Wondering what he ate.....
By crazynurse
@crazynurse (7482)
United States
August 19, 2011 4:07pm CST
My dog, who is a little over a year old, has been crate-trained since about 8-weeks old. He eats nothing but dry dog food and an occasional treat (for good behavior etc) is also dry. He has never had bowel movements in the house. The past 3-4 days he has had bowel movements in his crate during the day while I have been at work. At night, he has awakened needing to go outside 2-3 times. Once outside, he tries and tries to use the bathroom but doesn't. His movements have varied from liquid to semi-liquid. Finally took him to the vet and they said there was no bowel obstruction, no fever etc. They said he 'probably ate something.' I am wondering what on Earth he ate. We do have a raised-bed garden in the backyard.....I wonder if he got into that and ate something? What types of things would cause him to act this way after eating them?
4 people like this
4 responses
@lilbabycatapillar (497)
• United States
19 Aug 11
I was going to say, that sounds like a bowel obstruction, but if the vet says it isn't, it isn't, I guess. Vets normally take fece samples anyway, did you bring one in? That should probably be the best way to tell what is wrong if the problem continues. It really isn't normal at all for a dog to soil his crate.
I would also research the plants in the garden, and find out if any of them are poisonous to dogs. Make sure he stays hydrated in the meantime.
2 people like this
@crazynurse (7482)
• United States
21 Aug 11
The vet used a tool and obtained a stool sample. He said that there was nothing in the stool and he used that tool for quite a ways into the bowel. He gave us a prescription for an antibiotic for our dog also. He hasn't soiled his crate for an entire night and day now. He seems to be getting better. He is also more playful and energetic.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157692)
• United States
20 Aug 11
Is he getting better? I feel like it is a cop out. I would think he caught a virus of some kind. Now I have heard that onions and garlic are not good for them, and I also know things like tulip bulbs and daffodils, etc. can make them sick. Some wild plants do too. If he is not getting better they should do some testing.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157692)
• United States
22 Aug 11
It may be that the foliage of tomatoes is not good for him. If I am not mistaken it is nightshade family. I am glad the vet is giving him some treatment.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157692)
• United States
22 Aug 11
I see that in people they are giving Flagyl for parasites as well, like giardia and ameba.It also is used against anaerobic bacteria, and if I remember correctly that is what causes most food poisoning. I just read about using diatomaceous earth to de worm and kill other parasites as well. I bought some for my cats to help with the fleas.
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@crazynurse (7482)
• United States
21 Aug 11
Yes, Gerty, he is much better today. The vet had given us a prescription for an antibiotic too. We have been giving him that and making sure he is well hydrated. Our garden has tomatoes, green and red peppers, kale, red cabbage, squash and zucchini. We did have some onions earlier in the season but they are gone now. Someone at work said that tomatoes were not good for dogs, but I looked online and didn't see anything about that.
2 people like this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
19 Aug 11
Some dogs do eat green food, like my Ciara, I caught her eating a leaf the other day..(what a goat)
I do hope your garden is organic without any chemicals, because that wouldn't be good. If your dog is eating your plants, can you put a fence around it to prevent him from getting in?
I do hope your garden is organic without any chemicals, because that wouldn't be good. If your dog is eating your plants, can you put a fence around it to prevent him from getting in?@crazynurse (7482)
• United States
21 Aug 11
Thankfully my husband and I do have a totally organic garden. No chemicals are used. The beds are raised and I have never seen him get into them. However, now that the plants are getting pretty tall, I suppose something could fall off the plants and come out into the portion of the yard that the dog uses.
2 people like this
@ladym33 (10979)
• United States
20 Aug 11
It could be any number of things. Some dogs eat grass and then get sick. The good thing is these things usually clear up in a few days. Since your dog normally has a pretty steady diet and doesn't eat things out of the ordinary, probably just about any thing he ate could upset his system and make him get a bit sick. I hope your dog feels better soon.
1 person likes this
