Shih Tzu with upset tummy

Nannuck

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#1
My shih tzu (18lbs) started having an upset stomach late Friday night (middle of the night). She has gotten worse and then better. I believe this is a result of her eating a few drops of Muffin Batter from the floor with blueberries in it but am not 100% sure. My vet called in some "anti-dirrhea" meds and it's gotten better however she still has no interest in food or water. Not even bread or rice is doing the trick.

Any suggestions on safe hydrating things I can give her that is safe for dogs obviously. I am afraid she is getting dehydrated.
 
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#2
It may be coincidence rather than the muffin batter from Friday night, especially as you said it was only a few drops. Don't think it was the blueberries in it either. Dried blueberries are one ingredient in some holistic dog foods and dog treats, for the antioxidant benefits.

Any suggestions on safe hydrating things I can give her that is safe for dogs obviously. I am afraid she is getting dehydrated.
Pedialyte is safe for preventing dehydration, even safe for cats which have much more sensitive systems than dogs. But check with your vet first for your dog's specific breed. If the vet says it's OK then you can use an animal medicine syringe. If she's refusing liquids you drop it into the dogs mouth a little at a time, don't shoot a whole bunch in at a time or she can aspirate it.

But that's for dehydration prevention only ... if you think the dog's dehydrated already then take her to the vet ASAP!! You said this has been going on since Friday night and said she's "still refusing food and water" ... an 18 lb. dog can dehydrate quickly.

One sign of dehydration is if when the scuff skin is pulled up it stays up. Depending on breed it should either snap right back or go back into place pretty quickly. If it stays up and doesn't move, please bring the dog to the emergency vet. Scruff skin that doesn't move back down means the dog may need IV fluids. Sorry ...not trying to scare you, but dehydration is nothing to fool around with ... it can get pretty serious.
 

bubbatd

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#3
I personally feel that a few drops of batter wouldn't cause this . Sounds like vet time .
 

Nannuck

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#4
She is pretty hairy so pulling her scruff isn't easy. It is very "loose" though but honestly have never noticed otherwise. Thank you everyone. I guess we will be heading to the vet if she doesn't start drinking water tonight.
 
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#5
If you can't tell by scruff skin, try to remember how she's been urinating since this started. Has it been her normal amount or does it seem like less? If less, has it been steadily decreasing over the weekend?

Check if her mouth feels dry. If it's dry her gums will feel sticky and tacky instead of slick and smooth. You can also gently push up her front lip, then let go, do that a few times. It should slide right back down rather than continually getting stuck in the up position.

It sounds like you may not be able to get her to the vet until tomorrow? In the meantime, if she still won't drink any water hold an ice cube and let her lick it. Do that as many times as she will continue to lick the ice cubes. Most dogs who won't take water will lick ice cubes, and this will get some fluid into her.
 

Nannuck

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#6
Well this morning is no better. I got her to lick a few laps out of my cup of water last night but that was it. All night she was "smacking" her mouth (I am assuming trying to get moisture). This am I still had some of that ID food from the vet and tried to get her to eat that and nope. Just went and laid down. No water nothing. The vet opens at 8am, guess instead of going to work I'll be heading there. I will try the ice cube thing right now.
 
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#8
Take her to the vet - dreadful smell & blood in runny poo could be Parvo. Don't take chances with a pup they can become dehydrated very quickly.
 

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