Changed Mason's food...

15 years ago

He's been having some stomach issues lately... intestinal distress, bloody diarrhea, nausea.

I've eliminated everything I could think of, except change his food, so that's what I'm on to next.

I had been feeding him Iams.

I talked with his former owners. They're also breeders, and they recommended Fromm's -- Salmon a la' Veg. Yep, that's the name.... Very high quality, judging by the nutritional specifications.

Mason has had some when we've gone to visit, so I know he likes it.

His first dinner with it was this evening, and he positively devoured it.

Hopefully this is the end of his stomach problems.

There are only two problems with the new food.

First, it smells awful. Like very strong salmon. Not surprising given that it's salmon flavor.

Second is the price. $57 and change for a 30 pound bag.

I just about swallowed my tongue.

But, if it keeps him from having stomach distress, then it's worth it.

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Comments (17)

lynn_d
15 years ago
Ouch!! I feel your pain right in my bank account! We feed Royal Canin to our 3 Maine Coons and it runs $45-50 for 15#, very expensive. But check with Fromm's, they may have a program to earn free food, Royal Canin does and it's a help. I hope it helps with the gastric distress.
kim_okla
15 years ago
Mine eat Pro Plan Salmon for sensitive stomach. Yes, it stinks.

We haven't seen a pic of Mason in years you know.

I hope the new food works for him.
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kathy_
15 years ago
Bloody D? Has he been checked for hook worms? You did take him to the vet - right?? The blood set off an alarm in my head...

I am (thinking about) getting a collie and cooking the food myself. I think it would be cheaper than some of the better foods out there.
liz
15 years ago
I sure hope it works for him!! I know what you mean about the price...We feed Biljac...I don't even look at the price or I'll gag...it's one of the reasons I started making this.

That's rice, mixed veggies (normally I just use plain green beans...must have been a sucker that day)...and 3 or 4 broiled chicken breasts...it makes that 50.00 bag of food go a little farther and they love the taste!
murraysmom Zone 6a OH
15 years ago
I feed Fromm's to both my dogs and they do great on it. They have other flavors as well. You shouldn't have a problem changing flavors.

Good luck with your problem.
jannie
15 years ago
Don't change dog food again for a while. It make take some time to adjust. Our dog (8 year old female Wheaten terrier) has a delicate stomach. She eats Beneful dry in the red bag, I believe it's fish based. Our vet recommended it because of her vomiting and her sensitive skin. She's doing much better on it.
User
15 years ago
We switched our 2 to Fromm's a while back because our Lulu had the same issues as your Mason. No problems since, it's a really good food.
The cats get Orijen, and that was going to be the next option if the Fromm's hadn't worked out.
lisa_fla
15 years ago
Liz-I would eat that with them!! Sparky eats Biljac too. I got tired of feeding him $40 RX food 17 lb bag. I took the label with percentages of this and that and matched it almost exactly to Biljac reduced fat and its better food for $15 less.
jennmonkey
15 years ago
I feel your pain on the cost. When I adopted Hank he had been eating the cheapest food you could possibly buy. Did SO much research, asked friends and the vet and ended up going with Wellness Dry Food and Evo Wet Food (I mix them together). I bus to and from work so I usually only buy a 6 lb bag of dry at a time because I have to carry it. He goes through about the 6 lb bag of dry ($18) and 2-3 cans of wet ($2-4) per week.

It's pricey! But I want to feed him quality food so I make it work.
kframe19
Original Author
15 years ago
"Bloody D? Has he been checked for hook worms? You did take him to the vet - right?? The blood set off an alarm in my head..."

He had an accident on the carpet in my office around 10 p.m. Friday night. When I saw how much blood there was I stopped cleaning it up and immediately went to call my vet (24x7x365 coverage, very nice).

I had a long chat with one of the techs as to whether he should be seen immediately or not, with the decision being to take him to the vet at 7:30 a.m. Saturday morning.

He had a full fecal work up looking for worms, which was negative.

He settled down fairly quickly, but the quality of the... poops... just never really got back to what it should be.

This past Saturday he had another episode of loose, mucousy stool, but no blood.

That's when I discussed what was going on with my friend David, and he suggested the food change.

In the past 48 hours his poops are MUCH more what you would expect from a healthy dog, so I'm really thinking it was the food that was the issue, and I just wasn't smart enough to think of it. And that makes me feel bad.

I'll skimp on my own medical care. But I won't skimp on Mason's.
kathy_
15 years ago
I thought you probably had taken him *G*. Yes we love our dogs. My gosh you do the best you can - don't feel badly!
I plan on being a "new mother" soon and am praying for a boy pet quality tri color collie. The pups are to be born in May. The difference in pet or show is about $200 more for the show pups. Best of luck with Mason. If he gets the old d. again try canned PLAIN pumpkin.
jannie
15 years ago
If you want to make your own dog food, I have a recipe I've made over the years as a "treat". Mix a can of any dog foog, some shredded cooked turkey or chicken (no skin or bones), some tomato juice , and cooked green beans. ptional-add a little salt or garlic salt. I would not feed this to any dog exclusively. You can also mix cooked hamburger and rice. I use that if my dog has an upset stomach and vomits. It also helps firm up their stools. Good luck. Sounds like Fromms is the way to go!
tami_ohio
15 years ago
My brother's dog, black lab-newphie mix, had stomach issues for years. Nothing worked. DB started cooking food for him, no more dog food. Now Logan gets whatever people food there is in the house as long as it's not a no no for dogs. You would not believe the difference in this dog! Glossy coat, filled out like he should be, instead of a hollow belly area, ect.

I'm glad you found something that agrees with Mason. And I'm glad to see you found your way back to the KT!!

Tami
kframe19
Original Author
15 years ago
I do some cooking for Mason, as I did for Ruger and Nikky when they were alive.

Right now there's a pot of pureed chicken thighs and lima beans in the fridge, some of which goes on top of his dinner every evening.

There's a pack of frozen ground turkey in the freezer waiting for the chicken thighs to be finished.

I've never wanted to get into cooking 100% of the time for my dogs; unless I had one with serious medical issues I really don't think it's necessary.

The quality pet foods that are available today are head and shoulders above what they once were.
chisue
15 years ago
Gee, lima beans give ME gas! lol

Our Westie has always had a slight bowel disorder/acid stomach. He gets dry dog food from the vet in three small portions over the day. He also gets the same fish oil capsule we take every morning; makes a big difference in his coat. Many Westies have skin disorders, so I'm used to hearing that they have been prescribed odd kinds of foods like venison, duck or fish instead of chicken or beef based foods.

Hope Mason is soon completely back on track.
susanjf_gw
15 years ago
i'm so lucky! my cats have turned can after can of iams, friskies, ect...finally tried wal mart special kitty and they clean the plate...(it has full nutrition rating) can't complain at $1.28 for 4 cans...
liz
15 years ago
Glad to hear he's doing better Mike!

Susan my kitty likes Special Kitty as well...I've tried lots of the other stuff but she likes it...Thank goodness! She only gets it a couple of times a week, the other times she helps her self to the self feeding dry feeder!

I LOVE MY ANIMALS!

Changed Mason's food...

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