best source of calcium as suppliment..yogurt/tums?
Submitted by amos1 on March 15, 2012 - 1:59pmHey all, I was wanting to make sure our amos was getting enough calcium and nutrients in his diet. His first food that he was on from the breeder was the kirkland lamb dog food. When we first got him we noticed lots of gas. Within the first 2 weeks of having him we switched him to firstmate(candaian made) lamb formula. With that we noticed much less gas did notice some hives but not sure if that was from the food? Firstmate did not have any fish oil in it so we transitioned him to orijen lamb formula which is higher in protein but contained healtheir ingredients i believe and am not sure if that is ok. With this food i have noticed more itching within the first week though even though it is grain free, little gas and bowel movements have been good. He did have his last vaccination for parvo last saturday and noticed him rubbing up against furniture to itch the day we brought him home. Maybe he was sensitive to the vaccine? Because he is still so new to us, i guess i am trying to figure out his body and what is best for him. I am tempted to try a fish based food as an alternative. How long should i have him on a particular food before I decide to switch it even if i notice diffrences within the first week? The reason I am concerned with calcium is that he has been eating poop on occasion and last night when he was sleeping awoke with mild head tremor a few nights ago. This is the first time I have noticed the tremor and from what I have researched about it, people have many theories on where it could stem from.I have decided to start a health journal for him to track all of these things.
amos1
Vern had several episodes of
Vern had several episodes of head tremors, after his palate & neutering.....it was scary. Our vet had me give him a tums tablet daily and he has never had another since I started that.
After a couple of weeks, I stopped giving him tums daily and now give him one once a week. I give him the fruity flavored ones and he thinks they are a treat, scarfs it down.
I'm not sure about yogurt - gotta be careful w/the additives and sugar/dairy.
Good luck!
Switching food...
It's an individual matter....what works for one may not for another.
However, and it's too late now, but he's had too many switches in too short a period of time. Normally, I urge my puppy buyers to keep them on the food I send them home with, and if they feel the need to change to wait a month or two. Except in case of allergic reaction which shows up quickly, it takes a couple of months to know if the new food is giving the desired results.
I think he sounds young to have head tremors--see the health page of this forum that has information on head shakes and mention to the vet at next visit.
Good luck and have fun with your new puppy!
Agree
You have to wait at least 6 weeks to determine how well a food may work. My vet told me it takes 6 weeks to get 1 food out of thier system. Unless you know that the food is the cause and you have some serious side effects.
Vaccines can sting, so rubbing after a vaccine can be normal.
A health journal is a great idea!
It does take about 6 weeks to get an accurate asessment of a new food, unless of course there is an obvious serious reaction.
Calcium needs to be balanced to the proper ratio with phosphorous, so I have no advice for adding an extra calcium supplement because I wouldn't be able to tell you how to not throw off that ratio. Especially if he is a growing puppy. If you are feeding kibble, that calcium/phosphorous ratio will be correct.
I don't know about head tremors, but would recommend letting your vet know right away.
My dog had a very itchy face also, and we finally realized she was allergic to corn and wheat and is either allergic or hypersensitive to the chemicals in kibble. Even grain free made her itchy, although much less so. We switched her to a raw diet and now she doesn't have any more food related issues.
Cathy and Audrey
Too Much Calcium
can be a bad thing...so IMO feed a quality food and you should not need to add calcium. There are certain large breeds (ie Great Danes) that may need additional calcium as puppies...but as a whole you should not add calcium. To much can damage Kidneys. I would consult your vet.
Also ... I would be very concerned
about head tremors on a young puppy. That is not good. I would have a blood panel done to make sure everything is ok.
If you decide to use a supplement I have used Sure Grow 100 with good results.