ClantyreSheltie
Forums Sage
Lew Olson's "Raw and Natural Nutrition for Dogs" is the best nutrition book out there.
Need help...Sheltie hasn't been well - what's wrong with him?
- Thread starter Melissa-canada
- Start date
Lew Olson's "Raw and Natural Nutrition for Dogs" is the best nutrition book out there.
ClantyreSheltie
Forums Sage
If you go raw, you balance over time, not at every meal (just like humans). 80% meat, 10% bone, 5% organ (secreting organs like kidney/pancreas) and 5% liver.
Melissa-canada
Forums Novice
So now my dog is refusing to eat or drink now. We are going to take a urine sample to the vet today. Could he be having kidney failure? I am so worried!! 
BarbV
Forums Celebrity
Please go see another vet. Without a proper diagnosis, no "dog recipe" book is going to bring him back to health.
There are any number of ailments that can impact a Sheltie.
When you got blood work, did you get results for ALT/ALS? (liver disease) Are there any indications of a thyroid problem? (i.e. did they test for T3 or T4).
My 3 year old has both. He gets tested twice per year and is on meds for both. This is relatively common for older Shelties, especially around your dog's age.
Until we started to control it with meds, Bacca went off his food entirely. I think it was his way of saying that this food is not "good" for me. (He'd been on a high protein diet at the time). He simply refused to eat.
Since then, we're still grain free, but lower protein. And with his meds (thyroid and hepato support supplement), he seems to be 100%. He goes for his next set of bloodwork in July. I think this will be the yeah or neah for us!
There are any number of ailments that can impact a Sheltie.
When you got blood work, did you get results for ALT/ALS? (liver disease) Are there any indications of a thyroid problem? (i.e. did they test for T3 or T4).
My 3 year old has both. He gets tested twice per year and is on meds for both. This is relatively common for older Shelties, especially around your dog's age.
Until we started to control it with meds, Bacca went off his food entirely. I think it was his way of saying that this food is not "good" for me. (He'd been on a high protein diet at the time). He simply refused to eat.
Since then, we're still grain free, but lower protein. And with his meds (thyroid and hepato support supplement), he seems to be 100%. He goes for his next set of bloodwork in July. I think this will be the yeah or neah for us!
danisgoat
Moderator
So now my dog is refusing to eat or drink now. We are going to take a urine sample to the vet today. Could he be having kidney failure? I am so worried!!
I would be worried as well.
For a dog to be having GI issues for three weeks and your veterinarian sent you home with a prescription to buy a book, just does not sound right to me. Please give them a call back and get a better diagnosis.
What all was the blood tested for?
What was the stool tested for?
To get your dog hydrated more, try giving her some of the pedialyte. It is for children that need hydration. The dogs usually like it. I would make sure I get this into her asap.
Please keep us posted.
Melissa-canada
Forums Novice
The urine sample said that it had a few white and red blood cells in it. The funny thing is that they said it had no blood in it! Ummm...isn't that what red blood cells are? Anyways, they gave him an injection of an antibiotic. They think he has a kidney infection. They also gave us sulcrate to give him before meals to help his stomach (probably inflamed).
In my personal opinion, I don't think he has a kidney infection because he doesn't drink excessively....I told them he was barely drinking at all. Another symptom of a kidney infection is peeing all the time everywhere. He doesn't. I think he has Inflammatory Bowel Disease from the symptoms he has?
They said his stool test was fine although we have seen mucus in it and blood from wiping his backside after having diarrhea. Maybe they meant free from parasites?
The sulcrate has been helping his tummy. He is now eating 1 egg with a bit of potato in it. I add probiotics. After forcing him to drink from my hand and giving him water by a syringe he is now starting to drink again from his water dish.
Here were his symptoms:
Vomiting (occasional)
Diarrhea (blood/mucus/watery)
lost of appetite
weight loss
a bit depressed/lethargic
He hasn't gone poo yet for the past couple of days so we don't know if he still has diarrhea.
He has always had a weak stomach with allergies all his life.
In my personal opinion, I don't think he has a kidney infection because he doesn't drink excessively....I told them he was barely drinking at all. Another symptom of a kidney infection is peeing all the time everywhere. He doesn't. I think he has Inflammatory Bowel Disease from the symptoms he has?
They said his stool test was fine although we have seen mucus in it and blood from wiping his backside after having diarrhea. Maybe they meant free from parasites?
The sulcrate has been helping his tummy. He is now eating 1 egg with a bit of potato in it. I add probiotics. After forcing him to drink from my hand and giving him water by a syringe he is now starting to drink again from his water dish.
Here were his symptoms:
Vomiting (occasional)
Diarrhea (blood/mucus/watery)
lost of appetite
weight loss
a bit depressed/lethargic
He hasn't gone poo yet for the past couple of days so we don't know if he still has diarrhea.
He has always had a weak stomach with allergies all his life.
Mally's Mom
Forums Enthusiast
Continuing to pray for Riley to get better and feel better! The not going poo for two days might be a good thing as his stools might be getting more solid. Please continue to keep us posted on how your guy is doing. Thanks.
Chris
Premium Member
Keeping Riley in our prayers. 
BarbV
Forums Celebrity
Any update?
Did you go see another vet by any chance? I'm still hesitant about the quick fix of putting pup on supplements. This just does not sit well with me.
Did you go see another vet by any chance? I'm still hesitant about the quick fix of putting pup on supplements. This just does not sit well with me.