Hasn't pooped in 4 days after a neuter and teeth extractions
 

I have a 5 year old male yorkie. We got him about a month ago from a neighbor who did everything to get him to run away so we happily took him in. When we got him he was not fixed, had a UTI, kennel cough, and an infection in his gums from the 11 teeth he needed pulled (yes you read that correctly, 11 teeth!)

We got all his infections cleared and on Wednesday he went under for his neuter and while he was under they did the extractions and also a dental cleaning. Due to the mouth procedures he can only eat canned food for 2 weeks until his month is healed. Which is no problem since we already have him a mixed of wet and dry food anyway. He took the procedures like a champ and by the next day he was back to his old self. He doesn't seem to be in pain. The only thing I've noticed is his back legs aren't very steady. Like he's missing when steps over something and when he's standing for a few minutes he will lift a leg up like its bothering him.

The problem is here it is Sunday night and he hasn't pooped since the day of his surgery. Is this normal?

The fact that his legs seem to be off and he hasn't pooped makes me nervous, my paranoid self jumps to worst conclusion that they've caused some nerve damage during his surgery.. The realist in me says its probably just the meds he's on..

Thoughts?

Welcome! I know one of mine went 3 days without pooping after a procedure and finally went. Is he acting uncomfortable or his tummy feel bloated? If not I would call the vet first thing in the morning. Not sure what would be causing the unsteadiness in his back legs. Hopefully, he will be just fine in a day or two. Bless you for taking him in and giving the loving care he needed.

Go now to the supermarket and get a can of 100%pumpkin, no spices added etc....just pumpkin, give him a teaspoon or so and he will go...if he doesn't get ahold of the vet...but I bet he will go.

btw Welcome to you and your baby and THANK YOU hugely for taking him in...that is wonderful!!!

I don't know if its important but he was not properly trained so we have had a bit of trouble getting him to go potty out back, he is a very head strong little pup. So I'm not sure if this all constipated related or perhaps a little "ill show you" lol? Or maybe a little mix of both.

He doesn't even try to go, he will pee just fine but he hasn't pooped. He doesn't sniff around, doesn't try to squat or anything he just stands there and looks at me. Before the surgery he have us a hard time but at least by bedtime we got him to go it just worries me were going on almost 5 days now

The night after his surgery he went, the first bit was normal the rest was (sorry to be gross) almost mucousy? I assumed this was probably normal after anesthesia and the medicines making his stomach sick.. But that was the last time he has gone.

Thank you! It was truly a meant to be timing for him to come to our family! We have a 3 year old daughter and have been trying for another baby for a year and we just recently discovered I'm having fertility problems on valentines day. Riley came to us on Easter ;) like a little Easter miracle to fill what was missing in our family, we love the little guy!

As I said he wasn't properly trained so I will be asking for tips here soon lol but I want to get this boys health back on track first and foremost

It is common for them not to go potty after a surgery but if it keeps up you need tp let your vet know that is one of the things they usually tell you to watch for

3-5 days I think is fine without any sign of discomfort. I agree with Lynzy about the pumpkin! Thanks for doing so much for this guy. :) I hope, housebreaking will come easy.

My stubborn 9 year old will go for days (max 3 is her record I think) without pooping if the circumstances are right such as rainy day, snow, etc.

It bothers me as it cannot be comfortable but the little gal always pulls through and ends up going eventually.

I wish I could prompt her to go, but in my mind "if she has to go, she will".

She has not failed me yet, although she has caused some stress for me when we are pushing a few days of no dookies.

Pumpkin is a good idea; how-ever and I am assuming he has been eating normally if he hasn't gone by tomorrow, a call to the vet is definitely in order.

I like you, am a bit concerned over his lack of steadiness in the rear legs. It is possible that that weakness is part of the problem why he won't poop. Also are his anal glands clear? And just to eliminate another obvious have you made sure that the anus is clear with no feces adhered to it? Sorry for being so graphic, but just needed to be clear on what I was asking.

On another note if the pumpkin is successful and he does eliminate; but the weakness in the rear legs persists another 3 days, then again a vet visit is in order.

So in summary you appear to have at least three or four areas of concern

a) the weakness in rear limbs
b) Low T4 = possible and only possibly thyroid problem - you need the expanded panel to clarify this prelim result
c) liver values are of concern

a) weakness in rear - what is causing it? unknown etiology at this point in time. What you need to do is observe all his movements in particular the following:
any difficulty in coming to a seated position: does he swing his
rear end side to side to sit?
difficulty in rising from a laying down position - does he look like he is efforting to come to standing?
stair climbing especially down the stairs - is he bunny hopping to come down the stairs?
tremors or trembling when he stands still for longer than 30 seconds or so?

b) is relatively simple get the expanded panel done

c) maybe a bit more complex ...

I often suggest taking a short video of what you are seeing, and then bring with you to the vet. A moving picture is worth a 1000 words.

I hope this helps

It took Callie a week after her knee surgery to poo, then it took five days after one dental to poo, then after an emergency extraction she pooed as soon as she got home so it can take awhile. If you are very worried about ti though I would call the vet. Did the vet look and feel his knees? If not I would have them checked because it could be a knee or hip problem.

My Oreo was neutered on Friday and hasn't pooped since the surgery either. It has only been two days, but he is eating his dry food normally, which I only give him twice a day. Is it two early for me to give him the pumpkin to make him go or should I wait a couple more days? He is peeing okay though.
Thanks
TJ

I would give him just a little bit of pumpkin to help :) I also took Riley for an easy short walk to help also. He is a stubborn man, he likes to go for a walk to potty lol

Yes, it does sometimes take a few days.

I agree about the knees and hips. If he is lifting one leg it sounds to me like it could be one or the other. You said "legs" so not sure if it is both or one. Pay attention to this as it is a big clue.

I would just check with the vet about it. Good luck! :)

That's is a good idea to take him for a short walk. He is moving around pretty good. Thanks for that tip StriRy!

I don't know how to start a question except in this reply box. I'm on an island can't get boat to vet until tomorrow. Last night my yorkie vomited bright red blood. I hadn't fed her since yesterday morning and the Internet said with hold food for 24 hours .This morning she was so hungry I boiled skinless chicken breast and rice and spring water then I put it through food processor and gave her a tablespoon .She was begging for more but I didn't give it to her.She drank her water and now is taking her usual morning nap. What could have caused it? What might I need to get me through the night until I can see vet in morning?

Did the red look like blood or maybe something she may have eaten that was red? If you suspect it was blood I would definitely get her seen as soon as possible! Just to be sure.

Yes it was definately blood. I am leaving on first boat in morning. I just have to get through tonight. Didn't sleep at all last night. Today she is drinking and I gave her boiled skinless chicken breast and rice ground up with spring water and a sprinkle of NUVET powder She is so Hungry but I only gave her a tablespoon. I'm going to give her another tablespoon at 5:00 and 1 teaspoon probiotic yogurt and pray God will watch over her tonight and I get to vet. She is acting fine but she did yesterday also. She just vomits at night never in the day. She sleeps in bed with me so it's not anxiety. Thank you for answering I feel better there's someone out there that has a Yorkie Sweetheart also.

that was great of you to take in this dog, hooray for you

Thank you :)
Please keep us updated on how she's doing!

StriRy, what happened with the pup? Did everything check out OK?

I'm over on the island with the wonderful vet. My baby's blood work came back at 4:00 PM and everything was normal. Seems like she must have bitten into a baby lizard( I am on a tropical island) when I wasn't looking and part of its outer skin stuck in her teeth and caused it to bleed. It was caked on her tooth and gum. The vet cleaned her teeth with a toothbrush and showed me. He gave me some pills for her to calm her stomach and put her on a low fat bland diet for ten days. I think I needed the pills more than she did. Both my babies love the boat ride ,and car rides ,pure excitement. Anyway I thank God and pray for the many owners of yorkie babies whose outcome isn't as good. I feel so much for them all. I also hank you all for writing and for your concern. Love to everyone . Tonight I squeezed them just a little bit tighter.

Our Vet says to Call
 

You should never hesitate to call your vet's office! You have paid for your dog's surgery, and the vets and their staff know it is normal to have owners call after surgeries with questions. Our vet always says to call if we notice any problems or have any questions. A good vet's office should not make owners feel their calls are an intrusion on their office's time. If you feel uncomfortable, find a new vet.

@EURO- that's good news! A relief for you I'm sure!

Part of me thinks I'm too picky. I haven't seen a vet yet I really like. The one I did like was pretty unorganized and forgot to schedule his surgery until I called to ask when it was.

Constipation
 

As always , good advice everyone!
My 2 cents ....give them some fresh fruit like apple or pears, plenty of water and walk , walk , walk.

That's what we do in the nursing home for the old folks with the same problem.
Oh and it wouldn't hurt to gently massage the lower abdomen. ( but not if they have been fixed! Of course)
Good luck

If your doggie has to take an anti-inflamatory meds!!
 

Taffy had a major leg surgery for two broken right leg bones around age two, and we got his take-home meds in two bags in premeasured syringes, one for pain and one was an anti-inflamatory. I was told to check all his poops for any tiny red flecks in his stools. Sure enough by day 4, I saw 3-4 little red spots in his poops, and called the vet. I was told to stop his anti-inflamatory med. Just like with humans, anti-inflamatory meds can cause stomach irritation and bleeding! So, he continued with his chicken flavored pain med, but no more anti-inflamatory med. If your pup ever has to take an anti-inflamatory, please look.at the poops for tiny blood specks! Let your vet know if you see anything unusual if pup takes meds!!

Thanks for the heads up! I didn't know that!

The meds they give human and dogs for any surgery often make the person/pet constipated...especially strong pain killers.

Whew! That is great! I can imagine how scary a sight that must have been.