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  • in reply to: Pup recovering from Giardia needs food help #93459 Report Abuse
    Jan D
    Member

    anan101,
    No, it is not normal for him to be going 8 times a day. It was normal for him to go 3 times a day before the food switch. I do agree with you though, that grain free foods may produce more stools in some dogs. In my research I have found others saying that their dog experienced an increase after switching to TOTW.

    Crazy4cats, thank you for all the info. I think you and Kristen are right about the lack of good flora playing a huge part in this. He is on FortiFlora now, but I noticed there is only one strain (Enterococcus faecium) in it. I take Primal Defense, which are soil based probiotics, and have heard good things about it also helping dogs with gut issues/IBS. I may try to supplement with that as well.
    It is good to hear that your pups are now feeling better after their battle with giardia and gives me hope that my guy will get through this.

    in reply to: Pup recovering from Giardia needs food help #93404 Report Abuse
    Jan D
    Member

    Kristen, I am sorry to hear that your pup had problems after giardia as well. It is so hard to watch them get sick over and over, and not have any answers. I think it must really destroy the gut, not to mention being on metronidazole, which I know kills all the good bacteria.

    I have been wondering lately if he might have one of the bad bacteria, like Clostridium or Cryptosporidium. I know they can cause the same type of symptoms. I don’t think they routinely test for bacteria on a regular fecal exam, and the next time I talk to my vet I will ask him about it.

    He is still pooping a LOT on the TOTW food. They range from firm, to soft serve throughout the day. He has been on it for a little over a week now. Do you think things should have regulated at this point if this food was going to work for him? He used to eat raw, so I’m sure it is taking his body a little time to get used to digesting kibble. His body is almost reacting as if I am overfeeding, but he is still not eating the full amount my vet wants me to get into him daily.

    I did ask the vet about the excessive pooping, and he said he didn’t want to change anything at the moment because he has put on a little weight (he needs to gain a few pounds) and has more energy. I do agree that those are positive things, but pooping that much (8 times yesterday!) has to be a sign that something isn’t quite right. He said as long as they are somewhat formed, that it is ok.

    I guess I will just keep things as they are for the moment and hope that he starts to regulate on this food. I do have an appointment to see a new Holistic Vet in a few weeks, so it will be interesting to see what he has to say about diet.

    in reply to: Pup recovering from Giardia needs food help #93336 Report Abuse
    Jan D
    Member

    Susan,
    Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a detailed reply.
    I am happy to report that today his stools are smaller in size and much more firm. He also has more energy and is more playful which is so good to see! Hopefully he is adjusting to the food and things are starting to normalize, but I suppose it could be the Metronidazole that is helping. He is still going 5 or 6 times a day (which is a little concerning), but maybe that is just one of the side effects of being on this particular food.
    Hopefully he will start to thrive and gain some weight now, and his stools will continue to be firm. If we have a setback, I will most likely put him on one of the vet diets. I really don’t like the ingredients in them, but at this point it is about resting the gut and getting him to gain weight.
    Susan W- Thank you for your recommendation of the VeRUS food, I will take a look.
    I have an appointment with a holistic vet in a few weeks. My hope is that he will be able to recommend some different things to try and help get him through this. It has been a rough road for the little guy, and I can’t wait to see him feeling 100%!

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