My puppy got diarrhea

[Anthony Leong]

I was feeding my puppy TOTW salmon and on 3/7 I started feeding her Orijen Puppy food.  I guess maybe I didn't transition the food long enough, but for the 1 week her stool was fine, but 3 days ago she started to have diarrhea.  I need some help.  I'm planning on taking my puppy to the Vet tomorrow.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I am beginning to think that this breeder has a resistant strain of giardia in her dogs. There is a new discussion about another puppy, maybe from the same litter, with giardia that has been treated two or three times and they still can't get rid of it: 

http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/giardia-round-3-give-him-f...

[Anthony Leong]

YIPEEEEEE!!  My puppy doesn't have giardia anymore!! But my puppy got coccidiosis, which is intestinal Protozoa that can cause bloody diarrhea (I'm grateful my puppy never had any blood in her stool).  You get it from other animals feces from walking outside.  I always thought I was very careful with what my puppy sniff and go near while walking outside, but I guess I got to be more careful next time.  So, I got to go back to the Vet tonight and pickup the medication to knock out coccidiosis.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Hopefully the medication will clear up the coccidia and things will be fine very soon! 

[Anthony Leong]

Mari poop is solid again!!  I gave her medication yesterday night and this morning, but I will continue the medication until everything is finished.

[Oliver & Elizabeth]

Fantastic news! Isn't it funny how life changes when you get a puppy? LOL

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

That's great news, Anthony. 

It's very important to finish all of the medication. 

I'm guessing the medication is some type of antibiotic, so you will also want to give her yogurt or probiotics to make sure that she keeps some good flora in her GI tract. Otherwise, the diarrhea will return once the meds are discontinued. Make sure that you give the yogurt at least two hours before or after the medication. 

[Anthony Leong]

What kind of yogurt should I buy?  Any brand you recommend?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The brand isn't important, just make sure it is unflavored, plain, fat-free yogurt. Give her two or three tablespoons twice a day, separated from the meds by at least two hours minimum. What would be even better would be to order either iFlora or Proviable probiotics. Either way, i would continue giving the probiotics or the yogurt for at least a couple of weeks after you discontinue the meds.