Stool

[Penelope's Mom]

One other thing I've noticed...since she's been on the beef and rice mixture, not only is her poop firm, but she hardly poops at all. Maybe twice a day. I'm giving her two cups, three times a day, just like I was with her kibble.

 

[ruthcatrin]

No, give her at least another 24hrs of normal poop before you re-intro even a little kibble. But yah, start with just a few pieces at a time!

 

[Penelope's Mom]

Okay. Thanks, Ruth.

 

[TricAP]

I've never tried raw pumpkin, I've never had a ton of luck growing them myself. I don't see any harm in trying though. Ditto other squash, I've used various squash in treats when I make them so I don't see any harm in trying.

Did a little more research on the raw pumpkin or squash. Not recommended because of the gas it creates during digestion. Just what a mastiff needs..more gas. LOL! Think we'll stick to cooked.

 

[Hector]

Oh FM, just remembered about slippery elm bark powder (get on amazon). Supposedly it helps with digestive upsets. I got some for the dogs, but I started taking it myself for digestive health. I haven't had a chance to try it on dogs as they haven't had episodes of diarrhea.

 

[ruthcatrin]

Did a little more research on the raw pumpkin or squash. Not recommended because of the gas it creates during digestion. Just what a mastiff needs..more gas. LOL! Think we'll stick to cooked.

Makes sense!

Oh FM, just remembered about slippery elm bark powder (get on amazon). Supposedly it helps with digestive upsets. I got some for the dogs, but I started taking it myself for digestive health. I haven't had a chance to try it on dogs as they haven't had episodes of diarrhea.

Forgot about slippery elm bark. If you have a good hippy health food place nearby they may carry it too.

 

[TricAP]

I've used slippery elm for sore throats myself but never anything intestinal. How much for a 25 lb ish pup?

 

[Hector]

I've used slippery elm for sore throats myself but never anything intestinal. How much for a 25 lb ish pup?

Hmm..I am not sure. I found this though

Dose size (goal is 4 doses per day):
Cats and Dogs under 25 lbs 1-2 Tablespoons
Dogs 25-50 lbs 2-4 Tablespoons
Dogs 50 lbs and up ¼ to ½ cup

from this site

Slippery Elm for Better Pet Digestion

 

[Hector]

this on Dr. Becker's site

Slippery elm is safe for puppies, adults, and geriatric dogs and it is completely safe blended with other medications. I recommend about a half teaspoon for each 10 pounds of body weight, mixed into the bland diet twice daily.

http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/03/26/dealing-with-dog-diarrhea.aspx

 

[Penelope's Mom]

Does it work like a probiotic?

 

[ruthcatrin]

It helps produce the natural mucus layer that normally coats the throat (hence it helping with sore throats) and intestines, so that the inflamed areas can heal without further agitation.

 

[TricAP]

You guys are awesome! Thanks so much. I've been calling around this morning trying to find the powder. Plenty of the lozenges but not powder yet. Looking like it will be an online purchase. We added some green beans (found a package from last years garden that was way in the back with a little freezer burn) to his kibble and pumpkin last night and he loved them! The baby carrot we gave as a treat later in the evening was hilarious - he played with it like a toy for a good 10 minutes before eating it - silly pup!

No luck finding the unflavored Benefiber. Checked 3 stores yesterday and only the flavored stuff. So whichever we find first will try.

Hector - I think your part of the state has more hippy trippy stores - were too close to Portland its weirdness - which I love in its own special way!

 

[Hector]

Hector - I think your part of the state has more hippy trippy stores - were too close to Portland its weirdness - which I love in its own special way!

Well in Olympia, but not Aberdeen lol.
We're tweeker central here.

 

[Penelope's Mom]

I have a question about probiotics. I have two here...one with only acidophilus and one with lactobacillus and bifidobacterium. Is one better than the other? I bought both because I didn't know which one works best. I've been giving her the one with lactobacillus.

 

[TricAP]

Well in Olympia, but not Aberdeen lol.
We're tweeker central here.

I feel ya there! Same here in Battle Ground - we had a bust on the property behind ours shortly after we moved in. Previously a private air strip with plenty of hangers for all their "activity". We now have a very nice tall fence and plenty of blackberry vines on the outside to discourage "wandering" onto our land. Our boxer is pretty good about patrolling the fence and I'm sure Angus will join in as he gets bigger. Amazing what loud barks discourage!

 

[ruthcatrin]

I have a question about probiotics. I have two here...one with only acidophilus and one with lactobacillus and bifidobacterium. Is one better than the other? I bought both because I didn't know which one works best. I've been giving her the one with lactobacillus.

Doing a quick scan of the bacterias used in probiotics, the one you're using is fine, though you could combine them and it would be ok too. If I'm reading it right, acidophilus is a type of lactobacillus?

 

[Penelope's Mom]

Oh, okay. The acidophilis is considerably cheaper. I paid 2.50 for it and $15 for the other stuff. I want to give it to her long-term but I also want to give her what is best. So I guess either is fine.

 

[ruthcatrin]

Yah, for long term, as long as she's not having other problems, the cheaper one should be fine!

 

[mountainfila]

How much CFU's do they contain, the larger the number the better and the un-refrigerated is better then the ones you can by out of the fridge, its a stronger bacteria, as probiotics to work they have to make it past the dogs harsh stomach acid and into the intestines were all the good bacteria live as well as the bad. I use one made for dogs, I use forti flora only because it was the easiest stuff to get from my vet, I also use it on my cats to.

 

[Barlow611]

I go through the same thing with Oden he is 7 mo. We have spent months trying to get it under control.
This is what we found works for him.

Nature's Recipe Grain Free Large Breed Adult Dog Food
Chicken, Sweet Patoto, and Pumpkin 24lbs @ $43.00
I put in blender and grind a bit to almost powder.
I give him about 3 cups a day with water to make a mush.

Frozen chicken breast. I cook in microwave then rinse to get all fat and broth off.
I cut against the grain and hand spread (I wear gloves so it’s easy to clean up.)

90% lean hamburger. Microwave the drain off the fat.

DIGGIN Firm-up pumpkin. 2 tbl at least once a day.

G.N.C. Probiotic Formula the one with 2 billion probiotics. It’s the Ultra Mega.
If you have PetSmart it cost less then G.N.C online. We put two tabs a day on one of his meals.

Now the fun part. Making a meal. Lol. This is what works for us.

1/3rd mush, 1/3rd chicken, 1/3 hamburger.
And a bit of Firm up pumpkin
And Gnc probiotics 2 a day.

Its a lot of work so I make everything I need for a day or two and keep in the fridge.
Even with all of this he will sometimes have 2 – loose stools a week.
Good luck
Oden and Daddy Day