Identifying animal poo

[shivvy]

My dog has been really ill recently and the cause is a bit of a mystery. The vet asked if she could have eaten or been exposed to anything odd. We have recently moved to the country and I have found a weird poo in the garden that I thought she might have been exposed to. It is black, quite thin and nearly elasticy when you poke it with your foot. Is it fox poo or badger? Any ideas anyone?

[SteveD]

Or hedgehog?

[Grunty]

It's unlikely to be badger.  They did latrines and use them.

[Woodstock]

I think that sounds like hedgehog poo in your garden but I wouldn't have expected it to upset your dog.  When my dog was a puppy he consumed a fair quantity of fresh horse poo on one occasion and was green for about 2 days!

[silly moo]

Does it smell REALLY bad ?
Fox poo does, but most dogs roll in it not eat it.
By the way if they do roll in fox poo the best way to get rid of the smell is to rub in tomato sauce before bathing the dod.

[FP]

Definitely hedgegog.  However, some dogs are very prone to eating poo of all sorts (Yuk) and it hasn't ever adversely affected any of mine yet!!  I wouldn't think poo is the problem.  Have you walked your dog on any fields that have recently been sprayed with chemicals - this can cause them to be ill?   Slug pellets would cause great problems or rat bait.  There's quite a few nasty things about in rural areas!

[shivvy]

Many thanks everyone for your help.  The vet now thinks that her pancreas was infected and not likely to have been something she ate.  I will however keep my eyes out for those pesky black-pooing hedgehogs!!

[ajcmum]

why do dogs eat poo anyway?

[FP]

I was told by the vet it is because poo has a high protein content which attracts dogs.  The vet also said that it a manufacturer came up with dog food smelling nd tasting of poo they could make a fortune.  However, the dogs would love it but their owners probably wouldn't buy it!!!

My dogs are very quick to raid the cat litter tray if given half the chance, yuk!