Bad poops after post-surgery antibiotics

[Rockymountainmama]

Hello all,
Our 3 yr-old EPI dog, GSD Chekhov had surgery for an aural hematoma on January 9. He was given a course of the antibiotic Cefpodoxime 200mg once per day for 14 days.

In the last 2 weeks or so he has had intermittent bad poops. Some are formed and look fantastic, but others are yellow, mushy and with squirts of yellowish water. He was stable on his EPI enzyme regimen previously for over a year.

What is recommended for this? A probiotic? Another medication?

After a run of bad veterinarians, we really like the doctor who did his surgery; she is smart and kind. However, we know that EPI can be a puzzler for many vets and don't want him given medication after medication, possibly making his gut worse.

This community's help is much appreciated!

Sincerely,
RMM

[jilbert57]

When my dogs have to be on an antibiotic I use Proviable, a probiotic. Maybe a little plain yogurt also.
Do you have a probiotic at home? I would get a probiotic and start out using half the dose for a few days then increase.
Slippery Elm, a prebiotic, can help also. You need to reestablish the good bacteria back in your pups gut.

Jill

[Rockymountainmama]

Thanks so much for the helpful advice, Jill!

We have plain goat yogurt and slippery elm in the house, so we'll start to administer these.

They have the Proviable at the local Petco so I'll pick some up later today.

Thanks again
Sincerely,
RMM

[jilbert57]

Here is some reading:

https://epi4dogs.com/slippery-elm/

https://epi4dogs.com/prebiotics-and-probiotics/

https://epi4dogs.com/possible-alternati ... tibiotics/

Jill

[Rockymountainmama]

Thanks so much for your help.

I'll reply to this post with updates — hopefully good ones — over the next weeks.

Sincerely,
RMM

[Olesia711]

Hello RMM,

Chekhov is quite handsome!!!!

You have been given great advice.... it sounds like what you are dealing with is SID/SIBO/Dysbiosis and Jill recommended exactly what I would have recommended.... as it sounds like you have to rebuild the gut flora with more beneficial bacteria.

Do read the SLippery Elm page as you do not want to give too much.... but just a little.
You can also try adding a tsp of canned pumpkin (plain canned pumpkin, not the one with sugar)

ALso... please share everything we suggest to you with your vet ... she sounds wonderful!

Keep us posted!

[Rockymountainmama]

Thank you so much for your additions to my inquiry, Olessia!

I'll post with updates.

Sincerely,

RMM

[Olesia711]

Also.... if none of the suggestions work.... although you can try Tylan antibiotic..... BUT........ in this particular case, what i suspect would be a better option (if all else fails) is to have a Fecal Microbiota Transplant (FMT) done (the enema kind).....it sounds gross, but they are finding success with it in correcting major gut flora issues and it is affordable .

[Rockymountainmama]

Hi Olessia,
Thank you so much for the helpful advice on possible "next steps" if necessary: Tylan and FMT.

I'm not sure if any vets do the FMT around here, but I'll check and see.

Actually, my human doctor is well versed in these! (for humans that is)

Sincerely,
RMM

[Eddiespaghetti]

I agree that the antibiotics just did the scorched earth approach. Now pupper has more little good bacteria.
FMT is an option, but they are kind of expensive, 500+ it can be treated with a probiotic it will just take longer. They should have given you one when they gave you the antibiotics. Kind of sad they didn't.
I don't like proviable. I don't have a valid reason why. I just don't.
Fera Pet Organics, Probiotics for Dogs and Cats, Advanced Max Strength, 60 Scoops https://a.co/d/7Ulki5b
Is the one I use