[Morgan A]

Here’s a hard one… I’m already afraid the answer is going to be a homemade or raw diet, which I’m totally not prepared for!

Long story short, my 6 and 1/2 year old bully mix has been diagnosed with vacuolar hepatopathy after a couple of years of tests, meds and supplements. He is not symptomatic but his ALT is through the roof. My veterinarian has done done preliminary research and it seems there’s not really a treatment for this, and the theory is that it’s a secondary condition resulting from his horrible allergies. I did find a single article that she is going to investigate further that claims a very low fat (but not protein restrictive) diet may help, <2 g fat/100 kcal. But I also have his allergies to consider, mainly grains but above all else peas and green beans. I’d prefer to stay away from white potatoes as well but I’m thinking we’re in a lesser of two evils kind of situation now. Luckily he has no animal protein allergies. There’s only one food in town that I’ve found he can habe and that’s Natural Balance fish and sweet potato, but I wasn’t crazy about it. I switched him to Sport Dog and he done well, but it’s definitely too high in fat if we decide to pursue this diet.

So, has anyone had a similar situation? Does anyone know of a unicorn food like what he needs?! I’m also open to suggestions on supplements, including antioxidants (also mentioned in the article as helpful), though Denamarin and Liver Happy did not help.

Thanks for reading!

[joanne l]

Hi there, please don’t give her anymore Purina can dog food. It is the worst!!! Keep the fat down, continue with Rx diet if it helps her. They have Rx can food if you like (low fat). Also, cooking for her is great too. But when you think she is ready for regular kibble, try Anameat go lean, it is I believe the green bag. Read the ingredients and check it out on chewy.com It says “go lean” on the bag. I read some reviews and the customers that had dogs with this condition raved about it. Hope everything gets better!!
I just want to re comment here, the food I suggested has 9% fat which is good protein is 30% which is high but I don’t know how much protein a dog can have with this condition ask the vet about it. Also, anytime you change foods do it as slow as you can. But I would really keep her on Rx low fat diet until she is really getting better. With this condition she really needs a special diet for now. Most regular can foods are not good for her, except the Rx can food for this condition. Also if you cook for her boil the meat and drain all fat and add some white rice. Chicken breast is the best it is low in fat just like someone else mentioned. Take care.

• This reply was modified 6 years, 11 months ago by joanne l.

[Patricia A]

They claim grain is safe (it’s not) and have neglected to mention the connection of processed inferior ingredients to heart disease in dogs. Why is that?

Dr. Lisa Freeman – a veterinary nutritionist professor from Tufts University – has been very outspoken about grain free dog food’s link to dilated cardiomyopathy. She’s told everyone from the New York Times to readers of the Tufts vet school blog that “boutique grain-free” dog foods were responsible for the dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) cases.

RelatedPosts
2018 was a Busy Year in Pet Food
DCM Study Misses the Big Picture
Diet associated heart disease in dogs, “what we know”

Unless Dr. Freeman considers Royal Canin, Purina and Diamond to be boutique pet foods – she’s wrong on her assessment of the problem. The truth is many different brands, mostly from medium to large manufacturers are linked to low taurine levels and the DCM diagnosis in dogs. Why would a veterinary professor attempt to sway pet owners away from small pet food brands?

Hold that thought.

In another statement, Dr. Lisa Freeman told the New York Times:

“Grains have not been linked to any health problems except in the very rare situation when a pet has an allergy to a specific grain.”

This one is simply unforgivable. Grains most certainly have been linked to serious health problems over many decades – the risk is mycotoxins. Mycotoxins – even at low levels – pose a serious risk to pets. Further, mycotoxins are an on-going problem. Earlier this year Biomin.net published the the 2018 Global Mycotoxin Threat stating grains in North American tested as “Extreme Risk“. Where do you think those ‘extreme risk’ grains end up? Hint: it’s not human food.

Telling pet owners to switch to a grain based pet food is just switching out one problem for another. So again, why would this veterinarian try to direct pet owners away from small pet food brands towards grain based pet foods when grains are a certain mycotoxin risk?

Again…hold that thought…there’s more…

Poor Digestibility of Ingredients
In 2003, the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine published “Taurine status in normal dogs fed a commercial diet associated with taurine deficiency and dilated cardiomyopathy”. This study found that processing and “poor digestibility” of ingredients played a role in canine heart disease. Why hasn’t any veterinary nutritionist investigating the DCM cases today discussed the risk of processing and inferior ingredient link to canine heart disease?

Perhaps it is because no veterinary nutritionist wants to talk about law being violated in pet food. Even though it is a direct violation of US Federal Law, pet food is allowed by FDA to contain ingredients sourced from “diseased animals or animals which have died otherwise than by slaughter”. Isn’t it common sense that sick, decomposing dead animals would provide inferior nutrition in pet foods? Add numerous processing stages to these inferior ingredients – is it any wonder the necessary amino acids are destroyed?

There is one more significant issue…

Endotoxins and Heart Disease
Briefly mentioned in the New York Times article was a clue to a completely different group of DCM diagnosed dogs; “But taurine levels in other affected dogs, including mixed breeds, are normal, which puzzles researchers.” In other words, some sick dogs have low taurine levels linked to DCM – but other dogs diagnosed with nutrition related DCM have normal taurine levels. Why are these dogs with normal taurine sick with heart disease? It might be endotoxins.

Endotoxins are ‘toxins’ that are released on bacterial death. Gram-negative bacteria such as Salmonella and or E. coli killed through cooking or processing of pet food ingredients ‘get even’ with their killers – they release a toxin that can be more dangerous to dogs and cats than the live bacteria.

Waste pet food ingredients such as “diseased animals or animals which have died otherwise than by slaughter” are certainly sources of massive levels of Salmonella an other gram-negative bacteria. When cooked/processed into pet food ingredients – they become sources of massive levels of endotoxins.

From “Endotoxin Effects on Cardiac and Renal Functions and Cardiorenal Syndromes” –

“Endotoxin plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of multi-organ dysfunction in the setting of gram-negative sepsis. Indeed, heart and kidney impairments seem to be induced by the release of circulating pro-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic mediators triggered by endotoxin interaction with immune cells.”

From “Low level bacterial endotoxin activates two distinct signaling pathways in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells” –

“Bacterial endotoxin, long recognized as a potent pro-inflammatory mediator in acute infectious processes, has more recently been identified as a risk factor for atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases.”

In 2016, myself and an educated pet owner whose dog died from endotoxemia had a meeting with FDA. For more than an hour scientific evidence was submitted to FDA regarding the dangers to pets of endotoxin levels in pet food. FDA openly dismissed the risk. (To learn more about the risk of endotoxins in pet foods, Click Here.) Will FDA admit the link of heart disease to endotoxins in the pet foods? Doubtful.

Why are veterinarian nutritionists telling pet owners false information?

Why is no scientist, veterinarian, or FDA representative discussing the multiple links between inferior ingredients and high processing of ingredients to canine heart disease?

The blinders need to come off – a biased investigation does not benefit pets. Will investigators intentionally ignore issues as not in the best interest of industry? And how many more dogs will die because of what they ignored?

It’s a concern.

Update to original post. Dr. Michael W. Fox sent the following statement adding several good points:

“I would urge Dr. Lisa Freeman – a veterinary nutritionist professor from Tufts University, to reflect on the instances of dogs with seizures and inflammatory bowel, skin, ear and anal gland problems who return to good health when their diets no longer contain corn, cereal glutens and byproducts, and soy, many being GMO and contaminated with glyphosate among other agrichemicals and aflaxoxins.
Glyphosate blocks manganese uptake, a nutrient essential for many organ functions.” See: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/274005953_Glyphosate_pathways_to_modern_diseases_III_Manganese_neurological_diseases_and_associated_pathologies

And “Aug 13, 2018 – Rachel Ray’s Dog Food, Nutrish, is marketed as being free of “[No] artificial flavors or artificial preservatives” and being a “Natural food for dogs” …
The current epidemic of DCM in dogs may have a multi-factor, pluricausal origin, genetics not withstanding. Lectins in GMO potatoes and in conventional pulses/legumes, when not properly processed are of concern. They may also play a role in the genesis of kidney failure especially when put in manufactured cat foods since cats are obligate carnivores, and in the development of autoimmune diseases.”(Editorials. Do dietary lectins cause disease? BMJ 1999;318:1023-1024 ( 17 April ).

[Mike Sagman]

Maria G.

You asked, “Then why does this website even exist? Is the owner still present? I was very disappointed when I saw how the Acana/Orijen mess was handled by this list. Not a believer. Do we really know who owns this site anymore?”

The Dog Food Advisor is still (and continues to be) privately owned. We’re not affiliated (in any way) with pet food manufacturers.

I (Mike Sagman) or at least one or more of our 4 member team are here each and every day. We all work hard to keep our 1000+ detailed reviews regularly updated.

For proof, please take a moment to look at our “New and Updated Reviews” log. Please notice that we’ve researched, re-written and updated 78 reviews over the last 90-days alone!

We’ve also published some 209 dog food recalls… every U.S. and Canadian recall event since 2009?

About our “best” dog food lists, you also falsely claimed, “Seriously, 1/2 of them have been in trouble for recalls.”

This statement is completely untrue. Have you checked our complete list of recalls? Do you still believe half of our best recommendations have been recalled?

In fact, the overwhelming majority of these brands have never been recalled.

And so what if some have? Does the recall of just one single batch of a dog food mean that every food that company ever manufactures again is not worthy of consideration?

By the way, until Editor’s Choice is available again, we’ve provided a number of completely FREE “Best Dog Food” lists… each one includes at least 10 to 20 top recommendations, product images and mini summaries (as well as direct links to our current detailed articles and ratings).

You also wrote, “I’ve come to find out that many websites like this owners are paid by different food companies to keep their foods high on the list.”

Another baseless claim. We’ve never once received a single dollar (not even a free sample) from any pet food manufacturer. Ever.

Every review on this website always ends with the following crystal clear disclosure and my personal promise to our readers:

“In closing, we do not accept money, gifts or samples from pet food companies in exchange for special consideration in the preparation of our reviews.

“However, we do receive an affiliate fee from certain online retailers, including some that offer their own private label brands.

“This policy helps support the operation of our website and keeps access to all our content completely free to the public.

“In any case, please be assured it is always our intention to remain objective, impartial and unbiased when conducting our analysis.”

[InkedMarie]

Yes the owner is still around. He has a job and a life outside of DFA. What about now Then”Orijen Acana Mess” wasn’t handled to your liking?

It’s a website. It’s not the end all that beats all. Nowhere does it say to believe only what DFA says. No one should depend on “here”. No one is making you stay here and read/post. If you don’t like it here, there are many other places to go to.

By the way, there’s nothing wrong with recalls as a whole. It depends what the recall is for, how it’s handled and how many the company has had.

[Martha M]

Yes, the shortage for this insanely expensive Vetmedin is deplorable. It has been going on for some time and the latest update from a pharmacy I’ve used is that they were recently told not to expect any updates any time in the near future as to when it would be readily available. I own a working Labrador retriever that was diagnosed with DCM this past November, and the difficulty I’ve had in obtaining this med threw me into a complete panic.
Saw this thread and signed on to post the following info that I hope will be helpful for some of you in the same boat:
Because of the shortage many vets (including my own) have turned to compounding pharmacies to have Pimobendin compounded for their clients. Vetmedin is the chewable form of Pimobendan. There is an online compounding pharmacy which makes Pimobendan (see link at the end of my post) in a Flex-Dose tablet (not a chewable, btw) which is scored in such a way as to offer an amazing dosing flexibility. The tablets are scored twice on one side to allow for easy dosing of 1/3 of a tablet and once on the other side to allow for easy dosing of 1/2 of a tablet. The pills are designed so that they are easily snapped into with your fingers and they offer 4 strengths which will provide dosing options for most prescribing needs (3.75mg, 7.5mg, 15mg, and 20mg). The cost savings is SIGNIFICANT. My 62-pound lab requires 10mg twice a day; so, for me, the 20mg tablet snapped in half is perfect. AND, you can order either a 30, 60, 90 or 120-day supply at one time, which is also SIGNIFICANT.
To give you a cost comparison – for my dog, a bottle of 50 (10mg) Vetmedin tablets costs $89.99 through KVSupply.com, which was the best online price I could find; and it lasts only 25 days. That makes the cost of Vetmedin for me $3.60/day for a 25-day supply.
I can get a 120-day (4 months) supply of Pimobendan through this compounding pharmacy for $199.95 which works out to be $1.67/day – less than half the cost of Vetmedin through the least expensive supplier I’ve found. The cost per pill depends on how many pills you choose to order, and the 120-day supply works out to be the least expensive per day, but even the 30-day supply @ $69.95 is way cheaper than Vetmedin. And shipping is free, as well.
I have thoroughly vetted the company, which carries a voluntary PCAB accreditation through ACHC. They compound medications for both humans and pets. Understand that compounding pharmacies are different from those that offer commercial medications. The only difference between the Vetmedin chewable and the Pimobendan tablet is that the Vetmedin chewable has fillers to make it appealing to dogs and the plain Pimobendan is just that – no fillers.
The only other thing I should tell you is that they are currently licensed in only certain states, so depending on where you live you may not be able to order from them. Thankfully that is not an issue for me. They are licensed in over 30 states, however. My own state of TN was recently added to their list a couple of months ago; so if your state isn’t on their list yet and you are interested I would continue to check with them, even call (they are extremely helpful and are very much aware of the issues the Vetmedin shortage is causing).
Following are some links I would encourage you to check out: the compounding pharmacy, (CareFirst Rx), the states where they are licensed and the accrediting organization that provides their PCAB (Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board) accreditation. I have spoken at length with ACHC as well and they were also very helpful. Not sure if these will post as actual links but you should be able to copy and paste the URLs if not.

CareFirst Rx – https://www.cfspharmacy.pharmacy/veterinary-medicine/veterinary-cardiology/pimobendan-tablets-compounded

Map of states where they are licensed – https://www.cfspharmacy.pharmacy/shipping-info

ACHC – https://www.achc.org/accreditation-locations.html

Hope this will help some of you, at least.

[Susan]

Hi Helen,

Sometimes the dog or cat might need a bit more food then what was recommended by vet to eat.. Go onto Hills site & read “Feeding Guidelines” to the formula’s your cat & dog is eating, another thing I do is I boil sweet potato & I freeze the small pieces in freezer, they thaw really well, I take out 3 small pieces the night before put on plate in fridge then the next day inbetween Breakfast & Lunch I give the cat 1 mashed piece sweet potato & dog 2 mash pieces of sweet potato, you can also add to their food to help keep fuller longer, my cat loves her sweet potato I sometimes buy tin tuna or tin salmon in spring water drain water & mix in some sweet potato & give for lunch or as a treatm there’s not many calories & has healthy omega fatty acids for skin & coat..

are you on facebook?? look for group to join…

* Here’s the “Canine Diabetes Support & Information group”, people do come on who have cats aswell..
https://www.facebook.com/groups/CanineDiabetesSupportandInformation/?fref=nf

* Here’s “Cat Health” group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/623486221012727/

My boy has IBD & when he eats vet diets he’s sensitive to ingredients causing itchy, yeasty skin & paws.. Now he eats a grain free diet “Wellness Simple” or Wellness Core” he isn’t having no more skin problems or Stomach problems…

For Cats

[Susan]

Hi Ruth,

the ingredients look good BUT for the price yes its a rip off, there’s cheaper supplements around that are just as good maybe better to fix a dogs gut/immune system.

I would stick with Probiotics Supplements made by companies who specialize in this field..
Nutra Thrive advertise Holistic Vet Dr. Gary Richter, he might be a really good holistic veterinarian but he would have been paid alot of money to advertise Nutra Thrive, this is probably why it’s so expensive, there’s nothing special with ingredients to cost $187.97 for 30 scoops for 1 month supply…

If you’re looking for a GOOD probiotic “Purina Forti Floria Probiotic powder,
When they did a study & tested 10 popular dog probiotic’s, out of the 10 dog probiotics only 3 probiotics came back with live microorganisms.
Purina came top 3 probiotics.
https://www.proplanveterinarydiets.com/products/fortiflora-dog-probiotics/
or
Can you get “Blackmores Paw” Dog & Cat range in the US?
Look at
“PAW DigestiCare 60™ Probiotic” it has great reviews & suppose to be very good, my vet likes Paw supplements & the owner of the vet practice only stocks healthy foods, supplements & healthy treats that he knows his customer said worked & helped their dogs health problems..

If your dog has skin problems give a dog probiotic you think is good & have a look at “Paw Dermoscent® Essential 6® spot-on for Dogs” you put on skin, back of their necks, my boy can’t take fish/salmon oil capsules, so this Dermoscent Essential would be very good for him, I’ve been told Krill Oil Capsules are better for people/dogs who have sensitive stomachs.
https://www.blackmores.com.au/products/pet-health/skin-and-coat-health/dermoscent-essential-6-spot-on-for-dogs

I’m going to also try “PAW Complete Calm” Chews so Patch has a better sleep now he’s getting older he’s been having restless sleeps some nights, someone wrote in reviews on the online pet store i use, she wrote, she gives her dog a 1 x Calm chew before bed her dog has Dementia & the Paw Calm chew settles her little dog down……

I was at the vets yesterday cause Patch has been getting “Cartrophen Vet injection for 4 weeks & I seen “Paw Senior Vitality” powder
ingredients
Contains key antioxidants, vitamins and nutrients such as DHA, Lutein, Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Vitamin B6, L-Carnitine and Selenium to help support brain, eye and immune health.
I’m going to try this Paw Senior Vitality Powder next, make it in a bowl with water & Patch can drink it, it says its chicken flavour.

I like supplements that are either Chews or Powders, with Patches Probiotic powder I was adding 10ml water mixing in a small bowl & Patch was drinking his Probiotic from bowl as a treat…
It’s best to take Probiotic when stomach acids are low, so give either first thing of a morning then wait 1 hour before feeding Breakfast or I gave probiotic inbetween meals I gave around 10am inbetween breakfast & lunch meals…

I read all the reviews & Paws has some really good reviews, best to look on the online Pet Stores & read their reviews cause its not the retailer adding peoples reviews, it will be people just like you & me who have tried a product then we give a review & the Online store just posts the reviews the good & teh bad reviews..

I know you mighten have an order dog who’d over 7yrs old but look what you can get for $99, a Senior Pack, it’s not bad everything they need for skin, joints, gut & brain.
https://www.blackmores.com.au/products/pet-health/pawfect-senior-pack

Nutra Thrive reviews look shonky?? I read thru a few & normally when you read reviews there’s always 1-3 bad reviews – “my dog didn’t like it”, “my dog got diarrhea” etc but this Nutra Thrive his all 5 stars reviews??
I wouldnt pay all that money $188.97 that is very very expensive probiotic, Nutra Thrive are praying on pet owners who are vulnerable wanting to fix their dog health problems… Nutra Thrive wont fix dogs skin problems, might fix gut health (maybe) but if dog has a skin problems need to find out why what is causing the problem??

* Food sensitivities? – change diet,
* Environement allergies? – Bath twice a week to wash off allergens.
* Diet is Low in Omega 3? – add 1-2 spoons of tin salmon/sardines in spring water to each meal or add 1 x Krill Oil Capsule helps inflammation
* Strengthen immune/Gut give Probiotic.

[joanne l]

Hi Lynne. another one is Health Extensions Venison grain free look it up on chewy. Looks like a great food I might try it later on. Good Luck! Please read about yogurt for gas. The weight loss is from feeding just fish and potatoe. Fish as you know can make us loose weight if eating on daily basis. Keep up the beef and rice until you find something and when you do, please do it slowly, because if you don’t any dog can get gas or upset tummy. So when trying a new food, give her the homemade beef and rice then a tablespoon or 2 of dry food mixed in for a couple of days, then increase it to 1/4 of cup and hold it there for a few days and so on. Be patient because slow and steady wins the race.

• This reply was modified 6 years, 11 months ago by joanne l.
• This reply was modified 6 years, 11 months ago by joanne l.

[Lynne P]

thank you soo much for the advice. since we have had her have known her to be allergic to grains through process of elimination in her diet (ear discharge, paw chewing, itching). we knew chicken allergies but as she has become older, is now any meat with a feathered source. we were transitioning her from a cooked fish / potatoe diet for gut and allergies but had weight loss. went to beef (lean ) and rice and got her weight up but trying to find a long term food solution. tried nutro lamb wet, got gas and the vet yesterday. tried avoderm but had the Turkey here and set off her allergies. vet recommended beef or venison. so beef and rice with regulon until we can sort this. you all have given good suggestions so will do some reading, thank you again.

[Susan]

Hi Lynne,
My boy has IBD I feed him,
“Wellness Simple Turkey & Potato” formula, there’s a “Wellness Simple Salmon & Potato formula”.

Look at
* – Wellness Simple – https://www.wellnesspetfood.com/natural-dog-food/product-catalog/simple-limited-ingredient-salmon-potato-recipe

* – Canidae Pure Wild Boar- https://www.canidae.com/dog-food/products/canidae-grain-free-pure-wild-dry-formula

My boy does really well on the “Canidae Pure Boar” dry kibble aswell, it’s pork, a lean white meat, Pork is really good for dogs who suffer with food sensitivities, dog foods dont normally have pork in them, as its not a cheap meat, they mainly add Chicken meat, chicken is a cheaper meat, chicken is also a cleaner meat, so chicken is used more in dog foods, Pork is worth a try she probably hasnt eaten pork before so chances she wont react..

It’s not always the meat protein the dog is reacting too, meat doesn’t have fiber they normally are reacting to the protein in the grain, veggies, lentils, legumes etc another ingredients in the dog food..

Best to do a food elimination diet this way you’ll know 100% what your girl is sensitive too..

My boy gets BAD wind & sloppy Mr Whippy poo when he eats Barley, Tapioca, Corn Gluten Meal, Lentils, its not the meats…
Just make sure when you do get a new kibble, slowly introduce over 10 to 14 days, at first my boy has wind when I introduce a new kibble but after 1-2 weeks it goe away…

You need to check the Kcals per cup when a dog needs to lose weight they always recommend feeding under 350kcals per cup kibble, what were the Kcals per cup she was eating when she lost weight? Also what meds is she taking, this could be why she is losing weight??
Wellness Simple is over 400 kcals per cup same as the Canidae Pure Boar it’s over 400Kcals per cup, always read the feeding amounts all kibbles variey some kibble formula’s you dont need to feed as much….

I was watching Ellen today, she feeds her dogs “Gentle Giants” dog food..

* Here’s Natural Gentle Giants World Class Canine Nutrition Salmon Feast Dog Food – 18lbs
Salmon Feast – https://shop.gentlegiantsdogfood.com/natural-gentle-giants-world-class-canine-nutrition-salmon-feast-dog-food—18lbs-p3.aspx

* Here’s Natural Gentle Giant wet can 90% Salmon wet food, the fat is only 1% fat, so when you convert the wet can food fat that’s only 4-5%-fat.. thats pretty good for a wet can food they’re normally very high in fat unless you buy a vet diet low fat wet can formula..
https://shop.gentlegiantsdogfood.com/natural-gentle-giants-world-class-canine-nutrition-canned-dog-food—90-salmon—case-of-12-cans-p10.aspx

Just be careful if you feed a wet can food, the fat%, protein%, fiber% hasn’t been converted to dry matter (Kibble) yet, so if a wet can says fat-5%min, when you convert 5%min fat that’s around 20%min to 26%max fat%…

Good Luck with your girl, it gets scary when they get sick especially when they get Bloat..

[christine v]

Susan,

The distributor mentioned Mypetwarehouse being the first online store to sell Orijen. The shipment should be here from the US any day now, or might already be here now, I’ve stopped texting the guy I’m dealing with because i was constantly bombarding him with texts, and i think i was annoying him lol. We are getting all of the formulas except for Regional red (the one i really wanted!!!) and Tundra.

Canidae told me they are working on getting in the raw coated kibble, but it is way down the road at this stage. I’ll text the Orijen guy again mid January, and will give you an update.

[Amanda D]

I would like to start my 40 lb Miniature Australian Shepherd, she is over weight because my mom has a nasty habit of feeding her table food. Which it it was just some roast chicken, pork or beef, I wouldn’t mind. But she will literally fill a plate suitable for a grown man. I’m the meat, mashed potatoes, buttery veggies. Even when I ask her not too, she’ll give it to her. Luna will literally go all day without eating her kibble. I figured a Homemade diet would not only be great for Luna but also give my mom her chance to “fill” Loon’s bowl and me not get angry. I ideally would like to slim Luna down to a proper weight.

I have watch a few of holistic vet, Dr Judy Morgan’s videos on YT, and I would like to use Luna the Crockpot recipes that she and her chef husband have created. My question, is DinoVite a good add on to make the stew a complete balanced diet? Or is there something better than DinoVite? I have read that if Homemade is not done right, your dog can end of worse off health wise than it they were fed a steady diet of 1 Star foods.

• This topic was modified 6 years, 11 months ago by Amanda D.

[Christie B]

When I first adopted my dog almost 9 years ago, I started him on Purina ProPlan on the recommendation of my vet. He did fine on it, but that was before I knew anything about Purina and the quality of their food. And I didn’t know what a by-product was.

Then Blue Buffalo became popular and I switched to that. Everything was fine for years. Except he gained a bit more weight than was expected (I probably did feed him too many treats at the time as well). The vet told me that Blue Buffalo was too “rich” and recommended Purina again. Or Science Diet (because that was the line that they stocked in their clinic). So I started to research ‘quality’ foods and came to sites like this and read through the forums and figured I should switch him to grain free.

He’s been on grain free for about 3 years now.

But over the course of that time, he started to show signs of allergies and intolerance (constant licking, red paws, hot spots, head shaking, grass eating, excessive drooling, gas, etc.) Never all at once, but worrisome.

I switched him back to Blue Buffalo (and restricted the amount…far less than the ridiculous 5 cups a day it says I should feed him) and ever since, he’s been fine.

No more issues.

Could it have been something with the grain free food? Every single one that I tried (and I always properly transitioned between them) eventually lead to symptoms.

I’ve seen a lot of negative comments on the Blue Buffalo review page. I mean compared to ProPlan, it’s definitely better. But are there any other foods (preferably ones that can be found in Petco or Petsmart) that are good that aren’t grain free?

[anonymous]

Evidence Update: Grain-free and other “BEG” Diets Associated with Heart Disease in Dogs

We would like a listing of dry kibble that is acceptable for our taurine deficient dog. Obviously the listing must be longer than just Royal Canine and Purina

skeptvet says:
December 18, 2018 at 9:05 am
There is no such list. If you have read my articles on the subject, you know that the relationship between diet, taurine, and DCM is complex and evolving, so there is no way to make a simple “good food/bad food” distinction. I would suggest looking at the resources on the subject available the Tufts University Veterinary Nutrition Service or arranging a personal consult with a veterinary nutrition specialist.

[Heather B]

Hello!
My 10yo pyrenees/retriever mix, has progressive arthritis in his hips. We give him supplements daily via GNC chewables and salmon oil (2450mg omega 3, 850mg EPA, 465mg DHA, 750mg Glucosamine, 600mg Chondroitin, and 500mg MSM). Our vet recommended Science Diet j/d in additional to the supplements, but Biscuit refuses to eat it, and after some research, I’m not convinced the quality is all that great outside of having more omega 3 and DHA than other foods. Can anyone recommend a high quality, senior-specific dry food that’s not grain free? I’ve read good things about Wellness but would love to know if there are other options we should consider. Thanks!

[Susan]

Read the lastest Study “observational study” its not a complete study, you need years & years or research too do a complete study.

https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0209112&fbclid=IwAR31QNTyUhrXpuy8P0zs-yC81yJ7jnyUgtYuXZrIdBYxLwuq0R2JXecY2ck#sec008

Rodney Habibs
“Conclusions from the Study”

Certain diets and diet characteristics were associated with the development of taurine deficiency. Taurine deficiency and dilated cardiomyopathy in golden retrievers is likely multifactorial, including a combination of dietary, metabolic, and genetic factors.”

Researchers have no idea what is causing the sudden surge of DCM and according to the Pet Food Industry, it could be 5 years until someone figures it out.

The post is to not call out brands, but to be aware, informed, and make better decisions with each study that is being published and by “doing your own research”. – Rodney Habib

Rodney goes on to write,
Finally, no truer words spoken than this:

“The point of the study should have been to point out we have a serious problem with the “Complete and Balanced” claim on pet food labels. The study does prove Complete and Balanced pet foods were absolutely not ‘Complete’ for the dogs in this study (and many, many more dogs not in this study with low taurine blood levels and diagnosed with diet-related DCM).” – Susan Thixton

Rodney Habib also owns a Golden Retriever Sammy, Rodney post everything he finds straight away on his on his f/b page.
https://www.facebook.com/rodneyhabib

Here’s link below you can see all the brands used in the study data:

DCM Study Misses the Big Picture

in link above you will read-
AAFCO feeding trials require NO final taurine level blood work of dogs that ‘passed’ the feeding trial. In other words, a pet food certified by AAFCO feeding trials provides absolutely no guarantee the diet would NOT result in low taurine for dogs consuming it (leading to heart disease).
The point of the study should have been to point out we have a serious problem with all Complete and Balanced claims on pet food labels. The study does prove Complete and Balanced pet foods were absolutely not ‘Complete’ for the dogs in this study (and many, many more dogs not in this study with low taurine blood levels and diagnosed with diet-related DCM).
Study authors should have contacted AAFCO and requested discussions to truly fix this serious problem. I’ve not read or heard any mention of study authors attempting to ‘fix’ the problem.
Study authors should be at every AAFCO meeting. Every single veterinary nutritionist should be present at every AAFCO meeting and advocate for improved Nutrient Profiles and feeding trial requirements.

Below is a paragragh from “Taurine deficiency and dilated cardiomyopathy in golden retrievers fed commercial diets” Study

https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0209112&fbclid=IwAR31QNTyUhrXpuy8P0zs-yC81yJ7jnyUgtYuXZrIdBYxLwuq0R2JXecY2ck#sec008

The nutritional adequacy statement for each diet was assessed to determine if there was a complete and balanced claim and if so, the method of substantiation for the claim (formulation or feeding trials) per the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) [32]. If diets did not undergo a feeding trial, but the pet food label claimed the diet was formulated to meet AAFCO guidelines, it was determined whether or not this was confirmed via formulations or analysis of the finished product based on the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) recommendations [33]. Research included a comprehensive evaluation of the pet food bag, the manufacturer’s website, and phone communications with representatives from both the supplier and manufacturer when available.
The ingredient list for each diet were recorded and assessed. Whether or not the diet was advertised as grain-free was recorded, and diets were considered to have legumes (peas or pea components, lentils, beans, or chickpeas) as a primary ingredient if included in the first five listed ingredients.

Diets that met AAFCO guidelines were not balanced properly, also they are concentrating
on G/F BEG Diets that have
legumes (peas or pea components, lentils, beans, or chickpeas) in the the first 5 ingredients,
again NO potatoes or sweet potato were mentioned..

Grain free diets were fine until these BEG diets came out around 2015-2016
BEG G/F Diets have Limited Ingreddients & are lower in meat proteins & higher in Legume plant proteins. When you read the Protein % its high & you think your dog is getting a high meat protein but he isnt he’s getting a high Plant protein diet & it looks like these legumes are blocking the dog from absorbing taurine in his diet causing low taurine for some dogs but not all dogs…

Not all Grain Free diets are bad, the Grain Free diets that have Potato & Sweet Potatoes & are balanced properly are fine same as the Grain Free Potato Vet Diets they are fine & have been good for years with NO low Taurine problems..

So if you have a dog who has IBD, Food Sensitivities/Allergies who can not eat grain in their diet or doesn’t do too well on grain diets, & you dont know what to do either ask your vet can you put your dog on a G/F Vet Diet or look for grain free diet that has potato or sweet potato G/F Diets that are high in meat proteins that have 2-3 meat proteins in the 1st, 2nd & 3rd ingredients & check is the diet balanced properly, look for brands like Wellness who post
“Nutrient Profiles” on their site with every single formula.
The Nutrient Profile for this product is also available for download. GET THE PDF
& you can see the whole NUTRIENT PROFILE for the food your feeding or thinking of feeding.
Here’s the AAFCO NUTRIENT PROFILE FOR CANINE MAINTENANCE for Wellness Core Large Breed adult formula. There’s also a Core Small Breed formula.. another good brand is “Farmina Vet Life” if your dog isnt do too well on a grain diet & has bad diarrhea. https://www.wellnesspetfood.com/sites/default/files/media/documents/CORE%20Dog%20Large%20Breed%20Q3%202018.pdf

Stick with dog food brands where they show the whole Nutrient Profile for that formula or email the pet food company & ask for the full Nutrient Profile for this product, if they will not email Nutrient Profile then look for another brand..

[joanne l]

Hi I also found out that it is not only “Goldens” having this trouble. I have heard of a few more breeds with this condition. Which included: Pitbull 2yrs old, 2 German shepherd 4 yrs old, poodles, great Danes, mixed breeds, mastiff, and so on. Some of these dogs are young. I agree it is more Goldens. But all these other ones are really bad some have CHF at a young age and a few died. I also read the Golden Retrievers need more protein than some other dogs. You can read about Goldens diet on any website. They seem to need more protein! Example I have a German Shepard book and the requirements for a active (not working) dog needs 18 to 24% protein. But I read Goldens need about 30% protein.
I feel there is a toxin in some of these dog foods that may be contributing to this.

[Patricia A]

Crazy4ctats even us humans have guidelines for good health constantly changing. Eggs are bad for cholesterol now there not. Probiotics are great. New study shows probiotics can cause…. Farm raised Salmon bad..now good. ect. My breast surgeon insists on yearly MRI with dye for high risk after having surgery for atypical cells. Now studies finding contrast dye is retaining in brain long after and no one knows what health problems this can cause in the future. Who can we trust for our health when one day a vitamin or diet is great to stay healthy and then the next day its doing us harm?
The industry has it down what dogs/cats need in the way of appropriate amount of minerals/vitamins etc. added to their food.I think they got that down a long time ago or our pets would have been suffering deficiencies and all dying very young. So all companies follow suit with the basics of sustaining life. But look at all the recalls hurting our pets when a company is careless. Some are repeat offenders. So it’s a no brainer to not feed my dogs that brand. I also look at advisor reviews for anything lit up in red that was studied to POSSIBLY be detrimental to their health. So again why take a chance. Want also first ingredients to be meat .These are all the things I learned to take in to account from this site when finding a good food .Before this I didn’t even read the ingredients on the bag. As long as I didn’t by food at the grocery store I thought it was a good food. I try not to get to obsessed . I have to admit I do give a little kibble with my freeze dried . They really like the crunch. Don’t tell Susan Thixton. lol
I would love to have a site where 500 PH.d’s in dog food nutrition came out with a recipe for THE PERFECT DOG FOOD. Then hope that they will eat it enthusiastically AND live years longer in better health because of it. Until then I’ll do my best with using advice from people that have definitely more knowledge then I do..

[Peter K]

Hey guys, it is very concerning to see that there are so many pups with similar issues.. After that whole bone in kibble debacle, during my last update (sorry its been so long) I sent a sample of the kibble to Acana HQ in Alberta. It’s been over a year an I have still not received a follow-up, I have sent probably three separate emails asking for a follow-up. Going to give Champion foods the benefit of the doubt and just assume it was just negligence and poor customer service from the rep.

I’ve been with Champion foods for about four years now – what brought us to them was their quality control and stricter regulations when they used to make everything in Canada.

I know someone mentioned their current lawsuit regarding false claims on % in their foods… Long story short, a study from a group claims that the food analysis does not match what Champion foods is claiming on their bags, website etc… (please correct me if I’m wrong)

**DISCLAIMER** Now, PLEASE do your own research and due diligence but after looking into more, it seemed like the food itself was safe (it wasnt a recall or salmonella scare). So we continued to feed Leo Acana but stayed away from the Meadowlands formula and strictly switched him on red meat/ heritage meat. He has been doing well on it and I haven’t found any foreign objects in any of his food. When I purchase a new bag, I empty it out in our Vittles Vault and look for anything unusual.

As much as I want to stay with Acana/ Champion foods the last bag we brought home didn’t have any abnormalities but….. He has thrown up a couple of times (happened about two weeks ago). Now, at the time I thought it was just because he ate too fast or didnt chew enough (#doglogic) but I’m beginning to worry about it after so many of you mentioned your pups were also vomiting… Can’t say for sure there is any correlation between the food and him throwing up, but it would be a lie if I didn’t think it had a little to do with it.

Some of you have asked what other foods are good, personally, the only other food our pup was on is Fromm. The only reason we switched to Acana at the time was because they offered the single protein formulas, we thought he had a chicken allergy because he kept getting hot spots and rashes… So we switched him to Acana and everyone was happy. Turns out it was fleas… We were living near a heavily wooden area and fleas would just get to him when we’re outside… Even with flea medication, the flea still bites – they just die after.

If you are lucky enough to be able to source the Canadian made formulas, then Id’ say its as good as you can get. However… With the amount of money we are spending on these bags, (a #25 bag is over $70 after tax), we deserve better… our pups deserve better…

We have been on the fence of switching up his food since he has been on Acana for about 4 or 5 years now. Good to add variety and I think we are going to go back to Fromm. They are a small company and offer similar formulas. One thing to watch out for is that they do use real Wisconsin cheese, so if your pup is sensitive to cheese/ dairy, might not be a good fit.

It’s been so long since I’ve looked at new foods.. It’ll be great to hear what others have also switched to or plan to switch to.

Thank you guys for all your comments and keeping this thread alive for so long, I hope this will gain some attention from Champion foods… Someone wise once told me your brand is only as good as your last product..

[Susan]

Hi
Yeast Dermatitis-
food sensitivies only cause Yeasty smelly skin ears & paws when your dog is sensitive to certain ingredients.. So best to do elimination diet, my rissoles below is how I did 1 of Patches elimination diets.
You start with a meat protein she hasnt eaten before or not often & 1 carb.
I use Sweet Potatoes & Potato.. My boy is good with Potato for his IBD.

also Sweet Potato is better then rice, boil rice ferments in the stomach, boiled Sweet potato is excellent for senstive stomach & bowel.
I peel the sweet potato cut up into small pieces about the size of a spoon boil cool then put in those sandwich zip lock plastic bags & freeze then as you need a few sweet potato pieces take them out of freezer & thaw in 15mins & add to rissoles or add with turkey what ever meat you are feding etc or just give 1 piece of sweet potato as a treat..

Follow “Judy Morgan DVM” on her Facebook page..

* Here’s Judy Morgan Pup Loaf, she has a few rescipes.

* Here’s Judys feding a pup with Pancreatitis
https://www.drjudymorgan.com/feeding-pets-with-pancreatitis/

I changed the Pup Loaf around a bit & I make my Rissole Balls in oven so fat drains out & boil Sweet Potato for my boy who has IBD..

I buy 1kg =2lbs of lean pork mince or lean 5 star lean beef mince I rotate between the 2 meats also can try Turkey lean mince aswell.
I add 1 whisked egg, 1 teaspoon chopped parsley, some chopped up broccoli heads about 1/3 to 1/2 a cup, I peel & grate 1 carrot, then I mix all together & make into 1/2 a cup for size you can make smaller size rissole balls if you want & put them all on a foiled lined baking tray & bake in oven for 15mins.
then take the rissoles out of oven & drain any water/fat, turn over all the Rissole balls & cook till ready, about another 15mins, do not over cook meat as it goes like leather & be tuff…Cool then I freeze them in sections.
Baking in oven reduces fat & you can drain…
I also peel & boil Sweet Potato Pieces boil cool & freeze. Sweet Potato freezes very well & thaws good. Take out the day before what you need & put in fridge for next day..then I add 1 rissole cut it up or put in a blender & add 1/3 cup sweet potatoes & mix all together also add 2 spoons of tin salmon in olive oil or spring water drain the water or olive oil put in container. Make sure you read the salt % get lower salt %
you can feed Salmon & Sweet Potato as a small meal but not as a perment meal as you need to balance diet, unless you’re doing an elimination diet, my vet said its OK to not balance meal 1-2 months..
Or add 1 krill oil capsule to the 1 breakfast meal.. Krill Oil Capsules are good for people who have sensitive stomachs & dont do too well on Fish Oil capsules..

I add “NAS Digestavite Plus Powder” 1/4 teaspoon to 1 of the meal a day to balance the diet.. just make sure diet is balanced over the week..
Look at “Balance It”
You can also add 1 crushed dry egg shell a day to 1 of the meals for calcium also add Glucosamine & Chondroiton tablet daily..
you’ll have to google dose for your size dog..

[Jennifer K]

My dog has been acana singles lamb and apple
For years. He started on the Canadian version and then when the plant opened in Kentucky, that was the only one that was available in the US. Every so often he would have a very gurgley stomach followed by soft/diarrhea stool with blood. It has started to happen more frequently with the recent new of high amount of heavy metals it can only be attributed to the food. He is completely healthy otherwise.

I want to take him off acana, which food did everyone here switch to? I read Merrick or Gather (made in Canada) might be Better choices.
I’m Leary about merrick only because they’ve had various salmonella recalls over the years.

Looking for any new food choice advice!

[Merrick W]

Hi crazy4cats — not sure if you’re responding to me or to the original poster, Charles, but I very much appreciate your input and your taking the time to comment. I’m glad that the Purina products work well for your dog but, just for me, I don’t like what Purina puts into its dog foods, based on my observation of the ingredients within several of their products.

Just looking at the ingredients for the ProPlan Beef & Rice, as you are suggesting: first problem is that it is filled with grains and glutens, which I am trying to not feed my dog. In addition, there are a few other questionable ingredients. Here are six I wouldn’t be comfortable feeding my dog: Corn Gluten Meal, Poultry By-Product Meal, Soybean Meal, Animal Fat, Whole Grain Corn, Dried Beet Pulp.

I’m not a veterinary nutritionist but, again, just for me, and all the research I’ve done, and all the dog foods I’ve tried for my last and current dogs, I do not feel that corn is a necessary ingredient for dogs, it is even controversial among people and websites who discuss and research dog foods, including Dog Food Advisor, and in this product there are two different kinds. Also, it is beyond me why a dog would need Soybean Meal — and, by the way, Corn and Soy are the two top GMO crops in the world (if you care about giving your dog GMO-produced ingredients or not). Dried Beet Pulp is a filler, and is highly questionable, again including here on Dog Food Advisor. “Animal Fat” — what kind of animal(s) are they referring to? They need to be more specific — some of the animals they are using might be (a) offensive, you might be surprised what animals they’re taking the fat from, and/or (b) an animal that your dog might be allergic to.

But the most offensive to me is the Poultry By-Product Meal. ANYTHING from the chicken or turkey that is not used to make what is sold commercially (e.g., leg, thigh, breast pieces, skin) can be used in by-product meal, including feathers claws, and beaks, all ground down, and I don’t even want to take a chance with giving my dog such unknown and questionable ingredients.

For sure, the Sensitive Skin Salmon formula is light years better than the beef one, although it is filled with grains — which, again, may work just right for some people’s dogs, but not for mine. It also has the mysterious “animal fat,” brewer’s dried yeast which, like dried beet pulp, is a questionable filler, and, for heaven’s sake, what is “canola meal”..? Canola is a controversial ingredient and is also one of the biggest GMO crops.

Forgive me playing devil’s advocate here — especially given that you took time out of your day to make a contribution to this thread — but I know there are at least a few others who will be coming here looking for info about legume-free dog food and will also be interested in grain-free products, as I am, and I just want to make sure that people are able to see both sides of the coin and are able to make informed decisions about which products to buy — or not to buy — their dogs.

[Susan]

Hi Bernice.

“Bilious Vomiting Syndrome in Dogs, aka “Hunger Pukes”

How did your Dr. Hans Gelens diagnose Freddy with bilious vomiting syndrome?
Did Freedy have Biopsies thru a Endoscope?

You wrote
“lip-smacking, drooling, yawning, licking are classic signs of nausea in dogs”

Lip Smacking, licking paws, blankets, floors, grinding teeth, yarning-(stress), swollowing gulping are classic signs of “acid reflux”, my vet said she see’s at least 1-2 dogs a week who are suffering with acid reflux, it’s more common then we think with dogs,
this is why Freddy has been put on Omeprazole (Prilosec) an acid blocker, it’s a PPI (Proton Pump Inhibitor)… Why didn’t the vet put him on a lower class of acid reducer drugs histamine-2 (H2) blockers either Zantac (Rantidine) or Pepcid (Famotidine) instead of a PPI??

A diet change would be good idea once Freddy is doing well again & is stable.
He was eating Royal Canin Gastro Low-Fat which seemed to keep his symptoms to a once or twice a year event. “Until this year”. Diet may have contributed to his Bilious Vomiting Syndrome??
Look at eating fresh whole foods, a lean balanced diet, not over processed dry kibble/wet can dog food. Look at feeding diet that’s low in carbs, low fiber especially with Pancreatitis NO sugar in diet, stay away from foods that bring on acid reflux..

You can NOT just stop taken a PPI once you have been taken it more then 14-20 days, a PPI must be slowly reduced & a lower class of drugs called histamine-2 (H2) blockers either Zantac (Rantidine) or Pepcid (Famotidine) are given for 2-3 weeks after the PPI has been stopped but first reduced & give PPI every 2nd day then when you’ve stopped then you give either Zantac or Pepcid 30mins before a meal…
Zantac & Pepcid work differently they dont work like a PPI works (Omeprazole or Pantoprazole)… A PPI is better but you have to work out do you want Freddy on a PPI now for the rest of his life??. if you have tried Zantac & Pepcid & they didn’t work then yes give PPI & diet change, vet diets are very high in Omega oils which is a good thing BUT some dogs who have Pancreactitis, IBD can’t handle high fish Oil, Coconut Oil etc & can get acid reflux my boy is one of those dogs, when eats a vet diet he get his bad acid reflux & yeasty itchy skin due to food sensitivities, I didnt know Fish/Salmon Oils & Coconut Oils could cause acid reflux until I seen Dr Judy Morgan talking about her 18yr old Cavalier charles, he has Pancreatitis & every month he kept having a Pancreas flare so she stoped adding all his supplements & slowly added them back weekly 1 at a time & it was the fish oil causing his monthly pancreas flare….
Follow Dr Judy Morgan DVM on her f/b page also look at her “Videos” she has a really good “Pancreatitis Diet” you make in a Crock pot & add The Honest Kitchen Base
https://www.facebook.com/JudyMorganDVM/

My Patch has been on Omeprazole 2 yrs then he went down hill again this time last year he’s 10yrs old, he had another Endoscope & Biospy done in January 2018 to see why he’s got really his bad acid reflux again & he was already taken a PPI so he shouldnt be getting really bad acid reflux but he was, I did diet change but he didnt get better, so we did Endoscope + Biopsies the vet said as he was looking thru camera his wind pipe was inflammed & red, so was his Esophagus, he has lower esophageal sphincter (LES) his flap doesnt close properly & his acid wash back up his esophagus into throat mouth then went down into his wind pipe, por thing this would be very painful… He also suffers with Helicobacter living in his stomach walls, staying on a PPI like Omeprazole or Pantopazole is suppose to help stop the Helicobacter living & thriving in the stomach wall, I wonder if this is what Freedy has?? if after 6months -12months & Freedy goes down hill again try a diet change a lean cooked diet & ask vet can he please do an Endoscope + Biopsies, the Biopsies are a must as they will give vet some answers & the only way to know if the Helicobacter has taken over his stomach, all dogs have Helicobacter but when their immune system is compromised the Helicobacter takes too much bad bacteria, making you feel very unwell, stomach pain, nausea, bad acid reflux & feeling hungry all the time & weight loss..
I asked Patches vet can I PLEASE change his PPI from 20mg Omeprazole to 20mg Pantoprazole, I also take Pantoprazole it seems to work better for people who have GERDS & suffer with bad reflux…
PPI are best given of a morning not night unless he’s taking a PPI twice a day, I wouldnt recommend taking a PPI twice a day for a dog, best to start off on a lower dose, 1 x 20mg tablet take of a morning as soon as he gets up I give Patch his 20mg Pantoprazole tablet & I have a 20ml syringe water so I know the tablet has gone down his throat, you can NOT chew PPI tablets, they are specially coated tablets so they digest past the stomach so dont let Freddy chew his Omeprazole if you can this is why best not to give with food as they chew food, just open his mouth & put tablet on back of his tongue & put down throat, then put the syringe side of his mouth back teeth & slowley squirt water so he swollows tablet & make sure he doesnt spit tablet back out, my Patch was sptting back out after I walked away & I was finding his tablet, cheecky bugger…

My boy has IBD he eats 5 smaller meals a day he eats –
First meal after he has taken his PPI around 6.30-7am then another small meal around 9am, Lunch- 12pm a cooked meal or freezed dried raw dehydrated meal about 1/3 a cup, 5pm-Dinner meal is bigger under 1 cup & 7.30pm small 1/4 a cup & last meal for the night wee & then he goes to bed & I wake him for 2 wee breaks & he gets a Quick-Eze 1/2 a Rapid Chew after his last wee around 10.30-11pm & I always offer him water when Patch wakes up on my bed, he is very weird about drinking water when he has his acid reflux, so Im always offering him fresh water to wash down any acid…
I’ve been freezing Bone Broth in ice cube trays & take out 1-2 ice cubes to thaw & Patch drinks it & loves the Bone Broth, I think The Honest kitchen has a Bone Broth you can buy, there’d be a few places taht have teh Bone Broth.

I hope Freedy recovery continues, but if he has a set back then look into diet change, there’s healthier alternatives for these sick dogs & cats, after seeing sooo many dogs get better on a healthier diet, I really think once dog is stable & has been doing really well start looking into changing dogs diet, fresh lean meats, fresh veggies & fruits, Kefir given or a probiotic best to give on empty stomach or inbetween meals when Hydrochloric acids in stomach are low, make sure diet is balanced properly, there’s a few good foods that are dehydrated & aren’t over processed & over cooked till all ingredients are all brown or black.

[Merrick W]

Hi Charles!

I am almost exactly 7 months late responding to your post — and I’m shocked no one else has up to this point — but, thanks to the everlasting “archival” nature of the internet, your post was preserved and awaiting a response, any response and, finally, here I am!

First of all, how is your boy doing 7 months later? What are you feeding him now and is he reacting well or still having some GI problems and itching?

SO, here’s my story that I hope will help you out: I had been on a massive journey to find my Lab mix, Perry, a kibble that has no grains, no legumes, and no white potato. It took hours of searching, as well as a lot of trial and error with at least a half-dozen different brands, but I finally found it:

EARTHBORN HOLISTICS VENTURE ALASKA POLLOCK MEAL & PUMPKIN
https://www.earthbornholisticpetfood.com/dog-food-formulas/venture/alaska-pollock-meal-pumpkin

So, here’s the first thing to be said about Earthborn: their REGULAR (vs. Venture) line … no good! Peas, peas, and more peas. They “ingredient split” peas about five different ways (e.g., peas, pea flour, pea fiber, etc.). If Earthborn stopped using peas they’d put some pea farmers out of business!

BUT… then they developed this new Venture line. It’s been out about a year now, I think. Six flavors. Grain free. No GMO. High quality ingredients. Unfortunately, and to my great dismay, three of the flavors use peas. WHY? I don’t know — they can’t help themselves, these folks at the corporate offices of Earthborn (mind you, they are a family owned and operated business). Another two don’t have peas, but aren’t legume-free: they use chickpeas.

And then there’s the Pollock formula!

First five ingredients: Alaska Pollock Meal, Pumpkin, Tapioca, Sunflower Oil, Flaxseed

And the rest of the ingredients are essentially minerals, vitamins, probiotics. Omega 6:3 ratio is better than most kibbles. Also, higher fiber than most kibbles, 9%, which a canine nutritionist I went to said is likely one of the keys to this food stabilizing Perry’s GI tract.

This is pretty much the ONLY kibble my dog does well on. And it is so frustrating because you’d think that a special line as this would have flavors that mimic each other, but this one is the odd man out. I have implored them to make more Venture flavors with just the pumpkin, tapioca and flaxseed — and, of course, they’ve taken my suggestion ‘under consideration.’ But, ok.

Also, I love that they’ve opted for sunflower oil in this line, rather than the controversial and overly-used canola oil, or pretty much any other vegetable oil.

My dog loves it — and I also love that this particular flavor has a slightly larger kibble size — great for large dogs as mine (70lb) — maybe or maybe not for smaller dogs, although I know of smaller dogs that do fine on larger-sized kibble pieces.

The flavors with chickpeas are Turkey — which, instead of pumpkin & tapioca uses chickpeas & butternut squash — and Squid (SQUID..?!?! WTF?), which uses chickpeas & pumpkin. Squid is a bit odd and I really don’t need another fish kibble as a rotational protein source, but I did try the Turkey — and Perry did not go all that great on it. It certainly could be that pumpkin is a bit better than squash for him, but I suspect the chickpeas as the culprit — and I’m pretty much sold on the argument that legumes of all kinds are not good for dogs. (The turkey kibble has flaxseed, too, so I rule that out as being a better or worse ingredient for Perry.)

So, we found our kibble in the Venture Pollock. I really would like to offer Perry at least ONE additional protein using the same pumpkin & tapioca formula, and am praying Earthborn will finally see the light and come through.

OK, Charles — there IS one more line you can check out that a lot of folks don’t know about: Sport Dog Food. This is a small husband-and-wife-owned company out of Long Island, NY. It originally was set up to be a dog food specially gears towards working dogs, hunting dogs, sport dogs, and the like, and they have several flavors made WITH grain for that purpose. But they great folks also developed a grain-free line called Elite which is more about what it doesn’t have than what it does:

https://sportdogfood.com/dog-food/special-diet/grain-free/

No legumes of any kind. No grains, no rice, no white potato. No corn, wheat, soy, flax or alfalfa (for me, I’m ok with flax for my dog, which I actually think helps some with fiber to keep him regular — but I get that others aren’t). No controversial Menhaden fish, and no vegetable oils (again, I’m ok with sunflower oil — not with a lot of other vegetables oil though!). And a few other things. And, then on the positive side, lots of great ingredients.

I used Sport Dog for Perry in its earlier incarnation in 2017 — until they had a disagreement with their manufacturer (small plant in the midwest) and had to cease business for several months while looking for new manufacturing plants to contract with and, in doing so, had to change their formulas quite a bit, although still with most of their “no-no” ingredients left out. The previous incarnation, which had beef, chicken and fish flavors, Perry did spectacularly with the beef and chicken, but not so much with the fish, and I think the culprit was the use of mussels — he doesn’t do well with shellfish.

However, when they changed manufacturers, they changed protein sources and changed several of the other ingredients within. Instead of beef, they now use water buffalo (now commonly farmed in the US!). Instead of chicken, it’s now turkey. And their whitefish stayed whitefish but with a little more varieties of fish in it, albeit without mussel.

Regrettably, Perry only did “ok” with the whitefish; “not-so-great” with the turkey, and “pretty bad” with the water buffalo. It’s no fault of Sport Dog — they really do have a great product, and SO well thought out — but, just for Perry, for whatever reason, his GI tract wasn’t having it. Perhaps some element of fiber missing. And I tried it again several months later, just to make sure but, nope.

SO… on the Venture Pollock formula for the foreseeable future.

Hope you made it this far through my ‘mini-novella’ — I truly hope this is helpful to you, Charles, and to other readers who might come across this post — and would love to hear your further comments, opinions, questions, etc. Thanks!

-Merrick

[anonymous]

Yes. That works. Thanks, I will take my time and read them.
Just wanted to say that I am also impressed with Pro Plan, my little allergy girl is doing well on Focus Salmon for sensitive skin and stomach as a base.

PS: Just click on Edit, I have done so to correct grammatical errors, I think there is a time limit (30 minutes) on how long you can do that.

[Susan]

Hi Ana,

No wet can isnt safer then kibble…
Look at Dehydrated Raw instead of dry kibble & wet can foods, Dehydrated Raw isnt raw, raw like you think when you read the word raw, Dehydrated raw is more like frozen hard raw but it isnt, but its dry like dry kibble but hasnt been over processed & cooked & cooked like kibble…
My boy who has IBD he does really well on an Australian made “Frontier Pets” Free Range Dehydrated Raw balls, I just add a little warm water he loves it for lunch, start feeding 1 of your dog meal a dehydrated raw food & let them decide which is best…
Offer the kibble in a bowl & in another bowl some dehydrated raw..
I think dehydrated is best if you want to feed something like kibble..
Honest Kitchen would be better then buying the wet can foods in pet shops & super markets, alot of wet can foods aren’t balanced properly, well the cat wet can foods aren’t & they’re made by the big 3 pet food companies..
Here’s the proof.
A study was done in Australia by “Sydney University junk pet-food research investigated”

8 out of the 20 pet foods that were tested 8 did not meet nutritional standards, the University will not release names now cause Hills + Royal Canine donates heaps of money to the University & the researchers got a bit scared they wont get funds…..

When you cook for yourself & your family you know what your eating & have watched it cook, when you go & get take away or eat in resturant you dont know if some dropped the food on the floor or they just went to toilet never washed hands, or had a smoke etc this is the same when we feed our pets kibble & wet can foods but worse…
Wet can & Dry Kibble are the lowest of quality when it comes to pet foods, they’re quick & easy, then you start getting the better pet foods Air Dired, Dehydrated Raw they also make wet can foods that are good aswell..

These brands are good..
The bottom 3 brands have come 1st, 2nd, 3rd, when tested for Toxins, Heavy Metals & Contaminates…
The 2 top Brands weren’t tested probably cause they’re made in New Zealand.

“Ziwi Peak” – wet can & Air Dried Raw,
send Ziwi Peak email ask for some samples, just say you have fussy dogs.

“K-9 Natural” – wet can raw & freeze dried & frozen raw in freezer & treats.
K-9 Natural Green Lipped Mussels are really good + Healthy to give as a treat daily.

“Buckley Liberty” Freeze-Dried Dry Dog Food

“CaniSource Grand Cru” All Life Stages Dehydrated Raw Dry Dog Food

“BIXBI” Rawbble Freeze-Dried Dry Dog Food

[Melissa J]

I can’t review the food because UPS lost my order. I may try ordering it again and holidays when there is less theft. I wanted to point out this isn’t made in USA. Not that is a bad thing considering dog food that is made in the USA is filled with so many toxic ingredients that is causing cancer, obesity, diabetes and death in our pets. Who knew euthanized pets where put in dogs food?? I didn’t. Anyway this is made in Canada, not saying that is a bad thing either but I’m just curious as to why when you read pinto canyon website it sounds like it’s made right here in Texas. You have to read every tab to see their facility is in Canada. Again not saying that is a bad thing or good, I’m hoping it depends on the company that owns it. Because my dog developed allergies and I went through 4 vets, yes 1 holistic, steroids, antibiotics, Chinese herbs, acupuncture, over$1000, and no diagnosis of what the allergies are, the last vet said she needed to be put on meds the rest of her life, cost about $200+mo. So I started my own search. One thing I learned is Canada has worse regulations on their pet food industry then we do. I’ve also learned that if we do want to give kibble oven baked is better than extruded. Only concern here is if it’s made in Canada, distributed by pinto canyon, who is really the owner of the company? This food is only about $20. more than the toxic stuff I’ve fed her for 8yrs so I can’t help but wonder why they make it sound like it is made in USA and not Canada. I’ll update if I find out. Even if you Google where is pinto canyon dog food made, you won’t find it.

[Spy Car]

Aimme, you have great Goggle skills. Do the searches. All verifiable studies. Please don’t cast aspersions that are unsubstantiated.

There was a study sponsored by Iams (IMS) where dogs who were fed a high-carb diet (and were thus de-conditioned) were put on treadmills with masks and devices that would test their VO2 Max scores. As expected, these couch-potatoes scored very (very) poorly.

Then the same dogs were put on a diet that was relatively high-protein and high-fat. Nothing about their rearing or keeping changed otherwise. After a time they were retested. The increases in VO2 Max score were dramatic. These formerly de-conditioned out-of-shape couch potatoes had VO2 Max scores that were very close to those of elite canine athletes.

This was due to diet alone.

This is wholly in keeping with my own long experience training and raising canine athletes.

Field trial dogs are almost always fed a diet that is at least 30/20 (protein/fat). Not 23/15. And smart field trailers supplement kibble diets with additional animal proteins and fats.

Field-trialers tend to be very quiet about the supplementation because the sport is completely dominated by Purina which sponsors field-trialers with free food, and plays for prize money and the cost of running competitions. Bad mouthing Purina in any way is not a way to win friends in that sport.

30/20 is not “optimal,” to be sure, but it is above the minimums that most seriously de-tune dogs. You are making my point for me.

• This reply was modified 7 years ago by Spy Car.

[Susan]

Hi,
How many pounds should Minnie be when she is fully grown, what breed is she??
My boy is an English Staffordshire Bull Terrier he is 18kgs = 40lbs, I only feed him around 2 & 1/2 cups when its his “Wellness Core” Large Breed Adult formula – 346Kcals per cup kibble a day + cooked lunch + 1-2 Freeze dried Mussels or when he eats “Canidae Pure Wild” 454Kcals per cup I feed 1 & 1/2 cups kibble a day + cooked lunch or “Canidae Pure Meadow” – 409Kcals per cup, he gets around 1 & 1/2 – 2 cups kibble a day + something different for lunch + Green Lipped Mussels 1-2 a day.

Read the Kcals per cupthe kibble formula you’re feeding it’s probably on bag of kibble or online on the 4Health site or email 4Health for any information & work out how many Kcals a day she should be eating & add cooked food on top, I know Patch should be eating around 1000Kcals a day but I feed a bit under now cause he’s a senior & yes add fresh ingredents to her kibble or separate as a meal, this will help put on weight..
kibble swells up in the stomach makes you feel fuller so best to feed 3-4 smaller meals a day 7am, 12pm, 5pm 8pm so if you have a large breed dog best to feed a large breed kibble, they are formulated for large breed puppy or Adult large dog intestinal tract, (Bloat)
My dog has IBD & does really well on a large breed kibble, the Kcals are lower 346kcals, the higher the Kcals the more dense is the kibble & they dont need to eat as much kibble…

So maybe look for a higher Kcal per cup kibble? “Canidae” is higher in Kcals over 400Kcals so she only needs about 3-4 cups a day depending on formula?.
https://www.canidae.com/dog-food/products

The “Canidae All Life Stages Multi-protein” Formula is 468Kcals per cup your dog would only need 2-4 cups a day when a Puppy then when she’s a Adult she’s needs less around 2 cups per day depending on her breed??
https://www.canidae.com/dog-food/products/canidae-all-life-stages-dry-formula/

Cook – boiled potato or boil sweet potato pieces cool then freeze Sweet Potato freezes really well & thaws good & quickly or I put in micro wave 15sec to thaw, today for lunch I feed Patch 2 pieces of Sweet Potato mixed/mashed with cooked 2 scrambled eggs, I cooked egg in a non stick frying pan, I buy tin Salmon in spring water drain the water & add sweet potato, I feed 4-5 smaller meals a day you can buy a kibble machine that lets out the kibble amount you want thru the day, I give 1/2 a cup at certain times thru the day…
Raw meaty bone would be excellent & gives her something to do all day chewing on a meaty bone from a butcher…
Here’s 2 different Canine Calculator links it gives you a ruff idea how much dry kibble you should be feeding..

https://petsci.co.uk/canine-calorie-calculator/ or

http://www.german-shepherd-lore.com/dog-food-calculator.html

[Susan]

Hi,
I got your email but your post isnt here, same with with another poster post he has posted on someone elses post, it hasnt been posted either but the emails are all there, weird?

joanne l wrote:

Hi everyone this is an update, the vet gave Vonn probiotics and he did express his glands on his own, but it came back and the vet said change the diet. He rather the dog express his glands on his own if he can before he does it. Now I was looking at N. Instinct LID food but it has peas should I give it anyway? I am scared b/c of the FDA warning about grain free.

Honestly I wouldnt worry peas, Pea Protein is used in vet diets so if peas weren’t no good they would know by now, I really think its something to do with these hard Legumes, high legume diets or something else cause this low taurine isnt affecting all dogs..
Patch has been eating a G/F Chicken, Turkey, Potato & Pea diet & he’s fine, he went under
anesthetic 1 month ago, cause he is 10yr old he had to be tested before having anesthetic cause of his age & he is fine his heart is all good…

Your boy hasnt been doing well on the Purina Lamb formula for a while, there has to be another kibble that will agree with his stomach/bowel & food sensitivities, I never seen N. Instinct LID food on the Taurine-Deficient Diet table that was low taurine & Diet related. Only a few brands had formula’s that were diet related, this is where I think people are going nuts over this, In Australia vets have read the research they have at the moment & there isnt enough proof at the moment to change a allergic or IBD dog diet & make the poor dog ill & sick again..
I really think your dog will be fine & probaby better off once you find him the right diet..

[anonymous]

@ jill b
You’re welcome. I saw your post. Glad that you found the podcast helpful.
Keep an eye on that site, Dan Rea is an animal lover and often covers pet related topics.

Check it out, there is a way you can sign up via e-mail to get the nightly lineup.

PS: http://skeptvet.com/Blog/?s=golden+retriever
Discuss what you read with your vet.

[anonymous]

@ jill b
Don’t be confused by the variety of opinions (homeopathic vs traditional medicine and everything in between) you will get when you ask a question on the internet/forums.

The best thing that you can do is to consult the veterinarian that you trust that you take your dog to for annual exams.

/disclaimer-and-disclosure/ (excerpt below)
Please be advised that we are not veterinarians. For this reason, this website was never meant to be used as a substitute for sound professional advice.
Because the health of your dog can be directly affected by what you read here, you should always consult with a licensed veterinary professional before taking any specific action.

[joanne l]

Maybe heart disease in dogs is from a lack of nutrients, not just taurine. From what I read about legumes in people, (vegetarians or vegans) if they are eating beans everyday and not in moderation, it can rob the body of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, zinc and forgot the other. With that being said, humans eat other things to have these minerals absorb in the body, where animals don’t. Example: If someone is a vegan or vegetarian and they eat lentils or spinach for iron, well they need to have vitamin c for it to be properly absorbed. They will eat oranges or drink orange juice with the lentils or spinach. Just an example here. In LID grain free diets only have the meat and legumes. Not to mention eaten every day! I will bet that it is possible that their minerals are being robbed because of the legumes in the diet. IMO. Read about legumes, I forgot the web site but type in “to bean or not to bean” you may find it. Very interesting, it may help us understand something.

• This reply was modified 7 years ago by joanne l.

[Susan]

Hi Cindy,

My daughter name is also Cindy, your dog is a very lucky dog to have you has his owner & didn’t change his kibble & continue feeding him a dry kibble…You’d probably still have a very sick dog..

I too follow Judy Morgan DVM aswell my boy Patch is a rescue who I rescued 6 years ago, it’s his 10th birthday tomorrow, Tuesday 20th November also on this day I rescued him from being put to sleep that day 🙂
He came to me in a really bad condition for a 4 yr old dog, he has IBD diagnosed thru Endoscope + Biopsies, Environment Allergies & Food Sensitivities…. It’s been a struggle he just had 5 weird looking wort type lumps removed 2-3 weeks ago & I just knew he was cancer free, he has the luck of the Irish the vet said gee he’s a lucky boy she was really worried about 1 lump on the side of his back leg so was I, this weird lump grew very quickly & look weird, we thought Mast Cell Tumor but no we wer wong thank god, he has a few angels watching over him..
Years ago I found Judy’s pup loaf recipe & tweak it a bit to suit Patches needs, I make Lean Pork Rissoles + Boiled Sweet Potato & Lean Beef Rissoles + Boiled Sweet Potatoes, I add 1 whisked egg, finally chopped parsely, chopped broccolli & spinach or kale, I bake in oven as Patch needs low fat when he eats any cooked foods, I make the rissoles 1/2 cup in size & bake them on a foil lined baking tray, take out 1/2 way 15mins to drain any water/fat & turn them over & bake till ready, they only take about 25-30mins & they freeze really well same as the boiled sweet potato pieces they thaw out pretty good…

He also gets freezed dried Mussels x 1-2 a day depends how big teh mussels are, strawberries, they are very cheap at teh moment, peeled apple, water melon, almond 3 a day whe I remember & his Bone Broth drink after his mid morning walk, I try to give him healthy foods that don’t cause any problems with his IBD… What I eat Patch gets some aswell… His IBD became worse last Nov-2017 after eating TOTW Lamb formula, he went down hill, I nilly put him to sleep in January 2018 instead I asked his vet can he do another Endoscope + Biopsies & found Patches lower Sphincter flap doesn’t close properly, sadly he doesnt do well on big wet meals now as he regurgatates them making his acid reflux worse, the only food he keeps down for his big meals is dry kibble 🙁
I was devastated but he does still eats a small wet meal for lunch only, lunch time is when he gets his freeze dried raw “Frontier Pets” or his Rissoles Sweet Potato etc, he still gets his little extra healthy foods, I want to try blueberries & beets next..

Do you follow “Rodney Habib”
https://www.facebook.com/rodneyhabib
Rodney has been traveling around the world for 1 year talking to vets, Drs, scientist all around the world doing research on cancer in dogs & how to stop dogs from getting cancer… He’s a wealth of information.
Did you know there’s only about 110 Vet Nutritionist on this planet & 98% of them work for the big Pet Food companies, so there’s only about 2% vet nutritionist who aren’t bias like Judy Morgan that really want to educate us & get our dogs healthy thru natural foods & not feed these over processed dry pet foods & they will not recommend a high carb dry vet diet when your dog gets cancer ….. It’s sad I think…
I live in Australia & alot of pet owners feed either a raw diet or a cooked diet & a few feed kibble as base & add raw, the longest living dogs both came from Australia Bluey he was 29yrs old & Maggie she just passed away & she was 30yrs old both dogs were raw feed dogs..

Here’s a new group Dr Karen Becker, Susan Garret & Rodney have just started, its called
“Life with Dogs and Cats – Health, Training & Research”
https://www.facebook.com/groups/lifewithdogsandcats/?ref=br_rs

[Ana C]

It is Wellness Core Grain Free Reduced Fat formula that I was talking about.

I know Annamaet has high carbs. I use 50% of Annamaet Lean kibbles as the base and rotate adding homecook fish, organic chicken, beef liver, eggs, fresh vegetables, and filtered warm water to the kibbles. I am still looking for other low fat kibbles to rotate, but have not be able to find any good one yet. Any suggestions? I am leaning towards Canadian made kibbles.

Your correct. It’s not just the fish has the high toxins. I read somewhere that even human grade rice, oats, grits… are high in arsenic.

It’s insane that we can’t trust the ingredients of the dog food. I feel like we are just waiting for next recall to happen any day now, and that’s already too late and after the fact.

[Susan]

Hi Ana,

I think your talking about Wellness “FISH” formula’s being high in Toxins, not all off the Wellness formula’s are high in Toxins & Contaminates…
There’s a “few” Brands that have FISH formulas that are also “VERY” high in Toxins, Contaminates & Heavy Metals, the Annamaet Lean has Herring fish meal in it, so chances are it will also be higher in Toxin & Contaminates then one of Annamaet other formula’s, also Annamaet Lean is very high in legumes, best not to feed no more then 20% Legumes when feeding a dry kibble….

There’s a heap of different “Fish” brands that have or are on the high toxin list it doesn’t mean all their formula’s are bad…
Earthborn Holistic, Fromm, TOTW, Purina Sensitive Stomach Salmon, Acana, Orijen, Racheal Ray, Halo, Diamond, Nutro, Natures Variety, Nulo, American Journey,Go, Open farm, Ol’ Roy, Kibbles N Bits the list goes on & on..

If your dogs can be feed home made raw or home cooked balanced diets this would be heaps better then feeding these dry processed kibbles or try & feed less dry kibble & more healthy ingredients, eggs, tin salmon, boiled sweet potatoes & fresh blended or cooked veggies etc there’s a really good video in the “Life With Dogs & Cats” group I’ve posted link below, feeding dogs fresh raw blended or cooked Veggies, vegetable fibers are more healthy for gut, the Video is called “Dont forget to feed your Veggies” & has Dr Jean Dobbs on the Video, really good information..
also reducing some of your dog dry kibble & replacing with healthy Green & Orange veggies will help lose some weight..lower your dogs carbs the Annamaet Lean formula has 50% carbs..

If you feed a dry kibble then it’s best to rotate between a few different brands that agree with your dogs, so if 1 of the dry foods you’re feeding is high in heavy metals, or not balanced properly, or is high in Legumes, your dog isn’t just eating this 1 brand of dry dog food 24/7, year after year…
I stick with feeding dry dog foods that are grain free & have white meats, Turkey, Pork & Chicken, these meats seem to be cleaner then fish, thats if the pet companies have a good suppliers….
Mycotoxins are poisonous chemical compounds produced by certain fungi found in grains,
so it’s not just the meats that have toxins, heavy metals, so when I see a brand that is Turkey or Chicken formula high on the toxin list & it has grains, I think Mycotoxins & Roundup
could be the reason why this chicken or turkey formula is high on the Toxin & Contaminates list… http://www.fao.org/wairdocs/x5008e/x5008e01.htm

DFA doesn’t believe in these testing & blocks the name of company & any links to this company that does the studies. I think its good this company is testing 299 most popular dog/cat foods & treats, its making these pet food companies clean up their act, keeps them on their toes.
DFA writes about it this company on the Orijen Review section. /dog-food-reviews/orijen-dog-food-usa/

We have just had another recall in Australia “Black Hawk” Salmon formula made by NZ Masterpet food company have admitted they change Fish suppliers, (probably went with a cheaper fish suplier) then all these poor dogs became very unwell, “Advance” Dermcare was using Tuna & a heap of dogs died Nov-2017 to March-2018 the surviving dogs all have Mega Eosphagus & little quality of life..

Join this new facebook group
“Life with Dogs and Cats” – Health, Training & Research
https://www.facebook.com/groups/lifewithdogsandcats/?ref=direct

It’s run by Dr Karen Becker, Susan Garrett & Rodney Habib & a few other people, group started about 3 weeks ago & already it has 5700 people, there’s a couple excellent video to watch, also on Planet Paws f/b page & Rodney Habib f/b page..
One video is about the latest UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine’s latest study: on Limited Ingredient/Allergy Diets, so Karen Becker & Rodney bought a few popular LID dog foods & had ingredients tested & “Natural Balance” Bison formula was “not” Bison meat, it was Beef, Horse, Pork, Goat, Lamb ot had every red meat in it….
Video is called “False Hope of Limited Ingredient & Allergy Diet” – video..

[joanne l]

Hi Ana I remember that yes you are right I forgot about that but I don’t use it anymore. However, there has been times were a couple of batches were different in color and not only that the dog knew it too, because he won’t touch it. Dogs noses are very very keen and when you notice a difference by looking and they notice a difference by smelling that’s enough for me to say something is not right. So that’s what we experienced with wellness a year and a half ago. Then I read that wellness uses co-packers occasionally when they are backed up, so that sums its up. They have gotten so big they probably can’t do it all themselves so that’s when co-packers come in. If that happens consistency can vary.

[Susan]

Hi,

“Wellpet” makes
Wellness, Holistic Select, Eagle Pack.

Have a looked at “Eagle Pack Large Breed/Giant breed Adult or the “Lamb Meal & Brown Rice” Adult, these formula’s are always sold out here in Australia.. especially the Lamb Meal & Brown Rice.
http://www.eaglepack.com/product-dog.aspx#.W-ohMfZuI5s

“Wellness Core Large Breed” Adult saved Patches life back in March when he became very unwell, very thin, bad acid reflux, I nilly put him to sleep …

Wellness Core Large Breed was the only dry food that agreed with him at the time, I had given up, I tried every dry food that “I thought would agree with him” grain formula’s caused diarrhea no acid reflux 🙁
he couldn’t eat low fat wet can vet diets made his acid worse same with home cooked food, he’d regurgate making his acid reflux worse…

When Patch is sick sad etc I always take him for a drive to make him feel better & forget he’s unwell, wind in his face, he loves shopping at Pet Shops or human shops, meeting people & their dogs, this day we went to the closest Pet Barn store, the manager came up to Patch to say hello & I told him I dont know what to do anymore, his IBD vet can’t help him, his Sphincter Flap isnt closing properly & there’s nothing the vet can do no more, the Pet Barn manager said, have I tried raw diet, I said he cant hold down no wet foods, then he said, he has had good results with Wellness Core dry foods, I said, but isn’t Wellness Core formula’s high in protein & fat? Patch cant eat over 30% protein, (I dont know why I thought this?? I probably read somewhere he needs a lower protein diet)
then the man said yes thats what he needs a higher meat protein & lower carb diet & he said give the Wellness Core Large Breed formula a try, it isnt high in fat, its high in meat protein, so I read the Wellness Core L/B kibble bag & it said 12%min-fat, 34% -protein, he said this is probably Patches problem he’s eating low fat & low protein = high carbs causing more acid reflux…
I said, how do you know about acid reflux, he wasnt old maybe in his 30’s, he turn around & said I suffer with GERD & Hiatus Hernia, I’ve just come out of hospital, I normally don’t work at this store, I work Central Coast store, when I’m better I’ll be back at my regular store..
I believe in Angels & there’s human angels that guide us thru life when we need help, showing us the way & Patch has had few Angels along the way that have help him, the man gave Patch the 6kg bag for 1/2 the recommended price & said if I have “any” problems bring it straight back & we’ll try something else or give you a refund, as I was walking out to my car to open the back section so he could put the bag of kibble in car, I thought to myself we’ll be coming back next week you watch, but we didn’t, Patch got better, he started playing, he was his happy self again saying hello to everyone, wanted to go on his walks, I couldnt believe it, I had my old Patch back. His vets couldnt believe it either..
He just had 5 weird looking wort like lumps removed from the sides of his back right & left legs, stomach & ear & they were all benign…He’s a lucky boy..

Depends which Wellness Formula your dog was eating at the time, was he unwell, this could be why he didnt want to eat it or it was making him unwell so he wasnt keen on eating it?
Purina, Hills & Royal Canine spray their dry foods with flavouring, Wellness kibbles are sprayed with Probiotics, so some dogs mighten like the smell they might be use to the flavouring spray.

Years ago Patch didn’t do well on the Wellness Complete Health Whitefish & Sweet Potato Barley formula, he cant eat barley causes yellow smelly sloppy poos then diarrhea.
He didnt do well on the Wellness Simple, Duck Meal & Oatmeal & the Lamb Meal & Oatmeal formula’s caused yellow sloppy smelly poos..

Wellness have brought out a new cheaper grain formula called “Wellness Healthy Balance” dry but it isnt on the Wellness site yet.
https://www.petbarn.com.au/dogs/dog-food-dry/by/brand/wellness-healthy-balance/

Take back the Old Mother Hubbard Biscuits exchange them.
https://www.oldmotherhubbard.com/about-us.aspx

[Susan]

Hi,

“Wellpet” makes
Wellness, Holistic Select, Eagle Pack.

Have a looked at “Eagle Pack Large Breed/Giant breed Adult or the “Lamb Meal & Brown Rice” Adult, these formula’s are always sold out here in Australia.. especially the Lamb Meal & Brown Rice.
http://www.eaglepack.com/product-dog.aspx#.W-ohMfZuI5s

“Wellness Core Large Breed” Adult saved Patches life back in March when he became very unwell, very thin, bad acid reflux, I nilly put him to sleep …

Wellness Core Large Breed was the only dry food that agreed with him at the time, I had given up, I tried every dry food that “I thought would agree with him” grain formula’s caused diarrhea no acid reflux 🙁
he couldn’t eat low fat wet can vet diets made his acid worse same with home cooked food, he’d regurgate making his acid reflux worse…

When Patch is sick sad etc I always take him for a drive to make him feel better & forget he’s unwell, wind in his face, he loves shopping at Pet Shops or human shops, meeting people & their dogs, this day we went to the closest Pet Barn store, the manager came up to Patch to say hello & I told him I dont know what to do anymore, his IBD vet can’t help him, his Sphincter Flap isnt closing properly & there’s nothing the vet can do no more, the Pet Barn manager said, have I tried raw diet, I said he cant hold down no wet foods, then he said, he has had good results with Wellness Core dry foods, I said, but isn’t Wellness Core formula’s high in protein & fat? Patch cant eat over 30% protein, (I dont know why I thought this?? probably read he needs to feed lower protein diet)
then the man said yes thats what he needs a higher meat protein & lower carb diet & he said give the Wellness Core Large Breed formula a try, it isnt high in fat, its high in meat protein, so I read the Wellness Core L/B kibble bag & it said 12%min-fat, 34% -protein, he said this is probably Patches problem he’s eating low fat & low protein = high carbs causing more acid reflux…
I said, how do you know about acid reflux, he wasnt old maybe in his 30’s, he turn around & said I suffer with GERD & Hiatus Hernia, I’ve just come out of hospital, I normally don’t work at this store, I work Central Coast store, when I’m better I’ll be back at my regular store..
I believe in Angels & there’s human angels that guide us thru life when we need help, showing us the way & Patch has had few Angels along the way that have help him, the man gave Patch the 6kg bag for 1/2 the recommended price & said if I have “any” problems bring it straight back & we’ll try something else or give you a refund, as I was walking out to my car to open the back section so he could put the bag of kibble in car, I thought to myself we’ll be coming back next week you watch, but we didn’t, Patch got better, he started playing, he was his happy self again saying hello to everyone, wanted to go on his walks, I couldnt believe it, I had my old Patch back. His vets couldnt believe it either..
He just had 5 weird looking wort like lumps removed from the sides of his back right & left legs, stomach & ear & they were all benign…He’s a lucky boy..

Depends which Wellness Formula your dog was eating at the time, was he unwell, this could be why he didnt want to eat it or it was making him unwell so he wasnt keen on eating it?
Purina, Hills & Royal Canine spray their dry foods with flavouring, Wellness kibbles are sprayed with Probiotics, so some dogs mighten like the smell they might be use to the flavouring spray.

Years ago Patch didn’t do well on the Wellness Complete Health Whitefish & Sweet Potato Barley formula, he cant eat barley causes yellow smelly sloppy poos then diarrhea.
He didnt do well on the Wellness Simple, Duck Meal & Oatmeal & the Lamb Meal & Oatmeal formula’s caused yellow sloppy smelly poos..

Wellness have brought out a new cheaper grain formula called “Wellness Healthy Balance” dry but it isnt on the Wellness site yet.
https://www.petbarn.com.au/dogs/dog-food-dry/by/brand/wellness-healthy-balance/

Take back the Old Mother Hubbard Biscuits.
https://www.oldmotherhubbard.com/about-us.aspx

[Bernice L]

I have a 5 year old Frenchton who has had stomach issues off and on since a puppy. As a result he has always been on Royal Canin Gastro Low-Fat which seemed to keep his symptoms to a once or twice a year event. Until this year. This year Freddy has been constantly in and out of hospital with severe vomiting, nausea, pain and weight-loss. He was diagnosed with pancreatitis, last level testing was 274, but my vet really felt there was more going on since nearly all of his episodes lately occur in the middle of the night. Freddy was referred to Dr. Hans Gelens, a veterinary internal medicine specialist who has been a life-saver for me. He diagnosed Freddy with bilious vomiting syndrome (on top of the pancreatitis) which is apparently not uncommon in dogs. At this time Freddy is being treated with a new food regimen, although still on the RC LFG (apparently the best option from all of the vets I have consulted with), he now receives smaller meals spread out throughout the day with a last “snack” literally right before bedtime, along with a dose of Omeprazole at that same time (it is a prescription ant-acid, but I do fill it through my regular pharmacy to save costs). Freddy is to have no fat-laced snacks or treats so receives basically dried fruit/veggie snacks (pancreatitis can be triggered by fat in the diet), of course no “human” leftovers and quiet time for at least one hour post-meal. Finally, it has been 10 days since Freddy’s last vomiting episode and the nausea seems to be settling down (lip-smacking, drooling, yawning, licking are classic signs of nausea in dogs). After a year totaling over $5000 in vet bills I hope this recovery will continue.

I am sharing this because prior to seeing the specialist I had never heard of bilious vomiting syndrome, but I have seen some posts on here where owners describe dogs with similar symptoms to Freddy’s so I thought it was important to share this information.

Good luck to all dog lovers out there whose pets have health issues.

BL

[Spy Car]

Aimee,

Instead of responding to a long and reasoned criticism of SkeptVet’s methods outside the particulars of this one study, you charge me with having a strong bias against SpetVet, which is an ad hominem (personal) attack and one that is purely false, while ignoring all the other problems I outlined.

I began reading his blog out of an interest in canine nutrition and was attracted by his declaring himself in favor of science-based medicine (a position I hold strongly).

Instead of finding a person with an affinity to science, as I’ve read his blog over time I’ve discovered that he is a polemicist who skews his reports on scientific studies to his own ends, insults anyone who disagrees with him as anti-science, uses half-truths and untruths to advance his arguments, attacks others for using human nutrition studies as evidence for canine nutrition (yet does the same thing himself), attacks others for using anecdotal reports as evidence (yet does the same thing himself) and is a person who constantly attempts to mislead readers into believing a lack-of-evidence is itself evidence.

SkeptVet seems to relish his role as a bad-boy and truth-stretcher who deliberately inflames others and who operates as an internet troll, to the point where he gleefully publishes his yearly “hate mail” on his blog. His antics may fit the era we are living through, but they are not the methods of those of us who favor dispassionately weighing the evidence.

I did figure out his identity and read his review of neutering dogs and cats and the same truth twisting was readily apparent in his conclusions. He has earned my mistrust as a source of good information.

Bill

• This reply was modified 7 years, 1 month ago by Spy Car.

[aimee]

Hi Spycar,

It appears that you still are not understanding the study that Skeptvet refers to. There were three separate experiments: Palatability, Digestability and Weight loss

Let’s look at the weight loss study “Experiment design The experiment was divided into two phases. In the first phase, overweight condition was induced in all dogs by consuming a high‐energy diet (Royal Canin Professional Energy 4800, Aimargues, France) ad libitum for 16 weeks; at the end of this phase, their BW and food intakes were stable. ……The second phase consisted of a 14‐week weight loss period during which dogs were divided into three groups, each receiving one of the experimental diets. ”

It seems that to do a weight loss study the researchers needed some overweight dogs with which to do it. They allowed the dogs free access to a diet by Royal Canin. NOTE All dogs were on the same diet and not on the experimental diets during the weight gain period. And no mention of coconut oil in the induction phase which is called phase one.

You wrote “they free fed the dogs for 16 weeks and it is of little surprise that dogs ate more and got fatter on the more delicious menu option” When you write ” on the more delicious menu option” I read that as you saying the dog had multiple food options. They did not. The experimental diets with various levels of coconut oil were not available to them. There was only one diet in phase one, a min 28% fat diet designed to sustain long periods of activity. The high fat diet led to weight gain in the beagles, a breed recognized for becoming overweight, when it was fed free choice. Note no mention of coconut oil in phase one.

It was after the 16 week free feed when the experimental diets were fed to the dogs for weight loss. This was phase two. The overweight dogs were divided into three groups and each group was fed a different experimental diet in a limited amount. It was this subsequent, phase two portion of the experiment that skeptvet is referring to. He wrote ” One study that added coconut oil to dog food to see if it would help with weight loss found that dogs on the diet with coconut oil lost less weight and had more body fat than dogs on diets with other sources of fat.” The key sections to pay attention to are “added coconut oil to dog food” and “weight loss” The only experiment in which both coconut oil was added to dog food and weight loss was tracked was phase 2 of the weight loss experiment. AND it is clear from the paper that the experimental diets were restricted for this phase of the experiment.

Skeptvet wrote ” dogs on the diet with coconut oil lost less weight and had more body fat than dogs on diets with other sources of fat.”The authors of the study report “Body weight (BW) reduction was lower (C0: 20.1 ± 2.32%, C20: 14.6 ± 1.43% and C40: 15.7 ± 1.23%, p < 0.05) and FM was higher (FM, 18.7 ± 3.42%, 27.9 ± 3.90% and 28.2 ± 2.88% for C0, C20 and C40, respectively, p < 0.05) for diets C20 and C40 than for C0.” Skeptvet simply restated the results. The authors wrote “Body weight (BW) reduction was lower” and skeptvet wrote “lost less weight” The authors wrote “FM was higher” (FM stands for fat mass ) and skeptvet wrote had more body fat. The diets with added coconut oil are C20 and C40.

You seem to have the various phases of the weight loss experiment and the palatability experiment, which was a separate experiment, all mixed up in your head. You wrote.” … he makes a claim that dogs fed “coconut oil lost less weight and had more body fat than dogs on diets with other sources of fat.” This statement refers to the author’s conclusion of phase 2 of the weight loss experiment that skeptvet restated. But then you go on to say “What he leaves out of the summary is that the dogs in the study found the food with more coconut in the mix (relative to vegetable oils) much more palatable than the dogs with foods high in vegetable oil, and these dogs were allowed to eat their fill.” This statement that you wrote refers to the results of a palatablilty experiment, a completely separate experiment from the weight loss experiment. It has no bearing on and is irrelevant to the weight loss experiment which is why skeptvet didn’t include information from the palatability experiment. He wasn’t addressing palatability of coconut oil, he is addressing effects of coconut oil on weight loss. Then somehow you conclude that skeptvet is guilty of ” Not honest science here. No mention by Skept Vet that the study lacked portion control.” It is clear that portion control was present for the weight loss experiment phase he is discussing. Very honest science from skeptvet! ! Then you state ” Big suprise that dogs given unlimited access to food ate more of the delicious food. Good grief.” It isn’t clear to which experiment or experiments you are referring to. It looks like you are referring again to the palatability experiment in which the dogs had multiple food options and unlimited access but you could mean the induction phase in which no experimental diets were fed and the dogs had free access to a Royal Canin product.

I hope you can now see that skeptvet was completely honest in his reporting. He is reporting the author’s conclusions of phase 2 of a weight loss study in which overweight dogs were fed portion controlled amounts of three different diets.

You wrote “You notably ignored all the other problems with Skept Vet’s methods”

Well not really as I said “To me it appears that you are starting out with a strong bias against skeptvet and then proceed to take things out of context, read into whatever he writes your own skewed interpretation and then call him out. Makes no sense to me.”

Bill you can find all kinds of stuff on skeptvet including a recent CV by googling “skeptvet” if you need help let me know!

[Spy Car]

Aimee, they free fed the dogs for 16 weeks and it is of little surprise that dogs ate more and got fatter on the more delicious menu option.

You notably ignored all the other problems with Skept Vet’s methods. If I have a bias against him it is due to reading his materials (coming to them with an open mind) and finding out that he’s very prone to shading the truth and insulting anyone with whom he disagrees. He constantly attempts to make the lack of studies look like proof that there are no benefits to [fill in the box]. He attacks anecdotally reports when they go against his predispositions while embracing anecdotally reports when they support his opinions. The same with conflating the needs of humans and canines. He uses human studies when it suits him while criticizing others for making that “mistake.”

You allude to his “peer review.” I’d like to check that out. What is the name of Skept Vet?

Bill

[aimee]

Spycar

You wrote “… he is not faithful in how he represents the ones that have been done. For example, he makes a claim that dogs fed “coconut oil lost less weight and had more body fat than dogs on diets with other sources of fat.” What he leaves out of the summary is that the dogs in the study found the food with more coconut in the mix (relative to vegetable oils) much more palatable than the dogs with foods high in vegetable oil, and these dogs were allowed to eat their fill. Not honest science here. No mention by Skept Vet that the study lacked portion control. Big suprise that dogs given unlimited access to food ate more of the delicious food. Good grief.”

I’d encourage you to go back and read the study. It appears that you are not understanding the study and then falsely accusing skeptvet of dishonesty. Why would skeptvet report that “the study lacked portion control” when portion control measures are clearly outlined for the weight loss study? Why are you faulting skeptvet for not reporting something that didn’t occur?

In a palatability test the dogs had free access to food for a 5 min interval and they ate significantly more of the diets in which coconut oil was used. For the weight loss study it reports that caloric intake was tightly controlled and adjusted every 2 weeks to maintain weight loss of 1-2%. The energy intake table reports that at the 6 week mark all groups were eating ~ 800 kcals a day. From that point onward both coconut oil groups had caloric adjustments downward to maintain weight loss whereas it looks like the soybean/canola group had to have caloric intake slightly increased. This would have been done in response to the dogs losing more than 2% /week. At the end of the study the two coconut oil groups were eating about 725 kcals a day while the soybean/canola group was at 800 kcals.

To me it appears that you are starting out with a strong bias against skeptvet and then proceed to take things out of context, read into whatever he writes your own skewed interpretation and then call him out. Makes no sense to me.

As I said if you look to his peer review he has scored some pretty high marks!

[Spy Car]

Nah, SkeptVet is a polemicist who engages in argumentation by misleading his reader through the use of half-truths, trying to use a lack-of-evidence as it is itself “evidence,” and he belittles anyone who has an opposing viewpoint as unscientific thinkers and food-faddists in contravention of the truth.

The article on Coconut Oil is classic “SkeptVet.”

He begins from sentence one saying “Healthcare and nutrition fads are an unfortunate fact of life,” as his way of denigrating everyone interested in providing better nutrition for their domestic animals that the stuff that comes in bags from the commercial producers (who products are always backed by SkeptVet). Not a good start for someone who has pretenses of “objectivity.”

And it only gets worse from there in the first paragraph as he standers everyone who seeks better animal nutrition as being prone to media manipulation and adherence to “quick-well-quick schemes and medical bogeymen.” This is an offensive attitude that borders on slander. By inference, he suggests that commercially processed dog foods have “yielded true revolutionary improvements in health,” without substantiation and against the evidence of obesity, dental disease, and food-induced lethargy in kibble fed dogs that is impossible to escape.

He then tries to link human “fads” to an irrational extension to pets. More insulting polemics, devoid of facts or evidence thus far. Just inflammatory language and insults.

Then he states a proposition that I agree with in the main (but one that he later goes on to contradict himself), which is :

“Often, even when there is some real scientific evidence for the benefits or risks of some healthcare practice in people, there is little or no evidence to support claims about these practices applied to our pets. Extrapolation from people to pets is inevitable, but it is also very risky.”

Dogs are not people. They have different nutritional needs.

Then Skept Vet goes directly to attacking the use of coconut oil in humans as a fad. Why? He just told his readers that extrapolation from people to pets is very risky, so why is he doing it? Clearly as yet another way to throw shade at others. It is wrong, condescending, and unscientific. Zero evidence presented thus far.

He then goes onto talk about coconut oil, putting the non-hydrogenated oil in scare-quotes as “virgin” oil. WTF?

He then goes on to recognize that (in humans) that not all forms of saturated fats are unhealthful (as misinformed nutritionists and the medical-science community believed until recently). And that medium-chain triglycerides (as found in coconut oil) may be protective against cardiovascular disease in humans (after warning of the risks of extrapolation earlier). Has he made a point yet, other than making insults? No.

He warns that “only about 15-20% of the fats in coconut oil are true MCT,” without suggesting what levels are ideal from a nutritional science perspective (and remembering that he is discussing human needs at this point, not dogs).

He then goes on to attempt to pejoratively link exuberant health claims for humans with dramatic claims for benefits it pets. More polemics and virtually no science at this juncture (and we are pretty deep in). Just the ongoing tactic of painting those considering coconut oil as a supplement as being in league with food-faddists and medical bogeymen.

Pretty weak.

When he asks: Does it work?, he starts off–yet again–with humans (despite his warning not to extrapolate at the top of the article). What gives?

He seems pained beyond reason to admit that “studies looking at MCTs in the diet show some potential benefits [in humans].” Since that doesn’t fit his agenda, he then quotes a research summary that starts: “Coconut oil is not a cure-all. Well, no kidding! Skept Vet’s tactic here, which is his standard MO, is to attempt to link dietary items that may be beneficial with extremism. That’s not science, but dishonest debate tactics.

Buried in the quoted summary is that “It is possible to include coconut oil in a healthful [human] diet.”

To remind ourselves, SkeptVet has to date spoken mostly about human nutrition, despite his anti-extrapolation warnings, and he begrudgingly has to admit possible benefits.

He then admits there are very few dog food studies and he is not faithful in how he represents the ones that have been done. For example, he makes a claim that dogs fed “coconut oil lost less weight and had more body fat than dogs on diets with other sources of fat.” What he leaves out of the summary is that the dogs in the study found the food with more coconut in the mix (relative to vegetable oils) much more palatable than the dogs with foods high in vegetable oil, and these dogs were allowed to eat their fill. Not honest science here. No mention by Skept Vet that the study lacked portion control. Big suprise that dogs given unlimited access to food ate more of the delicious food. Good grief.

He mentions, and casts skepticism and insults, on research that shows coconut oil shampoo might be beneficial in treating mange. A topic that is not germane to a discussion of animal nutrition on any level, but seemingly another opportunity for Skept Vet to insult a “research group with a strong bias in favor of such “natural” treatments. This guy clearly has an ax to grind.

Not much science at this point. But a great deal of shade.

Then he gets to his classic line: “There is no clinical research of any kind showing a significant benefit from dietary or topical coconut oil in the prevention or treatment of any significant health problem.” By saying this he means to give readers the impression that there has been voluminous research which has demonstrated a lack of benefit. But that isn’t the case.

All that can be said truthfully is that there have been very few studies of coconut oils and there risks and benefits in dogs. Instead of making the lack of evidence ((one way or another) Skept Vet tires to make the reader believe a lack-of-evidence is itself evidence. This isn’t true and it is the way dishonest people with agenda present information to readers. Skept Vet uses these same tactics constantly.

He asks “is it safe?” Then talks about human studies (what about that extrapolation warning doc?) that show “no significant short-term risks [for humans].” Long-term safety and effect on obesity, CVD undetermined.

Then he turns to anecdotal reports of gastrointestinal symptoms in dogs fed too much coconut oil. One needs to remember that Skept Vet howls when those he brands food-faddists bring up anecdotal reports, but it doesn’t stop him.

The fact that adding additional fats to dogs rations (which is generally a very great positive when fat levels are low) needs to be done slowly, as there are many physiological changes that occur as dogs transition into fat-metabolism (the process they were shaped by evolution to thrive on, and one that is undermined by cereal-based kibble diets). Sudden changes are not good, even if one is improving the rations.

Again, Skept Vet delivers another of his classic lines: “There is no controlled research evidence investigating the safety of coconut oil in dogs and cats.”

Thus far Skept Vet has established nothing.

He concludes that “coconut oil might have health benefits in humans, but there is no conclusive research to support this” (which is semi-irrelevant given dogs are not humans). He then suggests that any benefits to dogs are anecdotal (due to a lack of studies) when the only evidence he gave of potential harms was purely anecdotal (which he fails to recognize).

So after a long and insult-filled article, what do we get? Not much.

Almost zero science to support either harm or benefits to dogs. The only anecdotal risks are easily avoided by transitioning to fat supplement slowly and keeping amounts in moderation.

Typical Skept Vet.

Bill

[Susan]

Hi Laurence,

join this f/b group,
“Dogs with Inflammatory Bowel Disease IBD – Raw Feeding & Holistic Support”
https://www.facebook.com/groups/292537937935806/

I know the group says Raw Feeding but there’s alot of people in group that feed dry kibble, vet diet kibble/wet tin, cooked meals, raw meals etc, look out for one of the Moderators named Anu, I wont post last name, she is a wealth of information, really good help, it’s worth copying & posting your post then posting in the IBD Holistic f/b group once you’ve joined ask how to firm poo up naturally…

I know potatoes & sweet potato firms up poos for dogs who have IBD & EPI, have you tried a different dry kibble?? one thats lower in carbs & higher protein that has sweet potatoes or potato??…
also have you tried Slippery Elm Paste given 15-20min before he eats? you buy slippery elm powder, add 1/2 teaspoon in a cup slowly add boiling water & stir till you have made slurry & you can pulled up 5ml into a syringe when it has cooled down, I cover cup with cling wrap & put the rest slippery Elm slurry in fridge for the next time you need to use again, then you boil the jug & add a little boiled water & stir till it’s a slurry again & pulls up into the syringe..then I throw away if any Slippery Elm paste is left & start again..

Have you tried reducing the Metronidazole to 1 tablet morning & 1 tablet with Dinner, then get him down to 1 Metronidazole at Dinner time?? ask vet?
also have you tried Tylan Powder?
It is a macrolide antibiotic. Tylosin is used in veterinary medicine to treat bacterial infections…
Tylan can replace Metronidazole as Tylan is similiar to Metronidazole (Flagyl)…
Tylan powder will firm up poo within 1 day but cause its a lose powder you MUST put in empty capsules & put down his throat then he eats his dinner, tylan tastes awful & some dogs end up refusing to eat meal if you sprinkle Tylan powder on their food, so best to put in capsule & put back of tongue, push down their throat then quickly feed, its worth a try you might be able to stop giving immodiums twice a day & the Metronidazole, baby steps.
They have proven a dog taking a high Tylan dose can take 1/2 the Tylan dose once a day & poos stayed the same….
ask your vet about Tylan Powder, years ago you could by online or over the counter in the US, I dont know about now, I think I read you can still buy without script if its for chickens I think you might still be able to buy online best to ask in the IBD f/b group people might know more or if you join the EPI Dog group on f/b
https://www.facebook.com/groups/38663535025/
alot of the EPI dogs take Tylan powder & are doing firm poos now, dont be scared to reduce dose if you do start your dog it wont make any differance..
I tried 1/8th teaspoon Tylan powder in capsule given once a day with Breakfast, within 1 day Patches poos were firm..
Go on U-tube it shows how to make the shoe box to hold up the empty open capsules so you can put 1/8th or whatever the Tylan dose is for your size dog into 1/2 empty capsule….

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3084160/

I hope you find something to partley firm up poos, you mighten it might be the ways poos stay with SBS, I know whats it like when Patch does a mountain of diarrhea out the front of someones yard on his walks, I know when he’s going to do sloppy diarrhea, he wont go poo & he holds it in & walks & walks till he can find a bush to hid his sloppy poos, the silly old bugger, he must of gotten into trouble when he was younger, he’s a rescue I got age 4yrs old, I’ve tried telling him it’s OK Patch, your a good boy & we can go home now after walking & walking to find a good bushto poo under & hide it, he will NOT do sloppy/diarrhea poo in his own yard, one vet said he’s a very private dog, lol…

[Laurence T]

Hello everyone,

I also just joined this forum to discuss about SBS.

My dog got an 80% small intestines resection due to a huge mass that was englobing all of his small intestines. They thought it was cancer but it wasn’t. Still to this day they haven’t found out what it was but he is still followed every two months by the Vetenarity University in internal medecine.

He got operated in February 2018 and he is still here today with us. Fingers crossed that the masses do not come back as they did even after the surgery was done. A cocktail of antibiotics made them regress and “dissapear” for now. But they are lurking in my dreams and I am always worried.

Anyhow, when Logan got really sick they told us:
– He has only a few days to survive
– That he was going to die of an agressive form of cancer
– That he wouldn’t survive the surgery
– They think he either suffered from Bartonella (tick born disease) or an auto immune disease so got treated for both. He is still on the auto-immune disease treatment at the moment.

He went down from 72 pounds to 59 pounds after surgery and is now back at 75 pounds.

Here is what he is taking to help his SBS:
– 2 immodiums (one in the morning one at night)
– 1 1/2 of metronidazole in the morning and 1 1/2 at night
– 1/2 of teva gabapantin in the morning and 1/2 at night (mild painkiller as we noticed that when he was eating he was getting crampy)
– 1 fortiflora in the morning mixed with his food.
– 1 B12 shot, once every two weeks.
– 1/4 prednisone every morning (treatment for auto-immune disease).

We used to cook for him, the the diarrhea was so back he wouldnt digest the food. We used to found pieces of food undigested in the food. The vets told us it is better he eats dry pebbles as the proteins are already “cut” to be absorbed faster into the system. Which ended up being true for us. As soon as we switched him to pebbles he started gaining weight and his diarrhea improved.

He is eating Royal Canin High Energy Gastro. And so far it is the best we found for him, ismall meals 3 to 4 times a day.

He does still have a lot of diarrhea. It’s been 10 months since his surgery and it’s still watery. Sometimes a little like mustard, but he poops about 6 times a day and we get up once or twice per night for him to go poop.

I really want to help him with his pooping. Sometimes I wonder if we did the right decision and I am wondering if his diarrhea is making him suffer? I need to find a way to harden his stools. I don’t want to lose complete hope. At least so that he poops less a day than that.

He drinks a lot of water being on predinose (cortizoid) so that shouldnt help too much but if I don’t give him water he sleeps with his head in his bowl.

Did someone found a trick or a way to tamper down the pooping / diarrhea ?

Thank you so much.

Laurence

[crazy4cats]

Hi Katie R-
I am going to venture to guess that Pitlove was not referring to any Rx grain free kibble. I don’t know her, but have been seeing her posts for the last few years. She is a vet tech and supports Rx diets when needed. I’m sorry if you were offended. I am confident that she did not mean to.
On the taurine-deficient DCM FB site, this question has come up several times. The Admins in the group state that grain free Rx diets are safe. They are very well researched and tested. The dogs are in the care of a veterinarian and there is no concern with them causing DCM. I believe there are a couple on the taurine data chart.

There is so much information on that page. Unfortunately, it’s getting tougher to wade through all the posts because there are over 9,000 members now! The admins are in touch with Joshua Stern from UC Davis, who is also in touch with the FDA regarding this research. Today there was a post about a 3 year old German Short Haired Pointer that was just diagnosed with severe DCM who had been eating Acana Lamb. He lives in Canada. I hope it can be reversed with a different diet. So sad.

They have already proved that many cases are food related as the DCM can be reversed when fed a new diet. They just don’t know what it is about the food that is causing it yet. Fingers crossed it will be figured out soon!

[I love Dogs 2]

@Pitlove
You wrote

“Grain free literally has ZERO benefits to your dog. Why would you risk even a SMALL possibility of your dog getting DCM from the food your feeding when there is no reward?”

How dare you say Im putting my dog at risk?
How can you put this information out there
“grain free foods have ZERO benefits to your dog”
Where is your evidence to support these claim?

My vet prescribe her Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Canine Gastrointestinal grain dry food first, it made her symptoms worse, then the vet put her on grain free Royal Canine Veterinary Diet Canine Selected Protein Adult PR Potato & Rabbit dry dog food straight away she improved, this dog was given to me after her mum had passed away the family were taking her to a shelter, Im her neighbour I know Chloe so I said I’ll take her, from what I can remember she was raw feed her whole life, so I dont know if family members feed her a cheap grain dry dog food this is why is became very ill, vet said it looks like food allergy, since being on grain free Royal Canine vet diet she has gain weight she looks better then she looked 4 months ago when she came into my care, she has energy now wants to play with her brother, the vet said we’ll keep her on the Royal Canine PR for another 3 months then come back again we’ll discuss what to do next (put back onto raw diet).
I asked the vet are potatoes OK, I was reading the ingredients on the Royal Canine food bag, he said potatoes are fine, he has been selling Royal Canine PR vet diet for years there have been no food related DCM cases no problems with potato.

Shame on you, you need to stop putting fear into people put your beliefs aside till we have more proof DCM is food related?…