Archie is sick!

[Sam, Risa and Archie]

So Archie hasn't eaten anything in 24 hours and has loose stool and a little constipation.  He has been drinking a little which is good, but not as much as usual.  He has been sleeping at every chance and when we go outside to the bathroom, we walk like each block (We live in the city) and he just sits there and stairs aimlessly.  He is very lethargic and just walking slow with head down.  He tends to get upset belly here and there and I think he just had a tummy ache, but I always get a little nervous with the little guy when he's not acting his crazy wild fun silly self. 

But I am most confused by his walking a block or so and then just stopping, sitting down and starring at me.  When I say lets go and start to walk he pulls back and won't move a budge.

[Sam, Risa and Archie]

I am not going to buy the Proviable...it's not necessary and it may take time to arrive.  Whereas Archie should be okay within 24-48hours.  I can just use the yogurt as an alternative if anything.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Metronidazole destroys all of the bacteria in the GI tract, including the good bacteria necessary for normal digestion and stool formation. 

It IS necessary to give probiotics any time a dog is on antibiotics.

Two weeks after the meds are finished, when Archie develops uncontrollable diarrhea from a lack of beneficial flora in his gut, you may remember this discussion.

[Sam, Risa and Archie]

Just like I told F before, I am listening to you guys.  Sorry if you took it the wrong way, I am just going to go with the yogurt alternative this go around since its an easier pick up for me vs. the DC that F said was purchased via Amazon. :)

[F, Calla & Luca]

Up to you.

[Lonnie & Libby Lu]

Poor baby, he looks so sad.  Happy to hear it is only a bug and he is on medication!  Hugs to Archie and prayers for a speedy recovery!

[Sam, Risa and Archie]

Thank you!

[Sam, Risa and Archie]

Ok, for those of you who have been telling me all about probiotics, I appreciate it and thank you very much.  Since my Vet hadn't recommended it to me today when they gave me Archie's antibiotics (Metronidazole).  So...I decided to call him.  He said that it can't hurt to give him a probiotic during the antibiotic, but thinks it may not be as cost effective as the antibiotic mostly kills the probiotic once taking it. He told me that in most cases he sees he likes to prescribe for the dogs to take probiotics right after the antibiotic is all finished up...I thought about it and he makes good points. 

I wanted to get all of your feedbacks on whether or not I should just give it to him during his antibiotic cycle or wait to mix it into his food bowl directly after his antibiotics are all finished up.

[Sally S Miles]

What I would do is this; get your Kong's and fill with the plain yogurt, put them in the freezer.  Then at least two hours after he's had the Metro let him have a popsicle to enjoy for a bit.  If he doesn't like frozen things then that's ok, mine just dig having their popsicle and we have made a game out of the creation of them.  Mine will take a snack any time, yogurt blobs on the floor and they are happy.  

Just a tiny reminder about vets and nutrition - a lot of people see probiotics as a prescription, but dietary items can do the job and to me that means it's more efficient over all.  That's just me.

The statement about the flora is true and Metro can be very hard on the gut because it does kill anything in it's path. The yogurt will act as a catalyst to maintain a healthy atmosphere for the digestion, it will sooth any irritated filia and keep from robbing him of calcium, calm any acids that get stirred up.   It absolutely cannot hurt him as long as you wait for the metro to wander through. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

Aside from the fact that some dogs don't do well with dairy, yogurt doesn't contain nearly the amount of bacteria that a good probiotic does. But it is better than nothing.

[Sally S Miles]

From a very recent post in the Food Group:   this quote

"Any probiotic is only as good as the number of live cultures it contains. One ounce of yogurt contains 3 billion live cultures. 

One Proviable DC capsule (highly recommended pet probiotic) contains 5 billion live cultures. "

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Sam, I am sure Karen and F have already answered this question several times. Here is Karen's response.

Metronidazole destroys all of the bacteria in the GI tract, including the good bacteria necessary for normal digestion and stool formation. 

It IS necessary to give probiotics any time a dog is on antibiotics.

Two weeks after the meds are finished, when Archie develops uncontrollable diarrhea from a lack of beneficial flora in his gut, you may remember this discussion.

Here is F's response:

I hope Archie gets better soon. There are some concerns re: Metronidazole being given when the cause of the problem is not certain. I would guess his "bug" might be viral in which case this medication will not help. Please be sure to give a good probiotic a couple of hours before or after the medication if you do give it to him. That helps restore the normal GI bacteria.

Both of these people know what they are talking about!

[Brittney & Cally]

Amen!