Hi everyone,
For about the last week, once a day our little guy gets sick after one of his feedings. On Friday last week at lunch before he was fed he had dry heaves, since than almost every day, once a day he has thrown up after eating. For the last 3 feedings we've done the cookie sheet thing and fed him in 2 pieces about 5 - 10 minutes apart and he still got sick this morning. I recently upped his intake from 3 3/4 cups to 4 cups and for the past 2 weeks have been SLOWLY intigrating adult food into his diet and phasing the puppy food out. We've been phasing out Acana Large Breed Puppy and phasing in Acana Prairie Harvest (grain free).
Is it possible that that extra 1/4 cup is too much, or that he's allergic to something in the adult food? (he's fed 3 times a day)
I'm worried of a bigger stomach issue possibility, but thought someone might have some better knowledge on the subject.
Thanks a whole bunch!!

Fresh back from the vet with a $200 bill (lordy!) he said it was an acid issue. Increased amount of acid. I was so distracted with just wanting him to get better that I didn't ask about how or why, so I've got to call back for those details (oops!), but yah...acid. Hrmpf....that sounds odd. It wasn't our regular vet, nice guy nonetheless, but yah, we've got a liquid medicine, pills and he put him on Prescription Diet R/D (the one they sell...go figure!)
Anyone else have "acid" issues?

I'm sorry your puppy is going thru this! I would not, personally, feed the Prescription Diet R/D - just wouldn't. I bet others on here can recommend supplements that help to smooth the tummy without the added calcium (ie, like tums does). It's possible the Acana is too rich for him, but if necessary I'd try something else before the R/D. I'm sure you've read where so many, including myself feed California Natural - I'd give it a go or another chow before the R/D.

Another thought - is he just regurgitating the food? (Bringing the food back up pretty much whole) There is a difference verses vomiting. He may still be eating too fast and it's coming back up. Some swear by the bowls you can buy and another idea is that you may need to put a little warm water in the kibble - let it soak for a short time - then feed.

Thanks so much LadyBuckEye for getting back to me. I know next to NOTHING about this R/D stuff. What I DO know is it sounds awfully boring (the vet tech gal called it "bland"). I was thinking that too -- maybe the Acana is too rich. The R/D is supposed to sooth the stomach or something? Does that sound right? It was SUPER expensive, I wonder if I can return it? We have some meds too....but for good measure I'll give those a go.

Yah, it's more a regugitation. It comes up completely whole. Due to the dry heaves he had last week makes me a little more uneasy. The cookie sheet thing and with the 2 intermittent feedings still create the throwing up thing this morning but just a wee bit. It could fit in your hand, so it wasn't his entire breakfast which in itself was relieving, but still made me worry.

I ordered the tug-a-jug food filler toy thing that was recommended in another forum. I have to wait for it to come now, bummer. I'll go check the pet stores in town this weekend for one of those dishes and think I might investigate another food option.

I really appreciate your views on this R/D stuff since I know nothing about!

I'm researching this food more online -- it appears to be for dogs with weight management issues. Brier by NO MEANS has a weight problem, and he's only 6 1/2 months. This doesn't seem like the right food to have administered to us. I'm confused.

WAIIITT a sec...SOOO sorry, I went out to the car 'cause it just seemed too strange...it's actually Prescription Diet I/D (NOT R/D like I'd mentioned). I'm so sorry. That's a big backwards on that.
Still calcium issues with that one?

Again, GREATLY apologize for the misinformation there. That was a not so smart of me at all!!

WAIIITT a sec...SOOO sorry, I went out to the car 'cause it just seemed too strange...it's actually Prescription Diet I/D (NOT R/D like I'd mentioned). I'm so sorry. That's a big backwards on that.
Still calcium issues with that one?

Again, GREATLY apologize for the misinformation there. That was a not so smart of me at all!!

Their presciption diets serve a purpose. Try it ... if you see improvement then you're on the right track. If not, then the vet will need to look for another reason for the tummy issues. It won't hurt him to be on this diet short term.

i/d® Canine

''For the Nutritional Management of Dogs with Gastrointestinal Disorders''

Gastrointestinal (GI) disorders affect the stomach and intestines, causing painful symptoms and problems with your dog's overall health. Some of the more common symptoms include vomiting, regurgitation, flatulence, weakness, diarrhea or constipation. ''Prescription Diet® i/d® Canine'' dog food is a highly digestible formula created specifically to help manage dogs with GI disorders. There are several types of GI disorders that affect dogs, including colitis, constipation/diarrhea, gastroenteritis and pancreatitis. The nutritional formulation of ''Prescription Diet® i/d®'' may also be useful for pets with a variety of conditions.



Ingredients

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* Key Benefits
* | Daily Feeding Guide
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* Metabolizable Energy¹ (Caloric Content)
* | Average Nutrient Contents
* | Ingredients

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Ingredients

Ground Whole Grain Corn, Brewers Rice, Dried Egg Product, Chicken By-Product Meal, Corn Gluten Meal, Pork Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), Powdered Cellulose, Dicalcium Phosphate, Chicken Liver Flavor, Iodized Salt, Potassium *******, Choline Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Chloride, Dried Beet Pulp, Soybean Oil, vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin A Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid), Taurine, minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), preserved with Mixed Tocopherols & Citric Acid, Rosemary Extract.

The above is a description of the Prescription Diet I/D you bought. I'm curious as to how those ingredients equate to "a highly digestible formula" as the label states. People should follow their vet's recommendations if that's what they feel most comfortable with; but if it were my dog, I'd be exploring some simpler options first: slightly less food briefly soaked in warm water and served in a special bowl which slows down eating. I wouldn't particularly think it's a problem with the Acana Prairie Harvest. I've fed it quite a bit and it's not at "rich" (whatever that means) as EVO or Orijen or one of the "kitchen sink" formulas which has every ingredient imaginable in them. If the formula doesn't seem to suit your dog well after some more time, LadyBuckeye's suggestion of the simpler ingredient California Natural line is good - especially CN Chicken and Rice Puppy.

Thanks everyone your insight is so valued!!
We gave him the new food for lunch, I wouldn't go so far as to call it a hit, but he did eat it and SLOWLY (don't think he's into the taste much) and he didn't regurgitate, so for that...wahoo! I hope and think we should be onto the right track. We're going to start the meds tonight. Poor little fella. ..although he seems none the wiser

The canned I/D is used when a dog has stomach issues and runny poo. It's basically similar to making your own hamburger or chicken and rice mixture. It's not for long term use. With the number of foster dogs that come thru my home, I keep several cans stocked in the pantry. It may be good to feed it for several days until things settle down and then gradually go back to the regular kibble. I'd still soak the kibble to slow his eating down and reduce associated risks. If he continues to have problems then I'd consider a switch to California Natural.

Okay, thanks LadyBuckeye, I'll try soaking the food too. As in filling the bowl with water and putting the food in for a few minutes than draining the water? Or leave the water in there too? And how long do I let it sit before I pass it over?
We did the good ol' cookie sheet again at lunch. It worked, but only a matter of time before he masters that too! Clever little bugger.

Thanks ladyluna too for the soaking suggestion!

Yeah I dunno if going straight to prescription food is the best option. I do know that if its a pace thing, you could try to put giant smooth rocks in her food so your pup has to move them to get to the food. It'll give your pup's stomach some time to take in the food.

If it is a food thing, try a natural food as some people suggested or try something that says "sensitive stomach."

A food allergy is usually marked by skin, ear, hiney and paw irritations

It appears you are feeding 2 cups twice a day? If so try adding 3/4 cup of warm water and let sit for 5 minutes then feed. No need to drain. Just stir and go! If that's not enough water - just add a little more.