lotus wont eat

[sarah c gammel]

lotus has the stomach bug...who knew dogs could get the stomach bug? anyway shes been sick since Thursday with vomiting and diarrhea that she contracted at daycare. she was hospitalized overnight and given iv fluids and flagyl.  I brought her home last night and she hasn't eaten or drank anything  she just isn't interested.  I tried the hamburger and rice that the vet recommended but that didn't go over well. I even tried giving her normal dry food. she isn't vomiting anymore but still has bloody diarrhea. any suggestions on what and how to feed her   thanks sally

[Toni Clayton]

Sarah..did they test her for giardia? Just checking..it's done with a stool sample..other wise, I guess I would at least try to keep her hydrated, and watch her. You know how it feels when you've had a stomach bug, sometimes it takes a while to get your appetite back.

[sarah c gammel]

I don't think they tested her for giardia. she goes to daycare at the vets and they said a lot of the daycare dogs have this bug  I think giardia is treated with flagyl  not sure though

[Brittney & Cally]

You do not want to treat it with Flagyl!

[Jill, Woody & Maxi]

Flagyl, also known as metronidazole has many serious side effects.  Panacur is the recommended treatment for giardia…but, in this case…treatment for what??? You really need to know what you are treating before you give any type of rx medication.

I agree..you should really have a fecal done.

Also, I would feed boiled chicken breast and sweet potatoes.  Chicken is lower in fat, and sweet potatoes have many more nutritional benefits, plus a great source of fiber..which can help form the stool.

[Jill, Woody & Maxi]

And I'm glad that your vet wanted you to try home cooked food, rather than the rx food that they usually try to sell!!

[Toni Clayton]

I didn't know that's what flagyl was...thank you Jill...and I agree with the fecal test...so surprised they didn't do that..

[Toni Clayton]

The reason I mentioned Giardia is because of the bloody diarrhea...though if it's a virus, I'm not sure why they would give her flagyl? Our vet gave George metronidazole and I also asked for panacur because he likely picked it up in the kennel where he was before coming to us...I had talked to one of the other dog moms who also got her pup from the same breeder, and it had happened to her also (her dog is older now, but when he came home he had giardia).

[Brittney & Cally]

No, I was saying no to treating Giardia with flagyl!

[Bonnie and Kona]

Our doodles both had the flu this fall! They do not go to dog parks or day care. Our family was sick, and the vet said it almost never happens but it is possible. Anyway, your pup may just need to take a little break from eating. I would continue to offer just very small portions of the hamburger and rice every three or four hours. If she doesn't want it put it in the refrigerator and then warm it up before offering again. Did you know you are supposed to drain the hamburger in a colander and rinse it to get the fat off? You don't want to give her kibble until her stomach settles on the burger and rice diet for awhile. 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

It is critical that your pup keep hydrated.  If necessary the vet can give her fluids.  To entice her to drink sit down with her and a water bowl, cup your hand and dip it in the bowl and let her lick the water out of your hand and as it drips back into the bowl.  If this works, keep lowering your hand until it is under water and the pup is lapping up water.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Took the words right out of my mouth. I would be more concerned with dehydration at this point! You can give her some water or even pedialyte with a eye dropper if Nancy's method doesn't work. Or ice cubes...anything to get some fluids into her.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

http://petlvr.com/blog/2011/12/06/pet-care-tip-keep-pedialyte-in-yo...