In desperation (yup, more dog stuff)

[ksmith]

I tried again around 10 or so to get Gaby to eat something. I had some duck with vegetables, which she had seemed to like before, and decided to give it another try. I know you're supposed to try proteins that they have never been exposed to before, but her exposure to duck has been transitory at best, a tablespoon here and there over the course of the year as a topper for her dry food. The primary proteins she has been exposed to are lamb (which I don't believe she ever evidenced a reaction to, but that could be fuzzy memory), chicken, and venison. Beef, in the form of jerky treats and soft food, which precipitated an immediate reaction.

Anyway, I gave her about a third of a can of the duck w/ veg. She flirted with it for a little bit, then. She ate it. Within an hour or so, she started acting bouncier. Both she and King wanted to go outside, so I raked leaves for an hour or so while she and King patrolled the yard and roughhoused. She didn't seem interested in eating grass. She ran around, chased squirrels, and barked.

I just fed her another third of a can. She ate it. She's resting now.

I don't want to get my hopes up. This was the case with the venison as well--some previous slight exposure, but the only food she would touch--which may indicate that in a month or so I will be going through this all over again. I could try to nip it at the bud and start introducing the rabbit food after she recovers a bit--it may be easier to introduce her to new food when she isn't sick.

No more d-word, that I could see. No squatting or scooting. Hoping that's a sign that the imodium is doing its thing.

Now we wait and see what the blood tests reveal...

Comments

[hoosier-red.livejournal.com]

Fingers crossed that the Gabster tolerates the duck well. Poor sweetie -- having a wonky GI tract isn't fun (she writes, looking at the fragile flower of felinity next to her who can only eat Castor and Pollux Organix Adult Cat food because things get very nasty otherwise).

[equesgal.livejournal.com]

Sorry your "kids" seem to have to visit the vet so much. Hope Gabby feels better soon.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

How the heck did you find that stuff?

I can't help but think that somewhere out there is the perfect food for Gaby, but that there are so many brands available that I will never find it.

The other danger is that ingredients change and various brands become unavailable--I've heard that Evo 95% rabbit (canned) is being phased out even though it is still advertised. And they're starting to run low on those new Zealand deer that seem to supply all the venison for these foods.

I hope the duck works. I have yet to hear of a shortage of duck.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

It certainly wasn't the sort of weekend I planned.

[threeoutside.livejournal.com]

Your comment spurred this thought: Have you thought of asking your vet for the names & addresses of pet food manufacturers - you might write or call the and explain your dilemma. Maybe they'd send you samples and you could present them to Gaby in a methodical schedule, and maybe find some she can tolerate.

Sometimes companies will be really helpful that way.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

Samples would be good in order to determine whether she will touch the stuff. That will, though, still leave the 2-month trial period during which it can all go blooey.

I almost hope that it isn't food, because as I said before. We're going to start running out of protein sources after a while. Unless someone makes something like Yak + Parsnip. I already know about the Kangaroo + Oatmeal.

[hoosier-red.livejournal.com]

I did some research after the vet suggested that JJ's overgrooming problem and recurring ocular herpes infection was triggered by a food allergy. Castor and Pollux had good reviews among people with allergic pets, and the Organix Adult Feline formula had good levels of various vitamins and minerals without including corn, wheat or beef. JJ's been on it for three or four years, now, and he's tolerated it really well. I know that Castor and Pollux do organic dog food as well -- you might want to research it, see if it's something that might work for Gaby.

[galeni.livejournal.com]

Fingers crossed for you.