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Post by luvsql on May 5, 2014 10:35:58 GMT -5
I've had my guy since August of last year and tried many kibbles but not nothing fixed his soft stool and his reactions (includes panting, licking 1-3 hours after eating). I switched to raw and tried a bunch that didn't really help but then he did well on Ryan's Raw chicken dinner. That lasted for about 2 months but now he cannot eat any chicken or turkey of any kind. With chicken and turkey he does the panting, licking and even scratching.
I've gone back to kibble. Tried ones with fish, beef, lamb, even rabbit and he could only do the fish. Have had him on Taste of the Wild Pacific which was okay for a month or so but now he reacts to that.
I've done the yogurts, probiotics, melatonin, pepcid, all oils, but none of those help. He even reacts to olive oil. Heβs been tested for works 3 times And put him on trifexis until the snow started then started back on it last night.
If this is food intolerance, there's no protein left to try so what do I feed him? Some food only yields the reaction but stool fine and some reaction with soft stool.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 5, 2014 12:49:13 GMT -5
Do you think maybe you have tried too many things too fast? Just a thought.
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Post by hopefullygrey on May 5, 2014 14:57:01 GMT -5
I was actually at my vet this weekend for Bailey's first visit and to get some heatworm/flea/tick meds. We talked about foods in passing, and he mentioned that Grey's (and most breeds) need a minimum of 6-8 weeks on a food type before their gut flora can adapt. His advice to me was to just keep Bailey on the straight dry kibble for another month, and after that if her stools are still fine, then I can add a bit of variety.
August of last year would have permitted you only about 4 or 5 food changes at this point. If you've done more, you might not be giving him enough time to adapt and get used to one brand.
P.S. Most oils can soften the stool, no different than in humans. Olive oil especially! I'd cut out the oils.
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Post by angelollie on May 5, 2014 17:43:57 GMT -5
Has he ever been tested for Irritable Bowel Syndrome .... or his digestive enzymes level?
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Post by Deleted on May 5, 2014 18:59:00 GMT -5
I am not abreast in all of the meds out there for our hounds but I was trying to think of the name that seems to have worked for so many grey owners in the past. I checked with Heather and she reminded me the name is Drontal, or Drontal plus for all types of bad bugs in the system. I have not heard of the one you mention, perhaps another forum member is, but I can't help but wonder if you need another round of better meds. I have a young pup that I got last summer, since I have had him, I have treated him for worms three times. Those nasty buggers can lay dormant for some time and SURPRISE they're back!!! Yet again, just another thought, trying to help you figure this out! Hang in there and please keep us posted and share your thoughts! M
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Post by Heather (& KC) on May 6, 2014 6:33:57 GMT -5
Hugs to you! Sounds like you've been through so much. Three thoughts which I had when I read your post and others have highlighted... - make sure he doesn't have worms. I dewormed Thunder twice and he was actually a bounce and was in another home for 6 weeks or so and was no doubt dewormed there too. I saw white things in his stools - switch over foods very gradually - ask your vet about irritable bowl disease and, I'm assuming you've ruled out a grain sensitivity? I'm not an expert he's panting and licking I'd think he's uncomfortable with the food as well. I know that Medical has a vegetarian food with plant based protein. Perhaps that's an option. Again, switch over very gradually. Research the best way but I'd start with 1/4 new, 3/4 old for a few days. I know I've read others would do it even more gradually. I'd keep up with the probiotics as I doubt that's harmful.
Thunder developed soft stools on chicken and I moved him to fish. He eats a grain free food ACANA and does well.
Good luck and please keep us posted.
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DenyseRizzo
Junior Grey Lover
Dutch aka "Flying Norwood" Jan 6/11-April 1/14 <3 Irri aka "DC Iridescent" May 2/09 =)
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Post by DenyseRizzo on May 7, 2014 8:30:03 GMT -5
I'm not sure if this has already been suggested to you, but something I tried after putting Dutch on raw was canned pumpkin (not pie filling, but 100% pumpkin in a can) and it really worked, I was surprised.. Anyway I hope things get better and you will be able to find a solution! I know how stressful food-related issues can be with animals (I went through it with both my cats) hang in there =)
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Post by Deleted on May 7, 2014 20:27:17 GMT -5
speaking of pumpkin, I read a post today from Dogs Naturally Magazine and it said raw, organic pumpkin seeds are excellent for treating parasites! M
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Post by dunnrunnin on May 10, 2014 15:28:10 GMT -5
Hi...I think I remember you posting about your grey's tummy issues/panting a few months ago? I lived w/ a severe IBD cat for yrs, and have had a few bouts of colitis/unconfirmed IBD w/ my own grey. Thankfully things were 'fixed' w/ Wyn after a diet change. This was after a number of dewormings, gastro antibiotics, probiotics and bloodwork as well. And time...it took about 5 months to get her 'back on track' so to speak, and to get her weight slowly back up. She does very well on Hills D/D Salmon and Potato (vet exclusive diet)...but I am very careful to not stray from that diet and only give her treats that are made w/ salmon or whitefish. Too much of a good thing can actually be a BAD thing, and I have noticed some commercial kibbles have a number of different proteins in the same bag...not great if you have a reactive dog, as you will never know what protein(s) they are actually reacting to. The best type of kibble for a reactive dog is a limited ingredient diet (think 1 protein/1 carb). Also some kibble's protein levels are way too high and can be difficult for a dog to process, causing loose stool or diarrhea...and/or the dreaded greyhound gas You have tried alot of different proteins, but don't make mention of a vet prescribed elimination diet/food trial. Since your hound's GI system is prob by now out of whack a proper food trial would utilize a protein he has never (and this means ever!) come in contact with (a novel protein)...either while he was @ the track or since you have had him. I would have suggested rabbit or possibly bison, but am aware that Taste of the Wild also makes a bison formula so he has likely been exposed to that too. How about kangaroo? Iams (vet exclusive, not Iams from petstores) makes a kangaroo/oatmeal diet and a newer company called Rayne also makes a kangaroo diet. As mentioned previously in another post, it can take 6-8 wks before you see improvement, but it can take abit longer for any food allergens/irritants to completely leave the body...so essentially he would need to just eat the prescribed diet exclusively (no treats, no table food, not even flavoured meds or toothpaste)for @ least that length of time. If his GI system is irritated/inflammed already, and something 'new' (like a new type of treat/food using a protein he has already had) is given to him, its likely the 'new' item will also cause further GI distress, since his GI system is already in 'attack' mode...and recognizes that protein as 'invasive'...it will try to rid the body of that as quickly as possible...sometimes by vomiting, sometimes by loose stool/diarrhea. Since the GI system won't recognize a novel protein since it has never been exposed to it, thats a pretty safe bet. Anther thought is using a diet that has a hydrolyzed protein (Medical/Royal Canin Hypo HP or Hills z/d) I think both those diets use hydrolyzed chicken protein. The science behind those diets is to break down the protein to such a tiny molecule that even a sensitive GI tract cannot detect it, thus not recognizing it and attacking it. Pls before you go any further into food changes, discuss your hound's situation w/ your vet...if he has become an IBD case, it would be for his benefit and for your sanity as well, to talk about possibly getting him on some prescription drugs to get his GI system calm and happy before trying another type of food. He may need short term treatment, he may need long term treatment, but he needs some help. My IBD cat was on dexamethasone injections (only because he was difficult to pill and couldn't tolerate prednisone either) 3x week along w/ a strict diet and other meds to keep him under control. Wishing you both the best of luck in finding a food that works for him...hang in there
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Post by fastlane on Aug 20, 2014 20:01:04 GMT -5
Such great advice here.
I was going to suggest grain free, like Heather.
Crafty is grain free and it helped her gain some weight, relax, and have healthier poops.
Best of luck!
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Post by fastlane on Aug 20, 2014 20:04:34 GMT -5
Oh. FODMAPS. Google that. There is a host of food that some people who cannot handle gluten can't have. It might be a fruitless search, if so sorry but it's Worth a check.
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