The Shih Tzu x Maltese Mix is 2.5 years old. Male, not neutered, usually very high energy.
Day 0:
- exhibited some tiredness and chewing of paw - was presumed by vet to be grass seed stuck in the paw
Days 2 - 5:
- Loxicom (dog ibuprofen) administered. No diarrhoea, bleeding or sickness during this course.
Day 6:
- furtively eating grass, refusing all food and treats, little energy and did not pass stool until later on when it was minimal and slimy.
- Worsened in the afternoon with farting and looking uncomfortable and couldn't do a walk. He ate three teaspoons of food. Still reactive.
- Slept in the night but was found to have soiled himself the following morning.
Day 7:
- sick for the first time.
- Farting again in the garden, drinking lots of water and trying to eat more grass. He was very sick again with white foam and containing grass and we contacted the vets.
- some rectal bleeding.
- Saw the vets at 16:30 and it was suggested we take him straight to the hospital.
The diagnosis and feedback from the hospital is very confused hence this forum question:
- 'bad' bloods, taken twice due to them not matching briefly recovering/happy behaviour.
- Some form of fluids given, attempts being made at food (primarily syringed), alongside antibiotics
- fluid was drained from digestive system
- Potential damage from the prescribed medicine (notes now rule against ever using it again with this dog).
- temperature and (low) blood pressure are fluctuating
- scans show a shadow that is likely to be food
- Shallow breathing and responsiveness calmed/improved with some attention from family members
There is no clear diagnosis or prognosis from the vet so far. Here are the possible causes I've shortlisted from discussion and limited research:
- reaction to Loxicom
- pancreatitis
- foreign object (but why not show up in the scan?)
- parasite
- infection (should have been clear from bloods?)
- lack of fibre
Please advise what possible causes and treatments might be relevant to this case?
