Would you change food?

[Londonkatt]

18 month small terrier has had persistent diarrhea and occasional vomiting for over a week now. We’ve been to the vet several times, they have done an ultrasound to rule out any obstruction and she is now on probiotics and omeprazole.

The Vet said to continue with her normal food - forthglade complete wet and canagan country game kibble - but I’m starting to wonder if it is too rich for her and she might be better on something else. Would you phase out the kibble for Millie’s wolf heart tracker mix which is advertised as low fat and suitable for convalescent dogs? Or hold my nerve and carry on with her usual food as per vets advice?

She really likes the canagan to the point where I use it as training treats.

Any suggestions welcome, she has been very quiet all week and is not herself at all

 

[K9YLA]

I can't advise if you should change food but if you do either phase old food old gradually by adding new slowly each daily until old Is out or feed boiled chicken/ rice until she is firm then change food.
I highly recommend AVA ( from pets at home) they cater for different sizes and I use the coat/ digestion dry and wet both chicken and fish.

 

[gunnergundog]

How long have you owned the dog and how long has she been on that diet? Presumably without any issues.

 

[meleeka]

It makes sense to feed her bland food if she's feeling poorly. I'd say boiled chicken and rice too for now, then introduce food very slowly.

 

[Londonkatt]

How long have you owned the dog and how long has she been on that diet? Presumably without any issues.

We’ve had her since she was a puppy, have tried a few different foods as she has always had a tendency to be a bit loose, but I put it down to excitement in the past. She’s been on the current combo for a good few months now,

 

[gunnergundog]

Hold your nerve, don't change too many variables at once. Presumably they have taken faecal samples to rule out giardia etc?

 

[skinnydipper]

We’ve had her since she was a puppy, have tried a few different foods as she has always had a tendency to be a bit loose, but I put it down to excitement in the past. She’s been on the current combo for a good few months now,

If she has never had firm stools, she could have an intolerance. Chicken and rice are common allergens, I would avoid those.

Druid recommended sweet potato and turkey mince, could you try those until her D & V settles.

Bland diet (mashed sweet potato and turkey mince) is recommended now over the old chicken/rice. Easier to digest, insoluble fibre to bulk out stool and less likely to cause any intolerances than chicken. Most diarrhoea is fibre responsive.

 

[Londonkatt]

Thanks all. Yes I’ve avoided chicken in the past, although she is currently having a little bit am and pm to hide her tablets. She has had rice quite often though in the past , I might try to cut that out in future.

 

[Teaselmeg]

Has Giardia/Campylobactor etc been ruled out ?

 

[Jenko109]

How is your little dog now?

 

[Londonkatt]

Thanks so much for asking, she is lots better now - still not sure what the cause was but I’ve stopped the Canagan kibble (which is quite high fat and has 4% egg) and am switching over to Forthglade (salmon and sweet potato) as it’s the same protein as her wet food and is lower fat.

We’ve also been strict about no table scraps, and I’ve cut back a wild cherry tree in the garden after finding a few fruit stones in her poo. So hopefully all that will do the trick!