Expert: Jo Ann - 11/22/2010

Question
Please, help I took my 10 wk old puppy to the vet yesterday,because she has a runny runny stool and was coughing like she wanted to thro up but I never saw her thro up. The vet said she didn't have parvo gave her antibiotic and something for nausea. She has been eating and drinking but I'm not sure that its enough, should I force fluids on her. She has fever of 100 and still continues with the diaharea what do I do to help her get better  

Answer
Hi Shelly...

First off, I would be remiss if I didn't tell you that you should get a second opinion from another veterinarian if the diarrhea and fever continue. What is the antibiotic that you were given?  Amoxycillin?  And what was the anti-nausea medication you were given?  You say that the vet told you that this is not parvo, but did he/she also rule out distemper? Do you feel like she has improved since being on the medications that were prescribed?  Was she lethargic and disinterested in food prior to seeing the vet?  Is she at all lethargic now?  

It's a very good sign that she is drinking and eating now, but I'm very concerned when I hear of such a young puppy having chronic diarrhea.  Pups dehydrate VERY fast and dehydration in a pup so young and small is very serious and can be fatal. If you feel that she is at all dehydrated, get her in to see the vet right away.  Here is a link that discusses what to look for when it comes to dehydration in pups:  http://www.ehow.com/facts_4925353_signs-symptoms-dehydration-puppies.html  Also, take a look at this site where it says, "Warning Signs":  http://www.dailypuppy.com/articles/signs-symptoms-of-dehydration-in-puppies_832....  As you may have noticed, that website advises that you need to increase the water a pup consumes if it has had diarrhea/vomiting and/or fever.  Rather than force fluids on her, you can add water to her food.

What are you feeding her?  Didn't the vet suggest a diet that would firm up her stools and keep her hydrated? You should call back and ask what he would recommend for a pup so young.  You should also ask him about mixing Pedialyte in her food so that the electrolytes she's losing with the diarrhea are replaced. When I have needed to increase hydration in my dogs and cats, I have often mixed warm water with Gerber's baby food which my pets have readily lapped up no matter how ill they were at the time. The warm water allows them to smell the chicken even more and that stimulates their appetite causing them to eat up what I've offered.  I have also used Pedialyte, but you should probably not warm that in the microwave - maybe leave it out to become room temperature or add it to the warm water that you're putting in the food.  Be sure to ask the vet first and ask if he/she wants you to dilute the Pedialyte (if he says it's okay to give it).  To firm up stools, I have used cooked white rice mixed with chicken baby food or boiled chicken for my older dogs and cats, but you need to check with your veterinarian first before you do that.  Ask specifically what you can do to make sure she is hydrated while helping her to firm up stools.  I can tell you what I do, but you need to consult with a professional when it comes to a pup so young.  Also, if the vet approves baby food for her (mixed with rice), be sure that the baby food that you purchase has no onion in the ingredients.  Onion is toxic to dogs.  

If you do decide to see another vet, please know that you can have your records transferred over to the new office or you can request copies for your own records and then take those over with you.  You should take the medication you're giving with you or write down what the meds are and what dosages you are giving.  All this information will help the new vet and will keep them from prescribing things that you already have.

I'm hoping that you will write back with answers to the questions that I've asked above.  Most of all, I hope that your puppy recovers just fine.  You're a wonderful dog owner to want to do the best you can for this little one and I certainly can understand your concern!

Jo Ann