Poo w/smell?

[mishellyshel]

besides giardia are there any other reasons why a chins poo would have an odor? just noticed today that one of my boys had soft poo and it has an odor. (he is not the one on antibiotics).

only recent change is that i had to move their location and it may have upset his routine. he was out for playtime last night and was fine.

looks like he is eating and again he is pooping but most of them are soft.

if it doesnt go back to normal by tomorrow should i get a stool sample?

 

[Cat75]

I would get a stool sample done to rule parasites. I may have missed something what is the other one on antibiotics for?

 

[mishellyshel]

he had a mouth infection. today was his last dose of antibiotics, he was on them for 2 weeks!
just tonight i noticed the other one had soft stool. they are housed separately but have playtime in the same room.
i am trying to get him out now for playtime to see how he acts and keep a closer watch on the stools.
i guess if they are not back to normal by tomorrow i will take samples of both both of them for the dr to test.

if he has giardia could the other one have gotten it while on antibiotics AND would the antibiotics mask any results??

 

[Cat75]

I do remember seeing something about the mouth infestion. I don't think antibiotics would mask it. Just incase you do take a stool sample to the vet you has to get it to the vet ASAP, I believe within an hour or two. Does it still have an odor?

 

[mishellyshel]

not all of them had the odor and only when i would squish it. i am going to see how he is in the morning and if they are still soft i will call the vet. i can get to the vet in 15 minutes, so as long as i get a fresh one i should be fine.

 

[CerLynn]

Just out of curiosity, does an odor always indicate illness/infestation/etc? For example, if it's long-term/consistent without any other problems with the poo, could it be food-related or just the way it is with some chins?

 

[mishellyshel]

Christina--that is sorta my question. I was wondering if there are other reasons for having an odor? such as exactly what you said: food related, the chin? etc?
like i said i have just moved his location so perhaps the soft poo just had an odor cause its soft? or of course something may be wrong/.

 

[Cuddlebug]

On another thread, it was mentioned that stress can cause a case of giardia. I think that you should take a sample in to the vet's.

 

[Sasha]

Chins naturally have a little giardia in their systems. Upon stressful events, such as moving their cage, it can cause the giardia to flare up and cause the symptoms: smelly poo, mushy poo, loss of weight, etc.

You can collect a fecal sample and bring it to the vet where they can perform a fecal float/smear, or send it for the ELISA test. They will be able to tell if there are any parasites.

In the meantime I would assume it is, and start sanitizing the cage. If the tests come back positive I would also treat both chins, even if the other chin doesn't have it, for preventative reasons. It is spread through fecal contamination so wash your hands and use proper hygiene practices.