Hey everyone well Tuesday will be one month since I switched my two dogs over to a raw diet and so far the results have been good.I just have a few questions maybe someone can help me with.How long does the detox usually last?Both dogs have terrible gas is this normal and does it go away or is it one of those things that I have to get use too?I have also noticed that they both are having a problem with one of there ears I don't know if it is an ear infection but whenever i rub the ear it does not bother them.What i mean by a problem is they both tilt there head and there ear hangs down a bit at times.The last thing I have noticed is that my 6 year old shepherd Is leaking urine and when he pees he goes for a very long time and it comes out in squirts and drips.I am wondering if these things could have anything to do with the detox process.
Thanks!

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.....How long does the detox usually last?Both dogs have terrible gas is this normal and does it go away or is it one of those things that I have to get use too?.....also noticed that they both are having a problem with one of there ears......What i mean by a problem is they both tilt there head .....I have noticed is that my 6 year old shepherd Is leaking urine and when he pees he goes for a very long time and it comes out in squirts and drips.

1. I think the detox process, depending on what they ate before, and their general health, is usually a week or maybe a little longer. It's true the gas can be pretty stunning, but that too does stop (again, a week or two at the most is what I've heard/read/experienced). It would be easier to discuss that if you listed what their raw diet generally consists of (and what they switched from, although after a month that has less and less pertinence).

2. The ears should be check out, IMO. Chronic untreated ear infections commonly cause an eventual tilt. So can damage to the inner ear during a cleaning process using a swab instead of the ear-shaking method. I would make an appointment to have both ears checked. Meanwhile, I would look inside myself, and if you see redness or swelling or fluid, I'd make it an immediate appointment. If not, I'd make it as soon as conveniently possible. (The vet can check for mites, too, at the same time; that's a fast and simple test.)

If you're rubbing the ears close to the head and there is no indication of pain, then the vet can look for signs of old chronic infection (and it does leave signs). Then s/he can tell you how to check their ears regularly, which is a very good thing to do for all dogs. Both bacterial and yeast infections are easy to check for and so much more easily treated if caught early.

3. Leaking, spurting, and large urine production can be signs of bladder or kidney infection or other UTI, and also of chronic kidney failure. So this could be something the vet can check at the same appointment.

I'm not a health professional, and other forum members with lots of dog experience may well have a different take on each item, but I think the consensus will still be that you need a vet visit.

Good luck, and I hope you will post back about the results!

P.S. I should have added that I believe that switching to raw can have a hugely beneficial effect on a dog who has been suffering from chronic ear infections -- as well as other physical problems. Even if you find that your dogs have been getting ear infections, the combination of the switch to a great diet and regular looks inside their ears will make a world of difference, IMO.