Ask the Veterinarian/Bloody bowel

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Expert: - 12/27/2009


Question
I have a 1-2 month old German Shephard puppy. I found her about 2 weeks ago outside my door. She has been very happy and healthy up until yesterday when I took her to my husbands moms house. She was playing with my sister in laws puppy pitbull who ended up biting her belly which did not break skin. Later on in the evening she started showing signs of illness. She began refusing water and food which before she would eagarly eat and drink. When we got home later on that night she threw up a small omount of chunky vomit. Today all she wants to do is sleep and she is drinking a little bit of water but had been throwing it up about 3 times. She isn't throwing up anymore but she just pooped blood. There was no poop though it was just blood. I don't know what to do. I don't have any money to take her to the vet to treat her. Please help me.  

Answer
Your dog is probably suffering from an internal injury from this pit bull puppy. I suggest you ask your in laws to help you with money because if you don't get this dog to the vets asap she won't live long.

What most people don't get is that a bite looks rather harmless on the outside but can cause MAJOR damage on the inside under the skin where you can't see it. Even rupturing intestines.

She could also have parvo virus. It can come on suddenly just like this and the symptoms are vomiting and bloody diarrhea. Since you don't mention vaccinations it's a good chance she hasn't had any. Parvo can become fatal in 24 hours or less.

Either way, she needs to see a vet now. Or tomorrow. The fact that she is passing blood is a very bad sign. It costs money to own dogs. Vaccinations, food, spaying- none of these are free. That is a fact of responsible ownership. So PLEASE call a vet as soon as possible!!  

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Jana Connell RVT, CVT

Expertise

PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING TO ME: I am NOT a vet and do NOT diagnose diseases. That is only for a licensed Veterinarian to do. I will give you suggestions and steer you toward calling your vet for help. You can call the vet's office and talk to the technician there or the vet at times. Don't be afraid to call them! If you have a serious issue with your pet please post it to one of the veterinarians in here- I will tell you the same thing in my answer. IF your pet is injured or in an emergency situation, CALL YOUR VET- Do not wait and post in here. Just call the vet's office and get them in to see the vet right away. Critical treatment time is lost if you seek answers here when you should have your precious pet at the vets!! Don't sit at home waiting for an answer when your pet is critically ill or injured!! I can answer most questions about small animal and wildlife care as well as small animal nutrition. I can also answer questions about all phases of dental care for small animals. I DO NOT answer questions about birds (unless it is wildlife or songbirds) or HAMSTERS/GERBILS/CHINS/GUINEA PIGS/REPTILES/FROGS/RABBITS/PET BIRDS OF ANY KIND so please submit these questions to the appropriate sections. I, as well as other experts in here, do NOT do homework questions- that is for YOU to do! Please respect these rules for all of us. Thanks!

Experience

I have over 35 years experience in the field of veterinary medicine. I specialized in small animals and did wildlife rehab for over 25 years, mostly raptors, squirrels and opossums. I am a Small Animal Nutritional Consultant with 6 certificates from Hills Pet Foods, CNM and Purina. I also specialized in Small Animal Dentistry which is a field I truly love.

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Audubon,World Wildlife Federation, American Society of Veterinary Dental Technicians.

Education/Credentials
Licensed with California and Oregon, RVT and CVT. Certified Veterinary Dental Technician Have over 500 logged hours of Continuing Education Credits(that means I keep up to date!).

Awards and Honors
Nominated for Expert of the Month for the last 5 years.

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