NLR: Soft and often unformed stools

[HersheyK's Dad]

My daughter has a 15 week old Cockapoo pup. This dog has had maybe two well formed, firm stools in the 5 weeks she has had him. It varies from unformed mud, to formed but can't be picked up.

The dog came home with giardhia and another parasite. Both were treated and are now negative. The vet is saying he has a sensitive stomach and to cut out anything but the canned food they are providing, at a cost. DD has been trying to slowly switch him over to a chicken and rice kibble.

Could this really be just a sensitive stomach? She had him in to the vet yesterday after he 'cried' when trying to poop. They said his bacteria count was all out of balance and to just cut out all kibble, chicken jerky treats, only the canned food for a week or two. He was on this food when he was being treated for the parasites and that didn't result in any better formed stools.

Looking for some ideas or questions to ask the vets.

[Labsrme]

I would be sure to be feeding this puppy probiotics. I'm assuming the the puppy had antibiotic treatment - which results in killing off of good bacteria in the stomach as well as the bad stuff. I feed probiotics all of the time, but it's especially important when a dog has recently had antibiotics.

This could also be a food issue. Six months ago I bought a 3 year old dog that had eaten Pro Plan Chicken and Rice food for her entire life. Her poops were large and somewhat soft, but not awful. I was determined to put this dog on a "better" dog food, as I usually feed holistic dog foods. After five months of trying multiple very good foods and dealing with stools ranging from watery to soft I finally put the dog back on Pro Plan dog food, although this time I am feeding the Performance variety. My dog has had perfect poops since returning to the Pro Plan food. This just proves that you need to feed what works for your dog and to not put as much weight into ratings or ingredients on paper - something I've been very guilty of myself.

[amazongold]

I agree with the above. I'd also put the pup on boiled chicken or hamburger and brown rice for a few days.