Persistent diarrhea

[Kelsey]

Ugh, Hugo has been off the antibiotics for about 5 ish days now, and the diarrhea in the middle of the night has started up again... last night was night number two.
I am at my wits end and I don't really know what to do now, besides change his food again. Currently he is on Royal Canin Labrador Puppy, which is what he came home on from the breeder. I had tried switching him to Purina Pro Plan, but that caused the first massive issues, or all the random treats plus new food did, I am unsure but I do know I am hesitant to try again for awhile. My midnight google searches last night suggest that it is a food intolerance if he is having diarrhea in the night, as the food is sitting in his belly longer at that point... Also suggests IBS, Diabetes, Worms etc etc. It is not worms, he doesn't show other signs of diabetes, nor IBS. He is 100% happy in himself otherwise... Literally will go out, have the squirts, come inside and race to Gizmo and jump on him and play.

I am wondering about switching to food from the vet, Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Puppy food... But that is INSANE expensive.

Also wondering if I should try Acana or something similar. BUT I'm terrified to do that because of all the DCM cases that were coming up with those 'high end' foods. Axel used to be on Acana but then I made the switch when so many food related DCM diagnosis's were coming up, and worse... fatalities were happening. Now once it made it to the news, I think those food companies stepped up their game and fixed their formulas, at least I hope so... But I am still worried. My vet did say to stay away from them and that the top three brands are Purina Pro Plan, Royal Canin, and Hills.

I am wondering if he has a protein allergy, or a grain intolerance, or what if it is something worse... Unfortunately diarrhea is now a 'pre existing' condition so it won't be covered under his insurance. I had to make a switch as the one he was on was VERY expensive per month, but sadly it was used on day two of the 4 week trial.
So please, help. My brain is so exhausted from lack of sleep but also trying to figure out the right thing to do...

What do you all feed your dogs? Did something similar happen with your puppies? Did simple diet change help?

Thanks, from a very tired dog mamma

 

[Selina27]

So sorry Kelsey that this has started up again. I'm also sorry that, having no experience of this myself I don't really have any helpful suggestions.


I can't remember, did you have an actual diagnosis before? Could it be that he is allergic to the protein in the food he's on now?

Can you speak to a vet over the weekend?

I know other members have had similar experiences, hopefully they will be along soon . Good that he is well in himself. Is he drinking ok?

 

[Kelsey]

So sorry Kelsey that this has started up again. I'm also sorry that, having no experience of this myself I don't really have any helpful suggestions.


I can't remember, did you have an actual diagnosis before? Could it be that he is allergic to the protein in the food he's on now?

Can you speak to a vet over the weekend?

I know other members have had similar experiences, hopefully they will be along soon . Good that he is well in himself. Is he drinking ok?

He is drinking normally!

There was no diagnosis, it was decided that he has a sensitive tummy most likely. If after switching foods it persists still, then I want to do labs and stool sample. But just trying to do process of elimination for now as otherwise he is 100% normal in himself.

That's why I am wondering if it is a protein or grain allergy. Axel had a grain intolerance but his symptoms were itching and yeasty ears and paws. Not tummy issues.

 

[Anne123]

As a pup Finn was on royal canine and had bouts of diarrhea. Thats when I changed his kibble to ProPlan and that did work really well. He is on salmon not chicken, for I wasn't sure if he was intolerant of the chicken. I changed it gradually, so it took a fort night before he was totally on ProPlan. Never seen the diarrhea again.

 

[Selina27]

That's why I am wondering if it is a protein or grain allergy

Oh sorry xx

Do you have canine nutritionists in Canada?

 

[Kelsey]

Oh sorry xx

Do you have canine nutritionists in Canada?

No worries at all!! I ramble so much, so that doesn't help

But I appreciate all suggestions/thoughts! Things get missed and overseen etc

 

[Kelsey]

As a pup Finn was on royal canine and had bouts of diarrhea. Thats when I changed his kibble to ProPlan and that did work really well. He is on salmon not chicken, for I wasn't sure if he was intolerant of the chicken. I changed it gradually, so it took a fort night before he was totally on ProPlan. Never seen the diarrhea again.

hmm interesting, maybe it is too rich of a food or something. ProPlan worked well for Axel, and long term goal is for me to go back to that with Hugo, just scared to try again just yet until he has had a good tummy for at least a few months.

 

[Atemas]

So sorry Kelsey that this is happening. It takes me right back to Red’s early puppy days and all the diarrhoea issues we had. It was very hard. On the vets advice, I fed her Hill’s ID wet food (Turkey) for a few months. It was bloomin expensive but it really worked. There was the occasional bout of diarrhoea but it really suited her. I eventually started introducing Symply Turkey and sweet potato kibble. Gradually I was able to replace the ID wet food with Forthglade Turkey wet food and she still has those two now at almost 7 years. I give her fish treats but I am very strict on sticking to those foods as she does well on them. Unfortunately Symply and Forthglade are made in the UK and I’m not sure if you get them in Canada - assuming you wouldn’t. Basically though I avoid any grains. I do think with Red it was a very sensitive stomach which improved as she got older - hopefully this will be so for Hugo

 

[Kelsey]

So sorry Kelsey that this is happening. It takes me right back to Red’s early puppy days and all the diarrhoea issues we had. It was very hard. On the vets advice, I fed her Hill’s ID wet food (Turkey) for a few months. It was bloomin expensive but it really worked. There was the occasional bout of diarrhoea but it really suited her. I eventually started introducing Symply Turkey and sweet potato kibble. Gradually I was able to replace the ID wet food with Forthglade Turkey wet food and she still has those two now at almost 7 years. I give her fish treats but I am very strict on sticking to those foods as she does well on them. Unfortunately Symply and Forthglade are made in the UK and I’m not sure if you get them in Canada - assuming you wouldn’t. Basically though I avoid any grains. I do think with Red it was a very sensitive stomach which improved as she got older - hopefully this will be so for Hugo

This helps me feel as though this maybe won't be a long term issue. I think that is what I want to do, feed him the special GI vet food for a couple months until his tummy is sorted long enough then introduce a brand new food. A lot to have to figure out today

 

[SwampDonkey]

I don't use any of the vet prescription foods tried them and abandoned them. I avoid chicken and grains. I never use grains including rice. Pups often get upset tums please don't loose heart. Are you giving too much food? Too many treats? Is he doing too much running about? How many times a day are you feeding him? How long before he goes to bed does he get fed? Has he been eating stuff that puppies do? Has he been tested for things like Giardia? There are loads of things that can upset tums. Even changing his foods could give him the runs. I don't particularly rate hills or proplan foods I'd look for something with more novel proteins with less fillers. You can also use things like pro kolin and at the moment I using Logan's pumpkin powder. Rory has colitis and some other stomach issues so I'm used to managing stomach stuff for him and have learnt he also has chicken intolerance so I avoid eggs too. I'd speak to your vets and maybe just fed him something really bland like white skinless boneless fish and smaller portions throughout the day. I starve Rory for a few hours but don't for pups also keep him hydrated. I also use bone broth as it encourages them to drink and helps with any stomach inflammation. Don't keep reading/searching Google if he gets sleepy or seems worse contact your vet as he may not he cover fully for parvo yet. He will be ok pups are tough and upset tummies seem to get better as they mature.

 

[HAH]

Golly I feel your pain Kelsey - when Kipper was a puppy we had months of cycling from diarrhea to recovery then back to diarrhea. Eventually it turned out to be giardia which the vets hadn’t tested for, it was relatively quick to clear up.
As others have said tummy upsets are really common with puppies - there’s so much their little systems are adjusting to, and they’re being exposed to in the outside world - and I think allergies are relatively uncommon. If they haven’t already, I’d ask the vet to test for Giardia. But go with your instincts too on the food; you’re not going to break him, but it might need a bit of fettling until you find the right thing.

 

[Jen]

We had a nightmare with Stanley too!

We tried 4 or 5 different foods and ended up on canagan which he’s been on since. It’s expensive but it’s always suited him so we just left well alone.

hope you get it sorted soon x

 

[Lab_adore]

I'm so sorry Kelsey, you must be beyond exhausted. I don't have any suggestions but I hope you find the right food quickly

 

[MellowYellow]

Same here Kelsey, Merlin has a sensitive stomach but I don't remember it being as bad as you are describing when he was a pup. Just sending you lambies, and saying hang in there.

 

[Stacia]

Rourke has been on Arden Grange Lamb and Rice for most of his eleven years and has perfect poos in the morning. After exercise in the afternoon it can be a little loose, but I think that happens to most dogs after exercise. As @SwampDonkey says, has he been tested for Giardia, that causes diarrhoea and many puppies have it.

 

[Lisa]

I’ve never heard of the DCM issue…have now googled and been educated. Of course looked up the food Simba is eating and it contains all the bad things that are suspected of being the culprits
Mind you he’s been eating it for quite a few years now and he’s healthy as a horse, so….

I hope Hugo’s tum settles down soon. I’m not much help with that.When my previous 2 puppies had the runs it was
because of parvo, and in both cases they were very listless, etc. So that doesn’t sound to be the case for Hugo. I’ve only had one dog with allergies, and it definitely caused itchy paws plus very smelly gaseous emissions.

 

[Kelsey]

Thank you everyone for your own stories and suggestions. After driving back and fourth and chatting at a few different places for three hours I’ve leaned more on that it is likely a protein allergy to chicken. I have decided to go with Now Fresh, grain free large breed puppy. The hardest part was trying to find large breed puppy food that didn’t have chicken in it. So this one the protein is Turkey, duck and salmon, and just happens to be grain free. It is super expensive… but if it works I’ll be so happy! Also got a better pre probiotic than what we had, it has slippery elm in it and is supposed to help the stomach lining/inflammation, and sooth the tummy. Really hope in a few days he’s feeling better!

 

[Kelsey]

I’ve never heard of the DCM issue…have now googled and been educated. Of course looked up the food Simba is eating and it contains all the bad things that are suspected of being the culprits
Mind you he’s been eating it for quite a few years now and he’s healthy as a horse, so….

I wouldn’t worry! After what I learned today I do feel better… one of the pet stores printed this out for me, this is the latest update from the FDA from December 2022. I hadn’t kept up with updates

FDA Investigates Potential Link Between Diet & Heart Disease in Dogs

Latest update on the FDA’s investigation into reports of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs eating certain pet foods.

www.fda.gov

 

[Atemas]

Really hope in a few days he’s feeling better!

Good luck with the new food. I concluded with Red that it was chicken and grains that upset her. I totally avoid them. Turkey is a good protein as is fish. I understand duck is too although Red has never had that

 

[SwampDonkey]

I found a good food which contained tripe. Rory can eat tripe until it comes out of ears he loves his tripe and trout food. There's loads of good foods out there, sites to compare ingredients too, so you might find a cheaper food with the same ingredients. You can also search for your new food at a cheaper price. Lots of companies do multi deals and have coupons on site. Have you looked on any food comparison sites? They are great for finding smaller companies which often have good food. The food I use is expensive but it suits both dogs and I can feed less. I found I have less vet visits for Rory and it's much cheaper than a vet prescription diet. I hope things do settle and he's back to normal soon.