Scrabble has digestive issues

[Judy and Scrabbledoodle]

Scrabble has had digestive issues since we have had him. He is three years old. The breeder had him on Solid Gold puppy formula, lamb based. He yalways had very soft poop. As we attempted to transition him to adult food, our real problems began. We tried every high quality food you can imagine and each one caused him to have diarrhea after several days. He even ended up in the emergency clinic with hemorrhagic gastroenteritis. It is very stressful. I am embarrassed to tell you this Karen, but the only food he can tolerate is WD. I supplement each meal with home cooked boiled chicken, boiled Hamburg, rice and pumpkin. I would LOVE for him to eat a high quality kibble. Any thoughts or suggestions? We have a one year old cockapoo who has an iron tummy!

[Judy and Scrabbledoodle]

Hi Karen! Thank you so much for caring. We have just moved back to our winter home, still visiting Cape Cod on weekends. I discussed the timing with my Vet today. I really want to be in the Boston area when I switch. I just feel confident about the care here. How long should Scrabble be on the Proviable prior to the introduction of the Wellness? You just mean the pills, not the paste, right?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Well, the paste might not be a bad idea if his issues are really severe. I think they sell both as a kit. But at least the capsules. I'd give them for a week or so before making the switch, and then continue them for at least a month. 

[Judy and Scrabbledoodle]

Do you order them online? I think I might get the paste just to have it on hand.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It's only available on line or from a few vets.

[Judy and Scrabbledoodle]

Hi Karen! We have now returned to our home in the Boston area. I have started Scrabble on Proviable. I purchased the Wellness food. I am now nervously plotting out our next moves. I will follow your directions, giving Scrabble the new food as treats. I want so much for this to work for him. How long should he be on Proviable before I start the kibble as treats and then for meals? If this works, fingers crossed, I think I will continue the Proviable for a period of time. He has had it before during a few of his episodes. ( the paste and pills)
Also, because I am feeding him chicken, Hamburg, pumpkin and rice, to supplement his WD, shall I continue that with the Wellness?thanks soooo much for sharing all of your knowledge!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I think you can start the Simple Solutions as treats after a few days on the Proviable, and progress slowly from there. I would definitely continue the Proviable for at least a month after he's transitioned to the new diet. 

Once you're feeding at least one meal per day of the Simple Solutions, you can discontinue the homemade food...but I have a feeling that won't be easy, lol. At least you can cut it back to just a "topping". :)

Please keep us posted. 

[Judy and Scrabbledoodle]

Thanks so much Karen. I'm sure you're right about my inability to completely discontinue the homemade food. Scrabble is no fool. I will keep in touch. Thank you again!

[Judy and Scrabbledoodle]

Karen! So you know we are on course with Scrabble's food change! I am superstitious enough not to be elated! However, we are very much on our way to being only on Wellness! I am so optimistic. He is doing great. One weird thing.... Scrabble never drank water. But he does now.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks for the update, Judy. I'm glad that Scrabble is doing well thus far. I have no explanation for his new interest in drinking water, but it's a good thing, lol! 

[Judy and Scrabbledoodle]

Keeping in touch with you! Thank you so much for all you have done for us. All summer, I had to add water to his food. Not now. He drinks it on his own. Not tons, but just normal! Feeling positive about his diet! Will keep in touch!

[Gcoronado4]

i joined this group because Lucy is having the same issues as you have described ! Lucy had giardia when wHen we brought her home from the breeder. It took us three rounds of antibiotics to finally cure her. Her stool was great when she was on antibiotics but after we stopped giving them to her she would have diarrhea again. We have also had her on probiotics that were prescribed by her vet. Knowing that it is probably her food that is ruining her tummy, we have transitioned a couple times though various brands-orijen and taste of the wild. Our vet has suggested that we try her on a prescription diet like the science diet. Has anyone tried this before ? I would really like to also stay away from brands like Iams and purina... Any suggestions?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Please read through some of our discussions here in TFG. We have discussed these issues many, many times. We have a list of recommended food brands and treat brands here (neither Iams nor Purina is on it), we have many discussions about the reasons you want to avoid Rx food when possible, and the fact that vets do not study nutrition in vet school, and what information they do have is provided by Science Diet & Purina salespeople. 

Lucy's problem is not that her food is ruining her tummy (depending of course on what you are feeding). Her problem lies with the three rounds of antibiotics that your vet prescribed for the giardia. Most likely, it was metronidazole, which many vets are quick to prescribe for any case of diarrhea even though it is not the most effective treatment for giardia (that would be the much safer Panacur), and can have ongoing side effects. What you describe is very common...the stool is great until the drugs are discontinued, and then the diarrhea comes roaring back. This is because metronidazole destroys the good bacteria in the gut which is necessary for proper stool formation along with the bad bacteria, which can result in an ongoing bacterial imbalance. Even though you gave probiotics, they were most likely Fortiflora, which is a Purina product that also contains some very nasty "flavoring" ingredients, and you most likely were not told that the probiotic must be given at least two hours apart from the meds, and that it must be continued for a couple of weeks after the meds are discontinued. 

Repeated courses of metronidazole and dewormers in puppies is believed to contribute to the development of intestinal disease.

A prescription diet is not the answer. Most of them are full of junk, and none of them contain any medicine or therapeutic ingredients whatsoever. 

My advice to you would be similar to my advice to Judy. First, establish some good gut bacteria with Proviable probiotics. 

What kind of treats and food is Lucy getting? How old is she?