Question by rach: do you think serratia marcescens is making my dog sick?
My dog has had a few episodes of being sick mainly with diarrhea and some vomiting. We thought she ate something outside but we watch her closly after that. I don’t think that was the reason because she got sick again. We thought maybe food allergies but we haven’t been able to directly pin it on that as I don’t want to experiment. She is just starting a grain free food now. We also bought stainless steel dishes for her incase she got some sort of lead poisening from long term use. Then it dawned on me that we get serratia marcescens on our shower heads and sinks. It’s nearly impossible to get rid of permenently but frequent cleaning keeps it away. I gave her a mix of tap and bottled water just depending on what was more convenient at the time. So it varied every day. I hate to admit I wasn’t the best at washing her water bowl with soap… I probably did it 1-2 times a week instead of every day. In addition to new food and new dishes I’m going to clean her bowls every day with soap. Do you think serratia marcescens could have been making my dog sick? All sick episodes had to be treated with antibiotics.
The home owners have lived here for 15 years or so and it’s had no effect on them. It’s fairly safe as long as you clean the areas regularly.
Yes it is and it’s very common. It’s airborne and can happen anywhere. Changing the shower heads and sinks wouldn’t change anything. We’ve actually gotten a new shower head and it’s still there, I just clean it a lot. I mean we could change every shower head, sink, toilet, pipe, anything and it could still come back very easily.

Best answer:

Answer by Jennifer
Are you sure it is S. marcescens growing on the shower heads and sinks? Did you have it cultured? If you really have that growing on your shower heads and sinks, you really want to change everything for your own safety and that of your guests. It can be a nasty organism, and if it is growing on your faucets, your water is probably contaminated.

Really you all should be drinking packaged water (dog included) and cooking food in packaged water if your water is that bad.

Again, get it cultured though.

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Question by Dear Prudence: Can you please help me in choosing or making the best quality food for my dog?
I want to choose a HIGH QUALITY DIET for my dog. I’m willing to buy or make the food myself and cost is not an issue; I simply want the best possible diet for my best friend. I am confused by the information on the net, much of which is contradictory. One source makes a recommendation and another discounts it.

I am looking for experienced and highly knowledgable opinions! Thanks!

Considerations:
–5 y.o., active lhasa.

–Generally healthy, but sometimes has mucousy stool which I haven’t correlated to a source. He also sneezes a lot and has runny nose and eyes. Doc says this is allergy, however I suspect it is a result of his smashed in muzzle. No allergy meds have helped and present in every season.

–He is a very picky eater; historically I have mixed in a bit of cooked ground beef or turkey or broth with his kibble.

–Also need recommendation for a good quality treat that I can buy or make. He likes cruncy biscuits but most sources say flour, wheat, etc is bad.

Best answer:

Answer by Mikaila
try the wellness brand my dog loves it

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Question by The Original GarnetGlitter: Any One With Experience In Making Their Own Cat Food?
I currently am taking care of my eldest daughter’s elderly Maine Coon Cat (her BF’s dog may not be cat friendly). He is approximately 14 years old, has had FIV all his adult life (adopted as a stray), has recently developed hyperthyroidism-he is currently under the care of a vet who treats cats exclusively…..the vet says he’s in great shape all things considered, even his teeth!

The problem is, the cat has food allergies and finding a cat food he doesn’t re-act to is difficult…we’ve found three that he will eat but not that enthusiastically so my question is, since he LOVES people chicken (boned, skinned & cooked of course) if I stew chicken legs with just water to cover and with a little fresh carrots, peas and a tad bit brown rice, cool it, bone. shred, skin the chicken, mash the peas, carrots, and wee bit of brown rice, return it to the broth, would that be nutritionally sound for him? I was thinking of adding it to the commerical cat foods I have found that he can eat without allergy re-actions ( he can have NO corn or wheat, we have narrowed the allergy down to that) I know it won’t hurt him, and since he drives me nuts with begging when I make & eat chicken soup for our two legged family members (he can’t have because of the onions & garlic) I think having his own chicken soup may help him to put on some weight.

If anyone has any other recipes for home made cat meals containing lamb or beef….share please? He’s a sweet old cat who deserves to be pampered for the remaining few years he has left….thanks.
Thanx but before I make any real dietary changes for him I will have to consult his vet, especially when it comes to an FIV positive elderly cat whose immune system is already compromised by the disease, raw meat might NOT be a good idea since he has the feline version of Aids…..was just wondering if anyone actually cooks for their cat…as I have a crockpot, tossing the ingredients in the crockpot in the morning and letting the appliance do the cooking is no trouble at all, in fact I love to cook reguardless of who it’s for……my Mom’s doxie had serious problems with bloat & digestive disorders so her vet had her cooking for her dog…he lived for 17 years so it can work, and I’m familiar with it, just that dogs & cats have different dietary needs.

Best answer:

Answer by Kia the Koala Lady
Personally, I do not make my own food, however some of my contacts do, so I will star for you. I do know that you can look into the more protein rich foods (Wellness CORE for example) and most of them have no corn, wheat, or other fillers. Chicken is great for a cat, and is one of the best foods you can feed them. Google, or search on YA, how to cook a raw diet for a cat, and I think you will find what you are looking for. Best of luck to you and your fuzzy friend!!

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Question by A Straight A Mommy: Beside fleas, what could be making my 7 yr old dog itch and chew?
We use Advantage Flea Control, and we have done treatment inside the house, there are no fleas, but here is is November, and my poor dog is still itching and scratching and chewing himself silly. Every so often I can feel bumps on his skin under his coat, but not there are no scabs. He has always been an itchy dog, but it has always been seasonal. I know to use Oatmeal Shampoo, and to give him raw eggs/veggie oil in his food, but it doesn’t seem to be working. Aside from taking him to get allergy testing ($ $ $ ) anything else you’d recommend? Thanks
Just to clarify… he doesn’t have any one particular spot he chews incessantly. I don’t think I over bathe him, about once a month, maybe every 2 weeks if he gets dirty. I haven’t changed his food in over a year, and it isn’t the crappy store brand kind, it is a good vet recommended brand. I don’t live anywhere that ants bite.. and he doesn’t have mange. Hope that clarifies. I know I am just fishing here, but I have tried everything I know, and exhausted the people at Petco’s knowledge. He has been to the Vet and the only option left now is to have the allergy tests. That is why I need some help.

Best answer:

Answer by Akhs
Sweat?

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Our French bulldog has allergies, etc. We have tried everything and have noticed great improvement when we make her food. she eats better than we do! We buy her organic chicken from Earthfare and mix it with brown rice and sw potato….all in food processor. We are having a hard time finding detailed sites that discuss dog food quantities and calories. She’s 22 lbs. and we’ve estimated that she needs around 700 calories. but still not sure if that’s enough having some concerns….hard time putting that into portion size. Anyone out there making their own dog food?? Her allergies are nearly gone. It’s so much easier to know exactly what we’re putting in her mouth but any suggestions we can get on this subject are GREATLY appreciated.