I picked up a bug at a dog show about 3 wks. ago. It went through a few of my dogs with diarrhea with a mucus membrance but subsided with some meds over the next few days except for one of my dogs. She has had chronic diarrhea for about 3 wks. She has only lost 2 lbs and has a huge appetite. My vet has checked her fecals that are negative, checked by tests for giardia, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, tumors, etc. Nothing shows up in the blood work but an elevated white cell count. We have had her on various antibiotics including tylan, sulfa and cephalexin. She has also been on Flagyl and Predisone. She is on the id diet and is generally in good, happy spirits except for this explosive diarrhea and an elevated white cell count.
Do you think we have destroyed the flora in her intestinal track and the antibiotics have kept her going on the diarrhea? She has been in cephalexin for three days now and will have another blood count done tomorrow.
If her white cell count is still elevated, what should we do and what medications would you recommend to control the diarrhea and get her system back to normal?
Thanks!
I WOULD RECOMMEND A COLON BIOPSY, YOU MENTION NO BLOOD, SO I AM ASSUMING THIS IS A COLONIC PROBLEM. Sounds like your vet has done a good job and covered all of the infectious possibilities.
And about sterilizing the gut with antibiotics, we were taught in school that it can happen, personally, I think that is a fantasy, I do not believe you can sterilize the gut of a mature dog. Just one old man’s opinion..
Also, a barium series may be most helpful, allowing your doctor to see more about the intestine, AND barium is VERY therapeutic, like the world’s greatest Kaopectate!
Samuel B. Vaughn, BS, DVM, ABVP (AVIAN)
Veterinary Associates Stonefieldl
Louisville, KY
tough case
I don’t know. It could be many things, and the danger is assuming this is the “same thing” that caused diarrhea in your other dogs.
Give Panacur for Giardia (works better than Flagyl) before ‘scoping or doing more workup.
Philip McHugh, DVM
Park Veterinary Hospital
Durham, NC
For the diarrhea, I would try either Imodium, KaoPectate, or an anti-diarrheal from your vet. See if they have something first, then ask for dosages for one of the others if not.
As far as killing off the flora, I would recommend a bland diet with either cottage cheese or plain yogurt as your protein source. I would suggest either white rice or mashed potatoes for the carb.
Good luck – I’m sure it’s frustrating!
Joy N. Ritz, DVM
Decatur Veterinary Clinic
Indianapolis, IN
Well, you’ve ruled out a lot of stuff. For what it’s worth sight unseen, the “good” bacteria could be wiped out. You can get Culturelle at Walgreen’s and probably other stores. That brand is the recommended brand because it has the most bacteria in it. You open the capsules into some moist food. Usually 1 per day, but sometimes I’ll do 1 twice daily initially for about 7 days. Give all of them. Way easier than trying to stuff huge amounts of yogurt down them. Apparently has no taste (I have several of my own pets on it). Fortiflora by Purina is also good (different bacteria than the Culturelle), but if your vet doesn’t carry it, Culturelle is easy to get. Good luck. It’s very frustrating!
Laurie S. Swanson, DVM
Waukegan Pet Clinic
Waukegan, IL