persistent diarrhea after treatment for Giardia

[Nancy Sweet]

My poor puppy finished his 6th and final day of medication for Giardia and is still having diarrhea. I called the vet yesterday and she said the medication should have worked by now. She told me to start gradually adding chicken and rice to his food, which I started last night. On Tuesday they are going to run another fecal test. The vet also said if it is not the food, he may have an absorption problem. I have no idea how that is treated. I went on my breeders group within doodle kisses last weekend to see if anyone else had dealt with Giardia and I also mentioned my puppie's heavy shedding and was kicked off the website, told I was exaggerating regarding the shedding, and that I was emotionally unstable. I was just looking for advice and support. I am very worried about my puppy and very disappointed with my breeder. I have disinfected my house and I am cleaning my puppie's paws and bottom everytime he goes outside. I am exhausted. I just wondered if anyone has experienced this persistent diarrhea and how they treated it. I would really appreciate any advice and/or support.

[April Cliber]

Albon (generic name: sulfadimethoxine) for dogs is an antibiotic medication used to treat bacterial infections in dogs. It is also used to treat a coccidiosis, a parasitic infection in dogs. Albon for dogs is available in a tablet or liquid form. It is also available as an injection. The use of Albon requires a prescription from a veterinarian.
In tablet or liquid form, Albon is usually given once every 24 hours. The first dose your dog takes may be larger then the following doses.

From ehow. http://www.ehow.com/about_5130741_albon-medication-dogs-used.html

[Libby & Bentley]

I just wanted to say thats ridiculous about that breeder's behavior..you have a right to be concerned..and get acknowledgement for that concern. I hope everything works out okay for you and puppy...

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Nancy,
How are things going this weekend? Any change? Thinking of you - keep us posted!
Adrianne

[Noble Vestal Labradoodles]

OH NO... I have to say I missed that post and feel really badly that you were treated badly. In defense of the breeders groups they are meant for breeders only to be able to discuss breeding issues.. Breeders do participate in the owners forums to help answer questions like yours and to lend aid in need.

As for giardia treatment we brought giardia in when we took in a dog from another breeder, it took us forever to get rid of it. We used Fish-zol also known as Metronidazol, we treated for 10 days, rest off meds for 10 days then restarted treatment for 10 days. Once the second round was finished we vaccinated using giardia-vax by Fort Dodge.

You can get Fish-Zol from Lambert Vet Supply.

[Sharon, Boo & Cricket]

"In defense of the breeders groups they are meant for breeders only to be able to discuss breeding issues."
I think she meant that she joined her breeder's group (i.e. where littermate owners can chat) and got kicked out of it. Regular owners can't join the Breeders Group because its invitation only. :)

[Noble Vestal Labradoodles]

AHHh yes BIG difference! I searched and searched and could not find anything from the owner on the breeder's group.

[Pat & "Tucker"]

The diarrhea ccould be a side effect the metronidazole or other med that your puppy is taking. Diarrhea is defined as loose / watery frequent stools ( not just watery for exammple, twice a day.) I waould ask for a fecal exam and a stool culture to rule out other things going on at the same time. It may take a few days to get out of the pups system if it is the mediation.

[Noble Vestal Labradoodles]

Metronidazole should not cause diarrhea, it coats the intestines and slows down the fecal allowing it to firm up.

[Pat & "Tucker"]

Tthe most common side effects of metronidazole are gastrointestinal symptoms- nausea, vomiting and / or diarrhea

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

http://www.wedgewoodpharmacy.com/monographs/metronidazole.asp

"Metronidazole is used to treat protozoal infections in cats and dogs including Giardia, Entamoeba, Trichomonas, and Balantidium. It is also used to treat anaerobic bacterial infections. Metronidazole has immune modulating activity and may be prescribed to treat inflammatory bowel disease.
Side effects: Dogs and cats: excessive salivation, gagging, regurgitation, pawing at the mouth, nausea, vomiting, and decreased appetite are the most frequent complaints. Less common or rare side effects include diarrhea, depression, lethargy, weakness, low white blood cell count, liver failure, and blood in the urine, or dark urine due to pigment changes."

[Brewster's Mom]

I'm going through this right now with Brewster. He's had lose stool/diarrhea for quite a while now. Took him to the vet, was told it's giardia (very common here - it's in the irrigation water, picks it up on the grass...what, I can't water my lawn now? LOL) We were given 1 week of meds to treat it. Meds worked great, but the loose stool came back after stopping them. Went back to the vet, was told that about 10% of dogs (esp. pups) have a hard time kicking giardia and need a 3 week course of meds. So now we are about 1/2 way through, and he seems to be doing better. I am worried about after. Will the loose stool come back? Will he be constantly having this bug since it's in the irrigation water? Ugh.

As far as the absorbtion issue goes, I think it's called Colitis, but I have no idea how it's treated. I was wondering too if this is what my pup could have. If his diarrhea comes back, I'm going to talk to the vet about it.

Anyhow, I'll be looking to see how your pup does! Good luck!

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

I wrote before that I had done battle with Giardia last year with three dogs. Two of them cleared up right away, but Tigger took two or three weeks to get firm stools. Pumpkin helps, be careful with bananas as some dogs don't do well with them. Also my vet gave Tigger a week's supply of probiotics to help repopulate his intestines with good bacteria. Chin up it will get better.