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12-19-2011, 07:35 AM | #1 |
YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 3,609
| Chronic Diarrhea My poor baby Sophia started having diarrhea over a month ago. After a couple of persistent days, we took her to the vet. The vet gave her antibiotics (Metronidazole 2x a day for 10 days). A couple days after we finished the antibiotics, the diarrhea came back. I called the vet and she said try another dose (Metronidazole 2x a day for 10 days). A couple days after that, the diarrhea came back again. So she ran some blood tests, and everything came out normal. She said she'll give another round of antibiotics and it might be a food allergy so I switched her from Taste of the Wild Bison and Venison to Blue buffalo basics potato and turkey. I already noticed a difference, before Sophia would have to be hand fed her food (maybe because it upset her stomach?) , now she eats like a normal dog! The antibiotics ran out on wednesday, and once again the diarrhea is back. But this time, the diarrhea is only 3-4 times a day instead of the 10+ times each day like before. I called the vet and she wants to give ANOTHER round of antibiotics... but i'm thinking its still just a food allergy. Is it even safe to have this many rounds of metronidazole? I called back the vet to express my concerns and i'm just waiting for a call back. I'm not sure if Sophia is just not used to the new food yet (she's been on it for about 12 days). I just want poor Sophia to feel better! Let me know if you have any suggestions. |
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12-19-2011, 08:05 AM | #2 |
Owned by a Gremlin Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: The Mitten State!
Posts: 3,706
| If the dog was having an upset stomach 10+ times a day and the vet just put her on antibiotics, I may be looking for another vet. It doesn't seem that they're trying to figure out why this is happening, and just taking care of the symptoms instead of the actual problem. I'd be getting another opinion. Diarrhea can be life threatening to a little dog, especially if they're going 10+ times a day. Is she drinking okay? Has there been any weight loss?
__________________ Taryn Momma to Gizmo AKA Monkeyman My husband, daughter, son, and dog make me who I am "My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dog already thinks I am." |
12-19-2011, 08:10 AM | #3 |
YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 3,609
| I agree, I think i'm going to have to get another opinion. She's eating and drinking fine. She's gone from 6.2 pounds to 6.6 pounds since she started with diarrhea! Now that we switched foods, she looks (and feels) like she's even bigger but I haven't weighed her for about 2 weeks. The other thing I was thinking about is her hernia. She has 2 inguinal hernias, one was repaired when she was spayed but I guess the stitches didn't hold. I'm really hoping that's not contributing to problem. |
12-19-2011, 08:50 AM | #4 |
I♥PeekTinkySaph&Finny Donating Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Posts: 18,865
| It might be best to go to a specialist at this point... as they usually get to the root of the problem quicker. There are conditions in which Metronidazole is contraindicated, and it may be harming her to continue with it until the other conditions are ruled out. It does not make sense that she's putting on weight with the amount and frequency of the diarrhea she's experiencing.
__________________ Kat Chloe Lizzy PeekABooTinkerbell SapphireInfinity |
12-19-2011, 03:04 PM | #5 |
I ♥ my girls! Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: With My Yorkies
Posts: 18,980
| I think it is time to see a different vet. Have they offered any diagnosis at all? I know when Rosie had tummy trouble they did the blood work and put her on Science Diet I/D as well as meds. A few more vet visits and we find out she has IBS. I don't know if that is a possibility or not with your baby. However, I would get a vet who would find out what exactly is causing the problems. Has your vet looked into seeing about the hernia repair issue? I know nothing about hernias at all. Was it the same vet who did the spay and surgery for the hernia?
__________________ Momma to three sweet Yorkie girls Rosie Marie, Mikki Leigh , and Lily Mae Grace! |
12-19-2011, 03:37 PM | #6 |
YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 3,609
| I told the vet I wouldn't do a fourth round of antibiotics and she said "I don't want to put her on them either". Which was confusing because an hour earlier I was told to pick up her prescription. So she said just wait it out a bit longer and see if she adjusts to the sensitive stomach formula. If it doesn't get better, she mentioned switching to a sensitive stomach food with fish as the protein. Then wait 8-12 weeks. If that doesn't work we need to send Sophia to a specialist to get an endoscopy!!! I feel like there has to be a middle ground. Like a food allergy test, or something, before we jump to that big procedure. The vet mentioned IBS if it's not a food allergy. I'm thinking IBS is definitely possible. How did they diagnose your Rosie with IBS? There are three vets at the location I take Sophia. The one who did the hernia repair/spay was my favorite! Since the surgery didn't hold, he's going to go back in and repair the hernia again for free if it doesn't heal itself by time she's a year old. I'm thinking about just asking to deal with him instead of the vet that I've been dealing with for Sophias stomach issues. |
12-19-2011, 05:55 PM | #7 |
I ♥ my girls! Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: With My Yorkies
Posts: 18,980
| I know blood work was done for sure. He also kept her one day for observation. I don't remember what all they did. Gosh. I know before he officially diagnosed it, we had been in numerous times with tummy issues. But I don't remember what all was done. But I know blood work for sure. Does any one else know how they test for IBS? I could always call them tomorrow to find out what all was done if you would like. I know with the IBS it is all about diet. What she eats plays a huge part in what happens. Right now, I am homecooking for her. And it has worked very well. Before the home cooking, we did the science diet I/d.
__________________ Momma to three sweet Yorkie girls Rosie Marie, Mikki Leigh , and Lily Mae Grace! |
12-19-2011, 08:13 PM | #8 |
Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas
Posts: 27,448
| Honestly, I would go to a specialist. Your vet is probably on the right track suggesting an endoscopy, but they might do other tests first. I would not be testing for food allergies....that is basically a waste of time. The best way to determine food allergies is by elimination diet. I am not vet, but I highly doubt this is an allergy problem. This diarrhea has, in my opinion, gone on too long.
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12-20-2011, 05:46 AM | #9 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member | Has your vet checked for Coccidia and/or Giardia. Both are parasites that can cause chronic diarrhea and are not easily detected at times. My sons Boxer, as a puppy had very resistant Coccidia, that had to be treated for several months before his diarrhea stopped.
__________________ ~Ruby, Reno, Razz, & Jack~ |
12-20-2011, 06:46 AM | #10 |
& "The Bunny" Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mesa, AZ
Posts: 806
| Has a two year bout with the dreaded D.. I finally got the diagnosis that it was food intolerance, and switched to Wellness Simple Solutions..there are 3 different formulations --problem solved! Must stay on a strict diet, not extras, except things like rice as treats.
__________________ Katy |
12-20-2011, 08:01 AM | #11 | |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 99
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12-21-2011, 04:49 PM | #12 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 1,504
| Was there a time when you had Sophia and she didn't have Diarrhea? What was she eating then? What changed? I had a problem with it too but it stopped when I stopped giving him canned food as a topper to his kibble. I also tried a high end kibble and that was not agreeable for him even though I tried to transition it. I now only use boiled chicken to make his usual kibble irresistible. I still give him treats in moderation but use only those I know he can eat. I also give him raw vegetables as treats like carrots, green beans, green peppers and lettuce hearts It works for us.
__________________ Mary & Deuce |
12-21-2011, 07:48 PM | #13 |
YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 3,609
| I'm so grateful for all of the replies, especially since I've only posted once on here! Sophia has had two fecal tests done and both came out negative for parasites. About a month or so after we got Sophia she started having diarrhea, but we kept it at bay by giving her canned pumpkin. That worked well for awhile, until it stopped working. The diarrhea eventually went away (2 or 3 months) and then it came back. That's when we started all the vet trips. The only treats we give her are Mother hubbard bones, and we break them into small pieces so each small bone becomes six or so treats. I started the pumpkin again and the diarrhea stopped for a day, but now its back, and I'm just hoping it goes away again. There's no doubt that she seems to be tolerating this food better than her old food. So I'm really leaning towards food intolerance/allergy. |
12-22-2011, 03:08 PM | #14 |
I ♥ my girls! Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: With My Yorkies
Posts: 18,980
| I am just curious have you tried Science Diet I/D? I know a lot of people think SD is horrible but the RX food can be really great for pups with problems. It is the only food, besides home cooking, that Rosie can tolerate with her IBS. Others gave her diarrhea and even some vomiting. You might consider giving it a try if you haven't. Or at least discuss it with your vet. It really did wonders for my Rosie.
__________________ Momma to three sweet Yorkie girls Rosie Marie, Mikki Leigh , and Lily Mae Grace! |
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