Feeding advice

[ReggieK]

Hi all

As most of you are aware Layla has been recovering from meningitis. So far it is so good, but over the last 2 weeks she seems to have become intolerant to her normal kibble.

She has had both Burns Chicken and Rice and Wainrights Turkey and Rice varieties and both give her bad tummy upset. They used to be fine, so do not know what has changed as she has finished her steroids.

Anyway to combat this each time I moved her to a cooked chicken and plain rice diet, which worked, almost too well as it bunged her up very quickly.

This week she has been eating 150gm rice & 100gm chicken for breakfast then one of those Wainrights turkey and rice wet trays for dinner. So far she seems OK on them, but I am struggling to get the amounts/timing right. Sometimes she will sleep the night through, others up twice needing to go out.

My worry is twofold. Is this a suitable long term diet, and if so, is the amount I give her enough? Don't know what she weighs today, but she had dropped from 24kg to 20kg during her illness.

A friend of mine had to look after her last week and gave her some CSJ Champ kibble which was apparently OK so will look at getting some of that this week. Anyone heard of this, any thoughts on suitability?

Thanks for reading, appreciate your thoughts.

[Flaperoo]

Sorry no advice on food - all of mine eat everything with gusto and have no problems.

But wanted to say I am just delighted that Layla is doing well after her bout of meningitis

Maryxx

[ReggieK]

To be honest Mary, I am having trouble telling if she is OK or not. Certainly better for sure, but last few days am seeing a lack of joy/energy in her when we are out. She normally launches herself around this field we walk in, but recently I hardly get a jog out of her. Not sure if it is the meningitis or this change in diet perhaps taking her energy away.

Too many unknowns.

[vickyb]

Has she slowed up since it's got warm and humid? I find our 3 legged black girl really struggles as soon as its warm and could imagine Layla doing too if she's still a bit weak.
CSJ is fine, but the only trouble is that I believe they only sell it in 15k bags so if she goes off it you could have a lot left.
I've got some info from the vet about how much and what to use for a standard home cooked diet, I'll pm you it later when I've dug it out. It has everything they need in it as a starting point.

[ReggieK]

Thanks Vicky, any help appreciated.

[andywillow]

Kevin I really hope Layla continues to improves, the do like to worry us! Roy has an awful tum and is on wainwrights salmon and potato which we finally found suits him. Delta has had pancreatitis and is doing really well on Naturediet senior/low fat foot (wetfood in a tray) which I buy in bulk from Berriewoods or vetuk, she also has laughing dog mixer to bulk up her food and is ok with that, I also add low fat cottage cheese which she loves.
Must admit if I had one dog I would feed it naturediet as mine all love it (the others have a tray between them mixed with their kibble)

[julies]

Hi Kevin

Glad to hear Layla's getting better

A guide to (raw) feeding is that you feed 3-4% of the dogs (correct) bodyweight tho some dogs like people can eat more than others and not put on weight and more active dogs need more food, complete foods usually have a 'recommended amount' on the bag but most maufacturers will say it's only a guide.
I like to judge by looking at the dog - if mine has a good covering over her bones so I can't see most of them just the last three ribs plus she has a good layer of muscle on top of her back and I can just see her pin bones oh and her coat is nice and shiney and she's got plenty of energy I reckon she's ok.

Difficult when they've been so poorly but rice and/or chicken can upset their tums and many people find fish and potato a good alternative. My Charlie would get colitis on most kibbles and on all Naturediets except the Sensitive one ...he was absolutely fine on raw food with a bit of mashed up raw veg and Quinoa (not rice )

Good luck with her hope you can find something to suit her She'll build her weight slowly

Julie