Dog attempting to bury its own poo?

[Kiltie]

Anyone ever seen this with their dog?

My dog has done it but only very occasionally over the years.

She's been doing it more and more lately but has also been suffering some stomach problems which we're yet to get to the root of.

I'm wondering if digestion difficulties or something in the gut might be giving it a particular odour which is triggering an instinct.

Sound weird I know but there's some very deep instinctive behaviour which isn't always logical when first observed.

Thanks,

Eric

[bexVN]

Well digging for dogs is often a sign of abdominal pain, so that would tie in with the digestion issues.

The burying of faeces I'm not so sure about, that could be a personal psychological link for her.

The main problem here is trying to solve her digestion issues out, which I'm sure you are already trying to do.

Is she on any tax to help with this?

[Usget]

My dog has always kicked a few leaves or bits of dirt in the direction of his poo. I had read that it was a submissive thing - dominant dogs would leave it unburied. But it depends what you mean by burying - it's not like he's methodically digging a hole.

[Kiltie]

Aha, sorry, I didn't mean the violent scratching up the grass thing. She's always done that - and all greyhounds I know seem to do the same.

I mean nosing the poop as if to put it in an imaginary pre-dug hole.

Bex thanks for your reply. I'm rushing right now but I'll outline what's happening later on.

Thanks,

Eric

[Kiltie]

Yeah, she's having antepsin twice a day and zitac three times.

She's also having tramadol as we thought it might be her meloxivet that was giving her a bad tum.

She's been off the meloxivet for a fortnight now and still having a bad tum.

Every other day, she can't get comfortable and goes and does this "downward dog" thing - staying in the position for 30secs or more. Sometimes she'll be panting as well.





She's "asking" to get out and having small poops in the garden (histrorically, she's only ever pooped in her own garden when she really "has to"). Once she's pooped, she seems to be more comfortable.

This does seem to coincide with her making some really powerful bad smells too.

We've been keeping a diary of her intake / output and how she's feeling but I can't seem to spot a pattern.

I've been trying to avoid dog snacks (dentasticks, wonky chomps, tangly twists, rodeos, dental delicious, scruffy bites etc.) and just sticking to biscuity things like Pooch & Mutt treats.

We've started feeding her twice a day and her appetite is fine. Saying that, she's lost a wee bit of weight (28.4kg down to 27.0kg).

She was twelve years old in July.

Otherwise fine but has had feet problems in the past with symmetrical lupoid onychodystrophy but that seems to be fine right now.

Coat, teeth and eyes all look tip top.

They did a ultrascan of her tum and it all looked fine. They also did a blood test to check the pancreas is working but I don't think looked at liver / kidney as you suggested in another post.

I wish I could get her fixed. She's my best pal.

We're considering letting another vet have a look at her.

Cheers,

Eric

Edited by Kiltie on Wednesday 30th October 20:18

[bexVN]

Who did the ultrasound scan. An in house vet or a specialist.

We have an in house vet who is very good with scans but she'll be the first to recommend a specialist for the potentially more tricky ones.

Yes she is displaying classic pray position suggesting some obvious discomfort.

There are quite a few meds around to help digestive issues so alternatives may need to be sought.

What's her staple diet at the mo?

Has there been any black faeces produced?

Have they sent blood away to test her red and white cell counts?

Antepsin can be given mire frequently (discuss with vet first) but only prob worth doing that if it is helping at all.

No real answers I'm afraid but I do know that I'd want to have some idea about what is happening if it were me.

[bexVN]

One other seemingly unlinked I know but have they looked at her spine, just to check no issue with it.

Don't ignore that wt loss esp if in last few weeks/months and do see that liver and kidneys have been tested.

Edited by bexVN on Wednesday 30th October 20:48

[Kiltie]

I just wanted to provide a wee update by way of a thanks to Bex and others.

Our vet was telling us that the next move was an endoscopy, biopsy and x-ray.

I really don't want to risk a general anaesthetic with an older dog so decided to seek a second opinion from a vet who came recommended from other greyhound owners.

Prior to the appointment, we wrote out a comprehensive account of her history, what had been happening and some general thoughts. This included much of what Bex and others had suggested here and in another thread.

New vet confirmed that he'd do exactly the same as our current one had done but reckoned there were one or two more avenues to explore before putting her under.

At this point, these pain episodes were getting really bad and pretty much every day. She was crying with pain and grimacing - something I've never seen in a dog.

New vet reckoned that symptoms could be consistent with irritable bowel but conceded that this was a "catch all" type thing and he couldn't be specific.

He recommended trying her on a strict diet of Purina HA together with Pro-Kolin Enterogenic powders. We started her on Monday.

Now, I know it's really too soon to tell but the fact is that we've had no more evidence of pain and it's like I've got my old dog back - playing and full of life.

Only difficulty is that she's not too keen on the food. The vet said we can put some tuna in it to make it more palatable and she is eating about two thirds of what we're putting out for her.

I do find it heart breaking not to be able to give a dog a snack though.

Anyway, all looking good right now so thanks again to Bex and everyone else.

Cheers,

Eric