Very smelly wind...

[Ruby Red]

I really don't know what to do with Roddy our foster dog, he produces the most foul smelling wind ever. We have a little boston terrier stay here sometimes and his farts stink in much the same way. It's just awful. I tried him on a couple of different good quality dog foods [low carbs, no wheat, corn, additives, fillers etc]- both wet and dry versions, including a sensitive range, but nothing makes any difference. At the moment I have him on Orijen and add a desertspoon of natural yoghurt to every meal but nothing changes, he still stinks! Raw feeding him isn't really an option, but has anyone got any other suggestions? I should mention too that his poos aren't that brilliant either - they have some form but they are always on the wettish/sticky side. I tried adding sweet potato to his diet [we can't get canned or fresh pumpkin over here] but no change again. Other than this, he seems absolutely fine in himself.

[Doreen]

I remember getting products with Charcoal in them for my old dogs Rufus and Roxy, they were bad that way also. I don't know if they still sell them anymore since I don't have that problem with these dogs.

[Dragon]

let me know if you find anything!

[Ruby Red]

Thanks Doreen, I have just been looking on the internet to try and find something on charcoal. I have never had this problem with any dog before, it's so bad that we have to leave the room sometimes - trouble he is follows us out with it all wafting along behind him......

[Spyglass Sally]

I would try probiotics & digestive enzymes. It sounds like he's got an imbalance of flora and/or a food intolerance. Common food problems are soy, corn, wheat and dairy.

Hope you get some help - sounds like the kind of problem that's funny for about a day.

[Ruby Red]

Sally I assumed the natural yoghurt would have sufficient probiotics? if not, how much do you think he should get? and what type of enzymes would you recommend? [do you have a link or something so at least I could see what to look for over here in the UK]. I haven't a clue about these things at all - have never used them before - haven't had any reason too. He is currently on Orijen - it's one of the best dry kibbles - no carbs, soy, corn, wheat etc., so just can't understand why he is so smelly, poor boy.

[Spyglass Sally]

I have found it very frustrating to get adequate info about probiotics and dog products. Very few actually tell you how many are in there. Dr. Messonnier suggests a dose of 20-500 million cfu. Dr. Mercola's pet probiotic product provides 58 billion. I have used Dr. Mercola's but also just got a powdered quality human probiotic and mixed it in his food. I believe you could do the same with digestive enzymes.

Animal Essentials makes a product with probiotics and enzymes that I have used and believe is good. Here's the content info from their website:

Enzymes Present in the Formula:

• ALPHA AMYLASE: helps in the digestion of carbohydrates by helping to hydrolyze the alpha 1-4 glycosidic linkages of polysaccharides to dextrin, D-glucose, maltose and oligosaccharides.

• BETA AMYLASE: works on the end of the starch molecules instead of in the center, as does alpha-amylase and results in the production of sugars from the starch molecules.

• PROTEASES: work on proteins to reduce them to individual amino acids (what they are composed of); some of these are acid stable proteases that start their work in the stomach. Proteins take the longest and are the most difficult food component to digest. With acid stable protease the decomposition starts earlier in the digestive tract, thus providing more complete digestion.

• LIPASE: helps to metabolize fats (triglycerides). The fats are broken down into mono glycerides, diglycerides and glycerol. If given in larger quantities the Lipases can enter the bloodstream and help remove excess triglycerides from the arteries and the veins improving circulation.

• CELLULASE: as the name implies, breaks down cellulose (fiber) by helping to break down cell walls, resulting in both necessary solubleand insoluble fiber.

• HEMICELLULASE: hemi cellulose and an amorphous (sticky) type of cellulose that form long strings as cellulose, is crystalline. This enzyme helps break this polymer down into its individual sugars---primarily xylose.

• BROMELAIN: is extracted from pineapple (Ananas comosus) and is a protolytic (protein) digesting enzyme, that helps break the proteins into oligio peptides and amino acids.

• PROBIOTIC: is a lactic acid producing bacteria, which bears spores. These organisms exhibit the characteristics of both the genera Lactobacillus and Bacillus. Because they are encapsulated in spores these organisms are protected from the environment and heat. They are activated in the gut by the hydrochloric acid, producing lactic acid bacteria. Treatment with antibiotics results in the killing of these bacteria, which guard against yeast colonies (candida yeast species). These desirable bacteria inhibit the growth of putrid bacterial in the intestine, thereby maintaining the balance of intestinal flora.

• CALCIUM SULFATE: the primary carrier or excipient for this product is food grade and adds a minimum amount of calcium to the diet, about 200 mg per gm of product.

I like your charcoal idea too - it's a very good way to address many GI symptoms: gas, bloating, diarrhea and toxin buildup. Hopefully once he gets in balance the problem will stop. Poor guy - that can't feel good. And poor you too - it doesn't smell good!

[Ruby Red]

Thanks Sally for all that. I am having a real hard time finding anything like it over here, but I have found the following things, I would be really interested in knowing what your thoughts are on them please?

This is the only thing that I could find for probiotics - I couldn't find anything with enzymes at all. I don't have a clue what half the things are in this or whether these are good amounts or not!
Probiotic+ Powder - Herbal Supplements for health

The other things are found are these 2 products - any thoughts?

PetAlive Digestive Support™

PetAlive Runipoo Relief - Natural remedy to support healthy, firm cat and dog stools and maintain healthy bowels.

Oh, I did have some success finding the charcoal - do you think it would be ok to combine the charcoal with the probiotics [if you think they are any good]?

[Spyglass Sally]

The first item looks good, but it seems pricey to me. Do you have any human probiotics - like from Garden of Eden or something - that you can give him? It seems like human ones are more reasonably priced. But to answer your question, it looks good.

The PetAlive has slippery elm and licorice which are good for digestive problems but I don't know if that's really the issue. I'm thinking he might need probiotics to reestablish good intestinal flora and enzymes to help with the digestive process. So while it might ease symptoms, it may not solve the problem. Wouldn't hurt though. If you got that, I don't think you'd need the charcoal.

The third item, my feeling is pretty much like the second, albeit for different reasons. It might help, wouldn't hurt, but it may or may not solve the problem. Again, I don't think you'd need the charcoal.

Giving symptomatic relief can help while his body works to heal itself, so the last two items are good. But my preference would be for the first. And enzymes if you can find them.

Hope that's helpful. Sorry I can't supply links to products you can get. All the talk I hear over here about 'global economy' and I can't even send you a useful link!

[Ron]

FYI, whoever smelt it, dealt it