Listless Puppy - Page 2

Giardia is a real problem for us in Chicago. Every fall and Spring is Giardia season here for all the pet owners. The good thing is that when he gets older he should be able to fight it off himself and not have to go the vet every time he gets diarrea. If you are treating the giardia a bit of raw pumpkin with his food might help to stabilize his digestive track a bit. Also, something like Pedialyte can help to keep the pup hydrated - if he'll drink it. Some don't seem to like the taste. When I bought my pup, the lady who shipped him recommended letting him drink some as soon as I got him as the dog can be a bit dehydrated from the trip - and that dehydration can cause diarrea as well. Be careful at this age, though. Pups can get dehydrated very quickly.

A couple of suggestions: cooked brown rice and cooked lean shredded hamburger mixed with a teaspoon of pepto bismal. Suggestions already made for Giardia are good. It can be difficult to eradicate since no medication kills it directly. Treatment of choice includes vet Rx's of daily doses of the antibiodic metronidizole (flagyl) with fenbendazole (Panacur)for parasite control (some research vets have found it inhibits the reproduction of Giardia, but doesn't kill it). If it was my puppy I would ask the vet to immediately give the puppy Ringer's Lactate subcutaneous (enough to swell the skin out somewhat. This tends to bring many weak puppies back miraculously (I have seen many puppies helped by this when they are weak and lethargic, this is the best treatment for many weak puppies). Pedialite is a good suggestion to supplement this. Good Luck.