[Dharlee]

GSDsForever said: “Your dog is incredibly fortunate to have you!”
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I see it the other way around. They give so much more that they get IMHO. I think God gave dogs a piece of His own personality when He made them. Unconditional love and the ability to always be there for us no matter what. I sometimes wonder what we ever did to deserve them. 🙂

He had a great night! Only went out the once, he’s eating and drinking normally now and seems SO much better. I feel a LOT better. And you guys helped me so much. The post that turned the corner for me was Aimee’s about her friend. But all of them have made me see things much more clearly. Thank you!

PS: GSDsForever, My vet said the same thing to me about not beating myself up 🙂

[Dharlee]

I wasn’t at all stressed by the information. I was stressed by the thought of feathers being given to my dog, but then I have to say much more so by his reaction to my “good intentions” in switching him to a “healthy” diet. I know ultimately I caused all this. But it certainly wasn’t what I thought would happen.

I talked at length with her about him and while he was there he had fluids given to him and an injection for his inflamed behind. He came home and ate Ultamino which I will keep him on and see what happens. I slept more than a solid hour for the first time in days last night. I just got up with him to go outside and already there is a little improvement.

I don’t blame anyone for trying to do what is best for their dog. I don’t blame anyone for sharing their opinion, as a matter of fact I value them all and this thread helped me to make an informed decision.

I also had my faith in my vet reaffirmed a great deal. She doesn’t just care for Scruffy professionally. She cares for him emotionally and that means so much to me. He is a great little guy who loves everyone and everyone who meets him can’t him but be won by his charm. She’s no exception. I am grateful for her, and for each person here who took the time to help us. You’ll never know what it has meant. Thank you so much!!

• This reply was modified 6 years, 5 months ago by Dharlee.

[Dharlee]

Thank you again for your comments. I am taking Scruffy tonight to the vet to discuss this in more detail. I hope we can get it all resolved and learn more about what he needs. His needs are paramount to anything else in my mind. I really just want him feeling good. As good as he did before all this mess if possible!

[Dharlee]

Hi guys,

Firstly, I want to apologize for any confusion about my name change. My name is actually Debbie, but I am known as Dharlee- my nickname. I just figured out how to change my profile. But I don’t care what anyone calls me, I just wanted to let you know.

Now, I have read everything and I am going to call my vet tomorrow. I do love my vet. I am handicapped and she works with me in crazy ways to get to see him. She also really loves him. She’s been his vet almost all his life and found his Intervertebral Disk Disease and we’ve known he had places that could be a problem with that again all his life. She helped him through it and has been in his corner always. Yes, she is insistent about some things, but only because she cares. I can’t fault her for that at all.

I am worried at this point more about the apoquel more than the food. I took him off of that and he’s better but not out of the woods yet. He still has diarrhea but nowhere nearly as bad. And he’s eating and drinking so that’s good.

Someone said he’s old and sick. If you knew him you’d laugh at that. He might be almost 11 but he acts like a puppy. He never walks, he runs or trots. If I had one word to describe him it would be joyful. He plays and loves life. He loves everyone around him and gets highly insulted if someone doesn’t pet him. Sorry to go on but Scruffy is the light of my life and all who meet him fall in love with him.

After I talk to her I will update here. At this point I just want him better than he was.

Your comments meant the world to me. Each of you took so much time to say things that were helpful and honest. And I know you all have animals that you love dearly so I know you have only his well being in your hearts. I have read and bookmarked much of this information. I feel very lucky to have found such a kind and caring community of people with whom to talk and share. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

[Dharlee]

I don’t care, I will never believe that feather or worm meal is nutritious for any animal. I just won’t.

I can’t thank you enough for all the replies. It makes me feel not so much alone in it. No matter what your opinion is, I value it.

I will call him tomorrow. Or contact him, either way I want to reach out. I really appreciate it. Lori I am so thankful for you that your Buddy is thriving now. What a wonderful gift! They are family and deserve to be treated like it. Thanks again!!!!

[Dharlee]

I love my dog with all my heart. And yes, I know that I may have made a mistake in trying to get him on what I believed would be a better food. But I can’t believe- not for an instant that feather meal- or worm meal- is a good thing for him. Or any dog. Honestly because they don’t have to compete with the humans for food? I just can’t even believe it. I really think this takes processed foods to a whole other level. And I do believe that many vets today only know nutrition from the food companies. For example she won’t believe a dog can process raw food at all. Not any dog at any age. I love her. She’s nice. But I don’t have to agree with her choice of feather meal for my dog. I have to be able to sleep at night and I won’t giving an animal that to eat.

Please know that my reply is not snarky to you. I am not fussing at you. I simply disagree about this topic.

[Dharlee]

So I am to believe that feather meal actually nourishes a dog…

[Dharlee]

I’ve tried several things, but mostly whatever the vet recommended along the way. Most were in the Science Diet line and they sold them. I went with Blue Buffalo just because I thought it might be better. I have been trying to research this for a couple months and that was when I decided to try the Dynovite and raw diet. Except I did cook it because my vet begged me to. It’s so confusing. My head is spinning from all I read.

As to the probiotic, I took him off that as soon as I realized he was having issues. I also took him off the Dynovite/beef recipe today (Saturday) and he finally was able to eat tonight, just a tiny bit. He threw up and had diarrhea all day until just about midnight.

Poor little guy. I hate he feels so bad. And I really hate not giving him a better food. I just cannot go with the Ultamino. I can’t understand anyone using feathers in food!

[Dharlee]

Just found this site and wanted to say, my dog has had digestive issues all his life. I got him at about 10 months. He’d been abandoned. He had a stomach full of garbage and tended to throw up most diets. Fast forward ten years and now he also has severe skin issues. The vet insists he is not yeasty but I’m not sure. He stinks and itches constantly, seems to keep a skin infection. He’s been on all the sensitive skin foods I can think of, and recently was given Royal Canin Ultimino. I was shocked to read those ingredients!

I ordered the Dynovite for him and got it yesterday. I am making the food for him tomorrow and switching him slowly over. I hope he can tolerate it and that it will help him over time. He means everything to me.

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