My dog has begun eating her own waste

[kyes]

My 14-year old, 65-pound female dog has arthritis.  For some years now she has had limited control of her bowels.  So far, cleaning up after her has not been a serious problem, but while I was on vacation (despite having a competent dogsitter she appeared to like) she began eating her own dung—or so I believe, as she developed a raging case of diarrhea right before I got back, and I also never before saw any of the evidence I now see (little smears on the bedding where the bowel movement had been, excessive smacking and licking of chops, occasional heaving).  At the moment she’s still on antibiotics for her former bout with diarrhea but these can’t last forever and the added strain of eating her waste can’t be helping their effectiveness (I notice her stools softening somewhat, though they are not generally very firm).  My dog stays indoors except when on walks; I try to catch all the movements I can and walk as many as possible out of her (our walks are not very long due to her mobility issues), but night (and sometimes when I’m away) seems to be the time when she sneaks ‘em past me.  She has had two litters and her behavior reminds me of how she cleaned up after the young pups.  Also she is a veteran “crap-eater” when it has involved other species (cats, deer, rabbits, etc.), but she never would touch dog manure before.  How can I arrest this behavior?

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M.]

1. Put accent or other brand of meat tenderizer on her food for several days.  Accent will make the taste of her feces unpalatable to her.
2. Put her on digestive enzymes that contain a small amount of Betaine hydrochloride.  These are available at a Health Food store. You can use a human product at a lower dose.
3.  Put her on a probiotic supplement such as Culterelle, or I-Flora or other acidophilus supplement, available at a health food store.
4. Put her on a diet free of grains.  If this is unavailable have your vet put her on a low-residue diet.
5.  Have your vet put her on a small amount of Tylan powder, to be mixed with her food.  This medication can help her stool remain normal and prevent stress colitis.  Tylan is very safe and she can be on it long term.  I have some patients that remain on it for the remainder of their lives.
6.  Have her stool checked for parasites including coccidia and giardia, along with the standard parasites.  If no parasites are found it just means that they were not being shed with this particular stool sample that you brought to the vet.  Have her treated anyway with Drontal Plus.  A dog that eats the feces of wildlife WILL have parasites whether seen on a stool sample or not.

[kyes]

Thank you very much for the wide range of options for Kaya's behavior, as well as the additional information concerning its consequences and what to do.  My vets are good but I did not get in to see them and the receptionist only had a little general information.  I'm glad that there are some "civilian tricks" I can try before investing in the more costly veterinary prescription preparations for making her feces distasteful to her.  
Because she still occasionally encounters a tasty mound of deer nuggets, we are quite familiar with the large pill that wipes out all types of worms...is the Drontal Plus?  I never knew the name.  It seems that every time we go she also gets a course of Flagyl and often Ampecillin too.  
Based on your reply to another person whose dog was having frequent bowel movements, I've begun walking her before meals and have doubled the number of our walks because they are only about ten or fifteen minutes long.  Every time she moves her bowels where I can see it, I praise her and give her a freeze-dried liver treat reward.  She may be an old dog but liver treats are a big incentive and my hopes are high!  It can't hurt....
Thanks for your prompt reply.

[EzWeeZee]

We have a new Maltese teacup puppy.  She is only 10 weeks old.  We found out today that she is eating her waste.  We have no idea what to do to stop her from doing this.  

You mentioned above to put Accent on the waste.  Can we do that with a puppy?   Is there any other way to stop this terrible thing?

We can't watch her every minute, she is in a fairly large room with a gate on the door, so she is in there most of the day, and then we let her run free from about 5pm to midnight.  She actually goes on the papers in her room when she is there, but goes anywhere when she is outside the room.

Someone told us that there is a way to train the dog to ring a bell by the front door when she wants to go outside.  Have you ever heard of this, and do you know how to teach a puppy to go outside like that?  

How old should she be when she should start going outside?  It's February in Chicago, and it is very cold.

Lastly, the dog loves to lick us.  She also loves to bite at our fingers, and hands.  She also will take her paws and scratch your face or bite at your chin so you have to be careful when handling her.  

We pull her away when she starts biting and hold her head and tell her NO, but she has not caught on for the 2 weeks she's been here.  Any help would be appreciated.

This is the cutest little puppy I have evr seen, but she's driving us crazy, and her antics get real old after holding her for 10 minutes.

Please help?

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M.]

Accent is fine for a puppy.  However, she really sounds as if she needs a firm hand to help with the housebreaking, and nipping behavior.  Consistancy is the most important tool to housebreaking.  

She should be able to go outside now if properly dressed with a warm coat and booties if necessary.  Some dogs do not like being dressed or booted, however.   I am from Northern Iowa originally, so I know about cold winters.

Since you have only had her two weeks she may need to be wormed by your vet even if no parasites are found.  I normally worm all puppies at least twice when newly adopted or purchased, and I do frequent fecal exams, including a check for Giardia, and Coccidia

[farside91326]

Our 6 month old Great Dane/Lab mix puppy came to us from a rescue of sorts.  We have had her for 5 weeks and she has had diarrhea for the entire time except for the occasional soft but formed bowel movement.  The vet has  her on a cleanse, on Thymex, one dose of Panacur two weeks ago, Cholacol II, Carbamide, Enteric support, just completed a round of Flagyl and now has her on Prednisone.  She still has diarrhea and eats her stool.  She has another Vet appt. tomorrow.  She came to us very under weight, with demadex and after only one distemper shot she was exposed to distemper at the rescue (that dog had to be put down).  She has an extremely healthy appetite and we give her top of the line Flint River Ranch Lamb and Millet dog food.  She is as active as can be and other than the non stop diarrhea and dematex, she has no outward appearance of illness.  Although she eats three times a day she is struggling to put on weight but is making some progress.  She sleeps well, is well behaved (excepts will pee in the house when it is cold outside) and she has the hiccups several times a day.  She plays very aggressively with our 4 year old Chow/Shep mix and they have a grand old time together.  I am at my witts ends with the bowel problems and the $200.00 per visit med supply.  Her stool tested negative for giardia or anything else. The Vet wants to hold off on giving her the new round of distemper until she is well and her ammune system is stronger.  Oh, and she also runs a fever off and on every day.  She won't let us take her temp but you can feel the heat in her ears and face several times a day.  I have put her on probiotics to help her tummy with all of the meds.  I am wondering if the cleanse is counteracting all of the meds for the diarrhea?  Any suggestions?