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"The Crud" is a Bacterial overgrowth in the digestive
tract. Will sometimes test low positive for Parvovirus.
It is NOT a new form of Parvo
although symptoms are quite similar to
parvo. Crud dogs do not have a high temperature,
nor will they have intestinal lesions. If a normal
faecal test is run on faeces which are not
quite to the watery & bloody stage, it will show a very hi bacterial content
& will be negative for parvo (usually).
Any one of the normal bacteria found in the digestive
tract will go into overgrowth. The mystery is what triggers it. Possibly
infected urine/faeces or something brought in on
shoes or clothing or from a visiting dog. We know what cures it & what to do
when a dog hasn't been treated quick enough. And
of course we know the end results with a dog that dies of it.
Symptoms start 12-48hrs after initial contact (usually)
& may spread to other dogs rapidly.
Dogs are alert, hungry, energetic.
Normal faeces starts with mucus sheath, continues
to get progressively softer until becomes explosive
diarrhoea. Vomiting may or may not accompany.
Faeces have a sweet/flowery aroma along with a
"slaughter house-on-a-summer-day" smell. Faeces
are *usually* mustard coloured then become
bloody. Dogs dehydrate at an astounding rate. Dogs are also at risk of
intususseption(sp).
The younger or weaker the dog, the worse it is. Some
dogs may never get it, even though they may be
kennelled with an afflicted dog. Some dogs also
get over this without treatment.
The key is to treat this as fast as possible before the
dogs go anorexic AND to treat ALL dogs on the premises (non-afflicted dogs
should get ONE capsule). Treatment is 250mg Cephalexin
per 25lbs of body weight. Pups may get Ceph-drops.
This MUST be given orally NOT I/V - it MUST go thru the digestive tract. If
the dog vomits the pill up, just give it again until it stays down. Give
another dose approx 8-12hrs later. If the dog returns to normal DO NOT
medicate again.
DO NOT use an IV drip on a Crud dog.
Their circulatory systems will be very depressed; *if* a vein can be found,
it may not be able to support an IV. Use Lactated Ringers Solution SUB-Q &
force electrolytes orally (pedialyte).
I have to stress not to continue the drug after
the dogs stop the diarrhoea. The important thing
is to treat them ONLY until the symptoms stop. Also, sometimes
affected Crud dogs are not able to handle IV support because of circulatory
collapse from massive dehydration. What a quandary
since IV is the fastest way to rehydrate. So
giving fluids under the skin is best & ONLY give until the drug starts to
work. Afterwards IV is fine. Since the drug works so quickly, this is not
too much of an issue. The whole point is to keep them "going" until the drug
has time to work - usually a few short hours.
IV rehydration HAS thrown Crud
affected dogs into deep shock & have also found some dogs having a
complete shutdown of renal system, leakage of renal & intestinal fluids into
various organs, circulatory & intestinal ruptures, etc. Not sure this was
directly related to being IV'd but in every
instance this has occurred directly after IV
support was started. Not the case when there was no
IV support.
Also, DO NOT flea-dip/worm/vaccinate at this time,
PLEASE!!!!!
Do NOT automatically assume Parvo
when you see this. This is NOT Parvo, it is a
BACTERIAL overgrowth in the digestive tract. Do NOT use
Amoxycillin. Dogs should show improvement within hours of treatment
using the correct drug.
You may re-print this in it's entirety as long as the
following disclaimer is included. No flaming please.
(Disclaimer: This information has been compiled from
reports received by treating veterinarians and owners. The information
written is what has worked previously. This information should be taken to
any veterinarian who is treating dogs with this problem. No one that does
not have veterinary training should diagnose & medicate
their own dogs).
The
Crud FAQ has additional
information.
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