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Here's the situation:



My 1.5 year old male Black Lab, Gunny, developed chronic loose stool approximately two to three weeks ago. Approximately ten days ago, I noticed a very small amount of blood in an equally small amount of vomit in his kennel. His next bowel movement also had a very small amount of blood as well. He was transported to our vet, diagnosed (no tests, just description of symptoms and physical exam) with collitis (sp?), given a Cortizone shot and prescribed seven days of an antibiotic.



During the course of the next six days, Gunny's stool went from loose to full blown diarrhea. His bowel movements increased in frequency to approximately one per every three hours or so. By Christmas, he was pooping liquids only every two hours.



So. . .off to the ER vet.



Gunny had a full work-up, including blood, urine and fecal. He was rehydrated and given antibiotics via IV. Blood showed nothing out of the ordinary, though the test indicating deficiencies in Pancreatic enzymes showed numbers in the low but normal range. Urine showed a mild infection, presumably controlled by IV antis. Fecal showed nothing, however, he was prescribed a deworming solution (12cc, two days).



Gunny was prescribed a bland diet consisting of just cooked white rice and boiled hamburger. He has been on the diet for approximately three days and, as of yet, still has loose or liquid stool. The frequency, however, has reduced to once to twice daily. Though prescribed and given Immodium, no effect has been observed.



What am I, my regular vet, and the ER vet missing? Any thoughts?



The next step, I am told, is an intestinal biopsy.

Did they look for Coccidiosis?

Coccidia are a group of protozoan parasites that are extremely common. Coccidia infection is especially common in young animals housed in groups (in breeding facilities, pet stores, shelters, rescue areas, kennels, etc.) This is a common parasite and is not necessarily a sign of poor husbandry.

Coccidia live in the intestinal tract and if they proliferate, or at times of stress, will also cause chronic bloody stools.

If you don't trust your vet, find another vet. If you do trust your vet, follow his advice. While he might has missed something, second guessing on the internet could do more harm than good.

So we go from your description of symptoms history on first visit to ER Vet, and only diagnosis, shot, and antibiotics, ATFER history described as blood in stool appearing!

And 2nd trip, you get the lab workup.

Vet was either tryin to save you extra expense, or you need to find better Vet.

Your dog was "chronic" when you took him first time.

It's your call on this one.

Well. . .all is relatively well now.

Gunny is recovering nicely. I never thought I'd be happy to see solid dog poop! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Prior to getting him healthy, two of my other dogs came down with similar symptoms. The bottom line: Gunny had an infection which led to a secondary infection. The other dogs caught the secondary infection and at one point, I had three dogs with liquid poo problems.

All of the dogs were put on Amoxicillin. The two other dogs responded immediately and were "normal" in a day or two. One of them, my "non-hunting" mini-dacshund, recovered so quickly he did not require diet modification. The two bigger dogs (Gunny and Zeke) were placed on white rice/egg white substitute diets and, along with the Amox, were given a probiotic (Purina's FortaFlora). Zeke recovered very quickly. Gunny, on the other hand, took about ten days before things started looking normal.

I suspect Gunny was so slow to recover due to whatever the intial infection was. . .after all the blood, urine, stool and skin tests, no source was observed.

I've learned a couple of valuable dog lessons. . .

First. . .you can trust your vet and still require a second opinion.

Second. . .the next time you bitch about shoveling dog poop, remember. . .at least it ain't sprayed all over the yard! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Way to go, glad it turned out OK!!!

yep, me too

yeah,I'm happy for both of ya.