Dog passing quite hard stool

Epi4Dogs Foundation Inc.’s mission is the advancement of science and education relating to EPI (Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency), yielding useful insights and positive outcomes in better managing EPI in dogs and cats. Our goals are to support and/or collaborate with veterinary EPI research and researchers, and to promote EPI awareness by educating the general public, pet owners, pet organizations, rescue and shelter organizations, veterinary schools and veterinarians.
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Junemason1973
Member
Posts: 30
Country: United Kingdom - England
Pet name: Jyn
My name: June

Dog passing quite hard stool

Post by Junemason1973 » 19 Sep 2023, 03:09

Hi,
My dog Jyn has been doing really well on enzorb, pre and pro biotics and a gastrointestinal food.
But the last couple of days he's been passing hard dry stool, I haven't changed anything regarding his meds or diet so I'm at a bit of a loss as to why this might be happening.

Any ideas ?

June

Eddiespaghetti
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Posts: 422
Country: United States
State: California
Pet name: Eddie
My name: Jeremy

Re: Dog passing quite hard stool

Post by Eddiespaghetti » 19 Sep 2023, 10:59

The most common reason is constipation. The common causes of constipation are dehydration or low fiber intake. The easiest way to see if those are the causes is, get a can of raw pumpkin and add 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon to each feeding. Depending on the size of the dog. If you add too much it can go the opposite way. I would try the canned raw pumpkin over powder because it also has moisture in it compared to the pumpkin powder. So it should help with both causes. If the pumpkin doesn't help within a couple days, there might be a more serious issue going on.
When the weather changes, sometimes my dogs do not drink as much water as they should. It's really hard to get a dog to drink water if they don't want to. To check for dehydration you can rub their gums and if they feel sticky, or are a light pink color. You can also pull up on their scruff and it should snap back quickly. You can compare to yours by pulling up on the skin on the back of your hand for reference.

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Olesia711
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Location: North Carolina
Country: United States
State: North Carolina
Pet name: Izzy
My name: olesia

Re: Dog passing quite hard stool

Post by Olesia711 » 19 Sep 2023, 12:03

Hi Jun,

I agree with Jeremy's suggestion.... tried pure canned pumpkin first.... if your dog is large, like the size of a German Shepherd, mix 1 tsp of canned pure pumpkin (unsweetened) in the meal. If the dog is medium size.... start with 1/2 tsp.....if the dog is small start with 1/4 tsp.

But i also REALLY think it could be not drinking enough liquid (water) and Jeremy gave you great tips on how to check for this.
If you do suspect dehydration..... get some unflavored PEDIALYTE and give it to your dog to replenish electrolytes, etc.... that are lost when dehydrated... Pedialyte is found in supermarkets or drugstores in the children's section... or... you can make your own recipe on the internet.. just skip the "flavoring" ingredients.
Olesia, was owned by Izzy, a 35lb Spanish Water Dog (SWD), Diagnosed at 1.5 years old - TLI results 1.. Izzy passed away on February 13, 2020 at 15 years old. She lived with EPI for 13+1/2 years. It was because of Izzy that Epi4Dogs was started... she was the inspiration. May her legacy of helping others with EPI continue for as long as needed.........

Junemason1973
Member
Posts: 30
Country: United Kingdom - England
Pet name: Jyn
My name: June

Re: Dog passing quite hard stool

Post by Junemason1973 » 19 Sep 2023, 14:43

Thank you both, I forgot to say that he's on steroids too for allergies, so he drinks and pees more than usual, I don't know if that is affecting him.

I'm not sure where to get canned pumpkin in the UK , I actually don't think I've ever seen it.

He passed some slightly too soft stool this evening, so I'm not sure what's going on with him.

Eddiespaghetti
Member
Posts: 422
Country: United States
State: California
Pet name: Eddie
My name: Jeremy

Re: Dog passing quite hard stool

Post by Eddiespaghetti » 19 Sep 2023, 15:41

It is more than likely affecting him. If possible try some allergy medicine instead of steroids. Better in the long term of things. Talk to your vet if you do want to switch over.
I have never gotten my dog to drink Pedialyte. No matter the flavor or scenario. Always try to get the reduced sugar ones if possible. I am unsure about the UK but in America a lot of stores have raw pumpkin in the baking sections, and some pet stores usually carry it as well.
Another option is to get small wet food packs and add them to their food.
Another another option, is a subdermal saline shot/IV. This is usually reserved for worse cases of dehydration (if that is what is going on)

Tuckaboo Pam
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Posts: 1557
Country: United States
State: Florida
Pet name: Tucker
My name: Pam H.

Re: Dog passing quite hard stool

Post by Tuckaboo Pam » 19 Sep 2023, 19:23

Steroids can be constipating, of course, so that may be the 'why'.

June, if you can't find pumpkin you could feed some baked sweet potato. I give more than 1 teaspoon, probably 1 rounded tablespoon, but Olesia is the true expert.

For hydrating, my vet has me make turkey wing broth. I believe her video is available somewhere on this website, but basically you use turkey wings, a bit of vinegar, sea salt & a lot of water, bring to a boil & simmer for at least a couple of hours. Dogs love it, and it also provides glucosamine. If turkey wings aren't available, chicken feet are a good substitute.

One caveat, though, some EPI dogs don't do well eating poultry. My Tucker does fine, and he also tolerates the fiber in the extra pumpkin I give him. They are ALL different! Take Care---Pam
Tucker was a shepherd mix--- TLI 1.3, Folate 9.7, Cobalamin 666, Lipase 38. Diane's Enzymes 4 t/day, B12 1 capsule/day, and Tylan 1/16 teaspoon/day. Taste of the Wild High Prairie, 4 c/day. 60 to 85 pounds! Tucker succumbed to hemangiosarcoma Nov. 2023. I will always, always miss my sweet big boy.

Now there's Nina. 5 year old GSD. TLI 1.0 B12 323. We are still tweaking her routine, and getting lots of help from the forum. She is klutzy and goofy, and we love her dearly, too.

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Patsy
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Country: United Kingdom - England

Re: Dog passing quite hard stool

Post by Patsy » 25 Sep 2023, 08:00

Hello from Yorkshire
I missed your long post in August thanks to grandchildren chaos. You are certainly in the early throes of epi. I think we all despaired and wept. Once the weight goes on , it will get better as the body regains normality from the inside, then the muscles.
Your vet, surprisingly, is following a protocol which is good. But don’t hesitate to refer them to the medical information and research on this forum . Sometimes we know better simply because of the wealth of experience by so many global members.
Re hard stools, I hope it is a blip and settling down . Good advice given .
No canned pumpkin in the uk, so I microwave a sweet potato instead.
All my dogs loathed tasteless hydrolysed food. I used Millie’s Wolfheart food (online)and soaked it . It’s naturally hp. Epi dogs need extra food to gain weight. Also never soak uK/Eu enzymes or they will digest the food before the dog eats it.
Do let us know any progress.
Springer spaniel Marti had Epi, PLE , MMM just to confuse me. She lived till 12yrs, chubby and happy despite eight years of epi.
Capsule enzymes suited her best. B12 supplements made her into a new dog!
After a cocker with PLN kidney disease, I now have two healthy rescues, a lively, suicidal , small ginger terrier, adopted with pneumonia, and gum disease needing nearly all his teeth out, and a fluffy grey toy poodle/terrier from Greece.

Barb
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Posts: 918
Country: United States
State: New Jersey

Re: Dog passing quite hard stool

Post by Barb » 25 Sep 2023, 15:22

I,too had good luck with pumpkin, Hopefully, when the steroids are finished, you will see improvement.

Let us know.

Barb

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