[nagdu] Maxx's problem

[Tracy Carcione]

Hi Cheryl.
Could you be feeding Maxx too much for his size and work level?  I think
the amounts recommended on dogfood bags are sometimes too much, and the
amount he was fed at the school can change when you get home, too.
Ben also tends to chub up, if I don't watch his food amount carefully.  He
is getting 1 cup in the morning and another at night, and that seems to
keep him in a reasonable range.  Though I'm wondering if I shouldn't cut
back the night a little. One has to adjust these things sometimes.

Also, are you sure no one is sneaking Maxx treats?  Families can be bad
about that kind of thing.

A friend of mine was having all kinds of serious digestion issues with her
dog, and decided to switch her to a raw diet.  All the problems cleared
up, and the dog stayed at a good weight with good digestion for the rest
of her days.  But a raw diet can be tricky.  One has to do a lot of
research, and some experimentation.  And some dogs don't take to it,
either.  I tried it with Echo, but she could never adjust and thrive on
it, so I had to give up.

I don't know what other issues you have with GDF, but it seems, from your
description, they've been more than accommodating.  They gave you free
tests, and free dogfood, and those are not cheap.  Or I'm assuming they
gave you these things, since you said it would be cheaper to go there than
the vet.  I think you'd be hard pressed to find any school where someone
is availlable on a Saturday for anything less than a life-and-death
situation.  You'd have a much better chance of reaching your vet.
JMO.
Tracy