So what do we all feed now?

Mine still get their Purina One kibble, home cooked, canned salmon or mackeral, but no longer the Hill Country Fare solid pack I used to put their sups and any meds in.  The HCF chunks was on the recall.  I stopped in at HEB after church this morning to check and they had a big sign warning people about the recalled foods, numbers to call, and telling people to return any they had already bought.  There was none on the shelves-----solid pack, but no chunks & gravy
 
I have been in Wlamart twice this past week and never saw a warning sign and ther was still Ol Roy, Iams, Mighty Dog, etc on the shelves.  May be different now, but not last time i was there mid week.

ORIGINAL: papillon806

However, his kidney function is perfectly fine and he hasn't had any symptoms whatsoever so that is a good thing.  I am almost positive that the BUN and urine pH are a result of EVO (he's been eating it for about..2-3 weeks? now).  If the values are lower after feeding the NB Potato & Duck for two weeks, I will know for certain. 

Its pretty common for high protein foods like EVO to raise the BUN and urine pH because of the high protein. As long as the creatinine levels are normal, the urine concentration is normal and you don't have crystals forming, then its just a product of metabolism and nothing more. Keep in mind that the dogs who are used to determine what values are "normal" are fed much lower protein diets and therefore will produce less nitrogenous wastes.

ORIGINAL: Misskiwi67

ORIGINAL: papillon806

However, his kidney function is perfectly fine and he hasn't had any symptoms whatsoever so that is a good thing.  I am almost positive that the BUN and urine pH are a result of EVO (he's been eating it for about..2-3 weeks? now).  If the values are lower after feeding the NB Potato & Duck for two weeks, I will know for certain. 

Its pretty common for high protein foods like EVO to raise the BUN and urine pH because of the high protein. As long as the creatinine levels are normal, the urine concentration is normal and you don't have crystals forming, then its just a product of metabolism and nothing more. Keep in mind that the dogs who are used to determine what values are "normal" are fed much lower protein diets and therefore will produce less nitrogenous wastes.

This is interesting, so I'm butting in. [] Is there any chance that the elevated levels are caused by the 12.38% ash in EVO? That percentage is really a concern for me.

ORIGINAL: Luvntzus

This is interesting, so I'm butting in. [] Is there any chance that the elevated levels are caused by the 12.38% ash in EVO? That percentage is really a concern for me.

No, the ash isn't related to the BUN. BUN is an acronym for blood urea nitrogen. This is a measurement of the level of urea produced by the body. It is made by the liver during protein metabolism, and filtered by the kidneys. If the level is high, it means the kidneys are not filtering it all or that there is increased production (gastric ulcers can do this too). If the level is low, thats a sign that there is decreased conversion of nitrogen to urea, and that indicates liver problems.

Thats a pretty over-simplified version, but hopefully that helps! I don't like the high ash content either... those extra minerals can be hard on kidneys, and ash doesn't break it down very well. For healthy kidneys, its not a problem, but with the demand for high protein diets for geriatric animals, its a fine line to walk.

ORIGINAL: Misskiwi67

ORIGINAL: Luvntzus

This is interesting, so I'm butting in. [] Is there any chance that the elevated levels are caused by the 12.38% ash in EVO? That percentage is really a concern for me.

No, the ash isn't related to the BUN. BUN is an acronym for blood urea nitrogen. This is a measurement of the level of urea produced by the body. It is made by the liver during protein metabolism, and filtered by the kidneys. If the level is high, it means the kidneys are not filtering it all or that there is increased production (gastric ulcers can do this too). If the level is low, thats a sign that there is decreased conversion of nitrogen to urea, and that indicates liver problems.

Thats a pretty over-simplified version, but hopefully that helps! I don't like the high ash content either... those extra minerals can be hard on kidneys, and ash doesn't break it down very well. For healthy kidneys, its not a problem, but with the demand for high protein diets for geriatric animals, its a fine line to walk.

Thanks Misskiwi! I learned a little something new today about BUN numbers. [] It seems like with a high ash level that even with healthy kidneys, after years of a high workload, they might give out sooner. [8|]