Any solutions for Diarrhea??

jxxlxxs

Reugar's Mom
Joined
Oct 3, 2005
Messages
46
Likes
0
Points
0
Location
Ohio
#1
We got a new puppy about 3 weeks ago (from the humane society, as usual) and hes had diarrhea ever since we got him. Weve taken him to the vet 3 times with no avail. He is now on Science Diet chicken puppy food, both dry and canned (vet says this food is not as rich as pro plan and should help stop it). He also dewormed the poor pup again, and gave him white powder medicine ( cant remember off the top of my head what its called- but its the same stuff they gave me when reugar had giardia) so I know its not worms thats bugging his belly.
Just wondered if anyone has any good home remedies that work to help stop this. Ive heard of giving him some canned pumpkin, pepto, & immodium...has anyone ever tried any of these and what were youre results?? Im thinking of switching to another vet bc I dont think that a 9 week old pup should be having diarrhea for 3 weeks and the vet just isnt doing anything about it...anyways, thanks!
Jen
 

Athebeau

New Member
Joined
Aug 1, 2005
Messages
663
Likes
0
Points
0
#2
Such a young little pup. I would start thinking about a new food for the future: example Natura, Canidae etc. Although with the digestive upset I would do this very very slowly.

Right now, I would take the pup off the current food you are feeding, let the belly rest for 1/2 day (you don't want to starve a puppy - and never withhold water)..then start back on a homemade bland diet such as white rice boiled with either boiled white chicken meat or boiled lean ground beef. Give some yogurt in between meals (I use only natural organic yogurt from liberty found in the holistic section of your grocery store)...in the future servings of yogurt you could add some ground organic flax seed. Make sure you feed small meals throughout the day.

What I have used in the past on my adult dogs (I havent had a puppy for quite some time) is Slippery Elm bark which soothes the digestive system...and then dandelion root to support the liver and aid in digestion. You can find these supplements in any store that sells vitamins and herbal supplements. I have had great success with Slippery Elm Bark...but, first do a google search and make sure it's something you can give to a puppy.;)

For diarrhea since you know it's not worm related could be caused by emotional stress - look for any triggers in the environment...maybe just too much going on at one time for the new pup.

Be very careful if giving Pepto-Bismol, which is a preparation of bismuth subsalicylate. It is effective but contains synthetic red dyes and saccharin, and salicylates can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

A good natural remedy for diarrhea is carob powder, available at health-food stores. It should give you guidelines on the package of how much to give for weight, mixed with some applesauce and honey to make it palatable. Take it on an empty stomach with acidophilus. Carob is very soothing to irritated intestines. This is something to discuss with a holistic Vet though.

Food allergies I would talk to a holistic vet about this possibility.

Bacterial overgrowth in the small intestines - by giving organic plain yogurt you should be able to get more "good" bacteria in the gut.

Make sure your not over feeding your puppy. This is common with puppies, get too much to eat and their little system can't handle it. I never free feed any dogs/puppies. They always have scheduled feeding times so I can control how much they are eating - puppies I normally have fed 4 times daily small meals. On most commerical puppy foods they give feeding schedule per age and size.

I suggest your finding a good holistic Vet in your area. I can't begin to tell you the people our holistic vet has helped where conventional vet care didn't do anything for the poor dogs.

Always talk to a Vet before giving any supplements. The canned pumpkin, yogurt and bland diet should be OK...but, do research on the other herbs first...I know their safe with adults...but, I havent puppy tested them yet.:)
 
Last edited:

Kenzie

New Member
Joined
Jan 9, 2006
Messages
177
Likes
0
Points
0
#3
Bland Diet for Diarhea

First, only give 1/2 teaspoonfull of the following at a time. Over 24 hours, gradually increase the amounts being fed until your dog's hunger is satisfied. Do not rush things. The next day, begin mixing the bland diet below half and half with your dog's normal food. Instead of one or two big feedings, divide the normal amount into 4 or 5 small feedings

Bland diet for dogs with diarrhea:Mix one and half cups of cooked white rice or potato with 1/2 hup of cottage cheese. Remove the liquid from cottage cheese by spqeezing it between several layers of paper towel.

You can give a little Pepto Bismol every 4-6 hours, keep in mind a Poodle sized dog gets 1/2 tsp at a time and a Shepherd 2 tsp. so adjust accordingly. If you decide on the pumpkin, be sure not to get the pie filling stuff, but the canned real pumpkin.

I would also change vets if this one can't seem to get to the bottom of the problem. Also please make sure your pup does not get dehydrated by giving him small amounts of water or a little chicken broth, or even a little jello, offer water or the broth or jello, about ever 15 minutes, again a very little at a time.

Hope this helps
 

mojozen

bullie lover
Joined
Nov 1, 2005
Messages
1,517
Likes
0
Points
0
Location
Madison, wi
#4
I have found that canned pumpkin (not the pie filling!) works well with both diarrhea and constipation in my own dog. It's not as icky as pepto can be which I only use when Mojo is throwing up... and it can be added in every couple of days to the kibble to just keep things healthy.

Mojo loves the pumpkin and gets very excited when he sees me mix it in with his night kibble ration. :)
 

Saje

Island dweller
Joined
Dec 26, 2004
Messages
23,932
Likes
1
Points
38
#5
I agree with canned pumpkin (not pie filling) and a better diet. (innova, canidae, eagle pack....) Good luck!
 

Mordy

Quigleyfied
Joined
Jan 9, 2005
Messages
3,868
Likes
0
Points
0
#7
you have gotten some great advice in this thread already, but i'd like to add a word of caution:

diarrhea is a symptom, not an illness, and it is caused by an underlying health issue. this means if you treat the diarrhea, you only address the result, but not the problem that causes it.

i would give pedialyte to restore electrolytes lost from the body and to prevent dehydration. the plain, unflavored kind is ideal, but you might have to add something to make it attractive if the pup won't drink sufficient amounts. tuna water (not the tuna itself), a little broth, or honey usually do the trick.

a good quality probiotic supplement would also be a good idea, to replace beneficial bacteria lost from the digestive tract. the probiotic bacteria will also help to keep the bad bacteria in check.

most importantly i'd switch vets tho, as you said, a 9 week old pup shouldn't be going on with untreated diarrhea for that long. you might want to use this site to find a good one:
http://www.holisticvetlist.com
 

Athebeau

New Member
Joined
Aug 1, 2005
Messages
663
Likes
0
Points
0
#9
Quote by CanadianK9 Kaopectate is good in SOME situations
,

I was warned about using Kaopectate from a person quite in homeopathic treatments...i guess it contains some heavy metals which could be dangerous for a pup so young. I'll have to find that information I was given about Kaopectate.
 

Giny

Active Member
Joined
Aug 15, 2005
Messages
5,544
Likes
4
Points
38
Location
Maine
#10
Kaopectate's ingredients have changed a few years ago. The concern was the amount of lead levels found in the old ingredient so they changed the active ingredient to bismuth subsalicylate. There was a warning put out when the formulation changed to all owners who would give Kao to their dogs and cats to stop doing so because the new ingredient can be harmful to them.
 

jxxlxxs

Reugar's Mom
Joined
Oct 3, 2005
Messages
46
Likes
0
Points
0
Location
Ohio
#12
Thanks everyone!!

I called the vet I used to use when we first got reugar (I LOVE the vet but they are just TOO expensive, ie> 300$ for neutering & removing dewclaws, 45$ alone for an office call...most vets around here are 1/2 the price...) and he suggested giving him 2.5 mg of pepcid 2x's a day for a week and feeding him just rice and chicken for a week...Someone said that diarrhea is just a symptom of an underlying issue, which I realize but weve had him tested and checked out for just about everything, he has a normal appetite, drinks water like hes never had any before and plays like crazy, so other then the runny poop, he seems 100% normal...who knows, I just feel bad for the poor guy!! Hes doing REALLY well with potty training except sometimes he just CANT hold it :( so hopefully this clears up soon!! we go to the "expensive" vet next monday (the 6th) to check and see and get his next booster, so hopefully it turns out well :) Thanks for all the info!
 
Joined
Feb 5, 2005
Messages
6,125
Likes
0
Points
0
#15
mojozen said:
I have found that canned pumpkin (not the pie filling!) works well with both diarrhea and constipation in my own dog. It's not as icky as pepto can be which I only use when Mojo is throwing up... and it can be added in every couple of days to the kibble to just keep things healthy.

Mojo loves the pumpkin and gets very excited when he sees me mix it in with his night kibble ration. :)
My dogs loooove canned pumpkin, 'specially my terrier mix.
 

fillyone

But please, call me Barb
Joined
Jun 12, 2005
Messages
820
Likes
0
Points
0
Location
Portland Oregon
#16
Like someone else said, make sure you're not over feeding your pup. This doesn't mean how much the pup gets in a day, but how much in a feeding.
My 2 year old GSD is fed 3 times a day to solve a soft poop issue.
:D
 

Members online

No members online now.
Top