[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 @

[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!

[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

[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.

[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.

[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

[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.

[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.

[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.

[Cannoli]

Hi Weezerweeks,

When I started doing homemade I went the pre-mix route. Realize I wanted to go even more fresh as dehydrated food did not seem all that fresh to me.

Instead invest in a good blender. Look at the ingredients of your premixes and buy them yourself. My grocery store always has sales on squash, green leafy veggies, alfala sproutes, tumeric root, ginger, blueberries etc. You can buy those in bunches and make great smoothies.At the end you save a lot of money and you can make large batches and freeze them when not needed.

Keep in mind you will need to add some supplements along the way but after a few tries you will get the hang of it and your wallet will love you for it.

[crazy4cats]

Hi Robert-
Sorry to hear about your pup. I had the same issue with my pups. It took a very long time for their tummies to get back to normal after a long bout with giardia. The link that acroyali gave you has some helpful information. I used some of the supplements that are suggested on that site and found them helpful. Although some of them are quite expensive too.

Have you tried a VERY slow transition to a new food? Like maybe over a two week period to get fully to the new food? I still often use Perfect Form and/or probiotics when I start a new brand of kibble.

Victor grain free Hero formula was the first kibble that they actually did really well on. I now rotate it with Whole Earth Farms, TOTW, and NutriSource. Let me know if you have any questions on supplements. I used Gastriples and Vetri Pro BD and though they were helpful. I hope this helps!

[Robert B]

From the day I received my Siberian Husky to current, which puts him at 1 year and 2 months old he has had diarrhea.
The only food that works is Hills Science Diet WD. All other dog foods we have tried have given him diarrhea. He was tested and treated for giardia. He has been giardia free for some time; however, still will not tolerate any other food except Hill’s WD. Any other food give him diarrhea.
Looking for some help as the cost is quite expensive however are dog Timber a male Siberian Husky is worth it. I just don’t feel comfortable keeping him on a script food for such a long time and welcome any suggestions as to other dog foods or supplements that can be added to over the counter dog foods to stop the diarrhea.

[tides]

A couple of links about the dangers of bone obstruction and/or general dangers of raw meat/dietary guidelines actually doesn’t help very much. I want to supplement my dog’s food, rather than replace the kibble entirely, and I wouldn’t be here if I hadn’t already discussed the option with her vet AND done a fair amount of research myself. I’m looking for guidelines when the vast majority of raw diet/raw supplements discusses chicken and turkey as primary food sources and my pup can’t have them.

[Margaret H]

Dear Liz, toppers, rotations and raw food are good options for dog food. As you need an easy way for variation in your dogs’ diets then I would suggest you to go to a dog meal supplier. Dog meal suppliers are well experienced and they know how to feed dogs by giving them variety of food with the proper amount of supplements including in their meal. You can even look for some suppliers online. Brooklyn dog food delivery or NYC dog food delivery (http://hudsonschow.com) can be good options too.

[Acroyali]

Glad he’s doing better! I’ve never used tums, but as Susan pointed out a sluggish digestive system can be the breeding grounds for nasty breath as the food basically sits there and ferments. Hopefully you all can find some long term relief.

As Anon pointed out though, a home scale job isn’t the same as a professional cleaning if there are problems (it’s virtually impossible to get under the gum line, even on the worlds most patient dog). However, if there are no problems and the bones and an occasional scraping is doing the job and your vet is satisfied with how things are going, I say if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

I was in a bind a few years back when one of my oldest dogs developed heart failure at a ripe age, and his teeth were in need of some help. The dogs vet(s) and I discussed it at length, and all were in agreement that a home scale job, done slowly (as to not bombard the dog’s bloodstream with icky crap, as some plaque DOES get swallowed) was the way to go for this dog, given his situation. The vet checked his teeth monthly. In about 3 months time, about 85% of the plaque was gone. (To loosen up some of the really bad stuff on the back teeth, we tried using Fragaria Vesca 6x daily to soften the plaque. By God, it worked.) He lived well beyond the vet and I’s expectations, and while he was on a few medications and heart supplements, we feel that cleaning his teeth up helped extend his life expectancy, too.

So now, we brush teeth, as I learned the hard way that prevention makes more sense than a cure. Any dogs with poor bites, poor root structure, or problem teeth in general get brushed 4-5 times a week. The dogs with good bites and no problems are once a week or so. Everyone gets recreational bones.

If this doesn’t apply to you, be grateful as it’s a difficult situation to be in when your dog’s teeth aren’t in the best shape, but health problems put them as a high risk case for being put under to get those teeth taken care of, yet NOT having the teeth cleaned creates the risk of worsening the organ failure. Hopefully this helps someone who’s reading!

[anonymous]

Did you check the search engine here? /forums/search/bladder+stones/
See my posts, 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.

[Pam C]

My 12 pound miniature dachshund had surgery yesterday to remove 3 large bladders stones. Vet says they were struvite. Put her on the Hill’s Prescription k/d – which I do not care to continue. Vet says to leave her on it for life. Is there any alternative? I would love a homemade recipe to cook for her and to add supplements instead. Help!!

[Margaret H]

Why don’t you go for dog food suppliers. They have good knowledge about what food should be given to dogs. They know what amount of supplements should be added to the dogs food.

[anonymous]

“I had cleaned them with my great little $12 Amazon dental kit!”
Umm, that item is no comparison to a professional cleaning. Brushing the dog’s teeth once a day may help though, see YouTube for how to videos.

Tums? I would go to another vet and get a second opinion. Also, be very careful about taking advice from well meaning posters on the internet. A lot of false information out there. And, I would never give a pet over the counter meds or supplements unless recommended by a veterinarian that has examined the pet. You can make things worse.

Excerpt from:
https://www.reference.com/pets-animals/tums-safe-dogs-bf44a10fade507c#
“The active ingredient in TUMS and many other antacids is a chemical called calcium carbonate. Calcium carbonate is not only a medication, it also occurs widely in nature as one of the main substances that make up limestone.
Calcium carbonate treats an upset stomach because of the effects it has on stomach acid. Calcium carbonate is a basic substance. This means it has a high pH, which is the opposite of stomach acid, a substance with a very low pH. When a person or animal is given calcium carbonate it goes to work by neutralizing stomach acid. This happens due to a chemical reaction that takes place between calcium carbonate and hydrochloric acid, the main constituent of stomach acid. When this reaction happens, calcium carbonate and hydrochloric acid switch their chemical partners, forming calcium chloride and water. Calcium chloride is insoluble and passes through the digestive tract, while the water formed by the reaction results in a healthier pH level.
Unfortunately, dogs digest foods much more quickly than humans do, so the chemical reaction between calcium carbonate and stomach acid does not occur fast enough to treat the animal’s upset stomach. By the time calcium carbonate treats the symptom, the dog has typically already digested and passed whatever food was causing the problem in the first place, making this a harmless but relatively ineffective treatment for the animal’s ailment”.

PS: I would call your vet and leave a message for her to call you back, I would question the Tums and ask why she didn’t suggest Pepcid? Not that it is a miracle drug, but, it might be slightly more effective in reducing symptoms (based on my experience and what I have observed). Anyway, I would communicate with your vet and ask questions.

[Chris S]

I only give freeze dried organ meats (livers) & chicken breasts. Purebites makes some great treats. There is no need for all of the other crap they put in treats. The dogs get enough of that in their food & supplements.

[anonymous]

“Some non-veterinary formulated supplements may not be appropriate for your dog, they can even be harmful – please contact your veterinarian whenever using such supplements to make sure they are appropriate for your dog”.

I would put a call into the veterinary clinic that knows your dog and ask for a veterinary brand of fish oil recommendation. Be sure to confirm her dosage according to weight.
PS: Also discuss with your vet as to why you want to add fish oil, and any health concerns.
Maybe fish oil isn’t necessary for your dog?

[Susan]

Hi Natalie, here’s a link about “Vitamin C” & you make your own mind up, also my other post the bottom link was about Vitamin C doses, ingredients etc you can email the Naturopath Jacqueline Rudan on the bottom link on my other post & ask her any questions you may have & also ask about Giardia & your dog has no symptoms but is positive can they carry it?? she’ll know more then any of us, the only bad thing vitamin C can do is cause diarrhea when not slowly introduced & given too much…
I strongly believe in feeding a healthy natural diet & natural supplements, you’ve already on the right track, feeding a healthy diet as you’ve posted, Penelope has already started a healthy life, I would do as Crazy4cats has suggested, she has had a few dogs with Giardia. give another round of Panacur & Metronidazole tablet 21 day course… I think you need to do the 2 drugs to kill this rotten parasite .. Why I posted about vitamin C is its an excellent immune booster when pets are sick & a lot of people don’t realise vitamin C can be given to their pets as long as it’s slowly introduced & it’s the right vitamin C….

Here’s the beginning of the link below about Vitamin C,
*Is it necessary to supplement vitamin C since dogs produce the vitamin C in their own bodies. True-but if a dog is stressed or sick their bodies output of vitamin C can quickly be depleted…It has been found that stress both physical (eg fever & infections etc) and emotional (eg stress caused by the change in the environment) is the best known cause of vitamin C depletion in dogs…In addition it has been found that dogs supplemented with vitamin C have stronger immune systems & show greater resistance to DISEASE & better ability to recover from illness or injuries, to read further click on link…
http://www.natural-dog-health-remedies.com/vitamin-c-for-dogs.html

* Anon101, it’s nilly 2017 not 1980, if vitamin C is so bad then how come in Australia it’s sold for dogs & cats & used as a supplement to strengthen the immune system, skin allergies, natural anti-histamine, IBD, ear infections, teeth & gums, upper respiratory problems, bladder & urinary tract infections, arthritis & other health problems…
We all know you don’t believe or use any natural health products, you prefer to give hard drugs, that fix one health problem & end up causing other health problems …Just cause you believe in medications it doesn’t mean we all have to go down that track… You mustn’t of had a real sick pet or been ill yourself cause you’d know not all medication work & sometimes it’s the natural supplements that have worked the best and helped humans, animals have less side effects & aren’t hard on the body like the hard medications can be…. The drugs for Giardia are hard awful drugs that can make you feel very ill, nausea & diarrhea, with this all happening the immune system needs to be strong….

[anonymous]

“Also, do you think that adding Vitamin C will help with getting rid of her Giardia?”
It would be best to consult your vet before adding any supplements, you have already indicated that your dog needs pediatric dosages of medication due to her size.

Risks Associated with Vitamin C
Even promoters of vitamin C recognize the risk associated with too much vitamin C. Excess vitamin C is excreted through the kidneys, but too much can cause flatulence and diarrhea. This level varies with a dog’s age, size and breed.
Critics contend that feeding a healthy dog vitamin C is equivalent to feeding thyroid medication to a dog with a healthy thyroid and predict problems with the kidney and liver associated with vitamin C overdose.
The National Resource Council ran 24 tests on vitamin C in dogs in the 1980s, and all concluded that vitamin C should not be used to supplement a dog’s diet. One of the studies linked supplemental vitamin C with skeletal disease in Labrador retriever puppies. However, the the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), designated the governing body for the pet food industry, labeled these tests invalid in 1994 on the basis that they are too old. (excerpt from https://www.vetinfo.com/vitamin-c-dogs.html)

[anonymous]

I think listening to a veterinarian that has examined and diagnosed your dog and knows the dog’s history would be wise. Bladder stones often have a genetic component.
Your dog has a serious condition that requires the expertise of a veterinary professional.
Prescription dog foods are specially formulated as part of the treatment for specific medical conditions. It’s not just about the ingredients, it’s about trying to prevent your dog from having continued problems.
Also, you may want to discuss with your veterinarian, about the possibility of medications that might help. I’m not talking about food supplements/scams.
Did you try the search engine here to look up “bladder stones”.

[anonymous]

Ask the vet if an x-ray is indicated to rule out bladder stones, they can have more than one type at the same time.
Supplements are not intended to cure, treat, or prevent any medical condition. In fact, they can sometimes cause harm.

[Lisa F]

My 25 lb Chihuahua mix has been urinating in the house. She can’t hold her urine over 4 hours. I have had urine tested a month ago and she had a UTI and bacteria in urine she was prescribed antibiotics for 14 days. She did well and stopped peeing in house for about 3 weeks then it started back up again. I brought in another sample and was told it was high in PH, contained crystals, inflammatory cells, but no bacteria. Tomorrow she is going in so they can take the urine directly from her bladder. I’ve been told she has a recessed vulva that could contribute to frequent UTI’s. She is not overweight despite her breed mix.. she was recently on a diet and went from 30 lbs back to 25 by feeding a LID diet and green beans. she is now at a healthy weight for her size. Doctor also told me probably good to put her on Hill’s prescription diet and she can NO longer have any vegetables or other food. She loves eating her veggies, apples, sweet potato etc.. I don’t want to stop that. Hill’s doesn’t look as healthy as her current food either. The vet also said she thinks that the no grain diet could be a culprit, exact opposite what I’m reading. I’m concerned for her and rather her be on natural supplements such as cranberry or vit C to help correct her PH levels.

[Susan]

Hi I don’t know why your vet only put your poor dog on the Metronidazole antibiotic for 7 days?? they need to be on the Metronidazole for a good 21-28 days especially for S.I.B.O Small Intestine Bacteria Overgrowth.
My boy Patch is also a rescue he just turned 8yrs old, he has IBD, Helicobacter pylori, nausea, vomiting sometimes, acid reflux, seasonal environment skin allergies, red itchy paws, itchy ears, food sensitivities, eating grass, yellow sloppy poos that smell bad, pain in stomach/pancreas area….. the best thing I did was have an Endoscope + biopsies done (camera down throat to stomach) sometimes they can go into the small bowel as well & do a biopsies but only if their pyloric sphincter is open, Patches wasn’t open but the 2 Biopsies told us what was wrong finally Helicobacter Pylori & IBD, when the vet looked into Patches stomach everything looked excellent, so you need to do the biopsies…
Patch starts reacting after eating the same kibble for 2-3 months, sloppy yellow poos, gets his pain, it can take from 1 day to 6 weeks to show food sensitivities, after trying so many kibbles, the only kibble that he hasn’t reacted too after being on it for 8 months is “Taste Of The Wild” Sierra Mountain Roasted Lamb. I don’t know if is cause TOTW uses Purified Water, or all the ingredients he isn’t sensitive to any of them & TOTW don’t change their suppliers?? some kibble companies buy their potatoes from whoever, that’s been a problem in the past for Patch, he was eating Earthborn Holistic, Ocean Fusion he was doing really well while on the small 2.5kg bags, so I bought the 13kg bag it’s cheaper, it was a new batch number & different use by date then Patch was farting doing sloppy smelly poos again, so I emailed earthborn told them what has happened & the lady said we use, rustic, white, red, brown potatoes whatever we can get & I think when the potatoes are green & rotten batches Patch gets his sloppy poos & bad gas problems …
Taste of the Wild has been the only kibble a few dogs with IBD, EPI, S.B.I.O & IBS don’t react too after eating it for a while…
Your best to feed a cooked balanced diet, instead of any processed kibbles, you know what they’re eating, join groups on Face Book like “Rodney Habib” “Canine Nutrition & Natural Health” run by Cat Lane, “K-9 Kitchen” run by Monica Segal, you can also book an appointment with Monica or Cat Lane or another dog nutritionist, they may be cheaper there’s also Judy Morgan DV, she also has the supplements to balance the meals & Judy has cooking videos on You Tube that are so easy to follow & she adds the Honest Kitchen Base meals & you just cooked & add the meat & veggies but I think the Honest Kitchen is dehydrated & Patch can’t seem to handle dehydrated kibbles foods…
I live Australia & I contacted Jacqueline Rudan to put Patch on a raw diet about 2 yrs ago, Jacqueline said I need to heal his stomach & bowel & balance his gut flora his pH is probably tooo high…so I give him some of my Yakult, it’s a pink probiotic drink sold in supermarkets, there’s also Kefir but start real slow when introducing any probiotics, some probiotics made Patch very nausea, Jacqueline wanted me to keep giving Patch the probiotic capsules but they made Patch ill so I stopped & now I give the Yakult drink & he does good I don’t give him much maybe 3 spoons in a bowl..
Cause they are rescue dogs we don’t know what has happen when they were pups & growing up, did they drink dirty contaminated water? were they starved & not feed proper diets, what 1 vet thinks has happened with Patch & when he came to me & I started to feed him a healthy cooked diet he couldn’t handle eating good healthy foods, I’ve had him 4 yrs now & finally in small amounts, I can give him anything to eat as long as I’ve introduced that food to him & it’s not high in fat, where before he’d wake up 2am 3am or 4am with his bowel making loud rumbling noises, it was gas/wind going thru his bowel, 1 vet said Colitis, Food Sensitivities, so I started an elimination cooked diet & worked out what he cant eat, also feed foods that are high in Omega 3 fatty acids, the omega 3 helps their skin, coat, stomach, bowel, heart, joints & brain, Patch doesn’t do well eating a kibble with fish or salmon oils, he gets acid reflux, so I feed other foods high in Omega 3 like raw almonds, 3 raw almonds a day given as a treat & I have a few almonds myself, you should see his coat it’s so shinny, just feeding foods high in omega 3, tin sardines in spring water are excellent but you must start real slow, feed 1 spoon mashed sardines for 1-2 weeks watch poos if still firm then then increase to 2 spoons of sardines a day, I feed salmon or tuna instead it’s not as greasy…
My recipe I make for Patch, Rissoles + Sweet Potato, it’s so easy & you do not have to cook every day, I cook every 8 days but if I made more it would be every 16 days..
I buy Lean Pork mince or the Lean beef mince, it say 5% fat on the packet, I think in America you call it grounded meat, make sure the mince is lean, some minces have a lot of fat, Patch can’t eat turkey, he gets diarrhea also boiled rice irritates his bowel, something that took me 2 months to realise it’s the boiled rice…
I get 2 x 500gram packets lean pork that’s 1 kilo, I think just over 2 pounds, I whisk 1 egg in the bowl, I buy a small broccoli head, Patches Nutritionist said feed green veggies when it’s their skin, stomach & bowel, food sensitivities, I cut up say 1/3 cup chopped broccoli, then I grow parsley & kale & spinach, it grows forever in the veggies Patch, I finally cut up about 1 teaspoon parsley add too bowl, then I add some cut up spinach & cut up kale but only 1 small leaf, then I add the pork mince & mix all thru, I was adding 1 small grated carrot but Patch has food sensitivities & gets red paws, itchy skin & ears, then he starts to smell real yeasty, “Malaseb Medicated Shampoo” bathed weekly is the best when they have itchy paws & skin, so I’ve stopped adding the carrot to his rissoles…
I had too slowly add all these ingredients, at first it was just 1 kg pork mince with a little bit of cut up broccoli, then when I made a new batch of rissoles, I added 1 whisked egg saw how he went, if all was good I added 1 new green cut up veggie & the veggies seem to heal his stomach & bowel, you have to be careful, certain veggies ferment in the stomach so stay away from foods that ferment cause they sit in the stomach & cause gasses…. just Google “what veggies ferment in the stomach” & what veggies, grains don’t digest easy” lentils, chick peas don’t digest easy… you mix all the finally cut up greens with mince & make 1 cup size rissoles, I have scales & weight at 130-136 grams & I make the rissoles the length of my middle finger & flatten them a bit they look like a small sausage then I put on baking tray that has foil on the baking tray, I get around 8 rissoles from 1 kg mince, I bake in oven then about 15-20mins I take out baking tray drain any water/fat & turn over the rissoles & bake till cooked they don’t take long maybe 30mins don’t over cook or you’ll have a leathery rissole, I also boil sweet potatoes & I cool & freeze, same with the rissoles cool & wrap in cling wrap individually, I take out a cut piece of sweet potato & 1 rissole put on a small plate cover with cling wrap & thaw then put in fridge then for dinner I cut up the rissole & mash the sweet potato, for breakfast & lunch Patch has his “Taste Of The Wild” Sierra Mountain Roasted Lamb Kibble, I’m slowly introducing the “Holistic Select” Adult/Puppy Salmon, Anchovy & Sardines grain free kibble so I have another kibble just in case + I rotate his kibble now we just finished trying “Canidae” Life Stages Platinum kibble, too many ingredients & the carbs are too high at 50% in the Canidae Platinum & his poos started to go sloppy & smell again, so now introducing the “Holistic Select so far all is good poos are still firm they don’t smell but its mixed with his TOTW kibble but he’s not farting like he does when I’ve introduced a new kibble that doesn’t agree with him, so hopefully the Holistic Select will be fed in the Summer months, I like to fed a fish kibble in the Summer months for his skin allergies & in the Winter months I feed a lamb kibble “Taste Of The Wild” + his rissoles & raw almonds & I forgot I also feed peeled apple pieces as treat, K-9 Natural Green Lipped Mussels, tuna or salmon with boiled potato rissoles….
You need to make his gut strong again, if he has a set back give the Metronidazole, I have scripts the vet gives me & I just go & get from the chemist, Patch goes back on the Metronidazole for 10days 1 x tablet 200mg at night with a meal, but your dog may need a 21 day course Metro to start with to rest & heal his bowel & a diet that’s very easy to digest & the omega 3…
Good luck, I hope something in this small book, helps

[crazy4cats]

Hi-
Is the vet recommending one of the hydrolyzed recipes or gastrointestinal? I know they are extremely expensive, but you may want to give it a shot at least to help heal your dog’s tummy. In the long run, it may pay off. If you continue to buy food that doesn’t work and you have to buy something else, it is also going to be expensive. You can buy Royal Canin prescription food on http://www.chewy.com. It may be cheaper than buying from the vet. Also RC is a brand that you get an additional discount if you set up an auto ship account with them. Their program is very flexible. You can change the date of delivery and products very easily, unlike some other programs I have tried.

I have used prescription food for both my dogs and cats at different times and have slowly weaned them off after about six months and all are doing fine. Obviously, I don’t know what is wrong with your poor pup and don’t know if this will work for her or not.

Here is a site that I referred to quite a bit when my dogs were having similar issues: http://www.dogaware.com/health/digestive.html
I did use a few of the supplements recommended on this site as well with success. Several people on this forum are anti-supplements, but I feel at times some are helpful and should only be used for a limited amount of time.

It sounds like your vet may think it is an allergy or intolerance if he/she recommended an elimination diet. That is where the hydrolyzed diet would be the best place to start. If there is an allergy, you have to find out what it is before your dog will have any relief. My dogs just had very irritated intestines due to a lot of parasites and then consequently a lot of antibiotics to rid them.

How is it going now with her now?

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

[Krista B]

About 10 different supplements that dr. Karen Becker recommend in her homemade book. I believe the didn’t necessarily need it to be balanced but I felt better adding it in. I also used (and still use) fish oil, a joint supplement and currently a multivitamin. I just purcahsed a small box of honest kitchen today. I’m excited to try it tomorrow! Looks like a wonderful food. As far as fiber I talked to the people at the store and they said it shouldn’t be a problem which is good. It’s a little more pricey then kibble but well worth it!

[InkedMarie]

I used to use Reel Raw. With grinds, it was cheaper for me to buy from Hare Today even with RR’s free shipping to me.

What supplements were you using that had to be ground? I use salmon oil (just throw the pill in), Bug Off Garlic, condition specific (my senior gets a joint supp, my girl gets a urinary supp).

[Krista B]

I was going through a supplier called reel raw. Their ground party’s are pretty pricey. I was also using prey model guidelines but then adding in produce and supplements. It was time consuming for me because I would have to grind all the supplements and produce. It would take several hours plus clean up time. I was feeding 3 small dogs, one of them was mine. So it would last several months. But it also took up freezer space which was a hassle. Plus I’m starting school soon so I didn’t want to have to much on my hands. I just decided feeding commercially prepared foods was a little easier for me.

But I defiantly agree it can be pretty cost effective in some cases and its a great way to feed dogs. If I have more time (and money) I would defiantly be willing to feed it again.

[InkedMarie]

Krista: I’m a prey model raw feeder so I dont use produce. Two sometimes get a mix of some greens & other stuff; my oldest dog dos not. I buy my grinds because I won’t take the time to grind up beef, turkey, goat, rabbit, pig etc which they all get. It’s not time consuming; I put the bowl on the scale, tare it, scoop food in, add the few supplements they get and it’s a meal.

Grandma Lucy’s is technically freeze dried (I think) but not raw.