GSD. She has always had gastrointestinal problems. Usually, every couple of months, she has diarrhea and some vomiting. The vomiting is usually all bile. The diarrhea usually lasts a couple days and the vomiting is usually only 1-3 times the first day. A couple months ago she came inside with a little bit of blood on her foot. I knew she had been having diarrhea, so I went out to check the yard and there was a TINY amount of blood in mucous-y diarrhea. She recovered pretty quickly from this "episode" when I increased the amount of pumpkin she was eating.

Yesterday while I was sleeping Ditto kept getting in and out of the bed. I got up and went down stairs. She wanted water, which is unlike her. I filled the dish and she drank quite a bit and then asked to go out. I let her out, and then back it. The other dog asked to go out. I let him out. Ditto went back out with him. When she was coming back in, she was retching. So i got her outside quickly. She came back in. Moments later I hear her retching again and before I could get her outside she vomited a lot of food. So I put her out again, cleaned it up. Went out to check the yard. There was an even bigger pile of vomit and a small amount of bile in another spot. I sat up with her, even though I wanted to go back to sleep. She kept moving. She'd lay down and two seconds later she got up and turned. I checked her stomach to see if it was rigid, it wasn't. After about 40mins she fell asleep. She was fine the rest of the day. Later on I gave her a little bit of food because she was hungry. She didn't eat the whole amount I gave her (I gave her about 1/5 of what she normally eats.)

Today we woke up to diarrhea. I didn't see it but my mom said there was a significant amount of blood in it. Definitely more diarrhea than blood. She also said there was something red and stuck to the carpet. Something that was gummy. She didn't eat anything gummy that we know about (unless the neighbors gave her something.) I haven't checked the back yard yet. We are taking her to the vet ASAP. Since its a holiday, I don't know when that will be. If it gets worse we will have to take her to the emergency vet.

Any thoughts about what this could be?

[Emoore]

Sounds like colitis. She needs antibiotics. I'd also give her water but no food until you see the vet. The first thing the vet's going to have you do is have her fast for 24 hours, so if you're already 18 hours into a fast when you get there, you'll be able to start her on the antibiotics and bland diet that much faster.

[vicky2200]

Thanks for your response. We haven't let her have anything all day. We are calling the vet tomorrow. I hope they are open.

[jetscarbie]

I know mine do the same thing when they eat stuff....like grass or other toys or pieces of sticks. Could the red and gummy..be a dog toy?

[VegasResident]

Definitely sounds like acute colitis if there is blood in the stools.

My boy had it after ingesting some gravel and boy was there blood.

In my case he stopped drinking and eating so they put him in the hospital overnight on IVs and some flagyl injections which works quicker than the pills plus some meds to stop the barfing. The hospitilization was for dehydration. If your pup is still drinking that should not be a problem.

Take to vet, have xray done for foreign objects just in case. The xray will give an idea on how mad the colon is. Generally it is then a very mild diet and possibly some meds to calm down the intestinal inflammation.

[Karin]

If it's not bright red blood, it could be giardia, which she contracted in our back yard. I have a picture of it in the thread:

Does this look like blood in her poop? (graphic)

[vicky2200]

She doesn't have any toys that would have that appearance in her stool and she doesn't eat her toys or foreign objects. Some of the blood looks like the blood pictured, but most of it is brighter red. We called the vet today and they aren't nearly as concerned as I am. First available appointment is for tomorrow at 9am. She hasn't had diarrhea or vomited today, but her stomach is pretty empty.

[Emoore]

Originally Posted by vicky2200

She doesn't have any toys that would have that appearance in her stool and she doesn't eat her toys or foreign objects. Some of the blood looks like the blood pictured, but most of it is brighter red. We called the vet today and they aren't nearly as concerned as I am. First available appointment is for tomorrow at 9am. She hasn't had diarrhea or vomited today, but her stomach is pretty empty.

Yeah, at this point an empty stomach is the best thing for her; it will let that bowel rest and start to heal itself.

I always divide "needs vet attention" issues into 3 groups: 1 is "I'll ask about this at my next vet appointment." 2 is "I'll get into the vet first thing Monday or ask for the next available appointment. 3 is "I'm going to the E-vet NOW." I usually treat colitis as #2. Tomorrow morning is probably fine.

[onyx'girl]

When Onyx was sick, the vet said to limit water as well as the no feeding regiment. Just small amounts 3-4 oz every hour or so. She was throwing up fresh blood, though(her stomach was so irritated from throwing up, it popped blood vessels).
I hope Ditto heals asap!

[vicky2200]

Thanks for all the input and good thoughts. Its hard knowing she is probably hungry but I know its for the best. She could use to lose a pound or so anyway :P

Her stomach has been making terrible noises for awhile, which is common for her. I hope she can make it til tomorrow morning without any serious bouts of diarrhea.