I have had my Lab since he was 8 weeks old and he is now just coming up to 10 months, but he has always had loose motions and often very very runny.  i think about 4 times since having him has he done a firm one.
He is well in himself and full of life and I have tried changing his diet a couple of times for at least a month each time with no difference.  He is now on adult food but still very loose.
Any ideas anyone and should I worry as he is fit and healthy in every other way.   Worming is up to date.

I have always found that  a chicken leg or a couple of wings(raw of course!) help to firm up a dogs stools if they have been a bit runny. It could also be that his food just does not agree with your boy, we had Kayla on Beta whe  she was younger but she always had diarrhoea so she is now on Burns and is fine. Just an idea.
HTH
Emily :)

Hi Bev,

Have you had him checked over with your vet and a faeces sample tested?  That's an awful long time for any dog to be having that type of problem and it can't be doing his tummy/bowel any good - just think how bad we can feel if we have the skitts for a couple of days    He's bound to be tender internally if nothing else and can't be getting the best from his food either :(

Please get him checked out - self diagnosis is OK for a short term thing but he sounds like he needs a professional opinion.

Good luck, and please keep us updated,
Regards Teri ;)

Took him to my vet today and vet can find nothing wrong, he is fit, happy lively etc. and good weight.    Vet has reccommended i try a change of diet to something like Wafcol Salmon and potatoe or lamb and Rice.
He said it is probaly because he is a efficient dustbin and grabs and eats anything when out on walks etc.  If the change of diet doesn't help he will do a faeces sample test.  But doesn't feel it will reveal anything.  His tummy was not in the least sore or tender when he felt it and he is not running a tempreture.  He is also not doing more than 2-3 motions a day which is quite normal apart from the fact they are a bit softer and some quite loose.
Will let you know how he goes.

Bev

Glad that vet visit went well for your boy and that his weight is normal ;)  It's good that you've been recommended a diet change - I know that Wafcol Salmon and Potato is often recommended because it is basically a novel source of ingredients compared to many other complete foods hence a good port of call for an "exclusion diet".  Exclusion diets are designed to see if a change away from common ingredients relieves symptoms and can save the expense of perhaps allergy testing certain foods for dogs who have continual GI problems so I'd imagine that is why your vet has suggested that brand in particular.

Can I be so bold as to make an additional suggestion which is basically crucial to the effectiveness of his diet change :rolleyes:  don't under ANY circustances give him ANY other type of food, dog or human, neither treats, rawhide chews, pigs ears, bones - nowt - and be hyper vigilant that he has no scavenging opportunities elsewhere :D

If you don't see any improvement in his stools within the first couple of weeks, I'd suggest you go back to your vet and have the faecal sample done and also bloods tests to rule out other potential causes such as pancreatic malfunction. 

Very best wishes and gentle hugs to your lovely, lively guy ;)  Teri

Thankyou so much for all your help and tips.  my vet did say I can give raw carrot as a treat or reward and I know he loves those.
Will have to try even harder on walks to stop him picking up anything and everything,
He always went mad for blackberries and now they have gone is grabbing the little red berries and swallowing them quick that he is finding as we walk along the road.  Try as I might to keep him away from them he always seems to find some before I can spot them.
Will let you know how he goes.

Bev

Bev - We have a 6 month old Lab who has been exactly the same since we got her at 10 weeks! (Its nice to know your not alone when you are trying to scrape up soft motions!!)  She was on Bakers when we got her & was terrible, changed onto JWB and poos became less frequent but never got any harder than a mr whippy and the wind - PHEW!! After reading many posts, tried Autarky - back to Macdonalds milkshake consistancy! She has now been on Stinky Tins of Chappie for 3 weeks and we have lovely brown, firm, pickupable poos for the first time!  I know that nutritionally its not quite enough for a growing Lab but it has really settled her tummy down.  I am now begining to add a few spoons of Wafcol puppy to the chappie (hooray - more stinky fish!)to give more nutrition and will decrease the chappie and up the Wafcol if all goes ok.  I am convinced that dried food just didn't agree with her & the tins do - so if I can get to half/half I will be happy.  What foods have you tried?
Anne <><