Please Help...Puppy Diarrhea (sorry little long)

[JSNBOXER]

Hey Everyone,

Our puppy Narles has had a case of diarrhea all night. We just got Narles this past weekend at 8wks and he's been doing pretty good until yesterday evening into early this morning. It all started with him not eating his kibble, we are currently feeding him Iams Smart Puppy. I know this is low quality kibble, but this is what the bredder had him on, I plan to switch in the near future. Narles stop eating his plain kibble on Monday evening, so I took it away and gave it back to him 20min later, still no luck.

I contacted our breeder and asked her what I could do to help build his appetite. She mentioned that I could give him a tablespoon of Pedigree chopped chicken and rice wet food or gerber baby beef/chicken, along with his regular kibble. So we tried the Pedigree wet food, but unfortunately now he has diarrhea. We probably upset his stomach, badly. He has since had four episodes of loose/watery stools. It's tough to see him go through it.

Now I have searched a few threads and found a few suggestions, but I wanted to see what any of you thought of out particular situtation. People have suggested vasting the for a period of 24 hrs. and a giving him plain yogurt. I've also read that a tablespoon of pumkin will also help, never heard of it but I will look into it. Then should I go back to feeding him his old feeding schedule of 1/2 to 3/4 cup of just plain kibble? Or should I inlcude the wet food with the kibble? Or, should I just go straight to the vet and get him checked out right away?

This is our first puppy, so my wife and I are really concerned. I think I will give him a table spoon of yogurt and try to feed him to see if he's hungry. I'll also make sure that he has water in his crate before I leave for work, so that he does not get dehydrated. I would love to hear what all of you think, especially any of the moderators.

Thanks,

Jsnboxer

 

[Thomas Liggin]

The stress of a new environment can cause some dogs to exhibit physical symptoms such as you describe. It can take a few days to manifest itself.

However, there can be other, more serious causes.

My standard answer to this type of a problem is to call your vet. The vet or a tech will be able to ask the appropriate questions to make a more informed recommendation than is generally possible on a forum.

Chances are, they will recommend a bland diet, such as boiled (skinless) chicken breast and rice.

Keep in mind that in a very young puppy, diarrhea can quickly dehydrate them, so you don't have the "luxury" of time that you would with a juvenile or adult to "wait it out".

There are numerous causes for what you have described, from stress, to serious conditions or diseases. With such a young pup, an immediate call to your vet is the best course of action. They will advise you from there.


Tom

 

[Indy's mom]

I completely agree with everything Tom told you. Call you vet as soon as possible. Mine always recommends boiled hamburger and rice. The key is that you want baby eating right away, if he won't drink, try small ice chips, often they will accept that.

At any age being off their food and sick can get serious fairly quickly, their bodies simply do not store enough back up fat too live on for a long time. But at this age Narles has asmost no resources, diarrhea and lack of eating and drinking is definitely an issue.

Please call you vet and keep us updated on Narles recovery.

 

[gmacleod]

I would say that a vet visit is the best idea with such a young pup. More than likely, the loose stools are the result of stress - primarily from rehoming (so it's good you're sticking with the same food the breeder fed for a week or so - irrespective that it's not a great quality one). But there can be plenty of other causes (eg. coccidia - that's common in pups), and it's generally better to be safe than sorry - especially with young babies.

I would not fast an 8 week old puppy. Doing so can be quite dangerous. Young babies like that need to be fed frequent small meals, at least 4 per day - if they go too long between meals, their blood sugar levels will be upset possibly to the point of hypoglycaemia. Fasting an adult with a tummy upset is one thing - but it shouldn't be attempted with youngsters.

 

[JSNBOXER]

Thanks you so much, I will be calling my vet this morning.

 

[JSNBOXER]

Update on Narles

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to update everyone on Narles. We went to the vet this morning and everything seem to go pretty well. The vet said that the cause of his diarrhea was one of two things, the wet food we gave him late yesterday evening or worms. Narles has already received a treatment for de-worming, but it was a few weeks ago. I asked the vet if it was ok to provide him with another de-worming dose and she said it wouldn't be a problem at all. She also mentioned that I could go back to my regular feeding schedule, but not to give him too much. So after the vet we got home and I fed him, he ate probably a quarter of a cup of just plain kibble with a little warm water in it. So I guess that's a start. I then took Narles outside to potty, but he only pee'd but didn't poop. We then played outside a little bit, and aftwards we went inside and he slept in his crate. Probably due to the crazy morning he had.

I also just received a call from my wife on her lunch break at home. (I had to go to work.) She said Narles pee'd, but did not poop. I guess this is still a good thing, no loose stools as of yet. The last time he pooped was 6am. and it is now 1 pm. Not sure what to think. Is he constipated now? Or is it just part of the process?

 

[boxercisco]

You need to call your vet as soon as possible and have her checked. She might have a type of parasite. Cisco also had this same problem when he was 8 weeks. He was check by his vet and he did have parasites. He was given medication for about 2 weeks and was all better.

But please get her checked.

 

[sgbtab]

happy to hear that Narles is doing better. appicon take is slow and make sure he drinks water. keep him on the same food and when you do switch do it a little at a time 75%old 25%new. as far as not pooping to much he should be ok he did have diarrhea the night before.