Doggy Flu? - Page 1

A friend's dog has recent digestion issues. 4 yo male, seems active, happy and is eating well (origen) but has had the poops for about 10 days. He's been treated for cox, worms and giardia. Stools seem to be cycling between semi solid and quite runny, but never firm. Vet (best around) said he wasn't overly concerned right now, no fever, no sign of the above in his poop issues and gave flagil just in case. If it doesn't clear up in 5 more days, they want to do more testing. We're all hoping it will clears up soon.

2 months ago, one of my dogs had a similar episode, he vomited a couple of times and than had the poops for about 3 weeks before it cleared up, he was treated for cox, worms, and giardia and symptoms continued after treatment. His blood work came back perfect. Had him scheduled with a specialist but canceled since he's wasn't exibiting symptoms anymore. 

Anyone else having these issues?

Is a virus going around?

if he does not get better i would  also check for EPI.

Sitasmom:  I would be suspicious of your water especially in the heat.  You might check it out and in the meantime you can take hot water from your hotwater tank, put in plastic containers and let cool then use.  BOL  Nan  Not a pretty problem.

There was a post on this site about a "new" kind of canine flu in PA not too long ago.  You might see if you can find it.

Yes, I agree, I would recommend bottled water as well as limited ingredient food (no chicken, additives or preservatives and minimum number of ingredients) and no extra snacks until dog is better.
Too much medication for parasites can cause the same.

these dog are from 2 different places, one on well water the other on city water.
both live inside and get their water from a dish inside the house.

don't think its the water.

any other suggestions?

One of my vets tried to sell me on a doggy flu a few years ago (the vaccine).  He described it more like the human flu though and I do not recall him mentioning the runs.

Here are some web sites on it (I have nothing to prove whether these are just hype or something of value).  All seem to go along the same lines as the human flu (upper respiratory)

http://www.dog-health-guide.org/dogflu.html
 

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/canine/

2 dogs with the same symptoms from different locations could be a coincidence.   As I am sure you are aware, there are many things that can cause loose stool.  If that is the only symptom, you might be stuck.

Some environmental causes (these are unusual, but they do happen)

Rain water - The water in rain can come from miles away and can contain some pretty icky bacterial things (if you doubt, have some fun and look at rain water under a micro-scope).  If the areas that both dogs live, have had rain recently from the same storm.... there is the common thread.  The expectation though is that more dogs will have similar issues.  Many owners may not react until another symptom shows up.

Mosquito bite - West Nile is only one bad thing a mosquito can carry. 

Usual suspects - Parasite, worms.   These are thing I am sure your vet checked though.

Dogs eat grass - Could be something on the grass

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I am not sure if any of this helped.  I think you really are stuck until another symptom shows up.

both dogs treated for cox, intestional parasites, and giardia........

the one that's recovered is now eating happily

the newer case is eating well, but still pooping up a storm.

one eating Taste of the Wild, the other eating Orijen....




just wondering if anyone else is having similar problems.

Treating with Flagyl isn't effective for giardia- maybe 60% anymore. Treat with fenbendazole, then give GOOD probiotics. Sounds like giardia.