Mattie Has E. Coli

[MyRescueCrew]

Mattie has been eating a raw diet for a little while now, which includes satin balls, to help him keep what little weight he has on in, because of his old age.

I fed him his typical dinner Monday evening, which was beef satin balls. He ate it fine and licked the plate clean like usual.

The next morning he was acting listless, and began pooping pure watery diarrhea everywhere. Then it became diarrhea with some blood. Then, it became vomiting as well.

After bloodwork and a fecal test, the vet confirmed he has E. Coli.

He's been put on Metronidazole to help with the intestinal inflammation and diarrhea, and he has to go back for a check-up in a couple days.

He's still definitely not feeling well this morning, but hopefully he'll start to feel better soon. He pooped 5 piles of watery diarrhea this morning so far, and I had found 2 more in his kennel from overnight. However, he's drinking water very well, and I fed him some breakfast (dog kibble this time, not raw meat), and he ate it good. So that's good.

Of course, he's been taken off a raw diet immediately, and we're going to just start feeding him canned food (as he has no teeth) from now on, once all this clears up. For now, he's eating puppy food soaked in water, as the vet said that should do just fine.

this clears up soon with no lasting problems.

[vferraro99]

I know it's rare, but this is my only fear about a raw diet. I'll stick with Avoderm...

Sending many mega for Mattie! Keep us posted.

[MyRescueCrew]

Yeah, it is not a very common problem. However, after seeing how miserable he is, none of mine will go back to a raw diet at all.

The vet agree'd, E. Coli infections happen (and he seen 2 Salmonella cases when I worked there as well), but they aren't all that common. Mattie's old with a weakened immune system, so that may have played a role in allowing the bacteria to cause issues like it did.

Either way, we'll stick with kibble from now on. This scared me enough.

[Barb]

oh nos !!! Poor baby....sending lots of to be on the mend very soon !

[lotsadox]

I'm so sorry. It is a rare phenomenum. And it does usually happen in dogs with impaired immune systems such as old dogs or puppies. It is rarely seen in dogs with healthy immune systems. E. coli can also occur in dogs not on a raw diet.

[LexieLuvr]

Poor thing!! Now I'm leery about a raw diet!! Many get-well !!

[Lisa]

Awww, lots of rayz for Mattie!

You have to do what you feel comfortable with. I do feed raw, but I know there are risks. The kibble contamination a while back scared me. Sadly, the only sure thing in life, is your dogs love. :hearts:

[Rileybugg]

:hearts4:

[Linus]

E. coli from the raw diet is very, very rare. I've fed all sorts of things for a couple of years now with no problems.

I will say though, that the last time I tried to give satin balls - to Milo and to a foster, Joey - BOTH of them ended up with severe tummy issues.

[Patt]

Get well soon for Mattie. I hope he's back to his old self soon.

I feed a top grade kibble and will never feed raw. :goodluck: with your furkids.