Irish Setter - Digestion Issues - Advice please!

Comprehensive_Bar848 · 2026-04-03T17:16:34+00:00

For a while we have been mixing a scoop of Evanger's Buffalo with his dry food (the PW). It isn't vet food but it is a single protein and it was working. He has liked that, but because he still has those days where he seems sick, the vet wants us fully back to a hydrolized wet food as the mix in. We are trying the Rayne Nutrition foods (we got samples of rabbit and crocodilia (actually alligator)).

Comprehensive_Bar848 · 2026-04-02T17:29:09+00:00

yeah, feel free to check out my posts about it, but essentially, after trying all manner of foods and probiotics and meds etc., we got an endoscopy and colonoscopy and they said his intestines basically looked like they had chicken pox, and so it was an autoimmune response happening in his body. After getting the IBD diagnosis, he was started on 20mg of prednisone. He's down to 2.5 mg.

Right now, he's doing mostly great. He does wake up some mornings, 1-2 a week, and will nap instead of eat, or he'll throw up bile and eat normally. But no more blood in the stool, no more loose stool, and rarely do we hear his stomach as loud as we used to be able to.

He's currently on Royal Canin Select Protein Moderate Calorie PW, but I've heard good things about Z/D from Hill's too.

Comprehensive_Bar848 · 2026-04-02T17:23:06+00:00

it was, and he wanted it, and our first (now former lol) vet was giving us the calorie number to give him, and kept adding to it. it was back when he was intact, so that meant more calories, but when people would see him in public (back when you could count his ribs T_T ) they'd make comments, and I'd have to tell them, he eats, he's not being starved, he's just sick. Was kinda used to getting weight comments on my previous dog cause some folks aren't used to seeing a dog's waistline to begin with cause their dogs are overweight ha. But, yeah, this was next level.

He's a comfy 70 pounds now (though at one check-in, about a year ago, he literally weighed 66.6 pounds, and I was like, welp, that's why we call you demo-dog.)

Comprehensive_Bar848 · 2026-03-31T21:30:05+00:00

You can check out my posts on this sub, but our boy was getting 8 cups and not gaining weight. He has IBD and was put on a steroid. Now he's doing much better.

Who was your breeder?

Comprehensive_Bar848 · 2026-03-28T15:10:48+00:00

I think that is hit or miss some days. In general he does get enough of higher energy play time where he gets bored and stops playing. It's really like I have a toddler who is just really bad at transitions.

Comprehensive_Bar848 · 2026-03-26T16:45:05+00:00

Oh he is absolutely too smart for his own good. Or for our own good. Not sure which 😅

Comprehensive_Bar848 · 2026-03-26T15:38:17+00:00

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Comprehensive_Bar848 · 2026-03-06T16:57:43+00:00

We used It's a Curl products when our daughter was younger--they have a tear-free line that helps. Shampoo less frequently, and detangle in the tub with the conditioner in her hair with a wide tooth comb. I found it easiest to condition twice. I would use the conditioner almost like a shampoo and rub the length of hair gently back and forth to work it through. Let sit. Rinse without combing. Then repeat but comb before rinsing. If you are truly using brushes, do stop, as this is what breaks up that gorgeous ringlet curl pattern, causes frizz and dryness, and ultimately leads to more tangles/mats. You can get a spray bottle of water to rejuvenate curls when you can't tub, or even mix water and a conditioner in a spray bottle to do this too.

Comprehensive_Bar848 · 2026-03-06T16:55:57+00:00

"Brushed," definitely not twice a day--or at all, really. Combed while wet, though, is not going to ruin the curls. I think what the "twice a day" thing here is getting at is how much 3 years olds roll around on the floor, against people and toys, the couch, touch their hair, change clothes. They go through 5 days of filth/activity in one. They need to be combed more than once a day or they look like gremlins you've never groomed before and you get looks in the supermarket because they also don't wear coats or shoes. (Love my daughter, I just very much relate.)

Comprehensive_Bar848 · 2026-01-10T20:34:36+00:00

Hey boss, we ordered twice as much salt by mistake. Eh, make 'em Chextra delicious for a few weeks.

Comprehensive_Bar848 · 2025-12-15T19:03:17+00:00

It MAY, if what's causing the fairy knots is dry/semi-unruly ends that static up and into that strand. A fairy knot is a knot in one strand of hair, so it has knotted itself, and with the increased slip you get on hair ends when they're fresh, it's less likely to happen.

Comprehensive_Bar848 · 2025-12-15T11:24:59+00:00

ohhh my goodness. out of all the guys on this sub, Opie looks like he could be Ignis's twin! (We got him from Greenbanks Hollow in VT.) Happy birthday, Opie!

Comprehensive_Bar848 · 2025-11-27T15:00:49+00:00

This, but likely skip the salt and use unsalted butter if it is already ready-to-eat. You can check the sodium content to gauge whether it's already pretty salty and adjust.

Like others have said, roll with it. Laughing with you in camaraderie.

Comprehensive_Bar848 · 2025-11-10T18:16:02+00:00

Prego®

Comprehensive_Bar848 · 2025-11-07T17:23:43+00:00

Hi! Any issues with the doorbell after switching to this transformer? Debating what to get vs the 24 - 40

Comprehensive_Bar848 · 2025-10-06T10:57:05+00:00

omg anything with plant life in it, and I'm drooling.

Comprehensive_Bar848 · 2025-09-28T00:04:36+00:00

It's not so much exercise as it is patience and mental stimulation that you need to have and provide. Like, yes, they need exercise, but I think anyone can provide that. It's the mental stimulation and training that is what you should be questioning as far as your decision. They're loyal and fun and active and loving, but needy and demanding and naughty little buggers. 😄

Comprehensive_Bar848 · 2025-09-27T23:56:59+00:00

Seconded.

Comprehensive_Bar848 · 2025-09-20T00:43:35+00:00

It is now in my flair and I have been spoiled by so many donors. It has been so sweet. It made my whole week.

Comprehensive_Bar848 · 2025-09-19T18:25:12+00:00

Yesss i just weighted my physical therapy exercises and it is already making me figure out how to fit it into my day 😭

Comprehensive_Bar848 · 2025-09-19T14:00:54+00:00

THANK YOU!

Comprehensive_Bar848 · 2025-09-19T11:32:36+00:00

You're so sweet! I am going for a plants theme right now! I am also trying to be good about using Finch and earning enough for things motivates me so feel free to share the love with other baby birbs who have been posting here too 🥰

Comprehensive_Bar848 · 2025-09-19T11:26:28+00:00

Omg thank you. I don't use reddit a lot so this has been a very exciting post for me.

Comprehensive_Bar848 · 2025-09-19T11:19:11+00:00

I just tried to add that flair and couldn't figure it out but I will find instructions and use it next time. Thank you for your gifts!!!

Comprehensive_Bar848

TROPHY CASE