HELP ME!! 10 month old, chronic diarrhea, giardia?? - Page 4

I have been waiting to comment until you come back here with the cTLI test results for EPI.  First, there is no way a vet can rule in or rule out EPI by looking at the dogs poop. The only way, period, EPI can be diagnosed correctly is with this test. Chronic cow paddy like taupish yellowish oily greasy poop is a big indicator, eating poop, tummy rumblings, burpy, vomiting up bile, losing weight yet ravenously hungry are all other indicators. You simply cannot go on asking for advice and heeding advice if you know for certain your dog does or does not have EPI.  Time is of the essence with chronic diarrhea, as it means your pup is getting no nutrition from what it is eating.  The longer these symptoms are left untreated, the more horrific damage is happening inside your dog. Please find a vet that is familiar with this EPI test and have it done. Here is my story about Maya, my EPI shepherd.  Please read.  Maybe it will help you with your decision to run this test.  I hope so.      Lynn

http://www.total-german-shepherd.com/EPIanddogs.html

Metro for Coccidia @ antibiotic strength, its an antibiotic so it will kill any possible infections especially in the gut. With Metro.........no dairy products.

Panacur for Giardia, 5 days its a wormer and will kill tapeworms and its soothing to the intestine.

In that order and 21 days from the start of the first do it again.

My vet also suggests to go on a fish and potato diet for 10 weeks to "restart" the immune system - with a "hard switch".......no other proteins, not even a tiny bit....

This has worked for me for the worst of cases.

.





 

If your close to to Guelph; I would give them a call and make an appointment.  I have had to take our one dog there last year and they were very helpful.  Just don't go in after hours for an emergency.

I agree with Eldee. I had a dog with EPI and the vet thought I was crazy to test for it because the dog was so young. But like you, I was half insane over trying to give the dog a normal life. One of the most prominent signs for me and EPI was a voracious appetite. And if I remember right (its been years) the poop was normal color. She did fine like you mention for awhile then get bad. Then she was dx with ibd and it just teetter- tottered until I ended up returning her to the breeder. I had a couple thousand in her before she even turned 6 mo. The one good thing though was it got me into raw because any kind of kibble was a no go for her.  At the time they didn't sell over the counter beef/porcine enzymes like they do now and at $100 a month for the rest of the dogs life wasn't a viable option for me.

The test is kinda pricey but take it from someone who spends a lot of money on rescue dogs, to settle the mind and rule out a disease, is strangely comforting. Maybe because you can then look for something else.  When I first read your story I thought EPI or IBD right off the bat.

Good luck
Barb

I can test for it, it wouldn't hurt.

Bhaugh, was your dog underweight before its diagnosis? Her weight is good and appetite is normal, sometimes I have to tell her to go eat her breakfast, because she won't eat until she says good morning to me. This is part of the reason I don't suspect EPI, but as you say, it would at least cross it off the list.

Donmcinn, did you need a referral for Guelph? I'm assuming you'd need one?

Initially the dog had a normal weight because there were periods that she didn't have the diarrhea but it didn't last long. The fact that your dog eats normally and can maintain weight is a good sign. I have had dogs with coccidia but not giardia. What I would do is test again for the giardia and if it comes back normal, LEAVE all the meds alone. Rebuild the flora in the gut and you may just have to ride it out until the body can rebalance itself. I would also test for the EPI then you can rule it out.

I tried slippery elm and never found it to be successful in controlling diarrhea BUT it does have some nutrition to it and it might be ok to add to her meal.  I wouldn't feed kibble though or raw even and I feed raw. I would cook for the dog initially then you could change to raw. You need a food that can digest fast and not sit in the gut for hours on end. That will only compound the problem.

Yes, you do need a referral to Guelph, but really, it is the best place to go. Then you will know where to start.