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Newsweek
13-06-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
Owners Convinced Dog at the End, Can't Believe What $400 Vet Visit Reveals
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. When a dog took a health turn, or so the owners thought, they believed he was nearing the end of his days, but what a vet visit revealed left them with egg on their faces. The dachshund owners had themselves convinced that their small dog, Whiskey, was sick and "about to cross the rainbow bridge," the text on a June 1 Instagram video by user @ read. As any pet parent would do, they rushed to get answers. They placed him in his doggy bed in the car, making their way to the emergency vet, hopeful for a positive outcome. They were in luck—no crossing the Rainbow Bridge—but the answer was not what they expected. Whiskey's diagnosis was that he "needed to do a big poop." Constipation in dogs is a common occurrence, which can sometimes cause dogs to become lethargic, bloated and experience extreme discomfort, a Hill's Pet article stated. While a dog conducting their business one or two times less than normal is not a cause for concern, any signs of strain or not eating are signs to visit your vet. A vet visit will reveal potential causes of constipation, including ingestion of foreign material, dehydration, hernias, tumors, side effects of medication or orthopedic and neurological conditions. The good news for these owners was that it wasn't the end of the line for Whiskey; however, the visit came with a hefty price tag. They received a $400 vet bill only to discover Whiskey needed to go to the bathroom. Newsweek reached out to @ via Instagram for additional information and comment. Viewer Reactions The Instagram clip reached over 647,000 views and 45,900 likes as of Friday. While the bill might have been a headache for the owners, people reminded them it was "better safe than sorry" and thought the bill wasn't as bad as it could've been. "That was me this morning," joked one user, while another asked: "I mean have you ever had to poop so bad you thought YOU were gonna cross the rainbow bridge?" Understanding the owners' pain, someone added: "Literally happened to my Doxie last month, except $800 because I did blood work and X-rays too." A fourth wrote: "They are such drama queens! When mine has a belly ache or cramp, it's like he's very sick!!" Screenshots from a June 1 Instagram video of owners rushing their dachshund to the vet after thinking he was nearing the end. Screenshots from a June 1 Instagram video of owners rushing their dachshund to the vet after thinking he was nearing the end. @ Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.


Daily Record
29-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Vet explains adorable reason dogs stretch when they see you
Dogs stretching around you should be "taken as a compliment" Does your dog do a big stretch as soon as you walk in the door? It might not be because they've just woken up or are feeling bored; it's actually a positive sign that owners should "take as a compliment". Understanding what our beloved pooches are trying to tell us can be challenging since they can't speak to us. But dogs use their entire bodies to express their emotions. Learning how your dog communicates is beneficial for recognising if they're feeling confident, relaxed, or anxious and stressed. Knowing these cues helps you better understand what your pet is attempting to convey. Vet Dr Alex Crow, Chief Veterinary Officer at The Net Vet, has shed light on this behaviour, especially when a dog greets you with "front legs out, hips up, tail wagging," which he discussed on TikTok, reports the Express. "It's not just coincidence. It's called a greeting stretch," he said. "It's more than just shaking off a nap. It's a sign that your dog feels safe, relaxed and happy that you're home," he continued. Dr Alex also mentioned that while dogs might stretch to "loosen up stiff muscles", doing so specifically when you arrive home is "intentional". He further noted: "It's their version of a calm, friendly hello and if you've ever reacted to it with praise, you've probably reinforced it without realising." Nevertheless, it's important to keep in mind that "not all stretches are about affection". A pet whose belly is low to the ground might be signalling discomfort or pain, and owners should "keep an eye" on such postures. Dr Alex mentioned: "Most of the time though it's just your dog's way of saying hello." In response to the observations, a dog owner shared in the comments section: "I always thought it was because they knew I was about to take them for a walk." Another contributed: "Yes! Every morning when I go downstairs, he is laying in his bed waiting for me and when I open the door he jumps up and does the big stretch on my foot! Gets lots of scratches then picked up for cuddles and kisses. Boston Terrier." A third remarked: "The 'big stretch' must be an international thing. We all say that in our native language, right? At least I do." Many others pointed out that cats exhibit similar behaviour. According to Hill's Pet, animals, much like humans, sometimes need to stretch their muscles. They may require a good stretch upon waking up, or it could indicate a desire to play. Pets might also elongate if they're feeling bored or are seeking attention. If this happens, consider taking them out for a walk or engaging them with playtime indoors or in the garden. However, frequent stretching could also indicate a strained muscle or joint discomfort. Your pet might be trying to ease the pain by stretching the affected area. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you observe a particular body part being stretched more than usual, and they seem sluggish in their movements, it could be a symptom of arthritis or joint pain, warranting a visit to the vet. This behaviour could also be associated with abdominal discomfort. In such cases, they will stretch with their backside raised, front end lowered and flat on the floor. They may maintain this position for an extended period, often when no other dogs are present. You might also notice them whimpering in pain or resisting being petted. If they arch their back into a hunched posture, it could also signify abdominal pain, which is crucial to have examined immediately.