[Dailydrool] Diarrhea--run its course or go to vet? (long and gross)

[Sherrilyn]

I got home Wednesday night from my Boardwaddle vacation. (More on that in another post.)  Thursday was Labor Day, so I got to stay home with Jacques.  In the evening I gave him a raw chicken wing, which he has enjoyed (and tolerated) in the past.  I also gave him a new brand of joint tablet, since I was unable to find the usual Ark Naturals anywhere. Those are the only two changes to his diet. Since Friday morning he has had very liquid diarrhea.  He has to go out about every hour or two.  He's straining a lot, and when it comes squirting out, it sounds like when you turn on a hose and the water is still working its way to the sprayer.  I made a pot of rice on Saturday, and he ate some of that with gusto.  Yesterday and today I mixed the rice with a little chicken.  It seemed like his stools were a little better last night--more soft-serve than liquid.  (sorry for the grossness!)  And he only got me up once during the night to go outside.  So I thought he was on the mend. 
 But he just now had another seriously liquid episode not 10 minutes after finishing his breakfast.  He didn't even make it to the door, poor guy!

So....how long does it take for diarrhea to run its course?  Shouldn't he be doing better?  It's been 72 hours.  Today is a Colombian holiday, so if I take him to the vet, he's not going to see his regular vet.  I've gone to that clinic in the past when Jacques has had diarrhea, and the young, just-graduated kid who got stuck minding the store has prescribed doggie pepto bismol (which Jacques and I both think is worse than the diarrhea) and prescription dog food, which I don't think is any better than homemade rice and chicken.

Any ideas/suggestions?

Thanks from a sleep-deprived Sherrilyn (I don't know how you human moms do it!)

       
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