dalmation stomach problems ?

angel3y35 · New member Joined: 09 May 2007 Posts: 5

Has anyone else had problems wither their dal's? We have an almost five month old dal and he is constantly getting diarrhea. We can't afford to keep taking him to the vet. If we could figure out the cause that would be great but we cant. Him and his lab brother dig in the yard everytime we turn our heads but we are slowly breaking them of this, which with a dal is very hard b/c hes stubborn. What do you guys do to stop it? He's had his shots and doesn't have worms so we know it's nothing serious except for the dehydration part.

Shineillusion · Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2007 5:28 pm Post subject:

A couple of things come to mind. First is something like giardia or coccidia. They can be difficult to find in a stool sample, and some vets will treat for them even if they can't find any in a sample.

The second is food intollerance. What are you feeding, and have you tried switching to something else? I'd suggest something with a unique protein source, like fish, duck or venison. No corn, soy, or wheat. Maybe try EVO, which has no grain at all, just meat, fruits, and vegetables. Add a probiotic supplement, too. Constant diarrhea will rapidly deplete the normal good bacteria in the digestive tract.

Campylobacter (a bacteria) infection could also be a possibility. If your pup has been treated with antibiotics, have the vet test for C-Dif. This is a strain of clostridium bacteria that is normally found in the digestive tract. But treatment with some antibiotics will kill too many of the good bacteria, and the clostridium bacteria will grow out of control, causing severe, possibly lethal, diarrhea.

Sara · Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2007 11:14 pm Post subject:

I had a pit bull that did this, she was always having a problem starting probably when she turned about 9 mos old. We finally started her on a Lamb and Rice food and she did great!

You could try a bland diet as well, your vet could give you some pre-made stuff I'm sure or you could make your own with boiled boneless skinless chicken breasts, rice and lowfat plain yogurt. I couldn't tell you how much to feed and you'd need to find some extra sources of Vitamins but it'd be a relatively easier way to find out if the problem is with the dog's food that way. EVERY time we'd put the pit bull back onto her food SLOWLY after a few days on the bland diet, she'd get up to half of her plain food mixed with her bland food and start with the poops again.

Just a thought.

Sara

Sara · Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2007 11:14 pm Post subject:

I had a pit bull that did this, she was always having a problem starting probably when she turned about 9 mos old. We finally started her on a Lamb and Rice food and she did great!

You could try a bland diet as well, your vet could give you some pre-made stuff I'm sure or you could make your own with boiled boneless skinless chicken breasts, rice and lowfat plain yogurt. I couldn't tell you how much to feed and you'd need to find some extra sources of Vitamins but it'd be a relatively easier way to find out if the problem is with the dog's food that way. EVERY time we'd put the pit bull back onto her food SLOWLY after a few days on the bland diet, she'd get up to half of her plain food mixed with her bland food and start with the poops again.

Just a thought.

Sara

falchurch · New member Joined: 20 Nov 2007 Posts: 1

I have a 11 yr old dal, one think is watch the protein content of his food, nothing above 21, even then you can cut it down less by adding a cup of rice with his food. I have had him since just before he turned one, & discovered he is better on rice & lamb kibble. When my dal, Sam had to high a protein in his diet he got very sick, from both ends. I took him to vet, all they gave me was a substance that looked like pepto bismol. Now when every he gets a upset stomach I give him half a pepto bismol pill, this also helps with the diarrhea. Hope this helps.