[Susan]

Hi Angela,
look at the ingredient list to the Royal Canine S/O & pick a dry food with simliar ingredients Rice, Chicken & wheat & see how she goes, the fiber is only 3.4%max in the R/C S/O formula…
Grain formula’s have less fiber then some of these grain free formula’s… stay around 3-4%max for her fiber…

[pacer1978]

Hello,
Sorry if this is too much detail, but I’d really like to explain the issue from beginning to end. Please bear with me.

I’m a pet owner that believes in overall health of my dog, which includes dental cleanings. I have a Weimaraner that has gone under anesthesia in the past, including other dental cleanings. Though the day of the surgery, she showed some anxiety and “dopiness” coming out of the anesthesia, she handled it well and was usually back to normal the next day. Recently, as of Monday 8/27, at 9 years old, she underwent another dental cleaning. Because of her age, we did do a blood panel. Monday we picked her up and she did have some pacing and whining as she probably still had some lingering affects of the anesthesia. She ate dinner (1/2 can of wet food, Costco Kirkland grain free). By night time she was pretty much fine and slept the night through. The next morning, we had our usual routine of using the bathroom, feeding, then me getting ready for work. She was completely fine from what I saw between 5am-7:00am. Her breakfast was a little dry kibble and 1/2 can of wet food (I alternate cans between two different brands so this was American Journey). She ate about 6:45-7:00. When I left for work, about 7:45, I noticed she was pacing downstairs, lightly drooling, and panting. This is not normal behavior because she usually stays in the chair asleep upstairs until my husband goes to work. A little odd and abnormal from her day to day behavior, but nothing too alarming. I did let my husband know of her behavior and asked him to check on her in a few minutes, but then left for work. Within about 30 minutes, he called to say he felt something was definitely wrong with her because she seemed to have jumped on the bed, but then seemed confused on how to get down. She seemed a bit glassy-eyed and disoriented. He stated that she was walking in circles. The panting and pacing continued, along with her drooling. He called the vet and we decided to drop her off there for observation, with the understanding that it could still just be the effects of the anesthesia, even though it seemed the night before she was OK.

Fast forward…her condition didn’t change while at the vet, but they looked her over and didn’t find anything wrong with her. They felt that it was just anxiety. We took her home Tuesday night and she ate dinner like normal (dry kibble mixed with some wet canned, I think this was back to the Kirkland brand). I was able to get her calm until bedtime, and she then slept like a rock. The next morning she seemed back to normal.

Fast forward…last night. She seemed quite fine all day Wednesday, but right when we were about to go to bed (10-10:15pm), she had the same issues. She was on the ottoman in our bedroom and couldn’t figure out how to get down. The pacing ensued, with light drooling (not really much), glassy eyed, and panting. She was just restless. She finally went to bed and laid down about 11pm. She slept all night and seemed fine again this morning (Thursday) when I woke up. Again, our typical morning routine of letting them out and feeding them. This morning she only had dry kibble. But again after I left this morning, she had some of the same issues. Not too much of the panting and drooling, but the weird pacing and restlessness.
Has anyone experienced these issues after anesthesia? It should be completely out of her system by now so I’m wondering if it is another issue. On the other hand, she was perfectly healthy with no issues before the cleaning on Monday. Right now, my husband is telling me that she is sleeping hard and is calm. By the way, she has bowel movements, so no problem there. I feel like she is eating a bit more ravenous than normal, but from missing a meal then only receiving a smaller meal than normal after the cleaning, I figured that may be why. I’m at a complete loss as to what to do. Could anesthesia trigger neurological (if that is what this is) issues in a dog? Or could there have been something underlining going on? We had already had our vet look her over after the cleaning only to say it is anxiety. When we touch her all over, she doesn’t whine or grimace in pain. Any ideas?? Sorry for such a long post and thank you for anyone that is still reading!

[Susan]

Hi Jeanne,

Natural Balance LID formula’s are suppose to be really good for dogs with stomach & bowel problems, just make sure you read all the formula’s ingredients as all the Natural Balance LID formula’s vary some…
The NB Potato & Duck LID Puppy formula has the least ingredient & has NO Legumes..
If you have any question just contact Natural Balance & they will answer all your questions…
https://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/dog-formulas/dry/limited-ingredient-diets/potato-and-duck-puppy-formula

If your dog doesn’t do well on a new kibble make sure you buy from a Pet Shop or an online store that does refunds, then just take it back & get another dry LID formula or get a refund…..
https://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/dog-formulas/dry/limited-ingredient-diets/potato-and-duck-puppy-formula

Other dry foods for dogs with Stomach/Bowel problems, IBS IBD

* “Canidae” All Life Stages formula’s
https://www.canidae.com/dog-food/products/canidae-all-life-stages-large-breed-turkey-meal-brown-rice-dry-formula

* “4health Special Care” Sensitive Stomach Formula..
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/4health-special-care-sensitive-stomach-formula-for-adult-dogs-8-lb-bag

Predisone could be making your dog unwell & lethargic, Prednisone made my boy sleep all day, feel sick, vomit & have diarrhea… if your dog isn’t running around like a pup should be ask vet can you reduce the dose….

[Susan]

Hi,
I’d stop the Purina Pro Plan Lamb & Rice before he gets real sick again, it might have something wrong with this batch of kibble like you said.
Take the bag of Lamb & Rice back & see if there’s a different batch nb & use by date & swap or try something else…
A few years ago I tried Patch on the Purina Pro Plan Opti-Restore for Stomach/Digestion it is Lamb, Rice & Barley, Patch started doing sloppy poos then diarrhea, I took him to the vet to get a script of Metronidazole cause Patches diarrhea didnt get better after I stopped the Pro Plan Optirestore, the vet put her finger in Patches bum to feel around his bowel & when she pulled her gloved finger out it had all yellow undigested kibble thru his poo on her glove finger, she said his stomach is digesting this food…
So now I dont know, can he eat barley, was it just his stomach not working properly? or does he have food sensitivities to Barley? alot of these grain dry kibble have barley in them here in Australia…..

Also I had to take back the Pro Plan OptiDerma Sensitive Skin & Coat dry food, I bought around the same time you started the Pro Plan Chicken & Rice food a few weeks ago, at first Patch did really well when he was having 1/2 Wellness Core & 1/2 Pro Plan OptiDerma kibble but as soon as he was just eating the Pro Plan Optiderma Patch started doing Mr Whippy yellow poos, he was doing 2 poos a day but he started whinging, farting, he had bad wind pain & poos became worse, I couldn’t pick poos up, so I stopped feeding him the OptiDerma on Tuesday, as soon as he went back to his Wellness Core the next day Wednesday & today his poos are firm & he went back to normal, now he is starting to itch again 🙁
One good thing happened while I was introducing the Pro Plan OptiDerma dry kibble he had NO itchy smelly skin, no red paws, so he must be sensitive to the Chicken in the Wellnesss Core, the Wellness Core is also higher in protein-35% so he’s getting heaps more chicken, I always knew he has skin problems when he ate raw chicken & cooked chicken but when chicken is in some dry kibbles that are lower in protein his paws & skin isn’t that bad like when he ate raw chicken or cooked chicken thru elimination diet, the chicken doesn’t seem to affect his stomach or bowel only his skin….

[Robert R]

I would avoid any Purina dog food. There are so many much better dog foods out there. The breeder of my toy poodle recommended Pedigree for her!?! We feed her a mixture of 5-star dry kibble and wet foods and at age 14 she is doing great.

[Susan]

Hi Angela,
sometimes it’s hard to find that perfect dry food that firms poo, doesn’t cause stomach problems & doesn’t cause urinary problems…
Is your dog small & how were her poos when she ate the Royal Canine S/O vet diet?
maybe try a dry food that has healthy grains that has fiber at 3-4%

Have a look at

* “Wellness” Complete Health Small Breed Turkey & Oatmeal – has grains
“Wellness” Core – Small Breed grain free
“Wellness” Simple – grain free or grains

For Dogs

* “Canidae” Pure Wild – grain free
“Canidae” All Life Stages Platinum – grains
https://www.canidae.com/dog-food/products

* “Natural Balance” Potato & Duck Grain free the the fiber is 3% NO Legumes https://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/dog-formulas/special-category-limited-ingredient-diets

[Joyce F]

We had a lab who was confirmed through a biopsy after 3 stomach surgery with IBD. He ate rugs, grass, sticks, pulled the batting out of blankets. Of course, vomiting. When you looked into his face you could he had an upset stomach. Long story short we had to limit the food he could eat. No corn, or chicken of any kind, including the fat from chicken. I had to watch even the wild bird food we fed, as may have corn, and he could not get into that. If he would get a bout (is what I called it), I would give his 2 Benadryl pills (not liquid). That would kick it right out. At the time the only food that work was pro plan sensitive stomach. Once under control Raven, he did great. He lived for 12.5 years.biopsy

[Linda K]

After months of off and on vomiting after meals and horrendous, malodorous, runny poop, Zignature dry food brought relief. He hasn’t vomited in almost five months, and his poop can be picked up easily and cleanly with ONE bag. Then came the “new” FDA alert about grain-free foods. Drat! I stewed and stewed and finally decided I needed to get a taurine level checked. I am so glad I did! The normal range is 60-120 at the lab we use, with 40 being considered “critical.” My dog’s was 16!!! So my vet told me to start him on 500 mgs of taurine once a day and get an ultrasound of his heart. If the ultrasound showed any kind of heart irregularity, we’d have to increase the taurine supplement to 100 mgs once a day. My vet doesn’t do cardiac ultrasounds, but a vet from a nearby university comes in and does them every two weeks. We started the taurine today, and it was purchased from The Vitamin Shoppe. It comes in capsule form, so the vet told me to break it open and spread it on his food, even though the directions clearly indicate it is best to give it between meals. The cardiac ultrasound is $500, and the taurine level test was $240. This is a long story to encourage anyone concerned to get the levels checked. I bought 600 500-mg capsules today for $35.29 with tax. It’s a sound investment, and one I’ll have to repeat somewhat regularly. Hopefully for many many years!

[Susan]

Hi Tabitha,
Sounds like your dog needs to see a vet that is knowlegable in Intestinal Problems, your dog needs a ant acid medication, a vet will probably start her on Pepcid (Famotidine) or Zantac (Ranitidine) given twice a day 20mins before she eats, if she doesnt eat it doesnt matter these medications reduce the acid in stomach & will probably stop her vomiting but its good she is vomiting up the acid & getting it out of her stomach, then she will feel better & will probably want to eat 1 hour after she’s vomited… or the vet will give Sucralfate to line stomach before she eats.. she needs some type of ant acid relief…
You can buy these medications at chemist, then if those acid reducer stop working or don’t help your dog anymore the vet will prescribe Prilosec (Omeprazole) ant acid Blocker, it’s a PPI, given once a day in morning, again doesn’t matter if she doesnt eat, she’ll feel better then probably want to eat, my dog takes a PPI, Pantoprazole 20mg every morning..
When PPI is taken for more then 21 days, PPI (Omeprazole, Pantoprazole) needs to be reduced slowly & not just stopped all of a sudden if dog has been taking it more then 3 weeks – 1 month….
Pepcid (Famotidine), Zantac (Rantidine) & Sucralfate all can be stop all of a sudden it doesnt matter..
If you have some Liquid Mylanta, a chalky white drink, give 1 teaspoon or get a syringe give 4-5ml or give Quick Eze chews, Rennie, give these after she vomits & this will line the stomach & esophagus get rid of teh bad taste…

Have you tried feeding her lean chicken breast or turkey breast with boiled sweet potato or boiled potato, all mashed up also try some tin Salmon in spring water, drain the spring water out of can add & mash some boil potato in a bowl & try & feed her 1/3 to 1/2 a cup put the rest in fridge covered with some cling wrap for next time & make sure you warm up some in her bowl for next time dont give her cold food….Dogs love fish, Sweet Potato & Pumkin sooth the stomach…. if she doesnt want to eat her dry kibble then try feeding her something else, so she has something in her stomach & doesnt go to bed on an empty stomach, feed her what you eat for dinner better then a dry kibble, dry kibble can make her acid reflux worse if its high in fat & carbs…
Does she shake & vibrate, when she has to eat?

Another thing you could give & try is Slippery Elm Powder, get a cup add 1/2 a spoon or 1 teaspoon slippery elm powder in cup, slowly add boiling water but only little amounts mix & stir till you make a slurry paste that can be pulled up into a syringe give before she eats or after she has vomited, Slippery Elm is good for Nausea, Vomiting, Acid reflux sold at health food store or Supermarket etc.. You wont use all the Slippery Elm slurry/paste all up at once, she only need 5ml 1 teaspoon at a time, so cover cup with cling wrap & put in fridge then take out for next time, it will be a jelly so you need to add some boiling water cause it will have gone thick, slowly add little bit boiling water, stir till it can be pulled up into a syringe again then throw this batch out, next time make a new small batch in a cup again you can try some when you feel sick..

Im sure I’ve spoken with you before about your dog… she needs to eat at least 2-3 small meals thru the day, wha ever your putting in her bowl before you leave in the morning can someone spend 10mins with her to eat in morning, then thru the day at lunch time, then at night? buy baby food, soft food, also her teeth are probably bad, from the acid coming up into her mouth, my boy had Gingivitis…

Google “Gastritis in Dogs” this comes up.

Medical treatment for dogs with gastritis may include: Gastrointestinal protectants – such as sucralfate. Anti-emetic or anti-vomiting medications – such as metoclopramide. H2 receptor antagonists – used when stomach ulcers are suspected – examples include cimetidine, “ranitidine”, nizatidine or “famotidine”.
*What are the symptoms of gastritis in dogs?
Symptoms Of Gastritis In Dogs
Excessive vomiting, which may include yellow, foamy bile.
Decreased appetite or anorexia.
Dehydration or increased thirst.
Lethargy.
Depression.
Diarrhea.
Blood in stool or vomit.
Black, tarry stool.

[joanne l]

Hi, I stated a post on gas, but I need more help. My dog been eating lamb and rice pro plan for almost 1 yr. Sunday 8/12 I bought their chicken and rice. I slowly mixed in with lamb for 4 days. No diarrhea, but some gas. Then I opened up a new bag of lamb and rice on Friday and still mixed the two, by Monday he refused to eat in the morning and he had some nausea. So Monday night I back up on the chicken and rice and feed him his lamb and rice with only a hand full of chicken and rice. Tuesday really sick with diarrhea. So I stopped the chicken and rice and continued with his regular diet. Wednesday still having diarrhea, so I gave him bland diet with only a little lamb and rice by Thursday really sick vomiting diarrah really bad. So I stopped the lamb and rice dry food and gave bland diet, Friday he felt better no diarrhea. I am very nervous!!!! I hate changing diets so I really need to find out if his regular food was a bad batch or could it be the chicken and rice? He been on bland diet and he needs to get some dry food I don’t know If I should give him back the lamb and rice or get different brand. I feel bad b/c he is hungry and he needs to gain weight I can’t just home cook for him he needs dry food with it. I am afraid to get him sick.

[joanne l]

I got to thinking this is more than just a chicken reaction. I think something was really wrong with the food, b/c he was very very sick….Diarrhea until it just came out water and throwing up until it just came out water. I know chicken can be a problem for him, but other brands only caused loose stools not like this. Anyway he is feeling better he is off all purina dry food right now. I am skeptical about purina right now.

[Susan]

Joanne
I just read this on Rodney Habib f/b page…
Super Scary!
Study reveals 93% of brands tested showed limited ingredient diets (for pets with problems) were labeled wrong!
Of the 40 analyzed products (9 dry NPDs, 22 wet NPDs, 6 dry HPDs and 3 wet HPDs), ten presented a content that correctly matched the label, while five did not contain the declared animal species, twenty-three revealed the presence of undeclared animal species, and two had a vague label that did not allow the evaluation of its accuracy. The most frequently contaminants identified in both dry and wet pet foods were pork, chicken and turkey. The presence of undeclared animal species was higher in dry than wet pet foods; furthermore, a lower number of contaminating animal species was identified in HPDs than NPDs (4 vs 10), and a lower number of contaminated HPDs (6 out of 9, 67%) than contaminated NPDs was detected (24 out of 31, 77%). Thirteen out of 14 brands tested presented at least one mislabeled product.

Conclusions:

Mislabeling seems to be a widespread issue in pet foods used as elimination diets. Contamination can occur in all types of products used for the purpose, although dry NPDs are the main issue. Due to the high risk of contamination, particular attention should be given to both the selection of raw material suppliers and the production process.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6020431/

[Susan]

Hi Joanne,
its hard to know 100% what a dog has reacted too, but since he was doing OK on Pro Plan Lamb & Rice formula, then you introduced the Chicken & Rice & all this has happened, I’d say it was the Pro Plan Chicken & Rice formula, it might of had something wrong with it?? could have been left in hot truck when being transported to pet shop or online store, the Chicken formula might have more prebiotics ingredients then the Lamb & Rice formula has & unbalanced his gut flora??…

If your dog is OK starting a new food without introducing with the old food then just start him on another brand that has limited ingredients, with ingredients you know agree with him but try & stay away from dry foods that are higher in Prebiotic ingredients…. Still feed his beef & rice cooked meal he’s doing well on for 1 meal & the other meal feed the new dry formula..

[Gerri B]

I’ve had a foster dog for 4 months. She is an english setter who lived out in the elements in upstate NY. She was very thin when i got her and would eat dry purina kibble bits. I have two other dogs. My other english is a grazer so i leave food out. The foster will only now eat after the other two eat even though i give her a meal. Now she won’t eat her kibble or chicken or salmon or roast beef, nothing in morning and barely much at night.
SHe has had chronic ear infections but is under control at least until she has ear surgery for one but she seems comfortable. She will eat treats and my food, just not her own. How should i handle her, i dont want her back again thin.

[Gretchen B]

Why isn’t Orijen dry Small/medium Puppy food which is a 5 star dry puppy food listed under your best puppy foods?

[Gretchen B]

Why isn’t Orijen dry Puppy food which is a 5 star dry puppy food listed under your best puppy foods?

[Susan]

Hi Chloe,
Best to get her into a strict routine, eat same times, walk same times etc, dogs love routine & she’ll start to stress less & start to relax more, have you heard of “Rescue Remedy” drops? the human & the dog drops are the same, put 1-2 drops on her tongue morning & night, my Patch is a stress head & stresses himself out, he was diagnosed with Colitis when I first rescued him Nov 2012, age 4yrs old, he was pooing sloppy poos, jelly poos, poos with streaks of red blood thru the poo, he was put on vet diet Royal Canin, Hypoallergenic HP dry food, but it didn’t seem to help his stomach & bowel made his coat nice shiney, then after trying Hills I/d Digestive Care dry formula’s, we tried “Eukanuba Intestinal” Low Residue dry kibble, it firm up Patches poos, nice small poos, the Eukanuba is low in fiber but the Eukanuba Intestinal made him have itchy, smell yeasty skin problems….
Patches vet said Colitis can be from food sensitivities & all the vet diets we had tried had Chicken, Rice, Oats or Barley etc vet told me to look for a grain free limited ingredient food. I read on IBD f/b group alot of dogs were doing really well “Taste Of The Wild” Pacific Stream Smoked Salmon, this was before TOTW added the Chickpeas to their formula’s, Patches poos were beautiful & firm but he was vomiting up the TOTW Smoked Salmon once a week, back then I didnt know to stay away from fish dry pet foods as they are high in toxins & contaminates, so I started Patch on “TOTW Sierra Mountain Roasted Lamb” formula & he did great on the TOTW Roasted Lamb formula still does great on the TOTW Roasted lamb formula…..I live Australia & we do not have all the Chickpeas & Lentils in our Salmon & Lamb TOTW formula’s, Legumes can cause Intestinal stress with some dogs who have IBS, IBD & EPI….

Have you tried a limited ingredient dry kibbles that just have 1 meat protein with Sweet Potatoes or Potato?. Potato & Sweet Potatoes seem to firm up poo’s
Have a look at
* “Natural Balance” Potato & Duck LID” it is lower in Fiber -3% has NO peas, No Pea Protein, no chickpeas, no lentils, or there’s “NB Sweet Potato & Bison LID” it is 4%-Fiber & just has Pea Protein or “NB Sweet Potato & Venison LID” it has 5% fiber & has the Pea Protein cause Venison & Bison are both expensive meats, so they add either pea protein, or lentils or chickpeas to up the Protein %, its better feed lean white meats like Turkey Chicken or Pork for dry pet foods & white fish if you’re cooking but no fish in a pet food…..Chicken isnt expensive like other proteins Kangaroo, Venison, Bison, Goat, you’re getting more meat protein & not more plant proteins in your dog food, or “NB Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Small Bites LID” 4%-Fiber, has no peas or pea protein but it has Rice Bran, out of all the NB LID formula’s the Potato & Duck formula seem best, then the Sweet Potato & Bison or Venison formula’s, You wont know until you try one of teh formula’stry & find a Pet Shop who sells the NB or Wellness Simple formula’s, so you can take it back & return, exchange for another LID if she has sloppy poo/diarrhea, I just say to pet staff, Patch is havinngbad gas then diarrhea & now he won’t eat it no more & as long as the kibble bag isn’t empty, pet shops have a Palability money back guarantee…

There’s also the Natural balance LID wet can food, the NB Chicken LID formula has the lowest fat at 3.5%min, you will have to email N/B & ask can you have the max fat % after it’s converted to dry matter, it should be around 10%min-14%max fat, just becareful with wet can foods that aren’t low fat vet diets as the pet shop wet can foods haven’t been converted, so when you see 4% min fat or 5%min fat, when you convert the 5%min fat that’s around 17%min to 26% max fat %…
https://www.chewy.com/natural-balance-lid-limited/dp/33199
Here’s the Natural Balance dry formula’s & ingredients..
alot of dogs who have IBS, IBD do very well on the Natural Balance formula’s the fat & protein isn’t high & N/B has LID…
https://www.chewy.com/s?query=Natural+Balance+LID&nav-submit-button=

My boy does well on this ” Wellness Core” Large Breed Adult formula.
& this “Wellness Simple” Turkey Meal & Potatoes
https://www.chewy.com/s?query=Wellness+Simple++dry+dog+food&nav-submit-button=

She mighten have been feed a dry food, she may have been feed cooked food what her owner ate?? have you tried lightly boiling Chicken or turkey breast & some boiled Sweet potato or potato & some boiled pumkin? feed 1 cooked meal for 1 of her meals & a dry LID food for her other meals also feed her 3-4 smaller meals thru the day….
Is she in good condition or does she look like she is in bad condition for a 10yr old dog? is her coat nice & shiney, does she have all her fur, no bold patches, does she still have all her teeth, are her teeth still nice & white?

[joanne l]

Thank ;you everyone for your help. The vet told me to hold up on dry food until he is better. Yesterday was day 1 with no dry food. As far as metro is concerned he had that med before and it bothers him so we can’t give it. The vet said to try fortiflora which I bought yesterday. It is Pro Plan probiotic powder that comes in packets, I heard a lot of good reviews about it so I am keeping my fingers crossed. Susan, you may be right about the imbalance gut that is what the vet also said. As of today he didn’t poop yet Thank God. I hope he recovers soon.

[Susan]

Hi Joanne,
What type of dog do you have & how old??
It sounds like your dogs Intestinal bacteria has become unbalanced, he has too much bad bacteria now, I’s say the Purina Chicken & Rice formula has off set his gut bacteria first causing gas/farts, then diarrhea & then vomiting…. if your boy has been eating beef & rice for 2 days & is still unwell, I’d follow up & see vet again & ask for a course of Metronidazole 14-21 days, its better to get 21 days tablets, this way you give for 14 days tablets & you have 7 day tablets left if you see this happening again…You can ask your vet can he/she give about 28 Metronidazole tablets so if this does happen again, you start seeing sloppy poos then diarrhea you start tablets straight away before it gets worse…
Metronidazole must be given with a meal every 12 hours then I reduce the dose after 7-10 days to 1 Metronidazole tablet a day with Dinner meal for another 7 days…
Patches vet writes Patch a repeat scripts of Metronidazole (Flagyl) 200mg/21 tablets in packet… to have in the cupboard at home & if Patch starts doing sloppy poos more then 2 days, then has Diarrhea by the 3rd day I start him on the Metronidazole for 14 days…

I’d boil potato or sweet potato instead of the rice if he is still doing diarrhea after 2 days, as boiled rice can irriate the bowel if the bowel is inflammed, Patch can eat grounded rice in dry kibbles but can’t eat cooked boiled rice when he is having diarrhea & has an inflammed bowel…also did the vet say to rest the stomach & bowel for 12 – 24hours “No Food” just fluids with Electrolytes, then start a bland diet small meals about 3-4 a day….

One thing I did notice when I was looking up Purina Pro Plan USA the other day..
* The Chicken & Rice Savor formula say’s
“Guaranteed “Live Probiotics” to support digestive health, as well as prebiotic fiber for an added boost to the digestive system”
* The Focus Lamb & Oat Meal Sensitive Stomach/skin formula says
“Rich in antioxidants to help promote a healthy immune system”
* The Focus Small Breed chicken say’s “Natural prebiotic fiber, sourced from wheat bran, helps promote digestive health”
The Lamb formula’s don’t seem to say anything about “Pro” biotic boosts..

I dont know which Purina Plan Plan formula, you are feeding?? what I could see, the Savor & Focus formula’s both have very similar ingredients but some formula’s ingredients are higher in Prebiotics or higher in Probiotics, I think this is what has set off his gut bacteria & unbalanced your boy digestive tract.. The only thing I have found that fixes this is a course the Metronidazole…

Later when he is 100% after 3months look for a single protein dry formula, that has rice, oats, sweet potato etc not many ingredients… If you want to stay with Purina then ask the Purina Vet Nutritionist what does the Pro Plan Chicken & Rice formula you tried have more Prebiotics or more Probiotics?? then ask Nutritionist what ingredients are they using for these Pro & Prebiotics??… then avoid these ingredients..

Have you ever fed a grain free dry kibble that has limited ingredients?? I dont think your dog has a problem with chicken, it could be a certain grain or Probiotic or Prebiotics ingredients…
I hope he gets better very soon..

[Dr. J. Davis M]

My search is b/c my German Shepherd is allergic to all things fish. I had been using Publix Premium dry but they recently added omegas and he is back to being allergic. I am on a quest for a new dry food if anyone has any ideas.

[Susan]

@ Joanne, vet diets are great, but when a dog has acid reflux these vet diets are VERY high in omega oils, especially the R/C intestinal Low Fat wet can food…these oils can make acid reflux worse, I have to get paper towels & dab the R/C loaf dry before feeding it & remove all the oil first or Patch has a gulping swollowing attack, same as a few other dogs who are in Pancreatitis & IBD groups same happens with them….. Hills doesn’t seem to add as much omega oils in their I/d Digestive Care range…
Better to feed fresh lean ingredients when dog has stomach problems, home made meals are better as you are adding your own ingredients….

@ Ruth
for 2-3 days feed lean home cooked meals no vet diet, then next 2-3 days just fed vet diet, see what days she doesnt want to vomit or feels nausous…With 20mg Omeprazole given once a day you will see result in 1-2 weeks as long as diet is agreeing with her??

[Susan]

Hi Ruth,
She needs an Endoscope + Biopsies ASAP, I bet you she has Helicobacter Spiral bacteria, this is why she is eating sticks etc .they get BAD acid reflux & pain across stomach.
My boy has IBD & was eating cat poo, plants etc, I asked his vet to do Endoscope + you need the “Biospies” some vets dont do Biospsies, then she needs to be put on Triple Therapy meds for 3 weeks, Metronidazole, Amoxicillin, Omeprazole taken every 12 hours with a meal, then when meds are finished you continue with 1 x 20mg Omeprazole in morning.. I just gave 1 x Omeprazole wile on the triple therapy meds feed a low fiber, high protein, low/med fat low carb food best Gluten free..

Have a look at “Wellness Core” Large Breed dry food it has Probiotics easy to digest… instead on the R/C Gastrointestinal formula.

I have to go bed, (Australia) I’ll post more in morning if not busy… are you on face book join this group “Dogs with IBD Holistic group” I’ll see you there hopefully, really good help.. https://www.facebook.com/groups/292537937935806/

[joanne l]

Hi Susan, matter of fact it does have wheat bran, but it is very low on the list, like the 15th ingredient. And the fat is lower on the chicken so that’s not it and the protein is the same. I am wondering the reason he may tolerate fresh chicken is b/c it is not concentrated. I say concentrated b/c it is in dry form, and maybe that’s why for him he can’t tolerate it. I can’t think of nothing else. As far as other brands here is what I tried in the past with loose stools:
1. Wellness chicken
2. Fromm chicken recipe
3. holistic select chicken
he has had also lamb and beef in these brands with no trouble, but when I tried chicken he would be upset, either loose stools or not wanting to eat his breakfast. This is strange. I think I better take it back like you said and forget using chicken recipes for awhile. And maybe later on try one more brand like you said WEF and if that don’t work than for some strange reason he can’t have chicken in dry food. The only reason why I keep trying it is b/c I kept thinking it is not the chicken it may be something else like you said, but it is seeming more clear that it is the chicken.

• This reply was modified 7 years, 4 months ago by joanne l.

[Susan]

Hi Dee,
Have you looked at the Hills I/d Digestive Care Stress Rice Vegetables & Chicken Stew small wet can.
https://www.hillspet.com/dog-food/pd-id-canine-stress-rice-vegetable-and-chicken-stew-canned
Hills I/d Digestive Care Restore Rice Vegetables & Chicken Stew in a biger can & both have better ingredients then the I/d Loaf style wet formula’s..
https://www.hillspet.com/dog-food/pd-id-low-fat-canine-rice-vegetable-and-chicken-stew-canned
Stay on vet diet just till your little man is stable, also join the Canine Pancreatitis Support Group on Face Book,
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1435920120029740/
Look in their “Files” Pancreas Low Fat dog foods.pdf, scroll down a bit for all the wet foods next to them is their fat converted to DM but again contact Pet Food companies for max fat% in DM as these formula’s may have changed since this was posted & fat has increased.

Whenever you buy a wet can food from a pet shop or online always contact the Pet Food Company & ask them for their max fat% conversion to Dry Matter….5%min when converted to DM can be 20%min fat to 26%max fat.. you need under 3%max in fat, Vet diets are 1.7% you’ll never find a pet shop food this low, so maybe best to look at teh Low Fat formula’s Ive posted & cooked lean chicken & turkey best with some boiled sweet potato for his other meal also cottage cheese is really good aswell..
Dr Judy Morgan DMV is good to follow on f/b, look at her Video’s “Pancreatitis Diet” & “IBD Diet” easy to make balanced meals, then freeze some small meal & have the vet diets stews for his other meals…
I feed 4-5 meals a day with Patch, smaller meals is easier to digest & less work on the Pancreas also these I/D vet diets are for Urinary health problems aswell, I’d email Hills & have a Vet Nutritionist call you back, they will be able to help you with which vet formula will be best for your little man health problems, then tell your vet Hills said blar blar vet diet is best to feed for now… the I/d stews have better ingredients & are made for dogs who don’t want to eat..

[Susan]

Hi Joanne,

when you look at the Ingredients in the Lamb & Rice formula & then the ingredients in the new Pro Plan Chicken & rice formula are the ingredients all the same? or are some of the ingredients further up or down the ingredient list??…or is there’s a few different ingredients in this Chicken & Rice formula that arent in the Lamb & Rice formula?
I’d say there’s another ingredient he is sensitive too cause he has eaten cooked chicken & is OK you can either take back teh Chicken & rice formula thats what I do lol so Patch can try another brand, I just say he wont eat it, Pet Shops have a Palability Guarantee money back.. then buy a new food & take maybe 2 weeks introducing the new formula…
I stay feeding 1/2 old formula & 1/2 new formula for 5 days..

It can take a 2-3 weeks for a dog to get use to a new kibble, my boy had bad farts for 2-3 weeks when I introduced Canidae Pure Wild dry kibble again, he had eaten this formula last year & the Canidae Pure Meadow Senior formula & same thing happened, bad farts for 2-3 weeks, he was clearing a room lol, it’s the Chickpeas they’re 5th Ingredient, he cant eat too many chickpeas & can NOT eat Lentils, as soon as I was introducing 1/2 Wellness Core & 1/2 Canidae Pure Wild the farts got worse, his poo’s were nice & firm still, it took about 2 weeks then farts were all gone & the small bag of Canidae was finished, so I bought a bag of Purina the new Pro Plan Opti Derma Adult 7+….
I liked the OptiDerma formula cause the fat is 13%max & Kcals are 348 per Cup & its a senior formula for skin problems, the only problem is the kibble size, they are tiny, very small kibbles, good for digesting but not real good when the dog has big mouth Patch loves them…
I’m up to 1/2 Wellness Core & 1/2 Pro Plan OptiDerma Senior & we have no farts, no bad gas so far, so this formula might be OK, fingers X Patch won’t get his acid reflux & his itchy skin subsides & I’ll see if its the Chicken in his Wellness Core formula thats made his skin allergies worse or its his Environment allergies from the trees in neigbours back yard, Patch normally does really well with his allergies thru Winter months but since moving here he’s been a mess this Winter, I also started him on Wellness Core in March cause I had run out of foods to feed him for his IBD & he was having a IBD flare so vet said look dont worry about his skin at the moment, we have to get his IBD under control & he does really well with Chicken & Turkey with his IBD/stomach but not with his paws & skin…

He loves getting a new food & I enjoy going to pet shops with him & looking online for new dog foods.. We are getting alot of new dog foods in Australia at the moment, Im still waiting for CANIDAE’s new Grain Free PURE Ancestral, Red Meat Formula, Raw Coated Dry Dog Food, With Lamb, Goat & Wild Boar..
BUT it has Lentils 6th ingredient 🙁 but I will still try it but VERY slowley over a 1 month period & I’ll see does he react..
https://www.canidae.com/dogs/canidae-grain-free-pure-ancestral-raw-coated-dry-red-meat-formula-with-lamb-goat-wild-boar/
Good-Luck

[Susan]

Hi Dee,
please be careful with pet shop wet can/tin food, 5%Min is not max fat% & when you convert to dry matter 5%min fat can be 20%min up to 26% max fat, so before you buy any Pet Shop wet foods you will not get one as low as a vet diet at 1.7%-fat, also make sure you email the Pet food companies & ask them for max fat DM conversion……

Are you on face Book join the “Canine Pancreatitis Support Group”
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1435920120029740/
go to their “Files” scroll down to “Pancreas Low Fat dog foods.pdf” & click on link
then once your on the Pancreas Low Fat dog foods.pdf, scroll down & you will see the low fat wet can foods brands that are sold at pet shops, they have the fat % conversion next to them but I would still contact the Pet Food companies & ask what is the max fat% converted to DM in these formulas, the fat may have change since the Low Fat list was done??

Dr Judy Morgan DVM is also very good to follow on F/B, look at her Video’s she has a “Pancreatitis Diet” & a “IBD Diet” easy to cook recipes..
If you can it’s best to cook & freeze small meals & feed the wet can vet diets just till your dog is 100% better…
Look at
* Hills I/d Digestive Care Low Fat Restore, Rice & Vegetables & chicken Stew.
https://www.hillspet.com/dog-food/pd-id-low-fat-canine-rice-vegetable-and-chicken-stew-canned,
The I/d formula’s are also for Urinary health problems aswell but contact Hills by email & get one of their Vet Nutritionist to call you back & they will help you with any questions you may have..
* Hills, Digestive Care, Stress Low Fat Rice, Vegetables Chicken Stew. https://www.hillspet.com/dog-food/pd-id-canine-stress-rice-vegetable-and-chicken-stew-canned
The I/d Stews have better ingredients, then the Hills I/d Low Fat loaf style wet can food..
When your dog is better then maybe look at feeding a low fat pet shop wet can foods that’s on the Pancreatitis Group list or post a post asking people what they are feeding their babies…..

[Susan]

Hi Nate,

Yes Annamaet Lean kibble is VERY high in legumes, high carb diet..

People recommend to feed a low-protein diet for a dog with pancreatitis. However this is not correct. By decreasing protein in diet then the carbohydrate content increases which is the greatest aggravating factor of pancreatitis in dogs in the first place, or increase the fat, which is no good considering the illness..
I was feeding Patch a low protein around 25%, low fat diet then realised the carbs were so high & my dog always had his stomach/pancreas pain, whinging crying, wanting me to rub his pancreas area, at least once a week but since he’s been eating “Wellness Core” Large Breed formula, that is high protein around 34%, low/med fat-13% Carbs-30% he’s been doing really well & he has not had 1 whinging episode in 7 months where he wants me to rub his pancreas, then he has to be put on Metronidazole when Pancreas/stomach pain doesn’t go away after 2 days….He can’t take Predisone/steriods..

Here’s
**Wellness Core Raw Rev Turkey Dehydrated its low in fat 10%
https://www.wellnesspetfood.com/natural-dog-food/product-catalog/core-rawrev-healthy-weight-100-raw-turkey

** Wellness Core 100% Turkey- 10% fat
https://www.wellnesspetfood.com/natural-dog-food/product-catalog/core-100-freeze-dried-turkey
Here’s the Whole Wellness Core range… click on the Chicken & Turkey formula’s they’re lowest in fat..
You could fed 1 of their meal the Hills I/d formula & for dinner they have a meal thats higher protein, lower fat & lower carbs, take baby steps & see how your dogs do eating the Higher protein meal, meat protein is easier to digest then a bowl of carbs…

The Honest Kitchen has a few new formula’s
HOPE –
% Protein-25.0
% Fat-7.2
% Fiber-6.0
% Moisture-8.0
*Per dry cup.
THK- Kindley – Grain Free Fat is 10% Fiber is 8.5%
THK- Preference – Grain Free fat-10.5% Fiber -8%
THK- Verve – Organic Beef- Fat-8.5% Fiber-5.8%
THK- Zeal – Grain Free- Fat-8.5 fiber 5.8%
the fiber % is higher in some of the Honest Kitchen formula’s over 6%….

Here’s The Honest Kitchen range- https://www.thehonestkitchen.com/dog-food/meals

Are you on Face Book here’s the “Canine Pancreatitis Support group” link
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1435920120029740/
Join group then post a post asking what are people feeding their dogs, I know there’s a few people who feed low fat, premade raw diets, so they may know of a freeze dried/Dehydrated brands you can feed that are low in fat.
also look in the “files”
there’s “A recipe for home-cooked food”
there’s “Pancreas Low Fat dog foods.pdf”

[Susan]

Hi,
I just read my emails & I saw Luey Photo’s, if you click on the links in the email that DFA sends then the instagram link works…
He’s BEAUTIFUL, he’s all white & he has small black patch like my Patch has on his left eye & a bit of black on his right ear the same as my Patch has, I watched his video playing & he’s wearing his nappy & purple doggy pants, he looks so cute, soft & cuddly….

I wanted a Frenchie last year so I ran it by Patches vet & she told me, Oh no Susan not that breed, they have way too many health problems, she said you have been thru so much with Patch I wouldnt want you to have to go thru it all over again, she said this breed suffers with Environment Allergies, Food Sensitivities, Stomach & Bowel Problems, Breathing Problems cause of their short snout, becareful on hot days make he’s breathing OK…
My vet said the problem is inner breeding & breeding Frenchie who have health problems, greedy back yard breeders continue to breed sick Frenchies cause they can get $3000 in Australia….My vet said if you do still want to get one go thru a proper registered breeder who isnt breeding sick French Bulldogs…

In 2015, Frenchies were the fourth most popular registered dog in the United Kingdom and in the U.S. the sixth most popular AKC registered dog breed.They were rated the third most popular dog in Australia in 2017.

You posted.

“I was also making him white rice with chicken breast carrots peas spinach and zucchini. That actually constipated him for 2 days then it was back to the soft pieces of poop”.

did you continue to fed the white rice with chicken breast carrots peas spinach and zucchini when he was constiped?? and his poos went back to the soft pieces of poop? or did you change his diet & feed him something else cause he was constipated & you wanted him to poo??
You may have answered your own question, you might have to do elimination food diet with cooked ingredients & do not feed any dry kibble at all & see if you add less white rice can you just get the meal right where he does 2 firm poos?? not constipated & no pieces of poo…
You need a vet who knows alot about Intestinal problems… In Australia we don’t have Specialist vets like in America, our vets who have a passion for certain health problems continue to study about certain health problems & then we pay the same price to see a vet that knows more about a particular health problem, when you ring to book a vet visit we are asked why does your dog need to see a vet? then the lady says Oh I’ll book you in with such & such vet cause he knows about Intestinal health or Skin allergies..
You need a vet that wants to learn more & becomes very interested in whats wrong with Luey & helps him…Like what happened with my Patch…

[Nate D]

I have 2 Dachsunds. Both have had pancreas issues in the past. One has cushings and may have cancer. I have been feeding both of them Hills I/D Low Fat Natural dry food, but want them off of the kibble.
I have tried The Honest Kitchen Fish, but dont care for the garlic in it. It also seems to be to high in protein for them causing gas and upset stomach even with small amounts. I was hoping to use it because people rant and rave about it for their dogs who have had pancreatitis and/or cancer.

I have been looking for something else. Either dehydrated, frozen, patties, fresh, etc.. and am having a hard time finding anything low in fat.
Anyone know of any?

I know I can do homemade, but have no idea what complete supplements I need. I would however prefer already made.

[Sharlene S]

Hi Anon101,
Thank you for your response… a vet did recommend me taking him to a specialist/ neurologist whilst others said he might grow out of it. The sad truth is that I cannot afford to take him to a specialist. I too have several health issues which are very costly.
I have tried doggie diapers but he always finds a way to pull it off, then he’s plastered in poop. Our daily ritual is that at 7:20 am I feed him a cup of merrick limited ingredients dry dog food. Take him for a walk then wash out his crate and then his room. There is always poop in his crate and on the floor. After which I go to work for the day then come home at 6:30 and repeat the same morning ritual. Then later on before I go to bed I tuck him in with belly rubs etc.
I have not thought about veterinary clinics but I will definitely research to see if there’s any in my area. Thank you for your suggestions 😊

[Susan]

Hi Laura,
when you see your vet does he take a sterile urine sample? Sterile urine sample give better results ….
Have you tried Royal Canine S/O Urinary dry, feed for breakfast & R/C S/O Urinary wet can for dinner, try for 6weeks, no other foods just feed the Royal Canine Dry & Wet.

Or look at Hills C/D MultiCare Wet food
Here’s the C/d Multicare Chicken & Vegetable Stew
https://www.hillspet.com/dog-food/pd-cd-multicare-canine-chicken-and-vegetable-canned
The ingredients look pretty good, Phosphorous 0.54, you could feed the Hills C/d Multicare Chicken & Vegetable stew instead of the Science Diet dry formula & see how he goes…

Take your dog on 2 daily walks, dogs love sniffing & they love weeing on everything, get him into a routine morning walk & afternoon walk..
He will start looking forward to go on his walks, when Patch isn’t feeling well we go for a drive to one of the nice parks up the rd, I see a big smile on Patches face, tail waging as soon as he see’s the park.

You have to Email the pet food companies for the proper phosphorus %…

Wellness have “PDF” for most of their formula’s…
you click on a formula you like then scroll down & you will see
“Nutrient Profiles” then underneath you’ll see
“The Nutrient Profile for this product is also available for download. GET THE PDF”
click on the PDF link.

Here is “Wellness Core” Large Breed formula link, scroll down for “Nutrient Profiles”
the PDF link
https://www.wellnesspetfood.com/natural-dog-food/product-catalog/core-large-breed-large-breed

[Sabrina H]

I saw yet another vet and she insisted it was environmental allergies. She wasn’t at all concerned with the ear problem since there’s nothing visibly wrong and he’s had it for so long, and she didn’t seem to care much about the itchiness simply because he didn’t scratch during the vet appointment. I strongly dislike this vet. I took my cat to her and disliked her so much that I went to another clinic in a completely different town, yet somehow she ended up being there too. She wouldn’t even entertain the idea of it being a food allergy and just told me to try Benedryl. The Benedryl did seem to help the ear issue and switching his food to Zignature Turkey (my local feed store has a great price!) helped the anal gland problem. Even though it’s 6% fiber, this food doesn’t cause him issues like the 5.5% fiber foods did. He’s still itchy though! I’m thinking maybe pork is a problem. It seems like he gets aggressively itchy any time he has pork, and meat from domestic pigs makes him itchier than wild boar.

[Susan]

Hi
if your vet has “prescribed” the Omeprazole 20mg please try it, it may not of agreed with you but it might help your little man, if not ask vet to try Pantoprazole instead, natural doesn’t work for acid reflux, I tried natural (Slippery Elm) + Zantac for 2 yrs & NOT tried Patch on the Omeprazole cause its a PPI, then my vet said to me, its all about quality of life Susan & he is having 5 bad days a week, maybe 2 good days a week if he’s lucky, so I started Patch on 10mg Omeprazole in morning & the other 10mg at before night, but in the end these PPI drugs work best given in 1 dose in the a morning & they last 24 hours… I gave Omeprazole for 10 days with 200mg Metronidazole twice a day aswell to kill any bacteria in gut & he was heaps better, I had my old happy Patch back again, then I stopped the Omperazole & Metronidazole & 2-3 days later Patch started having a licking & grinding attacks again, so I only gave him the Omeprazole for 2-3 days when he needed it & was having an acid attack then I stopped cause its a “PPI” but in the end Patch was heaps better while taking the Omeprazole so he stayed on it for 2 yrs & this year I had to changed him over too Pantoprazole in March cause he went down hill real bad again his flap isnt closing properly, Pantoprazole is what I take for my GORDS & my flap doesnt close properly either, I have to sleep sitting up & I raise PAtches head aswell at night while he sleeps, he’s started doing really well again when I changed him from 20mg Omeprazole to Pantoprazole 20mg once a day morning, BUT 2 days ago he had a bad licking attack after I had just posted a post to you lol, he had eaten these coconut lamb balls for Lunch he was fine the last 4 times he ate this healthy natural pet food for lunch but the other day it must have been too much fat & he wanted grass badly crying at the back door having a panic attack to get out..
I keep grass inside in water so if he needs grasss badly at night I have some I have picked on walks & washed, I dry the grass blade & give 1 pieces at a time not too much, the grass in water only lasts about 4 days then goes yellow… I find the Quick Eze Chews work the best he gets instant results, I told my vet & she said if its working then do what helps him..
We are seeing vet tomorrow morning, he’s getting a Dexafort injection for his skin allergies but I dont want to do it, I read all the side effects 🙁 the vet wanted to do this Dexafort injection back in March & I said not yet, I want to fix his stomach first.. but Spring has come early & its hot already here in Australia & Im not putting him thru another itchy Summer & then he reacted badly with a IBD flare attacked with his stomach & Esophagus.. last Nov thru to March this year.
It’s VERY stressful seeing the dog you love suffer….
I hope he gets better soon…

[Susan]

Hi just watch video,
definitely NOT seizures, his tail is wagging, he’s alert & responsive, it’s definitely stomach problems, he’s looking for food, do you eat any food when sitting on lounge in those areas he was licking the carpet ?? he’s vacuuming, he’s looking for food to take away pain.. Lately my Patch has become a vacuum cleaner again always under my desk & in kitchen around the areas crumbs drop, I think Patches Helicobacter is coming back 🙁 ……

Food seems to relieve their acid reflux & pain for short perriods, not for long 20mins later they have their pain all back again & sometimes worse, when you had Helicobacter you eat, you feel better then “pain” & “acid” all comes back…. I bet you he has Helicobacter & needs 21 day course of triple therapy meds, all this will stop or reduce in 5-7 days after he taken the Triple therapy meds…you need 21 days worth then as soon as you finish buy those Yakult probiotic drinks & drink 1/2 each, you get more then he does……

When he is sniffing your carpets (vacuuming) dust is going up his nose, then he is sneezing, it’s called “reverse sneezing”…Massage his throat when this happens, rub downwards towards his chest, stomach area, massaging will also push down any acid that may be in his throat burning, this is why he is hacking at night, do you have any ant acid lollies Renee, Quick Eze Chews? give him 1/2 to try, make sure he chews it, it will relieve his throat when he chews one, that’s why I like the Forest Quick Eze Chews they taste good & soothe the acid in throat.. I give Patch 1 Quick Eze Chew when he starts his mouth licking starts, cough & he starts his whinging, also they become anxious sometimes.. even some liquid Mylanta or Pepto-Bismol will help him + Pepcid tablets or 150mg Zantac tablet under 1/2 a tablet will help him, Im sure you can buy these from chemist…

Whatever he ate before the video has made his acid worse, was it vet diet dry food ??
Try feeding boiled chicken breast, don’t over boil it cooks very quickly 5mins & boil some sweet potato give 1/2 & 1/2 but before he eats give him either 1/2 Zantac (Ranitidine) or 10mg Pepcid (Famotidine) tablet 30mins before Breakfast & 30mins before Dinner ask vet, maybe another vet with more experience will be better… as the Sucarafate isn’t strong enough..

[jacquie l]

I am also looking for a dry dog food with quality grains, no chicken or beef, made and sourced as much as possible in the USA. I found Drs. Foster and Smith Lamb and brown rice. My only hesitation is that it says: The ingredients for the vitamin and mineral premixes come from a variety of sources, including the US, India and some parts of Asia (Thailand, China and Japan). Has anyone used this food? What do you think? Thanks.

[Susan]

Hi Sydney,
you need to see a Vet Specialist, that specializes in IBD, you would have just been going around in circles seeing different vets, thats what happened with Patch & me until the 4th vet specialized in Intestinal problems, IBD, IBS & Skin Allergies etc, then finally I was told to do a cooked elimination diet & to find a nutritionist to help with this & was given 2 names of 2 good Nutritionist but they were both in different states, so we did everything via phone & email, to work out what foods Patch was sensitive too & did a raw elimination diet to work out what was causing his paws to go red & what foods causing him to have IBD flare & react, you wouldnt believe it, his environment allergies play a very big part aswell not just the food, this is why we go around & around in circles, at the end of last year & beginning of this year he had a really bad IBD flare (Stomach), his immune system was working over time vet said cause of his environment allergies, the immune system — attacks the body’s own healthy tissue, this is called an immune response, resulting in autoimmune disease, IBD… he had no diarrhea or sloppy poos this time, it attacked his stomach & Esophagus, I had already worked out what he could & couldnt eat thru elimination diet we did 2, elimination diets, first cooked diet then the following year a raw elimination diet…as he reacted to vet diets like I posted we think from the binders in the vet diets..
If you have found something that agrees with your girl still try & find another brand of dry kibble just is case she starts to react to an ingredient as Patch has done in the past….at the moment I only have 2 dry foods Patch does OK on & 1-2 wet can foods vet diets that are pork he does really well on pork dry & wet dog foods but not cooked pork??..
it all does your head it & I think it was you who posted all you seem to do is research dog foods..

[Susan]

Hi Sydney,
have you ever done a food elimination diet with either raw or cooked ingredients?? 1 meat & 1 carb??
this is the only true way to know 100% what foods your dog is sensitive too..

In the beginning one of Patches vets put him on Royal Canine Hyproallergenic vet diet but Patch was still getting his red paws 20mins after he ate also the fat was way too high at 19% also his afternoon poos was very sloppy, So we tried the Hills Z/d Ultra & the same red paws after he ate the Z/d dry kibble, I think it was the Corn Starch in the Hills Z/d formula.. as the meat proteins are broken down so the body doesnt recognize the meat protein in these Hypoallergenic vet diets, so it has to be the binders they are using to bind the hypoallergenic vet diets the dog s react too….
.. In the end I did a raw elimination diet & finally worked out what ingredients he reacts too..

I read one of your post in someone elses post & you wrote your dog is better now on a vegan dog food, when the cooler weather starts to come around when environment allergens arent as high I would now add 1 meat that isn’t too expensive & you can buy like pork & see does your dog start to react?? do an meat elimination diet & I bet you you will find a meat that agree with your dog..

Here’s Farmina dog foods there’s a few formula’s to look thru..
https://www.farmina.com/us/eshop-d-Dog-food.html

[Sydney N]

My dog has awful allergies and it turned out she was allergic to all meat proteins, I then found the natural balance wet food and it solved all of our problems! Even the ones that involved her environmental allergies such as storage mites in dry dog food! I hope your baby gets to feeling better soon!

[Sydney N]

I have had the exact same problem with my pure bred lab. She is 3 and I have spent thousands at the vet on her. Chronic ear infections, yeast infections, stomach boils, and itchy as can be. I have finally came to realize after environmental allergy tests she is allergic to dust mites as well as storage mites. These both found in dry dog food. She also is allergic to ALL meat protein. This has been so difficult and no vet has helped me. I finally read online about the meat allergy and thank goodness I did. I have since switched her to natural balance wet vegetarian dog food. And it has made ALL the difference. Her ears are crystal clean, her belly is happy and her skin is happy. This has never happened for me before, to tell you how bad it was I had an appointment with a dog dermatologist booked before this food. We tried zignature, elimination diet, royal canin, ultamino, hydrologized food, limited ingredient and nothing worked but this wet vegetarian food is amazing. She loves it too! I would recommend it and I also give probiotics with her dinner to her. She literally runs to her bowl now as does my other dog without allergies. I really hope this helps, I truly know how frustrating dogs with allergies are! If you have any questions please let me know!!:)

[Sydney N]

Hi! My Labrador has had ongoing food and environmental allergies for 3 years as well. I got her allergy tested for environmental allergens and she is allergic to dust mites as well as storage mites (in dry food). She also is allergic to pretty much all meat or animal derived protein. Saying this I have always had her to the vet for ear infections, skin infections, blisters, puking, loose stool, etc. I started her on natural balance wet vegetarian dog food and She has never been better. I tried her on multiple foods before such as. Zignature, royal canin, ultamino, and hydrologized foods, all which none worked. She has hard stool now, her health back, and clean ears and skin (I’ve never been able to say this before) and the diet is a full diet for dogs even though it’s vegetarian. I hope this helps you!

[Michelle A]

We tried this dog food for our 7 year old lab mix. Initially we bought a small bag and he loved it. Went and bought a largeR bag and after a few days began noticing some changes in his behavior and skin condition. Like the lady above, he was panting, whining (anxiety), and terrible, terrible dry itchy skin…so bad he was digging and scratching and biting himself raw. Took him for a flea dip and oatmeal bath, because living in the woods, thought maybe fleas or ticks…she saw nothing on him…husband and I tried to figure out what had changed and deduced the dog food change…took him off immediately! For the last few days, you could see a huge difference in him and that he was more energetic, almost like a puppy, happier, healthier…other than the scabs from his ordeal, he seems to be doing quite well…put him back on his regular dog food 4 Health, sensitive skin formula. Definitely something in this Mossy Oak brand food to cause such reactions to our furbabies! Thanks for hosting this blog site! Buyer beware!

• This reply was modified 7 years, 4 months ago by Michelle A.

[Michelle A]

We tried this dog food for our 7 year old lab mix. Initially we bought a small bag and he loved it. Went and bought a largeR bag and after a few days began noticing some changes in his behavior and skin condition. Like the lady above, he was panting, whining (anxiety), and terrible, terrible dry itchy skin…so bad he was digging and scratching and biting himself raw. Took him for a flea dip and oatmeal bath, because living in the woods, thought maybe fleas or ticks…she saw nothing on him…husband and I tried to figure out what had changed and deduced the dog food change…took him off immediately! For the last few days, you could see a huge difference in him and that he was more energetic, almost like a puppy, happier, healthier…other than the scabs from his ordeal, he seems to be doing quite well…put him back on his regular dog food 4 Health, sensitive skin formula https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/4health-grain-free-large-breed-formula-adult-dog-food-30-lb-bag-1102915?cm_mmc=feed-_-GoogleShopping-_-Product-_-1102915&gclid=CjwKCAjw-8nbBRBnEiwAqWt1zYpiRPyeGWqVuH1bL3J0tOkFzQkmiDvj9-zGASr7B-mlr42ZevhmBRoCnnUQAvD_BwE Definitely something in this food to cause such reactions to our furbabies! Thanks for hosting this blog site! Buyer beware!

[Angela L]

My boxer was recently diagnosed with heart disease. Looking for low sodium foods as well. Trying to find something that is not going to drag me into financial ruins as well. An 80 lb dog eats A LOT! And… I have two 80 lb dogs! Oosh.

Right now, we are feeding him Diamond Maintenance dry food and will more than likely be switching. Have also had to resort to hiding his meds in wet food ( currently takes 7 medications a day, at a total of 29 pills a day.) He also had a tumor removed from his leg at the beginning of the month, which is how we found the heart issues, so some of these meds are the antibiotics for that and will be ending soon..thankfully!) He caught on to hiding the pills in the pill pockets.

I found a new wet food from Purina called Beyond Natural. With the limited amount that was available to me on that particular shopping trip, this was our best option to get his meds into him. Although I am still looking to find the exact sodium count to it. I contacted them this morning for it.

Was about to get the Royal Canan from the vet when I read the comments above…

All the information is super helpful! I hope your pups are doing well!

[Susan]

Hi Blane,
When you think about it Turkey & Chicken are a white meat, not a red dark meat, the dry kibble should be lighter in colour not darker…. I also get a bit sus when I’ve bought a Turkey or chicken dry kibble & its dark brown/black ??
At the moment my boy Patch is eating “Wellness Core”, Large Breed formula & the last 4 bags have all been a nice light brown colour kibble….
Ingredient list- Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal & Turkey Meal, Potatoes….
When I buy a kibble that’s Lamb it’s normally dark brown/black or Fish has been black??
I avoid all fish kibbles now as they’re very high in Toxins & Contaminates…

Rotate between a few different dry kibble brands, so if there is a problem (Toxins, Contaminates, not balanced properly, high in Legumes etc) with one brand then your dog isn’t eating the same brand 24/7 long enough to cause health problems…

I do not think potatoes have anything to do with the FDA report, Legumes blocking how Taurine is being absorb…
Potatoes were the first ingredients in grain free kibbles when grain free first came out years ago & we haven’t seen any health problems from potatoes or sweet potatoes in grain free formula’s, until now when these newer grain free brands came out like Zignature that are VERY high in Legumes… Zignature was orginally made to attract “dog owners” who have a dog with food sensitivities & skin problems….

You live America you have a very big range of dry & Freeze dried kibbles to pick from.
Look for a dry kibbles or Freeze Dried brands that aren’t on the dog food study high in Toxins & Contaminates in dog foods… not allowed to post the “Clean 1@631 Project” link
also make sure there’s at least 3-4 meat proteins as 1st 2nd & 3rd ingredients & if you’re lucky another meat as the 4th ingredient then a carb…
this way your dog will be getting more meat proteins & under 20% legumes, if peas are the 5th-6th + ingredient..

If you are worried about Potatoes & you see a formula you like & it has Potatoes just make sure the potatoes are further down the ingredient list same peas…

Until FDA reports more information & if you do not have a dog breed that was mentioned on the FDA list, I wouldn’t be panicing too much, add fresh healthy whole foods to dog diet & feed less dry kibble…

I think “Canidae All Life Stages” Multi proteins formula is a good kibble to have in your rotation
https://www.canidae.com/dog-food/products/canidae-all-life-stages-dry-formula/

Look at “Farmina” Farmina has Grain Free & Grain formula’s that have really good ingredients.
https://www.farmina.com/us/eshop-d-Dog-food.html

[Susan]

Hi Christine,

Yes Patch is eating the “Wellness Core” Large Breed Formula it’s very similar ingredients to the Wellness Core Small Breed kibble size is smaller, I thought if I can’t get the Large Breed formula is all sold out I can get a small bag of the Wellness Small Breed.
Patch has IBD & he is doing Excellent, he has gained weight & kept it on & he is staying on 18-19kgs, normally thru the Winter months he loses weight but since I’ve started him on Wellness Core Large Breed in March his weight is staying on…
I also Rotate & feed him “Royal Canine” Intestinal Low Fat wet can food or “Hills” I/d Digestive Care Stew for lunch so he has something different..

I agree with Spy Car post above this post,
toxins & contaminates are very high in alot of dog foods especially fish formula’s & AAFCO allows these foods to be sold while dogs get sick & die…. AAFCO doesn’t mean much when I see it…
In Australia we just had over 100 dogs die from 2 different brands of dry kibble that is AAFCO approved dry dog foods….

If you can add fresh healthy ingredients, meat & vegetables to your dogs diet, add them & feed less dry kibble…

[Donna B]

Hi there. My Frenchie just turned 2 in July. I too got him when he was 5 months. I transitioned him to Acana Duck & Pear because I had my golden retriever on it as well at the time. He loves it. I’ve recently switched my golden over to raw. My Frenchie gets about a dime size of raw with his dry and he barks at me to hurry up while I’m preparing their bowls. IDK where you live, but perhaps if you have a locally owned specialty pet store in your area, they too could help. I absolutely love my vet, but “food” is not their specialty. All of my food research has come from this site as well as my local store owners. Frenchies can be prone to chicken allergies oddly enough. Perhaps give Hamburg and rice for a few days to give her digestive track a rest. That should help her stools get better. In the mean time decide on which food to go with and then you can begin to transition with the Hamburg and rice mix if/when her stools improve. Just some thoughts… Good luck!

[joanne l]

Thanks, for the info. I just bought a bag of pro plan chicken and rice just to see if it is the chicken before I switch brands. I figured if I bought a different brand with chicken I really won’t know if it is the chicken or the brand if it didn’t work out. I hope I am going the right way to find out. because chicken has been eliminated in his dry food for a while now, so we’ll see what happens when I interduce it, I will do it slowly. About the fiber you mentioned, some dogs do well with more and some don’t. If your dogs do good with it then I would think it is okay. But some may poop more which probably is not good b/c they loose nutrients. Well I guess we will have to wait for awhile with this FDA outcome and see what’s what. Hopefully some of these grain free companies will lay off on putting too many peas in their recipe, that will be better for the dogs. So it is a good thing that the FDA steps in on these things. These companies are out for the buck, and peas are cheap protein boosters and it is not fair that people spend a lot of money and get too many cheap ingredients.

• This reply was modified 7 years, 4 months ago by joanne l.
• This reply was modified 7 years, 4 months ago by joanne l.

[Susan]

Hi Ryan,

gee Zonisamide can cause bad side effects, I hope your vet knows what she is doing?
I’d rather try a ant acid medication like Pepcid or Zantac first as it will have less side effects & rememeber he’s a small dog, so 1/2 what ever dose the vet prescribes “if” she does prescribe Zonisamide….Vets normally prescribe Gabapentin, it’s also a cheap drug, 100 x 100mg capsules for $12-$15 with a script from chemist… Gabapentin is from the same family as Zonisamide, my vet tried Patch on the Gabapentain for his IBD stomach pain & said it will also help his lower back pain, he has a square left hip socket, it isn’t round like it should be, my vet said a few of her IBD cat & dog patients are taking Gabapentin for stomach, pancreas & nerve pain, stress & anxieties, & nervous dogs. Gabapentin seems to treat a heap of different health problems…..
I took Gabapentin for nerve pain beginning of the year & it made me feel very light headed, I had to stop taken it & I think the same thing must of happened with Patch when he took 100mg x Gabapentin, he didn’t feel too well & just stayed in his bed 1/2 the next day, he normally comes up to me & whinges lets go for a walk but not when he was on Gabapentin, at first the vet prescibe him 100mg for Patch to be taken twice a day but I just gave it to him once a day before bed when he had his IBD pain in stomach, he didn’t move all night, he stayed in the same position, he normally sits up & stretches & turns around thru the night, so the vet said 1/2 the 100mg capsule & only give it to him when he has his stomach pain or his lower back, again he slept like a log & the next day he wasnt himself, so I dont give it to him no more especially after I’ve taken it in January & I felt like crap…

I hope it was just from the higher fat 18%+ dry Nulo food & the wet sachet food & he just needs a diet change & maybe something like the sucarafate to line his stomach, also don’t feed any of the real sloppy wet stew sachet/tin wet foods, when they burp it comes back up repeating on them causing acid reflux, maybe between the two foods he was eating they have caused his problems… but if it does happen again, if you do have any heartburn lollies give him one or 4-5ml Liquid Mylanta is best, the white chalky stuff to calm everything down & line his esophagus & see is he heaps better after taken heartburn stuff…Mylanta is like the Sucarafate tablet when its made into a slurry but Mylanta is cheaper & I think better. I keep a small bottle in the fridge just incase Patch wakes up swollowing & gulping at 3am they act frantic & don’t know what to do, its like a panic attack, I give Mylanta then I rub Patches throat downwards towards his chest & stomach so the acid goes back down & try to get him back to sleep. I have his head higher then his back/bottom, he sleeps with one of my L- Shaped pillows so his head is always higher then his bum so if any acid does come up while sleeping it stays down….

[Susan]

Hi Ryan,
is your boy on any medications for Arthritis pain, as these can cause stomach problems, ulcers etc?
You have to be careful you do “not” want to confuse your vet….
When a dog has a seizure they don’t respond while having a seizure, their body/muscles are all tense & tight, there’s no mouth licking or gulping they do not respond….
This is awful to watch but this is a dog having a seizure
the dog does not lick or swollow like when a dog has bad acid that has come up into the dogs mouth…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzZ-IgD7HXs

Yes, all vet diets are very high in omega oils, the Hills Z/D & Royal Canine Hypoallergenic skin wet & dry vet diet formula’s are VERY high in Omega oils for skin & can upset their stomach, Patch can NOT eat any vet diets or normal premium kibbles for his skin problems, most of the vet diets give him bad acid reflux especially when he eats a fish kibble, even the Intestinal Health vet diets wet & dry give him bad acid reflux 🙁 ….
After trying nilly all the vet diets, I finally worked it out, his acid reflux was from all the omega oils & I saw Dr Judy Morgan “Pacreactitis Again” video, Judy talks about her 16-17yr old dog who suffers with Pancreatitis & other health problems, she worked out her dog can NOT have any fish oils, the same thing happens acid reflux or a Pancreas flare…
I stick with dry foods that have Canola oil, Sunflower/vegetable oil or Flaxseed, Patch ends up licking & swollowing like you said around 1hr after eating these high omega oil foods & high carb foods, especially when you see a fish oil, flaxseed, corn oil, within the first 5 ingredients….
I feed tin pink salmon in spring water drain water add 1/2 boiled sweet potatoes, salmon isn’t as oily like Sardines are..your dog would like that as a small meal, see how he goes…

When I see Patch starting to do his swolling, licking mouth, or doing his weird mouth thing, this is when I give him 1/2 a ant acid quick eze berry chew & tell him chew chew & he chews the quick eze chew, then 20mins later he seems heaps better, they’re not that expensive at supermarket you can get the plain white quick eze lollie, there’s another ant acid chew/lollie a few people in the Pancreatis support f/b group use for their dogs when they’re having a licking swolling attack from bad acid reflux, they use Rennie tabs, I’d give one of these a try next time you see him starting to have an attack, probably will work better then the Sucarafate, the Sucarafate didn’t really help Patch, he wanted to eat grass after I gave him his Sucarafate slurry…
Something better then the Sucarafate tablets is Slippery Elm Powder, it stops nausea, acid reflux helps with stomach problems..
Get 1 teaspoon of the Slipery elm powder put in cup, boil the jug & slowley add boiling water to the slipery elm powder in a cup & stir till you have a thick slurry, put 1 teaspoon of the Slippery Elm Slurry on a plate to cool then see if your dog will lick it up, Patch licked it up once then didn’t again, so I had to get a 20ml syringe & pull up 5ml & give 20mins before he eats, then cover the cup with foil & put in fridge, it turns into a jelly slurry & need to be heated, takeout about 1 spoon put in the microwave or I just add some boiling water to about 1 spoon that you’ve taken out of the cup then when its can be pulled up into a syringe just use 5mls…

You still have to make sure what they’re eating isn’t too high in fat or omega oils & ingredients agree with your dog… Have you looked at the Rice dry formula’s?
It has taken me 5yrs to work out Patch..

His Sphincter flap from stomach to esophagus mighten be closing properly & the acid is washing back up into throat & mouth, you’ll need something stronger to settle this, if the Sucarafate isnt helping him… so he doesn’t end up with a sore throat & burnt wind pipe like Patch ended up with, he may have an Ulcer?? Ulcers happen cause of too much acid, you need ant acid blocker meds to stop the acid burning the ulcer & it can heal…

Sometimes no matter what Patch eats he just has a few bad days, sometimes it all starts again when I feed a wet can/sachet or the low fat vet diet for lunch, so I avoid the wet foods for a 3-5 days & just feed 4-5 small kibble meals…

With a dry food look for 10%-15%max-fat, sometimes a food will be 14.5% fat, that why I say 15% max fat, the lower the fat & protein & the higher the carbs, so you have to find a dry kibble that works for your dog..
Wet foods arent low enough that are sold at Pet Shops, you ned under 3%max fat in a wet foods, best to email the pet food companies ask what the fat when converted to dry matter fat & the MAX fat % you’ll have shock, some wet foods are high…

I have found the Large Breed formula’s work best for Patch, as they arent too high in carbs or fat, the protein is over 26% & seems to help reduce his acid reflux…. I stay around-13%-fat & 34%-protein.

Have you tried any of the Purina One formula’s a few people say their dog does well on Purina One formula’s here’s, but I looked & some are 16%, 17%, 18 % in fat, so way too high in fat for your boy, this Purina One formula large breed formula looks good, the fat is 13%, protein-26%, fiber is 4.5% the fiber is not too high & the carbs are about 40% carbs-
these ingredients are like the Intestinal Health vet diets minus the high Omega Oils….
https://www.purinaone.com/dogs/products/dry-dog-food/smartblend-large-breed-adult
or if you find a good brand you like just have a look at their large breed formula ingredients & fat protein %..

Most small breed dog foods are higher in fat & higher in Kcals per cup, so avoid all small dog foods.. Have you looked at Senior foods? they normally are lower in fat around 10-12% fat & higher protein…
With his skin, I know Patches skin would itch with some of those ingredients in Purina One BUT Patches vet always tells me, we fix his stomach problems first then we’ll deal with his skin problems, in the mean time continue his weekly baths to relieve his itch & use baby creams to relieve any itchy red skin….

Have you looked at the Nulo Grain Free Style Weight management formula.
MedalSeries High-Protein Kibble weight management chicken & sweet potato recipe
Just becareful with fish dog foods the Nulo Cod & Lentil formula didn’t do well & came back High in Metals & Process Contaminates in this last testings…
Most of the Nulo fish formula’s the Puppy & Small breed also came back high in metals & contaminates but they have good ingredient quality….just got a bad fish supplier 🙁

This will not go away over night, it takes time to find the right dry food, the right ant acid meds, the right routine & feed more smaller meals a day instead of just the 2 bigger meals a day..
I know your head is probably spinning with all the info, but there might be something I do for Patch that might also help your boy, all the things that have helped Patch & alot of other dogs…
By the way what is his name??

[anonymous]

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