Deerhound with Giardia

Giardia spp. are parasitic protozoans (single celled organisms) found in the intestines of many animals, including dogs. This microscopic parasite clings to the surface of the intestine or floats free in the mucous lining of the intestine.  Giardia is transmitted from host to host by the ingestion of cysts in contaminated feed or drinking water. Cysts may also be found in creeks, streams or other water sources.

Symptoms of Giardia infection may range from no symptoms, mild recurring diarrhea, weight loss, listlessness, mucus in the stool, explosive diarrhea and anorexia. See your Vet. Treatment usually consists of the antiprotozoal drug  metronidazole or quinacrine. Animals testing positive for Giardia should be treated whether or not they exhibit symptoms. If your dog is suffering from diarrhea a liquid diet of broth may be advisable for the first 24-48 hours. A dog used to a raw diet would benefit from a diet mostly of chicken backs, frames or necks at this time.

A deerhound friend of ours was recently diagnosed through stool tests with Giardia. This young male deerhound needs to put on a bit of weight and along with some friends we were discussing the merits of “Magic Meatballs” as a means of helping a dog to put on weight. I am including several recipes and would like to note a caveat or two regarding the recipes. I have not tried all these recipes and only made the ones that I thought would appeal to my dh. I would suggest trying a fairly simple small batch  first to see how well your dog likes them. If your dog does not like raw hamburger it is doubtful if they will eat magic meatballs. I personally don’t recommend the use of garlic for dogs but suggest you decide for yourself. Some dogs do not like the taste of molasses & it would be wise to go easy on this ingredient or my suggestion would be to substitute tamari sauce for seasoning as suggested by Dr. Pitcairn as being a valuable source of amino acids. I would also add finely chopped fresh parsley. If your dog does not like raw I would suggest A Meatloaf made along the lines of that suggested in Dr. Pitcairn’s book. I will add a version I like.

Satin Balls Raw Dog Food * Multiple Versions

10 pounds hamburger meat [the cheapest kind]
1 lg. box of Total cereal
1 lg. box oatmeal
1 jar of wheat germ
1 1/4 cup veg oil
1 1/4 cup of unsulfured molasses
10 raw eggs AND shells
10 envelopes of unflavored gelatin
pinch of salt

Mix all ingredients together, much like you would a meatloaf.

Divide into 10 quart freezer bags and freeze.

Thaw as needed and feed raw!

BETTY LEWIS’ SATIN BALLS

I don’t like the Satin Ball recipe b/c of the sugar- laden Total Cereal.
Here’s the fat ball recipe that helped put weight on Druid.

1 lb ground beef
1 8 oz pkg cream cheese
1 jar all natural peanut butter
1 jar (smaller of the sizes) wheat germ
1 doz egg yolks
1 cup or so of flaked oats soaked in heavy cream

Mix up, form balls, freeze, feed as treats or food supplement.
Louise’s Fedemma’s Fat Balls
WEIGHT GAIN

Small heavy cream
1 doz eggs
2 blocks of cream cheese (room temp)
5 lbs ground beef — (I get the 27% fat)
1 sm box TOTAL cereal
(crunch up Total into small crumbs)
1 cup wheat germ
mix dry ingredients
Add heavy cream
Add cream cheese
MIX TOGETHER
Add ground beef
MIX TOGETHER
Roll into balls — I put them on cookie sheets and freeze, makes a lot –
Marge Paszeks Fat Balls
WEIGHT GAIN

1 lb hamburger
1 package cream cheese
1 dozen egg yolks
1 jar all natural peanut butter
about 1 cup rolled oats soaked in milk
1 jar wheat germ

Mix up, measure out, feed as needed. You’ll need to mix it with your
hands. It’s hard to mix and messy. I usually make this with more hamburger (like, 2 or 3lbs) and freeze what I’m not using that day or the next.
FAT BALLS

1 dozen egg yolks
1 lb jar crunchy peanut butter
1 small container oats
1 jar wheat germ
1 lb hamburger
1 package cream cheese

*Some versions of this recipe say to soak the oats in milk or cream first.
Put the stuff in a big bowl and mix w/your hands. Roll into 3″ torpedos and put in ziplock bags and freeze until needed. Feed one or two a day
Fatten ‘Em Up Quick Meatloaf!!

1 doz. Hard Boiled eggs, chopped
10 lbs of inexpensive hamburger meat
20 oz Jar of Wheat Germ
1 canister of Knox Gelatin, joint complex, (unflavored)
1 lg box of Total breakfast cereal
2 – 1 lb boxes of Quaker oatmeal, (the kind you cook)
1 1/2 cups Canola Oil
12 oz jar of unsulfered Molasses
1/4 tsp salt
1 heaping tsp minced Garlic, (jarred variety or fresh, NOT dried)
Box of 1qt Freezer bags

Just dump all into huge pot and dig in. It takes some effort, and you will
be up to your elbows, but you want to mix thoroughly.

Separate into 14 freezer bags, gently squeezing out the air before sealing.
Flatten out the bags, (this will allow for a quicker thaw period), and lay
flat on a freezer shelf.

Feed one packet each day, 1/2 in morning, half in evening. Breaking up into
chunks, or rolling into meatballs. You can place one in the fridge each
evening to thaw for the next day.

OR a smaller batch, that you can flavor for variety.
1 1/2 lbs hamburger
3 hard boiled eggs, chopped
1/2 cup wheat germ
1 envelope Knox Gelatin Joint complex, (unflavored)
5 tsp molasses
5 tsp Canola vegetable oil
2 1/2 cups uncooked oatmeal
I cup Total breakfast cereal

To the above you may add ONE of the following to add flavor and give variety!

1/2 lb Cooked and pureed beef liver OR
1 small can of tomato sauce/ 1 cup of cooked rice or pasta OR
1/2 cup chunky peanut butter OR
4 oz package of cream cheese

Form into balls, layer in plastic freezer bags, freeze—remove several at a time to thaw, and feed as in between meal treats.
Fattening Treats

Doggie Peanut Cheese Balls
1 dozen hard boiled eggs, chopped
1 lb jar crunchy peanut butter
1 container of Quaker Oatmeal
2 cups of evaporated milk, (Don’t dilute!!)
1 jar wheat germ
1 lb hamburger
8 oz. pkg cream cheese
envelope Knox Gelatin Joint Complex, (unflavored)

Meatloaf for dogs

1 ½ lbs lean gr. Beef chicken or turkey

6 slices whole wheat bread or

1 cup brown rice  cooked

1cup cottage cheese

5 eggs

½ cup cooked veg

2 tblsp sunflower oil

½ tsp tamari sauce

calcium supplement (optional)

Vit A supplement (optional)

Serve raw or bake at 350 till set and slightly brown about 1/2 to 3/4 hour.

This and all other recipes are meant to be adjunct to a healthy diet and have not been balanced to make up the whole of a diet.

Bon Woofetit!