Tummy Trouble Again

[Carolyn & Barkley the Bear]

Barkley is only just over 2 years old but tummy troubles seem to dominate.  This past spring we had bouts with Giardia but finally moved past that...not fun!  About three weeks ago he had very runny stools and no appetite.  Vet tested for Giardia, and other parasites but he was cleared.  They put him on Metronidazole for 10 days and he was definitely getting better.  However....this past week he has had loose stools again, is going out in the middle of the night which he never does and is eating grass. I actually thought today that his stool has some rope from a toy in it but as I looked closer it was grass. His energy level is good as well as his appetite.

I brought a stool sample today to the vet and hope it comes back clear tomorrow.  I have been reading some past posts and see that the issue may be the Metronidazole and I should try a probiotic which I intend to do.  I am wondering if this something I would give him long term or just to get him through this bought.  The vet gave me another 10 day subscription for the Metronidazole even before the tests are back but I do not think I will start him on that yet.  Perhaps just trying the probiotic may help?  I see Proviable DC on Amazon but does anyone know if it can be purchased in any stores?

He has been on Simple Solutions Turkey/Potato for a while now and I don't feel that is the issue.  Any suggestions would be helpful.  Thank you!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

This can definitely be due to the repeated courses of metronidazole, and shame on your vet for not recommending a probiotic. You always, always need to give probiotics when a dog is on any antibiotics, but especially metronidazole. The reason is that the metronidazole kills all of the good bacteria in the gut, the flora that is necessary for proper stool formation, along with the bad bacteria,and when you discontinue the antibiotics, the bad bacteria proliferates and you end up with a bacterial imbalance in the gut. It is very common for diarrhea to return and even get worse after the metronidazole is discontinued.

Also, the drug of choice for treating giardia is Panacur, which is much safer and also more effective. Metronidazole can have neurological side effects when used long term. It should never ever be given without a very good reason, and diarrhea of unknown cause is not a good reason.

The probiotics should be used for 2-4 weeks after the meds are discontinued. Some of us whose dogs have chronic digestive use them all the time. If your guy is prone to digestive issues and you don't want to continue the probiotics after a month, you may want to consider giving a couple of tablespoons of plain unflavored yogurt every day, with meals or as a treat.
Proviable is not available in stores. Some vets carry it, otherwise, you have to order it online.

So...order the Proviable. IF the fecal comes back positive, insist that your vet give you Panacur, not metronidazole. Insist on it.  

Probiotics must be given at least two hours apart from any antibiotics, including Panacur, and longer is better. 

I agree with you, the food is not the issue. 

[Carolyn & Barkley the Bear]

Thank you both for all your wonderful information. I will start Barkley on the VSL#3 today and hope for a negative fecal test. 

One more quick question....  When this whole stomach issue started 3 weeks or so back, I put him on a chicken and rice diet.  When I thought he was improved enough I moved him back gradually to his regular food.  Although we are in agreement that food is not the issue  do you think I should again move him back to chicken and rice until he is over this bout?  If so, must I remove his current food gradually or is it okay to just replace his Simple Solutions with Chicken/Rice for a while? 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

A homemade bland diet can be a good choice during a bout of digestive trouble, but you really don't want to use rice, especially for a dog who is on a grain-free diet. Rice is a grain, lol, and many dogs don't do well with it. Instead, use a 50/50 mixture of plain boiled white meat chicken and cooked mashed sweet potatoes. (You can also use very lean (90% or better) ground beef with all fat drained & rinsed in place of the chicken.) This diet contains only about half the calories of most kibbles, so you need to feed twice as much.

But with Barkley being on an LID, grain free, low-fat, single protein food, he may not need the bland diet. The advantage to the homemade diet over his kibble are that it has a higher moisture content. 

[Carolyn & Barkley the Bear]

Thank you so much - your knowledge is so helpful!  Will try the chicken and sweet potatoes for a while!

[Lindsey Holt]

You could try VSL#3 which is a probiotic which is found in the pharmacy behind the counter.  It is very strong and had been used here by several dogs with great results.

I would push the vet for panacur before another round of metronidazole as it is a much better choice.  

Other than that I defer to Karen as she is the resident expert.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thank you, Lindsey, you and I were posting at the same time, lol.

Yes, VSL#3 is what my dog gets for his IBD. It's a human probiotic and it's worked wonders for many dogs here who have serious digestive issues. You can get it at CVS and there are other pharmacies that carry it, call around. It must be kept refrigerated, so don;t order online, and when you pick it up, you can't go running other errands, lol, it must go right home and into the fridge. If you do decide to try VSL#3 instead of the Proviable, you want the capsules, NOT the "sachet".  

[Carolyn & Barkley the Bear]

It was my lucky day!  My local CVS had one box left of the VSL#3 in their fridge and I received a 25% off coupon just this morning in my email!  I see that each capsule contains 112.5 billion bacteria.  What would you recommend for a dose?  Barkley is about 58 lbs if that matters.  Thank you!!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Give him two capsules once a day. It doesn;t matter when, just not within 2 hours of any medications, and longer is better.

[Carolyn & Barkley the Bear]

I just received the news that Barkley's fecal test was negative so he is cleared from any parasites. Whew!  I have him on chicken and sweet potato along with the 2 capsules of VSL#3.  Here's hoping for better days ahead for Barkley!  Thank you for all your advice - it is much appreciated!  Have a wonderful weekend!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

This is very good news! I think you are going to see a big improvement within a few days. You have a good weekend too! 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Hooray!!!!  VSL#3 was magic for Charlie - I wish you the same.