Started Raw diet for Bodhi and Otis? Help

[Cori Braun]

We started a raw diet three days ago with the dogs. Bodhi's stool this morning is bloody. It is the type that would indicate a small intestine issue because of the color of the blood. I am wondering if anyone else experienced this when they transitioned their dogs? Otis is totally fine and no issues. Any advice? Don't want to rush to the vet because they disagree with raw food diets.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

You might get more help in the Raw Feeding Group.

Please be aware that dogs who are on immunosuppressant drugs (or whose immune systems are otherwise compromised) must not be fed raw diets, especially homemade or prey model raw diets. They may be able to tolerate some of the commercial raw products like Honest Kitchen. I know that one of your guys was treated for an auto-immune disease some time ago, so this might be the problem. I hope not. 

[Cori Braun]

Hi Karen,

That is what I was thinking so here is my question. He has been off all medications and doing well for over a year. So does it mean once he has been treated for an autoimmune disease he will always have it? 

I know he has a very sensitive tummy but was hoping this would be a better alternative for him.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Dogs who develop auto-immune diseases have immune systems that do not function as well as they should. Even after the disease has gone into remission, (or been cured in the few cases where the disease can be cured), you still have to be careful. In most cases, these dogs' immune-systems are hyperactive and can be triggered by things that wouldn't cause a problem in an individual with a normal immune system. This is why it's very common to see more than one immune-mediated disease in the same dog, like my Jack. Unfortunately, dogs who have had one auto-immune disease are at higher-than-normal risk to develop Inflammatory Bowel Disease, and that's why you really have to be careful with what you feed. Ingesting bones, raw or cooked, can be very dangerous for these dogs with overactive immune systems, because the immune system may identify it as a foreign body and launch an attack. This actually caused the death of one doodle I know.

Dogs with sensitive tummies should be fed limited ingredient diets. There is nothing about raw food that makes it better for a sensitive stomach than cooked food, despite the anecdotal claims. (And in many cases, cooking actually makes the nutrients more bio-available.) The one beneficial element they get from a raw diet is a high moisture content, and that's also true of homemade cooked diets. Unfortunately, most people don't even bother to cook for themselves or their families, let alone their dogs, lol. So the commercial raw products like Honest Kitchen are a very good alternative. One thing that has worked very well for many of these dogs is to use one of the HK base mixes and add your own meat or poultry, either gently cooked or raw, if you prefer. But NO bones.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'd also add that if Bodhi's stool continues to be bloody, I'd get him to a vet, regardless of their feelings about raw diets. If there is indeed inflammation or worse in the digestive tract, you want to address that sooner rather than later. 

[Cori Braun]

Yes, of course, I will take him if this continues. I am keeping a very close eye on him. And taking him off the raw food for sure. Thank you very much for your wise knowledge. I am so grateful!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I hope the symptoms resolve on their own. Please keep us posted. 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Just wanted to pop in and say I am sorry Bodhi is not well and hope that by switching to a limited ingredient food or back to what you were doing, helps his tummy feel better soon.

[Cori Braun]

Hi everyone,

Bodhi is back to normal BMs. No blood. Thank goodness. We reintroduced his kibble and he is great. So we stick with Orjen adult! Thanks for always having kind words and wise information!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm so glad he's better! Thanks for the update!