To ask why dog has random loose stools -this normal?

[Macbeth8]

Before I take her to the vets who last time charged me an unreasonable amount just to tell me to try a diet change 🙄
Starting to get concerned. Cocker spaniel randomly has very loose stools like for example one day its fine pickable
But then some mornings her stool is firm but then in a pile of liquidy mess!

I have put her on butternut box 📦 food now which is very expensive but after research decided this was the best option.
Sometimes will add boiled white rice.

She is fine within herself, plenty of energy but is there anything that could indicate a problem? Its worrying when shes doing it on her walks and its so hard for me to clean up.

Also, she has no treats just her butternut food which has been tailored to her weight, breed etc.

I have a greyhound and they are notorious for sensitive tummies. I follow a no grain or wheat diet and this works really well for him. Also no rawhide or cheap treats. Just chicken and the occasional bit of cheese . All dogs are different though . Good luck 🤞🏻

It could be something as simple as a food intolerance. Have you tried an elimination diet? And a pre&probiotoc like Tummy Tastic by Proflax.

Cockers are prone to pancreatitis. Are her poos orangey-coloured?

If she hasn't been kept in the best conditions before coming to you then it's possible her gut health is all over the place. I'd keep it simple by checking she's having the right amount of food for her weight and add a probiotic vitamin supplement, if that resolves the issue then great and if it doesn't then start looking at trial and error of eliminating foods, allergy testing, etc. From experience though that will sort it in most cases.

Remember too, dogs are like people in that the occasional runny poo is normal. Mine kept getting runny poos during the hot weather and it was just down to being hot and drinking lots of extra water.

My aged Labrador has on and off diarrhoea. He's been thoroughly checked by numerous vets as he's diabetic and we think he's got IBS or maybe an inflammatory bowel thing - but I can manage the condition and because he's old we've decided not to investigate.

When he's having a bout of diarrhoea I order pro max from the vet - it's a probiotic type thing that he has for three days and that generally puts a stop to it. If that doesn't work then he has a course of metronidazole which has an anti inflammatory effect as well as antibiotic. It is also used in giardiasis i think.

He also has a daily probiotic from the vet called sustain and I've started him on kefir yoghurt.

Diet-wise, because of his diabetes he has chappie (it was recommended by a vet!) and chicken. Apparently it's good for GI problems as well?

I did read somewhere that Imodium can't be used in some breeds of dogs as it can cause neurological side effects. I know collie is one of them, but not sure what else - so do check with your vet if you want to try that.

My dog used to have sloppy stool regularly and Collitis. Turned out he's allergic to chicken.

@ProperVexed yes, it’s the same active ingredient as I mentioned. There are some things (some! Be careful and ask your vet, they will give free advice over the phone but will be reluctant to tell you to go to Sainsbury!) that work the same and have the same active ingredients as canine meds, eg chlorophenicol eye drops, although pharmacists can be funny about giving those out.

Never mention it’s for a dog and be extremely careful about what you give-I checked with vets or did a whole ton of research about what’s in canine meds versus human meds.

Ultimately, tho, you need to work out what your dog is reacting to. As mentioned, lots are actually allergic to chicken or rice, mine is currently on a no chicken diet to see if it helps his red ears.

One of our rescue dogs had a very sensitive tummy .. we use immodium instants and have done several times.. I can slide them in in the side of his mouth and then rub his throat as they melt .. spoke to vet who said it was fine

@Macbeth8 take a stool sample to the vet so they can check for gardia. I’d want that ruled out. How long have you had her? If she had parvo, she’d probably be very unwell. It sounds like you were sadly duped re her origins/age. I hope you manage to get her right. She’s landed on her feet with a lovely caring owner.

Panacur gets rid of gardia and you don’t need a prescription, just order it online. They need to have a course of 3 days I think but you get instructions anyway.

My cocker spaniel is like this. He is always on the same food but sometimes if he is fed a little bit of sausage or mince or something it will upset him. He just seems to have a sensitive tummy.

Yeah she eats stuff off the ground all the time.
Regularly have to clear cat poo from our garden as she will devour it?!
Today, she ran into the next door neighbours garden and started eating some orange peel they had on the ground
I used to have a labrador and thought he was bad for scavenging but shes worse!! I wonder if this is the cause..I would need eyes directly on her all the time.

I have mine on a probiotic
and I never know what causes it tbh. He just has a sensitive tummy and it comes out of the blue

Chappie mixed with shredded boiled chicken breast is worth a try.
Worked for my dog.

Mines very much like this and we’ve never solved it fully but chicken 100% triggers an upset tummy

My dogs stools have always been perfect... apart from when I fed raw, she was ALWAYS constipated. I only use dehydrated now which can also be fed to raw feeders, just no so messy. I use a German dehyrated kibble which has a very high nutrition rating and is around a 3rd cheaper than comparatives.
Well worth a look.

I use the ALL ABOUT DOG FOOD WEBSITE.