Low-Protein Diets???

Barb: I'm sorry that you and Bacca are going through so much. I know how hard it is to not blame yourself, but all of us know how much you love your boys.

It's impossible to know what to do about dog food now, with such a diversity of opinions. We all know that you have given your best to your dogs, and would do anything possible to help them, even if it were at a huge cost to yourself.

I truly admire how hard you have fought for Bacca.

My prayers for the best for you and Bacca. (((((((((hugs))))))))))
 
BarbV said:
Sable,

Thanks for our mention about not blaming myself. I'm feeling like a made a huge mistake going to the grain-free, high-protein diet, and did I allow myself to swept up in the hype. And cause damage to my pup as a result.

My breeder stuck to your basic Pro Plan and her pups have done fine, even winning points to their championships. And I decide that my pups are going do better, and look what happens! Yeh, I'm beating myself. Hard not to.

:confused2::cry:
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No don't be hard on yourself. I said to myself, well if I didn't give him this med the vet gave me, or if I would have done this, maybe this wouldn't have happened. I hated every cortisone pill I put down his throat. Ya know that word "IF" turns into a huge word. You have taken such great care of Bacca you never have to feel bad, nor beat yourself.

Your doing an excellent job, and it sounds like your vet is really trying to fix your Bacca up. Remember Bacca is young and he can have a long life ahead of him, just by following your vets instructions.

(((((((((((((((((((BIG BIG HUGS BARB))))))))))))))))))))))

sable
 
BarbV said:
Sable,

Thanks for our mention about not blaming myself. I'm feeling like a made a huge mistake going to the grain-free, high-protein diet, and did I allow myself to swept up in the hype. And cause damage to my pup as a result.

My breeder stuck to your basic Pro Plan and her pups have done fine, even winning points to their championships. And I decide that my pups are going do better, and look what happens! Yeh, I'm beating myself. Hard not to.

:confused2::cry:
Click to expand...

I have to agree not to blame yourself. I blamed myself for my other dog's problems possibly relating to my choice of dog food. I grew up on about a 1000 acres where we ran over 200 head of cattle, horses, chickens, rabbits, ducks, dogs, cats, and a few wild animals in the mix. The only animals we didn't have at one time or other were sheep and goats. And my Grandparents property was a few miles away with more animals. So I should be well aware of what you feed your animal reflects in their looks and their health. I mention this just to state that I've been around a few animals in my life and dealt with enough sick animals that I should recognize the signs. Unfortunately it took a while for the light bulb to go off and for me to recognize my previous dog's problem with her food. Whether the food ultimately contributed to her cancer is something that will never be determined. So I blamed myself big time for not seeing the problem sooner. Again, I thought I was buying her a good food, and was duped by the manufacturer.

And sorry this is so long winded. But your heart has always been for the best interest of your pets. So I don't think you can do anything but continue on and not go down the road of should have's. That's a slipperly slope that accomplishes nothing but a great deal of sadness. So sending you hugs, and don't blame yourself.:razz:
 
Like everyone has said, no use blaming yourself. I don't necessarily think there is anything wrong with a high protein diet, it works for many dogs, just not Bacca. There is no way you could have know so no use beating yourself up over it.
 
I'm sorry about Bacca. High protein diets have always made me wonder. I haven't done any research on the subject though, so I could only repeat what I've heard others on the forum say.

I'm really, really stupid medical wise (and in other ways :lol:). I thought it was his thyroid? :confused2:
 
You can't blame yourself. You were only trying to do what was best for Bacca.

Whenever I buy holistic treats and food, my dad always complains and says "my dogs lived to 15 years on pasta and meatballs." I usually tune him out after that.
 
Please remember, Barb, that each dog is different, contrary to what we might all like to think. Some thrive on high protein, others on raw, and some on that supermarket swill. Remember all the years we thought Alpo was haute cuisine for our dogs? You have bent over backwards giving your pups the best. Heck, if I listed all the mistakes I've made with mine over the years I'd top you on Forum posts. :eek2:

So hang in there...every day we learn something new. These dogs never stop teaching us things. You'll get to the bottom of Bacca's issue.

I am so glad to hear Bacca is getting Milk Thistle. I swear it gave my Scruffy an extra five years of life when her liver values went up at age 9. After six months on Milk Thistle they were near normal again. It really is a miracle supplement.
 
Low Protein diets

First let me say how sorry we are to hear of Bacca's medical problems and we are all praying that an answer will be found to get him back to health.

Presently I have two of my shelties with Chronic kidney disease - which was diagnosed a couple of years ago.
We have run the gammit of changing their diets and todate hav'nt found a real answer to our problem.
We have tried, Medi-cal reduced Protein, then onto Hills KD. then onto cooked home made diet. which none of these foods helped any, as the results of their tests done every 3 months of trying the new diets were not improving any in fact getting worse. and so was their stool elimanation .
We are now on Purina NF Kidney, and although the improvement in their stool is minimul, we are still dealing with diarhea on a regular basis.
Our Vet has no idea what else to do, and to continue with the medication and food is all she can suggest at this time.
Instead of Dog treats, they get bits of Rice Cakes, and Rice Krispies thrown around the house for game of find .
They are half brothers, from the same mom, and are 10.1/2 and 11 years old.
So we think it maybe genetic. Although we too lost our first sheltie with the same problem.
Anyway's we know how difficult it is to know what is best for our furkids, and understand what you may be going through
Lots of sheltie luv from
Us & our 4 shelties.
 
Just back from the vet, and we talked about options. Because he's healthy in all other respects, she does not want to proceed too aggressively for the moment.

So we agreed:

- get him off the high protein diet (transition over 3 weeks)
- keep with the Milk Thistle supplement
- stick with the Thyroid meds (because he still has this issue to deal with as well!)
- come back at end of January for another round of testing, including the bile acid test again.

Then we see. If the ALT levels have not gone down, then we are into ultrasound/biopsy, or perhaps x-ray to measure the size of his liver.

So, now my homework is to decide what I'm going to switch too. I wish the dog food analysis site was up and running, it would make it alot faster to go through my options.

Crossing fingers and paws!

Thanks for your support everyone! It's been an upsetting week for me all around!
 
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