Great Dane pup and Diarreah

TYTY · 01-19-2008, 10:39 AM

I got my great dane pup on Dec 28th. At which time the breeder gave him his first shot and dewormed him as we went out he door. He turned 6 weeks on Dec 31st. We got him home and started feeding him the same dog food she had him on. We watered it down a bit. He had diarreah from the word go. We thought it was from the worming medicine as there were worms in it. I took him to the vet on the 29th of Dec. for a well check. Said all looked good. Still the diarreah never stopped. So started feeding him chicken and rice. Ate really well but the diarreah continued. Took fecal sample to vet and found small traces of Koxy parasite. Had medicine for 6 days treatment. still diarreah continued the entire time. At some times it appeared it would start to take shape but go right back to runny. I started giving small amounts of pepto bismal and the diarreah would stop. However as soon as I wouldnt give him one dose each day it would start back within 24 hours. Vet recommended a different dog food. We switched it to a Flint River food. However I've had him 3 weeks and he still has diarreah all the time. It zaps his energy for several hours at a time and he also drinks tons of water at times. The last fecal sample came back good. Not sure what to do to totally stop the diarreah. He has been on the same food for 8 days now. He is playful at times but seems to be getting skinnyer as he isn't eating a whole lot. I had him back at the vet just 5 days ago for his second shot and told the vet about the diarreah and he just recommened another fecal sample which came back normal. I'm not sure what to do for him. The diarreah shouldn't be lasting like this. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank You

trumpetjock · 01-19-2008, 10:57 AM

6 weeks is really young to take him from his mama! Aside from that, maybe try adding a tablespoon of pumpkin to his morning meal every day, and keep that water going for him. You may even want to try mixing in a bit of something with electrolytes too, just like you would if you had diarrhea.

all4thedogs · 01-19-2008, 11:02 AM

Has he been checked for Coccidia? It isnt always easy to spot on a fecal, and you usually have to ask to have the pup tested.

TYTY · 01-19-2008, 01:29 PM

Yes he did have a small case of coccida and went through 6 days of medicine. He has had his fecal checked twice since and its been clean.

As far as pumkin is that like a powder? Or canned pumkin?
Thanks for your replys.

trumpetjock · 01-19-2008, 04:16 PM

canned pumpkin. Just the pumpkin though, not pie filling. It works wonders for digestion - takes away both diarrhea AND constipation oddly enough.

all4thedogs · 01-19-2008, 04:31 PM

Everyone is right, pumpkin will help, BUT it will only mask the symptoms of what ever is wrong. It is not a cure all.

You need to find out what is causing the loose stools.

Food allergies can cause loose stools, that may be something to look into.

I would have him checked yet again for coccidia (like I said it is sneaky and often hard to get rid of) and Giardia. I would ask for those two specifically to be checked for, not just a routine fecal. Dogs can reinfest themselves through their stool, so be sure you are picking up after him.

Are you over feeding him maybe? Over feeding often causes loose stools. Maybe split his meals up to where he is getting the same amount, just one extra meal.

TYTY · 01-20-2008, 11:03 AM

Thanks for all your advice. I did get some pumkin last night and mixed a little with his food last night and this morning. I haven't seen him eat that well before. However it hasn't stopped the runnyness all together yet. It has a little more consistency to it, but still not formed. I don't believe in the past he was over eating. I have been picking up after him and he has no desire to eat his own fecal. I do want to get to the bottom of it. I plan to take him and another fecal sample to the vet tomorrow. I wonder if they did some blood work up if that would tell them anything? Thanks for all you advice.

trumpetjock · 01-20-2008, 02:52 PM

It'll take a few days for the pumpkin to really solidify things. Keep on it though, at least with the firmer stool it'll be easier to get samples if you need to. Getting runny samples is... yuck.

After reading your post, it seemed that while your dog was on the chicken/rice diet he had koxy. Now that the koxy is gone, maybe try the chicken/rice again? If nothing shows up test after test, maybe the diet is the culprit.

TYTY · 01-21-2008, 11:47 PM

I called the Vet. today. They said that it might take up to two months for his system to settle in. I did take a fecal sample in so they can do a culture on it. I will wait a few days and see how things go. I might try a chicken and rice diet again now that the Koxy is cleaned up. Atleast as far as the last two readings. If all else fails we will need to go through allergy testing which I guess can be some what expensive. Thanks for everyone advice. I'm learning lots as I go through this experience.