I have just finished talking to the vet about our puppy. He had slightly loose movements again, but this time streaked with blood. We think it is due to attempting to change his food. If he is no better tomorrow I have to take him to vet, but he is extremely lively and eating well, shows no signs of illness. I didnt give him a meal this morning so he was effectively starved 12 hours (I felt 24 was too much for an 11 week pup). Then he had cooked chicken and rice at midday, and I am continuing this for a couple of days, as advised by vet, then gradually phasing the James Wellbeloved in, but very slowly. Do you think Im on the right lines?

It has also occurred to me that it might actually be the rawhide chews that are irritating him and not his food. I have picked them all up, so he just has his toys. Can you suggest a chewable alternative to the rawhide chews as he really enjoys chewing.

Sounds like you're on the right track at the moment. Take care when phasing in the dry. I had many a bout of colitis with Arnie when he was a pup which was put down to a gluten intolerance in the end, but he seems to have outgrown it As far as the chews go, dont know what to suggest as I know you need to be careful with pups. If theres a pets at home or similar near you pop down and see what they have, but dont get anything with colourings in em.

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Thanks. The chews I have (rawhide) are from p@h and they were the plainest they had, nothing but rawhide. I have never trusted those chopped up ones with colour in, but if anyone can suggest anything else please let me know.

You seemed to of got it all sorted,.....as for the chews, all mine have the P&H rawhide chews, I buy them all the time for my lot, but once they chew it so it is floppy then I throw them out and give a fresh one, I never buy the tiny knotted bones ones, I always buy them the bigger bones ones, dont buy the shoes because the laces come out and can choke them. AVOID the coloured ones, one of my dogs always have the runs with the coloured ones, so I dont buy those anymore. If you have a store called The Range anywhere near you then buy the chews from there as they are alot cheaper and the sizes are better too. xxxxxxxxxxx
Keep a check on the blood in the poo ok.

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The Pets at homes ones are those rawhide twists, they look like pencils BUT he has had a couple of those shoes in the last couple of days. I didnt know that about the lacing. I suppose that could irritate his gut. I will be stopping those.

Get some pro-kolin, it's wonderful stuff for stomach upsets in dogs and puppies. Our vet gave us some both times when we went with our puppy when she had an upset tummy and it worked wonders.
Protexin Prokolin + Antidiarrhoeal Probiotic Paste - £6.66

Thanks. Our vet gave us some Canikur a couple of weeks ago which is a similar thing, but he only gave 2 days worth.

I might order some.

Chews are now in the bin. Last movement was free from blood or mucous but was sloppy and pale brown. (sorry if TMI)

Would be tempted to avoid the rawhide chews myself. Try not to make any significant changes in the diet either, any changes need to be made over a gradual period of time.

Rawhide is very high in protein and does cause a runny tum.

I prefer to give them raw marrowbones.

Are these the bones that you just ask the butcher for? I expect they will have to be sawn up for such a tiny dog! I will try our local butcher and see if they have any. Do they sell them at Pets at Home? I would actually like to give him a bone, I know what a strong urge to chew they have and also how they kept our other dogs quiet for hours. I would never ever give a smaller bone though, eg chicken, despite the current interest in the raw diet.