How long do you usually wait...

CrzyBritNAmerica · 03-02-2007, 10:48 AM

I have a kind of weird question. My mom had been calling me last week to see what she could give their dog, Sandy because she'd had diarrhea all day, I told her I'd wait one to two days before taking her to the vet as it could be nothing, and just to feed her rice and chicken or boiled hamburger. (She's fine now btw) And then last night Bridgette woke me up at 2am wanting to go out...which she NEVER does so I was sure she'd be sick. She had diarrhea and I usually wait about one to two days to take her to the vet...as long as that is the only symptom. How long does everyone wait? We did recently change her food and she's still eating it mixed with the old, but she has been on it for over a week now so I don't think it is that, but I, if your dog had no other symptoms (vomiting, lethargy, lack of appetite) how long do you usually wait before seeing a vet?

Nagem · 03-02-2007, 11:31 AM

I think I would probably do the same as you. If there were no other symptoms than it wouldn't really set off any alarm bells. I would keep an eye on things and make sure my dog was drinking plenty of water. If it did start to worry me, I would call the vets office and consult them.
I guess it would depend on the size of the dog though. If I had a small dog I would probably be more inclined to go to the vets a lot sooner. The frequency of bowel movements would also probably factor in as well. If my dog needed to go ever half hour and this kept up for 5 or more hours I would probably call the vets right away.

Wimble Woof · 03-02-2007, 11:34 AM

Its your call really,
For Meik I wait it out about a day ( with some serious supervision) but the vet has been notified.
Kita is much the same.
As for Puppy with his health problems and meds he takes daily I dont spare any time with him. It could be too many things. I call right away and start the car ( its a 45 minute drive so time is of the essance)
It depends on your dog, your dog's health history and your gut feeling.

CrzyBritNAmerica · 03-02-2007, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nagem

The frequency of bowel movements would also probably factor in as well. If my dog needed to go ever half hour and this kept up for 5 or more hours I would probably call the vets right away.

I agree. Bridgette usually only has a BM once or twice a day so any more than that is a set off for me when it's as loose as that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wimble Woof

Its your call really,
For Meik I wait it out about a day ( with some serious supervision) but the vet has been notified.

It depends on your dog, your dog's health history and your gut feeling.

Yeah I usually do the same. I think I will watch her today. We don't have a yard so she is always supervized when going to the bathroom, unless we're at the dog park, but I won't be taking her in case she is sick.

I always go pretty quick nowadays because our previous vet was stupid! Our other dog (my ex-roommate's dog, before I got Bridgette) had thrown up once and had diarrhea for a week and Sarah called the vet after two days and they said "oh he's probably fine, wait a week and then call back if he's not better." Stupidly, she listened to them and a week later he was very lethargic and not wanting to eat and much worse. Needless to say, I told her qho cares what the vet says we're going to take him somewhere else. We did and he had Ghiardia (sp?) it's a virus from standing water. It isn't lethal, but he was on antibiotics and the new vet couldn't believe they told us to wait a week!

I'd never wait more than two days if she had loose stool like that!