My 7 yr old mini doxie has been sick since July, actually longer as my regular vet said he need his teeth cleaned, so I did that, breath still horrible! I told her it was coming from his stomach, she said no. So after more vomit & diarrhea I took him to an internist who did an ultrasound, upper endoscopy and colonoscopy with biopsy. Found H-Pylori, ulcers and an autoimmune with the colon. Took 3 months and a ton of antibiotics to cure the H-Pylori but did that. Found he was also allergic to chicken (yes I was feeding chicken kibbles)~ changed diet several times (the Rx diets do NOT work for him as it makes things worse with bloating and gas) so put him on Kangaroo & Oats, nope that didn't work, now in Flyagl 2 times a day and pregnant. Every other day with a diet of bake potato, white rice and beef (which he loves)as he NEVER has loved any food. Stools are almost black, but formed (kind of like oatmeal) then today had a dark poop, formed but then a rush of mush! No blood or mucus. I am not getting any answers except give more meds or chance food, blah, blah, blah... his stool is also shiny his weight is 15 lbs and holding. I read up on malaborsation and he only has the grease stool symptom. PLEASE help us! Thank you

Just like with human doctors 50% of all vets graduated in the bottom half of their class, we never get to see where our vet stood in rank. Keep searching for a better vet with diagnostic experience with internal medicine. My, what I thought was a good vet, ran my bill up to $2k in a week before saying he had no idea what was wrong. Took her to a very specialized clinic and they had the correct diagnois in an hour for $750.Unfortunately, like with humans, not all illnesses can be cured.

Thanks but did all that. This vet is a specialist and researched her back ground and it was glowing. I have spent $12,000.00 up to this point and his insurance has only reimbursed me $650.00. Don't know where else to look. But thanks

With the new system of rating I can't see who gave me the greenie or the reddie, bad/good mark. Nothing I said was not correct or factual so I am left wondering if the reddie mark person would care to explain.

Why would even answer this? It wasn't helpful in the least. My dog is not a home repair.

Unfortunately there isn't much anyone can advise you.

Have you sought out a board certified vet in Internal medicine? What about contacting a veterinary school, sometimes the universities, like Penn state, Fort Collins and so on, have a lot of equipment and AWESOME doctors on staff that take on the weird cases. I realize that you have spent a lot of money on your dog already, but from what it sounds like, he's not cured.

As far as dark stool.. I know that digested blood can come out dark. Just making a wild guess, but maybe he is bleeding in his stomach or intestine. He might not be digesting food the way he should be which is why you are getting the diarrhea after solid stool.

Unless a symptom rears its ugly head, there might not be anything anyone can do for you. And quiet honestly, if he seems to be doing OK, I think I'd leave him alone until something different happens. There's no sense in running test after test only to get no results...

But if you are seeking for medical help, I would definitely contact one of the university schools. Sometimes the "local vet" just doesn't have all the resources to take on strange, medical mysteries.

Thanks Lucky ~ as far the blood I asked and tested his stool as it looks like it. But he now eating beef and on Priylosec, Flagy & pregnant every other day so it could be the meds also. But he is acting normal (hunting lizards), eating. I had the same thought about contacting UC Davis as that is the closest to me. But he's draining my accounts, so yes I think waiting for that ugly incident to occur may be my only option at this point. Thanks for the input

Anyone can answer a question. I am the Home Repair Expert but I also own and train several dogs. Extensively worked with several vets and have had both fantastic vets and a few below par. Thanks for the negative mark, you are a peach.

I'm sorry, you may not like what I have to say but it is based upon fact and life experiences with beloved family pets and my deeply loved husband. Your dog is middle aged and has already had a diagnosis of H-Pylori and ulcers and is symptomatic with black stools. The black stools indicate he has internal bleeding of some sort. Sadly, it is very common that gastric cancer follows H-Pylori and the symptoms appear to support that, although a vet should confirm that. Gastric cancer is more often seen in older dogs, but with the history I think it should be a strong consideration.

Please bear in mind that a dog, especially a beloved family pet, will go out of their way to hide pain and illness. That being said, I believe that your dog is likely in considerable pain - especially if he is suffering from cancer. Having lost my last husband to gastric cancer and knowing how very uncomfortable and painful it was for him, I have to wonder that if the diagnosis IS cancer how much longer you might allow the ongoing treatment of your best friend. There came a time in our situation where we just decided that living and dying with dignity was more important than the effect that the stress, pain, confusion, fear and general disruption to life that umpteem medical procedures, diet changes, etc. had in our lives.

I see that you hold the specialist in high regard, and I can't really speak to that, but as someone who has worked in the field many, many years in different capacities I personally feel that it is criminal to have someone spend $12,000 on their pet without a firm diagnosis or a suggestion that it just might be time to stop. Right now I have a Bernese Mountain Dog who was diagnosed with a mast cell tumour in October 2010. It was determined with minimal invasion, the option of chemo and radiation was discussed only in a limited way with the information that it would do very little to improve his quality of life or life expectancy. The decision was made to treat symptomatically only... basically to make him as comfortable as possible while enabling him to live the balance of his life in dignity. He was given a very short time to live (probably less than than 5 months but possibly a year) and it is just past 17 months now and he is happy, playful off and on, comfortable and much loved. We have spent less than $400 diagnosing and treating him only as needed over the past 17 months and consider ourselves blessed for being able to spend quality time with Thunder (and hopefully many months or possibly years more) while maintaining our 'normal' life style.

Your question was what to do if the vet can't help your dog. My answer is love him unconditionally, make him as comfortable and happy as possible, put him through the least stress as possible (and I truly believe that if he does have gastric cancer the lack of stress will extend his life) and let him live out the balance of his life with dignity. I remember when my husband asked if he could still drink his favourite brand of soda the cancer doctor told him: "Terry... right now it's about being happy. If you want that soda, drink it. If you want fries and gravy eat them. Just live the balance of your life being happy." My husband was given 2 to 6 weeks to live and actually lived 5 months. I think part of the reason for that was because we opted to make him as comfortable and happy as we were able.

I hope your dog doesn't have cancer. Regardless, I wonder if it's just time to let him be a dog again. I'm sorry if my response hurts or if you feel that is exactly what you have been trying to do. I mean you, or your beloved pet, no disrespect. I am just trying to help you both and I wish you the best.

Hugs, Didi