Dog Community

in a quandry--dog food

Posted : 2/12/2011 10:54:41 AM

I adopted a pug last year that has an enlarged heart and is over weight. I had the vet check her thyroid functioning which came back fine. The vet put her on Science diet RD ( please no lashings) and of course she lost 4 pounds and began urinating blood and had crystals- which then the vet put her on Royal Canin urinary food which I discovered is just basically salty food to increase urination. So I see that all the poor nutrution has perpetuated more vet bills, but I really need to find a food program for this girl. I bought some Wellness Core reduced fat formula and she turned her nose up at it- which I have never seen her do? I am very concerned about her weight and the impact that has on her heart. Any suggestions, besides getting a different vet? jk

thedoc617

Posted : 2/12/2011 1:49:01 PM

It's actually a good thing that she turned her nose up at the Wellness. I think the consensus here is that Wellness can cause urinary problems. (or at least possibly agrivate it). Lucky is both overweight and has had bladder issues in the past. He is currently on Canidae Overweight/Senior formula, and he's doing great on it. He's lost 1 and a half pounds, and his last urine culture was clean. You can add some green beans with it to make her feel full. (just make sure it's the ones without added salt) Lucky gets them as treats!

Good luck!

calliecritturs

Posted : 2/12/2011 5:10:16 PM

I have had superior luck cooking for dogs with heart problems and overweight dogs. With home cooking you can do a diet SPECIFICALLY geared to what you need -- you may benefit from consulting with someone like Sabine Contrearas or Monica Segal (Monica's website is http://www.monicasegal.com -- but I don't know Sabine's). I've used Monica's diets for a long time.

Wellness can lead to urinary problems -- it's just not kidney friendly. Cooking isn't cheap, but when you avoid the vet bills and early death it can be heaven sent.

willowchow

Posted : 2/12/2011 6:01:43 PM

Or, how about using a canned(for the water content) lower fat formula. It might keep her feeling a little fuller between meals too.

jessies_mom

Posted : 2/12/2011 8:22:00 PM

willowchow
Or, how about using a canned(for the water content) lower fat formula. It might keep her feeling a little fuller between meals too.

Hill's canned i/d may be worth trying. It's only 2% fat and 370 calories a can. The ingredients aren't too bad for a low fat food; water necessary for processing, turkey, egg product, pork liver, rice, whole grain ground corn, and vitamins and minerals. No one should ever "burn" you for any diet you choose to feed your dog, especially for using a prescription diet when you have a dog with health problems. Jessie has chronic pancreatitis and I use the i/d as a mixer for her kibble. She loves it and it's very easy on her stomach. Adding some fish oil and CoQ10 to her diet should help her heart too.

pappy

Posted : 2/12/2011 8:38:50 PM

Thanks so much for the advice- very helpful.

calliecritturs

Posted : 2/13/2011 12:24:22 AM

The Co-Q-10 is a huge help -- it helps get oxygen TO the cells -- so it takes a bit of the load off the heart and respiration. You may want to also add a hawthornberry cap (or 1/4 teas. of the powder) to the food twice a day. It's good heart support and most regular vets even approve of that one.