need help identifying cause - Page 1

my 2 yr old GSD male, like clockwork, just about every 3 months he goes soft on his stool.  I feed him Candidae Bison and lamb all natural and he does great on it.  he has a good stomach, he loves yogurt, marrow bones, carrots, etc.  He is an aggressive chewer in that he chews wooden branches, likes to dig, sometimes eats leaves (which he"ll barf up right away).  Basically, like a child, everything seems to be in his mouth.  We do correct him, and he listens at the time but the chewing starts again when we take him out in the yard at a later time.  We do remove the sticks in the yard and I have put nylon bones out there for him to play with instead.  He doesn't chew anything when we go for walks and he's not a house chewer.  He's really a great dog, wonderful companion, loves the kids and is protective when strangers are around so we have no issues with him other than the soft stool every now and then.  When he goes soft we'll skip a meal then feed him half ration then gradually increase his food for about 2 days until full ration then he's fine, stools are completly normal again.  Also when he goes soft he acts completely normal, wants to play, runs around and shows no signs of discomfort other than soft bowel movement which can occur frequently.  He normally eats about four cups a day, this is all by feel, I don't keep him hungry and overfeed.  He eats the same time every day, 2 cups in am and 2 cups pm.  Clean water all the time and I clean his bowls just about every day.  Negative on the vet check as well.  The only think I can think of is the stick chewing is causing an irritable bowl over time.  Any help and/or suggestions are appreciated.  Thanks, Turk.     

I would treat him for giardia. There is a new test that is more effective, but not all vets use it and giardia is VERY hard to catch on a slide. You could be dealing with a life cycle issue of a certain parasite or protozoa. If he were mine, I'd do a long course of fenbendazole....at least a week to ten days, THEN follow up with a good probiotic. That will eliminate a lot of what could be causing your problems, especially if the vet has already ruled out something obvious or major. 

tested neg for giardia but I'll talk to my vet again.

had the new giardia test done...negative...thankfully but still need to identify cause

I'd do what I suggested above, regardless. As I said, it will eliminate a lot of the common causes of what you're describing. FWIW, I've only once had a little pup test positive, but used that treatment successfully many many many times  despite a negative test result. ALWAYS use a good, strong probiotic. Sometimes, stresses of vaccinations, dewormers, feeding foods devoid of enzymes and live bacteria can cause symptoms like you have and the probiotic makes a huge difference all by itself. 

The "like clockwork" part is what leads me to believe this is a parasite/protozoa issue and you're seeing life cycles. JMO, fwiw, take it or leave it. That's a frustrating problem. 

I have to say that Giardia is a lot harder to spot on a slide then most think.  My vet says that he has to go more on symptoms then on the slide regarding Giardia.  it is very fast moving and by the time you have it focused it is gone.  very unlikely to actually see it..  If you describe the symptoms to my vet he is going to check but he will probably medicate.  Giardia is very difficult to get rid of if your dog is exercising in the same area that they are relieving themselves.  sanitation is very important.  You also can get this so make sure you wash your hands well.

That sounds more like whip worm to me;  my boy had after several slides was detected with whip;  played havok on his system until I just treated with Panacur for 5 days;  then 3 weeks later, treated again.  That was it.  Got rid of it, and same goes for giardia.  BOL  Nan

Exactly, Nan. That's what I said, twice. I use it longer than 5 days though. Hopefully the OP will have good luck if he listens to us and gives it a try. 

I agree with gen it looks like it could be a cycle of protozoa. Giaradia is hard to see and easy to miss. Run different test. 
Another thing is the dog food often changes quality for one reason or another.  Just because  it comes in the same bag does not mean that it is the same food with same ingredients. That may cause the problem too. 
Also I would feed only 1x per day and skip a day per week. 
How bad is  the stool? 
Water, porridge, cigars:)? 

Vet said the new giardia test is over 90% accurate...also, I treat with sentinal 1x per month which hits heartworm, whipworm and fleas.  Stool can be anywhere from custard to diareah when episode happens.  Lasts a day then done.  last time i noticed very small pieces of undigested wooden sticks..so no more wood sticks, use nylon bones in the yard now which he plays with but doesnt knaw on them.  I thought food quality as well, candidae had issues with an old manufacturing plant now they have a new one so we'll see.  I've used Acana, taste of the wild first year and a half so I use good foods.  I have a feeling the constant stick chewing which he swallows small pieces over time plays havic on his dietary tract.  I appreciate the help and will continue to troubleshoot until solved.

Recent Pic...98lbs and he's the most athletic dog I've ever had.