How long will take Metronidazole to stop bloody diarrhea?

[asunnyheart]

A Toronto vet has prescribed Metronidazole because my dog is having bloody diarrhea. My dog weighs 3.9 KG. The dosage is 1/4 of 250mg tablet per 24 hours, for 5 days.

I fed it to my dog about 12 hours ago but the bloody diarrhea continues.

I wonder if this is the correct medication or is the dosage too low? Or maybe I should wait longer until I go back to the vet?

I am also puzzled by another matter. A while ago, my family doctor thought I had an infection and gave me the same medication. I didn't have the infection so I still have the medication at home. I paid less than $30 for 14 500mg capsules, including the pharmacist fee. I also noticed that I can buy a 250mg canine tablet online for $0.69 yesterday.

The vet charged me $16.25 for 1 and a quarter 250mg tablet! Is it reasonable? This is less medication than 1 capsule for human use. I don't know what to think.

[hazelrunpack]

I'd give it a little longer to work. Metronidazole works quickly but 12 hours is probably too soon to see results. If your dog isn't markedly improved in another 24 hours, I'd at least call the vet back and see if they need to do more tests.

Was there a diagnosis before the metronidazole was prescribed? How much blood is in the stool? Some things to watch for that would indicate a serious problem include your dog going off his food, sitting or lying hunched as though in distress, unexplained panting and/or shaking, white gums, or a black tarry-looking stool. If the gums get white or the stool becomes tarry, treat it as an emergency and get your dog back into a vet ASAP.

The cost difference comes into play because vets are allowed to determine their own markup on medicines. For those drugs that are the same in humans and canines, if you can get your vet to write a prescription for you, you can often fill it at a human pharmacy for much less than you'd pay through the vet clinic.

Good luck and keep us posted on your dog's progress!

[asunnyheart]

Hi Hazel, thank you so much for your reply. The dog is not panting or having a fever. The blood are fresh and pinky so I assume it comes from colon or big intestine, and not more internal parts. His gum seems to be red, and stool yellowish.

My biggest concern is if the pill is the right one or if the dosage is too low. This is a new clinic and the vet looks very young. I'll report any progress.

[hazelrunpack]

The dosage seems to be in the range that's recommended, but your vet may want to adjust it if you don't get results. It's best to start with a dose on the lower effective end and work up since metronidazole can have some nasty side effects.

[asunnyheart]

I just returned from the vet.

It was not fun to have a sick dog wanting to poop every hour day and night. I went back to the clinic and asked for something else. A different vet prescribed Tylosin at 100mg per capsule, two capsule a day. It was the same medicine which worked a year ago for my dog. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

[hazelrunpack]

We've had good luck with Tylosin, too. Did they say what they think your dog has?

[CPenny]

My dog is having the EXACT same problems as ASUNNYHEART's! And I'm also getting no sleep and very anxious to see results. My pup weighs 11lbs, she has been on the Metronidazole for 2.5 days for bloody liquid diarrhea, but I have seen zero improvement. She is mostly uninterested in the boiled chicken and rice. She is drinking lots of water, thankfully. The Dr said I would see improvement in 24-36 hours. It's now been 48 hours, but I see no improvement. Can you tell me your exact regimen?

Thanks!

[hazelrunpack]

CPenny, your best bet would be to touch bases with your vet again. He may need to run more tests to see if he can further pinpoint what's going on. As you say, it's good that she's drinking lots of water, but she can still dehydrate quickly and the loss of appetite is always troubling.

So please at least touch bases with your vet.

Keep us posted on how she's doing!

[Pinecone]

I have a 13yp rescue, Cedar. She has had some on/off bouts w diareha every 3-4 months. Seems usually due to parasites, bunny turds is my guess. Any how now diareha due to some bacterial overgrowth. Started metronidozole 2.5 days ago (3x/day). Seemed a little formed this morning & now a mess again. No blood. I had moved her up to 3/4 food today. Is it normal to take a few days to firm up? Otherwise she acts totally normal. I worry so.....thoughts?

[MaxaLisa]

My girl used to love bunny turds. For her, panacur, albon, and sometimes amoxicillin were the right choices for her. Those meds would also help her flairs of pancreatitis.

If there isn't distinct improvement by tomorrow, or certainly by Friday for sure, I would give the vet a call. If you are seeing some improvement, it just might take some time.

[Pinecone]

So cedar started diareha Monday & metronidozole. Firmed some then a mess we'd night. Today, thurs, no poops. Does that mean she's firming up finally? I m crossing my fingers. 50/50 food, plenty of water & yogurt w lots of trips out...no poops today. Se has a bacterial overgrowth that is the general cause. But beneath that I m sure her aging bod is also a piece of it long term. Thoughts....firming up? Is this normal to take a bit to kick the meds in? Tks.