The last week we have been having issues with our little girls tummy. She has had explosive diarrhoea and was given 5 days of anti-biotics, probiotics and Hills prescription food to help it settle on Tuesday last week. Once we put her back onto the puppy food the first day (Friday) her stools were okay but on the Saturday just before lunch it was back. Went back to the Vets and they asked for a sample which I will be dropping off today to do some checks in house before doing the samples to send to a lab. We got more of the Hills food for her but this finished this morning. We don't know what is causing this and she is very tired and cries a bit with the pain There has never been an issue with her food before and she does have a varied diet which she has done from day one. The vet suggested the food might be too rich for her now and to start moving onto adult food, is she not a bit young for this? We have been thinking about raw feeding for the last two weeks and thinking that now is the time to take the jump and switch but we still have more research to do with what brand to feed her. Our current cost for her food is £60 a month and raw seems to be double this for a puppy? Can anyone suggest any brands to use, we are based in the UK. The ones that we have found is NI Puppy and Nutriment Adult. So much to think about and we need to make a decision very soon.
If she has been ok up until now on puppy kibble I think it is more likely to be something she has picked up outside. The antibiotics will only work if they are targeting the right infection. A few months ago mine had Campylobacter( treated with antibiotics and Giardia ( treated with Panacur) Both taken more seriously because he had just finished chemo. Once the vet has the stool samples analysed they will know what it is. The Hill’s tins are basically chicken and rice which you could make yourself. Someone else will know about puppies and raw feeding. Hope it clears up soon.
Hi JD thank you for your reply. The first vet didn't think it was an infection but the second has asked for the sample. they can only check for some things in house and if it is clear I will need to do the second and send to the lab, another £120 to the vets lol Never thought of making it ourselves! First time dog owner so been relying on the vet for everything.
I just boil up chicken breasts and add chopped up to white rice. If you google it you will get a better idea of the quantity and how long to feed for. With Toby’s stool samples they asked for 3 from consecutive stools as the bacteria isn’t always captured in one sample. As you say over £100 to send them off! Unfortunately these labs eat lots of unsavoury things and Giardia is waterborne so try to avoid her drinking out of dirty puddles(easier said than done) Let us know how she gets on.
Thanks I will google it now! She loves puddles and getting the leaves at the bottom of them. We need to do the consecutive one once we hear back from the in house sample. She is back on the kibble from lunch today so will see how this reacts with her stomach again
Have you tried a course of Panacur 10% at the giardia dosage? (See instructions on the insert that comes with it.) This is non-prescription and effective against giardia which is a common cause of runny poops, puking and cramping. It's always worth trying as a first effort before seeing a vet. Raw food is an excellent idea and Natural Instinct and Nutriment are both good brands.
Hi Jo, we have only tried what the vet gave us. We are in the UK where would I get this from and how much is the giardia dosage for a 21kg puppy? We have gone for Natural Instinct and we have 5kgs arriving today to try.
When Toby had Giardia we were on holiday but Pets at Home sell it. It is locked away but an advisor will tell you how much to give dependent on dog’s weight. Guess you can buy it online too. What is the vet saying after the sample?
There isn't a Pets at Home here (it had to be knocked down due to a fire). The tests they done in house were clear but it doesn't cover Giardia or another parasite (it can be passed on from birth?). If I can do some home treatment for it first I would be keen for this as will be cheaper than the £120 for the Vet to send off to the lab. However when she is on the hills science plan I/D she has solid stools? Wish she could talk to me so I know what hurts
I have recently been through three (long) months of puppy diarrhea so you have my deep sympathy. My vet tells me that Giardia is a huge problem now and a third of the puppies that have been through the practice this year have had it. They frequently see puppies with both Giardia and Campylobacter. Fingers crossed that your labs come back negative. Hope your puppy is better soon
Thanks Pippa, breaks my heart when she is crying in pain and looking up at me. I think I will treat for Giardia at home and hope this helps.
I would phone the vet and ask if you can get the Panacur from them if you can’t get it online quickly. They have already given you antibiotics without knowing what it is so they should be onboard with it. I would also try to get the stools sorted before you switch to raw so you will know, if there are any problems with a particular protein, it is that and not this current issue causing the problem. Some dogs have a problem with raw chicken for example. Frustrating I know.
Hi JD, We have now had dinner, supper and breakfast on the raw food and she has had two very healthy stools! She had no issues digging into the food and ate the lot no problem. She did take a long time to settle last night but think it would have been because it felt different in her tummy.
You can order it online from many pet pharmacies (I like https://www.vetuk.co.uk ) - it's good to have in the first aid box, whatever. Because waiting ages for meds to arrive when you have poo problems isn't great. The dosage is on the data sheet that comes with it. It says 3 days for giardia, but many vets suggest 5 days.
