Since the last bout of diarrhoea yesterday morning, Red has been ok. Her poos are slightly loose Boogie but the last one was what I would say is how it should be. She has only had her usual kibble but lots of chicken as we had training last night. Also a bit of Forthglade wet puppy food to bind the kibble I put in a Kong (she has 2 max per day). I work out how much kibble to give her daily to include all the extra bits so she is getting what I think is the right daily allowance. I have only used a very small amount of the pro fibre in her lunch after the diarrhoea yesterday morning. Despite all the chicken treats at training last evening she was ok last night. The Fish4Dogs samples arrived today but I will hold off with them for a few days. If she gets more diarrhoea, I will ring the Vets as Snowbunny suggests. Thank you as always people for responding to my posts
To bind the food in Kongs I put the food in the Kong, in a cup - fill with water - wait till it swells, pour the water out and freeze in the cup.
Boogie - Red had two of the kibble and water only kongs yesterday, her normal kibble for meals and cooked chicken for training. Her poos are firming up - her last one being 7:00 last evening and her first one at 6:00 this morning (we are always up early). They are still softish but there has been no diarrhoea since Tuesday (so I reckon it was just the variety of things and probably the wet puppy food in the kongs not helping). Think I might just sprinkle a bit of pro fibre on her meals - or just the tea time one. What do you think? We are going Training in the field today so I am sure she will be consuming lots of undesirable things (rabbit poo) - will see what happens from that Thank you for your help Boogie and others who have responded.
Hey there, I've got so much to catch up on I'm skim reading a bit but I was in a very similar situation with my dog...he had to be kibble only for a long time while I sorted his tummy out ,training was tough when we had distractions.I use a lot of Fish4Dogs and Salmon4dogs ....when he was your dogs age I introduced them one by one and I'm not kidding when I say it probably took me a week to feed him a full sea biscuit ( I get tummy turn overs just thinking about the diarrahea times) .Realising he could tolerate fish products and to ramp up the value of his kibble I used to use a little the water from tins of tuna ,tip it over the kibble portion in a plastic bag,give it a shake and voila,higher value kibble ....he tolerated this fine ....just an idea for your training class while you are proceeding cautiously. I've never gone back to cheese or chicken,even now he is 4 years old x
Thank you for this Angela. The tuna water over kibble is certainly worth a try. I have got some Fish4Dogs treat samples which if all is good the next few days, I will introduce slowly and faze out the cooked chicken. Today, I am going to be very clear at training that I don't want Red eating any foods except what I take. Yes the diarrhoea is grim when it happens for the dog and for us.
I so sympathise...the fight is real.I did my first round of obedience classes only using kibble.Class for me was basically wrestling to prevent Dexter from swimming across the floor to snaffle other dogs treats,or even just to lick the floor where a higher value treat had once rested ! Best of luck , let us know how you get on and I hope you are nearing the end of the tummy troubles x
'..... or even just to lick the floor where another treat rested' - I hear you and I identify 100%! Labs eh?!
Treats on the floor! Our training class is in a manege at the nearby stables - they do keep it very clean but there's always little poo bits to distract
Rabbit currants were the bane of my life at agility with Moo she loves rabbit poo. Doug was fine he loved agility he was pretty rubbish at it but enjoyed it so it was fun to take him. So much fun watching him concentrate on the dog walk and a frame. Then he would get to the end and gallop round the field like a big show off
After no diarrhoea since Tuesday, Red has had two bouts this morning at 6:00!! Bless her, I took her out straight after her breakfast and she had the first one. Then 5 minutes later, she whines and goes to the back door - I take her out and this time just very watery and not a lot. I have just noticed a bit of brown on her towels in her crate (she has a couple of beach towels as her bed in there) - not a lot but pretty sure poo not mud off her paws so they are now in the washing machine. I'm sure if she had a bug we would be getting daily bouts so I am not sure going down the vet route is the way to go but..... . Yesterday, we took part in a day of future dog trainers being assessed so Red and I were there as they needed lots of dogs and owners. It was an exhausting day but interesting. Red was youngest there and did masses of pulling on her lead/harness and grass nibbling but she was also very good at some of the activities (it was me that was rubbish). I insisted only my chicken as her treats and during the day, she had quite a lot. I adjusted her kibble accordingly. She had her usual poo at 6:00 yesterday, one when we arrived at the training place (bit squitty), small one when we got home 3:30 and then nothing before bed. I knew she wouldn't last the night so got up at 1:30 (we were in bed by 9 as she and I were totally exhausted) and she had a massive clear out that was soft. So I was surprised at the diarrhoea this morning. I have sprinkled a bit of pro fibre on her breakfast and think I will on her other meals. Dependant on the day, I may swop the chicken for a few Fish4Dogs kibble when we do some training in the garden and take her out for recall work. DH has just said when I told him she'd got diarrhoea - rabbit poo. Yes it could be, or chicken overload. Sorry to go on, just so frustrating
Yes, all this must be incredibly frustrating for you especially as you are so keen to train Red well. I don't really have any advice as this is not a problem I've had with Cassie, just offering my sympathy!
Could she be allergic to chicken? Some dogs are - I know a GD who can't have chicken in any form. I also think it's quite high fat compared to kibble or fish? ,,,
It must be so frustrating Atemas, sorry to hear it's still going on. I don't have wise words, just sympathy. I don't know if you have taken her to the vet already? If not, is it worth a check up for peace of mind?
Thank you Boogie and Selina for your responses. After my first post this morning, Red went for her usual nap. Heard her whimper, let her out and massive diarrhoea - very foul smelling, pale, mucus in it. I have just phoned the Vets and asked for advice and someone is going to ring me back. Yes I think it could be the chicken (or rabbit poo) and today I will give her none even if this means we get no training, walks done. Her kibble is chicken and rice (Arden Grange) so I will just give this and a little sprinkle of pro fibre. Have looked up giardia and yes that could be a possibility. Will let you know what the Vets advice is. Thank you for your help.
If its very pale, just wondering could she have a fat intolerance - pancreatic problems? Just a thought....