New puppy with coccidia

[Wendy Taylor]

We just got Ozzy (5 months old) 9 days ago from the breeder and he was diagnosed with coccidia 3 days ago after we provided a routine stool sample (which was formed and firm) and he was started on Albon. His stools were firm when he first got here, and we actually had a bit of trouble getting him to go (still do), but over the last several days, they've progressively gotten softer. The last 3 days, his (only once daily) BM starts out looking formed and is pudding consistency, and by the time he's done with the BM, it's a bunch of little liquid dribbles. He's taken 3 days of Albon and has 2 doses left. In your guys' experience, how soon after taking the Albon do the stools firm up a bit?

Beyond him being in a brand new home and environment and getting used to us, we also ran out of the starter pack puppy food (Diamond puppy) that the breeders gave us, and purchased the exact same brand and type. However, he didn't eat very much of what the breeders sent us home with, and gobbles up the stuff that we got him, so I don't know if our food is just a bit more fresh than what he got sent home with (it smells different to us), or if maybe he's just less nervous around us now.

He's happy and seems to have a normal amount of energy (he does sleep a lot, but he's young and he's new, so we don't have a good baseline to measure by). We're trying to get him to hydrate as much as possible. Vet didn't have any concerns 3 days ago. So I'm not sure if I need to change anything right now, like feed him Pepto, canned pumpkin, boiled chicken/water, etc. for a couple of days? With all these recent changes, I'd hate to change anything else around unless really necessary. Not sure how much to chalk his diarrhea up to the coccidia vs being in a new environment vs his food.

I also read somewhere that the incubation time for coccidia is ~13 days...so am I safe to assume that he came with the coccidia already? I'll call the vet's office tmrw to ask, b/c if that's the case, will the breeders usually cover the cost of the vet exam and medication? I looked through our contract and it says, "If it has been determined that, despite seller's best efforts, the pup left seller's premises with some type of virus, infection or major illness, then the puppy determined to be unhealthy will be exchanged for another of equal sex and value." This obviously isn't a major illness, but it is an infection that certainly does not require an exchange. In the grand scheme of things, not a huge deal.

Thanks for any advice...this is my first ever pet, and I feel like I spend most of my free time searching the internet for tips relating to him (and online shopping for him, hehe)!!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

There are several things going on with this little guy at once, new home, coccidia, new water, somewhat new food, (same flavor?) and now medication. I'd leave everything alone for now and finish out the Albon before making any other changes. I don't see however how a tablespoon of pumpkin would hurt, but then that would be a change, wouldn't it? . It's usually a change for the better in my experience.
Albon. Is a great medication I feel too, so he should be fine when he's done with this course and has gotten acclimated to his new home better too.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Peggy, please join the food group as there is new recall info onDiamond food on there. Don't know what you are feeding exactly, but won't hurt to check.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I don't know if the breeder would consider paying for the medication, but you would have taken the puppy to the vet anyhow and had everything done but the meds.  When we got our pup he had infections from fox tails in his ears and throat that needed surgical removal. Our breeder paid for that part of the vet bill.  I did not ask her to foot the whole bill because I felt it would not be right.

[Wendy Taylor]

Yeah, you're definitely right. I'll probably shoot them an email just to let them know about it, and just see if they say anything.

[Wendy Taylor]

Thanks for the suggestions! We'll see how he does over the next couple of days...hopefully things slow down/firm up!!

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

No advice, but I hope that things get better for your pup! Keep us posted??

[Alison]

We had exactly the same scenario when we brought our dog home. From what I learned, most puppies are at least exposed to coccidia from their mothers but few actually become sick from it. When I talked to the breeder she said our puppy, of all in his litter, seemed the most attached to his mom, so it may be that the transition was rougher on him. That being said, having been through what you're going through (and Rudy is my first-ever dog) I would chalk most of your puppy's problems up to coccidia. It's a bear! And you can really make yourself nuts trying to tweak all of the possible variables. That, and the endless cleaning up, and the no sleep! You poor thing!

We had Rudy on Ablon and it took a good two full weeks or more for the symptoms to go away. Ablon stops new coccidia from breeding but existing ones have to live out their 14 day life cycle and wreak havoc in the process. Pretty much wiped out his little GI tract. In the end we also switched him to a novel protein, limited ingredient food afterward because I think what he had been on (chicken-based, from the breeder) may have been too rich. We did probiotics and digestive enzymes as well. Once he got back to normal, formed stool we weaned him off the supplements and have kept him on his lamb-based food. I don't know if he'll ever tolerate chicken again and I have to say he still has a bit of a sensitive tummy at 7 months. I am really cautious about introducing new treats, food, etc.

Drives us nuts b/c of course since he's a Doodle he eats like a goat, completely doesn't discriminate between food, sticks, shoes, the grass, newspapers, etc! The next thing to start working on is "Leave it!" or "Drop it!" ;-)

All the best to you. I'll keep a good thought for Ozzy! Don't hesitate to message me if you have quex.

[Wendy Taylor]

First formed stool after 2 weeks....whew! :) I was getting resigned to the fact that I may have to always use 3 bags to pick up after him/pull up the grass beneath/rub the rest of it into the dirt.