Jump to content

Desiree Is Not Doing So Good


Guest adriahna

Recommended Posts

Guest adriahna

Hi, everyone -

 

My girl Desiree has not been doing so hot, and after vet calls and visits, I'm pretty much at my wit's end with the matter. I thought maybe someone here might have some advice for us - anything is appreciated.

 

Basically, she's going on 11, and has never had this issue before. Chronic watery stools, and for several weeks now. As well, she is losing weight, and she doesn't have the spark to her personality that was once there. Her vet put her on a course of metronidazole - with no results, and now she is on drontal plus, in case this is a worm issue. Her initial dose of drontal plus was taken on 8/24 - her next is on 9/14. All that I can think of is that this began after we moved to this neighborhood - perhaps she picked up something in the park where we walk. Some of you might recall that her recent liver and kidney values were a bit high - I don't know if that has anything to do with this problem.

 

Any advice would be hugely appreciated. I have tried sensitive stomach kibble as well as raw feeding, bland diet - nothing is helping her. I am worried out of my skin, and feeling guilty as all heck, in that I can't seem to figure out how to help her feel better.

 

Thanks, everyone - it means a lot to us.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest SYMBASMOMMY

It may be the move itself or just a coincidence and the begin stages of IBD..is there any mucous in her stools? Or just watery?.....anyway, sorry you are going through this...when my Symba had the same problems....I did the following.....hope it helps you.....

 

Boil some chicken and rice and feed it to her until she can get a few pounds put on...you can use good hamburger meat too if she is not a chicken doggie....try not to feed her any treats or things that are grainy....try sweet or white potatoes, plain yogurts, mild cheeses, plain rice pudding....grains can be very hard for some dogs to tolerate and it does just start out of the blue I have found....

 

If this works and she seems to be better...try switching her to all raw or to a grain less kibble like Barking at the Moon....also keep an eye on her liver and kidney values.....and make sure she stays hydrated with lots of water...I also added some warm water to Symba's meals to keep his hydration level up....best wishes to you and your Desiree....

 

 

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest adriahna

Thanks so much. I am keeping a close eye on her - and will be adding pumpkin to her diet. The IBS matter came up in conversation with my friend Sheila (greyaspet), so that is keen on my mind as a possibility, too. Desiree is able to hold on to her stools - in other words, no accidents inside - but I know she cannot be feeling well, with stools like that. They are mostly watery - if anything minor mucus at the very end. I am watching her water intake, and she seems to be doing fine with that. Sigh... I just want her feeling better...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest adriahna
How about another vet? Do you have a specialty clinic or university near you?

 

I'm currently on the lookout for one. I have a lead coming up from a friend, so I'll be calling that vet up once I have the number.

 

Also, I've had her on bland diet, as well as simple boiled chicken - no luck. I thought it might be spoiled kibble, but no luck there, either - I've replaced two bags already, and no luck. Tried Nutro Ultra as well - nothing doing. Just trying to figure out what's happening...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest charmsmom

If it happened when you moved to the area, could it be a problem with the water? Did you switch from city to well or vice-versa? There may be a chemical or bacteria in the water making her ill. Maybe you could try putting her water through a filter and see if that helps.... Maybe I'm reaching here, but I know my cats had trouble when we moved from city to well.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What food are you feeding? Worth calling manufacturer to see if there's been a formula change. Does she get any treats/supplements on a regular basis?

 

Doc has checked stool for worms and giardia?

Star aka Starz Ovation (Ronco x Oneco Maggie*, litter #48538), Coco aka Low Key (Kiowa Mon Manny x Party Hardy, litter # 59881), and mom in Illinois
We miss Reko Batman (Trouper Zeke x Marque Louisiana), 11/15/95-6/29/06, Rocco the thistledown whippet, 04/29/93-10/14/08, Reko Zema (Mo Kick x Reko Princess), 8/16/98-4/18/10, the most beautiful girl in the whole USA, my good egg Joseph aka Won by a Nose (Oneco Cufflink x Buy Back), 09/22/2003-03/01/2013, and our gentle sweet Gidget (Digitizer, Dodgem by Design x Sobe Mulberry), 1/29/2006-11/22/2014, gone much too soon. Never forgetting CJC's Buckshot, 1/2/07-10/25/10.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest 2greygirls

don't forget that changing foods and stuff will exacerbate theproblem..As my girls got older, they beacme less tolerant of corn or wheat..soo try a corn and wheat free kibble..I would do the boiled chicken and rice for a bit, and then introduce the kibble slowly. IBS is a possibility too..I know your frustration. Have you been giving any pepcid or pepto..I find that somtetimes just getting the , uh, goo, to stop allows their bowel to calm down. The treatment your vet is doing, sounds about right for an undiagosed condition.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest SYMBASMOMMY

Hmmm...just got back here and see that her stools are mucousy at the end and he didn't have an urgency but when he did go that is how they were....sounds familiar....I will bet she is having a hard time digesting the grains in her kibble.....just a thought....and remember the solution doesn't happen overnight....Symba started his IBD symptoms in December and it finally got better by April....take her off her kibble and just start with feeding the boiled hamburger, chicken and some pasta....maybe rice is a grain she cannot tolerate either.....when Symba was at his worse.....his stools were watery, grainy and mucousy...sorry.....I don't know how to say it other than that way.....also, just to let you know that I am the one who had to do all the research...even with my grey savvy vet she was at a lose with Symba....sometimes you just have to go with your gut.....and try different combos to see what works......can you buy Solid Gold products where you are? If you aren't too frustrated, maybe just try Barking at the Moon......I tried Innova, Nutro, Eagle Pack...the list goes on and on until Barking at the Moon didn't only make him feel better but his butt started growing hair on it finally too.....Hope I helped a bit!

Edited by SYMBASMOMMY
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest taylorsmom

My holistic vet has given me something for the dogs called "Fast Balance". It is a concentrated dose of acidophilus and other good bacteria, and seems to really help when there has been a longer episode of diarrhea than usual. Has she been on antibiotics? Often the good bacteria in yogurt alone is not enough to re-establish good bowel condition. The Fast Balance is actually used a lot for horses. It comes in this great big syringe-like tube and you just squirt it into food every day. My friend has an IBS dog and it is the only thing that helps get her bowels straightened out when she goes through a particularly bad diarrhea episode.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest adriahna

Thanks for asking so many questions, everyone - this is most helpful.

 

Desiree's been on Purina One Lamb and Rice for at least a year without any trouble - it was actually a great improvement over her time spent on Royal Canin. Previously, she was great on this kibble - and never had trouble until I moved out here. She was not on supplements at the time, no treats, nothing different - but since the move, things have gone downhill quickly. I will give Purina a ring, to see if the formulation has changed.

 

She did have a stool check for worms/giardia done at the vet's - negative.

 

At the suggestion of a friend, I will be trying a brief fast, then on to a boiled chicken and rice diet - keeping a darned close eye on her water intake. At this point, with her age, I am frightened of dehydration, especially in summertime. Her vet's number is on my cell, just in case.

 

Thanks so much, everyone.

 

Hmmm...just got back here and see that her stools are mucousy at the end and he didn't have an urgency but when he did go that is how they were....sounds familiar....I will bet she is having a hard time digesting the grains in her kibble.....just a thought....and remember the solution doesn't happen overnight....Symba started his IBD symptoms in December and it finally got better by April....take her off her kibble and just start with feeding the boiled hamburger, chicken and some pasta....maybe rice is a grain she cannot tolerate either.....when Symba was at his worse.....his stools were watery, grainy and mucousy...sorry.....I don't know how to say it other than that way.....also, just to let you know that I am the one who had to do all the research...even with my grey savvy vet she was at a lose with Symba....sometimes you just have to go with your gut.....and try different combos to see what works......can you buy Solid Gold products where you are? If you aren't too frustrated, maybe just try Barking at the Moon......I tried Innova, Nutro, Eagle Pack...the list goes on and on until Barking at the Moon didn't only make him feel better but his butt started growing hair on it finally too.....Hope I helped a bit!

 

Wow - what you are describing with Symba sounds almost exactly like what my Desi is going through. Grainy/watery/mucousy - that's it in three words. If things clear up for her after some time on a boiled diet, I may look into the kibbles you mentioned here. I just want to hold her and let her know that I'm doing all I can to help her feel better...

 

My holistic vet has given me something for the dogs called "Fast Balance". It is a concentrated dose of acidophilus and other good bacteria, and seems to really help when there has been a longer episode of diarrhea than usual. Has she been on antibiotics? Often the good bacteria in yogurt alone is not enough to re-establish good bowel condition. The Fast Balance is actually used a lot for horses. It comes in this great big syringe-like tube and you just squirt it into food every day. My friend has an IBS dog and it is the only thing that helps get her bowels straightened out when she goes through a particularly bad diarrhea episode.

 

I will have a look for that product - thanks!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest SYMBASMOMMY

You are a good mommy....she knows!!! I felt so frustrated and angry when Symba was like that all winter this past year....but I was relentless and told him that...I know they "understand"....if I can help you in any way...please pm me and let me know....I can empathize with you...and I have found unfortunately, all pups are not the same when it comes to this tummy problem....what works for one doesn't always necessarily work for another.....keep up the good work!!!

 

My thoughts to you and Desi!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest SusanP

You might be able to simmer things down by feeding the Eukanuba Low Residue kibble--available only through a vet, and not all vets carry it. It's what our vets put dogs on when diarrhea crops up. Once things settle down a little you could cautiously experiment with a different food. I know my guys occasionally get loose for no apparent reason, and the more different foods I try, the worse things get. The Eukanuba Low Residue is intended for this kind of problem and has always helped quickly. I knew one dog with IBD who stayed on this food his entire life.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest adriahna
I could recommend an awesome vet for you. I take my dog to Dr Broussard at AMC in Manhattan. He is a GI doc and he really was so incredibly helpful. He got my guy right back on track. Sometimes you need to see a specialist :colgate

 

THANK YOU so very much. This is of huge help - I will give him a call, if things don't improve. I hugely appreciate this!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest adriahna

You all are wonderful.

 

I am currently boiling a chicken on the stove for my little trouper, after a day of no food intake. She basically "cleaned house" last night, with no poops this morning - she's resting in the cool of the air conditioner right now.

 

I will be looking into Barking at the Moon today - surely there's a local retailer in NYC that carries it, and it sounds like some of you folks have had luck with it...

 

Thanks again so much for all your help and good thoughts! :wub:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest Winterwish

Oh good,boiled chicken is good adriahna. One thing I'd say tho' is that even tho' your natural desire is to get food into her,I'd make that a very small meal tho',very small,so her GI system can rest and quiet a bit.

 

Edited by Winterwish
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest adriahna

Hee, hee... I am a bit nuts. Being a year-round Coney Islander (member of the weekly winter-bathing Polar Bear Club), I wanted a spot close to my stomping grounds... I'm actually in Bensonhurst, and will very soon be checking out Vinnie's, at your suggestion.

 

I will be giving Desi very small amounts initially - a good friend mentioned the concept of allowing the GI system to rest, as well - it makes perfect sense. I basically try to think of what it would be like in Desi's paws, and I'd want my body to have a chance to calm down, too, regardless of hunger.

 

Thanks for the heads up on the vet's office location - I am actually considering just hiring a car service for the need. I hate having to rent (a big headache when I have an event to attend), and with the local option of pet taxis and such, it shouldn't be a problem.

 

Again, you guys are awesome.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest adriahna

Oh, very good - it's great to have a fellow greyhound fiend in the area!

 

I will give Vinnie's a call - I like to support local businesses, and if he can get the Barking at the Moon kibble, even better. This is great!

 

And yes - long before I became a Polar Bear, I loved visiting the beach year-round. Coney in particular has a romance to it when it's cold that is so unique - the wind howling through the Cyclone and Wonder Wheel structures is unlike anything else. So cool...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...