chronic loose stools

Question
QUESTION: Do you have any recommendations for solving loose stools in a 4yr.old Bichon.  He is fed prescription Hill's ZD Ultra dry food.  Has been completely checked out by vet, including bloodwork, abdominal Xray and ultrasound which revealed nothing abnormal.  Presently trying Tylosin (only 5 five days into it), but haven't seen a change. Pumpkin does not help either. We are open to any suggestions. Thank you.
open to any and all suggestions.  Thank you.

ANSWER: Hi Kathy,

A few questions before I answer here.
First, what was he eating before the Hill's? How long has he been on it? Is the loose stool constant or intermittent? Is it mucusy?

I'm trying to establish a dietary cause, and the more information I have the better. My first thought is to do a home made diet, I see hands down the best results for conditions like IBD (whhc is a possibility here) when a home made diet is used. Is this an option for you?
Fill me in a bit more and I'll be able to help you more precisely.

All the best, Catherine

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for your speedly reply.  Griffin has been on this diet for about 3 yrs.  His brother (age 6)was prescribed it due to a food allergy, so we just naturally put them both on it for ease of use.  Thinking it was IBD, the vet put him on a canned food (Purina EN) to ease the gastrointestinal tract and high does of Pred and Metronidazole. This was followed up with amoxicillin.  His stools firmed up for about a week, then regressed back to the loose stools thereafter.  They have been mucosy, but not of recent.  Stool specimen was negative for parasites.
Now, his stools are formed but come out somewhat like filling a cone with custard (sorry for the description!). Sometimes, his 2nd attempt to eliminate is rather runny just after eliminating a few minutes before.  Truthfully, I can't remember exactly when his stools started being so soft. I am open to a homemade diet.  Is is harmful for him to have these loose stools all the time???

Answer
I can't tell you how many cases like this I handle professionally. It can be frustrating, you have my full sympathy. And yes, the issue with constant loose stool is that absorption of nutrients will be minimized. Add to that the fact that Hill's uses such poor quality ingredients and you have the set-up for deficiencies to develop.

My protocol for this situation would be to use a lower fat, moderate fiber, whole-food diet with supplementation as needed for essentials, plus an intestinal-supportive regimen of probiotics, L-glutamine, slipperly elm... I'd be emphasizing non-gluten fiber sources, using some resistant starch mainly from legumes, and probably starting off with proteins like turkey and salmon, but switching to novel forms if these did not work. One reason I offer longterm services  (four and eight week packages) - is for dogs like this. Often we need to adjust the nutrient l;evels several times (as well as the ingredients) and the owner needs to keep a running journal of his reactions. I know it seems like a lot of effort, but the results are worth it.

Alternatively you could simply try a premium food, I'd suggest one of the Natural Balance products here:
http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/dogformulas/VenDog.html

and add the probiotics and L-glutamine.

Let me know how I can help more, either with a consultation (for that, email me at home please) or with doses, food ideas if you're sticking with commercial. I do not recommend trying a home made diet on your own for this dog, in cases like his you really need some experienced professional guidance. But, I have also seen dogs improve just from a switch off Hill's onto a better product.  Some people like to try that route first and see if they can avoid the hassle and expense of a home made diet - if it works, great, if not, I am still here. <g>
How you go about this is of course up to you.

Wishing you good results!

Catherine