Wysong Dog Food

[Marie + Marshall]

I took Marshall (almost 6 months old) to a Holistic Vet (his office isn't, but he is) last night for an eye issue (he got drops). And going over his soft stools (I once again brought in a sample and once again it was negative) and his runny, sometimes a little gunky eyes. He believes he most likely has allergies and actually suggested grain free food and a probiotic . The thing is, his suggestion was Wysong. He said, you don't just want grain free, but starch free. So of course the first thing I did was look up on here. I didn't see any mention of it for a couple years and wondering if it is still off the recommended list? Marshall is on Wellness complete puppy and my Hubby wants this to be an easy transition...so I am not crazy. We switched from the breeder food (Kirkland) and honestly it was firmer.. but still off and on lose. And we have withheld treats and added sweet potatoes, green beans and all your suggestions.

So.. I am really thinking the easiest would be the Wellness Core until he's a year old. I will decide on an adult food (brand) at that time. My question, I guess is about Vets recommendation of Wysong and if the Wellness core was be the smoothest transition?

On a side not (I know it's for a different group) But he was REALLY passionate about waiting to neuter Marshall until one year old. We are thinking it through at this time.

Thanks for any input!!

[Rae]

I'll let the experts comment on the food issue. Our breeder has changed her health contract to having the pups spayed/neutered at one year rather than at six months. She told me it was really important for the male pups because of the cancer issue. She really stays up on all the health research and has changed her policies and retirements accordingly.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Wysong is not a recommended brand. Wellness Core would be a much better choice.

GP Vets, whether holistic or traditional, are not well educated in allergies in general and often blame food allergies for things that are not related to food at all. I find that holistic vets tend to do this even more than traditional vets. That doesn't mean they are bad vets, it just means that they are not nutritionists or allergy specialists, just like your primary care doctor is not. 

The symptoms you describe are really not common allergy symptoms, and even if they were, starch would have little to nothing to do with it. An allergy is an immune response to one or more very specific protein molecules, and not to a general class or group of substances like "starch". So you can forget that completely. 

The primary symptom of any kind of allergy is itching. Soft stools usually have little to nothing to do with allergies, and the eye issues can have many causes. In addition, food allergies are the least common type of allergy in dogs.

It is extremely rare for a 6 mo. old old puppy to have any kind of allergy, as there simply hasn't been enough time for enough exposure to anything to have developed an abnormal immune response to it, and that what allergies are: an abnormal immune response.   

A grain-free food would be a good idea, not necessarily because of allergies to grains (again, it would be to a specific grain or grains and not to all grains in general) but rather because when there is less filler in the food, you generally have firmer stools. 

Wellness Core Puppy would be a much better choice than Wysong. You are still going to have some adjustment period, as Core is a much different formula than the Complete Health even though they are the same brand. 

[Marie + Marshall]

OK..I would rather go with the Wellness Core line instead anyhow. I have had his eyes examined and tested and there is no medical reason for these runny eyes. And I just saw someone on here mention eyes clearing up with food change? I don't know what the deal is...maybe he will out grow this. And even if this Vet isn't perfect in his diagnosis....it was nice to even hear a more natural approach to things and not to push Science Diet. EVERY Vet here does!!   And actually, I am still looking for our final Vet choice.

Thanks for the advice and the opportunity to connect with Parents just trying to do the best for their Fur-babies.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

You will see people here and elsewhere on the internet claiming that a food change cleared up everything from ear infections to cancer; when it comes to issues of health, I require some basis in scientific fact and IMO everyone should. If someone can give me a biologically sound explanation of how a particular kind of food could clear up any kind of health condition, I'm always willing to consider it. 

[Marie + Marshall]

Well I know there has to be a reason for his eyes tearing. Maybe airborne allergens....

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Again, he is very, very young to have allergies of any kind. And the main symptom of any type of allergy is itching. There can be other symptoms such as ear infections and maybe even eye issues, but those would not be the only symptoms. 

There can be anatomical reasons for eye tearing, as well as genetic reasons. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm also wondering, if there is no medical reason for the runny eyes, why did the vet prescribe eye drops and what kind are they? 

[Marie + Marshall]

My comments keep disappearing..UGH

[Marie + Marshall]

Both eyes have always been running- left eye worse. I have mentioned to the other vet. This time though when he woke up it was practically closed shut and I washed it off. But after thinking about it, I decided to go in on a Sunday- to this Vet I had been wanting to see. He did a couple tests. Dye being one of them. He did not think it was pink eye- the eye was not really red or swollen but to be sure- he treated with drops. I don't have with me now to give you name. I had another vet look closely at eyes another time and she didn't think it was a tear duct issue but teething. Keep in mind, I have a health guarantee that includes any genetic eye condition- so I have been looking into it. I have to say, some days it isn't that bad at all. But every day at some point it (left usually) get runny. I think I have decided to just wait things out and see how they go. This is ALL too confusing :)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I agree with you that there is a reason for the runny eyes, but I truly believe it is unlikely that it is related to food. Keep us posted. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Just out of curiosity, which Wysong formula did the vet recommend? Because I just looked at their product line, and the only dry puppy food they make is loaded with starch and grains, lol: http://www.wysong.net/products/growth-healthy-natural-dog-food.php

[Marie + Marshall]

LOL. He didn't say. Just wrote down brand. See why I am still looking for a Vet? ;) I guess, I was just excited he didn't suggest Science Diet- which by the way was sitting on the shelves in the waiting room.