Loose stools?

[hmeadq]

Doc will regularly poo one or two small solid peices of stool first and then a cow pie which gets progressivly runnier until he is done going. Then he will be fine until the next time he goes which is exactly the same. Solid, loose, to liquid.

We have had a stool sample done not long ago, and this has been a on and off problem since he was a puppy. The vet did warn us that diahreha is VERY serious in Rotties, but he always starts with a solid peice or two...

We recently started feeding him a couple handfuls of Evo a day, which we have stopped to see if it helps, but it still happens on a regular basis and is happening more and more.

Any thoughts on what it could be? IBS?

As we just had an emergency vet bill and miscellanous visits for a foot injury, I would like to hold off on the vet for a little while, since it is a problem we have had for a couple weeks. Last time we talked to the vet about it it was not quite as bad and the vet said to watch it and not be concerned.

((Of course, if it got worse or we thought he needed to go right away for any reason we would take him without hesitation.))

[groupieindenial]

Well the solid at the beginning may appear solid, but the lower intestines absorb moisture, so the first of the poop will always appear to be firmer. IF the rest is always mush to liquid, something isn't agreeing with him. What kind of food? Same food from as a pup? Give nothing but his normal food for a week, and if it still is going on, its probably an ingredient in his food.

I notice that if I give too many of my homemade liver treats to my dog, he'll get mushy poops, but thats my own fault.

[Ninasmom]

What kind of food is he on? Has he been on it for a while? Check the contents of the food. The more the ingredients the more things to upset his tummy. How often does it happen? I'm a paranoid judge of diarrhea in rotties though.

[hmeadq]

It has been happening once a day for a while. The amount seems normal, not excessive, so I have not been to worried. Before it was 3-4 times a week.

His first couple peices are very firm, perfectly normal (don't flop and hold shape when they hit the ground) ((wow this is weird to write))

He's on Innova, he's been on it for 5 months.

[groupieindenial]

Although many people swear by Innova, it is dense food, and many complain that it doesn't agree with thier dog. I personally think there are TOO many ingredients, and too many "wholesome vegetables". My dog cannot tolerate a whole lot of veggies in his diet. The food he seems to do best on, is dense, but has a simpler list of ingredients that he seems to do well on. I'd hate to recommend switching foods, switching often is not good either, but if hes been on Innova for 5 months, and this problem has been around that long, I'd try a different food, a bit less concentrate.