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Dog's stool a little loose.

Species: Dog
Breed: Golden
Age: 1-2 years
Dr Marie,

Examining that bump around Max's nipples it appears to be less solid. Still pink. So it may be going away gradually.

This is a general question about stools.

Max is on Z/D and 5ml glucosamine/day.

On any given day his stools range from rock hard to hard/playdoughy with moist exterior.

His atteptite and activity are normal.

In August 2011 after switching food too fast he was shown to have dilated lymph tubules in the colon but no sign of IBD or protein loss. Low fat diet and short course of tylosin cleared it to normal stools.

-is moist, putty like stools acceptible? They are formed and segmented.





Online vet, Dr. Marie

Dr. Marie replied:

Glad to hear about the lump Jay.

I think, from what you have described to me in the past about Max's history, the type of stools you are describing (and describing very well by the way) are acceptable.

I would be concerned if it seemed like these stools were bothering him. So, if he was straining and crying every time he tried to pass stool or if he was having unproductive straining several times a day I'd be worried. Similarly, if he was not able to control his bowel movements and having them in the house then I'd be more concerned.

Now, if the "looseness" gets more and more pronounced your vet may decide that he needs either another course of tylosin or possibly even long term tylosin. I have a few patients that need that.

But for now, if Max seems happy then I wouldn't be worried at all!

Dr. Marie.


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Customer reply:

Thanks.

From an email to the Internist Nov 2011 I also described stools that were hard one day, putty-like another. His reply was as long as it was formed it's fine.

It's only in the last 3-6 months where it's had a moist exterior I began to take notice. I always thought stools should have a hard shell on them.

His stools are once a day at around 6 pm and no straining or anything else.


Online vet, Dr. Marie

Dr. Marie replied:

Got it. The stools are definitely not what I would call "normal". But, this might be normal for Max.

I know this is going to sound strange, but it may be a good idea to take a photo of Max's stool once a week. That way, you can get a good idea of whether or not they are getting looser and looser. It can sometimes be hard to know whether things are getting worse when you see it every single day.

If they are getting looser and looser then I'm guessing that your vet will do another course of tylosin, or, as mentioned earlier, put him on it long term. I can't remember if clostridium was mentioned as a possibility for his bowel problems, but some dogs with this type of bacteria will have dramatic responses to tylosin but then it can come back again. I have one dog (also a Golden) as a patient who had this issue and she needed two years of Tylosin before we could wean her off of it!

The fact that he is not straining and only has one stool a day really makes me feel like I am not worried about him at all.



Customer reply:

I just pulled yesturday's poo and today's from the trash and examined it for 10 minutes.

Yesturday's was hard and didn't seem moist or shiny on the outside.
Today's was half hard (rectal end I guess) and the other half like play dough and moist/shiny exterior.

Even the play dough half held a shape when you bent it and could even be strung out thinly without stretching or breaking.

I think this is just dog poo and I'm just going to have some wine and watch tv, trying to forget this whole experience!







Online vet, Dr. Marie

Dr. Marie replied:

Oh my you are thorough!

I think your last idea about the wine and TV is the best one!



Customer reply:

It's better than a scrap book of dog poo. Then they would commit me for sure.

Have a good evening

Jay


Online vet, Dr. Marie

Dr. Marie replied:

You too!



Customer reply:

Just something to keep in mind.

I had held back on his glucosamine the last couple of days to test a theory.

Tonight his stool was completely normal.

Looking it up online, glucosamine can affect the GI causing diahrea or constipation.

That's good enough for me. Back he goes.



Online vet, Dr. Marie

Dr. Marie replied:

Well that's interesting. I have not heard that, but I suppose any supplement can cause intestinal upset.

There are many different kinds of glucosamine. I can't remember if we've talked about this in the past, but I am not a fan of straight glucosamine for dogs. Studies show that it doesn't do much. However, if you combine it with the right amounts of chondroitin it can be helpful to prevent joint issues.

A couple of products that I like are Cosequin and Dasquin.

It may be a good idea to try Max off of glucosamine for a few weeks and then talk to your vet about trying one of the above supplements I mentioned.



Customer reply:

He's actually on 5mp PO Daily of Ubavet Plus.

Glucosamine 1000mg
Chondritin 250 mg
MSM 200 mg
Ascobic Acid 70 mg
Manganese sulphate 10 mg


Selenium,Green Lipped Muscles, Bioflavonoids, Angelica Pubescens, Rhemania Glutinosa, Gentaina Macrophilia, Acanthopanax gracilistylis.

Distribiuted by Vet Link 1-800-838-8563



Customer reply:

He's actually on 5mp PO Daily of Ubavet Plus.

Glucosamine 1000mg
Chondritin 250 mg
MSM 200 mg
Ascobic Acid 70 mg
Manganese sulphate 10 mg


Selenium,Green Lipped Muscles, Bioflavonoids, Angelica Pubescens, Rhemania Glutinosa, Gentaina Macrophilia, Acanthopanax gracilistylis.

Distribiuted by Vet Link 1-800-838-8563

http://www.ehow.com/list_6183593_side-effects-glucosamine-dog.html


Online vet, Dr. Marie

Dr. Marie replied:

It's hard to say whether one product or another is good just based on the ingredients. The recommendations I made above are made based on somebody's research that I once read.

Regarding the side effects, you will find that most medications list some type of gastrointestinal upset as a potential side effect. But, given that the stools got firmer when you stopped it, it's worthwhile to keep him off of it!



Customer reply:

The side effects are minor and with his diagnosed luxating patella and dysplasia I'm going to use this prophylactically at this point.

Jay


Online vet, Dr. Marie

Dr. Marie replied:

Totally up to you! If you want to use it, but you feel it is affecting his stool, you may find that a different brand helps. (btw...I'm not trying to push you on to a different product - it's just a suggestion!)



Customer reply:

I appreciate your suggestion. My main concern is that we weren't slipping back into last year's IBD threat. I'm chill for now.

Thanks

Jay


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Dr. MarieDr. Marie is a veterinarian who practices in a busy animal hospital in Ottawa, Ontario. She created Ask A Vet Question as a resource for good, accurate veterinary advice online. Dr. Marie treats dogs, cats, hamsters, guinea pigs, and rats. She has been a vet since 1999.

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