poor Niki

[Avacado7]

One of our dogs is a "schnoodle." We got him from a pound, and he is just so sweet! The problem is that he is very nervous. He has had trouble with vomiting and diahrea (sp?). The vet put him on a "gastro" formula food, telling us he had something like colitis. He also has a medicine that he gets with his food. He still has episodes of vomitting and diahhrea (again sp?) just not as often. We are just not convinced that this food is very good for him.
Anyone had any experience with this?

Thanks
Karen

[Pansy]

Sorry about puppy having troubles! You could get him some Bach Flower Rescue Remedy and give him a couple of drops in his food, water, or on his skin! You can get this at most health food stores!

Hope this helps,

[Avacado7]

Pansy...we tried this a while ago...but it didn't seem to make a difference. Perhaps I should try it again. How many drops, how often?
He is just such a sweet soul.....I hate to see him suffer! He is also trying to heal from damage to a ligament. Apparently he got up too fast with too much pressure on one leg, and did some damage. I just keep feeling there is a better way, but am not sure what! Some people say feed him raw meat...but aside from the fact I don't want to do that, I don't trust the meat sources, and have heard clinics say they are having a rash of problems with people feeding their dogs raw meat.
There must be a better way!!

[Shuu]

Try to find a good grain-free food like Evo, Orijen, Nature's Variety Instinct, etc. You'll feed a lot less than any vet food and it's more species appropriate (higher protein, low carb) since you won't do raw. I'd probably suggest the Nature's Variety since it has an ingredient called Montmorillonite clay which helps to bind the poop and stop diarrhea.
Nature's Variety - Instinct (http://www.naturesvariety.com/content.lasso?page=1465&-session=naturesvariety:415DC4860ce4834AC7JTg42B179 C)

[Avacado7]

I probably won't do raw "meat"....but will dogs eat other raw foods? I know he loves carrots, but hasn't had any for a while seeing as he just brought them back up again. But they were given to him whole. I am thinking maybe some raw veggies put through the food processor, and added to his current food, then showly wean him off the canned food. I am not having a lot of confidence in canned food....for him or me!!
Will dogs eat a veggie diet??

[Avacado7]

.......hmmmmmmmmmm...I've just read some other threads about feeding dogs. I guess I am back to the feeding of meat to him. Ahhhhhh....As I said, I've been told that the emergency clinics have been dealing with a number of problems with dogs being fed raw meat. (for those of you that have had no problem with this...maybe it is just our area??)
Now I don't know what to do!!!

[SharonC]

Switching my yorkie (who is approaching 17) to a whole foods diet when she was around 2 helped her tremendously. She was already having health problems as well (mainly recurrent staph infections - vet gave round after round of antibiotics that was only creating more problems, and she was covered in fleas all summer long). This was my first dog as an adult, and I followed standard vet recommendations to the letter. When this happened, I began questioning, and the arrogant response I received from my vet was just enough of a push for me to search elsewhere (I should have gone back and thanked her)! That is when I found an 'enlightened' vet who treated with proper nutrition, homeopathy, acupuncture, herbs, etc. The treatment was the exact opposite from standard medical care that most vets practice - real food, no drugs, no chemicals, no vaccinations. Her health completely turned around, and the fleas disappeared. It was the beginning of my personal health journey.

You may find this post helpful -
http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?p=422069#post422069

Probiotics are critical, especially with Niki's issues. Also, digestive enzymes with every meal. Slippery elm bark will help tremendously to heal and sooth the gut. Best to mix the powder with warm water and add raw honey - give on an empty stomach (at least 30 minutes before anything else) - would not have to give this long term.

Regarding veggies, I give my dogs blended greens with berries (and green/carrot juice with the pulp when I juice). My little yorkie who was not started on real food as a puppy (because I ignorantly listened to my vet) will usually not eat the blended greens unless I add raw honey or goat yogurt. My Newfie will eat anything (she is 3rd generation raw fed, naturally reared). I also add a green food powder and goji berry powder. I do this about 3 times a week. They will only benefit from the nutrients in vegetables if the cell wall is broken down. My dogs do get veggies as treats though and love them!