Canned pumpkin for loose stools?....msg

TM · Post by TM » Sat May 03, 2003 9:50 pm

I have often heard that canned pumpkin works very well for loose stools. I was wondering if it is used for diarrhea, or if it will also help loose stools. A friend's doxie cross is well, happy, no diarrhea, but her stools are constantly loose (squishy). He has changed foods several times, in a gradual manner each time, to no avail. Would pumpkin be something that might help the problem? If so, in what quantity would one add it to each feeding? Otherwise, any other suggestions to give him?

Thanks for your help.

Post by **Traci** » Sat May 03, 2003 9:56 pm

First, your friend should get a complete vet exam to rule out parasites, malabsorption, intestinal bacterial overgrowth, or other gastrointestinal problems. Depending on the age of the dog also depends on additional diagnostics...

Canned pumpkin can be used for both constipation and diarrhea problems, but it may not be the preferred method for this dog in particular. Adding a teaspoon of dry metamucil in the food would work just as well. Other methods might be adding a fiber supplement or adding a few vegetables as treats.

Ask your friend to ask the vet about the diet and consider either a novel-protein diet or one geared to intestinal health to temporarily rule out dietary sensitivities or food allergens.

newfie · Post by **newfie** » Wed May 07, 2003 8:06 am

Boiled hamburger and rice may also help depending that this is just becouse of confused flora in the digestive tract, you can give the boiled hamb and rice for 2 days or 3 and than gradually intro the food again.
you also might want to make sure he didnt eat bird droppings becouse if he did that can cause diahrea problems

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed May 07, 2003 1:06 pm

Traci wrote: Adding a teaspoon of dry metamucil in the food would work just as well.

Have you ever read the warnings on the metamucil container about giving it dry? Scary. I give it to Leilah on her dinner when her colitis acts up, which fortunately is very rare these days and seems related to stress (like after a spleen biopsy). I give her about 1/4 t. per meal (she's 35 lbs), and I add about 1/4 c. water to it. But giving her 1 t. canned pumpkin with every meal has let the metamucil container gather lotsa dust.

Of course TM's dog may have a different problem and cause, and should get a workup as you say, just I would worry about metamucil given dry.

BTW, last cancer work up was last week, spleen biopsy aspiriate, buffy coat smear, CBC, still all A-ok! Onco vets are now understanding that I WILL be with her for all of it too, no more crying wonderpuppy!!

Leilah's Mom · Post by **Leilah's Mom** » Wed May 07, 2003 1:07 pm

Well, shoot, forgot my name there on the last post. Hopefully you figured it out anyway.

Post by **Traci** » Wed May 07, 2003 4:04 pm

Anonymous wrote:Have you ever read the warnings on the metamucil container about giving it dry? Scary.

Those warnings are for human use, and consider that the human dose is around 1 or 2 teaspoons in water. I've given it to cats frequently, sprinkled over food, it causes no problems, given that the dose is so minute. (1/8 -1/4 tsp). my own cats actually love the stuff, although I don't dose them unless they have a bout of uncontrollable diarrhea. As I mentioned, the owner needs to get the dog evaluated for other problems rather than resort to self-medicating.

BTW, last cancer work up was last week, spleen biopsy aspiriate, buffy coat smear, CBC, still all A-ok! Onco vets are now understanding that I WILL be with her for all of it too, no more crying wonderpuppy!!

LM, I am thrilled with this news for Leilah and you. I take it no new growths?

Leilah's Mom · Post by **Leilah's Mom** » Wed May 07, 2003 5:17 pm

Traci wrote: LM, I am thrilled with this news for Leilah and you. I take it no new growths?

None! Just a constantly bare belly from the quarterly ultrasound shaves, so it's even easier now to find a bump if one were there (as if it were tough before with her peach fuzz). She's still on mostly homemade food, and a gazillion "won't hurt, might help" supplements, and her last chem panel a few months ago was the best it's ever been in her life. She's feeling great and is as silly as ever at 6 years old. Now if I could just get her to do those out of sight stays in the obedience ring.....

Post by **Traci** » Wed May 07, 2003 5:20 pm

I thought you were taking her out of obedience? Or do you mean she simply goes with you as an observer?

LM · Post by LM » Wed May 07, 2003 5:30 pm

Just wanted to add that Leilah did have a full workup, blood, fecal, etc, before she was given anything for colitis., I don't want anyone to get the idea that I treated it on my own without the vet's help.

And glad your happy with Leilah's progress, traci, thanks. It puts me on cloud 9 whenever I get those good reports!

LM · Post by LM » Wed May 07, 2003 5:35 pm

I took her out of agility and herding because they were too hard on her lux pats. Her back was sore too for a while way back when, but is fine now, she just needed some rest. Obedience she can still do. In practice I have the jumps real low, set for toy dogs, and only one workout a week with jumps at most. But she such a talented jumper in spite of her knees, that she can be faced with a regulation height jump (20") only in trials and she sails over it no problem and no ill effects afterwards.

This weekend, we're hopefully going for our last (3rd) leg in Open for the ASCA CDX title, then onto utility with no stays!!