Hello Everyone Again,
My previous thread about our aggressive Chow http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=637255 seemed to have some interest so I wanted to update those interested. The Chow/Shepherd was neutered on Saturday and is recovering quite nicely now. Hopefully this will cure his aggression, but the vet said it will take about a month to notice any change. Sadly, he never knew any hot female Poodle love in his life.
But, the new question is about Gunner the Great Dane™ and his noxious gas. He has always been somewhat gassy, but lately he has been scratching a lot so the vet had us put him on a special diet consisting of doggie food that is made from lamb, venison and such. Since the change he has become downright odorous. Especially when he is sleeping, it is a constant assault on the nose. It’s almost like something crawled up his ass and died. So, there isn’t much I can do about the food he is eating, but is there anything short of a cork in his butt that I can do to stop the gas?
If you switched suddenly, once his system adjusts, it could improve. Also, unrelated to the switch, has the vet done a fecal on him recently? Parasites can lead to gas.
Finally, years ago we had a dog that was gassy. Back then, I had little idea what to. I eventually moved his meal time to bed time. He slept outside, and by morning he was pleasent to have inside.
I’m wondering about parasites too - he’s a pup, right? They have fewer natural defenses.
My dogs eat a very wide variety of foods, switched frequently, and don’t ever get gassy, so if you rule out parasites I’d try probiotics. The ones sold for humans and available at health food or grocery stores are fine.
I had a very gassy kitten once…she was a wee tiny thing but could clear a room. The vet said to feed her plain yogurt with active cultures. We fed it to her twice in one day, and she never had gas again her entire 12 years of life. I don’t know if it works the same with dogs, but it can’t hurt.
I have a dog who’s very prone to gas when his diet changes. For instance if he gets a new kind of treat, or if he gets the cat food. Otherwise he’s okay. But it takes a couple of days unless the food change is gradual (as when he went from puppy chow to dog chow, we spread that out over a week or so).
I think I will give him a little yogurt. Does it all have active cultures, or do you have to buy a certain kind?
I think I will give him a little yogurt. Does it all have active cultures, or do you have to buy a certain kind?
I use Nancy’s plain organic, but I think any plain yogurt has lactobacillus. Just make sure there is no sugar or fruit product listed in the ingredients. That could make it worse.
Since the active yogurt suggestion has already been made, I’ll just say the mental image of a Dane with a cork up his butt filling with gas and floating gently out of the room filled me with giggles…
Thanks everyone. I will head to the store for yogurt and the other suggestions tomorrow. Took him for a car ride to the store tonight. When I got back in the Jeep, my hair curled and some of the interior melted from the stench. He just sat there with a stupid grin on his face, almost like he was proud of his work. God I love that dog!