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YorkieSue · 05-18-2008, 10:13 AM

Would love information from people who, unfortunately, may have experienced the frustrations of Giardia.

Here's the story:
I have three dogs, two Yorkies and a Shih-tzu Rescue. My Shih-tzu just turned 1y.o. yesterday (Happy B'day to Henry, la la la la LOL) and for all practical purposes seems to be thriving--finally--EXCEPT FOR one 'little' factor. He has had ONGOING poop problems. It started with explosive diarrhea that went on for weeks--saw the vet, used Flagyl, it didn't help and went back to the vet. Since I am soooooooo into holistic and natural methods with my dogs and me, I tried that route. I finally concluded that the supplements were going right thru him and stopped those.

I almost argued with my vet about the fact that I was SURE Henry had a parasite. She wouldn't hear of it UNTIL MY THIRD TRIP THERE WHEN I demanded Panacur. She wasn't happy because she continued to say that his stool results were negative. I KEPT TELLING HER THAT, "OF COURSE THEY WERE" because Giardia is almost impossible to find and 'catch'. FINALLY, she agreed to the Panacur treatment to try and 'rule out'. What was her problem in not trying the panacur IMMEDIATELY???

Ok, Henry has now had TWO DOSES (three days each) two weeks apart and has been on low residue food for over three weeks--WITH ABSOLUTELY NOTHING ELSE BEING GIVEN TO HIM...nada, nothing, zippo etc. My vet is STILL CONVINCED THAT THAT HE HAS IBD since his stool results were negative. I am so sick of hearing about how seven samples have come back negative from THREE different vets to boot. Ok, Henry, after the Panacur and WHILE ON THE PRESCRIP FOOD has improved but not enough.

His stool is now toothpaste consistency with a few firm ones thrown in to tease me

. He also has had a couple, just two or so episodes of dripping feces which seem to pass.

I am seeing my vet again this Tuesday and will report to her exactly what I have written here. My questions for will be:

1) Since his stools have 'improved' somewhat is it the panacur or the diet he is on?

2) How can it be IBD if, after three weeks with NO CHANGE IN DIET, his stools are still not perfect? And since they are still vascillating between being pick-up-able and leaving horrid stains on the sidewalk (mush) how can she diagnose IBD and not a parasite??

3) Why can't we treat Henry with Panacur OVER A PERIOD OF ONE MONTH, giving him teeny daily doses for this period of time in hopes of catching the bugger when it sheds???

I really would like some experienced input on this topic because I am so TIRED and FRUSTRATED by poor Henry's poop problems. In my humble brain, he has a parasite and not IBD...and if the panacur got him to poop pudding instead of bouillion, then the panacur DID DO SOME GOOD, DIDN'T IT???? And if it did do some good, then why not treat him daily for an extended period but in way smaller doses???

Thanks for listening...YorkieSue

05-18-2008, 10:13 AM	#1
YorkieSue Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: NY Posts: 96	Giardia Would love information from people who, unfortunately, may have experienced the frustrations of Giardia. Here's the story: I have three dogs, two Yorkies and a Shih-tzu Rescue. My Shih-tzu just turned 1y.o. yesterday (Happy B'day to Henry, la la la la LOL) and for all practical purposes seems to be thriving--finally--EXCEPT FOR one 'little' factor. He has had ONGOING poop problems. It started with explosive diarrhea that went on for weeks--saw the vet, used Flagyl, it didn't help and went back to the vet. Since I am soooooooo into holistic and natural methods with my dogs and me, I tried that route. I finally concluded that the supplements were going right thru him and stopped those. I almost argued with my vet about the fact that I was SURE Henry had a parasite. She wouldn't hear of it UNTIL MY THIRD TRIP THERE WHEN I demanded Panacur. She wasn't happy because she continued to say that his stool results were negative. I KEPT TELLING HER THAT, "OF COURSE THEY WERE" because Giardia is almost impossible to find and 'catch'. FINALLY, she agreed to the Panacur treatment to try and 'rule out'. What was her problem in not trying the panacur IMMEDIATELY??? Ok, Henry has now had TWO DOSES (three days each) two weeks apart and has been on low residue food for over three weeks--WITH ABSOLUTELY NOTHING ELSE BEING GIVEN TO HIM...nada, nothing, zippo etc. My vet is STILL CONVINCED THAT THAT HE HAS IBD since his stool results were negative. I am so sick of hearing about how seven samples have come back negative from THREE different vets to boot. Ok, Henry, after the Panacur and WHILE ON THE PRESCRIP FOOD has improved but not enough. His stool is now toothpaste consistency with a few firm ones thrown in to tease me . He also has had a couple, just two or so episodes of dripping feces which seem to pass. I am seeing my vet again this Tuesday and will report to her exactly what I have written here. My questions for will be: 1) Since his stools have 'improved' somewhat is it the panacur or the diet he is on? 2) How can it be IBD if, after three weeks with NO CHANGE IN DIET, his stools are still not perfect? And since they are still vascillating between being pick-up-able and leaving horrid stains on the sidewalk (mush) how can she diagnose IBD and not a parasite?? 3) Why can't we treat Henry with Panacur OVER A PERIOD OF ONE MONTH, giving him teeny daily doses for this period of time in hopes of catching the bugger when it sheds??? I really would like some experienced input on this topic because I am so TIRED and FRUSTRATED by poor Henry's poop problems. In my humble brain, he has a parasite and not IBD...and if the panacur got him to poop pudding instead of bouillion, then the panacur DID DO SOME GOOD, DIDN'T IT???? And if it did do some good, then why not treat him daily for an extended period but in way smaller doses??? Thanks for listening...YorkieSue Last edited by YorkieSue; 05-18-2008 at 10:15 AM. Reason: poor grammar in one sentence bothered me.