My Rottweiler is 8 months old. He has ALWAYS had a VERY loose stool. The vet gave him Albon, which got rid of the worms, but the loose stool has still continued. I have been back to the vet so much, they just keep my file out. The regular vet had to leave on vacation and the loose stool got worse about 1 week ago. The vet that was substituting gave Spike some Flagyl, but I do not think it has helped. What could be wrong with him?
2006-12-25 08:37:23 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
I got Spike from the animal shelter when he was 4 weeks old. I know that is WAY too soon, but they would have killed him if I hadn't adopted him.
>Could Spike have a sensitive stomach?
I do not feed him human food or treats or anything. He is even on Science Diet from the vet's office.
2006-12-25 08:39:11 · update #1
Oh yeah, I have tried him on Pedigree, Purina, and Cesar. These 3 made it even worse.
2006-12-25 08:53:25 · update #2
Spike has no skin issues or allergies that I know of. He has been tested for hookworms, coccidiiosis, and every other type of worm imaginable. He is exercised daily for about an hour to an hour and a half. There are no kids around the house (I'm 17 and my brother is 15 but has nothing to do with him.) I am Spike's primary care giver-take him to the vet-buy his medicine, etc.
2006-12-25 09:01:33 · update #3
I have owned dogs since I was ten years old and this has never happened before. : (
2006-12-25 09:06:23 · update #4
In the city I live in, the only available dog foods are Cesar, Pedigree, Purina, Iams, Science Diet, and the non-brand types of dog food. I feed Spike the dry dog food because wet food makes it worse.
2006-12-25 09:08:06 · update #5
In response to tejas_yuki, no, the vet has not taken any x-rays of Spike's abdomen. I live in Columbia, MS, and the other vet will not see Spike because he is a stupid idiot. The next closest vet's office would be in Hattiesburg....
2006-12-25 09:24:05 · update #6
My dog's vet is my boss-so I am hesitant to change vets.
2006-12-25 11:38:47 · update #7
Yes, I would say that your dog has a sensitive stomach. In addition to my other experience with dog nutrition, I personally had a dog with a sensitive stomach. I first got him when he was 12 weeks old. For several months, he continued to have loose stool everyday. Worms and other medical causes were ruled out. It turned out that he had a sensitive stomach, and likely a corn allergy (corn allergies are somewhat common in dogs). Once we realized it was a corn allergy (at about 6-7 months), we immediately changed his diet to a dry food made specifically for sensitive stomachs. It had little to no corn it. From that day on, his loose stool and stomach discomfort stopped.
I highly suggest that you change his diet. It will help a lot.
Good luck!
2006-12-25 08:55:50 · answer #1 · answered by iloveeeyore 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with a lot of the other answers...
(1) Try another vet - a second opinion cannot hurt
(2) Science Diet - it's a good food BUT NOT THE ONLY OPTION!!
Some dogs are allergic to wheat products, some to corn, even some to chicken....
I would try one of the following foods:
Nutro's Natural Choice Lamb and Rice formula (lamb is great for skin, eliminates the chicken and the rice takes the place of a lot of the wheat product). Cooked rice also when added to food will help to firm up stool. That is what my dogs get if they have diarrhea.
Nutro's Natural Choice Sensitive Stomach Formula (chicken, oatmeal and rice??? - sorry - I don't remember the exact ingredients off hand - I am not in the store - I am at home)
Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance - either the "Fish and Sweet Potato (fabolous for the coat and eliminated "red" meat or the "Duck" formula. Both were made with allergies in mind.
Purina Proplan also has a "sensitive stomach" formula. I believe it is chicken based.
Royal Canin makes some breed specific foods and I am pretty sure they have one that is for Rotties.
Anything you decide to try...remember...do not change over immediately. Gradually introduce the new food, mixed with the existing food. Otherwise you can really get into diarrhea, etc.
I would not recommend a raw diet unless you have been able to determine the source of the illness/allergy. It COULD cause even more problems since salmonella can occur. I do feed my dogs raw diet but they are healthy and always have been. Their systems can tolerate it but I would first try some high quality kibble.
Good luck. Hope this helped.
2006-12-25 14:30:48 · answer #2 · answered by Borders Rock 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Science Diet is actually not great food. Vets endorse it because they are paid to by the company, and they get free samples and stuff. First, I would switch vets. There's no reason your vet shouldn't have fixed this problem by now. Second, switch foods. Do it gradually, slowly adding more of the new food and less of the old until it's completely switched over. Here's some good brands to try instead:
Artemis, Canine Caviar, Wellness, Chicken Soup, Innova Evo, Merrick.
*** You can order these on www.petfooddirect.com if you can't find them in your city; it doesn't sound like you worry about cost since you're willing to pay for his meds. You really should consider another vet, your boss won't fire you just because you took your dog somewhere else, and 8 months is a long time to be that unhappy.
I also agree that you could try giving him nothing but chicken/turkey and brown rice for up to 1 week, this has been very successful in treating diarrhea in cats and dogs. If it clears up, you can start adding the dry food back into his diet.
Good luck!
2006-12-25 08:46:50 · answer #3 · answered by Dreamer 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hey, I agree that there is a sensitivity issue here, but BARF is not a good option. Some good options: Flint River Ranch, California Natural, Innova, Wellness or Canidae. Yes, it's more costly, but you will feed less, as there are no fillers. You want a food with no by-products, no BHA or BHT (preservatives). You will not find these foods at the grocery store! Do the change over a weeks span, slowly is best for his intestines and sensitive stomach. These foods are also great because rotties tend to have allergies and many times they are food related.
Has the Vet taken any X-Rays of the abdomen? This might be the next best step, next to changing his food to a high quality. I have also heard people say that their dog can't handle the high quality foods - that's all BS and don't believe that.
Good luck!
2006-12-25 09:19:12 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is possible that your dog is food sensitive but ask the vet before you start switching to a lot of different foods. Some dogs have allergy problems that can deal with food or environment. Does he have any skin issues? Have you had him tested for coccidiosis or hook worms? both take different treatments than the usual intestinal worm issues. Consider stress also. Is the dog exercised? This is a large active puppy so he will need more than a couple of twenty minute walks around the neighborhood. Is something in the household stressing him such as kids, unusual or unpredictable hours? Just a few other things to consider
2006-12-25 08:55:42 · answer #5 · answered by mups mom 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I feel so bad about Your puppy , But here is a Good gentle meal to make for him ..Ground Turkey ( un seasoned of course ) brown well and mixed with unseasoned Cooked rice. At least you will know he is eating good and it should firm up his stool. A vet friend of mine here in US , told me to feed my pups this before ..Once when one of my Dogs was going to have puppies & she would not eat and started to become run down. And another time , when We thought our one dog had contacted Airborne Parvo/Distemper~ Its symtoms are very loose stool , with a terrible odor & stoll will be blody too , also the dog will not want to eat or drink. I hope this Helps and I also Hope Your Puppy gets better real fast , Maybe just to be on the safe side , you might wanna take your Puppy to the vet first chance you get. I take mine to the MHS ( Dog Shelter) her in Michigan . They seem to really Care about animals & if Care is a bit pricey they take payments ..plus a % of the money goes to the Shelter ..Good Luck & Merry Chritmas & a Wonderful 2007 for You & Puppy :)
2006-12-25 09:02:53 · answer #6 · answered by Shelley 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You can try to feed him some cooked white rice. Feed three or four small meals a day for the first two days. Then slowly switch the diet back to his regular food.
2006-12-25 10:23:43 · answer #7 · answered by Lisa 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had a Rotty/Sheperd mix with similar problem--take him off science diet and try a different food for a little bit. mine ended up doing the best on Purina dog chow. You might also want to look into the B.A.R.F. Diet. I haven't tired it but have heard it works wonders and makes sense. BARF is Biologically Appropriate Raw Foods
2006-12-25 08:49:00 · answer #8 · answered by Keith C 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
spike could have a sensitive stomach, but i think after this much time, i may consider going to another vet and get another opinion. spike cant keep being miserable. it couldnt hurt to try another vet and see what they say. let me know how it works out.
2006-12-25 08:52:43 · answer #9 · answered by bubbles 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Get him off that food now!!! Try something else. I use to have several Rotties. One of them had the same problem. We ended up feeding her Pedigree dog food. I know it isn't the best food, but because of her poor breeding, she couldn't handle the richer, better quality food.
2006-12-25 08:57:24 · answer #10 · answered by Katslookup - a Fostering Fool! 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋