No chicken strips for the last 30 hours or so. Got through the day without an attack. Also this is the second day of using the EVO canned instead of Merrick. Tonight I also started giving an holistic digestive additive from Eagle Pack. I'll try just about anything at this point. Side note, no chicken strips for the pup either and today he does not seem to have any gas either. Hummm, I'm hoping they are the problem.

I went to the Eagle Pack website and saw the digestive additive you were talking about. Sounds great. I hope it solves the problem and gives her relief. It has that probiotic we were talking about. I think you had a good call on taking away the chicken strips and changing the canned food. If she develops any more probs in the next few days, keep feeding the probiotic powder even if you find you need change dog foods again. Hope you post updates.

Just completed the second full day in a row with no incidents of the gas pain attacks. Innova EVO, no chicken strips, EVO canned, EVO treats, and the food additive. The observation of the pup without the chicken strips has him gas free and he is still on the merrick food.

I am about 90% sure the chicken strips were the catalist for the terrible problems with the dobe but I do think that getting her off the grains was equally important and we will leave her on the grain free diet indefinately. Will also switch the pup once we know for sure the problem is gone.
I am somewhat hesitant to post this as everytime I do she winds up having the attacks again. I really don't think that will be the case this time.

Now we see what tomorrow will bring.

Glenn,
Why not treat with homemade chicken strips? I dont feed raw all the time but have never trusted mass produced treats. You can buy a dehydrator really cheap and just make your own. And since they come with a few racks you can make yourself jerky as well. Mmmmm Home made JERKY!

Good idea, I'll check into it. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />

Dehydrated beef has always been my dog's favorite treat. I never thought to dehydrate chicken! Thanks for the idea: I'll try it.

any meat that isnt too fatty is possible and they usually love the variety, people included lol

An update; Today is day 6 of none of the Chicken Strips, evo dog food (no grains), putting the food in a shallow tray to minimize gulping, more time after exercise prior to eating, and (most of the time) as short easy walk after eating. NO TERRIBLE GAS PAINS <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Her stools are small and firm and she is acting almost as animated as the pup.

I would like to switch the pup to the evo food also but he really doesn't like it. I guess if hungry enough he'll eat it but he really does love the Merrick. I've started the switch but am thinking about leaving him on the Merrick.

I think this problem is finally over, thank god and all of you for your input, it was appreciated. I also took the suggestion and bought a dehydrator, dryed out some cheap stew meat yesterday and used it for treats. A huge hit with the dogs <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I might have to live with two different foods but I like the convience of feeding the same to both dogs. A small concession if the dobe is not in pain and the pup likes the food.

thanks again

Lets keep our fingers crossed, good luck!

So glad to hear this news <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />