Help!!!
 

Hi all, I'm new here and desperate for some answers.

I have a 3 year old Yorkie (female) and just recently she has started having SEVER problems with constipation. She has not gone poop without an enema in over 4 weeks. I've had her at the vet twice for xray, and barium xrays, enemas etc. He said there was no blockage, not kink but that her stomach itself was about 3 times the size it should be. He also said that her pyloric valve is emptying very slowly. He put her on Reglan 1ml twice a day but has increased it to 1 1/2ml twice a day.

I'm taking her back for lab work tomorrow but I'm so worried. Bless her heart, we have tried everything we can think of to help. Milk, benefiber in the milk, doses of milk of magnesia, fruit, etc. Increased exercise hasn't worked either.

I bought her only about 6 months ago as a retired breeder. I had her spayed shortly before this problem started and wondered if that could have contributed in some way,

I'm stressed to the max about this, I've already spent $600+ dollars this month at the vet trying to solve a problem and I'm no closer to a cause than I was in the beginning.

If anyone has ever experienced anything similar before, PLEASE HELP ME :( and TIA!!! :aimeeyork

I am so sorry that you are dealing with this. I do not have any advice as I have never had experience with this issue. However, hoping this will bump the thread and someone else can give you some help.

I honestly wouldn't give my dog milk if he/she was constipated- Its known to block people up.

When we have babies at the birth center who are constipated, we give karo syrup in a bottle of water. (obviously, check with your vet before giving her anything)

i agree with the Karo syrup, it's safe for dogs, if you can put it in warm water it gets the bowels moving faster.

I will try the Karo Syrup. She was back at the vet today for blood work and another round of enemas. I can't do anything but cry. I've only owned her for 6 months and she has stolen my heart.

As much as it breaks my heart, I just can't afford much more in vet bills. I'm out almost a $1,000 this month alone and still am no closer to finding out the problem.

Please pray for little Tia. :aimeeyork

I am so sorry. I can only imagine the expenses. Have you considered another vet? Maybe your current vet could send the information so they would know what has been done already? Sometimes another set of eyes can catch things. Please keep us updated on Tia.

Tia is in my prayers :(

As was just said, maybe another set of eyes would help.

I wonder if it could have something to do with the food you are feeding her. Just a thought.

Constipation
 

I am so sorry to hear about your poor baby; how uncomfortable she must be not being able to 'go'. You too must be very worried about this situation.
I have read here that pure pumpkin is good for both loose and hard stools. Don't understand why it is said to work for both issues, but worth a try.
Perhaps you could try and use the human fiber approach and feed oaty things, like 'Cheerios'?? My dog loves them as treats and they can do no harm as far as I know.
Hope you find a solution soon to relieve both of you.
Good luck!

What food & treats were you feeding her when this started? Were there any changes in diet when this began?

Is she still on the same diet?

I agree with others that I would not use milk. The sugar content of Karo would make me a little nervous.

Did the vet offer an theories on why her stomach is so large and why the pyloric valve is emptying slower than normal?

I am curious if your girl has had any cesareans or other abdominal surgeries prior to her spay?

"Adhesions" might be the cause.

Ask your Vet...;)

Here's a definition of what adhesions are in the human form but, animals can have them, too.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adhesion_%28medicine%29

Small bowel obstruction (SBO) is another significant consequence of post-surgical adhesions. A SBO may be caused when an adhesion pulls or kinks the small intestine and prevents the flow of content through the digestive tract.

I wish I knew more about this to help you and your little girl. My little girl, Ashley, had many gas pockets in her belly because of taking in too much air due to her trachea. I always had to make sure that she was not constipated because of the gas. Have you tried using warm water on her rectum to stimulate her to go to the bathroom? I often would put Ashley under the faucet of the sink running warm water and sometimes had to apply gentle pressure. If she is constipated you need to be very careful, though, because too much pressure could hurt her. Ashley took Reglan four times a day, and it helped her a great deal. It seemed to be a necessity so that she wasn't in pain, but I worried about that medication because it is not good for long term use. Ashley was almost seventeen, so the long term neurological risks weren't as much of a concern. I have read a lot about canned pumpkin being very good for constipation. My prayers are with you and your baby. I would seek the advice of another vet, as well.

have you tried pumpkin?

I have used pumpkin for years.it will work for both dia. & constip. Use the plain pumpkin not the pie mixture.......It really works great About a teaspoon on her food each morn. My vet recommended it for my sons Lab. It helps balance the colon.

I know it will sound funny but my mother used to put parsley in my nephew's behind when he was constipated. its like one of those old grandma medicine.

if it started right after the surgery - maybe something went wrong there.

I hope she feels better!

Agree with the posters who said to use pumpkin. Maybe that will solve your problem! :)

Something just doesn't sound right and I'd wonder if it's related to the spay. If a diet change hasn't worked and esp. with the stomach doing what it's doing, I really think this pup needs to see a specialist.

:thumbup: Yes, I would definitely go to a specialist since the vet has no idea. In the meantime, though, try the pumpkin.

Thank you all so much for your comments, feels wonderful to have someone else who loves their fur baby as much as I do give input.

I have tried pumpkin, she would not eat it. She is extremely stubborn when it comes to eating. I tried mixing it with her food, still turned her nose up at it.

My plan at this point is to see how the blood work comes out on Monday and then its time for a second opinion. The vet suggested another medication today but said it was extremely expensive and had to be ordered from a Phar-Lab. I should have it on Tuesday, so we will see how that works.

The funny thing is , even with an enema, the stool that comes out is not hard! It barely holds it shape at all. I just don't think its constipation. I point blank asked the vet if this could be a complication of he surgery but of course he insisted that was not it.

Don't get me wrong, I love the vet, we have used him for 20+ years with our animals but I'm concerned he's looking down the wrong path on this.

It makes it harder when it is someone that you have used, established a relationship with and trust. Just remember if you do get a second opinion it is because it is in the best interest of your baby. If you are concerned he is looking at this in a wrong way, then I say you really should be looking into a second opinion.

Do you know the name of the medication? Maybe someone here will know something about it.

There is a problem that develops with repeated use of enemas or other laxatives. It trains the bowels to NOT go without them because it tells the body to not respond to its natural signals. It is definitely time to seek a second opinion and find a vet who is willing to help you develop a bowel training program.

Just a thought but what about coconut oil? It too has good qualities to lubricate the bowel....not only that but it is good to balance intestinal balance as well, make sure it is virgin coconut oil my dogs will lick it off my finger..... lol I mix some in with my fur kids food everyday too. Good luck keep us posted please ? Your baby may need to see another vet?

There could be a number of things going on. Could have something to do with the spay, or could even be doggy IBS.

My suggestion, like the others, is to see a specialist ASAP. Good luck, and keep us updated!

By all means get a GI opinion. Don't hesitate, the longer this goes on the more chance that it could become a very serious issue. I'll say a little prayer for your girl.

That poor little girl. I am so sorry you are going through this and her too. I would see another vet. Certainly would not hurt anything and who knows, could be your answer.

Sorry, I don't remember the name, he said it was something that was once prescribed to humans but caused side effects and was taken off the market; but that dogs and cats have no problem with it.

Has anyone ever tried mineral oil? Do you think that would help? If so, how do you get them to take it?

I would sure get a GI second opinion before I tried anything. There are any number of serious things that could be going on and you really need a good diagnosis unless I missed a post stating one had been found and treatment recommended.

Ok, all the blood work except the Thyroid panel came back. Every thing looks good, liver functioning fine, kidney's are fine, pancrius is fine.....

Dr. is prescribing Cisapride for a slow moving stomach and intestine. If I don't see immediate results we are going to the Vet Specialist at the University of Florida in Gainesville.

I honestly don't know what to do. I've nearly drained my savings and as much as it breaks my heart I can't continue at this much longer. We are over $1200 now and still have no answers.

I would like to take this unfortunate case as an opportunity to remind all new Yorkie owners to put your baby on an Insurance plan the day you bring them from the breeder! most pet insurance companies give immediate coverage without waiting periods and 30 days trial free. Since there are no pre-conditions, your puppy will be covered for everything! like that you can relax and know that in case something happens you are covered!

Just my suggestion!