Anyone have experience with chronic diarrhea? I'm desperate!!!

[Dexter, Wrigley & Cheryl]

Both my doodles, golden and lab, have been suffering from chronic diarrhea for the past 3 months.  They've been tested and treated for any intestinal bugs -- nada.  The vet is stymied.  They do fine on homecooked bland diet and as soon as we begin to reintroduce commercial dog food (even prescription)with the homecooked meal,  the diarrhea comes back...in both dogs.  There's nothing new or different in their home environment....The vet believes it is a food intolerance or allergy.

Anyone out there have any experience or suggestions????

Cheryl, Dexter & Wrigley will be forever grateful for any input you may have.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Sophie had chronic diarrhea for her fist year. She had more runny or mushy poops than normals, no parasites or anything like that. She pretty much reacted to anything that wasn't her regular kibble (orijen) or a few trusted treats - basically rawhides, bones, chews, etc. Sometimes she'd react to nothing at all, and I was left to assume she got into something at the park or on a walk, or who knows what...

Then all of sudden I started feeding this new food for Winston's allergies, and put Sophie on it as well. Now she has the opposite problems. Little rabbit pellets that are difficult to pass. And now that Winston's food trial is ruined from all the Christmas treats, I'm thinking of going dehydrated too, but with a novel protein so that Winston can't possibly be allergic to it.

I came across this food from Australia called Addictions.  The protein source is from animals we don't have here like kangaroo and brushtail. http://usa.addictionfoods.com/ . I haven't looked into it yet, other than tracking down the web address for this post, but I'm going to read up. I'm wondering if anyone on this site has ever used it or heard of it. It is not cheap so I want to make sure it will be good.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Well, you may have just helped save JD's life, because I have been desperately searching for alternative protein foods and treats for him. The kangaroo kibble has grains, though, and the nutritional analysis is no better than what he's currently eating, which is California Naturals Kangaroo & Red Lentils. There may be some Addiction products that we could try if this food fails to help, though.

In terms of the Addiction products, I would say that the quality is excellent, and there are no unsafe ingredients. There's a huge variation between one product and another, in terms of macronutrients, and also some containing grains; you will need to avoid grains for Winnie's food trial. Also many of the products I looked at are very low in protein, which is my issue with the CN food JD is currently eating, along with the lack of EPA/DHA Omega 3 fatty acids, which are really only obtainable from fish sources, and are very important for dogs with skin issues. But you can always supplement with fish oil.

I would say, try the CN kangaroo formula before you spend this kind of $ for the Addiction products. The price is not much more than Orijen, and it does seem to be appealing flavorwise. Of course, JD is starving, so that may have something to do with how much he likes it. :)

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Thanks Karen. yea, I did notice the low protein content.

 

Is he getting any better?

 

 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Who knows? That's the hardest part of this, especially in the beginning. There's no way to know what's going on inside of him in terms of inflammation, and the steroids mask some of it. It's a long, bumpy road. :(

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

oh, and is it true that dehydrated is easier for their digestive systems to process than kibble?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Without a doubt.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Wouldn't that be wonderful if it works and a DK member was finally able to help YOU in a time of need. That would be fantastic as we all are trying so hard to help come up with answers and solutions for you. I'm sure you'll let us know how it goes if you do decide to try Addictions.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

LOL- I have a box of the dehydrated raw kangaroo formula coming Friday, so I will definitely let you know.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

I bought the CN kangaroo formula last night and the doodles LOVED it! I'm going to give it a go.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Good, keep us posted!

[Moe]

Could it be a change in your water? My friend's dog is very sensitive to tap water. She started getting jugs of distilled water and it helped a lot.

[Donna]

Yes, we are finally on a food that is helping.  We've tried everything.  Bella is now on a prescription food that is potatoe and soy based.  Her treats are prescription and hydrolozyed and finally she is feeling better.  She may stay on tylan which is an antibiotic for the gastro-intestinal track. 

She has to be on a grain and wheat  free diet.  I stopped giving her treats that were grain and wheat free because they had molasses in them. Sometimes, it's just one ingrediant reeking havoc with them.