hi guys need some help here ive had problems over the last year finding a food that suits the vizslas they seem to like the dried food for about three weeks and then refuse to eat is so far ive tried- Beta,proplan,ekanuba,dr johns ,chudleys and burns we are currently feeding aurtaky and chicken mince which seemed to be going well except they will ony eat the two combined (not autarky on its own) all was well then one of my boys developed a tummy upset which was diagnosed at the campbactor(spelling) bacteria which my vet is sure came from the chicken.
any advice on palatable food for youngsters and working dogs welcome also anyone who has experianced the campactor bacteria as im not sure what the implications to the other dogs and indeed humans are!! :)

They have really got you dancing to their tune haven`t they? I think you have made a rod for your own back by letting them dictate to you what they will and won`t eat. It is not good for their digestion I don`t think to keep changing their food.If I were you I would give them the food that both agreed with them and kept them in the best condition and stop being so soft with them, in the long run it will be better for them.I know its not easy and it will be a test of wills which you must win and rest assured most dogs will not starve themselves, you will just have to be strong and stick to your guns.
As for the C.B infection I believe it is very contagious to both dogs and humans so extra hygiene is called for when dealing with it.

I had exactly the same problem with my gsd's a few years back. They would eat one food for a while and then would get sick, of course I would worry that they werent eating so I would change the food ma=eaning that I spent a fortune, they got bad tummies and I was making them worse. I soon got sick of adding things and switching foods, so in the end I sttod my ground. I put them onto Arden Grange dog food, they loved it for 2 weeks and then went back to the normal picky eaters, I was determined that they werent going to get the better of me lol, so if they didnt eat then they went hungry. This took about 3 days for them to click on that if they didnt get it when it was there then they missed out.

Dogs wont starve themselves, if theyre hungry enough then theyll eat what is given to them. You have to be hard with this and stick to your guns otherwise it doesnt work!!!! I know its hard but its worth it in the long run. Since then my 5 have never missed one meal and that was 2 years ago. In fact they are so greedy now that I have to keep the door closed constantly where the food bins are otherwise theyll eat the lot lol.

As for the Campylobacter, Tiggey is absolutely right. It is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be passed from animal to human. If you have children, then make sure that their hands are washed after playing or touching the dogs. It is extremely contagious and believe me it is not a nice thing to have!!!!!!
I caught this disease from a dog that we had in the rescue kennels where I work and it seemed like forever before it went away.
All I can say is be extra careful

Amy

Agree with you about Campylobacter in humans. I got it from a rescue, passed blood for three days and it went on for ages after that stopped!

Be strict!  I posted on here a while ago about my dog not eating his food for days on end and me fussing around changing to chicken and all sorts of tempting things.  Mine was just waiting to see what we were having at the dinner table before he decided whether his food was better or worse.

Now I give him what I know he likes and what he seems healthy on.  If he doesn't eat it then it goes in the bin.  And he gets no treats or leftovers.  He's still picky but now if he's hungry he eats whats in his dish :)

CG

campy can be gotten anywhere; dogs often get it from eating bird dung etc and dogs on commercial diets get it too!

My dogs eat what they are given or go without; hence they eat anything..........................

You are discussing animals that lick their own butts and eat animal excrement after all..................

well the dogs have had four days of being ofered autarky and only autarky and having it taken away if they dont eat it and finally they have caved in toninght they all ate there tea!! :)

I have to say a very big well done to you!!!!!!!
It is very hard not to give in, espescially if you have swaped about for such a long time, hopefully you have made them think and they will carry on eating well. They will probably try to test the water soon enough and see whether or not you are willing to give in, but dont, for their sake and for yours.

You will find that now it will take a lot of your mind and they will seem happier in what they are having for tea:-)
Again well done and let us know how they go
Amy

Kao Kate pleas keep us updated. I would be very interested to know if they start to eat ALL of their meals,or if they try it on again???
As sheppiemad said dont give in again and well done for standing firm with the little boogers :)