runny bowels

Question
I have a 10 yr old chiuauha(can't spell it) any way she had puppies 4 weeks ago everyone is fat and healthy but the momma has bad runny poop she won't eat but certain kinds of dog food but loves human food she is eating good and drinking plenty of water right now she is hooked on alpo dry food I don't give her human food as she cannot tolerate it can I give her some kaopectate will it hurt her or the pups? thank you I love my babies but right now can not afford a vet

Answer
Hi Donnainnc,

A nursing dog has extreme dietary requirements. You should have started feeding her a good quality puppy food during the last few weeks of her pregnancy, and continue with that puppy food diet until the puppies have been weaned. Without the correct diet, your dog will develop malnutrition.

Between nursing and the diarrhea your dog needs to be examined by a veterinarian.

Until your vet's office opens, it is safe to give a nursing dog Kaopectate, but you should not give her Pepto Bismol. The dose for Kaopectate is approximately 2 teaspoons per 10-pounds per day, ideally split between two to four doses. You should really run this past your vet, given the small size of your dog the fact there are nursing puppies involved.

One more thing. A 10 year old for a dog is entirely too old to continue to have puppies. If you can't keep this dog away from male dogs, you need to have her spayed.

Best of luck,

Patti