One of the most common causes of diarrhea is intestinal upset.
A sudden change in the type of food, giving an unfamiliar treat, or feeding table scraps, stress of flying, can cause a bout of diarrhea.
Diarrhea caused by food changes or water changes (ie to well) can often be resolved at home,
so long as the diarrhea is not severe, and the dog continues to act and feel normally.
Withholding food for 24 hours will allow the dogs digestive system to settle down
(while continuing to encourage water consumption).
After 24 hours, small amounts of a bland diet, such as white rice and chicken, can be offered.
If the diarrhea subsides, you can gradually place the dog back on their original diet,
and transition slowly to the new diet. If the diarrhea does not improve, or gets worse,
veterinary treatment may be required.
Coccidia is found in 60% of dogs and is a very common protozoal infestation
that may rear their head on an otherwise healthy puppy if stressors of travel, change in living occur.
Coccidia clinical symptoms of diarrhea and is usually the main cause of loose stools in a puppy.
Treatment is 3 days or up to 14 days of oral liquid, powder or Pill medication that you can obtain over the counter or through the Vet.
see below for more information on Coccidia.
Coccidiosis:
We have included this information on
Coccidiosis
because we have had incidences of our pups being diagnosed with Coccidiosis
in the past with pups getting it only after arriving to their new homes.
This was most puzzling to us, when we received a complaint, as the pups were healthy while in our care and Vet checked perfect.
We began doing fecal exams, testing the pups for Coccidia and still all tests came back negative while in our care.
After more research and consultation with a Vet, we discovered that exhisting parisites or even recent exposure,
may only be detectable when brought on, by the stressors of the new environment and or travel,
even while they have had no signs or symptoms prior to this.
Unfortunately our moms do roam our 1 acre property, go to dog shows and can be exposed to Coccidia
from eating critters such as mice, rabbits and even their feces if they were infected, despite our
best practices and our strict cleaning routines and also deworming regime.
If your puppy's loose stools persist we encourage you to "TREAT" for Coccidia.
WE DO NOT ADVISE SPENDING MONEY ON TESTING.
(Do consult with your Vet)
Reason I say this is because the testing can yeld a false negative. Treating a healthy uneffected puppy
with Antibiotics of: Metronidazole and Apo-Sulfatrim pills 2x a day for 7 days (at vet $22.00)
is not harmful and is more cost effective than continual ineffective testing and retesting.
Of course any bedding or contaminated areas must be cleaned with bleach as well
and the puppy washed if they have fecal matter on them to prevent reinfection.
This is not a pleasant infection to have to deal with and we hope that no one experiences this with their puppy, but it is treatable.
Trichuris vulpis, commonly known as whipworm does bring on the same symptoms as Addisons...
intermittent vomiting and Diarrhea, dysorexia, weakness, and weight loss.
infections are reported as causing hyponatremia and hyperkalemia and reduction of the cardiac silhouette
with fecal smears negative for whip worms.
Whipworms can cause acute, chronic, or intermittent diarrhea in dogs. Typically, the stool is mucoid and bloody.
The diarrhea is often accompanied by urgency and straining (Colitis).
Dogs with a heavy infestation may lose weight, fail to thrive, and develop anemia.
The syndrome mimics Addison's disease in every way except that testing for Addison's disease
is negative and deworming yields a complete recovery. In one documented treatment the dog was
treated with oral administration of milbemycine oxime (0.70 mg/kg bw; Interceptor Novartis AH)
and i.v. administration of 800 mL of saline solution (Na+Cla 0,9%) and discharged.
Read more on this here Pseudo-Addison Disease
Some topical treatments may kill whipworms, regular monthly doses of Interceptor or Sentinel are GUARANTEED
to wipe out the new adults at the time of each dosing but they can live up to 5 years in soil or grassy areas.
Chicken products from China causing intermittent vomiting and Diarrhea and killing dogs.
Glycerin in dehydrated jerky type treats, dehydrated Chicken Breasts, dog treats, greenies.
According to the FDA, they have found that dogs who consume varying amounts of Glycerin can exhibit the following symptoms:
decreased appetite, decreased activity, vomiting, diarrhea, increased water consumption urination.
With blood tests, the dog may have an increased BUN, Blood glucose which is evidence of glycerin's negative affects on the kidneys.
In hundreds of dogs kidney failure and death has been reported.
Fighting for Fido CBC Report
and the
FDA's link about chicken jerky treats and Glycerin.
Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance - Dog Dry Alpha Grain-Free
Some people believe their Poodle might have allergies to grains or chicken
so you can try a food without either chicken or grains to see if this relieves symptoms of loose stools.
*Click here for more Food and Feeding information
Nature's Domain Grain-Free Salmon Meal & Sweet Potato Dog Food
~ GRAIN FREE ~
Our local costco is now carrying this food and we were impressed with it after reading the ingredients.
We know that carotene and Copper proteinate may assist our dogs in keeping Red coat colour
and that this food is made with salmon meal and ocean fish meal for quality protein and is "grain free"
we decided to try our dogs and puppies on it in 2012 and we will provide a review in 6 months time.
This food is ONLY available through Costco and is made by Diamond Pet Foods
(same company that makes Kirkland dog food)
*Click to read Ingredients
(Be aware that some Salmon foods have caused struvite crystals in dogs)
A lot of owners believe their dogs may have food allergies.
And in some breeds such as Irish Setters, there is a real disease called "Celiac disease" in which their dogs
cannot tolerate gluten, a protein present in wheat, barley and rye. Eating those grains causes an
abnormal immune response that attacks the small intestine. Irish Setters are the only breed known have to true celiac disease
but many dogs are sensitive to glutenous grains. This allergy can lead to skin problems, including hair loss, bumps or lesions,
itching and flaking, dry skin. The lesions usually show up on the dog's feet, head, neck, ears and stomach.
Other signs include secondary skin infections and chronic ear infections.
If you suspect a food sensitivity, check the labels on your dog's food for wheat or grain products.
You may have to change what you are feeding your dog. Dogs with food sensitivity can usually tolerate corn,
rice, gluten-free wheat, dairy foods and poultry. Several manufacturers make wheat and gluten-free dog foods and treats.
Of course some owners prefer to make their own RAW or BARF diets to avoid any problems
We hope by providing you with this information that should your puppy have unexplained loose stools that you can begin treatment ASAP
As of 2012 we have received this information on a newer treatment for Coccidia called Marquis (15% w/w ponazuril) Antiprotozoal Oral Paste by Bayer.
I have done more research and found the following links to support this "off label" treament:
The UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program
Beagles Unlimited is the best resource
This is the most common dosage:
Dilute with water (10 ml ponazuril paste plus 20 ml water makes a 50 mg/ml suspension).
50 mg/kg PO once a day for 1-3 days
repeat in 7 days if needed
Ponazuril appears to be very safe.
Drs Foster Smith
Revival
Lamert Vet
Svp Meds compounding
California Pet Pharmacy
~ Click to read about "non-prescription" dewormers ~
Amino B-Plex
Supplies patients with beneficial amounts of B complex vitamins, aqueous liver fractions
and essential amino acids in a highly palatable format that is easy to administer to small sized patients.
Might be helpful in puppy getting nutrience giving .5 of the dropper 2x a day
