Winston and diarrea problem

[Winston]

Hey All Winston has had the runs for approximately 2 weeks. I have tried pumpkin, yogurt, rice, less food, no food, etc and have had no success really. We went to the vet with a sample and he ran it through and it came back normal. Winston appeared fine to the vet. He has not been acting any different either. Still eating, drinking etc.

The vet prescribed Loperamide (which is immodium) each time the stool is soft and also Florentero (restores a regular and efficent intestinal bacterial flora) 2 times per day.

Winston has now taken 6 of the Loperamide and there is zero improvement with his stools. I am also giving him some yogurt.

I am wondering if the yogurt will make his stool loose? I am also worried that I have given him 6 pills already and no improvement to the texture of the stool, the last thing I want to do is make him constipated?

He just had a bowel movement and it was not a pleasant! my poor boy. Whats worrying me is that he came in the house with his back end kinda hunched downward as if he needed to poop and his tail is sticking out straight not hanging down. I tried to have a look at his bum but he wont have any part of it. He is laying down now and he appears fine. Maybe the poop hurt his bum and thats why the tail was sticking out???

Cindy

[cpietra16]

can Winston be eating something that he's allergic to? I Know that Tigger has zero tolerance to chicken and anytime she eats anything with chicken..she has very loose stool. I know humans can develop allergies at any time..can cats do that too?
Sorry I am no help.

[hazelrunpack]

Have you seen any blood or mucous in the stool, Winston?

The yogurt should not be giving him loose stools--it's a mild probiotic--unless he's allergic to something in it.

Could it be something in his food? Have you tried a novel protein?

[Winston]

I tried a food change and it didnt go over too well so we resorted back to the Orijen Fish Formula which he has been on a long time.

hazel the odd time there has been blood in it but I am pretty sure that it was from straining. No scooting either??

[rainbow]

Poor Winston.

1. Have you tried the boiled hamburger or chicken with rice diet to see if it stops?

2. Have you tried slippery elm bark?

3. Has Winston had a geriatric blood panel done?

[Winston]

Originally Posted by rainbow

Poor Winston.

1. Have you tried the boiled hamburger or chicken with rice diet to see if it stops?
I have just tried the rice Rainbow and it did nothing for him. I thought it would biond him up ??

2. Have you tried slippery elm bark?
No I havent used this. Perhaps I need to get some.

3. Has Winston had a geriatric blood panel done?

No blood panel done recently. Just the poop sample that came up normal.


I am not sure how thay would diagnose things like IBD or Cholitis? whether its stool or blood sample

[Dee-O-Gee]

We get this yearly with Gryphon too. Could have been something Winston ate that was out of the norm.

Whenever Gryphon get's the squirts, I always relied on the boiled hamburger & rice formula. Boil 1 pound of hamburg and cook 1 cup of instant rice. Skim the fat off the boiled hamburg then mix the rice in--let cool overnight in a container in fridge. This formula makes enough for 3 & 1/2 days as follows;

1 day; 3/4 cup of mixture in morning then 3/4 cup at dinner. No regular kibble food.

2nd day; 3/4 cup of mixture in the morning then 1/2 cup + a little bit of normal kibble mixed in.

3rd day; reduce mixture (1/4 cup) and add more of his regular kibble for morning then switch back to normal kibble by 3rd day/evening feeding.

I also on the 1st day, substitute water with 2 Chicken boullion cubes mix with 1 cup hot water, stir then, add 1 cup of cold water + a couple of icecubes for fun. I do this for the morning feed and dinner feed on the 1st day but then switch back to regular water thereafter.

Poor little guy. Hope his tummy feels much better soon.

[hazelrunpack]

IBD is often diagnosed by intestinal punch biopsy--they can see the inflammatory cells in the sample. it won't come to that.

[rainbow]

The slippery elm bark is worth a try imo as it also helps to soothe the intestines.

I would get the blood panel done as it will show if there are any underlying conditions that are causing the diarrhea.

I do have some info on IBS, IBD and colitis ....I'll go find it for you. I don't think it would be IBD unless Winston is losing weight but it may be colitis or IBS.

[rainbow]

I couldn't find the website I have stored away but did find this info from http://www.ehow.com/about_6310097_di...lder-dogs.html

Causes

There are many causes for diarrhea in older dogs, and some are quite serious. The diarrhea can occur by itself, or with other symptoms, depending on the problem. Diarrhea is often a symptom of kidney disease, parasites, certain types of cancer, gastrointestinal disease and inflammatory bowel disease, states PetEducation.com.

Diagnosis

If your older dog has diarrhea, it is essential to take her to a veterinarian. Bring a sample of the dog's diarrhea with you, as well. The doctor will palpate and listen to the sounds of your dog's belly, and may give a rectal exam. In addition, the vet will run tests on your dog's stool to check for bacteria and parasites, and may perform blood tests or take radiographs of the abdomen. The blood tests check organ functions, while the radiographs can detect tumors, intestinal inflammation or foreign bodies.

Also here is the dosage for slippery elm bark ....

Slippery elm is THE herbal choice for diarrhea. It soothes and protects the mucuous membranes and contains precious nutrients. The powdered form of slippery elm is available in many health food stores, and it is advisable to keep some in our first-aid kit as it comes in handy for diarrhea treatment.

To prepare slippery elm herbal remedy:
mix one teaspoon of slippery elm powder with one cup of cold water;
bring to a boil and stir; bring the heat down and let it simmer for 2 to 3 minutes; remove from heat and let it cool to room temperature.

To use the remedy, feed 4 times a day:
one teaspoon to small dogs
one to two tablespoons to medium dogs
3 to 4 tablespoons to large dogs

[Winston]

Thank you so much Rainbow I will get reading!

This morning was no better and he has had 8 Immodium now. I called the vet this morning forst thing but am still waiting for a call back. If its anything like the last time I asked a question it took a week for them to reply?? I am just worried that he will end up really constipated from the pills???

[breeze]

I'm sorry to hear that Winston isn't feeling well

could it be from the spring season/ pollen??

I hope you find something that works and get to the root of it.

[hazelrunpack]

If they haven't worked yet, Winston, likely they won't. It shouldn't just suddenly catch up to him and stop him up. But I'd be concerned that it's not working, yet! Immodium usually works pretty quickly.

I can't remember if you've tried pumpkin?

[breeze]

oh wait what about banana.. it is suppose to bind you,

when Arch was a pup and he had the runs I was told to give him banana
I tried it and it worked

[hazelrunpack]

nvm...I see you mentioned pumpkin up at the top

[Winston]

I think I am gonna go back to just rice. I dont know how he would fare on hamberger? I know him pretty good and anything new in diet affects him BIG TIME! he hardly ever gets treats. No table scraps so I am really puzzled. Other than the food and it smells fine. I am also going to go and get a fresh bag just to be sure that its not the food??

Hazel pumkin didnt seem to work. I still have some of the metronidozole so I am wondering if I should put him back on that?? except the poop sample came back normal so I would probably be wasting the meds??

I guess I will wait and see if he calls. But tonight I guess he is gonna just eat rice. He seems to like it anyway as if I am giving him some special treat!! he is such a good boy! and no accidents in the house!!! yayayayay

Thanks for all the well wishes!

[Winston]

Well the rice went over well and I added some yogurt to it for him...he always thinks he is rather special when he gets the rice

Still no call from the vets. I was told that the vet that saw him on Friday was not in until tomorrow but that the other one would call me?? Good thing I can rely on them for help eh! God help me if it was serious....oh well so far he is still eating, drinking and taking the meds like a good boy and not complaining a bit! his poor bum is probably sore though!

[ancientgirl]

Winston, I'm sorry your boy isn't feeling well. No doubt his little butt hurts from all the poopies.

I wonder if apple will help. Don't apples have fiber? Can dogs eat apples?

[rainbow]

I wouldn't feed him just rice for more than a day or two as he needs protein. If he can't tolerate the boiled hamburger or chicken or fish added can he eat a couple of lightly scrambled eggs?

I also wouldn't just wait for the vet to call since he doesn't seem too reliable. I would phone and make an appt to have a blood panel done.

You mentioned that you are still giving him meds .....are you still giving him the Immodium? Like Hazel said it does work pretty quickly so you should have noticed an improvement by now. I would stop giving that and try the slippery elm bark to see if it helps.

[Winston]

Rainbow I have never tried eggs but I will do that for him tomorrow if there is no improvment. I stopped the Immodium. I was gonna retry the metronidozole but it would be pointless since the fecal showed nothing.

I am hoping by the morning things will be at least somewhat formed. I would be happy with that. He doesnt even want to go ont he grass anymore...it probably smells!

I will pick up the slippery elm bark tomrorow. THanks againf or your advice!

[hazelrunpack]

The metronidazole may not be pointless--it has a slight antiinflammatory effect on the intestine. Sometimes, even if the fecal is negative, metronidazole helps our dogs.

Have they tested him for giardia? Around here, that's a major source of odd-ball diarrhea.

[rainbow]

The eggs won't help to firm up his diarrhea but they are a good source of protein.

The slippery elm bark will soothe the mucous membranes in his intestines as well.

Here's some info on the difference between small intestine and large intestine diarrhea ....

http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/ClientED/diarrhea.aspx

[breeze]

How is Winston this morning Cindy????

[Winston]

same Breeze but thanks for asking.

I guess the vet returned my call but he called me at work???

[breeze]

Originally Posted by Winston

same Breeze but thanks for asking.

I guess the vet returned my call but he called me at work???

[breeze]

winston, I would reallt try the slippery elm bark. I make it into a gruel not a syrup.

I give it to Bree when she is having poop problems.. it's easy to make just add water until it looks like porridge, you can also mix it in with rice or anything else Winston eats..
gives protein and soothes the bowels and very easy on the stomach

[Winston]

Well the vet that saw Winston on Friday called me back finally this aftenoon. He wanted me to see how Winston's poop was when I got home and then decide from there. He offered me some vet food which all he indicated was that it has some fiber in it but never offered it further

So we had a small cow pie and lots of liquid (I know sorry to much info) but it is progress in a small way since yesterday!!. So the vet thinks maybe he is started to kick whatever is ailing him but we will know more in a couple of days.

He said to take Winston off the kibble which I had done yesterday and just give him either rice or potatoes for another day. He also said that I can try the Immodium again and I asked him about the Metronidozole and he said I could go ahead and use that as well. He said it wont hurt him?? He said it should help ease the colon.

Yesterday Winston's tail stood out straight for about 15 minutes after going potty and I mentioned that ans he said that it was just likely sore! and took some time to relax..

So he had boiled taters tonight for dinner and is looking around the kitchen for more!! spoiled little bugger!

Rainbow / Breeze a friend of mine is bringing me some slippery elm bark so thats on the agenda for tomorrow. I didnt get a chance to go buy some so my friend having it worked out well.

[14+kitties]

Sending lots of and for Winston feeling better quickly.

[ancientgirl]

Sounds like some good progress. I hope he continues to get better.

[breeze]

I'm glad to hear there is a small improvement

and I hope the slippery elm works for you and Winston