Hello All, 

My name is Brenda. I have 2 Australian Cattle Dogs aka Heelers. Myrt and Frosty are litter mates and they are 5 years old.

Myrt and Frosty are like night and day.Frosty does not any major health probelms and is very active.Myrt's first health issue started when she was almost a year old.IBS. In 2006 she had a skin infection that would not go away and had to have surgery in 2007 to remove all of the infected areas.She has to eat a vet diet high fiber food and takes Atopica every other day.

I've not had much luck with natural products to control Myrt's bowel and skin issues but I keep trying. 

Hi Brenda! Welcome to the community!

There is lots of information to be found that might help Myrt. You might want to start with the threads Questions About Raw Food and Welcome to the Dog Allergies Discussion Group!  My 6 year old Corgi boy has had digestive issues in the past. ONP has a product called GI Support, and it has completely cleared up his bowel issues.  I also feed a natural and organic diet, starting with Sojos Europa Grain Free premix.  The mix is full of wonderful stuff, and is easy to use. Just add in your own protien. I also make sure my dogs get no corn, wheat, or soy products. And, right now, no grain, to see if it will cut down on my Cori girl's itching.

Have fun with the site, and Good Luck!

Thanks for the welcome.My ONP order came today.I'm going to start Myrt on the Acetylator from Vetri-Science.My one worry is shellfish.Myrt had very loose stools when I tried the Glyco-Flex.

Myrt is a challenge.I have never had a dog the has had the health issues that Myrt has.

Bowel issues,skin issues and one thing that really gets me is how much grass she eats.Sometimes it's alot and she also snaps that the grass when she is excited.

What do you feed Myrt? That may be the single biggest thing that you can change that will positively affect her health. If you are feeding run of the mill commercial dog food, or, even prescription food from the vet, then you are feeding her JUNK.  Please look at Questions about Rawfood, and Natural and Organic Dog Food threads.  The single most important part of good canine health is diet. A home prepared, or high quality organic food, such as what you can purchase at ONP, is the first step to health.  I have home cooked for my dogs for years, but, I have started feeding Sojos Europa Grain Free. It is a freeze dried product that you rehydrate, and add your own protiens. It is great stuff. Please check it out.

Myrt eats Royal Canin Calorie Control High Fiber.  I have tried so many natural and organic foods but they do not have enough fiber in them for her to have a frim stool. I have tried Instinct,Honest Kitchen,Blue Buffalo,TOTW,Halo to name a few. I have tried to add fiber supplements to food but had no luck.

I do mix Instinct canned Chicken to her dry food but only two tablespoons.If she gets to much she will have large mucus covered stools. 

Some times I think I suffer from information overload.Try this or do that but nothing works except the Royal Canin food with it's 17 percent fiber.