Upset Tummy and Diarrhea

[Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles]

Skye is having tummy problems again. I began by feeding him boiled chicken and steamed rice. Is their anything else I can add to firm up his stools?  He is off his regular food. I don't know yet if it is a food issue or if he picked up something outside. Sadie has no symptoms. They both play and walk together so it is likely that she would be exposed to the same things. We are currently adding on to our house. My husband believes the stress of the change may be affecting Skye. He is a sweet, sensitive boy. He seemed so happy when I fed him the chicken and boiled rice but we woke up to loose stools and diarrhea all over the hallway. Any suggestions and advice are appreciated.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

You need to get a fecal test done ASAP. It's very possible that he has giardia, and Skye either didn't get it or hers hasn't shown up yet. Stress diarrhea rarely lasts more than a day, and even if this is Irritable Bowel Syndrome, which can be brought on by stress, it usually responds very well to a homemade bland diet. I am sure this is not caused by his food. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Call the vet first and ask if you can just bring in the samples or if they want to see the dogs, too. 

[Ginny Nightingale]

I agree with Karen--but I will also add that for some dogs, chicken can be irritating too--after you get the stool test, try hamburger (well-drained) and rice.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

If this is giardia, it isn't going to make any difference if you use chicken, hamburger, or any other protein source. I can promise you the problem is not chicken. But if you want to try the hamburger, use 90% lean ground beef, drain off the fat after cooking, and then rinse it in hot water. High fat foods can exacerbate diarrhea.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Tigger has had giardia three times and Roo never, some dogs are just much more suscetable. After the fecal check To help with the symptoms add canned pumpkin to his diet, it will really help firm up his stools, does nothing for the cause, though. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I use cooked sweet potatoes instead of rice. More fiber and works better for many dogs, especially those on a grain-free diet. And if you use sweet potatoes, you don't need pumpkin. Pumpkin is used to firm stools because it's high in fiber, but sweet potatoes are even higher.