Food For Thought

You actually have a veterinary dermatologist?  Goodness gracious.  And you believe what they tell you?  They must be in a business with the need for repeat customers.  Are you sure they are not recommending the very foods with ingredients causing the problems?  How else are they going to get you back through the door?  You gotta be very careful with that stuff.  You ever get the feeling in just a big circle and you keep going round and coming back to the same problems?  If you do, just say enough is enough and get out of that scenario.

Not a fair thing to say....not all people are just trying to get your money....if they were I would not be going to them. We took Ollie the Great Dane to a veterinary dermatologist also...she did blood testing oh him to find out what he was allergic to. She had the allergen made up for him...taught us how to inject it and didn't ask to see him back unless he needed to come back.  He didn't.  He is my sons dog...and Mike is really happy he went to her because Ollie is fine now, he only wishes he had not wasted so much time fooling with different food...( Ollies allergic to dust and grass ) and money on different regular vets and drugs like antibiotics and prednisone!

You actually have a veterinary dermatologist?  Goodness gracious.  And you believe what they tell you?  They must be in a business with the need for repeat customers.  Are you sure they are not recommending the very foods with ingredients causing the problems?  How else are they going to get you back through the door?  You gotta be very careful with that stuff.  You ever get the feeling in just a big circle and you keep going round and coming back to the same problems?  If you do, just say enough is enough and get out of that scenario.

What business doesn't have a need for repeat customers?  Pet food companies, even the ones whose message is to care about the health and/or natural health of pets, are a business.  They would not be in business if they didn't have repeat customers and were not making money...it's called commerce.  Are there any pet food companies that are non-profit?  Even non-profits are a business.

*personal issues of style and tone can be discussed in a new thread in Our Comunity, or via PM*

TAOofGoldyShep

As as side note, I find this quote to smack of a very condescending attitude toward the member it was posted to.  It is because of this repeated attitude that I would NEVER purchase anything from Abady.  I'm thinking that turning people (potentially new & repeat customers) off from Abady is not the intention...Less is defintely more....

Excuse me for never hearing of a Veterinary Dermatologist.  I try to compose posts to inspire thought, not to belittle anyone.  And I think my posts do inspire thought.  When the thought makes people start to wonder and question maybe there is a better way than what I've been doing for years, they tend to get upset and it shows. 

*this is not a personal thread.....make a new thread in Our Community if you wish to discuss personal issues*

*edited*

I'm sorry that people hate the Abady name. Personally I feel that some of the posters hate the name for reasons outside of the food...not the food in general. Was't it Abady that made a bad name for himself a few years ago? It shouldn't have anything to do with the food....but I guess some people think it does.

*personal tone/style discussion, is great for a new thread in the proper forum area, Our Community*

Excuse me for never hearing of a Veterinary Dermatologist.  I try to compose posts to inspire thought, not to belittle anyone.  And I think my posts do inspire thought.  When the thought makes people start to wonder and question maybe there is a better way than what I've been doing for years, they tend to get upset and it shows

    Did I respond in an angry manner to you when you made those comments to me?  I'm honestly not angry with you but if you wanted to inspire thought with that post you should have worded it differently;

*posting style/tone can be discussed in a new thread in Our Community, let's keep this thread at least about dog food, thank you* 

I certainly don't hate you. Regardless of my opinion of Abady, your position has inspired me to learn more about Abady and it's philosophy. I haven't come to the same conclusions as you have, but I'm glad to hear the perspective. I'm still a "newbie" to this board, so pardon me if my opinion isn't correct, but I think some of the "meat" of your posts are getting lost because of the way they are presented. It seems as if, and forgive me if I'm wrong, your main argument is that if those of us who don't feed Abady just knew more information, we would. But when people say they have done research and still don't agree that Abady is what they want to use, the reaction seems to be: if you don't feed Abady brand it's because your too gullible to see truth. I think the crux of the matter is that I've given you the benefit of the doubt that you've done some valid research and critical thinking about dog food. From your posts, though, it seems you don't think anyone else has.

Anyway, I certainly don't want this thread to just be a huge bash-fest on you. I apologize if I've stepped over the line with how I've disagreed with you. I hope you can feel welcome on this board. It seems like an overall friendly atmosphere with some interesting discussions. I hope we can have interesting (and fun, maybe!) discussions. Whether we agree or not shouldn't have an impact on the quality of the discussion. (I hope I'm not too off topic here!)
 

jessies_mom

    Did I respond in an angry manner to you when you made those comments to me?  I'm honestly not angry with you but if you wanted to inspire thought with that post you should have worded it differently; it did seem very condescending whether or not that was your intention. ...

No you did not respond in anger, and I didn't think you would have.  If I would have thought my words would have angered you I would have refrained.  I've known you here for years now and know you are a big enough person, strong enough person, to handle what some might consider a paragraph intended to spark some good debate.  I see it as more like engaging rather than oh that is mean talk.  I apologize if I was mean....very sorry.

But, to expand on that very paragraph (not directed at you) there are people out there (again, maybe not you) who do indeed get caught up in what seems to be a big circle game, no end in sight, no answers, always back to square one.  I hate to see that, people getting caught up in what some would call a 'run around'.  Off to the vet having problems.  They vet is aware the dogs is overall in good health yet there is a problem with allergy.  Try this food...try that food, try a food w/out rice.  Try a food without barley.  Try a food without chicken.  It is what I would call 'throwing darts'.  Nothing seems to works, try these meds.  Doc, the meds seem to work but I can't afford that stuff any longer.  Isn't there any other way?  Try the holistic approach, try grain-free, try my associates down at the acupuncture center.  Try Doctor Doolittle.  And when all is said and done many very sadly find themselves right back at the beginning again.  It is disheartening and extremely frustrating.  Some shed tears from constant frustration.  Some will fight and argue with the loved ones caught up in the circle.  Some may say enough is enough and have the dog put to sleep before they go broke or drop off at the shelter.  Ad in the paper, free to good home.  It happens friends, it is reality.  It bothers me knowing that exists.  Why, I don't know.  Maybe I'm just a sensitive guy and hate to see people get jerked around, and it happens.

I recall a routine visit for a rabies shot and overheard some conservation.  A urinalysis with crystals or something.  Try this food, this is what we sell to help with that.  I get interested and peek at the ingredients.  I literally slap my hand over my mouth in awe looking at the ingredients in shock and disbelief.  And the couple just standing there with a dazed and confused that they have to try something else and just mindlessly agreeing, looking at each with sad eyes like I don't believe we have to go through this again.

Somebody maybe reading this and find it relates.  There are answers to problems.  All dogs have the potential thrive and live trouble free lives and save a lot of heartache.

We all know people that have dogs feed bad diets of whatever is the cheapest and get along just fine, trouble free for many years.  Many other dogs don't do well on bad diets and have constant trouble.  It almost seems like the luck of the draw and it gets chalked up to something like genetics as the problem.  I believe the answers are indeed found in diet and nutrition.

Sorry again about before if I sounded mean-spirited.

Charlie

cc431

You actually have a veterinary dermatologist?  Goodness gracious. 

 My Romeo has seen THREE veterinary dermatologists, two of which are board certified by the American College of Veterinary Dermatologists. Check it out, you can learn something new every day.

 http://www.acvd.org/

And my pup has never looked better... My pups allergies were so bad he'd leave bloody footprints in the snow before I saw the derm people. My regular vet wanted to put him on expensive immunosuppressents for life. The dermatologists make me use antibiotics when needed, and diet, shampoos and wipes when I can keep him under control with diet. I don't know how you feel, but I think thats MUCH better than 100 dollars a month for immunosuppressive drugs in a one year old dog...
 

The dermatologists make me use antibiotics when needed, and diet, shampoos and wipes when I can keep him under control with diet. I don't know how you feel, but I think thats MUCH better than 100 dollars a month for immunosuppressive drugs in a one year old dog...

   Not only cheaper but better for the dog too; immunosuppressents can have some some nasty side effects over time. The derm vet I see at Purdue doesn't charge for some of the rechecks either. The antigen serum costs about $300 a year, and I was having to take Jessie to the vet about twice a month before she started the shots, so it is definitely saving money, but more importantly, Jessie is doing so much better.
 

Moderator note...

Let's stay on topic. I think constructive criticism on posting style etc is potentially an interesting, and perhaps fruitful topic...but it is off topic for this thread. Let's stay on the topic or at least keep things food/nutrition related from here, OK?

I removed some things, and left some, and finally just figured I would say this:

I think How Are We Doing: Our Community is the place that forum dynamics and posting styles etc have been discussed in past and this is where the "posting style" talk should head if anyone wishes to continue it...or of course PM.

Thank you.

No you did not respond in anger, and I didn't think you would have.  If I would have thought my words would have angered you I would have refrained.  I've known you here for years now and know you are a big enough person, strong enough person, to handle what some might consider a paragraph intended to spark some good debate.  I see it as more like engaging rather than oh that is mean talk. I apologize if I was mean....very sorry.

   I accept your apology and am glad you explained your reasons for the way you worded the post. Thank you for the compliment but actually I did not like the tone of your post; I answered in a positive way to avoid having the thread take an ugly turn, and because I thought it was more important to give you some insight into how much a dermatologist can help ease a dog's suffering rather than offend you.

   Now to get OT; A good, high quality diet is very important for a dog to be healthy, but genetics also plays a part. About 60% of Goldens will develop cancer in their lifetime; they are also prone to allergies. How else can that be explained apart from genetics? Boxers and Rotties also have a disproportionate amount of cancer compared to other breeds. Jessie is part GSD, and most likely Lab and Beagle; all 3 breeds are known for being prone to allergies. Apart from skin infections caused by her allergies, Jessie has been very healthy; never had a UTI, respiratory infection, etc. When we adopted her, we started her on Eukanuba; that's the worst quality food she has had. I did a lot of research when she was having problems from her allergies and upgraded her to holistic foods with more meat and whole grains. I also tried fish oil and other natural supplements but it didn't help. She didn't get better until she saw the dermatologist and started treatment.  I agree that all dogs have the potential to thrive and lead trouble free lives, but sometimes good nutrition is only part of the answer.

   Gina; I didn't see your comments until after I finished this post; sorry.
 

I am a very firm believer that some dogs only do well on "upper end" food, and others only do well on mid or even low end food.  I am not in the habit of going around asking people what they feed their dogs and when i see a diry, smelly dog i don't assume it is fed Ol Roy, etc.  And when I see a beautiful coated dog, I don't assume it is fed one of the top of the line brands either.  I have seen what friends and neifhbors feed their dogs and mos are beautiful and rarely at the vet.  And most are fed Pedigree, Iams, purina, Nutro, etc.  They are all indoor dogs, or mostly indoor.    One that is in bad condidtion has almost no fur on her tail or lower back or ears or top of her head, is matted and she stinks.  She is crawling with fleas byutowner swears the dog doesn't have fleas.  She just sits and scratvches and chew and scratches and chews until she has sores.  This same person thinks putting out moth balls will keep fleas and ticks away.  She also has heart worms.  She has to be sedated to be clipped or trimmed or groomed and the person doesn't want to do it due to the heartworms---whcih she has known about for over 2 years and never treated.  This dog is on ol Roy plus lots of table scraps that dogs shouldn't eat.I have a feeling it as much what the dog is eating as the fleas that is causing her to be in such horrible condition.

   Sandra, When I said Eukanuba was the worst (meaning lowest grade) food Jessie had I wasn't knocking foods like Pedigree and Iams. I was trying to explain to Charlie that even though she started out on a relatively good food, it didn't help her allergies. The shelter workers advised us to choose a food with at least one meat as the first ingredient so we chose Eukanuba. Even though it turned out that she was allergic to the chicken in it, her coat became a lot shinier. I read books by holistic vets when looking for a way to help her with her allergies and they recommended holistic foods with natural ingredients, which is why I turned to foods like Eagle Pack.

  That poor dog; with heart worms and fleas, she wouldn't do well no matter what she was fed. It must be painful for you to watch her suffer.
 

 Sandra why dont you report these people to the aspca??You can remain anonymous. I have seen dogs taken away from their owners for much less then what you have described.

They are neglecting their basic duty of care by allowing this dog to be infested with fleas and in turn suffer because of it,and even more so by not treating the HW

Sometimes a visit from the authorities,even if only advice is dispensed can be enough to spark these owners into action! 

  It must be painful for you to watch her suffer.

I agree.. Someone's gotta do something for this poor little dog 

Out here where we live in this little town there is really nothing can be done.  We have animal control, but they don't even pick up the dead critters from the street, wouldn't removed the two pit bulls that dug under the fence into the yard behind us, etc.  I don't they do anything but ride around and if a dog or cat will come when called, they grab it and take it to the county pound to be put to sleep.

 It is sad to watch that poor dog and we have told her that moth balls do not keep fleas and ticks away.  We have also told her she and the boys shouldn't be feeding all that bread and fat off meat to the dog, but it goes in one ear and the other.I think her cocker was 9 when heartworms killed him about 1 1/2 years ago.  That was a sad thing, seeing him walk maybe 10 feet and collapse gasping for breath.  They didn't give heartwomr pills because the dogs were "inside dogs" and no amount of talking could convince them the dogs would get bit while outside doing buinsess, bit by mosquitoes that came in on them or the dogs, etc.  I also could not convince her that cockers are suppose to live longer than 7-8 years.  She swears that because they are so hyper that is as long as they usually live and so this one had lived longer than he was suppose to.

 Now she has taken in a chi mix that showed up in her yard.  Hubby just shook his head when he found out about the new dog.

 And Jessie's Mom,   I was just making a statement in general.  I know many dogs on here would not do as well on the mid to lower end foods, and others do better on them.  We have always been fortunate to not have a dog with food allergies---KayCees allergies to fleas, live oak pollen, mold and bermuda grass is bad enough.   When one has food allergies it must be fed what works for it no matter what the brand.