"Stress Colitis"? Blood in stool during boarding

[MilesDavis]

We dropped Miles off at boarding on Wednesday and picked him up today (Saturday). He's always pretty nervous, but he's never had any issues when he's been boarded. The place we took him is the same place we've used for him the past 4 years. Never any previous issues.

I picked him up today. They brought him out and handed him to me, and he had dried diarrhea all over him (smelled AWFUL!). Furthermore, the diarrhea had blood in it...lots of it. I immediately asked what happened (since they didn't feel the need to explain to me why I was getting my dog back covered in $%^&). The girl, probably 16 years old, just looks at me and says, "oh, he's had bloody diarrhea for the past two days, but it's completely normal." I proceeded to explain to her that this is not "normal" for Miles, this has NEVER happened to him before, and I do not think two days of bloody diarrhea should ever be considered "normal". When asked why I was not called about this, the response was still, "well, because this is normal. It's just stress colitis." Seriously? And you went to veterinary school when?

I am completely baffled. For the sake of my poor little guy, I hope it is "just stress colitis". But why, why, WHY would you not at least inform an owner if their dog was having symptoms like this? And WHY would you not clean the dog up? It was all over his belly, butt, feet, and sides...clearly, he had been walking and laying in it. Perhaps for two days. This is a "boutique" style boarding facility that prides itself in personalizing the pet's stays, does silly things like hanging mini chandeliers in their "rooms", etc, and is not exactly cheap. And my dog ends up covered in it's own bloody diarrhea?

Sorry, long rant. I'm still in a bit of shock here. I guess my question is this: could this really be "stress colitis"? And if so, how much blood usually accompanies this? Since he has been home, Miles passed one semi-solid stool, and when I picked it up with a paper towel, there was a good amount of fresh blood on the outside.

Thanks for your help.

[Yorkiemom1]

If he has broken with coccidia, he needs Flagyl and Albon...and possibly Amoxicillin...and you must find another place to board your pup if you must leave him. The way they handled this was so WRONG, on so many different levels!!!! At the very least, I am stunned they would hand you your pup back, covered in bloody stool!!!! ABSOLUTELY UNACCDEPTABLE AND THIS NEEDS TO BE REPORTED TO THE OWNER/HEADQUARTERS (if it is a chain facility). To admit it had been going on for 2 days already and they had done nothing....that could be consdered negligence and may make them responsible for vet bills.....Chandeliers and fancy doggie boutique rooms does not make up for idiocy and neglect..." But why, why, WHY would you not at least inform an owner if their dog was having symptoms like this? And WHY would you not clean the dog up? It was all over his belly, butt, feet, and sides...clearly, he had been walking and laying in it. Perhaps for two days. " THIS IS WHAT YOU PAY OUTRAGEOUS PRICES FOR??? THIS IS THE CONDITION THEY PRIDE THEMSELVES IN WHEN THEY RETURN THEIR CLIENT'S PUPS? You talk about going postal....they are fortunate they did not have to deal with me!

[lynzy420]

Originally Posted by Yorkiemom1

If he has broken with coccidia, he needs Flagyl and Albon...and possibly Amoxicillin...and you must find another place to board your pup if you must leave him. The way they handled this was so WRONG, on so many different levels!!!! At the very least, I am stunned they would hand you your pup back, covered in bloody stool!!!! ABSOLUTELY UNACCDEPTABLE AND THIS NEEDS TO BE REPORTED TO THE OWNER/HEADQUARTERS (if it is a chain facility). To admit it had been going on for 2 days already and they had done nothing....that could be consdered negligence and may make them responsible for vet bills.....Chandeliers and fancy doggie boutique rooms does not make up for idiocy and neglect..." But why, why, WHY would you not at least inform an owner if their dog was having symptoms like this? And WHY would you not clean the dog up? It was all over his belly, butt, feet, and sides...clearly, he had been walking and laying in it. Perhaps for two days. " THIS IS WHAT YOU PAY OUTRAGEOUS PRICES FOR??? THIS IS THE CONDITION THEY PRIDE THEMSELVES IN WHEN THEY RETURN THEIR CLIENT'S PUPS? You talk about going postal....they are fortunate they did not have to deal with me!

OR ME...UGGGHHHHH.....Get your baby to the vet it does sound like Coccidia...under the circumstances anything these people told you should NOT be considered reliable...I'm so sorry for you and especially your pup that you had to go through this...

[MilesDavis]

Originally Posted by Yorkiemom1

THIS IS WHAT YOU PAY OUTRAGEOUS PRICES FOR??? THIS IS THE CONDITION THEY PRIDE THEMSELVES IN WHEN THEY RETURN THEIR CLIENT'S PUPS? You talk about going postal....they are fortunate they did not have to deal with me!

Exactly. I almost jumped over the counter! Just the fact that she was so nonchalant and almost seemed amused at my reaction was infurating. I know who the owner is, so I will be making a phone call on Monday when she is in. Regardless, Miles will not be going back. I would rather board him at the vet's office with the plain-Jane kennels than bring him back to the so-called "pet spa". Unbelievable.

Question - with coccidia, would stools return to solid at any time? His most recent stool was small in quantity, but was pretty much solid...but covered in blood.

I'm freaking out here. He's acting sleepy, but then again, he's usually pretty wiped out after being boarded! No vomiting, has an appetite (although I've taken food away now), and is drinking water.

Thanks so much for your replies!

[Ellie May]

It is not uncommon, but is not normal either. They should have transported him to a vet. At the least an exam should be done. A feal isv needed, esp if obe hasn't been done recently. Xrays and bloodwork can be done, butthe vet may want to hold off on that. They may put him on something like flagl to cakm things down.

[refco35]

Out of curiosity, how many licensed Vets post here? Some of the answers and advice that are given out borders on recklessness. At least no one said to Cut it off.

People, if in doubt, get to the Vet and don't stop to post on here before going.

[chachi]

No one is a vet and no one claims to be either everyone can give info and advice based on their own knowlege and experience and the OP can take it or leave it. No one was telling her not to go to a vet. Your posts seem combative it seems youve got a bad imprssion of this forum somewhere but I can assure you everyone heart is in the right place they care about the owner they care about the pup

[chachi]

Op I dont blame you for being very upset I would have been livid at that boarding place they should have called you. I hope you get answers at the vet

[mimimomo]

OP, take your little one to the vet, they can get dehydrated so fast. If left untreated, the bacteria can grow & cause more problems.
Colitis can be stress related & can be managed w/a low fat high fiber diet. That's good that he's not vomiting, as that can be something more serious like pancreatitis. Princess just recovered from a bad colitis episode couple of months ago. She was very sick over the weekend & I waited til weekday to take her bc her condition wasn't improving @ all. I will never delay taking her in again (oh how much she had to suffer)! The vet gave her subcutaneous fluids, penicillin & VitaminB shots. Her stool improved after taking 2 doses of flagly/amoxicillin. It would be helpful to tell the vet which if any antibiotic he's had last, as they rotate it.

That place has to be reported, did you talk to the manager or owner of the place? I don't understand WHY they didn't call you...

[MilesDavis]

Thanks, everyone! To the poster (who now appears to be banned) who seemed to imply that I was using this forum thinking I was getting advice from a licensed vet, rest assured that Miles was seen by a vet. However, it is nice to be able to come to a forum like this to get opinions and advice from others who may have been through similar things.

Miles is doing much better. It appears that it was stress colitis (I guess I can eat my words now!), and his stools are completely back to normal. Regardless of whether this is "normal" or not, I still maintain that they should have called me when it started (they even have a vet on-site and I have given written permission for Miles to be seen by the vet if warranted). And I cannot understand why they would have let him sit in his own diarrhea and still have him covered in it when I picked him up. I did e-mail the owner about the incident and hope to hear back soon!

Thanks again for all of your feedback. It is much appreciated!

[JedsMom]

Grrr. This just makes me upset. The same thing happened to my Jed at the "fancy" pet babysitters! Picked him up after 4 days - 3 nights and he had some crusty stuff on one side and around his mouth. The gal handed me his bed and told me they had to wash it because he pee'd on it. WHAT?
That's NEVER happened before. Got home, bathed him and sure enough...he was throwing up this yellow bile gunk! THAT is what was on his bed NOT pee!!! Took him to the vet and was told it was stress. She said to let her know whenever I had to board him again and she would have to give him some pills for stress to keep this from happening again. sigh. My boy doesn't do well without his momma!

[mimimomo]

Originally Posted by JedsMom

Grrr. This just makes me upset. The same thing happened to my Jed at the "fancy" pet babysitters! Picked him up after 4 days - 3 nights and he had some crusty stuff on one side and around his mouth. The gal handed me his bed and told me they had to wash it because he pee'd on it. WHAT?
That's NEVER happened before. Got home, bathed him and sure enough...he was throwing up this yellow bile gunk! THAT is what was on his bed NOT pee!!! Took him to the vet and was told it was stress. She said to let her know whenever I had to board him again and she would have to give him some pills for stress to keep this from happening again. sigh. My boy doesn't do well without his momma!

Symptoms of colitis are mucousy stool sometimes diarrhea w/blood, sometimes mixed in or @ the end which indicates lower intestine inflammation. Colitis is inflammation of the colon.
Throwing up yellow bile means that your pup has an empty stomach. Once all the yellow bile is projected, they throw up white foam. If they tend to throw up yellow bile in the early mornings, feeding them a small meal or give them a treat b4 bedtime. Some do throw up yellow bile just from anticipating food, so having a routine schedule for feeding times are important.
In case of my Turbo, he has an intolerance/allergy to pumpkin, so anything w/pumpkin or pumpkin seeds in it will make him throw up his food (sometimes) or if he's able to hold it down, he'll throw up yellow bile.

BTW, I find it VERY strange that your vet is going to prescribe pills for throwing up yellow bile. My vet told me about empty stomach, so she told me to just give them something to eat...

[KingCooper]

I'm sorry you went thru this after you boarded your dog. It is upsetting when one picks up their animal at a facility that they have put their trust in because their pet is 'family'.

This summer we boarded our Yorkie and had a similar thing happen but our dog ended up getting sick a day after he came home from the kennel. He had bloody diarrhea, didn't eat or drink anything or even want a dog treat. We knew then something was wrong. He didn't even want to lay on our laps. So I immediately called the vet for an appointment. The vet told me it was some form of colitis that is from being boarded in a kennel (from stress). He says that he sees it a lot and that some animals get it when they are boarded every single time; some not. It just depends on the animal.

It is sad your dog and you/your family went thru what you did with the facility. It was uncalled for and along with the person who posted. Only a professional veterinary should diagnosis an animal for an illness; period. That is why they are 'considered a veterinary' and have their degree. You have every right to feel angry.

I hope that your Yorkie is feeling better and that the doggie heals soon. Animals are very much a part of our lives. They are such a great part of our families. That is why you are beyond hurt by this incident.

((HUGS))

Coopers Mommy

[june5]

My ,Yorkie,Miss Abagail, has had the same symptons.My Vet says she has intestinal parisites,It shows up after stress. she is on Abon.She is 11 weeks old and I have had her about 3 weeks.She is active,like nothing is wrong but still has bloody poop.To day will make her fourth day to take the medosine but still bloody poop.If she is not better I will take her back to the Vet tomorrow.I sure hope your Yorkie is better.I hope I never have to board Miss Abagail.

[JedsMom]

Originally Posted by mimimomo

Symptoms of colitis are mucousy stool sometimes diarrhea w/blood, sometimes mixed in or @ the end which indicates lower intestine inflammation. Colitis is inflammation of the colon.
Throwing up yellow bile means that your pup has an empty stomach. Once all the yellow bile is projected, they throw up white foam. If they tend to throw up yellow bile in the early mornings, feeding them a small meal or give them a treat b4 bedtime. Some do throw up yellow bile just from anticipating food, so having a routine schedule for feeding times are important.
In case of my Turbo, he has an intolerance/allergy to pumpkin, so anything w/pumpkin or pumpkin seeds in it will make him throw up his food (sometimes) or if he's able to hold it down, he'll throw up yellow bile.

BTW, I find it VERY strange that your vet is going to prescribe pills for throwing up yellow bile. My vet told me about empty stomach, so she told me to just give them something to eat...

Vet assured me that it was stress that brought on the throwing up. We came home and even after eating he still had it a bit "with" some runny bloodish stool. I know all about having something on his stomach to keep the yellow bile throw ups from happening. The pills were NOT for throwing up, it was for calming him down while we are away. All I know is after we took the pills, was home for a bit and calmed down knowing we weren't going to go away from him...he was fine. I trust my vet 100%. She is #1 in my book.

(Jed will be 2 in november)