AboutLabman Expertise Housebreaking, chewing, feeding Most medical questions are best handled through a local vet.
I try to base my answers on carefully proven methods confirmed by my own experience. Much of what I know about dogs, I have learned raising a puppy every year since 1991 for a large dog guide school. I am familiar with several similar programs. Nobody is in a better position to know dogs, need ones with long, active life, and share what they know, than the service dog schools. In addition I have done extensive reading. My answers have much more to back them than the limited experience any one dog owner can have.
PLEASE DON'T SEND ME MEDICAL OR BREEDING QUESTIONS. An internet forum is not the appropriate place for them. Even if I could tell what was wrong from a handful of symptoms, you would still need to get the medications from your local vet.
Breeding should be left to those not needing to ask simple, basic questions. Books have been written about it. Rather than ask me a question, start reading. Those unwilling to do the work it takes to produce quality puppies should spay/neuter their pets at 6 months. I will not answer questions that sound like a poorly prepared breeder.
Experience
Past/Present clients Been around the net a long time answering dog questions.
Expert: Labman Date: 7/11/2008 Subject: Nutrition for my puppy(Austin)
Question Q1)Wat veg diet should i give to my 36 days old Lab puppy?kindly prescribe veg diet rather than anonveg diet for my pup.
Q2)currently i am feeding my pup 1-2 bowls of smashed rice with milk and few drops of multivitamin syrup. After consuming the food the stomach enlarges, which i have not observed in puppies of other breeds, so is this one of the feature of the lab puppy or do i need to go to a doctor for a check up?
kindly reply for the above questions, i wil be greatful to u. waitign for ur reply....
Answer Preparing a vegetarian complete and balanced diet for a dog is difficult, but can be done. At least here, carefully prepared vegetarian kibbles are available. I don't have a source, but likely you will find ads for them on this site. If you can find such a diet meeting AAFCO standards, that would be the best thing for your dog.
Even trying to prepare a good meat containing diet for a dog yourself is risky. If you don't get it right, a dog that seemed to be doing well may suddenly die. The AVMA advises against it. They do give a source for the better recipes which might include a vegetarian one.
One safe compromise would be to feed a chow such as Purina that contains very little meet, being mostly corn and other grains. It is inexpensive, readily available, and will provide you dog all the nutrients it needs.
The stomach enlarging could be due to problems with the lactose in the milk. Dogs have trouble digesting it. What you are feeding could be too high in calcium, and lack protein. It is very critical that a puppy gets a complete and balanced diet. If you find an adult vegetarian kibble, it would be much better for your puppy than any diet you could prepare. The better informed here switch to adult chow early or start with an adult chow.
