Hi there. I have a feeding question/problem. My 10 wk old akita pup was weaned to eukanuba natural lamb and rice by the breeder. I had decided to switch her to Innova puppy while I learned about BARF. The switch over seemed to be going ok. Poop was soft but looked fine. Then we went to the vet. She got shots and wormed. Then the runs started. So we switched her back to the Eukanuba. Things firmed up and we started to switch back to Innova, slowly. I gave her Heartguard on 7/23 (per vet) and the runs started right back up. I use meat for treats since food is all she cares about.

What's the deal here? Is she sensitive to a food or is the Eukanuba so bland that the richer foods are going right through her? Or is the heartguard doing it? Ugh! If it's the Heartguard, what are my options?

QUOTE: What's the deal here? Is she sensitive to a food or is the Eukanuba so bland that the richer foods are going right through her? Or is the heartguard doing it? Ugh! If it's the Heartguard, what are my options? END

Heartgard can cause diarrhea, but I've read that it's very rare. But anyway, you have a month now, right, before the next one (which some vets say can be given in pieces if some kind of rare sensitivity to it has been noted; ASK THE VET)? So about the food choices: Are you switching GRADUALLY each time? The best food in the world can cause problems if there is a sudden and complete switch.

P.S. The switch to BARF or modified BARF, too, IMHO, should be GRADUAL.

Yea, it's been a gradual switch each time. On the kibble I started at 75/25 Eukanuba and went from there. I'm kinda bummed about this and I'm feeling bad for my little girl. I had researched the Heartguard stuff this weekend and I noted some breeds are more prone to diarrhea than others but no mention of akitas.

My first inclination was towards going from a lesser to better food - but the recent dose of HG kinda took that away. I almost wonder if I'm seeing a twofold issue: quality of diet followed by the internal stress of worming.

I imagine that going back to a bland diet would be good until the runs dry up, at any rate. Well, the cat needs to go to the vet for a follow up this week. Probably good thing to bring her in too.

Barb, I had a akita for 14 wonderful years and never had any problems with Heartgard unless giving with other meds or vacines. Then he would have diarrhea. He also got very ill if given flea treatment within a couple days of Heartgard. I always would wait 3 to 4 days between Heartgard and other meds from then on we had no more problems. It's more than likely the change in diet. I hope you have as wonderful time with your Akita.

QUOTE: Well, the cat needs to go to the vet for a follow up this week. Probably good thing to bring her in too. END

Good idea.

I have dealt with doggy diarrhea dozens of times over the years (lots of years!), especially when I was trying to find diets that didn't aggravate the allergies of my allergic buddies. My own experience is that it's usually short-lived, but since it can indicate serious issues, I always have it checked out if it lasts longer than 24 hours or is accompanied by other symptoms OR IF THE ANIMAL IS GETTING DEHYDRATED (very important). Do you know how to check?

Then, if she checks out OK, a bland diet for a couple of days will probably work miracles, followed by slowly adding her regular food back in. (For my dogs, a temporary bland diet is cottage cheese and well-cooked white rice and some cooked skinless chicken breast. The vet will confirm or offer alternatives over the telephone.) Some people prefer to leave out the dairy; it has worked for me, but my dogs had no dairy sensitivities.

Also, I think it's good to feed NOTHING for a few hours after an upset like vomiting or diarrhea and let the system calm down. I start small amounts of the temporary bland diet about 4 (or more) hours later. But I always make water available.

I'm not a vet. Check with the vet. This is the results of my own experience and research only. And that bland diet (above) is temporary, to calm the system after an upset.

Also keep in mind this is only a 10 week old pup and probably has a more sensitive digestive system that an older dog. My pup would get soft stools when he got anything out of the ordinary, until about 16 weeks, now he can eat almost anything and not have a problem.

I had to use even very bland treats when he was 10 weeks or he would have trouble.

Thanks for the input guys. The vet gave the a-ok to manage things with the bland diet after a bit and to watch for dehydration. She's going in with the cat and I'm to call if she refuses food, drink or if she gets worse. Thankfully she seems to be acting OK and she's still drinking and wanting to eat. Linda, thanks for the tip on the age & digestive maturity. Man, you can study but are you ever truly ready for the final?

QUOTE: Linda, thanks for the tip on the age & digestive maturity. END

Thanks from me too, Linda! I've never had a young puppy and never thought of that -- but of course it makes sense! New dog; new system; maybe still working out the bugs (no pun intended)....... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

a little canned pumpkin will help with the runs also

Hi all. I just wanted to post an update real quick. We got the squirts under control in about a day. I started to slowly add food back into her diet. She tolerated it all well until she got some boiled chicken and rice. Went right through her. So we're sticking with beef right now and we'll be adding new things one at a time to watch for reactions.

Thanks for all the advice and information, you folks rock!