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Will it hurt to start RAW diet after recovering from hookworm?

C

ChefToots

Member
Hello,

I joined a few months back when we got our mastiff Delilah. I've been lurking and reading this great info since. My girl is recovering from hookworm and eating homemade cooked bland diet. We had planned on starting her on RAW but had to postpone due to a death in the family followed by hookworms the following week:(. She is no longer having bloody stool and her poops are firm again. Is it safe to start or on the diet now? I'm not sure if it will help or hurt the situation and I have searched everywhere for answers.

We're new to the area and our new vet is not against RAW feeding but not exactly encouraging or a fount of info on the subject so I haven't bothered to even ask. Open to all suggestions...
 
angelbears

angelbears

Well-Known Member
I would think it would be okay. I have been feeding raw for 3 years and following raw feeding groups and they would all suggest to get her started.
 
C

ChefToots

Member
You're right, it's definitely the better choice of feed. I was just concerned that the minor digestive problems she'll get the first week of transitioning to raw and bone eating might aggravate a not quite healed digestive system.
 
C

ChefToots

Member
She hasn't been yet. She starts her 2 round of Sentinel of next Thursday. That will be the 2 weeks from first dose.
 
ruthcatrin

ruthcatrin

Well-Known Member
She'd probly be fine to start now. But I'd personally wait till at least a few days after the 2nd wormer is done. That way if something goes "wrong" (such as diarrhea) you know which is the culprit, the wormer (and potentially worms) or the raw.
 
DennasMom

DennasMom

Well-Known Member
How old is she now?

Since she's already on the homemade bland diet, I would think this is a great time to transition over to a full raw diet.

If she's over 6 months old, a few extra days on the bland diet won't be a problem at all, either, so sticking with that until you're done with the meds is probably worth it, too - as Ruth suggested.

I'm sure they told you - but hookworm ova stick around for a long time in dirt - be sure you pick up poops as they happen to minimize the change of ova sticking around in your yard. We had a bout with that here about 10 years ago (something our pup brought home from the dog park), so getting fecal tests done is always first on my list to check if anything looks amiss.
 
C

ChefToots

Member
She is about a year and a half to two years old. She is a rescue and they weren't quite sure. She's actually made an impressive improvement and no longer has any diarrhea or bloody stools. She is also quite hungry as expected! I thought as well that the transition may be easier since she's been on the bland diet so I fasted her and served her first raw meal of a commercial ground chicken mix just a little while ago. She definitely enjoyed it and if there are no severe tummy upsets tonight/tomorrow, we'll continue with that until mid to late week before starting her on the "real" deal. Everyone in our community is supposed to pick up poop but doesnt always. We pick up and our yard is poo free. We've also switched her Heartworm meds to one that helps more with hookworms.

And while we're on it, what is the best part of the chicken to start her on? I'm reading mixed info. I'd planned on leg quarters first but now seeing it's harder to digest because its weight bearing. Thanks for the good advice everyone!
 
M

musicdeb

Well-Known Member
Chicken leg quarters are a great way to start raw diet. Hold off on organ meats for about 2-3 weeks and then do it slow and steady to prevent cannon butt.

Weight-bearing bones to avoid are for the heavy animals, like pigs, cows, bison, etc.
 
N

nedditone

New Member
That's what I was hoping. I just hope she's as impressed with the leg quarters as she is with the commercial ground. Thanks musicdeb!
 
M

musicdeb

Well-Known Member
Let's hope so. Give her time. Leave her food down for 20 minutes and pick it up. Try again in an hour or so. Wrap it in wax paper before putting in the fridge.
 
C

ChefToots

Member
So far so good. She hate some chicken backs, necks and gizzards today. Hopefully enough bone to keep poop solid. She really chewed well and vomited it up almost immediately after finishing (as expected). She ate the regurgitated portion and seems to be fine and dandy. She sat right outside of the kitchen watching me repackage the cases of chicken we got hoping for more.
 
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