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Post by Christie & Toots on Nov 26, 2013 7:45:19 GMT -7
Waiting for vet to open....but Tootsie has blood in her stool today. Day three on
Prednisone (1/4 tab of 10mg) Every 12 hr for first 5 days. I am giving
5 mg of pepcid in banana.
Any suggestions. She is also on strict crate rest. She was just about over round 1 of crate rest, Dec 7th, but she was having issues again. Tail held down, it's always up.
Toots had 2 back surgeries last year in June. It's been a tough year and a half! Never had this stool issue. Any feedback?
Thanks
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Marjorie
Moderator~ 
Member since 2011. Surgery & Conservative
Posts: 5,724 
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Post by Marjorie on Nov 26, 2013 10:49:15 GMT -7
Christie, when you speak to the vet, please advocate for the addition of Sucralfate as a second stomach protector. Bloody stool is a red flag sign of a GI tract problem and needs to be addressed immediately. GI tract problems can worsen quickly and can be very serious and dangerous. Sucralfate should be given on an empty stomach, one hour before food and Prednisone so the gel coating action can begin. Pepcid should be given 30 minutes after the Sucralfate (5 mg twice a day).
You and your Tootsie have really been through it. If you can give us a bit more in essential information, we'd be better able to support you through this episode.
-- When was the second round of crate rest started?
-- Is there still currently pain? Signs of pain are holding the head in an unusual position, head held high or nose to the ground, shivering/trembling, not wanting to move much or moving gingerly, yelping, tight/tense stomach muscles, arched back, holding leg up flamingo style, not wanting to bear weight on the leg, just not their usual perky-interested-in-life self.
-- What are the exact names, dose in mg's and frequency of all meds?
-- Currently can your dog wobbly walk? move the legs at all? or wag the tail when you do some happy talk?
-- Can your dog sniff and squat and then release urine or do you find wet bedding or leaks on you when lifted up?
-- Eating and drinking OK?
-- Poops OK - normal color, firmness, no dark or bright red blood?
Please let us know what the vet says after speaking to them.
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Post by Christie & Toots on Nov 27, 2013 10:42:12 GMT -7
Good news! This morning movement was no blood! So I am keeping my fingers and toes crossed! Vet has cut down steroid, ▼prednisone 10mg that is quartered, to every 24 hr versus every 12. That will taper again after 5 day. Pepcid 5 mg every 12 hrs. .5 before giving steroids. Feeding her food as well. Rice and chicken mostly.
Second round of crate rest started on Saturday the 23rd. Here is where I have a confession: I am a bad mom. I was letting her sleep with me and hang on couch!! I have now trained myself to STRICT, 24/7 crate.
I don't think she is in pain, she is totally normal minus her tail was being tucked. She can still wag it, she just walks with it tucked. I knew right then she was swelling again. Her tail is normally a flagstaff while walking! After first round of steroid she was all ready half staff! This am she was about the same with tail. Hard to judge because I don't let her walk too far to "find" her spot
She eats and drink normal. Drinking is actually a bit more. No wet in bed. She cries to tell me she needs to go out. It's all normal, minus yesterday was runny and blood. Today's was firm and no blood. I had used banana for med pocket, but I feel that was causing her runny poo? So I stopped the banana.
Thanks for reading and any suggestions! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
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PaulaM
Moderator. 
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,589
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Post by PaulaM on Nov 27, 2013 11:19:26 GMT -7
Banana, actually has properties to help form thicker protective stomach mucus lining. Glad to hear stool is now firm and no blood!!!
Chicken and rice is ok for a few days while getting over GI tract issues. Long term essential minerals vitamins and other nutrient needed for all the repair jobs Tootsie's body is working on are not in that kind of diet. I would try to slowly transition her back to her normal kibble meals. Gradually over a course of several days increase kibble/decrease chicken/rice. It is OK to put 1-2 teaspoons of chicken on top of her kibble to make it more tasty yet not unbalance a kibble meal.
Kudos to you on training yourself with crate rest...you are now playing an instrumental role in a good recovery for Tootsie!!!
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Post by Christie & Toots on Nov 27, 2013 12:01:17 GMT -7
Thank you so much!! I was starting to research making her food. Can I just add veggies to the chicken and rice to meet her needs? Any good websites you can suggest?
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PaulaM
Moderator.
Member since 2007: surgery, conservative . Montana, USA
Posts: 19,589
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Post by PaulaM on Nov 27, 2013 12:07:16 GMT -7
While on meds and crate rest it is not a good idea change to home cooking. It is important to not change diet making it confusing on what action to take with what looks to be a serious side effect of meds or a temporary situation caused by food changes. If you'd like to learn about preparing food (how to balance minerals, vitamins, proteins and other nutrients properly for the canine), I'd start your study now so that after all 8 weeks of crate rest have been completed you could start a transition to a different food plan. This page is a good one to get you started. www.dodgerslist.com/literature/nutritionhealing.htm |
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Post by Christie & Toots on Nov 27, 2013 14:55:01 GMT -7
good idea on waiting. my little girl will eat anything and everything if you let her! now back to blood in stools. she went again just now and it was back to kinda runny with a tiny blood spec. called vet...waiting. any home remedies?
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Sabrina
Helpful Member 
My Charley-dog, a Dodger'sList grad enjoying life!
Posts: 471
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Post by Sabrina on Nov 27, 2013 16:49:39 GMT -7
Hi Christie, I'm Sabrina. So sorry to hear of Tootie's GI problems! Have you/will you ask the vet about getting Sucralfate onboard tonight? Sucralfate acts as a sort of "bandage" for the upper GI tract (like marjorie outlined above). www.dodgerslist.com/literature/drugs.htm#intestinaldrugs Hopefully you can speak with the vet soon! ))Hugs!(( - Sabrina |
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Post by Christie & Toots on Nov 27, 2013 20:11:00 GMT -7
thanks Sabrina! vet is going to give me the "doggie pepto" on Friday if she is still having issue. I will keep you updated.
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Post by Pauliana on Nov 27, 2013 21:13:04 GMT -7
Christie,
She needs the Sucralfate before Friday.. It would form a gel coating and heal her stomach and GI tract. Blood in the stools means she is bleeding in her stomach/GI tract and that can turn extremely serious very quickly. The Vet can call in a prescription to your nearest pharmacy. Just tell his or her answering service there is blood in the stool, and that you need the Vet to prescribe Sucralfate and call it in to your closest Pharmacy.. Or call the Emergency Vet in your area and ask their advice.
I don't want to scare you but it's better to be proactive and get this treated before it gets any worse.
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