Accepted Answer

Thank you for the information. There are several possible causes for what you've seen. The stringy object may be an intestinal worm and may be the cause or it could just be incidental:

• Parvovirus is a deadly, highly contagious disease that is especially dangerous for puppies and their poor immune systems. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy and lack of appetite. There may be blood in the diarrhea and vomit. 3 things about parvo are deadly to them: the virus itself, bacterial infections from the intestinal tract and dehydration. Treatment usually includes fluids and antibiotics as well as medications for vomiting and to help the immune system fight the virus. Vaccines are incredibly good at preventing the disease but are necessary about every 3 weeks until about 15 to 16 weeks old. One vaccine does not provide enough protection. The disease usually takes 3-7 days to appear after the puppy is exposed. Here's a link: http://www.petplace.com/dogs/parvoviral-enteritis/page1.aspx
• Intestinal parasites are common and include hookworms, roundworms, coccidia and giardia. All of these can cause vomiting, diarrhea, blood in the stool, weight loss, lethargy and lack of appetite. Most puppies are infected with roundworms and hookworms very early in life from their mother through the milk or the womb. Giardia is potentially contagious to humans. All of these parasites can be treated but fecal tests are necessary to diagnose them. They can't been seen in the stool with the naked eye. A microscope is necessary to find the eggs in the stool to identify which parasite is present. Here's some links:
  http://www.petplace.com/dogs/intestinal-parasites-in-dogs/page1.aspx
  http://www.petplace.com/dogs/protozoan-parasites-in-dogs/page1.aspx
  http://www.petplace.com/dogs/gastrointestinal-parasites-in-dogs/page1.aspx
• Colitis- A change in food and environment can also cause diarrhea, some lethargy and vomiting. Sometimes puppies become sick enough that fluids and medications are required to keep them from getting dehydrated and weak. http://www.petplace.com/dogs/colitis-in-dogs/page1.aspx

The most important thing is to keep her hydrated. You can offer warm chicken broth. You may even have to force her to drink if she won't do it on her own. You can even mix it with her food. Try offering very small amounts of bland food such as boiled chicken breast (no skin), white rice and scrambled egg whites. It has to be given in very small amounts to minimize vomiting (1-2 teaspoons at time every 2 hours or so). You can add a little plain yogurt to help with diarrhea. If you have more questions please let me know.

Expert:	Christian K.
Pos. Feedback:	100.0 %
Accepts:	746
Answered:	8/22/2009

Dog Veterinarian

12 years of veterinary experience in canine surgery, medicine and behavior