Layna is off to the Vet Sat! The Food....

[KathyB777]

Hi Everyone!
Whelp, I just came from the vets to get yet another bag of perscription food, as I have been dealing with diarrea with her, since I got her on the 2nd!

At first I thought it was all related to stress because Roman had it too and it was a VERY long drive to get her. I put them both on the perscription food, got the situation under control and then have tried twice to wean her off of it and onto the Wellness that Roman eats. NOT WORKING!

I spoke with the receptionist and she said that the food may actually be too rich for her, so it will be quite a relief to FINALLY get her in to see my vet, find out how old he thinks she is (the rescue thinks 1-1/2 years but I think shes younger!), and finally solve the food situation. I was getting worried but the receptionist put my mind at ease, so I am alot less stressed over it and think the trip to the vets will be a good one! KathyB

[observer]

This thread title threw me for a minute.... I didn't think I was going to the vet today!

I think it's great to have one of our RDN family of dogs have the same name as I do!

Back to topic.... what kind of prescription diet are you using? And which Wellness food is Roman eating? (I use Wellness right now too)

[KathyB777]

Originally Posted by observer

This thread title threw me for a minute.... I didn't think I was going to the vet today!

I think it's great to have one of our RDN family of dogs have the same name as I do!

Back to topic.... what kind of prescription diet are you using? And which Wellness food is Roman eating? (I use Wellness right now too)

hahahaaaa....on the vet comment!

I have her on the Hills Perscription "i/d" food?
Roman is eating the fish one...low carb, high protein food. He loves it!...Actually Layna loves it too its her bowels that don't!lololol

[groupieindenial]

Many dogs don't do well on Wellness, especially since they changed their formula, and kibble processing about a year ago.

The food is NOT rich, its only around 350 cal/cup.

My mistake, the food is actually just over 400 cal/cup (Cept the senior/weight formulas)

[KathyB777]

Originally Posted by groupieindenial

Many dogs don't do well on Wellness, especially since they changed their formula, and kibble processing about a year ago.

The food is NOT rich, its only around 350 cal/cup.

Really????
I did not know that!
I put him on the Wellness as the vet said Rott's are prone to getting "chubby" (LOL), and I want him on a low carb, high protein food as he looks PERFECT! And when I say perfect I mean perfect!lol He is very tall (top of his head comes up to the top of the counter), and is very lean looking. He will be 2 in February and still has growing to do, but I want him to keep growing as he is, which seems to be nice and slow and proportionatly. It actually took 6 month's for him to put on 4lbs!
He looks AWESOME and his body & health are all excellent. I was "told" that Wellness doesn't have all that nasty filler stuff in it!.... not true???

Do you have any suggestions for a better food that I do not know about??? I am definetly open to buying a better food for him as my dogs only get the BEST!
If I am going to feed myself the best, I will only do the same for them also!!!

[groupieindenial]

If thats the case, then look at Timberwolf Organics - Herbal Natural Pet Food

[observer]

The Wellness Super 5 mix is over 400 cals per cup, I forget the exact number. They have lots of different foods, I assume some with less/more cals than others. Their foods do not have all the corn fillers that so many other dog foods do.

The consensus here at RDN about food seems to be, if he's doing well on it, don't change it. You might need to go with the simplest kibble you can find for your girl... several of them are designed for dogs with sensitive tummies and/or allergies. California Natural is one that comes to mind. Human grade ingredients, and what someone here described as a "spotless" facility where it is manufactured.

[spoiledbabies3]

Hi Kathy...I have an 8 mo girlie that has issues with the rich premium foods also. We have tried Innova Puppy, Innova and Canidae. She had diarhhea issues and then she had major gastroentiritis each time we would complete a bag (about 20#). Each time there was an issue, I had to start her back on Hills I/D and then gradually wean her to another food. I am trying Flint River Ranch now and so far have had good luck...she has just completed her 2nd bag and is starting on her 3rd. She likes both the lamb and fish/potato. I order it on-line...2 20# bags for $52.00 (no shipping charges) and its the same as what I would pay locally for another premium food. It's been a lifesaver for us. We also subsidize with a few raw treats...i.e., broccoli, cauliflower, or squash (small grouping, about 1/2 handful) and 1 T yogurt. I feed 3x daily, 3 1/2 cups total kibble. Hope this helps! Good luck with Layna...

Observer: Pretty cool, huh...

[KathyB777]

So what do I do?????
All these different kinds of dog foods!!!lol
She goes to the Vet on Sat., and Roman is doing well on the Wellness....is the Wellness a quality dog food?????....I was told that it was. :(
Now I am overwhelmed with too many options!lol
I want the VERY BEST for BOTH dogs! help!lol

[observer]

Well, first, take a deep breath and RELAX.

If Roman is doing so well on the Wellness, leave him on it. It is a good quality food, without the fillers that so many dog foods have.

It would be nice if they could both have the same food, but that may not be the case, at least for a while. It looks like Arlene has had similar experiences to what you are going through, so her ideas could be worth trying... you might want to try the Flint River, working it slowly in with the I/D once she seems to be feeling OK, and see if that works for Layna. Talk to your vet on Saturday, not all vets are really knowledgeable about foods, but some are, so ask.

One of the feed stores here that sells a number of the premium foods has small bags to let you try a food before you spend big bucks on a large bag. (I do notice that on Flint River's website, they do a money back guarantee, so if it doesn't agree with her, you aren't out the cost)

You can also a search here through the Nutrition forum, lots of threads on the various foods, with info from those who have dogs with touchy tummies. I know you feel like there is too much info out there, but take your time, relax, and you will make choices and sort it out.

[spoiledbabies3]

My rotties are pretty much on different foods also...Samson is a combo of Innova Senior and Innova Evo and Moses is Innova Evo (although right now also using some Innova regular to finish the bag Deja couldn't eat )...so I have a HUGE bin with 4 different 20#+ bags of food...you would think I owned part-interest in our local feed store where I shop!

When I weaned Deja Vu from the I/D to Flint River...I did it very slowly. With the issues she has had, I don't take any chances.

Deja is fed 3 1/2 cups kibble per day, 1 1/4 at morn/even sittings and 1/4 at lunch. My process for morn/even meals:
Week 1 - 1 cup I/D, 1/4 cup FR
Week 2 - 3/4 cup I/D, 1/2 cup FR
Week 3 - 1/2 cup I/D, 3/4 cup FR
Week 4 - 1/4 cup I/D, 1 cup FR
Week 5 - 1 1/4 cups FR

I'm sure that many will think this process is too slow, but I wanted it to be successful...so the slower I took it, the easier it was for her system to adjust.

If your not sure about the product, you can also try sample packages (I believe it's 7 samples) for $3.95 off the website. That way you would at least know whether or not she likes the taste. Flint River is a good food (although not as good as Innova or Canidae) and the shelf life is 6 months...it has natural products so that it will ruin if you keep it too long. Each bag has an expiration date on it so that you are aware when to throw out the bag if it is not completely finished. And Layna is right, if it doesn't work they do accept returns (you just have to call first to get an authorization number) and they will refund your $$$. The trout/sweet potato is the easiest on her system, but on her 2nd bag I also tried the lamb/chicken mix and she loved that too!

Deja is a rescue and received very few immunities from her mother as she was "discarded" at the age of 7 1/2 weeks. This has contributed greatly to her food issues. However, we just simply take it one step at a time, getting too excited will not help you resolve the matter. Remember, if 1 food doesn't work...simply try another one...it's all in the way you approach the situation. Good luck with your girl!

Oh, BTW...the forum is where I got the best advice with Deja and her food issues...I read and re-read earlier posts from other members in similar situations...my vet actually was not very helpful in determining which food to try...however, when I decided on FR, he was very supportive and even ordered me my 1st bag to try at $0 charge....pretty cool, huh? He is an avid supporter of people that provide "forever homes" to rescues! Please keep me posted on the outcome for your girl!

[KathyB777]

spoiledbabies3,
Thank You! I am going to google the info and see if I can find info on the food!
The post in this thread says that Wellness isn't as good as it used to be????....I REALLY WANT Roman on the best food I can provide for him, so should I consider changing his also??? Thanks in advance for your advice!

[spoiledbabies3]

Kathy...Before you change Roman's food, why don't you get your girl stabilized first. Then, you can work with Roman and get him adjusted to a more premium kibble. Keep us posted on your girlie!

[KathyB777]

Originally Posted by spoiledbabies3

Kathy...Before you change Roman's food, why don't you get your girl stabilized first. Then, you can work with Roman and get him adjusted to a more premium kibble. Keep us posted on your girlie!

THANK YOU! I will certainly do just that! No need putting Roman through that again!lol
He had a case of the runs when she first came back, from the stress of the 8 hour drive for him! So he is nice and stable and I want to keep him that way for awhile!

[observer]

That's good, Kathy. Remember, RELAX! And do it NOW!

You aren't doing Roman any harm waiting awhile, if he's doing well on the Wellness. It is far better than a lot of foods he could be eating. I'm rotating Missy to something else as I am using up my current bag of Wellness, but not because I don't like it or she doesn't or isn't doing well on it, I've just decided that rotating after several months is a good thing (Missy has NO tummy issues ). Hope you get Layna's tummy happy soon.