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Prescription food

Discussion in 'Commercial Food' started by Hannah, Sep 8, 2014.

  1. Hannah

    Hannah Forums Enthusiast

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    The last week has been a bit rough with Honey. She had an x-ray, blood tests and a gastroscopy last week for chronic vomiting and diarrhoea. The vet said she has colitis and also suspects pancreatitis and found a problem with her trachea, and said she has an enlarged heart. He said that basically she's a genetically weak dog.

    I've been pretty upset, especially as she's only 18 months old, but am now trying to focus on managing what we can. The vet gave her cortisone and is ordering in pancreatic enzymes and wants to put her on a prescription diet.

    I'm pretty ignorant when it comes to prescription food, but just looking at the ingredient lists, to me it doesn't look fantastic compared to other foods out there. He is particularly keen on her trying Royal Canin Gastrointestinal Low Fat, and I'm willing to give it a try if there's a chance it will help. I'm really just wondering if anyone has tried this one, or something similar, and if there were any improvements with it?
     
  2. Judyg

    Judyg Premium Member

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    I didn't know dogs could get colitis. It's a nasty disease and I'm so sorry your baby has it. I can't help with any diet advice, but I hope she will be feeling much better soon.
     
  3. Caro

    Caro Moderator

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    I remember you saying she had sloppy poos. She does seem young for pancreatitis. I can understand getting upset with all these diagnoses, I know how upset I still get about my special needs boy.

    I did try the Science Diet i/d (for gastro) for Deska but it turned out to have turkey as the main ingredient and Deska can't eat turkey, so that didn't work out well. A close friend's young dog was on the RC and he did really well. I know Royal Canin and SD get bagged on the internet a lot, but really the prescription foods have a lot of research put into them and they do work. I've never had a vet do a hard sell, sometimes they suggest a prescription one for specific issues.

    I think one of the issues with Deska developing a sensitive stomach was not realising he was sensitive to poultry, and of course what do they recommend when a dog has a sensitive stomach! I was told a couple of times he had pancreatitis but every time the results came back negative.

    Are you near Murdoch Uni? They have a referral clinic. I'd be asking for a referral to see the internal medicine specialist if the pancreatitis results come back inconclusive. As good as your vet may be, a specialist can do so much more and you'll save money in the long run - esp as she is so young, you don't want a life time of tummy troubles. Vets usually don't mind doing a referral.
     
  4. Hannah

    Hannah Forums Enthusiast

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    Thanks Judy :smile2:

    Caro, the vet actually recommended Murdoch Uni if I wanted to see a specialist (having not been in WA very long I hadn't heard of it before). I'm 2 hrs from Perth, so not too far to travel at all. It sounds like a good path to go down. I will try the Royal Canin too. Great to know the prescription foods do work... admittedly I was a bit sceptical, although without any basis. Appreciate your help.
     
  5. Mom2Melli

    Mom2Melli Forums Enthusiast

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    Are you switching meat sources (chicken to say bison or lamb?) How about grain versus grain free?

    I had an Aussie who couldn't tolerate BOTH certain grains and any fowl. Once he was on a different meat AND different grain he was a perfect dog. They didn't make the limited ingredients and grain frees back then. Best I could do then was a lamb & rice.

    Do you add probiotics? That changes the world for my sensitive stomach shepherd. There are really good dog ones with multiple strains.
     
  6. Hannah

    Hannah Forums Enthusiast

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    I have never tried her on grain free, I've switched the meat around at different times but she has always had some kind of grain. She has only had problems the last couple of months, but still the grain thing is food for thought. I'm yet to try her on a probiotic, I actually have one on order... I really hope it makes a difference for her too.
     
  7. ghggp

    ghggp Moderator

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    Poor little Honey... I am so sorry to hear the newest vet report.

    My three boys are all on prescription Science Metabolic Diet for seniors. They seem to love it as I give them both hard and canned versions. I also combine Fromms senior diet too. No stomach upsets and their weight is right where it should be.

    I also have my cats on Science Diet i/d (for gastro). Working great. I have been on this routine for years with no ill effects.

    I sure hope she gets better soon and you can help manage her illness successfully with meds and the right food.
     
  8. Sullivan

    Sullivan Forums Enthusiast

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    Hannah, I am so sorry to hear of Honey's latest health reports. I will be praying that you find all the combinations of diets and meds that work well to make Honey healthy again and very soon. You and Honey will be in my thoughts and prayers. :sadsmile: :fl
     
  9. Bradt9881

    Bradt9881 Forums Enthusiast

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  10. Sheltiez4evr

    Sheltiez4evr Forums Regular

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    RX diet

    Hannah,

    I hope and pray that Honey will recover soon.

    My experience,is only with Science Diet Metabolic for Senior Dogs, but it has worked a miracle for my 13 year old Sheltie girl.

    Whisper had thyroid and pancreatic problems. We put her on the prescription diet and in five months she was at proper weight, happy, healthy, full of energy, and no longer in need of thyroid medication support. Her enzymes are in the near normal range. She's on it for the rest of her life.

    This is just my experience, I'm not a vet, but IMHO, prescription diet is,definitely worth trying.

    Good luck.
     

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