We just got a pup about a month and a half ago. He's a real sweety, lots of fun. He enjoys running around and playing and seems healthy and active, but he can't eat too much or he vomits and has diarrhea. The people my husband bought him from had him and his sisters on IAMS adult dog food, so we kept him on that. But we can't give him more than 1/2 cup morning and evening or he gets sick.

He was wormed 3 weeks ago (round worms)and a week later had him to the vet for exam, shots, etc. She told us he needed to be switched to puppy food, and to buy IAMS since that's what he was used to. Only he can't eat it. Adding only a scant hand full to his old food results in vomiting and diarrhea. Any attempt to increase the quantity of the adult food has the same results. The vet wanted us to start him on heart worm medicine, but we haven't given him any because of the gastric problems.

He's 5 months, weighed 28lb at the vets, and seems normal in every way save the tummy issues. I'm not excited about feeding him IAMS, and would like to try the raw diet you guys talk about. But I don't know whether that might make things worse.

Any suggestions/insights would be great. Thanks!

Hi Cindy, what happened to your previous dog?

We still have her. She's settled down a lot. We just make it a point for her to have no contact with non-family members and my daughter has had to learn not to be so solicitous to her. It becomes a point of conflict when her old family visits us and wants to play with her, but yeah . . . I guess that's their problem. Since we live in such a remote spot, it's not a big inconvenience. I have a separate workshop and we put her there in her kennel when anyone is going to visit.

 Quote: Cindy Skillman

It becomes a point of conflict when her old family visits us and wants to play with her, but yeah . . . I guess that's their problem.

Guess it is Good for you and your dog!

It probably won't hurt if you give raw a try, carefully. Whatever problems your pup is having are not caused by raw food. IAMS - yuck

I would call the vet and explain that the symptoms are continuing. The vomiting is not as common as a pup having diarrhea and I would want to rule out any other intestinal problem before switching to raw, or at least at the same time as switching to raw. I guess you know that Iams is a pretty crappy dog food?

I would ask the vet if they checked for any esophogeal problems also. (rare, but doesn't hurt to ask)

 Quote: Lynne Barrows

The vomiting is not as common as a pup having diarrhea and I would want to rule out any other intestinal problem before switching to raw, or at least at the same time as switching to raw. I guess you know that Iams is a pretty crappy dog food?

I would ask the vet if they checked for any esophogeal problems also. (rare, but doesn't hurt to ask)

100% agree.

Thanks, Guys

Actually he didn't have much on symptoms until we tried to switch to the puppy food version. Only if he ate more than he was used to. We brought him in for his regular shots, exam, etc. and the vet thought he should have puppy food instead. Then he started getting sick when we tried to switch.

In any case, he has an appointment in the next several days--not sure as hubby set it up. So we'll ask her about it then. He's had a big day playing with my nieces and nephew and is sacked out on a pillow now and Razzy snoozing in her kennel. So peaceful.

Thanks again, Cindy

Yes, he just gulps his food. I'm pretty sure he doesn't chew it at all, and half an hour or so later up it comes again. Eww. Thanks for the reassurance and the advice.

Our Lab would do the exact same thing. It was a matter of slowing her down. We added enough water to her food to where it was floating and it ended the problem.