Sick Dog :(

[Paul_B]

Avoid bakers, been warned they have cancer causing chemicals in their food.

Purina it's cheap but their beta is the only thing our pup likes so far. Dodgy guts or refusal to eat are the issues.

 

[Paul_B]

I've been warned against the cancer causing chemicals supposedly found ibn bakers. Trouble is our pup was weaned onto Purina beta. We've tried changing but it gets upset stomach or refusal to eat. She got a bit too skinny way too quickly on one brand.

So we're on Purina puppy food until further trials find something the puppy will eat and can eat.

The issue with horse meat is origin. A lot of horse owners use something called bute. It builds up inside horse flesh and causes cancer of humans eat it. Banned from all horses intended for food. Dodgy food sources won't care about that. There's probably a lot more chemicals and drugs used on horses that prevent safe eating.

 

[santaman2000]

How did you try switching brands? By that I mean were you feeding the Purina one day and then just gave give something new the next feeding? That will almost always cause stomach problems. If you want to change do it gradually: mix the old food with the new food. Start with 1 part new to 3 parts old the first day and on the third day mix it half and half. Lastly mix 1 part old to on part new for a day or two before you just give him/her all new feed. This should reduce, if not eliminate, stomach upsets.

 

[Janne]

We used to feed our dogs not only with the ultra processed dry dog food, but also gave them left overs from us, and raw meat, chicken, liver, kidney and such.

Dogs intestinal tract was made to eat raw animals.

 

[Paul_B]

We mixed it i gradually. Mostly the food the breeder sent us home with gradually more of the new stuff until the feed was all the new stuff. She immediately started leaving food. We realised she picked the old food out leaving the new then just didn't eat much at all once it was all new. So wet tried a third brand. Mixed it with the original again. Then we have gone back to the purina beta as supplied by the breeder originally. She's back to wolfing it down and being keen on her food. Plus her patterns afterwards are back to original. Plus none of the bloating. She blew up like a pufferdog on one brand. A bit worrying TBH. It's cheap brand and possibly not that good for her but right now I think it's best to keep her healthy with what works. As an adult dog we can switch to better since I believe adult stomachs take change a little better.

 

[santaman2000]

We used to feed our dogs not only with the ultra processed dry dog food, but also gave them left overs from us, and raw meat, chicken, liver, kidney and such.

Dogs intestinal tract was made to eat raw animals.

Grown wild canines eat partially digested vegetables from the stomachs of their prey. Wild puppies eat partially digested whatever their parents vomit up for them.

 

[Janne]

I know. But we can not ask that of Paul B, that he regurgitates his dinner, can we?

 

[Toddy]

Our local butcher makes 'dog mince'. He says it's just the tough scraps, not particularly fatty, but is perfectly edible. He adds a couple of tablespoonsful of soya protein to the 500g, bags it up and freezes it. He sells it very cheaply indeed. He reckons it's cheaper than paying to dispose of what is perfectly good if tough meat.
We were puppy walkers for the guide dogs for the blind. The dogs thrive on the stuff. Just cook it like mince for them and they wolf (no pun intended) it down.

M

 

[Janne]

Bet you it would be nice in a slow cooked casserole dish.....
Tough meat is usually the tastiest!

 

[Paul_B]

I know. But we can not ask that of Paul B, that he regurgitates his dinner, can we?

The pup was sick a few nights ago. I cleaned it up. I.nearly obliged with regurgitated dinner!

Turns out the dog managed to get hold of some bread dough and vegetables. It'll eat anything. This is the first time it's affected him. Usually it's only puppy food that makes it ill.

 

[santaman2000]

Raw veg isn't something they're meant to digest. Nor things like onions. All that said, some dogs are more adaptable than others. You'll get used to what your dog can and can't tolerate. And at keeping the bad stuff secured out of reach.

 

[Janne]

Keep chocolate away from her. I almost killed one of our dogs. He ate a 100 gram bar of Lindt 70% choc. Foil, paper and all.

Thankfully he puked most of it out, but his poo had glitter in it for a couple of days. The puke I had to clean, no fun at all as the flooring in that room had semi glazed clay paviers.....

 

[santaman2000]

In her old age I'd never feed her chocolate. That said, when I was a kid we used to share our treats with the dogs, chocolate included (we'd never heard that warning back then) It never phased any of them. When I asked my vet about it a few years ago he said it was possible for it to harm dogs but the danger was exaggerated. Just not worth taking the chance though.

 

[santaman2000]

Well, she's never completely recovered. We go through spells of a few good days and then a day or so of poor/no appetite and inability to hols anything down. Today's one of the latter; as was yesterday. I'm keeping her comfortable and will tend her as long as she shows interest in life. So far she does and has occasional days with a fair appetite (though not really a great appetite) I dread it, but I suspect the time for the last trip to the vet isn't very far off.

 

[Macaroon]

Really very sorry to hear this, especially as she had seemed to have recovered; as you say, though, while she doesn't suffer and shows an interest in life.

She's lucky to have an owner that has her best interests at heart, so many of them don't.

 

[Paul_B]

I'm sorry to hear this. We've got a sick dog right now. Well out of sorts, not really eating, hang dog looks, etc. The first time we've experienced it so I know the worry you must be feeling. We can't really do much for them which is frustrating. Has the vet been visited? Is a vet needed? At least you've got the experience to know what's best to do and it's clear you'll do it.

 

[santaman2000]

I'm sorry to hear this. We've got a sick dog right now. Well out of sorts, not really eating, hang dog looks, etc. The first time we've experienced it so I know the worry you must be feeling. We can't really do much for them which is frustrating. Has the vet been visited? Is a vet needed? At least you've got the experience to know what's best to do and it's clear you'll do it.

At this point it's down to her age so not much the vet can do. She hasn't eaten since yesterday noonish and she couldn't hold that down Worse, she also drank anything. She can walk but only very, very weakly and for very short distances (she did manage a slow trot coming back in the house this morning but fell almost immediately once in) Her hips are all but gone. Unless she takes and hold down some food and water soon I'll be forced to face that last car ride with her and I'm dreading it.

 

[santaman2000]

I spent all day with her today. About noon I loaded her beside me in the front seat of the truck and drove over to my daughter's so she could say goodbye before going to work. Then I took her on a ride and stopped back at my house and brought other dog out to say goodbye (Dinah perked up and wagged her tail a little at the sight of her "sister.") then I drove back to my daughter's to meet the school bus so the grandkids could say goodbye before taking the dreaded drive to the vet. Before putting her to sleep he did a quick exam and said he thinks it's probably progressive heart failure. Once it was over I took her back to my daughter's and my oldest grandson helped bury her in the woods by their long gone puppy and grandma's recently gone cat.

We still have three dogs in the house but it feels empty tonight

 

[widu13]

Really sorry to hear that mate. It never gets easier.

 

[Paul_B]

Sorry to hear of your loss.

If it's any consolation she'll be in your memories forever.

I think a good dog never completely leaves you (in my case even if it's not my own dog). I still remember family dogs from my young childhood, most memorable was Toby the terrier.