AboutLabman Expertise housebreaking, chewing, feeding
Please do not send me questions on medical problems or AKC standards
Experience Through my volunteer work with a large dog guide school, I know a little about all the breeds they use including Goldens. I have extensive experience with the closely related Labs. The service dog schools have acquired a wealth of knowledge about raising well behaved, healthy dogs with long, active lives. They do not share it with the general public, but pass on the best of it to those like me that raise puppies for them. I am part of a group that has raised dogs for 6 different service dog schools. We meet monthly for training and share information.
Expert: Labman Date: 6/10/2008 Subject: Could diet be making my 7 month old GR sick?
Question Hi!
I just moved in with my bf who has a 7 month old golden. She's a great dog,
but for the last month has been sick (loose stool, occasional vomiting). She's
even spent a night on IV drip at the emergency vet. We were sent home
saying she just had an irritated stomach...
Two weeks later she is still have loose stools on a daily basis. It occurred to
me that her food might not be right for her. She is eating Purina One puppy
chow still.
I want to switch her to EVO Large Bites as it has no grains and seems to be a
higher quality food over all.
Do you have any other recommendations or experience with this food?
I'm quite frustrated to have inherited a sick puppy just over a week ago, and
unfortunately my boyfriend has not been the most responsible about doing
research and making sure her needs are met...
Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.
Answer I doubt it is the food. Most dogs will thrive on most chows. It is true, that there isn't any chow all dogs will do on. The advantages of EVO and other premium, grain free chows are all speculative. Nobody has been able to direct me to a study showing dogs do better on them. On the other hand, I know of many dogs doing just fine on the Purina 1 and other common brands. I would put her on a bland diet and see if her digestive tract settles down before long.
Bland recovery diet for dogs.
3 parts cooked rice, one part boiled hamburger or chicken, or cottage cheese. I think you can substitute boiled potatoes for the rice. Once in an emergency, we bought a plain baked potato from Wendy's.
This is meant for short time settling a dog's digestive tract. It is not the complete and balanced diet they need long term. I have seen it work.
Once she settles down slowly reintroduce the Purina 1. If she does OK on it, after a week or 2, start adding a little adult chow until after a week it is all adult chow. that will slow her remaining growth allowing her joints to develop under less stress. Also keep her lean.
Evaluate the dog as illustrated in this link, http://www.longliveyourdog.com/twoplus/RateYourDog.aspx You may want the vet to confirm your judgment. Adjust the dogs food and exercise as needed to reach its ideal body condition. Some German Shepherds and other breeds may refuse to eat enough to completely hid their ribs. As long as you are feeding a concentrated, meat based chow, the best thing is to accept it.
Whatever you settle on feeding her, make it an adult chow and make all changes slowly over a week.
Watch what she may be finding and adding to her diet. That often leads to problems.
