*Please help*: My dog has GI issues and his behavior is bizarre

[germanshepherdlover7]

My dog is a seven year-old male german shepherd who occasionally has diarrhea but is otherwise healthy. Boiled chicken and rice always take care of it. However, this time his diarrhea is accompanied by strange behavior. He suddenly cannot settle, won't sit, won't lie down, holds his body in a strange way, takes a few steps, stops and stares a long time, takes a few steps and does it again. Took him to the ER this morning, all tests for bloating, flipped stomach, organ failure, cancer, etc. were negative. They sent him home with medication for anti-diarrhea and pain. His behavior is still the same this evening and he has no interest in food. Has anyone experienced a similar issue? Any advice? I'm desperate.

Edited 19 hours ago by germanshepherdlover7

[Mairead]

Exactly which tests did he have at the ER (should be listed on your bill/invoice) and how much did all that cost? Interested because you are listed as overseas.

[persephone]

4 hours ago, germanshepherdlover7 said:

He suddenly cannot settle, won't sit, won't lie down, holds his body in a strange way, takes a few steps, stops and stares a long time, takes a few steps and does it again.

Sounds very much as though he is in pain, poor boy.  

[tdierikx]

I'd be looking for a structural problem... I don't think the diarrhoea is his main problem here, and it may only be coincidental to the actual problem.

 

If his bloods are all normal, and they've ruled out GI/internal type issues, then what remains is structural... his bones. I'd be looking for full spinal xrays to see if he's slipped a disc or similar at some point. Neck, Thoracic, and Lumbar xrays at the very least. My guess would be neck based on your description of the symptoms, but only an xray is going to confirm or rule that out.

 

T.

[persephone]

3 hours ago, tdierikx said:

I'd be looking for full spinal xrays to see if he's slipped a disc or similar at some point. Neck, Thoracic, and Lumbar xrays at the very least

I second this.