One sick dog.....Bacca, my boy!

for low protein diets, I've looked at Natural Balance Vegetarian. I'm also considering home cooking.....but I don't really cook for myself so have to be realistic about cooking got my dogs.

I have a ton of research to do and tons of decisions thank sto the forum for helping me work it through.

You guys are awesome with your support and advice.
 
So glad you have confidence in this vet, sorry he didn't have better news. Don't know if you are giving probiotics, but they can help and digestive enzymes too. Lots of b vitamins and lactulose is helpful too, you will need a script for the lactulose. There are some interesting blogs about liver shunt dogs and diet-might get some ideas there too. And i am sure your new vet will have dietary/supplement recommendations. Praying Bacca is feeling great soon.:hugs
 
Barb it all sounds so promising. I was so relieved for you and Bacca, just knowing that you have found someone for Bacca is making me all smiles.

Dodds liver cleanse diet worked for my boy a while back. I know you don't cook much it is simple enough, boiling the sweet potatos boiling the chicken and vegetables. I used to freeze up enough for two-three weeks. Her diet is available just by keying in liver cleanse diet dr. jean dodds.

I have my sheltie on Fromm's dry. Their website is terrific and they answer all inquiries. They have a lower protein/lower fat receipe and really worth a look. Never had a recall, not one, they don't outsource and the first ingredient is meat, no bi products and well, the site says it all. Harper has been thriving on it for over a year now. You might take a look.

Hill's is not my first choice, when Seamus was so sick I wouldn't consider that food at all, and a look at the ingredients as you said, is enough to make you wonder????

So many good thoughts for you and your boy. Yea for Bacca.


Hugs,
Kate
 
Hi Barb: Just wanted to let you know that I am in the same boat as you right now. Odd that it was Phoebe and her liver issue and now it's Tinsel.
It is highly suspected that Tinsel has severe bilateral hip dysplasia. We have to xray to confirm but the vet was shocked at the amount of movement in his hips. Vet suspects that he is in some amount of discomfort as seen by his not wanting to move around when outside in the yard. The surgery and aftercare would be around $10K. If I could do it, I would but we aren't in the position at this stage of our lives. It doesn't matter that he is just another puppymill dog - in fact I would be more likely to do it for him than any Best In Show dog but realistically, I can't consider it and it breaks my heart. I've never felt more helpless in my life. If this is the case, and truely I keep hoping it's not, we will do what we can to keep him comfortable for as long as we can knowing that at least we gave him what every little dog should have - love, caring, warmth, food and company.
I hope that some of the suggestions made to you can make Bacca more comfortable and will pray for a miracle. I still think that your breeder should be helping you with the costs as liver shunts are congenital. It angers me that the offer has not been forthcoming. However, getting angry won't help Bacca and you. You are both in my thoughts as you travel this road. Take care of you.
Joanne
 
I'm very glad you found a vet that you like, but I'm sorry Bacca's diagnosis wasn't better. :(

I looked at Purina's prescription website and I don't see a liver or low protein formulas.

What percentage protein does the vet recommend?
 
I'm so happy that you found a vet you like, Barb. It made all the difference for me when I discovered my current vet years ago when Pixie was having seizures. Someone who is willing to work with you, talk to you and explore options is worth their weight in gold.

I second Kate's suggestion that you look at Dr. Jean Dodds' low-protein diet recipe. You'll know what he's getting then and as Kate said, you can make it up in advance without too much work. Other than that, i would ask your new vet if 18 percent is too high and go from there.

Sending good wishes and pats to Bacca. :fl
 
This may not be an idea that appeals, but I'll throw it out there anyway, for folks facing huge vet bills for serious conditions...when an acquaintance's dog needed emergency surgery costing over $5,000, which she could no way afford. She used one of those online fundraising sites and asked friends and clients (she's a petsitter) if they would be willing to contribute. It was not at all pushy--she just had a little story about the dog's condition, and how much the surgery had cost. People were happy to contribute small amounts--mostly between $5 and $50--and she recouped $3,000 of the surgery's cost. I think most people who love animals are happy to lend in a hand in a way that costs them very little, but adds up to a huge amount of help for the pet and the person.
 
BarbV said:
Do you really think it is bettere? I saw it briefly online but is Purina any better than Royal Canin Medi-cal or Hills/Science Diet?
Click to expand...

OK. For this I rely on my vet who very much keeps up with things. He doesn't sell any SD or Royal Canin foods. When we had the choice to make for our kidney dog, he said he felt the quality of ingredients in the Purina foods was vastly superior to Hills. That food, combined with his care kept our dog alive for 18 months, when her prognosis was no more than six months.
 
Glad you like new vet, it is half the battle when you can trust opinion of specialist:biggrin2:
Making my last pitch toward raw meat- you do not have to cook it, it is as simple as buying it at the store and dumping into your dog´s bowl.
Raw meat as many would not think DOES HAVE lower protein levels, lower than most of the kibble. It also offers benefit of greater bioavailbility, and easy control of ingredients as well as choosing lower fat levels. Chicken leg a day with occasional spoon of yogurt, cottage cheese and your breakfast oatmeal leftover does not have to be more complicated than that.
http://www.b-naturals.com/newsletter/the-liver/
 
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