[Dog_Obsessed]

I use Mercola spray twice a week, along with Sentinel once a month. I’ve only been doing this for a month or so, but it seems to be working pretty well.

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Using a soft toothbrush or finger brush can greatly help, but if she still seems to be in pain then I would definitely take her to the vet to make sure nothing is up with her mouth.

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I have heard of parsley for use of helping bad breath, but I think it more just masks the symptoms than solves the problem. Bad breath is often a symptom of dental disease, so I would recommend getting your vet to look at Ginger’s teeth and assessing whether or not she needs them professionally cleaned. If she doesn’t, or after the cleaning if she does, then I would recommend brushing her teeth with dog toothpaste to keep the plaque off, which usually helps with bad breath. Some toothpastes help with bad breath by being mint scented. RMBs and other chews can also sometimes help with teeth issues. If her teeth are clean and she still has bad breath, and you have gotten a clean bill of health from the vet, then parsley could be a good option.

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Just an update. We have been getting Lily to take her antibiotic crushed in her wet food, so that problem is solved. She has been somewhat constipated over the last few days, so we are giving her about a tablespoon of pumpkin at every meal, which seems to be helping. We called the vet about this, and they said that if it persists to give her a probiotic called Culturelle. The pumpkin seems to be helping, but it is a good thing to know about.

Also, I have been doing a bit more searching for LID novel protein diets. I guess I’m preferably looking for something venison-based, though other novel protein sources would be okay too. I made a list of all foods she has had while with us, and the one that she was eating when she came to us, and all of their protein/carb sources. I swore that the food she was eating when she came to us, Iams Proactive Health Small and Toy Breed, had beef as the first ingredient, but when I looked online it said chicken. So maybe Beef is actually novel? Weird.

The other hard thing is that I really want her food to be rated 4 stars or higher. I actually haven’t run into this problem that often when looking at possible food, but I’m sure I will. I know it’s not going to be her long-term diet, but it still feels counter-intuitive to me. I need to live by the wise words of BCnut, “First go with what works, then worry about ingredients.” Of course, I’m not going to feed her Pedigree, but a 3.5 star food won’t hurt her for 6 weeks. 😛

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Happy anniversary Naturella and Brian!!!

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Hi Kate! Thanks for taking the time to reply! I have used THK complete diets as toppers, and I once used Preference for a kibble-free meal. I have been happy with both of them, but there is a question I’ve had for a while about the base mixes that I was hoping you could answer:

The suggested daily feeding amount for 1-10 pound dogs of a typical activity level is 1/4 cups of base mix and 1/4 cups of meat. This is a huge weight range, and Lily, who is around 10 pounds, would need almost twice that much calorie-wise. But the recommendations are just guidelines, so I can understand that. The thing is that the recommendations for highly active 1-10 pound dogs is 1/6 of a cup base mix and 1/3 of a cup meat daily.
If the base mix is complete used as directed, then the dog would be getting certain nutrients from the meat and others from the base mix. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m pretty sure that the nutrient numbers for highly active dogs aren’t that different then they are for typically active dogs, and changing the base mix to meat ratio would off-balance the nutrients.

Is this a question you can answer, or should I email the company in general? Thanks!

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Here is some information about inhaling DE: http://www.deq.state.or.us/er/docs/LowerBridge/DiatomaceousEarthFactSheet.pdf
It only talks about humans inhaling DE, so I am not sure about pets. I have heard that you can give it orally for prevention/elimination of worms, but I think it would be more effective when used externally for flea and tick prevention.

I can’t use it, because I am allergic to dust and have sensitive lungs, but I have heard that people have had good results with it.

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Great question! I use Sentinel once a month with Mercola Natural Defense Flea and Tick Spray (made with natural oil) twice a week, and this has worked pretty well, but we’ll see what happens in the summer. Then again, I live in California, so we don’t really have much of winter. 😀

I’m not a fan of spot-on topical flea preventatives, and I am not sure if it would be okay to combine them with an oral one. The ingredients are different, so it would probably be okay, but I would recommend using a natural option, or at least checking with your vet/the company first.

One note on Diatomaceous Earth, if you use it make sure it is food-grade, and try to keep you and your pet from inhaling it.

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I use a combination of Sentinel once a month, which contains lufenuron as a flea preventative and also prevents heart worms and several intestinal worms, and Mercola Natural Defense flea and tick spray twice a week. I’ve been doing this for about a month now, and so far, so good. (Knock on wood!)

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I like to use chick pea/garbanzo bean flour when making dog treats. It has a similar consistency to wheat flour. Also, using more wet ingredients than dry could help the treats be less dry.

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I am a huge spay/neuter advocate, not only for medical reasons, but to prevent pet overpopulation. It is more irresponsible people that contribute to overpopulation, and if you are asking this question then you are certainly not irresponsible, but “mistakes” can still happen. I know that some people think otherwise, but I think you should spay your dog, 5 is not too old.

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Awww, so cute! Keep at it, you will get there! 😀

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Yup, what Melissa said. Also, even though it is rated well, I would not feed this food, or any other Diamond food, because of their horrendous recall history.

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Interesting story, thanks Susan! I can definitely imagine that companies might put probiotics in their food as a marketing claim, but they probably cost quite a bit, so maybe not. The Nulo food claims that the probiotics are sustainable to heat, but they don’t say anything about them being in a bag for six months. It is possible that they really use a better probiotic though, I can hope. 😀

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This isn’t totally related, but it is also about probiotics. I was absentmindedly looking at a bag of Nulo dog food, and I noticed this:

http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag362/Dog_Obsessed/NuloProbiotic_zps0eb1999a.png

Do you think this is real? It seems pretty unlikely, but it would be cool if it was true!

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@Dori Over the last month or so, I had been feeding her Nulo Lamb and Peas, which also contains some other protein and carb sources. I have been using a variety of canned foods and occasionally THK as toppers.

I also would like to resolve the issue itself before going to antibiotics, but if she really does have an infection then that’s what needs to be done. We called the vet’s today to ask if it was okay to continue the transition to THK Thrive, but her vet isn’t in until Wednesday and they said we shouldn’t change her food without talking to the vet first. We are almost out of the Nulo, so I got another bag today. As much as I hate not to rotate her food, I couldn’t think of any other option. We obviously don’t want to start the elimination diet until she is off the antibiotic, because thens we wouldn’t know which had helped.

Also, when we called today, we mentioned that we were giving her yogurt, and they said not to in case she was lactose intolerant (this was just the tech, not the vet.) This doesn’t really make sense, but I don’t really want to go against what the vet says. The antibiotic is called Metronidazole, and according to the vet doesn’t destroy good bacteria like regular antibiotics. It is also an anti-inflammatory.

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Thanks, I hadn’t really thought about that! The vet said to do a novel protein, single carb diet for 6-8 weeks, but that would be a long time to be unbalanced wouldn’t it?

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Thanks Naturella!

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I am the ultimate drama queen when it comes to things like this. I can be completely calm in many situations, but when it comes to Lily’s safety I’m a total freak-out. I have gotten a little better, but I want to really be able to be calm and so she doesn’t feed off of my nervous energy.

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Okay, thanks!

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Thanks BCnut! I realized that the NL Venison has beef in it also, so that’s out. 🙁 I still like the idea of Venison though, so I might try another Venison-based food. I’ll keep experimenting with the pill hiders. I might be able to make and freeze food if we used a base mix, but from reading the “dinner mixes” thread it seems like base mixes are quite complicated, in terms of getting a truly balanced one. Do you have any ideas for good base mixes? Thanks!

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Hi Patrick! I’m actually in a similar situation right now, as my girl has to take 20 days of antibiotics for an anal gland issue. It just started last night, and I just gave her a small spoonful of yogurt with the pill. I think yogurt works pretty well as a natural probiotic, but is it not supposed to be given with the antibiotic or other food? Thanks!

Also, probiotics in kibble are generally not nearly as good. After being extruded to high temperatures, and sitting in a bag for a few months, not much probiotic will be left in there.

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I’m not really sure about doing PF regularly, I don’t think it would hurt him but I don’t know about the resistance thing. I know that THK also makes a goat’s milk probiotic called Pro Bloom. Maybe you could use that as a daily thing?

Also, I’ve been wondering for a while, how do you keep the boxes fresh when just using them as a topper? I use samples of THK as toppers, because a box would last forever!

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Great! 😀 Oh, dogs.

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Good! 😀

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This is how it went getting Lily to take her antibiotic tonight:

Wet food: At the food, ate around the pill. Aw, shucks!

Yogurt: Ate the yogurt. Repeatedly put the yogurt-covered pill in her mouth, making me hopeful, and then spitting it out again. Ugh…

Human peanut butter: Success!!! Yay! I’d rather not make this a regular thing, but at least this can be our backup.

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I hope Bruno feels better soon! 🙂

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Tonight, Lily had 1/8 of a cup Nulo kibble, 1/8 of a cup THK Thrive (Yup, the transition has begun.) and a little bit of NutriSource Chicken, Lamb, and Ocean Fish canned food, which she has been eating as a topper for a few days now. As usual, everything was promptly devoured. 😀

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I’m glad Smokey is acting like his old self today! 😀

Also, happy birthday Brian! I hope you both had a great day! 😀

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

[Dog_Obsessed]

@BCnut I’m glad he seems back to his normal self! I hope it was just him being a little distracted.

@Dori Yay! Great news! I’m not against vaccination, but I am against unnecessary vaccination, and IMO, if titers work, use them!

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I hope it is nothing serious. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers today.

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For the past few weeks, I have been using a combination of Sentinel (monthly) and Mercola Natural Defense (twice a week) to prevent fleas. I don’t want to jinx things, but it’s going pretty well. 😀

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Thanks! I think I’ll call NL, since the contact form wasn’t working. I’ll most likely email the other companies.

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Thanks! It’s not actually totally clear if I have asthma or not, but I am allergic to outdoor dust and perfume, so I want to make sure I don’t become allergic to Lily.

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Thanks everyone for the advice! I’ll definitely start frequent bathing and look into getting that shower head!

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Thanks! I think I found a spray nozzle on Chewy, is this what you’re talking about? http://www.chewy.com/dog/conairpro-dog-deluxe-pet-washer/dp/43181

I will go with the cotton balls in the ears next time. Thanks!

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Lol, I don’t think I would be able to convince Lily to do that. Thanks though! Also, I have heard that your supposed to put cotton balls in dogs’ ears to keep them from getting wet. I’ve always just tried to hold them closed, but would that be better?

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I usually just do it in the bathtub that no one uses. We do have a laundry room sink, but it hasn’t been used in years for anything but putting dirty clothes in and is probably full of dirt and chemicals. There is also a self-bathe station at the pet store, but Lily is SUPER dog reactive and so that would probably do too high-stress for her. Where does the spray hose attach to? Would it work in a bathtub?

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I have given Lily little bits of raw carrots and apple, and they seem to digest fine. Like Dori, I’m really doing more for her enjoyment then I am for nutritional benefit.

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Thanks Dori! I would never have an outdoor dog or bathe an indoor dog several times a year, that would be disgusting! I had heard recently, not sure from where, that dogs shouldn’t be bathed more than once a month, but then again people are still saying that kibble keeps teeth clean. Thanks for setting me strait! One question though, how do I tell when the shampoo is all off? The Earthbath shampoo is clear, and the Vet’s Best is white, and I usually rinse her by pouring water on her with a cup. This makes it hard to see when the shampoo is no longer coming off. Any ideas?

Edit: UGH! What is the deal with the subscribe button lately? It keeps unsubscribing me!

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

[Dog_Obsessed]

Thanks Cheryl! Lily is a Bichon Frise. I’m not too worried about her getting cold, since it’s fairly warm all year here. I was more worried about her skin drying out, but I think that’s more likely with human shampoo.

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Yeah, it’s fine if we get off-topic, as long as people still can use the thread for its original purpose. 😀

[Dog_Obsessed]

I shared this in the off topic comment discussions, but it seems relevant here too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?x-yt-cl=85114404&x-yt-ts=1422579428&v=CVVYC2MI6UA

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Sorry, I don’t really have an answer for you. 🙁 I’m bumping this up so others will see it and hopefully answer it. I do want to say congrats on taking great care of your dog though!

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Welcome to DFA Nikki!

@HHM A wolf cross is a part dog part wolf hybrid. Personally, I don’t recommend attempting this at home. 🙂

[Dog_Obsessed]

@Dori I would probably want to do one email first, just asking if they offer samples and stuff, even if I know that they do. Would that also work?

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I got some canned sardines today, and they have ~100mg of sodium per ounce. Each once has approximately 35 calories, so if I was feeding that as the only topper for a meal then an ounce is probably the amount I would give her. Is 100mg too much sodium in one meal for a 10 pound dog?

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So I asked my local store today if they had dog food samples, and they said that they often do, but right now they only had cat food samples. I will keep checking.

As for emailing/calling companies, at what point should I expect them to ask for my address/credit card number? I’ve never done this before, so I’m sorta freaked out about giving companies my information. -_-

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Sounds good! 😀

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Lily had 1/8 of a cup THK Embark today, and a little less than 1/4 of a cup kibble. I actually think it was about 3/16 of a cup, but I’ll spare everyone’s brains and call it a little less than 1/4. 🙂

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