Dog appetite

My dog had not eaten since yesterday afternoon and recently began defecating in the house.  What is going on?

[laditryp]

I need a little more info. How old is he and what breed? As gross as it sounds, how is his poop? Was it runny or very foul smelling with mucus? Has there been any other behavioral changes or changes to his environment?

[Kim5357]

He is an 18 month old shitzu. Poop is very foul smelling with mucus.  No other behavioral changes or changes to his environment.

[laditryp]

It sounds like a pancreatitis. I dog used to get it if she had pork. Sounds like you will need to make an appointment at your vet if it does not clear up by tomorrow. Try pushing fluids. Add some broth to his water. You may also try cooking rice in chicken broth. This might help settle his stomach.

[Kim5357]

Well, we went to the vet and he has the giardia parasite. Similar to most digestive problems but has to be diagnost at the vet. Treatable with anitbiotics for about a week. Thank you so much for the feedback. He is now on the mend. :)

[Margot49]

Hm, wonder where he picked up Giardia.  Nasty stuff.  While you are treating, make sure to wash his food and water bowls thoroughly daily and keep your hands washed. If possible, try to get him to do his business in one area, preferably a hard service like cement that can be sanitized with an anti-bacterial or diluted bleach.  It can survive int he soil for a very long time.

[laditryp]

That would have been my second guess. Did the vet explain to bleach the ground where ever he goes to the bathroom? The virus can live in dirt for months and reinfect.

[Margot49]

That is why I suggested trying to get the dog to eliminate on a solid service like maybe cement.  They can keep a squirt bottle with diluted bleach in it and spray the spots where the dog eliminates.  

[Kim5357]

Thank you so very much for the feedback.  And no, the vet did not say much about anything except the antibiotics.  I went on line and searched giardia.  Yes, nasty stuff.  I have got my spray bottle full of diluted bleach together after my search and have been spraying every since.  Again, thank you for the feedback.  If I have any more problems or even if there aren't any problems I will be sure to post in a few days.  

[Margot49]

Good that you looked that up.  You can read more on line they we can type here.  Don't forget to wash the dog bowls daily and keep your hands washed.  Any idea where he may have picked that up?  You go to public parks a lot?