So I have a new pup from LeGard's Dobermans. She is a red/rust female and cute as a button. I am a novice puppy owner. She is young, younger than any dog I have ever had before. 8 weeks is the magic number. She has marks like bites all over her where hair is missing... did some research...I'm thinking it's demodex. Also, she has not had solid poop since she's been here. It's going on a week and a half. I feel like the breeder has taken me for a fool and I may very well be one, but, my dog still needs me. I am still trying to get her into the vet. I'm stationed in Alaska and it is remote. Our vet is shared by the neighboring Army post so he's only here for a few days a week. Did I mention that I feed her the raw food diet? I was hoping that this was part of the reason why her stool was pudding... pumpkin is not clearing it up. I am guessing worms. I am still going to take her to the vet, but has anyone else had similar issues?

There are other parasites besides just worms that can cause loose stools. When you get her in to your vet, make sure he checks her for protozoa like giardia and coccidia.

The pup "may" be too young for a barf diet. The first year is crucial. Try a first rate puppy food and give her some yogurt mixed in.

Her fur falling out may be a nutritional thing due to her body not accepting the nutrients properly

Too young for a barf diet.. I don't think so.. I more worried that the barf diet is maybe lacking in some aspects..

Plus.. puppy food will most likely speed up the puppy's growth and might cause more harm.

Just my two cents..

there is no such thing as too young for the barf diet. my pup was weaned on chicken wings, as were his mother, grandmother, great grandmother, etc....

it sounds like parasites. have the stools checked at several different times. the parasites go through life cycles that are invisible at times, so you have to catch it.

or, just go straight to de-worming and/or metronidazole and if that clears it up, you know there was a parasite problem.

 Quote:

Too young for a barf diet.. I don't think so.. I more worried that the barf diet is maybe lacking in some aspects.. ....

Like what? Not arguing..... I really am asking. Since the acronym just refers to the raw aspect (and the bones part, depending on whether you mean Bones and Raw Food or Biologically Appropriate Raw Food, etc.), I would take from that a raw food plan in which the feeder includes all the macro- and micronutrients s/he believes are appropriate.

And I'm with you and Alice that, like with a wolf, the appropriate diet to wean a pup to is raw food. Also like a wolf (whose pups will get regurgitated food from a kill that may not be near the den/nursery), I would start the pup on the softer RMBs and on well-"processed" produce.

A BARF diet is what you include in it -- no more nor less.

I did a load of research (and I keep reading up) on what a dog's nutritional requirements are and how best to meet them. Based on the ingredients in most commercial dog foods, I conclude that I did more research than they did, or at least that I applied mine better. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Check it out! I am still kind of new to the world of responsible dog owners. Yes, I put it like that on purpose. Took my Annie to the vet. Vet said that she was blowing her puppy coat and that she needed to be dewormed twice more since her initial deworming just a few weeks ago. She didn't poop in the crate last night at all...it was great! She was clean and dry all day today too. Vet gave me some stuff to help out with her stools. I really appreciate all the good ideas and comments even the ones I don't agree with. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> So I will keep you posted and get some pics of me with my girl up there in the pics area of the board. I am glad that I went to the vet. Thanks. I'll keep ya'll posted.

 Quote:

Check it out! I am still kind of new to the world of responsible dog owners. Yes, I put it like that on purpose. Took my Annie to the vet. Vet said that she was blowing her puppy coat and that she needed to be dewormed twice more since her initial deworming just a few weeks ago. She didn't poop in the crate last night at all...it was great! She was clean and dry all day today too. Vet gave me some stuff to help out with her stools. I really appreciate all the good ideas and comments even the ones I don't agree with. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> So I will keep you posted and get some pics of me with my girl up there in the pics area of the board. I am glad that I went to the vet. Thanks. I'll keep ya'll posted.

So her stools are firming up, and she's still on raw, and she needs worming (and that might have caused the diarrhea) and she's shedding!

Hey -- you can handle all that! <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> I'm glad too that you got to the vet!

Can't wait for pics. If you need any help with food or supplements, speak right up, OK?

Congratulations, Cat!!

Cat, did the Vet check her for a "puppy staph" infection? -- Dobies seem pretty susceptible to that & it can cause the hair loss symptoms you mentioned...

Did you say she's just 8 weeks old right now? -- That seems abit young for a pup to be "blowing her puppy coat" IMHO.