Mushy Gooey Pooey

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by Sloan

The Natural Balance kibble was the small bites and the Innova Puppy Formula only comes in one size kibble....and they really aren't big at all. He is close to 2 1/2 lbs. So are you thinking he may be allergic to chicken &/or barley or just sensitive to those two ingredients?

I'm more concerned about the chicken than the barley, but grain can be an issue when the system is already irritated. Many dogs have issues with chicken - at least, the chicken that ends up in kibble (and the form it's in).

So, trying a fish kibble would be a good idea bc it's a way of eliminating chicken and seeing if it's the culprit once and for all. Also, fish is considered a very easy and hypoallergenic protein for dogs - so the hope is that it'll give your baby's system a rest.

If this doesn't help, a more radical approach might be necessary. I switched to homecooking and then raw. So, there are other options.

Another food to think about is Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream - again, I don't know the kibble size, but it would be a good match.

Supplements could help too, but I think adding one thing at a time is good here since his stools are really not that bad.

[Sloan]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

I'm more concerned about the chicken than the barley, but grain can be an issue when the system is already irritated. Many dogs have issues with chicken - at least, the chicken that ends up in kibble (and the form it's in).

So, trying a fish kibble would be a good idea bc it's a way of eliminating chicken and seeing if it's the culprit once and for all. Also, fish is considered a very easy and hypoallergenic protein for dogs - so the hope is that it'll give your baby's system a rest.

If this doesn't help, a more radical approach might be necessary. I switched to homecooking and then raw. So, there are other options.

Another food to think about is Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream - again, I don't know the kibble size, but it would be a good match.

Supplements could help too, but I think adding one thing at a time is good here since his stools are really not that bad.

Ok, thank you Ann! You are such a sweetheart for helping me through this with my Little Jockey Boy. I will see which of the stores near me carry the Wellness Fish Formula and gradually switch him to that and see if that makes the difference. If you think of anything else, just let me know. I will check out the size of the kibble too and get back to you on that so you will know.

Hard to have two pups on two different foods....maybe I will eventually switch Derby to it also.

One last question, at what age do you switch from puppy to adult dog food if it isn't the all stage type food?

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by Sloan

Ok, thank you Ann! You are such a sweetheart for helping me through this with my Little Jockey Boy. I will see which of the stores near me carry the Wellness Fish Formula and gradually switch him to that and see if that makes the difference. If you think of anything else, just let me know. I will check out the size of the kibble too and get back to you on that so you will know.

Hard to have two pups on two different foods....maybe I will eventually switch Derby to it also.

One last question, at what age do you switch from puppy to adult dog food if it isn't the all stage type food?

You're welcome ! I know what you're going through, so I'm so happy to help - if I can. It may not solve it, but we'll see. At least you can look at 2: Wellness and Taste of the Wild (maybe TotW is smaller?).

As for switching, usually you do it around 7 mths. - but when something like this is going on, don't even worry about doing this earlier - it's so important to figure out what's going on w/ these mushy stools, it's just not normal at all. From here, you might consider fiber supplementing and cooking and supplements and appointments and on and on, but I would try this first since fecals were so clear.

Plus, the real difference btwn puppy and adult foods is really so nominal that in many cases, it's just marketing . So, it's all good. Derby may go nutty for the fish kibble, so be warned!

[Sloan]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

You're welcome ! I know what you're going through, so I'm so happy to help - if I can. It may not solve it, but we'll see. At least you can look at 2: Wellness and Taste of the Wild (maybe TotW is smaller?).

As for switching, usually you do it around 7 mths. - but when something like this is going on, don't even worry about doing this earlier - it's so important to figure out what's going on w/ these mushy stools, it's just not normal at all. From here, you might consider fiber supplementing and cooking and supplements and appointments and on and on, but I would try this first since fecals were so clear.

Plus, the real difference btwn puppy and adult foods is really so nominal that in many cases, it's just marketing . So, it's all good. Derby may go nutty for the fish kibble, so be warned!

Ok, so your advice is to go with whichever of the 2 Fish Type Kibble is the smaller one? Because I found a feed store here that carries both....I will see if they have samples first.

Thanks again & I will keep you posted on how it goes.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by Sloan

Ok, so your advice is to go with whichever of the 2 Fish Type Kibble is the smaller one? Because I found a feed store here that carries both....I will see if they have samples first.

Thanks again & I will keep you posted on how it goes.

Yep. I do like the Wellness better - but at his size, I'd go with the smaller kibble. I mean, you *could* smash the kibble into smaller bits with a mallet or something too, lol! Lotta work though....

So great that they have BOTH, wonderful!

[TLC]

oh yes, smashing kibble - been there

When TJ was having the mucus poops, we first tried the food allergy test. I switched him to a Duck and Potato flavor - Natural Balance also carries it. Unfortunately, it didn't stop and we went to the blood testing, and that's where we found that TJ's folate levels were sky high, without doing a biopsy, the Vet could venture to guess he had an overgrowth of bacteria in his small intestines, IBD - we tried the metrodolize (sp - I have no idea ) and it didn't help either, that's when we tried the Tylan powder, and that's what helped TJ. He had to be on it for a year, but now he's good as new.

I am hoping for your little fella that the change in food will indeed stop these poop episodes...oh and the noise that would come from TJ, I swear these was a monster in there...poor baby...

Keep us posted, give the new food a try, but if it continues, I would suggest doing a blood panel to see if anything is off

[Sloan]

Originally Posted by TLC

oh yes, smashing kibble - been there

When TJ was having the mucus poops, we first tried the food allergy test. I switched him to a Duck and Potato flavor - Natural Balance also carries it. Unfortunately, it didn't stop and we went to the blood testing, and that's where we found that TJ's folate levels were sky high, without doing a biopsy, the Vet could venture to guess he had an overgrowth of bacteria in his small intestines, IBD - we tried the metrodolize (sp - I have no idea ) and it didn't help either, that's when we tried the Tylan powder, and that's what helped TJ. He had to be on it for a year, but now he's good as new.

I am hoping for your little fella that the change in food will indeed stop these poop episodes...oh and the noise that would come from TJ, I swear these was a monster in there...poor baby...

Keep us posted, give the new food a try, but if it continues, I would suggest doing a blood panel to see if anything is off

Thank you & I will keep that in mind if switching the kibble doesn't help. My goodness sounds like you & TJ went through a lot to get to the bottom of his issues. Wowie, it's so hard to know what they have going on.

And yes, the noises from Jockey, it reminds me of when I've had food poisoning before and feeling like I should never leave the toilet.....he stays pretty close to the pee pad and gets the majority of it on there but sometimes there are a few little gloppy drips that don't make it & I know he feels bad about it, my little sweetie.

How long should I give the new kibble to see if it is helping? Will I notice one way or the other in a week? A few weeks? Because I know I need to make that switch so gradual. Thanks again.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by TLC

oh yes, smashing kibble - been there

When TJ was having the mucus poops, we first tried the food allergy test. I switched him to a Duck and Potato flavor - Natural Balance also carries it. Unfortunately, it didn't stop and we went to the blood testing, and that's where we found that TJ's folate levels were sky high, without doing a biopsy, the Vet could venture to guess he had an overgrowth of bacteria in his small intestines, IBD - we tried the metrodolize (sp - I have no idea ) and it didn't help either, that's when we tried the Tylan powder, and that's what helped TJ. He had to be on it for a year, but now he's good as new.

LOL!! Me too, TLC, me too!

For us, the Metro and Tylan made Marcel's issues waaaay worse (though better the 1st few days) - and I found out this can be the case for quite a few dogs with these meds. Then, for some other dogs - Tylan is great.

But for us, all along - the key was going all the way back to basics - and that was really just the most hypoallergenic diet (which allows the small intestine to rest) - and then using that time to support/heal the system, if necessary, with supplements. For example, if a baby's system had been under attack from giardia/ibd/ibs/colitis - you'd use this time to supplement/heal the intestine w/ probiotics, notatum (or whatever), digestive enzymes, fiber, and other things that bring the intestine back to balance. (this is more assuming a homecooked diet, btw)

So, the ultimate solution is different for different dogs - but Sloan, you've got at least 2 peeps here who've been in your shoes - so you have a lot of support.

[Sloan]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

LOL!! Me too, TLC, me too!

For us, the Metro and Tylan made Marcel's issues waaaay worse (though better the 1st few days) - and I found out this can be the case for quite a few dogs with these meds. Then, for some other dogs - Tylan is great.

But for us, all along - the key was going all the way back to basics - and that was really just the most hypoallergenic diet (which allows the small intestine to rest) - and then using that time to support/heal the system, if necessary, with supplements. For example, if a baby's system had been under attack from giardia/ibd/ibs/colitis - you'd use this time to supplement/heal the intestine w/ probiotics, notatum (or whatever), digestive enzymes, fiber, and other things that bring the intestine back to balance. (this is more assuming a homecooked diet, btw)

So, the ultimate solution is different for different dogs - but Sloan, you've got at least 2 peeps here who've been in your shoes - so you have a lot of support.

Yay! Jockey & I feel very fortunate to have you both on our team!!! I hope we get to the BOTTOM of this real soon. heehee

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by Sloan

How long should I give the new kibble to see if it is helping? Will I notice one way or the other in a week? A few weeks? Because I know I need to make that switch so gradual. Thanks again.

Because of the protracted issues he's had, he could have some detox time, but it'll be interesting to see how he does in the first 3-4 days. I would hope to see some firming during or just after that (meaning, within 3-6 days AFTER you've fully transitioned him). Then I'd give the kibble at least 3-4 weeks to fully judge it. If you don't see a change within 2 weeks, I have some fiber ideas for you. Also, with this baby - everything could take longer bc of his history - then again, he could surprise us.

Marcel has mushy (and bloody/mucousy - the whole bit) for 4 months straight. When I got him on a homecooked fish diet, he had a firm poo 1.5 days later!!! I mean, WOW.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by Sloan

Yay! Jockey & I feel very fortunate to have you both on our team!!! I hope we get to the BOTTOM of this real soon. heehee

LOL!!! Loving it!!!!

[Sloan]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Because of the protracted issues he's had, he could have some detox time, but it'll be interesting to see how he does in the first 3-4 days. I would hope to see some firming during or just after that (meaning, within 3-6 days AFTER you've fully transitioned him). Then I'd give the kibble at least 3-4 weeks to fully judge it. If you don't see a change within 2 weeks, I have some fiber ideas for you. Also, with this baby - everything could take longer bc of his history - then again, he could surprise us.

Marcel has mushy (and bloody/mucousy - the whole bit) for 4 months straight. When I got him on a homecooked fish diet, he had a firm poo 1.5 days later!!! I mean, WOW.

I hope the kibble works but if not, maybe you should start lining up your Fish Diet Recipes for me. I don't want to jump the gun here & I won't, i am definitely gonna try the kibble route first but I'm curious....do you fix his meals the same each time or switch them up a bit? How big is Marcel and how old is he? Just curious because he reminds me of my little Jockey in so many ways.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by Sloan

I hope the kibble works but if not, maybe you should start lining up your Fish Diet Recipes for me. I don't want to jump the gun here & I won't, i am definitely gonna try the kibble route first but I'm curious....do you fix his meals the same each time or switch them up a bit? How big is Marcel and how old is he? Just curious because he reminds me of my little Jockey in so many ways.

We moved on from homecooking looong ago to raw. So, now we do the Natures Variety Raw Frozen Medallions. I think homecooking is wonderful - but got so tired of all the supplement balancing, which is so important - but I found it so tedious. With raw, the nutrition is 100% complete, bc none of the natural enzymes/nutrition are cooked out of the meat - and they get the calcium from the ground, natural bones. After doing a lot of research - I really found raw most species-appropriate. The animal nutritionist I worked with (via phone, she is out of California) for Marcel developed his fish diet and she was also *thrilled* when I brought up my desire of switching him to raw (though she loves homecooking too). Marcel made the switch to raw without a single issue! So, you can see there are a lot of options for ya ! Marcel will be 2 in December and weighs 3.4 pounds.

And if you do need to move to homecooking a fish diet for a while, I'll help you figure it out . I used to cook a bunch at once and store it in the fridge. Now, I just toss medallions in the bowl and we're done!

[margy]

I switched Buster from the Nature's Balance to Wellness, fish and sweet potato. He loves it and is doing well with it. He had an ear infection, which the vet said was caused by something he was eating. The vet encouraged me not to give him any treats at all.

[Sloan]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

We moved on from homecooking looong ago to raw. So, now we do the Natures Variety Raw Frozen Medallions. I think homecooking is wonderful - but got so tired of all the supplement balancing, which is so important - but I found it so tedious. With raw, the nutrition is 100% complete, bc none of the natural enzymes/nutrition are cooked out of the meat - and they get the calcium from the ground, natural bones. After doing a lot of research - I really found raw most species-appropriate. The animal nutritionist I worked with (via phone, she is out of California) for Marcel developed his fish diet and she was also *thrilled* when I brought up my desire of switching him to raw (though she loves homecooking too). Marcel made the switch to raw without a single issue! So, you can see there are a lot of options for ya ! Marcel will be 2 in December and weighs 3.4 pounds.

And if you do need to move to homecooking a fish diet for a while, I'll help you figure it out . I used to cook a bunch at once and store it in the fridge. Now, I just toss medallions in the bowl and we're done!

Just wanted to update you on Jockey. I switched both him and Derby over to Taste of the Wild and it has been much better. He has firm poos now but it isn't all of the time....it's almost every other poo is a bit mushy. So we have improvement and that's great but I'm wondering if I should try the Wellness food or throw in some RAW? What do you think?