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My 14 year old chihuahua has developed black and runny stool over the last few days. Her appetite is normal and is drinking plenty of water. The last few times she's gone out, there is a lot of attempting to pass stool, with little to nothing happening.
Optional Information: Type of Animal: chihuahua Age: 14 Name of Dog: Gidget Already Tried: Just monitoring. Making sure she is drinking water as normal, as well as eating.
Hello, I am Dr. Peter a licensed Veterinarian. I would like to help. I need to ask you a few questions to be well informed and give you the best advice. There is no additional charge for information request.1- Did she get into anything or eat something out of the ordinary?2- Is she on any medications?3- Any pre existing medical conditions?
I don't believe that she has eaten anything out of the ordinary....we make her food and are consistent with her treats. She is on tributaline and prednizone (sp).....she has canine COPD
I don't believe she has gotten in to any abnormal foods....we make her food for her and are consistent with it. She is on prednisone and tributaline (for canine COPD)
I don't think she ate anything out of the ordinary. We make her food and are consistent with it and her treats. She has canine COPD and is on tributaline and prednisone
How much does she weigh?
5.5 lbs
When we see black stool it can be as a result of small bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Prednisone is a medication that can cause gastrointestinal ulceration that can lead to bleeding. Certainly, there could be other causes like infections, ingestion of a foreign body, tumors, or even part of a systemic disease, etc. She will need to be seen by your family veterinarian to determine the exact underlying cause. In the meantime, this is what you can do: 1- Discontinue the Prednisone until she is seen by your family veterinarian. 2- Start her on Pepcid AC (famotidine) 1mg every 12 hours. You can buy pepcid ac over the counter in any pharmacy. This medication will help protect her gastrointestinal tract. 3- Do Not give things like pepto bismol, it will make the bleeding worst.4- No food or water for 4-6 hours. Then, introduce small amounts of water followed by a diet of rice and boiled boneless chicken or ground beef. 5- Follow up with your family veterinarian. Hope the above helps, if you have additional questions I will be glad to answer them. Dr. Peter
Is there anything else I should be watching for? Will there be blood visible in her stool? What does of Pepcid AC should I give her? thanks for your help
Is she becomes lethargic, anorexic, vomiting, etc. have her checked immediately by nearest ER veterinarian. You will give 1mg of Pepcid AC every 12 hours orally. If the bleeding is in the upper gastrointestinal tract it is usually dark (black) because it is digested. When there is red blood in the stool it means the bleeding is in the lower gastrointestinal tract (colon) because the blood has not been digested. Your Welcome.
Experience: 12 years of internal medicine, surgery, and preventive care.