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5 year old wheaton with a herniated disc and nerve impingement- that just got over an episode requiring steroids and pain meds 7 days ago-now he went to groomers yesterday and has diarrhea, vomiting twice (clear)-I took an ear temp and it was 100.8 and 101.8- but he is shaking -twitching and very quiet today- should i take him to an ER?

Submitted: 321 days and 17 hours ago.
Category: Dog
Value: $30
Status: AWAITING CUSTOMER ACTION
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Optional Information

Age: 5; Male; Breed: wheaton

Already Tried:
normally with diarrhea I give him immodium- half a tab-
and also aciphex-
but what has me crazed is the shaking of his body which is new-
he just isn't himself- I have not fed him today- should I try more water

Posted by Dr.Beth 321 days and 17 hours ago.

Info Request

I would like to help you with your question, but first I need a bit more information.

What part of his spine was the disc herniation (neck, middle, lower)?

How was he feeling after finishing the medications one week ago?

Today is he reluctant to move around or walk?

Is he painful when you pet him?

Is he able to bend down to eat?

321 days and 17 hours ago.

Reply

what I am seeing today is not related to his back- I gave you that because of the past two weeks history- he is L5-S1 herniation and we have always treated him conservatively with rest, pain meds and steroids- I had brought him to the ER on December 22nd because of the pain- he got better and moves well now- so this si new starting last night when he was not himself- he did go to the park this morning and had several episodes of small diarrhea- no blood, and gas. he walked well so I know that is it not his back- but the shaking is new today- it doesn't hurt to pick him up, hold him, pet him but when I call him he is not moving towards me quickly- I know he doesn't feel good but I don't think he has a temp with the ear temp maching I used-

does that help?

321 days and 17 hours ago.

Reply

I just took his temp again in the other ear and it is 101.5-

i also failed to mention he is breathing faster than usual- should I count a minute?

Posted by Dr.Beth 321 days and 16 hours ago.

Info Request

So I will summarize the problem you see with your dog today.   You have a 5 year old male (neutered?) Wheaton terrier. He has a previous history of a L5-S1 disc herination that has responded well in the past to oral steroids, oral pain relief (type?), and rest.    Yesterday he went to groomers and returned home with diarrhea and 2 episodes of vomiting. Currently he is shaking and twitching. His temperature is normal.

Problem list:
Diarrhea with no blood evident (how often? any mucus?)

Vomit clear liquid 2x with no blood (was this just yesterday? any vomiting today?

Shaking and twitching (is he standing with a hunched posture? are his sides tight? is he shaking all the time or off and on? does he seem confused or drunk? Did he eat anything unusual yesterday?

Are there any other symptoms or information you want to add?

You can count his breaths per minute when he is not excited.

321 days and 16 hours ago.

Reply

Diarrhea was last night during the night in the house and about 4-5 small amounts at the park- he is very gassy- with the diarrhea- but yellow loose-pasty stool- not mucous or water-

the vomiting started last night during the night - once and then again today after our walk- about 1:30PM- clear mucous with chunks of something ( probably a dog cookie) my husband said- no blood and no more vomiting now but I have given him nothing but water. I think the water slows his breathing down a bit. I also have him covered with a blanket which I am not sure he likes.

 

shaking started today- he is laying there and you can see the twitching of his body and legs-he is not hunched over, he is laying by the sofa- his sides aren't tight- he does not appear drunk or confused- more just laying there and I know he doesn't feel good

his resps are about 52 when he is just laying there but he sees me watching him alot

does that help

 

Posted by Dr.Beth 321 days and 16 hours ago.

Answer

Thank you for the information. I agree with you, he certainly does not sound like he feels good, but his symptoms are rather vague.

The diarrhea and 2 episodes of vomiting could be due to a wide range of causes. The most common are simple dietary indiscretion (eating something he is not used to, perhaps treats while at the groomers). It sounds like he has had a sensitive stomach in the past since you are well familiar with using immodium. Other possible causes include stress, parasites, food allergies, intestinal foreign body, inflammatory bowel disease, and more serious issues like kidney or liver disease. I know that sounds like a pretty broad range of possibilities, but he does not show any symptoms that narrow it down more.

In a dog that is shaking (with a normal temperature, no exposure to toxins, and has normal mentation) it is often the result of pain or anxiety. I know that you feel his back his not painful, but he may be feeling pain or nausea in his abdomen.

If this were my dog I would probably with hold food today, continue to have water available, and allow him to rest.   You have used Immodium before and he has responded well to it. So as long as it does If his symptoms persisted into the evening, I would consider taking him to the emergency clinic for a physical exam and possible symptomatic treatment (anti-nausea medication, pain relief if warranted, etc.). While he sounds unhappy right now, he does not sound like he is in critical condition, so I think you would be ok to monitor him through to the evening.

Dr. Beth

321 days and 16 hours ago.

Reply

OK- my son just called me and the dog moved to the other room and vomitted the water- it is white frothy clear mucous- nothing more-

 

 

I have been sitting here trying to decide if I should take him to the ER-

i agree with what you have said and feel a bit more reassured-

should I give him a tramadol 50 mg tabs and they wanted him to have about 2 tabs every 8-12 hours- he is a big boy ( like me) and is about 58 pounds. OR should I keep him with just water now? If the shaking is from pain or anxiety will that help or hurt?

the temp and respirations are normal? right?

 

what should I do now

 

Posted by Dr.Beth 321 days and 16 hours ago.

Answer

His temperature is normal, his respiratory rate is a little above normal (but that can be due to excitement, nausea, pain or anxiety). If he is vomiting water, I would with hold the water for a few hours to allow his stomach to settle. I think it is fine to give him a dose of Tramadol to treat for pain, but you may have to wait a little bit as he just threw up. 100mg is a perfectly reasonable dose for a dog his size.

I would follow your instinct, you know your dog better than anyone. If you think he is getting worse, than it is better to have him seen by a veterinarian.

Dr. Beth

321 days and 16 hours ago.

Reply

if I accept and pay- are we done so I can not talk to you again in a couple of hours?

I am happy to pay but would like to know- or does that require another fee?

thanks

Accepted Answer

You can continue to talk to me after you press 'ACCEPT' . Just hit the reply button. I will be checking in for the next 9 hours or so and will be happy to continue to help you. If it is for the same animal and same problem, you do not have to pay again.


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Expert: Dr.Beth
Pos. Feedback: 100.0 %
Accepts: 
Answered: 1/4/2009

Dog Veterinarian

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota

321 days and 15 hours ago.

Reply

thanks- I appreciate the follow up and advice-

I just like knowing you are there.

I will keep you posted if I need to-

thanks

Posted by Dr.Beth 321 days and 15 hours ago.

Info Request

You are welcome. I hope everything settles back to normal soon.

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