need RAW help fast...PLEASE!!! - Page 1

My little guy (10 weeks) is currently eating RC Maxi for large breed puppies. I have been planning to make the switch to RAW once I had learned a little bit more about it (not it's benefits, but how to do it properly). I have ordered some books on feeding RAW which should arrive any day now.

The problem is that the pup has horribly dry skin and can't stop itching. It is clear he is in misery. I took the dog to the vet about his dry skin only to be told "the dog has dry skin." (HAHA...priceless). I have him on supplements (olive oil, salmon oil, NaturVet Ultimate) and he's getting the odd soak with an oatmeal conditioner. Nothing is helping fast enough and I can't bare to see him suffer anymore.

Sooo... I realise that I need to make the switch to RAW now (yesterday in fact), even though I might not be quite up to speed. Would anyone be able to send me a recipe that I could start him on tomorrow, either through the message board or privately. I need to get him off the kibble ASAP!!

Thanks on behalf of me and my poor itchy pup!!

I can't help you with the raw diet, but I'm just wondering if the vet covered all the bases and checked for yeast, fungus, ringworm, mange, etc. There are SO many things that can cause skin problems! Allergies are another possibility, too. Some posters have found a raw diet helped allergies, if they were food related.

Good luck! Lots of raw feeders  on the board, I'm sure one will pop by soon to help you out.

His dry skin could be environmental,  or allergy's.   I wouldn't soak him in anything.   Change feed's gradually, try an egg in his food once in a while.  Change his environment, where he sleep's or what he sleeps on.  If he's indoors all the time, let him out some how.  Don't over do it with suppliments and oil's.  A can of salmon could be added to his food in small amounts, half a can per feeding maybe twice a week.  Try to keep it simple so you can see what helps and what doesn't.

My dog had rash's and scratched, had ear infections and raw lips.  I was adding goodies to his feed trying to do my best for him but I was causing the problem.    I feed him one thing and one thing only now and he has not had an outbreak of the rash since. 

It may take four or five weeks to see a difference if your changing feed.  Keeping it simple helps a lot.

Luck.

Thanks for the input. The soaks in oatmeal conditioner are on the vet's advice. Yes he was checked for mange, etc. The vet suggested that his dry skin could be caused by his adult coat coming in. My entire family are avid GSD lovers so I have had them all my life. I have never seen a dog react this way to an adult coat (although that doesn't mean it's not possible). I am rotating his supplements so he's not actually getting all of them everyday.  Aside from the supplements, he eats only the RC.

I was planning to switch to RAW anyway, I just want to do it sooner than later in case it is a food allergy. I can't stand to see him suffer and am willing to do anything at this point to help him out.

His adult coat is not coming in at 10 weeks, his coat will change several times before he is done growing.  This has nothing to do with his coat changing period.    Did the vet sell you this oatmeal conditioner??   My guess is yes.

One of the foods I had to leave out on my dog was fish product's.   Its only my opinion but I have never seen anything work as well as a raw egg for dry skin or dull coat.   I'm sure others have other opinions but again I try to keep things simple.

If its only dry skin ok,   but if its rash's and hot spots then it sounds more like allergy's.   Allergy's  are hard to pin down sometimes.  

I have looked at the recipes from this website and really like them...hope this helps...

http://www.vandenheuvelk9.com/ReferencesHarold.html

The best information on the net about raw feeding can be found at rawdogranch.com

The spreadsheet is particularly helpful.

i think the best solution for your puppy is to take him to a holistic practicing vet they will give you much better advice on skin care and feeding, raw diet will not solve the problem alone

best regards

emir ali sadaghiani

Hi London, sorry to hear your little guy is having problems.  Switching to raw shouldn't be a problem, just do it.  However what specific to put in his diet for dry itchy skin I'm sorry but I can't help with that.

You mention that you have sent for some books to help will the one I found the most helpful was Billinghurst's and there are also some good groups out there as well there are at least a couple yahoo groups.  The one I'm a member of and find very useful is Britbarfuk. If you log onto there I'm sure there will be loads of people that can point you in the right direction.

BTW I have assumed you are in the UK because of your user name (London).

Good luck with little guy I hope the problem gose away soon.

Jess

i would put vegetable oil in his food and bath him in a baby shampoo thats for cradle cap .Is your name London in honour of the Littlest Hobo ?