Doodles - Sensitive Digestion?

[Mikol & Omni]

Hi all,

Just wondering if your doodles have really sensitive digestions?  Anytime our Omni gets any people food (not on purpose but we have a 2 year old human and things get dropped and snatched up), he has (pardon my TMI) major diarrhea for days.  It can also get caused by stress, like when I go out of town for a few days and he's here with my husband.  He's ok when he just eats his food and has no stress.  My previous dog, a Lab, could eat ANYTHING, and I mean anything, with no problems, so I have no experience with this.

Anyone else have this problem?  Any ideas what to do about it?  Took him to the vet the first two times but she just said it's a puppy thing and gave him antibiotics.

He's now 13 months and it's still happening.

Any advice would be appreciated.  He's totally potty trained otherwise, but nonetheless we are going to have to replace the carpet.

Thoughts?

Thanks,
Mikol & Omni

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It bothers me that your vet prescribed antibiotics without giving you a diagnosis. Was a stool culture done? Did it show anything?

The antibiotics don't help runny stools; they can actually make things worse because they destroy the good bacteria in the gut along with the bad. Dogs who are on antibiotics for a disease need to be given plain nonfat yogurt to help their digestive systems stay regulated. But I wouldn't give the meds without a good reason.

Thinking about the things most two year olds eat, I can see where the dog would become ill if he gets some of those things.

And things like raisins, choclate, or sugarless gum and candy can seriously harm your dog. It's really important that your child eat only when sitting at a table if he drops food where the dog can get it.

Are we sure that your DH isn't giving Omni table food or other "goodies" when you are out of town?

How old is Omni, and what does he normally eat?

[Mikol & Omni]

Omni is 13 months old.  He eats "Chicken Soup for the Dog Lovers Soul" - a high end dry food - and that's pretty much it.  An occasional organic peanut butter dog treat and/or rawhide bone.

 

Actually, I am very strict with the kid and he doesn't get raisins, candy, chocolate, gum, no processed sugar at all.  It's the occasional blueberry, lick of organic yogurt or waffle that the pup usually scavenges, and yes, even with the child always sitting in his high chair, with tray, at the table.  Sometimes things just drop or get thrown.  =)

 

We did a stool sample twice - it came back negative for anything.  And he's on heartworm, etc preventative.

 

Yes, DH doesn't give the dog people food either - he knows the result and it's no fun for any of us.

 

That's why I was asking advice.  I've tried pumpkin and it didn't seem to help much.  I will try the plain yogurt/probiotics next time he gets meds and will try just adding yogurt to his food to see if that helps him any.

 

Thanks for the input, Karen!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Chicken Soup is a decent food, but might not be the best choice if your dog has a sensitive stomach. I would suggest trying a grain-free food and see if that helps.

Adding plain yogurt (not vanilla) to his meals should help, too.

And I would ask the vet why he is prescribing antibiotics if there is no parasite or infection present.

 

[Mikol & Omni]

I'll try switching his food (slowly, I know) and/or adding the yogurt and see if it helps.  Thanks, Karen.

[Tracy L Boring]

Hello,
I had a beautiful Persian cat that that would periodically get bouts of upset tummy. We did all the necessary test. Everything came back good. The final diagnosis was Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Our veterinary suggested we changed his cat food to Wellness grain free cat food and put him on NaturaVet Enzymes and Probiotics. He did wonderful. I hope your adorable dog feels better soon.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Any time I hear that a vet has recommended a truly good food and not RX stuff, I'm so impressed. Hang on to that vet, he/she is a keeper!!!!!

[Tracy L Boring]

Karen,

I have been impressed with them.  They were excellent with my cat. They are taking good care of our two doodles now.