Expert: Jannie Balliett - 7/29/2008

Question
Hello Jannie my name is Joel and I have a 16 month old white boxer, Kane. He has had digestive problems for some time now. I have taken him to the vet several times and they keep giving me flaggy, I think that is what it is called. The most recent problem he has had was his stool was just blood. I started to give him white rice and boiled chicken. The vet told me it was his food and it is just trial and error on finding the right food for him but to continue to give him the white rice and chicken. Do you have any suggestions on what name brand food I should be giving?

Answer
First, let me say, you might consider seeing a different vet. Did your vet test his feces? Did he draw blood and run tests?

This is a must. You need to see if there is a problem outside of "allergies."

I have forgotten what brand food has a "Sensitive" stomach but that is exactly what you need. A natural brand that is made for sensitive digestive tracts that will be labeled that-- sensitive stomachs.

Google it, and you'll find a lot of brands. Then use their "store locator" for one near you.

Some pet stores have "sensitive stomach" dog foods, but they might not be real "natural" foods like Diamond is. I use Diamond. They might have a sensitive.

My vet gave me sensitive food for my female and I can't remember the brand name---


Boiled chicken with skin removed, and preferably a wheat rice, but white is okay, is all you need for a few weeks.

Give him baby Pediolyte (generic is fine) so he doesn't get dehydrated. Buy the clear one, not a flavored one.

This is a must. Give him plenty-- and then if you want, pour some in his water too. But he must drink it daily to stay hydrated.

Also, pumpkin is good. Buy canned pumpkin (plain with no additives) and mix it in with the rice too. Pumpkin settles and binds, helping to add substance to his bowels yet is gentle on his stomach.

When you choose a "sensitive" food like Diamond or whatever, offer a little with his chicken and rice once a day for a week, then add more twice a day for a few days, and see how his bowels are.

I highly recommend getting his blood tested for infections and his feces checked too.

Keep that boy hydrated! Get him to a savvy vet- one that will test him! One that is concerned and recognizes that this is an emergency.