Poop issues

[Amy]

We are having poop issues with our 7 month old mini GD. This may be a little long but want to get you all of the potentially relevant facts.

1. We did a food change from Iams puppy to Wellness Complete Puppy about 2 months ago. On Iams she pooped 4 times a day. Smaller amounts each time. Well formed. After change, she poops 1-2 a day but lots at once.

2. Poop is inconsistent. Sometimes the first bit will be formed and the rest mushy. Sometimes mushy, occasionally "pudding pile". I know--- eww. Most often mushy. Looks formed but when you pick it up it is mushy.

3. Eating and drinking normally. Has energy.

4. Sometimes walks around after she has pooped like she is trying to go more but doesn't. Tummy ache?

5. Have tried a fast and rice/boiled hamburger. Helped while on that diet but returned when we went back to Kibble.

Should we try a different food? I am planning to take her in to get a stool sample run because this has gone on so long. But it seems like it is food related to me since it got better when off the kibble?

Help food experts!!!

[Amy]

I just wanted to update!  Bleu's stool sample came back negative for giardia and parasites. However, she has an overgrowth of bacteria.  We put her on metro for a week.  Just went off it yesterday. I have continued giving her the probiotic (Proviable DC) 4 hours after the metro.  Planning to continue the Proviable.  Stools were awesome while on metro but we shall see. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The stool is always awesome on the metro; it's after you discontinue it that you have problems, because the metro has destroyed all of the bacteria in the gut, including the good flora that is necessary for proper stool formation. It's crucial that you continue the probiotics for several weeks. Good luck. 

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Good luck. We went through this with Peri around that age.  It finally got all evened out (the good bacteria came back!)

[Kaye guelfo]

I'm late to this conversation, but it sooo fits what my 6 month old is doing.  Most times she can hold her poop through the night, it's during the day we have an issue. During the day she cannot  hold her poop for 8 hours and has had 2 small (very small) accidents in her crate,(very recently)  (unfortunantly, that's how we r finding out how long she can hold it.).  She goes right after breakfast, plays around for 45 min then goes into her crate.   She will poo 2-3 decent size  piles one after the other and it's the same consistancy as what you described. Her's is a yellow/lt golden brown, and she will poop 3-4 x a day also. What do you suggest?  The vet has tested her stools and says everything is normal.  Is there a specific test I should be asking for?  Does she need to be on a probiotic? I'm lost on this one.  The vet says she should be able to hold her poop for AT LEAST 8 hours but sometimes she can't and I feel horrible if she poos in her crate.  I just don't think that's normal.  My husband and I are doing what we can to go home during the day to let her out so I'm concerned as to if this is a digestive issue or just still a potty training one.  She was eating Taste of the Wild and I just started switching her over to Fromm to see it the food makes a difference.  Any advice is greatly appreciated.