Has the vet ever asked you for a poo sample? Each time I took Bella in they always asked for a poo sample. I don't see how they can keep giving you AB's if they don't know what they are dealing with. It is also worth getting some prokolin paste to see if that helps stiffen him up (you don't need a prescription for this).
Finally, even after Bella was clear of everything, she continued to have the occasional soft poo (as you describe, definition but soft - reminded me of a soft serve ice cream ). When I moved her from RC Junior onto Burns Adult Lamb & Rice, it stopped and now she only has nice solid poos.
If I was you, my first tactic would be to get a poo sample tested to confirm he isn't carrying a bug that keeps rearing it's head. If everything is clear, then try changing food to either a puppy Salmon & Potato, or move to adult food.
____________ Owned by Bella, Shadow & Cats ....
Never forgetting Harry : 18/01/11 - 14/05/11 RIP
Thanks. We took a sample on last time but they didn't want it, said if things didn't improve then they would want one at the next vet visit.
I've rang and we are taking her in this morning (with a stool sample) so hopefully we will make some progress soon.
Thanks for the replies
Personally I'd be a bit concerned at a vet that is happy to hand out AB's without really knowing what they are dealing with. I don't see how they can be sure what they are dealing with until they have done a test, but then I'm not a vet. Although my vet started with AB's initially they always asked for and tested a stool sample to make sure they were treating for the right thing.
When Bella had giardia, they asked for a sample a week after her treatment was over to ensure it had gone, as it is sometimes necessary to treat twice (or more) for Giardia before it is all cleared.
Let us know what the vet says this time ...
____________ Owned by Bella, Shadow & Cats ....
Never forgetting Harry : 18/01/11 - 14/05/11 RIP
For a stool sample, you will need to collect it for three consecutive days as for some things like giardia, they may not pass the cysts every day and therefore could still be missed.
To me, it sounds like giardia could be the most likely cause.
I wouldn't want my pup to have anymore meds (bar probiotic paste) without a three day stool sample being analysed as all these AB's could well be making things worse..they play havoc with the gut flora so far better to only use them when you know what you are dealing with!!
If the stool sample comes back clear then I would then be looking at a change in diet to a food with a different ingredient profile to what your currently using. Even before his giardia, Leo just wouldn't poo totally right on Royal Canin..Some were formed but soft but the rest whippy! He has settled on Wafcol salmon for breakfast/lunch and Burns alert for tea..not generally recommended to use two different kibbles but this method is giving the best results yet with Leo so if its not broke we won't be fixing it!!!
The vet did want a stool sample so we have left that with them. . . They, like I, said its time we got this properly sorted instead of going around in the circles we seem to be.
So we have more AB's and pro kolin paste whilst we await the stool results.
Will let you know the outcome. If that shows clear then I will look at changing her diet. She is on puppy salmon and potatoe wainwrights now so not sure where I'd go from there if i have to change but will cross that bridge when/if I need to!
Hi, just a quick update. We handed a stool sample in last week and were given some AB's and pro kolin paste whilst we awaited the stool result.
Stools improved with the AB's (as they have done before) but now,3 days since the AB's have finished we are seeing consistently good poo's and she is pooing at what i believe is a normal puppy rate- much less Than she was before.
The past two times after AB's things have slipped back but this time they havent so far.
Anyway, moving on - the vets called today and said they had found giardia in her faeces ( we kind of expected it as we have since spoken to the breeder who said the 2 pups she had left from the litter were diagnosed with it).
Th vet asked how she was, We told her how she was doing and that things are much better and she has given us a bottle of panacur to give once a day to make sure we eradicate any traces. Fingers crossed.
So, all in all I'm really pleased we have gotten somewhere with this bit more importantly I'm pleased we seem to have seen a big improvement.
I'm just hoping the panacur doesn't Have any adverse affects and take us back to loose stools...
Many thanks for all the replies. Sorry the post was longer than intended!
Ps I cannot tell you all how much I'm loving having her around
Thought it sounded like giardia!! Glad you know what it is, is it a 3 day course of Panacur you've got? You may find the initial course doesn't do the job particularly if shes been infected for a while and has a bad infection, this is what happened with Leo and he then had to have a weeks course of high dose metronidazole to finally shift it. The giardia cysts multiply - thats why you've seen improvement and then backwards again - the drugs have destroyed it somewhat then the cysts multiply quickly again...you have to treat it quite harshly to knock it back to a point where the dogs body can control it.
The other tip I would give is to hot wash all bedding as the cysts can get on to it and I would bleach down all areas in the garden where she has toileted..that is what my vet recommended as its easy for them to become reinfected. The other thing my vet said to be aware of is that it is zoonotic and can pass to humans though usually only ones with suppressed immunity. Exercise stricter hygiene than usual!!
If the Panacur does upset her stomach then continue with it but just switch to a bland diet of chicken and rice for a few days as it could well still be the giardia causing the upset.
We have to give her the panacur once a day for 7 days.
Everything is good at the moment - going to start her on it in the morning so we can keep an eye on her and her toilet times
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum You cannot attach files in this forum You cannot download files in this forum
). When I moved her from RC Junior onto Burns Adult Lamb & Rice, it stopped and now she only has nice solid poos.
