Just a side note about soft poop for an extended period of time. I had dewormed my dog, and had at least 4 fecals done BEFORE they got a positive for round worms. Dewormed him again, and presto- perfect poop.

I can't emphasize the importance of regular fecal checks enough!!!!!!!!!! (Plus, Dr. Betty has said it several times) Worms/parasites do yucky things to poop!

My last dog had serious giardia and the first 2 fecal tests still came back negative. We had to do the Elisa test (it tests for a specific enzyme that the giardia throws out) instead of the regular fecal test. The Elisa came back positive.

My present dog had the exact same problem your pup is having at that same age. We dealt with it for the first year or so of his life going down the same path. But every parasite test kept coming back negative. We tried every kibble in the book, and nothing helped, plus the morning vomit kept happening. The vets just keep selling you the expensive Rx kibble and telling you to use things like Pepcid for the morning vomit. I finally found this site and learned to do raw. When we switched him, cold turkey no less, his poops went to solid within 24 hours and he's been fine ever since as long as I give him a lot of bone. We never gave another Pepcid, but instead did as Connie was talking about, and saved a little of his dinner for a late snack (about 10pm), and the morning vomit never happens anymore.

So it can be a parasite, and it can be their own little gut sensitivities. But it is important to rule out the parasites first, then switch to raw!

None of mine have ever had Giardia, but I've heard the same story from SO many people on line...about numerous false negatives from the "regular" Giardia test. Only after they requested the "Giardia Antigen Test" did they get an accurate positive reading--and then the treatment to clear it up.

I'm not sure why the antigen test isn't the first one they give--probably cost. But if I were ever in a situation like this, I would definitely INSIST that they do a "Giardia Antigen Test."

 Quote: tracy collins

None of mine have ever had Giardia, but I've heard the same story from SO many people on line...about numerous false negatives from the "regular" Giardia test. Only after they requested the "Giardia Antigen Test" did they get an accurate positive reading--and then the treatment to clear it up.

I'm not sure why the antigen test isn't the first one they give--probably cost. But if I were ever in a situation like this, I would definitely INSIST that they do a "Giardia Antigen Test."

It is because of cost. BUT, if you have to do 3 regular fecal tests in order to really be sure, that costs more than the Elisa test.

Funny. At both the clinics I've worked at (as a tech) if giardia is even suspected they send off a sample for the Elisa.

....Maybe it's because I live in the perpetually damp, soggy Pacific NW, where everything contains giardia. LOL.

Tracey- you're VERY luck to never had a struggle with giardia. Every dog I've owned has had it at least once. (Koenig is super special, having it 3 times in 1 year!) Again, I'm sure it's location. Drinking out of mountain streams/lakes/rivers can't help either...

Giardia sucks. Period.

Thanks all for the information, and I'm sorry I've been unable to send a proper reply.

Very quick...Ruger's been solid for several days now...YAY!! Nothing ever came of any tests so far. We are currently still giving him chicken and rice, but very slowly transitioning to kibble again. We chose a different, limited ingredient kibble, and I'm hoping that will help too. So far, so good, but it's not even quite a week yet. Time will tell. I'm hoping this is a good sign for him, because this is the first time since we've had him that he's been solid for so long.

Thanks again for all help and ideas given, and I will update again later if I find out anything new, or if anything new happens. :-) Take care!
Laurie