Constipated...please help

[cali baker]

On Tuesday Tate ate a tennis ball. I came home to find he had thrown up several times and there were rubber bits mixed in. Since that night I think he's only passed 1 hard stool. No more vomiting, eating great, acts very normal just the constipation. Any ideas on what I can do to alleviate this? I gave him pumpkin this am hoping that will help. Thanks.

 

[Davidh]

That's what I was going to suggest first, is the pumpkin, hope it works and no rubber pieces are stuck.

 

[nyerathrt]

mineral oil have u tried that? it comes flavored...we have used it on our boys

 

[LucysMum]

Would also try pumpkin. Watch him closely. If he starts to strain to take a bowl movement or squats and changes positions several times I would call the vet. Also if he starts to vomit you need to make sure the vet takes a look at him. From personal experience ...my Lucy ate a tennis ball. She never threw it up. The ER vet said that tennis balls are tricky because the glue will adhere to felt therefore causing a large piece of felt that could cause an obstruction.

From what you have described it sounds like he is acting normal. I guess it is also possible he is a little behind on his bowl movement schedule because of the vomiting.

Just keep an eye on him. If he starts acting weird call the vet to be sure.

We will pray for poop!

 

[cali baker]

Okay, yes, I'll definitely keep monitoring him. I too was thinking he didn't poo b/c of the throwing up episode which was a pretty big amount. Ugh.I'll see how the pumpkin works out for him before i try anything else. [MENTION=2659]nyerathrt[/MENTION], haven't tried mineral oil but will keep this one in mind as well.Thanku for all the feedback, everyone. Much appreciated!

 

[Jack Daniels]

[MENTION=1904]cali baker[/MENTION] Im hoping fort he best for your Tate. This brought memories back when Jack swallowed a bra strap and a large piece of a throw blanket....
He was puking for a few days until I finally had to take him in.....

Let us know how it goes tonite....

 

[2BullyMama]

Yeah -- I'd be at the vet.. could be a blockage

 

[BabyDuke]

Yeah -- I'd be at the vet.. could be a blockage

I agree about the vet taking a peek.. not to alarm you but Duke ate a huge snake toy as well. they pumped him up with fluids and luckily did pass without surgery..keep us posted..

 

[KMARINO]

I agree with all the above, I would not rush him to the vet, but by tonight and in the morning if he is not pooping I would take him in. Keep us updated please!

 

[JeannieCO]

Oh Henny!

Ace has eaten his share of tennis balls over the years. Being a Pit he can rip just about anything apart (not people of course, ha!). If Tate is not having any stool movements take him in right away. I have dealt with this very problem for nearly 11 years now. What you need to do is watch Tate for two weeks up to a month (even if he's having a stool movement) and if you see something foreign come out either end that you don't recognize you'll know what it is. The stomach will change the looks of rubber from the ball and the color of the felt on the tennis ball and sometimes the pieces will just stay in the stomach and not come out but Tate may appear just fine. There have been many times where Ace swallowed chewed off parts of balls and he seemed just fine and either threw them up a month later or pooped it out a month later and we were like where'd that come from and then we remembered.

The bigger pieces of rubber when it's left behind in the stomach will harden and curl up. Most likely he'll be just fine but do keep a close eye on both ends! Ace has eaten more pieces of tennis balls and basketballs than I can count.

Watch Take VERY closely and if he is not having a movement or just small ones in the next day, or two, take him to the vet for an xray.

Isn't the idea of pumpkin to firm up the stool if it's loose? I'm still learning so go easy on me with that one.

Those dang boys of ours I tell ya, it's what I like to call "Never Ending."

 

[kazzy220]

[MENTION=2014]JeannieCO[/MENTION] Pumpkin is like a wonder drug ... firms them up if they are loose, and loosens up if they are constipated!!!

 

[JeannieCO]

[MENTION=959]kazzy220[/MENTION], thanks! I just always thought it was for firmig stools, and of course other health benefits. Never would have thought I could be used for loosening too. Learn something new everyday.

 

[Tiffany B]

[MENTION=959]kazzy220[/MENTION], thanks! I just always thought it was for firmig stools, and of course other health benefits. Never would have thought I could be used for loosening too. Learn something new everyday.

That's exactly what I thought too! Good to know..

 

[Vicaroo1000]

Bo likes to eat tennis balls too.....another toy scratched from the "can do" list......ugh.

 

[cali baker]

Thanks everybody! Tate had a stupendous last night and this morning!

I agree, pumpkin is a wonder "drug"!