It's a poopy situation

[Bernie]

The first few weeks on their immature systems can be tough, which is why a lot of folks rush to change food (often unnecessarily), but from how you describe what's happening with Bear, I don't think it's a food issue. Also, based on Bear's lines, it sounds like you are doing a good job with feeding him the proper amount to keep him bloomy and allow him to grow to the full potential of his pedigree. Changes in water sources are a huge culprit in digestive troubles for small puppies (and sometimes adult dogs too -- which is why you'll see a lot of people bring in water from home if they travel for shows instead of using local water at the hotel, show site). I think adding a good probiotic will help you.

My latest puppy went through similar issues when he first came home this summer (also a clear fecal from vet), but adding probiotics (at home I have Nature's Farmacy Complete which was developed by a Newfoundland breeder for her puppy people, and I have packets of Fortiflora) and a splash of raw goat milk yogurt (I use Steve's Real Food brand which contains a little coconut flour and chia seed for anti-fungal and omega-3s respectively, amongst other benefits) cleared any issues up very quickly. My pup turned 5-months old today actually, and we've had no problems (knock wood). He looks really promising for his age, and all systems work as they should.

Add some probiotics and give his little system some time to strengthen. Also, don't be afraid to feed your boy! A lot of people will advise you to cut back on his food when they hear stuff like this. That's not necessarily the culprit. Puppies from many lines need a goodly amount of calories to blossom into looking like their dads and grandpas. I'm sure your breeder is giving you lots of great advice on stuff like this. Hang in there!

"He looks really promising for his age, and all systems work as they should. "
Ever wonder what he'd be like just eating dog food?

[Meeps83]

I have had a lot of success with Benebac personally. Just a thought and I don't know if it would make any difference but you mentioned that you are feeding him every 12 hours if I read correctly? Maybe feeding him 3 times a day would make a difference?

I questioned the feeding interval as well, but it was what the breeder had been doing so we stuck with it.

Would it be worthwhile to do 3 feedings?


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[Meeps83]

The amount you are feeding sound spot on for his age, and he is a growing boy that will eat much much more per day before his growth slows. So, I don't feel it is the amount of food, or the food itself even. They go through so much stress when they go to their new homes, sometimes it is a simple as a different water source that has enough/different microorganisms in it that it causes mild symptoms like this. Could be a low grade coccdia or giardia (which is notorious for Not showing up in fecal samples, it has to be sent out for an Eliza assay to find the antigens in the stool), that is causing frequency but not more severe symptoms.

I started my last litter on Probios at weaning and still have my current 5 month olds on it daily. It's a powder and not very expensive, Amazon has it. This has produced the best stools my litters have ever had, and I didn't think anything was wrong with them before. These guys have been going 3-4 times a day since 8 weeks, firm perfect stools, and now 2 times a day, and they are eating 5+ cups a day plus lots or training treats right now.

Edited to add, the probiotics are so good and the digestive system so healthy they can and do fight off coccdia and giardia more effectively on their own.*

Is Probios he brand? Is it just a probiotic or a probiotic/ digestive enzyme combination?


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[Meeps83]

Thanks everyone. I just want him to be healthy. I don't remember the brand of probiotics and digestive enzymes at the moment, but will look when I get home.

As a side note, we have issues with our city water twice a year. They say they do nothing to it, but once every spring and once every fall for a few weeks we have pretty big die offs in our fish tanks and it's been this way for years so it's possible that he's sensitive to the water.


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[windycanyon]

I questioned the feeding interval as well, but it was what the breeder had been doing so we stuck with it.

Would it be worthwhile to do 3 feedings?


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I am still feeding my pups 3x a day at 10 wks. Smaller meals = better digestion/ use of food. Kind of like people too!

[dxboon]

Is Probios he brand? Is it just a probiotic or a probiotic/ digestive enzyme combination?


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Yes, Probios is the brand: Amazon.com : PROBIOSÂ*POWDERÂ*CHR404, 240 g : Pet Probiotic Nutritional Supplements : Pet Supplies

Dogzymes also makes some good probiotics and digestive enzymes (you can see a bunch at the Nature's Farmacy site).

[dxboon]

I am still feeding my pups 3x a day at 10 wks. Smaller meals = better digestion/ use of food. Kind of like people too!

Agree. I feed 3x a day through when teething finishes if the puppy will continue to eat at lunch. My new boy starting turning down his mid-day meal a few weeks ago, so he's just on the big boys' same schedule now. He's too busy playing when I come home for lunch to bother with eating, I guess.

[Shelley]

Amazon.com : PROBIOSÂ*POWDERÂ*CHR404, 240 g : Pet Probiotic Nutritional Supplements : Pet Supplies

I also give the Probios gel to newborns after I know they have gotten colostrum.

[barry581]

I am still feeding my pups 3x a day at 10 wks. Smaller meals = better digestion/ use of food. Kind of like people too!

Brooks will be 19 weeks tomorrow and I'm still feeding him 3x per day. The afternoon meal is only 1 cup out of the almost 5 he's getting, but I don't think he's quite ready for 2x per day.

[SunDance]

My dogs are 7 1/2 and "who knows?" (older) and get three meals a day. Plus two biscuit treats. Their schedule....otherwise we get empty tummy syndrome.