yorkies and their stomachs

"jbone" <jmm061804.DeleteThis@hotmail.com> said in rec.pets.dogs.breeds:

> We took him to the vet today and she checked for parasites,
> which he did not have.

Did your vet check for giardia? It often doesn't show up in
standard fecal tests, so may need to be screened for
specifically.

--
--Matt. Rocky's a Dog.
 >> Stay informed about: yorkies and their stomachs 

thank you all for your help. i will look into all of your suggestions.
 >> Stay informed about: yorkies and their stomachs 

"Rocky" <2dogs.RemoveThis@rocky-dog.com> wrote in message
news:Fri9725C78CB6E9Daustralianshepherdca@rocky-dog.com...
> Did your vet check for giardia? It often doesn't show up in
> standard fecal tests, so may need to be screened for
> specifically.

Are there specific tests for giardia now? A few years back, DH got it. The
tests came back negative but when the symptoms continued they acknowledged
that the test wasn't very accurate. (And this was for humans.) They
treated him - with the thought that the proof would be in the success of the
treatment. And it did work. Miraculously well.

Also, would giardia be so on and off? She said it recurs every couple of
months in her dog. My only experience was with DH and it very definitely
was not on and off.

But, yeah, like you I'm thinking parasites of some sort. It really is
random for them to find them in a sample. Or maybe some coincidental
feeding of some "special treats" that they're not seeing the connection on?
The fact that it is not only chronic but seems to be getting worse would
definitely have me concerned. I think I'd be looking for a specialist very
soon. At 3 pounds, this dog cannot afford to lose any weight.

~~Judy
 >> Stay informed about: yorkies and their stomachs 

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 >> Stay informed about: yorkies and their stomachs 

"Judy" <doubleq DeleteThis @cableracer.com> said in rec.pets.dogs.breeds:

> Are there specific tests for giardia now?

When Rocky had it about 7 years ago, the giardia test was the
standard fecal float, but used a different test kit which
screened for the teeny giardia parasites - they're much smaller
than your run-of-the-mill parasite, so special attention had to
be paid.

Plus, many vets prescribe metronidazole (Flagyl) when they're
not positive what the agent is - it's a broad spectrum anti-
parasite but doesn't always catch the giardia buggie.
Fenbendazole (Panacur) is apparently more directly geared to
giardia.

> Also, would giardia be so on and off? She said it recurs
> every couple of months in her dog.

Rocky's giardia was on and off - low grade infections can be.
Initially, I thought it was the food he was eating because his
diarrhea cleared up temporarily when I switched foods to one
fairly high in corn, but it was a coincidence. His wasn't as on
and off as the every couple of months the OP mentioned, but it's
still worth checking out.

I have a RR here going through the same thing, so I suggested
that a stool sample be taken in to the vet.

--
--Matt. Rocky's a Dog.
 >> Stay informed about: yorkies and their stomachs 

I am a new pet owner so I am not to familiar with all of this. How do I go
about finding a specialist? A client of mine gave me the name of a vet
that practices holistic medicine on dogs, do you think that is worth
checking out? I really appreciate all of your advice.
 >> Stay informed about: yorkies and their stomachs 

"jbone" <jmm061804.TakeThisOut@hotmail.com> said in rec.pets.dogs.breeds:

> I am a new pet owner so I am not to familiar with all of
> this.

First, ask your regular vet for whatever test you think
necessary. I am not a vet, but if I were you, I'd have your vet
do a complete check for intestinal parasites - including
giardia, also known as "Beaver Fever."

> How do I go about finding a specialist?

The best way to find a veterinary specialist is to ask your
regular vet.

--
--Matt. Rocky's a Dog.
 >> Stay informed about: yorkies and their stomachs 

That was easy. We actually think that he has eaten something that he should
not have, but we are looking into all of our options.
 >> Stay informed about: yorkies and their stomachs 

"Rocky" <2dogs.DeleteThis@rocky-dog.com> wrote in message
news:Fri9726CE809BA4Baustralianshepherdca@rocky-dog.com...
> The best way to find a veterinary specialist is to ask your
> regular vet.

I'm a little spoiled here because of the relative closeness of Cornell.

As you said, the first place to go is your own vet. More than once if
necessary. And yes, they are the ones to refer you to a specialist. They
can do this when they feel they have exhausted all their diagnostic and
healing skills. Or they can do it when you request it. (While still
remaining respectful of your vet.)

But having had a bad experience with one vet who didn't seem to want to give
up on our office visits - in spite of the fact that he was doing nothing to
help the dog or even to reach a diagnosis - I get a little pushy about
moving on to a specialist at the first hint of a complicated problem. (It
took the specialist about 30 seconds to diagnose my dog's problem and to
start treatment.)

~~Judy
 >> Stay informed about: yorkies and their stomachs 

"jbone" <jmm061804.TakeThisOut@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:242c2042e0af279287e8841ac9cc3ba7@localhost.talkaboutpets.com...
> That was easy. We actually think that he has eaten something that he
should
> not have, but we are looking into all of our options.
>

Wonderful. I hope he's feeling much better soon.

~~Judy
 >> Stay informed about: yorkies and their stomachs