Could it be stress?

sweet72947 · 10-02-2007, 04:31 PM

My friend's husband's doberman, Pandy, has been having some issues lately. For more than a month, she has been having diarrhea. Pandy has been moved around a lot in the last two months, with the selling of the old house. She stayed at my friend's parents' house for about a week and a half until they were able to move into their condo. Pandy's son, Spike (the one I posted in the rescue forum) was rehomed. My friend's husband took Pandy to the vet about two weeks ago and got her up to date on her shots, and the vet put her on an antibiotic to see if it would help with the diarrhea, but it didn't. And its not just diarrhea, she STRAINS to go, and when she does, its diarrhea.

Pandy has always been on the same food (Purina Dog Chow), and they don't really give her any treats. Pandy is also kept crated a lot, all night and a lot of the day while they are at work and such. She is a small doberman, about 60lbs, and that's a good weight for her. Pandy whelped two litters in her lifetime of 6 years. She is not spayed. My friend has been trying to convince her husband to take Pandy to a different vet for a second opinion. She doesn't feel that she can take Pandy because Pandy is HIS dog. But I wonder if its stress from all the moving around and changes, because I know dobermans are a sensitive breed. Opinions?

**Lucagirl** · 10-02-2007, 05:32 PM

I assume they checked a stool sample at the vets, but it may be worth doing a second one. Purina Dog Chow is not a great food but I think switching now when she already has diarrhea is not a good idea. Once she's over the diarrhea, I would suggest they SLOWLY introduce a better food e.g. Canidae.
Dobermans need to be around their humans. Crating a dog all day, then expecting her to sleep in her crate at night as well is not reasonable. She needs exercise and mental stimulation and lots of it. My dog has the occasional "crate day", when it's not possible for someone to be home but the this should be the exception rather than the rule. Can they change theri schedules at all? Stressed dogs can have diarrhea, lick or chew paws til they bleed, etc. but you first want to rule out a physical cause for the diarrhea.

VaBtrfly · 10-02-2007, 05:38 PM

It could be stress. It definitely sounds like she lives a stressful existence.

I'm assuming the vet found no virus or parasites? Antibiotics can actually make diarrhea worse. Some plain yogurt, canned pumpkin may help. Changing the food to a better quality feed would be a good idea. Of course, this should be done over a 7-10 day period.

Your friend can take the dog for another opinion, she is married to the owner, right? I think that would make he a co-owner, lol.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

sweet72947 · 10-02-2007, 08:09 PM

I know Pandy could use more exercise and stuff. The only exercise she gets is a 10-15 min walk a few times a day to go to the bathroom. Pandy is crated a lot not because they're not home (well, they do go to work), but because when she's out of the crate all she does is BEG for attention, and it annoys them. My friend's husband will pet Pandy a few times and then yell at her to lay down. When I was over their house last week I gave Pandy all the loving she wanted, she just sat there with her face on my lap. My friends don't see her like I do. To them she is a dog, and it goes no further than that. Pandy deserves much better.

But thanks for the replies, I will pass on the info.

DLS · 10-02-2007, 08:18 PM

It sounds like Pandy is not a HAPPY dog at all, and she is in a stressful situation. Dobermans are the VELCRO dog, they are not the breed for people who do not like giving TONS of attention and affection to their dogs.
Pandy does deserve a better life. Maybe you could encourage them to find Pandy a home were her new owners could give her some much deserved lovin'. Poor Pandy, I hope you can help her out. Next time you see her give her a hug from me.

And to help with the loose stools there is a herb called Slippery Elm Bark that is excellent for soothing the digestive tract.

reddobes · 10-02-2007, 08:42 PM

Stress certainly can be a cause of colitis (inflammation of the colon) and thereby cause diarrhea. Unfortunately, there are numerous causes of diarrhea in dogs - we generally divide them into 2 classes. Primary GI disease are thing like parasites, stress, inflammatory bowel disease, foreign bodies, cancer, etc. Secondary GI disease can have the same signs, but are caused by other underlying disease - kidney disease, liver disease, etc.
I would highly recommend spaying this dog (once diarrhea is resolved) as she is at risk of a potentially fatal uterine infection (pyometra).
I would also recommend at least rechecking with the first vet or seeking a second opinion. The dog may need to be on a bland diet for a little while and may need medications. If the diarrhea is not resolving, the dog may need further diagnostic testing - giardia test, blood chemistry panel, CBC, Xrays, etc depending on her signs.

knine crazy · 10-02-2007, 10:03 PM

dont really know if stress would prolong the effect but i heard that science diet food creates a better stool I feed it and my dobie digest very well to it.may want to try it a little expensive though but i've had great results from it..good luck

jdd · 10-02-2007, 10:14 PM

Poor dog. Thats very sad. She craves attention because she doesn't get any it sounds like.

dobesanddragons · 10-02-2007, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knine crazy

dont really know if stress would prolong the effect but i heard that science diet food creates a better stool I feed it and my dobie digest very well to it.may want to try it a little expensive though but i've had great results from it..good luck

Science Diet is not really a great food. It is better than Purina Dog Chow but really not that much of a step up. But I also think a big issue here is the need for love, attention, and quality time and the stress.
http://www.naturapet.com/tools/comparison.asp
http://www.api4animals.org/facts.php?p=359&more=1
http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/
http://www.naturapet.com/images/choosing_a_food.pdf

Pick up Pitcairns Guide to Natural Dog and Cat Health and read that, you can find it pretty much anywhere at book stores, library's, and chain pet stores. It is a really common sense approach to canine feeding, a good place to start learning at least.

Patches Mom · 10-03-2007, 12:21 AM

In some people they can have an obstruction and the liquid stool goes around the obstruction not sure if this can happen with dogs but a possibility.
Purina & Science Diet are not very good food main ingredient is corn. A better food Candaie ,Evo are 2 might help also Pumpkin helps (not the pie filling) but just plain Pumpkin.
Patches mom