Zoey is 'Officially' Sick
 

I had decided that maybe some of my worry as of late was a bit more of new mommy syndrome than any actual problem and thus, have not been detailing our events since Zoey had the first diarrhea problem around Christmas. Well she will have a bad day with loose stools but it lasts a day and then it is gone. Furthermore, Zoey's activity level and personality is no different. Well after what is it now - three weeks and waking up to diarrhea once again.... I had my husband drop the sample off.

Zoey has Chlostridium Bacteria ... whatever the heck that is - not even sure I spelled it correctly. The vet said that she could have gotten it from such a variety of different things it would do me no good to ponder.

I just finished my Master's term final after pulling an all niter and not feeling my normally strong 4.0 self. Ah well, there are worst things in the world (like my baby being sick). :(

Soooo, I am off to spend a little time with my precious and then I will be back to try and research this. Vet said we can stop the special chicken and rice meals and go back to her regular and he has prescribed Metronidazole and Pro-Pectalin.

Any insight would be GREATLY appreciated. I have read too many horror stories with our sick babies lately so I would much prefer being proactive!

Thanks as always!

Never heard of it but, here's a website.
Clostridium in dogs

This is the second YT dog this week with this diagnosis.

I am trying to research it so if you happen to know who the other dog was, can you please let me know? Thank you so much!

Well initial research reflects that it is more than likely Clostridium Perfringens, which apparently can be cultured in 80% of dogs, with or without symptoms :rolleyes:

It does appear that the meds given are standard and I just hope this nips it in the butt (literally!) and that there is no underlying condition nor potential for a chronic problem.

Still open to any insight and/or experience.

Dwerten's DeeDee has it!

Thank you!

Here is the link:

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sic...terotoxin.html

Thank you so much, I just happened on it ;)

I wonder if whatever they gave her during her spay triggered this for her as it began right afterwards. Still doing more research tho and after reading the other thread - it appears I need to be cognizant that good bacteria can be lost with all of this :rolleyes:

I am not complaining, many have dealt with much worse! I just had a bad couple of years with my Jazzy cat - auto immune disorder, very rare, with very dibilitating side effects. We even had to go thru chemo. I am just praying that Zoey's situation is mild and not the same type thing. It is just coming on a year since I lost my Jazzy (12th) and I must admit... a part of me died with her. Zoey has brought so much back to my life - it is hard to even put into words.

Ugggh - sorry for going off topic.

aaaaw, I'm so sorry Zoey's still not feeling well. Hopefully the meds will clear it up quickly

Hi Denise...hope the meds work for your baby Zoey. They do bring so much into our lives. I didn't realize just how much I missed my chi, after he passed, until I got Gunnar. Give her some love from Gunnar! :rolleyes: Donna:rolleyes:

I am hopeful both Zoey and DeeDee will clear up with meds and be fine. It is really frustrating when they are not well. I so know that feeling. And, with you guys not knowing what it is, it is doubly frustrating. I know someone else who is going through the same thing...and the very same symptoms.

I so understand what you mean about losing one....it takes so much out of you. I lost two fosters and one of my own this past year and it has really set me back emotionally. Sometimes I wonder why I even have any knowing that I must go through that pain again.

Hi Denise, I'm so sorry to hear that little Zoey has been having a difficult time. It seems like you have a handle on the situation and maybe in a few days she'll start feeling a little better. I'll say a little pray for her tonight.

You take care and good luck on your Master's final.
Kathleen

Hi...just seeing this thread, sorry I missed it! How is she doing?

Lots of dogs have clostridium in their fecals -- but when clostridium gets out of control, oy, it can really do a number - esp. depending on species of clostridium.

Here is just a short article on it...Clostridium Perfringens - VeterinaryPartner.com - a VIN company!

How is Zoey feeling this morning? Are her meds helping? Give her a big hug from us. :)

Hope Zoey is doing better!

Thanks to everyone for their information, concern and good thoughts. Zoey is doing okay but not 100% yet. She is tolerating her meds very well (which is such a nice relief from administering meds to a cat:rolleyes:).

I will keep you posted and thanks so much - we feel blessed to be surrounded by so many wonderful people whom we now refer to as friends!

Huggs

I hope she continues to improve! :) I had to chuckle over the cat remark....I don't have any, but always marvel at people who can handle them. Their claws scare me...and I would rather have a yorkie bite than a cat bite. :p :D

My dee dee has the same thing just diagnosed by idexx lab and after reading more on it all it is - is the bad bacteria has taken over the good in the digestive tract so you need to get her back balanced. My dog has horrible allergies is on temarilp and has a suppressed immune system so it allows this type of stuff to happen and dummy me stopped probiotics in february after having her on it for 2 years religiously daily due to her allergies as she had an incident with metacam and now all heck broke loose so she has a staph infection on skin and this :( so i doubled her up on probiotics now twice a day and she is going to take clindamyacin as i did a skin culture with dermatologist and this will kill that as tylan powder nor metro will kill the staph so your dog is on the right antibiotic for it and the vet gave you probiotics as well so you should be good. Another thing i recommend that worked for 2 years is a 1/4 tsp of raw coconut oil daily as it is a natural antifungal and antibacterial BUT you have to work your way up so i am doing 1/8 tsp every other day for first week then 1/8 daily and so on as those two things she had no skin or digestive issues EVER and now i stopped them and WHAMO. I use the coconut oil as a topical for hot spots and it is a miracle cure for that as well. I use first quality international pure organic virgin coco decreme it is expensive comes in glass jar but it really works and a nutritionist who does a lot of research said it is the purest form she has found in all her research. I hope this helps as i was freaked out at first until i read up more on it and it is not that huge of a deal. Also yorkies are prone to skin and digestive issues a vet told me on my vet group so all yorkies probably should be on probiotics it cannot hurt. I use hypoallergenic though as many dogs are lactose intolerant causing more diarhea so not all dogs can take yogurt as a form of probiotic so be aware of that. I swear just when i think i know stuff WHAM dee dee comes down with something else she is a true challenge but maybe i am suppose to learn to help others along my journey so hopefully this will help you :)

yes it could have caused it as antibiotics ironically can cause this as the antibiotics kill good and bad bacteria so if you are not adding back the good the bad can come back with a vengeance so this is why it is not good to over use antibiotics just like in humans as it can be a double edge sword and in a dog with a compromised immune system such as dee dee it can be a nightmare as you need the antibiotics to kill the bacteria but then you also need the probiotics to keep the good still in there - a healthy dog with no immune system issues usually can bounce back no prob of antibiotics but many yorkies have compromised immune systems due to alot of inbreeding so that leaves them susceptible to allergies and digestive issues like ibd :( throw an antibiotic in the mix with one of these dogs and it spins out of control some times - Dee Dee was also on an antibiotic simplicef in may and then had dental in july but this all started in february and just kept getting progressively worse to where every other poop was jelly or watery and very stinky but she like yours was acting normal - I use dds plus probiotics they are refridgerated and she was getting 2 capsules a day and now i am doing 4 and i am mixing in a tiny bit of organic pumpkin but if you can get them to lick off the plate without pumpkin best but dd stopped doing it :( after a year i think because it gets sticky in her hair. I did this 20-30 min before breakfast and now also 20-30 min before dinner to coat the digestive tract prior to food - it is best when giving antibiotics to do the probiotic 2hrs after so the antibiotic goes in and kills the good and bad bacteria for a 2 hr period then you add the good stuff back in to balance - I will NEVER stop probiotics again with her this has been a horrible year :( between the staph and now this whole diarhea thing i know it works now :(

WOW Debbie - Thank you for all the fantastic information!

I am very interested in the probiotics and interestingly enough, I myself, have an auto immune disorder and much of what you discussed is in line what I have to be cautious of myself. I am very interested in finding out the brand of the probiotics you use for her... but will have to reread your post tomorrow. It is late here now but the first chance I had to post.

I will be sure to return soon (tommorrow) to reread the info and discuss this further.

I hope Dee Dee is doing better today!!

Thanks again!

it is dds plus vitamin shoppe in fridge it is human grade nondairy so hypoallergenic. I have been using 2 in am and 2 in pm since she was diagnosed with bacteria and so far in 2 days no diarhea and i have not started the antibiotic yet as wanted to see how this would work and it is working as she has had the best poops in days so now if she has diahrea then i will do antibiotic but hoping this kills it

That is GREAT NEWS!! Did it work immediately, or it took 2 days, or did it take longer but now for the last 2 days... she is showing marked improvement??

Zoey has been on prescribed meds now for 2 days and no improvement - if anything the diarrhea (very loose stools but not runny) that was intermittent, is now more regular :(

I am a click away from ordering the recommended probiotic from vitamin shoppe, but have a couple of questions....

Would like to order 2 bottles. Since they are being stored in fridge, they won't expire in that 50 day period (based on the 4 caps a day), will they?

Is there any coupon code you are familiar with? The last one I see expired Jan 4th (according to retailmenot.com).

Maybe part of our problem is not giving the 'delay' after antibiotic for administering the probiotic... I have switched this morning to allow for that. Only positive on that side, is the probiotic is given every 8 hrs and the antibiotic every 12... thus some delay is already built in.

Again, thank you SO MUCH for all of the information - it is a blessing to be able to tap into someone else's direct experience that potentially can save us valuable time and anguish and most importantly, make our furbaby better quicker!

Go Dee Dee, sending her good thoughts and wishes!! :) :thumbup:

Occasionally, when I 'feel' that Zoey has an upset stomach from either the diarrhea or now the meds, I have given her a small dallop of frozen organic pumpkin. This is okay isn't it... meaning it won't interfere with any of the treatments given, will it?

Thanks!

This sounds very interesting. No offense, but I have to let it roll over me for a bit and do a little more research (any known of website or research would be greatly appreciated). I respect your experience and opinion VERY much - but as you can appreciate, I have to ponder this for a bit. One question that comes to mind almost immediately is the pancreas situation and the thought of feeding an 'oil' is a bit scary. Any thoughts on this?

You are an amazing source here on YT. I am so sad to hear of all the issues that you and your furbabies have been dealing with but am so very thankful that you are thoughtful and caring enough to share with the rest of us!

I am so sorry about Zoey. I pray for a quick recovery. Poor baby:confused:

I hope Zoey starts to feel better soon! You're doing great on the research and treatment front and I'm so happy to see that other knowledgeable YT'ers are lending their support.

if pancreas issue then just do the probiotics only as i will not risk any fatty acids with my pancreatic yorkie - i only use it in my allergy yorkie. Even though many nutritionists have said coconut oil is ok as it is a medium chain fatty acid i still will not take a chance with my dex

i have been mixing the probiotics with a small amt of organic pumpkin as my girl stopped licking it off the plate after a year so now i mix it with pumpkin and scoop it up and she eats it right off the spoon 15-30 min before each meal since she has the infections going on since i stupidly stopped the probiotics in february :(

it stopped immediately with probiotics but hers is intermittent so for the 2 days no diarhea since doing the probiotics we will take it one day at a time. The prob is antibiotics can cause diarhea and vomitting too so it is a catch 22 as some have told me the clindamyacin can make the diarhea worse so I am trying this until i pick up clindamyacin to see if i see some improvement now that i know cloridium is just an out of balance bacteria in digestive tract so i am going to try to get her balanced with double up on probiotics

you need to do the probiotics 2 hrs after the antibiotic so here is my plan on schedule if i have to do clinda

soloxine wait on hour give 2 capsules mixed in a small amt of pumpkin only enough to get the powder mixed then wait 30 min then feed her then at night soloxine wait one hour then feed 1/2 meal give antibiotic (as i want to be home for any reaction as i work) then 1/2 meal then wait 2 hrs then give probiotic with pumpkin

you see you have to give the probiotic 2 hrs after antibiotic as antibiotic will kill everything so then you go in 2 hrs after it is all done and add back in the good stuff

hope this helps - my girl is hypothyroid is why she has to take soloxine