What? You thought I was referring to Hubbs in the title? 😉
First, let me say how much I enjoyed your comments and emails yesterday regarding the post on gluten-free eating. I thought it turned out to be a fabulous discussion and enjoyed hearing all points of view!
Second(ly?), I had some delicious treats I made this week that I wanted to share with you… but they will have to wait. Why? Because my fur baby’s health is at the top of my mind right now and for all you dog lovers & owners out there, I need your help. (I know my dad just stopped reading… ;))
First, let me say how much I love my running buddy. She made it through 30 minutes of running with me yesterday! When those last 12 minutes sounded daunting…
she helped push me through them.
How miserable does she look here? haha! She’s not a natural at photo taking.
When Hubbs and I decided to take the boat for an end-of-season spin, she was ‘on board’ with the idea! ::groan at bad pun::
Ears were a’flyin’!
And when Hubbs and I decided to watch a little TV (we’re trying out Dexter… not sure how I feel about it yet), she curled up like the little sweetheart she is to catch some ZZZ’s.
But here’s where my concern is…
Over the past month or so, K-diz has had a red rash on her tummy and chest. It hasn’t seemed to bother her, so I let them be. But finally the mom-gene in me couldn’t take it anymore and decided to take her to the vet.
The vet told me it was most likely allergies and to give her benedryl. It seems to be helping! However, I’d like to not have to give her medicine and I can’t figure out where the allergies might be coming from… no new detergent… no change in food… ?
Additionally, a couple months ago I started waking up to Koda throwing up in the early morning. It was typical yellow bile, which after intensive googling decided it was just an empty tummy. So I started feeding her a snack before bed and it seemed to ‘cure’ her. However, she’s starting to get a little tubby for a vizsla, so I cut back on the size of her snack… and she started throwing up again! Argh.
The vet said this was probably acid reflux and to give her zantac at night. I have, 2 nights in a row, and no throwing up.
HOWEVER…. (if you’re still reading… thank you, I <3 you)
I don’t like giving my sweet puppy dog medicine. I also read that allergies can lead to throwing up. So what if it is just allergies, not acid reflux? And what could she possibly be allergic to if nothing has changed?
This led me to take a look at her food. She’s always eaten the same thing with no problem, but maybe now that she is 3, it isn’t agreeing with her anymore? She is currently eating Pro Plan, Lamb & Rice.
If you follow me on twitter, you saw that I sent a tweet out asking for doggie food advice. I got some great suggestions and am going to start researching them. I’d love to be able to switch her food and have her tummy and allergy issues go away on their own…. it totally would be worth the extra cost of food.
Koda-bug has always been a very healthy, active dog. Even now, she doesn’t seem very bothered by her troubles, but they are worrying her momma.
Here are my questions to you…
1.) What do you feed your dog? Why did you choose that brand?
2.) Have you experienced anything similar? Any suggestions?
If you are still reading this, you truly have a heart! I had a whole different post ready, but my mind is only focused on my sweet little baby. Any thoughts or suggestions you have would be GREATLY appreciated!
Oh, and happy Friday!! 🙂
Jessie says
My dog, Piper, has allergies. I think a lot of hers are environmental, but she has had some sensitivity to foods. When we first adopted her we had a hard time picking out food, if they agreed with her digestive system then her skin would be red and if her skin was okay then her digestive system was out of wack. Right now we are feeding her Candidae, which we buy at Healthy Home Market (or you can get at the DIY dog wash in Huntersville by the Hickory Tavern), and it seems to be keeping both issues under control.
Another thing I am considering is making her food myself. I have always enjoyed making her homemade dog treats but have never tried homemade food. My aunt recently got a dog with all kind of allergies/sensitivities and she had started making the dogs food herself and it seems to be working well for her.
Kristin says
We feed Rooney Nutro brand, mixed with Royal Kanine and some big bite Science Diet dental treats to make him slow down and CHEW! Funny you should post this today, because he’s been having some random puking episodes, including yesterday, and we’ve been wondering if he’s been getting into mushrooms or something outside, Poor baby had the shakes last night, but seems better today.
Also, he had a rash before, and I’ll have to look up what it was, but it went away and hasn’t come back. I do think we gave him meds for it though – some kind of bacterial thing, I’m thinking? A normal bacteria on their skin that they sometimes have an allergic reaction to?
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen says
I wish I had a dog so I could help you…sadly, my roommates are allergic…plus I don’t have time to train one.
I hope your baby feels better soon!
Mary @ Bites and Bliss says
Awww, poor Koda-bug! I don’t own a dog (at least not with me at college), so I’m afraid I can’t be much help..but I hope you find out exactly what’s causing it. 🙂
Brittney says
Poor Koda! We’ve been pretty lucky with Clyde, he doesn’t seem to have allergies to food or anything else so far. He likes to catch his dog tags in his mouth and sometimes he gets a little rash from the tags/saliva on his chest, but nothing major. The whole dog food thing is overwhelming to me though as a person fairly new to dogs. I never know what we should be feeding him! We started with Eukenuba puppy food but have also fed him Pinnacle Sweet Potato Trout and most recently Blue Buffalo food (all dry). Our biggest problem is that he doesn’t really LIKE any of those much. We’ve yet to find a food that he is excited about, aside from human food. He eats dog food when he’s REALLY hungry, but usually doesn’t even finish what’s in the bowl. I mostly just worry he’s not eating enough. Dog ownership is tough huh!? You’re always worried about them!
Anyway, good luck and I hope you figure out something for Koda!
Meri Sampson says
Hey Brittany! Poor Koda!! We feed our black lab Science Diet for Large Breed Adults. She loves it and we have not had any problems at all with her tummy. We picked that food because it is what our vet recommended. Hope Koda gets better soon!
Maria @ Oh Healthy Day says
Aww, poor thing! So I don’t have any advice, but I love animals, so I just want to say that I hope you figure this one out! It’s truly so sad when your animal is sick and you don’t know what to do or how to explain to them their pain. Get well Koda!
Marina says
I am a veterinary medicine student, so maybe my comment will be helpful.
A lot of dogs are allergic to some component it the food. Maybe it’s not even the “food’s fault”, but that kind of food actually allows fungus to grow on your pup’s skin.
I suggest you try cutting out some of the food you’re giving her. Maybe try another food, or try cooking something for her at home, but be careful that the food you are giving/cooking is suitable for a dog of her age and activity. Also, you have to inform all the people around you that they shouldn’t give Koda any snacks or treats, ’cause that can mess up with the whole test.
I hope she’ll get better!
Holly @ couchpotatoathlete says
Sorry Brittany, I have no dog advice! I just hope you get it figured out 🙁
Nichole says
We use Pro Plan. Our poor pup has an allergy of some sorts where he licks his little paws all the time. We found some oatmeal ointment that doesn’t hurt him, it soothes and calms.
These are our babies – talk all ya want, important stuff.
Your photo captions were brilliant!
Salah@myhealthiestlifestyle says
I have no dog advice at all…I have owned dogs before but my parents did all the dirty work with them and now that I”m on my own and do not have a dog around at all I got nothing for you! I wish I did though, I hope your cute doggie gets to feeling better!
Jess Mathias says
Hey Brittany –
As a HUGE dog lover i had to respond b/c I’ve experienced something similiar with the doggie love of my life as well. A couple of months ago I noticed Kylie (lab) was getting really bad ear infections- took her to the vet and of course it was allergies. Finally figured out that it was raw hides that we were giving her – which was weird b/c she had been eating them for a long time and no problems. Turns out that they can develop allergies over time. So, we switched to a different rawhide brand no problems since. Now as far as the brand of dog food we give our crazy labs – stay with me here- it’s Costco Kirkland brand which is actually Eukanuba just in the costco name.
Dogs can have all sorts of allegeries, i’ve known dogs allergic to grass. No joke. When did she start experiencing this? Did it happen when you started running with her all the time? Also, look at her feet and in between her toes – are they red and inflamed? Does she lick them alot? That typically indicates that its not neccesarily a food allergy but something they’re coming in contact with on a daily basis. It sucks I know. I hope you figure it out and Koda gets feeling better!!!
Corey @ The Runner's Cookie says
Aww I hope Koda feels better soon!! My mom feeds our black lab (who’s now 13) an organic brand of food because she’s been refusing to eat/has some health issues. I can ask her the name if that would be helpful. I can relate to not wanting to give her meds without investigating first…you’re a good mommy 🙂
Melissa says
For three years my German shepherd was fine with the food we fed him and then all of a sudden last year he began losing tremendous amounts of weight and producing mounds of loose stool. Sorry for that desription. We brought him to the vet three different times piping out $300/visit and the vet kept saying to change his food maybe he is allergic to it. Finally after much research by my husband on the internet and talking to other people, he found out Niko has an enzyme deficiency. So we order powdered enzymes online and sprinkle that over his food and it definitely helps. He has regained the weight lost and now has normal stool. Yaaay for that cause the other stuff was aweful! I know your dog is not having same symptoms, but thought I’d share since it is somewhat relevant. We feed our two dogs Nutro or Royal Canine most of the time.
Sarah for Real says
You’ve already heard my tweets on Wellness dog food and checked the link to my blog, but I thought I’d leave this comment for everyone else.
My general rule of thumb on dog food is to NEVER buy it at the grocery store. Never.
Granted, not everything at a pet store, especially large box stores like Petco is going to be worthwhile either. Science Diet is a good example of that. (Yes, it was recommended and carried in my vet’s office, and YES you can bet SD puts money in that Vet’s pocket, and in the vet schools. Conflict of interest.)
Get thee to a small, natural pet store and talk with the employees. I’ve found one here that has really well educated owners and employees and they special order my dog’s food.
Email me if you have any questions! I love talking about dog food!
Rachel says
I’m so sorry that I can’t help, but you actually just helped ME because Molly has random throwing up episodes of yellow bile, and now I know it’s because her stomach is empty… who knew…
I DO know what to do for diarrhea (ew) and that is to make plain chicken and rice just like you would a person. But for a rash… I don’t know. Is it possibly a heat rash? Does it make her scratch? I hope you figure it out 🙁
jaime says
Hey! I just found your blog and I LOVE it! I just want to pet your dog. She looks so silky and smooth. 😉 Im excited to read more about your runs and healthy cooking!
Alexa @ The Girl In Chucks says
I don’t have a dog..but I’m sorry to hear that Koda isn’t doing well. 🙁
I do have a cat and she ate the same food for years, but when she started to get older, it didn’t agree with her anymore and she started throwing up all of the time. She seems to digest wet food much better than dry in her old age, so I’ve started giving her a can of wet food in the morning and I always leave out some dry food that is specialized for digestive care for senior cats, and that helped. She still throws up, but not as often.
I think a change in food might be completely worth a try. Totally better than giving your animal medicine.
Kjirsten- Balanced Healthy Life says
What a cute dog, I hope you can figure out what’s causing the rash.
Marina says
It definetely could be because of the pb, or that she developed food allergies over time. Whatever it is, cutting some food out and switching it could do the trick. I hope it does!
Baking Serendipity says
I don’t have a dog (but am asking for one for Christmas!), but I had to comment on how adorable yours is and that I hope you figure everything out! Looks like an awesome running partner 🙂
Cara says
Ah, yes a topic that I love to research and discuss. I started to type everything out, but I think the following website puts a lot in perspective about dog food: http://www.wysong.net/learn/entry/39/.
Unfortunately, much like with people, there isn’t a quick fix for feeding a dog the “right food.” There are so many factors that play into each individual dog’s health and genetic make up. Learning about what is actually in the food (dry, canned, raw) and how it affects the dog is the best way to figure out what will work.
A lot of people do feed their dogs what their vet recommends, or what is the most inexpensive, without taking the time to research what they are actually feeding them. People buy McDonald’s, gas station food, and candy for their kids on a regular basis… is it because it’s cheaper? easier? They want to make their kids happy even though they know they aren’t feeding them healthy food options?
I hope Miss Koda Bug feels better soon!!!! Molly sends puppy kisses!
Stephanie says
Wow, so many comments, we really do love our dogs! I didn’t see any mention of what shampoo your using? I had an Akita (she passed away a few years ago) she was my baby before I had babies. She starting getting a bad skin allergy/reaction, I changed her shampoo to a mild but hard to find shampoo called Relief and that really helped her. I also fed her Nutro which is supposed to be good for a shiny healthy coat. I hope she gets to feeling better soon!
Lisa @ I'm an Okie says
oh I hope you start to enjoy Dexter! Give it some time and you will be addicted! fav show ever. are you starting on season 1 (bc thats a MUST!!)
as far as food…I feed my dogs Blue Buffalo Life protection white fish and sweet potato!
I feed them bc its natural. NO by products, no corn products–I mean, look at the first half of the ingredients
Whitefish, Whole Ground Brown Rice, Whole Ground Barley, Menhaden Fish Meal (natural source of DHA-Docosahexaenoic Acid), Oatmeal, Canola Oil (naturally preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Tomato Pomace (natural source of Lycopene), Whole Sweet Potatoes, Natural Fish Flavors, Whole Potatoes, Peas, Whole Carrots, Blueberries, Cranberries, Flaxseed(natural source of Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acids), Barley Grass, Dried Parsley, Garlic, Alfalfa Meal, Dried Kelp, Yucca Schidigera Extract, L-Carnitine, L-Lysine, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Turmeric, Sunflower Oil (natural source of Omega 6 Fatty Acids), Chicken Fat (naturally preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Fish Oil (natural source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids),
Pretty amazing right?!