Poop everywhere...

[Melissa Hazlip]

So for the past week 80% of our mornings have started with finding Luna covered in poop in her crate. She barked the first time it happened at 4am, and we cleaned everything up. She seemed to have a lot of tummy issues, and then was fine for two days. This cycle has continued for a week now, and we aren't sure what to do. The vet said she is fine, we ran three different tests. she will go a day or two with no problems, and then randomly one morning we find her covered again. She isn't acting weird or sick. She doesn't have tummy troubles during the day, and doesn't have any other accidents at all!

We are moving at the moment, but this started the day before we moved, so I'm not sure it's linked to that.

Any other ideas? Does it sound like it's a behavior issue or something more?!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It can sometimes be difficult to diagnose giardia; the cysts may not be present in every stool sample. so it's possible that she does have an intestinal parasite. But even if it's not, I don't think this is behvaioral. No normal dog wants to poop in a confined space and have to sit in it. That's why she barked to let you know she had to go out at 4 a.m.

Is she being fed on a schedule? What time does she get her last meal of the day? Is she getting treats at night? Is she taken out before bed and do you supervise her so that you know if she has "gone" or not?

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Do you have the divider in her crate so that she basically only has room to turn around in the crate?  If she has too much room that could be the problem.  What time are you feeding dinner?  Are you making sure to get her out to potty (pee and poo) before bedtime?  Those would be my thoughts! 

[John, Michelle & Teddy]

Sounds just like our current experience this past week with our 12 wk old doodle. Definately not the size of the crate space as I had it as small as I felt was humane last night. Was a mess this morning. We are going to keep him closer tonight to see if he gives warning.

We had our second vet appt last Wednesday and took a stool sample but haven't heard back. Will call tomorrow to see if any sign of parasite as was suggested above. Thanks for posting this, you aren't the only one! ; )

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

I am FAR from an expert, but your "poop everywhere" reminded me of an experience we had many years ago - with our kitten.  He had episodes of diarrhea as a baby.  In fact, the night we brought him home, he pooped all over my daughter (with whom he was sleeping) and her bed.  She tried to clean everything up herself, but got sick in the process.  I woke up to a sick daughter, a poopy kitten, and a giant mess!  We took Hercules to the vet - he could find nothing wrong.  His diagnosis was idiopathic juvenile diarrhea - in other words, a baby cat that has the runs for no apparent reason.  He suggested Kaopectate, which helped a lot.  Fortunately, he outgrew the problem.  Unfortunately, now that he's an old cat, his periodic diarrhea has returned.  The Circle of Life!!!