My niece adopted a Dachshund when she was sixteen, (well, her parents did). The dog had an array of issues that were pretty much ignored until my niece got married and moved out. (Not housetrained, separation anxiety...ugh.) She was picked up and dropped by an owl a few years ago and has several pins in her hip but Tori does a great job keeping her lean and healthy, and since moving out on her own has really made some great progress with training. The dog I used to HATE to be around has become a nice little companion dog...about 8 years old.

Now, the problem. In the past year, this dog has had one health issue after another. The latest problem is that every few weeks, she will start having terrible diarrhea with blood. Tori takes her to the vet, they say it's this, that or the other thing, she does the chicken and rice, steroids and whatever else is provided. It clears up for a week or two, then starts all over again. Now, the dog is not sleeping well, constantly waking in the crate, or if sleeping with Tori, licking her face and hands and waking her up. She takes her out...tries everything, but the dog will not settle in. After the latest round of explosive, blood tinged diarrhea,yesterday the vet prescribed more steroids, prescription canned dogfood with no real diagnosis. Tori is also eight months pregnant. She's doing everything right and trying so hard, but the dog is just not getting any better. All different foods have been tried out, grain free ect...premium foods. All but raw.

Could this dog be in pain from her hips having pins in them years ago? DOes this sound like anything any of you has experienced before? I like this vet, but it seems that they are not finding the underlying cause for all this. Anything you guys would suggest that she ask the vet? Tests they should run? SHe was tested for all parasites and has had an ultrasound on her tummy. Any ideas would be much appreciated. We'd like to get the dog healthy before the baby comes.

Thanks in advance.

Was the dog treated for giardia? Other parasites? If not, I'd treat even if tests have shown up negative.

SHe was tested but the tests were clear. I'll suggest that.

I wondered if she may be uncomfortable...arthritis in her hips or something that would cause her stress and cause the diarrhea. Does that sound silly?

Dachshunds with disc disease, which is pain, are often medicated with steroid. The combination of steroid and pain in dachshunds has IME led to fatal GI bleeds. You are between a rock and a hard place as a vet with this scenario because you need the cortisone to block the inflammation of the disc, but the GI risk is real.

I'd seek a second opinion. I think this could be sorted out. Where is this blood from? From the stomach? Maybe ulcer, maybe secondary to pain. From the GI tract, rule out parasites, tumors too in this age group. Lots of considerations, but I think an answer could be found.

Thank you Betty. I'm having dinner with her tonight and will just print this out and take it to her.