Help needed with diet/raw feeding question - Page 1

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by css33 on 21 June 2017 - 21:06

It has been a while since I posted, but my GSD just turned 1. I have had him on raw, K9 kravings, since we got him as a pup (from advice on this forum). No issues whatsoever, but about 6 weeks ago he developed diarrhea and nausea. We took him to vet, they put him on antibiotics and as soon as we said we feed raw the vet stated that was the problem. I didn't listen. Pup got better, but then after about 3 weeks later it happened again. Back to vet, more antibiotics, they blame raw food, I don't listen. Pup gets better, then weeks later (last night) he has nausea and diarrhea again. Back to vet, and vet is saying it is inflammatory bowel and completely due to raw food and they want him on a venison kibble diet. I am still holding out that it isn't raw, as during the second round of this, there were a lot of sesame seed looking things in his poop, so I suspected worms, and the vet did give de-worming medicine. Sorry to be all over the place with this post, but I am trying to determine the best path forward. Stick with the raw and stop everything else (treats, bully sticks, etc.)? Try the kibble? Something else? Also, it may not be related, but he loves to swim in the pool, and I feel there is a correlation to how much he swims as when he swims a lot (20 minutes about 2 times per day) he seems to drink some of the water, and I am wondering if that is contributing to it? Thanks for your help.

Chris

by 2Cats on 21 June 2017 - 21:06

Hi Chris,

Hope your pup is doing better, as for the K9 kravings... it is very high in fat, also they have had recalls a few months ago for salmonella and listeria monocytogenes.
Maybe try a different raw food brand with less fat and one with no recalls. It might be the fat content or that they might have a recall coming soon...

As for the pool water, that would make a dog sick depending on the amount he/she is swallowing...same as sea water does, and chlorine. Chlorine can be deadly if he gets it in his lungs. Just superwise the pup...difficult with the splashing I know.
Try the switch and see. Hope all goes well and good luck!


Cutaway

by Cutaway on 21 June 2017 - 22:06

Sounds like there is a lot going on, might be easier to determine if you start to isolate things.... Maybe stop with the current diet and switch to cooked white rice and maybe add some boiled chicken for a few days. This feeding doesn't really provide any nutrients but should tell you if its his diet or his activities (provided there is no worm issue) if after a few days on rice and chicken the digestion clears up but nothing else activity wise, such as swimming, changes. then you can probably safely assume its his diet. Not that raw feeding is a bad thing, but as your dog has gotten older, his digestive tolerances could have changed and now something in the K9 Cravings doesn't agree with him. You might have to switch up proteins or make some other changes in the diet. IF after being on rice and boiled chicken, nothing changes in his digestion then you know its probably not the food but something else like the swimming or something environmental. Just an idea on how to better pin point an issue.


by css33 on 22 June 2017 - 00:06

I was not aware of any recall as the first thing I did was an internet search and I couldn't find any recent recall. I also spoke to the owner today inquiring and he didn't mention anything. Maybe switching foods for a while until things settle down is the smart thing to do.

by css33 on 22 June 2017 - 00:06

Also, and ur vet mentioned foods high in fat can cause pancreas issues?

by beetree on 22 June 2017 - 03:06

Antibiotics kill the gut flora. Your dog needs probiotics, try to feed yogurt with active cultures at least one meal a day.

K9 kravings should be a part of the raw diet, not the whole raw diet.

Raw chicken with the bones, skin and additions of organ meats will help restore the gut health.

I did not perceive the k9 kravings as high fat, so pancreatitis is remote. I would blame the antibiotics for the current gut unbalance and the prior one, as a need for more variety in the raw diet that was provided.

Western Rider

by Western Rider on 22 June 2017 - 04:06

Agree with beetree on the need to feed some whole raw chicken.  I use leg 1/4's 

 I also mix in some vinegar (brown) and Kiefer.

The antibiotics will kill the gut flora, so when you take them off in less than 10 days they will be loose again.  Two or three times of this happening the Vet now says your dog has IBS or some other major problem which means more antibiotics until your dogs gut is a mess, and you have racked up a couple of thousand dollars of vet bills.

Just don't let any Vet give you the scare tactic for feeding a raw diet.   I have been feeding one for over twenty years heard all the Vet horror stories and have never had a problem from it.


by Nans gsd on 22 June 2017 - 18:06

Is your pool chlorinated? If so that could be the culprit. Also I had to switch off raw and go to kibble with rare cooked beef, turkey or whatever else I could find, mostly stick with beef or turkey though and change up single protein kibble every 3-4 months. Solved the loose stool problem. I have two that could not take raw. No one really knows why but tried every thing else though and nothing worked. Just saying.

Did your vet identify the type parasite you guy had? I would probably follow up with a treatment of panacur for 5 days consequitely; if all seems good do another panacur treatment in a few weeks. Good luck Nan





 


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