Many of you may remember the health problems I have had with two of my dogs, Cody and Terra. Cody had some allergic reaction to something-we never found out what, I found him in my yard stiff and rushed him to the hospital he began hemorraging, stayed there 6 days. No poisons found, they never really found out what happened to him. Now he has to take b12 shots every other month. Then Terra had a swollen ear flap and we took her to the vet thinking it would be something minor and it turned out she was extremely ill her red blood count was severely low. They suspect her immune system was over reacting to something, they did not know what, could have been a bee sting. The swelling in her ear flap was gone the next day..her ear flap had a little mark on it, so they thought maybe it was a bee sting...one too many stings and her immune system went into over drive.

So. I say all that to say, my Terra is not feeling well right now. (She has been on prednizone, her blood count has been normal ranges. She is being weaned off the prednizone gradually.) Wed she had bloody very loose stool. We took her to the vet on thursday they took her blood and a fecal sample and we are awaiting news.
Of course just like before the issue is focused on raw feeding. My vet does not agree with raw feeding. I have felt pretty strongly about the benefits of feeding raw. Of course with both of my dogs having these strange health symptoms they aren't the best example of excellent health for a vet to see the benefits of eating raw.
I just want to make sure I am not missing something in their diet. My other dog Bindi has been fine, I pray it continues that way. All my dogs eat the same things. I list it here, if you see anything missing, please let me know. I have even considered giving them a holistic kibble, but I really believe for my pups raw is best. But am I short changing my dogs, doing something wrong. All the other dogs I have ever had lived to be 16-17ish and never had health problems. I am beginning to doubt my choices for my dogs. I just want the best for them. Here is their diet:

morning- one slightly cooked egg with veggies.Veggies=spinach,or kale,or chard or brocoli( cooked because Cody doesn't like raw) one tablespoon plain greek yogurt.

Dinner- 5oz of either beef, chicken, turkey, salmon, or talapia. With that they get 200 of vitamin e, salmon oil 1 teaspoon( 1 pump ). ground egg shells 1/4 teasp., kelp 1/4 teasp., free range beef liver, or chicken liver (about a 1/8 cup at most daily) (I cook the salmon-bake it till cooked through all other meat raw. They get 1 teas of probiotics in their dinner each day.
Their food is human grade. We eat the same meat they do, and eggs and veggies, I grow most of our own veggies. Use no pesticides.

We have over 1/2 acre for them to run on. Sometimes they do eat dead things, especially lizards when they catch them or find them good an crunchy. Of course their favorite is bunny poop. We keep their yard weed and mushroom free. check it every day. Have no poisonous plants back there.

So, I am feeling a little concerned I am missing something to have these health problems. Am I missing something?

Treats-usually meat cut up. I think that is it. Sorry this is so long.
Cody is about 4 years old, Terra is 3. Both adopted at 1 year old. Both terrier mixes. Not over vacinated. Terra can no longer have vacinations. My other dog bindi is about 5. she is adopted as well, eats what they eat.
Thanks for your input

This does not sound anything like a diet issue. I know vets can be closed minded about raw feeding and "warn" you not to do it...and even use a situation where you're worried about your pet to do it. I know its a mystery as to why those 2 things happened. I do know some dogs are just very allergic to bee stings...even my mom is, my brother is too. When were they last vaccinated? Small dogs get the same dose as huge big dogs, so I wonder what damage it does to them vs a bigger dog.

For me personally, I would make plans to switch to a vet who does not focus on raw feeding for everything from a scratch to a broken leg. To me, this skews the real diagnostic process.

Once you have demonstrated that the diet is balanced, IMO, the vet should not be using scare tactics on you.

Of course the vet will ask about the diet in a case of bloody diarrhea. But "raw feeding," period, should not be the limit of the vet's diet inquiry or the vet's knee-jerk response.

What about raw feeding? Exactly what does the vet think might be the problem? If the vet is unable to answer specifically, I have to say that the vet would not be for me.

This is 100% MHO. I do understand folks who love a vet and stay for other reasons, overlooking a "quirk." That ends for me if I believe the vet automatically responds to all GI issues as being a raw-feeding problem.

JMO!

PS

Does the vet even know that you are using calcium supplementation rather than bones?


BTW, I would be sure the vet knew this: "Sometimes they do eat dead things, especially lizards when they catch them or find them good an crunchy."

yes however i do try and give them chicken necks when i can, forgot that ingredient.

Had the dog in question recently wolfed down chicken necks? How long ago?

parasites are his issue. I understand where vets are coming from. He does not know me that well. Many people do not take good care of their dogs and leave their food out too long etc. So I can see the concern. There can be those same issues with kibble and canned food as well. However, I have told him what I do and how I prepare and store their food etc. I told him we use human grade food and his comments was, even human grade food can have parasites that is why we cook it. One time cody did have a parasite, but not from raw food.
I just got a call from the vet, Terra is parasite negative. So, that issue is dead now.
My vet is good despite this issue. He is resigned to my decision, but when their health is in question, he will ask. The debate between us is now over.
And this vet we saw with Terra was a temporary vet, since my normal vet was on vacation. But it is still an issue that comes up.
Later today I should get Terra's blood work up results.

I forgot to mention that I do try and feed them chicken necks when I can get them.

So thanks for the input. I just do not want to be short changing my dogs and not realizing it. Also, we have spent thousands of dollars on Cody and terra's tests and Cody's hospital stay. That issue is there too. But we are committed to do our best for them while we have them. I just don't want to be unaware of something I need to do but don't do. thanks Connie. My pups thank you.

Just got the results of her blood work, all ok. So they are thinking it was probably something she ate that hasn't agreed with her. But will watch to see her diahrea
doesn't continue or get worse. She has some meds to coat her tummy.
Thanks Connie

I'll chime in with lizard consumption. In my limited knowledge I'm quite sure consuming any type of reptile is not good for dogs. Reptiles emit toxins that are poisonous, but I'm not sure if that has any relation to what has been going on with your guys. Personally I don't think RAW diet is the culprit based upon your symptoms.

 Quote: Tanya Moyer

I'll chime in with lizard consumption. In my limited knowledge I'm quite sure consuming any type of reptile is not good for dogs. Reptiles emit toxins that are poisonous, but I'm not sure if that has any relation to what has been going on with your guys. .....

Big ditto.

I mentioned it above but am happy to see a reinforcement.

"BTW, I would be sure the vet knew this: "Sometimes they do eat dead things, especially lizards when they catch them or find them good an crunchy.""

 Quote:

parasites are his issue. I understand where vets are coming from.

Sharon, you meant to say bacteria instead of parasites right?

Just making sure we aren't talking parasites. I always like to show anyone fearful of a raw diet this link on raw feeding myths:
http://rawfed.com/myths/

But I agree with Connie in that I might be very swayed by trying to find a Vet that doesn't make the raw feeding the issue and can give attention to the things you are mentioning.


I also agree staying away from any variety of reptiles.
Here in Texas, I know someone who's dog had contact with a poisonous toad and it made the dog very ill. The dog was hospitalized for several days to recover.
http://www.petplace.com/dogs/poisonous-toads-and-your-pet/page1.aspx

We have some that come into my yard and I have to keep an eye out for the dogs at night and have taught them to leave it alone, but I still watch them every evening when I take them out before bed.


Outside of the lizard eating, I think your diet sounds very good.
I don't think it is a diet issue either.

For me personally, I recommend staying away from any and all potential toxins that many people use for flea prevention and think about what might help build the dogs' immune system.

Just recently, I have started to give this as a way to regulate and enhance their immunity.
http://www.alt4animals.com/tf_animals.htm

Also if you are interested I would suggest looking into finding a good holistic Vet or Vet Homeopath. Many times there are solutions out there. They may be "outside the box" for many people. However, I am seeing first hand with my own dogs a turn around in their health just from looking at treating the cause of the problem instead of treating the symptom.

This is all my own opinion just thought I would make a suggestion if you are interested.