[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!!!!!!