sick dog, gross and long. sorry!

[theresaseago]

okay, so my mom has my standard poodle, shes never really gained weight so when i bought her last bag of food, i picked up Nutro High Energy because its got alot of protein thinking this would help her get some meat on her skinny bones. when i would feed her i would mix half a can of wet food with it so she would eat, shes picky.
well last week i was in MI (she lives in SC) and my mom called me and said she had really bad diarrhea and a little blood mixed in her stool but she had mixed the food way too rich.. she used a whole can of wet instead of half. so i get back, mom says she fine, i go see her, shes pooping some hard, mostly jello like stool. great. so i take the wet food out completely. mom gets up this AM, sura who never goes in her crate, has gotten diarrhea in her crate. she sticks her outside to clean the crate and watches her try to poo. nothing. then she notices "water" sprinking out. goes outside and its watery blood. so now im stuck a hour away at work and she had to go to work, im going to take he to the vet(i hate our vet, the last time i took sura in for shots, i told him i though she was too skinny so he hands me a baggie of powder wormer and charged me $200 for a consultation and worming supplies!) when i get off but im trying to figure out what the deal is.. sorry this is so long
my mom thinks she needs to be wormed
any ideas?

[DazzleDog]

Yeah, your dog needs to see a vet (why don't you try a different vet if you're not happy at your current one?). Bring a stool sample if you can get one. It very well could be parasites.

[Helly]

Seriously, if this were my dog, and she was acting otherwise normal, I'd fast her for 24 hours, nothing by mouth but water. Then I'd give her a small meal of rice and boiled meat; lean hamburger or chicken, with a little yogurt mixed in. If that doesn't come squirting out in an hour I'd get her some probiotics and another small meal of rice/meat.

If, on the other hand, she's acting sick, running a temperature, acting like she has belly pain, I'd get her to the vet ASAP.

[Briarpatch]

There must be a good vet around you! This could be serious so get an appointment asap. Did you use the parasite control stuff the vet gave you?

[theresaseago]

ah..

she doesn't seem sick... still spinning circles.. i convinced my mom to bring her to me at work... i took all of her food.. made sure shes drinking water..
the wormer was awhile ago.. its really weird because she doesn't act sick.. when shes sick all she wants to do is lay at my feet but shes up and moving around.. pouting because i made her go out a little while ago but that's normal ha-ha.
i noticed, and this may not be relevant.. but her stool smell is AWFUL. i mean, usually she stinks but im talking get anywhere near and im dry heaving.
ugh im so worried but i cant leave work yet.

[pooh13]

I would also recommend a new vet ,blood in the stools can be caused by many factors I wouldn't risk self diagnoses or treatment without a professional opinion of a vet. it could be something serious.

[Particentral]

Is she on heart worm meds? If so it should cover intestonal worms as well, but still, hookworms slip through sometimes and they act the way you are describing. So does Ghiardia and the like.

[PawfessionalTouch]

I'm assuming your a groomer, and hoping this isn't taken as rude... but why would you bring your sick dog (or any sick dog for that matter) to a place full of other dogs? It sounds like some kind of infestation. If you see mucus or blood, you should see vet ASAP... but I would look for a vet you feel a bit more comfortable with.

[SharPeiMom]

I totally agree with Helly. Anytime one of my dogs gets an upset stomach the first thing I do is take away the food for 24 hours and then start giving them bland food like she describes. Sometimes that's all it takes and sometimes not. Did you say you were in S.C.? Let us know what part of the state and someone is sure to have a good vet they can recommend.

[Mollyclizbe]

I would take her in as soon as possible.
She could be really sick, especially because there is blood in the stool.
I'm not an expert, but if it was my dog, I would take her in.

[bednbones]

It is more than likely Giardia

Anytime you have diarrhea mixed w/mucous and or blood it is giardia which is a parasite which can be passed very easily from sharing water bowls, smelling each others bum, etc. They usually treat w/Flagyl (Metronidazole) and an antibiotic but recently I have heard of vets treating w/a wormer. We get lots of it in standing water her in So. Cal -- creeks etc. Sometimes dogs can be carriers for a while and just shed the parasite because they are stressed. We have had dogs that literally cannot get rid of this parasite even after weeks of medication. I sometimes wonder if it is because their immune system is somehow compromised.

[theresaseago]

..

i groom, just not full time. i work at a storage place until i can pay to finish school. no other animals here but my boyfriend

im gonna give what Helly said a try.. hopefully shes just stressed out and the food isnt agreeing with her.

i live in the southernmost part of SC...
around the hilton head area.. if anyone knows of any good vets down here let me know

[wet noze]

I agree with Molly. If I saw blood I'd be running to the vet pronto with a stool sample. That is not normal. Personally, I'd be worried.

[pooh13]

Seriously, if this were my dog, and she was acting otherwise normal, I'd fast her for 24 hours, nothing by mouth but water. Then I'd give her a small meal of rice and boiled meat; lean hamburger or chicken, with a little yogurt mixed in. If that doesn't come squirting out in an hour I'd get her some probiotics and another small meal of rice/meat.

If, on the other hand, she's acting sick, running a temperature, acting like she has belly pain, I'd get her to the vet ASAP.

This is not meant as a personal slam Helly But I do have issues with this advise. You may be very well correct with your technique However being a tech you should know the legal liabilities of medical advise given by non vets as most of us groomers do as well.Giving advise on coat treatment and care(truly non medical) is one thing but when it comes to internal affairs and prescribing treatment of medical issues its actually illegal for us to give medical advice and can be held accountable .I know this is a forum and we all ask question and look for advice and I know you mean well,But as techs and groomers we lack the schooling and veterinarian medical degree .We should leave the diagnosis and treatment to the professionals.I get upset when they try to do my job, But a dog never died from a bad haircut.

[Moonpiepoodlz]

All I want to say is I hope she gets better soon...