My small 8 lb malti poo has had diarrhea since last night. It is now golden mucus and smells weird. He may have eaten cat poop yesterday. He is on heart worm med. Not eating today and I am keeping him quiet in his kennel. I have some Vetribiotics that I normally give him, chewable. Should I give him one today? Anything else I can do. I gave him some shredded beef with seasoning last night a rarity but he usually eate a mix of dry with a little canned dogfood.Thanks for any help.Lynn
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Diarrhea can be caused by a large number of things including an unusual treat (which it sounds like he had), irritable bowel syndrome, disease, bacteria or protozoan infection. If your dog is eating and drinking normally, Kaopectate at 1 teaspoon per 5 pound every 2 - 6 hours or Imodium at 1 mg per 15 pounds one or two times a day can be given for diarrhea. Read dosage information here that states Loperamide is also dosed at 1 capsule (2 mg) per 50 pounds (25 kg) if over 20 pounds (10 kg).
http://www.petplace.com/drug-library/loperamide-imodium/page1.aspx
Some herding breeds like collies can have an adverse reaction to imodium so avoid using in collies and similar breeds.
http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/depts-VCPL/drugs.aspx
Canned pumpkin (not pie filling) will also absorb excess fluid in the bowel with just a spoonful added to the dog’s food. Some experts will recommend a bland diet for a few days of boiled chicken and rice. If the diarrhea continues, have your dog tested for parasites such as worms or a protozoan infection such as coccidia or giardia though I think it is the unusual treat. Here are sites on worms, coccidia and giardia, which you may find informative.
http://www.thepetcenter.com/exa/worms.html
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1622&articleid=727
http://www.petplace.com/dogs/giardia-in-dogs/page1.aspx
http://www.beaglesunlimited.com/beaglehealth_giardiasis.htm
You little one is too sall to go without eating. It can cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). To prevent this, put a drop of karo or pancake syrup on your dogs tongue. I wouldn't bother with the probiotic today. I would offer small portions of a bland diet of boiled chicken and rice. If he does well, then go ahead and start mixing in some of his regular food and decrease the rice mixture until it is all his regular food.
Spicy foods can cause pancreatitis. Symptoms of pancreatitis vary but include vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, weakness or collapse, dehydration, shock, fever, depression, and upper abdominal pain. A dog may indicate abdominal pain by acting restless, panting, crying or wincing when picked up, shaking, standing with an arched back, or lying with the front end down and the rear end elevated
You can read about it in detail here:
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1580&aid=335
http://www.petplace.com/dogs/acute-pancreatitis-in-dogs/page1.aspx
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Since there have been recalls on certain foods, please check the following site to be sure the food your animals eat is not affected. If it is affected, contact your vet as soon as possible. Have your dog seen if they have any symptoms.
http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/SafetyHealth/RecallsWithdrawals/
Wouldn't the Karo syrup on tongue make his intestines more upset?
Lynn,It shouldn't as it is on her tongue nd boosting the sugar levels to prevent hypoglycemia which is very important. Dogs have developed seizures and died due to hypoglycemia so it is important to prevent it especially in tiny breeds. I would repeat this every few hours as long as your dog is not eating. Diarrhea is the body's way of ridding itself of bad things, so it is not necessarily a bad thing if it only lasts a day or so. Many owners just prefer to treat it.