Kevikell
New member
My 11 1/2 yr old bulldog has had a rough 14 months. We finally got her over a MRSP infection but also found out she had developed an autoimmune disease called erythema multiforme. At this point we don't know the cause but since she no longer has an infection, she hasn't been vaccinated since June of 2013, and as far as we know she doesn't actively have cancer (that has been on the vets radar since her diagnosis in Dec 2013). He keeps saying she may have a rare from of lymphoma that affects the skin but that's what they thought when we had a biopsy done in Dec and the autoimmune diagnosis was made. Her skin disease is not getting better and we are running out of options to manage it without serious risks to her health.
She has been on quality kibble for 7 years (unfortunately I was a new mom and fed her science diet the 1st 4 yrs) but I am wondering if it's the processed food that could be the problem. I am thinking of trying Answers Straight Raw Frozen food with Raw Goats Milk (she already gets the milk daily for probiotics). I like that it has limited ingredients and uses USDA meats. Has anyone used this brand before? I read nothing but great reviews online.
Is it a bad idea to make the switch in an elderly dog who is on triamcinolone (steroid) every other day? She's also on a 21 day course of antibiotics b/c one of her worst skin plaques has bacteria. I've read that it isn't good to start feeding raw while on prednisone or antibiotics. Is that something I should be concerned about?
What is the best way to introduce the frozen raw food? I read that you shouldn't feed raw and kibble together so how do you make the transition when the dog is being fed kibble 2x per day? Obviously I don't want to upset her tummy. Do I reduce am/pm kibble and add the raw in the middle of the kibble feedings? I am also concerned about the detox people keep mentioning. She is already a petite dog and can't afford to lose any weight.
Any advice or support would be greatly appreciated. I'm a bit worried to try raw feeding but I am ready to make an attempt if it will help her.
She has been on quality kibble for 7 years (unfortunately I was a new mom and fed her science diet the 1st 4 yrs) but I am wondering if it's the processed food that could be the problem. I am thinking of trying Answers Straight Raw Frozen food with Raw Goats Milk (she already gets the milk daily for probiotics). I like that it has limited ingredients and uses USDA meats. Has anyone used this brand before? I read nothing but great reviews online.
Is it a bad idea to make the switch in an elderly dog who is on triamcinolone (steroid) every other day? She's also on a 21 day course of antibiotics b/c one of her worst skin plaques has bacteria. I've read that it isn't good to start feeding raw while on prednisone or antibiotics. Is that something I should be concerned about?
What is the best way to introduce the frozen raw food? I read that you shouldn't feed raw and kibble together so how do you make the transition when the dog is being fed kibble 2x per day? Obviously I don't want to upset her tummy. Do I reduce am/pm kibble and add the raw in the middle of the kibble feedings? I am also concerned about the detox people keep mentioning. She is already a petite dog and can't afford to lose any weight.
Any advice or support would be greatly appreciated. I'm a bit worried to try raw feeding but I am ready to make an attempt if it will help her.