ScoreWin Posted August 18, 2019 Share Posted August 18, 2019 I’m worried about my 7 year old Winston! In early July, he started having frequent diarrhea - including lots of panting, decreased interest in food, middle of the night emergencies, etc. We started giving him a little pumpkin and monitoring his food closely. He has a history of anxiety and we had just moved- so attributed to that. After about 3 weeks of this, we took him in to the vet. They did blood work (normal) and sent us home with Flagyl. He completed the full course of those meds and nothing changed- in fact things started to get worse with pure liquid coming out (rather than the loose soft serve he had before). We returned to to the vet, and they did x-rays (which appeared normal.) He lost 5 pounds in 3 weeks. Sent us home with probiotics and told me to feed him a bland diet of boiled chicken and rice. It’s been 3 days of that and we haven’t seen any improvements. Have others gone through something like this? What else can I do? I’m really worried about his weight loss especially. He is looking VERY skinny. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cleptogrey Posted August 18, 2019 Share Posted August 18, 2019 new vet/return vet visit ASAP! talk to your adoption group for a referral or back to your vet tomorrow first thing. i don't think going to an e-vet will make a difference in anything except your bank account. tests need to be run and that takes time. not all e-vets are wonderful. i might be wrong, the decision is yours. there are so many variables, were stool tested as well? also each vet has their choice of drugs/regimes to battle this. TYLAN powder vs. FLAGYL, etc, probiotics etc.... could be just about anything. skip the pumpkin, over cooked white rice and a low fat protein (chicken or turkey- 20% max. just for taste) and back to the vet. something is brewing! fingers crossed that you find relief for your pup. worms, IBD, pancreatitis, who knows what. good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remolacha Posted August 18, 2019 Share Posted August 18, 2019 I agree, need a return vet visit or new vet. X-ray won't show a lot of soft tissue things, he probably needs an ultrsound and different tests. You have done all the standard things, time to search further. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaryJane Posted August 18, 2019 Share Posted August 18, 2019 Do not feed chicken - many dogs are allergic to that protein. Switch to lean hamburger - 90% and see if that helps after a few days. You can also try a fish like tilapia. Also, cook up some oatmeal and give about 2 to 3 tablespoons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScoreWin Posted August 18, 2019 Author Share Posted August 18, 2019 Thanks all! I did bring a stool sample to my first vet visit but he said it wasn’t necessary to test it at the time. I should have pushed harder then. Think I may need to go to a different vet at this point- as our current one doesn’t seem as concerned as I am. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cleptogrey Posted August 18, 2019 Share Posted August 18, 2019 3 hours ago, MaryJane said: Do not feed chicken - many dogs are allergic to that protein. Switch to lean hamburger - 90% and see if that helps after a few days. You can also try a fish like tilapia. Also, cook up some oatmeal and give about 2 to 3 tablespoons. ground turkey? tilapia is loaded w/ antibiotics- garbage farm bred fish that should cost $.99 per pound. if you go w/ lean hamburger it's probably cheaper to use your food processor and grind up cheap london broil- it's lean and often just $1.99- 2.99 per pound. lean ground beef is $$$ around here! oatmeal always gives my dogs the runs. remember white rice- you can throw in a box of low sodium chicken or beef broth as part of the water. the rice will have more flavor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remolacha Posted August 18, 2019 Share Posted August 18, 2019 White rice (cooked very “wet”), runny oatmeal, mushy pasta, different dogs like/do well on different things, just make sure which ever you use is over cooked and mushy. Helps add water which he will need, diarrhea makes them dehydrated and easier to digest. Sorry if I am repeating the obvious, but not everyone knows this stuff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greysmom Posted August 19, 2019 Share Posted August 19, 2019 (edited) Testing for hookworm and giardia should have been the very first thing that was done. If it's parasites, none of the other things are going to help. Edited August 19, 2019 by greysmom Quote Chris - Mom to: Felicity (DeLand), and Andi (Braska Pandora) siggy by Chris Harper, on Flickr Angels: Libby (Everlast), Dorie (Dog Gone Holly), Dude (TNJ VooDoo), Copper (Kid's Copper), Cash (GSI Payncash), Toni (LPH Cry Baby), Whiskey (KT's Phys Ed), Atom, Lilly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted August 19, 2019 Share Posted August 19, 2019 Agreed with the above post-stool check and prophylactic de-wormer should be the first course of action. I love to give a good probiotic-nutramax makes a wonderful product called Proviable. I would also highly recommend trying Hills W/D food-it’s extremely high in fiber and low in fat. The fiber will slow the gi tract down and the low fat will allow the pancreas to settle. Fat is very hard to digest. I would then recommend seeing an internal medicine vet-your hound may have IBD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Time4ANap Posted August 19, 2019 Share Posted August 19, 2019 Given that it started after the move, once you've ruled out parasites or hookworms, it could also be stress-colitis. We had similar tummy issues with Rocket for years before the vet said that was the only diagnosis left since the occurrences were so random. . We ended up ultimately changing food about once a year as foods would just time-out with him and the diarrhea would come back. He had far fewer issues once the diagnosis was made, and we had him on Tylan along with some Olewo Carrots mixed in his food. Pumpkin sometimes makes things worse, so I would lose that if it didn't help. Our go-to for a bland diet has always been Evanger's Organic Cooked Chicken (it's a canned dog food with nothing in it but chicken and a little guar gum as a stabilizer). it seemed to be easier to digest than home-cooked chicken or ground beef. I'd mix the Evanger's with way over cooked mushy rice or pasta, and now pretty much use pasta all the time instead of rice if we need bland food. Petunia and Rocket both really liked overcooked elbow macaroni. If things started firming up after a day or two, I would then add scrambled eggs to the mix until we got formed stools and slowly work back on to regular food. It may also help to feed 4 smaller meals per day instead of loading him up in 2 meals. As you can see, everyone has their different ways of doing things, so it may take a little trial and error to find the right combination for your hound. Should you need probiotics, the Rx Zyme and RxBiotic products work very well and can be purchased on Amazon. Quote Camp Broodie. The current home of Mark Kay Mark Jack and Gracie Kiowa Safe Joan. Always missing my boy Rocket Hi Noon Rocket, Allie Phoenix Dynamite, Kate Miss Kate, Starz Under Da Starz, Petunia MW Neptunia, Diva Astar Dashindiva, and LaVida I've Got Life Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cleptogrey Posted August 20, 2019 Share Posted August 20, 2019 On 8/18/2019 at 10:28 AM, MaryJane said: DANG- CAN'T GET RID OF THIS BOX!!!! ANY WORD FROM THE VET YET? also, i swear by RX VITAMIN clay- found on amazon. annie had colitis, due to heat and stress. events were not for her- and one grapehound was close to 100 degrees. camping and vending were just too much. it took 4-6 months to get her back to normal and wean her off of FLAGYL. she lost 10#s instantly! that's a lot- but gained it back slowly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScoreWin Posted August 20, 2019 Author Share Posted August 20, 2019 Thanks all! We are headed to the vet this afternoon. At our very first visit about a month ago, I brought a stool sample but was told it was unlikely to be worms, since they don't have hookworm in California. I am new to the area, so I believed them at the time and they didn't test it. He's been on the bland diet for nearly five days (mostly just overcooked white rice, plus probiotics once a day) and his stool is coming out bright orange and the consistency of hot coffee. Generally has an appetite, but is a little lethargic and still has some urgency to go to the bathroom. We live in an apartment building, but thankfully he is good about letting us know when he needs to go out. While it may have started as anxiety, it is unlikely that he is still experiencing it. He's been resilient with changes before and I work from home so he is rarely alone (a trigger for him in the past). Will see what the vet says today. Very appreciative of all of the suggestions here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbhounds Posted August 22, 2019 Share Posted August 22, 2019 Orange stool sounds EPI. https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/health/exocrine-pancreatic-insufficiency-in-dogs/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScoreWin Posted August 23, 2019 Author Share Posted August 23, 2019 Thanks all for your suggestions. We went to the vet on Tuesday and he exhibited signs of pain in his abdomen. Also, he had lost another 3 pounds (which brings our total to 8 in the last month). Rather than do further tests there, they recommended that we get an ultrasound ASAP. We did so on Wednesday, and our worst possible fears came true. There was a large cancerous mass wrapped around his colon (7x9 cm) and enlarged lymph nodes. The doctors said we could do further exploratory tests and consider chemo...but in the best case scenario it would buy us a few months... and he is already so weak. We had to say goodbye to our baby yesterday and we are totally and completely heartbroken / devastated. He was only 7 years old...and it all happened so suddenly. I never thought at the beginning of this week that we wouldn't have him by Friday. Give your houndies an extra hug today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greysmom Posted August 23, 2019 Share Posted August 23, 2019 I'm so sorry that Winston had to leave you and your family. It's never easy, but these sudden losses are really hard. {{{hugs}}} Quote Chris - Mom to: Felicity (DeLand), and Andi (Braska Pandora) siggy by Chris Harper, on Flickr Angels: Libby (Everlast), Dorie (Dog Gone Holly), Dude (TNJ VooDoo), Copper (Kid's Copper), Cash (GSI Payncash), Toni (LPH Cry Baby), Whiskey (KT's Phys Ed), Atom, Lilly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remolacha Posted August 23, 2019 Share Posted August 23, 2019 I am so sorry you didn’t have a better outcome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FiveRoooooers Posted August 23, 2019 Share Posted August 23, 2019 I am so sorry. Have been following and hoping for a better outcome for your good boy. Two years ago, Paddy Mayhem also left at 7 yo. Winston will be in good company at the Bridge. You guys take good care of yourselves. Quote Old Dogs are the Best Dogs. Thank you, campers. Current enrollees: Punkin. AnnIE Oooh M, Ebbie, HollyBeeBop (Betty Crocker). Angels: Pal . Segugio. Sorella (TPGIT). LadyBug. Zeke-aroni. MiMi Sizzle Pants. Gracie. Seamie . (Foster)Sweet. Andy. PaddyALVIN!Mayhem. Bosco. Bruno. Dottie B. Trevor Double-Heart. Bea. Cletus, KLTO. Aiden 1-4. Upon reflection, our lives are often referenced in parts defined by the all-too-short lives of our dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BatterseaBrindl Posted August 23, 2019 Share Posted August 23, 2019 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...
ramonaghan Posted August 23, 2019 Share Posted August 23, 2019 I'm so sorry for your sudden loss. You did everything you could for your sweet boy. Rest well, Winston. Quote Rachel with Doolin Doodle Dooooo, boss cat Tootie, and feline squatters Crumpet and Fezziwig. Missing gentlemen kitties Mud, Henry, and Richard and our gorgeous, gutsy girlhounds Sweep and Willa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cleptogrey Posted August 24, 2019 Share Posted August 24, 2019 So so sorry on the loss of your pup. It's devastating loosing a young dog. I just lost a nearly 5 year old to lymphoma. You are in shock, I know all too well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MP_the4pack Posted August 24, 2019 Share Posted August 24, 2019 I'm so so very sorry. Seven is much too young. And so sudden. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EllenEveBaz Posted August 24, 2019 Share Posted August 24, 2019 I am so sorry about the loss of your beautiful boy. You did everything you could for Winston -- nothing could have changed things. He knew every minute he was with you that he was loved. Quote Ellen, with brindle Milo and the blonde ballerina, Gelsey remembering Eve, Baz, Scout, Romie, Nutmeg, and Jeter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greytpups Posted August 25, 2019 Share Posted August 25, 2019 I’m so sorry for your loss so young and so quickly. Quote Jan with precious pups Emmy (Stormin J Flag) and Simon (Nitro Si) and Abbey Field. Missing my angels: Bailey Buffetbobleclair 11/11/98-17/12/09; Ben Task Rapid Wave 5/5/02-2/11/15; Brooke Glo's Destroyer 7/09/06-21/06/16 and Katie Crazykatiebug 12/11/06 -21/08/21. My blog about grief The reality is that you will grieve forever. You will not get over the loss of a loved one; you will learn to live with it. You will rebuild yourself around the loss you have suffered. You will be whole again but you will never be the same. Nor should you be the same, nor would you want to. ― Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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