Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis

Last night I got a call about an older Shih Tzu. One of ours. His mom was frantic. She had come home to vomited blood and mucus on the floor. He was really looking peaked. As she tried to get help, the vet offices weren't open or not taking anyone in. 

Then he pooed, and it was runs and mucus. Then he went again, and this time it was puddles of blood, and he could hardly get around. We actually thought he had been poisoned at one point. She finally found an after hours vet to take him but it was over 2 hours to wait. 

In trying to find out what he might have got into, there was three culprits that "could" have played the part, or maybe all together. 
While cleaning her stove she had pulled a tray out with porkchop grease and garlic (poisonous to dogs) and he licked it clean, unbeknownst to her, he had grabbed a small garbage bag while she was out and she found a small container of Burger King Zesty Sauce that he had at least taste tested! and last but definitely not least, he loves to roll in other dog smells when he walks, and just that morning had come in smelling like tires. He rolled in "something".  

The vet finally got to see him and he was rehydrated, placed on antibiotics, anti-nausea meds and a couple of other things. He has been placed on a bland diet and hopefully will make a full recovery. We will know more as time passes. The vet mentioned that they are seeing more of this with small dogs. He was diagnosed as having Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis. For more information please check here. 

I am always cautioning people about the foods they feed, and plants around their home and garden, not taking pups out in public places until they have at least had their full compliment of puppy shots . We owners have to be the eyes and protection for our babies. One thoughtless move or omission on our part could be a fatal accident or very traumatic event for that little one that trusts us for everything.