When should I begin to get concerned enough to make a vet appointment?

[Don & Gracie]

Hi all,

Sorry if this is a little long-winded. My question is basically, at which point should I call the vet? Here's the situation.

Gracie (my first dog ever in my life), 1-1/2 years old, has, for the most part, been wonderfully healthy. Since she came to me at 8 weeks she had a few bouts of diarrhea, and it always cleared up after a few days on a bland (chicken, rice and pumpkin) diet, slowly transitioning her back to her usual food.

On Saturday (two days ago) after no symptoms before hand -- or any change in her diet or routine -- she had very liquid diarrhea (outside, she's a good doggie!). I immediately took away her food and twice more in the day her stool was liquidy, the third one of the day came out like it was a fire-hose.

Sunday, after one more loose stool she was her usual self at my mother's house, playing with her toys and enjoying the attention from my family. She ate a little of the boiled chicken, but wouldn't touch the rice and pumpkin (I mixed it all together ... she carefully picked out the chicken pieces eating as little of the other stuff as possible). In the past she gobbled it all up.

Today she's quite listless, but she does perk up and her tail starts wagging when she sees people she likes. She won't eat anything today, not even chicken ... but as I'm writing this I offered her two teeny pieces of her favorite cheese and she happily ate them. She's also drinking water. Not a lot, but she is drinking.

SO ... I'd like to avoid a costly vet visit just for him to tell me to feed her a bland diet and wait ... and try to sell me cans of bland food he has on hand. But I'll gladly race her over there to avoid this turning into something serious.

I appreciate any suggestions from the more experienced doodle parents on this board.

Thanks in advance.

Don

[Don & Gracie]

Thank you all for your concern and advice. I just took her out for a walk and she was perky and energetic, wanting to play with other dogs (I didn't let Gracie get close to any dog in case she has something infectious). When we returned to the building lobby she enthusiastically greeted the doorman and the two maintenance men. Then when she came into the apartment she immediately drank some water. I take all your advice seriously but since outside she didn't appear anything but healthy and happy, I'm going to wait the 8 hours and take her to the vet as soon as they open at 9.

I'll let you know what transpires.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Thank you so much for keeping us in the loop. I'm so glad she rallied outside. Will wait to hear what the vet says tomorrow. 

[Don & Gracie]

Good morning.

Gracie went to the vet. The doctor said "This is the 6th dog I've seen in the last few days with diarrhea." But she didn't have any answer as to what may be causing it.

Gracie's temperature was normal, she was only slightly dehydrated, her eyes and ears were normal but her tummy area was a little tender when the doctor felt it. She gave Gracie a shot of penicillin, gave me Fast Balance G.I. Paste (5cc 2x a day), and metronidazole 250mg pills (1/2 tablet every 12 hours—10 days worth to be safe—although she said 7 days should be enough). And I brought in a stool sample.

Once again, I thank you all for your concern and support. I'm so grateful for this site, where I can get practical advice. I feel sure Gracie will be better in a few days. I'll let you know.

[Bonnie and Kona]

Glad to hear Gracie will get this under control with some meds. Thank you for the update!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Hope Gracie is soon feeling better. 

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Don I am so glad you took her to the Dr. It is better to be safe than sorry.  When you mentioned she was lethargic, that word always scares me as I had a standard poodle that had gastro issues and he almost died from bloat one time - he was one of the few my vet was able to save.  You do not have much time to get to a vet if that is the case.   I am so glad your Gracie is feeling better.

[Susan and Bentley]

Bentley had had this 3x since August!!! Glad Gracie is feeling better

[Diane, Hurley and Sidney]

Don, How did it go at the vet for you and Gracie?

I am late seeing your discussion and query but when Hurley was less than a year old he went through a bought of very loose stools.  We took him to the vet after a few of days of the constant loose stools.  He ended up having to stay over night on an IV because he was dehydrated.     I hope Gracie is okay.

[Don & Gracie]

Hi Diane,

This morning posted an update, happily telling everyone that the doctor gave her a shot of penicillin and gave me some G.I. paste and some pills to give her 2x a day. I suppose it'll take a day or so to see some improvement. She nibbled at food this afternoon which pleased me, and I'm just about to see if she'll eat some more.

Thanks so much for your concern!

[Diane, Hurley and Sidney]

Glad Gracie is doing better. She is lucky to have such a caring loving owner.  

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I am so glad that Gracie isn't very ill.