...aaaand we are raw!!

[tawn]

It has been a week and a day since making the switch. The yeastie beasties were always infecting Chewy's ears and moved to his deep wrinkle. He was producing far too much 'pug butter' (a term I coined to describe the black, butter-consistency sludge I constantly wiped from his wrinkle) and it was obvious that he was uncomfortable every day. We started both Twinkie and Chewy on raw last week. For the time being we are alternating between Nature's Variety lamb and bison. I'm on the market for the biggest food processor I can find and then I'll be making my own.

Chewy was a very stinky dog. It was tough to be within a foot of his head without smelling the yeast. Four days into raw and he was a new little dude. No stench, no itching, no 'pug butter' - amazing. Twinkie loves it as well and her eyes don't seem as runny as they were.

Coulda, shoulda done this long ago. Very glad we are on the right track now. 

[twisted tails]

We've used home made raw for 3.5yrs. It's great, we have labs that don't get ear infections or hot spots, both of which are labrador staples. and pugs with little dental disease

[blanche]

Welcome to the World Of Raw.  I've been feeding it 15 years. 

If you haven't seen it, Hilary has a fabulous home made raw recipe--although I'd modify parts of it if Chewy is inclined to yeast.

Chewy sounds alot like my Tank.  Stinky yeastie boys until raw.

[tawn]

Blanche, I have read a lot about Tank and they definitely have some of the same problems.

I have seen Hilary's raw recipe and will use that as my template. Twinkie was fed the famous Breakfast Slop when she stayed at the Pugpillow Pug Camp for two weeks back in the summer of 2007. The first thing I noticed upon picking Twinkie up was her amazing breath. I made an attempt to switch Twinkie back then but my first attempt at homemade raw left her with the runs. At the time I was living in a high rise in Toronto and it was just not a good situation. Hopefully she will do well this time around as the pre-made is giving her no problems at all.

I won't be using the yogurt in Hilary's recipe. I've been splitting a capsule of a made-for-human probiotic and mashing it in with their food so I will probably continue with that instead. I'm also trying to determine if the Chew-man has a problem with chicken.

Justin had Chewy at the vet last week for more Optimmune and Surolen. He informed our vet of the dietary changes and she said it was a wonderful idea and that we'll see great changes. It is nice to know we have vet support with this as well.

[RockysMom]

Fantastic news about the positive changes in Twinkie and Chewy since you started raw.
Rocky started it just over a week ago and he loves it (now that I switched to a brand with no eggs....no more puking).  I have an appointment with the vet on Thursday and am a little nervous about her reaction when I tell her.  Some are so opposed to raw. 

I'll be interested to hear how it goes if/when you switch to homemade raw.  That is my goal too.

[blanche]

Blanche, I have read a lot about Tank and they definitely have some of the same problems.

I have seen Hilary's raw recipe and will use that as my template. Twinkie was fed the famous Breakfast Slop when she stayed at the Pugpillow Pug Camp for two weeks back in the summer of 2007. The first thing I noticed upon picking Twinkie up was her amazing breath. I made an attempt to switch Twinkie back then but my first attempt at homemade raw left her with the runs. At the time I was living in a high rise in Toronto and it was just not a good situation. Hopefully she will do well this time around as the pre-made is giving her no problems at all.

I won't be using the yogurt in Hilary's recipe. I've been splitting a capsule of a made-for-human probiotic and mashing it in with their food so I will probably continue with that instead. I'm also trying to determine if the Chew-man has a problem with chicken.

Justin had Chewy at the vet last week for more Optimmune and Surolen. He informed our vet of the dietary changes and she said it was a wonderful idea and that we'll see great changes. It is nice to know we have vet support with this as well.

Really nice to have a vet that is supportive!  As for the yeast things--if you're going to use an acidophilus capsule, then I'd recommend a non-dairy/lactose free one.  Usually the health food stores carry them.  I use Dophilus Plus by SISU.

And the big thing with yeast dogs is to avoid stuff that converts to sugar--fruits, potatoes, yams, etc.  Carrots are actually okay.

[lmcpug]

Congrats Tawn, Chewy and Twinkie

Welcome to the RAW Club

So glad that the the Puggies are feeling so much better!

If you are going to make your own meat;
I can provide a comnpany that sells a great
commercial meat grinder.
Does Chicken/Turkey bones and meat all in one!

let me know!

[Sammers]

Welcome to raw, glad you are seeing such a quick improvement. Sami used to stink to high heaven - couldn't even stand being around her lol. Her yeast is actiing up again, but she doesn't stink near as bad as she used to before raw.

[Anna]

  I have an appointment with the vet on Thursday and am a little nervous about her reaction when I tell her.  Some are so opposed to raw. 

I'm nervous about telling my vet too.  He was very firmly against us going with raw so I don't expect it to be a pleasant meeting.  But how can you deny the results?  Darwin's latest urinalysis was HUGELY improved - normal PH, no crystals, a tiny bit of bacteria but no inflammatory cells so they believe it to be lower tract contamination and are unconcerned.

[RockysMom]

I'm nervous about telling my vet too.  He was very firmly against us going with raw so I don't expect it to be a pleasant meeting.  But how can you deny the results?  Darwin's latest urinalysis was HUGELY improved - normal PH, no crystals, a tiny bit of bacteria but no inflammatory cells so they believe it to be lower tract contamination and are unconcerned.

Wow that is fantastic news!  Good for Darwin!

[clummy]

That is great that Darwin is doing better on the raw.

[Pugpillow]

Congratulations to Twinks and Chewman.  And YAY to you!

[tawn]

Congratulations to Twinks and Chewman.  And YAY to you!

Thanks Hilary!! I hope you won't mind me picking your brain with slop questions from time to time.

Blanche, I checked the packaging of our acidophilus capsules and they are free of pretty much everything...except dairy. No mention of that at all. I'll definitely go for the Sisu brand. Funny thing - I have friends with two Karelian Bear Dogs, Sisu and Talvi. Ha.
Thank you for letting me know about the fruit and yams. I had no idea about that one!

Lcmpug, I'll PM you regarding the grinder. I'm big into cooking from scratch at home so this would be useful more than the dogs.

Everyone else, thanks for the encouragement. I will post again when I start making my own and report back on the progress and/or troubles.

[blanche]

Thanks Hilary!! I hope you won't mind me picking your brain with slop questions from time to time.

Blanche, I checked the packaging of our acidophilus capsules and they are free of pretty much everything...except dairy. No mention of that at all. I'll definitely go for the Sisu brand. Funny thing - I have friends with two Karelian Bear Dogs, Sisu and Talvi. Ha.
Thank you for letting me know about the fruit and yams. I had no idea about that one!

Lcmpug, I'll PM you regarding the grinder. I'm big into cooking from scratch at home so this would be useful more than the dogs.

Everyone else, thanks for the encouragement. I will post again when I start making my own and report back on the progress and/or troubles.

Unless the acidophilus tablets/capsules actually SAY dairy/lactose free, then they aren't.  I had to learn that one from my homeo vet.

[Pugpillow]

Thanks Hilary!! I hope you won't mind me picking your brain with slop questions from time to time.

No problem at all.