Hello all,
Just a quick background, my 2 year old Spoo, Cooper, has just been recently diagnosed with EPI. I am now in the process of finding the right food to feed him and need some feedback. Long story short, he was having diarrhea and rapid weight loss for about 2 months. Several vet visits later, we finally figured out the issue. Full details of my original post can be found here: Please help - possible Addison's?
After getting the enzyme supplement, I talked to my vet about food. I had been feeding him TLC dog food since he was a puppy because that is what the breeder was feeding her poodles. But over the years, Cooper has always been on the smaller side and seemed to have trouble gaining weight. He would often have itchy skin and barely touch his food when he got older so I have experimented with other popular store brands - none of which really seemed to work.
A few days ago after being extremely frustrated, I decided to try a frozen raw diet called Primal Pronto. Cooper seems to love it and his stools have started to form (I also fed him boiled chicken and rice) with Panacur powder sprinkled on. He was good for 2 days until we got a call from the vet that he was confirmed for EPI. Just started it this morning so we will see how it goes.
However, when I told my vet I had been feeding him the raw diet, she strongly advised AGAINST feeding him a raw diet because it can cause salmonella or it lacks all of the proper nutrients and suggested we stick with the dry kibble dog food. But I am not so sure about that because there are several people I know whose dogs are doing very well on raw diet food.
I also came across this website explaining all the myths of raw diet food: Raw Meat Diet For Dogs: 7 Myths You Won't Believe
What are your opinions on this? Is it okay to stick with raw diet? If so, are there any supplements or additional food I should add to ensure a completely balanced diet? Or do you agree with the vet and advise against it?
Just a quick background, my 2 year old Spoo, Cooper, has just been recently diagnosed with EPI. I am now in the process of finding the right food to feed him and need some feedback. Long story short, he was having diarrhea and rapid weight loss for about 2 months. Several vet visits later, we finally figured out the issue. Full details of my original post can be found here: Please help - possible Addison's?
After getting the enzyme supplement, I talked to my vet about food. I had been feeding him TLC dog food since he was a puppy because that is what the breeder was feeding her poodles. But over the years, Cooper has always been on the smaller side and seemed to have trouble gaining weight. He would often have itchy skin and barely touch his food when he got older so I have experimented with other popular store brands - none of which really seemed to work.
A few days ago after being extremely frustrated, I decided to try a frozen raw diet called Primal Pronto. Cooper seems to love it and his stools have started to form (I also fed him boiled chicken and rice) with Panacur powder sprinkled on. He was good for 2 days until we got a call from the vet that he was confirmed for EPI. Just started it this morning so we will see how it goes.
However, when I told my vet I had been feeding him the raw diet, she strongly advised AGAINST feeding him a raw diet because it can cause salmonella or it lacks all of the proper nutrients and suggested we stick with the dry kibble dog food. But I am not so sure about that because there are several people I know whose dogs are doing very well on raw diet food.
I also came across this website explaining all the myths of raw diet food: Raw Meat Diet For Dogs: 7 Myths You Won't Believe
What are your opinions on this? Is it okay to stick with raw diet? If so, are there any supplements or additional food I should add to ensure a completely balanced diet? Or do you agree with the vet and advise against it?