No Diet Changes, Why Gas?

[alexav]

Hello All,
I am stumped by this one...I feel it is useless to discuss it with my vets because they will just recommend SD or EukVet. I will not go there.

Anyway...6 yr old spayed female Rottie, dewormed monthly with Interceptor. Was on Canidae until bout with enerotoxicosis caused by clostridium bacteria last summer. (I searched the archives for the thread. It has vanished!)

Switched to Solid Gold HundenFlocken with Seameal and add small amount of psillium and rice bran to keep bacteria from taking over again. All has been well for months and all of a sudden, for the last 3 weeks, she has been gassy. Tummy gurgles so loud it wakes me up at night. Sulphuric smelling gas like when she had the infection but no diarrhea. She also seems to be really hungry all the time. I know it's not a bad batch incident because I have another dog on the SG and she has a VERY tender tummy. She is fine. No farts, no gurgles, nothing...

I know that the gas and smell means something is not right so I want to do something about it. (Besides the stink ) I am going to try yogurt and I am considering changing foods AGAIN... but I fear the change might trigger another "episode".:(

Maybe I just shouldn't have started calling her Breezy instead of Bree-Ann!:p

HELP!!!!

[Carina43]

One suggestion - probiotics! I've never used them, but lots of people swear by them for keeping the gut healthy, especially with IBD dogs.
You can use people ones, but b-naturals might be a good source, & the woman who sells the stuff is a PhD nutritionist & did her dissertation (or something) on canine nutrition, She also is a Rottweiler person & will answer questions, she is very nice. There's also some good articles & info on her site.
http://b-naturals.com/default.php

Breezy....!:D

[mmgy]

Don't know anything about "enerotoxicosis", but she's getting a lot of grain/fiber between the Solid Gold and the extra psyllium and rice bran. Is this the dog you just started on a new drug??

M2

[alexav]

Originally posted by Carina43
One suggestion - probiotics! I've never used them, but lots of people swear by them for keeping the gut healthy, especially with IBD dogs.

SeaMeal is supposed to contain probiotics. Maybe not enough? I'll check into that, Thanks!

[alexav]

Originally posted by mmgy
.... she's getting a lot of grain/fiber between the Solid Gold and the extra psyllium and rice bran. Is this the dog you just started on a new drug??

M2

You are good. Yes, this is one of the dogs I was starting on Adequan, but started the older grrrlz first so she is not under the influence of anything new. Yet....

I have not changed the amount of fiber since last summer and she's been doing great until just now. I'm kind of afraid to back off the fiber for fear of the clostridium taking advantage again....

[rottnkidd]

alexav- I think Carina has given you a good suggestion about the addition of probiotics. I'd also consider digestive enzymes. The Seameal does contain 'some', but the actual amounts of those enzymes are not listed, and appear minimal. They also add lactose to the Seameal, which could be a problem for a dog with intestinal problems. Check out the info at b-naturals, read the newsletter on "Gastric Problems", and decide what you're comfortable with. The product at b-naturals is full-spectrum, it contains both plant and animal enzymes; and the amounts of those enzymes and what they are, are listed. The info on the Probiotics is also at the url listed below. Best wishes and keep us updated!
http://b-naturals.com/Jul2002.php
kathy

[alexav]

Thanks you guys,
Well, even though we had a gurggle/fart free night. (adding to the mystery... ) I am placing an order for the Ultra Probiotic, The Green Blend, and the Bertes Zyme.

The Green Blend sounds like a better product than the SG Seameal and it's $6+ cheaper per pound!

Thanks again you smarties! :D

Hey, do you think if I start calling her Bree instead of Breezy, she'll start smelling like goat cheese? :p

[Sheenagirl]

If I remember correctly - the psillium - will cause intestinal gas and bloating in humans. Makes sense it would also be the same for dogs. ;)

[alexav]

Originally posted by Sheenagirl
If I remember correctly - the psillium - will cause intestinal gas and bloating in humans. Makes sense it would also be the same for dogs. ;)

Yes that does make sense, but what I can't figure out is why she would be fine with it for months, and then all of a sudden not be able to tolerate it.

I am so afraid to experiment because of the two bouts with that nasty bacteria. Poor girl has always been on the lean side and during the healing process, lost way too much weight. Then there was the actual diarrhea... WOW, looked, and smelled like Parvo, poor girl just couldn't hold it. That is not an experience that doesn't leave some emotional scars on the owner!

I think I will get some Metronidazol from the clinic for just in case...and try and wean her off the fiber and onto the Bertes products. Wish me LUCK! {frightened smiley}

[mmgy]

That's what I was thinking, that the maybe the Adequan with all the fiber could cause an unpleasant gas reaction.....not a side effect, per se, just something not so nice to live with every day.

You said you used Canidae before, go back and study the Canidae Platinum. It might be what you're looking for.

Could she be eating something in the yard?

M2

[Sheenagirl]

I don't blame you for being skeptical about changing foods around.

Our Vet told me to give Sheena Metamucil powder (psillium) for a bout of diarrhea one time. It definately does firm up the stool but can cause gas also.

Doesn't make sense that she would tolerate the combo for months and now have problems.

I also am thinking of giving the green blend to Sheena - I picked up literature at the pet supply store and it sounds great. I do give Sheena a probiotic pill a day with a heaping tablespoon of plain yogurt. Sounds like you are on the right track (your above post).

Good luck and let us know how she does. :)