Maddox is pooping blood - a lot of blood

[BonBon]

Originally Posted by Ringo1

I hope that Maddox is ok. Ringo pooped blood in two separate episodes - it looked like red jelly.

He ended up having gastroenteritis - cleared up with a prescription and some Low Residue dog food. The first time - he got into some chicken bones- the second episode we were not sure of the cause.

Hope they can figure this out quick.

Originally Posted by cj125

Aww Bonnie - I'm happy to hear that Maddox's bloodwork came back with good numbers. Poor baby - I'll be praying for him. Seeing that blood is scary but I think your vet sounds like she's on top of things.

Mia had something similar a few years back - it was that irritated intestines thing. She was put on anitbiotics and later a new kibble - which has worked wonderfully - even though it's not a food everyone considers "good".

Keeping you and Maddox in my prayers.

Originally Posted by cathys

Our Maltese had these same symptoms a few weeks ago, very scary almost pure blood. The vet ran all the test and said he could no find anything wrong. That he must have eaten something and it would have to pass his system on it's own. He gave us the probioics and something for the diarea and an antibiotic, just incase of secondary infection. He perked up fast and was back to normal in a couple of days. Hope your does the same. We never did figure out what he could have eaten.

It's just so odd. I hate not having an answer, not having something to avoid or watch out for in the future. But, I'm very very thankful that his blood work is so good. Thank you all for giving me hope that this will be over and Maddox all well again soon!

[BonBon]

Originally Posted by EsmeeKimme

Just wanted to wish your baby well, sounds very scary. I hope he is all better soon.

Thank you!

I just called about the xray results. The xray has been done but the doctors are all in a staff meeting, so I have to wait for one of them to read the film. I know the poor lady at the front desk has to be sick of me by now.

[kjc]

Originally Posted by BonBon

Just made the call and xrays are in the works.

I hadn't thought about the barium aggravating his system, but that's a very good point.

His test results all came back just I'd hoped they would, but now I'm at a loss for what to do next. I NEED an answer for this. Is it possible for just a virus to have caused something like this?

The only things I know of that can cause a bleed such as this are a burst blood vessel, or a perforated intestine. This is old blood, so wherever it occured, the blood stayed there for a while.

And I have to say, from working in emergency medicine, when animals came in with possibly life threatening conditions, we did not have time to wait for bloodwork or barium studies. I was amazed when I took a daytime emergency to a regular vet one time a while back. They were falling over themselves trying to deal with it. The vet and techs were so used to working in a controlled situation, with vaccines and wellness exams, when faced with an actual emergency, they really lost it. Sadly I thought they were quite comical, but somehow all ended well.

Just saying that maybe an ER vet would have some tricks up his sleeve, and keener instincts from working emergencies all the time, and equipment for running at least basic bloodwork rather than waiting hours for results. It is a Specialty nowadays, and additional classes are offered at vet schools in emergency medicine.

Not saying anything against your regular vet, but you're saying you want an answer, so if it happens again, the ER route may be better equipped and able to provide those answers. I really feel an xray should have been done right after they drew the blood for the bloodwork. With the amount of blood Maddox lost, I just feel that would have been a safer thing to do, rather than wait to see if he's still bleeding or having bloody diarrhea, or pooping blood. IDK, don't mind me...JMHO. Not trying to get you upset, I am just very concerned about Maddox, as I know you are too, being his mom and all, so don't take this wrong. This may not even resemble your situation at all, but for the benefit of others reading this thread, I will post instead of delete.

[yorkieusa]

I'm glad the test results were good and I'll keep hoping the x-rays turn out clear. Hopefully, this will pass and never happen again.

[BonBon]

Originally Posted by kjc

The only things I know of that can cause a bleed such as this are a burst blood vessel, or a perforated intestine. This is old blood, so wherever it occured, the blood stayed there for a while.

And I have to say, from working in emergency medicine, when animals came in with possibly life threatening conditions, we did not have time to wait for bloodwork or barium studies. I was amazed when I took a daytime emergency to a regular vet one time a while back. They were falling over themselves trying to deal with it. The vet and techs were so used to working in a controlled situation, with vaccines and wellness exams, when faced with an actual emergency, they really lost it. Sadly I thought they were quite comical, but somehow all ended well.

Just saying that maybe an ER vet would have some tricks up his sleeve, and keener instincts from working emergencies all the time, and equipment for running at least basic bloodwork rather than waiting hours for results. It is a Specialty nowadays, and additional classes are offered at vet schools in emergency medicine.

Not saying anything against your regular vet, but you're saying you want an answer, so if it happens again, the ER route may be better equipped and able to provide those answers. I really feel an xray should have been done right after they drew the blood for the bloodwork. With the amount of blood Maddox lost, I just feel that would have been a safer thing to do, rather than wait to see if he's still bleeding or having bloody diarrhea, or pooping blood. IDK, don't mind me...JMHO. Not trying to get you upset, I am just very concerned about Maddox, as I know you are too, being his mom and all, so don't take this wrong. This may not even resemble your situation at all, but for the benefit of others reading this thread, I will post instead of delete.

Thank you Kathy! You make some very good points that most of would never think of. I do wish my vet had been there this morning (he never did make it in today - his son broke his ankle at school this morning). My vet actually owns the hospital and he's very proactive in his treatment approach. He's the one all the other vets in the area go to for advice on difficult cases. Nothing against the vet we had today, but I feel better when Dr. Jones is there to care for my pups.

[Buster Brown]

I am so sorry to hear about Maddox. I am glad to hear his blood work came back ok but it must be scary not knowing what is going on. I think you are smart getting the xrays. I hope you find out what is causing this so Maddox can get the proper treatment and you can relax a bit. Sending prayers for Maddox and Bonnie!

[BonBon]

Originally Posted by yorkieusa

I'm glad the test results were good and I'll keep hoping the x-rays turn out clear. Hopefully, this will pass and never happen again.

Oh Goodness! I sure hope so too! Thank you.

Ok, I just got a call about Maddox's xrays. They seem all clear except for some air pockets, which the doctor said was normal after a bad case of diarrhea. There's no growths, abnormal swellings, fluid buildup, etc. They also don't see any signs of a foreign object but he said they couldn't rule that out.

This was interesting - the doctor Maddox saw this morning is off duty now. But, she called to talk to another vet about Maddox. After discussing his case, they wanted my permission to send off a sample of the stool/blood that I took in this morning. They want to send it off to Oklahoma State University where they're conducting a study into a new parasite that's recently been found in Oklahoma. The study is a free one, open only to cases that fit a strict criteria. He said those results won't be back for a few days.

Oh, and Maddox still hasn't any more diarrhea or blood loss. They attempted another stool sample and it was much better - still soft, but not the runny mucus that he'd had earlier. Sorry to be so graphic! And thanks for listening!

[Patti]

I am so happy Maddox is doing better and tests so far have been good. I know it is frustrating when they can't find a cause. I hope he is home and feeling better soon. Keeping him in my prayers.

[Ladymom]

Originally Posted by kjc

The only things I know of that can cause a bleed such as this are a burst blood vessel, or a perforated intestine. This is old blood, so wherever it occured, the blood stayed there for a while.

And I have to say, from working in emergency medicine, when animals came in with possibly life threatening conditions, we did not have time to wait for bloodwork or barium studies. I was amazed when I took a daytime emergency to a regular vet one time a while back. They were falling over themselves trying to deal with it. The vet and techs were so used to working in a controlled situation, with vaccines and wellness exams, when faced with an actual emergency, they really lost it. Sadly I thought they were quite comical, but somehow all ended well.

Just saying that maybe an ER vet would have some tricks up his sleeve, and keener instincts from working emergencies all the time, and equipment for running at least basic bloodwork rather than waiting hours for results. It is a Specialty nowadays, and additional classes are offered at vet schools in emergency medicine.

Not saying anything against your regular vet, but you're saying you want an answer, so if it happens again, the ER route may be better equipped and able to provide those answers. I really feel an xray should have been done right after they drew the blood for the bloodwork. With the amount of blood Maddox lost, I just feel that would have been a safer thing to do, rather than wait to see if he's still bleeding or having bloody diarrhea, or pooping blood. IDK, don't mind me...JMHO. Not trying to get you upset, I am just very concerned about Maddox, as I know you are too, being his mom and all, so don't take this wrong. This may not even resemble your situation at all, but for the benefit of others reading this thread, I will post instead of delete.

Great points. I can't imagine a vet not having an inhouse lab to do a basic CBC. In an emergency you don't have the hours to wait for test results. HGE, for example, can be fatal within just a few hours if the correct supportive care isn't given immediately.

I am so glad his bloodwork was normal. I'm glad they are sending a stool sample out. Hopefully you'll get some answers.

[delicatepuzzle]

There's a bug going around the complex and nearly $400 later we figured out it is Hookworm!!! A simple dewormer from the vet (usually yellow in color) and monthly dewormer in heartworm (we have TriHeart) gets em. But to know for sure you have to visit the vet. I hope all goes well

[Sweet Apple]

Bonnie, I remember going biserk, wondering what caused Apple's illness, so I could prevent it...I know what you're going through, and I know it's heart breaking...All I can tell you is that Apple got well, I chopped down the hibiscus tree, I don't let my friend bring her japanese chins to my house (lol), and Apple is all back to her normal self...Also, they didn't do a blood test for pancreatitis, until I requested it on the 2nd visit to the ER...Fortunately, it came back negative...When Apple had this "event", her poop looked like raspberry/strawberry jam...As an afterthought, I wondered if she'd, perhaps, chewed up a stick, or something, and irritated her bowel...I'm sure Maddox will be o.k. w/treatment, and you may never know what caused it (I don't!)...Just know you are doing everything you can, you can see the improvement w/prayer and it's all going to be o.k...More hugs, Maggie

[kjc]

Originally Posted by BonBon

Oh Goodness! I sure hope so too! Thank you.

Ok, I just got a call about Maddox's xrays. They seem all clear except for some air pockets, which the doctor said was normal after a bad case of diarrhea. There's no growths, abnormal swellings, fluid buildup, etc. They also don't see any signs of a foreign object but he said they couldn't rule that out.

This was interesting - the doctor Maddox saw this morning is off duty now. But, she called to talk to another vet about Maddox. After discussing his case, they wanted my permission to send off a sample of the stool/blood that I took in this morning. They want to send it off to Oklahoma State University where they're conducting a study into a new parasite that's recently been found in Oklahoma. The study is a free one, open only to cases that fit a strict criteria. He said those results won't be back for a few days.

Oh, and Maddox still hasn't any more diarrhea or blood loss. They attempted another stool sample and it was much better - still soft, but not the runny mucus that he'd had earlier. Sorry to be so graphic! And thanks for listening!

Oh that is interesting, and kind of scary at the same time that Maddox's case meets their criteria.... hmmmm.

Also, great to know he doesn't have another pocket of blood hanging around waiting to come out..

[Connie]

I'm so glad to hear that he is doing better and the bloodwork and tests have been good. Libby got deathly ill a year or so ago with vomiting, pooping blood (lots of it) and a fever of 105. I honestly thought I was going to lose her and was scared out of my mind. Never got any answers with what caused that either, so I know just how you are feeling. Get well wishes to Maddox!

[BonBon]

Originally Posted by kjc

Oh that is interesting, and kind of scary at the same time that Maddox's case meets their criteria.... hmmmm.

Also, great to know he doesn't have another pocket of blood hanging around waiting to come out..

I wasn't sure what to think when he mentioned this. I asked what the parasite did, how serious it was, how it was introduced to the body, etc. but he just said "let's wait and see what the test results show." I'm picking Maddox up in an hour and I hope to find a doctor there to talk to more about this.

I did call about them doing blood work in house, and spoke with the clinic manager. I was mistaken - they only send the blood off to OSU on weekends, when the lab here in Tulsa is closed and when they want a full workup done.

They do have a small lab in-house for evenings/emergencies but the results aren't nearly as detailed as they get when they send the blood off to the local lab. She said the lab they use is very close to the hospital and that the can get the detailed results back much more quickly using them than if they tried to do it in house. Also, Maddox's blood was initially run through their in house lab as it was also being sent off site - that's how the doctor was able to tell me so early this morning that Maddox was stable. So it depends on the situation as to which lab handles the blood work.

This I can understand and accept. I just wanted to understand the process and their reasoning behind it.

[BonBon]

Originally Posted by Sweet Apple

Bonnie, I remember going biserk, wondering what caused Apple's illness, so I could prevent it...I know what you're going through, and I know it's heart breaking...All I can tell you is that Apple got well, I chopped down the hibiscus tree, I don't let my friend bring her japanese chins to my house (lol), and Apple is all back to her normal self...Also, they didn't do a blood test for pancreatitis, until I requested it on the 2nd visit to the ER...Fortunately, it came back negative...When Apple had this "event", her poop looked like raspberry/strawberry jam...As an afterthought, I wondered if she'd, perhaps, chewed up a stick, or something, and irritated her bowel...I'm sure Maddox will be o.k. w/treatment, and you may never know what caused it (I don't!)...Just know you are doing everything you can, you can see the improvement w/prayer and it's all going to be o.k...More hugs, Maggie

Oh Maggie, thank you!! It's killing me that my baby is sick and I don't know what to do to help him, or how to keep it from happening again. At least the doctor this morning immediately recommended blood work, so I got that part of things answered pretty fast.

Maddox's BM this movement had a little mucus but is was more watery - like pure blood. I was so scared!!