Anyone have experience with Evo? I've just recently switched to Innova Evo and my 9 month old JRT has developed one major flatulence problem. Also it seems as though she needs to go pee much more often, is this normal? Is the flatulence normal? Will she grow out of it, or is it a matter of being a puppy going to a new food? I feed her the recommended amount daily. Thanks guys in advance for info/advice.

My friend uses Evo and he warned me that the high protein causes the runs. If you have some of the other kibble I would gradually change to Evo vs suddenly.

William-
thanks for the reply! So far, no problem w/ the runs, been solid, have had a problem with her having to go pee much more often and not being able to hold it as long though, not sure if it's related to the switching of foods

We started Brago on Evo and he too developed major squirt-itis. We added a little Chicken Soup puppy kibble, some canned pumpkin and some raw leg/thigh quarters or backs, and that formed him up. I don't know if he would ever have adjusted to just the Evo.

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William-
thanks for the reply! So far, no problem w/ the runs, been solid, have had a problem with her having to go pee much more often and not being able to hold it as long though, not sure if it's related to the switching of foods

No, that wouldn't be related to a food switch, from everything I have ever experienced or read or heard. You're describing classic urinary tract infection symptoms, such as cystitis.

The vet might ask you to bring in a "clean catch," if you can, which can save you time and $$ at the vet's office.

On this site about "When to Take the Dog to the Vet," scroll down to Urination.
http://members.evansville.net/gjg/pettovet.htm
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For any suspected urinary disease......the value of a urinalysis cannot be overemphasized. A urinalysis is necessary to characterize the type of kidney disease present, to diagnose diabetes mellitus, antifreeze intoxication, urinary tract infection.......You can collect a "clean catch" mid-stream urine sample using a clean, dry pill vial with a straightend coat hanger looped around it to collect urine from a male or large female dog. You can deftly slide a disposable plate under a cooperative, short female. It may be necessary for your pet's doctor to withdraw urine directly from the bladder to obtain a sterile urine sample that is not contaminated from material in the vulva or prepuce. Needless to say, if you have an appointment and your pet may need a urinalysis don't "walk" them just before leaving home or before you enter the veterinarian's office. End quote

My own "clean catch" method is to slide a disposable pie plate underneath, cooperative or not, then transfer the urine to a small bottle. *Much* easier than the direct-to-the-vial method they describe! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Thanks Connie! She's only had one accident in the house since she started on the Evo, she never 'asks' to go out, but since she had the accident I have been taking her out every 2 hrs, she goes everytime. While in class she is in her crate up to 5-6 hrs a day while I'm gone and when I get home there are no signs of an accident, the vet did warn of increased risk of UTI's due to the Evo's higher level of proteins. Maybe stupid question, but what's the easiest way to get a urine sample?

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.... Maybe stupid question, but what's the easiest way to get a urine sample?

To get a clean catch (meaning midstream so it's less contaminated by bacteria around the urethra), you take her out, and take a clean disposable pie plate (or similar) with you. When she goes, you catch some after the stream starts, and transfer it to a clean container with a tight cover.

The aluminum pie plate works well because it's a large area to "catch" the urine (so no great aim is required) and it "bends" for the transfer to the container to give the vet.

Do this the day of the appointment. I don't wait until just before the appointment -- I'd rather have a couple of tries available in case of failure to catch or failure to get it into the travel container. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

BTW, even though a UTI is pure misery (in my experience), I've seen dogs with such a bad one that the urine was quite bloody, and still there was no symptom except increased frequency. That's why I always suggest a urinalysis to any of my friends whose dog starts going more often -- it's so often the only indication of what can be a serious problem if left untreated.

Good luck!

My dogs have been on EVO for almost 18 months and I love the stuff. As far as I'm concerned it's the best kibble-type food made. It's basically a kibble form of raw. That being said, my dogs did have the squirts for a week or so until they became used to the food. They have had zero problems since, including ear infections and various other minor health issues.

As far as peeing goes, I don't think the food would have much to do with that. I would suggest a Vet visit to run labs to look for a possible UTI or bladder infection.

My dogs have been on it for a while too, and I can't say enough good things about Evo. I never noticed any elimination issues, not even in the beginning. I'm very happy with it <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I have used it for several months as a very infrequent "fast food" meal for my dogs and haven't had a problem with it. I only feed it once or twice a month though. It's nice for situations where I have an unexpected emergency at work and have to leave right away in the middle of the night and don't know when I'll be back. It's almost as fast to feed canned fish, egg, suplements and a chicken quarter that day.