Nature's Variety Raw Medallions - Frozen

I also have fed Bravo and Steves Real Meat.  Steves are smaller nuggets (1") and I give them as frozen treats.  But I think Bravo only has bone added so you have to add a vitamin supplement.  I think Steves is complete balanced.
 
NV - Think I am giving 12 medallions for her 38 lbs (4 x 3 times a day), so I think maybe 5 medallions is too much for Winston.  Think 3 would it?

ORIGINAL: brookcove

It is highly possible that something didn't agree with olinda's dog, .  [] 

 
Yes, I found out he is allergic to flax and alfalfa...go figure.[]

ORIGINAL: Hollysmom

I also have fed Bravo and Steves Real Meat.  Steves are smaller nuggets (1") and I give them as frozen treats.  But I think Bravo only has bone added so you have to add a vitamin supplement.  I think Steves is complete balanced.

NV - Think I am giving 12 medallions for her 38 lbs (4 x 3 times a day), so I think maybe 5 medallions is too much for Winston.  Think 3 would it?

I use Bravo now, depending on which kind you get, they have the ones that are a complete blend, or just meat and bone, or just meat to be used as base.  I don't use their Salmon though, is does not smell fishy, and Romeo loves the smell, so he gets fresh fish instead. 
 
This is what the chicken blend has: which I like as Romeo is allergic to flax, alfalfa and carrots.  I add fish oil, vitamin c and e.
 

• Murray's chicken frames
  
• Murray's skinless chicken meat
  
• bok choy
  
• acorn squash
  
• romaine lettuce
  
• chicken hearts
  
• chicken livers
  
• chicken gizzards

The bag had reccommended 5 medallions, but he won't eat that much, he gets 1.5 in the morning and then 2 at night to equal 4 a day.  Sometimes I will mix in some canned or NV kibble to give him some variety and crunch. 
After 3 days of not touching the chicken/turkey blend, we went back to lamb.  Our neighbor has a 12 year old dog (unsure of breed) who has cancer and the vet gave her 2 months.  I was talking to the mom and she said that they had suggested a raw diet to help slow down the deterioration, but they didn't think it was in their budget and didn't know how to prepare at home.  Anyhow, I gave them the chicken/turkey bag that Winston didn't like, hopefully Ruby will enjoy it.  Not sure how it would help with the cancer though.....

Anyhow, I gave them the chicken/turkey bag that Winston didn't like, hopefully Ruby will enjoy it.  Not sure how it would help with the cancer though.....

 
That's really nice of you!  It actually WILL help with the cancer.   Cancer cells metabolize carbohydrates quickly, so grains and other carbohydrates are problem ingredients as they actually *feed* the cancer cells.  A "cancer diet" should be zero grains and high in available protein and good fat (animal fats, fish oil, coconut oil).   

My vet even recommends a grain free diet to her cancer patients.  She lost a dog to cancer and now has another with severe arthritis and has been going down the holistic road apace in the last couple years.

Olinda - Did you have your allergy tested?  What did that entail, was it painful for the dog?
 
My bulldog has been plagued with ear yeast her whole life and has a heart tumor.  I am anxiously awaiting my consultation with Monica Segal.    So, raw was the way to go I thought.  I can say tho, after she started NV, her ears got worse, but her coat got soft and glossary.  After a few months, I switched to BRAVO rabbit and they stayed bad.  I went back to NV  cause it has so many good things in it.  But her coat is not as glossy anymore.  I am going to switch her Steves Real Meat now. It could be her thyroid and not the food at all, I just don't know.
 
NV has worked wonders for my rescued dog tho.
 
Good to know about the other frozen foods. Thanks.

I've been using the Organic Chicken patties for Ginger. She gets 1/2 cup of Canidae in the AM, and about 3oz of a patty in the PM. I'm actually contemplating switching her entirely over to the NV, because of her arthritis. For just one 26 lb dog it shouldn't *completely* break the bank. I hope.

Oh, and she's doing GREAT on it! Loves it.

Did you have your allergy tested? What did that entail, was it painful for the dog?

 
  Hollysmom; I'm sorry that your dog's ears are bothering her so much.  I've had Jessie allergy tested and there are two tests; the blood test and skin test. The pain with the blood test is minor because all it involves is drawing some blood to be tested for allergies, like they do for heartworms or thyroid problems. The skin test is harder on them; the dog is anesthetized, an area on the side about a foot long and six inches wide is shaved, and allergens are injected under the skin. The dermatology vet gauges the dog's reactions to the allergens by the size of the bumps on the skin. Jessie went through it fine; waking up quickly and having minor itching from the bumps caused by the injections; they give the dog a steroid injection after the test is done to relieve the itching. I imagine you wouldn't want your dog under anesthesia with the heart tumor but the blood test wouldn't be hard on her. I feed Jessie the NV raw medallions for lunch to boost her immune system because of her allergies. Good luck with your sweet girl; I hope you get to consult with Monica Segal very soon.

Jessiesmom- Dang!  I doubt I can have Holly put under for anything at this point. Her vet told me shes too old (9 1/2) now to do an allergy testing, guess he thinks  why waste my money.  Maybe he was kindly telling me that she doesn't have long. I would have loved to have solved the yeast problem before she goes, God knows I've tried.  I will have him send the thryoid test out to Dr . Dodd once and for all (it always is normal).  Monica Segal is my last hope.

Also since Holly is on heavy duty heart meds, the NV seems to really agree with her stomach.  I feed 3 small meals (4 medallions) each with her meds.  I ran out of NV and only had some kibble to give her for a meal.  She threw all the kibble and the meds up. 
 
Oh another thing - on NV - Holly was getting constipated so I added pumpkin.  For Red, firming up the poop was exactly what he needed.  

Lab/Crab - Christine - Thanks, I didn't know that it would help that much, but the next time I get more food for Winston, I will offer to pick some up for Ruby if she liked it.  The mom is a homemaker who does not drive and has a 1 year old son, who happens to be Winston's best friend.  They play together almost every morning, when Winston stands up, they are the same height, I'll have to take pics next time.  Thanks again!

Her vet told me shes too old (9 1/2) now to do an allergy testing, guess he thinks why waste my money. Maybe he was kindly telling me that she doesn't have long.

 
 Actually, the older a dog is the less likely that allergen immunotherapy will work; younger dogs respond better.  Jessie was six when she was tested and started on immunotherapy; I was a little concerned but she has responded well. Has the vet ever done a culture and sensitivity test on your dog's ears to see if bacteria or yeast is causing the infections? If not then it may be a good idea. This thread is posted by someone who has a dog with chronic ear infections and Callie recommends such a test;  [linkhttp://forum.dog.com/asp/tm.asp?m=64170&mpage=1&key=ears%2Csewn%2Cshut𐣪]http://forum.dog.com/asp/tm.asp?m=64170&mpage=1&key=ears%2Csewn%2Cshut𐣪[/link]
 
 

Laura, how many patties do you give him??  It says on the bag to give 3/4 patty I think... not sure.. but what about puppies?
 
I have a bag of the organic chicken patties I was adding to her food sometimes.  But 3/4 patty does not seem to be enough for Bailey... shes 5 months.
 
How do I adjust for her?

JessieMom - yes she has been cultured many times.  9 times out of 10 it is yeast.  However this last time it was also bacteria so she got Cipro antibotics.
 
Monica Segal just emailed me that our new diet plan was sent already and must be lost so she is sending it agian.  Fingers crossed for Holly.
 
I'll be upping Reds NV patties to 3 per day this weekend.  He burns so many calories when we go to the country.