My vet was unhappy

[JeeperBrian]

So i've done my online research and i've started reading my book that was suggested to me. and im about ready to make the first purchases to start buster on a raw diet. My vet was very dis pleased with me and wanted me to re order his hypo allergenic food again, Z and D. But he hates it.. and he's pooping loose stool on it, i hate seeing my little buddy like this. Is a raw diet a good solution to kibble allergies? i have heard some people that switched to raw /w allergenic dogs don't start with chicken or beef since they are common allergy meats, but what would a good RBM to start with other than chicken or beef? whole tillapia? (spelling) would that be a good choice? i doubt any of my local grocery stores would have it.

 

[Beth82]

It's best to start with something your dog has never eaten before, so he isn't likely to react badly. I would also try to keep it very simple, so if there is an allergic reaction, you have a chance of figuring out what caused it.

 

[Herschel]

These are the ingredients in Hill's prescription z/d: Starch, Hydrolyzed Chicken Liver, Soybean Oil (preserved with BHA, propyl gallate and citric acid), Hydrolyzed Chicken, Powdered Cellulose, Dicalcium Phosphate, Calcium Carbonate, Glyceryl Monostearate, Potassium Chloride, Iodized Salt...

That stuff is terrible, and the faster your get your dog off of it the better.

Do you have any idea if he is allergic to anything in particular? (Corn? Soy? Chicken? Beef? etc.) How does he react if he is allergic?

I think your safest bet would be go to with a turkey neck. They are available in most grocery stores. Try one out and see if he likes it/does well on it. I know you are financially limited so start thinking about buying in bulk. Make a list of things that he isn't allergic to and start looking for a local meat locker/butcher/etc. (See Dekka's recent thread: http://www.chazhound.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65712)

You can find more information about raw diets at:
http://www.rawlearning.com
http://www.rawfed.com

 

[Boxerowner]

I suggest starting with chicken or turkey necks ground up first then when the detox is over (which will be very long considering the stuff ur dog was on) try them whole. Raw is wonderful.

 

[JeeperBrian]

Yeah, i didn't particularly like the things in Z/D but i was at a loss what to do before i did my research on raw when my vet told me my dog might be hypo allergenic. he gets very dry skin ( i tried oatmeal bath, it helped a little) and itches himself to the point where he gets that section raw.. (he hasn't done this since the vet put him on prednizone.. and he's off it now) and yes i know prednizone was horrible for his liver.. Turkey.. ok, and yes i am a bit $ lacked, but, i have afulltime job and such, so i have some lee way now. And i pay my dog walkers in a case of beer every few weeks (im assuming your remembering my issue with that) and my ole frat bro's have been consistant with walking him! yay. i just have to text them to remind em lol. Buster is a happy pup through all of this and im so proud of him, and really excited to get him on a diet that will make him even happier! i even read this may help his hyperactive issues too! lol. Thanks for the response.

Always,
Brian


Edit* my dog was on canindae or however you spell it, before the Z/D was given to me by the vet for the allergies..

 

[Herschel]

The skin issues may have resulted from the z/d. It has pretty much nothing in it to help his skin.

You may also want to start supplementing with salmon oil.

 

[JeeperBrian]

The skin issues may have resulted from the z/d. It has pretty much nothing in it to help his skin.

You may also want to start supplementing with salmon oil.

you know i didn't really think about that, he did start getting the doggy dandruff when he went on the Z/D he was just itchy before that..

 

[JeeperBrian]

so i found my weiss has a bunch of turkeys they are cutting up tomorrow and are going to sell me the necks and should have enough for at least a week on those before i invite a new meat. most likely a organ mixed in with the turkey necks, the problem is going to be finding a consistant supplier of turkey necks. and RMB's in general. tried the local butcher and he says the only bones he really sells with meat on them are the shanks..

 

[OutlineACDs]

I have had good luck with the smaller grocery stores. I usually find good deals on meat at my local Super 1 Foods grocery store. They put a lot of their 'almost out of date meat' on sale for really cheap if you get there early in the morning.

 

[SisMorphine]

Just a quick note: I tried the "turkey neck detox" on my Grey and I have never seen him so sick in my life. I swore off of the idea of homemade raw for about 8 months until a Great Dane breeder and vet told me to do chicken backs instead, and since then we've never had a problem. I just don't feed necks as a rule.

 

[ihartgonzo]

Turkey is probably a good start for your pup! You can feed him necks, wings, legs, backs, etc.

There are INSANE deals on Turkey right now, at local grocery stores, because of Thanksgiving. I don't usually buy from grocery stores... but I bought like 20 lbs this weekend, because it was all less than $0.50/lb.

Jeeez, poor little guy. I hope Raw makes him all better. I know LOTS of people in similar situations whose dogs have completely turned around with Raw. Salmon oil could help with his dry skin... but I would feed the turkey for a while before adding that to his diet. Make sure you supplement with vitamin e, so he can properly break down and use the omega 3s.

 

[vanillasugar]

Vets don't understand raw as a general rule, and aren't too fond of things that contradict their prescription diets.

I'm not surpirsed your vet was unhappy with you. I'm glad you're not being discouraged by that though, and continuing to be proactive about your dogs health! Good for you!

 

[Claybuster]

So i've done my online research and i've started reading my book that was suggested to me. and im about ready to make the first purchases to start buster on a raw diet. My vet was very dis pleased with me and wanted me to re order his hypo allergenic food again, Z and D. But he hates it.. and he's pooping loose stool on it, i hate seeing my little buddy like this. Is a raw diet a good solution to kibble allergies? i have heard some people that switched to raw /w allergenic dogs don't start with chicken or beef since they are common allergy meats, but what would a good RBM to start with other than chicken or beef? whole tillapia? (spelling) would that be a good choice? i doubt any of my local grocery stores would have it.

Of course your vet is unhappy about this because he knows it means a lack of future business. They are in the business of taking care of sick animals, not healthy ones.

 

[fillyone]

Just turkey necks may be too much bone - You might need to add some ground turkey.

 

[JeeperBrian]

Just a quick note: I tried the "turkey neck detox" on my Grey and I have never seen him so sick in my life. I swore off of the idea of homemade raw for about 8 months until a Great Dane breeder and vet told me to do chicken backs instead, and since then we've never had a problem. I just don't feed necks as a rule.

does anyone have a variety of pics of what this stuff looks like? i've done lots of reading but alot of it didn't have visuals. I asked the guy at the butcher about these things i read and he looks at me like im a moron. lol

 

[vanillasugar]

What like chicken backs and necks and peices like that?

This site has some pictures... but it may not quite be what you're looking for.
http://www.rawfeddogs.net/Recipes

 

[DanL]

Brian, you might want to try chicken leg quarters. They are readily available and are not that expensive.

My advice would be to get him off of the crap food and feed whatever raw food you can. Most of the time the allergies you are describing are from grains, not from a meat product.

 

[ACooper]

If you have a butcher shop around you, check there.............they may have chicken backs and things for a decent price. Just ask them to show you, I bet they will

I don't feed raw, but I still have to go to the butcher shop to pick up knuckle bones for the dog. The local grocery stores don't carry them here.

 

[Sunnierhawk0]

I agree with the sences that most vets aren't too fond of the raw diet. And alot of it does have to do with the fact that if you go spend your money on the food elsewhere, thats money your NOT spending at his office.

 

[LoveNewfies]

Brian, check to see if you have a Poultry Products or some other poultry and meat supplier. You can, quite often, get necks, backs, organs, etc. at great prices. I can get free range chicken necks and backs for about 19 cents a lb.

If not - look for an Oma's Pride or Bravo Retailer.