Danois

So surely the same would apply for a BARF diet or even a diet in the wild - ie the natural canine diet? Weren't grains introduced by manufacturers to fill out food. I have in fact experienced a lack of stomach upsets etc compared to feeding Eagle Pack, Royal Canin or Euk.

Thanks gillbear - I had tried to google but must not have been using the right terms!

Is anyone here a member of the CIMDA (Canine Immune Mediated Diseases) Yahoo User Group? It is based out of Cambridge Uni in the UK. I have been trying to find the Group without any luck.

Ian - I take your point and there may be some people out there who switch to Orijien as it is the 'new' thing on the market. From my own experience, I have been on a constant search for a food which Angs will do well on due to having a senstive stomach/ fast digestion and increased appetite due to medication. The results I have seen from Angs so far have convinced me my decision to change was spot on. I am feeding less, poos are 'normal' and his condition is great!

Hey Mak - try the All_Natural Vet in Russell Lea/ Drummoyne - I am pretty sure they have it. I order mine from PEtdeli online www.petdeli.com.au who will deliver to you. I am in Camperdown.

Mak - where abouts are you?

This is the standard price for it and it is more economical as you do not need to feed as much. I understand that the position is that high protein is only bad for growing large breed dogs if it is fed in conjunction with high fat. By itself it is not necessarily a bad thing.

I went for trial size - 7kg!

Yeah Kerry is fantastic Its free delivery with purchases over $70. I might get a sample pack to see how it goes with Darcy. Ah! Over $70. My order is never under $70 so had not realised.

Pretty sure All_Natural Vets in Drummoyne have it too. I get mine online with PEtdeli - Kerry there is terrific! Free delivery in Sydney metro! Angs has a very sensitive stomach and it have been going really well for him. I seriously thought it would be squirt city with the lack of changeover but nope! There has been no instances of food left in the bwol since change over and I have even dropped down number of cups fed (compared to EP). And do not get me started on how quickly Milo went through 400g (which reminds me I need to buy cat food on the way home).

mandarins are fine for dogs - I know someone who adds them into her BARF mix sometimes.

Hey Mel Based on EP I was feeding around 9 cups a day (70kg with fast digestion). I think EP guide was 8 cups. I was going through 3 bags of EP every 2 months. For his weight Orijien guide says 5 3/4 - 6 cups. I am feeding 4 cups for breakfast and 2 cups at night with 500g of the barf. I am slowly cutting the 4 cups down to 3 but will watch as Angs drops weight very easily.

Re feeding oats to dogs. A vet told me that this should be done with caution as oats increase the temperature of the blood.

I do - mind you I am in NSW so you might have to hunt around for a supplier in Vic.

I have not found an actual stockist in my area yet so just order it from the PEtdeli and get free delivery. The cost is identical to EP - $120 for 13.5kg bag. Just realised you have 2 small dogs - they do a 7kg bag too which is around $70 I think. I have also started on the Canine Country Barf (chicken and duck)

I have just switched from Eagle Pack (Duck) to Orijien and its been great! The delivery was delayed so I had almost run out of EP and did not get the whole transition across. Angs has a sensitive stomach (can't have lamb or roo) at the best of times and I had expected the consequences of the sudden food change - none! He also has a faster than normal digestive system. He has gone from larger light brown smelly softer poo to smaller darker non-stinky poo. AND - no farting for 2 days! I have switched the cat over too.

Angs has been on cortisone since aged 13 months - so 7 months now. He is on a low dose too and I have no other options for him. From what I had read - cortisone use should be tapered off with a gradual reduction in dose.

Wished Angs' burps (and farts) smelt like broccoli!

Aaaw! There's my little lap warmer!

Clear the room? Clear the house with this dane!! ETA There has been an improvement lately as I have been using a pancreatic enzyme and now switched to Thrive D. I found out that the stinky farts can relate to a too fast digestive system. Certainly since being on it his poos are much less stinky.

Angs burps. Its always charming and guaranteed to happen when there is a guest in the house. My theory with burps (and farts) having a breed prone to bloat - is that it is better out than in!

When my friend's dog was on supercoat there was a lot of mushy poo - this was because the main ingredient of Supercoat is cereal. Better off going to a premium food which lists meat (and not a meat by-product) as its first ingredient. No need to cook up the mince either. Check what type of mince it is - some dogs have trouble with lamb and roo due to the richness.

Any one had any experience with reflux (the lick lipping and smelly belches!) and any tips on treatment - ie is there a mylanta for dogs?

wow - forgot about this thread! Angs continues on his way and is on 40mg of cortisone a day now and 100mg of Imuran every second day. I gave the natural option a go with no discernable improvement (in conjunction with the cortisone). Unfortunately IMPA is not a common issue within danes so there is very little information out there. Garloch - I am always conscious of putting the drugs into him but there is communication with my vet at least weekly and he is happy with things at the moment. We have only been on it 6 months at this stage. Anneh - it sounds like you are in a difficult position especially as your wee one is not so young and age related issues may heighten the IMPA. I maintain an attitude that as long as Angs is happy, racing around, eating etc then I will leave him be. The cortisone makes them comfortable - just have to adjust to increased thirst and peeing.

Could you make the trip to the Natural Vets in Sydney - well worth it!