Wheaten terrier digestive issues?
Our 10-year-old Wheaten has recently developed digestive problems (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea). He’s been investigated for all sorts of health issues, but his tests always come back normal. A year ago he started on a prescription “joint diet” for mild osteoarthritis. The main ingredients in this food are corn, chicken liver, fish oil and wheat (with various other ingredients). He was previously on two different chicken-and-brown-rice foods, which appeared not to cause problems.
We have found throughout his life that he has a sensitive digestion, with specific proteins (e.g., beef) and higher-fat foods causing discomfort.
Has anyone had experience with their dog developing food sensitivities a year or more after starting a food? And has anyone ever had a dog with food issues who didn’t have skin problems? Our dog doesn’t get itchy, and is otherwise very healthy.
Thanks.
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Have you tried taking him off the food to see if it makes a difference? Try giving him something bland (like chicken and rice) for a few days. I have known dogs develop intolerances to things that they were once ok with, I change my own dogs food regularly as this has happened to her in the past. Is there anything else that he eats regularly that could cause it (a certain kind of treat perhaps or something he is picking up that he shouldn’t, cat food for example)?
This is a new problem, but yes, we’re currently giving him boiled rice and chicken, along with a prescription kibble for GI distress/allergies. So it sounds as though your dog will become sensitive to certain foods quite some time after she starts on them. What about skin issues? Our guy has none, and our vet said he, personally, hasn’t seen a dog with food sensitivities that doesn’t also have itchy or irritated skin.
My dog does have skin issues, she’s a Staffie so they are prone to skin problems with or without the stomach issues, sadly she has both. I do know of dogs with stomach sensitivites but good skin, most of them are Spaniels strangely!!
Thanks, Leanne, that’s good to know. (I’m sorry for your girl’s food issues.)
The GI kibble is going down well so far, though time will tell, right? At least he’s eating….after a bout of upset tummy he doesn’t want to eat the food he was eating when he got sick—which may be a kind of innate wisdom on his part! He has always been sensitive to high-fat foods, which our vet said is not uncommon in some breeds, including wheatens.
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