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Poop color is gray

Posted: 12 Apr 2019, 08:25
by ibala7
Hi all,

Junior's poop has traveled every spectrum since his illness began. Once he started stabilizing, he had several perfectly normal poops (amount, consistency, color, smell.) However, they've gradually become smaller, harder and gray in color. What could this mean? He is continuing to gain weight and muscle tone. His regimen is one half can of 4Health grain free beef & chicken with 1/4 tsp. enzyme that sits for 30 min. four times daily. He gets Wonder Labs Pet Factor B12, one capsule daily. The gray color started the day after I began giving him the pet Factor B12. Coincidence? I know B12 is eliminated in the urine, but it struck me how the poop color changed the very next day.

Mary Ellen

Edit:
So, he just pooped after his breakfast and I've attached the images. It looks like pure fat. I realize that the canned food has a lot of fat, but it has been the only food that has agreed with him. I tried gradually adding ground kibble, first 4Health grain free small bites, then Taste of the Wild small Breed, and last Natural Balance LID chicken. Each type gave him explosive diarrhea, even when the transition was very gradual.

Re: Poop color is gray

Posted: 12 Apr 2019, 09:11
by Riley's Mom
Yep, those don't look just right. But I would hesitate to blame it on the B12. I looked it up in our "poop chart" and here is what it says about great or greasy looking poop:

"A greasy-looking gray stool can be a sign of too much fat in your dog’s diet, which can trigger pancreatitis, which is inflammation of the pancreas that can range from very mild to life threatening."

Typically we don't try to restrict fat, but your guy is 19, and I would suspect all things are delicate with him <3. Not sure what to suggest since even changing his diet a tiny bit throws him off. Wonder if he would be a candidate for hydrolyzed food? That is food that has been processed in such a way the dog's body can't recognize the ingredients and react to them. It's a prescription food you can get from your vet. Typically we don't need to put EPI dogs on foods like that, but with him reacting to just a small amount of kibble and now the grey greasy poops.....might be worth a conversation with your vet.

Re: Poop color is gray

Posted: 12 Apr 2019, 09:19
by jilbert57
I have always read grey stools could indicate liver or pancreas issues. I have only seen the greasy looking stool usually indicating too much fat.
Has your dog been diagnosed EPI with the Tli test? Will you post Tli, folate and B12 scores?
Is your dog currently on antibiotics for SID?
Have you sent that photo to the vet?
Thanks.

Re: Poop color is gray

Posted: 13 Apr 2019, 12:53
by Miss Maddie Moo
Hello Mary
I have just gone back and read your first post and as Jill said i cant see whether any TLi test has been done therfore we have seen were enzymes help even if the dog dosent have EPI but i do wonder wether what you are seeing is something to do with the high fat content of the food. Wonder if you would try and reduce the fat content may be some home cooked turkey and potato or some have used this foodhttp://www.annamaet.com/products/Lean_Formula.

Let us know how things are.

Re: Poop color is gray

Posted: 13 Apr 2019, 13:01
by Madelon
Yes there is definitely something wrong with the poop. The big blob in the first picture - was that throw up or did that come out the other end? I'm no expert but I don't think that has anything to do with the fat content of the food. I would call your vet and have your pup examined and show them the picture - better yet if you can scoop it up and store it I would do that so you can take it into the vet to see first hand. Please know if you have not had the TLI test done to diagnose EPI, the enzymes won't hurt short term but EPI mimics many other conditions and if it is not EPI and goes undiagnosed that can have bad consequences unfortunately.

Re: Poop color is gray

Posted: 14 Apr 2019, 08:04
by ibala7
Thanks for everyone's input. Waiting to hear test results. Meanwhile, I am mixing in a much lower fat canned food. All poop in past 2 days have been dark and firm.

Mary Ellen

Re: Poop color is gray

Posted: 14 Apr 2019, 09:35
by jilbert57
That is good to hear. Let us know when the test results come in.

Re: Poop color is gray

Posted: 14 Apr 2019, 13:05
by Barb
Yes, please let us know how the tests come back.

Barb

Re: Poop color is gray

Posted: 14 Apr 2019, 21:01
by Madelon
Glad to hear the poop has gotten better. Keep us updated