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happylady123 · Jul 19, 2011, 07:49 AM

Hello,
We adopted a dog (4.5 yr old shepard/golden mix) on Saturday. She was fine when we brought her home, but the next morning she started having diarrhea and it hasn't stopped since then. We have been mixing the food they were giving her with the new food (science diet). She hasn't really eatten much of the dry food at all, so I have been giving her boiled chicken so at least she'll eat something. She had a vet exam on Friday before we got her and they said everything was fine. Is it normal for the dog to have diarrhea for this long (she's going every hour or so)or could it be the stress of a new home? She's been pretty happy I think(she always wags her tail). Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

joypulv · Jul 19, 2011, 08:26 AM

Sat - Tues could still be adjustment to your home.
Don't give chicken or any treat-type foods apart from his kibble, mix it in.
A traditional dog food for diarrhea is boiled rice and lamb, but you could wait a bit.

Where did she spend her first night? Something about it might have alarmed her and set this off. If a crate, put it next to you for a week or two. Don't put her in a room all alone.

happylady123 · Jul 19, 2011, 10:52 AM

She spent her 1st night in our room we put 2 different dog beds on the floor. She didn't really sleep the 1st night though, she paced around the room and we were taking her out to go the bathroom every hr to an hr and half. Last night was the first night she slept almost the whole night through, she woke up at 4am, but went back to sleep after going outside.

Alty · Jul 19, 2011, 12:21 PM

You said you're mixing her old food with the new. What amount are you mixing? It's very important to start small, and then work your way up, when introducing new food. That, and the adjustment to a new home, her age, etc. etc. could be causing the diarrhea.

I'd put off switching her food for a while. Let her get used to being with you first. It's just too much too soon. Get her settled, then introduce the new food, and start slowly, 1/4 new with 3/4 old for a few days, then up it to 1/2 and 1/2 and so on. But wait until she settles.

If she's eating, and seems otherwise healthy, it could just be that she's having a hard time adjusting, but, anytime there's a change in behavior (which you really wouldn't know since you've only had her a few days), eating, or bowl movements, the vet is always a good idea.

We can guess at what's going on, and it's an educated guess, but, if this isn't just an issue of adjusting to a new home and new food, the vet is still your very best bet, and better safe then sorry.

Congrats on your new family member. :)

Cat1864 · Jul 19, 2011, 12:40 PM

Did you get her from a rescue, animal shelter, or private individual? Can you contact her previous caretakers to find out if other animals in their care are having the same symptoms?

Who is the 'they' who said everything was fine? Do you have her medical records?

I will admit that I believe in taking a new dog to my own vet within a couple of days of bringing it home even if I know the complete history of the animal.

Another thought with adjusting to a new home is also adjusting to the water. Does her previous address use the same water supplier you do or are either of you on a well?

joypulv · Jul 19, 2011, 01:06 PM

So she's adjusting...
It sounds like you know the right ways to make her feel at home.
The ol' Baby Ben (ticking clock) worked when we were kids and got a puppy. They might still sell them.
A stuffed animal, even if she chews it.

Alty · Jul 19, 2011, 01:09 PM

Originally Posted by joypulv

So she's adjusting....
It sounds like you know the right ways to make her feel at home.
The ol' Baby Ben (ticking clock) worked when we were kids and got a puppy. They might still sell them.
A stuffed animal, even if she chews it.

That would work for a puppy, but this dog is 4 1/2 years old. I doubt she misses the heart beat of her mother and litter mates.:rolleyes:

She's just adjusting to a new home, new surroundings, new people, and new food.

happylady123 · Jul 19, 2011, 06:08 PM

She finally started eatting dry food tonight, and the diarrhea has seemed to stop since early evening. Thanks for the help!

Aurora_Bell · Jul 20, 2011, 07:51 AM

Sorry I missed this, but glad to hear every thing is starting to get back to normal, or what will be normal! I just want to say thank you for rescuing this lucky dog, I commend you for choosing the adoption option. I also wanted to note, that one of the members said not to feed boiled chicken, but chicken is a perfectly suitable substitution as a boiled dinner for an upset tummy or diarrhea issues.

Aurora_Bell · Jul 20, 2011, 07:54 AM

Water is always an issue with our rescues, great questions Cat.