Barbponys got a question...

[moto1320]

OK, so Doc has had either soft stool or flat out runs for about 3 weeks. He had this at the same time as the bone incident with Daisy so I took them both to the vet with stool samples just in case. Had em checked for everything with no problems but put them both on a round of antibiotics since Daisy was sick and Doc may have gotten that way.

After the antibiotics I supplemented yogurt and feed Innova so they were/are getting plenty of probiotics. By this point Doc should be back to normal in that dept. At this point the vet is saying that it is something food related. I have switched him to Wellness Super 5 Chicken and it seems to be slowly clearing up but we have only been on this straight for less than a week, still hoping it will do the trick. They don't get rawhide or have even had Bully Sticks or anything for a while. Just ocassional plain chicken or beef treats when I am cooking.

Sooooo, if this does not do it, what food would you recommend that I try next. I have access to these brands: Innova, Wellness, Solid Gold, Cali Naturals, and one other quality food that I can't remeber. You seem to be the resident food specialist so thanks in advance.

[barbponys]

I appreciate the compliment Moto

I would suspect the Innova, one of the problems it's had for years is on again off again diahrrea, sometimes it takes a while to manifest but it's pretty much there in 80-90% of dogs. We also saw a lot of very chronically sick animals on it. We quite carrying it because so many dogs and cats suffered from that and vomiting.

Any way, of the foods you listed I would keep on with the Wellness. If it's starting to clear up that's a good sign. Keep up the yogurt or better yet, get a good digestive enzyme powder. Pack his system.

I have always given and taken strong digestive enzymes while on antibiotics, keeps the colon from being wiped clean so to speak. It will also prevent any secondary yeast infections that can occur. I hope this helps. Keep us posted on how he does.

[moto1320]

I appreciate the compliment Moto

Where it it's due. You're knowledge of diet has definately been a very helpful addition around here. Again something I didn't know, never heard that about the Innova. Daisy does so well on it. It cleared up her flaky skin that was so bad that when I bought her home I really thought she was blue from the dandruff. I was going to just try another type of Wellness if this doesn't do it. Another thing is that his breath is horrible lately, like rotting fish.

I have to assume that whatever is going on in his digestive tract is causing this. I am really hoping to get a handle on this soon. The smell that rolls out of that big trap of his in the morning could gag a maggot. :roll:

[damienApbt]

rods been on wellness fish and sp... and his breath aint all that bad. well right after he eats its bad but overall not too bad at all.

[barbponys]

Damn Moto.........it definitely sounds like he has some significant issues. I definitely would get a straight digestive enzyme going with him. That poor boys gut isn't working well at all. Fishy breath is to be expected(one of the reasons I don't feed Wellnes) but rot??? Gross.

If the Wellness doesn't work the only other food you listed that I might try would be Solid Gold...........but it's a big step down. He might tolerate it though.

[moto1320]

Edit: the breath thing was even before I switched the food. I was going to go pick up a bottle of the straight Lactobillicus that I use for us during/post antibiotics. Is that what you mean for the straight enzyme?

[barbponys]

Yup, sometimes you can get liquid in the refrigerated section. They cost more but work better, and no pilling .

[concreterose]

If the Wellness doesn't work the only other food you listed that I might try would be Solid Gold...........but it's a big step down

Pat,
What are your thoughts/experiences with Solid Gold? I used to feed it, and all my dogs did very well on it. Pookie still eats the Holistic Blend mixed w/senior Canidae as it has been helping her weight. I had been meaning to ask you about it! I noticed you said it was a big step down from Wellness.

[barbponys]

Concrete,
Don't want you to think I'm ignoring your question. I was all set to reply to you and it got way busy at work. When I'm back in tomorrow and have all the information to hand I can give you some specifics on Solid Gold.

[barbponys]

Ok......Solid Gold, Holistique specifically.

It has a LOT of grain or starch in it. Oats, rye, potatoes, lentils and quinoa. Only one protein source.

First off the Menhaden fish meal is Herring. I'm not a fan of Herring since it has to be preserved with Ethoxequine in the hold of the ship. The company it's self doesn't use it to preserve any of their foods but it is present in the fish.

Potatoes: Very starchy and they tend to promote fat dogs.

Lentils: The research is in human cancer, what's good for us or works for us may be detrimental to our dogs and cats. I don't use legumes/beans with my dogs, another thing they don't process well, even cooked.

The statements on "sea vegetation" and "green tea" hold true for people, I wonder about dogs though.

I like that they use oil instead of fats...........I question their reasoning though. It's not very common for dogs or cats to have cholesterol problems, the issue, in my opinion, is the fact that it's cooked and they have a really hard time processing it. The fact that it's cooked tends to be the problem with pancreatitis, and once that is started it will always be an issue.

I have a problem with pet food companies using the "benefits our health" angle in their foods. This company does that in a major way. It started out with a really good product in the 70's and have tried to keep up. I fed it too my dogs years ago and they did very poorly on it, ate a lot, skin and coat suffered. They just recently, with in the last 8 or 10 months, changed processing facilities. The folks that were feeding it stopped, they changed something in the formulas and dogs were reacting. We are one of the only stores I know of that sells by the pound. The food changed color and smelled different. We contacted the company, knowing that they were now being made by Diamond, and asked what changed and why they went with Diamond.........they said it was proprietary information and how did we find out.........it wasn't long after that we quite carrying it.

If your dogs are doing well on it and you are happy with the results, that's what matters. I'm not a believer of changing for the sake of change. If there are nagging underlying problems that's a different story.

[concreterose]

Thanks Pat!
I recently changed them all to Canidae, just for them to have something different. When Pookie finishes this bag of Holistic, I'm gonna just do her on the straight Canidae senior formula. She does seem to want to eat a LOT more of the Solid Gold (But it's hard to tell because she's greedy anyway ). I don't want to take ANY chances with her being a cancer dog. Thanks so much for the info...I really value your opinion!

[barbponys]

Concrete,
I would put her on the all life stage formula. If you have weight issues with her already they probably won't resolve on a senior formula, more grain. They could actually get worse. Feed about 1/4 less than the recommended amount and she should do fine. If she will tolerate it feed at the weight she should be and see what happens. Oh I understand greed gotta love having a dog that will eat till they rupture!!!

I'm glad I could help, Canidae is definitely a step up. .

[concreterose]

I will definitely try that! Thanks again.

[moto1320]

Whoo hoo. Finally got my cable modem hooked back up after a couple weeks so heres an update. The Wellness Super5 Ckicken wasn't doing it at all. Running up to a couple months of horrible daily runs. I switched to the Super5 Lamb mix and saw nothing for the next few days. Situation made worse/confusing by a few variables:

A)In the middle of the diet switch Doc got into his food bag mid move and ate about 5 pounds of the new food= poo lakes all over the neighborhood and a disgustingly huge white beach ball of a dog. (we made a great first impression)

B)Doc jumped up in the middle of the night and puked up two giant suction cups that I know he stole about three weeks ago off of my shaving mirror in the shower.

C)Halfway through the switch I stopped at the vet to use his scales pre diet switch for my log and told him that the problems were worse if anything. He put him on a another round of Metronidazole. Twice as much this time. After about the 4 th day of the meds, 7 for the food, and the 150th time of staring hopefully at my dogs ass while he did his thing, Doc finally firmed up. Sooooo, fingers crossed we finally beat it. But now I don't know why. He was tested for everything under the sun and was clear. The meds were for bacterial things, Giardia, etc. I wish I knew if it was a bacterial infection from the bone incident or an intolerance to chicken, and/or the plastic he ate? Oh well....

Thanks again for the help

[barbponys]

WOOO HOOOOOOO Moto!!!!!!!!!! I wonder if he had Giardia but the load was low enough that it didn't show on tests?? Should have cleared the first time but who knows. THANK GOD he's better . Way to go DOC!