[anonymous]

Every dog is different, but if your vet is recommending prescription food, I would go with that for now.
In my experience, dogs with sensitive stomachs have trouble digesting potato (cheap filler)
That is why I like Zignature, you can try the different formulas and that will be considered a rotation diet, I prefer to stay with one brand when dealing with a dog that has issues.
For a more reasonable option, I have heard good things about Pro Plan Focus Sensitive Skin and Stomach kibble.
I use no supplements except a daily fish oil capsule for my dogs.
Also, I would wait till he is stable (no more loose stools) before putting him through the neuter.

[Norma R]

Myths about Supplements to your dogs food, including Calcium. Good info:

1. “A multivitamin added to the food will cover any gaps.”

The question here is this: Which multi, and with which diet? Any unsupplemented home-prepared diet will be low in some nutrients and adequate or high in others. But because there is no standard formulation for human multivitamins and they can vary greatly in what they include, just tossing one in the dish is not the answer.

Choosing an all-purpose multi made specifically for dogs doesn’t necessarily solve the problem either. These usually contain very low levels of nutrients because it’s assumed they will be added to commercial food, and so are unlikely to provide enough supplementation to round out a homemade diet. This is why “balanced” is not just a buzzword; it’s a valid and essential aspect of proper nutrition. Once you understand your dog’s nutritional needs, work out what her diet actually contains and then add what’s missing.

2. “I’m adding yogurt to my dog’s food daily so she’s getting enough calcium.”

Dogs require fairly high levels of calcium, and yogurt absolutely won’t cut it. Here’s a quick example: My own 75-pound dog has a daily requirement of 1,840 mgs of calcium, and since I use quite a bit of fiber in his diet in the form of brown rice, I want to offset any absorption issues and ensure that he gets about 2,000 mgs per day, or 14,000 mgs per week. His weekly diet alone—turkey, liver, sardines, brown rice, ground lamb and acorn squash—only provides 1,750 mgs. That means I need to add over 12,000 mgs of calcium; in other words, more than 40 cups of plain yogurt.

Calcium supplementation is always necessary unless you are feeding raw bones. I recommend using a commercial carbonate or citrate form of calcium, or an eggshell crushed into a fine powder—one teaspoon of this powder (about 5.5 grams) equals roughly 2,200 mgs of calcium carbonate. To use eggshells, rinse them well and then bake for about 10 minutes at 300 degrees; use a small grinder to make the powder. Bone meal can be used if there is also a need to add phosphorus, but many homemade diets supply plenty of this mineral.

[Norma R]

Jo R: I give my 12 lb. 1/1/2 yr. old Poodle Mix a vitamin powdered supplement. It says it has 24881 mg. of Calcium in it. Do you know if I need to add more calcium. I have finely ground egg shells from several eggs, but don’t know if I should give her more than she is already getting in her supplement. It’s called VegeDog, from Compassion Circle. Thanks. Norma

[croeber]

I adopted my rescue lab mix 4 years ago and she’s been on Merrick that entire time. When I got her she was 5 years old, skinny and picky about food. She’s currently eating Merrick Grain Free and she really likes it. I supplement with some canned, sometimes scrambled eggs, yogurt, a few veggies etc. But I know Merrick isn’t perfect so wanted to switch it up. It seems like there are terrible experiences with every food out there. Orijen was really expensive. Earthbound is highly rated here but the fish variety was on the 10 worst list on Clean label project. I’ve thought about Solid Gold or Nature’s Variety, then I stumble upon negative aspects and bad experiences. My head is spinning.
She’s happy and healthy. So must I really continue research for a food to switch her to just to mix things up?

[pugmomsandy]

This one has some guidelines and some sample recipes.

http://dogaware.com/diet/homemade.html

You can also order supplements from BalanceIt.com to add to your meat/carb of choice.

[Erika C]

Hi! If you have time you don’t need to go with premix, I have 2 small dogs, and I started today to with the barf diet. I’ve researched a los about how should I balance their food, how much to give, etc… I saw you are worried about calcium that is something easy to fix, you just have to give them whole eggs (shells incluides since they are small you can give them 1 or 2 quail egg each day) you can give them calcium supplements too, mines take multivitamins and calcium supplements just in case, you can buy it in petco, I also going to start adding to their food bone meal is in powder form so you don’t have to worry giving bones, one of mines doesn’t even like to chew bones🙄 So supplements are good options, if you have a miller you can try milling chicken neck bones to just add it to their food

[anonymous]

Presoak the food in plain homemade (no onion) chicken broth or water, skip the veggies and mussels or maybe there is something in the supplement he doesn’t like?
Did your vet discuss prescription medication for pain management of arthritis with you?
Add a splash of water to meals, don’t leave food down (free feed).
Don’t panic unless he eats nothing times 3 days, as long as he is drinking water.
I assume he will. Call the vet if he doesn’t.

PS: How about adding a little of the old kibble that he likes in with the prescription food…for now.

• This reply was modified 8 years, 7 months ago by anonymous.

[Mary G]

Hello everyone!

My 11 year-old beagle was diagnosed with arthritis on both shoulder and hip joints. The vet suggested we feed him Royal Canin Mobility and give him a supplement for that as well. We started him on it and he hates it. He refused to eat today – we are feeding him Taste of the Wild and he was doing great but this is for his own good. Any suggestions? I mix it with a home-cooked ground turkey meat and veggies so it coats the kibble and he still refuses to eat it. I believe he hates the mussles taste. He is not on any digestive distress but he just refuses to eat it. Please help!

[Marie Y]

After much research and trial and I have found that one of the worst things you can feed your dog is hills science diet or the Royal Canaan foods for urinary issues they have absolutely all of the wrong ingredients in them! Research has been done that has shown protein is not a bad thing carbohydrates are. I am feeding my dog a homemade cooked diet that’s low in fat has just need protein vegetables and supplements in it and here’s the magical ingredient that I found for the bladder stones. It’s called Lysimaccia 3! It’s amazing! My dog had crystals in his urine every single time I took in the sample in as soon as I started using the lysimachia he has none at all!

[anonymous]

I would go back to the vet, as soon as possible. You have to treat the infection first. Chronic ear infections are of a symptom of environmental allergies. Talk to your vet about what diagnostic testing is indicated.
He may refer you to veterinary dermatologist for intradermal skin testing.
Supplements will not help. Prescription ear drops. (antibiiotic and steroidal) will.
Use the search engine here to look up “environmental allergies” and see my posts

I would not ignore the infection. More serious problems could occur. This is not a do it yourself. Go to the vet.

[Rosangela d]

Hello, Everyone!

I have a furbaby Yellow Lab that has an ear infection for a while now. I used to trust a dog brand that in the end proved not to be healthy to him.
I just upgraded his food to Wilderness. Now I came to understand that home cooked is better and I will make the gradual change and add a supplemental.
My dog has been suffering from an ear infection and I have been trying different things. I now that the previous food made it easier to happen.
I bought expensive medicine prescribed by the vet and the infection is back. Maybe a certain supplement may end the infection. Any suggestions, please?

[Sandy c]

My vet recommended Natural Liquid Glucosamine, but I searched around a lot and researched before buying. Too early to tell, but the taste is a hit. The amount of glucosamine along with the condroitin and msm is why my vet said to get it. I like that it is natural and made in the USA, and approved by FDA and NASC which regulates all these dog supplements out here. Anyone try this and have feedback? https://www.amazon.com/Natural-Liquid-Glucosamine-Supplements-Chondroitin/dp/B06XRPF5H9/.

[Sandy c]

How’s you chihuahua doing so far?

I’d searched high and low for a joint supplement and came up with Natural Liquid Glucosamine. https://www.amazon.com/Natural-Liquid-Glucosamine-Supplements-Chondroitin/dp/B06XRPF5H9/ I’d researched after my vet recommended it. It is made in the USA (and the ingredients are sourced here too) which was really important to me because there’s no regulation in many pet supplements made outside of the US. Also I wanted something natural as we are health conscious in our household, eat organic, stay away from toxins as much as possible. This one seemed to fit the bill.

Just started yesterday, so too late to say if it’s helping, but my 10 yo Lab likes the taste, and that’s a good thing! 🙂

I was curious to see if others here tried this supplement and came across your post. I hope your pup’s doing better and good luck to all our pets!

[Susan]

Hi Sue,
gee your doing a really good job rescuing & helping all these sick dogs, I just have 1 sick boy & some days he does my head in when he has his pain & I can’t help him & relieve his IBD pain….
alot of people just dump their sick dying cats & dogs at pounds when they’re really sick & owner doesnt want to deal with it or owner doesn’t have the money, in Australia we have “Golden Oldies rescue”, go onto F/B & up top in the search bar put “Golden Oldies Animal Rescue” Gina saves all the old sick dogs in pounds all over Australia, they’re mainly small dogs, the pounds ring up Gina when a dog comes in, in very bad condition, she takes them out under duty of care post a post on her F/b page asking for urgent foster carer if the pound is on the other side of Australia & raises money to pay the vet bills or air flight she gets the dogs & cats better some just needed meds, or teeth removed, the real sick dogs go into palliative foster care & she makes sure their last days, weeks, months comfortable & shows them love they have never had & holds them when they need to be put to sleep she calls them all her heart beats..

While reading your post it reminded me of Dr Judy Morgan in one of her videos she’s making different meals, then she has all their bowls on the kitchen bench top & adds all their different supplements & their medications to all the meals, she has about 8-9 Cavaliar dogs a few are rescues cause when she’s making the Pup loaf she has her dog Miss Madison with her…Judy uses the “Honest Kitchen” base mix Preference when making Miss Madisons meals for a month…. here’s the Pup Loaf video & Miss Madison

Here’s Monica Segals F/B group K-9 Kitchen
https://www.facebook.com/groups/K9kitchen/

[anonymous]

Stop the goat milk, and stop all supplements unless recommended by the vet. You are throwing too many things at her. Keep her diet BLAND and SIMPLE.
Ask the vet, he will tell you. Stop wasting your money on phony baloney crap.

[Sue W]

Hi Everyone and thank you so much for your help. I have 7 dogs (4 rescues) each need a different food – 1. Chico(Rescue) (kidney disease) 2.Riley(Rescue) (allergic to Rice, Oats, Yeast, Peas, Fish and all fish oils) 3 & 4 Moosha and Rumer (Prone to putting weight on and need low calorie but quality food) currently on Metabolic, ugh. 5. Murphy has a GI disorder can only high quality wet food – was on I/D but now on Natural Balance Chicken Formula. 6. Bugsy(Rescue) is a senior who after 1 dental and 10 teeth pulled will have another 18 pulled next month – so needless to say a soft diet is in order – he is currently eating Natural Balance Lamb Formula. 7. Little Bixbi (Rescue) newly adopted – this little dude is messed up – about 80% blind, has the ‘wobbles’ falls down a lot and has a few ruptured discs in his neck so he can’t move his head up and down – has(had) a UTI was on C/D. So there it is – I would LOVE to feed all my dogs 1 food – not sure raw is the way to go however I do like the ‘benefits’ of it and I do, when I have it, give them raw goats milk as well. I want to be able to feed my dogs a high quality organic non-gmo food – but with all the dogs having different needs I am spending – 100.00 a month on K/D roughly 33.70 for 12 cans 1 can daily. 44.00 a month on Chicken canned food and 40.00 a month on Lamb formula canned and of course 65.00 for a 17 1/2 pound bag for the 2 who need a low calorie food and 53.00 on Riley’s Nutro Essentials small Bites non gmo – has NO peas- most foods are being supplemented with peas/pea fiber Riley cant eat peas or the fish that’s also in almost all foods now and of course he can’t any brown rice, white rice oats or brewers yeast – thats basically everything good in dog foods, right? It’s a nightmare!!! All I want to do is feed my dogs an organic diet without spending more than I already am (or less would be ideal – with all the medical bills headed this way). The ‘just for dogs’ food is great – but a 72 oz bag is 33.00 and I would need at least 3 bags a month just for Chico. I am at a lost as to what is best for them( the priority of course) but what also doesn’t cost us 300.00 monthly just in dog food. I have found all the people ‘Susan’ suggested – Rodney and Dr. Judy, joined the canine kidney support group but couldn’t find the ‘K-9 Kitchen’ on facebook too many weird sites popped up and nobody named Monica. Thank you ALL for your help. And before the haters – start hating- I love my rescue dogs – and I am not crying about money and no I didn’t know how ill some of them were when I rescued/adopted them (except for Chico) so I am trying to help all them the healthiest way I can.

[anonymous]

NuVet Supplement=Same Old Snake Oil

@ Bill N
I agree, and I doubt if that clause is legally binding. Why argue with them though, just store the stuff in your pantry and throw one away everyday, it will probably have the same effect, lol. Tell the breeder everything is going well 😉

[Bill N]

Hello…I just bought a pure breed puppy with the “NuVet Requirement” clause to keep from having the health guarantee voided. My Vet (whom I have been using for 4 years for my Lab/Shepherd mix. My dog was hit by a car and facing possible amputation of his front leg but my Vet saved it..He is a good and trusted no-nonsense vet) He does not recommend this or any other pet supplement. He said the science just isn’t there and told me to tell my Breeder that my Vet recommended NOT using the product and leave it there. He said if it voids the health guarantee then let it be voided as he will guarantee the product is not necessary or helpful . Needless to say I am going with my Vet’s recommendation (whom I have been going to for over 5 years in total with all my pets) instead of the Breeder’s recommendation (whom I just met and only seen once)

• This reply was modified 8 years, 7 months ago by Bill N.

[Susan]

Hi Heather,
Daisy needs a diet high in Omega 3, have you tried a salmon/fish diet yet? you write you give her Omega 3 but what brand are you using, is it a New Zealand brand? in America they tested a heap different brands of un opened fish oils supplements off the shop shelves & 70% of them were no good, a waste of money, then they tested the fish oil supplements from New Zealand & their fish oil capsule were of better quality, the whether is cooler in NZ, so there’s no damage while being made.. Oxidation occurs when unsaturated fats such as omega -3 fatty acids EPA & DHA are exposed to heat, light or oxygen…how you’ll know if capsules are rancid/oxidized the smell is awful, smells real fishy smell & the gel capsules may have discoloration… store any fish oil in fridge…
same as oils in a kibble as soon as you open bag of kibble & the oxygen hits the kibble the oils start to oxidize, they say you have 2 weeks life on a kibble, so make sure its put in an air tight container & stored in a very cool place in the house, alot of people put their dog food in the garage or hot shed…
Cause you don’t know if the fish oil capsules are good or bad, best to buy tin sardines in spring water or olive oil, take sardines out of the tin & put in a glass air tight small container, store in fridge & give Daisy 2-3 sardines a day either as a treat or as a topper on her dry food….
I would start looking for a Salmon dry formula but not Orijen or Acana, Orijen & Acana tested high for toxins & contaminates….
Have a look at “Canidae” Pure Sea formula, alot of dogs with skin problems do really well on the Canidae Pure Sea formula, ingredients are good, its high in omega 3, feed for 2-3 months then rotate & feed the Canidae Pure Sky it has turkey meal & duck meal, turkey & chicken are cleaner meats, or rotate with the Canidae Pure Elements also the wet tin foods are really good to use as a topper, read thru the ingredient list see which formula you prefer but make sure you rotate with the Pure Sea especially when Spring & Summer is coming start back on the Canidae Pure Sea, https://www.canidae.com/dog-food/products

or try a vet diet try Hills new “Derma Defense” wet & dry, it’s a vet diet for Environment allergies, skin problems, with high levels of Omega 3 & 6 fatty acid, the Omega 3 is high at 1.80% the Omega 6-3.96%, the Omega 3 should be around 1/2 of what the Omega 6% is, alot of pet foods aren’t balanced properly & are very low in Omega 3 & very high in Omega 6, they’re not balanced properly & cause skin problems….
Hills Derm Defense helps strengthen skin barrier, formulated to help soothe & nourish skin & coat, helps skin recover naturally, supporting a healthy immune system, works with proprietary complex of bioactives & phytonutrients, antioxidants, including vitamin E, high levels of Omega 3 & 6 fatty acids….
I know I lot of people don’t like the ingredients in vet diets, but they’re formulated for certain health problems, you could give the Derm Defense a try for just 3 months & see does her fur start to grow back, you’ve got nothing to lose also Hills is guaranteed to work or money back, contact Hills speak with one of their Vet Nutritionist & see what formula they recommend… I rotate & feed the Hills D/D Venison & Potato Skin health & Stomach, my boy has IBD & Skin Allergies or try the Canidae Pure Sea & Pure Sky formula’s first & see how Daisy goes…. Canidae will be cheaper then the vet diet… Canidae gets 5 stars on American consumer affairs site, Canidae grow all their own vegetables, Canidae is a family run business…. what your feeding at the moment isn’t helping, so you have nothing to lose..
also shampoo what are you bathing Daisy in to moisturize & nourish her skin?
Start bathing Daisy weekly with Malaseb medicated shampoo to wash off any allergens on her skin…

[Tom A]

We switched our two dogs to BCR about two weeks ago. The one dog is a 15 year old golden retriever, the other is a 13 month old schnauzer, both are neutered. The golden has severe arthritis and a mass on his liver, between these two issues we were considering euthanasia in near future. Within a couple of days of starting the golden on the turkey dinner which is complete other than Omega three and 6 we supplemented this with a salmon oil once a day. The golden is now showing a marked increase in vitality and activity. Although his arthritis continues to limit his physical activity since beginning the BCR we have found that instead of just lying flat on the floor all the time he now sits on the floor with his head and body upright paying attention to everything going on around him.

We were considering euthanasia within a matter of days or weeks, however his improved vitality is causing us to rethink this plan. The only problem the Schnauzer is having is he seems to love the food so much that he eats it faster than we would like.

We can’t help but Wonder as we read information about declining life expectancies in pure breds over the last number of years what role current dry Foods play in this. We don’t know if it is just a result of better knowledge by pet owners but we do seem to talk to more owners everyday who’s dogs are dying from cancer. Could this be a result of some of the additives which dry foods are putting in their kibbles?

Regardless, so far we are very happy with the BCR dinners and plan to continue using them.

• This reply was modified 8 years, 7 months ago by Tom A.

[anonymous]

Try boiling some chicken, chop it up, mix it with the dry food and pour water or the chicken water over it. She needs to stay hydrated. Maybe a little boiled white rice mixed in too.
Don’t keep adding all kinds of stuff or supplements, it will only make her more nauseous.
Keep it plain and simple, only give what the vet has ordered. Don’t leave food down, but offer her small meals with water added frequently.
This dog has been through a lot, heartworm treatment is hard, she still has a way to go.
She may have diarrhea when she is going through the treatment, but you have no choice, the heartworm treatment is crucial and needs to be done ASAP, it is a priority.
I assume the shelter is paying for it.

You said this is your first dog, this may not be a good match considering the dog’s medical issues and ongoing care she will need.
If you are not up for it, if your gut tells you it won’t work, talk to the shelter NOW.
There are experienced pet owners that will be better able to take care of her.
If you return her to the shelter, they will most likely place her with a foster while she recovers.
Take a break, and next time get a dog that is doing well, and is younger.

If you decide to keep her, work closely with your vet, ask if she’s dehydrated? Sometimes they need subq fluids once or twice to get them over the hump.
This is not veterinary advice; consult your veterinarian.

[Caroline L]

Hi there Therese M

I think you are right, her poor appetite is likely due to the antibiotic she is on and overall just not feeling well. Reach out to the vet and ask that he/she prescribe a calorie supplement. Its a dark brownish paste that can be prescribed to underweight dogs. Try mixing it with peanut butter, liver Kong treat paste or spreading it on some pepperoni, anything she might tolerate eating. The supplement will help with her calorie deficit while (hopefully) her appetite gradually improves.

As far as food, stick to what you know she will eat – Cesar trays, pepperoni and peanut butter. I know it isn’t ideal; do what you can. If her appetite does not increase within 2 days of completing the antibiotic round call the vet.

Its easier said than done, but be patient and don’t stress yourself out further trying to find different foods for her right now. When you do start your search for a dog food, buy the smallest bag possible and ask for any samples or trial sizes the store may have of other foods.

While Susan brings up a good point about potential stomach or pancreas issues, focus on resolving the most immediate issues you are aware of – finishing antibiotic routine, increasing appetite. If her issues eating persist after the antibiotic is done, then explore other more invasive options.

Best of luck!

[BooPacerKing]

Our vet was quite literally floored when we started describing to him what we gathered from this thread and began to suspect. The vet feels terrible because he’d had us giving our dog allergy medication, acid-control medication, and probiotics, not realizing that the only thing those meds were doing was allowing our dog to tolerate the Acana that may have something wrong with it.

After the Kentucky Ancana, not only did our lab start vomiting up the food (and eventually wouldn’t eat it), but he had also started drooling excessively and having a runny nose.

Turns out the dog quite literally needs none of those medications or dietary supplements. Those meds were merely masking the basic problem. Perhaps some owners would’ve switched foods earlier (and we would’ve if the vet had even hinted at this being related to the food in any of the many times they looked at the dogs for any of these snowballing symptoms), but we had fallen for all the marketing, etc. indicating that Acana was one of the best foods out there. And it remains the best-selling food carried by our local pet store.

When the lab refused to eat the food, one of our other dogs (a small dog who is fed a science diet brand food) grabbed several mouths full. Isn’t it fascinating that the small dog threw up later that day. Different dog, same result. Hmmmm.

As it turns out, the lab would’ve been better off eating any grocery-store brand than the Acana. We now have small bags of three different high-end foods (not Acana or Orijen) that he is currently testing. We have not seen this Labrador this happy and perky in years. No meds or supplements. And seems to be completely symptom free.

Without the science, though, we cannot definitely blame this on the Acana. But the coincidences and the severity of the symptoms on the Acana are too great. If there is something wrong with that food, we can’t just let people feed it to their animals.

My fear is that even if the science says that there are elevated levels of something bad in the food, we will be told that the ingredients are within industry-accepted levels. But it sure seems like there are some dogs not tolerating it and that it is actually causing injury or worse to others. That? Is not ok. But it could be that dog food manufacturers may shrug it off. After all, there must be thousands of dogs in the U.S. eating this food.

But we shall see. The university scientists have already jumped on board to get to the bottom of it, and they themselves will be doing the reporting to the FDA if the tests turn up something untoward.

Someone asked where they could send their dog food to be tested. I believe that Caroline C listed the name of the laboratory that tested her food.

[anonymous]

No, there are no supplements that will make a difference. I would ask your vet about prescription medication to keep her sedated and comfortable, especially at night.
You may find this site helpful https://dogdementia.com/treatment/

[Bev A]

I finally after all this time have Bittys Blood work close to where it needs to be. But now! She is almost 16 and is showing strong signs of dementia. She is deaf and blind and has been for about 6 months but has been doing well even with that. However last night it was like someone flipped a switch and she started extreme confusion. No seizures or anything , just confusion reigns. She paced the floor the entire night until around 4 AM and I put her in a small kennel to be sure she was safe and I could get some sleep. But the whole time she was in it she never sat or laid down, just walked circles. Finally about 2 this afternoon she seems to have worn herself out and is sleeping next to me. I give her canine renal support and acacia fiber plus goats milk and Kefir. But now I am wondering if there are any supplements that will help with the dementia. The vet says it is not due to her kidney disease and put her on antibiotics for possible urinary tract infection but is not one for supplements. She knows what I give her and when she saw the improvement in blood work agreed that Bitty should be on them. But it is not likely she will give me any suggestions on supplements for dementia. Help anyone? Thanks in advance.

[Brianna C]

-Amy R
I give Albert gets two capsules of fish oil a day and I supplement his meals with a couple Primal nuggets as well. His fur and skin are so silky since I started with the fish oil. He gets raw pumpkin and all sorts of other fruits and veggies. He is pretty spoiled!

[Leanne M]

My dog was on Novox Long term and started to have liver and kidney levels highly increased. We moved him over to Galliprant after researching the medication, while taking him to an internist. While on Galliprant he had two other blood test results over a three-week period. During this time his kidney and liver levels came down to almost completely normal. We were prescribed tramadol instead for a short period of time. This did not alleviate his inflammation and pain. He went back on the Galliprant and he is not only frolicking and out of pain but he is also not chewing his hindquarters anymore. For years we thought The chewing was an allergy and we’re giving him Benadryl as well as spent a year and a half researching food and trying different formulas. He has not been on Benadryl for weeks and the chewing is under control with Galliprant. It must’ve been due to pain in his hips that even the Novox was not controlling. This has been going on only for five weeks and we will have his liver enzymes tested again in a month. I hope this information helps. I felt much safer with this medication considering we had his liver enzymes tested at three different times while beginning this medication. It is a newly released prescription but it has been approved and there was testing done. it works on pain in a different manner.
The vet is not sure if he got into something or if the Novox created this issue. Many vets are still leery of this medication because it is so new. All I can go by is how wonderful my dog feels and acts and the blood test.
Galliprant at 100 mg is impossible to get at this time. We put him on 60s and give him one and a half for a total of 90 mg. This dosage is working just as well as the hundred milligrams for him. The vet had us try to 60 mg but he is 114 pounds and by the afternoon he was in pain and I then had to supplement with tramadol. That did not work nearly as well. This is a very expensive medication but I do believe that it is saving my dogs life. He is only 7 1/2 years old and has had pain in his hips for about three years.
I hope this helps some wonderful pets out there.
The company does offer a rebate.

• This reply was modified 8 years, 7 months ago by Leanne M.

[anonymous]

Zignature is a quality food. I have a poodle mix with environmental allergies (she receives treatment from a veterinary dermatologist) and a sensitive stomach.
She did well on Nutrisca Salmon for years, but due to recent changes within that company, I decided to switch to Zignature Whitefish or Catfish kibble as a base about 2-3 months ago, excellent results. I have heard good things about their canned food also.
Often I just cook up a bit of protein something to add to it along with a splash/1/4 cup of water.
My other dog likes it too 🙂
Ps: In my opinion, you are overthinking the whole catfish thing. Look at what humans pay to eat lobster, lol, are they not bottom feeders? What about krill oil? Fish oil? Don’t we take these supplements ourselves and add them to our dogs diets?

[Rea S]

Are they both dry kibble? Or is one a supplement? Also he is scheduled for an MRI next week.

[anonymous]

Instead of wasting time and money on supplements, over the counter meds and creams that should never be used unless a veterinarian that has examined the dog recommends, by the way, many of these supplements, ointments, over the counter medications (not intended for veterinary use unless prescribed as off label by a veterinarian) and homeopathic remedies are not only ineffective but they also are not benign and can have side effects and interaction with other meds.
I would take thee dog to the vet and get the condition diagnosed, that is the first step to treatment, an accurate diagnosis. See what your vet recommends, I’m am sure he has seen this condition many times before.
Do not change his food, unless the examining vet recommends, he may suggest a prescription/elimination diet for now, at least till the dog is stable.
Good luck

This is not veterinary advice; consult your veterinarian.

[Susan]

Hi Alisha,
sounds like he has Environment Allergies with his stomach sore & he probably has food sensitivities/intolerances as well, they normally come together my vet said, my boy has IBD seasonal environment allergies & food intolerances…..
A Dermatologist specialises in the skin & will work out what’s wrong but they are very expensive & depending on the Dermatologist they will just put your young pup on drugs so best to see a Holistic Vet that specialises in the skin as well, I see a vet thats specialises in the skin & bowel…
Are you bathing twice a week?? baths are excellent, washes off any allergens that are on the skin that’s causing these skin irritations, I use “Malaseb” Medicated Shampoo, it kills any bacteria & yeast on the skin, keeps the skin nice & moist & is excellent for evironment allergies, leaves the dog feeling so soft & relieves any itchy skin, you have to leave on for 5-10mins but I just wash Patch normally & masage him a little to pass a few minutes then fully rinse off, you can buy Malaseb on Amazon if you live America, I also use creams, Hydrocortisone 1% cream applied at night before bed then thru the day I use “Sudocream” on Paws, stomach, head, around mouth & bum anywhere Patch starts to itch I apply the Sudocrem stops his itch straight away, Sudocrem is a thick white cream that acts as a barrier & protects the skin, it’s for Dermatitis, Eczema, Nappy Rash, Presssure Sores, Sudocrem is normally sold in the baby section at supermarket or chemist but if you live America it’s sold on Amazon…..
My boy didn’t do well on the Eagle Pack Lamb meal & Rice, it was OK for his stomach/bowel but cause Patch has foods sensitivities the oats & barley caused itchy smelly yeasty skin & paws, he stunk after eating the Eagle Pack for 1-2 weeks, once you work out what foods your dog is sensitive too & you stop feeding those ingredients your dog will stop reacting with smelly itchy skin problems & stomach/bowel problems but if he also has environment allergies the only thing you can do is relieve his itch & make him comfortable unless you want to put him on drugs but he is too young to be put on all the drugs for allergies..

Pumkin is high in fiber it can make some dogs do real sloppy poos excellent if they are constipated or the opposite & firm up their poo’s, Patch can only eat 1-2 spoons of boiled pumkin then his poos go real sloppy….
Have you tried a single meat protein, limited ingredient kibble that’s grain free & not too high in protein? the only kibble Patch does real well on is the “Taste Of The Wild” Sierra Mountain” Roasted Lamb, the fat -15%, protein-25%, fiber is under 4%, TOTW uses purified water to make their TOTW, there’s also TOTW Pacific Stream, Smoked Salmon both these formula’s have the same fat protein % but the fiber is only 3% in the Pacific Stream formula alot of dogs with IBD, IBS stomach & bowel & skin problems do very well on these formula’s… join this Face Book group “Dog, Issues, Allergies, and other Information Support Group” heaps of really good info & what people do to help with their dogs skin problem also have you tried a probiotic? Purina Forti- Floria is suppose to be very good & has live bacteria when it was tested, always start off using 1/2 the recommended dose, I give Patch 1/4 of my “Yukult” probiotic drink, & buy K-9 Natural freeze Dried, Green Lipped Mussels, give about 2 mussels a day, but if you are going to start anything start 1 food, supplement at a time so if there’s any diarrhea ect you know what has caused it..
Baby Wipes, I buy the Huggie Coconut Oil Baby Wipes & wipe Patch down after he’s been outside if the pollen count is high, they normally tell you on the weather forecast when its high alsowhen its very windy or he starts scratching I wipe him down or bath him then apply cream….
“Canidae” make their Pure limited ingredient grain free kibbles or their All Life Stages formula’s that have grains, tCanidae All Life Stages Turkey Meal & Brown Rice Large breed is a limited ingredient formula it’s new low in fat & not too high in protein https://www.canidae.com/dog-food/products

[Alisha B]

I have an 8 month old Newfoundland and I’m honestly at a loss when it comes to him. I’ve never had a dog with sensitivities to food. Hes always had slighty lose stools since i got him. He’s been on Eagle Pack large and giant breed puppy food for months. The first couple of months everything seemed fine. I took him to the vet in the being of june for a check up and he was healthy. 2 days after he had a hot spot on his belly it cleared up a couple days later but more would show up. It’s been almost 2 months of sores coming and going on his belly. I clean the area and use a 3 in one spray to help them heal faster.
About 2 and a half months ago I noticed his skin was really dry so I started giving him salmon oil and 2 weeks later his skin was improving and his cost was shiny. When the sores stared, I stopped the oil seeing if that was the culprit but it wasn’t. I tried nupro supplement powder for large breed dogs and he had diarrhea. I give him organic pumpkin puree to try and firm up his stool but it doesn’t seem to work. Is it time to switch his Food? If so what should I give him? Aside from the licking his behavior is normal. He loves to play and run, he enjoys his sleep and eats and drinks like he should.

[a c]

I like to supplement my 10 years old small breed with Dasuquin. How do I know whether I need Dasuquin or Dasuquin w MSM?

[zcRiley]

The size of kibble will not change the rate of eating. However, it may be a sign that he’s not getting enough quality protein food, supplements and vitamins per day. Do not buy slow feeder bowls. Eating is not a game and is horribly frustrating for the dog. I don’t think anyone wants their steak dinner hidden in deep crevices. My dogs do not “come running” to the bowl or inhale it. It’s a social activity that’s relaxed and enjoyed, Mommy praising them, and with a satisfied siesta afterwards.

[JAMES B]

I’m looking for one as well, Cindy. I started my puppy out on TOTW and after a few years, I think he got bored. I have finally settled on supplementing the kibbles with baked chicken. (10 lbs- 6-8$, baked and stripped of bones then cubed) I mix1-1/2 cups of chicken with 2 cups of kibble mixed with some of the chicken fat resulting from the baking. Keeps him eating. Kona is 65 lbs.

[zcRiley]

No such thing as a lazy dog, at any age. Something’s wrong.

Go back to your vet to determine at which level of heart murmur intensity (there are 6 levels) Buddy has and if further diagnostics may show signs of a disease. Without knowing what you’re dealing with internally, all the food changes will not help him. You then streamline your dog’s health needs with the appropriate and consistent exercise regiment (especially walks), food/supplements and pain medication.

Get the Zignature line of dog kibble AND get Dasuquin with MSM. Both from Chewy.com. Start immediately. If it’s safe, per your dog’s blood work, give him Previcox nightly right after dinner. Keep everything fresh and sealed.

[Yx]

Hello pitluv – While it it true that we cannot tell the quality of the meats used by simply reading an ingredient label, we do know that there are companies that never use generic by-products, animal digests, meat and bone meals, artificial coloring, artificial flavoring, ingredients sourced from China, menadione sodium bisulfite complex, toxic preservatives such as BHA, BHT, TBHQ and Ethoxyquin,, and those that do.
For example, these are the ingredients in Purina’s Alpo brand Prime Cuts Savory Beef Flavor – Ground Yellow Corn, Meat and Bone Meal, Soybean Meal, Beef Tallow Preserved with Mixed-Tocopherols, Corn Gluten Meal, Egg and Chicken Flavor, Poultry and Pork Digest, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Red 40, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Vitamin E Supplement, L-Lysine Monohydrochloride, Yellow 5, Manganese Sulfate, Blue 2, Niacin, Vitamin A Supplement, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B-1), Garlic Oil, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B-6), Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement (Vitamin B-2), Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Calcium Iodate, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Source of Vitamin K Activity), Folic Acid, Biotin, Sodium Selenite. I-5020.

It would stand to reason that a company that avoids the above low-quality ingredients would likely be using higher quality meats in their formulations, in fact, there are brands such as ORIJEN that use “human grade ingredients” – “The fresh meats, meat meals and fat ingredients we use are produced exclusively from animals that have been deemed as fit for human consumption, and are produced in category 3 facilities (human grade facilities, no flushing, and no 4-D animal parts permitted on premises). All fruits and vegetables used in ORIJEN foods are also passed as fit for human consumption.” -https://www.orijen.ca/faq/#fresh_regional_ingredients

In any case, I am glad to read that all your animals are doing well.

[zcRiley]

Many factors to consider. If your dog is perfectly healthy, there is no reason to switch to less calories, less protein, less anything. More vitamins and supplements actually. So this would be the time to do a full medical checkup. From oral, to kidneys to liver to thyroid, etc. Those are the issues for tweaking a canine’s diet. It’s like if you turned 65 and everyone took all your foods away, and slapped down some oatmeal.

[Julie B]

I would NEVER have believed the solution, but my dog was panting constantly, drinking excessively, red hot spots plus larger red areas with constant scratching, licking of feet, pacing, rounds and rounds of meds from the vet …….. finally Sammy was diagnosed as being HOT by a non-traditional vet! I didn’t believe it at first. We had tried all kinds of foods, believing it was a food allergy. Or a seasonal allergy and he got meds. Cortisone shots and antibiotics helped for a very short time, but this was a merry-go-round for us. On and on. HE IS HOT. So Chinese medicinal herbs have worked, yes, have worked. The first success in my Sammy’s life for this misery. I have cried with him over it. We adopted him as an SPCA pup, probably lab/golden mix retriever, 98 lbs now! He is taking Wind Toxin by Jing Tang Co. out of Florida, I can only get it from a vet so far, but it SO does work. Important to me: I am combining with supportive holistic supplements.

Busting the myths on Chinese herbs for dogs

I am now practicing the art of choosing “cooling” foods. Info is all over online about the syndrome, and others, that may be solved without traditional meds which often “cover up” the symptoms. Perhaps your pet may need a cortisone shot, even antibiotics one time to get him started on the path to wellness, but as I said, in my opinion this is not a cure. The basic problem was never solved with meds for me. And don’t forget that probiotics are so important, especially while taking antibiotics, to keep his precious belly in good health. And they can take people supplements in most cases which are so much cheaper. Just watch the dosages. Hope I helped other poor sufferers and their dogs. (LOL)

[anonymous]

Please do not apply anything to the skin or give over the counter meds intended for humans or give supplements unless instructed to do so by a veterinarian that has examined the dog.
You could make things much worse and increase the risk of infection.
Hope this helps:
By Klaus Loft, DVM
Angell Dermatology Service
Anyone who suffers debilitating environmental allergies tied to changing seasons, pet dander or household dust mites knows first-hand the misery of a scratchy throat, itchy eyes or painful rashes.
Not everyone knows, however, that our pets can experience similar allergic reactions — and other very bothersome dermatological issues. But our pets need not suffer in silence. Modern veterinary science has evolved such that advanced, comprehensive treatments are now available to treat a range of skin conditions.
Top pet dermatological issues
Our four-legged friends suffer from some of the same skin issues as we do — and several that we do not. The most common conditions we see at Angell include:
•Parasites, such as mites, fleas and mange (scabies)
•Infectious diseases, such as Staphylococcal pyoderma (“Staph”) skin infections, yeast and fungal infections and skin fold infections
•Systemic diseases, such as autoimmune diseases
•Skin cancer, such as Squamous cell carcinoma, cutaneous lymphoma, Mast cell tumors
•Allergies, such as flea allergy dermatitis, adverse food reactions, environmental allergies, etc.
All of these conditions can become serious and, if untreated, dramatically reduce quality of life. But the tremendous strides made in veterinary innovation, however, is very good news for our pets. Specifically, the testing and treatments for allergies now rivals human healthcare in its sophistication, quality of care and long-term health outcomes.
Unlike humans, dogs and cats cannot tell us about their dermatological health issues. So we as pet owners must look for the signs. The most common indicators that a pet is suffering from some kind of allergy involve frequent episodes of ear infections, red raised or open sores on the skin, constant licking or biting of paws or groin — sometimes causing wounds that will not go away.
Allergies present a particular challenge because there can be hundreds (even thousands) of potential allergens that impact pet health, from foods to pollen from grasses, weeds, trees, dust mites and more. Today’s specialty veterinary hospitals have access to the very latest diagnostic tests to get to the bottom of what’s ailing our pet. Among these tests is the Intra Dermal Test (IDT).
IDT is generally considered the gold standard of testing for identifying allergens that cause pets to suffer from chronic skin and/or ear diseases. IDT involves injections of a series of concentrated allergens into the skin to determine which of them generate allergic reactions in a given animal. The use of fluorescein — a chemical that illuminates the inflammation caused by the injected allergens in order to visualize the strength of individual reactions — is key to accurately diagnosing pet allergies, and is just one of the many ways veterinarians use new technologies to improve care and diagnostics.
The results of IDT (as well as a review of the pet’s medical history) can then inform comprehensive immunotherapy treatments to relieve suffering. Veterinary dermatologists rely on IDT to build customized treatment plans for patients called Allergen Specific Immuno Therapy or “ASIT” for short.
ASIT involves a series of injections specifically created for the allergic animal’s skin. These injections, of diluted allergens, are designed to make a pet less sensitive to their allergens over time. In most cases these injections must be continued for life to reduce symptoms, but they are highly effective. Seventy to 90 percent of pets experience a reduction in symptoms as a result of ASIT treatment. These treatments can be delivered even more easily via droplets under the tongue, perfect for pet owners who are squeamish about giving injections to their pet.
This treatment is very new to the North American field of medicine (both human and veterinary) and underscores just how far innovation in veterinary medicine has come.
When it’s time to see the vet
Many pet owners are understandably concerned about taking their animals to the veterinarian because the cost (to say nothing of the fear some animals experience when going do the doctor) may outweigh any perceived reduction in suffering. To help pet owners know when it’s time to bring Fido to the doctor I’ve compiled my “Top Ten” list of dermatological symptoms that should never be ignored:
•Intense itching of the skin (head shaking, running the face into the carpet, furniture, etc.)
•Biting at the skin that creates red, raw crusting areas of the skin
•Multiple ear infections (head shaking, odor from ears, scratching at the ears with hind legs)
•Paw licking or chewing and frequent infections of the skin in the webbed skin of the paws
•Staining of the fur of the paws and nails on multiple feet
•Reoccurring skin infections in the groin, under the shoulders, perianal areas (on or under the tail)
•Greasy scaling skin and/or fur with odorous skin
•Hair loss, or thinning of the fur
•Dark pigmentation of the skin that is chronically infected
•Sudden depigmentation of skin
Allergies and other dermatological issues can be as frustrating for pet owners and their veterinarians as they can be for pets. I encourage any pet owner whose animal is experiencing any of these symptoms to consult with their veterinarian.

Dermatology – Common Issues

[FrankiesDoggie]

I have a 35 pound dog, so for frozen raw I feed 1 patty a day (roughly 400 calories) for 50% raw/kibble mix. I haven’t tried freeze dried yet, but Ive had to eliminate a few options from some of my favorite brands because the ingredients don’t match their frozen raw counterparts (namely natures variety freeze dried complete meal versions, the supplemental though is great even if it’s not complete)

My freeze dried list is pretty short: natures variety raw booster mix (supplemental only), vital essentials and OC Raw. Vital essentials is the one brand I found where the frozen raw ingredient list is identical to the freeze dried versions. OC raw has a good ingredient list as well with no synthetics as well, so they also made the cut.

Hope this helps!

[Erin H]

I’m interested in supplementing my dog’s diet with leafy greens, but unfortunately Green Juju has discontinued its shipping program and it was also quite expensive for a large dog. Does anyone have any go-to recipes they use when supplementing their dog’s diet with leafy green veggies? Thanks!

[Jocelyn L]

Nort Paws
North PawTM Adult is designed to be delicious and easily digestible, which makes mealtime a happy time for your companion. This nutrient-dense formula means your dog gets great nutrition from smaller portions. A very high ratio of quality protein, along with fibre, pre-biotics, omega 3s and anti-oxidants help promote a healthy, active life for your dog. Grain-free and full of goodness, for all the love they have to give.

GUARANTEED ANALYSIS:

Crude Protein (min.) 38.00%
Crude Fat (min.) 21.00%
Crude Fibre (max.) 4.50%
Moisture (max.) 10.00%

CALORIE CONTENT:

Metabolizable Energy (ME*)
= 3805kcal/kg
= 476kcal/cup

INGREDIENTS: Chicken Meal, Fishmeal (Herring), Chicken Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols, Form of Vitamin E), Green Peas, Chickpeas, Sweet Potato, Egg Powder, Apples, Fishoil (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols, Form of Vitamin E), Dicalcium Phosphate, Salt, Limestone, Chicken Liver, Kelp Meal, DL-Methionine, Kale, Chicory Root, Calcium Propionate, Flaxseed, Yucca Schidigera Extract, Choline Chloride, l-Lysine Hydrochloride, Inactivated Yeast, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, l-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source of Vitamin C), Taurine, Vitamin E Supplements, Biotin, Vitamin A Supplement, Zinc Methionine, Manganese Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Selenium Selenite, Manganese Methionine, Copper Lysine, Niacin Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Chondroitin Sulfate, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Calcium Iodate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Cobalt Sulfate, Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Folic Acid, Blueberries, Cranberries, Pumpkin, Spinach, Ginger, Peppermint, Chamomile, Turmeric, Celery Seed, Dried Rosemary.

[Tyla M]

I appreciate it and so does my wallet! I currently use Fromm gold holistic large breed puppy food. I may wait to see if the fish oil the vet gave me will help with the itching before I decide if it could be the food. I’m sure once I switch to adult food I’ll be Looking for help again! If I do decide to switch her, what are other good options for large breed that meet all the criteria? I remember looking at the fromm heartland one but I think it was the grain free one and it had 17% fat. I may supplement with some wet food, too.

[Alyssa S]

My shih tzu just turned 7 years old. She has always been a picky eater, but since she went on heart meds her appetite is even worse, despite being on a homemade diet. I recently gave her Nupro, which she enjoyed for a bit, but I think she’s gotten tired of the taste. I was wondering if any other dog owners with picky pups had any suggestions on another supplement to give her?

[Jude N]

Hi all,

Thank you for the replies. As an update, we did take him into the vet. We brought x-rays from his original appointment; the vet didn’t think he needed new images, and was comfortable dx’ing him based on the originals. He said that the old back injury has likely become re-inflamed, and that there’s some thickening around his knee joint. We went home with a 7-day script of Vetprofen, and then a decent amount 1/4 tablets of a painkiller.

I bought a supplement from Chewy. Here are the ingredients:

Active Ingredients Per Chewable Tablet: Glucosamine HCl (Shrimp and Crab) 750 mg Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) 400 mg Chondroitin Sulfate (Porcine) 400 mg Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) 100 mg Manganese (Mn Proteinate) 5 mg

Inactive Ingredients: allspice, brewers yeast, chicken liver flavor, nutmeg, silicon dioxide, stearic acid.

He eats 1/2 a tab at a time. I smash it into a powder and mix it into his breakfast, which is usually just raw tripe.

He seems to be doing a little better. He’s definitely stiff in the mornings.

We’ve had some back and forth with him not seeming very hungry, which is very unlike him, but I’m curious if it’s just because I switched from beef to pork…and he prefers beef above everything else.

I’m going to make another thread in one of the health boards with a couple of additional q’s…not sure how stringent you guys are here about keeping topics in the correct board.

I’m definitely going to look into the green-lipped mussels!!

[Donald P]

This has been a great discussion, I’m considering cooking for my dog and give a variety of foods based on my research. There is a strong and growing case for vegan diets for a variety of reasons as discussed in this forum.

There is so much controversy regarding food for humans and animals, Gary Taubes book Good Calories, Bad Calories is an important book for humans to read, regarding the madness of the meat, dairy, butter are bad, as the real culprits sugar and simple carbs were put front and center. For my family controlled carbs, heavy veg, select fruits and light meat consumption is the answer with high quality supplements to fill in some of the blanks.

I will feed my Propsa Shih Tzu the same basic template. mostly poultry, occasional beef. There are some solid sources of veg protein as well as other beneficial foods. That being said, I found this study to be interesting on the omnivore dilemma with canines:
http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2013/01/diet-shaped-dog-domestication

[Amanda D]

I am so sorry I haven’t replied to everyone’s posts. We have had a bit of a crisis with our Bailey that didn’t turn out the way we hoped. If anyone is interested in the long story that it is I’ll post my Facebook post.

As far as food, I think I have settled rotating Fromm and Nutro Ultra Puppy kibbles. I’ll mix in defrosted frozen Peas and Carrots, in every meal, add an egg to breakfast and maybe mix in a little wet Nutro Ultra Puppy.

My question now, how should I prepare the egg? I was planning on scrambling one in my microwave in my Nordic Ware microwave egg cooker. Or is it better raw? I don’t think I’LL do tof many treats as we’ll be working on training with boiled Chicken throughout the day. Maybe some chopped Raw baby carrots.

Should I wean puppy onto people foods? I also want to use fruits for occasional treats like strawberries, blueberries, bananas and apples (unsure of what variety of apple is best … a sugary red delicious/Washington or a tarter baking type apple like granny smiths kinds.

I’mean intrested in fish oil or Canned sardines as well. But is that a daily or weekly supplement?

[a c]

What’s difference between Dasuquin w MSM and Dasuquin? I am looking for joint health supplement. She doesn’t have arthritis. Thanks!

[zcRiley]

Your Milk Bones Wellness treats have flour and fat fillers plus salt and coloring. Causing more harm than good. Very crude ingredients that reflect its low price point):

Chicken, Wheat Flour, Soybean Flour, Glycerin, Tapioca Flour, Animal Fat (Preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Water, Salt, Citric Acid (Used as a Preservative), Inulin, Fat Product (Source of Docosahexaenoic Acid), Caramel Color, Calcium Propionate, Beta-Carotene, Zinc Proteinate, Betaine, Zinc Propionate, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source of Vitamin C), Vitamin E Supplement, Natural Mixed Tocopherols (Used as a Preservative), Taurine, Sodium Copper Chlorophyllin, Kale Powder, Rosemary Extract.

However, you’re on the right track to helping your pups’ joint health! I do so with my boys who have bad knees, they fly around like Superman. May I highly recommend for you to get the best…

Dasuquin with MSM for small dogs. Worth every penny. 😊