Dog straining to go to the loo

Spirit_2

My 11 year old retriever has been straining to go to the loo today. he was going just fine last night and is peeing ok today. If he is still struggling in the morning or has not passed feaces I will take him to the vet.

He is usually a healthy chap, keen appetite, good walks mornng and evening, not overweight. His vice is that he pulls up grass and mud and eats that, and fresh horse poo. he loves fresh horse poo.

He is a bit off food this afternoon.
Is there any thing I can do to help his situation . It has only been since this morning but he would usually have been to the loo by now.

krlyr

Any chance he's eaten something he shouldn't have? Any new foods, treats, etc?

A walk can often help 'get things going', so a brisk stroll around the block might help.

comeandgo

Raw liver used to make my dog "go".

*Robin*

Is he drinking enough?
A nice meaty broth is usually acceptable (I just boil up some mince in plenty of water, let it cool and Dear Dog slurps it up like soup - but if that's not tempting; off to the vet tomorrow in case there's a blockage).

teddysmum

For constantly sloppy stools or constipation (not because of medical conditions of course) bran mixed with food helps (one dessertspoonful for a 10kg dog) . Mine will actually lap it just mixed in milk.


It should be horse or unrefined quality; not the branded ones from supermarket cereal shelves. Health food shops sell both wheat and oat based ones. (I use the latter, but haven't needed it for years)

Spirit_2

I walked him for almost two miles, nothing happened. He left his usual dinner, so I gave him Tuna and a large dish of milk.

We rarely give him milk as it has upset his tummy in the past.So may be a solution to his current problem.

Daughter took him for another walk and he was reluctant to walk and still did not go to the loo.


He has just had a walk up the garden and judging by the terrible odour now outside, his problem is solved ,
Thanks for all the suggestions.

jenhug

I would add a dash of olive or sunflower oil to his dinner. Never milk.

Spirit_2

Took him to the vet this evening just to make sure. He is a Flat Coat Retriever and the vet describes them as tumour factories. However all appears well. Dog is dining on chicken and rice for a few days . Woofed his dinner and enjoyed his walk this evening.

Piggywiggy

Glad he's ok, I had a similar experience with my dog a few years ago, he kept trying to poo but couldn't and looked really uncomfortable, took him to the vets he could feel a stone in him and gave him some liquid paraffin to go through and lubricate him, the next day, half an hour before he was going to go back to be cut open he passed it himself.

Spirit_2

Only a temporary respite.

Back at the vets on Sunday as he had D&V and was very subdued.

Eating six small meals of chicken and rice a day, has zantac and a supplement to improve consistency of his stools.

Going back Thursday for blood tests and will follow up with xrays if bloods are abnormal.

He is more comfortable, the emergency vet could find no obvious masses on examining him, so we are hopeful.

We love him to pieces.

jrtfan

Aww bless him, poor lad. I do hope he's OK. A friend's Lab had the symptoms you describe and it turned out to be salmonella, of all things. How are things with him now, any change?