diarrhea question

[Nikki+2]

Sorry for posting in the wrong forum (really sorry Kimberly), but I'm worried and I was afraid with it being Saturday there wouldn't be many people in Health and Diet.

I started homecooking 3 weeks ago. I am basically following Dr. Pitcairn's book. For dinner they are getting a meat, veg, grain combo with the supplements as the book suggests. For breakfast they were getting egg and cottage cheese or yogurt. Sugar's stools have been on the soft side since we started this. About a week and a half into it I cut way back on the cottage cheese and added fruit but his stools were still really soft so I cut out the cottage cheese completely and he hasnt had any for 4 days. yesterday he stared having diarrhea. Last night he had it all over my bedroom while we were sleeping. A lot of it and its very bloody. He acts completely normal. He has a normal energy level and appetite. What is going on? I don't know what to do but I hate waiting until the vet is open on Monday. Spike and Gracie are eating the same food and their stools are normal.

[Nikki+2]

Okay my vet is open until noon today so I just called. They were worthless. I explained the situation and the lady put me on hold to talk to a vet and came back and said I could bring in a stool sample. Big help. Does the blood make this an emergency situation and she said no but if I wanted I could make an appointment for Monday. I said okay but asked what I should do in the meantime. She said don't give him any food for 24 hours and I said he's only 3 pounds I can't do that. She said why is he diabetic? I said no you just can't with hold food from a dog that small because their blood sugar will drop to which she responded okay I can make the appointment for you if you want. Thanks for the help. I made the appointment for 5:00 on Monday but I'm calling a holistic vet to see if I can get him in there. The blood is freaking me out.

[genie]

I am sorry that you baby is sick. Maybe something in the diet irritated his colon and it has resulted in bloody diarrhea. If the bloody diarrhea continues you may have to take Sugar to the er. I hope everything is ok and I hope Sugar gets well soo.....

[Peters]

you can give your pup some metamucil to help stop it and blood may be from so much poop its making the rear raw there are many nerves back there just make sure he gets plenty of fluids so as nto to get dehydrated like gatorade or toddlers pedilyte i hope he gets better

[Hokule'a]

I'm no expert, but I would recommend a fast also since the blood indicates a very irritated intestinal tract. But if Sugar is too little to skip meals I would just feed him small bland meals - maybe just the rice and meat?

Perhaps PM some of the homecookers on here? Shoot, Yorkiedaze is the only name I can think of right now.

[Nikki+2]

Thanks everyone. I'll PM Yorkiedaze. I think maybe Wylies mom feeds raw but is really knowledgable bout homecooking- I'm just going to do a search of homecookers. I also PMed Myfairlacy since she's a vet student.

Sorry to be gross but it gets in his hair on his rear and he's been scooting a lot trying to clean himself so I don't know if that's caused further irritation. Of course I'm washing him and not letting him scoot but I could tell he did a lot of scooting last night while I was sleeping from the tracks in my room and I also found some on the pool deck which is pretty rough.

[Nikki+2]

Originally Posted by Hokule'a

I'm no expert, but I would recommend a fast also since the blood indicates a very irritated intestinal tract. But if Sugar is too little to skip meals I would just feed him small bland meals - maybe just the rice and meat?

Perhaps PM some of the homecookers on here? Shoot, Yorkiedaze is the only name I can think of right now.

I'll definitely do that. It seems like I've heard canned pumpkin is good for diarrhea?

[yorkiegirl83]

My lhasa Tallulah had bloody/runny stools and it ended up being an intestinal infection and she needed antibiotics for it. Not sure if that is what is going on with your baby, but I'll keep you guys in my thoughts!

[linda44]

metamucil makes you go to the bathroom. My vet says for minor upsets use keopectate only, pepto and the rest have asprin in it. Good luck hope your baby is better soon

[Peters]

ah well we use keo and meta at work for it you could shave the hinney to keep it clean

[Nikki+2]

Well I was just talking to my mom and she said her vet recommends Pepto but now I'm worried about the aspirin. Maybe I'll get some Kaopeptate. He hasn't had any diarrhea since right after breakfast. I was thinking for dinner I'd maybe give him a little rice cooked in chicken broth. Dr. Pitcairn suggests a broth made from chicken and veggies but it seems like rice cooked in broth would be okay. How much Kao should I give him?

As far as his poor little booty, I've been just holding him over the sink and rinsing it. I probably do need to cut some of the hair though.

[MyFairLacy]

Have you seen any yellowish mucousy stools? Usually that in combination with blood means the intestinal tract is irritated. He really does need to be fasted if at all possible to help his digestive tract rest and heal. Canned pumpkin does normally help with both diarrhea and constipation. I'd give him small amounts of canned pumpkin throughout the day, and give a little nutrical or karo to keep his blood sugar up, and leave water out so he doesn't get dehydrated. The main thing will be keeping him hydrated and making sure his blood sugar doesn't get too low. Other than that, his digestive tract probably just needs time to rest and he should be fine.

Some dogs are more sensitive than others - some can handle diet changes with no problem while others will have diarrhea and an upset tummy from a diet change. He may take longer than your other dogs to get used to his new diet. He also may be sensitive to some of the foods you are feeding. What works for some dogs don't always neccessarily work for another (same with people). So it may take you longer to find what works best for Sugar.

So try to take away his food. Give him canned pumpkin and keep nutrical or karo on hand to make sure his blood sugar doesn't get low. Make sure he gets plenty to drink. Once the diarrhea slows down or stops you can try adding back a small amount of food...something bland. I think it was Wylie's mom that posted that chicken and rice is not a good thing to give dogs with upset tummies. Her nutritionist suggested something else to give. I can't remember what all she said right now but I would PM her and ask about it.

I hope Sugar feels better soon

[MyFairLacy]

Originally Posted by Nikki+2

Well I was just talking to my mom and she said her vet recommends Pepto but now I'm worried about the aspirin. Maybe I'll get some Kaopeptate. He hasn't had any diarrhea since right after breakfast. I was thinking for dinner I'd maybe give him a little rice cooked in chicken broth. Dr. Pitcairn suggests a broth made from chicken and veggies but it seems like rice cooked in broth would be okay. How much Kao should I give him?

As far as his poor little booty, I've been just holding him over the sink and rinsing it. I probably do need to cut some of the hair though.

I'd go with the pumpkin over pepto or kaopeptate.

[Nikki+2]

Originally Posted by MyFairLacy

I'd go with the pumpkin over pepto or kaopeptate.

Thank you so much! I will get the pumpkin and stay away from chicken and rice. I actually already PMed Wylie's mom so hopefully she'll get online today. I don't mind semi fasting him (nothing but a little pumpkin). He's never had blood sugar issues but if he ate nothing I would never be able sleep tonight for fear he would.

[Wylie's Mom]

Oh, poor honey! Both of you! I know exactly how frustrated you are bc I've been there. I would cut out all veggies and grains for now and go very simple. First are you feeding chicken? If yes, cut that out bc that could be the culprit in terms of meat.

If it were me, I'd give whitefish and mashed white potatoe and about a teaspoon+ of steamed/pureed green beans (greens will help alkalize the digestive tract). Nice and simple. Hypoallergenic. Pumpkin is great too to help firm up. The only fiber additive that's considered "safe" is Benefiber - just a pinch. But you could def. try the canned pumpkin first. Yogurt or a probiotic supplement may help re-balance his intestinal flora. I would keep him on a fish diet for at least a week, if not longer, and then reintroduce one meat at a time - and then one veg. at a time if you want to include veggie (though they're not needed).

Please keep us posted, I really feel for you bc I've been in your shoes!!