Poop Question

[Deanna M.]

Hi everyone! This is my first post although I have picked up a ton of good info on this site! Looking to pick your brains! lol

We got our 8 month old F-1 standard goldendoodle, Sulley, at 9 and a half weeks. His poop has never been really firm but well formed and easy enough to pick up. It has also always been a tan like in colour. He had one incident at about 5 months with some pudding like stool over a couple days and we took him to the vet and as he had recently passed a tube sock (!) the vet figured his bowels were irritated and prescribed some meds and he was fine.

So a few days ago he started having pudding like stools again. No increase in volume that I can tell but instead of doing it in one "sitting" he might do it over 2-3 squats. No change in the colour.

He has been completely normal in all other aspects and it has been hot here, there was a big rain and wind storm and I had been away for a few days so I thought he might be a bit stressed. I added a tbsp of pumpkin to his meals on Sunday and since then the stool is formed fine but really mushy. He still poops over 2-3 squats.

Is this something to be concerned about? Should I keep giving him the pumpkin? He hasn't had anything new in his diet and we are not aware of him having eaten anything he shouldn't (although I know that's always possible).

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

I would be concerned about another sock.  I would check in with the vet  - seems like the same behavior as the first sock incident which fortunately had a happy outcome, so to speak!  I am sure others with experience with this type of thing will check in! 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'd have the vet run a fecal. It's possible he picked up a parasite. It's also possible he got another sock or something similar, too. Stress related digestive issues usually resolve in a day or two. If it goes on longer than that, there's probably something else going on. 

In the meantime, you can continue giving the pumpkin (you can also use mashed sweet potatoes) for fiber, but I'd also start him on a good probiotic. Proviable DC capsules would be my choice, you can order them on-line.

And please join us in the Food Group and the Health & Medical Group for lots of info on poop issues and lots more. :) 

[Gail and Bailey]

What meds did the vet prescribe after the sock event?    If it was an antibiotic then his tummy may be trying to get back in balance and the Proviable DC that Karen suggested will help in time.

[Deanna M.]

So went to the vet today and he thinks Sulley's bowels may just be irritated. They did a fecal test and nothing showed up. He did prescribe metronidazole for 5 days which I don't want to give him, I didn't realize what it was until I came home and googled it on this site. Should I just keep up with the pumpkin and use the Proviable DC when I get it and see if it clears up?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Did he say what he thinks could cause a bowel "irritation"? Bowels don't just get irritated by themselves, lol. Did he do a physical exam? Is he sure there's not another sock or something in there?

You are right not to give the metronidazole. It should never be given without a good reason, i.e. a clear diagnosis of an infection.

I'd continue with the pumpkin & use the Proviable when it arrives. Hopefully that will help.

[Geri]

Years ago we had a dalmation that ate a very thin knee sock, called the vet and he said to give her some hydogen peroxide, she threw it up immediately.

Needless to say, about another hour passed and she ate the mate.

Not sure if this is the cure now days, but it's better to get it out before it can get digested.

Maybe there is too much pumpkin. Brenna was constipated, gave her the pumpkin and her stool was orangy.

But she is pooping just fine now. Not going to give it to her 2x a day, just a bit in her kibble.