You can guess about it all day long; but the pup was sick for a year. I really doubt it was the food. If the food was that bad, she would have probably passed sooner. Just because she became ill does not mean it was the food. I see a lot of cases where dogs start itching and people think it is the dog food. They vomit and people think it is the dog food. Seems that dog food becomes an easy thing to blame for everything. Just my opinion of course but it really does seem to be a common thread.

Necrotizing pancreatitis is a sudden (acute) condition.

That is very sad. Unfortunately, excesses of certain things can trigger pancreatitis in raw fed dogs too. I think if a dog isn't doing well on any food including RC they should be taken off immediately.

it sounds a bit like an undetected shunt.

Who cares if someone says raw is the best diet. Why does it really matter it is obviously there opinion based on there experience that it is the best this is a forum of opinions and no one should have theres undermined. Why cant people that feed kibble and feel its best just explain why and not attack someone else for there opinions. Honestly I think these big debates on dog foods are very boring and nit picking just let people feed what they feel best and mind your own business about what someone else feeds. I honestly think some need to step back and see how stupid this petty arguing is

That very well may have been it. I used to not think BATs needed to be done much, but lately with some of the cases I have seen, including my Teddy Bear last year, I am rethinking that. The only symptom he ever had that was not blatantly obvious was occasional vomiting. Looking back, I realized it was a warning sign. I just wrongly assumed that if liver enzymes are normal, all is ok.

As prevalent as what the problem is, I'm leaning toward one exhibitor's recommendation from long ago that BATs should be done on all high risk breeds before the puppy goes home, and again at age 6 months.

That is my recommendation and I have read nothing yet to change my mind.

It is an inexpensive test be it a breeder who does prior pup placement or the owner at 6mths old.

No one is undermining anything. As you said it is all opinions and I will express mine as I feel necessary.

Your comments about minding one's business are out of line imho.

If it is so boring, why do you read it?

Look who's talking!

Ladyjane no one said you cant have an opinion why not state why you feel kibble is the optimal to feed. I dont like it when someone uses there opinion to squash someone elses as was done here and I feel that is out of line

Ok this small poops thing is just ridiculous. I have winny on RC exclusively and he has little rabbit poops. If a dog is pooing to the point where you're worried a Great Pyrenees was around, well, time for a vet.

As you're doing!

I think these food threads are highly divisive with no clear resolution. And as far as Dr Jean Dodds go who is also not just a DVM but a PHD, and who has done much in the field of canine research, I present this, there will always be the forerunners, the outliers if you will, that show the world an uncomfortable "truth". We have this now as the preponderance of evidence on "early spay and neutering" and the health risks are coming to the forefront, as well as "too many vaccinations at one time", etc, etc.

To my surprise I recently as my normal vet is gone to Vets without Borders for his annual voluntary work, and I was dealing with one of his partners, was surprised to hear her "lesson me" about vaccines, and spacing, and separating out vaccines. Then there was her question of "when were you thinking of getting her spayed? You know that with large breed dogs early spaying is not in her best health interests.... Of course then we had the conversation about how I was a breeder and certainly would not be looking at spaying her early. She would be assessed for her breed worthiness, and have to pass the seven health tests for her breed. And she would be Championshipped along the way.

In terms of food, I do feed homecook for my dogs, and I am satisfied that they thrive on this. And for the first time I did a dental on my 7 yr old BRT, not because he needed a dental per say, and yes no teeth were extracted, but because I wanted other things done while he was sedated, and hey why not throw in a dental.

I would never say Raw is the Best, or Home Cooked is the Best, or Kibble is the Best. But I will say that you as the pet owner need to ascertain what works for your dog.

I don't think she has a PhD. She's a DVM yes but I don't see any PhD.

Where did I say that I feel kibble is the optimal to feed?? Clearly you have not read my posts!

I cannot speak to anyone else's reason for posting, but mine was to inform, not to squash anyone else's opinion. If it does squash it, perhaps there is a good reason for it? I don't know....you are the one doing the accusing here. SMH

[QUOTE=ladyjane;4400243]Where did I say that I feel kibble is the optimal to feed?? Clearly you have not read my posts!

I cannot speak to anyone else's reason for posting, but mine was to inform, not to squash anyone else's opinion. If it does squash it, perhaps there is a good reason for it? I don't know....you are the one doing the accusing here. SMH[
yes I am aware I am doing the same thing it feels good right. Thats how it felt to Jenny also so maybe just maybe if we just try to have some understanding towards each other that what one person thinks is best but it may be different than me but they are not necessarily wrong just different just be tolerant and not squash there opinion because its just that. The Op can take all the info and disciper what is the best choice for them from all the opinions