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Question

what can I do for my puppy who has been vomiting and having diarrhea after having a car ride?

Submitted: 93 days and 21 hours ago via PetPlace.
Category: Pet
Value: $15
Status: CLOSED
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Posted by DrAndy 93 days and 21 hours ago.

Info Request

<p>Hello, </p><p>There was no vomiting, diarrhea, or bad appetite PRIOR to going in the car?</p><p>How many vomiting episodes have occurred?</p><p>Is your puppy still playful or is he/she lethargic?</p><p>Thanks</p><p>Dr. Andy</p>

93 days and 20 hours ago.

Reply

He's a male boxer 8 weeks old, he seems to have thinned down since coming to us at 6 weeks of age but there was no diarrhea or vomiting that we know of prior to going in the car. He still drinks water, he's not lethargic although he seems a little less playful...he's had 4-5 episodes of vomiting now and just one episode of brown, watery, non-bloody stools

Edited by XXXXXXXXX on 8/21/2009 at 12:25 AM

Posted by DrAndy 93 days and 20 hours ago.

Answer

Okay.
Yes, I am worried about an underlying issue as the primary cause of the sickness, or at least, in addition to, motion sickness from the car.
Absolutely, I would get him into a vet for an evaluation.
Even if he has received some vaccines, he must be checked for parvo virus (simple test).
Also, absolutely, a fecal test needs to be performed.

Bring in a fresh poop sample to the veterinarian. Ideally, within a few hours. Request that it be sent “OUT” to the laboratory instead of being looked at in the hospital (more accurate that way). We are not interested in only worm eggs, but also checking for the very common microscopic bugs like giardia and coccidia.   These types of parasites will not be cured with over-the-counter medications or dewormers.

Common microscopic intestinal parasites include:
Giardia: http://www.petplace.com/dogs/giardia-in-dogs/page1.aspx
Coccidia: http://www.petplace.com/dogs/protozoan-parasites-in-dogs/page1.aspx
General information about intestinal parasites (especially page 3):
http://www.petplace.com/dogs/intestinal-parasites-in-dogs/page1.aspx

Lastly, the vet will be able to give some medications to help both the stomach and the intestinal tract.

The fecal test is actually encouraged for ALL puppies, ill or not, because of how common intestinal parasites can be.

Good Luck
Dr. Andy

93 days and 20 hours ago.

Reply

is there anything we can try to give him in the meantime to help with the symptoms? What kind of food should we try to feed him? will puppy milk help?

Accepted Answer

To help settle the stomach you could try one of the following drugs. My favorite product is Pepcid (an over-the-counter antacid).

Pepcid (Pepcid A.C.)
Pepcid comes in 10mg or 20mg tablets. You can give it every 12 hours.
The dose can be found within the following link:
http://www.petplace.com/drug-library/famotidine-pepcid/page1.aspx

Prilosec
http://www.petplace.com/drug-library/omeprazole-prilosec/page1.aspx

Zantac (Ranitidine)
http://www.petplace.com/drug-library/ranitidine-hcl-zantac/page1.aspx

Although a veterinary examination is always going to be recommended, especially with multiple vomiting episodes and/or bad diarrhea, you can also try giving a bland diet.
I generally recommend some mix of any of the following:
Boiled boneless, skinless chicken breast
Cooked white rice
Low-fat cottage cheese
*Never add on salt, pepper, oils, butter to any of the above
*Ideally, give 1/3 chicken or cottage cheese, and 2/3 white rice
*Sometimes, you will see cooking hamburger meat being recommended and taking off the fat. I try to avoid this option as it can exacerbate pets that may have pancreatitis. Chicken works great.    

Veterinarians will also commonly prescribe some prescription bland diets like Science Diet I/D or Iams Low-residue. Both are wonderful options.

Again, I would really really encourage you to get into a vet much sooner than later.

Dr. Andy

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Expert: DrAndy
Pos. Feedback: 100.0 %
Accepts: 
Answered: 8/21/2009

Veterinarian

UC Davis grad, Interests: Internal Medicine, Dermatology, Pain Control, Emergency

93 days and 20 hours ago.

Reply

Thank you so much for your help

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