[anonymous]

When you are feeding a quality kibble, no supplements are needed (imo).
About a tablespoon of topper, cooked chicken, fish (canned fish is usually cooked), scrambled egg, etc. added to the kibble usually works well.
Again, I don’t think anyone can respond to your question with a blanket statement, it depends on the dog, best to go by what a veterinarian that has examined the dog recommends.
BTW, Orijen is rather rich for an inactive senior dog that may have a medical condition (diagnosed or undiagnosed) my dog with a sensitive stomach abruptly vomited within 20 minutes of being served this quality product (twice). I would add water to any kibble or presoak if the dog has a sensitive stomach. Some supplements, even fish oil, can upset a dog’s stomach, check with your vet first.

• This reply was modified 9 years, 2 months ago by anonymous.

[Cannoli]

Stephanie,

You do not have to feed whole bones to your dogs. Hare today sells ground bones with their grinds.

If you are totally against all bones (including ground bone) Hare today also sells ground meat without bones and you can add your own calcium supplements

[Cannoli]

Are these dog puppies or are they already grown?

I would skip the brown rice unless your dogs can’t handle a high protein diet.

I would rotate proteins. I prefer to feed my dog more red meat and chicken and turkey more as a treat.

I also prefer to add more organ meat and add tripe but you need to be careful with organ meat since you are already feeding your pups vitamins.

I like to rotate calcium sources too. Sometimes add ground shells, or ground bone, or calcium supplements. I also like to rotate veggies and supplements.

In short this is a good recipe for a short time but ideally the best recipes involve ROTATION of different sources of meat and fish (if your pup has no allergies) rotation of supplments..Maybe use some organic supplements, rotation of veggies, etc to prevent deficiencies.

[Jo C]

also, this is what is in her dog food 🙂 so your both saying she would be good just with that? and if I occasionally want to add more meat like chicken heart or liver of beef I can? or just add more veggies with on top I can?

Ingredients: Chicken, turkey, chicken meal, turkey meal, cracked pearled barley, whole grain brown rice, peas, oatmeal, white rice, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), tomato pomace, potatoes, natural flavor, ocean fish meal, flaxseed, duck, salmon, egg product, salt, potassium chloride, choline chloride, dried chicory root, dried kelp, carrots, apples, tomatoes, blueberries, spinach, cranberries, rosemary extract, parsley flake, Yucca schidigera extract, l-carnitine, dried Enterococcus faecium fermentation product, dried Lactobacillus acidophilus fermentation product, dried Lactobacillus casei fermentation product, dried Lactobacillus plantarum fermentation product, dried Trichoderma longibrachiatum fermentation extract, vitamin E supplement, iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, copper proteinate, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, copper sulfate, potassium iodide, thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), manganese proteinate, manganous oxide, ascorbic acid, vitamin A supplement, biotin, niacin, calcium pantothenate, manganese sulfate, sodium selenite, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin (vitamin B2), vitamin D supplement, folic acid

[elaine c]

If you give real uncooked foods, folks you will not need supplements… check out answerspetfood.com….

[Laurie F]

High sodium diet: anything above 0.5%

Hi Whitney,
My original posting included the following: “No risk or mild sodium restrictions include 0.35% to 0.5% equivalent to 100mg/l00kCal; Moderate sodium restriction include 0.1% to 0.35% equivalent to about 80mg/100kCal; Severe sodium restriction is anything less than 0.1% or about 50mg/100kCal.” I find it annoying that they include a bunch of dog foods that seem to be high in sodium content (at least for us), but one has to divvy it down to the risk factor. I am holding to kibble that is 53mg sodium, and kibble that is NO MORE than low 60’s mg sodium. I tried Royal Canin that is actually a prescription kibble @ 50mg. Riley tried eating it once, and after that it was a NO GO! I think she thought I was punishing her! I ended up donating the very pricey bag of food.

I applaud you for caring for the CHF rescue dogs and bringing them into a loving home! I agree with you that I’d also feel very guilty feeding a dog crappy food. Don’t do it! Since she has rotting, maybe painful teeth, there is plenty of low(er) sodium, healthy canned food for her to eat and excellent lower sodium (very soft baked) dog treats. The vet could have suggested Hills Cardio canned food, but it sounds like he’s kinda written her off. You mentioned that you had the Vet put her on Vetmedin? Wasn’t she prescribed that medication when she was originally diagnosed with CHF? I doubt Riley would be here today without Vetmedin from the getgo. Out of respect for my regular vet and a slightly lower cost, I have him do a full blood run every 3 months so I and the Cardiologist can monitor other bodily functions. But that’s about it for her regular vet. If you are upping the Lasix mg (or Salix mg) for her, there is always the possibility her Potassium level may drop, necessitating a daily potassium supplement. Riley takes 12.5 Salix, one in the a.m. and 1 1/2 in the p.m. Only one time early on last year did I have to give her a 1/4 tsp of RenaKare potassium gel (very inexpensive) daily for a brief period of time. Are you also giving the Chinese Crested a higher dosage of Salix since he’s having some issues with fluid build-up? Does he cough? I have only had one incident of ‘fainting’ and Riley letting out high pitched yelps/screams (couldn’t get enough oxygen) and that was the original emergency visit at 1:00 am last April. She had a whole bunch of fluid in her chest. It wasn’t until months later that I asked the Cardio doc why she was ‘screaming’ at the time of the event/collapse. He could only say that he presumed what was happening was really frightening to her in that split second and that the screaming was her fear reaction. No recurrences of fluid build up based on least 3 x-rays over the past year. I noted early on that she did have some increased respiratory in rest mode so Cardio doc increased her Salix to 1 1/2 tab in the evening. She pees like a race horse, but I’d like to think she’s getting rid of that lousy excess fluid in the process. I also understand that a high protein diet (along with the lower sodium food/diet) is attributable to controlling fluid build-up. I repeat, I’ve only been able to get her to eat kibble that is 53mg and another one that is in the low 60’s mg. She also gets high protein chicken (breast and or broiled/baked ground turkey) little portions that I mush into her moistened kibble. Keep in mind, that once I have cooked up a couple of pounds of my ground turkey ‘recipe’, I toss it in the freezer until I need it. I am not living in the kitchen daily to bake or cook! And yes, as a change of pace a few times per month, she gets some low fat/lean minced bits of broiled ground round and some rice mushed into moistened kibble. A quarter pound patty lasts a couple of days for both dogs’ dinners.

Lastly, you might consider giving both or one of them Vetri Cardio Canine by VetriScience. There are 60 bite-sized chews to a bag. One ‘chew’ is for larger wieght dogs, so I cut one ‘chew’ in half and give Riley and Tutzie their respective piece. I’d have 120 chews if I wasn’t treating non-CHF Tutzie… It’s a heart supplement that was highly recommended to me by another CHF dog owner… the gal whose CHF dog is now 16++. You can view it on Chewy.com. If you do buy it, don’t buy the capsules, buy the chews.

Does the rescue group afford xrays/echo cardiograms (probably not ultra-sounds) for the rescue dogs? I know there are some rescue groups that have unreal medical equipment at their disposal. I adore my vet of 25+++ years. However, I will admit that I had concerns about him treating my dog for cardiomyopathy, degenerative valve disease, or congenital heart failure. It’s just not his speciality and he knows that.

[Laura L]

I need advice for my 15+ yr old Affen. I’m new; please forgive me if I’m asking you to repeat advice given previously- I feel like time is of the essence, & I can’t process everything I’m researching all at once. Donald has heart murmur/ recent trip to heart dr/ received good report. She said discontinue enalapril or switch to benazepril. He also takes VetMedin; Lasix; Denamarin. He also has Cushings & was taking Vetoryl until last week.
11/23 was first blood work in a while- I didn’t realize the signs of kidney disease earlier. We also moved recently & had to find new vet. 11/23: BUN 88/ CREA 2.6. SubQ fluids. Acupuncture 11/29 (for arthritis) & holistic vet gave me homemade food recipe, which I fed that Tues/Wed/Thurs. D smelled like ammonia after food. BUN went to >130; CREA 2.0. Then went ER vet for iv fluids (careful to watch heart condition.) He started canned kidney diet. On 12/03, BUN 97; CREA 1.7. SubQ fluids 3x / week & BUN & CREA decrease: 65 & 1.9; 57 & 1.7. I added Azodyl somewhere around this time. 12/15/16: heart dr says discontinue enalapril & clears D for teeth cleaning. Had urine protein test at this time/ it was good (like 2, on a scale to 5.) 12/22: BUN 37 & CREA 1.4. 1/06/17: BUN 41/ CREA 1.3 (I think at this pt we had moved to fluids 2x/ week.) 1/13/17: BUN: 49 CREA 1.3. (Note: D had acupuncture again.) The next week D vomited bile on Wed & Sun and wouldn’t eat. We stopped Vetoryl (I know NOW that it’s bad for filtration & bad with ace inhibitor & with diuretic.) Ate a little rice; broth; chicken but would vomit it. 1/18/17: BUN 90 CREA 1.8. 1/20/17: BUN 107 CREA 1.6. Back to ER vet for iv fluids. 01/21/17: BUN: 83 CREA 1.9. 1/23/17: BUN 70; CREA 2.3. He’s had phosphate binders during both ER trips. I’ve ordered a renal supplement, B vitamins, & omega 3s. What else can I do? Would you feed Darwins even though it has high phosphates? Doesn’t Darwins have a binder in it? Would you try homemade? – I’m hesitant since my only attempt sent his BUN off the charts. Do you think accupuncture could have helped cushings enough to cause an overdose effect since he was taking Vetoryl? Apologies for the long post- Would love any thoughts- it’s a hilly, scary road, & I need you, fellow travelers. Much love -le

[crazy4cats]

I buy a Balance IT supplement if I make my dogs a homemade meal. You can buy one that you just add meat to or another one if you want to add any carbs, veggies or meats of your own to it. https://secure.balanceit.com/ They have an auto balancer to help you figure out all the ingredients to get the right protein and carb percentage you are shooting for.

My dogs really love a homemade meal every now and then. Good luck!

[InkedMarie]

I wouldn’t bother with joint supplements in food, By the time it’s cooked, the supplement is gone. I use In Clover Connectin for my senior dog. I’ve also used K9 Glucosamine but better results with the Connectin. Green Lipped mussel is also recommended.

Dr Tim’s is a great food. If you are on FB, he will answer questions on his FB page.

[David P]

I read a lot of great things about Dr Tim’s! I’ll try it. Thank you 🙂

I don’t give Dewey any supplements. I’ve asked my vet and she said to be cautious? Regretfully, I did not pursue the issue. I ‘believe’ I should be giving him a supplement for his hips & joints. Glucosamine? Is that what you would suggest? Would you advise I take note of how much of that is in the dog food (if any) when determining how much of a supplement to give him? Guess what I’m asking is, if that supplement is in his food, how do I determine how much more to give him? Sorry to sound so foolish.

[InkedMarie]

Hi David,
First, what joint supplements are you giving your dog? Second, you’d do well to eliminate grains and white potato. They can be inflammatory.

[anonymous]

I would go along with the lab work recommended including thyroid, let the vet diagnosis her.
Or find another vet, however, it is not unusual to suggest bloodwork, some vets would like it done once a year.
And what’s wrong with medication that has been prescribed by a veterinarian that has examined the dog, that’s intended to make the dog more comfortable?
The symptoms you describe could be any one of a number of things including allergies.

Regarding the food, again, I would see what the vet recommends. Adding supplements and vitamins seem unnecessary for a pup that young, plus they might upset her stomach more.
I would allow the vet to take further diagnostic tests, get the dog diagnosed, then you can go over your treatment options.
In the meantime I might presoak her kibble and start giving her the reglan as prescribed.
Also, if she hasn’t been spayed, she will be going into heat soon.

[anonymous]

You could try something like Dogswell Happy Hips kibble as a base, and continue with the 1/2 homemade. Check chewy dot com for reviews and more information. My terrier does well on Nutrisca (same company), and my terrier likes the Dogswell Vitality kibble.

PS: I bet your vet will want to order some labs to rule out medical problems.
Regarding supplements and such, check SkeptVet (google for web address) use the search engine there to look up specific topics.

[anonymous]

What are you feeding her now? You could try something like Dogswell Happy Hips
https://www.chewy.com/dogswell-happy-hips-chicken-oats/dp/42571
I like Nutrisca for my poodle-mix which is made by Dogswell, my terrier likes the Dogswell Vitality kibble.
I was thinking of trying the Happy Hips…but, I am leery of supplements. http://skeptvet.com/Blog/category/herbs-and-supplements/

Also, make sure she is getting enough water, add water to the kibble or even presoak overnight in the fridg to be on the safe side, a lot of dogs don’t drink enough water.

[anonymous]

Ask the vet when you take her in for a checkup, there are prescription meds that may help to keep her more comfortable. Does she need pain meds? Some meds have potential side effects, some don’t. So discuss the options with your vet.
Supplements don’t do much of anything, but, they will help to lighten your wallet, lol

If you have pet health insurance, ask about aquatic therapy (swimming in a heated pool), if she is overweight or has bad joints, arthritis and your vet prescribes it, it may be covered. Otherwise, it’s a little pricey. It’s really good for them, even once or twice a week for a few minutes.

[Jo C]

Hi,

I have a senior gal that I want to start adding a supplement specifically for her bones. Of course her bones are more fragile and just want to add more comfort for her especially for our walks. She is approx. roughly around 40 pounds from our last vet visit which she needs to go in soon for a check up. Any suggestions?

[Maria S]

Thank you for your replies i really appreciate we are just getting back from our hospital Vet, they started Max our 9 week old french bulldog on Medicated SubQ fluids, to be continue at home, along with the medications and assist- feeding we have been doing.

Food and supplements : A/D canned food (chicken) Pedialyte and synringe feed 3X daily, vet recommended us then transition puppy diet when his appetite improves

Below are what the doctor prescribe us today:
Continue to give all of his medications and Proviable .
Rx: Medicated SubQ fluids: give 60-80 ml under loose skin of the shoulder/back of the neck 3 times daily for 3-4 days adding Baytril, a broad-spectrum antibiotic, to the fluids to help settle his stomach and his stomach and bowels and help him recover

I hope he gets better and this can help anyone else

Once again thank you @ Anon101 @ K C @

[Cannoli]

When I started sneaking veggies into my dogs food I invested in a good blender. I am a fan of sneaking veggies into my homemade dog food as it provides an additional plethora of vitamins that meat can not provide.

I normally feed him 1 large tablespoon per meal. My pup gets two meals a day.

Here is an example of one of the smoothies I make. I rotate veggies every 3 weeks. This makes enough for 3 weeks

large sweet squash roasted in the oven with extra virgin coconut oil- Squash has sweetness that sweetens up the veggie mix and most dogs like a little sweetness in their life.
Organic raw apple
Package of blueberries
Spirulina- This is blue-green algea loaded with minerals and has naturally occurring salt
Mother’s apple cider vinegar
Fresh tumeric root
Fresh ginger
Some fresh parsley
Alfalfa sprouts
Pumpkin seeds
Some organic supplement powder that covers any other vitamins I might be missing.

It taste good to me. It has a hint of sweetness, a little bit of saltiness from the spriulina, and a wonderful coconut apple cider tumeric aroma.

[InkedMarie]

Pamela,
If you go to the Hare Today website, click on “raw food education” (it’s a picture of a cat wearing glasses) then click feeding dogs. Tracey, the owner, says if you feed a variety, all you need is salmon or anchovy oil. I feed strictly Hare and use salmon oil, joint supplements and I feed egg 2-3x weekly.
Tracey is very helpful; email her and she will answer your questions. Remember to do a review, send in pictures, ‘like” Hare on fb to earn points that give you money off future orders!

[Pamela C]

Is it recommended to supplement with hare today? I’m planning on doing half kibble & half raw. I ordered a pretty good selection of protein but I’m just paranoid about giving her too much bone or not enough organ.

[anonymous]

Unless the dog has a specific medical condition that requires him to be on a soft diet. Such as having a sensitive stomach, being endentulous, and some seniors, etc.
If the veterinarian that has examined the dog recommends a soft diet. Then by all means, soak away! Otherwise, dry food as a base with a topper and a splash of water works best, in my experience.
Healthy dogs don’t need supplements……IMO
You really should consult your vet for specific concerns pertinent to your dog.
PS: What is wrong with your dog that you are so worried?

[crazy4cats]

Hi Matthew C-
I believe the vet is telling you not to use Vit c or cranberry supplements with the prescription food because it will over acidify the pH of your dog’s urine. That situation could cause the other type of stones. Struvite stones are formed in alkaline urine. The prescription foods help acidify the urine and increase thirst in your pup. More water and moisture as Anon mentioned will help dilute the urine.

Struvite stones in dogs are often associated with infections as you mentioned. One of my cats had a blockage and ended up in the emergency clinic for three days due to Struvite crystals. I now feed him mostly canned food, keep his litterbox clean, and have a water fountain available. I hope you can find something that works also. Good luck!

[anonymous]

Did you check the search engine here? /forums/search/bladder+stones/
Excerpts from previous posts:
As your vet will confirm, dogs that have a tendency to make bladder stones have to be on a special diet the rest of their lives, this is a serious condition and it just doesn’t go away.
I would comply with the prescription food for now.
And don’t forget, water, water, and more water added to the diet. Ask the vet ….but I believe this helps big time. And frequent bathroom breaks, opportunities to urinate.
“My dog had both (struvite and calcium oxalate), no symptoms till the age of 11, started with UTIs. He has had no recurrences in 4 years since his emergency surgery.
“There is a genetic component and some breeds are more prone to bladder stones”.
“Anyway, if you do nothing else, add water and take her out to urinate frequently”.
PS: Soak the kibble, even the prescription food in water overnight in the fridg, add more water prior to serving. Keep the bladder flushed. Maybe add a little canned prescription food as a topper.
Don’t add supplements unless recommended by a veterinarian that has examined the dog.
http://skeptvet.com/Blog/?s=cranberry

[brit]

my 11yo dog is on a home made diet and tested high Ph and struvite crystals last fall but no infection. Never had him tested before so who knows how long he has had this, my holistic vet put him on a cranberry/herb supplement and told me to make sure he drinks plenty of fluids. I give him distilled water altho he doesn’t really drink much so I make him a bone broth and give him a cup 2xday and home made food with plenty of liquid. I use fewer veggies in his food than I was using as they are alkaline. I bought some Ph test strips and so far his morning urine is perfectly normal. I read somewhere just to go by the morning urine. I also give approx 250mgs ester C daily and a couple of tsps Cranimals (he weighs 50lbs).

[Jan D]

anan101,
No, it is not normal for him to be going 8 times a day. It was normal for him to go 3 times a day before the food switch. I do agree with you though, that grain free foods may produce more stools in some dogs. In my research I have found others saying that their dog experienced an increase after switching to TOTW.

Crazy4cats, thank you for all the info. I think you and Kristen are right about the lack of good flora playing a huge part in this. He is on FortiFlora now, but I noticed there is only one strain (Enterococcus faecium) in it. I take Primal Defense, which are soil based probiotics, and have heard good things about it also helping dogs with gut issues/IBS. I may try to supplement with that as well.
It is good to hear that your pups are now feeling better after their battle with giardia and gives me hope that my guy will get through this.

[crazy4cats]

Hi Jan D-
I can also relate to your situation as my pups both had several rounds of medication for Giardia. It was a tough case where they kept giving it back and forth. And yes, their tummies were messed up for months! Metronidazole is a strong antibiotic that helps kill parasites and bacteria, but unfortunately also kills the good bacteria. Here is some info: http://www.akc.org/content/health/articles/metronidazole-for-dogs/

I would feed the prescription food for a while to help heal the tummy as you mentioned in an earlier post. I don’t think it will have to be a permanent diet. I used a few supplements that contain probiotics that I believe helped as well. You probably would NOT want to use these with prescription food, however. They are Vetri Science BD, Gastriplex, Perfect Form and/ or Forti Flora.

The food that they finally did well on was Victor Grain Free Hero Formula. I can’t be certain it was the food or the fact that their tummies were finally getting better after so many rounds of Metronidazole and Panacur. But, I was ecstatic either way!! Oh yes, they also managed to get Coccidia in which they had to take meds for. 🙁

Here is a site with some helpful info on healing tummies: http://www.dogaware.com Check out their digestive disorders section. I hope this is helpful. How is it going now?

[Acroyali]

“Because, it is clear to most medical professionals that a lot of the things some homeopathic vets recommend clearly have potential to harm animals.”

Ah, but there are indeed two sides to this coin.
Some things that conventional veterinarians recommend can harm animals, too. Monthly steroid shots, yearly vaccines, and poor food can have their downfalls. Ignoring the fact that quacks are quacks no matter HOW they practice is ignorant.
I had a very sick dog. After 4 grand spent at a local animal hospital, my dog was no better. I started exploring other treatment methods, as it was getting ridiculously expensive and, more importantly, my dog was not getting better. A very pragmatic holistic vet worked with me. He recommended medication (not “holistic” medication, but “medication”) to get my poor dog some relief…WHILE we worked on what was causing the problems in the first place. For my other dog, he strongly recommended heart medications–3 separate kinds–but we devised a few other things in the form of supplements that seemed to add length and vigor to his life. He outlived everyone’s expectations.
There is no magic treatment that fits every animal. THAT is what holistic medicine should be all about–sizing up the patient. It really has little to nothing to do with scorning the usage of life-saving drugs. Take into account a dog or cats over all health, diet, activity level, exercise tolerance, age, past health problems, right down to their emotional state (are they high strung and anxious, or easy going?) That’s the kind of practice I respect. Any vet who completely ignores the patient’s progress and only pumps more medications into them is wrong, as is the holistic vet who scorns the use of ANY medication and lets an animal suffer in the name of “holistic healing.” The two ways CAN work together, and work very well.
I recently read of a homeopath who “fired” a client because her dog became very ill, spiking a fever in the middle of the night, so the dog was rushed to the ER and placed on antibiotics. Because of placing the dog on these life saving medications, the homeopath fired the client, stating that she refused to work with someone who wasn’t holistically minded. Absolutely RIDICULOUS and I would have fired the homeopath because he or she could have fired me.
Quacks and quacks. They’re not limited to one form of practice. And it completely sucks that there are so many holistic vets (and doctors) who feel antibiotics are bad when your pet spikes a 105 degree fever and scorn the use of life-saving drugs in an elderly pet to give them more time, and better quality of life. And it completely sucks that there are many allopathic and conventional vets who roll their eyes the minute someone mentions a supplement or herb that seemed to help their animal. I refuse to patronize either kind.
Just my opinion.

[anonymous]

Per the search engine : /forums/search/presoak+kibble/

It depends on the dog and their individual needs, I have done this for elderly dogs. However, I don’t measure the water or add supplements and I tend to stick with one brand of kibble that I know agrees with the dog.
I also always add a protein topper and a splash of water.

[Krista B]

Hi,

I just figured out a great little trick! I took a 1/3 of a cup of kibble and 1/2 cup of hot but not boiling water and 1 tbsp. of fruitables digestive supplement and let it soak for about 2- 2 1/2 hours. The kibble soaked up about 60-70% of the water and I was left with a pumpkin gravy. I took a fork and mashed up the kibble into the gravy and it turned into basically what resembled canned food. How awesome is this? Now I can make canned food at home for a fraction of the cost! It really does resemble (and smell) like a pate type canned food. I will now be doing this for all my dogs meals. I really recommend trying this, it’s helpful because it really breaks down the kibble and adds moisture so it’s easier for the dog to digest.

[Krista B]

Try fruitables, it’s a digestive supplement. Also perfect form by honest kitchen is a good one. Sometimes adding some calcium will firm up loose stools. For example in canned whole sardines there are soft bones that provide calcium. Also RMB’s (raw meaty bones) will work.

[Krista B]

Hi, I just tried soaking several brands of kibble using 1/3 cup kibble to 1/2 cup water. I used hot water and let the kibble soak for about two hours. They all soaked up most of the water! I used a tablespoon of fruitables digestive supplement that u added to the water. The kibble soaked up more than half the water and the resulting water became like a pumpkin gravy. The brands I used were natural balance, Fromm and Acana. The natural balance actually soaked up 90% of the water, which was very impressive. The other brands soaked up about 60% of the water and then the rest of the water became like a gravy. Very nice results! I will be soaking my kibble from now on. Very happy with the results. My recommendation is letting the kibble soak for at least 45-60 minutes if not longer or even overnight. If you let in soak overnight I’m sure it will soak up almost everything.

[Rebecca L]

Right now she is eating Fromm weight loss. Only one cup breakfast & one at dinner. I supplement with salt free green beans. Still no loss. Can anyone give me specific names of food they have tried? She needs to lose 30 lbs. I’ve gotten all the blood work etc done. Even when we took in a foster and they played constantly… no weight loss.

[anonymous]

“I have to admit….That kind of sounds like something the skeptvet would say”.
Thanks! I’ll take that as a compliment. Although, I can’t hold a candle to someone that articulate and knowledgeable, lol
I have learned a lot from SkeptVet, and nothing is being sold there, no books, no supplements, no t-shirts, no membership fees…nothing. Unlike many of the homeopathic sites I have visited.
I find his blogs helpful. To each his own. And regarding a prior comment, “The skeptvet can be so intimidating and harsh”. Sometimes, the truth hurts.

[crazy4cats]

Have you checked out BalanceIT? They have free custom recipes that you can choose the ingredients yourself, in addition to the protein, fat, and carb levels of your choice. It was created and managed by board certified nutritionists. You do need to buy their supplement to balance the meals ensuring all the vitamins and minerals are accounted for.

Here is their link: https://secure.balanceit.com/

You may have to pay to get your vet’s approval if you choose the option that your dog has a medical condition. But, it’s probably worth it and save you a lot of money in the long run. Otherwise, you may have frequent vet visits. Good luck!

[Loretta A]

I am new here…I need help!!!
I have a 3 lb. Biewer Terrier & she has MVD (Microvascular Dysplasia) & colitis. This AM I was cleaning up bloody phlegm and stool. I am home cooking for her & adding holistic supplements. I see where chicken is not used for dogs w/colitis, I just don’t know what to give her anymore. A nutritionist wants $200 for them to make up meals for her, I can’t afford that, as I am paying on credit cards for vet bills & I am also on SS. I feed her baked chicken breast, veggies (frozen) & angel hair pasta. Her Bile Acid test came back & her post was high (70) fasting was (3) I need help w/a diet that is low protein…but now she has colitis & I am at a loss….Can sumone please assist me….as I want my girl to feel good & be as healthy as she can be.
Thank you

[Susan]

Hi Cheryl,
are you seeing a Dermatologist that deals in these skin/ear problems also has she had her ears scrap & tested for ear mites, yeast etc
There are better drugs on the market these days, ask vet about Apoquel you will know within a week if it’s working, it doesn’t work for dogs with yeast problems….
What food was she eating? the UK as a few limited ingredient foods have you tried the Amala or Fish4Dogs also look at the wet tin food now instead of the kibbles, stop all kibbles… I know when my Staffy gets his itchy ears it’s the food, he cant eat carrot & chicken, he starts his ear scratching & shaking his head…
also look for a Omega 3 supplement for her skin/coat, joints, brain etc
My kitten I rescued had bad ear mites then was still scratching & going mad so the vet did another ear scrap & she had ear infection from the bad mites, she was given Apex Ear Drops then had another ear scrap & her infection was gone, then once a week for 1 month I had to clean her ears with Virbac Epi-Optic ear cleaner by the 3rd week she stopped scratching her ears, when my Staffy had his ear problem he was sensitive to ingredient in his vet diet for his IBD vet gave him DERMOTIC era drops it fixed his ears straight away & his vet diet was changed…. http://www.amalapetfoods.co.uk/purchaseamala

[Anais A]

That link above is NOT to alpha lipoic acid but to alpha Linolenic acid, they are completely different things – alpha LIPOIC is an antioxidant NOT an omega fatty acid. http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/alphalipoic-acid
(humans take 20-50mg and dogs usually take 1/8 human dose for most, but not all herbs and supplements.)
My 21 pound dogs gets 10mg, alpha lipoic acid and my 13 lb dogs gets 5mg alpha lipoic acid. As with most supplements and herbs I’ll give a rest period at 8-12 weeks as suggested where I do not give them any for an entire week. I typically do rests at 8 weeks to be on the safe side. I hope this helps. I’m not a vet. Consult your vet with questions before giving anything.

• This reply was modified 9 years, 2 months ago by Anais A.

[Angie S]

Hi Shawna
I need advise regarding my dog’s kidney issues please

Is sweet potatoe safe to give? He’s been losing weight due to both kidney n heart disease and I would like to add some carbs in his diet.

Currently he’s on hills prescription KD canned food.

May I know how can I buy the standard process supplements? I wrote to them and was told that they are only available via Vet’s office and I can’t buy from them directly

But I’m really desperate to find them. Any advise for me? Thanks

Angie

[Susan]

Hi Paul,
as we get older we don’t make as much hydrochloric acid to digest our food & its harder to digest food so the food sits in our stomach, Google “Hypochlorhydria” is low stomach acid
it may just be a coincidence the glucosamine has cause this, I prefer to give my 8yrs old Omega 3 supplements or feed foods high in omega 3 fatty acid for his joints, skin etc, I’ve been very lucky with Patch he doesn’t have any joint problems yet, he is walked 3 times a day cause I live in a unit & he’s kept lean…but my boy does have IBD mainly stomach problems & skin allergies & was vomiting undigested food a year ago, I had to make his gut strong & healthy. Dog probiotic like Purina Fortiflora is good, they tested 10 dog probiotics & found only 3 of them had live cultures & Purina Fortiflora was voted number 1, I give Yukalt it’s a probiotic drink in the fridge section at supermarket, I drink 1/2 & Patch gets the other 1/2 there’s 5 small pink drinks, he has stoped his vomiting & eating grass every morning, so the Yakult drinks have probably fixed his bacteria in his gut & bowel & made it healthy again..
https://www.chewy.com/purina-pro-plan-veterinary-diets/dp/50000
I feed lean white meats, I buy lean pork grounded mince 1kg (2lb), add 1 whisk egg, a few chopped up small broccoli heads broken off the broccoli, 1 teaspoon chopped up parsley, some kale chopped up just 1 leaf, or you can use 1 spinach leaf or another veggie, I was grating 1 small carrot, I suppose start with less is best then the next batch of rissoles add another finally chopped up veggie….. mix all together & make 1 cup size rissole, (it makes about 8-9 x 1 cup size rissoles) & bake in oven on a foiled covered baking tray, when they’re 1/2 cooked take out tray of rissole & drain any excess water & fat there’s normally hardly any fat, then turn over the rissoles & bake, don’t over cook the rissoles as soon as there’s no blood they’re ready, I also peel & cut up sweet potato & boil, I do not boil rice, rice ferments in the stomach, it’s no good, the new thing is to cook either potato or sweet potato…. Hamburger mince is very high in fat it’s not recommended anymore…. I also boil some pumkin & freeze you can also freeze the rissoles, I only add about 1/3 to 1/2 a cup of sweet potatoes or potatoes & a small piece of pumkin to 1 rissole, mix altogether & cut up rissole finally so it’s easier to digest…
Do not give a raw feed dog any dry kibble, kibble is harder to digest even when water is added, vet hasn’t prescribe any kibble, fed a wet tin food if vet advises a vet prescription diet…but a cooked diet is heaps better then any vet diets….cook foods that are easy to digest & white lean meats for now, beef is a stronger more rich meat like Kangaroo, I didn’t know this lol poor Patch he loved his beef & kangaroo rissole but his stomach didn’t it came back up undigested…
also cook some home made healthy doggy treat biscuits there’s a few recipes online… I have a few if needed.. he may need a 10 day course of Metronidazole it’s an antibiotic for stomach & bowel.. also feed 3-4 smaller meals a day.

[anonymous]

http://skeptvet.com/Blog/?s=prescription+food

Go to the above site if you are interested in science-based veterinary medicine. Nothing is being sold there, no kits, no t-shirts, no supplements, no books, no memberships fees.
Nothing. Just facts.

[David H]

I am a huge believer in Fromm Foods. I currently feed Whitefish and Patato to my older dogs. I do like to add some fresh raw hamburger to it also. I lost my 15+ yr old Golden in October. She had some kidney issues from age 10 on. I feel she outlived what the vets told me because of the great low phos. in the Fromm Whitefish and the addition of 80/20 hamburger. The difference I have found between senior and regular adult food it is Calories. If you watch what you feed them i would not worry about a senior food. The joint supplements if high quality can be a huge benefit.

[anonymous]

Give the vet a call and ask him to call you back when he has a minute.
I would stop all supplements, keep his diet as simple as possible. He is a senior at 8 years old, break the piggybank and get some lab work done (if you haven’t done so already).
Lab values tell a lot and can identify ailments in the early stages, when they will respond to treatment. I would stop the raw. Instead, get a quality kibble and gradually mix the cooked beef/rice mixture into it, add a splash of water to meals. Maybe presoak the kibble in H2O if he doesn’t frequent his water bowl. Hope this helps.
Also, http://skeptvet.com/Blog/?s=raw

PS: I would continue the bland diet for your dog, boiled rice and hamburger, until stable.
I would add a splash of water to meals.

[Paul H]

Hello, I’ve been feeding my 8 yr old black lab raw for about 2 years. He loves it and has been very healthy. Recently I changed his glucosamine supplement and after a few days he got sick and was throwing up most of the day. We took him to the vet, he had no temp, no diarrhea, or blood in vomit. Our vet said to wait until 12 hours after his last vomit, and cook up some ground beef and white rice. We fed him that twice last night, he seemed better, but now my wife found some vomit with the food in it. Could it be because we fed him cooked beef? Thank you in advance.

[anonymous]

Here is the disclaimer on that saliva/hair kit mentioned in previous posts in this thread:
“The information provided by this scan is intended for educational and nutritional purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. It is not intended as conventional veterinary medical advice or to replace the advice or attention of your existing veterinarian. You may wish to consult with a holistic veterinarian before making changes to your pets’ diet, nutritional supplements, or exercise program. The statements on or about this scan have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. To find a holistic veterinarian in your area, visit http://www.ahvma.org.”

[anonymous]

Mail-in hair and saliva tests are not diagnostic tools (just read the fine print).
Please read the blog below, nothing is being sold at that site, no t-shirts, no supplements, no kits, no books….nothing.

Glacier Peak Holistics Pet Wellness Life Scan Stress Test or How Much BS Can Fit on One Web Page?

Excerpt from the link above:
Bottom Line
“The Glacier Peak Holistics Pet Wellness Life Stress Scan (formerly “Healthy Dog and Cat Alternative Sensitivity Assessment”) is a completely implausible test based on vague, mystical nonsense and pseudoscientific theories that contradict the legitimate scientific evidence regarding the cause and management of allergies. The general concept that hair and saliva testing can identify the causes of allergies is false. The marketing of this test is misleading and contains many of the hallmarks of quack advertising. Dog owners struggling with allergies would be far better spending their time and money consulting a veterinary dermatologist for a science-based approach to helping their canine”.

Also, per the search engine here: /forums/topic/desperate-food-recomendations-for-lab/

[anonymous]

Below is an excerpt from: http://www.vcahospitals.com/main/pet-health-information/article/animal-health/calcium-oxalate-bladder-stones-in-dogs/5895

How can I prevent my dog from developing calcium oxalate bladder stones in the future?

Dogs that have developed calcium oxalate bladder stones in the past will often be fed a therapeutic diet for life. Diets that promote less-acidic and more dilute urine are recommended. Most dogs should be fed a canned or wet diet to encourage water consumption. Dilute urine with a low urine specific gravity (Urine Specific Gravity or USpG less than 1.020) is an important part of the prevention of calcium oxalate bladder stones. In certain cases, medications to lower the urinary pH such as potassium citrate may be required. If the dog is fed a home prepared diet, Vitamin B6 is often added as a supplement.  Dogs that repeatedly develop calcium oxalate bladder stones without high blood calcium levels may benefit from hydrochlorothiazide treatment.
Dogs diagnosed with calcium oxalate stones should avoid calcium supplements unless specifically advised by your veterinarian. They should not be fed high oxalate foods such as chocolate, nuts, rhubarb, beets, green beans, and spinach.
In addition, careful routine monitoring of the urine to detect any signs of bacterial infection is also recommended. Bladder x-rays and urinalysis will typically be performed one month after treatment and then every three to six months for the remainder of the dog’s life. Dogs displaying any clinical signs such as frequent urination, urinating in unusual places, painful urination or the presence of blood in the urine should be evaluated immediately. Unfortunately, calcium oxalate stones have a somewhat high rate of recurrence, despite careful attention to diet and lifestyle.
This client information sheet is based on material written by: Ernest Ward, DVM

[anonymous]

There are more than one prescription food that may work, I would ask the vet that is treating your dog. You may be able to add something to make it more appealing to him.
Or, he could refer you to a veterinary nutritionist.
Water and frequent bathroom breaks are important. Add water to meals, they drink up the water to get to the food.

From one of my prior posts:
Did you check the search engine here? /forums/search/bladder+stones/
Adding water, frequent bathroom breaks go a long way.
Listen to your veterinarian, or ask for a referral to a specialist. The dog needs to be stable for at least 6 months to 1 year before you even think about making diet changes.
Often there is a genetic component, bladder stones return (50% of the time)
This is not a do it yourself project. There is nothing wrong with prescription food.
PS: Most supplements are scams, but discuss with your veterinarian, there are prescription medications that may be more effective for prevention of bladder stones (stubborn cases).
Let the dog recover and see how the follow-up appointments go. Best of luck.

[Susan]

Hi, if you can cook here’s a Naturopath Jacqueline Rudan I use in Australia, here’s one of her raw diets for health problems, “Acidifying (Urinary Crystals)” You will get an idea on what foods are best to feed, I noticed for organ meats she suggests lambs fry, lamb kidney, lamb heart there’s no no beef or chicken livers, I wonder why?? Lentils, Chickpeas, Sweet Potatoes, Spinach, String Beans, Cranberries, Strawberries etc, I also saw eggs, so a scrambled egg & a small rissole for breakfast make sure your adding a Omega 3 supplement or feeding sardines, salmon, so she’s getting her Omega 3 for her joints, skin, coat, brain eyes etc sardines are very healthy

I buy the lean pork grounded mince 1kg (2lbs) & add 1 whisked egg, finally cut parsley, cut up a few small broccoli heads, a kale leaf finally cut up, I add 1 teaspoon of Flax, almond bake meal, its high in omega 3 fatty acids mix all together & make small balls & bake on a baking tray in oven, they can be frozen & taken out when needed, then you can add boiled potatoes or lentils whatever else you need to add to her diet …
http://naturalanimalsolutions.com.au/Shop/2016/03/15/acidifying-diet-urinary-crystals/

[crazy4cats]

Hi Krista-
There are probably millions of dogs that are fed dry only and are doing just fine. However, I prefer to feed a budget friendly kibble so I can afford to add meal mixers or toppers to it. I’m not sure if it will make them live longer, but it makes me feel better. Lol! Costco, Tractor Supply, and Walmart all carry inexpensive five star canned food that I add a 1/4 can to their kibble in the mornings. Eggs, sardines and leftovers are also fairly cheap to add.

I personally don’t think those extremely expensive kibbles are a good value unless it is being fed due to a health condition. They’re still kibble.

Also, I know supplements can be very expensive as well. Are you sure they are needed? I know how feeding our furries can be so overwhelming! I think you are doing great. Just do what you can do. If feeding them dry only works for you and her, then so be it. Make sure she has plenty of water available. Your dog is in good hands. Best wishes to you!

• This reply was modified 9 years, 3 months ago by crazy4cats.

[anonymous]

Have you read the other posts here? I find the the search engine at this site to be user friendly.
I would at least add a splash of water or homemade plain chicken broth.
See the recent thread “Gravy”. You have mentioned that your dog has a sensitive stomach? So, if it was my dog, I would be inclined to stick with one brand of food that agrees with the dog, I might even presoak the kibble in H2O.
If you used just one brand of kibble as a base, then you may find toppers to be more affordable and you could rotate them. Just sharing what I have found that works…
PS: Whether the dietary choices you are making for your dog are healthy, or not, or supplements are indicated. I would go by the recommendations of the veterinarian that has examined the dog.
It depends on the dog.