Bacterial Overgrowth?

[Gunsey'sMom]

We took Gunner to the vet yesterday because of very irregular stools. He had also vomited twice after I made the appt. His stools were foul smelling and very soft. The day before I made the appointment he had a mucous like substance in his stool. It almost looked like a broken egg yoke. THe day of the appointment, he had a stool the was almost like water and was projectile. He had also gone in his crate the night before and that morning.

THe vet said it was a bacterial overgrowth infection. And that his bacteria levels were way out of balance accounting for the sickness. We have the medications and also that Hills perscription diet stuff. He was also checked for other parasites as well.

Is it okay to feed him the persription diet?

Am I being fed a line of bull about this bacterial overgrowth? The vet said it could be from eating a dead animal or rotting carcass, but there is no way Gunner could have gotton hold of something like that. Then he said it could also be spontaneous, is that possible?

I am just really trying to find an answer as to how this happened to prevent it in the future. It was very scary for me and doesnt seem like something to play around with. It really affected Gunner to where I could tell he was sick.

If anyone else has gone through anything similar or has anything helpful it would be great to know anything about this!

[Gunsey'sMom]

Also, can he have had this for awhile? Do I need to go around sanitizing things or taking certain precautions to make sure he doesnt catch it again?

[Sam's Mom]

I lived on 50 acres in the woods of MN. for 10 years with my boy Sam...and believe me from time to time he would find a "treasure" (a carcass...even one time a skull...yuck) He would want to go outside to poop more often and get unbelievably foul smelling gas, for a day, but then be fine. Try adding acidophilus (the digestive good guys) to his diet if his food does not include it.
Side thought...personally I think when a Vet does not have a definitive answer the bull sh** show begins. That's one reason why RDN is so valuable to me...you get the straight stuff i.e. questions to ask...things to consider, from experienced Rottie Moms and Dads

[Debbie Ervin]

I have just been through the same in July 2 times actually. It was a bacterical infection which caused the diareaha and then water and then from straining bloody water. Our vet said he picked up something somewhere? Anyway he was put on the percription food which is very good at tightening the stools!!! Ceasar of course didn't care much for it so I gave him groundbeef and rice,(more rice), to substitue. Also the 1st round he was on Flagyl and Amoxicillan together, I however don't think I kept him on it long enough and he got it again and he went back on the same meds. 1 week later it seemed to be starting again and he was put on sulfasalamine which is for diareaha and mainly bacterial infections due to that. It worked great for him and it is a perfectly safe drug for long term use if need be. He was on it for 10 days 2pills 2xs a day. The are round orange pills. I tell you it was horrible for him and me and I am glad it is over!!!!!! One nite we had to sit on the deck from the early hours of the morning because he could not control what was coming out. It will clear up, and for me this is what worked and it sounds like the same thing. Good Luck! D. Ervin and Ceasar It is not unusal for it to reoccur, hopefuly it won't but don't get upset if it does. Stay on the meds and food for as long as the vet tellls you.

[Lola B Marie]

Lola has had severe bacterial over growth in her belly since she was 12 weeks old. A complete blood work up was used to determine how much bacteria and what kind.The vet took xrays which showed inflamation from the bacteria. The treatment was trial and error for months. Finally the correct combination for her was determined. She started with 500 mil of amoxicillin 3xdaily. She got an acid reducer (Tagamet) 200mil, 2xdaily. She was taken off all dog food and began with boiled skinless white meat chicken and mushie pasta with some of the starchy cooking water. She got this 4xdaily. Once the diarrhea subsided, more foods were introduced into her diet. Cooked carrots and cooked string beans, brown rice, oat meal, cooked fresh fruits, very lean beef, lamb and fish. Hard boiled eggs followed with cottage cheese, fresh peanut butter and a full assortment of food all human quality. She gets supplements and pet tabs. The combination of no dog food and the meds finally got rid of the diarrhea completely. She stopped vomiting as well. She is now 2 1/2. She weighs 111 lbs and is slowly loosing. The vet said she should take off about a pound a month. Her meds are down to 1 amoxicillin per day and 1 or 2 tagamets depending if I hear her stomach make growling noises. If your dog is responding to the meds and you are using a good quality food, I don't see why you need the hills diet. If you have extra time and want to home cook, that's even better. The idea is to rest the belly from the irritation. The food does not cause the bacterial overgrowth. It's kind of like a person with strep throat. Liquids and soft foods, ice pops etc. All to rest the throat lining, but once the antibiotics have done their job,the person can go back to regular foods. Once the antibiotics have killed the bacteria in the dog belly, and the track has been rested, dog should be able to be on his normal diet. The key is to wipe out the bacteria completely with the antibiotic and sometimes this requires antibiotics at a very small dose for a long time. In Lola's case, it was so severe, she needs them for the rest of her life. The vet feels she had this overgrowth from a few weeks of age. As it began to get stronger, the symptoms began presenting. She was on every medication to treat diarrhea known to dog. She was on 8 different types of dog food including Hills. Only the amoxicillin worked. I don't think it was spontaneous bacteria. I think it was more a build up of bacteria to the point that his belly couldn't handle it any more and it just took over making him sick. It's a lot to deal with and I am so sorry you are going through this with your boy. All I can say is that with the right meds, he will be feeling wonderful soon. If he needs to stay on the antibiotics dont be alarmed or if you stop them and the symptoms come back, don't be upset. It just may be a condition he has and it is treatable and not life threatening once under control. I hope this helped. Hugs to you both.
Jane

[Gunsey'sMom]

THey gave us Sulphasalazine and Metronidazole- 1 1/2 tablets every 8 hours until gone, and then the prescription diet. His stools are already hardened up quite a bit and we have quite a few pills to go. I am also feeding him three smaller meals a day insead of his 2 regular meals. He is getting NOTHING at all extra. He has made 2 BMs since our visit and both are MUCH better.

My main concern now is keeping him bacteria free! IS it from junk they eat on the ground, bad water, swimming- a combo? I mean its goign to be hard not to freak every time he has a loose stool now, because I have no idea how long this could have been going on and boulding up to this point.

We completely cleaned his crate and sanitized his kennel outside- it was a doggie mined field after he wasnt feeling good. Scrubbed out his dogloo. I think I spent a good 3-4 hours going over his dog run cleaning it and sanitizing it-even throwing away gravel from it. I dont think recontract this from fecal traces in his run, but I just want to cover everthing as thorough as possible.

Anymore helpful suggestions would be much needed and apreciated!

[Debbie Ervin]

GREAT!!!! Just remember hopefully with this full dose of sulfasalazimine it will knock it out!!!! C was on 2 pills 2xs a day and I told you the prescription food, he didn't like (however if you can get him to eat it thats great in helping the stools!). I don't know how C got it, but our vet said he just picked something up somewhere. Now he did eat the cat fecal acouple times! Yuck!!! so now we have bought a liter box w/lid and if he sticks his head in there he'll get stuck! So he hasn't been near it. Otherwise it could be anything. You covered you tracks with sanitizing those things and you and Gunner should be good to go! GREAT News!!!! Just what the vet ordered!!! hehe. D. Ervin

[Gunsey'sMom]

Fortunately he is NOT a picky eater, so has been chowing down on the food the vet gave us. I have been giving the pills EXACTLY as the vet said and trying to give them exactly 8 hours apart wich means tonight he will get them at 1:00- FUN! HE has been really good about taking them though. I make a pill sandwich with a little PB and hold his mouth gently shut- He doesnt really like it but cooperates nicely.

I guess this is my really expensive wake up call to NOT let him get to ANY junk on the ground. I never thought it was that bit of a deal- but maybe it contibuted?

$250 big ones for this whoel deal- but he did get his heartworm test, his bortatella booster- for when we go away and have to board him, and his distemper booster (I think- will have to check paper)

He is now 105 lbs and I am just glad he is back to being on the right track- that well worth the money spent. The vet wants me to call tommorow to check in on his patient.

We also have a follow up in three weeks wich there Im guessing will probably be another fecal- to see the bacteria level? Or blood? Iam not sure wich on e they got it from. He is doing so much better, I am so happy! I am counting down the pills.....and his energy is already back. I am so so very happy and relieved!