This is an... er... akward question, but

[Leslie J]

Can anyone try to help me out with a kind of embarrassing question? Our (now) 12 week old puppy (labradoodle) came home from the breeder at 8 weeks eating Nutro puppy food. She was doing great but I wanted a healthier dog food. I went to a natural dog food store and they recommended Orijen puppy food. We switched her when she was 10 weeks- not gradually, just a change to the new food.

Cocoa did fine with the change, but had a much softer stool. Then after about a week on the food she developed very enlarged anal glands which needed to be drained (done at the vet's office). On Friday (a week after having the glands drained) she was again straining and I think the glands were swollen again (I'm not so good at telling and I didn't go to the vet this time).

I looked online and an article mentioned that often a firm stool will help drain the glands while the dog is eliminating. I switched her back over the weekend to the Nutro and now she is having firmer stools and doesn't seem to be straining or in pain anymore. So... is it possible the it was a food related problem? What might be a good puppy food for her? I would prefer a kibble diet for her, if possible.

Thank you!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It appears that the Dog Food Analysis site is not thrilled with Azmira, either; it gets only 3 out of 6 stars:
http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_reviews/showproduct.php?pro...

I don't think Azmira is any improvement over Nutro at all.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Does that hollistic store have Fromm or any of the other ones Karen mentioned before? Fromm has grains and has firmed up my dogs stools. The only reason I am not doing Orijen though is because I want my dogs on the same food and the chihuahua needs some grains....

[Leslie J]

Ugh! It is scary how complex the dog food industry is!!! According to the website, there is no ethoxyquin ( http://www.azmira.com/ComparisonChartDogfood.htm ) but I hadn't heard of the Menadione. All the dangerous additives are probably even worse when it comes to dog food since they don't eat a wide variety of foods.

I think I'll try to find Fromms. It sounds like a good alternative. The natural dog food store doesn't have Fromms, but I'm sure I can find it somewhere in LA.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Menadione is prohibited for use in foods for human consumption by the FDA, but is still permitted in "low levels" in pet food. There are clear links between menadione and AIHA in dogs. It does not replicate the actions of vitamin K, but is used in some dog foods because it is a cheap "substitute". Here is some info about menadione:
"Despite the fact that it can serve as a precursor to various types of vitamin K, menadione is generally not used as a nutritional supplement. Large doses of menadione have been reported to cause adverse outcomes including hemolytic anemia due to G6PD deficiency, neonatal brain or liver damage, or neonatal death in some cases. Moreover, menadione supplements have been banned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) because of their high toxicity. Menadione has been used experimentally as a chemotherapic agent for cancer, ca 1945, but has lost ground to much safer, human form, vitamin K2 vitamers. Low level menadione is still used as an inexpensive micronutrient for livestock in many countries. Forms of Menadione are also included in some pet foods as a source of vitamin K."
(From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menadione)

"Why is it Bad?
causes cytotoxicity in liver cells
causes formation of radicals from enzymes of leucocytes, with the consequence of cytotoxic reactions
considerably weakens the immune system
possible mutagenic effects
damages the natural vitamin K cycle
has no effect on coumarin derivatives, which are often present in commercial food due to mold contamination (toxic when ingested)
causes hemolytic anemia and hyperbilirubinemia, not just linked to large doses
disturbs the level of calcium ions (Ca2+) in the body, which is an important factor fibrinolysis
is directly toxic in high doses (vomiting, albuminuria), unlike natural vitamin K
builds up in tissue and has been detected in eggs, meat and milk of animals supplemented with menadione derivatives
causes irritation of skin and mucous membranes
causes allergic reactions and eczema"
(From
http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?page=menadione)

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Leslie, see if that store will order it for you. Many of the good ones will do that for you.

[Laura & Chewie]

I get my Fromm's at Pet Supplies Plus. They actually have two stores close to my home...one carries it and the other doesn't, but said they would be glad to order it anytime for me. Oops, just checked...they aren't in California. I believe it you go to the Fromm's website, they tell you who carries their products.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

http://www.frommfamily.com/dealers-us.php?loc=Los+Angeles%2C+CA&...

[F, Calla & Luca]

I have added two of Karen's references to Ethoxyquin and Menadione to the Danger Group in the hopes that some more people will be alerted there as well.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Great idea!

[Leslie J]

Thank you so much, Karen & Jack et al! I don't know how I would be able to navigate the dog food maze without you. It is amazing how much JUNK is in dog food... all to get the almighty buck from unknowing dog owners. It's rather sad to find out that premium dog food really can mean nothing but a higher price.

I'm looking locally now for Fromms (thanks for the link Karen). I am very grateful for all the help I received here.

Leslie