Guest abarnet1 Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 We just adopted a retired racer. We have had her about a month. I am still struggling with diarrhea and eating grass. I noticed sometimes her stools appear to be normal. If I take her for a walk or to the pet park she seems to get diarrhea immediately and it takes days to get her poo back to normal ( I am still not sure what is normal for her). I keep thinking that she is still adjusting. I am hoping that this is the case, worried mother here. She ran her last race in October of 2011, and we brought her home in Dec. 2011. Her amount of poo seems to be a lot when she goes ( I think of a cow patti when I see it). It was suggested told to southern states food by the adoption agency it just seem to go right through her (the cow patti) like she is pooping more of the food out than she is digesting. I have been switching her one the Nutro large breed slowly. She does like to eat grass in spurts. I have taken her off of her kibble and feed her chicken and rice for a couple of meals, and it seems to come right back. I am not sure if it is stress/excitement related poo. Need help with the poo....I was thinking about adding some pumkin to her kibble to see if that would help. This bring me to the next question. When we first brought her home, we feed her dry food and she seemed to inhale it and get choked a lot. I have started to added a little bit of water to it in hopes of stoping the choking. It seems to have helped. What can I do to slow her down or do I not need to worry about it? After reading some of the posts I am getting worried. She eats very well and drinks plenty of water........... Thanks for any input Worried Poo Mom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFullHouse Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 Has she been checked for worms? If not I'd have the vet check her out. If she's getting the runs from the park, it could be the grass. They may be treating the grass with something. She can also catch viruses and stuff from other dogs from eating the grass so I would try and prevent her as much as possible from eating it. Eating grass can sometimes be related to nausea so if she's feeling a little nauseous she may want to eat more. Does she ever vomit from eating the grass? She may do that at some point if she already hasn't. I'd visit the vet. They can give you some metronidazole (an antibiotic for the stomach) which should clear up the runny pooh and make sure she doesn't have any parasites. If she's clear then you can tackle the food issue. I soak my dogs food with water to prevent choking. Most dogs in the racing kennel are fed a combination of ground beef and veggies and it's very moist and soft so they are not used to chewing hard kibble and will swallow it hole. Quote Judy, mom to Darth Vader, Bandita, And Angel Forever in our hearts, DeeYoGee, Dani, Emmy, Andy, Heart, Saint, Valentino, Arrow, Gee, Bebe, Jilly Bean, Bullitt, Pistol, Junior, Sammie, Joey, Gizmo, Do Bee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BatterseaBrindl Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 Yes...have her checked for intestinal worms! Most Greyhounds will come off the track with some kind of worms. Hookworm is often hard to diagnose ...and eliminate. Even if her stool comes back 'negative', I would still give her a dose or two of an some kind of worm medication. Quote Nancy...Mom to Sid (Peteles Tiger), Kibo (112 Carlota Galgos) and Joshi. Missing Casey, Gomer, Mona, Penelope, BillieJean, Bandit, Nixon (Starz Sammie), Ruby (Watch Me Dash) Nigel (Nigel), and especially little Mario, waiting at the Bridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 (edited) Dear "Poo Mom"-- as others have mentioned make sure you submit a fecal sample to your veterinarian. Most hounds from the track will harbor an intestinal parasite or two. While awaiting for the fecal results I would ask your vet to dispense Panacur (a broad spectrum de-wormer). You may also have to inspect the stool yourself looking for tapeworm segments. It's very rare the lab will pickup tapes on a presented sample. More often you will see the segments in a freshly "presented" sample. They will look like small white flat worms-- as they dry they will look like pieces of brown rice. You may also have to try different foods to find one that's going to agree with your hounds gi tract. I think Nutro may be a good start. Adding fiber may or may not help-- again trial and error. Pumpkin is a good start and while I'm not a great Prescription Hills diet fan their food does have its place. They make something called W/D-- its a high fiber food. The fiber will draw the water from the colon bulking the stool and therefore slowing it down. You may want to pick up a few cans for your vet and incorporate that into the kibble your feeding. Finally, sometimes medications are needed requiring a trip to your vet. Congrats on your new edition- things will iron out. Remember the rule--- pictures are required!!!! Edited to add- keep your yard clean-- pickup stool immediately following defecation in case your hound has parasites-- that way he can't re-infest himself. Also, soak the kibble in warm water to allow the kibble to soften-- works well for my chow hound (good to hear your hound has a greyt appetite). Edited January 1, 2012 by tbhounds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest abarnet1 Posted January 1, 2012 Share Posted January 1, 2012 Thanks to everyone for the information. It looks like a trip to the vet is in order. I will be calling tomorrow. I will be sure to grab a fresh stool sample to take with me, and I will be inspecting the poo myself for the signs of tapeworm. It also looks like I will be asking for worming medicine. I took her to the vet about a week after having her just to have her looked and check out, but it was just a physical exam. I also had her micro-chiped or as I put it to the vet "Low-Jacked". I did tell her about the diarrhea she said she would give me some medicine for it. We were hoping it would clear up on its own. I have started her on Trifexis once a month. She had not gotten sick from the grass yet....I try to watch her like a hawk to stop her from eating grass. We have only taken her to a dog park once, from the way it sounds I do not need to take her until we get things cleared up.... I will take all advise and soak the food before giving it to her. For all, I will be posting some pictures as soon and I can figure out how to edit the photo size. I have a mac and I am using iPhoto. If anyone can tell me how that would be great!!! I have yet to figure it out. It appears I need to update my iPhoto. I will keep all posted on the outcome of the vet visit.....Thanks Again Feeling Better Poo Mom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joejoesmom Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 (edited) You've received great suggestions so far: Definitely talk to the vet about worming and perhaps metronidazole (Flagyl). Avoid the dog park for now. Pick up all poop immediately. Soak the kibble. I have a couple of other suggestions: Some people have found putting the turn out muzzle on their grey when they eat helps to slow down the food gulping. There are also some special bowls (kind of look like a donut) that are supposed to help with this. If you have other dogs at home, you might try separating the dogs (putting them in separate rooms where they can't see each other) to help curb the desire to inhale all the food before the other dog can get it. I have also heard some people put a ball (like a racquet ball) in the food dish. I guess this would work if the dog doesn't think about just taking it out. If the wormer and metronidazole doesn't provide a long term cure for the diarrhea, it is possible your dog might have some food allergies. Commercial diets are quite different than track diets so the allergy may not have shown up on the track. Assuming you don't want to cook all your dogs meals, try a limited ingredient diet, such as Dick Van Pattons Natural Balance venison and potato, or better yet, a prescription allergy diet (rabbit, kangaroo etc. with oat or potato). If it clears up, then it is likely an allergy. You can slowly introduce additional ingredients if you want to help determine what the allergen is. This way, you might be able to use a less expensive diet for the long run. Be sure to change diets slowly (mix the two together for at least a week). Allow 6 to 8 weeks on the limited ingredient diet. Other signs of allergies include: itchiness, licking of paws or body, scaly patches on the skin, ear infections, and a whole host of less common reactions. Common allergens include wheat, corn, chicken, beef, lamb -- but a dog could have an allergy to anything. Allergies are due to protein, so vitamins and minerals are safe. Fish oils should be safe because oil doesn't contain protein. However, if it is not highly refined, there could be traces of fish protein. Good luck with your new pup! Jane Edited January 2, 2012 by joejoesmom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandiandwe Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 I'm struggling with this exact issue with one of ours, so will be watching this thread like a hawk. We've got her on chicken and rice with yoghurt, and Metronidazole. Day five and no real improvement (though our other hound is doing really well on the changed diet.) Back to the vet soon, and definitely a phone call tomorrow. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 I'm struggling with this exact issue with one of ours, so will be watching this thread like a hawk. We've got her on chicken and rice with yoghurt, and Metronidazole. Day five and no real improvement (though our other hound is doing really well on the changed diet.) Back to the vet soon, and definitely a phone call tomorrow. Good luck. Just a quick comment about yogurt-when feeding it make sure it's whole milk yogurt--the light or fat free yogurts may have artificial sweeteners added. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest abarnet1 Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 We are going to the vet this morning at 9 central. I have looked through poo and did not see anything unusual, did see some grass. I got a really fresh sample for the vet (LOL)....the pumpkin seems to be helping.The Warm water seems to help and she seems happier to eat it. Soaking the food has seemed to slow her down when eating. She is the only dog, so she will be spoiled rotten. I did give her a gas-x last night, we are battling gas from time to time, after about an hour she seemed liked a new dog. I will update when we get back from the vet......wish us luck... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest abarnet1 Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 Okay we are back....swab was negative for worms....she did show elevated bacteria though. So the plan is 5 days on Metronidazole and add some rice to her food. If this does not work then may have to do another does of metronidazole and look into some different type of food for sensitive dogs. I am hoping this does the trick......will keep all posted....thanks again for all the advice. Happy Poo Mom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFullHouse Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 Hope the metronidazole does the trick! Quote Judy, mom to Darth Vader, Bandita, And Angel Forever in our hearts, DeeYoGee, Dani, Emmy, Andy, Heart, Saint, Valentino, Arrow, Gee, Bebe, Jilly Bean, Bullitt, Pistol, Junior, Sammie, Joey, Gizmo, Do Bee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 I would still inquire about giving your hound a de-wormer. You can never make the claim that you received a negative fecal result. The lab didn't see any ova or parasites with the submitted sample-- only means the parasite wasn't shedding eggs at the time you collected the sample. The lab will never use the word negative because you just can not make that claim-- they will use the saying-"no ova and parasites seen". Metronidazole will help reduce inflammation within the colon and will help if your hound has giardia but, not if there is another parasite lurking about such as hooks or whips. Will not hurt to give a few days of Panacur Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandiandwe Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 I'm struggling with this exact issue with one of ours, so will be watching this thread like a hawk. We've got her on chicken and rice with yoghurt, and Metronidazole. Day five and no real improvement (though our other hound is doing really well on the changed diet.) Back to the vet soon, and definitely a phone call tomorrow. Good luck. Just a quick comment about yogurt-when feeding it make sure it's whole milk yogurt--the light or fat free yogurts may have artificial sweeteners added. Whole milk, organic, pot-set, natural yoghurt with pro-biotics and no additives. The hounds eat better than I do... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kjmom Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 We just adopted a retired racer. We have had her about a month. I am still struggling with diarrhea and eating grass. I noticed sometimes her stools appear to be normal. If I take her for a walk or to the pet park she seems to get diarrhea immediately and it takes days to get her poo back to normal ( I am still not sure what is normal for her). I keep thinking that she is still adjusting. I am hoping that this is the case, worried mother here. She ran her last race in October of 2011, and we brought her home in Dec. 2011. Her amount of poo seems to be a lot when she goes ( I think of a cow patti when I see it). It was suggested told to southern states food by the adoption agency it just seem to go right through her (the cow patti) like she is pooping more of the food out than she is digesting. I have been switching her one the Nutro large breed slowly. She does like to eat grass in spurts. I have taken her off of her kibble and feed her chicken and rice for a couple of meals, and it seems to come right back. I am not sure if it is stress/excitement related poo. Need help with the poo....I was thinking about adding some pumkin to her kibble to see if that would help. This bring me to the next question. When we first brought her home, we feed her dry food and she seemed to inhale it and get choked a lot. I have started to added a little bit of water to it in hopes of stoping the choking. It seems to have helped. What can I do to slow her down or do I not need to worry about it? After reading some of the posts I am getting worried. She eats very well and drinks plenty of water........... Thanks for any input Worried Poo Mom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kjmom Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 Hi worried mom, I am sure she is still setting in. Pumpkin went right through my KJ but she loves yogart. I always have it in the fridge for her when her tummy gets upset. She can have 1/2 of a normal human serving or you can give her the whole thing. Find a food and stop switchng it. We feed ours Fromms all natural dry food. As far as the eating and choking my KJ does that too. You can slow them down by putting a piece of log chain in her food so they will have to work around it to be able to eat just make sure the chain is large links do they will not chew on the chain. Or you can put a foil wrapped brick in the food bowl. Something for them to work around. You can also give them pepto if they have a really bad upset tummy. About 1 teaspoon will work. As far as the eatng grass ALL dogs eat grass at somepoint. I wouldnt worry about that unless she is out of control with it. When Kj starts to eat ours we know its time to mow....that will stop her from eating so I figure its her way of tell us to mow the grass. I hope ass this help some. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BatterseaBrindl Posted January 2, 2012 Share Posted January 2, 2012 Okay we are back....swab was negative for worms....she did show elevated bacteria though. So the plan is 5 days on Metronidazole and add some rice to her food. If this does not work then may have to do another does of metronidazole and look into some different type of food for sensitive dogs. I am hoping this does the trick......will keep all posted....thanks again for all the advice. Happy Poo Mom Not meaning to slam your vet, but there is no way they could do a proper/thorough fecal today while you waited at the clinic. They probably ust did a 'floatation', which is not reliable. Last time I had my dogs stool tested, it got sent out to a lab and the results did not come back for a couple of days. Hookworm and tapeworm are both especially hard to diagnose. I agree with 'tbhounds' ...you should go back to the vet and ask for a wormer. Better to be safe than sorry. My vet likes 'Drontol Plus' as it is effective for tapeworm, hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms. Quote Nancy...Mom to Sid (Peteles Tiger), Kibo (112 Carlota Galgos) and Joshi. Missing Casey, Gomer, Mona, Penelope, BillieJean, Bandit, Nixon (Starz Sammie), Ruby (Watch Me Dash) Nigel (Nigel), and especially little Mario, waiting at the Bridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest abarnet1 Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 Update: It has been 5 days of medicine, poo is looking great....Now if I can keep her from pooping in my flower beds that would be great...LOL She seems to feel better. She is not the same dog I brought home. Thanks again to all and thanks for all the support. Stacy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Geostar Posted January 7, 2012 Share Posted January 7, 2012 Hi there.. When the dogs begin to nibble on grass, give them some canned string beans. Don't cook the beans, but, rinse them before giving a few the food every day. That should help.. Glad the dog is doing better.. =star Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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