Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 8/25/2009

Question
I have a 6 month old English mastiff who has had diarrhea since the first day I brought him home.  He is eating and drinking, he
weighs 95 lbs.  He is also under a vets care but I was hoping you could help problem solve.  He has had his stool tested 3 times and it has been negative.  He has been on 2 different courses of antibiotics, 30 days of probotics, a de-worming pill, and an adult dose of Immodium AD. I have tried two different diets (he is currently on Venison and rice) and pumpkin in his food.  All of this has been done one at a time through out this whole ordeal.  NOTHING has made an impact of any kind, he still has very runny stools.  I love him deeply and we are both worn out.  Please help.  Thank you  Christine

Answer
Do you know if he has been on metronidazole?  That is a drug that kills many of the microscopic protozoal organisms in the bowel. Rather than using Immodium, I have had better success in some of these using Lomotil (diphenoxylate and atropine). I wopuld not use P{umpkin, as this will make the stool looser.