5 month old with stomach issues

[Rmrizzo]

My 5 month old dobie is has had diarrhea off and on since we took him home. Vet checked him out and no parasites, put him on some strong probiotics and gave him meds to stop it. For a day or two he was good. I changed his food per the recommendation from Iams large breed (breeder choice) to Hills Science Diet Large Breed Lamb and rice. Again ok for a few days but once completely switched over, the diarrhea began again. I do not want to keep changing his foods and have taken the after affects of his meds and weekly stress of
Training into consideration, but feel it is food related as the Hills does have chicken products in it. Any recommendations for food from
Someone who has had this issue??? He is back on plain diet of Hamburg and rice for 48.

 

[JanS]

Welcome from Minnesota. Sorry to hear your dog is having problems and it's not terribly uncommon when they're young.

but feel it is food related as the Hills does have chicken products in it.

Hills isn't a great food and vets can be too quick to recommend it so it wouldn't surprise me if it's disagreeing with him. @MichiH what did you wind up feeding Pepper?

 

[Rmrizzo]

Thank you for the input! It’s so tough with food since everything is recommended by the vet who you would think is giving good advice! I just want this poor little big guy to be back to normal!

 

[MichiH]

My 5 month old dobie is has had diarrhea off and on since we took him home. Vet checked him out and no parasites, put him on some strong probiotics and gave him meds to stop it. For a day or two he was good. I changed his food per the recommendation from Iams large breed (breeder choice) to Hills Science Diet Large Breed Lamb and rice. Again ok for a few days but once completely switched over, the diarrhea began again. I do not want to keep changing his foods and have taken the after affects of his meds and weekly stress of
Training into consideration, but feel it is food related as the Hills does have chicken products in it. Any recommendations for food from
Someone who has had this issue??? He is back on plain diet of Hamburg and rice for 48.

I’m so sorry to hear your Doberman is having gi distress. If you search on here, I’ve had some issues with my girl who is now 18 months. We are on our 5th vet and man it’s been a ride.

Many tests done, bloodwork too and all is good. We’ve had a million stool tests done also negative every time.

I’ve done all the special diets to no avail. Most often she wouldn’t even eat the special diet food, it becomes a waste of money.

It seems some Dobermans especially younger ones have stomach issues just due to sensitivity and maturing will help.

I finally gave up on the vets called the breeder and got her on what her breeder uses, holistic select large breed chicken and oatmeal. It is chicken meal which isn’t chicken itself, which pretty sure she is allergic to regular old boiled chicken breasts. It seems many dogs also are.

I do that kibble 3x a day, it’s been amazing for her, ground lean beef or ground lean turkey 2x a day 1/3 cup, pumpkin puree 3 x a day, natures farmacy complete 3 x a day and some goats milk in the am.

You’ll have to do a trial and error keep a food log. Reactions may happen right away to the new foods you introduce, but it may take a few days. Take it slow and it will take time to adjust to new kibble. Try soaking the kibble prior feeding so more hydration for your pup.

If you need any advice or help please let me know. I feel for you guys we had the worst time with our girl.

Good luck and hang in there.

 

[MichiH]

Amazon.com

 

[MichiH]

Dogzymes Complete

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[MichiH]

Thank you for the input! It’s so tough with food since everything is recommended by the vet who you would think is giving good advice! I just want this poor little big guy to be back to normal!

I understand and they go for hills or ppp always. We did PPP sensitive and it worked until it didn’t then major blowouts. Vet swore by it too…

 

[Rmrizzo]

I’m so sorry to hear your Doberman is having gi distress. If you search on here, I’ve had some issues with my girl who is now 18 months. We are on our 5th vet and man it’s been a ride.

Many tests done, bloodwork too and all is good. We’ve had a million stool tests done also negative every time.

I’ve done all the special diets to no avail. Most often she wouldn’t even eat the special diet food, it becomes a waste of money.

It seems some Dobermans especially younger ones have stomach issues just due to sensitivity and maturing will help.

I finally gave up on the vets called the breeder and got her on what her breeder uses, holistic select large breed chicken and oatmeal. It is chicken meal which isn’t chicken itself, which pretty sure she is allergic to regular old boiled chicken breasts. It seems many dogs also are.

I do that kibble 3x a day, it’s been amazing for her, ground lean beef or ground lean turkey 2x a day 1/3 cup, pumpkin puree 3 x a day, natures farmacy complete 3 x a day and some goats milk in the am.

You’ll have to do a trial and error keep a food log. Reactions may happen right away to the new foods you introduce, but it may take a few days. Take it slow and it will take time to adjust to new kibble. Try soaking the kibble prior feeding so more hydration for your pup.

If you need any advice or help please let me know. I feel for you guys we had the worst time with our girl.

Good luck and hang in there.

 

[JanS]

they go for hills or ppp always

I've heard vets get a kickback on Hills and maybe Proplan too so that's why so many suggest it. Our old vet from the 90's said Science Diet was the best and not knowing any better we fed our GSP that thinking that he knew best. That poor dog suffered from hot spots most of his life and I'm sure it was because of all of the junk fillers in it.

 

[Rmrizzo]

I sincerely appreciate this response! It sounds like we are on the same path you have been down! All negative tests and they just want to keep doing more tests, which as you know going to the vet repeatedly is stressful which also can cause diarrhea! I am convinced it is the food since the only two he has been on seem to be too rich! When he has a plain diet of Hamburg and rice with some organic pumpkin he is right back to normal! I am going to look into everything you have recommended and take it slow with him! Anything I can do to help him I will do! Thank you again!!!

 

[MichiH]

I've heard vets get a kickback on Hills and maybe Proplan too so that's why so many suggest it. Our old vet from the 90's said Science Diet was the best and not knowing any better we fed our GSP that thinking that he knew best. That poor dog suffered from hot spots most of his life and I'm sure it was because of all of the junk fillers in it.

I wouldn’t doubt it. We had them suggest all the PPP food, fita flora, and hills gi food. Always gave her an issue or she wouldn’t eat. Plus, it’s pricey!

So sorry about your guy it’s frustrating as we know on here to find a vet who truly gets it and can help.

 

[Rmrizzo]

I've heard vets get a kickback on Hills and maybe Proplan too so that's why so many suggest it. Our old vet from the 90's said Science Diet was the best and not knowing any better we fed our GSP that thinking that he knew best. That poor dog suffered from hot spots most of his life and I'm sure it was because of all of the junk fillers in it.

I’m not even sure I trust the breeder anymore! She recommended a supplemental powder and it was terrible! Turns out she got a kickback! Everyone gets a kickback these days! It seems it is more about the money and less about the actual health and well being of our babies!

 

[MichiH]

I sincerely appreciate this response! It sounds like we are on the same path you have been down! All negative tests and they just want to keep doing more tests, which as you know going to the vet repeatedly is stressful which also can cause diarrhea! I am convinced it is the food since the only two he has been on seem to be too rich! When he has a plain diet of Hamburg and rice with some organic pumpkin he is right back to normal! I am going to look into everything you have recommended and take it slow with him! Anything I can do to help him I will do! Thank you again!!!

Yes, it really does seem so. Where did you get your Doberman from? My girl is from upstate NY. Have you talked to the breeder to see if any pups having issues? None of my Dobermans liter mates or parents had issues, so that helped me decide in further testing too.

Same the ground meet and rice always worked, but what I learned on here is rice can back them up too. It’s such a fine line to not cross.

I know they will want to run all the tests and if your Doberman is thriving otherwise I would say he is ok! The prices add up Our last vet wanted to run a pancreatic test on her after we spent 500 on bloodwork that was normal! Her pancreas, I would assume is fine as she is fine weight wise and energy wise. It’s stressful and draining.

It may take time to find a food that works for yours. I know a few folks on here do raw and that helps a lot too. I feel good doing kibble-cooked meat-fruit- veggies in her diet. Many dog treats just have too much junk and so I don’t even bother not wanting belly upset again. I am scarred from all of her diarrhea issues

Can’t do bully sticks either gets the runs, mostly benebones, and recently most on here use the beef cheek rolls, those seem to agree with her too. Only a small amount of chew time and she has to drop it.

Good luck and post some photos of your Doberman on the intro page. Would love to see!

 

[Rmrizzo]

I am slowly trying to introduce the veggies and meat to some kibble and let that be his daily meals since I just feel he would benefit more from the actual meat and real veggies rather than all kibble! I do appreciate your help and suggestions! I will post on the intro page! I had no idea there was one lol I joined to get advice and need to learn how to use this site better!

 

[MichiH]

I am slowly trying to introduce the veggies and meat to some kibble and let that be his daily meals since I just feel he would benefit more from the actual meat and real veggies rather than all kibble! I do appreciate your help and suggestions! I will post on the intro page! I had no idea there was one lol I joined to get advice and need to learn how to use this site better!

Great! Welcome and keep us posted!

 

[Ddski5]

Any chance he is eating anything else besides dog food?
-cat, goose, chicken poop, etc…
Dobermans are notorious for being vacuum cleaners with other animals poop. They love it and it rips up their stomachs.

Also, you are correct with the possibility that the food is too caloric rich. Some foods (per cup), have a higher caloric value than others. I found this to be true with mine eating a higher caloric value during her puppy/adolescent years. Went down to less calories and helped out tremendously. Also had to lock down no flower bed cat poop or goose poop in the yard.

Good luck.

 

[Rmrizzo]

No geese or chickens in our yard and no animal
poop in the yard (that we know of)! We did just finally get over a long cold winter and snow has melted, so we went through the yard to clean up and make sure that nothing was lingering from animals! However of course you never know what comes in at night! I can see what you mean about being a vacuum lol he does circle the kitchen after every meal I cook!!!

 

[JanS]

Dobermans are notorious for being vacuum cleaners with other animals poop. They love it and it rips up their stomachs.

Right now Olive is chowing down on pine cones after some of the snow melted and she has had some blood in her stool but pine cones can't pass through very smoothly.

 

[GennyB]

My 5 month old dobie is has had diarrhea off and on since we took him home.

I think I would try kefir. Works wonders I volunteer at a no kill shelter that has a wonderful caring vet. When we have a dog or cat with stomach issues, he starts them on kefir and it really helps and it's pretty fast.

 

[GennyB]

Here's a little more info...

🐾 Is Kefir Good for Dogs with Diarrhea? - Bestie Paws Hospital

Kefir, a fermented milk drink packed with probiotics, is gaining popularity as a natural remedy for digestive issues in dogs. But is it safe and effective for diarrhea? Let’s explore the benefits, risks, and best practices for using kefir to help your dog’s tummy troubles. Key Takeaways: Quick...

www.bestiepaws.com