Puppy with chronic diarrhea and blood in stool...

[Cynthia Corsetti]

Hello, I am a new member of this group, as well as a new dog owner. I have a 5 month old labradoodle. She has had off and on diarrhea since about the second month I've owned her. First, full disclosure, I did not know a lot and I didn't go to a breeder, I just saw her picture on line and fell in love. She came from an amish family in Ohio. After the fact I realized I was supposed to know more about a breeder. :(

Anyway, I would take her to a vet they would have me change her food and put her on an antibiotic. I did this three times then tried a holistic vet. She put her on a prescription canned food and is testing for allergies and the diarrhea seemed to be getting better for the last week or so, but last night she ended up awake in the night again and now she also has blood in her stool.

I think this is more than a food issue. I called the holistic vet who said she can see her Friday, but I'm really worried. Has this happened to anyone else? Thanks....

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Be sure to continue the probiotics for at least a couple of weeks after the meds are discontinued. It's essential that she build up a colony of beneficial gut bacteria to replace what has been destroyed by all the antibiotics. 

Please keep us posted. 

[Cynthia Corsetti]

note to self....research breeding BEFORE getting a puppy not after. I feel like a woman who went on a bad match.com date...cute picture but lots of baggage. :)

[Amy and Annabelle]

Haha about the match.com analogy. I used to look at a puppy broker website long before I got my pup. Which was actually a broker for the Amish puppy mills. In the end I went with someone local, but it could have easily gone the other way. I thought it sounded like a lot of trouble to go through, so I didn't go that route. Then I found out later about the Amish puppy mills and was happy I dodged that bullet. 

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Hi Cynthia ~ first of all welcome to the DK site.  When you get a chance be sure check out the groups section on the main page and join as many as you like. Karen is very knowledgeable and has graciously helped so many of our members.   I hope you can find a good vet that will not gouge you as this one seems to be doing.  Is this vet a specialist in the allergy field?  I hear some general vets are now doing allergy testing and I think I would rather go to a specialist in the field. Your puppy is a cutie and you will get through all this.  It is such a pain when they have gut problems.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The saddest part of this is that the puppy doesn't even have any symptoms of allergies. :(

(And thank you for the kind words.) 

[Frank & TeddyToyDoodle]

You Go, Karen !!!  :-)

It's one thing for these "experts" to charge alot of $$$, at least SOLVE the damn problem !

[Stella]

$2000!!!! OMG, that is ridiculous :(

I hope you are able to find a new vet and get some answers for your poor pup.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

"However, I didn't see the tip about waiting  2 hours of any meds so...I gave it to her with her food."   Did you mean the probiotic and the prescribed meds all with her food?  Be sure that the probiotic (which includes the plain, unflavored yogurt) need to be separated from any antibiotic.   We give our dogs pills with a little peanut butter on it.  Unless Karen says differently, I'd give that a try to make sure the medication is consumed.  That way you can put the yogurt or Proviableon her food.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I wouldn't use peanut butter for a dog with bloody diarrhea. 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Hoped you would correct me if that was a poor suggestion, Karen.

[BG and Gavin]

Wow your vet is a criminal! Follow Karen's advice. I know its hard to stand your ground with the vet (been there, done that). This will pass with your TLC. Best thoughts.

[BG and Gavin]

PS don't forget about the important cleaning up with bleach step. You have to be fastidious to avoid reinfection.