Chronic Diarrhea solved with Metronidazole

[Ewok-Daddy]

Newish Yorkie Dad worried over his two littermate boys now at 6 months of age. for the past month, my little boys have been having explosive Diarrhea and uncontrolled mucus type poop which is causing them and me big concern as they are fully house trained already

My Vet has prescribed the antibiotic now three times which absolutely cures the issue within 8 hours of the first treatment. After we run the 10-day program with the meds I wait another 24-30 hours and it's back. Now i am on my third script for another 10 days and need to find a more thorough diagnosis. The excrement sample has been through the lab and they found nothing twice on different occasions.

Please help me decide what things i can do to help them stabilize into a normal drug free life again

Environment:
I have them on Royal Canine - developmental puppy food since i got them 4 months ago and no issues until the last month.

Two weeks ago, I removed all live plants from my house as they were starting to pluck leaves from my Hoya plant, Christmas Cactus & fiscus (which i already looked up as not the greatest thing to have around)

I walk them daily (2-5 miles worth) and do not allow them to drink, eat or chew anything for past two weeks unless it comes from my dish and water bottle.

no chew digestible’ s for past two weeks and holding.

*on the drugs, they every bit as joyful as you'd expect running playing and all the things they normally do, appetite is always good on the meds. Once diarrhea starts appetite drops off and playing slows to a crawl

Any ideas you might have from experience is appreciated!

Thanks again

[Lovetodream88]

Has the vet run blood work? I might do that.

[Ewok-Daddy]

thanks for the reply

[ladyjane]

Fecal testing done?

[Ewok-Daddy]

yes twice showing nothing

[ladyjane]

Well, hopefully it is over. Sometimes giardia can be hard to detect. You might want to ask your vet for thoughts on adding panacur to the treatment. When dogs get reinfected, it is usually from their environment....maybe that is another thought.

I would definitely be suspect if it happens again.

[Ewok-Daddy]

already been treated for that as well

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Ewok-Daddy

already been treated for that as well

Did you treat the environment? Here is a helpful link:

Giardia in Dogs: Learn About Symptoms and Treatment

[ladyjane]

Oh duh...never mind. I asked a stupid question...one you had already answered. EEK

[matese]

My boy had a bout of giardia, where ever he made I treated the area with bleach. If the area is not treated the pups can get reinfected.

[Ewok-Daddy]

tested twice for Giardia and passed

[chattiesmom]

Sometimes dog food companies change formulations which can cause stomach issues. They don't always do a very good job of informing the public about formulation changes - especially when the change is to a cheaper protein source.

I found that Lollie's digestive system does not tolerate garbanzo beans aka chickpeas, or foods where chicken is the primary protein source. So now, every time I purchase a bag of food, I read the label for changes in the top ingredients.

I would definitely be suspicious of a parasitic infestation of some sort. Panacur usually helps Lollie - even when she tests negative for parasites.

[Ewok-Daddy]

Thanks Chatties, I think this is likely the right idea so already stopped the food they were on and going to be doing some research on what to move into as they are puppies and need good nutrition during these first year(s) of life I am sure.

if its not gone by next week I am going to do up the blood work on them as well.

[chattiesmom]

It is so frustrating. It should be a simple thing to go to a reputable pet food supplier and purchase high quality safe food.