Blockage question

MRBILL8175

Should I get a second opinion?

I'll be honest -- if i were you I would head to my state's best VET SCHOOL -- they have state of the art equipment and will move fast.  They are often better than any 'specialty vet' around and you'll get the best of care.

 **typically** in a blockage they will begin vomiting when whatever has blocked the intestinal tract backs up *to* the stomach (and since food can't exit the stomach the acid there just keeps rolling everything around and they vomit).  But typically they don't show nausea *until* the blocked waste backs up to the stomach.

So between no bowel movement and the nausea that's typically the diagnosis. 

A blockage can be **VERY** difficult to accurately pinpoint -- it usually takes an ultrasound (and a darned good radiologist) to help locate this.  That's why I'm saying drop everything and GET to a vet school -- they won't fool around and they will get it done **well**. 

You don't want to wait until something ruptures inside and goes septic -- good way to lose your dog to be honest.

My point -- Jackie is right.  You want a second opinion but you don't want just another local vet.  Go where it can be fully rectified and acted on.  This can honestly be worth a multi-hour drive. 

Questions for you:

Are you absolutely COMPLETELY positive he's not sneaking off somewhere to poop?  Has he been with you 24/7??  In other words - I don't know you but I'm going to voice this -- dogs can be cagey.  They can poop and then eat it.  Gross but it can happen.  So you can't leave them alone and assume they've done nothing (like if they've been in a crate). 

If he's eating with no qualm -- then I'm confused.  Typically once the blockage goes back to the stomach they will just vomit everthing.  I'd wonder why he was SO empty that he can eat a lot and still not have it be backed up to the stomach.

I'm not saying anything against your regular vet but they may not have the equipment this requires.  X-rays will miss things like cotton fiber, etc. -- in other words there are a lot of things that won't show on an x-ray.

good luck

Thank You both for your quick replies. I tend to overreact when it comes to Smokey, he's my right hand. I felt she was being a little blase about it. As to the questions to me, the only time he has been out of sight is when I'm sleeping. He's not crated, but is stuck in my room with me. If he is pooping and eating it, he somehow figured out a way to clean the off white carpet afterwards.

As to how empty he seems to be has me guessing. He weighed 81lbs on Tues, he eats 6 Benefuls a day, as well as 3-4 cups kibble. He usually has 3 movements a day. He is extremely lean and muscular, he goes to work with me daily, I do land surveys, and we both walk 5-10 miles a day. I asked whether to feed him because I'm wondering where all this food is going.

I live in Philly and am surrounded by veterinary schools (Penn, Temple, Penn State), and never thought of them. I've always thought highly of my current vet, but something this time led me to question her.

I am new here, and glad to find the site. I've learned plenty just from today's reading. Once he clears up I will post updates (hopefully tomorrow). He is very well fed and cared for, and I will post pics for all to see.

As I write this, he's asking for food.

We just came back from a walk. For the first time since Tuesday, he squatted and....... he squeezed out a small amount the runs, mixed with hair (sorry, gross). I'm still taking him to a different vet tomorrow, but is this a good sign??

Don't worry about being gross.  We're talking poop for goodness sakes.    I'm glad you are taking him to a different vet tomorrow...I'm hoping you get better help.  I'm hoping its not an obstruction...and this new visit can get you some real answers.

Good luck, and keep us posted.

ETA:  He'll be fine if he misses a meal tonight...it might be a good idea just to offer water or broth. 

MRBILL8175

he eats 6 Benefuls a day

Beneful the kibble? Beneful looks pretty, but IMO is garbage. Good luck and keep us posted.

I'm wondering if maybe the medication didn't constipate him a bit. . .or possibly maybe even the rice could do that?  I don't know how big of a guy he is but in my mind 7 cups is a lot, LOL!   Maybe thats why she wasn't super worried right now?  Hoping hes feeling better soon!

 I disagree about the vet schools being the place to go. I live near one of the most famous vet schools in the nation and I would not take my dogs there unless it was the absolute LAST resort, and probably not even then. Especially for something like a blockage (or symptoms this dog is having). You don't need a specialist for that and if you go for something like this, you will get an intern who runs through a checklist, running every possible test whether it makes sense to do so or not. They do not have enough experience to think for themselves just yet. There is a very large, close knit dog community around here and if you ask around, you get the same story over and over. the vet school is for something like cancer treatment or joint surgeries but not stuff like this. Anyway, this is another thread topic.

It sounds like you are going to get a 2nd opinion which is good. I've been through lots of blockages in my time and have gotten pretty good at reading x-rays myself. You should ask for a copy of the xray from your other vet so that you can take to the other vet and compare / get a 2nd set of eyes. The vet can give your dog something (think x-lax) with fluids to get the system flowing. This would be the least intrusive way to resolve the problem (if there is one)

could have a bezoar/hairball there...I have never had hair come out in poop aside from in a pup that ate my bigger dogs fluff lol. Is he chewing on himself or what? weird.

I would at least get a Barium series done...I mean if THAT passes then you know things are going along, and the Barium itself typically soothes things and coats things...

I hope you get it figured out!