Their poop is like pudding . . . What next?

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

Without going into an overly long and detailed description, about a month ago, Charlotte got some sort of a virus, which Wally then caught. Both have had diarrhea (plus, vomiting early on and bloody stools), which I cannot get firmed up, despite multiple trips to see doctors and several different home-remedy food concoctions. Their BMs has been tested twice each, they have received fluids and anti-nausea drugs. Charlotte's blood was tested, as well. Both dogs are acting perfectly normal now. However, try as I might, I can't figure out how to get their bowel movements to be firm. We have tried various combinations of white rice, boiled ground chicken, probiotics, organic yogurt, pumpkin, psyllium, bentonite clay and slippery-elm bark -- and still, they have very soft stools. After the first two weeks of diarrhea, they were on flagyl. They have seen four different regular veterinarians at two offices, plus were examined and treated by an emergency veterinarian. Again, they are behaving like their happy selves, and other than loose stools, they appear to be healthy. What next???

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I just wish I could be of more help with this. 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Since this chicken/rice bland diet even with the probiotics doesn't seem to be working, I might try completely changing it.  I'd boil some very lean ground beef (90%) and be sure to drain every bit of fat...mix that with sweet potato and stop all treats for now. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

This is a good idea. 

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

Thanks, Jane. Originally, I was giving them white rice mixed with lean ground beef that I boiled and drained. About a week ago, I switched to boiled ground chicken breast, thinking that for some reason the beef might be too difficult for them to digest. I haven't tried the sweet potato and chicken mixture yet, but will do so after (hopefully) getting the go-ahead from our vet later today. I have continued to mix in powdered slippery elm bark, and add water to the rice/chicken/slippery elm/probiotic concoction. Charlotte and Wally seem to be feeling just fine; it's me who is wiped out. Oh, and for treats, they are just getting a palmful of the rice-meat blend. 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I know how frustrating it is.  I went through years of digestive issues before Murph's IBD diagnosis.  Eventually even the home cooking didn't work and now the poor guy is on RX food and it kills me that's the only thing he can eat.  I really admire you for sticking with this....I'm sure you'll get to the bottom of it.  Unfortunately with the food sometimes it's more about trial and error than science.  My Guinness has IBS which we've been able to manage by feeding home cooked white meat chicken mixed with Honest Kitchen dehydrated.  He has been on that diet for a couple of years now and does great.  Good luck and please keep us posted.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm thinking you might ask your vet about Tylan. It's a very benign antibiotic used for digestive diseases; both Jane's Murphy and my Jack are on it long term. Up until the past year, you didn't even need a prescription for it. It does seem to help when there is bacterial overgrowth in the colon, and it probably won't hurt even if it doesn't help. It's actually an ingredient in that Angel Eyes stuff that people use for tear staining, (or it was), so safe enough to be used for cosmetic purposes. 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

That's a great thought....it made a difference for Murph.  He eventually ended up with several other meds as well but I did notice improvement right away with the Tylan.

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

I spoke with our vet late this afternoon, and he said to feed them an-equal parts mixture of boiled ground chicken breast, mashed sweet potatoe, and white rice. To that, I am to add the contents of one capsule of Proviable DC, and they are to eat this combination twice a day. If by Saturday, I don't see an improvement, I'll start to give them Tylan, as well. I sure hope this works. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I wonder why your vet is so set on including rice in the mixture. Did he comment about that at all? 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I really like that your vet isn't pushing the RX food at this point.  This sounds like a good approach although like Karen I wonder about the rice.  Fingers and paws crossed that this works.

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

It appears that the sweet potato is working its magic. Fingers, toes and paws crossed that we are on the right path towards firming them up. This morning, I began the process of adding kibble to their meals -- very slowly. Wally got six pieces in with his breakfast and Charlotte got three. Slowly, but surely, is the plan, as I don't want to go backwards. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

This is good news. I'd also recommend eliminating or at least cutting back on the rice, even though I understand that you might hesitate to do something contrary to your's vet's advice. :)

Please keep us posted.