Negligence Or Just Bad Parenting? DCP's Not Taking Child To The Doctor

[MommyofThree]

I do not know 100% for sure that he has not been taken to the doctor, but based on what the parents are saying (and not saying) it seems pretty obvious that they are not. No doctor would say that virusy-smelling blowout diarrhea multiple times a day for 2 weeks is due to teething. But no, I can't prove that they have not.

I will be praying this weekend that they find a new provider who wants to start him on Tuesday so they don't come back for the last 3 days. DCM keeps telling me he is having normal BM's at home. I dont know how a child has normal BM's at home and multiple blowouts only at daycare?

It is not a case for CPS LOL. I had a baby that had it for 8 weeks and it was a virus.

[LittleD]

It is not a case for CPS LOL. I had a baby that had it for 8 weeks and it was a virus.

But you knew it was a virus, how? Because the parents took the child to the doctor, right?

The child needs to see the doctor, just to have it verified. I remember my son had a virus for a month. I saw the doctors three times! They didn't know what was causing it.
Eventually, I had the doctor at emerg tell me, he couldn't eat or drink anything but water until it stopped. It was horrible! But after 48hrs, it stopped, and he was able to introduce the BRAT diet. He looked horrible, but luckily wasn't dehydrated during this time.

I thought a month was long, I couldn't imagine 7 weeks!! Oh, and I followed the rules and kept him out of daycare the whole time even tho I failed my semester at school doing it

[Michelle]

even if they took him to the doctor, they rarely take diarrea seriously.
It's almost always diet related and even if it was a virus, they would just say, "wait it out, do the brat diet and it will get better on it's own."
I know it's frustrating but unless he's listless or showing other symptoms, this will pass soon

[AnneCordelia]

Calling CPS is a very serious thing that will turn this families life upside down. It needs to be reserved for cases of abuse and neglect. At this point I would not call. Is there another support person the family relies on that you can talk to about this first? I think these boards are quick to jump on the "call cps" band wagon.

[Countrygal]

I agree that dck should be taken to a doctor. I have had four No, make that 5 intestinal bacterial infections in my life and what you are describing MIGHT be one. I don't know how you would ever tell the difference between a viral and bacterial infection without a stool sample. But some bacterial infections will not go away without meds. My Dr has told me the smell is indicative of a bacterial infection, but I've never actually witnesses rotovirus, so I can't tell the difference. Either way, it's not up to me to diagnose, the child needs to see a Dr. As I said before, one of the symptoms of a bact. infection is that they keep coming back. You'll be good for a few days to a few weeks and then start all over. They can be very dangerous in infants if let go.

If they are worried about the cost of the Dr visit, our clinic will let you pick up a stool sample kit and then drop it off if Dr orders it. One simple phone call and you can usually obtain one. After it comes back and it is positive you would prolly need to see a dr, but not before. Often a Dr will let you order it over the phone.

That may help a little. Hope this poor little one gets treated.

I agree that calling CPS would not be appropriate. Insisting they get a diagnosis is. BTW - bacterial infections are highly contagious as well, and a few are a reportable illness.