I haven’t slept yet and I don’t think I can. Grumples didn’t get better yesterday, if anything, he got worse. Every ten minutes the poor little man needed to go out. Nothing came out but liquid. The vet said this was normal for a sick dog and to let it play out. Around midnight, he started vomiting, and that’s when the vet said to worry. The vomit was just yellow and foamy. The vomit was accompanied by diarrhea.
This scared me because when I was a little girl, my parents finally let me have a golden retriever puppy. I was in love. A week later, he started to get sick and he died a week later with parvo. Since then, I never had a dog until Grumples came into my life. I remember Crombie, my golden retriever, throwing up yellow foam. Grumples has all his vaccinations including parvo so I knew it wasn’t that.
His normal vet was closed, so I called the Urgent Care Veterinary Hospital on Monroe road in Charlotte. They got Grumples right in. Because he was vomiting and had consistent diarrhea, he was incredibly dehydrated. They quickly hydrated him and all his vitals seemed normal. They ran a blood test and everything seemed close to normal. They ran a fecal test and everything seemed pretty normal. Of course a sick dog is going to have a higher white blood cell count, bacteria in the stool, and a slight temperature but everything else seemed to be OK.
They gave me probiotics to put in his food and anti-diarrhea medications. We got home around 4am. Nick was incredible because he came over at 1 in the morning to go with me. I was nervous wreck. I’m so lucky to have him in my life. Grumples was still going out constantly. He finally cuddled up on the couch with me for a couple of hours. I sat there and rubbed his ears and belly. I watched him sleep and felt at ease a little. I took him out around seven this morning and he started to diarrhea again. I got him inside and fed him a can of food as the vet suggested and then gave him his medication.
Later in the day, there was blood in his stool. When you see blood in your dogs stool, DO NOT GOOGLE, just call your vet. The vet said that he most likely has an irritated colon. He’s ruling out anything being caught in his stomach or intestines because he’s finally keeping his food down and things are passing through. He said blood is pretty common and not to worry too much. He wanted me to keep an eye on everything and keep monitoring him.
He had me come in so he could inject a probiotic into grumples system. The probiotics will help the health and movement in his gut. He also had to shave the back of him because everything was getting in his fur. I just feel so bad for Mr. Grumples because he is going through so much right now. The probiotics has seemed to help him a lot because he’s been little bit more energetic.
The vet told me to boil up some organic chicken and brown rice for his belly and feed it to him. He seemed to have a pretty big appetite, which is a great sign. He ate all his rice and chicken and then I took him back outside. This time he didn’t go and I was relieved! Maybe he’s getting better. The vet said to expect him to be sick for a couple of days and then it’ll be followed by constipation.
Even though my plans fell through this weekend with my trip to Charleston, I’m glad I caught him getting sick before I left. He’s my main priority and I’m going to do whatever I can to make sure he gets better. I did some browsing around the house to see if he got into anything, and he hasn’t been eating any treats, or human food, so I’m still torn! But, whatever it is, pray it gets better!
And dogs are pricey, so before you decide to get a pup, make sure you can afford it! They need love, attention, and security.
Mel says
So sorry to hear about Grumples! I really hope he gets better soon! Lots of doggy cuddles sent from my pooch Duchess 🙂
Sarah says
I’m so glad Grumples is finally feeling better! I was thinking about him this morning. I know I can’t think about anything else when my pup isn’t feeling well, so I hope you both feel better soon!
Jamie says
Taralynn, I am so sorry to hear about Grumples. Worrying about pets is so hard because they cannot communicate verbally 🙁 I am normally not one to comment but after following Grumples story I just felt I should comment and say that if he continues to not get better you might want to consider getting an X-ray. We had a pug that ate a penny when we were not watching. She also had diarrhea and vomitting and was in the hospital for a day and half with what they thought was pancreatitis before they X-rayed her and saw the penny in her stomach. Pennies contain zinc that is poisonous to dogs. I don’t want to scare you but it is one more thing to try if he continues to feel bad. Sending positive vibes your way 🙂
Amanda says
So happy he’s feeling better!
Ariel says
so glad he’s showing signs of improvement! You all are lucky to have each other 🙂
My 7 month old puppy was attacked at the dog park today and was bit :/ it’s horrible watching them suffer! It could have been worse though- Banjo and I have our paws crossed for Grumbles!
Linda @ TheFitty says
Get better soon! 🙁
Kristin C says
God in Heaven, I pray that you heal Mr. Grumples. Help him to get better and be out of pain, and calm Taralynn as she waits. Thank you for Nick helping her, and the vets that helped too. Help them to find whats wrong and be able to help. In Jesus’ name, amen.
*I always just go ahead and pray for people. Hope that’s alright*
Taralynn McNitt says
You’re amazing Kristin!
Thank you for the prayer! xo xo xo
Kristin C says
You’re quite welcome! I try to pray for any requests as soon as I know of them.
Alicia Svircev says
Hope he feels better soon! Please make sure he is getting enough fluids. Surprised the vet didn’t keep him overnight for iv fluids. My mom’s dog had a similar event a few months ago, just turned out to be a bad stomach bug for dogs. Also, I wouldn’t be too concerned with the yellow vomit. Both my dog and my mom’s dog vomit yellow stuff once in a great while and there’s nothing wrong with them.
Shannon says
Dogs are very pricey and worth every penny. The chicken and rice will help. Hope he is doing better and mommy (you) are able to get some sleep. Nick seems wonderful and very understanding and caring, you got a gem 🙂
Sarah says
Hi Taralynn,
I love to hear how devoted you are to your dog. I know when our furry companions are sick it is incredibly stressful because we cannot communicate with them to understand what is going on. You listed some of the procedures and treatments done for Grumples but I was wondering if they also did an abdominal radiograph. In an acutely vomiting dog this is almost always indicated. At this point if his vomiting has decreased in frequency and he is passing stool it is probably not necessary. Did they also attempt a prophylactic treatment of a dewormer such as fenbendazole? In the meantime make sure to assess his hydration by feeling his skin and you can touch his gums to feel how tacky they are.
Good luck!
Tiffany says
I was thinking and since you were doing the doggy loot give away maybe one to the treats from there upset his stomach, like if you tired a new one or new flavor they could have been what made him sick.
Tiffany says
By the way I hope he feel better soon!! There is nothing worse than seeing your babies sick! Love and prayers!
Taralynn McNitt says
He’s really good about eating treats. He’s a pretty big dog so it takes a lot to get him sick. Plus, those photos were taken over a month ago. I think he has a virus:/
Natalie says
You don’t have Pet Insurance?
That would save you a bunch!!
Much love to both of you from Australia x
Hnou says
It seems like the worst part is over so just hang in there.
Taralynn McNitt says
Thank you!!
Holli says
Check the jerky treats you gave him recently. My dog had almost similar reactions when I gave her jerky treats. Very hard on their tender bellies if they’re not used to them (jmo). My pup recovered nicely, but cost us some $ to get her well too. Prayers to your Mr. Grumples.
Taralynn McNitt says
I gave him those jerky treats about a month ago. Since then I haven’t haven him any treats and he’s usually really good about eating treats. I think he had a virus :/
Sydney says
Sorry to hear about your pup! I’m always a nervous wreck when my fur baby is sick. You might also try a little bit of pumpkin on top of his food…just a tablespoon or two. It helps calm their stomach. I worked at a vet clinic for three years and we always gave sick dogs pumpkin, and I still always do it when my pup’s stomach is upset. Hope Mr. Grumples feels better soon!
T Fogarty says
Hi, I hope he continues to get better and better! So sorry to hear he is sick. That’s the worst, when you can’t really tell what is wrong. You sound like a great doggie mum.
Monica says
Praying for Mr. Grumples! My Bella was sick like that when she was 8 months old. Urgent care vet thought she probably drank dirty puddle water…called it poop soup. 🙁 She pulled through and will be 3 next month. It can be scary seeing your baby go through that!
Gretchen says
my dogs have been through this several times. It can happens lot in terriers… They call it gastroenteritis. Ask the vet about switching his food to a food that helps with gastro problems. It helped my dogs tremendously
Rosie says
Fingers crossed he is on the mend, poor Grumples and poor you it’s so scary when you don’t know what’s wrong with them :/ lots if love to you and Grumps xoxo
Teresa says
I had to take my beagle (Oliver) to the vet wed. (the 14th) for vomiting and bloody diarrhea. The vet said there is something going around and has been this a lot recently…(doggie flu?) He was also recently diagnosed with diabetes (in Oct). He normally gets two insulin shots a day but when vomiting is involved, no shots so I really worried about him. The vet gave him 3 pills for 7 days. One antibiotic, one anti diarrheal and one for vomiting. He is doing better…and as for his diet, I switched his food in October to “4Health” dog food. Also, when I was in the 7th grade my 1st dog got parvo, fortunately we had her to the vet w/I those first 72 hrs and she survived. But it was awful! I truly sympathize with you. Oliver and I hope you and Grumples feel better!
dilek says
I can only say one thing – he is lucky to have you 🙂 I am sure he’ll get better soon.
Jessica Linker says
My dog is having everything you just said we took him in over the weekend and the vet said there was nothing we could do, they had no idea what was going on this makes me think I need to go back into someone else! My dog has also had some weight loss I am not sure if Mr. Grumples has. I just hope that Mr. Grumples gets better and please let me know what you find out anything so I have some information when I take Anheuser back.
Thank you!
Kate says
Sorry your pup is sick! I came home to a sick dog last night… No fun! My childhood dog had “a delicate stomach” so I already knew what methods work best. I ran to the store for rice and chicken baby food (my dog is small, and I don’t eat meat… I’m willing to pay the higher price so I don’t have to deal with boiling chicken) and canned pumpkin (plain, not pie filling). No dinner for him last night to let his tummy rest, but I did give him chicken broth (Honest Kitchen makes little dehydrated broth packets intended as a special dog treat, but it works great to get a sick dog to drink. I found them at my local petstore). This morning he got a little rice with some chicken and pumpkin. (Pumpkin is high fiber, good for firming up loose stool.) I’ll keep him on bland food for a few days, even though he’s already doing better. Do some research into dogs and pumpkin (works for cats too)- it really helps a lot!
Kelsey says
I’m not usually one to comment, but I think Mr. Grumples is lucky to have such a caring owner like you. I wish more dog owners were this way.
Taralynn McNitt says
Thanks Kelsey!! 🙂
Cassie says
🙁 I know how hard it is when you are worried about your pup. They are family! I hope he gets better soon!
Jessica says
I’m glad that Mr. Grumples is feeling better. It’s hard not to feel helpless when you don’t know what’s wrong.
KT says
Hi Taralynn! I am one of your followers who actually happens to be an ER vet! So glad to hear Mr. Grumples is feeling better and happy that he did well with at-home treatment. You are an awesome owner and he’s lucky to have you! Just one thing I wanted to mention–if he ever has bouts of vomiting and diarrhea again, ask your vet about performing a resting cortisol test. I have not examined him so I can’t give a ton of medical input, and the vomiting and diarrhea Grumples had is likely just a one-time event for him, but the doodle/poodle breeds (especially younger to middle-aged) can be predisposed to a disease called hypoadrenocorticism, or “Addison’s” disease. It’s a fancy term that means that the adrenal glands, which produce a hormone called cortisol that helps the GI tract stay healthy, aren’t doing their job as well as they should. It can be, but isn’t always, associated with stressful events. It usually just requires a low dose of steroids to keep animals healthy, but if untreated can result in a crisis. Sometimes, it can show changes in electrolytes on normal bloodwork, but many times in poodles and doodles it doesn’t, and a cortisol test (and sometimes a test called an ACTH stim) can give you more info. Again, I don’t say this to scare you because I think he will do great from here on out…but just wanted to arm you with some things to ask your vet if it happens again since a lot of vets forget about it and it is a much more common disease than we think (I diagnosed two this week). Knowledge is power, right?!?!