weird problem with a jack russell aged 5?

Question

took my dog to the vet's with what we thought was a sickness bug (also diorrhea) he too had been itching/licking around his tail..the vet emptied the anal glands and gave him some antibiotics. A week later and having eaten beef (cooked) he still had diorrhea...so we took him back, another vet gave him some more antibiotics, inc penicillin and a steroid jab - this turned his #2's to black tar..after 2 days on the penicillin he stopped eating. So last Saturday we went back - told to carry on with penicillin and he had another job (so far its cost £90) we read that penicillin should not be given on an empty stomach so by Monday we stopped the tablets...he is still not eating on his own volition, he his definately lethargic, and he seems to have joint problems, which I have read could be a reaction to the antibiotics...The vet wanted to x ray him, blood tests, £200 worth, not convinced...he's just heard a dog bark and run round the house like a pup - any idea's - thanks - worried JR owner

Thanks so far for all the answers and comments. Just to add more info. Despite being a Jack he is a soft one and couldn't catch a mouse with a head start. He would definately not have eaten any dead animal. We stopped the tablets because he looked seriously ill. He takes food only by a spoon and has always been a fussy eater, his favourite food has been chappie and webbox, when I tried him on the complete food he didn't eat it (although when I get him back I will take on board the comments) So since coming of the tablets he has strutted around, chased sticks / balls - but whilst running stopped dead in his tracks as though he's been shot - 30 seconds later he's carried on, he's wary of jumping down stairs (joints) lethargic and I would say off his food - these are symptoms of a reaction to the tablets...I undertstand there's a product which in effect neutralises the antibiotics - but does anyone know how long antibiotics take to get out of your system - he is drinking - no dihorrea now

Yo Ho, Took him to the vet's this morning - x-rays so far have proved in conclusive, he's badly de hydrated so they have him on a drip...they asked if he'd been hit by a car....last I heard they were going to do some bloods - personally, I think he has suffered a reaction to the tablets and the jab he had 10 days ago....he was eating then, his diorrhea was not black / tarry but was immediately after the jab, he started the tablets the next day and stopped eating - we were told to carry on with the tablets (I took him back cos he was so bad last sat) we did this sat and sun and he picked up on monday although has suffered from no appetite/ lethargy/ and apparent joint problems (not been able to climb steps etc)..So as an additional Q - any one any major knowledge of the consequences of reactions to drugs...how long would they stay in the system when the dog is barely eating etc....I can see a large vet's bill with no conclusion ?? thanks

Answer 1

try him with some dog food now and water hopefully he will eat it try to keep him off rich meats maybe if you have dry food give him that ,his stomach has been sensitive last few weeks so just take it easy ,avoid milk based products and hopefully he will eat and be ok.
i'd see how he is in next few days and if he gets on ok i'd try worming him in a few weeks time .

Answer 2

Your dog probably will do just fine. The antibiotics wiped out the normal bacteria in his gut just like they do yours. Give him a few days of recovery time, and he should be eating dry dog food by the way- not meat, cooked or uncooked, except on the rare occasion as a treat. Dogs metabolisms change as they age, just like yours. The blocked anal glands were a clue his diet was too rich and too soft. Back off on the protein a bit, so he isn't getting such a rich mix. A good quality dry food, with a bit of the soft on the side (not more than half a can a few times a week) is a much healthier bet for your dog. He should return to a regular feed before long, once he's had time to recuperate from the bug and the antibiotics. My parents raise this type dog, and they are really a joy- aren't they? You need to keep an eye on him if he has strong hunting instincts, as he will eat most anything he can catch. It's just as likely he got hold of a sick animal, ate it, and paid for the privledge. My parents have one that will hunt down and eat anything from bugs to mice to birds, in addition to a good meal from the bowl. Your pup sounds much the same.

Answer 3

Take him to another vet for a second opinion, if need be feed water through a syringe, so your dog does not dehydrate, you will be able to get 1 from your vet. If your dog still has Diorrhea don't feed him anything at all for 24 hours and then after this make his something really light like boiled rice or scrambled egg, this may clear up his diorrhea

I would say that it would be best to get your dog on a brand of food instead of cooking him beef to eat as this may be upsetting his stomach, some dogs stomachs can get very temperemental as they grow older. My sisters 6 year old Sheltie can now have no dog treats or tit bits, only her dog food because anything else gives her diorrhea.

Good Luck

Answer 4

Hubby's beagle just went through the 'take on full stomach' medicine routine. What I had to do was break her feedings into two separate times. She took the meds twice a day, so I'd feed her half of her allowance in the morning and when she was done eating it, I'd shove the pill down her throat. In the evening, I'd do the same thing.
Like your dog, his got very lethargic and laid around moping all day until I split up the feedings to match the dosage of meds.
His reaction to the barking dog could be a sign that the effect of the meds is wearing off. It may take a couple of days for them to get out of his system.
But what you should do is stop feeding him people food and keep him on dog food. An occasional 'treat' of people food might be all right, but for the most part, you shouldn't feed him people food.

Answer 5

time to see another vet.. sounds like your vet is to much of nothing! Dogs get bugs just like us and sometimes need to run its course.. diarrhea? give kayopectate, and rice only for a couple of days..

The penicillin may have caused a reaction in your dog.. Most vets do not give that one, not in the US anyhow. And vets are to quick to give out anti-biotics.. I refuse them most of the time for myself and my dogs. UNLESS they really have an infection!

Also, never give beef to a dog with diarrhea, it will make it worse. Give only rice or purina's canned food from the vet for upset digestive system.

When mine has diarrhea I skip a feeding, then next feeding give a tiny bit of kibble with some cooked white rice..and I do that for a few days along with kayopectate (for diarrhea) get the childrens cherry flavor, they like it. Give about 1 cc, and then again every time they have the loosy goosys after that..

Answer 6

okay first of all....id get a second opinion. at a completely different clinic.

second. your dog may be very ill, but you'd never know it because dogs are not HUMAN, they do not behave the same way WE do when we are sick.
in the wild any animal that showed a weakness was considered a liability, easy prey for hungry dominant animals. such as big cats, bears..etc.

this natural instinct to perform under sickness is still inherent in your dog.
he hears what he thinks is in intruder "fellow dog" he has to go check it out. why? instinct. does it matter that he is ill? no..
and that is why a lot of ppl don't know HOW badly their animal is sick until it's too late, or very very bad off.

get it looked into, better safe than sorry!

Answer 7

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Answer 8

try him on cooked chicken and rice, the diorea might be because of colitus which is agrevated by beef. i have a jr who is as fussy an eater, but she will always eat chicken and rice. it may also be that he has had to much protien that can also affect jr's, give him a few days rest and i'm sure he will be fine.

Answer 9

You obviously love your dog if I were you I would take him to another vet. If it was just his anal glands that needed to be depleted then he did not need antibiotics. This happens to many dogs but especially small ones Hope this helps.

Answer 10

I would go ahead with the research. My Staffie was fine and running about like there was nothing wrong then suddenly she got a cough we thought it was a cold but she went off her food so we took her to the vet. She had lung cancer and had had it for ages. Please dont leave it, get him x-rayed. He could have swolled something and it could be causing him stomach problems as he is not able to pass it.