Maddox is pooping blood - a lot of blood

[BonBon]

Originally Posted by 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!

Thank you Connie. Goodness, a fever of 105? Poor baby....it's scary how many of our little ones have had this happen with no medical answers for it.

[BonBon]

I just wanted to let everyone know that I probably won't be back online after I pick Maddox up tonight, if all goes well. I will be here to give an update first thing in the morning though.

Thank you everyone for all the prayers and well wishes!

Bonny

[orlnurse]

I'm just now seeing this thread. So sorry that Maddox isn't feeling well but glad to hear that he's doing well enough to come home.

[BonBon]

Originally Posted by BonBon

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.

The doctor happened to be in the lobby when I picked Maddox up, so I asked him about this case study and the new parasite. He had his next client just coming in behind me, but he did give me the name, Heterobilarzia, better known as "the blood fluke". Here's one article I found when I googled it Heterobilharzia: Liver & Intestinal Parasite of Dogs.

This discussion, Heterobilharzia americana infection in a dog. [J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2002] - PubMed result, says "Although this is the first report of canine heterobilharziasis in North Carolina, it suggests that heterobilharziasis is underdiagnosed in dogs that have contact with water frequented by raccoons. Inappropriate diagnostic procedures can foil accurate detection of this parasitic disease."

I do have raccoons in my area, so maybe they're on to something.

Maddox is home and seems to be feeling well. He's greeted his playmates, drank a nice bit of water and is checking things out right now. And Kathy - I followed your advice and thoroughly checked the back yard a bit ago. There was nothing, no sign of anything that he may have ingested. Of course he may have swallowed the evidence!

[Buster Brown]

It is good to hear Maddox is safe at home. I pray this evening is uneventful and you can rest up from the stressful events. I hope they can find a diagnosis for this scary incident. All the best to you and Maddox.

[TxVicki]

So glad to hear that Maddox is home and seems to be doing well. Prayers will continue for him.

[LuvMySissy]

Originally Posted by BonBon

I just hired a lawn service that sprayed for weeds week before last. Should I call the vet back and tell them that? Could that have caused his problems? I made sure the grass had dried for several hours before I let the babies out on it.

I didn't read through the entire thread yet, but having owned/operated a lawn fertilizing company and being a certified lawn applicator - anytime fertilizer is applied, it should dry for a full 24 hours before the dogs are on it. If it contains and weed killer, then it need to be watered in (after a day) and then fully dry before the pups go out. Anything less is definitely toxic - especially with weed killer invluded. This time of year weed killer is always used in our neck of the woods.

That being said, I don't think he would react a week later. Chemical toxicity is usually pretty immediate.

[Wylie's Mom]

So glad to read Maddox is home!

[Rhetts_mama]

Bonnie,
I'm just seeing this now. Wow, what a day you have had. I hope Maddox is feeling better this evening and you get a good diagnosis soon.

[LuvTaycieGirl]

I am just seeing this!

I am glad he is home well and safe. What a day this must have been for you. My thoughts and prayers are with you tonight as he heals.

[tjdmom]

Just now reading this and had to read until the end. So relieved that your baby is feeling better and I hope you are able to get an answer as to what caused this as I know that will make you feel so much better!

[Patti]

So happy to hear Maddox is home and doing better.

[yorkieusa]

I'm glad he's home with you and that he's feeling better. Sending my best wishes for Maddox.

[BonBon]

Maddox is feeling much better this morning!

He ate a small dinner last night, then after his meds this morning he went straight to the water bowl and breakfast dish. I'm so happy to see his appetite is coming back.

He had a bounce in his step this morning and his tail was back up and waving happily.

I hope and pray he's past whatever it was. Thank you for all the prayers! I know they helped bring my baby home last night.

Hugs,
Bonny

[BonBon]

Originally Posted by LuvMySissy

I didn't read through the entire thread yet, but having owned/operated a lawn fertilizing company and being a certified lawn applicator - anytime fertilizer is applied, it should dry for a full 24 hours before the dogs are on it. If it contains and weed killer, then it need to be watered in (after a day) and then fully dry before the pups go out. Anything less is definitely toxic - especially with weed killer invluded. This time of year weed killer is always used in our neck of the woods.

That being said, I don't think he would react a week later. Chemical toxicity is usually pretty immediate.

Thank you for this information! Believe me, I won't forget it.

When I called this lawn service, I asked several times how safe their treatment was for small dogs and was assured it was completely safe as long as I followed their instructions. I even read what they said about it on their website. When I asked how long they needed to be kept off the grass after a treatment, I was told that they could safely return after the grass had been completely dry for one hour. Of course that's what they'd tell me - they wanted my business.