Stool Problems
At his first vet appt., the vet was impressed with the vaccinations the breeder provided. His stool was tested with negative results, so all was well on his first visit. Shortly later, we discovered that the OES is a Poop-eater! We have been watching the OES like a hawk, and he tries to sneak off to poop in the house and have a quick snack. We think, from breath-sampling that he has occurred at least 3x. Now, he's never ever alone! Another week goes by and our Lab's stool was terrribly loose. We had both dogs tested, and the older Lab's was positive, but the OES was not. Both dogs were prescribed Albon, an antibiotic. Within a day, both dog's stools were firmer. After the 10 day Rx, the lab and the OES stools became loose again. Both tested, both negative. We opted to try another round of Albon. And again on the last day of Rx, the OES and the Lab's stools are terribly soft. I'm calling the vet again, but any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated! It's very frustrating! 
Thanks, Michelle |
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| Welcome to the forum!
What exactly has your vet been testing the stools for? The albon is used to treat coccidia or giardia, and usually clears it up. Coccidia however never goes away, once your dog has it, they have it for life. It may flare up due to stress, health problems, hormonal changes especially. I would have suggested deworming, even if it tests negative, because roundworms are not always detected in the stools. I would also suggest a change in diet, slowly and gradually. What food do you feed? Do you feed them table scraps? Your vet is the only one who can make a diagnoses and appropriate treatment, however if that hasn't been working, perhaps try another vet? Or tell your vet you would like him/her to be more thorough? Coccidia is nasty and can take a long time and several treatments to clear it up.... good luck though, and please let us know how it goes!  |
| Thanks for such a quick response!
The Albon was prescribed because my Lab tested postive for Coccidia. The dogs do not get table scraps and are only fed dog food. The lab eats pedigree, and I know this full of fillers, but we have had several years of chronic ear infections, and began testing different brands - found this one not to cause any problems. Rufus, the oes, eats purina puppy chow. The Vet has now suggested supplementing with plain yogurt to help establish "friendly" bacteria. Wait a week and see what happens. I will ask about deworming next week. I was rather discouraged to see that the Coccidia never goes away - and that my vet never mentioned that to me. That is a huge concern! 
Thanks for your advice! |
| Well, it goes into remission.... It is a protazoan. It's a living organism that the medication forces into dormancy. A dog can live the rest of it's life without incident, or it can flare up on occasion, you just never know.
If your lab is doing well on pedigree, then by all means, stick with it. I don't want to offend you, but purina puppy chow is really not a good food, for any dog, but especially an oes puppy. Just my oppinion... I don't want to tell anyone what they should or shouldn't feed their dog. I really think your dogs would fare much better on a better quality food. Nutro Natural is an excellent food that many dog owners have had great success with, and you may find your lab does better with it as well. Has your vet suggested diet changes in response to chronic ear infections? Has there been any other forms of treatment? Perhaps a good ear powder to keep them dry and clean? There are many premium dog foods that are getting better and better all the time, many have had success with nutro, eukanuba seems to be good for bowel problems in particular, wellness, etc. Iams used to be a top quality food, but they have changed their ingredients and formulation to include more fillers to make it a cheaper product, however, many people still find it works for them. I currently feed my dogs a mix of Iams puppy, Eukanuba puppy and Wellness Super5 puppy. I mix it because they like Iams and their stools are good, the Eukanuba offers more calories per cup than any other food, and the Wellness is the best quality ingredients I have ever seen but it is very rich and I think they would have upset tummies if they only ate wellness. You just have to do what you think is best, and follow your vets advice as they know your dogs in particular. |
| These types of "parasites" are extremely hard to diagnosis (often requiring a few tests - even when results are negative). In addition, they are very stubborn and hard to treat.
I would treat both dogs - and clean up the yard (maybe there's something that you could spray down to kill the bacteria on the ground ???). It is passing from one to the other - and even in a dog that tests negative - they could be a carrier (from what I'm told). Make sure they are testing for other problems as well - giardia, etc. Good Luck Kristen |
| After the Lab had numerous courses of antibiotics, ear cleansers, etc., we started trying out different foods, Science Diet, Iams, Eukanuba, and Proplan -- as well as the variations within each brand! The Lamb & Rice formulas really cranked up the infections. So that's how we got to Pedigree -- one of the last foods I tested!
Ya know, I had a feeling that Purina Puppy Chow was not going to get high ratings! I really should know better! I will try Eukanuba for Rufus -- for the stool and the amount issue. Thanks! |
| By the way rufie, I absolutely love the quote in your signature! |
| Well, the rice came right back at me... twice! He's been rather lethargic and not drinking as much as usual. He did seem very interested in dinner though. Now, I'm really getting worried. I've been owned by several dogs and other assorted animals, but have been blessed with healthy pets. Am I overreacting? |
| I would get him back to the vet.... is he currently on a course of medication? Please keep us posted, I hope everything works out ok! |
| Lethargic puppies are cause for immediate concern! Especially if water is being ignored. Dehydration is deadly.
Have you fasted the puppy? Maybe so much as been racing through, the intenstines are irritated. Rest them for 24 hours, then resume food slowly, a Tablespoon at a time. Jumping between foods is another cause for diarrhea. The gut takes time to make the switch. I always take 5+ days to introduce a new food. If your pup has colitis, it's a condition that never goes away, just settles from time to time. Special prescription diets such as duck/potato help some dogs. I know one sheepie who has had this problem nearly all her life.......she's now about 3. There's also pancreatitis, an inflamation of the pancreas......which the more I think about it, should be persued. One symptom of pancreatitis is eating their own feces. ...the dogs lack the proper digestive enzymes after the pancreas is damaged. In extreme cases the dog can become a diabetic. In addition to already mentioned worms, bacteria, virus, fungus.....there's also blockage such as from swallowed string. I'm not trying to be an alarmist, but just want you to be aware there are some serious possibilities. Diarrhea and vomiting are the most seen problem by a vet, so they will naturally start slow with causes as most are due to minor problems. However, if things don't get better soon, preally push your vet -- if they seem unwilling to persue this, find another vet....even asking yours for one with more experience in these type problems. I'm really hoping this is just typical puppy upset and nothing more serious. |
rufie wrote: :( Well, the rice came right back at me... twice! He's been rather lethargic and not drinking as much as usual. He did seem very interested in dinner though. Now, I'm really getting worried. I've been owned by several dogs and other assorted animals, but have been blessed with healthy pets. Am I overreacting?
You are not overreacting! This is serious - particularly in a young pup! Please be sure to bring him to the Vet. I don't know the situation in where you got Rufie but there are alot of parasites, bacteria and diseases (Parvo for example) around that can be life threatening in young pups! Kristen |
| I am truly touched by everyones concern. Rufie got up the next day as if nothing happened! He was ravenous for breakfast, although I gave him a very small amount, and continued to do so throughout the day. He also was quite thirsty and drank up. I was so relieved. His appetite is back on course, as his happy disposition. His stools are still a problem, I think. The first out appears normal, followed by much looser stool. I have a call in to the vet again, to see what her recommendations are.
I've come to believe that this is a not uncommon issue for OES. I am going to try a different food and will start today to gradually introduce it. I have read numerous posts about several foods and have not come to a decision yet. Has anyone had good luck firming up the stool with a particular brand? Thanks to all! Michelle |
| Hi Michelle,
Both of my pups were notorious for the same stool as yours. Solid at first followed by runny loose stool. Sometimes they would have it at the same time and sometimes not. We switched over from Iams to Nutro and have not had a problem since. We can tell a big difference in stool consistency and size after the switch to Nutro. I can tell you though if they get anthing else they will get the sensitive tummy back. They can eat cheese, rice, and a few doggie treats without tummy problems. I hope Rufie continues to do well. Please keep us updated. Stormi and co. |
| Even though Iams and Eukanuba are not considered great foods anymore, Eukanuba firms up loose stools quickly. Several oes breeders I know recommend it for that purpose. My dogs don't like it though, I think it must not have a lot of flavor, but that is probably part of why their stools are firm on it too. |
| Michelle
Sorry to hear about Rufie. I see you are in Illinois -what part? It's ironic that you wrote this. Lola is at the Vets right now with the exact same issue. But I think more severe. She had been listless all day yesterday and didn't eat or drink a thing. I slept with her downstairs and she started vomitting around midnight. I was afraid she'd get too dehydrated - we went to emergency. I thought maybe she ate something in the a.m.(she was out digging the little brat . But after blood tests, x-rays and fecal....they found coccidia. Gave her fluids went home for awhile (at 4am). Went to my vet this morning and though there is coccidia, they are still checking to make sure nothing is wrong with her stomach or intestines. I too did not know coccidia stays indefinately...looks like I'll have to find a new nickname. Not wigglebutt, maybe stinkybutt or buggybutt 
So they are keeping her overnight, giving her intravenous fluids and maybe doing GI work. I hope I can pick her up in the a.m. I totally lost it at the vet crying (they probably think I'm a loon), i was so tired and i couldn't stand seeing her so lethargic...really scary.
Anway sorry to be long winded. Michelle, if you want to PM me if you are in the area, I can give you my vets info. Sue |
| Awww Pocha... I know how you feel... it's scary when our babies get sick... she'll be fine though, since you got her to the vet so quickly she'll most likely recover quickly.... keep us updated! |
| Well today we had another round of stool tests:
coccidia - negative giardia - POSITIVE! 
Got meds for both dogs, and we'll see what happens. Kirsten - you were right on the mark! I did "sanitize" my dog run -- I used a garden sprayer with some lysol -- let it dry then hosed the whole thing down again with water. I hope this killed it out there, and hopefully the new meds will handle Rufie's insides. Thanks Stormi for your brand suggestion, and from what I've read and heard from others, I have purchased Nutro and will start mixing it in slowly. Sue, I am so sorry about Lola, I know how scary it can be. I'll keep in her my prayers for a quick and speedy recovery. Let me know how she's doing. And lastly, thank you to everyone for your support. I now realize how lucky I have been in the past with my healthy critters - and even more so now that I can find help at my fingertips via the web. 
Regards, Michelle |
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