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

[k9kreationz]

Why don't you just pay the money and go to a nutritionist? I have a name of a couple that people really like. After killing myself doing the same thing you're doing, I gave up. Miko has been stable on his diet for 2 years now. Not one regret going to a nutritionist because what they need, isn't what humans need, and yes, all the supplements alone can make you crazy.

This is just my two cents. It's not worth it. Especially if you hate to cook.

Lastly, many people will say, "just throw in a multi-vitamin" but you have to remember all the levels in those things. Same thing, phosophorous in the vitamin can throw off everything you just cooked. Seriously, hire a nutritionist. You want names? PM me and I can send you some.

 

[BarbV]

Why don't you just pay the money and go to a nutritionist? I have a name of a couple that people really like. After killing myself doing the same thing you're doing, I gave up. Miko has been stable on his diet for 2 years now. Not one regret going to a nutritionist because what they need, isn't what humans need, and yes, all the supplements alone can make you crazy.

This is just my two cents. It's not worth it. Especially if you hate to cook.

Lastly, many people will say, "just throw in a multi-vitamin" but you have to remember all the levels in those things. Same thing, phosophorous in the vitamin can throw off everything you just cooked. Seriously, hire a nutritionist. You want names? PM me and I can send you some.

Because the only nutrionist in town is affiliated with the same group that want me to spend $6,000 in surgery. GrrR! My new vet sent me recipes from Hilary's Blend. Does anyone know anything about this?

 

[Emmasmom]

It was recomended for Liam. The vet felt it would help him. I got the stuff but never got as far as using it.

 

[k9kreationz]

Because the only nutrionist in town is affiliated with the same group that want me to spend $6,000 in surgery. GrrR! My new vet sent me recipes from Hilary's Blend. Does anyone know anything about this?

You do realize you don't have to physically see a nutritionist, right? I did everything online and via email. They work with your vet (now granted, if your vet refuses, that's another story) to get medical records, history, etc and create a diet specifically for your dog.

Anyhow, if you really don't want to go that route, just tell me, I'll leave it alone. I'm just trying to make your life easier, because as soon as I went this route, the stress levels went way down because I knew his diet was balanced properly...versus me hoping it was. And again, since I hate cooking, knowing I had a 3 ingredient meal with 2 supplements, I was in heaven (my homemade version was at least 5-6 supps and I had to rotate his food every week for balance).

 

[Sumac3890]

http://www.k9instinct.com/diet-and-nutrition.html\

I read their page on FB all the time and they would do a consult through phone call or email.



Lew Olson would do a consult too. But I do think she leans more to the raw diet.
http://www.b-naturals.com/


I think going this way as Cheryl suggested would be a good idea and takes alot of the guess work out for you.

 

[BarbV]

You do realize you don't have to physically see a nutritionist, right? I did everything online and via email. They work with your vet (now granted, if your vet refuses, that's another story) to get medical records, history, etc and create a diet specifically for your dog.

Anyhow, if you really don't want to go that route, just tell me, I'll leave it alone. I'm just trying to make your life easier, because as soon as I went this route, the stress levels went way down because I knew his diet was balanced properly...versus me hoping it was. And again, since I hate cooking, knowing I had a 3 ingredient meal with 2 supplements, I was in heaven (my homemade version was at least 5-6 supps and I had to rotate his food every week for balance).

Really!? Point me where to go! I've printed off a 2 inch thick pile of material to plow through. And my eyes are spinning. I do know something of pet nutrition but this is beyond me. And of course, every internet site contradicts every other....

 

[famous seamus]

As supplement for Seamus with liver issues, I used Missing Link or infants lquid multi vitamin and dosed according to the body weight of my dog. This was according to Dr. Dodds and sanctioned by my own vet as well.

Gosh you are dealing with different things here than I was, I don't know anything about shunts and I don't know if the above helps you at all.

Hope I am not adding to your spinning eye syndrome.
Kate

 

[k9kreationz]

And of course, every internet site contradicts every other....

This is what drove me crazy too. It's why I gave up. LOL.

Okay, so my internist suggested I contact Dr. Remillard at www.petdiets.com. She tends to use BalanceIT as a supplement.

Another one that was suggested by a friend, was www.monicasegal.com. She tends to use regular "vitamin" like supplements if you don't care to use BalanceIT (lots of kidney ppl have issues with this supplement). You can also ask her to give you real vitamins (like vit B, vit C, etc - but it also means a lot more "pills"). ETA: OMG. I just read Monica is in CANADA!!!! Which means, maybe contact her first, because if you use her supplements, shipping is much cheaper.

Here in California, there is this company (not saying you can use it, but maybe you can find something like it): http://justfoodfordogs.com/ What I want you to see is this page. They do custom diets, and give you the recipe. You can cook it yourself OR have them make it and then send it to you. I wish you lived in the US, they ship nationwide (here unfortunately).

I'm not 100% sure about you being in Canada, but for the diets, I can't imagine that would be any different. You may have to think about how expensive it could be for the supplements (BalanceIT), or if you can get it locally (well, within Canada).

I would at least contact them. I know Dr. Remillard may require you to go through your vet, but like I said, she works with them. She sends the recipe to your vet to get "approved" and they send it to you. If that's not going to work, you could possibly go w/o that route, but it's better to so you have all of Bacca's medical records.

I hope this helps. Trust me, I was in your place about 1.5-2 years ago. I gave up and went this route and was glad to dish out the money for the nutritionist even though money was tight. I feel more secure knowing that Miko is getting what he needs (may need to update his formula, but he's still doing great and his K/D has been stable)....and by that, I mean a well-rounded meal with all the necessary nutrients.

 

[BarbV]

Thanks everyone. Now that I'm back online I can take a look at your suggestions.

Bacca is up and down on his food right now. I'm transitioning him off the high protein NOW! and over to Wellness Senior for the lower protein, but he doesn't seem to be liking it much. I started mixing in a little into Indy's food as well, and he now has really bad gas (farts).

Bacca does love the Weruva wet food that I've started mixing in though.

I'm thinking the Wellness isn't going to work, and now going to try the Blue Healthy Weight. Lower protein at 17-18%.

If this doesn't work, then I'm definitely into home cooked next

Welcome any recipes you have!

 

[famous seamus]

Thanks everyone. Now that I'm back online I can take a look at your suggestions.

Bacca is up and down on his food right now. I'm transitioning him off the high protein NOW! and over to Wellness Senior for the lower protein, but he doesn't seem to be liking it much. I started mixing in a little into Indy's food as well, and he now has really bad gas (farts).

Bacca does love the Weruva wet food that I've started mixing in though.

I'm thinking the Wellness isn't going to work, and now going to try the Blue Healthy Weight. Lower protein at 17-18%.

If this doesn't work, then I'm definitely into home cooked next

Welcome any recipes you have!

Good to hear from you!

Months ago my little porkette Harper Lee was on the lower protein dry Fromm's but darned if she didn't maintain every last stubborn ounce of her weight gain. So someone in here, don't remember who it was suggested that I give less dry and supplement with green beans and it worked! She had three lbs. to lose and she did it and is holding good to a more tidy 18 lbs.

We all know how important it is to keep our darlings at a good weight because of issues like Bacca's that our shelties are more prone to than other breeds.

It's not exactly a receipe but I thought it might help. I feed them grain free Fromm's Salmon Tunalini. Protein is 28% but with the addition of green beans taking the place of some of the dry it works out for us.

Bridey and Harper say that farts are fun!

Hugs,
Kate