Again I apologize - I couldn't find a flat out 'health' folder (not saying there isn't one - just saying I couldn't find it ). Molly has had loose stools and HORRIBLE gas for over a 4 days at least. I can't figure out why - her food hasn't changed and she doesn't get excessive amounts of 'treats' or table scraps. I haven't noticed any obvious signs of worms (she's over a year old and was wormed when I first got her) but could be missing it I suppose. Any thoughts, something I might be missing? Is diarrhea always a cause for a trip to the vet or should I try doing a BRATS type thing first? Otherwise she acts fine... thank you for your thoughts...

Sarah, here's the link to the General Health Forum: http://www.leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/ubb/postlist/Board/10/page/1

There are so many posts on this board about diarrhea it would make your head spin!

The short answer to this, IMO, is you should get a stool sample and bring it in to the vet. This is never a bad idea when dealing with loose stools of an unknown cause that have been happening for more than a day or two. If the stools are watery and can't be collected, they can take a sample at the vets with a fecal wand (not a good time, IMO!).

Until you can get her to a vet, I would fast her for at least a meal or two and then offer her some fat-free chicken breast and rice, and the broth that is made when you boil the chicken breast (I just throw the rice and chx all in one pot). Keep her on this diet until you see an improvement.

Some plain canned pumpkin won't hurt either, and I would avoid table scraps and treats until this clears up.

Obviously, something's going on and really the only way to tell if it's a concern is to do a fecal at the vets.

Dehydration is the concern with excessive diarrhea--have you noticed that she's acting any differently? Make sure she gets water, even if you have to bait it with chicken broth (no salt!).

Good luck!

thank you - I'll call the vets tomorrow and see about that fecal sample. I appreciate your time and thoughts and will fast her for a few meals. That in itself will be interesting seeing as how she knows her feeding times like clockwork and wont' come out till she's been fed. I'll also review that link - thanks again!