So I took Basil to get his 16 week shots yesterday and decided to bring a stool sample with me as for the past two days he's had soft stools again. So the vet and I discussed everything then I asked about the stool and she said she was having it tested. She left and the vet tech came in and told me I can go and I asked if they found anything in the sample and she said that they're looking at it now and don't see anything but the vet has to look it over. I told her I was going to the lake. So I left and started driving to the lake where there's no reception at all. There was a missed call but I couldn't look at it because I was driving. So when I got home I checked my messages and I got a call from the vet tech apologizing saying that they mixed up Basil's stool with another dog and that they did find parasites and that she was hoping I hadn't left for the lake yet as he has to be on two medications right now. So now it's Sunday (they're closed) and I'm worried about Basil. Where is he picking up all of these parasites? I don't let him visit with any dogs except my 13 lab mutt and my sister's 4 year old golden retriever. He isn't allowed to smell other dog's poo on walks. Should I just stop walking him until this is gone? I'm really worried that they won't let me across the border for my trip on September 10th if he has these parasites. I guess I'll have to get the medication on Monday. I'm really upset that he's sick again 
Am I doing something wrong?
What type are they?
What type are they?
She didn't specify over the phone and they were closed when I got the message and are closed on sundays. I'll ask when I call tomorrow.
He doesn't have to ingest them. They can get hookworm, for example, through their feet.
He doesn't have to ingest them. They can get hookworm, for example, through their feet.
But do other dogs get sick this often or does it mean his immune system is not working properly?
Without knowing what he's got or how often he's been diagnosed with it, or for that matter if he was ever tested clear, it is hard to comment. My example (hookworm) can be hard to shake, especially if he is reinfecting in the area where he walks. Best to talk to your vet about the type of parasite and have a look at the life cycle to figure out where he is picking it up. (google is your friend) 
Your other dogs could be carriers. Have they been tested? Just a thought….
Some worms are simply hard to get rid of. You also can be taking him where he is getting reinfected. You need to utterly clean up your yard and be very careful where you go with him.
Some worms are simply hard to get rid of. You also can be taking him where he is getting reinfected. You need to utterly clean up your yard and be very careful where you go with him.
how do you know where to go and where not to go? We usually walk through a park near my house as he loves running through the grass… what do you mean clean up our back yard?
how do you know where to go and where not to go? We usually walk through a park near my house as he loves running through the grass… what do you mean clean up our back yard?
The first thing you need to do is find out what he has. No point in getting excited until you know what you are dealing with. Your vet will probably have some suggestions, and in any case, as I said, "google" is your friend. Once you know what parasite or parasites you are dealing with, cleaning up areas that you control should be possible, e.g. hookworm larvae are destroyed by sunlight, so keep the grass short in your yard and try to make the "pooping" area in a sunny spot! (keep the poop cleaned up, obviously). Ongoing, you need to keep testing his feces until he tests negative, and even then, I would check periodically since it seems likely he is getting reinfected (and false negatives are fairly common). Don't panic! You will get this sorted.
And I would guess that since this has been an ongoing problem since you got the pup, even if the breeder said they wormed the pups, it did not resolve the problem. Sometimes worms are very, very difficult to get rid of…. that is why it is important that after you complete treatment you have the stool retested.
I called and the vet says its coccidiosis which he couldve been born with. Any suggestions as to what to do?
If treated this is something you should be able to clear up in a couple of weeks but you do need to recheck to be sure it is clear.
I called and the vet says its coccidiosis which he couldve been born with. Any suggestions as to what to do?
That would have been my guess and prior treatments either didn't really happen or they were not completed and the pups rechecked
I will have to google that. I have never heard of it.
I will have to google that. I have never heard of it.
Coccidiosis is one of the most common of parasites in puppies. While none of my litters have ever had it, it can happen to the best of breeders.
So should I have the other dogs checked? Or is it unlikely that it was passed onto them? Should I wash all bedding, toys, crates, etc? Anything else I can do to make sure he doesn't get reinfected?
So should I have the other dogs checked? Or is it unlikely that it was passed onto them? Should I wash all bedding, toys, crates, etc? Anything else I can do to make sure he doesn't get reinfected?
Can't hurt to take a stool sample in on the other dogs, IMO.
And once you get it cleared up, then all you can do is just have the stool checked during regular Vet visits or if you see another problem
We do stool check several times a year. We just never know what the b's have gotten into and its better to know.
So I stopped off at the vet to pick up his medications and there's two meds, one pill and one liquid (liquid for 3 days, pill for 10 days). Then on the 10th day we have to go back for a re-test. The vet said I have to use a diluted bleach mixture on the parts where he goes poo so that the other dogs don't get infected and to look for signs of diarrhea in the other dogs. I'm hoping this is the last of it.
Once you have done the bleaching and gotten all the med on board for your infected b, I would take all the dogs stool samples down to make sure one isn't keeping worms and then repassing them on. That is what I would do.
