Desperate help!

Bud · Desperate help!

can anyone give me some advice! I am at breaking point!
We have had our rescue staffie for nearly a year now. He is about 2 years old and has been on Ardent Grange for 9 months. In the last 2 months he has had liquid mustard colour poo. I have spent over 10 visits to the vet and shed loads of antibiotics. We gradually changed to Burns, stopped all the treats, everything and still he is not well. The only thing that works is if I boil chicken and rice which he loves and eats. He is not off his food and will eat the Arden grange but we go back to the beginning again, we tried putting just a few handfuls in with the chicken and rice and still he is poorly.....I’m worried that he is not getting the right combination of food with just chicken & rice and I’m even more worried that the vet hasn’t picked up something more serious........any advice would be grateful.

EmmaSemple

Has he had a faecal sample taken?

Emma

xxlynne

When you say he is still not well Is he not well in himself or well but he is loose?

We had this one one of our Staffies and following a stool sample they were able to target the problem and treat that.

Bud

yes they took a sample and tested for just about everything and the vet came back and said nothing serious, but gave me more antibiotics plus the doggie equivalent of Imodium but it hasn’t cured it just prolonged it...he is still up and running, his coat is great, he looks fine....but he did used to eat the grass every day, were as now with the chicken and rice he doesn’t do it every day. His belly used to grumble and make noises and he burped allot were as now it’s much better. he only eats once a day and that’s usually in the evening...he never woofed his food, more a grazer....I just don’t want him to be uncomfortable....I don’t understand when it all changed, He seemed great on the Arden...we were doing great but the last few months have been horrid, ear ache, his back legs gave way, he had muscle problems in one of his front legs and the bowel problem.

EmmaSemple

It does sound like he has an intolerance to wheat. Arden Grange does contain wheat but only in a small amount.
I would recommend that you try James Wellbeloved which is hypo-allergenic and gluten free.
It would mean no treats and just his dry food, but JW do special treats (called Crackerjacks) specifically so that dogs with this problem can still enjoy some sort of treat.
Chicken and rice is ok as a short term diet, but is very high in protein and not nutritionally complete as you feared.
You will need to feed him this diet for at least two weeks to get any toxins that do not agree with him out of his body.
I would do a three day course of Immodium if he does get the trots and then stop. Charcoal tablets help alot with digestion problems and you can get these from homeopathic shops. That should stop the rumbly belly (and associated wind!)
Food allergies can often be related to other problems (extra build up of debris in ears), muscle problems and obviously bowel problems.

Emma

Bud

I should have come here first. thank you so much for all the info. I will keep up the chicken & rice for another week and then try the wellbeloved. just one quick question will it be ok to give him JW straight or should I mix it with the chicken & rice first?
thank you again for the advice...I know Bud will really appreciate it.

Spellbound

Personally, I'd mix the JWB with the chicken and rice over the next week or so, gradually reducing the C&R and increasing the JWB.
It'll give his tum a chance to get used to it slowly rather than the huge shock of something completely new.

Rigsby

I would ask for a referral to a specialist. They will do much more specific tests than your vet is able to and really get to the route of the problem. If you have insurance, it will be covered by that. I wouldnt let a problem like that continue for so long.
Otherwise, what about a homeopathic vet?

EmmaSemple

Yes, definately change the food gradually. The reason I recommend trying JWB is because vets can often put dogs on expensive veterinary diets which work, but are not necessarily the only option. For example, Derek (currently at the kennels I work at - one of RR dogs) came to us stating that he had to have a specific vet diet which was not provided and we had no indication of what this diet was.
He started off on Arden Grange, but even this food (which is normally very good) was too rich for him and gave him the runs.
He was starved for 24 hours and started on JWB and since then has had no problems. He obviously has a gluten intolerance which is becoming increasingly more common.
JWB is easy to get hold of as most pet shops stock it and is not overly expensive.
Obviously if his tummy problems continue then a specialist will be required, but insurance companies do not pay out for special food (although they will pay for the tests). IF he settles on JWB and as long as he is not dehydrated and does not start to get ill through his stomach issues then trying a different brand of food won't hurt, although there is no promises that it will work.

Emma

Bud

thanks Emma i am going with food change. i wll never see Bud in pain and will always take him to the vet but hes not in pain and still loves his food and exercise...he still only goes once or twice a day but its just not right....thanks again

EmmaSemple

We use JWB Lamb and Rice at the kennels. This seems to be the most compatable with the dogs. The Turkey and Rice is ok too, but the Fish and Rice doesn't seem to be that popular - most of the dogs turn their noses up at that!

Emma

jogreen · food

My Jack (died age 17 1/2 but still looked like a puppy) was a strict vegetarian through allergy to animal protein. It happened gradually during first 18 months of her life. First she couldn't eat red meats, then fish, then white meat, then anything with any trace of animal protein. She would be very sick and get D&V for 24 hours after consumption.
My dog now, Peggy Sue, eats a raw food diet. I know everyone has their opinion on it, but I can't fault it. We have had her for 2 1/2 years and we started her on it about 6 months after we got her. We tried all the natural, hypo-allergenic, and organic complete foods out there, but we weren't happy with any. Peggy ate it, but never seemed to enjoy it.
On the raw food diet she improved greatly. She loves her food, her coat is amazing, the mess in the garden halved (and is really easy to clean up - not sticky, less smelly, dries to white crumbly stuff that can be swept up sometimes).
A short time ago we bowed to Vet pressure and put her back on 'proper dog food' as they called it. She went sluggish, her wind was dreadful, cleaning the garden was a nightmare. We asked the vet why they had told us to change. They gave us a load of waffle, but agreed that she was in an amazing condition on the raw food, and was not good on other sorts. It has taken a few weeks to get all the rubbish out of her system properly, but she is back to her old self now.
Every dog is different. I happen to have had the extreme end of the scale with my dogs. Persevere - you'll find the answer. Follow your instinct because you know your dog best.
If we listened to the 'experts' about what we should eat, we would be in a mess. One week we wouldn't be allowed to eat eggs, another carrots, another chocolate and wine a bad, the next they are good. In the end we moderate ourselve - we should do the same for our dogs.
I know I've waffled, but sometimes I just can't help myself - sorry.
All the best
Jo

reclaimingrebus

Reeb is gluten intolerant. It was a nightmare, the garden was covered in cowpats of fresh slime and fresh blood. He did very well on autarkey, which is gluten free,as is P@H, and also on Wainwrights. also gluten free. Tht was 5 years ago. an hs been fine since. good luck

Lydia

Can I put my 2 pence in and just say that a little live yoghurt can also help - in moderation, especially if a dog experiences issues with bacterial levels in their gut, which can happen.

I also am a huge fan of the RAW diet if done properly, but its not for everyone, it can be expensive and time consuming to get it right. If you're concerned about the rice and chicken your feeding your friend in the meantime, add some raw veg, that will help, but be careful about which you add, broccolli and carrots are good! Very Happy

Bud

i am very greatful for all the advice and we have been doing well with the food change for about 2 weeks and then he had a birthday and he was given a raw hide bone and we are back to square one....but at least we now know that its the food thats effecting him and nothing too serious.
thanks every one...