We have a 1 yr old Shih Tsu named Bear who has been vomiting, not regurgitating, after his meals of Embark. This seemed to begin after he was prescribed and given antibiotic (Cephalexin 250mg 2X per day)for an ear infection. He is his normal self, alert, playful with no other adverse signs. He has not been given any more of the pills for at least 3 days. For the last 2 days we have been feeding him raw beef and chicken which he wolfs down and keeps down. He has normal bowel movements and is drinking water normally. He was scheduled to see the vet this coming Wednesday but I have cancelled that appt because one of the vet staff said "Absolutely do NOT feed raw meet to your dog" AND I suspect that it may have something to do with the ingredients in the Embark and/or some "psychosomatic" reaction to the antibiotic that was given in conjunction with his feedings. Today, I ordered the new Thrive food and plan to continue the raw meat regimen until the Thrive arrives. Would any of you experienced owners be willing to share your wisdom with me? Thanks...Dean

Did he have the full regimen of the antibiotics?

Are you doing actual raw meals (RMBs, etc.) and not just muscle meat?

Was he on Embark before the ear infection? How long? No vomiting?

Yes, antibiotics do make some individuals nauseated (like me), but I pretty much doubt the psychosomatic theory with actual vomiting. (Maybe with refusal..... )

He has been eating Embark since we have owned him at 6 months of age. Never had any vomiting issues until now. We did not finish the antibiotic regimen..there are 4 pills remaining. We have been feeding him raw beef chunks raw chicken chunks and raw carrots. All muscle meat so far... We wanted to avoid the processed dog food at all costs.

Why did you not finish it?

Because we did not know if that was the cause of the vomiting or not.

 Quote: Dean Gemberling

He has been eating Embark since we have owned him at 6 months of age. Never had any vomiting issues until now. We did not finish the antibiotic regimen..there are 4 pills remaining. We have been feeding him raw beef chunks raw chicken chunks and raw carrots. All muscle meat so far... We wanted to avoid the processed dog food at all costs.

Well, antibiotics do kill off the good flora and fauna as well as the bad.

Muscle meat with no bones is NOT a balanced diet, especially for a growing pup (it's true for adults too), but for a few days it's not a big deal.

I would probably get some natural live-culture plain (no flavorings or sugar) yogurt to start getting his gut repopulated.

If I was planning the THK diet, I'd give him little bits with the raw meat, gradually increasing the THK to its normal level, while doing the daily yogurt.

If I was planning on a raw diet, I'd start with poultry backs and necks, gradually adding one more ingredient every day or two until I had the Leerburg sample menu going.

I would not continue more than a few days without either the RMBs or the calcium that's in the THK.

Welcome to the forum. :>

P.S. Dogs don't get much out of raw unprocessed carrots; you can see that by observing what comes at the other end. It's the same as what went in, except maybe chewed up.

 Quote: Dean Gemberling

Because we did not know if that was the cause of the vomiting or not.

Ohhh.

For future reference, you want to finish an antibiotic protocol once you have started it. But you were pretty near finished, right?

Thanks for your time and the advice. There were only two days remaining of the antibiotic. Would you be willing to guess why he was vomiting only after eating the Embark? Or was it coincidental with the antibiotic?

Could be that the turkey is too rich for him. Have you tried The Honest Kitchen Force? (it is made with chicken)