Well, after spending hours and hours on this site, I'd decided to try an all natural diet. So I started trying to find a vet that was knowledgeable and supported it. So far I'm 0 for 9. I had a couple that refused to even consider my dog as a patient if I chose this path, and the rest just strongly recommended against it. One I talked to at length who basically said that the chances of ecoli and salmonella were just not worth the risk and that there were no studies that said it was good for them, but in fact quite the opposite. So, my search continues, but I have to admit, I'm starting to have second thoughts.
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By the way, I live near a small city of about 100k people in West Texas

Second thoughts because of what they told you or second thoughts about having no vet who supports you?

PS

I know that there are risks with all methods. (Did these vets miss the massive wave of salmonella-recalled kibble this summer?)

I know that I have fed raw for probably longer than most of them have been vets.

I know that Hills-Science Diet is the driving force behind the "nutrition" courses (such as they are) for most GP vets.

But I also know that I can't be comfortable with a vet who is going to immediately say "it's the raw diet" every time I have a dog with a an eyeball scratch or a paw injury.

So I have to have a vet who is at least accepting of my careful and educated raw diet; I can't just let it go that the vet is wildly opposed but will still accept us as clients.

Have you seen Cindy's LB list of vets who DO support raw and minimal vax?

Or is there a supportive vet who may not be right in town to use as your regular vet but maybe an e-vet in town for emergencies as backup?

Hi James! Congrats on taking the time to research all natural raw diets. I truly believe it is the very best you can feed your dog, and the benefits are numerous.

I am not surprised that you are having a hard time finding a vet that supports it, as so many are just not very informed on how it all works etc.

I encourage you to continue reading and learning and believing in all that you have so far.
I think that most holistic centered vets are more knowledgeable about raw diets and speaking in generalities, that most conventional vets are seemingly against it.
I am not sure how far this vet is from you, but she is a pro raw feeder, located in Kennedale, TX, Dr. Nancy Bozeman.
http://theanimaldoctortx.com/about

Please don't get discouraged, and consider that many people end up finding a vet to do the regular blood work/check ups, but may not be in favor of a raw diet, you can still make things work, as long as you are not looking for approval to continue to see a certain vet.

As long as you are feeding the right balances of everything, and we can help you with all that here at LB, you should be just fine.
Let us know if there is anything more that we can help you with!
Hang in there!

Better answer from Joyce.

PS

Also, the "bridge" of THK with RMB add-ins might be something to consider ...... for tiding you over as you learn and for maybe adding a veneer of "commercial safety" (sigh) for a vet who is actually just concerned about the balance on nutrients in a home-devised diet.

I personally consider it an excellent bridge diet, too; I wouldn't suggest it just to soothe an anti-raw vet.

BTW, good for you for "pre-interviewing." I recommend asking about other issues you may feel strongly about at the same time.

Hmm kind of both I guess. Frankly the only info I've read so far has come from here, and I absolutely love what I've read, but it does make me nervous having so many vets against it. I certainly don't want to hurt my dog. It's not something I was planning on starting this week or anything, I have books and videos to order and read thoroughly. My fear is starting it, making her sick and having one of the vets I've talked to say I told you! Obviously making her sick being the worst part.

http://www.ahvma.org/

this holistic vet org has a list of vets you can search by state. Perhaps one of them is near you.

Vets that will support raw feeding are out there. I have one.

One thing that makes for a pretty smooth transition is getting your dog started on a good probiotic/enzyme powder.
You can give this at the same time as when you start the raw.

You can also start feeding a commercial raw diet with Nature's Variety or Bravo first while you continue to read and learn.
This site is a wealth of information and we are always willing to help you formulate your diet, help you start it off.

I learned most of what I know from this site James, many here have done likewise. It's really pretty easy once you get it down.

Plus you haven't read the books yet. When you read a couple of books (which are not written by Hill's-Science Diet), the confidence level goes way up.

As the excellent Mary Strauss says, read a few books. Don't rely on one recipe you find anywhere.

A recap of her view on raw: http://dogaware.com/articles/wdjhomemade2.html

http://leerburg.com/970.htm is a good, accessible, inexpensive choice to start with.