constipated- I'm really frustrated

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by Nikki+2

The Mylicon really brought me back- it was a life saver when my daughter was a baby. We ended up at the emergency vet. It turns out he just has gas. It hurts- we've probably all been there. His x-ray was fine and the vet said that while he does need a bowl movement, he isn't constipated- just full of gas. The reason is a mystery. They said he could have eaten anything like a bug- but really he is with me almost all of the time and pottys indoors- or it could be a virus. They gave him a shot to "move things along" so now we wait.

Update- right as a I was writing this my husband called me outside- SUCCESS! Sugar, um, eliminated big time! Yay!

Hmmm...weird about the gas. I'm glad he got things movin'!! So, did the diarrhea come back ever since xmas or just here and there? With gas all the time? If the gas was just this once, then maybe he did eat something funny.

You are still giving fish oil right? Even if you're feeding the fish itself, the oil is good bc fish is so very lean - and you want him to have fat in his diet. For some dogs, it's beneficial to have fiber supplements in their diet (I did this w/ Marcel for about 3 mths) - esp. if they've had a lot of ongoing digestive issues. You can use Benefiber -or- just something like pumpkin. For me, it was easier to just give a pinch of the Benefiber bc then I knew Marcel was getting it AND he didn't have to consume yet more food (he's small). (don't give Metamucil or stuff like that - Benefiber or its generic is the one you'd want)

I hope he stays on track, gas can be so painful for these little guys.

[Nikki+2]

He's still gassy today. He is so uncomfortable. I haven't been using fish oil so maybe that's the problem. I've been planning to add flax seed oil but keep forgetting to buy it. Is fish oil better? I have some fish oil capsules, I'm going to break a few open and see if he will eat it. I don't want to feed him this morning until he eliminates.

[Nikki+2]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Hmmm...weird about the gas. I'm glad he got things movin'!! So, did the diarrhea come back ever since xmas or just here and there? With gas all the time? If the gas was just this once, then maybe he did eat something funny.

You are still giving fish oil right? Even if you're feeding the fish itself, the oil is good bc fish is so very lean - and you want him to have fat in his diet. For some dogs, it's beneficial to have fiber supplements in their diet (I did this w/ Marcel for about 3 mths) - esp. if they've had a lot of ongoing digestive issues. You can use Benefiber -or- just something like pumpkin. For me, it was easier to just give a pinch of the Benefiber bc then I knew Marcel was getting it AND he didn't have to consume yet more food (he's small). (don't give Metamucil or stuff like that - Benefiber or its generic is the one you'd want)

I hope he stays on track, gas can be so painful for these little guys.

The diharrea went away and so I added spinach to his fish/potatoes since the vet said to add leafy greens to help his runny eyes. He was fine for a few days and then on Christmas he had a few really loose stools. Nothing as bad as the first time but not normal. As hard as I tried to stay away from the Pepto, my mom talked me into it. She's been trying to get me to use it since all of this started and and she was down visiting for Christmas and just wasn't going to take no for an answer. It did help and I stopped the spinach and was just trying to get him back to normal for a few days and then I was going to add green beans. Now we've got the gas to deal with.

[TLC]

Originally Posted by Nikki+2

He's still gassy today. He is so uncomfortable. I haven't been using fish oil so maybe that's the problem. I've been planning to add flax seed oil but keep forgetting to buy it. Is fish oil better? I have some fish oil capsules, I'm going to break a few open and see if he will eat it. I don't want to feed him this morning until he eliminates.

I also feed dried cranberries and dried blueberries - that makes them go poop too! If you have these, maybe feed him about 4 and see if it helps. It certainly makes Roxy go - all I have to do is give her a few blueberries

[PrestigeousYT]

Originally Posted by Nikki+2

The diharrea went away and so I added spinach to his fish/potatoes since the vet said to add leafy greens to help his runny eyes. He was fine for a few days and then on Christmas he had a few really loose stools. Nothing as bad as the first time but not normal. As hard as I tried to stay away from the Pepto, my mom talked me into it. She's been trying to get me to use it since all of this started and and she was down visiting for Christmas and just wasn't going to take no for an answer. It did help and I stopped the spinach and was just trying to get him back to normal for a few days and then I was going to add green beans. Now we've got the gas to deal with.

Spinach could be the reason for the gas,
this is off the ivillage

Gas, flatulence and bloating are all part of the natural process of digestion. When fat is digested, gas is produced in the small intestine. When simple sugars (carbohydrates) are digested, gas may be produced in the large intestine; that occurs when carbohydrates are not completely digested, resulting in fermentation. The incomplete digestion and resulting gas can give you the feeling of stomach rumbling (also called borborygmus).

Certain foods are more likely to cause gas and intestinal discomfort; these include dairy products such as milk, cheese or yogurt; whole grains such as bran or wheat products; vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower and spinach; and fruits such as apples, pears or peaches. As many of these foods are also part of a healthy diet, it is important that you try to isolate which foods cause you to have gas. To do this, eat only one of these foods for a few days and keep track


Deana
Prestigeous

[Nikki+2]

Originally Posted by PrestigeousYT

Spinach could be the reason for the gas,
this is off the ivillage

Gas, flatulence and bloating are all part of the natural process of digestion. When fat is digested, gas is produced in the small intestine. When simple sugars (carbohydrates) are digested, gas may be produced in the large intestine; that occurs when carbohydrates are not completely digested, resulting in fermentation. The incomplete digestion and resulting gas can give you the feeling of stomach rumbling (also called borborygmus).

Certain foods are more likely to cause gas and intestinal discomfort; these include dairy products such as milk, cheese or yogurt; whole grains such as bran or wheat products; vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower and spinach; and fruits such as apples, pears or peaches. As many of these foods are also part of a healthy diet, it is important that you try to isolate which foods cause you to have gas. To do this, eat only one of these foods for a few days and keep track


Deana
Prestigeous

Thanks for finding that. He hasn't had spinach since the 24th so I don't know. Ugg it's so frustrating. He was getting egg and cottage cheese with breakfast up until a week or so ago so it's interesting about the dairy. He just ate 2 capsules worth of fish oil so maybe that will make something happen. The shot the ER vet gave him desn't seem to have done anything.

[PrestigeousYT]

This is interesting also.

Fish oil May reduce triglycerides May cause a fishy aftertaste, bad breath, gas, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea


Deana
Prestigeous

[Yorkieluv]

Yeah!! Glad to hear he's feeling better

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by Nikki+2

He's still gassy today. He is so uncomfortable. I haven't been using fish oil so maybe that's the problem. I've been planning to add flax seed oil but keep forgetting to buy it. Is fish oil better? I have some fish oil capsules, I'm going to break a few open and see if he will eat it. I don't want to feed him this morning until he eliminates.

I would use fish oil. Flax can make some dogs itchy bc they can't convert it. I think flax is wonderful, but it just doesn't work for some dogs bc of its origin (grain derivative-ish).

As for the spinach...oh yeah...just like us humans, veggies can be very tough. Were you giving it raw? If so, that could be your answer right there. Raw veg is much tougher for these guys to digest than steamed and pureed. Even though you lose some nutrients by steaming, it is often so much easier for them to digest. When I do green beans, I would steam, then puree - and even then I could still see some pieces undigested in their stool - but it does help alkalize the system.

Hang in there, you'll find out the culprits as you go along!

[Nikki+2]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

I would use fish oil. Flax can make some dogs itchy bc they can't convert it. I think flax is wonderful, but it just doesn't work for some dogs bc of its origin (grain derivative-ish).

As for the spinach...oh yeah...just like us humans, veggies can be very tough. Were you giving it raw? If so, that could be your answer right there. Raw veg is much tougher for these guys to digest than steamed and pureed. Even though you lose some nutrients by steaming, it is often so much easier for them to digest. When I do green beans, I would steam, then puree - and even then I could still see some pieces undigested in their stool - but it does help alkalize the system.

Hang in there, you'll find out the culprits as you go along!

Thank you. I put some olive oil in his and Spike and Gracie's food tonight because I didn't want to buy anything until I heard from you. The spinach was cooked and like I said it's been several days since he's had any. I'm thinking it is likley because I wasn't adding oil. Spike and Gracie are still getting a variety of meats (chicken, beef and fish), veggies and different grains (rice, oatmeal. potatoes) so that's maybe why they weren't affected.

I was really about to put him back on dogfood I was so frustrated but I'm going to figure this out darn it! I really appreciate all of your help. If worse comes to worse, I'll schedule a phone consultation with your nutritionist.

[Suzy]

I prefer the Flax Oil over fish oils. The reason behind this is that fish oils (like Cod Liver) are made with the LIVER of the fish-and the liver is what filters toxins out of the body, so I feel like that's not the best choice. I have heard that other fish oils (like Salmon Oil) run the risk of mercury poisoning, so I've avoided that too. Flax Seed oil has a nutty flavor, so most dogs like it. It also has the beneficial Omega 3's in it, just like fish oil does.

Sorry to hear Sugar's having some more tummy troubles! Poor guy! I agree with Wylie's mom-steam the spinach first, that may help. I also agree that adding yogurt with probiotics will probably be a good thing for him-the beneficial bacteria in the yogurt will aid in digestion. Try a plain or vanilla flavor, of something like Dannon Activia. Give him maybe a tablespoon or so to start-you can also top it with a few berries, or pieces of dried fruit (just not raisins).

Finally, if he continues to have tummy upset, you may try either the chicken and rice again since that worked for him before, or going to just fish and potatoes, then adding veggies back in slowly, and one at a time. Another recommendation is the BRAT diet-it works well on children with tummy upset. (If you're not familiar with it, BRAT stands for Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast-basically a bland, easily digestable diet for upset tummies.) My dogs both really like Mott's all natural applesauce-you can get the same effect by steaming a couple apples in the microwave, then puree with a little water. I mix this into oatmeal, and serve with 1/2 a hard boiled egg for breakfast.

[Nikki+2]

Originally Posted by Suzy

I prefer the Flax Oil over fish oils. The reason behind this is that fish oils (like Cod Liver) are made with the LIVER of the fish-and the liver is what filters toxins out of the body, so I feel like that's not the best choice. I have heard that other fish oils (like Salmon Oil) run the risk of mercury poisoning, so I've avoided that too. Flax Seed oil has a nutty flavor, so most dogs like it. It also has the beneficial Omega 3's in it, just like fish oil does.

Sorry to hear Sugar's having some more tummy troubles! Poor guy! I agree with Wylie's mom-steam the spinach first, that may help. I also agree that adding yogurt with probiotics will probably be a good thing for him-the beneficial bacteria in the yogurt will aid in digestion. Try a plain or vanilla flavor, of something like Dannon Activia. Give him maybe a tablespoon or so to start-you can also top it with a few berries, or pieces of dried fruit (just not raisins).

Finally, if he continues to have tummy upset, you may try either the chicken and rice again since that worked for him before, or going to just fish and potatoes, then adding veggies back in slowly, and one at a time. Another recommendation is the BRAT diet-it works well on children with tummy upset. (If you're not familiar with it, BRAT stands for Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast-basically a bland, easily digestable diet for upset tummies.) My dogs both really like Mott's all natural applesauce-you can get the same effect by steaming a couple apples in the microwave, then puree with a little water. I mix this into oatmeal, and serve with 1/2 a hard boiled egg for breakfast.

Hi Suzy! Thanks for responding. I was cooking the spinach and took it out as soon as I saw slightly soft stools. He's literally had nothing since Christmas eve but fish and potatoes. I did get the Benefiber and will start adding that tomorrow. I think I will start with the flax seed oil and watch for itchies because the fish oil got in his fur and I had to bathe him. I couldn't get the smell out with a washcloth and I sure can't bathe him every day. The fur on his face is so thick it worked like a sponge. He's been fine for most of the day but has a little bloat now after dinner. It's not painful thank goodness. I have some yogurt I'll try, maybe put a little Benefiber in it. Gracie and Spike have been a breeze but my little Sugar man sure is a challenge!

[Yorkieluv]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

I would use fish oil. Flax can make some dogs itchy bc they can't convert it. I think flax is wonderful, but it just doesn't work for some dogs bc of its origin (grain derivative-ish).

As for the spinach...oh yeah...just like us humans, veggies can be very tough. Were you giving it raw? If so, that could be your answer right there. Raw veg is much tougher for these guys to digest than steamed and pureed. Even though you lose some nutrients by steaming, it is often so much easier for them to digest. When I do green beans, I would steam, then puree - and even then I could still see some pieces undigested in their stool - but it does help alkalize the system.

Hang in there, you'll find out the culprits as you go along!

I agree about the fish oil being better for some dogs. I would not recommend cod liver oil though. And yes, steamed veggies are easier on them...

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by Suzy

The reason behind this is that fish oils (like Cod Liver) are made with the LIVER ....

Btw, Nikki, I'm not talking about cod liver oil - and I'm pretty sure you already knew that bc we've posted about fish oils before (in the same post). Usually (at least on this board) when folks toss around the "fish oil" term, we're talking about salmon type oils. Just clarifying.

I'm so frustrated for you, I know exactly how it feels to have ongoing digestive issues!

[Yorkieluv]

I knew what you were talking about, Wylie's mom