Gransnet forums

Pets

Dog advise

(29 Posts)
whitewave Tue 08-Nov-16 17:55:30

My dog seems to get what I can only describe as colic. He has has 3 episodes lately about every 10 days. I've changed his diet to fish and chicken. Once he is over it -after about a few hours he's absolutely fine.

Any ideas folks?

whitewave Tue 08-Nov-16 18:00:50

Grief that should read advice!!!

glammanana Tue 08-Nov-16 18:05:06

I would feed him smaller portions but more often would you consider adding some rice to his diet as this is easy for dogs to digest,I would speak to your vet if no improvement though he may have picked up something that is laying in his gut and needs antibiotics.

merlotgran Tue 08-Nov-16 18:12:42

I agree about rice with chicken. Is his worming up to date?

Jalima Tue 08-Nov-16 18:18:16

DD feeds her dogs pasta occasionally.

I wonder about worms too?

Jalima Tue 08-Nov-16 18:20:43

I have just remembered that one of neighbours had a dog who was ill with stomach problems; the vet discovered that she had swallowed a conker which was blocking her intestines.

After it was removed she was back to her usual bouncy self.

NanaandGrampy Tue 08-Nov-16 18:28:21

Does your dog eat very quickly? If so pop a large rock in his bowl ( it's got to be too big to swallow) . He will have to slow down to eat . You can buy special bowls if you find that works with a big cone shaped centre.

whitewave Tue 08-Nov-16 18:29:17

It definitely isn't a foreign body as between bouts he's absolutely fine. Could be worms, do worms give your dog colic?

ninathenana Tue 08-Nov-16 18:29:44

Worms could be a factor

whitewave Tue 08-Nov-16 18:32:03

Not a quick eater so not that - still could be worms or bacteria. I bet I end up taking him to the vet. I ve just forked out £88 to be told he was in shock!

Jalima Tue 08-Nov-16 18:34:42

It is all passing through in the normal manner, then iyswim?

Does he eat things that he finds when he is out? People throw food away (disgusting) which rots, if a dog eats some of it he could get a bacterial infection in his digestive system.

Colic is caused by gas, gas is caused when eating too quickly as N&G said or perhaps by eating something that he shouldn't.

Is he otherwise well?

Jalima Tue 08-Nov-16 18:35:20

X post

merlotgran Tue 08-Nov-16 18:41:57

I always worm our dogs if they are off colour. It's always worth doing first then if you have to take him to the vet at least you know he's up to date with treatment.

merlotgran Tue 08-Nov-16 18:43:17

How do you know it's colic BTW?

merlotgran Tue 08-Nov-16 18:43:46

Actually, that should be, What makes you think it's colic?

whitewave Tue 08-Nov-16 18:43:57

Yes he's very well. I am just about to give him a dose of advocate. I hate using chemicals on him, and he never has fleas, so I've been bad in not giving him a regular dose, so worms could be the problem.

The reason I described it as colic that is exactly how he behaves, can't settle and is clearly in pain, he likes me to rub his tum. He goes off his food and although he isn't sick and poos are normal he does fart a bit.

Christinefrance Tue 08-Nov-16 19:15:50

One of our dogs has had a similar problem all his life - he is 10 now. Check for worms and when that is clear give him small meals often. We find it best to stick to the same food, nothing hot, cold or spicy. He will tolerate rice with his food, chicken but only in very small amounts. Sometimes it's best to have a 24 hour fast. Good luck.

Tegan Tue 08-Nov-16 19:17:00

Has he had antibiotics recently? Maybe you could give him some bio yoghurt? I give Hattie a Pepto Bismol @1/4 tablet [I think]if she get gets colic [doesn't happen very often though].But don't tell the chemist you're buying it for a dog as they won't sell it to you.

whitewave Tue 08-Nov-16 19:38:23

Right advocate given. Lucky it was still in time. Have 4 so will do it monthly for 4 months and see how he goes. I bought live bio after the last time tegan but he hasn't had antibiotics.

I shall give rice and boiled fish or chicken and see how he goes. If it continues after another period off to the vets I think.

Why do they make us so worried!???

Tegan Tue 08-Nov-16 20:02:08

I rushed to the vets late one Friday because my dogs back leg was going into a sort of spasm and she kept falling over. Vet couldn't find anything wrong [of course, I thought she'd had a stroke]. I think what is was was that she had something irritating her ear and, being a dog of very little brain, kept trying to scratch it and didn't realise that she needed her leg to stand on. Thankfully they didn't charge me much. 5 minutes later and it would have been a trip to the out of hours emergency clinic which would have cost hundreds shock.

whitewave Tue 08-Nov-16 20:26:51

They do the oddest things. Duncan was set on by a bitch after he became too friendly. He seemed OK and carried on with his morning walk, but after he got home he started to shiver, and by about 4pm he was in a terrible state and seemed to be dragging his back legs. Off we went -needless to say it was a Sunday only to be told he was in shock!! He is such a wuss.

He was shivery all night and needed to be lifted onto the sofa and up and down the stairs in the morning.

Then there was a knock on the door and the kitchen man turned up and suddenly Duncan was his normal lunatic self. Talk about putting it on.

whitewave Tue 08-Nov-16 20:28:19

He's better by the way, laying next to me dreaming. Bloody animals.

whitewave Tue 08-Nov-16 20:29:19

Thanks everyone for your help Worming - I think I've neglected him blush

Jalima Tue 08-Nov-16 20:32:36

Tegan I was going to suggest live yogurt too, or perhaps Yakult if he will take it.

It does sound like trapped gas, perhaps he takes in air when eating.

Regalo Tue 08-Nov-16 21:55:58

Our dig gas inflammatory bowel disease and specialist vet advised a complete change of diet to potato (not rice) and fish. Eukanuba dermatosis fp is fish and potato based. Certainly worked for our little lady.