Chronic Diarrhea

Question
I took my dog in a few week's ago to the vet to get his paw looked at because he had been licking it constantly and a area the size of a dime on the bottom of his paw was inflamed, red and bleeding sometimes. This had not been first time that this had happened and usually anti biotic, anti inflammatory meds took care of this and life was back to normal for my 11 year old Lab mix. The vet at that time also took a blood sample to check his thyroid which Lucky takes med's for and a fecal sample. He also emptied Lucky's anal glands at my request. His blood and fecal test results came back ok. The vet. Doctor suggested liq. multi vit. supplement that could possibly help with his skin irritations and a special shampoo that would not irritate the skin and keep it clean. So off we went back home and started on his meds and then all of a sudden he started having diarrhea. So I then stopped all the meds and Vitamins and waited to see if it stopped and it did not and went back to the Vet. about a week after his last visit. And they examined him again got another fecal sample and that said he had a infection (bacteria) and he gave us another antibiotic. I gave him his meds till they where all gone and the diarrhea slowly but surely came back with in about a week after finishing his meds but only worse this time. It became projectile diarrhea and he would have accidents in the house. So we went back again to the Vet. and Lucky was examined and even had another accident in the office. (New Fecal Sample) and the doctor said he was loaded with bacteria and had Colitis. He upped his anti biotic and gave us prescription diarrhea med. Went back home started the treatment and it did not have any effect on his condition and he was now throwing up everyday now. (no foods digested) I called the Vet. again and he had me come is in to get new different antibiotics (sulfur based) and new meds digestive irritability to calm his stomach. So now it has been four days on this meds and I have limited his food to  
only cooked white rice and his meds including his thyroid medicine. Lucky is still having diarrhea but he has no accidents in the house other than leaking spots left on the house floor. ( We wipe his bum after every bathroom visit) He no longer throws up but he still has diarrhea. Lucky is an indoor pet and only goes outside for walks and to use the bathroom. He up to date with his shots and get his heart worm prevention meds and Frontline Plus for fleas and ticks.

So what else could be the possible problem for all of these problems with Lucky.

Thanks
Scott


Answer
It seems that your dogs vet is trying to stay on top of things. I agree with the course of action taken by your vet and think that this is the best thing that can be done for your pet. You may want to try a 12 up to 24 hour fast to see if this will help. What this does will allow anything in the intestines that could be causing the problem to be passed out. Do not let lucky have any food for up to 24 hours and (do let him have water so he doesn't get dehydrated) then slowly start him back on the food. Many times this will cause diarrhea to clear up. Also, if you vet has not already done so, I would suggest getting some radiographs (x-rays) taken of lucky's abdomen (stomach) so if any foreign objects (coins, tennis balls, cloth, etc...) are stuck in the stomach they can be seen. These things usually cause diarrhea/vomiting and can only be ruled out with radiographs. You may also ask for a barium radiograph series (this is a contrast medium the dog drinks before the radiographs are taken) this allows the stomach/intestines to be seen better on the radiographs and can show inflammation and foreign objects (such as a pair of underwear, don't laugh dogs eat what they find and underwear is commonly removed from sick dogs stomachs). Also the barium has natural curative properties, it coats the stomach and many times will alleviate diarrhea/vomiting. If your dog is getting better, he seems to be by your question, I would suggest giving lucky another day or two before taking any actions. Give the medications a little longer to work. Other possibilities for the symptoms include: bacteria, virus, ulcers (caused by bacteria), parasites, food allergies, and foreigh bodies. It appears that you vet has checked for all of these things and determined the problem to be bacterial in nature thus the antibiotics should correct the problem. Please note that some bacteria are resistant to certain mediciations thus your vet may have to try several different ones before one is found that will treat the infection. Be sure to complete all medication, do not stop giving them once the problem is resolved unless you have used up all the prescribed medications. Hope this helps and be sure to ask anymore questions you may have I will be glad to answer them.