what do I feed chanel?

[babychanel]

Ok chanel has been a picky eater since she was a a baby. Well actually sometimes i think I caused the problem because I kept changing her around trying to give her the best food possible. Everytime I found something she liked I would hear something bad about it and there I jumped to something else. It came to the point where I would just give her what she would eat. She was eating NV freeze dried.(ouch expensive) she was fine until she got a bacterial infection from eating some of my kids candy. I then put her on a vet and YT recommended, cooked chicken and rice diet until her tummy got better. Well after that she didnt want to eat anything else. I figured it was ok, I didn't mind making it for her. But I started to notice she wouldnt poop as much. Before this she pooped about 3 or 4 times a day now its only once and its usually a bit wet. She also throws up sometimes and wont eat for a few hours. Im assuming its the infection. The vet did some routine bloodwork and told me her liver enzymes are great so thank god its not that she has a liver shunt. Anyway I want to know what do you guys recommend I feed her now.She seems to not really want the chicken and I honestly think its not doing much good for her. I was thinking of raw, but is this good for a sensitive tummy? Please help!

[marcerella02]

sorry i dont' know much about sensitive tummies but i wanted to le tyou know that if you plan to continue to cook for her she NEEDS to be suppliemented and needs a variety of meat and veggies in her diet. I home cook for layla and try go give her as much variety as possible (veal, chicken, turkey, salmon, tuna...) but i also suppliement.

[Ellie May]

I've never heard of candy causing a bacterial infection
If a dog's immune system is compromised the raw diet can possibly cause this.

As Marci said, homecooked is great (that is what I feed) but it has to be supplemented. That is what I would stick to if you don't mind cooking.

A routine blood test doesn't always show a problem until the liver is 70% damaged. A bile acid test would need to be done to look at liver function if your vet is concerned.

[babychanel]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

I've never heard of candy causing a bacterial infection
If a dog's immune system is compromised the raw diet can possibly cause this.

As Marci said, homecooked is great (that is what I feed) but it has to be supplemented. That is what I would stick to if you don't mind cooking.

A routine blood test doesn't always show a problem until the liver is 70% damaged. A bile acid test would need to be done to look at liver function if your vet is concerned.

wow,i didnt know about the bloodwork not detecting it. the vet isnt really concerned because she says she doesnt show any major symptoms. Im concerned because she throws up so much.The vet told me she thinks the candy might have irritated the lining of the intestines therefore causing it to be prone to getting an infection. She also says it may have been there before the candy was ingested.

[CupofDog]

Originally Posted by babychanel

Anyway I want to know what do you guys recommend I feed her now.She seems to not really want the chicken and I honestly think its not doing much good for her. I was thinking of raw, but is this good for a sensitive tummy? Please help!

Raw is actually great for a sensitive tummy! My baby, Louis, had colitis and diarrhea for months and months when I got him. I tried everything. I switched to raw and overnight, it was a miracle. No puking or diarrhea and even his first semi solid poo.

I wouldn't recommend preparing it yourself at the beginning, esp. since there have been some bacterial issues for your baby. You are located in Miami, which is where I am and I feed raw. I usually either get it from DogBar in South Beach or Coral Gables - but there are a few other sellers in the Miami area.

I feed Primal because I trust them more then NV and I like that the protein sources are organic/hormone/antibiotic free. PM me if you are interested and I can give you a really good transition guide for raw feeding.

Home cooking is also great, as long as you have the time. Make sure you get a few recipe books and a really good multivitamin to cover any vitamins and minerals that might get missed.

You should also be giving a probiotic to balance out the bacterial infection and antibiotics your baby was on.

PLEASE do a bile acid test if there is concern about liver function!! You can stave off more damage if caught early!

Let us know how it is going!

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by CupofDog

Raw is actually great for a sensitive tummy!

Totally agree with this.

If she's throwing up on an ongoing basis, something is not balanced here - or there is an allergy occurring. Are you supplementing w/ the homecooking and balancing the cal/phos?

Also, what exactly is the "bacterial infection" the vet is referring to - bc that would be important to know - and I'm not sure why they may have thought it came from candy (a bit odd).

Homecooking is a great way to feed - but I'm not sure if chicken sounds like the right protein for your baby and/or if there is a supplementation issue going on.

I will tell you that feeding raw with, for example, pre-made medallions or patties or whatnot is incredibly easy and already completely balanced - so it would take all of the work off of your shoulders - which can really be a blessing!

[CupofDog]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

I will tell you that feeding raw with, for example, pre-made medallions or patties or whatnot is incredibly easy and already completely balanced - so it would take all of the work off of your shoulders - which can really be a blessing!

Thats what I feed!! I can not say enough good things about raw (and premade raw). I am in love with Primal's Pheasant Formula b/c it digests very easily and is a protein source that not a lot of dog's have an allergy to.

Its important too thaw the raw overnight in the fridge. Do not thaw in the microwave, b/c that cooks the meat and these foods aren't intended to be eaten cooked! They are not balanced and complete once they are cooked as heat changes the content's chemistry.

In order to satisfy my 'cooking needs,' I will give my dogs a few tsp. of plain yogurt a few times a week (the probiotics are wonderful for the tummy)and once a week I might make them a recipe from one of my books and give that to them. I keep it grain free or only use whole grains to not upset their tummies.

[babychanel]

Sorry I didn't post sooner. I have been very ill and had to be hospitalized. I'm still in the hospital so Im kind of stuck on what to do with chanel. The last time I was home I gave her some raw food and she wouldnt even touch it.I tried lamb and chicken and nothing. Whats weird is that I took her for a visit to my sisters house and there she saw my sisters yorkies food and she started eating it. I was so surprised because that food was sitting in a cabinet for 2 months and she hated it so I gave it to my sister last week..Regardless thats not going to work because she only ate it because it wasnt hers.I took a little home and she wouldnt touch it. So back to square 1. I really want to keep her on the raw food but i cant just leave it sitting there until she decides to eat it. I dont want her to get sick. Isnt it funny how im sitting in the hospital and instead of worrying about myself Im worried about my spoiled little brat! I love her!

[MyPeanutAbbyGra]

Bless your heart. I can't add anymore than what's already been said. I just wanted to wish you luck and I hope you get well soon.