Bile in stools

[Weez0705]

My 10 1/2 year old Wire Hair Fox Terrier has yellow stools.  His Vet said it's bile.  Is there anything that can be done for him?  Does this mean that he has liver failure?  Has anyone else's dog  had the yellow colored stools and if so, is it treatable?

[dogowner1952]

my dog feces is yellow but firm he has been tested for worms and on worm medication for heart worm, tapeworm, pinworm and round worm prevention- he eats regular dog food it is moist and meaty he does not get hard dog food as he seems not to like it - I wondered if it was the dog food as it is not hard and is yellow and red called moist and meaty hamburger and cheese from old roy company so is this still a cause for concern

[tonyb286]

Hi Louisa. I am so sorry for your loss. Billy seemed to get over his earlier bout of illness quite quickly, so I had hoped that was that and he would continue to enjoy life. That bout may not have anything to do with his passing, as it's now almost a year ago. My guess is it was an age-onset illness, him being 11 and a half more or less when he died, which is old for fox terriers.

My condolences again to you and yours ... losing a much loved canine family member is always very traumatic, but time does help. Just wanted you to know that Billy is fondly thought of - even by those of us that never had the privilege of meeting him. Love, Tony x

[Weez0705]

My Wire Hair Fox Terrier, Billy, passed away 1 month ago.  We did tests as to why his white blood count was so low and were about to do an ultrasound, when he became so sick, we didn't have time to find out what really was  wrong with him.  I believe he had a form of cancer, but we will never know exactly what type.

[tonyb286]

No problem. Check back in a day or two and I should have more info by then about Natural Balance dog food, just so you have it for reference. Have a good day. Tony

[Weez0705]

Thanks for all your information Tony.  The vet told me not to worry as well...Although it's been a week since I changed him back to his normal dog food and his stool is still yellow.  I'm just going to stop worrying and hope for the best.  Otherwise, other than his arthritis, he's acting normal.  Again, thanks for all your support...Greadly appreciated!

[tonyb286]

Hi Louisa. I'm no expert, but given the information you've already given, I would put money on the fact that it's entirely due to his diet - and that as there's no other ill-effects other than the yellow stools, it probably isn't a problem you need to worry about. Ordinarily and without any other symptoms being present, yellow stools are indicative of a fast transit of waste through the small bowel. This could be because of your dog's physical anatomy - and nothing more. More commonly, there are some treats and foods that contain strong colourings, and these can pass through the system, resulting in oddly coloured stools. If the stools were paler (cream going on white), then there would be more concern, as this can relate to a damaged liver. I am not an advocate of dry food, as there is ssome evidence that suggests dogs fed mainly on dry food tend to be dehydrated throughout their lives, resulting ultimately in kidney failure. However, mixed with a wet food product, which I believe Nat Balance is (i.e. the roll style dog food), then this shouldn't cause problems. I don't know enough about this particular product to say anything just yet, but I have a friend on this site who knows much more about dog foods and will consult her about it - then get back to you. In the meantime, keep doing what you're doing, and do let me know if there's any change in the stool colour after a week or so. All the best, Tony

[Weez0705]

Tony...That is what I'm doing now.  I am changing back to his normal food slowly.  Last week I put him on his dry food with his chicken & hamburger.  Now I'm giving him his dry food and his usual Natural Balance Lamb Formula.  Do you think that a week after being back on his normal diet and still having yellow stools is a problem and should I call his vet if they continue?  Thanks for your help!  He's acting normal, doesn't seem sick.  

[tonyb286]

Hi Louisa. That's good news. If everything else is normal, then it's almost certainly due to his diet. Providing the stools are well formed and not loose or slimy with bile, I wouldn't worry too much about it. However, if you wanted to test this theory, you could change his diet for one week to something like cooked chicken and boiled white rice, cutting out all regular treats (in case one of those is causing it) and replacing the regular treats with something natural and without additional food colourings. Tony

[Weez0705]

Billy's vet did all the tests and found nothing, but he still does have the yellow stools.  His treatment for the Lymes is over and my vet said it doesn't have giardia.  As I said he's back to normal, except for the yellow stools.

[Weez0705]

Billy is back to normal as far as he feels well and eats well, but still has yellow stools.....Is that normal?

[tonyb286]

Hi Louisa. It could be he is still recovering from the original infection or that the infection wasn't totally treated with the antibiotics given - meaning he may need another course of meds to completely cure it. The Lyme Disease was probably contracted by a tick or mites and it's quite possible the parasites infected his gut at the same time. Sometimes it can take several attempts with different antibiotics until the right one kicks in and does the job, as it were. Anyway, do let us know how you get on Monday, but it's good to hear your best friend is now eating and drinking normally. Tony

[Weez0705]

I took him to a new vet who tested his stool and I wasn't told that he had giardia.  At that time, my dog was very sick with yellow diarrhea and vomit. He was diagnosed with the bigging stages of Lymes Disease and was put on Doxycycline to stop that.   He also had an infection, so he was put on a med to treat the infection.

Yesterday, I took him to his former vet. He no longer has a fever or infection, but still has the yellow stools.  She took a sample of his stools and I'll know Monday the results.

He's now eating and drinking water and acting normal...So I guess I'll not on Monday why he has the yellow stools.
Thanks for writing back with good information!  Louisa

[tonyb286]

Yellow stools may indicate giardia, tiny parasites that have invaded the intestine, usually through something the dog ate or drank such as water from a puddle in the woods, or horse poo, bunny poo or other excrement. It results in not only a yellow stool, but yellow diahrrea and is contagious, a cause for immediate attention from a veterinarian. However, a variation in colour over the course of a few days or few weeks should not be a cause for concern, but if the colour stays yellow every time over say a couple of weeks or more, then it's worth collecting a sample and taking it and your dog to your vet for a professional assessment. Questions perhaps to ask yourself include whether your dog's diet (including treats) has changed from the norm up to and including when you started seeing the yellow poo. Also, is the poo firm or is it soft and slimy - the latter indicates an infection, which could be due to parasites or a virus. If the situation goes unchanged over a few days, then I would definitely consult a vet over it. Tony