Both Sick Again Tearing My Hair Out.

[cavNrott]

It's the Hydatit tapeworm I was thinking of. Do we know what type of tapeworm the OP is talking about ? I was of the opinion that ordinary wormers (monthly ones) do not treat Hydatit Tapeworm & that is why we worm every three months with a wormer that does Hydatit.

My dogs live on a farm surrounded by bush, so they get to eat every kind of poo... possum, chook, cow, calf, kangaroo (yum), fox...you name it. I only treat with a wormer every 3 months, on the first day of each season & heartworm monthly.

It's actually spelled Hydatid This variety of tapeworm comes from ingesting offal of farm/wild animals. This tapeworm is unlikely to affect our dogs unless we feed the offal from animals than have not been classified, in which case we would need to medicate the dogs for Hydatid tapeworm.

Sheena since your dogs do eat this kind of offal then of course it's wise of you to worm them with a suitable product every three months.

As for knowing the kind of tapeworm Sentinel and Interceptor cover, I can't even pronounce it let alone spell it. You need to research. If you do a search for Sentinel you will end up in the right place.

[Rosetta]

You shouldn't need to have had these dogs to the vet every week since before Christmas, that's ridiculous. You desperately need a new vet and you need to take responsibility for administering medication when it needs to be administered or the dogs won't receive any benefit of the medication.

We can see you're frustrated with your dog's condition and you're trying to do what's best for them, even to the point of having a dog walker come in on the three days you can't walk them. However nothing will change until you find a caring vet to help the dogs.

I think the OP said they were at the vet every 4 weeks. I believe the dog had its cecum removed - according to a previous thread.

[Staff'n'Toller]

When a dog has a worm burden, the cycle from egg to adult is about 3 weeks, so that's why the OP was instructed to re-dose with interceptor part-way through the month.

Poodles are fairly prone to digestive issues and anxiety.

I think if it were me I would be reaching for digestive low fat or senstivity control or i/d - check with your vet before you do, but I have personally found the sensitivity control to be the best for coat and digestive issues.

Expect that they will get upset tummies on changing foods, so change it over slowly and wait to see if it settles before immediately trying something else.

Personally I would just do dry + probiotics for some time to see what happens. I wouldn't go for raw unless I was doing allergy testing and knew for sure what not to feed in the way of proteins and carbs.

Also, be strict and don't feed human foods or treats for some time, maybe never, if everything is going well.

My dogs eat possum poo and duck poo and have never had colitis from it.

One or both dogs really need an internal medicine specialist consultation though, if you want to try to solve it. But be prepared to spend lots of money and time on it, and they may have investigations and biopsies to end up with an IBD diagnosis which requires a special diet and medication when it flares up.

Edited August 25, 2014 by Staff'n'Toller

[Staffyluv]

Just curious, if the dogs already have upset tummies from food and or worms - does it matter if the food is changed over slowly?

Would it be better to just dump the stuff that is already causing tummy problems and start the new stuff straight away?

Just curious what others would do in this case?

[Yonjuro]

Just curious, if the dogs already have upset tummies from food and or worms - does it matter if the food is changed over slowly?

Would it be better to just dump the stuff that is already causing tummy problems and start the new stuff straight away?

Just curious what others would do in this case?

I personally would dump the food causing the upsets straight away, any new upset from new food is likely to be short lived anyway. It is probably the lesser of two evils :) FWIW the couple of occasions I have needed to do immediate food change overs, I mixed up some slippery elm tea and gave a dose before the feed and all was sweet - probiotics are also something I do during any times of health stress or change.

Like anything food and health related, it really is a case by case proposition.

Edited August 25, 2014 by Yonjuro

[JulesP]

Just curious, if the dogs already have upset tummies from food and or worms - does it matter if the food is changed over slowly?

Would it be better to just dump the stuff that is already causing tummy problems and start the new stuff straight away?

Just curious what others would do in this case?

Dump it straight away.

I might consider a fast for the dog too prior to the new food.

[Sandra777]

Straight swap for me too. But then I've always done this anyway as mine get variety all the time.

[Christina]

Poodles are fairly prone to digestive issues and anxiety.

I have bred poodles for about 18 years & have never had any with digestive issues. My adults & pups always eat anything & everything & are not fussy & don't get stomach problems. They are sensitive dogs though but not what I would call anxious generally.

Agree with some others that you need to knock off any chemicals & forget feeding raw meat, cook any meat, fish or chicken properly. Raw can cause worms as well as fleas causing them.

You can wash your dogs weekly in Martha Gardners Wool Wash diluted, half a capful in a litre of water used as a shampoo. It is kinder than flea washes & does the trick although you need to check over & use a nit comb if its a heavy infestation. Rinse off very well.

Use a wormer that just kills worms & doesn't do a million other things.

Stick to one food for now, maybe a complete food thats grain free. Not sure on dogs variety but my cats thrive on the VIP grain free. They do it for dogs too.

Get some slippery elm tablets from the chemist & open the capsule & sprinkle it on their food daily along with some Protexin which is a dairy free probiotic which you can buy at fodder stores.

I would be keeping it simple & natural & change vets.

Good luck.

[Staffyluv]

Straight swap for me too. But then I've always done this anyway as mine get variety all the time.

I so the same mostly. The only thing I have found that upsets garbage guts is fat. If he gets something fatty he gets really sick from it.

[Charjas]

Ok all here's what has been done. New vet Monday and she has done faecal tests, blood etc. keep in mind his absolute worst attack was Christmas and I truly though he was much improved after having his caecum ( hope that's the spelling) out. Prob didn't need it if it's in his large intestine but he has played and run around like a puppy since except for the 2-3 days each month that he's off again. But not sick like he's was at Christmas. We were in tasmania and the minder nursed him 2 full days.

Last sept his liver enzyme was high but it's now 103. However. Amylase 10000, lipase 5500. Apparently these are off the scale and she couldn't understand how he could be running around playing. But I read that Flagyl can give elevated reading and he's been on this several times with these flair ups. So next is an ultrasound. My gut says that something going on maybe upsetting the bowel. Because she said pancreatitis doesn't really give red jelly poo. Jasper also had test again for his thyroid but didn't get to discuss him.

Charlie having n ultrasound on Monday to look at pancreas etc.

Also it appears blood tests can be inaccurate so will repeat but not much point if he's still on flagyl.

Both pooing normally now. Oh yes. We changed to food th hypoallergenic biscuits only. For 6 weeks but might have to switch again to low fat food. No chicken or rice etc. for now.

If it was pancreatic cancer I think he'd be sick all the time. ?? He comes good on the flagyl.

Edited August 28, 2014 by Charjas

[Xyz]

I'd be thinking Giardia??? Could explain why you are I'll as well! A faecal float will determine.

[Charjas]

That test was clear.

[JulesP]

My dog has been on Flagyl for 2 years non-stop and just had a blood test which showed normal levels of everything but her liver (which we know is stuffed).

[Charjas]

1408861862[/url]' post='6549484']

1408846242[/url]' post='6549353']

You shouldn't need to have had these dogs to the vet every week since before Christmas, that's ridiculous. You desperately need a new vet and you need to take responsibility for administering medication when it needs to be administered or the dogs won't receive any benefit of the medication.

We can see you're frustrated with your dog's condition and you're trying to do what's best for them, even to the point of having a dog walker come in on the three days you can't walk them. However nothing will change until you find a caring vet to help the dogs.

I think the OP said they were at the vet every 4 weeks. I believe the dog had its cecum removed - according to a previous thread.

I think someone mis read my comment. I always give required medication but when Charlie finished the 2nd course of liver tablets we didn't do another blood test due to the vet thinking along lines of IBS. Or IBD.

I have changed vets and as stated yesterday. The liver enzyme is low but the pancreas ones are high. Yet she would not expect him to be running round and playing like he is. The flagy is a miracle drug HOWEVER. I read that it can elevate these enzymes. He prob didn't need cecum out !!!!!

He's having ultrasound on Monday but I'm going to request repeat blood test as it could be wrong. She also says the red jelly poo is large intestine so something irritates the lining there. He has always been sensitive to fatty foods so I rarely digress from their diet of rice, chicken or those holistic select biscuits. But now they've been on royal canin hypoallergenic biscuits since Monday. Nothing but those. Both good at the moment.

[Charjas]

1409006062[/url]' post='6550588']

1408947496[/url]' post='6550108']

Poodles are fairly prone to digestive issues and anxiety.

I have bred poodles for about 18 years & have never had any with digestive issues. My adults & pups always eat anything & everything & are not fussy & don't get stomach problems. They are sensitive dogs though but not what I would call anxious generally.

Agree with some others that you need to knock off any chemicals & forget feeding raw meat, cook any meat, fish or chicken properly. Raw can cause worms as well as fleas causing them.

You can wash your dogs weekly in Martha Gardners Wool Wash diluted, half a capful in a litre of water used as a shampoo. It is kinder than flea washes & does the trick although you need to check over & use a nit comb if its a heavy infestation. Rinse off very well.

Use a wormer that just kills worms & doesn't do a million other things.

Stick to one food for now, maybe a complete food thats grain free. Not sure on dogs variety but my cats thrive on the VIP grain free. They do it for dogs too.

Get some slippery elm tablets from the chemist & open the capsule & sprinkle it on their food daily along with some Protexin which is a dairy free probiotic which you can buy at fodder stores.

I would be keeping it simple & natural & change vets.

Good luck.

I have slippery elm. My husband takes it for reflux. Also probiotic powder. Just getting them used to the new food first.

[Charjas]

1409260512[/url]' post='6552588']

My dog has been on Flagyl for 2 years non-stop and just had a blood test which showed normal levels of everything but her liver (which we know is stuffed).

I was reading a site that listed all the pancreas enzymes and the levels and at the bottom it had a bit about reasons for elevated levels and first sentence was flagyl. My new vet said its wonderful for settling inside but long term use could be a problem. She couldn't equate the high readings though with his bouncy behaviour at the moment. She thought he'd be very sick. So. This result might be wrong. I asked about flagyl for a bit longer.

http://www.2ndchance.info/normaldogandcatbloodvalues.htm

Edited August 29, 2014 by Charjas

[Charjas]

Thought I'd give an update to my boys. Both had blood tests. Jasper nothing wrong , no thyroid problem. Charlie liver fine still. But. His amylase and lipase in pancreas were off the scale. He had an ultrasound which didn't show anything bad. They both switched to RC hypoallergenic food but because of the reading will probably be switching again to low fat kibble. She can't understand how he's not very very sick. After the last episodes he's really good. Always running round and playing. I can't understand these levels as he's never had much fatty food. Because I always thought he was sensitive the diet has been pretty much similar. Fish kibble, chicken rice. So we're waiting for the next episode to decide next plan. He's just turned 6.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[cavNrott]

I have a dog who has pancreatitis attacks if she eats anything with a high fact content. I feed the 'wellness' or 'kangaroo' varieties of Big Dog BARF raw food for her evening meal. Both of these varieties are low in fat. For breakfast she has dry food mixed with low fat or fat free live culture yoghurt. The dry food I feed is Canidae Platinum, it has a low fat content and she tolerates this food well.

Why are you waiting for the next episode to decide on a plan? There doesn't have to be a next episode if you plan sensibly now. Pancreatitis attacks cause a dog considerable pain. Why not do your best to avoid a future episode by changing your dog's diet now.

[Charjas]

Because I spoke to the vet Thursday and she wanted to continue on this food a bit longer. She wasn't concerned about a little vomit. He also seemed ok otherwise. That was Thursday arvo. Last night he had a vomit which was soft biscuits. He wasn't really interested in his biscuits this morning , I offered rice instead but walked away. At the moment he's chasing jasper round the house. Strangely also last night jasper only ate few biscuits and this morning he had a vomit. Yellow. Not food. He's been eating grass.the only thing they've had for 3 weeks is the biscuits but fathers day I had to buy more. Could it be new batch. I've always suspected Charlie does better on bland chicken/rice and few biscuits. As soon as I give biscuits only they throw up. To my knowledge jasper has no internal problems. Coincidence that both don't want these. RC HYPOALLERGENIC. I'm going to buy some chicken for the weekend. I know when the other vet sent me home with that hair ball cat kibble that Charlie couldn't eat it unless mixed with chick/rice/ sweet potato. My gut tells me less kibble. But low fat variety for both. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD THIS IS THE NEW VET.

Edited September 17, 2014 by Charjas

[Erny]

Just stop for a minute -

When your dogs are obviously in trouble , and especially when one has a liver problem ..

they do NOT need any more chemicals in their bodies

this is shown by you posting that Charlie vomits after treatment

I'm afraid there is is no way I would be using anything on my dog regularly if he vomited afterwards :(

Don't panic and, please, until you find another vet , do NOT throw extra insecticide etc at them - that will not help at present ..

Pls find another vet.. do NOT treat them for anything until the new vet has seen them .

It is no help at all just re dosing with things , if you don't have a diagnosis .

take a fecal sample (fresh) to a new vet ... and see what happens there .The only thing I would suggest is that a sample be tested for WHIPWORMS .

Colitis can be caused by many things ..and you would do better by taking things slowly ..getting tests done, and getting new eyes to have a look :)

This ^^^^ .

A chemical for a symptom, the cause for which is undiagnosed. Then a chemical to stop the symptoms of the chemical. And so on. It goes too far and often we weaken the dog's already troubled system in the meantime, so when all the chemicals stop, we're left with a tsunami of symptoms.

Like Perse said .... don't panic, but do find another Vet. In the meantime, look at going at things more naturally. Natural feeding (or as close to natural as possible) is the first place to start. Look up "Augustine Approved" and read the base diet (which comprises of human grade roo mince and select pureed vegetables, plus coconut oil and "Superboost", which in itself is a collection of select powdered natural supplements such as turmeric, etc. Let their bodies settle down from the onslaught they've experienced and be nourished and nursed by a diet such as what I've just mentioned. You've wormed .... you shouldn't need to do this on a regular basis just for "regularity" sake. The thyroid is different - if it came in low, then it needs support and needs annual checking. Avoid other chemicals (i.e. be mindful of what you use with your dogs, including flea washes, spot-ons, etc). Also I'd think twice on regular vaccines. In other words, go back to basics and help to keep their systems as simple yet balanced as possible, to give their systems a chance to find a re-balance. Use Calendula Tea to assist with skin issues. Use it often during the day if the skin is in a real flare-up. Back down its use as the skin begins to settle.