Our Maddy isn't feeling well.

[Kelly Gallagher]

Maddy is just about 5 months old and hasn't had any health issues at all. She started having explosive stools late yesterday afternoon and has had them about 4 more times since then. The emergency vet that I called early this morning said to give Maddy her normal morning food and check in with her vet. I only gave her some of her kibble and then talked to the vet assistant who said to boil some rice and possible some chicken and add it to her kibble. I mixed the remaining 1/2cup of kibble with about 1/2 - 3/4 cup of brown rice. She has her appetite, that's for sure and she is drinking. She hasn't had anymore bowel movements since eating. However, she is not herself AT ALL. She is very lethargic, just laying around, not wanting to do anything. This is so no Maddy! Her nose is dry also whereas it's usually wet. The vet's office told me I could make an appt. for tomorrow morning but they weren't concerned at all. They told me to watch her and if after 24hrs the diarrhea persists then I could bring her in if i wanted to. I have an appt. for 11:30 am tomorrrow. She is just laying around and appears to be breathing heavy as well. This is our first dog (as a family) and we are very new to this. Any input you have would be greatly appreciated. I'm just not sure if I should wait to take her to the vet or not. They suggested it could just be a stomach bug and that it probably isn't a parasite (how they would know that is beyond me - lol). I do like the vet office very much but I'm surprised they didn't want to see her and a stool sample.
Thanks so much for listening to my rambling.
Kelly

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

This has happened to me before with Taquito. He has a very sensitive stomach and there were multiple reasons for it, so I will not bore you with details.
If she does not throw up or have another weird bowel after eating, she is probably fine. She probably ate something weird. Taquito would always act lethargic after getting sick - it really takes a toll on their bodies.
If she throws up again today, I would take her in to the emergency vet - she could have a blockage or something. If she doesn't throw up again and still acts lethargic, I would take her in tomorrow. If you are still worried and think she is acting abnormal, it will be worth the vet visit. That is how I treated it during my situation.

[Megan]

My Brooksy had a random outburst of explosive D a few months ago. His stool and everything test out okay...we think it was from a treat that was too rich for his baby tummy! He went on a special wet food..I/D..and some meds to calm his tummy. After a couple of days he was back to normal..but is scary and NO fun! :) It may just be something didn't agree with her...or she may have gotten into something or ate something outside!? Keep us updated!

[Kelly Gallagher]

Thanks for your answers. Maddy hasn't thrown up at all...just the yucky stool...and she hasn't had anymore incidents today even after eating this morning. I keep waiting for her to have to get outside really fast (which thankfully she has done every time!)..but so far nothing. I've taken her out a few times and try to coax her by taking her near where she normally goes...but nothing. I'm not sure if she is afraid or if the rice did the trick. We'll see how it goes the rest of the night and after her dinner in a little while. We were out for a couple of hours (unavoidable) and she did fine and was happy to see us when we got home..tail wagging and everything..so maybe it's passed.

[Linda,Yankee & Finn]

Yankee had a couple of days like you described...lethargic but not eating so I took him to the vet. After $500 of vet bills, they told me that he is fighting off something and it will pass. And it did and I could have saved my money. As long as she is eating and drinking, give it a couple of days. She may have eaten something she shouldn't have or it may just be a stomach bug.

[Joy Originator of GiantSchnoodles]

HI Kelly, Give her a pepto bismal pill 1 AM & 1 PM. Save yourself a vet bill & take in stool sample only or not. If her still still is not normal leave off the kibble & just give her rice & ground chicken or turkey for a few days. You can get it frozen in most box stores. Then introduce her kibble back slowly into the bland diet. If your worried about her general health, get an ear thermometer & take her temperature. It should be between 99 & 102. If her temp is normal, she's eating, poop becomes normal & she's not vomiting, she'll be fine in a couple of days. What is it you like about your vet office? If its personality of staff, keep looking. My best vet office have horrible people personalities but do the best job wi my dogs. Puppy love from Joy 7 furry folk

[Leslie, Dexter & Kirby]

We made a mistake in switching Kirby over to new food too quickly (same manufacturer, new flavor) and OMG did we come home to a nasty mess last night!! He is on a diet of just plain rice for now (our doodles go crazy for boiled rice...I don't get it). Has there been any change in Maddy's diet?

If your puppy does not perk up by tomorrow I would 100% keep that vet appointment. She's young and could get dehydrated quickly.

Good luck!

[Adrianne Matzkin]

If she still has very loose stools, take a stool sample to the vet. Let them run the usual parasite tests. Could be nothing other than a puppy getting into they shouldn't or it could be giardia - which needs to be treated. Keep to the bland diet - chicken, rice with some of the soup you boil the chicken in.

[Kelly Gallagher]

Thanks everybody. We are totally new at this so any advice is helpful. She hasn't had a diet change at all. As a matter of fact when I did switch her over a month ago from Nutro to Chicken Soup it took me about 3 weeks to complete the switch because I wanted to do it slowly. She is eating normally...she's actually hungry...but she had diarrhea again tonight after she ate dinner...not explosive....but VERY loose. I will probably take her in the morning or at the very least take her stool sample in...which they didn't tell me to bring but I am going to anyway.
Thanks...hopefully she'll feel better tonight.
Kelly

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

When my girls get an upset stomach or runny, loose stools I will boil Hamburger and chop it up fine, add some brown rice to it and give that in place of their meal, or if they are still allowed to eat their kibble, take some sweet potato and mix it in with her kibble. This should firm her stools up. I recently decided to try the Chicken Soup for my dogs, I was amazed how much they loved it, but Honey did get runny stools so we added some sweet potato and it cleared right up. Did you check your dogs temperature. A dog's normal body temperature ranges between 100.5 Fahrenheit and 102.5 Fahrenheit.
A dog's temperature below 99 degrees Fahrenheit and temperatures above 104 degrees Fahrenheit are considered extremely serious and your dog should be taken to your Vet immediately. If she is still lethargic and having loose stools I would take her into your Vet. Best of Luck..let us know how Maddy is doing...

[Kelly Gallagher]

Well Maddy is much better this morning. Her stools have started to firm up some and she is back to her old feisty, playful self. I called the vet and they said to keep her kibble mixed with rice and chicken for another few days and slowly go back to all kibble. She slept thru the night without having to go out so that was good. Thanks for all the support and advice!
Kelly

[LuvMyAbby&Kaela]

Awww I hope she is on the mend!

[Kelly Gallagher]

Maddy is doing much better. Her stools are getting more normal and she has been back to her old self since Saturday morning. The vet told us to continue with the brown rice and/or chicken for a few days before slowly going back to all kibble so that I don't upset her stomach again.
Thank you for all of the suggestions and support.
Kelly and Maddy