Time4ANap
-
Posts
5,960 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Gallery
Store
Articles
Posts posted by Time4ANap
-
-
Based on our experience, I'd recommend you get a fecal culture & sensitivity performed. Spencer had a long tussle with Clostridium perfringens, which is an anaerobic bacterium, and got very sick, even unto permanent IBD, because it took months to get the vet to do the culture. Here's a link to one of the simplest vet-authored articles on it: http://www.veterinar...C=17&A=2239&S=1 Not saying that it's Clostridium, but when you speak of the stagnant-water smell, I think anaerobic bacteria. My point is that getting stuck on the idea of giardia could just slow you down, as could just repeating standard fecal tests.
I could write a dissertation on this subject (sigh). But maybe the most important thing I could say, apart from the above, is that even though many bacteria appear normally in the gut and therefore the stool, it is the number of each kind that is telling. The lab doing the C&S knows what the expected numbers are. When there are "way, way, way, way more" than that (which is what the tech reported to me about Spencer's C. perfringens), then you know it's a problem. Oh, and it took three antibiotics, two weeks each, to get it under control. One of them was Flagyl, but the usual dose for the usual length of time, was totally insufficient. So if you decide this is the kind of testing you want, you may have to get insistent that the vet order the C&S, as I finally had to do, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do. Wishing you good luck, in any case!
This is exactly why I asked! I figured there would be someone who'd gone down the path to treat Giardia and have it end up being something else. Thank you! That gives me something else to think about and not have it stuck in my head that this is Giardia. Whatever it is, we need to figure it out and get it treated. My boy is not his usual self, and he didn't show up in the kitchen to help me make my sandwich today (he's the cheese tester), so I know he is not feeling good.
As much as I hate to bypass our regular vet who is very good, I have the resources of one of the premiere Vet Med schools in the country even closer than the vet's office, so I think we may just make a trip over there and get the right testing the first time. Rocket has donated blood for cancer studies there, so they even have a complete panel on file for him and will be able to detect anything that has changed along those lines as well.
As far as the other posts about the cleanliness issues, we've been sanitizing everything, and already have a habit of using wipes on his paws after every outing due to the amount of chemicals people here dump on their lawns. I think the TruGreen truck is stationed permanently in our neighborhood. We are already taking the other precautions that were mentioned, just in case. Thanks.
-
I've read that Flagyl is often not 100% effective for Giardia and Panacur, or giving both in combination is preferred. I thought a fecal routinely checked for intestinal and bacterial parasites, did your vet specifically tell you that she didn't test the stool sample for Giardia?
I do wonder if now the Flagyl might interfere with getting true test results. I don't know either way, but am thinking about other similar situations where test results can be compromised. In theory, I think it's best to get a reliable positive test result, so you can know what you are treating, but also determine if it's cleared up after treatment with a recheck, but with parasites that isn't always possible, in which case I would certainly treat prophylactically with Panacur if the symptoms were there.
I'm having a similar issue with Violet FYI. I keep going back and forth between there's nothing wrong with her and she has Giardia or Whipworms. I'm going to have to get another fecal in. Really wish my vet were closer to me, it's such a PITA to just drop a sample off. But even if it's negative, I think I'm going to treat.
Once I found out that the Indy vets were seeing a big increase in Giardia cases, i called the vet to see if they had checked for it. The fecal test they use initially doesn't check for it. I've never had a basic fecal test come back positive for anytiing, and don't put much faith into them. When he was negative for worms previously, we happened to take a night walk and using my bright flashlight to pick up poop I found a "grain of rice" in the stool that was waving at me.
We have been through this bloody mucous like stool issue several times in the past, and usually Flagyl and a food change has taken care of it. We were usually able to confirm a manufacturer change in the food those times, so wrote it off to that. Others seemed to have similar issues with those foods when it happened. There has been nothing like that this time. Having nursed him back the previous times, I know that this time is different, and I'm really thinking he has picked up Giardia. if not from exposure to another dog when he was boarded, then maybe from droppings on our walking route. We have a number of dog owners locally who feel that if there isn't a house on that part of the sidewalk, then you don't have to pickup. That's a separate rant and an issue i'm about to take up with the HOA.
I am probably going to request a SNAP test, and if our vet doesn't do that one, I will take him over to the clinic at University of IL VetMed to have it done. I've read your other posts about Violet's issues recently and kind of wondered the same things you've brought up. Hope she's feeling better soon
Jack had giardia two treatments of Panacur and metronidazole were needed to clear it up. He had some diarrhea, bad gas which had a very distinct odor and his coat was in poor condition. My vet said it is hard to treat. Jack is actually due to get another stool sample checked at the end of this month to make sure it is gone. Good luck.
Linda, Keeva and Jack
I call that smell a "blood smell" if that's the same one you are describing. It also smells sort of like stagnant water to me. There is no mistaking it, and it's one of the reasons I'm leaning toward Giardia as the issue. Glad to hear that Jack is doing ok.
Thanks for the good wishes everyone. Rocket doesn't know it, but he has tons of friends here.
-
One of our five dogs was tested several times for Giardia and it was missed until they used the SNAP test which was more sensitive. He had a nasty case causing diarrhea, weight loss, etc. All five dogs were treated with Panacur and then retested after the appropriate time had passed. Eventually when all 5 stool samples were clear, it was discontinued. It took a few months but was worth the effort.
I would suggest you see if the SNAP test can be used to get a diagnosis.
Thanks! I'm going to give it the weekend to see if there's any improvement on this 2nd round of Flagyl, but want to have a plan if there's no improvement.
-
My boys had what the vet suspected was giardia a few months ago. The metronidazole didn't completely clear it. So, she prescribed tinidazole, which had to be compounded for them. It got rid of it and their stools returned to normal.
Thanks. That's good info to know.
-
We know of a hound with really bad HGE. Nothing worked until they tried Precise Sensicare. He hasn't had any problems in over a year. Also know of a couple other hounds on it for various stomach issues and the results have been good.
I just bought it to deal with a stomach issue that Rocket is having, but still have him on a bland diet of chicken and rice. He's not quite ready for kibble yet.
Hope Lenny feels better soon.
Thank you! I've seen that product in Ca but not sure about here, but will check
It can be hard to find locally without having your store order it in. Unfortunately Precise seems to have large gaps in store distrubution around the country. I normally feed their Precise Foundation and have to either special order it at the feed store, or pick it up when I go to indy, about 120 miles away.
I ordered the Sensicare from Wag.comand it arrived in 2 days. Best packaging I've ever seen on a dog food shipment. Wag seems to have it's distribution outsourced to a large logistics company with product staged around the country to meet their 2 day shipping commitment. Very good site to deal with.
Thank you so much for posting about Wag.com. Their price for the Wellness Core is $20.00 per bag cheaper than Petsmart, free shipping and it will be here tomorrow. Totally amazing!
I went with the Wellness Core reduced fat on the suggestion of Jean Dodds who also said the Precise is an excellent food as well.
So, thank you!
Glad it worked out! I didn't even know about them, but my DW sent me the link and said to try it. Apparently they donate a portion of sales to Best Friends in Kanab, UT. DW works for Best Friends, so it's a win-win for us to order from Wag.com.
-
Rocket has been having stomach issues for several weeks. We've pretty much ruled out a food issue and even tried a switch to a new food since we've had to do that in the past, but to no avail.
Fecal was negative for parasites. We are on our 2nd round of Flagyl. He was also prescribed KaoPectalin, a probiotic, which seemed to intensify the diarrhea and bloody mucus.
I have strongly suspected that he has Giardia for a week or so, but the vet has not yet tested for it since it often doesn't show up anyway. I received some info from a friend who works for a vet in Indianapolis (about 120 miles from here) that they are seeing a dramatic increase in Giardia cases, and he has been boarded in Indy about 2 weeks before his symptoms developed.
If you've had a hound with Giardia or have experience with it, what has worked? Would you go ahead and do preventive round of panacur at this point without a Giardia test? I'm thinking that we need to, as we are going on week 3 of the issue. (He does seem to have the symptoms of Giardia, but many of those symptoms are common to other issues as well)
We are still cooking for him, and he is getting up in the middle of the night with the worst sounding stomach growls and squeals I've ever heard. Giving him some chicken and rice makes the noises stop, and he goes back to sleep. This is usually around 4:30 AM, and his last feeding is usually around 9PM before bed.
Thoughts from those who have been through Giardia?
-
Sounds like he has plenty of stomach upset and knows that kibble makes him feel worse at the moment. If he's not eating, he is going to start dropping weight really fast, if he hasn't already. He also may not have the energy to go for the walks right now.
Make him some boiled chicken and rice or some scrambled eggs and rice and feed him 4 or 5 small meals a day. He needs bland food until his stomach settles down, and then a slow re-introduction to kibble.
Easy way to do the chicken is to put a couple of boneless breasts in the crock pot with some water, and let it cook. You can even do this with frozen chicken. When it's done, shred the chicken into fine shreds. I also make a pot of overcooked rice or pasta and then just put them in the bowl and mix them up. Multiple small meals are best until the stomach upset subsides.
i do the same thing with eggs, scramble a dozen at a time and then just pull them from the frig for feeding.. Serving them cold is fine - dogs typically love eggs and will eat them when they won't eat anyhting else.
Good luck, and I hope your pup is feeling better soon.
-
We know of a hound with really bad HGE. Nothing worked until they tried Precise Sensicare. He hasn't had any problems in over a year. Also know of a couple other hounds on it for various stomach issues and the results have been good.
I just bought it to deal with a stomach issue that Rocket is having, but still have him on a bland diet of chicken and rice. He's not quite ready for kibble yet.
Hope Lenny feels better soon.
Thank you! I've seen that product in Ca but not sure about here, but will check
It can be hard to find locally without having your store order it in. Unfortunately Precise seems to have large gaps in store distrubution around the country. I normally feed their Precise Foundation and have to either special order it at the feed store, or pick it up when I go to indy, about 120 miles away.
I ordered the Sensicare from Wag.com and it arrived in 2 days. Best packaging I've ever seen on a dog food shipment. Wag seems to have it's distribution outsourced to a large logistics company with product staged around the country to meet their 2 day shipping commitment. Very good site to deal with.
-
We know of a hound with really bad HGE. Nothing worked until they tried Precise Sensicare. He hasn't had any problems in over a year. Also know of a couple other hounds on it for various stomach issues and the results have been good.
I just bought it to deal with a stomach issue that Rocket is having, but still have him on a bland diet of chicken and rice. He's not quite ready for kibble yet.
Hope Lenny feels better soon.
-
Rest in Peace Father Al.
-
Yup, green beans, fruit, veggies, just about anything along that line is begged for here.
-
I love your "be brave" Lexie has the usual and.....out of the kitchen
time to visit residents( she is a therapy dog)
your friends are here (neighbors kids)
the bus is here
want your probiotic chew?
What about the things her Daddy has taught her that you don't know about?
-
-
Scrambled eggs or even soft boiled. Cottage cheese unless dairy is an issue.
Going through tummy issues with Rocket at the moment, and a mixture of scrambled eggs and overcooked white rice kept him eating. If she eats them, you can make 6 or 12 at a time and pull them from the refrigerator as needed. Rocket will eat them cold or warm - doesn't matter I use a non-stick pan so no butter, Pam etc needed that will alter the flavor or upset the stomach.
-
Congratulations. Tessa - you just hit the lottery!
-
The amount will also depend on the calorie count / nutrition factors of the food you are using. Check the package. Most kibble we have used calls for 3 cups per day for dogs in the 75 lb range (I'm rounding numbers here - check the package). Rocket is about 75 lbs and gets about 3 1/2 cups per day plus some treats. He does 2 walks a day of 20-30 minutes. He's not a fan of long walks, so usually turns around and heads for home if we extend the walks any longer.
-
Wonderful news!!!!!
-
We use the Tick Key. Easiest thing ever, and it works. We keep one in the travel kit and one in the house.
-
Passion, it looks like you ran into a porkapine.....
Hope you are feeling better soon.
-
Walter is a handsome dude, and looks like he might have a few stories to share with us.....
-
Our Sam's Club also had a similar container at a great price recently. It had wheels, and said on the label that it would fit a 50 or 60 lb bag. This was a few months ago, so not sure if it's still there. Will check this week, and post a link if I can find it.
-
Lexie may be eating some people food this week. How about tuna or salmon? (She may never want kibble again) Any canned (wet) food that she can eat
Scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, toast, or green beans for breakfast? Not a ton of nutrition but would get her through the morning until you find an alternate for the week.
Guess this is a good time to do a little "disaster planning" and figure out what we would be feeding if food wasn't available after a disaster etc.... We usually keep 2 40lb bags on hand, but if ours was recalled, we too would be SOL.
-
Scrambled eggs and rice maybe? How much for each hound do you think? They each usually get 2 cups of kibble per meal.
When I have done scrambled eggs, it's usually 2 eggs each, rice is a good filler, I have even done dry toast
You can do veggies too....green beans, carrots...a little mini smorgasbord Also boiled ground beef, boiled chicken, cottage cheese or cooked pasta (plain).. These are all the things we use as occasional add-ins or topping just to break up the monotony of kibble. None of it has ever been turned down. When Rocket had stomach problems, I was cooking a dozen scrambled eggs at a time and storing them in the frig for meals. You can't feed this stuff for an extended period because they will drop weight fast, but in a pinch it will suffice as a meal or an add-on if you are low on kibble.
-
Scrambled eggs - hounds love 'em.....
I love your "be brave" Lexie has the usual and.....
You can do veggies too....green beans, carrots...a little mini smorgasbord
Frozen Green Beans?
in Food and dietary discussion
Posted
That boy is after my own heart....I don't like any of those either. Try a piece of tangerine or banana for Taylor.