Help needed, Lab with bad stomach....

WhizPop · Posted: Mon May 11, 2009 5:04 pm Post subject:

I think she only has relapses if she eats non hypoallergenic stuff, but the problem seems to be with JWB is that she goes off the food rather quickly. I give her carrots and tuna in spring water as occasional treats, which she doesnt have any problem with either. I'll have a look back at her vet bill, that should tell me if the liver tests have been done,

I've ordered a small packet of the Orijen food mentioned, I think that could be the answer! we'll see!

Thanks,

Will

littlelab · Posted: Mon May 11, 2009 5:11 pm Post subject:

Will..

Keep us posted.x

Eve · Posted: Mon May 11, 2009 9:34 pm Post subject:

Hi Will

This sounds similar to the problems that my Neo had... he had chronic diarrhoea, was very very thin - like at a year old weighed 15 kg - and lost condition very easily....

He would have bouts of diarrhoea. The diarrhoea was like brown sludge - no blood or mucus - is that how Izzy's is? What the diarrhoea is like determines where in the gut it starts...

Also Neo's had THE most foul stench....

Can i suggest that you have Izzy tested for food allergies? Neo wasn't tested for food allergies and was wrongly and badly treated for 4 years... one vet especially kept him on AB's for 15 months and refused to listen to me.....

my current vet did a fecal test and ruled out bacterial overgrowth (which is what the horrible vet was treating for) immediately - so that would also be a good starting point...

He then did a blood test for food allergies (though now I wish I ahd had the environmental factors done as well...), Neo came back allergic to sooo many things, but by that time George had started him on Hills ZD ULtra - which is eye wateringly expensive, but actually not that much more than the Orijen (which Neo can;t have as he is allergic to some of the ingredients) but my insurance co will help with the cost - so that is perhaps something to think about and if not it can be bought cheaper on the net than from the vet..

Since going on the Hills Neo has gained weight and only is ill if he gets his gnashers round something he shouldn;t (like yesterday Evil or Very Mad

). In fact Neo was put on a diet in the summer he had gained so much weight!!!!

So I really would recommend the tests as it has literally made a world of difference to my dog (and me consequently) and vets don;'t seem to think of doing them...

Let us know how she gets on - and good luck with the Orijen!!

Eve Neo and bramble

Mollydolly · Posted: Mon May 11, 2009 9:49 pm Post subject:

IF it is based upon allergy - you could consider burns dog food. Jennie is right about switching the types around. Also - burns have various flavours to try - such as venison - most dogs will not have had that and "should" not have developed an allergy to it...........

if you google burns dog food you should find it ok! they will send out samples with a voucher also. If you cant find it on the net - let me know.....

their food is holistic, organic and hypoallergenic.

they also have a freephone helpline and their team are brilliant.

SO you could pick their brains if nothing else.

You have been given some great advice from various people here - Jenni and Eves in particular have given you indepth good advice.

I hope you find something that works for you.

(I used to use burns it is just over £40 for 15kg)

Heidi

Eve · Posted: Mon May 11, 2009 11:21 pm Post subject:

Will - with regard to Burns food, Neo was on that.... and Burns were dreadful quite appalling...blamed me for his problems - claimed I was overfeeding him and at the time he was 75g per meal with rice because that was all I could get into him.....

There was a thread on here sometime ago when someone posted a link to another forum where people were saying that Burns was causing stomach problems - now I am NOT saying that that is right, but it is a concern of mine

As said before in other threads, what suits one dog does not suit another and there are plenty of dogs fed Burns - but personally I wouldn;t touch it....as a result of my experiences...

Eve Neo and Bramble

WhizPop · Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 7:55 pm Post subject:

Thanks for all the advice, much appreciated. After a post mentioned the good old chum and mixer it made me think again. When we first got Iz at 7 months, she was on Pedigree Chum dog food, and I cant seem to remember her having problems with it. We changed it when she got older for a number of reasons, but mainly I have to admit the smell Shocked

. I would never try anything like pedigree or bakers on her again even if it was wet food after her last episode, but I think I might have a go on Wainright's adult tray dog food or go super safe with the more expensive Nature's Harvest wet dog food. (If stops the problems, I'm not going to quibble over the odd pound a week)

Has anyone had experience (bad good or indifferent) with these?!

Thanks,

Will[/img]

littlelab · Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 8:00 pm Post subject:

AngelaC uses nature diet, me I use Butchers Tripe and Mixer, no additives or other nasty hidden surprises AND my IWH who has very dodgy intestines due to her genetic condition thrives on it Wink

WhizPop · Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 8:13 pm Post subject:

Great, Thanks - will try tomorrow. I did the maths and it'd be the same as I'm paying now so it's all good. Will keep the little fat pup on her JWB and hopefully will have two normal looking labs soon instead of one fat and one thin! Very Happy

mollsmum · Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 8:16 pm Post subject:

Have you tried some probiotic yoghurt added daily, this really helps with human irritable bowel, and really helps the dogs support system x

WhizPop · Posted: Thu May 14, 2009 6:02 pm Post subject:

Update...

I went and got the Nature's Harvest Trays (Fish and Brown Rice) yesterday, I have never seen Iz go for food like that before! hoovered it down, and so far so good it seems to agree with her stomach. She looks to have put on some weight already and seems a lot lot happier.

A big thank you to everyone for their advice.

Will x