New French Bully owner...Help!

Kalig2 · Jan 13, 2019

Hello Fourm members,
This is my second try at posting, after typing a long detailed post, I hit submit, msg came back said not signed in, although I did sign in prior to msg. Anyway, when signed in again my whole post disappeared! Well here a summary....
I have a now 12 week old French Bully puppy, got when 8 weeks. KodiKae is her name, and we love her very much! When we got from breeder her stools were soft, breeder thought to be from vitamins given, since that time I’ve been to vet visits, stool test, gave Flagyl, probiotics, and dewormed as a precaution while awaiting parasite test results. (result negative) I’ve boiled chicken and rice, and tried thus far three different foods (slowly weaned from prior foods), because I assume food allergy. . Nutro Ultra Puppy (from breeder), Nutro Max Puppy Recipe farm raised chicken, and vet suggested Royal Canin Puppy (I got breed specific ) to no avail stools still soft, and 2-3 times 30 minutes or less following feedings. On a positive note puppy doesn’t exhibit any illness signs, very playful, and bully like. Lol!
I’ve previously owned a Bullmastiff and an English Bulldog so I think I’m familiar with the workings of the Bulldog breed, but have not found a fix to this little frenchies poop problem..Help!

Also, anyone else having poo eating issues with their frenchie?

Alice Kable · Jan 13, 2019

You may be feeding too much, especially if you are going by the recommendations on the package.

Mechadogzilla · Jan 13, 2019

I am sorry to hear about the issues you are having with Kodikae. I have always used canned pumpkin or pumpkin powder when dealing with loose stool in Frenchies. I don’t know for sure if it is ok for puppies but if it is, pumpkin has worked for me. My current non-Frenchie puppy had a case of diarrhea a couple weeks ago. Test results were negative and two days of Metronidazole(Flagyl), and he was back to normal. I give him frozen carrots for teething occasionally, and I think they also help keep stool firm. It is very frustrating to have this particular issue at this age because it interferes with ability to socialize puppy which is so crucial at this stage of development. Best of luck and congratulations on your new family member.

JediYoda · Jan 13, 2019

I just had the same problem with this website! So I will post again...

Congrats on your new frenchie baby! We had similar problems with our boy Yoda when we brought him. He did test positive for Giardia and was also on Flagyl. Even after we were able to get rid of the Giardia his stool was still soft. We tried probiotics with his meals and they seemed to help a little. He still wasn’t having normal solid poop all the time. When he turned one we asked our vet to do an allergy test. We received a long list of allergies and we switch him to a limited ingredient dog food. Now he has completely normal stools 99% of the time! While I don’t have any immediate suggestions for you I feel like my experience was somewhat similar to yours. Hopefully this can give you an idea of how to proceed if so your little one can have healthy digestion!

Mavis · Jan 14, 2019

Congratulations on your baby - he is so beautiful. Sounds like you are doing everything right. I think time and consistency will do a lot. You got him young (8 weeks vs. 10), and he may just need more time to develop his bowel routine. A lot of people swear by probiotics, and we gave these to Bambi at one point (couldn't hurt, right?), and they gave her diahreah so I stopped. Baring parasites, which you have, I would give him a great quality food (watch the chicken if he seems itchy - it is a "hot" protein), and other than that. give it several weeks and see. I wouldn't do treats during this period. I would also switch out his food, if you can afford to go up in price. Royal Canin is a brand hawked by vets, so you think it is the best, when really there are much better brands out there (Fromm, Acana, etc.). Please keep us posted!

Here is a dog food site that provides a lot of good information:

https://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/

2bullymama · Jan 14, 2019

Kalig2 said:
Hello Fourm members,
This is my second try at posting, after typing a long detailed post, I hit submit, msg came back said not signed in, although I did sign in prior to msg. Anyway, when signed in again my whole post disappeared! Well here a summary....
I have a now 12 week old French Bully puppy, got when 8 weeks. KodiKae is her name, and we love her very much! When we got from breeder her stools were soft, breeder thought to be from vitamins given, since that time I’ve been to vet visits, stool test, gave Flagyl, probiotics, and dewormed as a precaution while awaiting parasite test results. (result negative) I’ve boiled chicken and rice, and tried thus far three different foods (slowly weaned from prior foods), because I assume food allergy. . Nutro Ultra Puppy (from breeder), Nutro Max Puppy Recipe farm raised chicken, and vet suggested Royal Canin Puppy (I got breed specific ) to no avail stools still soft, and 2-3 times 30 minutes or less following feedings. On a positive note puppy doesn’t exhibit any illness signs, very playful, and bully like. Lol!
I’ve previously owned a Bullmastiff and an English Bulldog so I think I’m familiar with the workings of the Bulldog breed, but have not found a fix to this little frenchies poop problem..Help!

Also, anyone else having poo eating issues with their frenchie?

here is an article with a good feeding guideline to help with not over feeding

http://frenchbulldognews.com/content/70-french-bulldog-diarrhea.html
Agree with the others.... could be too much food both are signs of over feeding. Also as suggested, check dog food advisor for a food as RC and Nutro are not the best out there, especially RC, lots of fillers and grains.

Zoeybull · Jan 18, 2019

I have a friend who had the same issue and when they went to grain free food the soft stools stopped. It is trial and error with these babies. My girl has been through many foods for stomach issues before we found what worked.

Kalig2 · Jan 21, 2019

Well......it’s been 10 days testing/transitioning KodiKae off of chicken and rice to new choice of food Nulo puppy chicken and sweet potato (grain free), anyone have knowledge of this brand? I picked after long convo with rep. KodiKae is still pooping up to three times within 30 mins or less after eating food . I suppose one positive is that poop is not so loose, still somewhat soft, but not diarrhea like. Two other things I’ve noticed is that since total food transition she’s drinking a lot of water, and scratching a little more as days progress.....I’m wonder is it possible to eat regular chicken, but have an allergy to chicken within the dry dog food? I’ve ordered a bag of Nulo puppy turkey and sweet potato ( unsure if turkey will be different since actually still of the poultry family). Other suggestions welcome...
KodiKae will be 14 weeks in couple of days.

2bullymama · Jan 22, 2019

Kalig2 said:
I’m wonder is it possible to eat regular chicken, but have an allergy to chicken within the dry dog food?

Absolutely!! it could be how the chicken is processed that cause the issue... Try a duck version if you can get it.... duck is less likely to be an allergen

Kalig2 · Jan 24, 2019

Hi Everyone,
Update on my sweet KodiKae. A repeat stool test revealed coccidia. Not happy my little one has this, and it was missed on first test, but soooo...very glad that Vet finally found what (I hope) may be the answer to all our problems. Currently, KodiKae is on wd/food, metronidazole, and Albon, and immediately there is improvement. Yippee!! I’m hopeful!!

mattcantwin · Jan 24, 2019

Good news, keep us posted.

Mechadogzilla · Jan 24, 2019

Good to hear. I look forward to seeing more of Kodikae in the future.

Squishy Walnuts · Feb 1, 2019

Welcome! Sorry you've had a rough go with your Frenchie but I'm happy to hear that they figured it out and he can be treated.

He sure is a handsome little guy!

Kalig2 · Mar 6, 2019

Hello all,
Update on KodiKae’s poop problems. Lol! Currently we’ve settled on Wellness Complete Health puppy food, though her poop is still a little soft, and she still goes about 5 times a day, thats still a big improvement. We’re gonna stick with this food about another month, see if all continues to improve, if not, thinking on trying Diamond Naturals grain-free suggested by breeder. Anyone have personal experience with this brand? Also, suggestions for flea/tick product suitable for frenchies.

Here is an updated photo of KodiKae .... happy puppy!

2bullymama · Mar 6, 2019

Kalig2 said:
Hello all,
Update on KodiKae’s poop problems. Lol! Currently we’ve settled on Wellness Complete Health puppy food, though her poop is still a little soft, and she still goes about 5 times a day, thats still a big improvement. We’re gonna stick with this food about another month, see if all continues to improve, if not, thinking on trying Diamond Naturals grain-free suggested by breeder. Anyone have personal experience with this brand? Also, suggestions for flea/tick product suitable for frenchies.

Here is an updated photo of KodiKae .... happy puppy!
View attachment 12862

Diamond has tons of recalls, I would not feed it. Stay with wellness or one of the below all grain free

Zingnature
Earthborn Holistic
Fromm
Acana

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1Frenchieboy · Mar 7, 2019

Have you tried a grain-free food?

james1991 · Mar 7, 2019

Hey buddy we had a Similar problem with are puppy . Normal food would give him loose stool 5 to 9 times a day . We switched to special food here in Germany made from ostrich. It got better but not great. We then switch to insect based food after him getting HGE and having pancreatic problems. Now he is so much better . Coat is shiny he is happy and strong. Have the vet test for food allergies and dust and food mite allergies. It made such a difference for us. 5 times a day is still too many imo .

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