Our dog food is causing problems

[tigerbrindle]

We got a boxer about 2 months ago. She got parvo and was very sick for about two weeks. When we brought her home, she was gaining weight and doing better. But we left her with my parents when we went out of town for the weekend, and although they fed her the food we gave them, she also ate some of the food that their dogs' eat (she mostly ate the canned). We feed her timberwolf lamb and rice. She was having solid stools until we left her, but now she is having severe diarrhea again and it hasn't improved much. Does anyone know of a better food or had this problem with their puppies? I thought that if we got her back home and started feeding her the same thing regularly that it would clear up, but it hasn't. Any feedback would be very helpful.

 

[kpowell]

I would take her to the vet, if you haven't already, because she's so young and has had parvo.

 

[kayboxer]

Sometimes, if they get severe tummy upset it is hard to get that settled. When my boxer was vomiting and had diahrreah for 3 days, my vet told me to starve her for 24 hours and feed a special Science Diet (which I chose not to do). I did starve for 24 hours, but then made long grain rice and boiled chicken for her and fed for a couple of days until she was better. Then I slowly started her on her regular food again. It worked for me. I would still call your vet though and get their opinion first. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[SILLY6PAK]

Do not let it go too long. Small puppies w/diarreah can turn serious quickly.
I agree that once the tummy is upset you need to go to a bland diet before it clears up. The food is good but once the digestive tract is aggrivated it needs to be soothed before the symptoms clear.
If your pup is at all lathargic go to the vet ASAP.

 

[tigerbrindle]

Feeding and other things

I know that my original post may have seemed harsh, but I have been so frustrated with our dog. It seems like she is a constant battle. We finally got the dog we have wanted for 3 years, and their have been so many problems and complications. I hope things will start to get better soon.
I think I found a solution to the dog food issue, kind of. I started mixing the Timberwolf with our leftover Science Diet and the diarrhea has stopped. It isn't completely firm, but it is very close. I do occasionally mix it with rice too, but just mixing the dogfoods has helped. Maybe the Timberwolf is just to rich for her.
I haven't talked to our vet again because we are still paying off our bill for parvo, plus she has energy to play. If she started becoming lethargic or acting sick again I will take her in. Plus she will be going in, in about a month to get spayed so I will have her checked out then.
But she has other issues too, maybe someone here can help. She poops in her cage almost every night. We take her out before bed and as soon as we get up, but she still has accidents. And lately, in the evenings I can't hardly get her to go out to go potty because it is cold. Any suggestions?
And their is more. She has been chewing on her legs, chest and now stomach untill all the hair is gone and it is actually leaving sores and scabs! Is this a nervous thing, because it seems very strange and looks awful. Sorry for all the issues, I just don't really know what to do with our Tiger puppy!

 

[ELubas]

How about bringing a stool sample into the vet and see if they see anything? Is the soiling the crate new behavior or has she always done this? As for her coat problems have you consulted your vet-is this new as well? Only a vet can tell you if her coat problems are allergies or whatever or behavorial. Also, did you get her from a breeder? Can your breeder shed some light on this? I do not think you sound harsh but very frustrated, but none of these issues are fun for this poor pup either. Boxers have their share of issues , like all breeds, but none of this sounds insurmountable. As for the bills have you looked into pet insurance? It covers a lot! I have a boy who has SAS, epilepsy, is hypothyroid, and has seasonal and grain allergies -what I bargained for? Nope. But not what he bargained for either. His parents NEVER should have been bred, but I thank God that breeder made that mistake 'cause a more perfect friend I could not have imagined Good luck

 

[lancesMom]

Timberwolf, although a wonderful food choice is very rich, herby and VERY high in protein. It has been known to be a tough food for the sensitive system of a boxer. I'm not sure why science diet would help as it is the worst food ...pretty much straight corn. If I were you and wanted to put my dog on a very gentle, all life stages holistic food that works wonders with boxers I would try Canidae. It made the world of difference in my dogs life and a lot of the dogs at the rescue also did brilliantly on it. It tends to be lower in protein and full of vitamins and essential fatty acids that our boxers need.
I would personally turn to boiled chicken and rice for a few days and then slowly integrate some Canidae. Canidae now also comes in a chicken and rice only formula for those dogs who have allergies to certain proteins.
We feed the regular 4 protein receipe at our house but they do have other options now. Good luck...

 

[kpowell]

Sounds like you might be a first time puppy owner? The reason I saw this is that much of what you describe is pretty normal (except for the diarrhea). Check out the stickies at the top of the different puppy subforums to help you get an idea of what can be expected. Try not to get too upset with the pup, they don't know what they're expected to do.