Diarrea

My dog Mya three day ago was let loose by accident while I was at work.

She was picked up by dog officers. The next day I was able to reclaim her.

She was give a shot of Bordetella before I can take her home.

That evening (two days ago) she started to develop diarrea (diarrhea).

Last night was the worst of it so far.

Could she have developed the diarrea (diarrhea) from the shot or from the doggie jail she was in?

Please let me know if I should cease all food for 24 hrs or just give her the dry verses the dry wet mix.

Thank you
Debbie Cirrone

[Jaybay]

Hi Debbie, and welcome to the forum.  :-)

I doubt the bordatella shot (kennel cough) caused the diarrhea.  Since your dog was away for a few days, there is no telling what she may have been exposed to in that time.  Every dog we've rescued from shelters came to us with diarrhea and/or vomiting.  Sharing close quarters with so many strays makes it nearly impossible to avoid a GI tract infection, which is likely the problem with your little dog.

It would be a good idea to take Mya to see your vet.  She may need some antibiotics if she does, indeed, have a bacterial infection.  If she has very watery diarrhea that doesn't coincide with eating, you'll definitely want to take her to the vet.  Constant diarrhea can dangerously dehydrate a dog very quickly - particularly a small dog.  Make sure you keep plenty of water available to her.

In the meantime, cut off her regular food - both wet and dry.  Start feeding her a little plain white rice for one day.  No salt, but a little butter (not margarine) is OK.  If she does OK with that, you can add some canned white chicken to the rice the next day.  If she continues to improve, slowly put her back on her regular food.  If the diarrhea is severe, give it 24 hours before offering any food at all, but keep up the water.

Let us know how she does, and I hope it's nothing too serious.  :-)

[LittleMya]

Thank you for your reply.
Little Mya is doing much better. I didn't feed her for 24 hours and started a little food last night and she had a regular stool. Thank goodness !
All my best !  :-)