Hello all! I have a new litter of English Bulldog puppies that have developed a bad case of diarrhea - bright yellow and sour smelling. We've been to the vet twice, and although they didn't want to give me antibiotics yesterday, they sent me home w/ amoxi-drops today. How much Pepto do you give for it and does anyone else have any ideas on how to stop it?! They're eating and appear to remain hydrated (still peeing and skin turgor is fairly good) but I'm sure they are mildly dehydrated and so scared I'll lose them (5 of 8 are ill). Momma was put on amoxicillan tabs 500 mg 2xday as well. Thanks to all in advance!

I am assuming the dam had a c-section. This may be a response to anesthetic. Are you in an area where it is very hot and if so do you have air conditioning? It is a real juggling act to keep pups from overheating/ becoming chilled when outdoor temps are 80 degrees F. or more and we are using airconditioning. Are the pups nursing on their mom or are you bottle feeding?

You really shouldn't give Pepto to newborn puppies. It's most likely that they are over eating. If their color is good and they are gaining weight, you're fine. You can check to see if they are dehydrated by gently pinching the skin on the back of their neck. If it stays pinched together they are dehydrated. If it slides back fairly quickly they are not.

If they are dehydrated you can try dropper or tube feeding pedialyte or you need to talk to your vet about giving them sub-q fluids. If they are really sick, it's also possible the bitches milk has gone bad - in which case you need to get them off of Mom and not let them nurse from her. In that case, you're best bet is to learn how to tube feed or find a "foster Mom".

The color of puppy stools can also be reflective of what you're feeding the dam. If you're feeding a low quality food - that can play into things. At the other end of the spectrum, if her milk is too rich (from overeating) this can also cause yellow, curdled stools.

There are really A LOT of reasons for yellow, curdled stools. You vet really should be able to help you with this... if they don't know, and you're planning on having another litter, I'd find a vet that knows something about breeding dogs and newborn puppies...

They aren't having curdled stools, but it's yellow liquid and at times white. It's loose and watery. The mom is healthy (and yes it was a c-section and rec'd antibiotics sub q for 4 days post surgery) and the pups had done well until day 7 when I noticed 1 getting diarrhea and slowly others followed - the next day 2 more had it, then thoughout the evening and early this morning 2 more, total of 5 pups out of litter of 8. (Since seperating the pups, the 3 other pups have stayed healthy w/ no signs of diarrhea.) It's progressively gotten worse, although their appetites remain good (not as good as the 3 w/out diarrhea), but they are eating and their skin turgor (pinching their skin on their back) rebounds well, although mildly sluggish. The family is kept in our house my bedroom - I've got heating pads on low and heat lamps as well and keep thermometers in their 'tubs' which are steady around 82 - 85 degrees. We keep our thermostat in our house set to 78. The tubs they are in have high sides and are half-way covered to help decrease drafts but to also allow the heat lamp on the other end to act like a radiant warmer. When I asked my vet what else I could do, the answer was that the pills given to mom will resolve it, but since it was worse today they gave me amoxi-drops. The assistant said "if this doesn't work, nothing will" - and left me feeling hopeless. Mom is getting a good quality puppy food as well as cottage cheese (non-fat) a few times a day and only about a 1/4 c. -1/2 cup total for the day - this was suggested by my vet as well, but we had already been giving this to her since prior to delivery. I hope this provides more info and answers to your questions. Thanks for all the help!

I would switch to yogurt containing live culture or go to a store that sells probiotic capsules and add that to the dam's food. The antibiotics are killing the "good" bacteria in the mothers body as well as the "bad" bacteria. You want a supplement that is kept in a refrigerator not on the store shelf. This is also good to give to babies and children when they are on antibiotics. This is not something that is taught in vet or medical school, but many older vets and doctors will tell people to use this remedy.This and Pedilyte can save a trip to the emergency for puppies and babies.

Are they still gaining weight? If yes, and they are not dehydrated, then honestly, they are probably fine. If no... then the antibiotics should fix an infection.

What food are you feeding the dam?

I weigh my newborns twice a day the first 3-5 days and then once a day after. Weight loss or no gain usually is a warning sign of problems. If a puppy is still consistantly gaining weight there is usually not really a problem.

My general reaction from the information given is that the bitch has really rich milk and the icky stools are happening to the piglet puppies. They may also be reacting to the antibiotics she is being given as well as what you're giving.

I agree - switch the cottage cheese to yogurt. Since you're giving antibiotics you're also killing the good bacteria in her system. And yogurt actually as more calcium in it as well as potassium. I often use yogurt as a supplement instead of cottage cheese. You'll want plain, non fat yogurt.