Puppy Diarrhea & Sickness

[Cath S]

Hi (again) will try and keep this brief. Pup is 8.5 months old - about 8 weeks ago he had an op to remove a partial blockage he has since been on Royal Canin wet food 4 times a day. When we started to wean him off onto AVA kibble he started to throw up in the morning. Vet said to put back onto RC and wait a few more weeks (I should mention that he took longer than most to recover from op due to pain and diarrhoea) Last week he started to throw up again and we saw the vet again - he had a temperature and some diarrhoea the same day she gave him some prokalin to firm things up and something to calm the guts. He has since had more diarrhoea every time he goes and has thrown up once more. Vet said use probiotics and gave us fibre supplement. He doesn’t rush to eat his brekkie but otherwise eats ok and is fine and happy otherwise. They are going to do one more blood test as he has had every other available. Vet doesn’t think it’s food related but I am beginning to wonder and tempted to try Chappie as so many people have recommended it ( inc the vet nurse but not the vet) just wondered if anybody has had a similar experience? Any words of wisdom? So worried and the vet is stumped! Thanks

 

[JudyN]

I'm absolutely not an expert, but if he's throwing up and has a temperature as well as having a runny bum, I'm not sure if changing to something like Chappie is likely to help. Have you tried him on a bland diet of just plain chicken or similar?

If the results of the new blood test don't help, I'd be asking my vet if she could refer pup on to a specialist - until then, I'm not sure I'd want to change his diet as you really want your vet to be onside and also not 'muddy the waters', so to speak. But RC isn't the best, so you might want to sound him out on Chappie, plain cooked chicken, or maybe raw.

BTW, not all Chappies are equal in the 'good for sensitive tums' stakes. I can't remember which one is reputed to be good, so if you do decide to try it, do your research first. On paper, it's not a great food but a lot of people find it helps.

 

[Cath S]

I should have said the vet thinks the throwing up could be acid reflux and feeding him an additional small meal before bed has helped. His temp was ok ish yesterday - just slightly raised which she thinks was stress of the vets visit. It’s mainly the tummy that’s the issue but thought it best to mention the other bits. They do affiliate with RC but don’t rate it myself albeit I am not sure I rate Chappie either, obviously we want to put the needs of him first but the whole op has cost £13k and he is only insured for £10k therefore I feel bad saying it but money is tight as they have not paid out yet!

 

[Flobo]

I have always used plain boiled pots and boiled fish (or chicken) as it's gentle on the tum and easy to digest, I'd also do little and often and then see how he goes.. if things start to improve I'd then slowly re introduce whatever food it is you want to give him mixed with the pots and fish, decreasing one and increasing the other.
I am no expert either but if he took longer to recover from op due to pain and diarrhoea and he's had a temp, has the vet ruled out some kind of problem or infection maybe internally from the op?? Apologies if I'm stating the obvious and that was first ruled out!
It is such a worry, I really feel for you and your little one. Here's hoping he's on the road to full recovery really soon and your insurance coughs up quickly!

 

[Cath S]

I have always used plain boiled pots and boiled fish (or chicken) as it's gentle on the tum and easy to digest, I'd also do little and often and then see how he goes.. if things start to improve I'd then slowly re introduce whatever food it is you want to give him mixed with the pots and fish, decreasing one and increasing the other.
I am no expert either but if he took longer to recover from op due to pain and diarrhoea and he's had a temp, has the vet ruled out some kind of problem or infection maybe internally from the op?? Apologies if I'm stating the obvious and that was first ruled out!
It is such a worry, I really feel for you and your little one. Here's hoping he's on the road to full recovery really soon and your insurance coughs up quickly!

Thanks for that. The vet didnt recommend changing the food as the current food he is on is for gastro problems and easy to digest so she said it wouldn’t make a difference. I am however tempted to try as there must be something upsetting him and don’t suppose it will do him any harm.

 

[excuseme]

You may very well get better advice from someone on this site than from a vet. As you are aware Royal Canin is not one of the better products to feed our dogs, it appears to have loads of animal by products (whatever that might be) as the first ingredient, rice and fat. If had a dog with a tummy problem I would steer well clear of their products
@JudyN has suggested some plain cooked chicken or maybe raw which is more natural and easily digested, NO grains and NO rice.
@Flobo has also suggested plain boiled potatoes, with fish or chicken.

I would suggest that cooking the meat or fish too much can alter some of the nutrients and good values, but to only partly cook them would be an excellent compromise.

I will attach my favorite information about our vets knowledge of feeding and nutrition.

Myths About Raw: Is my vet really qualified to be giving nutritional advice?

.

 

[Cath S]

You may very well get better advice from someone on this site than from a vet. As you are aware Royal Canin is not one of the better products to feed our dogs, it appears to have loads of animal by products (whatever that might be) as the first ingredient, rice and fat. If had a dog with a tummy problem I would steer well clear of their products
@JudyN has suggested some plain cooked chicken or maybe raw which is more natural and easily digested, NO grains and NO rice.
@Flobo has also suggested plain boiled potatoes, with fish or chicken.

I would suggest that cooking the meat or fish too much can alter some of the nutrients and good values, but to only partly cook them would be an excellent compromise.

I will attach my favorite information about our vets knowledge of feeding and nutrition.

Myths About Raw: Is my vet really qualified to be giving nutritional advice?

.

Being a first time dog owner I automatically turn to the vet for any problems and just goes to show they dont always know best - hence the reason for this post.

 

[Tinytom]

Have you thought about a raw diet ....

 

[Hemlock]

We have to be clear that vets and vet nurses are medical professionals and should not give advice on areas in which they haven't been trained, which includes nutrition and behaviour, unless they have made special studies of these. The article is brilliant.

I hope puppy's tum has settled down now.

 

[Cath S]

Have you thought about a raw diet ....

Unfortunately raw is not an option for me. I live in a studio flat with the worlds smallest kitchen space and fridge/freezer therefore I do t have the storage for it.

 

[Cath S]

We have to be clear that vets and vet nurses are medical professionals and should not give advice on areas in which they haven't been trained, which includes nutrition and behaviour, unless they have made special studies of these. The article is brilliant.

I hope puppy's tum has settled down now.

So it would seem. Haven’t had any issues this morning yet (which I guess is a good sign) only time will tell.

 

[Finsky]

I suspect the reason 'Chappie' is mentioned as if I recall correctly there is a tripe option with it. Tripe is VERY beneficial food for dogs, particularly for their tummies. More about it Is Green Tripe Good For Your Dog? - Dogs Naturally (dogsnaturallymagazine.com) I introduced our litter of pups to tripe very early on in a dried form...as a chews. Maybe trying something like that with your dog....starting with small dried piece a day to see how he gets on with it and if it helps?

 

[Finsky]

Unfortunately raw is not an option for me. I live in a studio flat with the worlds smallest kitchen space and fridge/freezer therefore I do t have the storage for it.

I'm sorry if I seem to appear very pushy....but I just want to make sure you are not missing with any details when it comes to raw feeding.
You don't actually have to feed your dog full blown raw diet to reap the benefits with it. As you can see from the attached photo, one block of this particular brand's raw food with tripe weighs 400g...it is not a big block of frozen meat. You could buy one of these once/twice a week...put it in plastic container and into fridge to thaw. As it slowly thawing, you can use the already softened edges and feed it for your dog as addition to its 'normal' food..mixing it in. That way it would feed and keep 3 days and help your little one's digestive system.
Now that particularly portion is chicken with tripe....tripe is sold in similar portion sizes on its own or mixed with variety of different meats. Prices are not bad neither....depending of the brand, I pay 400g of frozen meat (with or without tripe) from £0.90-£1.30 and is 'full price' without any bulk buy discounts. Many pet shops now stock frozen dog foods and many different brands. I'd say that would be quite a lot cheaper than having to buy supplements from vet Not only that....choosing a mince with little bone in it...bone will help firm up stools and even in small quantities as raw food addition with other dog food, it would still have positive effect to their firmness or lack of it. I'll leave you to be now....I hope it has given you some food for the thought.

 

[Cath S]

I suspect the reason 'Chappie' is mentioned as if I recall correctly there is a tripe option with it. Tripe is VERY beneficial food for dogs, particularly for their tummies. More about it Is Green Tripe Good For Your Dog? - Dogs Naturally (dogsnaturallymagazine.com) I introduced our litter of pups to tripe very early on in a dried form...as a chews. Maybe trying something like that with your dog....starting with small dried piece a day to see how he gets on with it and if it helps?

Thanks for that - appreciated

 

[Cath S]

I'm sorry if I seem to appear as pushy....but I just want to make sure you are not missing with any details when it comes to raw feeding.
You don't actually have to feed your dog full blown raw diet to reap the benefits with it. As you can see from the attached photo, one block of this particular brand's raw food with tripe weighs 400g...it is not a big block of frozen meat. You could buy one of these once/twice a week...put it in plastic container and into fridge to thaw. As it slowly thawing, you can use the already softened edges and feed it for your dog as addition to its 'normal' food..mixing it in. That way it would feed and keep 3 days and help your little one's digestive system.
Now that particularly portion is chicken with tripe....tripe is sold in similar portion sizes on its own or mixed with variety of different meats. Prices are not bad neither....depending of the brand, I pay 400g of frozen meat (with or without tripe) from £0.90-£1.30 and is 'full price' without any bulk buy discounts. Many pet shops now stock frozen dog foods and many different brands. I'd say that would be quite a lot cheaper than having to buy supplements from vet Not only that....choosing a mince with little bone in it...bone will help firm up stools and even in small quantities as raw food addition with other dog food, it would still have positive effect to their firmness or lack of it. I'll leave you to be now....I hope it has given you some food for the thought.View attachment 111980106

Thanks for that - will bear it in mind.

 

[JoanneF]

It's the Chappie Original that is usually recommended for dodgy tummies.

 

[Cath S]

It's the Chappie Original that is usually recommended for dodgy tummies.

Thanks!

 

[Cath S]

Update…. So Freddie has been on chicken and rice today and no diarrhoea!! Yay! Appreciate it is early days but surely that shows it must have been the food - he would have had 2 bouts by now. Just wished I had done this earlier instead of rushing to the vets and spending a fortune! Now to decide on what food to transition him onto (very slowly) What are your opinions on cold pressed? Walker & Drake or Wolfworthy? Marketing blurb says the nutrients of raw with the convenience of kibble!

 

[JudyN]

At a quick glance, the percentage of meat in Walter & Drake is far lower than Wolfworthy - and it's meal, which isn't necessarily as good nutritionally. So Wolfworthy looks much better.

I'd take it very slow, though, because you don't know what it was in the foods he had that didn't agree with him. I'd keep him on chicken & rice a few more days and if all goes well, transition him slowly.

 

[Tinytom]

With his past problem I would find a high quality wet food rather than kibble ...glad things are improving