Gracie Leigh has giardia

[judy]

Poor little baby - I took her to the vet about 12 days ago because there was bloody gel in her poop. She put her on Alton for 5 days and it went away.

Thi8s morning I saw it again, so I called the vet. I brought in a sample (so gross!).
She does have giardia so she and Max are now on Flagyl for 10 days. She wantsMax too because it is contagious. I have to really clean up after her.

The vet said she can eat whatever, but I have her on Science Diet for upset stomachs. I figure the less diarrhea, the less the chance of dehydration and of
reinfection since it's in her poop.

I'm a little worried and I'm giving both of them Nutrical too so they don't lose too much sugar. Max probably will be okay, but still...

My poor babies! I'm keeping them home for a few days.

[Mandy]

Oh Judy, i am so sorry to hear your baby girl is not well, sounds like the vet has everything under control though. Poor baby. Glad you caught it in time!! These little ones can have us so worried huh. Your little Gracie will be fine, you are a great mommy, and taking excellent care of her, and Max.

Hugs to both of them! And keep us posted.

[Janet]

I've been very lucky for my 4 not to get sick...knock on woood.....but I worry about it all the time. I just know if one would get it, they all would.

I hope she gets over it really fast and that Max doesn't get it at all.

[judy]

I'm walking around with a wet paper towel and a spray bottle of detergent, looking for poop. I've become a fanatic because that's how it spreads in an apartment. They're both getting baths sometime today or tomorrow too.

I have a feeling Max may have it too. Yesterday, he pooped undigested chicken and he's been pooping off the paper. I think he wants me to see it. You know how dogs are - they do things for reasons.

[DianaB]

Judy, I'm so sorry to hear that you're little family isn't feeling well. I was hoping as I read through the posts that Max wouldn't get it. That's got to be hard with both of them having it, but it sounds like you caught it early and the vet has them on medicine to take care of it. Hopefully it will be over before you know it.

[judy]

Today, after my pottery class, I picked up all of the pads and replaced them. I sprayed the kitchen, hall living room and bathroom wherever they go with Lysol,
until this huge can was empty. Then I bathed them. Now I'm disinfecting the bathtub and sink where they were bathed. It was the little one's first bath!

I took al of their toys - I'll deal with them tomorrow, as well as their beds and my blanket.

Shoved the pills down their throats, and that's all I can do right now.

Oh - I also went to a 99 cent store and bought enough tablecloths (for under her ex-pen) for 10 days and towels for Gracie Leigh to sleep on. The whole thing cost me about $16.00. It's easier to just throw them out than disinfect them.

I'm going to look for a safe disinfectant tomorrow.

They're knocked out from watching me and from their baths.

[AngieDoogles]

Wow Judy! Sounds like you are really on top of things. As much as you are doing, it shouldn't come back! Good luck!

[Janet]

Not sure if you have a dishwasher, but I put the plastic toys in there to clean and put all the others in the washing machine. I usually do this once a week when I wash their bedding.

[Mandy]

Not sure if you have a dishwasher, but I put the plastic toys in there to clean and put all the others in the washing machine. I usually do this once a week when I wash their bedding.



This is what i do too, it works great! :thumbup:

Judy, you really are on top of things, your babies will feel much better real soon!

[Tink]

Judy, I'm sorry you're dealing with this mess.
Please be careful so YOU don't get it from all your cleaning.

Bleach and water mixed 50/50 in a spray bottle will take care of the nastiness very economically.

[Bizzymammabee]

Hoping that they get better soon. Thankfully you knew what to look for and was able to catch it early.

[judy]

I googled home-made disinfectant, since bleach wouldn't leave my red carpet or my green coach looking too good. I found a site where they suggested vinegar and tea tree oil in one spray bottle and hydrogen peroxide (of course - forgot about that)
in another. Don't know why they have to be separated. I sprayed everything.

I don't have a dishwasher or a washing machine in my apartment, but I do have a large kitchen sink. I threw all of their toys into the sink, filled it up with hot water.
Since the recipe was specific about keeping the two disinfectants separate, and since I'm a scientist, I immediately threw some of both into the sink. It didnt even explode, or at least smoke. A little boring! The toys got rinsed in the shower and now they have nice clean toys.

Necessity is the mother of invention. I have to say that I have such a good time figuring out these things. It doesn't take much to make me happy!

Gracie Leigh's poops are now huge compared to the skinny little tootsie rolls they were and I don't see anything suspicious. Thank God!

[AngieDoogles]

I don't have a dishwasher or a washing machine in my apartment

You are a brave woman! I don't know how I could survive without a dishwasher or washing machine (especially the washing machine) now that I have them! Sad thing is, I've only had them since May... How did I become so dependent on them in such a short amount of time!

Since the recipe was specific about keeping the two disinfectants separate, and since I'm a scientist, I immediately threw some of both into the sink. It didnt even explode, or at least smoke. A little boring! The toys got rinsed in the shower and now they have nice clean toys.

Necessity is the mother of invention. I have to say that I have such a good time figuring out these things. It doesn't take much to make me happy!

LOL, oh my goodness! You are so funny! I think having you as a roommate would probably be about the most exciting thing ever! I bet you had fun in college...

[Mandy]

How are the babies doing, Judy? Keep us posted girl ;)