Expert: Delores Beck - 8/5/2010

Question
Our 12 year old cocker has had diarahha for 4 days and this morning I noticed that it had some blood in it.  It wasn't all bloody.  I am calling the vet as soon as it turns 8 but was hoping to get some thoughts here.  He has been sleeping alot more in the past month, he hasn't been eating normal either.. this has been going on for about a month that he doesn't seen interested in his food just his treats.   He will eat his food but needs encouragement alot of the times to eat it.  The diarahha happens throughout the day and night.  It seems to be uncontrolable as he doesn't let us know he needs out and last night he just started going right in front of us.   We are very concerned and are needing help.  He is a great dog and we want to help him.

Answer
I'm so glad you're off to the vet.  He obviously needs a few tests.
If you can take a stool sample - a urine sample that will speed things up.

Aside from a full blood panel, I'd most definitely run a full 6 panel thyroid test too.

Now the diarreah - the first thing to do always is fast a dog for 6 to 8 hours and then go to small meals of plain scrambled egg (use no milk - no oil) and plain white rice in small doses.  To that, I'd add 1 tsp. of plain, unflavored, sugar-free Metamucil.  Mix it all together and keep in fridge but don't serve cold. (4 eggs - 1 1/2 cups overcooked white rice)

I'd also try changing his food.  What are you feeding.  If he still likes his treats but is uninterested in his food it tells me he does have an appetite.

At age 12 he probably will snooze a lot but from the sound of it, you're describing lethargy.  A wonky thyroid can cause this and it's an easy blood draw and an easy fix with inexpensive medication.
A full blood panel will quickly tell you if there's anything else going on.

Best of luck