[anonymous]

I don’t think the homeopathic stuff will help, in fact it may make him worse.
I would go back to the vet that knows him best and go by his advice.

Sorry, but that’s all I’ve got. I would focus on care and comfort, rather than aggressive measures.
Make sure to add water/presoak his kibble and offer frequent bathroom breaks, opportunities to urinate, regarding the bladder stones.

PS: Those supplements you mentioned are not a good idea, most supplements are scams.
I prefer science based veterinary medicine.
I have found this site helpful http://skeptvet.com/Blog/

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

[anonymous]

@ Debra R
Yep, unfortunately that’s what can happen with NSAIDS. It may take a few days, maybe a week to clear up. Hopefully the vet will be able to suggest an alternative medication.
Keep her hydrated…..today is Saturday, maybe you could reach the vet today?
Hope her symptoms aren’t severe.

[anonymous]

Oops! I misunderstood,
I thought you were looking to trim him down a bit.

[anonymous]

Per the search engine:
/forums/search/environmental+allergies/

[anonymous]

Natural Balance Fat Dogs
https://www.chewy.com/natural-balance-fat-dogs-chicken/dp/46804

The ingredients are good. Feed twice a day (measured amounts) add water to the food.
No free feeding (leaving food down)
Increase exercise/walks as tolerated, as much as possible. I think you will be happy with the results seen in about a month.

[anonymous]

Yes, so the prescription food is being ordered prophylactically. Makes sense.
Sure, the slightly abnormal labs may just be related to aging. Best to keep an eye on it, if the dog is asymptomatic I wouldn’t get too worried. Make sure the dog is getting plenty of water, add some to her meals, they lap it up to get to the food. It helps.

Some good info here http://www.2ndchance.info/dxme-CreatBlood.htm

[anonymous]

@ Kelsey
Good question (above post), regarding the lab work.
Also what are your specific concerns regarding the prescription food?
I have had dogs that did very well on it, as the dog becomes stable, you can always work with your vet or a veterinary nutritionist to add to it or make changes altogether.

[anonymous]

@ Kelsey F
“I have been reading so many things about canine kidney disease and diet and am getting overwhelmed!”

Yes, this is what tends to happen when you do “research”. You will get homeopathic opinions versus science based veterinary medicine.
Both differ greatly and offer conflicting advice. Not the same as a vet that has actually examined your dog.
In my experience I have found it beneficial to find a veterinarian that I trust, and follow his recommendations to the T.
If you are not sure and it is within your means, consult a specialist, although that doesn’t seem to be indicated at this time.

[anonymous]

http://skeptvet.com/Blog/?s=prescription+food
Hope this site helps.
Ps: Just a thought, does the dog need a dental? Periodontal disease/bad teeth can cause kidney issues if not taken care of. I assume your vet advised accordingly….just saying that if the dog needs a dental and /or extractions, I would do it. Good luck

[anonymous]

Please listen to your vet and start the prescription food right away and whatever other recommendations the vet has made. Provide plenty of fresh water and frequent bathroom breaks. I would get the kibble plus the canned version, mix and add a little water (measured amounts 2 or 3 times a day) no free feeding.
Believe me, you want to keep kidney disease at bay. It’s good that your vet caught this early. It’s not unusual for a senior dog to have labs that are a little off, but hopefully with the special diet you will see improvement when you retest in a few months.

I’ll never understand why people disregard the advise of their vets. The internet is not “research”. There is a lot of incorrect information on the internet.
I hope that you will pick up the prescription food today and ask your vet to explain the rationale for the special diet and anything else that you should be doing.

Btw: Raw is the worst thing you could feed a dog with kidney disease.

[anonymous]

I just spoke to Chewy, they said the PetSmart transaction will not have an effect on their day to day operations.
However, the person I spoke to was unaware of the statement made by Tuffy/Nutrisource. “We will be parting ways with Chewy”
They are looking into it…….

[anonymous]

I wonder what changes this will mean for the food?
Also, I read that Chewy was bought by PetSmart, then I read that Dogswell/Nutrisca may no longer be available at Chewys soon, because of the PetSmart connection….
I don’t know how true this is.

[anonymous]

Been there, done that. My dog’s board certified veterinary dermatologist has provided me with information that differs from your conclusions
BTW: My dog is doing very well under his care.

PS: You can have the last word. I don’ t think this back and forth stuff is helpful to anyone.
Peace out.

[anonymous]

There is a genetic link regarding allergies, of course vaccines should be avoided with these dogs, but did the vaccines cause the allergies? Not likely, according to science based veterinary medicine.
If you want to blame someone, how about the puppy mills, breeders and back yard breeders that continue to breed dogs regardless of genetic defects.

[anonymous]

Exactly, so like I said, why can’t we all agree to disagree! Best of luck.

[anonymous]

No, I’m not joking. Many people did not take their pets to the vet even 20, 30, 40 years ago.
No shots, no neutering, they just disappeared one day at around 5 or 6 years of age.
Just the way it was. They weren’t tested for allergies either, poor dogs just scratched themselves to death, they called it “mange”.
Heck, many of us never saw a doctor unless it was an emergency! LOL
Things are different nowadays, diagnosis and treatment options are available, thank goodness.

[anonymous]

No one tested for cancer years ago, a lot of people never even took their dogs to a vet, so the dogs were never diagnosed.

[anonymous]

http://skeptvet.com/Blog/2015/08/veterinary-medicine-is-a-business-and-that-includes-alternative-medicine/ Excerpt below, click on link for full article.
Veterinary Medicine is a Business, and that Includes Alternative Medicine
Posted on August 23, 2015 by skeptvet
Bottom Line
The bottom line is that financial bias is a real issue in veterinary medicine at all levels, and it has to be investigated and managed. However, this is not the same as saying there is widespread fraud or a sinister conspiracy involving vets and companies that do business with them. There is no reason to believe that the majority of vets are doing anything other than the best they can to help their patients and clients. And there is absolutely no reason to believe vets offering alternative therapies are any less subject to financial bias or any purer in their motivation or behavior than vets practices science-based medicine.

[anonymous]

Excerpt from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lyme_disease
Lyme disease is the most common disease spread by ticks in the Northern Hemisphere.
It is estimated to affect 300,000 people a year in the United States and 65,000 people a year in Europe.
Infections are most common in the spring and early summer.
Lyme disease was diagnosed as a separate condition for the first time in 1975 in Old Lyme, Connecticut. It was originally mistaken for juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. The bacterium involved was first described in 1981 by Willy Burgdorfer

[anonymous]

Excerpt from: https://www.petcarerx.com/article/what-diseases-do-fleas-cause/163
Fleas may be extremely small, but dangerous things sometimes come in small packages. Guard your dog against the many diseases that fleas carry and transmit.
You may think that these tiny pests only make your pet do a little scratching and itching, but fleas actually cause a number of diseases, some of which can be fatal. By not protecting your pets from fleas, you are exposing them and yourself to severe health risks. Here are some of the diseases your pet could contract:
Plague
Yes, this is the same plague that caused the death of over a third of the European population back in the Middle Ages. While it’s no longer common for humans to get the plague, your pet can still become infected. A flea that has taken a bite out of a infected wild animal, like a prairie dog, chipmunk, or vole, can easily infect a dog or cat and pass along the disease.

Plague-infected cats and dogs will have a fever, swollen lymph nodes, and may even die suddenly without much warning. If you think your pet has the plague, you need to contact your veterinarian immediately and isolate your pet from other animals as to stop the plague from spreading.
Cat Scratch Disease
While Cat Scratch Disease usually does not affect cats in a negative way, it puts their owners at risk. Fleas transmit CSD from one cat to another, and close to 40% of cats will carry this disease at some time in their lives. Humans get CSD when infected flea feces on a cat’s claws or fur is transmitted from the pet to their owner through a bite, lick, or scratch. CSD can cause fever, headaches, and fatigue in humans, as well as make those with a weakened immune system seriously ill.
Tapeworms
How does a dog biting a flea end up with your pet carrying tapeworms? Simple. If the dog eats a flea that is carrying tapeworm eggs inside their bodies, then that pet could soon become infected. Once inside your dog, the tapeworm hatches and attaches itself to your pet’s intestines, causing weight loss, vomiting, and irritation.
Flea Allergy Dermatitis
All it takes is one bite from a flea to cause Flea Allergy Dermatitis, leading to hot spots and extreme itchiness for your pet. Dog hot spots are infected patches of circular skin that could soon become a big wound if your pet continues to itch and bite at it. Even your dog’s tongue licking the wound spreads the bacteria around. If your dog has a hot spot, you should take them to see your vet as soon as possible.
Haemobartonellosis
While usually transmitted by ticks, haemobartonellosis can also be carried by fleas. The disease targets red blood cells and can range from mild to very severe symptoms. If very severe, haemobartonellosis can cause cats to suffer anemia that results in weight loss and a fast heart rate. In some cases, infected cats have been observed eating dirt, and without treatment, cats can die from this disease.

Haemobartonellosis is most likely to affect dogs who have had their spleens removed. It can cause loss of appetite and weight loss for our canine friends.

What’s the best way to keep your pet from suffering from any of these afflictions? Treating them for fleas, of course! There are many options you can choose, from spot on solutions to oral pills. Decide which one is best for your pet, and keep them healthy year round!

[anonymous]

So, let’s all agree to disagree. Are you trying to convince everyone that your way is better?
I’m not trying to do that (science based veterinary medicine) no guarantees with anything.
Best of luck.
PS: I don’t consider the link mentioned to be a reliable source. Like I said if you want to believe in homeopathic medicine that is your business…but don’t push it on the rest of us.
I’m out of here, for today!

[anonymous]

I used natural stuff. Within 5 months I had 3 dogs that had previously tested negative for Lyme, test positive. All 3 received the antibiotic protocol as per the treating vet. Two had no symptoms and passed due to unrelated issues years later.
The third one wasn’t so lucky, the Lyme caused kidney damage. So, I spent 2 years doing everything I could to keep her comfortable $$, daily subq fluids, meds, trying to keep uremia at bay.
It was ugly.
So, good luck to the homeopathic believers. I choose science based veterinary medicine.
I would rather risk side effects to heartworm/flea/tick preventatives than to see what Lyme disease can do.
And yes, fleas can cause serious illness and disease.
I have found this site very helpful http://skeptvet.com/Blog/

[anonymous]

Check with your vet, but I might want to get the stools firmed up a bit before making a food change, then gradually introduce the new food over a few days as the article suggests.
http://cvsecvet.com/Specialties/MedicalResource/53 Excerpt below
Feeding A Bland Diet
 DIET: When offering food, please offer small meatballs of a bland diet if tolerated.  There are various bland prescription diets such as Hill’s I/D or Royal Canin GI Low Fat you may try.  Please ask for a written prescription to have them filled.  A home cooked bland diet is any combination of the below carbohydrate and protein source, and should be in small frequent meals 3-4 times daily for 3-5 days.  If this is tolerated and stool becomes formed, then switch to twice daily feedings and then slowly transition back to normal diet over the following 3-5 days by mixing the two.
 1) A mixture of a carbohydrate from the following list and a protein from the following list:
Carbohydrate                  Proteins
Boiled white rice             Boiled drained lean hamburger
Boiled potatoes               Low fat cottage cheese
Boiled plain pasta           Boiled chicken (no bones or skin)
2) Feeding Instructions: Mix one carbohydrate with one protein at a ratio of 3/4 carbohydrates and 1/4 proteins.  Feed approximately one cup of cooked carbohydrate and four ounces of protein per 20 pounds of body weight daily. 
 

[anonymous]

It depends on the dog, they are all good. My neighbor’s dog does well on Zignature.
Whatever you decide to try, get a small bag first and see how it goes.

[anonymous]

I have never added pumpkin anything to anything. And I stay away from honest kitchen anything. Just doesn’t make any sense to me. Most supplements are scams (in my opinion).

[anonymous]

https://www.mspca.org/angell_services/choosing-the-right-diet-for-your-pet/
excerpt below:
Grain free diets have become all the rage in the last few years. I suspect this has stemmed from greater recognition of gluten sensitivity in humans. Most pet food companies have jumped on the band wagon following the marketing success of grain free human diets. The truth of the matter is that there are no dog or cat studies showing a health benefit to grain free foods. A myth has been perpetuated that grains are unhealthy. In fact, whole grains contribute vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids and are highly digestible by dogs and cats. Allergies to grains are actually very rare, and only the Irish Setter breed has been demonstrated to have a gluten sensitivity. Many grain free diets substitute potatoes and tapioca, which have less protein, more sugar, and less fiber. And typically these come at a higher cost.

[anonymous]

At 6 months they can go to adult/all life stages food. My dogs do well on Nutrisca Salmon and Chickpea as a base, however, it is on the high side for fiber…….
How about boiled rice and hamburger mixed in? That is usually what the vets recommend.

[anonymous]

How about Fromm? Not as high fiber as some of the brands you mentioned.

[anonymous]

Nutrisca is my favorite. Add water to the kibble. Do not leave food down. Feed 2 X per day (or 3 small meals), measured amounts add water to the kibble or presoak overnight. Use the kibble as a base, add a bite of real food, a spoonful of scrambled egg (no milk) or chopped cooked chicken, lean meat.

Ps: Make sure they are getting enough exercise, frequent bathroom breaks. Walk for at least 1 hour a day, time divided up/leisurely is okay.
If they are being crated/caged all day, you may want to reevaluate, it can be stressful.
Food is only a small part of it…
But, you may want to go along with the recommended prescription food, at least till the pups are stable.

[anonymous]

I have not tried TOTW, but it looks like a good dog food. Good luck.

[anonymous]

Homeopathic veterinary views are very different from science based veterinary medicine.

[anonymous]

I use a toothbrush and Petrodex toothpaste. I get the toothpaste at chewy dot com.
I never give my dogs bones, they don’t clean in the back where the tartar tends to build up, I don’t consider them worth the risk of broken teeth and intestinal blockage.
Ask your vet. Hope these articles help.

Give a Dog a Bone (Not!)–FDA warns of dangers of feeding bones to dogs

http://www.embracepetinsurance.com/blog/harmful-side-animal-sourced-dog-chews

[anonymous]

Yes, carrots are a vegetable, however, you can’t leave a dog unattended with any type of chews (including carrots), some dogs gulp things down (choke hazard)
I don’t use any phony baloney dental chews, I think they are chemical junk.
No matter what you do, your dog may need a professional dental cleaning at least once or twice a lifetime plus extractions. The only thing I have found makes a significant difference is the daily brushings, but you have to get way in the back and sides/insides. Takes about 5 minutes once you get in the habit of it.

[anonymous]

They are low calorie, they satisfy the need to chew (good for the jaws and teeth).
Yes, they are high fiber, so you will see carrot chunks in the feces, they don’t digest them, but it doesn’t hurt them.
Too much might cause loose stools, otherwise it’s all good.
Btw: Small breeds have lousy teeth, get some Petrodex toothpaste (chewy dot com) and an adult medium toothbrush, start brushing the teeth once or twice a day. See YouTube for how to videos.

[anonymous]

Ps: Feed twice a day, measured amounts, otherwise you will end up with an overweight dog.
Don’t leave food down, just have fresh water available, always.

[anonymous]

Oh, and give her a raw carrot (or 1/2 of one) to chew on, no more than once a day, not the baby carrots (choking hazard)

[anonymous]

Natural Balance has some nice selections too.
Ps: Budgets don’t work, just saying, unexpected stuff happens. You can count on it.

• This reply was modified 6 years, 12 months ago by anonymous.

[anonymous]

I like Nutrisca Salmon and Chickpea as a base.
https://www.chewy.com/nutrisca-grain-free-salmon-chickpea/dp/35033
Or:
Newman’s Organics https://www.chewy.com/newmans-own-organics-advanced/dp/33521

Add a splash of water and a bite of something, scrambled egg (in water), chopped up cooked lean chicken, beef, tuna….something.
Check out chewys auto ship plan. You could order a large bag every 2 or 3 months. Divide it up and store in air tight containers or bags in the fridg or freezer if you have room.
I wouldn’t go too cheap, you may regret it.
Also, you need to set aside money for an an annual checkup and lab work with a veterinarian.
Heartworm checks, flea and tick preventives. About $1000 a year (maybe less) and that’s not counting food.
Ps: Don’t waste your money on supplements, unless a vet that has examined the dog advises you to do so. Most of them are scams. I do add one fish oil capsule to their food once a day, not sure if it actually does anything 🙂

[anonymous]

You are not a dr. You are not a scientist. Sorry, but it is true, if you are, I apologize, lol.
Even then, health care professionals are advised not to treat their own (pets, family, friends) as they can not be objective.
The best person to advise you regarding heartworm/flea/tick preventives is a veterinarian that you have a good relationship with and that has examined your dog, knows the area you live in and the level of risk involved.
Blanket statements do not work. You can look up medical articles all day long……the information is not specific to your dog.
Find a vet that you trust and listen to him. Good luck

Ps: Once the lab values are off, it is often too late, the damage is done.

[anonymous]

I think it is important to add, that if you give any prescription medication other than exactly how it was ordered by the prescribing dr.
Don’t be surprised if it is not effective.

[anonymous]

@ Cameron M
I wouldn’t advise dividing the tablet (even if scored) the medication is not evenly distributed within the tablet, so that could result in too little or too much medication being consumed.
Check with the vet that prescribed the medication.
“Equal distribution of medicine in split tablets is questionable. Studies have shown that the actual dose in each half of a split tablet often is different. So while the two halves may look the same, they don’t necessarily contain equal amounts of medicine. Even if the tablet is scored with a line that runs down the middle, one half may actually have more medicine than the other”.
Above is an excerpt from:
http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm171492.htm

[anonymous]

http://skeptvet.com/Blog/?s=garlic
Hope this helps.

Ps: I don’t buy “powder” anything, it means other stuff is added to it, such as salt, msg.
Salt doesn’t help anything, I have been avoiding it for decades, with good results 🙂

Believe what you want. Tons of salt are added to most processed foods anyway.

• This reply was modified 6 years, 12 months ago by anonymous.

[anonymous]

Garlic for Pets- What’s it Good for?

http://skeptvet.com/Blog/category/herbs-and-supplements/

Hope this helps.

[anonymous]

Regarding the treats mentioned, I don’t see the sodium content?
Whenever you see “powder” such as garlic powder, celery powder etc…..I question the amount of salt mixed in.
At least I do with stuff I buy for my own consumption. I stopped buying chili powder for my vegetarian chili for that reason.

• This reply was modified 6 years, 12 months ago by anonymous.

[anonymous]

“Raw garlic is probably a no-no……what about powdered garlic ?”

It depends on who you ask.
Homeopathic veterinary folks will tell you garlic is okay and even beneficial.
Science based veterinary medicine says garlic is toxic to dogs and to be avoided (big time).

[anonymous]

Beautiful. Looks like a Dalmatian/lab mix.

[anonymous]

A lot of the foods mentioned have chicken fat listed as an ingredient.
The ones I mentioned do not. Some also have dried egg (shouldn’t be an issue)
The Natural Balance Vegetarian has neither and works well as a base.
I used to avoid chicken dog foods too.
Chewy dot com has the ingredient lists
Ps: Diamond Lamb and Rice has chicken fat in it too.

[anonymous]

Nutrisca Salmon and Chickpea has no chicken. Check chewy dot com for more info.

PS: You may want to look at Natural Balance Vegetarian, as a base.
BTW: why do you think he is allergic to chicken? Have environmental allergies been ruled out?
Intrademal skin testing by a veterinary dermatologist is the only accurate way to rule out environmental allergies.

[anonymous]

Agree with above post. Also, it is always a good idea to know where the nearest 24/7 emergency veterinary clinic is located and have the phone number taped to your fridg, as there are risks involved with raw feeding.
You may not believe in science based veterinary medicine, however, when something goes wrong, the emergency veterinary medical clinic are the ones that will be available to treat your dog.

[anonymous]

“My 8 yr young 104 lb Rottweiler”

Eight years old is a senior. I was curious as to why you would want to change her diet?
How was her last veterinary checkup? Did her senior workup, lab work reveal any concerns?
Did a veterinarian that examined her recommend a change in diet?
Just want to make sure you have looked at all your options regarding diet. Best of luck.
Ps: Your vet may be able to refer you to a veterinary nutritionist.

• This reply was modified 7 years ago by anonymous.

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