Help Needed! Just when we thought we were home free.....

[mer55]

Hi to all my food gurus!
Bogey has been on the Beef Fritata (Fromms) since last MOnday (8 days) I transitioned very slowly and he was doing GREAT! Poop was solid, small and only 2-3 times a day!
I was increasing the kibble about a Tbsp. a day- he is now up to 1/2 cup kibble and about 1/4- 1/3 cup rice and hamburger. No new treats added. Yesterday evening, his poop was very soft and he went twice after dinner. Today, he has had 5 large poops, very soft serve- hard to pick up with the bag) and his face and neck are very pink! No scratching, but this looks like an allergy to something! How long do I wait to determine if this is a food allergy? I don't want to make him worse, but I don't want to jump the gun either!
Any suggestions!
I was SO hopeful I had found the right food.

 

[Sherry]

sounds like a lot of poop for a little bit of food. How many cups total food in one day? 2 cups? 3 cups?

 

[Bella'sMom]

Is there a reason why you are doing the Hamburger and rice with it?
Is there any way he got into something or a treat or table food?
I think general rule of thumb is to wait 2 weeks and then look at the results.

 

[mer55]

sounds like a lot of poop for a little bit of food. How many cups total food in one day? 2 cups? 3 cups?[/QUOTE

He is getting 1/2 cup kibble and the rest (about 1/4-1/3 cup) is rice and hamburger, so about 2 1/4- 2 3/4 cup food total. He eats 3 times a day.
[MENTION=3169]BellasMom[/MENTION]: He is on the rice and hamburger because of some GI problems 2 weeks ago and the vet put him on stomach medication and nothing but rice and hamburger. He did great on that- stool was nice and firm, and he did well with only a little bit of kibble. I can't take him off the rice and meat until he gets transitioned totally to the kibble.
As for treats- nothing new. I have been using homemade beef and rice treats. He has not eaten anything new or anything he shouldn't have. I am more concerned about the redness on his neck and face. He gets a little red when he is overheated, but it is cool here today and it did not go away after he slept for awhile.
I will cut back on the kibble and increase the rice and meat for a day or 2 and see what happens. I just so hope he isn't allergic to something in the food!

 

[Texas Carol]

Could it be the medication?

I would give the change more time before changing again.

Let us know, will keep y'all in prayers.

 

[anatess]

sounds like a lot of poop for a little bit of food. How many cups total food in one day? 2 cups? 3 cups?[/QUOTE

He is getting 1/2 cup kibble and the rest (about 1/4-1/3 cup) is rice and hamburger, so about 2 1/4- 2 3/4 cup food total. He eats 3 times a day.
@BellasMom: He is on the rice and hamburger because of some GI problems 2 weeks ago and the vet put him on stomach medication and nothing but rice and hamburger. He did great on that- stool was nice and firm, and he did well with only a little bit of kibble. I can't take him off the rice and meat until he gets transitioned totally to the kibble.
As for treats- nothing new. I have been using homemade beef and rice treats. He has not eaten anything new or anything he shouldn't have. I am more concerned about the redness on his neck and face. He gets a little red when he is overheated, but it is cool here today and it did not go away after he slept for awhile.
I will cut back on the kibble and increase the rice and meat for a day or 2 and see what happens. I just so hope he isn't allergic to something in the food!

[MENTION=5315]Texas Carol[/MENTION] is right. Maintain this mixture for a few more days and see if he still stays red. If it gets worse, cut back. If it doesn't get worse, keep at it. If after a week it doesn't get better, there's a chance you need to find another formula...

 

[mer55]

Could it be the medication?

I would give the change more time before changing again.

Let us know, will keep y'all in prayers.

He finished the medication last Thursday so it can't be that, I am just going to take a small step back and decrease the kibble amount for a day or two. I won't make any changes - as luck would have it he has an appt with the vet on Thursday. Fingers crossed it was just a flakey thing. Thanks