Hi, I am new to raw feeding and have been learning SO much from Leerburg but I am a little stuck. I have a six month old APBT who I started raw a few days ago. A little background: when we got him at 4 months he had a rash all over his belly and armpits and after I changed his food to Orijen large breed puppy with a tablespoon of EVO venison mixed in it all went away. I was working on training and started with freeze dried liver treats and the all natural minis peanut butter flavored. Eventually I added in the mini chicken ones as well. Soon after he developed diarrhea, but didn't notice any rash. I stopped all treats and went to rice and chicken broth thinking that would help the diarrhea, which after reading more I think wasn't the way to go but the diarrhea did dry up, I think more from the lack of food all together.

Poops become normal, I do research on raw and stop kibble cold turkey. I started him with just chicken and a little plain yogurt for probiotics. It has been about 4 meals later and the rash is back, (armpits, groin, belly) along with diarrhea. He isn't acting any different. He is hungry, playful etc.. but is licking those areas a little. My questions are: where do I go from here...what do I do to get rid of the diarrhea (hes only 6 months) do you think it is a chicken allergy or just weird coincidence? Is it going to be way more expensive feeding him raw if I cant use chicken? I haven't found a place to buy anything other than chicken/ground beef in bulk yet. I just got a family pack of the chicken so far. I am going to order the book Ed recommends today hoping that will help. I really just want him to be healthy and happy.

Oh and I just want to add he is 6 months and approx 50 pounds. When we first got him if we took him for walks he would develop a limp for the rest of the day/evening. After I changed the diet, he lost some bloat/weight? and I gradually got him used to exercise it improved but every once in a while he still seems to have a very slight limp. So there is an array of issues here lol Sorry for such a long post =)

To truly diagnose a food allergy you are going to have to find a protein source that the dog has NEVER eaten before.

There are other forum members with way more allergy experience than I, so I will leave the allergy details to them.

I do know that most will recommend finding a derm vet now. It will save you money in the long run to let a specialist have first shot at this.

For the diarrhea, what have you been feeding? More detail than chicken.

What parts of the chicken?

How much have you been feeding?

How many meals?

Have you been removing the skin and fat from the chicken?

Feeding other treats now?

Any supplements?

You are being graded on all these question.

Sorry there are so many. And there will be more, too.

They'll all help to pin down this problem.:smile:

Haha ok I will try my best...

No I didnt remove the skin/fat. I read that a little too late. It was leg quarters. I started out with about a pound a meal. 2 meals a day. I believe he would get about 4 pounds a day total since he's still a pup, correct me if I am wrong =) I was going to slowly add more until at the maintenance feeding amount.

No treats and no supps yet

ETA: i was adding yogurt for probiotic if that counts as a sup =)

Is there any changes in laundry soap, cleaning supplies, flea medication, or other things might cause contact dermatitis?

Over cooked rice and fat free chicken broth is the first line of treatment for upset stomach, so you did good there!

You want the rice soupy and mushy.

More questions...

Has the vet checked the limping at all?

Is it always on the same leg or does it change?

Do you exercise him on concrete, asphault, grass?

What brand of chicken?

Was the yogurt plain, with no sugar added?

Is the rash itchy?

Is it weepy? Flat? Blistery? Red? Odorous?

Most of all, is it itchy?

Also, just to start off, nearly all allergies in dogs present as skin itch (along with secondary ear infections). Also, almost all allergies in dogs are NOT food allergies.

I'm putting my money on two different things going on here.

But number one is, is the rash itchy?

And I would start over with the raw diet, but I see Michael is online and he can guide you step-by-step through a slower less fatty non-diarrhea beginning.


PS

Can you link us to a pic of the rash?


ETA
Good catch, Jennifer: Is the poultry the "flavor-enhanced" kind?

"Poops become normal, I do research on raw and stop kibble cold turkey. I started him with just chicken and a little plain yogurt for probiotics. It has been about 4 meals later and the rash is back, (armpits, groin, belly) along with diarrhea. "

Did the diarrhea start immediately? Or the second day?

And the rash has been present when there was no raw diet being eaten, right?

 Quote: connie sutherland

ETA
Good catch, Jennifer: Is the poultry the "flavor-enhanced" kind?

I thought Nico was allergic to chicken for the longest time, but then I realized it was the crap they inject into the cheap chicken.
So now I stock up on smart chicken when it is on sale, or I get it from the ethnic grocery store, it is fresh there.

What food was he on before you put him on Orijen?

Orijen Puppy has chicken. If he was allergic to chicken, he should have rashed on that, as well.

Whew...lots of questions. =)
Vet checked the limping in the beginning and just said to keep an eye on it and come back if it conitnues. But it went away for a while. It is VERY subtle. Most people dont even notice. Concrete for walks, grass for outside play. The brand was Foster Farms. No salt added. and the yogurt was plain no sugar added.

I can take a picture with my phone and try to upload it. If I can figure it out lol. No weeping, just looks like hives. I think its itchy...but honestly he doesn't pay all that much attention to it. He was licking at it this morning. And I have noticed more random itchy all over his body than normal. But he doesn't sit and obsess over licking/chewing or anything.

I have to run to the store...I will try and answer any questions I missed as soon as I get back. Thank you everyone!