Dog Community

Large bowel diarrhea

Posted : 6/8/2009 1:41:55 AM

Does anyone know anything about large bowel diarrhea? Penny is unwell in multiple ways, now. She has a history of bowel blockages and was straining and whining all day yesterday, so I did the usual routine and gave her some parrafin and waited. She was still having trouble this morning, so took her in to the vets. The vet said she has no feces in her rectum at all, but she does have a mass higher up in her abdomen. I have decided I don't want Penny to be anaesthetised for any reason at this point. She is really going downhill quite fast and we had agreed before this latest problem that if she didn't improve this week over last week we would set a date to say goodbye to her.

So, without ultrasounds or x-rays, the vet said it was a tough call as her problem could be either a serious obstruction that would require surgery or perhaps large bowel diarrhea. In the end, we opted to give her one day of stool softening medication and that way if it's large bowel diarrhea something would come out and we would know and give her antibiotics to try to treat that. But would lbd explain the mass in her abdomen? The vet suggested it was quite possible the mass was a tumor given her age, and I guess that might explain her rapid decline recently. Penny is remarkably bright-eyed for a dog with an obstruction, and is still eating happily, although she's not wild about food once she gets going on it.

Anyway, if it's an obstruction it will probably be the end of the road for our Pen Pen. Putting her through surgery now would be very hard on her. So I'm focusing on the large bowel diarrhea. Does anyone know what usually causes this and whether it's likely antibiotics would fix it?

Chuffy

Posted : 6/8/2009 2:50:04 AM

I am sorry I don't have any advice, just wanted to say I'm sorry Penny isn't well right now. Sending lots of good vibes for Penny.

JackieG

Posted : 6/8/2009 5:28:50 AM

I don't have any medical advice either, I wanted to add my good wishes for Penny and for you. I know you must be so upset. Hugs.

corvus

Posted : 6/8/2009 5:55:53 AM

Thanks guys. I've kind of been mourning Penny for a few weeks, now. I knew our time was nearly up. OH has been in denial, but if nothing else this has made losing her a reality for him. She had the stool softener 10 hours ago and still nothing, so it doesn't look good.

jennie_c_d

Posted : 6/8/2009 6:30:56 AM

I'm sorry to hear that she's doing so poorly. ((((hugs))))

CoBuHe

Posted : 6/8/2009 7:07:43 AM

I'm so sorry I don't have any advice for you either...but I do send my virtual hugs and good thoughts to you and your family. I do know this is a hard time. Healing vibes to your Penny.

Chuffy

Posted : 6/8/2009 7:43:29 AM

corvus
I've kind of been mourning Penny for a few weeks, now. I knew our time was nearly up.

Trust me when I say I know how hard this is, but please try not to do that, because I really do think it makes the dog feel worse. Cram each day full of happy experiences for you both and mourn her later, at the appropriate time. I am still thinking of you.

BEVOLASVEGAS

Posted : 6/8/2009 8:34:27 AM

No suggestions. Just wanted to know that we're thinking of you.

corvus

Posted : 6/8/2009 5:51:50 PM

Well, it seems that it wasn't large bowel diarrhea after all, but in spite of dire predictions from the vet, the stool softener did the job and this morning Penny cleared her blockage. It looks like we have dodged the bullet. Phew. Seriously, it is so stressful and exhausting having a deteriorating dog. I am trying to just enjoy the days we have with her, but it's hard when she often just wants to be on her own and can't make it around the block even on a good day.

Oh well. Thanks for all the good vibes, everyone. I'm going to start counting her age in weeks at this rate.

JackieG

Posted : 6/8/2009 6:36:19 PM

I'm so glad she pulled through. :) It is so stressful to be in "waiting for the next crisis mode". I know that feeling of dread that hangs over the house and how hard it is to truly enjoy the time you have left, as much as you want to. These are precious days and you'll find a way to appreciate each one because this is all part of the story of Penny and you together. The ending has always been known but you just have to get through the sad parts and remember the good parts. Thinking of you and sending good thoughts for you and your old girl.

CoBuHe

Posted : 6/8/2009 7:53:31 PM

Its not easy caring for the elderly. I'm so happy to hear that this particular worry has passed. LOL Pun intended. Indifferent Big Smile God vibes will continue to Penny, the sweetie,from all of us.

denise m

Posted : 6/8/2009 7:55:58 PM

Great News!!!!!!

calliecritturs

Posted : 6/8/2009 9:34:22 PM

I have a *very* senior dog right now too ... it's a challenge. I know this sounds odd, but try prunes. My dogs always LOVE them (I bite them in small bites for them and they think it's a mega treat cos it's sticky and sweet.) -- but a prune a day may help keep her .... ahem ... regular?? I've used it for years and it can work really well.

babelfish

Posted : 6/9/2009 1:21:06 AM

Large Intestinal Diarrhea - Potential causes are similar to that of small intestinal diarrhea. Parasites, inappropriate digestion of food (eating unfamiliar food substances), inflammation from immune system, bacterial overgrowth, and cancer seem to be most common causes.

Anything which can result in inflammation of the large intestines or colon (colitis), can result in large intestinal diarrhea.

Diagnosis includes examining the stool for parasites, blood testing for specific diseases, and using an endoscope (tube to examine the insides of the intestines and obtain a sample of tissue for analysis (biopsy).

__________________________

Diarrhea of large intestinal origin can be caused by whipworms, polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, colonic ulcers or colonic cancer. Stress can cause large bowel diarrhea in excitable dogs. The diagnosis of large intestinal diarrhea is also made by blood tests and examination of the stool. A rectal examination using a gloved finger may provide some information about the cause of large bowel problems including rectal polyps and rectal cancer. Endoscopy to examine the large intestine is performed using a rigid or flexible scope passed up the rectum. Because the rectum is often very irritated, colon exams are usually performed under general anesthesia.

The treatment of large bowel diarrhea may be based on a specific diagnosis. Non specific treatment of large bowel diarrhea often includes a high fiber diet and sullfasalazine, an anti-inflammatory drug.

also http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx

Hope some of that helps. Our thoughts are with you.

babelfish

Posted : 6/9/2009 1:23:11 AM

corvus
Well, it seems that it wasn't large bowel diarrhea after all, but in spite of dire predictions from the vet, the stool softener did the job and this morning Penny cleared her blockage.

Excellent news, very happy for you! Party!!!