What's everyone doing with their allergy/IBS dogs??

Sassy is doing better right now than she has in many months. I'm not rattling the cage and making any changes from the NB Duck & Potato.

 
  I'm glad that she's doing so well; knowing how much she has suffered, I would do the same.

I am >thisclose< to never, ever buying commercially produced dog food, ever again. I switched to this modified raw I've been doing, a little while back, but I've still used some canned food (my dogs don't seem  to even tolerate kibble any more) on occasion, if I run out.  Natural Balance has been my "safe" food. I don't think I can handle the fact that even THEY didn't know what was going into their food. That's too much for me.

Fresh meat, fresh veggies, human supplements. That's it.

Many dog food producers have dog food specifically for dogs with allergies. In particular Flint River Ranch has a Lamb/ Millet/ Rice formula for dogs allergic to wheat, chicken and corn. As with all food sometimes you must try it and Flint River Ranch offers samples.

Lynn very kindly asked me privately about Ben since I'd mentioned a while ago that we were using the CC Beaver. We haven't used it since around the first of the year. I can tell you pretty definitively that the RPC wasn't in the food then or Ben would have reacted - not to the contaminant, but to the rice. Well, I'm pretty sure. Actually, now that I think about it, I never use much topping on the food so the total RPC he'd get would be pretty minimal. He would have been pretty sick by now though if I'd been giving it to him every day all this time!

I'm coming to the end of my current bag of NB Duck and Potato. Up to now, Ben's been getting half NB with a little topping to boost the protein and half raw meaty bones. His main allergies are grains and chicken (and eggs). These are true life threatening allergies, so no fudging is allowed.

I've been doing the kibble because Ben's got a resting metabolism like you wouldn't believe, plus he works every day. Without the kibble I'd have to up his meat to four pounds a day, plus veggies and stuff, if I went straight raw.

I've been thinking I could prepare a meat and potato homeade diet. One problem is that potatoes are bulky and I'd have to cook huge amounts just for him, even if I only cook up a few days at a time ahead. And my commercial upright freezer is already full of sheep, venison, and meatloaf cupcakes - plus our stuff!

There's one other commercial that Ben can eat, EVO RM. I don't mind switching since he did very well on it, but I'm honestly scared of everything commercial now. It's not so much the contaminants as what we've learned about how little control these companies seem to have about what is REALLY in their foods! And that is so important to Ben.

So the answer is, right now, I'm not sure yet.

So far we're still doing NB Potato/Duck Kibble. 
 
I am also at the end of a 30 lb bag and about to switch over to fresh meat, vegies, and supplements.  I'm nervous about it, but I can't do any worse than what's out there now!  I've got my Calcium/Phosphorus chart and I had blood work done on both dogs yesterday so I will have a base line to compare to if I need it. 
 
I'm still not sure what Sam is allergic to, so I will have to continue to use 1 Novel Protein and 1 Vegetable until we get a better handle on what sets him off.  He does pretty well on the NB Duck/Potato as long as we don't allow "extra bites" from others that want to feed those pleading eyes- which is hard to stick with long term.  I've looked at a few recipes and it doesn't look that tough.  I plan to make enough for each dog for the week and refrigerate until time to make the next batch.
 
I stopped using all canned food when the first recall came out and I found out that Innova subbed out their canned foods to the South Dakota Menu Foods Plant  (I used to rotate for extra protein and flavor on top of kibble) - I figure it was pure luck that it wasn't one of the affected plants.  I don't trust any of it.
 
It is so frustrating and it is really scary that even after all of the agonizing over dog food ingredients and labels, trying to find a "healthy" dog food, thinking you are giving your pet the best you can possibly find - and now I realize that it just doesn't matter; it's ALL PROCESSED JUNK.  [:@][:@]
 
How can you trust any of it when the manufacturer doesn't even know what's really in it themselves?![]

It is so frustrating and it is really scary that even after all of the agonizing over dog food ingredients and labels, trying to find a "healthy" dog food, thinking you are giving your pet the best you can possibly find - and now I realize that it just doesn't matter; it's ALL PROCESSED JUNK.

I've felt this way, for a bit, about commercial dog food. I wouldn't ever eat all (or even most) of my diet out of a bag and a can. I eat a ton of fresh, raw foods, and I can feel it when I eat junk. So can the dogs. I've always kept some cans around for convenience sake, when we travel, or I run out, but that's going to stop. The cans I have left (By Nature Organics, just bought them) are going to Animal Control, to top off their Dog Chow. I'm not going to risk commercial foods, again, and I'm not feeding pork for a LONG time.

Wow Angie your post expresses exactly what IM going thru... I feel I typed that myself...
 
I just got home from returning 2 bags of Fromm Duck and Potato..... My Scotties poop was like soft serve on it but they LOVED IT.. I had to go back to Natural Balance Duck and Potato which IM not happy about right now with all that is going on. Im returning the NB canned food tonight.

For the other dogs I went ahead and picked up Natures Variety Raw dog food and a bag of there grain free food. Im so sick of all this stuff we have to worry about that Im going back to Raw which I did 3 years ago .... I going to start out cooking it a bit and slowly and I mean slowly switching them over. I don't need a mess on my hands.
 
My dogs are driving me nuts[8D]... they like homecooked if its fresh that day....Im speaking of my 3 Westies... the 2 Scotties will eat anything anytime they aren't picky. As for My IBD dog Max Im not going to switch him at all. Im staying with NB Duck and Potato cause I don't want to rock the boat. Im terrified to give him a raw diet and who knows maybe it would be a blessing to him but IM scared to death to mess around with his diet.
 
Lori I know you'll want to beat me over the head with a soft noodle[] But Louie is in the same boat when as when I took him to the specialist. He didn't eat a drop of food yesterday. I finally gave him a pepcid. He never vomits but he will eat grass of lick things. Its so frustrating... He eats for a couple days really good and then we are back to ground Zero.
Maybe it is grains that bother him?? I picked up Natures Variety grain free food. I know what your thinking... That Im bouncing all over the place with this dog. But why I can't I find something he will consistantly eat??? What is wrong with him? My specialist has no answers for me and others look at me when I talk to them about Louie with blank faces. So Iv spent a couple thousand on test for Louie and I still haven't helped him. The test showed that his insides looked raw and irritated.(very big sigh)
 
Im open to comments....
 
thanks
Kim

Kim--All I can say is I know exactly how you feel.  Willow would stop eating too.  And, she'd also eat grass and lick stuff.  And, I also went thru the vet thinking I was a nut case.  They constantly told me I was the problem, that I was creating a fussy dog.  And, that it was also behavioral.  I knew in my heart it wasn't. 

Will he eat some yogurt?  I always freeze some Stoneybrook Farm, vanilla, that's something he might take.  It doesn't have to be Fat Free plain like a lot of people here use.
 
PS--Nature's variety kibble I know I avoided because of the barley.  I don't know if you've got the cans or not.

Will he eat some yogurt? I always freeze some Stoneybrook Farm, vanilla, that's something he might take. It doesn't have to be Fat Free plain like a lot of people here use.

PS--Nature's variety kibble I know I avoided because of the barley. I don't know if you've got the cans or not.

 
I got the grain free.... in the kibble.... does that have Barley... I mean how in the world do you know what it is that is causing the problem? Thank heavens you understand....
As for the Stoney farm yogurt..NOPE won't touch it... I even have a probotic around that is a paste that my other dogs love..he won't touch it...
Im staying away from all canned food right now...Iv had enough of the canned food scare no matter that the companies say...
 
any other suggestions?

I always freeze some Stoneybrook Farm

 
One more thing to add about the world freeze... Louie likes everything warm.... even water water from my bath or shower......he doesn't like anything really cold. I guess warm feels good on his tummy.

What about Pinnacle.  I know this one's often forgotten.  Sales have improved on this food since NB recalls.  I've tried the fish formula with not so great results, poohed so much he couldn't hold it over night, but I have heard good things from other people feeding it and they do have a duck formula.

Duck Meal, Potatoes, Oatmeal, Duck, Oat Flour, Potato Fiber, Canola Oil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Toasted Oats, Flax Seed, Quinoa, Grapeseed Oil, Lecithin, Rosemary, Sage, Papain, Dried Lactobacillus Acidophilus Fermentation Product, Dried Bifidobacterium Bifidum Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus Subtilis Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillus Licheniformis Fermentation Product, Dried Lactobacillus Lactis Fermentation Product, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Choline Chloride, Zinc Oxide, Zinc Amino Acid Chelate, Iron Sulfate, Vitamin A Acetate, Vitamin D3, Manganous Oxide, Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Amino Acid Chelate, Copper Amino Acid Chelate, Riboflavin, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Folic Acid, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, d-Biotin, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite, Cobalt Carbonate.


Also what about California Natural.

I'm not sure if the kind you have has barley.  But, if it's got multiple protein sources I'd put it aside for now.  Maybe just try some plain meat, skip chicken, maybe turkey breast or some ground beef.  Willow would eat roast beef from the deli or cheese.  You could try that too.  Just get him eating something, anything right now. 

When I go home I'm going to look at her records and find the name of that antibiotic she was put on.  It was a strong one. 

This is what happened--she was put on the medication because her white blood cell count was low.  But, it did wonders for her appetite---now don't know if it's a coincidence or what.  But, she hasn't missed a meal since.  She still has to be careful what she eats but it's like night and day. 

I also add in a supplement called Fresh Digest from a company called InClover.  And, that's helped her too.

Let me see if I think of anything else. 

Also, there is a certain school of thought if he doesn't want to eat then just leave him.  Then later try really, really small bits of meat.  That's what I used to do.  Of course, my dog would look at me like I was abusing her if I tried to get her to eat. 

This is so hard, I'm remembering how it was, I feel for you I really, really do.  My life is so different now that she's been stable.  I hope she stays this way. 
 
Edited---How about tuna?? Will he have that.  You could try the roast beef --take the edges off--and warm it up a little.  Or warm up any meat.  I always warm up Willow's meals too.
 
About the Pinnacle---My experience with anything with oats was not good.  But, that was my experience, doesn't mean yours will be the same

Maybe it is grains that bother him??   

It could very well be.  Grains cause a inflammatory response, so if Louie's insides are already irritated, adding grains will make things worse.  I'm not real fond of grains in a dog's food, though some dogs tolerate them well.  If you notice, your IBD dog and Lori's Willow do not eat grains (neither does my IBD dog).  I think most dogs with GI issues do much better on a single protein, single carb (sweet potato, or potato--though my guy can't have potato) diet--at least to stabilize the condition, then you can slowly introduce new foods.

  I picked up Natures Variety grain free food.

This NV formula does not have barley----it is chicken and tapioca.

  Willow would eat roast beef from the deli or cheese.

Interesting---Oscar would eat beef readily, as well---never had a problem with it even though at the time I was told it may be too hard for him to digest and that chicken would be a better choice--not the case.  We did use venison at first to stabilize him (it was a novel protein for him), but even now, he does best on beef.

Lori's come up with some great ideas for you--I hope something will work for your little guy.

I'm going to be really, really nosy here, but it's because I hate to see someone go through this sort of thing. I've gone through similiar things with three different pets, and I know how you feel!

Have you tried either canned or (preferably) raw tripe? Or a ground product that is balanced, like some of the cat minces that different companies offer? I had a dog with digestive problems - I never had her evaluated to see whether it was IBD/IBS or an ulcer (BCs can get these). It was probably an ulcer, as it responded well to antacids AND a change to raw food - straight raw, no carbs at all.

If I ever tried to give her any carbs, even fruit and veggies, or anything COOKED, she'd bust out again in bloody diarrhea, vomiting, and it would be days before we could coax her to eat normally again. She'd also do this in response to stress, so it was hard sometimes to sort out what was causing the problems.

I had the help of an expert when I switched this dog to raw and it occured without major incident. I can't remember the whole routine we went through but it was somewhat involved. But it was SO worth it. We were able to phase out the antacids just a few weeks after completing the transition and only rarely did she have a problem after that.

What I would highly, highly recommend, is that you enlist the help of a holistic vet if you haven't already. The nice thing about holistic vets is that they do tend to see the whole picture, and if you are lucky you'll find a vet who will be very interested in hearing your side of things and even acting on your instincts even if they may not quite jive with the clinical picture.

Becca---
 
We switched my IBD dog (under the direction of a holistic vet) from canned to homecooked then to raw without incident as well.  He is also very sensitive to too many carbs----cannot have grains at all, and his intake of carbs is very limited.  He is currently doing great on NV medallions (beef, chicken&turkey).(He also gets RMB's and recreational bones).  I do sometimes homecook for him as well----but his issues are best taken care of feeding raw.