Another diarrhea post... what to consider?

[Kaitlin and Ludo]

My sister has an 8 month old ALD named Lola who is experiencing some ongoing diarrhea issues.

This is really the second time this has happened, the last time was a few months ago, my sister discovered that she was eating pieces of acorns that squirrels had been dropping in her yard.  The vet gave her metro (yes, i know and have the same reservations about giving metro when there isn't an indication of bacterial infection) and it cleared things up with a bland diet and the metro.

Fast forward to now and Lola has diarrhea again and she's into her second week.  My sister started with a bland diet of chicken and rice and it didn't seem to help-- she changed to sweet potato and chicken when she noticed Lola wasn't digesting the rice.  Sweet Potato and chicken seemed to help.  She took a stool sample in and there was no bacterial infection.  The vet again gave metro and I gave her some Proviable DC I had to start giving to her immediately.  She firmed up on metro but per the vet's instruction, she transitioned back to kibble and she's back to diarrhea and very strong gas.

Can anyone give some advice or thoughts about what to consider next?  I've suggested maybe she could have developed a sensitivity to rice?  She could be eating something in the yard... I don't know that I think she's at risk for giardia or something like that... she hasn't been anywhere that she would have come into contact with it.

She's going back to sweet potato and chicken for now, but she'd like to have some ideas to take back to the vet for their input.

Thanks a million!  Oh, and here's a picture of the sweet little lamb because who can resist a perfect chocolate puppy? 

[Trudy Harlow]

Is it possible it’s the kibble? Possibly she’s reacting to chicken? If she’s got recurring diarrhea, I’d be looking at her diet as well. By the way, back in the old days when I fed my dog rice (he’s raw fed now), my vet advised me to use Minute Rice since it’s more digestible than regular.

[Kaitlin and Ludo]

That's what we're wondering now.  I remember reading somewhere (I think a la Karen) that this would be around the age where food sensitivities would show.  However, if it were the kibble, I would think that she wouldn't have that long period between the two diarrhea episodes. She eats Fromm Puppy Gold, so it's at least a very high-quality food.  That's a good note about the minute rice-- I had not heard or considered that!!

Thanks for taking the time to reply, Trudy.  I really appreciate it (and so do my sister and Lola!)

[sandy b]

You might try switching to a grain free food. The Fromm puppy gold has brown rice and you mentioned the chicken and rice didn’t help but sweet potato and chicken did. 

[Kaitlin and Ludo]

Thanks, Sandy.  I think she is going to try just that and see if it helps!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Try not just a grain-free food, but a limited ingredient, single protein diet. Wellness Simple Solutions, Acana's Singles line, or anything from Zignature other than the Zssentials formula. 

Be sure to give the probiotics at least two hours apart from any antibiotics, and longer is better. You need to continue the probiotics for several weeks.

And I would not give her any more metronidazole. It is notorious for causing the diarrhea to return after it is discontinued, because it destroys all the good gut bacteria which is necessary for proper stool formation. 
And I would have the vet run a fecal, just in case.

[Kaitlin and Ludo]

Thanks, Karen.  Is it usually better to stick with a familiar protein (chicken is something she's used to) or is it best to try a new one?

I'll pass all this along.  I am with you on the metronidazole-- it's not something I would have chosen to give, for that very reason.  But what's done is done where that is concerned.  I know she is following those guidelines for the probiotic already but it sounds like it'll be a while until we see any *real* benefit.

The vet ran a fecal last week and it came back clear.  She might have another one done to test for things like giardia but I would be SERIOUSLY shocked if she had picked giardia up somewhere.

Thanks again, you are a treasure to the DK community and my heart is broken for your loss.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thank you, Kaitlin.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It would be unusual for an mo old to have developed a food allergy; those usually don;t start until a dog is two to three years old.
But the LID lines I listed don't make a chicken variety anyway, and it's not a bad idea to try a different protein source when you suspect a food sensitivity.

[Lisa Duarte]

Hi I'm new to this site and group. Not trying to hijack this post, but we are experiencing this same thing with our 8 month old Australian Labradoodle. He was just on Tylan for about 3 weeks. He just got off it on Thursday, but now tonight the repeated pooping started. He acts fine and has been eating normally. He's on Earthborn Puppy food, which isn't grainfree like the non puppy formulas of Earthborn are. Thinking of changing his food, but not sure which would be a good one? I've read the list in the food group page, but wondering if there is a better formula to help with these issues. He did good on the tylan and I e read that pets can be on this for extended periods with little negative effects. Can anyone confirm this? 

Again sorry to hijack the post.

Lisa

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yes, Tylan is an extremely benign medication and it can be used for extended periods of time without side effects. 

You did not mention a probiotic. That's essential any time any dog has diarrhea or any digestive issue, or is on any type of antibiotic. If you are not using one, I recoomend Proviable DC, which you can order online. Protbiotics need to be given at least 2 hours apart from antibiotics, and longer is better.

And mentioned above in one of my other responses, a single protein, limited ingredient formula is usually your best choice for dogs who are prone to digestive issues. These are not made in "puppy" formulas, but at 8 months, your dog doesn;t need a "puppy" formula anyway. 

[Lisa Duarte]

Thanks for the quick response Karen! No we haven't given probiotics, but now I'm worried because our vet hasn't ever mentioned them. Ugh

Is there a more favorable food you recommend or any mentioned in an earlier response will be good? The breeder had him on earthborn so we kept with it. Thanks again

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Well, you are right to be worried about your vet never mentioning probiotics, because at this point in time, the benefits of probiotics are pretty well known, and your vet should be aware of that.

Scroll up for my response to Kaitlin in which I mention a few LID foods I recommend. They are all equally good.