Elizabeth,
The raw meat is not what would cause the overdosing of vitamins, feeding a kibble (which is already supplemented with vitamins) and adding additional vitamins can cause a problem.

Jason,
I was just using your post as an opportunity to bring up the dangers with supplementation. Even though with water soluble vitamins such as C you would not see a toxic effect without a tremendous error in supplementation, the excess presence of these compounds can cause stress on multiple tissues that could cause health problems in the long run. And on Ca supplementation, if you through the Ca to Phosphorus ratio off by too much you will actually reduce mineral deposits in bone - big problem for aging women who take Ca supplements and do not eat much animal products.

Elizabeth,
We'd all find it much easier to read your posts if you wouldn't type all in caps.

Thanks!

I think the main concern I have about your diet is mixing so much meat with kibble --- and the calcium:phosphorus ratio. If you want to feed raw, as do many of us, there are many decent books on this--even some sold on this site as well as a basic diet that is posted.

I would either

(1) feed a balanced high quality kibble
(2) swith completely to a natural raw diet using one of the books or do a search for BARF - you can make a dog very sick on BARF if they do not get nutrients from vegetable matter, offal, etc.
(3) Use one of the diets intended to be supplemented with raw meat (I think Sojourner farms?)

I know that most of the books give recommendations for vitamin supplements based on body weight.

Once again -- don't overfeed -- a young GSD should be pretty darned lean.

HI! I know what you're going through. I was a new mom once and not to long ago. I have been reading your posts and I just went through the scare of my life with Belle' I posted MY DOG IS DYING. In my desperation while she was failing I put her on vitiman suppelements and she got better for awhile and then she began to vomit and there was blood in her stool. The Vets at Cornell university advised me not to give suppelements as there are no pure vitimans and the process of putting them into pill form requires other substances. check your bottle and be careful on of Belle's symptoms was limping on her right front leg. This went away and came back several times through this 10 week process. Sometimes we are so anxious to do our best. If you want to maybe once a week would be better.

Raw and kibble digest at different rates. If your going to feed them both, do it at different meals.

I am very thankful for everyone's input. Thank you all.
I took Chopper for x-rays the other day and it seems he may have elbow dysplasia, seems when the elbow is flexed the joint has not yet fused. I have an appointment with an orthopedic specialist to take a look at the films and let me know just what it is. I am saying prayers and hoping for the best. I put Chopper on straight kibble and 1/2 can of dog food made by Canidae. I will talk to the Vet Specialist to see how I should treat this since I have read several things on Elbow dysplasia and it could be caused by too much protein, so now I am not sure if I caused this. I can't wait until I get a professional opinion. I have been giving Chopper a enteric asprin in the morning and the evening. He seemed a lot better today, not limping so much. I will keep posting to let you know how Chopper is doing and what I find out from the orthopedic. If anyone has any suggestions please feel free to post them. I am so open to all the help I can get raising Chopper. I love this little guy, he certainly is a joy. Thanks again all. E. Fallis

Elizabeth,
7 months is too early to get a definite diagnosis of elbow dysplasia....

he may just have Pano if he is limping.

We're crossing our fingers for ya, Elizabeth - hope it's pano and Chopper ends up ok. Good luck!

Thank you Cindy and Will, I too will keep my fingers crossed and say lots of prayers, I think I was devastated when the vet told me what he thought and felt shakey and sick to my stomach. All I could think was how will Chopper make out in the long run. I had to get my head together and start thinking on the positive side, so I read up on the condition a little and put him on the kibble and can until I get this out of the way. In the meantime I have to have him neutered, since they are telling me it is the best for him health wise. Raising Chopper is like having to raise another child, he is a handful,but sooo worth it. I have to admit I am a bit slow with everything I need to do, like obedience. I bought the tape from Ed Frawley,but have not yet had the chance to train Chopper from it, I need to watch it a couple of times first. I hope it becomes easier than it looks, although I know no matter how hard it is it will be worth have an obedient pet. Well I've rambled on enough, I will let you know how I make out with Chopper, he is limping alot less. Thanks Again Guys for your concern and help. Elizabeth