Diarrhea

[Jeanne Hesprich]

Not sure what to do but came home from work and my doodle had diarrhea all in his crate and he went outside about 5 times after that. The vet said to boil chicken and rice for him over the next few days. Does anyone know the cause of this? Do dogs get viruses? Please help

[23ght0c2zk1tt]

Poor baby. Both of you.

When this happened to Chapin, the vet said it was probably bacteria from a cooked beef bone that I'd given him (my bad).

I'm a little surprised that the vet didn't recommend fasting him for 12 hours first, that was the advice that I got from my vet, and many other places.

I gave Chapin rice water for the first 24 hours, then chicken/rice combo for two days, and when I put him back on kibble, it happened all over again, even though I mixed it in slowly. As soon as I passed the 50/50 mark - diarrhea returned.

So, now he gets a 50/50 mix of home-made chicken "stew" and kibble for every meal.

Just realized this doesn't come close to answering your question, but at least you know you're not alone!

[April Cliber]

Chicken & rice is good. Also, canned pumpkin will help firm things up. You can give pedialyte for dehydration and Imodium may also help sooth his tummy. Now, I wouldn't do all this at the same time but you can try some and see what helps. If he's not better by tomorrow I'd go to the vet. Dogs can dehydrate very quickly and there could be a parasite or bacteria that 's causing the diarrhea. He may need treatment.

The first thing I think of is cat litter. Our Gracie had the most horrendous, awful, foul, never experienced anything worse, diarrhea after eating kitty litter. It lasted about 2 days. This was 5 years ago and I remember it like it was yesterday.

[Odie]

Canned pumpkin has been a lifesaver for us when we switched Odie's food from Candidae to EVO. The new Candidae formula was giving him horrible diarrhea. He also had a spell where we don't know why he was having diarrhea. He must have eaten something bad in my parents' yard.

A tip: when we open up a new can of pumpkin, I freeze the rest in an ice cube tray to save it for another time or an occasional frozen treat in Odie's Kong.

Also, my vet said a little bit of plain yogurt works well, as it helps to balance the "good" bacteria in their intestines (just like it does for humans actually). You can mix that with boiled rice.

[2m42srv7vi6sq]

I Pepto Bismol tablet hidden in a piece of boiled chicken also works well for the problem.

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

Ahem..( adjusts intellectual looking glasses).....I happen to have a Doctorate in Diarrhea ..lol...(thanks to my doodle Blake) and all of the above is appropriate treatment....If it persists, ask your vet for a prescription for metronidazole (Flagyl) ..It will clear it up in 2 days...Flagyl is used in humans, believe it or not, to treat venereal diseases like Trichomonas...With dogs it actually kills bad intestinal bacteria and simultaneously soothes the stomach and eases small intestine constriction.....

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

Jeanne here are a few links to previous discussions that may be helpful...Good luck!

http://doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/2065244:Topic:210685

http://doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/pumpkin-and-merrick-puppy?page...

http://doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/2065244:Topic:133516

http://doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/2065244:Topic:93112

http://doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/2065244:Topic:112713?page=1&am...

http://doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/2065244:Topic:175545

http://doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/2065244:Topic:210685

http://doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/2065244:Topic:133547

[Mary Beth Sancomb-Moran]

Casey seems prone to this - kind of a chronic lower intestinal thing, to the point that we have a standing prescription for antibiotics. Seems when he gets stressed, he gets the runs. The vet says this is fairly common and not too big a deal, but boy, does it mess up the carpeting!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I can answer the question "Do dogs get viruses?" Yes, they do. In our area, (Chgo suburbs) there have been a lot of neighbor's dogs with intestinal viruses. All of the other suggestions are great; I am also surprised that the vet didn't want to see him. It could be a parasite or bacteria as mentioned, and why put both of you through that if the meds could relieve it?

[Megan]

Hey - know this is an old topic, but curious...my lil' Brooksy has been sick since Sunday (he had explosive D and vomitted once). He's been the vet and is on a bland diet and Flagyl..he is eating his bland diet and drinking normally since yesterday. However, its been 24 hours + since his last bowl movement. I'm sure he's still pretty empty from his bad D and from throwing up....but when should I expect him to go POO!!! I bet the meds are cloggin him up a little..which I think they are supposed to do....any tips from the experts! Poor little guy...I felt so bad for him!!!! Thanks all!

[Adina P]

Megan feel free to start a new discussion. Sometimes NEW questions in old discussions get lost.

[Megan]

Thanks, will do! :)