Could diet be making my 7 month old GR sick?

Question
QUESTION: Hi!
I just moved in with my bf who has a 7 month old golden. She's a great dog,
but for the last month has been sick (loose stool, occasional vomiting). She's
even spent a night on IV drip at the emergency vet. We were sent home
saying she just had an irritated stomach...
Two weeks later she is still have loose stools on a daily basis. It occurred to
me that her food might not be right for her. She is eating Purina One puppy
chow still.
I want to switch her to EVO Large Bites as it has no grains and seems to be a
higher quality food over all.
Do you have any other recommendations or experience with this food?
I'm quite frustrated to have inherited a sick puppy just over a week ago, and
unfortunately my boyfriend has not been the most responsible about doing
research and making sure her needs are met...

Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.

ANSWER: I doubt it is the food.  Most dogs will thrive on most chows.  It is true, that there isn't any chow all dogs will do on.  The advantages of EVO and other premium, grain free chows are all speculative.  Nobody has been able to direct me to a study showing dogs do better on them.  On the other hand, I know of many dogs doing just fine on the Purina 1 and other common brands.  I would put her on a bland diet and see if her digestive tract settles down before long.  

Bland recovery diet for dogs.

3 parts cooked rice, one part boiled hamburger or chicken, or cottage cheese. I think you can substitute boiled potatoes for the rice. Once in an emergency, we bought a plain baked potato from Wendy's.

This is meant for short time settling a dog's digestive tract. It is not the complete and balanced diet they need long term. I have seen it work.

Once she settles down slowly reintroduce the Purina 1.  If she does OK on it, after a week or 2, start adding a little adult chow until after a week it is all adult chow.  that will slow her remaining growth allowing her joints to develop under less stress.  Also keep her lean.  

Evaluate the dog as illustrated in this link, http://www.longliveyourdog.com/twoplus/RateYourDog.aspx You may want the vet to confirm your judgment. Adjust the dogs food and exercise as needed to reach its ideal body condition. Some German Shepherds and other breeds may refuse to eat enough to completely hid their ribs. As long as you are feeding a concentrated, meat based chow, the best thing is to accept it.

Whatever you settle on feeding her, make it an adult chow and make all changes slowly over a week.

Watch what she may be finding and adding to her diet.  That often leads to problems.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the info.

I have had her on a bland diet of rice and chicken for 2 days. I gave her a
handful of the puppy chow earlier to see how she did, and within an hour she
was very sick again (after the loose stool had cleared up due to the bland
diet).

I have taken away all rawhides and treats and I am fairly sure she is not eating
anything in the house....

I just can't figure out why every other day she has diarrhea when she
previously has had no  health problems. She got very sick about 3 weeks ago
vomiting and diarrhea) and spent the night at the emergency vet. She
recovered but since then has had stomach issues. They screened for
everything ($800 vet bill).

Since she does fine on the bland diet but is ill immediately when we put her
back on puppy chow I wonder if that is making her sick? Have you ever
encountered allergies to a certain food?

Thanks!

Answer
Although dogs do develop allergies, usually not by 7 months.  If you have been feeding a lamb based chow, switching to chicken or beef might help.  Have you mentioned allergies to your vet?  

You haven't been making a sudden switch have you?  That alone could be the problem.