How long should you wait before switching foods?

[s3rous]

As you can see from other threads, Titan has been having problems with kibble since he was a puppy. Runny eyes, itchy ears, vomit, etc. Other than that, he keeps on weight very good and acts normal. Well, I have switched through many different food over the years to include: canidae, innova, nutro, nature's choice sensitive, and california natural (currently on). I am almost through a 40lb bag of california natural with no improvement. I was wondering how long you should stay on a food that makes him vomit? He usually eats the food again after a vomit and keeps it down eventually. I just want to end up with a food that he can stay on, but don't want to switch too soon. My next choices are: Natural balance (potato/duck, venison or vegetarian) or wellness fish/sweet potato. I just want to know if i should stick this one out for six months or so before i switch again.

Thanks.

[brunie's mom]

I would think you should be able to tell if a food agrees with him within two months.

I do feel that there is more to this then is going on though. I would have him tested for allergies..the RAST test. Normal dogs do not vommit their food up..could it be something physical??

If this was my dog...I would first have him tested, when you get the results back....then I would probably home cook for him. A single protein and a single carb. that he is not sensitive to. There are many people on this forum that home cook and have had wonderful results.

Why don't you join a group called K9kitchen? It's run by a lady named Monica Segal and she has a booked written called K9 Kitchen Your Dogs' Diet: The Truth Behind The Hype
Go to K9kitchen@yahoogroups.com
There are many in the group that do homecooking for their dog. You could ask questions and maybe get some answers.

Gina

[s3rous]

Thanks for the advice. I will check that out. I don't believe that it is physical. He has been checked out by the vet and done xrays after eating the dyed food (which the vet could hardly make him eat). He also throws up water. After I take him for a walk and he drinks a bit, he will throw it up. I dont even let him drink much either.

[rottnelmo]

Originally Posted by s3rous

Thanks for the advice. I will check that out. I don't believe that it is physical. He has been checked out by the vet and done xrays after eating the dyed food (which the vet could hardly make him eat). He also throws up water. After I take him for a walk and he drinks a bit, he will throw it up. I dont even let him drink much either.

I have asked you and others have too, but you havent answered...HAVE YOU HAD A RAST TEST DONE? If you believe he has a food allergy you really really need to get him tested. It sounds a LOT like what Elmo used to do...runny eyes and itchy eyes, lost the hair around his eyes, would throw up and have runny stools. I FINALLY had him RAST tested instead of constantly GUESSING what was wrong with him. I got my answers...Corn and wheat are his two main allergies, with several others following suit. Also, I got Elmo on a GOOD Probiotic and an enzyme and that helped to solve the issues. I would suggest trying those two items as well. Be careful about limiting his water as dehydration can damage internal organs. Dogs should always have access to fresh clean water. There is a reason for his vomiting...take him to another vet if you cant find the answers.

[spidey]

I would get another vet to check him out. Vomiting water does not sound like allergies to me.

[s3rous]

Haven't done a RAST test yet. My current vet does not want to do one yet, so I will probably get another vet.

[moondog]

Please re-read your thread from July 2003 - one year ago. Was any of this advice taken? Has a vet that specializes in Internal Medicine been consulted?
http://www.rottweiler.net/forums/showthread.php?t=26793

And again, in March, 2004 - was the vet you went to here a specialist in Internal Medicine?
http://www.rottweiler.net/forums/showthread.php?t=33685

Here's your vet's corner thread from this month - September, 2004
http://www.rottweiler.net/forums/showthread.php?t=39664

And, one last one, also this month - September, 2004
http://www.rottweiler.net/forums/showthread.php?t=39800

It looks to me like you have decided this is allergy related without any corroboration through testing. As you have said, this problem has been ongoing since Titan was a baby puppy, yet it doesn't appear you have sought out a specialist to get to the bottom of it. If you want to help him, gather up all his medical records - get copies from your vet(s) - print out your threads here and whatever else you have written that chronicles his history and the actions you have taken in an effort to solve this problem - and GET HIM TO A SPECIALIST.

With a lifelong, chronic condition like this, one expensive visit to a specialist is going to be worth 80 superficial visits to a general practice vet and likely cost less in the long run. I would look for an Internal Medicine Veterinary Specialist with a special interest in the gastrointestinal system. A Veterinary Teaching Hospital can be a place to look for a specialist, too. You need to get to the bottom of this.

[Bruce Lanthier]

Originally Posted by s3rous

Haven't done a RAST test yet. My current vet does not want to do one yet, so I will probably get another vet.

well, if you are serious about resolving this that should be one of the first things on your agenda, along with moondog's advice. Time to quit subjecting your dog to these problems and get serious about resolving them.

[rottnelmo]

Originally Posted by s3rous

Haven't done a RAST test yet. My current vet does not want to do one yet, so I will probably get another vet.

I am guessing after reading all of your threads that this is not food related, but he has some kind of choronic belly upset that needs to be resolved. Probiotics and an enzyme would probably help as well as mylanta, but that would only mask the issues.

Its NOT your vets decision to run tests, but YOURS! DEMAND that the vet run the tests that YOU WANT! I am fortunate with my vet...that if I have an ongoing problem I only get charged for the office visit once, then only the tests that were preformed after that. Possibly try to find a holistic vet in your area.

[moondog]

Originally Posted by rottnelmo

Its NOT your vets decision to run tests, but YOURS! DEMAND that the vet run the tests that YOU WANT!

Well, in most instances it IS the vet's decision on testing. The VET is the one with the medical education and expertise - and that education and expertise is the reason we go to them to begin with. Unless an owner is more qualified than the vet, it would seem to me that making DEMANDS when we have no idea what we're talking about is just foolish.

What is important is to find a vet with the expertise that corresponds to a dog's ailment, especially with a chronic problem such as Titan's. Seek out the vet that is qualified to address the problem, and there will be no need to make demands because the vet will know how to ferrett out the problem. Find a specialist and then let them do their job.

[diddybopper04]

Vets DO have the education, but we spend so much time with our own dogs that WE know them best. I have insisted upon tests before and been very glad I did.

I hope the OP can find out what the problem is with the dog, that must be a really miserable way to live for all concerned, but especially the dog.

[moondog]

Originally Posted by diddybopper04

Vets DO have the education, but we spend so much time with our own dogs that WE know them best.

I don't disagree with this at all. What I do question is the ability of someone with no knowledge, experience or education in diagnosing illness to be able to discern probable cause and what test is appropriate for what symptoms.

The best and most skilled vet I have ever known (large animal) never misses a diagnosis. The reason he never misses a diagnosis is because he QUESTIONS and LISTENS VERY CAREFULLY to the owner, and takes that information, along with a hands on assessment of his own, into consideration. He then uses his education and experience to filter all this info through when recommending testing and working towards a diagnosis. He knows that the owner knows things that he doesn't and includes whatever value that information may hold in formulating his final assessment.

Just as a vet should take what an owner knows about their dog into consideration, an owner should also take the expertise of the vet into consideration. If demanding things of my vet was the only way I could get a proper diagnosis for my dog, then I'd say I'm at the wrong office.

[Patinka]

Let's stay on topic here please. The question was "How Long to Stay on a Food"?

Patinka