Vet visit - blood panel results questions

[Lolli_lah]

I notice she hasn't pooped since yesterday morning. Is that to be concerned?

[Wylie's Mom]

I see you got some wonderful help from Ellie May , yay!

On the poop, it depends. Her system is trying to regulate right now, so it's not too surprising if she is irregular. You don't want her to get too backed up though.

I would make sure she is eating enough food and drinking enough water too (not enough water can cause constipation). Maybe put some of that diluted broth on her food.

[Lolli_lah]

Yeah now that you mention it I know she is eating just fine, but I don't really see her drinking water. Should I continue to give her gatorade? Over the weekend the vet suggested orange gatorade because of the electrolytes.

[Ellie May]

She isn't drinking b/c she is getting moist food. Her water requirement will be very minimal to none at all on this type of diet. The more moisture the better if she isn't going, but that is why she isn't drinking tons...

[Lolli_lah]

But not drinking could still be the cause of not pooping?

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by Lolli_lah

But not drinking could still be the cause of not pooping?

If her moisture requirement is met through her diet, then the not pooping is not b/c of lack of water. It may be that the ingredients are binding things up and adding moisture can't hurt as Ann said.

Her system was just totally out of balance though and it has only been just over a day since her last bowel movement, so unless she is straining, it is okay.

Pink, moist gums is a really good sign.

[Lolli_lah]

Her gums are black so even the vet said it's hard to tell when you do that pressure thing to see how long it takes the white to turn back to pink or whatever.

Is it too early to start introducing kibble little by little in with the rice + babyfood? Would giving her more Gatorade hurt until she starts pooping more regularly again?

[Ellie May]

The black is normal pigment. Surprising that you can't see any pink.
Anyway, you can still see if they are tacky/sticky. If so, that would indiate dehydration. She shouldn't be though with moist food, etc. and not throwing up anymore or having diarrhea...

I wouldn't be comfortable saying when to start kibble up again b/c that varies by dog and can cause problems to start up again. It's really something you'll need to talk to your vet about. I also can't tell you how long she can go without pooping, but it is more than a day.

[Lolli_lah]

Well there is slight pink on the black gums but it looks normal and feels pretty moist and not tacky.

So I guess I need to call the vet tomorrow and ask his opinion on when to add kibble back and not continue to do it now?

[Ellie May]

Yes, you can ask when to switch and what to switch to and if she doesn't poop by then, you can ask how long she can go without.

[Lolli_lah]

Just updating a little. I had taken her out around 9PM EST and no poopies, but then my mom did again around 11:30 after I was in bed and she told me there was a little poopies but she couldn't find it (it was after dark of course). So not sure if maybe she just did the poopie stance or maybe she really just did a little. Either way is a good sign, yes?

Also I heard her drink some water on her own. Woo! lol I hate being so worried about everything! So this relieved me so much. I hope she keeps up the poopies lol.

[Lolli_lah]

Just also wanted to add in here that she has gotten a few pieces (like 2) of cat dry food by accident (we usually have certain times when she is allowed downstairs and we put the cat food bowl up on the counter but I was in the middle of cooking dinner and it slipped my mind) and she did just fine. I'm so confused! I hope she'll be okay. I been watching like a hawk to be sure and so far she seems perfectly happy!

[Lolli_lah]

Sry for the posts.. Just trying to keep updates. She had another bowel movement today, was the only one since the other mentioned. Everything was fine (no worms and no mucousy stuff) but just seemed a little soft. Could that be due to her diet of rice and baby beef stuff?

[Wylie's Mom]

Soft stools can be from so many things, including this new diet of hers, so it's hard to say.

I also received your PM about her burping - and burping probably means something in the diet is bothering her tummy. She could also be having reflux, which is harmful to the esophagus.

It sounds like she has a lot of continuing and new symptoms - it'd probably be a good idea to go back into the vet and revisit everything again. I so hope you can get things squared away.

[Lolli_lah]

She doesn't really have any symptoms right now except burping sometimes after eating (doesnt happen every time). So burping in dogs is not the same as humans burping? It could be related to gastro-? The stools I figured are soft because her food has been soft. Is that a possibility? As I start re - introducing her kibble back to her food I make it soft by adding a little tiny bit of water. Just a tiny bit to make the kibble a little soft not like soup or anything. Is that ok?

Otherwise everything seems to be ok, no vomitting at all and no diarrhea. No bouts of uncomfortable or pain and no lethargy or any questionables. I have been watching like a hawk, cuz I'm afraid of it flaring up again. She been her normal hyper self ever since last Tuesday.