Low-Protein Diets???
- Thread starter BarbV
- Start date
HOw do I know if the protein levels in Megan's food are too high for her? What are the symptoms that a dog is having liver enzyme issues or potential thyroid issue due to higher protein levels?!
TY TY in advance for any help, ha ha..
HopeShelties
Forums Enthusiast
Thyroid issues are not actually caused by high protein. They are genetic.
So how then do I make sure that the food I am feeding her isn't causing other non-genetic issues?
danisgoat
Moderator
When you figure that one out.....you will be a millionaire
We all can just do the best research we can....buy the food that we think is best and that can fit our budge...and cross our fingers that we did the right thing.
When you figure that one out.....you will be a millionaire
We all can just do the best research we can....buy the food that we think is best and that can fit our budge...and cross our fingers that we did the right thing.
Ha ha, yes I suppose you're right! I also think if my Megan was having a serious problem with her food I would notice something by now, at least I hope so
!HopeShelties
Forums Enthusiast
I think you would notice issues... things like what Barb's been through with Bacca, or maybe lots of itching, hot spots, licking pads and pink bottoms of the pads, dry skin. There are more than that. There are plenty of issues dogs can have from food. It really is a tough question. Not every dog is going to have the same problem, or the same signs.
Even just a slight change in formula of a longtime dog food you've fed can create an issue. When Pro Plan switched to the shredded blend, and eliminated the original for a while, many people had a fit, as they added soy, and soy has caused problems for some peoples dogs. Something just as small as that can create issues.
Even just a slight change in formula of a longtime dog food you've fed can create an issue. When Pro Plan switched to the shredded blend, and eliminated the original for a while, many people had a fit, as they added soy, and soy has caused problems for some peoples dogs. Something just as small as that can create issues.
I havent read all of Barb's posts about Bacca, can you tell me some of things she started noticing about her? I guess I could also ask her, ha ha.
TY for your help and reassurance
BarbV
Forums Celebrity
For clarity, alot of the things we found with Bacca happened by coincidence.
His swelling mouth, for instance, was probably caused by some mouth infection that was cleared by anti-biotics.
But as he was still off his food and because he still had this lopsided face, we decided to get his bloodwork done to see if there was anything else up. That's when we find the thyroid issue. He had no symptoms apart from the crooked face....as hypothyroidism normally is not diagnosed until much later. The face problem is a little known side-effect, which is actually partial facial paralysis. And Hope is correct - it had nothing to do with the food, it is genetic.
Discovering the liver problem was just a by-product of re-testing him to see if his thyroid meds were working. That's when we discovered they had quadrupled! The vet was talking ultrasounds, biopsies and possible surgery. I did some research and found that high protein could cause ALT levels to increase. The high protein and the thyroidism are probably unrelated, but discovered just by trying to figure out why Bacca wasn't eating.
So we decided to reduce the protein, and test everything again in January.
I hope this clarifies some!
His swelling mouth, for instance, was probably caused by some mouth infection that was cleared by anti-biotics.
But as he was still off his food and because he still had this lopsided face, we decided to get his bloodwork done to see if there was anything else up. That's when we find the thyroid issue. He had no symptoms apart from the crooked face....as hypothyroidism normally is not diagnosed until much later. The face problem is a little known side-effect, which is actually partial facial paralysis. And Hope is correct - it had nothing to do with the food, it is genetic.
Discovering the liver problem was just a by-product of re-testing him to see if his thyroid meds were working. That's when we discovered they had quadrupled! The vet was talking ultrasounds, biopsies and possible surgery. I did some research and found that high protein could cause ALT levels to increase. The high protein and the thyroidism are probably unrelated, but discovered just by trying to figure out why Bacca wasn't eating.
So we decided to reduce the protein, and test everything again in January.
I hope this clarifies some!
HopeShelties
Forums Enthusiast
You learn something new every day. I never knew that partial facial paralysis was a side effect of hypothyroidism. I've had friends with dogs who have thyroid issues... and have even shown some for people, but haven't personally owned one myself.
I'll be hoping Bacca's alt levels come back at a more normal level when you have him retested Barb. You've been through so much with him. It's about time you and he both get a break, and a clean bill of health
I'll be hoping Bacca's alt levels come back at a more normal level when you have him retested Barb. You've been through so much with him. It's about time you and he both get a break, and a clean bill of health