New dog

[sniderwoman81]

We recently was driving home and on a whim went into the dog pound. We had no interest in a pet but one thing led to another and low and behold we drove home with a dog that melted my (I would like to say both but it's a stretch!) heart.

My DH bonus was timely and it was gone in a jiffy on a kennel and accessories around the home. It completed me if I'm honest. But only one factor bothered me, our new boys doggy stomach isn't too good.

I'm sparing the details but needless to say I've took him to the vet three times and paid for expensive medication and a modified diet as per the vets introductions to the book. Still it persists and its becoming a real problem between me and my DH.

It sound petty but I'm at my wits end and have been given an indirect ultimatum of either the dog goes or I.

Surely there's a solution to this? Has anyone else ever had this problem and please if so recommend some tablets or treatment I can use to sort out the apple of my eye. It would be a shame to cast him away as we have a real bond.

Thanks.

[tabulahrasa]

What sort of problems is he having? And what did the vet say?

[sniderwoman81]

I'd rather not go into too much details but basically he squirts a lot, and all of the time. The vet asked me for his history and said that could be a factor so took a course of pills for him and recommended food. Didn't work so went back and got some different stuff and an actual diet sheet. Again no change. Third time went to a different vet and she said it was normal and but to take some pills which were the same as the first lot.

So this is where I am now. Sat in the front room nearly in tears. And he's gone again ten minutes ago just after pressing send on this.

Surely there has to be a way? I was never brought up around pets so am a complete Amateur and it's getting me so down.

[tabulahrasa]

Assuming you mean diarrhoea...no it's not normal.

If you've tried medication and diet and it's made no difference, you need to go back to the vets and get them to investigate properly.

It's a bit hard to advise without knowing what food he's had, whether anything helped and what the vet thought it might be tbh.

I mean I might still not know, but someone might.

[sniderwoman81]

Thank you. He's been to the vets three times to two different vets. They were good recommended vets but nothing. I mean he's looking more healthier in the months we've had him and put weight on for sure but this problem persists.

I feel it's a little unfair to have such an ultimatum but I can also see the problem. It's not pleasant and its soured the air between us literally.

Is there any reading material or online resources for this? Google seems a sham to get you to spend wonder products but I have little faith right now. Appreciate the help I really do.

[tabulahrasa]

Sadly it is just a case of taking him back until they properly diagnose what's wrong with him and work out what treatment will work to cure him or at least manage it.


I appreciate it's not the easiest illness to live with, but it can't be much fun for him to be ill for that long either.

[sniderwoman81]

Has anyone else had anything similar though with their pet? Not necessary a dog but maybe a cat, hell even an iguana? Just some assurance there is someone who can help.

I'm sorry.

[tabulahrasa]

Mine has food intolerances, any kind of grain upsets his stomach and pork makes him itchy...but without a vet doing tests nothing is going to be hugely useful.

[sniderwoman81]

You think it's an allergy?

[SmartAlecMetalGit]

Have any of the vets done a stool test?

[tabulahrasa]

I wouldn't know, honestly, it could be an allergy, it could be an infection, a longterm illness...

[pigsDOfly]

No, this is not something you can google and find and answer to unfortunately.

The vet who told you it's normal for a dog to have constant diarrhoea is wrong, it isn't normal or healthy and needs investigation.

If the vets you've seen are unable to get to the bottom of your dog's problem I'd ask to be referred to a animal hospital that might have a specialist in this field.

Also, I'd have a word with the rescue you got the dog from to see if it was a problem when he was with them. They might be able to shed some light on it or help you with diet if he didn't have the problem before.

If they sold you a dog with constant severe diarrhoea without telling you I think they need pulling up on it.

Are you in the UK OP? Your talking of the 'dog pound' suggests maybe you're not.

[sniderwoman81]

Thanks for all your help. It's been going on months. No they haven't done a stool test should I DEMAND one? It sound kinda tricky too.

[HarrietSchulenberg]

How long have you had him and is he being fed the same food as at the rescue? A new environment and new diet can have squirty results, and it can be trial and error to find something to suit him.

I'm also very suspicious of the credentials of an animal rescue that would just let you take an animal there and then. Any rescue that did not insist on a homecheck first, to make sure that you have a safe environment for an animal and are capable of looking after one, is very dodgy.

It makes me wonder how well they've checked your poor dog's health and temperament.

I know of a "rescue" near me that operates in the way you describe, and they are not a place I'd consider getting an animal from, despite their roadside advertising. They are essentially a pound that flogs on unclaimed dogs, unchecked and to anyone, for vast profit.

My advice would be to be patient, stick with the vet and follow their advice. In the meantime, consider a dog crate to contain him (and any mess) overnight, and to make sure he gets lots of time outside during the day. Fresh water and small meals of boiled chicken and rice might also help settle his tummy.

Good luck!

[sniderwoman81]

Are you saying we should check the authenticity of the dog home? I hadn't thought of that. Thank you.

[sniderwoman81]

Hi just seen this Harriet thank you so much. Do you think maybe that he's eating too much grass too?

[AddictedtoGreys]

you can take him back to the vet with a stool sample from that day and request a faecal test, there's no reason they should say no. results take a few days, however you will be able to find out if something ius going on inside. also agree with boiled chicken and rice for a few days and see if that helps. how long have you had him?

[Aghaidh]

Agree with the others who say boiled rice and chicken and a stool test at the vets. Also, if the diarrhoea is constant, he'll have low b12 levels so the vet might want to consider a b12 injection. Are you seeing any blood in his stools? Our dog had quite bad inflammatory bowel disease when we got him. He has to eat single protein meals, and slowing down the rate of eating helps. It's also exacerbated by stress. Ours is currently on James wellbeloved Turkey and vegetable which is single protein and grain free. You can get 'better' foods, but this is the only one that suits ours. Don't switch his diet too much though as that will irritate his system more. He needs to try each food for a few weeks to see if that sorts the problems.

[MitchellMummy]

Definitely get stool sample checked. Good luck.

[DahlsChickens]

We got a rescue dog who had terrible diarrhoea. It turned out to be Crohns Disease. He now has 2 oxytet tablets a day and special food and is very healthy. However, it took about 4 months to complete the tests and get a diagnosis and this was from day 2 of getting him when we realised how ill he was. The vet initially gave him steroid injections, I think,which did give him some relief. We got back in touch with the rescue place but they denied all knowledge although it would have been impossible not to know. The vet said it was a pre-existing condition too so we couldn't claim on insurance for it. I think we spent about £1000 on tests etc. Anyway, the important thing is that he is well and full of life now. I hope your dog gets sorted out too for its sake and that of your relationship.

[ceres]

What has the vet. Said is causing this? Have they mentioned colitis or anything else?

We managed our dog's colitis with slippery elm powder - it is amazing stuff and completely non-toxic to both humans and dogs. You just mix the powder with boiling water to a (disgusting looking!) gloop and add it to their food.

Obviously you need to continue seeing the vet to try and find the source of the problem but in the meantime it is well worth trying the slippery elm powder. don't buy the capsules, you have to break them open and it is way more expensive than the powder.

I'd also agree with others who suggest looking at what you are feeding him, we fed nature's harvest which suited him well.

Good luck!

[sniderwoman81]

Just a small note to say thanks for you all wonderful people reaching out to me with support and great suggestions. I took my dear Treacle for a walk today and realised how selfish I am for getting so wound up over this and how selfish my DH is for this ultimatum. I'll find a way somehow and hopefully update you with good news sometime soon.

[HarrietSchulenberg]

Good on you for sticking with him, OP. Re the grass, dogs sometimes eat grass if they have tummy ache, don't know why. On the occasions mine has done that, he has done strange poos with dangly bits that I have to grab hold of and yank out to get rid of (with bagged hand, obvs). It's all a bit grim, really.

[Todayisnottheday]

Just to add my thoughts to the excellent advice you've had. Chicken and rice diet is excellent as a way to let the stomach calm and then eliminate things slowly. Secondly it sounds like your vets are taking the easy/cheap approach of medicate and hope rather than test and investigate - which is a valid approach if funds are low but samples and investigation should get you a proper answer rather than just hoping something or a combination of somethings work. Thirdly, your rescue really should be helping here. It sounds like either a long term health condition or allergy, no good rescue would expect you to deal with that alone when the dog arrived like that. It's simply not fair.

As an example, I took a dog on, she turned out to be brain damaged and dangerous - through no fault of hers, mine or the rescue. However they did everything in their power to sort it out, from vets to training sessions to behaviourists, right down to returning from holiday on a bank holiday Monday when I could no longer take her into my house. The only option at this stage was pts which I could do but they refused to let me handle (or pay for) that alone because the dog was their responsibility in their eyes. That is how a good rescue works, you need to insist yours steps up too.

[tabulahrasa]

If it's a pound...as in rehoming the dogs dog wardens pick up after 7 days, or similar in another country, I doubt there'll be much back up beyond taking the dog back.

OP, it's perfectly normal to feel negative about it, the important thing to remember is that it's not normal, the dog isn't well and you should be able to resolve if the vet finds out what's wrong - it shouldn't be something you'll have to live with forever.

[LimeJellyHead]

One of our rescues was the same for the first week or two. She was very nervous and scared by her new circumstances. Could he be feeling anxious? Picking up on tensions?