Poor Sheba has had the runs for the past few days. She has almost never had diarrhea, even when she was a young puppy, so we're a bit concerned to see this now. (she turned two about a week ago) As many of you will recall, Sheba has always been a very finicky eater, a trait that she had inherited from her Mom. But over the past year or so she has gotten into a better meal routine and has done quite well on Actrium Holistic kibble, (as recommended by our vet) which we usually mix with some cooked meat... either beef, chicken, pork or turkey.
Anyway, starting on Aug 19th, Sheba has had very runny poops, though she remains fairly active (for a couch potato!) and quite playful/in great spirits. We learned long ago to give her a little pumpkin puree if things needed firming up, (which I don't quite understand, as I would think that she would need less fibre, not more, but what do I know...) though so far this has been unsuccessful. We have also laid off giving her any treats, in an attempt to get things back on track. (for treats we have always given her some green beans, and a couple Milkbones/Beggin Strips/Marrobones each day for about the past year and a half, and her poops have always been perfect)
We took her food away for the rest of the day (Aug 20th) to see if a break from eating might help, and yesterday morning (Aug 21st) she had one very small, but quite firm, poop... then later in the day, you guessed it, right back to the squirts again! So the Missus started adding some rice, as someone told her it could help. (I haven't googled this yet, but I will as soon as I finish writing this) Well, the rice is not helping yet, nor does a small dose of pumpkin twice daily appear to be doing anything. If we can't get things back to normal soon, we will have to take Sheba in to see the vet, which is no small feat where we live, (a remote island off the north coast of Newfoundland where a trip to the vet is at best an entire day affair, and just as likely two or even three days, depending on weather/sea conditions, ferry breakdowns, long ferry lineups during summer months, etc, etc.) so we're hoping that things will turn around for her very soon!
Anyway, we're open to any/all suggestions you may be able to provide. It has become quite an ordeal when Sheba does her business now, as the runny poop isn't at all easy to clean up! (usually involves ripping up a good-sized portion of grass, a great many paper towels, and lots of hosing down of the affected area of the lawn... only to go through the whole process again a few hours later!) It may be worth adding that Sheba is still drinking lots of water, so there's not much chance of dehydration.
Thanking you all in advance,
Glen
www.FocusOnNewfoundland.com
Anyway, starting on Aug 19th, Sheba has had very runny poops, though she remains fairly active (for a couch potato!) and quite playful/in great spirits. We learned long ago to give her a little pumpkin puree if things needed firming up, (which I don't quite understand, as I would think that she would need less fibre, not more, but what do I know...) though so far this has been unsuccessful. We have also laid off giving her any treats, in an attempt to get things back on track. (for treats we have always given her some green beans, and a couple Milkbones/Beggin Strips/Marrobones each day for about the past year and a half, and her poops have always been perfect)
We took her food away for the rest of the day (Aug 20th) to see if a break from eating might help, and yesterday morning (Aug 21st) she had one very small, but quite firm, poop... then later in the day, you guessed it, right back to the squirts again! So the Missus started adding some rice, as someone told her it could help. (I haven't googled this yet, but I will as soon as I finish writing this) Well, the rice is not helping yet, nor does a small dose of pumpkin twice daily appear to be doing anything. If we can't get things back to normal soon, we will have to take Sheba in to see the vet, which is no small feat where we live, (a remote island off the north coast of Newfoundland where a trip to the vet is at best an entire day affair, and just as likely two or even three days, depending on weather/sea conditions, ferry breakdowns, long ferry lineups during summer months, etc, etc.) so we're hoping that things will turn around for her very soon!
Anyway, we're open to any/all suggestions you may be able to provide. It has become quite an ordeal when Sheba does her business now, as the runny poop isn't at all easy to clean up! (usually involves ripping up a good-sized portion of grass, a great many paper towels, and lots of hosing down of the affected area of the lawn... only to go through the whole process again a few hours later!) It may be worth adding that Sheba is still drinking lots of water, so there's not much chance of dehydration.
Thanking you all in advance,
Glen
www.FocusOnNewfoundland.com