Why has my dog had diarrhea for two months?

Question

My dog has had explosive liquidy diarrhea for two months now. We took her to the vet and they gave us steroids for her to take. They have seemed to help for one or two days, but she's back to it. Her body is constantly shaking and you can tell she just doesn't feel good. We decided the steroids may be too much for her little 10 pound body so we took her off them yesterday. She has been vomiting all morning though. She still has explosive liquidy diarrhea and no vet has been able to help us out and figure out what's wrong with her. If anyone has any help or a pet that's gone through this, please help. Thank you!

Answer 1

Has she been tested for internal parasites? She may have a parasite like Giardia that causes bad diarrhea. I would ask your vet to treat her even if she has tested negative for the parasite (the medication is not very expensive). Also, you may ask to try a round of Flagyl because it is an antibiotic that helps balance the bacteria in the gut. Also, you may want to switch her to a high quality dog food (like Natural Balance or NutriSource) in case she is intolerant to one of the ingredients in her current food. It may be helpful to put her on an acidophilus supplement (you can get in most health food stores), it is basically a capsule containing the good bacteria normally found in the gut. I hope this helps and that she gets better.

Answer 2

I would ask the vet to put her on Metronidazole,or Tylan,both antibiotics used for chronic diarrhea and inflamatory bowel disease.Thay are both fairly safe,and worked for a cat of mine who had chronic diarrhea, when nothing else did.I would also put her on a diet of just boiled chicken breast(no skin),lamb,or ground round,with an equal amount of well-cooked rice,a bit of plain,unsweetened yogurt(not diet yogurt-the artificial sweeteners are bad for dogs),a good multi-vitamin,and digestive enzymes.My cat also took an antispasmodic called Centrine ,which was very helpful with the vomiting and diarrhea.Your dog might benefit from a few days at the vet on an I.V. with no solid food,so her digestive tract can rest.I would call the vet asap,so the dog does not get dehydrated.Good luck,and keep us posted.

Answer 3

I hope your vet said it was o.k. to take her off the steroids because you usually need to wean them off gradually. They can go into withdrawal if taken off a steroid too quickly.
Have they considered irritable bowel syndrome? It could also be a food allergy. Cancer is another possibility.
Have they done bloodwork? Maybe a fecal sample needs to be sent into a lab for tests that can't be performed in your vet's office. Have they taken any x-rays? Perhaps an ultrasound could help shed some light (you may need to find a specialist for this, your vet could recommend one).

Answer 4

First off you should of never just taken her off the steroids cause this can cause withdrawls. Second you need to take her back to the vet if she isn't getting better. She is probably vomitting due to withdrawls but you should get her to a vet ASAP so that your small 10 pound dog doesn't get worse. It could be caused from stessful invironment also. See A vet. Good Luck.

Answer 5

I hope your vet checked her for any stomach problems or cancer, doesn't sound good at all. If she is an old dog this may be signs of her getting ready to die, if she is a puppy or younger dog there is definetely something wrong. Have you tried feeding her cooked white rice with little chunks of chicken breast mixed with it? This would help her tummy and you can also give her peptobismol for the diarrhea and vomiting. Hope this helps.

Answer 6

We had a similiar situation, my lab had explosive diarhea, she had been through tests (about almost$2000 worth by the end of it, differnt foods, etc. Finally she had to be put on a prescription dog food- and just watching her, she has a tendency to eat things she shouldnt. But get second opinions, defintly sounds like something is wrong. My pup had to get to the point where she had kinda like an MRi done, its a dye to she if she had a blockage, which I guess can cause diarhea, Good luck, wish you luck and hope your dog gets better!!

Answer 7

Try changing her diet. What kind of food do you feed her? ..but you can also try imodium...half of a children's serving, that helps them. And also dont give her any water form the faucet, give her purified water onle!...and try giving her some pedialite also, that helps with dehydration..cause that happens if diarriah is happening. But it sounds to be like a parasite is in her little stomach....but try those things and i would take her back to the vet to be on the safe side.

Answer 8

Have you done a fecal exam? She could have a parasite. When my dog was sick some also mentioned canned pumpkin with their food. You should really try another vet, I think something seriously is wrong with your dog. Im sorry and I hope she gets better.

Answer 9

Have you tried changing her food? Another thing that can cause diarrhea is intestinal parasites. Perhaps you need to try another vet. I wish you luck.

Answer 10

I wish I could help it sounds so sad!! I don't have a clue though so I will just offer you me pity and also tell you to try a different vet possibly...

Sorry!!
Goodluck and hang in there!!