Another rock-eater

peachesndiesel · 01-14-2007, 06:03 PM

Sorry we haven't posted in so long, but we went through a big ordeal with Elvis a few months ago. Apparently he ate some rocks out in the backyard and got a small bowel obstruction. He had small bowel surgery and the vet couldn't find anything so then we just had to wait for him to pass the rocks. He spent a long time on bed rest afterward and we were very nervous about him, but I'm happy to report he is doing fine now and back to wrestling with Roscoe and Sadie. They now play in the backyard with close supervision.

Yokohama Hounds · 01-14-2007, 07:14 PM

Been there, seen it, done it!!

Our vet looked at us as though we were nuts. He x-rayed Abby and found three large rocks in her digestive system. She passed two, but one had to be operated on. She was feeling sorry for heself for a while, but does she stay away from rocks now? Well, most of the time, now she concentrates on tissues, if possible color ones.....

BubbaLeroy · 01-14-2007, 08:09 PM

So sorry about Elvis new tastes in food. We have Bogie, another rock eater, an almost two year old neutered male, who has had two surgeries for obstructions caused by rocks. One in June while camping, and the other in September after the cable company dug up concrete and rocks near the foundation of our house, so we know what you are going through. We had scoured the yard for rocks and thought we were safe until the cable company came and threw some rocks and concrete pieces in the bushes and we didn't see them. Both very scary episodes, but thankfully we were able to get him to the vet in time. His incisions looked very much like Elvis' incision. Thankfully the second one healed up as well at the first and you can't even tell now that his winter coat has grown in.

The incision from the second surgery.

We have purchased a muzzle that we use when we cannot be outside with him in our fenced back yard. He has adapted well to it, he can bark, pant, etc. with it on, and when my son's dog was here over Christmas he romped outside with Zeus with no problems with the muzzle on. Bogie hated it at first, tried rubbing it off, drug it in the bushes, etc. but finally decided if he wanted outside freedom this was the way things were going to be. We hate to use it, but it sure beats more surgery. It might be something you might want to consider.

Our little hockey goalie.

Good luck with Elvis. Our vet told us that she sees many repeat rock eaters and to be forever vigilant.

4bs'smom · 01-14-2007, 10:30 PM

So sorry you had to go through this traumatic experience. Been there done that.
Belle has eaten a rock before We call it our $800 rock because that's about what it cost for treatment. She passed the rock without having surgery, thank goodness. Our vet is always amazed at some of the reasons we have to go in for treatement. 1_ Belle ate a rock 2) Belle got too close to the squirrel she was chasing and the squirrel bit a big plug out of her ear 3) Bonnie and Belle got in a fight over a frog that Bonnie bought in the house. Bassets certainly know how to make life interesting. I should have invested in pet insurance a long time ago.

Yokohama Hounds · 01-15-2007, 04:36 AM

Quote:

Bassets certainly know how to make life interesting.[/b]

That sums Bassets up perfectly

Rubydoo · 01-15-2007, 08:38 AM

I'm so sorry! Ruby once used to lick rocks and I wonder if there was an animal which walked over them (squirrels?). And she used to eat acorns when we lived in Bassetchusetts. We had to try and get them away from her because she had the runs from them.

Janice

Aruuuu · 01-16-2007, 09:24 AM

We have a rock-eater, too, and like Bubba, Edith Ann now wears a muzzle to go outside. It's impossible to pick up every rock in your yard, they work their way up through the soil, and because bassets keep their noses to the ground, they'll find 'em. After having two rocks surgically removed last summer, we opted to muzzle and keep Edith safe. She adjusted to life with a muzzle just fine, and we can rest easier knowing she can't get to any more rocks.

01-14-2007, 08:09 PM	#3 (permalink)
BubbaLeroy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 1,288	So sorry about Elvis new tastes in food. We have Bogie, another rock eater, an almost two year old neutered male, who has had two surgeries for obstructions caused by rocks. One in June while camping, and the other in September after the cable company dug up concrete and rocks near the foundation of our house, so we know what you are going through. We had scoured the yard for rocks and thought we were safe until the cable company came and threw some rocks and concrete pieces in the bushes and we didn't see them. Both very scary episodes, but thankfully we were able to get him to the vet in time. His incisions looked very much like Elvis' incision. Thankfully the second one healed up as well at the first and you can't even tell now that his winter coat has grown in. The incision from the second surgery. We have purchased a muzzle that we use when we cannot be outside with him in our fenced back yard. He has adapted well to it, he can bark, pant, etc. with it on, and when my son's dog was here over Christmas he romped outside with Zeus with no problems with the muzzle on. Bogie hated it at first, tried rubbing it off, drug it in the bushes, etc. but finally decided if he wanted outside freedom this was the way things were going to be. We hate to use it, but it sure beats more surgery. It might be something you might want to consider. Our little hockey goalie. Good luck with Elvis. Our vet told us that she sees many repeat rock eaters and to be forever vigilant. __________________ You don't own a Basset, a Basset owns you!! Aroooooos from Bogie !! - Trumbull's Who's Teasin Bogart CGC- Born April 21, 2005 ATB: Bubba - (Trumbull's Surley It's Stormin Norman) Sept. 8, 1998 - Dec. 20, 2005

01-15-2007, 08:38 AM	#6 (permalink)
Rubydoo Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Southern California Posts: 1,681	I'm so sorry! Ruby once used to lick rocks and I wonder if there was an animal which walked over them (squirrels?). And she used to eat acorns when we lived in Bassetchusetts. We had to try and get them away from her because she had the runs from them. Janice __________________ http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...w/IMG_1340.jpg Take a basset hound to lunch today! --Bassets rule....and drool!

01-16-2007, 09:24 AM	#7 (permalink)
Aruuuu Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Central MA, USA Posts: 773	We have a rock-eater, too, and like Bubba, Edith Ann now wears a muzzle to go outside. It's impossible to pick up every rock in your yard, they work their way up through the soil, and because bassets keep their noses to the ground, they'll find 'em. After having two rocks surgically removed last summer, we opted to muzzle and keep Edith safe. She adjusted to life with a muzzle just fine, and we can rest easier knowing she can't get to any more rocks. __________________ If stress were exercise, I'd be in great shape!

01-14-2007, 06:03 PM	#1 (permalink)
peachesndiesel Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Louisiana Posts: 72	Sorry we haven't posted in so long, but we went through a big ordeal with Elvis a few months ago. Apparently he ate some rocks out in the backyard and got a small bowel obstruction. He had small bowel surgery and the vet couldn't find anything so then we just had to wait for him to pass the rocks. He spent a long time on bed rest afterward and we were very nervous about him, but I'm happy to report he is doing fine now and back to wrestling with Roscoe and Sadie. They now play in the backyard with close supervision.

01-14-2007, 07:14 PM	#2 (permalink)
Yokohama Hounds Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Baden, Switzerland Posts: 152	Been there, seen it, done it!! Our vet looked at us as though we were nuts. He x-rayed Abby and found three large rocks in her digestive system. She passed two, but one had to be operated on. She was feeling sorry for heself for a while, but does she stay away from rocks now? Well, most of the time, now she concentrates on tissues, if possible color ones.....

01-14-2007, 10:30 PM	#4 (permalink)
4bs'smom Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: newnan, ga Posts: 13	So sorry you had to go through this traumatic experience. Been there done that. Belle has eaten a rock before We call it our $800 rock because that's about what it cost for treatment. She passed the rock without having surgery, thank goodness. Our vet is always amazed at some of the reasons we have to go in for treatement. 1_ Belle ate a rock 2) Belle got too close to the squirrel she was chasing and the squirrel bit a big plug out of her ear 3) Bonnie and Belle got in a fight over a frog that Bonnie bought in the house. Bassets certainly know how to make life interesting. I should have invested in pet insurance a long time ago.

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