Runny Poop for Days! I am soooo scared! HELP !!!!!

[CricketBaby]

I have had my little "Paxton" for almost 5 weeks. He was flown into the DFW airport from Tsa La Gi in Oklahoma. He will be 6 months old the end of this month. Everything was going great for the first 4-5 days and then out of nowhere there was runny poop with mucus and blood. Of course I called the vet and rushed him in immediately. They tried to get a poop sample but his little hiney was empty. They gave him a 10 day course of Albon and suggested we do a prescription diet RN...chicken and rice and to also give him plain yogurt with live cultures. During the 10 days he acted happy but his poop really never firmed up....of course when his medication was completed the diarreah was back in full force ....I am sooo panicked at this point...I love him soooo much! We went back to the vet as now my little Yorkie :Cricket and my Wire Hair Fox Terrier :Bentley now have the poops and I am about to loose it! Again they did a fecal float and a Giardia snap test....negative on the Giardia and no parasites...but all three have a high level of bad bacteria. They were given a full course of Flagyl.....Cricket and Bentley are better but little Paxton is not. Back to the vet again....They gave him one more thing to try Tylosin. It is an antibiotic that you sprinkle on their food....We did this for two days and the things started getting really ugly! I could actually put my head up to his tummy and hear it rolling and making really loud sounds!!!!
Last try before serious testing begins....He is back on a 10 day treatment of Albon.

I am boiling white skinless chicken breasts and steaming white rice...no seasoning....water to drink...plain yogurt as the vet suggested. No bones, rawhides ...flossies or anything that might have any kind of bacteria on it. I am super nervous that something is wrong with Paxton....The vet said it could be stress.....I am not sure about this! Any ideas or suggestions....please go easy I might have a heart attack!!!! I have been looking for days for what could be wrong? Intestinal lymphangiectasia with protein losing enteropathy is something I found that has me super scared!!!!!! HELP!

[CricketBaby]

Anybody???

[bjh]

I am so sorry to hear you are having all these problems. I hope the vet can find some answers soon. What kind of dog food did the breeder have him on and what kind of food did you start feeding him when you got him? I know antibiotics can destroy the good bacteria in their stomach. Are you giving him any probiotic supplement to add good bacteria to his stomach? I really do recommend giving 1 teaspoon of canned pure pumpkin twice a day. It certainly can't hurt and it could give some added fiber to his diet and maybe help his stomach. I always add a little Karo syrup to the pumpkin to make taste a little better. Please keep us updated on how he is doing. He is a beautiful boy.

[Sophie Sophia]

I'm sorry your baby isn't feeling well. The same thing happened to Sophie. The vet told me to sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon of tylan powder on her food. It was a prescription. It stopped her runny bloody stools right away. He also gave me something called fira flora...that's not exactly right, but your vet probably will know what it is. It's something to settle her stomach. I sprinkled 1/2 a packet on her food morning and night for a month. My vet couldn't find anything wrong with Sophie and suspected she just ate something she shouldn't have. This was a month ago and she's been fine ever since. I hope your baby is well soon.

[CricketBaby]

Originally Posted by bjh

I am so sorry to hear you are having all these problems. I hope the vet can find some answers soon. What kind of dog food did the breeder have him on and what kind of food did you start feeding him when you got him? I know antibiotics can destroy the good bacteria in their stomach. Are you giving him any probiotic supplement to add good bacteria to his stomach? I really do recommend giving 1 teaspoon of canned pure pumpkin twice a day. It certainly can't hurt and it could give some added fiber to his diet and maybe help his stomach. I always add a little Karo syrup to the pumpkin to make taste a little better. Please keep us updated on how he is doing. He is a beautiful boy.

Thank you for your thoughts. I am worried sick about my little boy! He was on Bill Jack at Glenda Beavers. Of course I have one other little Yorkie and a Wire Hair Fox Terrier and they have been on Canidae All Life Stages. Cricket my little girl is really thin and still eats Royal Canin Puppy 33 ....I know it is not that great but she is super finicky and the vet said it was okay for her to have it for the extra fat.

I was so worried at how I was going to manage their food...but before I could blink Paxton gobbled up a whole bowl of Canidae with a little RC puppy....what was really weird he seemed to be okay for 5 days...solid poops no gastric noises. I probably did the wrong thing by just ending the Bill Jack thinking we were okay since he had hard poops. Gosh I feel soooo horrible putting him through this! The scary thing is he is not getting better on his meds and with boiled chicken/rice. Please tell me where I can get a probiotic supplement or what kind you can recommend? He is right next to me by my feet playing with Cricket having a ball. I love this little guy so much I would have a hole in my heart if something happened to him!!!!!

[Wylie's Mom]

I can HELP! I have BEEN here!

First, and I'm sure your vet knows this (he should), Giardia is notorious for hiding under scope - so it is very, very common for a vet to do multiple tests (and tests higher in specificity) when the first tests prove negative - when clinical indications *keep* proving giardia. My vet actually had to send Marcel's second or 3rd giardia test off-site to a different lab who could perform a higher-specificity test - and sure enough - there was one, teensy giardia cell hiding in there.

Above you said "high level of bad bacteria" - what do you mean? What kind? Another member recently had a very bad experience with clostridium - but that is usually (and quickly) life threatening - so it doesn't sound like your case. Tylosin - I'm not surprised to hear what's going on with it; Tylosin can be a lifesaver for some dogs; for others, a wreck. While it can help initially, it can later cause the problems it was initially HELPING, which is confounding. I stopped the Tylosin when Marcel was on it.

Now, is the diarrhea gone - but the tummy noises are crazy, correct?

If so, I would get him off the chicken/rice - and onto an even more hypoallergenic diet of whitefish (pollock, cod, sole, tilapia) and mashed white potatoes - and this is just a diet for short term, okay? What was he eating before this btw?

I don't want to write too much more until you come back - what is his weight/age? We can PM for amounts to feed etcetera.

Also, if he is a puppy - and IF this is giardia - there are other things to think about *now*. Giardia, in puppies, can actually begin to digest intestinal tissues - possibly causing long-term (and short term as you're seeing!) digestive issues. SO, you may want to give some nice supplements for about 6 months to support/heal any possible damage that's occurred - like probiotics, maybe digestive enzymes.

[CricketBaby]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

I can HELP! I have BEEN here!

First, and I'm sure your vet knows this (he should), Giardia is notorious for hiding under scope - so it is very, very common for a vet to do multiple tests (and tests higher in specificity) when the first tests prove negative - when clinical indications *keep* proving giardia. My vet actually had to send Marcel's second or 3rd giardia test off-site to a different lab who could perform a higher-specificity test - and sure enough - there was one, teensy giardia cell hiding in there.

Above you said "high level of bad bacteria" - what do you mean? What kind? Another member recently had a very bad experience with clostridium - but that is usually (and quickly) life threatening - so it doesn't sound like your case. Tylosin - I'm not surprised to hear what's going on with it; Tylosin can be a lifesaver for some dogs; for others, a wreck. While it can help initially, it can later cause the problems it was initially HELPING, which is confounding. I stopped the Tylosin when Marcel was on it.

Now, is the diarrhea gone - but the tummy noises are crazy, correct?

If so, I would get him off the chicken/rice - and onto an even more hypoallergenic diet of whitefish (pollock, cod, sole, tilapia) and mashed white potatoes - and this is just a diet for short term, okay? What was he eating before this btw?

I don't want to write too much more until you come back - what is his weight/age? We can PM for amounts to feed etcetera.

Also, if he is a puppy - and IF this is giardia - there are other things to think about *now*. Giardia, in puppies, can actually begin to digest intestinal tissues - possibly causing long-term (and short term as you're seeing!) digestive issues. SO, you may want to give some nice supplements for about 6 months to support/heal any possible damage that's occurred - like probiotics, maybe digestive enzymes.

First let me say thank you for your help! Paxton is 5 1/2 months....he weighs 4.2lbs. He is currently on Albon and has been since Friday....he does not have diarreah but his poops are really soft and squishy....not getting firm at all! I have had three fecal floats done/ and Giardia snap test....The only thing that has been confirmed is a high level of bad bacteria....I am soooo mad because I have not been given a name for this bacteria! The vet seems to think this is from stress? Granted Paxton was 4 1/2 months old and put on a plane and sent to a family with four children and 2 other dogs....I would be stressed too! But I do think he should be over the initial stress and be settling down to our routine. I would love to find out more about probiotics, maybe digestive enzymes? I will calling the vet in the morning to discuss Paxton's soft poops and gastric noises!

He was on Bill Jack at the breeder....the vet put him on RN (prescription food for short term)....but they also said I could make my own which he likes much better...boiled chicken/steamed white rice. They are talking like they want to do more tests. I am really scared!!!!!!

[bjh]

Originally Posted by CricketBaby

Thank you for your thoughts. I am worried sick about my little boy! He was on Bill Jack at Glenda Beavers. Of course I have one other little Yorkie and a Wire Hair Fox Terrier and they have been on Canidae All Life Stages. Cricket my little girl is really thin and still eats Royal Canin Puppy 33 ....I know it is not that great but she is super finicky and the vet said it was okay for her to have it for the extra fat.

I was so worried at how I was going to manage their food...but before I could blink Paxton gobbled up a whole bowl of Canidae with a little RC puppy....what was really weird he seemed to be okay for 5 days...solid poops no gastric noises. I probably did the wrong thing by just ending the Bill Jack thinking we were okay since he had hard poops. Gosh I feel soooo horrible putting him through this! The scary thing is he is not getting better on his meds and with boiled chicken/rice. Please tell me where I can get a probiotic supplement or what kind you can recommend? He is right next to me by my feet playing with Cricket having a ball. I love this little guy so much I would have a hole in my heart if something happened to him!!!!!

Wylie's Mom and Sophie Sophia have given great advise. I agree with Wylie's Mom about giardia being hard to diagnose. http://revivalanimal.com/ has some wonderful products. You can call 1-800-786-4751 to order a catalog. They have Probios, BeneBac Pet Gel and many other must have products. I also keep Diarsanyl on hand, it works great for diarrhea and bacterial stomach upsets.

Do your dogs go outside? If he does not have giardia then you have to look around to see if he could be getting some bad bacteria from other sources. Make sure he does not have access to bird dropping or stagnate water.

Bil-Jac is a corn based dog food. Often switching from a corn based dog food to a premium dog food (no corn) the dogs will get soft stools for awhile. Canidae is a very good dog food. I know it is difficult feeding dogs when to have to feed different types of food to different dogs. It would be better if you could get them all on Canidae. If he keeps getting food that he is not used to eating that in itself can cause stomach upsets.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by CricketBaby

First let me say thank you for your help! Paxton is 5 1/2 months....he weighs 4.2lbs. He is currently on Albon and has been since Friday....he does not have diarreah but his poops are really soft and squishy....not getting firm at all! I have had three fecal floats done/ and Giardia snap test....The only thing that has been confirmed is a high level of bad bacteria....I am soooo mad because I have not been given a name for this bacteria! The vet seems to think this is from stress? Granted Paxton was 4 1/2 months old and put on a plane and sent to a family with four children and 2 other dogs....I would be stressed too! But I do think he should be over the initial stress and be settling down to our routine. I would love to find out more about probiotics, maybe digestive enzymes? I will calling the vet in the morning to discuss Paxton's soft poops and gastric noises!

I don't understand this "bad bacteria" thing - your vet needs to name this bacteria , how odd, huh? If it were me, I'd wait to proceed until I had that answer. It's not uncommon to have soft poos on Albon, strangely. And, given your other dogs got diarrhea - it tells me that whatever Paxton had - it was contagious - therefore, not really stress related (entirely, that is). Did they test for coccidia?

Probiotics are easily obtained (I wouldn't give just yogurt bc you need a bigger boost) - go to Whole Foods or some health food store - ask for help, get the kind that is REFRIGERATED - otherwise, they are most likely dead, unless they are processed in a special way (then, are non-cooled and are ~$35). Give about a 1/2 cap per day with a morning meal. Any brand is fine. Whole Foods actually has a little pet vitamin section - and I think they sell digestive enzymes - do you have one near you?

And, just keep in mind - that just bc all tests for giardia were negative - he still could've had giardia, unfortunately.

[mojo]

Carree, I am so sorry to hear this! Poor little Paxton. First off, I definately think it is not stress related, seems maybe initially, but you have had him for a while now and that certainly would have subsided.
I am really wondering about him going from the bil-jac to the good food right away. When I switched Emmy over to merricks to quickly, she got diarrhea too. I am now taking it slooow and still have her on a mix of bil-jac and merricks and she seems to be doing good.
I know this isn't advise the other girls would give, especially with his tummy all upset right now, but I think I would go back to the bil-jac and see if that makes any difference.
I do find it odd your other babies got sick too though!?. I hope your vet can figure this out soon for you!

Molly

[CricketBaby]

Originally Posted by mojo

Carree, I am so sorry to hear this! Poor little Paxton. First off, I definately think it is not stress related, seems maybe initially, but you have had him for a while now and that certainly would have subsided.
I am really wondering about him going from the bil-jac to the good food right away. When I switched Emmy over to merricks to quickly, she got diarrhea too. I am now taking it slooow and still have her on a mix of bil-jac and merricks and she seems to be doing good.
I know this isn't advise the other girls would give, especially with his tummy all upset right now, but I think I would go back to the bil-jac and see if that makes any difference.
I do find it odd your other babies got sick too though!?. I hope your vet can figure this out soon for you!

Molly

Oh my gosh, this is stressing me out big time! This little guy has my heart and I am so worried about him! Thanks so much for the good wishes!

[CricketBaby]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

I don't understand this "bad bacteria" thing - your vet needs to name this bacteria , how odd, huh? If it were me, I'd wait to proceed until I had that answer. It's not uncommon to have soft poos on Albon, strangely. And, given your other dogs got diarrhea - it tells me that whatever Paxton had - it was contagious - therefore, not really stress related (entirely, that is). Did they test for coccidia?

Probiotics are easily obtained (I wouldn't give just yogurt bc you need a bigger boost) - go to Whole Foods or some health food store - ask for help, get the kind that is REFRIGERATED - otherwise, they are most likely dead, unless they are processed in a special way (then, are non-cooled and are ~$35). Give about a 1/2 cap per day with a morning meal. Any brand is fine. Whole Foods actually has a little pet vitamin section - and I think they sell digestive enzymes - do you have one near you?

And, just keep in mind - that just bc all tests for giardia were negative - he still could've had giardia, unfortunately.

We have a Central Market close....I am on my way! I requested the third test because I was afraid they might have missed something....the girls in the office are getting annoyed with me! They called me with the results and said no parasites on high levels of bad bacteria. I am soooo mad! I Know the vets are awesome at this clinic but I am ready to change but I don't want to do this mid stream. However if my little guys health is in jeopardy and their office staff have bad attitudes I will not hesitate! Thanks for your help!

[CricketBaby]

Originally Posted by bjh

Wylie's Mom and Sophie Sophia have given great advise. I agree with Wylie's Mom about giardia being hard to diagnose. http://revivalanimal.com/ has some wonderful products. You can call 1-800-786-4751 to order a catalog. They have Probios, BeneBac Pet Gel and many other must have products. I also keep Diarsanyl on hand, it works great for diarrhea and bacterial stomach upsets.

Do your dogs go outside? If he does not have giardia then you have to look around to see if he could be getting some bad bacteria from other sources. Make sure he does not have access to bird dropping or stagnate water.

Bil-Jac is a corn based dog food. Often switching from a corn based dog food to a premium dog food (no corn) the dogs will get soft stools for awhile. Canidae is a very good dog food. I know it is difficult feeding dogs when to have to feed different types of food to different dogs. It would be better if you could get them all on Canidae. If he keeps getting food that he is not used to eating that in itself can cause stomach upsets.

Hi,

Yes they do go outside but I have a small yard with a privacy fence...I have done the search the yard thing...no standing water, nothing thrown over from other neighbors...as far as I know they all love us and our dogs....it has crossed my mind about poisoning! One other thing we have some Pear trees and a small Live Oak and one pesky little squirrel that keep my dogs hoppin and of course we do have occasional birds! Could they have something that might hurt my dogs or kiddos? How in the world will I keep birds out of my yard when three dogs cannot even scare this crazy squirrel? I am at my wits ends with this! Until I figure out what is wrong do you advise me keeping him on chicken/rice? I do plan on Canidae for all three of them asap!

[bjh]

Originally Posted by CricketBaby

Hi,

Yes they do go outside but I have a small yard with a privacy fence...I have done the search the yard thing...no standing water, nothing thrown over from other neighbors...as far as I know they all love us and our dogs....it has crossed my mind about poisoning! One other thing we have some Pear trees and a small Live Oak and one pesky little squirrel that keep my dogs hoppin and of course we do have occasional birds! Could they have something that might hurt my dogs or kiddos? How in the world will I keep birds out of my yard when three dogs cannot even scare this crazy squirrel? I am at my wits ends with this! Until I figure out what is wrong do you advise me keeping him on chicken/rice? I do plan on Canidae for all three of them asap!

If the birds are getting in the tree and poop is falling on the ground then it is possible the dogs can get hold of some. Are the dogs left out unsupervised or are you always there watching? As for the diet I think that is a call you will have to make. I will tell you that on the occasions that my dogs have had diarrhea I have never had to put them on a special diet. I would give them the Diarsanyl and the next day or sooner they would be back to normal without changing their diet. I agree with Wylie's Mom that fish and potatoes might be better than the chicken and rice. Some dogs just have a hard time digesting chicken. The problem with the fish is that some dogs don't like it. How is his stool now? How often does he go and is there any blood or mucus in it?

[CricketBaby]

Originally Posted by bjh

If the birds are getting in the tree and poop is falling on the ground then it is possible the dogs can get hold of some. Are the dogs left out unsupervised or are you always there watching? As for the diet I think that is a call you will have to make. I will tell you that on the occasions that my dogs have had diarrhea I have never had to put them on a special diet. I would give them the Diarsanyl and the next day or sooner they would be back to normal without changing their diet. I agree with Wylie's Mom that fish and potatoes might be better than the chicken and rice. Some dogs just have a hard time digesting chicken. The problem with the fish is that some dogs don't like it. How is his stool now? How often does he go and is there any blood or mucus in it?

I always watch them but birds can poop in the yard without me out there....maybe I need a scarecrow! I would really like some more information about Diarsanyl ...is this an RX medication that I need to get from my vet how many times have you used it? You are right about the fish...Cricket won't touch it with ten foot pole. Paxton's stool is wanting to be formed but it is really soft and his gastric sounds are very loud....no blood thank goodness!