Calling All Dog Food Experts

[Ken Clean-Air System]

Flatworms can be contracted by sniffing also, but there is usually no symptoms like you are seeing from a flatworm infestation. I doubt that any of the Heartworm preventatives protect 100% against parasites, so it may be roundworms, but those are many times visible in the stool, so that may not be what you're dealing with.

[llombardo]

Originally Posted by Ken Clean-Air System

Flatworms can be contracted by sniffing also, but there is usually no symptoms like you are seeing from a flatworm infestation. I doubt that any of the Heartworm preventatives protect 100% against parasites, so it may be roundworms, but those are many times visible in the stool, so that may not be what you're dealing with.

I'm calling the vet tomorrow and bringing in samples for all three of my dogs. It would almost be a relief if its something that can be treated and not a dog food issue. The chances of having two dogs affected with food is probably very minimal. The timing really makes sense and I have never had this problem before.

[carmspack]

the first food has a lot of grains and filler --

[llombardo]

Originally Posted by carmspack

the first food has a lot of grains and filler --

So do you think I should just stick with the regular Fromm Gold or switch to a grain free? I am getting all poop tested, so we can rule parasites in or out. And I did order the Sunday Sundae which will help with this if its not parasites, correct?

[3ToesTonyismydog]

It is hard to say. Every dog is different and some dogs just don't do good on certain dog foods. Tony can't handle Merrick or any dog food with clay in it. They are good dog foods just not a fit with Tony. You know I am gonna mention Orijen or Acana. Tony also does better on grain free and if I were in your boat that's what I would try, along with some added pumpkin.

Nummy Tum Tum Pet Products: Home

I forgot to mention flea's, the stress of just one flea can cause some dogs issues, because they can be allergic to the flea's saliva.

[carmspack]

pumpkin can be bought in a can in the vegetable aisle at your grocery. you can buy butternut squash , sweet potatoes , bake them yourself . they don't have to be marketed as yummy anything for pets.
Pumpkin is okay to stop some diarrhea as it has fibre which slows down excited peristaltic action of the colon which is where water is reabsorbed and stool firmed. that's about it . good to have on hand - but not a daily crutch -- only working on the symptom and not the cause .
slippery elm is good , even better to have in a jar in your cabinet -- keeps forever , can be opened and closed as it is a powder , good for constipation and for diarrhea .

[llombardo]

Originally Posted by carmspack

pumpkin can be bought in a can in the vegetable aisle at your grocery. you can buy butternut squash , sweet potatoes , bake them yourself . they don't have to be marketed as yummy anything for pets.
Pumpkin is okay to stop some diarrhea as it has fibre which slows down excited peristaltic action of the colon which is where water is reabsorbed and stool firmed. that's about it . good to have on hand - but not a daily crutch -- only working on the symptom and not the cause .
slippery elm is good , even better to have in a jar in your cabinet -- keeps forever , can be opened and closed as it is a powder , good for constipation and for diarrhea .

I agree that it can't be used as a crutch and they have had quite a bit in the last two weeks. Today its the GSD and the oldest girl(not bad, but not normal) Can the water they are drinking cause stomach issues? We have very hard water, proof is in the bathroom Where can I get slippery elm? How much of that can they have? I'm going to have to do this in steps to rule everything out. My oldest girl has a stomach of steel and really never gets bad poop..that is throwing me off and making me think parasites. Today I caught the GSD smelling her butt after she pooped and then the oldest dog started licking her butt Between the scooting and butt sniffing going on here, I will be very surprised if its not a parasite of some kind.

[Liesje]

I would rule out parasites first.

I switched three dogs to Fromm Gold this past summer and all three did horrible. Coke was the worse. He was itching so bad he was ripping clumps of hair out. He got several raging hot spots. We actually had to shave half his body to deal with the hotspots. His skin was peeling off like a bad sunburn. Pan was also very itchy and got tons of little mini hotspots (or perhaps itched himself to a staph infection). Nikon didn't get any hotspots but was also very itchy. I thought it was odd all three dogs went downhill but that's what happened. I switched them all back and they were fine again. Pan's new owners tried Fromm again and had the same result (small red/weeping spots all over). A few people said it could be the flaxseed, even though that's supposed to be good for dogs? Coke and Nikon got switched back to California Natural Lamb and Rice and they do really well on that. I'm also feeding raw part time now too.

[llombardo]

Originally Posted by Liesje

I would rule out parasites first.

I switched three dogs to Fromm Gold this past summer and all three did horrible. Coke was the worse. He was itching so bad he was ripping clumps of hair out. He got several raging hot spots. We actually had to shave half his body to deal with the hotspots. His skin was peeling off like a bad sunburn. Pan was also very itchy and got tons of little mini hotspots (or perhaps itched himself to a staph infection). Nikon didn't get any hotspots but was also very itchy. I thought it was odd all three dogs went downhill but that's what happened. I switched them all back and they were fine again. Pan's new owners tried Fromm again and had the same result (small red/weeping spots all over). A few people said it could be the flaxseed, even though that's supposed to be good for dogs? Coke and Nikon got switched back to California Natural Lamb and Rice and they do really well on that. I'm also feeding raw part time now too.

Did they go downhill right away or was it a slow process after food was switched? Mine have no itching or anything, just the poop. It is nice to know that its possible all three could be having a reaction to the food. They have been on this food for several months, could it be a bad bag?

[wyominggrandma]

Scooting their butts is usually a sign that anal glands are full. Try having them expressed..