Knowledge needed - doggy can't "go"

[Karyn]

It's just a quick question - our little ginger pooch can't "go" at the moment.

We've been advised by a lady (whose dogs are, apparently, frequently constipated) to try a simple remedy of an "oily" food - this usually eases her pooch's backward-placed frustrations.

However, I'm at a loss as to what kind of food that might be? ...she never said...

Anyone got any suggestions?

[eybic]

Fish? i.e Tuna etc.

[bexVN]

How long has he been straining?
What has he eaten recently (ie has he been on a bland diet or eaten any bones recntly)
How much is he straining?
How old is your pooch?
Has he been prone to a problem before?

It's unusual for dogs to get constipated without an obvious reason, oily fish may help, lactulose can be used but should only be under guidance of a vet, too much can add to its own complications (eg lazy bowel)

Sorry for all the questions but there is a possibility he may need vet help.

[Karyn]

bexVN said:

How long has he been straining?
What has he eaten recently (ie has he been on a bland diet or eaten any bones recntly)
How much is he straining?
How old is your pooch?
Has he been prone to a problem before?

It's unusual for dogs to get constipated without an obvious reason, oily fish may help, lactulose can be used but should only be under guidance of a vet, too much can add to its own complications (eg lazy bowel)

Sorry for all the questions but there is a possibility he may need vet help.

Aaah, I was hoping you'd spot this!

Well, I don't know whether it's coincidence, but; he was inadvertently fed twice last night, and because the fat-head ate them both, he was consequently sick.

The worrying thing is that he was sick twice... which is unusual...

He's a 3yo, been straining since early evening yesterday - with multiple trips outside during the night to do some more straining. The urgency to get outside has gone, but he's still not toileting properly - even wee-ing seems to be a struggle.

He's got a vet appointment booked for this afternoon as he's never had a problem like this before....


Just spoken to my OH - he's tried him with some tuna (with an extra drizzle of oil on top!), which the dog "hammered down" apparently........

It's just extra worrying because, like I said, he's not ever had a problem before, and added to that, he's shaking and grizzling a lot.

Any ideas?


ETA cheers eybic! Tuna for the win!

[bexVN]

Does that mean oily tuna worked . If so that's a relief.

Still a bit strange but hopefully a one off.

[Jasandjules]

You can also use a product called Movicol which "assists" with this kind of issue - it's a fairly harmless product as well I am informed.

OP, if you've changed the mutt's diet or given him a treat that he's not used to then constipation can follow, or worse, the opposite problem!

[Karyn]

Jasandjules said:

You can also use a product called Movicol which "assists" with this kind of issue - it's a fairly harmless product as well I am informed.

OP, if you've changed the mutt's diet or given him a treat that he's not used to then constipation can follow, or worse, the opposite problem!

Nothing has changed - the only thing that was different yesterday was that he got an extra bowlful of his usual dinner - which he wolfed down, and then promptly brought back up.

He's "been" today... it was a struggle, though, apparently... he's going to go the vet anyway, as there's nothing really that might have prompted this and it's causing him some distress. Poor pooch!

Thanks for the advice