Activated charcoal for dogs.....

Paradigm

Anyone tried it?

I have a DDB who has had tummy probs all his life & despite using "sensitive" food + regular visits to the vet, he will get the squits pretty regularly although he's never ill.

He's banned from anything other than his food, no treats or leftovers.

I've had charcoal recommended but does it work? I can only see positive stuff on the internet but real life experience is a lot more valuable.

hotcookie101

I wouldn't use it for upset guts, we use it following toxin ingestion to help mop up anything we haven't managed to get them to vomit. Its messy as well, so can only imagine the carnage of a DDB after having had it!

jumpedtheshark

Paradigm, what food are you feeding? It may be expensive, but still not high quality. Also, how often are you feeding?

We've only ever used charcoal once, when we were worried one of our dogs had eaten some medication. (She was showing no effects of toxic ingestion, unlike our other dog, who had her stomache pumped). I don't think it's meant to settle the stomache, but rather we were told it would make our dog vomit. As it was, it appeared to have no effect.

I've been experimenting with 'Bionic Biotic' for one of our dogs, who has poorly skin (itching, scabbing, etc.). Whilst her skin has cleared up, I'm not totally convinced it's the product, though will be more convinced if the skin problems come back when we run out later this week! It also has quite a lot of grain in it, which struck me as odd for a product meant to be helping with allergies, etc. Buying from the manufacturer isn't the cheapest, but it comes with a 'satisfaction guaranteed' refund if it doesn't help: http://www.poochandmutt.com/bionicbiotic/ It might be worth an experiment.

moggymutt

All I know is that I used to have to use it for my horse to help stop him getting spasmodic colic (on vets prescription because for a horse you use rather a lot- not the sort of amount to buy in a health shop).

Cant think in any way dangerous as used to be used in gas masks for humans. May/may not produce the effect you want- depends what bit of his insides is playing up to cause the squits.

Your vet is the best to ask.

PS- what is a DDB please- cant get the hang of all the abbreviations on this board.

krlyr

moggymutt, DDB is Dogue de Bordeaux. Often know as a Hooch dog!


I was of the belief that charcoal worked by absorbing excess gas or toxins. Not sure if it would work for a food allergy/intolerance.
I would suggest
a) having stool samples taken and tested to rule out a bacterial infection (e.g. guardia)
b) considering an elimination/exclusion diet (other option would be a specific hypoallergenic food from the vet - not one from a petshop but a prescription one that has gone through the hydrolization process - exclusion diet is probably kinder to your pocket!). Bear in mind that even "sensitive" foods can cause allergies or intolerances - I know lamb is often used in these formulations (or at least, it was) yet it gives my two terrible wind!
c) if that doesn't work, consider supplementing with things that will support his digestive system more effectively than charcoal. Probiotics, for example, to help the healthy bacteria. Slippery elm bark is meant to be a good supplement to line a sensitive stomach

http://communityvet.net/2010/03/diy-elimination-diet-for-the-dog-an-cat/
http://www.thehonestkitchen.com/2010/06/08/pinpointing-allergies/
http://www.carnivora.ca/html/featured_products/supplements_and_health_care/slippery_elm/index.cfm

Fire_Fox

Really you need to identify and eliminate whatever is causing the gut to be irritated or inflamed not treat the symptoms, easier said than done! Agree with Krlyr sensitive foods can also cause problems, all that the manufacturers have done is eliminate the most common allergens, not all ingredients which can cause allergies or sensitivities.

Many sensitive foods are dry and still contain loads of ingredients so working out the culprit(s) can be a real challenge. Most allergies are to proteins so trying novel protein sources (ones not encountered before) is often recommended, and a food with as few ingredients as possible can be worthwhile. Some respond well to a raw diet, because raw proteins are different to cooked proteins.

Do you have access to a nutritionist or a gastro specialist on your pet insurance and will your vet refer you?

Paradigm

Many thanks for the replies.

He's currently on Skinners Duck & Rice but just about every combination of ingredients has been tried &, to be honest, none have made much difference. We also eliminated grains (taste of the wild fish & something) but no real difference.... except to my wallet


He's had stool samples tested & nothing was untoward... no infection, worms etc. He's also had blood work done but all was ok.

He can be fine for weeks & then have the squits for a few days which gradually clears up, he's always his old cheerful self & doesn't show any signs of pain or illness.

The vet leans towards a mild form of IBS but can't say if it's food related or has some other trigger.

If it is a food allergy then, as said above, it's going to be a bit of a task to track down.

Like I say it's not a major problem (yet), if it were a continuous thing it might be easier to find the cause.

Charcoal was suggested by someone who has used it for similar problems with her dog with good results.

rising_from_the_ashes

Have you tried Skinners Salmon & Rice?

Had huge problems with Maisie's tum when she arrived - had put her onto Skinners Duck & Rice as that was what Ben had (wheat intolerant) and did very well on but bad bouts of Colitis every so often.

Couldn't think what could be doing it as, as you've noted, the Skinners is a good quality food - then thought ..... duck?

Eventually managed to get things settled with a bag of JWB Fish & Rice (not a fan of the make but needs must!) but it's not cheap (mid £40s / 15kg) so have been looking for alternatives.

After a very gradual and slow swap, she's now doing absolutely fine on the Skinners and it's much more reasonable at around £27 / 15kg.

Other things to think about could be the Fishmongers Fish & Potato or Wainwrights - both get good reviews but for me, I wanted to avoid Potato for the time being.

Hoping to be able to introduce a bit of meat moving forwards (beef, lamb etc is def out!) and have got some of the Wainwrights trays to try - again get great reviews. HTH

Paradigm

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Some respond well to a raw diet, because raw proteins are different to cooked proteins.

I'll have a read up, thanks.

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Do you have access to a nutritionist or a gastro specialist on your pet insurance and will your vet refer you?

I'll check I'd be more confident if it were a constant but it's very much a sudden thing & for no apparent reason & rarely lasts for more than a couple of days.

rising_from_the_ashes

Oh - was recommended this on another forum for dogs with Colitis / sensitive tums:

http://www.medicanimal.com/product/~protexin-premium-for-dogs/~product_id=747;jsessionid=25E97661D68677A97CC5000694E1035E.jvm1

She gets a measureful in the morning and a tablespoon of bran with her dinner at nights ..... touch wood ..... no horrid bouts of Colitis for around 6 weeks now (fingers crossed etc).

Paradigm

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

Have you tried Skinners Salmon & Rice?

I can't remember, he's deffo had "someones" salmon & rice but we've tried so many I don't know who's

The "taste of the wild" stuff was salmon & veggies & we thought we'd cracked it but.......

Every change we make takes a week or 2, we daren't make any sudden changes else it's all hands to the mop