[danniko]

A few months ago I made a post about the vet putting Sophie on Hills I/D canned and dry foods as she has had a lot of issues with her willingness to eat and they wanted to get her on something designed to be easy on their bellies - she has always had belly issues. Just has had more since being switched to this food than usual - one day a week for a few weeks and then goes a few weeks without a problem.

On the days she doesn't want to eat she doesn't vomit or have diarrhea, she still gets excited when she thinks she is going for a walk, no fever and no bloating. She just flat out refuses food and acts like her bum is bothering her. The most recent time she took a little piece of chicken around midnight and then acted like she felt even worse, a few minutes later passed some very stinky (re: cleared the cats from the bed) gas and within minutes was running around barking and wanting more food and was fine.

So...we are thinking the only thing that has majorly changed in the last few months has been this food. Could it be possible that a food meant for a dog with gastro problems, has made the problem worse? When she was a puppy she couldn't do chicken but it hasn't seemed as bad, but maybe she just really can't do chicken?

We have a can of the salmon and potato d/d formula to try and are considering trying out the dry formula of it as well. We haven't talked to the vet yet as she wasn't in but a tech was able to suggest the D/D food - even though the receptionist was against it because it is for skin and not belly trouble.

The reason I am posting this though is I am wondering what you would do in this case? If she doesn't need to be on the I/D and the other option isn't even tailored to belly trouble, would you look into a pet store food? We looked at Wellness Salmon and Potato, Fromm Salmon Tunalini and Fromm Whitefish and Potato and they all seem okay. She has anal gland issues and those three foods have higher fibre than the D/D, so I don't know if that is a plus or minus?

Our vet (and the second opinion vet) feel the testing we have done to this point based on her not having any other symptoms is sufficient unless she starts having other symptoms pop up, so I am trying to trust them. She gets a blood panel every 6 months, so at least that will always be up to date.

We have until Friday to decide and I am so confused. I am afraid it won't be the food but at the same time, I want to make sure that it isn't something as simple as her food causing the problem before we put her through more tests. We are in the middle of fertility treatments (please cross fingers that this year will finally be our year after 3 years of trying!) so money is a little tight right now as well. Of course, if a food switch doesn't help she will be going to another vet for a third opinion to see if they have any new suggestions and we will spend what is necessary - our Visa is now nicknamed "Sophie's Card"

She will be staying at the vet for boarding next week from Tuesday-Friday so we will definitely be talking to the vet when we pick her up and see what she thinks. Also, her being there for a few days means they will be able to keep a closer eye on her and see how she acts on a regular basis.

On the upside, she had a tiny lump the other week that the vet said to keep an eye on and if it got bigger we would have to check it out but it looks like it was just a bite as it has shrank and is almost gone!