[Puppy0226]

We've had our 3 month shihtz for 2 weeks now. She has more loose stools than hard stoole, I'd say mostly loose stoole. Breeder had her on eukanaba and trainer told us to add a teaspoon of yogurt since she wasn't eating great. Is she stressed still since we haven't changed her food? We do plan on getting her on blue freedom and am wondering if we should start sooner rather than later? Am wonderIng if this can be normal or should I make a vet visit? Thks.

 

[oldhounddog]

A little more info will help.
At 3 mo age dog should have had a series of puppy shots and would have been wormed several times , then (at 4 mo) first dog shot followed by rabies vac about 3 or 4 weeks later.

First question is when was last Vet check up?
Are shots UTD for a 3 mo pup?

Yes stress can be a factor for sure. At 3 mo age I would say that a Vet check is in order. Quality kpbble is always good , however , some pups will have problem with the very rich stuff. Be patient and stick with a good kibble and see if things settle down.
Some dogs can eat yogurt just fine , some not , try to keep things simple with as few changes as possible. When your pup settles into a daily routine things should get better. Good Luck and keep us posted.


oldhounddog

 

[bonafidebark]

Congratulations on your new puppy!

I highly suggest you switch her food. Eukanuba is not a good food (full of corn, bi-products, fillers, artificial ingredients, etc). Whenever you do change a food, especially to a better quality or higher protein content, you want to do so slowly and over 7-10 days. Mix the old food with the new gradually and by day 7-10, she should be fully on the new food. Puppies have sensitive systems as well, and anything that isn't agreeing with them can cause them to have diarrhea. Also, vaccinations can cause their systems to go awry too.

If diarrhea continues, contact your vet. She could have picked up Giardia from the breeder.

I suggest you also add enzymes to her food. I use Total-Zymes and it is fantastic! I feed Lotus to my dog and Nature's Variety to my cats. Enzymes are good no matter what you feed.

Your best bet for a happy, healthy pup is to start her off right on high quality foods. My top list:

- Lotus
- Orijen or Acana
- Nature's Variety

Good luck and hope she feels better!

 

[Puppy0226]

There are no issues with her shots or vet visits. Everything is going smoothly on that end. We fully understand all the shots she needs and what the timeline is. I was asking about loose stoole and if a vet visit is in order for this issue. Since we haven't had her that long, I was hestistant about switching her food just yet until she settles down and gets comfortable. I know Eukanba is terrible and we will switch her off soon but that is what she has always been eating thus I couldn't understand the loose stoole. We don't add too much yogurt to it. I have seen pumpkin puree mentioned so perhaps we can give that a try and skip the yogurt and see if it improves.

 

[Abbylynn]

There are no issues with her shots or vet visits. Everything is going smoothly on that end. We fully understand all the shots she needs and what the timeline is. I was asking about loose stoole and if a vet visit is in order for this issue. Since we haven't had her that long, I was hestistant about switching her food just yet until she settles down and gets comfortable. I know Eukanba is terrible and we will switch her off soon but that is what she has always been eating thus I couldn't understand the loose stoole. We don't add too much yogurt to it. I have seen pumpkin puree mentioned so perhaps we can give that a try and skip the yogurt and see if it improves.

If you do use pumpkin be sure it is pure 100% pumpkin and not pumpkin pie mix with "spices" in it. I would not change foods until the loose stool is in check. Puppies can dehydrate very quickly. From experience ... stress ... parvo and parasites also present themselves with loose stool.

 

[Nev Allen]

The Eukanuba could be the cause of the loose stools. I would start switching straight away. Use a superpremium food. It may cost more but you will find you use less so actual cost will balance but you will have a healthier dog.

If the stools do not firm up on the new better food, there may be a grain intolerance issue and then you switch fgods to a superpremium grain free brand.