Those with dogs with sensitive stomachs (Janice)

 Hmm!! That is odd.  Not sure I can help much, but will add that all dogs are different.  Some dogs just do better on more of one thing than another.  Nik does need a bit of grain in her diet to do well and be happy, which is opposite of most dogs I know. 

Anyway, am sending good thoughts to Jessie, I know how scary pancreatitis is.  Glad she's overall doing well!

  Thanks. I had Monica Segal formulate a diet for her when she was diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis because she's allergic to the ingredients in the prescription diets. She did very good on the diet; no signs of digestive problems. Several months after that, she had to be at a veterinary teaching hospital for pneumonia and they fed her Purina EN. When she came home she wouldn't eat the cooked diet anymore. She was still recovering from the pneumonia so we didn't try to force her back on the diet and kept feeding her the EN. Unfortunately, Purina changed the ingredients in the EN from beef to chicken, so we had to find another food. That's when we tried the California Natural and then the Nutro. I was really surprised the cooked diet doesn't agree with her stomach now; guess I need to contact Monica and see what she thinks. Jessie does get some fresh food daily; turkey and egg whites to give her good quality protein, and home made treats.

I know with Willow she has a very low tolerance for too much or too little fiber.  If I don't give her just the right mix of her prescription diet with her toppers then she is either having diarrhea or she is stuggling to go.  We joke about how ridiculous it is all the time-most people just pour food in a bowl.  In our house its like a food trial every day.

  Thanks for your input Lori; I was hoping you'd see this. It sounds like Willow really keeps you on your toes. Does the kind of fiber make a difference for her? Hill's z/d ultra allergen dry uses cellulose for fiber and when Jessie was on it for an elimination diet, I had to add pumpkin or her stools would be runny. The Nutro uses beet pulp. I'm not going to fool with her diet anymore; she has been doing great on the Nutro with some canned i/d and Wellness Stew added in.

No matter what Luna eats I add a teaspoon of slippery elm to her food every meal.  It calms her gut and gives her a bit of fiber. 

Some dogs are just destined to make you nuts *grin*  = it's their job!!  So we love them to distraction anyway!!  And let them re-write the rules for us!

calliecritturs

Some dogs are just destined to make you nuts *grin*  = it's their job!!  So we love them to distraction anyway!!  And let them re-write the rules for us!

  Yep; and some owners of those dogs find this forum, looking for advice and support; that's how I came here. Jessie's allergic to potatoes, and the nutritionist at Purdue said she's never heard of that before in her 20 years of experience. But, Jessie got nasty ear infections on an elimination diet using rabbit and potato, and I confirmed it wasn't the rabbit. That's why I ended up using Hill's z/d for the elimination diet. Also, when her head swelled up several years ago and she had pustules on her nose and eyelids, the vet had never seen anything like it and had no idea what caused it. I later learned from a derm vet at Purdue that it's a very rare allergic reaction.

  But the love they give makes the special care more than worth it. For now, I'm going to keep her on her current diet, which does include some fresh foods and when our money isn't so tight, I'll schedule another consult with Monica for a new diet.

jessies_mom

Does the kind of fiber make a difference for her? Hill's z/d ultra allergen dry uses cellulose for fiber

Yes, the kind of fiber does make a difference.  For example, for her I give her about 1/2 can of z/d with about 2 tablespoons of the Hills Mature Longevity Turkey(has to be turkey-tried the beef that didn't work out).  Thats what I was saying about it has to be a certain "mix".  If I add too much of either or she has either runs or cannot poop.   Z/D only and shes got complete diarrhea.  So, I have to get that base combo right and then I can add some fish, veggies, some better canned, etc. 

You want to really laugh???  I recently tried the new Nutro grain free turkey/potato for her.  I thought it would work OK since all ingredients are Willow friendly and also it had beet pulp. (which some dont like that ingredient but for my dog it works)  I bought one 4lb bag--hard time pooping--and this was with me adding toppers, canned, etc.  I thought let me ride this out-let her body adjust-I bought another 4lb bag-not even thru this bag and shes peeing blood!!!  OK, back to the z/d combo!!!  I had to call the vet and tell her what I did and everything to get a Cipro prescription for her. 

willowchow

You want to really laugh???  I recently tried the new Nutro grain free turkey/potato for her.  I thought it would work OK since all ingredients are Willow friendly and also it had beet pulp. (which some dont like that ingredient but for my dog it works)  I bought one 4lb bag--hard time pooping--and this was with me adding toppers, canned, etc.  I thought let me ride this out-let her body adjust-I bought another 4lb bag-not even thru this bag and shes peeing blood!!!  OK, back to the z/d combo!!!  I had to call the vet and tell her what I did and everything to get a Cipro prescription for her.

  Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner Lori, but we've had major computer problems for almost 2 weeks and I was only able to be online for a short time. Poor Willow; the change to the grain free really made her sick. Her digestive system really has a hair trigger. Thank you for the input about beet pulp; it helps explain why Jessie does better on some foods and not others.

No worries!  Glad you got your computer back!  I don't know what I'd do without mine for 2 whole weeks, LOL!