TO ALL PET LOVERS ~ Big Scare for my Libby ~ Eating habits and diet changes

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dianncy1964

Well-known member
My Libby (Australian Shepard/Rottweiler mix) is quite a dainty dog and finicky eater. She has been more finicky than usual. About 1 month ago I noticed she just would not eat at all. I tried coaxing her, hand feeding her, and bought 3 different dog foods ~ and NOTHING and to make matters worse Sunny started to mimic Libby and refused to eat too ~ Sunny has now started eating normally again. I noticed Libby was loosing weight and her stools were nothing but runny now for 3 ½ weeks. I took her to the vet and was told that she has enflamed large intestines and that she needed blood work and her anal glands expressed. She had gotten so weak and listless. I panicked because it is so close on the loss of my Emmitt.

I found out several things: A healthy dog will NOT starve itself and will eventually eat (I thought that this would be true for Libby and she would start eating) BUT… a sick dog gets confused and will starve and not eat when sick ~ reason why Sunny started to eat again but not Libby. This I never ever knew.

Also true when a dog is not eating never change their food because if they can restart eating the change of food will confuse them more and further their not eating, again something I did not know ~ I have had dogs all my life and usually more than 1 at a time.

Libby is now on veterinary diet Purina EN and can EN (just a TBS mixed with the dry and water) She has now eaten last night (more than half her bowl) and again this morning ~ almost all. Trust me I wanted to throw a parade or do cartwheels I was so happy that she ate.

I also learned that a dog should usually eat dry food and NEVER table scraps ~ Libby loves French fries so I usually picked some up for her ~ not any more. Doggy treats are harmful to an extent and should not be given daily - I gave my girls treats through out the day (3 to 4).

I just didn't know how much I didn't know and how badly I contributed to the declining health of my sweet Libby.

I am writing this because I want others to know and too if your dog is listless and not eating chances are their anal glands should be expressed or at least suggested to the vet to make the decision, and too look at their diet and ask if is healthy and safe for our beloved pets.

 
Your experience, according to a good friend who breeds dogs, is highly...

...common to most American dog owners.

I strongly believe that any dog owner who truly wants to have healthy, happy dogs should familiarize themselves with the principles taught by Cesar Millan (TV's "The Dog Whisperer"), and other expert dog trainers that teach similar techniques. Ask your vet about it.

Your dog will love you for it.

Michael

http://www.cesarmillaninc.com/dogwhisperer/

 
Michael, I appreciate the website, I have been exploring it and I think I am going to join up

I was even more surprised by what you wrote that this is more common with pet owners. I thought I knew so much about dogs but come to find out the most important things such as diet and food changes I did not know.

DH too appreciates this website and he logged into favorites.

Thank you.

Dianne

 
Not to start a war, but the Dog Whisperer has a lot in common with

dictators who terrorize their people into submission.

I'm attaching one op-ed that gives quite a bit of info and there is tons of other legitimate sources out there that open the eyes to this type of punitive behavior training.

I'm not PETA or a vegan or a tree hugger, but I believe that all forms of life should be respected, not intimidated.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/31/opinion/31derr.html

 
My girls are my four-legged children smileys/smile.gif We both tend to fuss over them and it is SO SURPRISING

what we didn't know ~ background: DH an AZ native raised goats, geese, chicken and ducks not to mention many dogs and cats. I have always had dogs in my life ~ my family had dogs before I was born and each one of us have pets. I believe in walking the extra mile and then some for my girls they just deserve it.

I am open to any advice and hints no matter where they lead me to because the situation with Libby made me realize there is so much I don't know and NEVER do I want to see this happen to her again.

 
Yeah, I'm aware of the criticism of Cesar Millan. I have also used most of his...

...methods to raise a doberman pinscher who was a wonderful canine citizen and a terrific representation of his breed and his species.

I found that the more I used the dog's own nature in teaching him acceptable behavior, the happier he became. He felt very "at home" in our house and never wanted to leave. He was a fine protector, and acted appropriately no matter who was in the room or in the area outside.

He treated kids wonderfully, and we could take him, on lead, anywhere dogs were welcome and trust him to behave.

We never had to be harsh with him, or do anything that would intimidate him, other than to remain in control as his owner and handler. Some of the critics of Millan clearly don't want to submit to authority of any shape themselves, and don't think dogs should either. I don't agree.

Anyone who's interested should try to get hold of one of his DVD's (maybe from a library) and see for themselves if he is treating animals badly.

Michael

 
You can tell he loves animals the way he rubs his head against theirs when they're calm. I use some

of his methods with my cats. As soon as they see my finger pointed at them or use a sound or shake my head no, they know what not to do. I've had cats all my life and it's nice to learn a few new tricks from Cesar that work without me even having to touch my cats to teach them.

I'm glad you mentioned your Doberman...I've never seen Cesar have to work with one yet. My husband is convinced they are a one person dog and dangerous, but I say they're sweet and love everyone in the family. So I appreciate your comments about your dog.

 
Michael, I will leave you to your opinion but ask

that you check out the article on a dog left on his treadmill until it suffered permanent brain damage as well as check into the other allegations of his abuse. He gets ratings and that is all the network wants. The crippled and abused animals that he leaves in his wake are another matter.

An animal treated with love and respect will give back the same. There are many terrific dog training methods out there. I have 2 great danes that are spoiled rotten but are also well trained based on these principals. (My son was raised this way as well.)

That is all I will say on this subject, you are entitled to your opinion and I mine. I will not get into one of your great debates.

 
I have taught my dogs acceptable behavior by patience and loving demonstrations ~ I have never had

to displine my dogs other than say sternly NO. I don't believe in hitting whether its children and or animals ~ no one can be taught with physical dicipline.

All of my dogs have been excellent with children ESPECIALLY MY DEAR EMMITT. I did, however, have one dog that I gave away because he bit my then 4yr old nephew and my friend who insisted on having him ended up having that dog attack his grand daughter (the dog was just mean and he was 4 months old by then) the dog eventually went to a ranch in Chandler.

Most if not all animals can be taught loving behavior if all owners invest the time, open to advice whether from family, vets, and experts.

I am going to continue looking into Cesar Millan, only if to learn more about their diets ~ because I am still upset by what I didn't know about diets for my Libby.

 
desertjean, I hope we can discuss any issue, this one included, and agree or...

...disagree without escalation and inappropriate exchange.

I'm sorry recent issues have colored your opinion of my judgement. I understand your feelings, and respect them, but I am upset at your choice of words:

"I will not get into one of your great debates."

I am not characterized by "great debates".

We must agree to disagree, and then I propose we take it a step further. We must agree to respect one another, and not fire verbal salvos designed to insult.

Peace,

Michael

 
Dianne, have a look here:

This website has some very good information:

www.dogfoodproject.com

The best thing you can do is learn to read the labels of dog food, just as you would read your own, and I know you're a big label reader!

Don't put all your faith in what the vet is telling you to feed your dogs - they generally recommend what they sell, as they make a profit - also, many vets only get a few hours of nutrition training -

Most of those "prescription" dog foods are very hgh in fillers, cereals and grains, which are not well digested by dogs.

Gomez, for example, gets Eagle Pack Holistic, every single ingredeint is traceable and they tell you exactly what is in it.

As for treats, they're not all bad - there are some treats which are just dehydrated chicken breast, or fish skins, all of which they love and is actually good for them -

Table scraps are a no-no, as is any cooked bone, it just splinters when they bite into it and they can choke.

What you can do is cook up some skinless and boneless chicken breast and brown rice, just boil it with water, nothing else and feed her that until she starts to feel better, maybe mix it in with her kibble -

You could also look into home-cooked or raw to feed her if she does well on it - of course, there's a lot of research that goes into it, but it's not difficult.

As for the anal glands, groomers usually empty then when they do a full groom, but if you r dog is eating the right diet, this shouldn't be a problem, as they empty themselves at each bowel movement, if it's firm enough to make the dog strain just a little bit...

Hope you Libby is feeling better soon!

www.dogfoodproject.com

 
Sandra, A BIG THANK YOU I was always under the impression that dogs had to eat dry food for their

teeth. I know my Libby loves rice as does my Sunny and chicken is like filet mignon to them. I am going to try it and you're right I did by the purina EN at the vet's office which I have to say was costly but Libby is loving it and she ate again for the third time today. H O O R A Y smileys/smile.gif

One thing I did learn that once a dog starts having their anal glands expressed it has to always be done every 3 months. Libby & Sunny do not get groomed ~ though Emmitt always did. Where can I obtain the Eagle Pack Holistic for Libby and Sunny? Tomorrow I am going to make them chicken and rice (don't have brown rice will white do?) with their dry food.

Thank you for the valuable information We appreciate it very much, just like Michael in Phoenix your advice is very welcomed and cherished by us.

Dianne

 
Sandra the link is awsome and answers almost all questions I have THANK YOU

I saved it in my favorites and DH and I are going to follow through on the Eagle Pack food.

The information is quite plentiful and now I am looking up all the other dog foods (as listed) that I use to feed my babies and most of it was filler and I am not happy about that.

Again, Thank you sincerely, Sandra.

Dianne

 
Excellent information, Sandra, thank you.

Everyone here was so very helpful when I was looking to change to homemade dog food, I need to find the links. Even the vet is amazed at how well the older dane has done on it. When we had to switch her to low protein it was simple as could be. We make the batch of food and then mix hers 2 to 1 white rice.

I'll post the link to the homemade dog food discussion when I find it.

Update:
Found it!

Second update:
We use carrots and other crunchy stuff to help keep their teeth clean.

http://finerkitchens.com/swap/forum/index.php?action=display&forumid=1&msgid=50613

 
i went through something similar with our big dog Abby...

she didn't eat anything for a week. She is a half Great Pyrenees and half hound dog. We got her from the animal shelter. For what seemed like no reason at all, she vomited one morning, and after that would not eat for almost a week. It was awful. Watching her starve herself to death. We had her ex-rayed, nothing was found. This is a co-conspirator of taking down counter prey, and she would not touch anything we tried to feed her. So after we talked about it, we started force feeding her, just a teaspoon or so at a time. For whatever reason, she started eating again, and has been good ever since.
We still have no idea what was wrong with her, but she is fine now.
edited

 
Hey Dianne, I have an Aussie too - she also has a sensitive stomach....

We're currently feeding her Eukanuba, with no table scraps. We used to give her scraps before, but something was making her sick, so we stopped. I know that potatoes definitely made her sick, so the french fries probably didn't agree with your Libby either.

Hoku's pretty good most of the time, but every once in a while (once every two weeks or so), she doesn't want to eat, and her tummy gets upset.

You can hear her stomach gurgling, and we have to take her for a walk to find a certain weed. She eats the weed, which makes her throw up, and then she feels better. We know when she has a tummyache - she cries to let us know she needs to go out.

I don't know if it's her food that's making her sick - we changed it a few times. I read the links above too, and saw something on a health food for dogs - Innova. I might try that one to see if it makes her feel better.

Hope Libby continues to improve!

 
You're welcome Marsha. One thing this world will bring to anyone who succeeds is ...

...criticism. It's inevitable, and sometimes it's appropriate.

I like Frank Sinatra's take on "critics". He said that critics were like the guys who come in after the battle and shoot the wounded.

Our doberman was the first big dog we ever owned. He was so, so gentle. And very protective, when appropriate.

He seemed to crank up the protectiveness whenever I had to go out of town and my wife was home alone. Then, when we had kids, he would go into the backyard whenever the boys were playing out there. He would sit by the back fence, with his back to the boys, watching the alley. That was where he perceived possible "threat", since he always barked at cars, trash trucks, etc., that came up the alley. Very instinctually protective of the entire family.

Never, ever threatened anyone, especially kids. He had the ability to perceive the level of threat, and didn't see a threat in kids. They could grab his ears and poke his eyes when they were little and he'd just roll over or get up and move.

Great dog!

Michael

 
Eukanuba

Sandi, Eukanuba is not one the better foods out there, check it on the dogfoodproject page, too full of cereals and stuff that may be upsetting her tummy - Innova is grain free, so might be better -

I have tried it with Gomez but it doesn't suit him, too rich, having said that, I know dogs that thrive on it - it's a bit trial and error, and usually it takes about 5-6 weeks to see if a food agrees with your dog, so buy small bags, and always, always, switch over slowly, over 10 days or so, diminishing the amount fo old food as you go as to minimize upset tummies

Oh man, we really spoil them, don't we?!?!

 
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