Up to my ears in puppy poo

[Binny P]

Warning: This is largely just me complaining about poop. Continue at your own risk.

There is so much poop. So much goopy, runny poop. Giardia is the gift that just keeps giving, y'all. We started with Giardia and Coccidia, and now are down to just Giardia. Good news, right? Right. Except all the mother crapping stinking piles (puddles?) of puppy poo. 

Not having yet born children, I have never had reason to discuss poop as frequently as I now do. The most common text messages to my partner are now, "Has the puppy pooped? What did it look like?" and "Still pudding, but maybe now more like frosting? Hard to tell."  We discuss the consistency of our dog's bowel movements with the ferocity of scientists splitting the atom. We talk about it over dinner, on the train, in the car, while watching TV. Poop is the main topic of conversation. 

And can we talk about Giardia poop clean up? I work downtown in Seattle. The alley behind my office is not exactly a cleanly place. My dog is not the only one pooping and peeing back there. So on one hand, it feels like not the *end* of the world if it isn't a *perfect* clean up job. But still, I don't want to be a jerk and leave Giardia infected poop smears around town. Long story short: I'm now the lawyer best known for carrying a bleach spray bottle, rubber gloves, towels, and bags and seeming to scrub down the filthy alley while an (adorable) muppet enjoys a rowdy game of "jump on momma while she does this weird thing and also maybe get extra points for stepping in my own poo smear". 

We pick up more meds today and are going back in for round three. Giardia, you are my white whale.

Also, maybe it was rainy on Saturday and I entertained myself by dressing the puppy up a lot. So there's that...

 

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

We have two puppies and three grandchildren (6, 4, and 6 months), plus I'm going kicking and screaming into my "golden years), so potty talk is the norm around here.

Hope your cute little baby (and her poop) feels better soon!

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Your puppy is so very darling and she looks smart too.  The picture you paint of you in the alley with rubber gloves etc. does make me smile, though.  But you definitely have my total sympathy.  Giardia is such a mess!

Tigger is nine now and I remember like yesterday the almost six months of giardia clean-up.  He had a terrible time getting rid of it.  Roo was one plus, so I also had eight paws to baby wipe what seemed like every two minutes.  I also had a cast to my knee on my right foot/leg for a great deal of the time.  Superfun!!

I hope your puppy gets rid of it easily and quickly.  The good news is that one this is over, regular poop patrol will seem like a breeze to you.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

LOL...I am sorry to laugh at your expense, but I enjoyed your post! I hope this all gets cleared up very soon. Your pup is adorable. 

[Dolly Dykhouse]

Oh my goodness look at that baby!!! Henry is 5 months and I already want another one!

Henry came home with Giardia/Coccidia too and for the first two months we had identical conversations to yours. It took three rounds of Panacur and constant vigilance in cleaning/disinfecting before his fecal testing did not show signs of cysts. As much as I hate the heat I was glad for the increased temps as that helps to kill off any remaining cysts on the soil. I just stopped bleaching every spot he does his business in last week just to be on the safe side and he finally, FINALLY has normal poop! Some things won't change over night...I still pick it up immediately and examine it for any signs, if he has one loose stool I swear my stomach clenches and I start to sweat! I don't think you ever forget and you are still slightly paranoid about color, consistency and smell for weeks afterwards LOL.

Keep posting pictures of your adorable girl!

[Binny P]

Thanks all for the kind words and thoughts! We are on day 2/8 on our second round of Panacur, so fingers crossed (and bleach bottle finger ready!)