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Post by luvsql on Jan 13, 2014 13:56:11 GMT -5
I've been feeding Fred raw for almost 2 months now. Mostly it's Keoni raw chicken and now trying lamb, mixed with either fish or mixed beef organ meats. I've noticed more and more shedding and is bald butt/stomach seems to be getting larger. I'm also noticing thinning areas on his neck etc.
I've determined that he has an allergy to either the Keoni turkey and beef as he would scratch and pant hours after eating but he's fine on the chicken or the lamb. His stool is normal for raw (small hard amounts) and no scratching so why the hair loss? He only shedded a bit when I got him in August (it was hot) and since it's winter doesn't seem like a normal time for a full shed.
I've read that some dogs do go through a detox but he's only 2.5 so it's not like he was on kibble for 5 years then a sudden change (I worked him into the raw very slowly).
I'm wondering how long it will take for his hair to start growing back or when I should abandon the raw for the sake of his fur.
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Post by GreyPoopon on Jan 13, 2014 17:04:00 GMT -5
I wouldn't think raw would cause shedding, although a food intolerance might. One or more of those who feed raw will doubtless stop by and set us straight.
I can tell you that shedding season has started. I have two who are blowing coat like mad.
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Post by newtothis1 on Jan 13, 2014 18:36:07 GMT -5
I have fed raw for almost a year now and found that the hair actually grew in. I also feed the Keoni turkey. I know you should change it up sometimes, from turkey to beef etc. Remember also that dogs that live indoors shed all year, not just spring and fall.
Since the patties are not a complete diet you need to mix in veggies as well as the beef organs. I buy them frozen, nuke them and put them through the magic bullet and put in the food each dinner time. He does not even know they are there, he's not much of a veggie fan.
Also you could try Dr. Maggie hair and skin. I use it as well, not as much as the label says, and Scully's coat is super shinny and it got rid of his dandruff as well. Could be an allergy as well, but I would not think that raw would cause it though.
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Post by luvsql on Jan 14, 2014 15:34:13 GMT -5
I do add the organs and/or fish to his meal every day. It's not just that he's shedding. His bald spots on his rump isn't growing in and appears to be getting larger. I know he had issues with the beef and turkey as he would start panting heavily a couple hours after eating it (then lots of scratching and licking) so I don't feed him that anymore. The chicken and lamb (I add chicken gizzards and organs to it) doesn't cause the panting, licking, scratching so I'm assuming there is no allergy to these proteins.
I'm just not sure how long to stick with the raw. If his hair doesn't grow back in say 3 months, I need to find something else. It took 7 different types of kibble to get to the raw diet and now his stool is finally firm (all kibble had some sort of pudding poop) but he's shedding/thinning fur.
I'm also adding salmon oil to his food daily. He definitely has signs of dandruff too but didn't know raw would make his coat worse.
Is detox is myth?
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Post by newtothis1 on Jan 14, 2014 18:52:29 GMT -5
Raw should make his coat better. But I have to tell you I know some the greys in my guys play group have been on raw for years and they still have almost bald butts and chests. That is just how they are. There are some on Kibble as well that look exactly the same , bald butts and chests. These guys have been living with their current people for years.
I switched to raw to stop the puddle poops and will not go back to kibble, because like your grey it does not do well in him tummy. I would stick with the raw as I personally believe it is a better diet. Not everyone believes this though and only feed kibble. It' your preference.
I have found he has whiter teeth, shiny coat, and like I said some of his hair has grown back, but not all. You may just have to learn to love a bald butt. I know the girls at the vet all look at my guys butt, all be it a bit thin of hair. because they tell me it's the most muscled butt they have ever seen on a dog. LOL
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greysrgreat
Junior Grey Lover
Bently (racing name Dreckly) & Holly (racing name Ears Comer)
Posts: 160
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Post by greysrgreat on Jan 14, 2014 19:13:51 GMT -5
I wonder if he has something else going on (Hyperthyroidism or Cushings disease)? that may be causing the hair loss. We've fed raw for a few years and noticed a thicker, softer coat, if anything. If you've noticed that it's getting worse and not better or staying the same, maybe your vet can check him out just to rule out anything else. Sorry, don't mean to think the worst or worry you...Danielle
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Redhead
Grey Lover
Teague (Natural Red Head)
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Post by Redhead on Jan 14, 2014 21:48:29 GMT -5
Raw diet itself should not cause fur loss, but it seems as though your pup might be very sensitive to foods or may have some allergies (although in many cases, dogs that are allergic to a certain protein in kibble do just fine on the same protein in raw/home cooked). You may want to look into some allergy tests, and I would also test the thyroid It could even be a bacterial infection. Do you have any pics?
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jan 15, 2014 11:49:54 GMT -5
I can only tell you from my own experience and my 6 dogs that are fed raw, only one has a lousy coat no matter what I do. He's got many bald spots and sheds like crazy despite regular grooming. Perhaps, as others have mentioned, check for allergies although personally speaking, I find this can be difficult as many vets do not believe in raw diets for dogs. If your vet does, kuddos to him or her! Also, I learned a little trick while visiting a trainer. He suggested corn oil which I have mentioned before. I will say, that for this particular dog of mine, things have improved. I just pour a sloppy tablespoon on his food once a day. Please hang in there with the raw, it hasn't been that long and you will see tremendous results in many areas! Good luck and don't hesitate to post again with any concerns or questions! Martha
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Post by luvsql on Jan 15, 2014 13:52:02 GMT -5
Thank you for everyone's suggestions. He definitely has some allergies or he's food sensitive. His butt was pretty black when I got him in August and is now a very light tan almost matching his fur (but I think that's normal for light dogs as it may go darker in the summer with the season again). I will definitely look into testing thyroid issues. I definitely hear him licking his chops a lot at night sometimes but that could just be because it's winter and dry inside (heck I even get dry mouth at night).
I'm definitely sticking with the raw for now as his stool has never been better. He's a very sweet and happy boy so I'm hoping it's just still an adjustment period. He has a cute bald butt and his pink tummy is the softest ever. Since he has no odour, no farts or the occasional reaction to something with panting but always goes away, it seems to be not as bad as I'm thinking.
How do I post pics to a forum or do I just update my profile?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2014 10:49:00 GMT -5
ha, I'm the last person to be able to help with posting pictures, hopefully someone will come on and help you out.
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Post by campgreyhound on Jan 18, 2014 20:23:57 GMT -5
You may want to consider changing the way you feed raw in light of the concern over allergies. When you feed a commercially made product that's premixed, you really have no way of knowing exactly what cuts are in it. For example, some of my clients have complained of odd symptoms when they switched to a commercial raw product, and I found out that the company was using gullet almost exclusively for their ground food. They did this because it's cheap, however gullet carries with it thyroid tissue, which has thyroid hormone. It was this that was causing the odd symptoms. You might gain more information about your hound and better results by feeding a modified whole prey diet, which is fairly easy and likely a lot less expensive. Start with chicken legs only for a few weeks and then add different cuts and protein sources one at a time every few weeks, leaving organ meats for last. I've been feeding this way for many years, and have helped many Camp Greyhound and Awesome Paws customers to do the same and have found it the easiest, cheapest as well as the best way to feed for my hounds. More information here on the modified whole prey diet: Awesome Paws Forum on Species Appropriate DietFor posting pics on the forum, you can find directions here: Posting PicsLet us know how it goes!
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Post by dunnrunnin on Jan 19, 2014 16:04:22 GMT -5
LOL I can't help w/ posting pics either...but just as a general rule for true elimination/detox diets, it usually takes 8-12 wks or so to see results. For pets w/ suspected food sensitivities/intolerences/allergies its best to stick w/ 1 novel protein source (a protein they haven't already been exposed to) for that entire length of time (with no intro of any other proteins or treats), as it can take that long for the 'suspect' to completely vacate the body. The 3 most allergy inducing meat proteins in kibble form would be chicken. beef and lamb. I'm sure given time, the raw diet will prove more beneficial...and his shedding will be better under control. Do you keep your home very warm in the winter?
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Post by luvsql on Jan 21, 2014 9:13:44 GMT -5
I've switched off of the Keoni and now am feeding him a prepared chicken dinner from Ryan's Raw. It's 80% ground chicken legs and 80% lamb (liver, tripe, lung etc) and is made by them. I don't have a very big freezer so these dinners are great and they're in easy to store squares that I can fit 15lbs of it in Tupperware. He pants heavily after putting salmon oil or the Maggie's Skin and Coat oil into his food so am off any supplements for a while.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 21, 2014 12:46:50 GMT -5
keep us posted!
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Post by newtothis1 on Jan 21, 2014 17:34:29 GMT -5
I also purchase my guys food from Ryans. How does your new diet compare price wise with the Keoni?
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