I have a German Sheppard that is 7 years old. He sees the vet regularly and all shots up to date including a monthly flea and heartworm preventative. Anyway, he is going to the vet tomorrow but I was hoping someone could give me a few ideas until then. He started acting a little funny yesterday but I did not think much of it. Well today he was still a little down but I had to go to work. Well I get home from work and he is acting like he feels real bad. His nose is real warm but the odd symptom is he has this very slimy drool that just hangs from his mouth. Now I know this is common for some dogs but not for him ever. he will not eat or drink and just acts really down in the dumps. Does anyone have any experience with this? I mean the snotty drool is so odd. i know his other symptoms could be anything but what about the drool? Could this be a sign that he has ingested something harmful? any ideas would be appreciated.
2007-03-14 13:14:10 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
Thank you all for your responses. I called my vet after reading your answers. Apparently, they felt it was an emergency as well because my vet came to my house....how cool is that, a house call. He was checked out and given several kinds of medicine. I was advised to monitor him tonight of course and bring him in the morning. They do not think it is poisoning, which is what I feared, because he lacks some of the classic symptoms. Perhaps I overreacted because they think he is OK or at least not in immediate danger. But he is my buddy and I could not take the chance that it was serious. Anyway, I feel a little better and hope he will soon.
2007-03-14 14:19:42 · update #1
There could be a variety of illnesses here. If you feel the situation is minor (and frankly, from what you wrote, I do not, but only you can be the judge of what is "normal" for your dog) and you can't get him to eat or drink, buy a syringe at your local drug store (very cheap) and literally squirt liquid from the syringe into his mouth. That could help him get in some fluids until you see your vet tomorrow.
But I think this is something more serious and you may need to take him to an emergency vet. He could be having a very serious allergic reaction (bee sting or other insect or animal bite?) that's closing off his throat (preventing him from eating, drinking and maybe even causing the drool). Or he may have acquired an illness causing these symptoms (stroke?) or even consumed something that's poisonous (or at least poisonous to dogs).
If you are really hesitant to rush him to an emergency vet now, then please monitor him VERY closely. If he doesn't improve in the next few hours, don't hesitate to use the emergency vet.
If your dog shows signs of improvement and you feel he can survive until tomorrow, please take him first thing in the morning to your vet (even if your appt. isn't until later in the day) and relay the symptoms. Even if your dog is better by tomorrow, request that blood work be done (and if the vet asks why, relay your story). There could be some other issues there causing his lethargic mood and loss of appetite.
Good luck!
2007-03-14 13:22:18 · answer #1 · answered by doctoru2 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I really hate to ask this but, is he walking odd or not even walking at all? If that's the case he could have had a stroke, or a mini stroke. My one dog has been having ministrokes lately; the effects only last a few minutes to a few hours. Drooling is the main sign that he has had one.
Another thing could be that he had eaten something poisonous, regardless, this is an emergency and you should take your dog to the emergency vet ASAP.
2007-03-14 13:23:24 · answer #2 · answered by prncessstef 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am not sure if he may have eaten something, but this recently happened to my dog, and she electrocuted herself somehow. Same symptoms....acting strange, wouldn't eat, staring, drooling (stringy and clear). I thought she may have eaten something, but when we took her to the vet, he said that she had electrocuted herself. He gave her some meds and she was feeling better after a couple of days. I did notice, however, that her mouth looked sore and reddish by her gums. She had bad breath, and it was hard to open her mouth. But when I did open it, it actually looked almost yellowish between her teeth and tongue. Now she actually has two permanent black marks...one on her tongue, and one on her gums, and I have yet to find the cord that she bit into, or the plug-in that she licked. I recommend checking your dogs mouth for such signs, and I hope that he feels better soon. Good luck to you both!
2007-03-14 13:33:44 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your dog may have been 'poisoned'! I don't think that you should 'wait' to see the vet tomorrow ... you should take your dog in NOW! It could be 'poison' because your dog got hold of some 'toxic plant' or because someone deliberately poisoned him, or he's 'eaten' some anti-freeze. MOVE. NOW!
2007-03-14 13:19:55 · answer #4 · answered by Kris L 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think this is an emergency. Please get him to the vets ASAP!
2007-03-14 13:22:20 · answer #5 · answered by ♥Golden gal♥ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
um, i am not sure, maybe a cold, or just a natural habit he is just starting? my rottie does it all the time.
2007-03-14 13:19:23 · answer #6 · answered by Mrs. Kaulitz 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋