Mena STILL has bowel probs!

If you are going to change to Raw feeding please do your research first!
I have Raw fed my two since 4 months old before that I fed Orijen which is a high protein kibbleWhich they loved but I wanted to go one step closer to natural
They are doing fantastic on it and have no health issues whatsoever,
You need to get the ratios right or your dog could suffer

[Vivienne]

Okay, I will consult with the vet, but once she's deffo clear of the giardia, I think I'm going to put her on complete raw food and off all supplements, then we can work forward from there. I have no access to prepared raw food diet, so will either have to chat up the local meat shop owner or go to the abattoir, any advice on how to start? I will have to feed the two of them raw food, i can't see Keme eating kibble if Mena's getting the good stuff, ha! I just LOVE all your dogs!!! Happiness is a pile of German Shepherds, ha! I do have Ian Billingshurt's book, but it is kind of complicated. Thank goodness for the internet, eh? And thanks for the tip re ratios:-)

[Vivienne]

:-)

[Matrix/Logan]

What treatment has she had for the giardia? The easiest and least invasive on the dog is a 7 day treatment with 10% panacur liquid, it works better than antibiotics and is gentler on the tummy which is already inflamed. I purchase panacur online and do mine with that every 3 months now just to make sure since Logan was very poorly with Giardia earlier this year.

Hope you get her sorted soon. X X

Just a thought, Could the EPI reading have been like that because of the inflammation caused by the Giardia?? Would it be worth repeating the tests when she is clear of the Giardia?? I know when Logan was poorly with his they found very high liver enzymes in his feaces too and thought he had a liver disorder, turns out it all went back to normal when he got over the giardia!

[Vivienne]

Well you know I did wonder about the EPI test, and it IS borderline. Also, I didn't realise that GSDs commonly read quite low on the blood test anyway, at least the lower end of normal. She was on panacur, had two weeks worth and I'm due to take another specimen to see if it's clear now, so fingers crossed. I'm soaking her food now, and that seems to slow her down with her eating and satisfy her more now too. Poops are still kind of stinky, but firmer. Will keep you posted! Thanks for all the advice:-)

Originally Posted by Vivienne

Okay, I will consult with the vet, but once she's deffo clear of the giardia, I think I'm going to put her on complete raw food and off all supplements, then we can work forward from there. I have no access to prepared raw food diet, so will either have to chat up the local meat shop owner or go to the abattoir, any advice on how to start? I will have to feed the two of them raw food, i can't see Keme eating kibble if Mena's getting the good stuff, ha! I just LOVE all your dogs!!! Happiness is a pile of German Shepherds, ha! I do have Ian Billingshurt's book, but it is kind of complicated. Thank goodness for the internet, eh? And thanks for the tip re ratios:-)

Problem is most Vets will not advise or support Raw feeding
Mine will but he wants them to have carbs added
Personally I will continue to feed my boys Raw and will not switch back to Kibble
I buy the Boys food from the butchers, supermarket and fishmongers
There fruit and veg is all organic from the local farm shop and so are their eggs and meat when possible
Their stools are always firm and a good colour and dont smell at all
I always freeze and defrost thoroughly their meat and fish too
Variety is the key
As for road kill I leave this for the wildlife

-Keep an eagle eye on your pet, it takes only seconds for them to wolf down a toy while you are turning your back. .

-Never give bones (especially rawhide) or unsafe toys to dogs with a vacuum cleaner reputation.

-Always make sure toys are larger than the dog's throat, therefore impossible to swallow.

[Vivienne]

Well, folks, am THRILLED to report that I finally found something that works for Mena. I put her on bones and raw meat diet, and the diarrhoeas have almost ceased. She's still getting an occasional one, but I think it was cos I gave her fatty stuff. I'm so happy that we finally have found something that works and that it looks like it either may not be pancreatic insufficiency or else the diet is helping the pancreatic insufficiency. It's early days, I only got my freezer on the weekend and still have to source meat. At the mo I'm mainly giving her minced beef and chicken, but she's had salmon, pork ribs, kidneys, and all kinds of stuff.

[Stuart]

This is good news,.. I am sure you have read the many threads on raw feeding, so if its good for you and Mena, basicly no cooked bones,.. you could feed any meat and fish [ though I dont think Salmon if you are in the U.S or Canada],.. for your main source try butchers, slaughter houses, game keepers, even supermarkets.

....and hope the `cure` continues to work

[Caryll]

Chat up your local butcher!

Failing that, I had a word with the local Morrison's butcher & he gets some lambs ribs & necks for me every week. For a little extra cost he leaves a fair bit of meat on them!

I also give frozen raw minced tripe which I get from the local pet store or from naturalinstinct.com