Poop question

[Laura & Chewie]

Since Chewie, 6-1/2 months, has been on Fromm's (almost 3 months) his poop has been great...very firm and regular...usually twice daily. Last Wed. night into Thursday 3:00 am he started barking in his crate. He never does this, so I figured maybe he had heard a noise...told him quiet and he settled down. 1/2 hour later he started again, so I took him outside and he had loose stools. He went again at 6:00 am. I fed him a lighter breakfast along with a tablespoon of pumpkin. He didn't go anymore that day (Thursday) and by Friday morning was back to normal. He didn't act sick at all and had his normal appetite. Saturday afternoon he again was loose, so I gave him another spoon of pumpkin and again he went right back to normal. Tonight after dinner it started again...two days after the pumpkin just like last week. He is acting perfect otherwise.

I called the vet and she said he probably is eating something he shouldn't outside and it's upsetting the good bacteria present in the digestive system. She said since the pumpkin helps give him a spoonful a day for a couple days and see if he can work through it. If it continues with the pumpkin or after stopping it again, bring him in as he might need an antibiotic to get over it. He just had a fecal test last week that was negative.

I am thinking that if one spoon of pumpkin stops it for 2 days, it must not be anything too serious. Would you continue with the pumpkin or take him in sooner?

TIA!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'd continue with the pumpkin for another week, maybe. But if he continues to have loose stool, and particularly if it gets worse, I'd have them run another fecal. I'm certain it doesn't have anything to do with the Fromm's, so please don't feel that changing his food will help. If he has done well with it for three months, it wouldn't suddenly start to cause him problems.
I hope it's just a temporary tummy bug and he is back to normal soon!

[Laura & Chewie]

Thanks Karen. I'm certain it's not the Fromm's either...just mentioned it for additional info. He is definitely not acting sick, so we will see.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Laura, we have gone thru this off and on and never really know what it is that caused it, but the pumpkin has always worked for us. I have used it for several days, or until a can is gone. Also yogurt seems to help as well. Mine has always acted fine during these bouts of loose stools and continues to eat well and play as usual, so I usually chaulk it up to the "things that make you go umm?????" catagory.

Ofcourse if it gets worse and nothing seems to make it better, then a vet visit and fecal test is called for. I have even seen some blood from the rectum on both our dogs during bouts of watery stools, so don't freak out if you see this too. The blood vessels near the rectum can become irritated by the explosive BM's after a day or two. But it should stop very quickly, or he would definitely need the vet.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Peri goes through this from time to time (she eats Fromms too).....we usually notice it after she has eaten something like bark. She has a serious obsession with sticks and it is hard to keep her from grabbing one and eating bits of it during a walk. Just this morning she had soft stools and DH said he saw bark in it while picking it up. Gross. I wouldn't worry...yet!

[Laura & Chewie]

Interesting Allyson...Peri and Chewie are often so alike. Chewie loves sticks lately as well...there seems to be more of them on the ground since the leaves have dropped. I try to get them away from him, but he thinks it's the greatest game to run around with them and ususally gets a few bites in before I can grab it. He eats anything he can get his mouth on!

Morning update: We were out a few times overnight. One time he vomitted, but is still acting okay. Gave him a lighter breakfast with a spoon of pumpkin and will see how today goes.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Okay that is a little different. If he keeps vomitting or having more runny poo today, I might call the vet. Not trying to freak you out, but usually one throw up is okay...repeated ones may be a sign of dehydration or another problem. Please keep us posted!

And it is weird - I think Chewie and Peri woud be great friends :) Sticks and leaves...sticks and leaves. I think Peri could eat just that and be happy :)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I agree with Allyson...vomiting plus a need so urgent he is getting you up at night may merit a trip to vet, or at least a call. I sure hope Chewie's feeling better.

[Laura & Chewie]

So far today, no poop (since about 4:30 am) and he only vomitted the one time...I think that was 12:30 last night...it's all a blur - LOL. He ate his lighter breakfast with gusto and was looking for more. I will definitely be keeping an eye on him today!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Good luck! I will hope for the best for Chewie. If he doesn't have another issue, he is probably just fine.

[Laura & Chewie]

Well, Chewie was fine the rest of the day yesterday...great energy and appetite and no "activity" from either end...LOL. He did one small poop this morning...very firm. So, I will continue with a spoon of pumpkin daily perhaps until or through the weekend and see what happens after that. Of course, if anything changes at all, off to the vet.

Thanks again for the support!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Great news. He is probably fine now :)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Glad to hear it, Laura!