OMG! HELP! PLEASE! I am in tears! Tatum is pooping out BLOODY GEL!!!

[stedmansmommy]

Originally Posted by Suzy

Poor Tatum! We hope she feels better soon!

You were a very good mommy getting her Kaopectate so quickly and getting on here for answers. Tate is really lucky to have you! Let us know how she's doing-Emma and Milli send their puppy kisses to Tatum to help her get well soon.

Awww thank you girl, your post was so sweet! It really made me feel good to read that because alot of the time I just feel so bad that I can't help her more when she's sick I know that sometimes things are just totally out of our hands (I guess it's the same thing with KIDS)...but I really do TRY

Tate and Steddy send Emma and Milli lots and lots of hugs and thank you again for your sweet post!

[Tink's Mom]

Glad little Tatum is going to get better now that she has some meds. Little doll! Yes, you are a good mommy and don't ever think you're not!

[stedmansmommy]

Originally Posted by DENISE517

Brooke, I feel so sorry for Little Cutie Face Tatum....I'm so glad you took her. She'll get to feeling better soon. I don't know much about this...can Stedman catch it too?

My thoughts and prayers are with you. I know how much you love your babies and I'm glad you now know what was wrong.

My hugs to all of you,
Denise

Awww thanks Denise, you are so sweet girl! I feel so sorry for her too, I just hate when my babies are sick I am just glad though that she is on meds now and hopefully they will start working SOON and everything will be all cleared up! I will keep everyone posted

I actually asked my vet about Stedman....he knows that Stedman is about a year and a half old and said that at THIS POINT, he isn't too worried about him - BUT...he said that if I see any signs or if he starts having runny stools, to bring him in immediately and he will put him on medication as well. However, Tatum's breeder wants me to have tests run on Stedman just to be on the safe side. I guess I will call the vet tomorrow and ask him what I should do...but I'm sure he will just tell me what he already told me today when we went in..

Here is some info, all about Coccidia. I attached a pic too (can you tell I've been doing my homework? LOL)



What on Earth is Coccidia?

Coccidia are single celled organisms that infect the intestine. They are microscopic parasites detectable on routine fecal tests in the same way that worms are but coccidia are not worms and they are not visible to the naked eye. Coccidia infection causes a watery diarrhea which is sometimes bloody and can even be a life-threatening problem to an especially young or small pet.

Where does Coccidia Come From?

Oocysts (pronounced o'o-sists), like those shown above, are passed in stool. In the outside world, the oocysts begin to mature or “sporulate.” After they have adequately matured, they become infective to any host (dog or cat) that accidentally swallows them.

To be more precise, coccidia come from fecal-contaminated ground. They are swallowed when a pet grooms/licks the dirt off itself. In some cases, sporulated oocysts are swallowed by mice and the host is infected when it eats the mouse. Coccidia infection is especially common in young animals housed in groups (in shelters, rescue areas, kennels, etc.) This is a common parasite and is not necessarily a sign of poor husbandry.

What Happens Inside the Host?

The sporulated oocyst breaks open and releases eight sporozoites. These sporozoites each finds an intestinal cell and begins to reproduce inside it. Ultimately, the cell is so full of what are called “merozoites” that it bursts releasing the merozoites which seek out their own intestinal cells and the process begins again. It is important to note how thousands of intestinal cells can become infected and destroyed as a result of accidentally swallowing a single oocyst.

As the intestinal cells are destroyed in larger and larger numbers, intestinal function is disrupted and a bloody, watery diarrhea results. The fluid loss can be dangerously dehydrating to a very young or small pet.

How Is Coccidia Detected?

A routine fecal test is a good idea for any new puppy or kitten whether there are signs of diarrhea or not as youngsters are commonly parasitized. This sort of test is also a good idea for any patient with diarrhea. The above illustration demonstrates coccidia oocysts seen under the microscope in a fecal sample. Coccidia are microscopic and a test such as this is necessary to rule them in. It should be noted that small numbers of coccidia can be hard to detect so just because a fecal sample tests negative, this does not mean that the pet is not infected. Sometimes several fecal tests are performed, especially in a young pet with a refractory diarrhea; parasites may not be evident until later in the course of the condition.

How is Coccidiosis Treated?

We do not have any medicine that will kill coccidia; only the patient’s immune system can do that. But we can give medicines called “coccidiostats” which can inhibit coccidial reproduction. Once the numbers stop expanding, it is easier for the patient’s immune system to “catch up” and wipe the infection out. This also means, though, that the time it takes to clear the infection depends on how many coccidia organisms there are to start with and how strong the patient’s immune system is. A typical treatment course lasts about a week or two but it is important to realize that the medication should be given until the diarrhea resolves plus an extra couple of days. Medication should be given for at least five days total. Sometimes courses as long as a month are needed.

The use of sulfa drugs in pregnancy can cause birth defects. Sulfa drug use can also lead to false positive test results for urine glucose.

Can People or Other Pets Become Infected?

While there are species of coccidia that can infect people (Toxoplasma and Cryptosporidium, for example), the Isospora species of dogs and cats are not infective to people. Other pets may become infected from exposure to infected fecal matter but it is important to note that this is usually an infection of the young (i.e. the immature immune system tends to let the coccidia infection reach large numbers where the mature immune system probably will not.) In most cases, the infected new puppy or kitten does not infect the resident adult animal.

[stedmansmommy]

Originally Posted by Betty'sMom

I found out a week ago (the day before we were leaving for vacation) that Juju has giardia! The vet said he has seen more cases this year than ever. I was freaking out too...and I still am. He gave me 5 syringes with Panacur in them...one syringe per day. She STILL has diarrhea. We have to go back for another treatment. Steadman can catch it from her and so can you!!! So be careful. I've been using clorox to clean up. They can get re-infected from the yard too. Juju is not really acting sick...but she did throw up foam in the car on the way to the mountains last week. I was scared she was dying!! I ran into a Dollar Store (there was NOTHING else around) and bought honey and gave her some. When we got to the cabin, she ate and acted fine. But, she still has soft stool and occasional blood. It's driving me crazy. Good luck with Tate!!

Oh girl, I am so sorry to hear about little Juju bean!!!! That POOR BABY!!! Oh my gosh...you must have been worried SICK! Just like I was/am I know that these meds will help Tate, but I still just can't help but feel so sorry for my little baby girl I just look at her sweet face and I know that there is something inside her that is making her feel bad and it makes ME feel bad

How old little Juju bean now??? Is she a little better??? Gosh I hope so! Our vet gave Tate Panacur also...just for precaution...as well as Amoxi Drops, Albon, and Pro-Pectalin. She has to take meds FIVE times a day The poor baby!!!

Also, what you mentioned has crossed my mind sooo many times...about her getting RE-infected. OMG, I seriously HOPE that does not happen! I tell you, these little ones are just SO sensitive and they can catch stuff so EASILY! You really do have to watch them like a HAWK but even that won't stop them from coming in contact with stuff

SIGH....I just want my little girl better

[stedmansmommy]

Originally Posted by Ozzie'sperson

Since she is still so little, could certainly be coccidia or giardia.

When I went through this with Oz, they ruled out both of those. But believe me when I say I know how scary this is. It's just NOT normal. Even the vet said that while seeing this kind of thing occasionally, it was still unnerving to them.

Ozzie was diagnosed with HGE. (hemorrhagic gastroenteritis) He had a bout in November and another in February. Flagyl is one of three meds he was one. In both instances, he was much improved within a day or two. (He DID have to stay in the hospital both times, however.)

The upside is that while trying to find out more info on HGE, I found YorkieTalk!

No matter what it is, I sure hope Tatum is well again soon. You definitely deserve a break. Thoughts and prayers for both of you.

Thanks Nicole! And you know...this may sound silly and selfish, but I swear....with everything that crossed through my mind, thinking of her having to STAY overnight without me was one of the things that I was seriously freaking out about I mean, of course if she HAD to stay for some reason, she would of....but just the thought of having to leave her up there - omg...it nearly killed me She is such a momma's girl and even cries when I walk out of a ROOM and see can SEE ME...so the thought of having to leave her overnight for some reason, was just really making me freak out

So GLAD that didn't have to happen!

So glad to hear that you got little Oz all better as well...it is just so scary when our little ones get ANYTHING

[stedmansmommy]

Originally Posted by zoeybear

My Sister in law had a Beagle puppy that did the same thing. She had coccidia. It lasted for a couple of weeks. I think she had to take antibiotics, but was ok. She freaked out because bloody stool sounds so horrible, but I guess it is kind of a common problem in puppies. Hope your baby is well soon!

UGH....so sorry to hear about your sisters puppy that had this as well But I AM glad to hear that it was cleared up within a couple of weeks....that makes me feel better! It hope it goes that quick with Tate!

[stedmansmommy]

Originally Posted by txshopper73

Hey Brooke. Hope that you get this resolved with Tatum soon. Poor little lump. Make sure that you take the stool sample to the vet. The only time we ever had bloody poop like that (different breed of dog) was when Katie had hook worms. One pill and it was taken care of but with the tummy rumbling that you're hearing, hopefully it's something else.

Saying prayers for you guys.

Hey girl, thanks so much We got everything all figured out now (it's Coccidia ) but she is on meds...just can't wait for them to actually start WORKING.

Another 2 thumb's up for Dr. Beck! He's great, isn't he!

[stedmansmommy]

Originally Posted by Dina_Nichole

Hey Brooke, I just replied to your pm but wanted to check to see if you had left an update yet. I hope she's feeling better. Give her tons of kisses from us. She's in our prayers.

Thanks girl...all your positive thoughts meant so much to us. EVERYONE'S did. I don't know what the heck I'd do without my friends...and my YT family

Going to reply back to your PM in just a few! And I need updates on little miss as well

Hugs to the babies!

[stedmansmommy]

Originally Posted by JuicyGirl

You know.. if it's been 4 weeks since she had them, then it shouldn't be the pain meds. Have you gone to the vet or called them yet? Poor Tatum, I'll keep her in my prayers.

I just wanted to say thank you so much for all of your info and help We actually found out today that Tate has Coccidia But she has been put on meds so hopefully that will start clearing everything up SOON. I want my little girl WELL again!

[Rae Rae]

Originally Posted by stedmansmommy

I just wanted to say thank you so much for all of your info and help We actually found out today that Tate has Coccidia But she has been put on meds so hopefully that will start clearing everything up SOON.

I'm sorry to hear that Rocky, Bella and I are all sending her get well wishes and hugs!

[stedmansmommy]

Originally Posted by RLC12345678

AWE! Poor baby!!!! If it makes you feel any better, both Hootie AND my lab, Lamar, both had coccidia as puppies. It clears up super fast after you get them on meds! Sending Tatum get well wishes! Thank GOD it's nothing more serious!

Awwww, well of course I don't like hearing that Hootie AND Lamar had it (omg, poor babies!!!!!) but I am just so RELIEVED to hear from people that it clears up so fast! I just cannot wait for these meds to start working!

I swear I am going to be doing the happy dance when she has her first FIRM POOP again, LOL!

Thanks so much Rebecca, and BIG HUGS!!

[stedmansmommy]

Originally Posted by red98vett

actually - that's good news - she'll get better fast with the meds for the coccidia but don't know how long the bacteria will take to clear up poor baby.....She'll be ok and don't stress too much - she'll feel it ... Glad it was nothing more serious. I bet you see a huge improvement in less than 48 hours

Thanks V I honestly don't know how long it will take to get all of the bacteria cleared out either....dummy me of course forgot to ask the vet that I just had my mind on listening to everything HE had to tell me....that I forgot to ask a few questions of my own I have to call him back tomorrow and ask him about Stedman....so will ask him about all of the bacteria that she has as well

Thanks again V...you are such a sweetie and I will be sure and keep everyone updated on her condition!

[stedmansmommy]

Originally Posted by Tiger's Mom

Oh Brooke I know how you must be feeling as Tiger had Coccidia as well when he was young . . . just know she will overcome it as everyone does . . and because you are a stay at home mom you can keep an eye on your little angel. My Tiger and Annika sends wet get-well-soon kisses

Thanks Des! I remember you telling me that Tiger had it when he was little....sounds like quite a few of our babies have

And you can definitely BET that I will be keeping my eye on her! I tell you, I have never actually SAT AND WAITED for one of my babies to POOP But I am now! LOL...just curious to see if it has firmed up any.

Thanks again for everything Des and the babies and I send you and Tiger and Annika big hugs!

[stedmansmommy]

Originally Posted by yorkiemalt

awww....huge hugs to baby Tatum. Glad to hear she's going to be good as new and it wasn't anything more serious.

Relax tonight Mom....last night must have been so stressful for you! I order an early dinner, with a BIG glass of wine, "jamies" on before 8 and then snuggle those babies all night long!

Thanks so much girl Hubby actually took me out for a nice dinner tonight (we had Mexican ) and we didn't have wine...but there was a Margarita involved lolol

[stedmansmommy]

Originally Posted by kalina82

Coccidia isn't so bad, thank god its only that. She should start to feel better soon with the meds and the coccidia will clear up. i know this is killing you, but it will be over soon Brooke. give some hugs to tatum for me!

Thanks girl, you are SO SWEET! I am giving Tatum a great big hug, just for you! It shouldn't be TOO stressful for me