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My five month old has had diarrhea for the last 2 1/2 days. I called the vet yesterday who gave me something to help the diarrhea. I had fasted him for two meals then gave him about a cup of rice with acidophelus (sp?). So the runs had been watery but after food and meds they were more "soft serve ice cream" I know that sounds horrible but all I could think of to describe it! The thing is that it's bright green and mucousy. I read this may be a large intestine issue.  We have another appt. in the morning.

He hasn't eaten anything unusual that I can tell. Though he did give a good try at eating the leg of a chair!

He is being energetic though less active than normal. He is drinking, though not as much as normal. No fever. Has refill but his gums are, I don't know how to explain it. Maybe tacky like almost dry paint. I'm worried about dehydration. I've played chase the water in the hose some with him which got him to drink some more. My vet is excellent and I do trust him I'm just worried. And he is in surgery this morning so can't speak to him.

Does anyone have any suggestions on nursing him through this to make him more comfortable? Can I give him pedialite or something along those lines? I gave him some rice this a.m.. Should I feed him the three meals or just a couple? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Dawg

Please do leave a message for your vet to call you between appointments.  The gum refill issue is worrisome.  What did your vet give you for acidophelus?  Plain yogurt is a good source and may be something your pup is willing to eat.   But do talk with him ASAP, he may need to fit you in today versus tomorrow. Please keep us posted.

You can also try some diluted chicken broth.  It sometimes encourages them to drink a little more because of the flavor & the salt.

refill is about a second. Still tacky gums. I have a call in for the vet.  Maybe I'll dilute the chicken broth with pedialite. 

I gave him the rice around eight this morning and it's almost eleven here now-so far he's kept it in which I am hoping is a good sign. Thanks for the imput.

What is SQ fluids?

Subcutaneously (SQ) is fluid given under the skin.  It's often used to correct or prevent dehydration.  Typically set up at a vets office from all my equine experience.

SQ fluids are fluids applied into the subcutaneous layer just under the outside layer of skin. It is then absorbed gradually into the body's tissues.

Debby

ebinezer052899@yahoo.com  castlebrookshepherds.net/enter.html

If your pup will eat rice try some made watery with broth mixed in. Brown rice is best. The fiber from the rice bulks up the stools and it holds a lot of liquid, brown rice has the advantage of adding a mucus-like coating to the gut that soothes it. I would be hesitant about giving dairy products to the pup until he's feeling a little better, but the acidophilus can be mixed with broth and rice, if it's in capsule form. Do talk to your Vet. If your pup 'goes' again, save a sample, you can drop that off at the vets office for them to check even if the vet is in surgery....best of luck, jo

Hey,

Sorry it took so long for an update. Vet called earlier and said to just bring him in for a quick temp and check for dehydration. No temp, very mild dehydration. He gave me some electrolyte powder to mix with the water/broth mixture. Great suggestion with the broth mixed into water, btw Sueincc.  He hasn't had anymore runs since this mid morning. I gave him a little rice with a bit of ground hamburg around one and it's not come out yet.

I have my more involved appt. for 9:30 in the morning. I'm so glad you guys urged me to keep pushing to have him seen. I'll be able to sleep better tonight. He is drinking water on his own and seems to feel better now too.

I just feel like such a bad owner about the whole thing. I usually pick up poops every day and I didn't this week since Sunday. If I would have, I would have seen the diarrhea earlier. I mean, it's not much of a hygeine issue here because we're in the desert. Within a day they basically turn back into kibble because they dry out so quick. But, I like to monitor it. My husband says I'm poop obsessed since the other developed EPI. But, wouldn't you know the one week I get running around and skip a couple days, it would be when the baby has the runs? I feel like such a sh**.

Animules-the acidophelus didn't come from the vet. I got it at a natural pet food store in Tucson for the EPI girl. It's lactobillus (sp).

Thanks again, everyone. My nerves get shot when any of my family gets sick. I'm going to have a glass of wine and try to sleep. I was up checking on him a lot last night. Lord, I hate being a pushover.