Olive, poop, and my memories

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

Ollie started with soft formed poo this past Sunday. I added pumpkin and Proviable DC to her Annamaet Salcha kibble daily. It was ok - just soft. Then yesterday I saw a mucous one at 11 and then applesauce consistency at 3:30, so straight to the vet - who convinced me into buying flagyl and w/d food.

I was panicked, what can I say? It is almost exactly a year ago now that sweet young Ripley passed away, and I'm remembering, which is causing me to overreact to poor Ollie's ailments. So when the vet said this was the fastest way to get her better, and offered her the pill with some w/d on a stick and she took it, I let it go. I fed her w/d for dinner. Shortly after she had a soft but shaped poo. I decided not to give her the second 1/2 pill he had recommended. She had no fever and lungs were clear. She is acting normally. Good appetite.

Have you ever tried to catch a dog's poop on a paper plate? DH said Ollie gave him a look like he was a complete pervert! But this morning brought better news with a beautiful poop presented to me on the paper plate by DH! (Yes, we were just using the plates under Ollie to prevent possible yard contamination.) What a sight for sore eyes. :). And then a call with results of negative fecal for giardia! Yay. Feeling much better. Decided to feed her plain boiled chicken and sweet potato mash for both breakfast and lunch.

But now it's 3pm she hasn't pooped since 8am.
And since and since I've (sort-of) calmed, thought I'd share this roller coaster with you. :)

I'm finding it difficult to merge what I've learned here along with trusting (or not trusting) my vet. Having a good plan is key for me so any help, as always, is greatly appreciated! Thanks for listening!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Okay, so for next time, it is documented in current veterinary literature that Panacur is more effective for treating giardia than metronidazole, and it has far fewer side effects. Memorize that and next time a vet wants to give you metro, ask for Panacur instead. :)

Next, read the ingredients in the w/d food. An intelligent woman like yourself will notice that there are no therapeutic or medicinal ingredients in it. I'm also puzzled as to why you were given that formula, as w/d is intended for weight reduction. It's i/d that's supposed to be for digestive issues. This really isn't about trusting your vet, as your vet didn't study nutrition. You can trust your vet's knowledge on what he did study, which is medicine, while still disagreeing with the Hill's salesman, who is really the one behind your vet's food recommendation. :) When your vet recommends a "bland" diet again, be ready to say you'll make your own, with a big smile. If you need any moral support to do that, here, read those ingredients again, beginning with whole grain wheat and whole grain corn. http://www.hillspet.com/en/us/products/pd-canine-wd-dry

Keep in mind that the homemade diet has about half the calories of most kibbles, and the w/d is essentially diet food, so she may not be pooping because she isn't getting enough food. 

Now...take a deep breath. And a glass of wine if you so desire. Repeat after me, She's fine. All new puppies have bouts of loose stool and minor digestive stuff. I'd continue the Proviable and stay with the homemade food for a day or two before trying to get her back on her kibble. 

She's fine. :)

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

Thank you Karen. I know you're right and wished you were there! I was weak and caved at the time. I did muster courage to ask him why he was giving flagyl without a confirmed parasite though, and he said "for its anti-inflammatory properties," and that if she had mucous, she has colitis, and this is what I should do to get her better fastest. Strong arm. I got home and was able to more calmly and rationally reconsider.
But if I had listened to him and continued with the flagyl and crap (diet!? WTH?) food, I wouldn't know how fast this has legitimately turned around (with just the homemade bland diet). Thankfully!! She IS hungry, even though I'd already doubled the amount. Maybe I can give her even more.
Thanks especially for this: She's fine. Yes. Ok. Phewf! Darn puppies! ;)

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

Do you think I should try adding in a bit of HK Perfect Form to her chicken and sweet potato mix? Her stool this morning was soft-ish but not bad, considering. I don't want to throw in something new though, if it might be too much for her system. And I was thinking of switching her to the Turkey Embark for when she is ready, based on what I've read here? Thoughts appreciated! :)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Turkey Embark is a great choice, most dogs with digestive issues do really well on it. 

I'd be afraid the Perfect Form would backfire on you; it can make the stool soft. 

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

Whoa, ok - thought it was the opposite for the Perfect Form. Good to know. I will order up the Turkey Embark for when she is back to normal, hopefully soon...
I'm grateful she seems well and we seem to be going in the right direction in any case. What I'm hoping doesn't throw her, is our leaving on a quick getaway in a couple of days. I have a trainer coming to stay in our house and take good care of her - but, still. Fingers crossed there will be little stress for her. I'm using your mantra: she is fine. It's working.
Hugs to J.D. and Thank you!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Perfect Form is full of plant enzymes, which can contribute to "overdigestion", I guess you could call it.

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

One last question, would you postpone heart worm treatment at this time? She is taking Sentinel and it's been 38 days since her last pill.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Is it flavored, the Sentinel? A Chewable? 
It's important for her to have that protection, but the flavoring agents could possibly exacerbate the diarrhea. I use unflavored Heartgard tablets for this reason, with JD's IBD. Maybe your vet could give you that instead just 'til the diarrhea resolves? 

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

I thought one of the perks of NJ was stores/accessibility. I'm looking for unflavored tab. My vet does not carry this and I may have found my first product which Amazon actually does not carry! Aargh. Still hunting...

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

http://www.vetrxdirect.com/

My vet doesn't carry it either. I order it from the above website, they are reliable. My vet faxed or emailed them the prescription. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

http://www.vetrxdirect.com/product/view/heartgard-heartworm-tablets...

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

I called. They're in Iowa and it takes at least five days from when they get the faxed Rx from my vet office. Expedited shipping is another $20 to boot. I'm afraid to delay too long so it looks like I will give her the sentinel and cross my fingers. I will have it for next time though, and hopefully this info helps someone else! :)