Need advice.... sick dog.

[Mushy24]

I know this is pet health and not people health - but I figured it would still fit in here.

I have an 11 year old basset hound named Sammy, and he is sick. His nose is dry and crusty, and sounds stuffy. My vet is not open until Monday and I could take him to the emergency vet but I wanted to see if anyone else knew anything about this sort of thing.

He has also been having some other health issues in the last couple of days, vomiting (which isn't that abnormal - he's always had a weak stomach), accident #1's on the floor, and he's been drinking a lot of water.

I would greatly appreciate any suggestions.

[Kentish]

Sammy needs a vet. Take Sammy to the vet.

[malteser monkay]

:yes:

Agreed with Kentish. Drinking a lot of water (someone tell me which one I mean) with any animal can signify a problem with the liver (or kidneys though I'm pretty sure the liver). This would help account for some of the vomiting and problems with his water works relating to sudden increase in water consumption.

Plus a dry nose, always a sign of a sick pup. We've had an ancient dog with liver probs before, it's not uncommon, but not something to be overlooked as it can quite serious...

Caring owner :) Sammy need vet!

Malt xx :)

[morrocan roll]

if you can't get him to a vet ...find some anti biotics around the house and put him on them for now.

[Olive]

if he's been sick a lot, he's probably pretty dehydrated, which is why he's drinking lots. and if he's drinking lots, they're always more likely to be peeing everywhere.

how does he seem in himself? is he eating, wandering about, taking interest in stuff? if he is, it can probably wait til monday. if he's listless or lethargic, off his food, seems weak, or is having trouble breathing, get him seen asap.

[Mushy24]

well, he is a basset so he normally sleeps a lot - so I don't think his sleeping patterns have changed, he's still eating normally, and he is peeing often (but he didn't have any accidents today), his breathing is fine (except his nose sounds stuffy). He really doesn't seem to be bothered by his stuffy nose - I think it's bothering me more than him.

Someone mentioned antibiodics - what kind of dose would I give him?

I'm really stressed, I've had Sammy since I was 12 and I love him to death! To be honest, I'm very scared to take him to the vet because I'm afraid of hearing the worst.

[JsT]

well, he is a basset so he normally sleeps a lot - so I don't think his sleeping patterns have changed, he's still eating normally, and he is peeing often (but he didn't have any accidents today), his breathing is fine (except his nose sounds stuffy). He really doesn't seem to be bothered by his stuffy nose - I think it's bothering me more than him.

Someone mentioned antibiodics - what kind of dose would I give him?

I'm really stressed, I've had Sammy since I was 12 and I love him to death! To be honest, I'm very scared to take him to the vet because I'm afraid of hearing the worst.
I really wouldn't give the animal any unprescribed medication :|

[Olive]

I really wouldn't give the animal any unprescribed medication :|

no, i wouldn't either.

just make sure he's got plenty to drink, and somewhere warm and comfy to sleep and keep an eye on him.

[morrocan roll]

Someone mentioned antibiodics - what kind of dose would I give him?

.
putting animals on humans antibiotics happens often out here in farming comunities.
if it says on the bottle four times a day then thats what you give him but ...only half a cap or pill cos he's a lot smaller.

[Mushy24]

well, I think I'm gonna pass on giving him the antibiotics but I will give him half an asprin (dogs are allowed to have an asprin when they aren't feeling well), I'll see how he does tonight, if by tomorrow morning he doesn't seem any better I will take him to the vet first thing.

If anyone reads this and thinks that Sammy requires immediate vet attention then please let me know..... Thanks

[girl with sharp teeth]

.

[Mushy24]

I would seriously seek advice before giving your dog anything that you have for humans. Yes, dogs are allowed aspirin but it is very toxic to them in anything other than tiny doses and you may well poison him by mistake if you don't know what you're doing. Go and get some qualified vetinary advice, we're not going to be able to help you with this one.

Thanks, but I know how much asprin to give my dog, or else I wouldn't give it to him. I'm not going to poison my pet.

I was asking if anyone new anything - you never know if there is a vet online that can offer up some advice. I plan to take my dog to the vet on Monday.

[girl with sharp teeth]

.

[Mushy24]

Well I hope for your dog's sake that you do. Personally I wouldn't trust any random person online that claimed to know what to do without some evidence that they actually know what they're talking about.

Look - I asked if anyone knew anything, I don't really know why you need to go so far into this, it's not like this is the only place I looked for information.....I've known since I had my dog that I could give him asprin - the vet told me that, I'm not just going by what someone on here said.

Tons of people have pet dogs in this world and I was just wondering if anyone had experienced this with their pet, it's helpful to know what other people have done.

[Briony]

You should deffo take your dog to the vets, it may not be as bad as you think! Ages ago my dog had a dry nose and was coughing so bad and stuff, I thought it was somert really bad but it was kennel cough!! I should take your dog to the vets mate!! :thumb:

[Mushy24]

Thanks, he's going tomorrow.... since it's Easter weekend everything is closed. Nearest open vet is an hour away and I don't think Sammy would appreciate the drive. First thing tomorrow morning he's going.... thanks again.

[morrocan roll]

Thanks, he's going tomorrow.... since it's Easter weekend everything is closed. Nearest open vet is an hour away and I don't think Sammy would appreciate the drive. First thing tomorrow morning he's going.... thanks again.
give him a get well kiss from me.

[Mushy24]

give him a get well kiss from me.


Thanks :) I will...... I've actually found a vet that is open today so I'm going to take him right now, I hope they can make him feel better!

[Mushy24]

Hey – Thanks to everyone who replied….. I just thought I would leave an update, I took Sammy to the vet today, as it turns out he’s diabetic and just started showing signs of it a few days ago. His glucose levels were very high (672). The normal level should be between 77 and 125 – so he was a very sick pup. But he’s back at home now and we are treating him with insulin and testing his glucose level every two hours. We’ve got his glucose level down to 351 and he already seems to be showing signs of improvement. Sammy has been eating and drinking very well, if all goes well, he should be down to the normal level by tomorrow afternoon. :)

[Mushy24]

Well, I'm not sure if anyone has even looked at this in a while or if anyone will, but again, I just wanted to thank those of you who replied for your advice......Sammy was a good boy. He died this morning @ around 5:30. He went to the vet yesterday and the day before, we did everything we could.....He was the sweetest dog ever! :crying: But now he's in doggy heaven!

[Princess Rosa]

I'm sorry :(

[malteser monkay]

Well, I'm not sure if anyone has even looked at this in a while or if anyone will, but again, I just wanted to thank those of you who replied for your advice......Sammy was a good boy. He died this morning @ around 5:30. He went to the vet yesterday and the day before, we did everything we could.....He was the sweetest dog ever! :crying: But now he's in doggy heaven!

Aww bless him, very sorry to hear he's moved on...no doubt my old dogs will show him around whilst he's up there :)...and they're all ladies so... ;)

It hurts when they go doesn't it - you get so attached to them and they have their own little personalities. Hope you cheer up in a day or two, poor thing *humungo hugs* you did what you could.

Malt xxx

[Mushy24]

Thank you

[ruby_soho]

Aww i'm sorry :(

[morrocan roll]

so sorry to hear that mushy.

[Mushy24]

aww... i thought he was getting better? really sorry to hear that. it can be really upsetting when a family pet dies. I'm dreading the day it happens to my dog or cat.... *hugs*


I know, I thought he was getting better too. Maybe he was just trying to make me feel better - he was a good boy like that - always concerned about everyone.
I take comfort in knowing that he died peacefully, looking out the sliding glass door - he looked like he was sleeping. It's better he was at home than at the vet - he's happier here.

Thanks again everyone - it's really tough to lose a pet/friend - I'm sure a lot of you know exactly how I feel.

[FallenAngel84]

ohhhh im so sorry. .