Explosive diarrhea

[Kirsten]

Miss perfect (aka Miss Piggy, aka Luna) has broken her perfect toileting record.  After 9 years, she has soiled inside.  Poor thing got me up in the wee hours this morning for an emergency toilet and didn't make it to the door.  She was very distressed.  Naturally she was not corrected since it was not a willful act (she had no choice in the matter).  But it still hurt her pride.

Cole had diarrhea a couple days ago that resolved itself in half a day, so I just assumed it was a bug going around.

It has happened three times since.  I've been medicating with anti-diarrhea medicine as previously recommended by my vet, but there is no improvement.  So I went to get the thermometer out to check her temp before calling him for advice.  Usually I give diarrhea 24 hours to resolve itself, but this is more than regular diarrhea in that about 3 seconds after she realizes she needs to go, it shoots out and she has no control over it.  She's also panting periodically.

So I go for the thermometer and.....the stupid battery is dead.  I shouldn't be surprised since it is the same thermometer I purchased just prior to Ruby's birth (six years ago) to monitor mother and pups.  Naturally I purchased a purple one for Luna.  It has probably been about a year since I last used it.  So I sent my poor mother off to get a new battery and am pondering getting a glass one for backup.  I wonder how long those little batteries will last in the package.  Maybe a backup battery is in order.

Poor Luna.  She doesn't feel too puny though.  Keeps suggesting all would be well if we just played ball for a while.

[state_of_nowhere]

Poor Luna! I had explosive diarrhea once. They did a CT scan with dye and we were unaware I am severely allergic to IVP dye. Woke up 4 hours later with hives EVERYWHERE and ... yeah. It was back to the ER in that case where the idiot doctor told me it was "just stress" that had caused the reaction.

[Kirsten]

The diarrhea saga continues.  Mom can't find batteries.  Luna says she doesn't mind if batteries are never found because that gizmo is undignified.

I called the vet anyway and am awaiting his call back.  I'm hoping a different OTC will work better.  Pepto always seems to work for Cole, but different dogs, different bugs, maybe something different will help.  If not, my vet will be getting a present tomorrow. 

[k1maplewd]

Ask your vet about using Slippery Elm.  It's a bark powder you can get at the health food store.  I've had excellent luck using it when dogs have tummy troubles.  Niche or Monty (30-55#) get 1 capsule up to 2x a day.  Tom (65#) gets 2 capsules up to 2x a day. 

[Kirsten]

Thanks for the tip, Katrin.  I will investigate that for future use.  (Fingers crossed) the second OTC medication seems to have done the job or else it just ran its course.  We have had no explosions since yesterday afternoon.

Cole has a delicate digestive system and is prone to occasional mild diarrhea.  I like the idea of giving him something more natural for these periods.  I've tried acidophilus in the past, with limited success.  I'll check with my own Tom (my vet). 

There were a miserable couple of hours when I thought I had it too.  I got it into my head it was from the flu shot I had on Sunday.  When I got home, Luna notified me that my arm was injured and licked the injection site.  I got it into my head she had caught something from me, and when I got sick I was really kicking myself.  Turns out my problem was the smell of dog sickness and cleaning up what felt like 10 gallons of the noxious stuff.

[louie]

I saw the title of this thread and got excited to read about it. What the heck is wrong with me????!!!!!

[responsiblek9]

  canned pumkin works for my guys when they have this type of issue. I just stocked up at Sam's Club on the canned pumkin big time.
The regular grocery stores did not have it in stock and have not expected to get any in saying there is a pumkin shortage.
 

[Kirsten]

I thought pumpkin was for constipation.  Are you saying it also helps with diarrhea?

She fasted for a bit over 24 hours and received her first meal at lunch.  I have her a can of A/D, which she thought was quite tasty.  I'm going to try a small amount of soaked kibble for supper and see how she does.  I'm out of chicken or I'd make her chicken and rice.

[responsiblek9]

  yes pumkin helps with diarrhea. I have used it for that successfully for years. 

http://trusted.md/blog/alexhowell/2011/03/21/canned_pumpkin_for_dog_diarrhea_the_steps_to_use_it

Pumpkin is one of the known natural remedies for dog diarrhea.
Pumpkin is one of the known natural remedies for dog diarrhea. It is high in fiber and water which is a great help in keeping your dog hydrated and to normalize the stool. It is a good thing now that pumpkin with out chemicals is readily available in processed form so you can now get canned pumpkin for dog diarrhea.

1. Purchase a Can of Pure Pumpkin Puree

[Kirsten]

I dunno what to say, louie.  But if you're twisted, it just means you fit right in with the rest of us. 

[Magesteff]

Louie, anything with Explosions involved is exciting... or something that will gross you out. GOod times either way. I know Kirsten isn't laughing right now, but just wait until next month, she will be giggling about Luna's hang-dog expression when she lost control in the house and talking about how cute she looked even though Luna's tummy/GI tract was upset.

  (ok the welcome was the closest I could find to just fireworks... must find the pirate dynomite...)

[Roxie]

Harumph! 

This thread gave Tay explosive diarrhea on my new light colored carpet - and I have no carpet cleaning machine any more.   

I hate waking up to that distinctive odor. I had to get up and destinc my rug!     

[Kirsten]

Ugh.  I spoke too soon.  We made it 24 hours with no diarrhea.  There was no bowel movement at all due to fasting.

We just had another blow out.  Then the sponge thingy broke off of my mop.  It's going to be a looooong night.

I'll take my poor girl to the vet tomorrow for some antibiotics and see if we can't get this thing cleared up ASAP.  At least her attitude is still good (she doesn't act sick other than the diarrhea).

[Ilghaus]

canned pumkin works for my guys when they have this type of issue. I just stocked up ...

Yes, pumpkin is great for either. I also give a spoon of it once in awhile just as a treat.

Kirsten, I wonder if canned chicken would work with rice so you wouldn't have to work with it other then open the can and dump it in the pot?  That way you could also keep it in the cupboard and pull it out as needed. I don't even know where to go to check it out to see if it is as mild and gentle on their tummies.

With one of my shepherds the vet had me give him Immodium (capsule form). Can't remember how much but you would need to check with your vet anyway on giving it. And somewhere in my mind is the poking of I think some breeds should not take it. Or maybe that is something else I am thinking of.

[Kirsten]

I checked with the vet on Immodium and he okayed it and gave me the dosage.  That's what I thought had worked.

I put a call in this morning and am awaiting his call back.  He was in surgery when I called.  This looks like more than your upset tummy sort of diarrhea and is probably due to some bug.  Hopefully antibiotics will clear it up for her.

She's so prissy she hates making a mess or being a mess.  A few splattered droplets on the hindlegs and tail are almost as distressing to her as making a mess in the house.  I clean up the mess, and her bum right away, but that's the part that is making her unhappy.  Otherwise she's fine attitude-wise.  She's gone twice in her crate now and each time she has put the puddle in a front corner, making it easy to clean up and keeping the rest of her crate spotless so she can lie down comfortably.

I am becoming concerned that she is not drinking enough.  Luna is by nature a heavy drinker.  I can expect her to drink at least half a quart during the night, but she didn't last night.  Skin pinch test is fine (no tenting).

So we'll be going out to see the vet and I'll see if I can pick up some pumpkin and chicken.

I usually keep a frozen chicken breast or two for when someone is feeling puny.  I was taught how to microwave it with rice.  It's the only meat I cook.  According to the dogs, I am a master chef at it, but then they also happily eat grey hockey pucks that used to be shredded cow.  Would the canned chicken have more chemicals and salt in it from processing?  I agree canned would be a lot easier for me, but I do like the simplicity of chicken and rice, just chicken and just rice, and nothing else added to potentially upset things.

There is an added benefit to cooking it.  It disgusts me, but heating the chicken releases it's odor, which stimulates the dogs' appetites.  It anti-stimulates mine, but if someone is sick or on special occasions, I can live with that.

I'm also going to lay in a case of A/D.  It is highly palatable, easily digested, and nutritionally complete.  It also comes in a pop-top so I just shake it out and smash it a few times with the rim of the can to dice it up a bit.  So easy for a meat-phobe.  The can Luna got yesterday was left over from Cole's bout in January.