How long is it going to take...........

[BLowry]

for my pups poop to get back to normal after changing their kibble? As some of you may know I have had a HORRIBLE time getting them back to normal (poop) after getting giardia and an intestinal bacteria. It has been a month now that they have been on meds and (5days) special soft food only. The meds are done and my vet told me to give them boiled hamburg and rice and slowly add kibble...I thought this would be a good time to change them over where they haven't had ANYTHING except the soft food for 5 days. I gradually added the new kibble to the hamburg and rice and every day add a little more kibble ...little less H&R...their poop is getting soft AGAIN!!! I knew this may happen because 1...adding kibble back into their diet and 2...a different kibble...any of you that has changed food for you pups.....did they go through a soft poop stage and how long before it was solid again. I am still giving them the fortiflora (probiotic) and the new food (Holistic Select) has prebiotics AND probiotics in it...I thought this was a good switch.....

Thank you everyone... Getting a little frustrated here...

[Ellie May]

There are so many variables here. No way to say exactly what is causing the soft stool.

Could be:
Giardia is not under control.
Lots of new drugs tried.
Hamburger can be fatty and cause issues.
Four foods have been in the equation in the last month.
Probiotics can cause GI issues. Not all vets like them.

How about sticking with an rx bland diet for a few weeks. If the do well,that is a sign that the giardia is controlled. Then switch them slowly to a good kibble. If they continue to have loose stool the vet needs to know.

[BLowry]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

There are so many variables here. No way to say exactly what is causing the soft stool.

Could be:
Giardia is not under control.
Lots of new drugs tried.
Hamburger can be fatty and cause issues.
Four foods have been in the equation in the last month.
Probiotics can cause GI issues. Not all vets like them.

How about sticking with an rx bland diet for a few weeks. If the do well,that is a sign that the giardia is controlled. Then switch them slowly to a good kibble. If they continue to have loose stool the vet needs to know.

All their poop was getting better...formed but still not "firm" They finished all their meds Tuesday. The hamburg I bought was 93% lean...I boiled it for an hour!! LOL...rinsed the heck out of it. There is actually more rice than hamburg in the mix. My vet put them on probiotics because they had a bacteria in their intestines. I told them the new food I put them on has probiotics in it (It it made with human food...all good stuff) and they said that was fine...I am going to give it a couple more days...if I don't notice a "firm" change then it will be ANOTHER call to the vet...This is getting SO FRUSTRATING!!! I am doing everything I can for them..doesn't seem to bother them at all! except when they get poop stuck on their butts! LOL...then it's wash the butt! ...UGH

[kjc]

Originally Posted by BLowry

All their poop was getting better...formed but still not "firm" They finished all their meds Tuesday. The hamburg I bought was 93% lean...I boiled it for an hour!! LOL...rinsed the heck out of it. There is actually more rice than hamburg in the mix. My vet put them on probiotics because they had a bacteria in their intestines. I told them the new food I put them on has probiotics in it (It it made with human food...all good stuff) and they said that was fine...I am going to give it a couple more days...if I don't notice a "firm" change then it will be ANOTHER call to the vet...This is getting SO FRUSTRATING!!! I am doing everything I can for them..doesn't seem to bother them at all! except when they get poop stuck on their butts! LOL...then it's wash the butt! ...UGH

Maybe now they're having a bad reaction to the new kibble.... and what Ellie May said.... Giardia can take some time to really clear as it doesn't shed everyday... sometimes it sheds every 2-4 days so testing for it can be tricky. I usually collect 3-4 days worth of poo in a baggie in the fridge, mix it up together and submit it as one sample.

[BLowry]

Originally Posted by kjc

Maybe now they're having a bad reaction to the new kibble.... and what Ellie May said.... Giardia can take some time to really clear as it doesn't shed everyday... sometimes it sheds every 2-4 days so testing for it can be tricky. I usually collect 3-4 days worth of poo in a baggie in the fridge, mix it up together and submit it as one sample.

The vet said their were no cysts in the poop and this is what the parasite sheds. I'm sure the new food has something to do with soft poop...and it will take a few days for them to get used to it. I am giving it the weekend, if their poop isn't firmed up by then It will be back to the vet!