Raw - I did it but not going well.

Food, Fitness and how to keep them healthy.

Postby luvmyangels » January 13th, 2006, 7:50 pm

Hi all!! Thank you to everyone that helped guide me with raw feeding. Two days ago I started feeding raw chicken to all 3 of my dogs (Teddy ate some the 2nd day and so did Cookie and Knuckles was gung ho from the start) and last night Knuckles (sorry for being graphic) started with diarrhea with grass and some thing foreign looking in it and he vomited twice, once last night with grass and then this morning with bile. I fed him rice and pumpkin today but I am a little scared to feed him anything else. Any suggestions.....
I am "The Rat Queen".

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Postby BullyVW » January 13th, 2006, 8:08 pm

He fight have allergies to chicken...it happens.

Try to start slow.....ground beef with some cut up veggies. Going into a whole chicken real quick may be the problem...it can upset the digestive system to change diet that drastically so quickly.
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Postby cheekymunkee » January 13th, 2006, 8:31 pm

Sometimes switching to RAW will give them the poops & the pukes as their digestive systems get used to digesting a different type of food. Be patient, it will end very soon. Usually dogs that have allergies to food ( I have one that is allergic to chicken) will show it in their skin usually in itchiness, hot spots or rashes.
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Postby luvmyangels » January 13th, 2006, 9:18 pm

cheekymunkee wrote:Sometimes switching to RAW will give them the poops & the pukes as their digestive systems get used to digesting a different type of food. Be patient, it will end very soon. Usually dogs that have allergies to food ( I have one that is allergic to chicken) will show it in their skin usually in itchiness, hot spots or rashes.


I am wondering if I started this at the wrong time. He was diagnosed with Demodectic mange last Thursday. I hope this does not aggravate the problem. Oh Boy!!!
I am "The Rat Queen".

Have a great day!! :)

Mary Ann & The Furry Bunch:
Cookie & Knuckles
Rabbit: Butterscotch
The Rattie Bunch: Girls: Noodle & Raisin Boys: Gus, Melvin, Oliver, & Toby
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Postby BullyVW » January 14th, 2006, 12:08 am

It should help the mange in the long run....just take it slow. Maybe do 1/2 raw 1/2 kibble for a few days first.
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Postby cheekymunkee » January 14th, 2006, 12:18 am

I have had no experience with demodox so I can't be of any help on that question. I think Bully is right thoguh, from what I remember reading it is supposed to be best for a dog with skin problems.
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Postby BullyVW » January 14th, 2006, 12:26 am

cheekymunkee wrote:I have had no experience with demodox so I can't be of any help on that question. I think Bully is right thoguh, from what I remember reading it is supposed to be best for a dog with skin problems.


I swear I'm not being cocky at all, but I am right now that I went back and checked on things. Most vets will try to sell you Science Diet to make things better. On my end, I have learned that feeding a proper BARF diet with little or now wheat can really make a world of difference. I've also heard (and will be trying tomorrow on my sister's golden) that a 5 to 1 white vinegar to water mixture can be used to wash the dog...helping to kill a lot of the bacteria on the skin.
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Postby SisMorphine » January 24th, 2006, 11:35 am

BullyVW wrote:
cheekymunkee wrote:I have had no experience with demodox so I can't be of any help on that question. I think Bully is right thoguh, from what I remember reading it is supposed to be best for a dog with skin problems.


I swear I'm not being cocky at all, but I am right now that I went back and checked on things. Most vets will try to sell you Science Diet to make things better. On my end, I have learned that feeding a proper BARF diet with little or now wheat can really make a world of difference. I've also heard (and will be trying tomorrow on my sister's golden) that a 5 to 1 white vinegar to water mixture can be used to wash the dog...helping to kill a lot of the bacteria on the skin.

White vinegar can definately help. The biggest problem with Hills products (ie: Science Diet) is that they contain a lot of corn substances in them, which are horrible for the coat, and can not be easily digested so they are simply a useless filler which is helping to fatten your dog up.

Did you try a premade or a home made raw? I would go for premade for a while until you are sure you know what you're doing with homemade. I tried the homemade for a while and my pup didn't do so good on it (I obviously messed up somewhere) so he's back on premade and doing fabulous. Raw should definately help with the demodex.
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Postby luvmyangels » January 24th, 2006, 11:42 am

Did you try a premade or a home made raw? I would go for premade for a while until you are sure you know what you're doing with homemade. I tried the homemade for a while and my pup didn't do so good on it (I obviously messed up somewhere) so he's back on premade and doing fabulous. Raw should definately help with the demodex.


I tried home made raw. What premade do you use? I am going on vacation in a week and I put the dogs on Timberwolf so I wouldn't leave with there being any problems.[/quote]
I am "The Rat Queen".

Have a great day!! :)

Mary Ann & The Furry Bunch:
Cookie & Knuckles
Rabbit: Butterscotch
The Rattie Bunch: Girls: Noodle & Raisin Boys: Gus, Melvin, Oliver, & Toby
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Postby SisMorphine » January 24th, 2006, 12:10 pm

I used Nature's Variety: Prairie.

I'd definately try it when you get back home. It's not cheap, at all, but it has done WONDERS for Wally's coat and health.
"All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another." -Anatole France
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Postby Maryellen » January 24th, 2006, 12:14 pm

and just remember, white vinegar if not diluted properly will STING as it goes on the skin.... i think though it should be Apple Cidar Vinegar though.. not plain white vinegar
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Postby SisMorphine » January 24th, 2006, 12:17 pm

Maryellen wrote:and just remember, white vinegar if not diluted properly will STING as it goes on the skin.... i think though it should be Apple Cidar Vinegar though.. not plain white vinegar

Oooh yes, very good point.

And remember that your dog will smell like a salad for days after application :)
"All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another." -Anatole France
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Postby luvmyangels » January 24th, 2006, 12:45 pm

I have been using the neem oil that Maryellen suggested. His head looks much better. But I have been noticing some hair loss around his one eye. :(
I am "The Rat Queen".

Have a great day!! :)

Mary Ann & The Furry Bunch:
Cookie & Knuckles
Rabbit: Butterscotch
The Rattie Bunch: Girls: Noodle & Raisin Boys: Gus, Melvin, Oliver, & Toby
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Postby Maryellen » January 24th, 2006, 12:48 pm

it gets worse before it gets better... since you cant put the neem oil around his eye, use the oral ivermectin still.. this way he gets it internally.....
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Postby mnp13 » January 24th, 2006, 12:51 pm

Switching to raw 'cold turkey' (pardon the pun) is not a good idea. The dog's system needs some time to adjust to the different food. This is the same as when you switch kibbles, if you just change one day your dog may get sick.

Connor got mange not long after switching to raw. We put him back on kibble and he's fine now. I'm not willing to try it with Ruby.

They are both on Merrick, and doing very very well. Ruby had death breath bad enough to make you gag, but last week I started putting one enzyme tablet in every bowl of food and the gas ad dog breath is completely gone.

Connor's coat is much less wirey and coarse as well. It is glossy and feels more like hair. Ruby has looked 'waxed' since we put her on decent food just after we got her.

I don't think either of us will be switching off of Merrick anytime soon.
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Postby Maryellen » January 24th, 2006, 12:54 pm

rufus loves the canned merrick.. but his breath is ranking.... must be the food...
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Postby luvmyangels » January 24th, 2006, 1:08 pm

Maryellen wrote:it gets worse before it gets better... since you cant put the neem oil around his eye, use the oral ivermectin still.. this way he gets it internally.....


The vet has me on oral ivermectin 3 times a week down from everyday of the week.

So far I like the Timberwolf but it is too early to tell with the dogs since they have been on it less than a week. I have used Merrick canned and they loved it.
I am "The Rat Queen".

Have a great day!! :)

Mary Ann & The Furry Bunch:
Cookie & Knuckles
Rabbit: Butterscotch
The Rattie Bunch: Girls: Noodle & Raisin Boys: Gus, Melvin, Oliver, & Toby
luvmyangels
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Posts: 3449
Location: NY

Postby luvmyangels » January 24th, 2006, 1:28 pm

mnp13 wrote:Switching to raw 'cold turkey' (pardon the pun) is not a good idea. The dog's system needs some time to adjust to the different food. This is the same as when you switch kibbles, if you just change one day your dog may get sick.

Connor got mange not long after switching to raw. We put him back on kibble and he's fine now. I'm not willing to try it with Ruby.


My bad. I have always done a gradual switch over with all foods I have done. But not this time. I listened to advice elsewhere and did the wrong thing. Obviously.

Knuckles had the mange prior to switching to RAW. I am sure it did not help the situation doing it the way I did it.
I am "The Rat Queen".

Have a great day!! :)

Mary Ann & The Furry Bunch:
Cookie & Knuckles
Rabbit: Butterscotch
The Rattie Bunch: Girls: Noodle & Raisin Boys: Gus, Melvin, Oliver, & Toby
luvmyangels
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Posts: 3449
Location: NY

Postby concreterose » January 24th, 2006, 5:54 pm

mnp13 wrote:Switching to raw 'cold turkey' (pardon the pun) is not a good idea. The dog's system needs some time to adjust to the different food. This is the same as when you switch kibbles, if you just change one day your dog may get sick.

Connor got mange not long after switching to raw. We put him back on kibble and he's fine now. I'm not willing to try it with Ruby.

They are both on Merrick, and doing very very well. Ruby had death breath bad enough to make you gag, but last week I started putting one enzyme tablet in every bowl of food and the gas ad dog breath is completely gone.

Connor's coat is much less wirey and coarse as well. It is glossy and feels more like hair. Ruby has looked 'waxed' since we put her on decent food just after we got her.

I don't think either of us will be switching off of Merrick anytime soon.

It depends on the dog. Many dogs do fine switching cold turkey...all three of mine did wonderful. I have switched to different kibbles cold turkey and switched to raw cold turkey with no issues. IF your dog has diarrhea when first switching, it may be that his gut is lacking some of the necessary enzymes that help digest the food, or his immune system may be compromised. I would try adding a digestive enzyme for the first few weeks. When you get one make sure it contains pancreatin, betain and ox bile. HERE is a good one. Digestive enzymes also sometimes help when your dog has bad gas, or diarrhea, all which can be signs of an unbalanced gut.
Last edited by concreterose on January 24th, 2006, 6:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Postby luvmyangels » January 24th, 2006, 6:12 pm

It depends on the dog. Many dogs do fine switching cold turkey...all three of mine did wonderful. I have switched to different kibbles cold turkey and switched to raw cold turkey with no issues. IF your dog has diarrhea when first switching, it may be that his gut is lacking some of the necessary enzymes that help digest the food, or his immune system may be compromised. I would try adding a digestive enzyme for the first few weeks. When you get one make sure it contains pancreatin, betain and ox bile. [url=HERE[/url] is a good one. Digestive enzymes also sometimes help when your dog has bad gas, or diarrhea, all which can be signs of an unbalanced gut.


Well he has demodectic mange which would compromise his immune system. Or maybe it was just an allergy to chicken. I do use Vita Dreams Daily Greens. I have also been using vitamins such as Vitamin C, Bee Pollen, Wild Salmon Oil, etc.. to help boost his immune system due to the mange.

Thank you for your input. [/quote]
I am "The Rat Queen".

Have a great day!! :)

Mary Ann & The Furry Bunch:
Cookie & Knuckles
Rabbit: Butterscotch
The Rattie Bunch: Girls: Noodle & Raisin Boys: Gus, Melvin, Oliver, & Toby
luvmyangels
I live here
 
Posts: 3449
Location: NY

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