Shitzu7mnths cryin in pain from abdomen area and lower back, exact spot unsure, crying throwin up thick foam?

Question

My puppy has been cryin for the last few days, originally thought from her leg since she was limping, after fully examinin it and nothing, we were puzzled. then she started cryin when we pick her up, so we though shoulder or ribs, increased to whinning continuosly. We took her to the emergency yester. He said he thought back pain and said abdomen was swallen, gave pain and antiinflamotory meds, 229.00$. Today she was trying to eat a treat and then spit it out and while crying out in pain threw up white thick foam, which had a streak of blood in it, I dont know what to do, I cant afford another emergency vet bill, u think I can wait til tomorrow for the reg vet?Does it seem like something could be lodged in her stomach or worse damaged something? I called the emergency vet again and they said they may try an injection of pepcid, do you think thats something I could administer but the human kind? Is there something I can give her to rule out an upset stomach? Help me please I dont know??

Answer 1

I'm trying to figure out the time frame on the problems. I am thinking you took to emergency vet on Thanksgiving. Are you sure she did not get into turkey bones, scraps??? Any possible accident? Remember she is small and fairly fragile as breeds go. Retrace her where abouts and activities back for at least a week. Your vet will need to know!

I am assuming she has been vetted, shots/dewormed when younger? Her regular vet would be best as knows her medical background. No Pepcid or human meds, etc.!!!! We have to watch her close. She must have water. Hold foods, except plain oatmeal thinned with warm milk. I normally use baby rice cereal mixed with warm milk as it is very safe and mild.

Get a stool specimen if can in a baggie/refridge. Don't panic over the foam spit up. Am concerned at the bit of blood but the foamy spit up is not uncommon. This could also be reaction to meds. I am real inclined to hold meds until you can at least talk to your regular vet. And it is a holiday weekend.

Keep her calm and hydrated. Check for any blood, etc when goes potty. Put on the bland diet. Her rectal temp should be about 101.5 max. Make sure her gums are not real pale or whitish and eyes clear/react to light+hand motion. I would ask you to do a careful re-examine of spine, all 4 legs, hip area. Is belly swollen and real firm? Is there pained response to any area examined. Are you sure she is not pregnant as she is old enough to have been in heat, although smaller breeds don't always heat at exactly 6 mos. That is a critical ? But if pregnant enough for swollen belly she would be showing nipples too.

We really need to try to figure out when the changes started and vet will need to know. Keep trying to reach regular vet. Leery of emergency vet and Pepcid idea. He could screw up and do more harm than good with his guessing and quick fix option. Wish you had given names of meds he used. The antiinflammatory is probably Prednisone which would be fine if tests and xrays revealed a exact cause. That is a steroid.

If she ate something she shouldn't or has gotten very bound up, has some kinds of worms that can cause the symptoms and a lot of discomfort.If you are absolutely sure she didn't get bones or harmful scraps to cause internal bleeding you can breathe a little easier for that. If she might have then you know you have to get to a vet ASAP but they would need to know!! And Pepcid is not warranted for swallowing bones!

As long as she keeps down fluids, fever is not up, no more blood either end, not lethargic and still alert you are fairly safe to get to a vet on Saturday--Monday is too long a wait. Small breeds can deteriorate quickly.
I wish I was more qualified but am relying on 14 years of rescue knowledge and a lot of hands on and a lot of runs to ER vet.

Answer 2

I would find another vet. That's a lot of money for "he thought its back pain." But I think your dog needs vet care.
You can give a dog 10mg per 40lbs of weight Pepcid-A/C. The generic is Furosemide. This medication should not be given and then stopped quickly try every AM and PM for 3 days, then every PM for 3 days, then every other day for a week.
If you don't have the money for the ER vet you really have no choice but to wait until the next morning. I would be very concerned with the symptoms she is exhibiting and their lack of concern.

Answer 3

After going to the emergency vet yesterday you should have followed up with your vet today. Didn't the ER vet suggest that?

Your pup has got something going on inside throat, stomach, bowel??? Xrays should have been done by the ER vet and that's the first thing your vet will ask if they were taken.

Its late now. You have to make the call...either take her back to the ER tonight or your vet as soon as he opens Saturday morning.

IMO... ER vets haven't won me over with their expertise.

Answer 4

Don't give her any human meds. Who knows what might be going on. I know I don't want to eat much when my back is out. Definately take her to the vet tomorrow. The white foam sounds like parvo.. where has your dog been? Why was she limping?

Answer 5

You need to find a vet immediately. Your dog may have swallowed something, and it could have hurt her insides. Please for the sake of the dog get a vet immediately. You can always pay of the vet bill latter, but you can't replace your dog.

Answer 6

Spitting up blood sounds serious. it sounds like a blockage which is very serious and surgery needs to be performed. I would contact the vet again.

Answer 7

Ask them to x-ray her belly. She may have swallowed something that she cannot pass. It will puncture he stomach and eventually kill the dog.

I was back and forth for days with my dog. She had swallowed a bone which killed her. Found out at autopsy.

or it could be something else.

Answer 8

She should go back to the vet, or go to a different vet.

I personally would go for a different vet. The one you took her to probably should have kept her until she started improving.

Answer 9

She needs to be rushed to the emergency clinic. The poor dog is suffering.

Answer 10

YOur vet sounds like an idot!

Dog needs xrays and blood tests.

Get there quick!