Does this sound like Giardiasis?

[sarahkw]

Hi all! You were so helpful when my pup had his teeth removed last year that I decided to come back with more questions!

We have a vet appointment in the morning, but my little guy (Knox, 8 years old) has been off his food for a few days. It's been gradual. It started over the weekend with him not finishing his evening bowl, finishing it off in the morning, then picking at his morning food. I didn't worry - we got into yellow jackets on Labor Day.

Which I feel is where this started.

We were on our usual lake stroll and he dove in. The lake was dirty - recent rain, geese poop, etc. I pulled him right out (he was on a leash) but in the process realized he'd jumped in to get away from bees. I got stung once, no idea how many times he got stung. He didn't have a reaction to the stings, but had a little bit of a limp. ER vet checked him out, gave him the all clear, just rest a couple of days and pain meds if needed. He only had 3 doses in the last week.

The "off" on food started over the weekend. I thought maybe it was a bad batch of food as Monday and Tuesday he ate a scrambled egg like he'd never seen food before. I put some boiled chicken on it his food last night and he ate most of it, then finished what he didn't this morning. Hasn't touched the refill. Today, he ate a bit of his egg, but walked away from most of it.

He hasn't had diarrhea, but his last poop was stringy and the one before it had a lot of yellow jelly/mucus in an otherwise solid poo - although it was honestly the length of him.

Energy wise, he's FINE. He's playing, tormenting maintenance men, barking at delivery guys... He's just not eating.

I think it could be giardiasis. I did find a bump that popped Saturday morning with a tiny bit of puss and blood. The vet wasn't concerned over the phone, said it was likely from the bees. It's healing well.

I'll know for sure tomorrow, but any thoughts?

[matese]

For a bland diet boil boneless chicken cutlets, when cooked, shred into cooked white rice.

When any of my pups had Giardia it was slimy diarrhea, your pup doesn't have that, so not sure that is what he has.

Wishing your baby a speedy recovery.

[Bluebells]

He could very well have Giardia from the dirty water he ingested from his little swim. The good news is that many dogs with Giardia have no diarrhea or noticeable symptoms, and if he does develop symptoms or test positive for the parasite, medication should clear it up in a few weeks.

Here’s a good article about it:

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/giardia-in-dogs

One thing you should note is that it’s possible for humans to get infected with the parasite, so you should use good sanitary measures until you’re sure.

[Lovetodream88]

Generally there is usually always diarrhea with giardia. It does definitely sound like his tummy is upset. The majority of the time a bland diet is only given if there is diarrhea although it might be something you want to bring up with your Vet and see if they think it will help. It’s good news that he is still acting normal. Pain medication can sometimes cause stomach upset but you said he wasn’t taking them anymore. Could there have been anything else he got into or anything else that could have happened? Hopefully the vet can figure it out. I’m so sorry y’all got stung by bees and I hope he starts feeling better.

[ladyjane]

My rule of thumb...or rules :
I never let a dog go longer than 24 hours without eating. That is the first sign something is wrong. I take to the vet immediately.

I never change their food before they are seen by the vet and diagnosed. Food changes *can* add to the problem. Also, you never know for sure what has *fixed* things if you change up.

Once the vet has seen and diagnosed, I follow the vet instructions. If they think a diet change is warranted, I usually go with what they recommend which is usually Hill's ID.

Good luck tomorrow! There are SO many GI things...I would not even try to guess what it is. Let us know what happens, please.

[sarahkw]

Thanks for weighing in - keep it coming! I'm obviously an anxious mess and keep trying to remind myself it's just 12 more hours until we see the vet, no need to rush him off to the ER vet. He's been playing most of the day, so now I'm paranoid as to whether him sleeping is him sick or him just tired. Even though this is his usual pattern, I can tell he doesn't feel great. He hasn't pooped yet this evening either.

He turned down his "treat" (it's a supplement for his luxating patellas), but did eat some chicken out of my hand. I'm going to put his usual food in his bowl tonight without the new and see what happens.

I'll keep everyone posted!

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by sarahkw

Thanks for weighing in - keep it coming! I'm obviously an anxious mess and keep trying to remind myself it's just 12 more hours until we see the vet, no need to rush him off to the ER vet. He's been playing most of the day, so now I'm paranoid as to whether him sleeping is him sick or him just tired. Even though this is his usual pattern, I can tell he doesn't feel great. He hasn't pooped yet this evening either.

He turned down his "treat" (it's a supplement for his luxating patellas), but did eat some chicken out of my hand. I'm going to put his usual food in his bowl tonight without the new and see what happens.

I'll keep everyone posted!

Just be sure he is hydrated. You can do that by touching his gums to see if they are wet to the touch. If sticky, he may be dehydrated. You can also pull up the skin on his back to see if it goes back in place quickly. Dehydration is a reason to go to a vet ASAP!

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/he...0much%20longer.

[sarahkw]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

Just be sure he is hydrated. You can do that by touching his gums to see if they are wet to the touch. If sticky, he may be dehydrated. You can also pull up the skin on his back to see if it goes back in place quickly. Dehydration is a reason to go to a vet ASAP!

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/he...0much%20longer.

He's drinking water! He just finished playing with his ball like a wild dog and practically took my fingers off over some peanut butter. I don't know what to make of it!

[matese]

If you have any chicken broth (no salt/ no onions added to the broth) add a couple TBLE spoons to his water, the flavored water may make him drink. My pup is just getting over diarrhea, have him on chic/ rice, I have to add chicken broth from the cutlets I made to his water to make sure he drinks water. Thankfully soon your pup will see his vet.

[matese]

Whoops, I see he is drinking water. Well save the tip if there is ever a next time.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by sarahkw

He's drinking water! He just finished playing with his ball like a wild dog and practically took my fingers off over some peanut butter. I don't know what to make of it!

It may have been a little gastroenteritis but still good to see the vet.

BTW make sure you read that info on dehydration. Once a pup is dehydrated the only way to get them properly hydrated is with IVs. I have seen pups drink water and still be dehydrated. Dehydration is an emergency.

[sarahkw]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

It may have been a little gastroenteritis but still good to see the vet.

BTW make sure you read that info on dehydration. Once a pup is dehydrated the only way to get them properly hydrated is with IVs. I have seen pups drink water and still be dehydrated. Dehydration is an emergency.

We're definitely going to the vet. Bright and early and just as hurricane Sally's remnants roll in. He's for sure drinking plenty of water - just gave him some fresh even!

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by sarahkw

We're definitely going to the vet. Bright and early and just as hurricane Sally's remnants roll in. He's for sure drinking plenty of water - just gave him some fresh even!

Oh, I hope the storm isn't bad ... be safe!

Glad he is doing well this evening!!

[sarahkw]

Update: We went to the vet this morning and Knox had his senior panel bloodwork done. We're waiting on results. She put him on a probiotic and a bland diet. He's got a very loud stomach this morning and his stool was fine, just a bit of mucus at the end of it. He's currently playing with his ball, but alternates between being full of himself and just kinda lounging. She didn't seem too concerned, so I'm trying not to be. Everything else checked out great, so I'm hopeful for good news from the blood panel and that this is just a bug.

[matese]

Thank you for the update.
Please let us know how the blood work turned out.

Glad to hear lil Knox is all full of his lil ole self lol, little imps that they are.
Stay safe with that storm coming.