Switching to a raw diet/system detoxing question
 

I switched to a raw diet about 6 weeks ago and Megan recently broke out with little pimply bumps all over, especially on her belly, and she has been miserable for the last week.

I have read that when you switch a dog's diet to raw to help rebuild their system from an overly sensitive/allergy prone system, they go through a detox period and that their symptoms become worse before they get better.

Does anyone know if this is true?

If it is do I keep going with the raw diet and give her something to make her more comfortable through this period (like Benadryl or Prednisone) and let her system level out again?

She has been allergy tested...she is not being exposed to anything she is sensitive to. I called my vet and the tech said 'you have to remember that allergy tests are only a snapshot of what she is allergic to at that moment so that can change.'

What?? Then why did we have her tested to begin with??????

We are so frustrated right now...and Moo is miserable...does anyone have any advice?

What kind of raw are you feeding?

Nature's Variety Organic Chicken...it's their only formula of raw that doesn't contain rosemary.

**bump**

It's very hard to tell what a dog is allergic to when you have multiple ingredients. And allergy testing for food is a waste of money. I don't believe pimples on the skin are a detox 6 weeks into a raw diet.

I've heard of the detox thing. Not sure how much I believe in it or not. But I would agree that after 6 weeks... I wouldn't think any red spots were normal or part of a "detox"

So, is it safe to assume that the bumps are being caused by something else?

I swear this girl is allergic to air or something...we'll have several good weeks and then 'bam'...back to square one.

I've been in your shoes and it's frustrating to deal with allergies. Can you home cook for a while to narrow ingredients? I can't remember what you already have tried.

Did the vet give a scratch test?

Princess has severe flea allergies.

We didnt assume it to from fleas at dirst because we had no fleas on the dogs and only when thwy went out places came in contact with them we used frontline plus them so any fleas died and didnt multiple...in the end ahes so allergic obe flea jumping on her abd then dying will still break her out fir weeks.

Yes, I can home cook and I have, which went well, but I wanted to switch them to raw so I knew they were getting good nutrition and everything they need supplement wise.

I just don't get it...she'll be fine for so long and them all of a sudden she's covered in these bumps almost over night.

No, it was a blood test done by a Holistic vet. No fleas, no flea dirt and no signs of fleas whatsoever. They don't go anywhere really accept in our fenced yard or our car once in a while.

I know it's an allergic reaction to something because I just had the same reaction this week from the antibiotic I was taking. I don't use chemicals or flea control products because we don't need them.

I know that you think you know what it is...but my advice is to let a vet look at it to be sure.
Good luck.

When I talked with the tech she said the vet could do some kind of accupuncture type test to see where her weaknesses are and to show what supplements she needs. How can accupuncture show anything like that? I could see doing a blood test or something but accupuncture? Has anyone ever heard of such a thing?

I don't believe it would! Time for a new vet.

My thoughts exactly...but just to be fair...I will call and get another explanation of the procedure just to be sure I understood, and that it was explained, properly. The vet was out of the office when I called so the tech explained it to me.

I'm just so tired of switching vets...so many of them around here won't even let you in the door unless you have proof of every available vaccine (some still push yearly boosters) and bordatella every 6 months and that includes canine flu vaccine but there have been no cases in our area. They also won't recognize titers and they recommend the 'usual' dog foods and frown on a raw or home cooked diet so I am limited in my selection.

Nope! Don't ask for advice on the phone...call and make an appointment with a vet. I would not go to that one...that's for sure.

While you may not like how vets feel about raw diets, I would not let that keep me from using them if they are good vets!

As for vaccines, they ask if you want them and you have the option to say yes or no. It's not pushing per se...it is just what they believe is good for your pups. NOw, I will say that I would not want one to insist...but most do not. Suggesting what they feel is needed does not mean you have to do it.

Acupuncture is a treatment not a test.

I beleive in holistic methodologies I've never heard of what you are saying the vet said before.

I only dor rabies every three years, while some vets dont agree and push lepto etc they take my money just the same...

No, they don't just 'suggest'...they demand you have all available vaccines or you can not bring your dog into the clinic at all. I have had them go as far as to tell me they would only see them in the parking lot if they didn't have all vaccines or I would have to take them somewhere else...so I did :)

The other vet and I had a loooong discussion over the phone about vaccines and he has the same protocol. He did finally, after an hour or so and quoting several studies on new vaccine protocol and titers, agree to see them but he said he would not be held responsible if they picked something up in his clinic. Also, he went as far as to say 'Now, if you want to take the chance with the lives of your dogs and only go on titers, well, that's your business but...if your precious pets mean anything to you at all you will get their yearly vaccines so they are protected.'

No, they don't suggest around here...they demand and require...that's why I end up driving so far to see decent vets for different things.

I should ad that there is one vet about 18 miles from here who I have talked to but not seen yet so I may try that clinic at some point...and I am in the process of checking out a holistic vet/nutritionist but she is probably about 90 miles from here...the other vet I will go to is 85 miles from me though.

I will make an appointment with the vet this week though and talk with them about this test to see what it's all about and make sure I understood everything.

The first one was a demand.

The second was telling you what he felt was good for your pups.

I have been to many vets in my years and never had any of them demand anything. Now, don't get me wrong, some are not so good. But, there are good vets out there.

Hopefully you can find one....just don't go trying to get into a discussion with them and convince them to go with your thinking.

Your pup is just that..your pup. Make an appointment for what you want him/her to evaluate. Listen to what they suggest otherwise in terms of vaccines and politely tell them no.

You say she is miserable.....that tells me that you should get her into a vet asap....I would forget asking about what that acupuncture test was about. I would have licensed vet check out the rash. In my opinion, she needs to be treated no matter what caused it.

My OP was put up after this issue started...the bumps and itching are under control and clearing up. I put her on Benadryl when I first noticed them and as of yesterday morning she is back on prednisone...not ideal I know but it's what the vet gave her for allergies several months ago and said I could repeat as needed. I will use it as a short term solution to give her relief...I just don't want to have to give her anything like this long term if it can be avoided.

I just got a yogurt out for me and it reminded me of something...Megan is sensitive to milk and anytime she gets anything like yogurt, ice cream, cottage cheese etc...she breaks out in these bumps. Hubby says he hasn't given her anything dairy related and I know I haven't.

They don't get into the garbage or things they shouldn't and we don't have kids...time to play super sleuth...again...

:eek::eek::eek:

Wow. I feel bad that you have such vets as this. :( That sucks!

I would try feeding your baby on the Prey Model Diet. It is based on what a dog needs. You can find lots of reading material on the subject online. It basicaly is feeding your dog what he would be eating if he were to find his own prey in the wild. Raw meat, Raw organ meat, Raw bone. The ratio is as follows.

Meat 80%
Organ meat 10% (5% always beef liver due to the high content of mineral)
Bone 10% (for calcium)

Some average that out over a one week period. I portion Herschel's food so that he gets that ratio every day. I use a scale and havce calculated how many ounces a day to feed him and portion it into snack bags and have about a two week supply in the freezer..

The calculation for finding how much to feed a day is

Weight x 16 ounces x .02 (2%).

In Herschel's case that is 7 lbs x 16 ounces = 112 ounces x .02 (2%) = 2.24 ounces.
That is how much he is supposed to eat each day for is wieght.

I don't use any kind of manufactured products to feed Herschel any longer. I was using Acana ( rated #1 ) but have read many comments about the fact that they changed the recipe and some dogs were itching a lot. Herschel had in fact begun to itch. I don't trust any manufacturer any longer. I know exactly what he is eating and I am not having any problems. Herschel stopped itching four days into his change to the Prey Model Diet. His eys are so bright and his coart is so shiny. Also they claim that he will not need to have his teeth cleaned because of this diet. He loves his food now and gulps it down. I recommend it to everyone.

Yep, we have some old time ideas around here...that's why I end up driving so far to see a good vet.

I should ad that they aren't all that way...