This is my first posting (New Member) and apologise if a bit long.
I have two male Lab dogs...one is four and the other a puppy.    The older boy has always been a struggle to maintain good weight and also suffers from bouts of looseness - sometimes with blood but not always.  We had always thought that it was Colitis but have since been told that it is unusual for dogs to lose weight with Colitis?    I thought that I had 'cracked' the problem, recently changing him to Burns Lamb - as I had heard that it was a good, gently food.  
Unfortunately the problems continued - though reduced.  I happen to think that he might have a problem with Rice and use potato when feeding a bland home-cooked diet.    He is currently on Royal Canin Sensitivity and it's too early to say if it works yet as I have only had him on it for about 4 days and medication he is taking for a recent bout, might be falsifying it's effectiveness.  We hope/pray though it works.
Stools samples taken were normal, pancreatic test was normal but repeats may be done of stool samples in a few weeks.
Blood Tests showed a low folic count, which actually improved when a Folic supplement was given but of course, when the problem of loose stools returned and he was again put onto a bland diet - his condition dropped and his weight, as he wasn't getting enough nourishment.
The blood tests revealed that there was a malabsorption problem but now this might have been misinterpreted and possible SIBO mentioned(small intestinal bacterial overgrowth).    I have used the internet to search the problem and land up scaring myself from what 'might be'.
Does anyone have any experience on the problem and also how they found the Royal Canin Sensitivity.
I suppose it's reassurance I am looking for as I am so very worried that we can't turn this round.   His energy levels are fine.

Thanks

My 3 year old had exactly the same problem. As I have always fed a natural diet, a combination of raw and cooked food I struggled to find a solution to her bouts of looseness, often with blood. I decided to cut out all grains, especially rice and the problem cleared up immediately. She also began putting weight on. If I need to use dry food, ie if I'm travelling I always buy a bag of Orijen or Fish4dogs. I can occassionally use cooked potatoe in the meals, but always make sure it is very well cooked. Natural yoghurt once in a while is a great addition to the diet.

Someone had to feed their dog on only fish heads, I've only heard of this once.  The dog couldn't tollerate much else, so almost daily trips to the local fish market.  His tum settled down.

Would bio yoghurt help maybe control the gut bacteria, might be worth asking the vet if its ok to try.

Thanks to those who have replied so far.
In answer, yes, i have tried fish but not actually fish heads.   he didn't do well on Fish for Dogs though when tried and when I gave their dried fish treats, it actually made him squitty.
When I collected my bag of R.C. Sensitive today, the vet also gave me a tub of Pro-Fibre made by the same people that make the paste in a syringe.
It provides fibre and has other things in it to hopefully help.  I have started that tonight.  Has anyone used this?
I am seriously considering, once we have settled him down (if we manage to on this food) that I will, further down the line, consider BARF -

Have you tried just raw meaty bones rather than barf ? If you think you dog is a bit sensitive to other things I would give that a try. My 2 are fed on rmb and have been most of their lives it is  great for them and I wouldnt change.  I would research both styles of raw feeding and see where you feelings beliefs lie. 

Hi Cindy

I had a GSD on RC dry sensitivity for most of his life because no other food suited him, and he was loose all the time until this food made him really solid and I had no problems after. It was important for my GSD to be solid because he had a bowl problem which could have been a lot worse if the diet hadn't suited him. I will stress though that it is important not to feed anything else whilst on this food if you can avoid it, otherwise it would be a waste of time and money buying RC, and continuiing to feed tidbits.

If this food settled him and he remained solid there should be no reason to take him off it and keep changing diet.

Good luck with your lab I hope he settles on RC for you.

Sian

I sympathise having a dog that can have bouts of dodgy tum. I feed raw and am careful what I give him. If you don't want to do raw I would try basic white fish fillet ( sainsburys do a bag) which I would lightly boil and mash potatoes- no butter or anything just smashed, you could leave the skins on.
I also give a dollop of natural yoghurt on their breakfast.

I have found a pro kaolin helps.

Please be aware that chicken and rice is often reccomended but some dogs ( like my boy) are allergic to chicken.

Good luck