What could be wrong with her!? (non GSD)

[PatchonGSD]

I just got back from an emergency vet visit with Chloe. Yesterday she seemed a little "off" in her behavior, but nothing dramatic. This morning, I got up at 6 am to find that she had pooped almost black diarrhea in several spots and had almost white, dry gums and was pretty lethargic. I couldnt get her in until 9 am, during which time her gums went back and forth from normal to being white and dry a couple times.

Got to the vet, they took her temp and it was normal. Vet said she suspected pyometra So she did 2 xrays and an ultrasound. NOTHING showed up. No signs of pyometra, no obstruction or objects in the bowels, absolutely nothing unusual. She actually wrote on Chloes papers that she looks "remarkably healthy." She took blood and will get the results back tomorrow.

She concluded that Chloe must have a minor infection somewhere and gave me two prescriptions.
Metronidazole and amoxicillin for 2 weeks.


I dont really think the symptoms match the diagnosis but I'm at a loss since the xrays came back great. What do you guys think?

I thought I was going to loose her this morning....she looks awful right now.

[Bear GSD]

I don't know what it could be, but I hope that Chloe feels better and will be alright!
It's always scary when you don't know what it could be.

[carmspack]

I would be alarmed -- is not the black in the diarrhea an indication of some internal bleeding? -- outside the chance that this dog ate masses of liver or organ meat which will also turn the stool black , and become loose , because it is so rich

[Jax08]

Originally Posted by carmspack

I would be alarmed -- is not the black in the diarrhea an indication of some internal bleeding? -- outside the chance that this dog ate masses of liver or organ meat which will also turn the stool black , and become loose , because it is so rich

That was my first thought too and she has white gums? Another sign.

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

Yeah, I would be too, Carmen. Pancreatitis is black, tarry stool isn't it? Pyometra can be closed - I don't trust a "regular" vet to do an ultrasound, I want to see a radiologist.

Black, Tarry Feces due to Presence of Blood in Dogs | petMD <----- List
Pyometra
Pyometra in Dogs - Page 1
Pancreatitis (Inflammation) in Dogs

I hope she's okay.

[PatchonGSD]

Originally Posted by carmspack

I would be alarmed -- is not the black in the diarrhea an indication of some internal bleeding? -- outside the chance that this dog ate masses of liver or organ meat which will also turn the stool black , and become loose , because it is so rich

What I read online was that it was a sign of bleeding in the upper GI tract and that white gums could signal blood loss.

[Lilie]

The symptoms remind me of what might happen to a dog if it's eaten a rodent that was poisoned. There is a specific rodent poison that will not kill the secondary host (if healthy), but can make them very ill.

I see that Chloe is a rat terrier. Does she have access or the ability to hunt/catch/consume rodents?

[PatchonGSD]

Originally Posted by Lilie

The symptoms remind me of what might happen to a dog if it's eaten a rodent that was poisoned. There is a specific rodent poison that will not kill the secondary host (if healthy), but can make them very ill.

I see that Chloe is a rat terrier. Does she have access or the ability to hunt/catch/consume rodents?

I didnt even think of that. She LIVES to hunt critters in the yard. I'm going to call the vet back and bring that up.....they didnt mention that but its possible.

[PatchonGSD]

Called the vet, she said she didnt think it was mouse or rat poison because there were no bruises on her skin or gums....


If there were internal bleeding, wouldnt that show up as fluid in the intestinal tract on an xray though?

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

Without blood work results, I think you are at a disadvantage diagnosis wise. Is there a place with an in-house lab that would be able to do the blood work right then?

Blood can be absorbed back into the system, or it all came out in the feces. I am sure there are more answers to that question than the 2 I know. She's a small dog, so HGE is a possibility.

I am glad she's feeling better, but would want to try to get some more information asap, if I could.