Hi. Recently you recommended Prozyme for both Toby's stool eating problem, as well as his soft stools. My husband brought Toby in to the vet today for his shots and check up, and spoke with her about it. She said digestive enzymes are usually for dogs with pancreatic problems and not these kind of problems. She recommended quite a few things that we had already tried (adding stuff to the poo, change in diet. etc) Then she gave us Flagyl for Giardia, even though he has tested negative for giarida/and worms on four seperate occasions, just in case it just didn't show up. We are going to try the Flagyl, but I have a feeling Giardia is not the problem. I know you are not a vet, but I appreciate and respect your advice. Do you think when the Flagyl is finished, if it has not helped (which I suspect to be the case) should I give the Prozyme a shot anyway. I mean, it's not prescription or anything -- and Toby has no known medical conditions and he is only 15 months old -- so do you feel it would it be safe to use anyway -- just to see if it helps? I truly believe you are on to something with this. He has problems digesting any extras (brown rice, carrots, etc) and they ususally come out whole (sorry to be so descriptive.) And the funny thing is, he does not touch Leah's poos (thank God) so maybe he really is just missing nutrients in his diet? Sorry so long a post, I am sure everyone has noticed, I am just a wordy person.

I've never heard of using Flagyl for a negative stool test, unless your vet thinks Toby has an intestinal bacterial infection.

May I ask how old you vet might be?

Maybe this link will explain the benefits of Prozyme: http://www.prozymeproducts.com/page1.html

Our vets suggest it to all poop eaters and to dogs with digestive system problems, and ones who have pancreatic ailments. There are many theories as to why they eat poop, from personal experience with 3 past "poop eating dogs", I believe they lack something in their diets and eat recycled proteins, vitamins, etc. Dogs who don't have a good digestive system don't absorb the proteins and vits their bodies need and thus it's still 'useful' as poop and is recycled for more use.

This is JMHO, I'm not saying your vet is wrong, but I don't totally agree with her. If you want to give it a try for a week or so give Toby about 10 unsweetened pineapple chunks on his meals; pineapple is also a natural digestive enzyme as Prozyme is (Prozyme has other ingredients in it special designed for dogs).

http://www.dog-play.com/poop.html

I'm not sure which of the 5 vets my husbad saw, but we take our pets to the Farmingville Animal Hospital on Long Island, NY. She said sometimes dogs with Giardia will have the on and off soft stools that Toby has been having, so I think she prescribed it more for that than the stool eating. But again, since parasites were a possibitlity, this was his fourth stool test within the past year -- two with the shelter he was at where we adopted him from and then one in August when we adopted him and another tosay. All negative. So you think I should try the pineapple in lieu of the Prozyme?

She said sometimes dogs with Giardia will have the on and off soft stools that Toby has been having, so I think she prescribed it more for that than the stool eating.
I see this vet's point, and yes, giardia can hide, so even though the test result is neg. now, there MIGHT still be some lingering giardia protozas in him. But since ALL his past results are neg., I think she just wants to be extra cautious because he is eating poop.

So you think I should try the pineapple in lieu of the Prozyme?
If I was in your situation, I'd try the pineapple for now until he's finished the Flagyl, if you notice a difference for the better with his poop eating habits, then we know that he needs digestive enzymes, and then go to the Prozyme. Please keep in mind that Prozyme is stronger than pineapple so it will give you better results. I guess I'm trying not to mix his Flagyl with another type med for now. Does that makes sense?

Absolutely. Actually, I was planning to wait until he is done with the Flagyl, otherwise, I won't know what really helped him. I just wanted to make sure there were no negative reasons to try him on it. Of course, if the Flagyl works great, but I just have a nagging suspicion that you hit the nail on the head with the enzymes. Of course I'm not vet, so I'll just have to wait and see. Thanks again. I'll post how we make out. :cheers2:

I just have a nagging suspicion
Nagging suspicions are usually right :). BTW, Flagyl is a general intestinal antibiotic and isn't too harsh.

Yes, please keep us posted.

Good luck!!!

my vet told me not to use prozyme unless it was needed because iit does the work the pancreas is supposed to do..it might tell the pancreas that it can be lazy and not work the way it should anymore..but it may be that Toby's is already lazy and it needs help..?

Black as Night..is your signature picture one of Debbie's portraits?