[ara28]

Sorry about the title, didn't know what else to call it

So at the end of June I switched my dog from Authority Large Breed Adult chicken flavor to Nature's Variety Prairie (first we started out with the lamb and oatmeal and now we are on salmon and brown rice) I did the gradual transition like I was supposed to and everything went swell. I only have a few questions/concerns about things I have noticed in the process.

The Poop
He poops twice a day (morning & evening) and occasionally after work he'll poo but not usually. If we go on a longer walk, his first poo will be just right. Not too big not too small not too hard and not too soft. But, after we keep on walking he usually squats to poo again but his poo is runny and he only poos a little bit the second time. Ok, so that's the poo problem so my question is, is this normal or not, or what should I do, should I worry about it or not.

The Skin
Ever since we switched to Nature's Variety I've noticed more spots on his skin. He's got all white fur and then maybe 2 or three patches of brown fur, but all on his skin he's got brown spots (which he's always had) (I'll try to find a pic) and it seems as if his brown spots on his skin are increasing in number. In addition the brown spots on his skin that are on his back will occassionally get this flakey black stuff on them, similar to dandruff, but only on the spots. Someone suggested that I get his skin tested when we go for his annual, which will be in 2 weeks, so I'll do that, but has anyone encountered this problem or know what it may be. Is his system still transitioning to the new food? It's been almost 2 months now since the switch.

Thanks for any responses!!

ok, here's a pic so you can see what I'm talking about when I say brown spots



If you look at his tum tum you can see the spots easily on his skin and if you look a bit closer you can see them under his fur. This is what they used to look like, before the food switch, but now there are more of them.

[2Catahoulas]

The poop situation sounds like my girl... the same thing and 4 brand changes made no difference. I did try her on a very small dose of psylllium (metamucil) a few days ago and that fixed the problem... straight normal dog rockets. My vet wants to try probiotics so we're doing that for a week. Very natural stuff you can find at any drug store and are completely safe. I still think fiber is the answer but I have to let the vet do her thing.

May I make a suggestion on your dog's skin? Try AvoDerm. I had a woman come to me asking about coat and skin problems on her yellow lab. I suggested AvoDerm and it worked. I don't use AvoDerm myself (tried it for dog rocket therapy) so I'm not promoting my brand.

Good luck to you.

[ara28]

Originally Posted by 2Catahoulas

The poop situation sounds like my girl... the same thing and 4 brand changes made no difference. I did try her on a very small dose of psylllium (metamucil) a few days ago and that fixed the problem... straight normal dog rockets. My vet wants to try probiotics so we're doing that for a week. Very natural stuff you can find at any drug store and are completely safe. I still think fiber is the answer but I have to let the vet do her thing.

May I make a suggestion on your dog's skin? Try AvoDerm. I had a woman come to me asking about coat and skin problems on her yellow lab. I suggested AvoDerm and it worked. I don't use AvoDerm myself (tried it for dog rocket therapy) so I'm not promoting my brand.

Good luck to you.

Thanks! Yeah I might give that a try after I get his skin tested when we go in for his annual. I'm thinking it might simply be an allergy to something, IDK though.

[scintillady]

My dog does the same thing as far as poops go. The first one is firm, and the 2nd one (if there is one) is soft. Someone posted on another thread in this forum that this is because the first poop has been sitting in the digestive tract longer and has had a chance to have the water absorbed out of it, and then the second one is the one that hasn't been in the system as long, but is brought on by the exercise. I notice that if I stay out longer and walk farther, this almost always happens, so maybe that is the reason. I give canned pumpkin with her food if she has a loose stool problem. She loves it, and it works every time. (Used canned pumpkin, NOT pumpkin pie filling) I give her a couple of tablespoons per meal, she weighs 90 lbs, and that seems to be about right, but adjust accordingly.

[2Catahoulas]

"My dog does the same thing as far as poops go. The first one is firm, and the 2nd one (if there is one) is soft."


"...that this is because the first poop has been sitting in the digestive tract longer and has had a chance to have the water absorbed out of it, and then the second one is the one that hasn't been in the system as long, but is brought on by the exercise."
This first seems more plausible. The second doesn't seem correct. Exercise shouldn't create loose stool in any case. I had a Dr. explain psyllium works for loose stool by absorbing water and for constipation by helping stool move normally. Humans being mammals like dogs... same principal. Therefor I think fiber/probiotics is the answer. So far the probiotics my vet put on my girl has firmed up the stool a bit.


"I give canned pumpkin with her food if she has a loose stool problem. She loves it [...]"
Went that route. Pumpkin didn't work.

[2Catahoulas]

Update... probiotics works "somewhat" but not good enough so I'm going to use FiberSure which is 100% Inulin Natural Vegetable Fiber

[ara28]

Well the lady at the daycare place I take him too, I also buy food there too, suggested we try switching brands so now we're trying eagle pack per her suggestion. We'll see how things go.