Friday, August 21, 2009

Doggy Doo Woes

Half the modern drugs could well be thrown out the window, except that the birds might eat them. ~Martin H. Fischer

Today is MY scavenger hunt day for the LASR/WC Anniversary Celebration. For those of you who have read my stories, it's an EASY way to earn an entry into the contest to win one of three Sony eReaders! Go here for more information.

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So... Dakota had a run-in with Giardia a couple weeks back. The vet put her on antibiotics (I have a love/hate relationship with antibiotics... I know they have a job to do, but GAH they're so hard on a body) and I think it messed her all up again. Her, erhm, digestive problems got better for a bit, but they're back and worse than ever.

I feel as though I'm fighting a constant battle. I've never had a pet with problems like this, and I have to admit that as much as I love my vet, I think he's reached the end of the things he can do. He's suggested that I put her back on the prescription diet (you might remember when she went on that as a puppy -- and my horror when I read the ingredients: cornmeal, chicken by-product meal [which is all the stuff they can't use elsewhere, so feet, necks, etc] and cellulose [which is often simply wood pulp]. When I read the ingredients I took her right back off ... I'm not feeding my dog cornmeal, chicken feet and sawdust just because it clears up her runny poop... even if they add all the vitamins, etc., to it to make it "nutritionally complete", it's clearly not a diet I would want her on).

I discussed her problem with a lady at agility who uses a homeopathic vet AND a little with my agility instructor, who advocates natural care for your pet. Yesterday, I started Dakota on a 24-hour fast to "rest" her digestive tract. Then, today, she'll go on a bland diet of boiled chicken and potato with added probiotics and slippery elm (which, as an aside, is good for human digestive health as well).

She'll stay on this for a few days.

If this doesn't clear her up, I'll take her to a homeopathic vet and see what that person has to say. I'm at my wits' end.

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You Are Kind and Sensitive



You relate to others easily. You have many friends, and you love making their lives better.

You are genuinely warm and radiant. People feel comforted by your presence.



Becoming a better person is something you think about every day. You want to be interesting, insightful, and special.

You need love more than most people in the world. You're willing to love those who don't love you in return.



Um... no. Not really close at all, IMHO...

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6 comments:

groovyoldlady said...

Ah, I was just about to suggest probiotics... Let us all know if it works. In this human's body, it sometimes take 3 days or so.

Maria Zannini said...

Poor Dakota.

Whenever my guys have runny stools or upset tummies, I give them boiled rice three times a day.

Antibiotics mess with my Tank too. But instead of diarrhea, he vomits.

I have to watch him like a hawk. He may be a giant dog, but he's got the constitution of a puppy.

Good luck, Marianne. I'm glad Dakota has you instead of someone who will let him waste away.

Anonymous said...

Im so sorry to hear this. One thing you might want to add is canned pumpkin (just plain old 100% pumpkin). It helps with both diarrhea and constipation! I've used it on all my dogs.

I hate the food that most vets push. There is so much junk in all of it.

Patachou, my rottie angel, had the most sensitive stomack and would get bloody diarrhea at the blink of an eye. I tried every food on the market and found that Wellness food was the only one that he tolorated. It has all natural ingredients, is baked and not processed. They even have a grains free version. You might want to look into their food

http://www.wellnesspetfood.com/

I know several people who feed their dogs a raw diet. Both a balance one that you can buy already made or receipts that you can make yourself. If you want some of that info just let me know and I'll be happy to send you some info (both for raw and cooked diets) I've gathered over the years. I can't afford to feed a raw diet right now but hope to with when Im down in number of pets and get my next dog.

Tori Lennox said...

Hugs to you and Dakota!!! I hope the new diet works out.

Brandy said...

Aww, poor Dakota. I hope the new diet works well for her. Hugs!


P.S. I also hope you have a good day!

Dru said...

I hope the new diet works for Dakota.