Yeah I am trying to think of things in the house/yard it could be. We try to supervise her, but you know how pups can be. She is not really one for eating things. Really only paper products get her going haha, not like the remote or other weird things. I have noticed a few things though:

1. She learned to drink from the toilet, we are putting an end to this
2. She was drinking water from a mudhole she kept digging (we've had straight rain for a week here).
3. Possibly eatin cat poo, although she is almost never in the basement where the cat box is.
4. She snatches a mouthful of cat food every now and then.
5. I have seen the cats drink from her water bowl, I don't know how long or how often they've been doing it since I just caught them. I know cats have filthy mouths.


The problem came back about a week after we stopped, but I did think of that as well. I made sure to complete the antibiotics even though she was fine after 3 days because I know the rules :P The vet said he thought the problems were unrelated in that sense. She had normal stools for about 2.5 weeks after the initial vet visit.

I asked about obstruction, he said her bowel sounds were good so that was unlikely. Based on her behavior and what she chews, I would agree with that assessment.

I don't know if Millie would eat veggie soup! I gave her a green bean once and she spit it out haha. I should try it though.

 Quote: rachael buskirk

I feed liver, but not very often. Maybe once a week? She has started eating kidneys in the past 2 weeks, but didn't have loose stools at all. So unless the kidneys were "bad"..I don't know??

Just want to add that kidneys are an organ meat as well as liver, so go easy on this too.

Has the vet mentioned anything about his diet - about the second bout of diarrhea being food-related, that is?

Oh yeah, I know...she gets kidney (half of one) maybe 1-2 a week also, I don't usually give 2 types of offal in the same week. But to be honest, if her diet is lacking in anything it's offal just because it's hard for me to find.

The vet basically thinks she is getting a bacterial infection from the raw food. The first time we went in, we didn't discuss diet b/c I was pretty sure I knew the cause. I had a rescue in my house for a few days that ended up going back and after he left he was treated for a parasite, he was also full of worms at my house. So I thought maybe she had gotten into his poo or something.

This time, the vet brought up diet, and he thinks that is the cause although he come right out and say it. He had this round about way of saying "it's been in the journals lately that it's causing problems" and he tried to get me to buy Science Diet ID or whatever the digestive one is. I may need to find a new vet that supports raw, but I don't know how. Do I just call everyone in the phone book and ask if they support a raw diet??

Thanks for the insight everyone so far!!!

Ya, that's kind of tough Rachael. When my dog got sick a few weeks ago from eating a corn cob. The vet tried to lecture me on raw. She was mostly vomiting and they gave me some meds, it was that methro something stuff too. I know it was to kill bacteria, but to be honest I didn't give it to her, thinking it would be worse when she ate raw again. Instead I went to a bland necks/backs w/no skin fat diet for a few days. Now she's back to eating her regular stuff w/out any problems. You can call a few offices and see what they say about raw.

When you say you though it would be worse to give it to her, what do you mean? Like lowering her immune system, or becoming intolerant of bacteria?

Yes. From what I've learned, a kibble fed dog has a bit slower digestive system or "less active" if you will. The enzymes need time to kick start when dogs get switched to raw. I didn't want to suppress her enzymes and immune system with the medicine, so I didn't give it to her. I'm not a vet by any means, but that's what I did and my dog did fine. Maybe Connie or Cindy can help with this.

Now that I think about it, she did get 2 vaccines on Monday...I wonder if that in combination with the previous round of antibiotics made her "relapse" because of a weak tummy. Yikes! How do you think I should proceed now if that's the case, do homecooking for awhile?

I do think vaccinations play a large part in a lot of our dogs' maladies. She had a couple of whammies all at once - no wonder her tummy is out of sorts.

As long as you have vet clearance that there is nothing seriously wrong, I would definitely go the home-made route - boiled chicken, with some rice added in. You can do this for several days with no ill effects to your dog. As soon as you feel she is getting back to normal, start adding in the other foods. If she has a relapse, back-up and, if you feel it necessary, call your vet again. Otherwise, continue feeding her as you have previously, gradually working her up to her full raw diet.

 Quote: Rachael Buskirk

2. She was drinking water from a mudhole she kept digging (we've had straight rain for a week here).

I would repeat the Giardia test. Meanwhile, what is the dog eating right now?

I'd go with Jan's bland diet suggestion after at least a half-day of fasting, and I'd encourage fluids like crazy (with baited water if necessary).

I'd call area vets and find one who will at least not blame everything on raw food in attempts to sell what I think is one of the worst dog foods made. Did you have a chance to check Cindy's vet list (vets who don't overvaccinate and do support raw feeding)?