Basenji Feeding

@Nemo: I'm going to have to watch the brands I use of these. I cut them up for training treats. Also note that they mention Fanconi-like symptoms (glucose in urine). http://www.fda.gov/cvm/CVM_Updates/ComplaintsChicJerky.htm Preliminary Animal Health Notification December 19, 2008 FDA Continues To Receive Complaints about Chicken Jerky Products for Dogs and Cautions Consumers The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to caution consumers of a potential association between the development of illness in dogs and the consumption of chicken jerky products also described as chicken tenders, strips or treats. FDA continues to receive complaints of dogs experiencing illness that their owners or veterinarians associate with consumption of chicken jerky products. The chicken jerky products are imported to the U.S. from China. FDA issued a cautionary warning to consumers in September 2007. Australian news organizations report the University of Sydney is also investigating an association between illness in dogs and the consumption of chicken jerky in Australia. At least one firm in Australia has recalled their chicken jerky product and the recall notification stated the chicken jerky product was manufactured in China. FDA believes the continued trend of consumer complaints coupled with the information obtained from Australia warrants an additional reminder and animal health notification. Chicken jerky products should not be substituted for a balanced diet and are intended to be used occasionally and in small quantities. Owners of small dogs must be especially careful to limit the amount of these products. FDA, in addition to several veterinary diagnostic laboratories in the U.S, is working to determine why these products are associated with illness in dogs. To date, scientists have not been able to determine a definitive cause for the reported illnesses. FDA has conducted extensive chemical and microbial testing but has not identified any contaminant. FDA is advising consumers who choose to feed their dogs chicken jerky products to watch their dogs closely for any or all of the following signs which may occur within hours to days of feeding the product: decreased appetite, although some may continue to consume the treats to the exclusion of other foods; decreased activity; vomiting; diarrhea, sometimes with blood; and increased water consumption and/or increased urination. If the dog shows any of these signs, stop feeding the chicken jerky product. Owners should consult their veterinarian if signs are severe or persist for more than 24 hours. Blood tests may indicate kidney failure (increased urea nitrogen and creatinine). Urine tests may indicate Fanconi syndrome (increased glucose). Although most dogs appear to recover, some reports to the FDA have involved dogs that have died. The FDA continues to actively investigate the problem. Many of the illnesses reported may be the result of causes other than eating chicken jerky. Veterinarians and consumers alike should report cases of animal illness associated with pet foods to the FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator http://www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/complain.html in their state. Thanks for the Heads Up! We noticed a problem with giving Chicken based treats to our Basenji several months ago. Our Basenji would throw up yellow bile sometime in the next 12-24 hour period. Our Boston Terrier was having some loose stools she did not seem affected in same way so we attributed the Basenji throwing up the yellow bile as an allergic reaction to chicken or a chicken related product. We did note that we also had issues with both of our dogs Stools when feeding Chicken Based EVO so we switched to Red Meat EVO and the loose Stool issue improved. We now feed a mixture of Taste of the Wild Salmon and Red Meat EVO. I just checked the package of the Chicken Chips Marketed under the VitaLife Label and noticed that they are a product of China as the warning mentions. The other Chicken Based treat is Called Holistic Select Natural Dog Treats manufactured by Eagle Pack. Although it says Made in USA on the package I question where the ingredients are sourced from. Our Basenji had the same reaction to Both the Holistic Select Chicken Treat as well at the VitaLife Treats. Neither of our dogs have had any reaction to the Holistic Select Salmon but we are still questioning the possibility of issues with the Holistic Duck treats as well. At this point, we are sure that our Basenji has issues with chicken based treats. Jason and Miranda

IMO unless a dog has specific health problems, I've never given senior food. My old heeler/am esk mix is over 10 and she still gets what everyone else is on - Nutro for sensitive stomachs. She's still a PITA and wants to play all the time.

I agree with Pat regarding the coat. It is very common for reds to be "washed out" when they loose their coat. It unusally returns. But if he is doing well on the food, don't change it. The old saying, don't break what not broken.

Zip is on Evo turkey and chicken small bites and she does well on it. Today is day 1 of transitioning Riley from Innova puppy to Zip's food….Liz measured out all the right amounts a week or so ago before we ran out of his old food so he's all set with little baggies of old+new mixed kibble with the day written on all of them...so cute (good job honey). Zippy's poo got significantly smaller when we started her on Evo and I have to say that we're looking forward to that with Riley. He has AT LEAST 5 lbs on her so you know...bigger dog, bigger poo. Just add Evo :D -Nicki

I understand now. My thoughts run the same line. The families should be tested as much as possible. This gives a truer indication of who is carrier and the probabilites of such. Thanks for the clarification.

I found Zina put on the weight quickly too and had to cut back, but it's still, IMO, an excellent food.

Lynn, Your b likes bread too? My boy is terrible around buttered toast! It is like a moth to a flame! But on a more serious note, I do agree that less grain in their diets is better. From all the stuff I've read about meat feeding (raw vs cooked and etc) on this forum, most of us are trying our best to move toward that. But keep looking up stuff on snopes cuz I use that site too!!:)

Giardia can actually be very difficult to clear up. What medication did the vet use? Did they keep prescribing the same medication or did they try something else to see if Benga responded better to another? I know that with Nicky we had tried Flagyl but it would recur and then tried Panacur and it finally cleared up. As for the food if you are looking for something less rich, try California Natural. It is made by the same company as Evo but is not as rich as Evo.

Jack will paw at his water bowl, tip it over, grab and run with it into the living room, throw it around the kitchen…. And not only when it's empty- if he decides he wants fresh water, he'll knock water all over the kitchen floor.:mad:

I was given a bag of dried sweet potatoes in the summer basenji exchange! I'm a huge fan of them & will end up buying more when these are gone. Dallas loves them! Plus, unlike most treats, these he doesn't inhale as quickly so I use them for crate treats. He goes into his crate immediately when he hears me open the bag :p

Here is what Only Natural Pet carries, maybe it might give an idea of what Raw brands are out there, http://search.onlynaturalpet.com/search.aspx?searchterms=raw-pet-food

I bought a case of it. It comes in 2 pound frozen rolls with 15 rolls in a case. It is really economical when purchased by the case and works out to around $2.50ish per roll. Here is their website: http://www.blueridgebeef.com/welcome.html Another company who’s supplements I may buy for our dogs is Nupro. I got a sample of their supplement formula from the same pet store and I really like their ingredients. Here is their website: http://www.nuprosupplements.com/

I've used it - as does a couple of Gordon Setter breeders around here - dogs like it - seem to do well on it.

I wanted Brando to at least have some breakfast, but he wouldn't eat a lot. So I tried to split it equal amounts and he would always leave some. Then I gave him a smaller amount in the morning and then larger at night and that was the right balance and he now eats both meals fully. You might just experiment to see what might work if you really want her to have two meals. Also, I completely agree with Pat about controlled feeding. I think picky eaters then understand that if they want something to eat, they bettter get it now or they'll be waiting a long time. Ruby was REALLY picky until I switched food. Brando is still picky on occasion. Both have missed meals because they didn't eat within a set amount of time. One reason I really like controlled feeding is that if they are sick and not eating, you know it…also, it helps with controlled "output" as well.

@basi: Glad he is enjoying his new food. I see Alain has a bitch out of my Cali's sister that was exported to the US. Yes, Eldorado's Zari by Saqqara. He also brought her with him.

@lvoss: I have been ordering direct from Cloud Star for about 9 months now. I use the buddies for training treats both the soft buddies and the itty bitty buddies work well, both break up easily. I have had no problem with them going bad. Since you are ordering direct from the company they haven't sat on a shelf in a store. Generally, the expiration dates on the boxes I get are about a year after my purchase and I go through them pretty quickly with 4 dogs. That is good to know

He seems to be getting a little better… I am trying to keep him hydrated and have been feeding him baby food, which he has, for the most part, kept down. He has been peeing multiple times a day and actually pooped this morning which was a breakthrough, but nothing came out that seemed problematic. He is not as active as he normally is, but he does still have a little pep. Hopefully when I get home he will excrete whatever is clogging up his system. The last time this happened, the doc took about 12 x-rays but could not really conclude anything from them. So I ended up paying about $1700 to just let him pass it on his own. They did give him an IV, which I think helped, but I didn't figure out what was going on until he was already dehydrated last time. I think since he is keeping down the water/food I give him and is consistantly peeing thats a good sign. If he starts to act more lethargic, or starts to vomit what i give him, I"ll take him in....

HAHAHAHA…....Basenji's in coconut (maybe walnut shell) bra's. I see it in my minds eye during one of those kangaroo boxing type matches my 2 get in when they are playing--standing on hind legs and slapping each other up-side the head!! Hips and b. tails wiggling within grass skirts. What a video that would make. Sorry, back to topic. That food looks great. I'd also like to hear what those out there think.