Thank you everyone for the thoughtful messages when Ava was taken to the vet a couple of nights ago - Monday was one of the worst days of my life!
For those who don’t know, Ava wouldn’t play or eat at all on Monday. This in itself is highly unusual – I booked a vet appointment when she also became reluctant to sit or lay.
She appeared to be experiencing discomfort at her back end, and her abdomen was hot. There was a lot of lip licking, panting and yawning (3 common signs of stress) when she tried to lay or sit.
We had a free video call with a vet thanks to Napo Pet Insurance and went to see a vet in person in the evening. Ava was taken for a scan at once and opened up at the same time following a suspected blockage.
I’m afraid the blockage was a piece of Anco buffalo horn! I give them regularly – I noticed Ava smashes hers whereas Nina gnaws & nibbled; obviously I won’t give Ava one ever again and probably not other dogs either. I might avoid non-edible chews altogether.
I’m so glad I acted fast before this piece of horn (crinkled hair tie for scale) could cause any more damage, but it’s HEARTBREAKING watching Ava struggle after intestinal surgery. She is on some wacky painkillers but is groggy, slow & whiny.
I hope she recovers super fast. It was weird not taking her swimming today and I miss her dashing around 😂
I don’t endorse overthinking, but know the signs of discomfort – Ava was also ‘bowing’ rather than laying.
Also, her pre-scan bloods did NOT have the marker which normally indicates the body is in shock due to a blockage, but she had a blockage. Push for scans if in doubt. Insure your dogs.
Wish me luck keeping her still when she feels better!
