My colleague with her new puppy is having trouble with intermittent diarrhoea projectile .............
I dont know what to say.
Any ideas.

Karen :)

> intermittent diarrhoea projectile

If it's that bad she probably ought to have it checked out by her vet. Otherwise things she can do are feeding a light diet for a while like chicken or fish with boiled rice. She could give Pro-Kolin paste (from the vet or on-line suppliers like Canine Chemists). That should help to balance the intestinal flora. Or she could look at how much she is feeding. Sometimes overfeeding can result in diarrhoea. Or maybe there is something in her garden that is disagreeing with her puppy. Sometimes birds droppings can carry nasty bugs - does she have a bird table?

Ask her a few questions, see what she says.

As above, with a pup a vet visit is called for so dehydration doesn't set in.  Normally I would feed boiled chicken and rice for a couple of days.  Also a tablespoon of natural unflavoured yoghurt for a medium sized dog speeds recovery up no end.  Plus the dogs love it.

I find I have  that this kind of 'projectile squirts' with my dogs  if I have been to the beach and they have drank salt water!

Depends how long she has had pup if it is very recent then I would give bottled water as just water change can cause dramatic affects very quickly.

I would also as other have said take a trip to the vet with a young pup as they can go down very quickly.

She could take puppies temperature as it is a good indication of illness if it is risen.

As for feeding I prefer mashed potato and white fish to settle the tum and agree with live yoghurt to settle. (only because chicken doesnt agree with my lot)

Roni

Thanks to you both.

She picked up pup just over a week ago, this occured on the first day, then again a few day later.
Nothing has changed with diet though the water most certainly is a lot different. Just hoping it is nothing sinister that she has brought with her.
Though it is possible she has taken her to the beach, as when the tide goes out it is a lovely outdoors place to  be that has just been flushed clean.

The owner is medical and for that reason will be very aware of dehydration etc....but she is also having to be reminded that the puppy is very young and therefore she must be extra vigilant.

Karen :)

> The owner is medical and for that reason will be very aware of dehydration etc....but she is also having to be reminded that the puppy is very young and therefore she must be extra vigilant.

Oh dear. I thought it would be known by all medical people that dehydration is a big worry in the very young, very old and infirm when there is sickness/diharroeah. If she needs to be reminded that a puppy is at risk of serious complications and death through dehydration as a result of the runs, does she know how to check to see if her pup IS dehydrated?

Oh, last minute thought, shes had pup for over a week, pup had runs on first day - what has the vet said about this? I take it that pup has been checked over by the vet for his first health check?

also has pup been wormed??

I wouldn't presume someone in the medical profession understands animals in particular puppies and health issues and also I have also know some people in the nursing profession are not always the best where cleanliness is concerned. (I know someone myself who fits this bill)

I would consider as it started first day that water change is a possibility tell her to buy bottled water then that takes away that problem and it can be excuded if the runs continue .

She must get a vet check.

it is possible she has taken her to the beach

the puppy is very young

Is the pup fully vaccincated??

All things are considered....honestly.....all precautions, everything as should be.
It seems to happen intermittently, last night again after a few normal stools a change in colour and then another projectile........
She is seeing the vet so will see if he/she has any further ideas.

Karen :)

I'd take mine to the vets immediately.  A puppy can go downhill extremely quickly and dehydrate fast.  Its not worth the risk.  There is a virus (i dont know the name sorry) that can be passed on and results in sloppy poos which can be a bit jelly towards the end. It needs clearing up via antibiotics.  Ima contracted it when she was about 12 weeks old, her diarrhoea was intermittent, just soft one minute, squirty the next, she appeared well in herself, then one morning she didn't look so great, i rushed her to the vets panic stricken.  It was a virus, cleared after a course of antibiotics and has never appeared again.... Vets my dear