Last couple of days after Maggie finishes going poo after her meal she squats a couple more times to go poo and nothing comes out. What could be up with that?
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Last couple of days after Maggie finishes going poo after her meal she squats a couple more times to go poo and nothing comes out. What could be up with that?
Geez, I'm not the best with puppy information. I do know a spoonful of pumpkin with it's fiber, helps but not sure about amount for a puppy. That's plain pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling. Is she drinking well? If you think not, you can put some water in her kibble. I still do this with the older dogs. Sorry I'm not that helpful.
It might be nothing. Sometimes if you don't see, they might be expelling anal glands. My adults do it from time to time, I don't worry about it.
Did you recently switch her food? Sometimes if a food is too rich this can happen. Is the poo before the straining solid? If the poo is liquid or diarrhea she could have some kind of digestive upset or could have eaten something that is causing a blockage. If you have not changed her diet at all I would probably give the vet a call at least since she is little, just to get their opinion.
Yes I am switching her food over gradually. Last few days she has been on 1/4 cup of new food and 3/4 cup of food she has been on. Her poo is soft serve. Not diarrhea or liquid. Should I give her some pumpkin?
You could try the pumpkin. Is the new food either more rich (fat, protein, calorie wise), or grain free? Sometimes puppies really struggle with that type of transition, mine was not able to handle a grain free kibble.
Not grain free but higher in fat and protein. It is nutri source large breed puppy. Mixed with Purina puppy Chow.
Sounds like anal gland expression, which is really good. You want them to express them on their own! You could also try to cut back on the new food and see if that helps the problem... maybe 1/6 new food, 5/6 of the Puppy Chow.
As far as I know dogs do not express their anal glands by just pushing. It is the good solid stool passing thru the rectum that puts pressure on the glands and expresses them. You can see this when the stool comes out and you see a bit of liquid as well. Just pushing with no solid stool expelling does not express the glands.
Janice, I sometimes have my pups or older dogs seem to strain a bit after a good solid stool. I do not worry about it unless it continues for a few days and then I would give pumpkin or Metamucil. If you are absolutely sure your pup has not ingested a foreign object, just keep an eye on her, go out with her each time to observe her bowel movements. Pumpkin works both ways (for diarrhea and constipation). I would give a few tbsp. in a meal to start and see how she does.
How's Maggie doing this morning?
KAZ