Science Diet - Sensitive Stomach

[Indy's mom]

So, our sweet baby Duke just went to the vet. Here's a bit of background, to give you a better idea of my dilemma.

My son adopted in June in LA. The rescue said they were the 3rd place that they were aware of that Duke had been. Jeff's home made no. 4. After a short time with Jeff, Duke started losing his hair, severely stressed. Vet, trainer and behaviorist all said Duke needed to be rehomed. Eventually, he will go to live with my son in Texas, for now he had to get out of LA for the sake of his health, so he has come to Wisconsin to hang with us for 2-3 months.

In the brief time that Duke has been with any of us, he has has diarrhea most of the time. Jeff said that it got much better, firmer, when he added pumpkin to his diet.

Duke has been with me 2 weeks now. Complete watery stool all of the time. I chalked up much of this to stress as he has been to so many places and met so many people in an incredibly short amount of time. Jeff had him on Nature's Choice so I have not changed that.

As the diarrhea has continued I've been very concerned. I was adding some yogurt to the diet to help with gas, hoped that the good bacteria might help as well. It didn't.

Last Friday he had no food at all, I hoped the day would help his tummy to rest. Started him on white rice Saturday. Sunday added a small amount of kibble. No improvement. Feeling like I need to make him better. Added pumpkin on Monday and Tuesday. No change.

Today, he went to the vet. They did a fecal sample and found no bacteria, however an elevated temp and detailed description of how often he goes, in what amounts, etc. led the vet to believe he most likely has an infection of the small intestines.

So...cortisone shot and a prescription for antibiotics. The vet also wanted him to be on Science Diet for Sensitive Stomach.

I'm not the most knowledgeable boxer owner, but I believe that Science Diet is dreadful and so I politely declined to buy it from the vet office.

My boxer Indiana alternates between Canidea and Wellness. I'd like to put Duke on this as well, but I'm concerned that this may not be gentle enough on his stomach considering everything.

Any thoughts or suggestions for what could be a high quality version of the Science Diet for Sensitive Stomach?

I greatly appreciate reading and offering any advice possible.

Mods - I apologize if this is not the right forum, since my basic question is regarding food I hope it's correct. Not sure because my overall concern is for Duke's health. As always, I appreciate your kind understanding and correction if this is not located in the right place.

 

[johann]

Good idea on declining the science diet food.

I would revisit the rice/bland diet idea. Personally, I'd go a day or 2 with no food (he's not a puppy right?). Then introduce small amounts of plain rice a multiple times a day. Or just plain boiled chicken and/or rice. And stick with that for a few weeks until his stools are 100% normal. Then, slowly start adding in a small amount of kibble, gradually working your way back to just kibble for him. Pumpkin and yogurt have helped Johann a lot when he's had diarrhea.

I wonder how much fiber Wellness and Canidea have? Johann used to have loose (not watery, just overly soft) stools on Wellness but has done really well on Acana/Orijen (pretty sure its a higher fiber content).

 

[BxrMommieNAZ]

Wow! Well I'd start with boiled chicken and rice mixed, ProZyme, a probiotic, with some either psyllium (I use Yerba Prima brand at a health food store but you can get whatever brand) or pumpkin and keep with that (I'd leave out the yogurt, dairy can cause issues for some dogs) for 2 weeks or so to give his gut time to settle down. When my boy had his colitis flare up it took 15 days on boiled chicken and rice before his stool even remotely firmed up.

Then I would (and do as my boy has colitis) use ProZyme and a probiotic (I get my prozyme online at Amazon and my probiotic at the grocery store in the vitamin aisle) and see how that does. If there's still a bit of an issue then I would also add in some psyllium (start with 1 tsp at each feeding). That should fix the problem. Hopefully LOL.

You may also want to try a limited ingredient diet and see if that helps. I wouldn't go with California Natural only because the fiber content is VERY low, I would go with either Natural Balance limited ingredient diet line (Venison and Sweet Potato, Fish and Sweet Potato, or Duck and Potato) or Wellness's limited ingredient diet line and see if one of those will work for him. Also if you make any food adjustments (ie going to boiled chicken and rice to a kibble) make sure it takes at least 7 days preferably 10, VERY slow.

And I completely agree on the no Science Diet.

 

[Indy's mom]

Thank you both so much. I'll take your suggestions and begin with them today.

This is a sweet boy, I just want him to feel his best. I really appreciate you kind advice.

Sandy

 

[silly24boxer]

When my boy Gauge had the runs really bad the rice made it worst for some reason. My vet said boiled russet potatoes and boiled chicken. 50/50 mix along with fortiflora and it worked alot better than the rice. I fed him this for a week and gradually add his kibble (orijen). I would start with the New balance kibble with him also.

 

[kayboxer]

Ditto with the limited ingredient diet, such as Natural Balance. I agree with the chicken and rice for a week, or oatmeal and rice. (Make sure it isn't instant rice though ) I think 12 to 24 hours without food should be enough, I don't know if I'd go two days, especially since it sounds as though everything he is eating is going right through him. When Buster had "runs", I fasted him for 24 hours, which is what the vet suggested (12 to 24 hrs), and he did well with that amount of time. I honestly don't think he could have gone 48 hours without food, he would have started eating furniture.

 

[MugsyinWP]

What's wrong with instant rice?

 

[kayboxer]

Instant rice has had all the nutrients taken out during processing. It goes right through pretty much undigested. I actually use brown rice, more fiber and keep them satisfied longer. It is healthier than white rice, but you can use white rice.

 

[lorae]

I hope Duke is doing better. Please watch your boy isn't allergic to BOTH chicken and beef, as my girl was ... It takes quite a bit of trial and error, but I finally have her on a lamb based diet and she's doing great. Good luck!!