[anonymous]

Your dog may have more than 1 type of stones, my dog had both struvite and calcium oxalate, there is a genetic component, some dogs have a predisposition to develop them.
I think the confusion you are having is that you are listening to homeopathic views (the nutritionist) versus the traditional veterinarian. The two will never agree. I prefer science based veterinary medicine. I would be inclined to listen to your vet and do what he recommends, prescription food and all, you can always add something to it with your vet’s approval. Once the dog is stable, you can re-evaluate diet options.

Did you check the search engine here /forums/search/struvite/
Water, water, and more water.
Frequent bathroom breaks. Otherwise, consult a Veterinary Internal Medicine Specialist.
The food can only do so much, most supplements are crap.
The PH strips are a joke, go to your vet every 3 months to check (urine sample).
Even with dietary changes, a change in the PH won’t show up for a month or two (this is what my vet told me).
Also, walk the dog more, get the extra weight off. Two meals a day, measured amounts, no snacks. No free feeding. If need be, 3 small meals per day.
PS: Nothing wrong with prescription dog food. http://skeptvet.com/Blog/2016/07/more-nonsense-from-holistic-vets-about-commercial-therapeutic-diets/

[anonymous]

See above post “Switching to Raw Food (Teeth Question)”
Also: http://skeptvet.com/Blog/?s=raw+diet
Hope this helps.

“Raw diets are another popular option on the market today. Studies have shown that 20-35% of raw poultry and 80% of raw food dog diets tested contained Salmonella. This poses a health risk for your pet, but also for humans. This is especially true for children or immunocompromised adults, whether exposed to the raw food directly, or the feces of the pet eating the raw food. Additionally, there is increased risk of other bacterial infections and parasitic diseases when feeding raw diets. And the bottom line is there is no reason to believe raw food is healthier than cooked food”. (excerpt from:) https://www.mspca.org/angell_services/choosing-the-right-diet-for-your-pet/

[anonymous]

I would schedule the dental cleanings asap, infection is painful and can lead to all kinds of medical issues. Then when they have recovered, I would gently brush their teeth daily. YouTube has some excellent how to videos.
Be aware that bones can result in GI blockage (even finely ground bone) and broken teeth, anything raw is potentially loaded with bacteria.
Per the search engine here:
/forums/topic/dog-not-digesting-bones-properly/
What more is there to test? Obviously the bones, even finely ground up bone material is causing potentially fatal stomach, colon and bowel obstructions.
/forums/topic/rectal-issues/
/forums/search/bone+obstruction/

Dogs are Still not Wolves: Human Feeding Practices Have Shaped the Dog Genome

PS: If the dog needs emergency surgery (not unusual) caused by these feeding habits, it will cost $$$ whether the surgery is successful or not.

http://skeptvet.com/Blog/category/nutrition/
http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm208365.htm?s_cid=w_c_PetHealth_cont_001
https://www.mspca.org/angell_services/choosing-the-right-diet-for-your-pet/
/forums/search/bones+obstruction/
Hopes this helps

[anonymous]

Nutrisca. Check chewy dot com. Use kibble as a base, add a bite of some protein, scrambled egg, chicken or something, and a splash of water.

• This reply was modified 7 years, 2 months ago by anonymous.

[anonymous]

Mother Hubbard has nice small biscuits, perfect for training or quick reward.
Check Chewy dot com for more information.

[anonymous]

http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/trouble_affording_veterinary_care.html
Hope this helps.

[anonymous]

delete/posted in the wrong thread

[anonymous]

I know this is not what you are requesting, but, I think you should schedule a visit to the vet (if you haven’t already) for the initial puppy checkup and evaluation.
Below is an excerpt from http://www.petsplusfl.com/pages/Puppy-Vet-Visits.html

Young puppies receive protection from diseases in their mother’s milk. Unfortunately, this protection begins to fade when your puppy is between six and twenty weeks old, making the need for vaccinations and veterinary care extremely important during this time. Make an appointment as soon as possible so your new puppy will get the medical treatment it needs.
Getting Rid of Unwanted Guests
The first visit to the veterinarian should be done at approximately six to eight weeks of age. It is best to bring in a small, fresh fecal sample in a plastic bag for the vet to look at to see if there are any intestinal worms. It is not uncommon for puppies to pick up worms from their mother and/or from outside. Deworming is usually done, whether worms are detected or not, at the first visit and the next visit four weeks later just to be on the safe side since intestinal worms are so common.  Don’t worry, worms are common, but very easy to treat.

[anonymous]

Copied from a previous comment per the search engine.

I have had a dog or two over the years that was a feces eater (coprophagia)
The only thing I found that worked, was to follow them around with a pooper scooper when you think they are due for a bowel movement, scoop and discard immediately, out of sight out of mind. After awhile they stop turning around to look for it. In my experience, it doesn’t matter what you feed them. Sometimes puppies will out grow this nasty habit as they mature. It is what it is. You cannot let these dogs alone with their feces.
Has the vet ruled out medical issues?
http://www.petplace.com/article/dogs/behavior-training/behavior-problems/coprophagia-in-dogs
PS: Do not free feed. Feed at the same time, twice a day and you will be able to predict when the dog will have a bowel movement.
Or, feed once a day when you are able to take him out every 2 hours (after eating) for at least 3 times to offer bathroom breaks. A long walk/exercise will speed up the process of elimination. It works.
Always have fresh water available.

[anonymous]

I would not make any drastic or sudden changes to a a senior dog’s diet, especially if the senior wellness checkup, including labs (recommended to be done at age 7) comes back within normal limits, including the dental.
I would schedule the checkup asap rather than in a few months and listen to your vet’s recommendations.
PS: Rule out medical problems first, don’t assume that behavioral changes, lack of energy, changes in appetite and such are age related.
Lab work is the best diagnostic tool that the vets have, you can’t tell by looking. You may be able to catch disorders early when they are more likely be receptive to treatment.

[anonymous]

Ask any veterinarian, it is not a good idea to give a dog almonds, or any other nuts.
“While not toxic, almonds are not easily digested can give your dog an upset stomach and create gastric intestinal distress”. https://phz8.petinsurance.com/healthzone/pet-health/pet-toxins/nut-dangers-to-dogs

• This reply was modified 7 years, 3 months ago by anonymous.

[anonymous]

Another thing to consider, if the dog has an adverse reaction to anything you have given without the recommendation of a vet (in writing) you have no legal recourse as far as blaming the company, especially if the product does not specify that it is intended for veterinary use.

[anonymous]

That’s not the point. Unless the medication is specifically prescribed by a veterinarian that has examined the dog in question, I would not give it.
I am an RN, I was not allowed to give a co-worker even a Tylenol, or I would face disciplinary action and potential termination.
“First do no harm”
PS: Do what you want, I am just expressing my opinion based on my knowledge, take it or leave it.

[anonymous]

What is her diagnosis? Noone here should advise you to give a dog over the counter meds that are intended for humans. They are not veterinarians, and even if they were, they have not examined the dog.
If her condition is neurological, food, over the counter meds, supplements will not help.
Take her to the vet and see what he advises.

[anonymous]

What a lot of you describe (symptoms) sounds neurological, for best results, ask your vet to refer you to a veterinary neurologist.
I am assuming the dog has not responded to treatment by your regular vet within a reasonable amount of time. There are effective medications available by prescription that will put a halt to the suffering. The first step would be to get further testing, maybe by a specialist, and hopefully that will result in an accurate diagnosis, from there you can evaluate your treatment options.
Yes, it might be expensive, but, what isn’t expensive nowadays? Better than buying a bunch of stuff that is not scientifically proven to work.

• This reply was modified 7 years, 3 months ago by anonymous.

[anonymous]

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

• This reply was modified 7 years, 3 months ago by anonymous.

[anonymous]

I took a closer look at the Wellness kibbles and noticed they seem to use a lot of potato, although the fish and sweet potato kibble looks interesting.
I may stick with the Nutrisca salmon and chickpea as a base as one of my dogs doesn’t do well with changes. But, I think I will add a little Newman Organics Advanced for my terrier. I’ve used it before and it’s pretty reasonable at Chewy dot com I always add something tasty to it anyway. I have heard good things about Pro Plan but I have not tried it.
Good luck with your puppy.

[anonymous]

Sorry for your loss. Hemangiosarcoma is an ugly disease. It tends to strike between 8 and 10 ears old. I lost a dog to it too. It makes no sense, I believe there is a genetic component. Alert the breeder, if possible.

[anonymous]

I understand, I have a terrier that is 4 years old now, he was a pet shop rescue, he was a mess, he couldn’t walk right and acted like an old dog at 7 months, he may be older, pet shops and some breeders lie.
I had him about 3 days and I took him to the vet, they ruled out myasthenia gravis. I started walking him every day, he is up tp 2-3 miles a day. He has some weird occasional stiffness, so I took him swimming which worked wonders, except, after a particularly active day, he was urinating frequently and drinking more water than usual, I took him to the vet, he had a urine specific gravity of 1.010 (normal 1.025-1.040) They retested him a week later and he was normal, as well as other labs. I suspect he swallowed a lot of salt water at the beach retrieving his favorite yellow toy. He is fine now. My vet likes to do annual labs, I go along with it, because if anything is wrong I want to catch it early.
In your situation, I would treat the pup as an infant, he may pee involuntarily throughout the day, he’s a baby! If he is looking good, I would go by what the vet recommends when you see him in 2 weeks. You can always attempt to negotiate about the lab work, give the pup a little more time to stabilize. Another thing, if you are concerned the pup may be sick, I would talk to the vet about avoiding any vaccines until you are sure he is in good health.
PS: Do have pet health insurance? You may want to consider it.
By the way, thanks for mentioning Wellness, my dogs have been doing well on Nutrisca as a base, but, I was thinking of trying something different…..

[anonymous]

In my opinion, you are overreacting, 8 weeks old is an infant, in an ideal world he would still be with his mom and siblings for another few weeks. He will void (pee) all day long, and have frequent bowel movements for the next several months, take him outside every 2 hours and hope for the best, lol
Around 5,6,7 months he should be housebroken.
RELAX. As long as he has an appetite, no diarrhea, energy, it’s all good.

Be careful with all that testing, hope this helps http://skeptvet.com/Blog/?s=over+diagnosis
PS: Tap water is fine. Do not withhold water, always have fresh water available. I add water to my dogs meals.
I like Wellness, Purina makes me nervous. You may want to presoak the kibble and add a spoonful of topper, a bit of scrambled egg or chopped up cooked chicken or something. I would feed small meals 3-4 times (at least) a day for now. At about 5-6 months taper to 2 meals per day.

• This reply was modified 7 years, 3 months ago by anonymous.

[anonymous]

My small breed with a sensitive stomach does well on Nutrisca salmon and chickpea kibble as a base (along with treatment from a dermatologist). My other dogs like it as well. See reviews on Chewy dot com.
I don’t rotate, as my dog with a sensitive stomach vomits when I make a change.
On a fixed income, I pretty much eat the same things every day, it’s working for me, lol
Seriously, I would comply with the prescription food, at least until the dog is stable, then add other things, with your vets approval.

[anonymous]

Whatever you decide to feed him, add water to the meals, don’t free feed.
I would go along with the prescription food for a few months, at least until the dog is stable. Don’t bother testing ph every day, it takes a few weeks for a change to show up, that’s what the vet told me. Instead, I would have it checked at the vet’s office every 2 or 3 months.
Have you checked the search engine? /forums/search/bladder+stones/

BTW: There is nothing wrong with prescription food http://skeptvet.com/Blog/?s=prescription+food

[anonymous]

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

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

[anonymous]

Another thought, press the Report Abuse button, then report yourself for making an error and request the correction.

[anonymous]

Per the search engine here /forums/search/cranberry/

[anonymous]

Dogswell Happy Hips Chicken & Oats Recipe Dry Dog Food
Made with cage-free chickens that are raised without added growth hormones or added steroids and provide amino acids for muscle development and maintaining muscle tone. Helps Maintain Healthy Hips & Joints with Glucosamine & Chondroitin!
The chicken breasts from cage-free chickens are raised without added growth hormones or added steroids and provide amino acids for muscle development and maintaining muscle tone. Vitamin E is an antioxidant rich essential fat soluble vitamin. Vitamin E keeps the connective tissues strong and prevents skin and muscles from losing elasticity.
Key Benefits
Real chicken as the first ingredient , providing essential amino acids to support muscle development and tone
Antioxidant nutrients such as Vitamins A and E to support a healthy immune system
With Glucosamine and Chondroitin to help support proactive hip and joint healthy
Fiber from real fruits and vegetables, such as carrots, apples and sweet potatoes, help support digestion and intestinal health
No corn, wheat, soy, or artificial colors, flavors or preservatives
(above is an excerpt from the chewy dot com site)

[anonymous]

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

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

[anonymous]

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

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

[anonymous]

Here it is! /contact-us/guest-support/
Re: “Wish I could edit title to this thread to read Shortage??”

[anonymous]

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

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

[anonymous]

“Wish I could edit title to this thread to read Shortage??

Maybe, if you leave a message for them to change it at “contact us”
See bottom of page, to the right

[anonymous]

When you see your vet, ask if there is a human medication that’s the same thing, maybe with a different name? Because, if so, your local pharmacy may carry it. My vet called a script for my my dog to the local CVS, I forget which med it was now….
Edit: I remember, it was liquid prednisone.

[anonymous]

Tips for Buying Pet Drugs Online
Order from a Web site that belongs to a Vet-VIPPS accredited pharmacy. Vet-VIPPS—the Veterinary-Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites—is a voluntary accreditation program of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP). NABP gives the Vet-VIPPS seal to online pharmacies that dispense prescription animal drugs and comply with NABP’s strict criteria, including federal and state licensing and inspection requirements, protecting patient confidentiality, quality assurance, and validity of prescription orders. Look for the Vet-VIPPS seal displayed on a pharmacy’s Web site or check with NABP (click on “Accreditation Programs”) to find out if a pharmacy is Vet-VIPPS accredited. Because this is a new program, begun in 2009, a small number of pharmacies are currently Vet-VIPPS accredited.
(excerpt from) http://www.fda.gov/forconsumers/consumerupdates/ucm048164.htm

[anonymous]

Did you call other veterinary clinics in your area to see if they have the med, how about the emergency place, they should be fully stocked?
Ask your vet about veterinary pharmacies, some are okay. Your vet can fax them a prescription, the vet may ask you to sign a waiver.
I have used that California Pet Pharmacy in the past without problems for heartworm pills.

https://www.avma.org/public/PetCare/Pages/online-pharmacies.aspx

PS: Is she due for an annual exam? Maybe the vet wants to re-evaluate the dog first, regarding the need and dosage of the med before refilling. Check labs, etc.

[anonymous]

Yes, 9 weeks is an infant, run to the vet! Give us an update. Fingers crossed.
Puppies are very vulnerable, ideally they should stay with the mom and sibs longer, 10-12 weeks.

[anonymous]

Call the vet that examined him, leave a message for him to call you back when he has a minute (today/asap)
He may need sub-q fluids again, until he starts eating/drinking on his own.
There are no veterinarians here, and even if there were, they could not advise you appropriately as they have not examined your dog. He may be dehydrated, you may have to go to the emergency vet. Start calling around, and give us an update.

[anonymous]

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

[anonymous]

From a previous post:

Increased water, add it to the food is a must, my dog laps it up to get to the food (4 small meals per day). Frequent bathroom breaks, keep things flowing.
Ask the vet if she has struvite or calcium oxalate stones? Or both? An ultrasound is a good idea.
http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_canine_struvite_bladder_stones.html
“Struvite stones form in urine with a high pH (alkaline urine), diets should help to maintain a low pH (acidic urine). Diets with animal-based protein sources are most important in maintaining an acidic pH, while
vegetarian or cereal-based diets are more likely to cause and alkaline urine”.
“With Calcium Oxalate stones, a high protein diet can cause stones by increasing calcium in the urine. It lowers urinary pH and can increase uric acid. High quantities of animal protein can contribute to stone formation by increasing urinary calcium and oxalic acid excreting and by decreasing urinary citric acid excretion”.
“Your should increase your dog’s water consumption to help dilute the urine. You can do this by adding water to your dog’s food, it should look like wet mush. Avoid table scraps when caring for an oxalate stone-forming dog”.
“Depending on the kind of stone, you either want more, or less protein, and lower in fat (3 -8%). Be sure to check with your veterinarian before changing your dog’s diet”.

[anonymous]

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

[anonymous]

I just looked at your first post, he is only 6 months old! They poop several times a day (normal), he’s a puppy. I would give it a little more time.

[anonymous]

“I did ask the vet about the excessive pooping, and he said he didn’t want to change anything at the moment because he has put on a little weight (he needs to gain a few pounds) and has more energy. I do agree that those are positive things, but pooping that much (8 times yesterday!) has to be a sign that something isn’t quite right. He said as long as they are somewhat formed, that it is ok”.

The dog is responding to treatment, I don’t understand why you need to consult another vet.
BTW: holistic doesn’t mean the same thing as homeopathic. Many traditional vets consider themselves “holistic”.
Some dogs tend to have more frequent bowel movements than others, I have a 9 pound dog that goes about 4 times a day, a 20 pound dog that goes twice a day. They are on pretty much the same diet, in fact the 9 pound dog eats almost as much as the 20 pound dog, if I feed her less she loses weight (she is slender, naturally)
In my experience grain-free foods do cause more frequent bowel movements, maybe you should reconsider the prescription food, at least until the dog is stable.

[anonymous]

@ InkedMarie,
As long as the pre-op labs are within normal limits and the heart sounds good, I wouldn’t worry too much. I would be more concerned about infection/pain and all that jazz that can happen with untreated periodontal disease.
My small breed had 2 surgeries at age 11, one was for a late in life neuter due to a testicular tumor. I declined the labs and signed the waiver.
The other was for emergency surgery due to bladder stones, labs were slightly off but it wasn’t a concern as this is often the case with seniors. He also had an asymptomatic heart murmur. Both times he came through fine and lived 5 more years.
They have dental specialists and geriatric specialists for dogs now too, if it would make you feel better to seek one out.

[anonymous]

Most vets recommend lab work prior to dental cleanings. I suppose you could decline the lab work and sign a waiver.
What kind of dental cleaning are you talking about?
Never mind. Just go by what your vet recommends. I find that is the best way to go.

[anonymous]

Some dogs don’t drink enough water, so, to be on the safe side, I add a splash, maybe about a 1/4th cup to their meals (twice a day). Dry kibble with a tablespoon of a protein topper.
Seems to be working, so far. Just always have fresh water available, and offer frequent bathroom breaks.
They (dogs) are all different, that’s why the annual checkup with the vet and occasional lab work (as recommended) is important.

[anonymous]

Be careful with having multiple bags of kibble open at the same time. They go bad. I only open one bag at a time and store in tightly closed containers in the fridg. In a pantry I wouldn’t trust anything after 2 weeks. In the fridg, maybe a month to 6 weeks. That’s it.

[anonymous]

The kibbles that get the softest/mushiest after being soaked in water are usually the cheaper more sawdust like ones. The kibbles that tend to stay firm even after being soaked in water are denser and therefore may be better in quality and nutrition.
However, if your dog does best on a bland diet, I might be inclined to stick with the more mushy kibble. Just my opinion.
Example: cheerios vs granola, after sitting in milk for 10 minutes.
It all depends on the specific dietary needs of the individual involved as to which would be best.

[anonymous]

Are you free feeding? Leaving kibble down all day, if so, not a good idea. Try 2 meals per day, measured amounts instead, add a splash of water, a protein topper, pick food up after 10 minutes if they don’t eat. It’s okay if they skip a meal or two.
Have you tried a bland dog food? Something like Newman Organics Advanced? Check chewy dot com for reviews.
Grain free rich foods (such as the ones you mentioned) can cause excessive bowel movements (sometimes mushy) due to the increased fiber and chickpeas.
PS: Why are you avoiding chicken? Cooked lean meat chicken is one of my main toppers, scrambled eggs too.

[anonymous]

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

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

[anonymous]

She may also be going into heat…..

[anonymous]

If you are not going to breed her, you may want to consider getting her spayed. That will result in calming her down and avoid other health issues.
I have witnessed a dog have a false pregnancy due to raging hormones, not pretty.

[Author]

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