My 14 year old Yorkie is having loose motions with blood and hard motions. He is straining when they are hard. He also passes foul smelling wind. Can you advise me please?

Our vet says: At 14 years of age any problem such as this should be taken seriously. You should ask your vet to check your dog for you since he must be quite uncomfortable!

Answers to Your Pet Healthcare Questions

Showing similar questions and answers in this category

Kidney failure

Species: dog | Category: medical-surgical | Submitted: 19-Feb-10 10:21AM | viewed 668 times

Beverley asks:

Could I have caused kidney failure in my greyhound by giving her too much salt in her food as I know that salt is poisonous to greyhounds?

Our vet says: Adding salt to a dog's food or feeding a salty diet is not really an ideal thing to do, but it is unlikely that you actually caused your dog's kidney failure by doing so.

You do not say how much salt you have been adding or which salty diet you have been feeding. It may be best to investigate diets which are specially formulated for dogs with renal failure now. ( I am sure your vet will be able to advise you).

Salt poisoning generally only results when high salt diets are fed and access to water is restricted. The signs are serious and involve neurological problems, so you would have noticed that your dog was really unwell if this had been the case.

So why do we worry about salt?

Basically if the diet is too salty the kidneys must work harder to maintain the fluid balance of the body which is one of their main jobs.

The kidneys are remarkable organs and have several functions including maintaining the balance of the water in the body together with electrolytes and they also help to eliminate toxins. Part of their function includes maintaining fluid balance and salt can make this work harder to do because it tends to "hold water".

The kidneys have a great deal of reserve capacity so we only see signs of failure when around 75% of their function has been lost.

Nephrons or kidney cells are lost over time as part of the natural aging process. You do not say how old your dog is, but if she is middle aged to older then it is likely that the kidney failure is more due to the aging process than anything else.

Of course infections and toxins can also cause renal failure too but the kidneys can often overcome many problems simply because they have such a large reserve capacity.

Although a salty diet means that the kidneys have to work harder it is unlikely that this alone would cause renal failure unless you were feeding large amounts over a long period of time.

It can be difficult not to feel guilty when your pet is unwell, but do not blame yourself. It is very unlikely that you caused any real harm. It may be best to consider feeding your dog(s) a good quality dog food suitable for their life stages, breed and state of health from now on.

Skin tags

Species: dog | Category: medical-surgical | Submitted: 06-Jul-09 09:19PM | viewed 86080 times

John asks:

Hello, my eight month old cocker spaniel appears to have what looks like bubbles near her eyes and on her face near her mouth. They are attached to her body and I suppose resemble skin tags. They do not irritate her at all. She has had them before on her head and back of her neck but they disappeared. They are tiny and just look like little bubbles. Have you any ideas please? Thank you.

Our vet says: Without seeing your dog it is impossible to say exactly what these could be, but I would suggest that it is worth finding out from your vet if these are ticks. Since ticks can carry disease it is always worth trying to prevent the problem by treating your dog for them regularly. Do not try to remove ticks yourself since this can cause problems if it is done incorrectly.

Pus oozing from eyes

Species: dog | Category: medical-surgical | Submitted: 13-May-09 10:49PM | viewed 146231 times

Mohit asks:

My dog has a swollen face near the left eye. The swelling is now a hard lump and has been there for almost a month. Twice he bled from his nose and eyes. Today pus is oozing from his eyes. Please advise what could be the cause and how it should be treated.

Our vet says: This sounds serious and could possibly be a tumour but without seeing your dog it is impossible to say for sure. Take him to your vet, this cannot be diagnosed or treated over the internet. Sorry we cannot help further.

Fits

Species: dog | Category: medical-surgical | Submitted: 12-May-09 02:36PM | viewed 145286 times

Claire asks about Jesse (dog - Collie x, M) :

I came to home to find my dog in the middle of a fit. He had extremely fast breathing and was soiling himself. He is now 12 years old and has had no previous problems. He does suffer from separation anxiety so that might have got him upset.

Our vet says: He looks like a lovely dog from your photo! It would be good to take him to your local vet for a check up, even if he seems fine now. You could try using DAP to help with his separation anxiety.

Puppy with constipation

Species: dog | Category: medical-surgical | Submitted: 10-May-09 07:47PM | viewed 145064 times

Karen asks about Rosie (dog - Labrador, F) :

Our 10 week old puppy appears to be constipated as she keeps straining to go poo but nothing happens. She has slight tremors too. She has had one poo in the last half hour or so but is still straining to go again. What should we do?

Our vet says: Were the faeces normal or runny? If the faeces which were passed were runny this could be diarrhoea rather than constipation since puppies will strain because they feel uncomfortable when they have diarrhoea. You should take your puppy to your local vet in either case.


	Showing 1 to 5 of 5 found

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