Since I posted on Gracie’s diagnosis of canine renal failure (January 15 post), we have some updates. We did some web research on the situation, and one thing that is emphasized is that the disease upsets the stomach so the dog won’t eat. This is what results in food boycotting, which we had been attributing to her not liking the food.
The advice we got on this was that it is important to get her to eat – even if it’s not necessarily the prescription diet (costly prescription diet, let me add). So we’re checking all the protein levels on stuff we can use to incentivize.
The advice we got on this was that it is important to get her to eat – even if it’s not necessarily the prescription diet (costly prescription diet, let me add). So we’re checking all the protein levels on stuff we can use to incentivize.
Also, we read on a blog that additives such as B- vitamins and safflower oil may be a help (readers finding this blog from a search on Canine Renal Failure – please be sure to do your own due diligence, and check with your vet!). Our vet confirmed that these things can be helpful, but she wants to check the dosages the next time we are in. That will be some welcome advice.
We got her some pepcid and that seems to have quieted the stomach issues. Mary is taking some extra care to make the food more attractive – it’s quite a project – but now mealtimes attract quite a bit of canine attention as they stand patiently in the door of the kitchen, patiently as they can, that is. Mary says, "I'm just glad they're domesticated!" when they finally charge in to the food bowls.
Gracie’s appetite has returned, though, and she is gaining some of the lost weight back…her energy is back - even during the stomach issues she wanted to play - all good things. She's almost her pesky border collie self again. Will continue to post on this as I have updates.
We got her some pepcid and that seems to have quieted the stomach issues. Mary is taking some extra care to make the food more attractive – it’s quite a project – but now mealtimes attract quite a bit of canine attention as they stand patiently in the door of the kitchen, patiently as they can, that is. Mary says, "I'm just glad they're domesticated!" when they finally charge in to the food bowls.
Gracie’s appetite has returned, though, and she is gaining some of the lost weight back…her energy is back - even during the stomach issues she wanted to play - all good things. She's almost her pesky border collie self again. Will continue to post on this as I have updates.
2 comments:
Please advise what your recipe is for the "appealing" food. My yorkie is now in renal failure and we can't seem to find much of anything she will eat (that is allowed). All suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
gidgetgirl: We are planning to post an update on Gracie soon. For now, we are in a subcutaneous fluids stage with associated meds. BTW, Gracie's "numbers" have improved during this process, and a lot of her old energy has returned.
On the food front, how to get her to eat seems to change daily. The core ingredients are chicken and brown rice; Mary measures portions and checks ingredients very carefully to make sure we are meeting recommended nutrient levels. The food gets incentivized - we use chicken broth for this, and have to supplement with treats, and even chicken or turkey baby food. Gracie also likes bread, and our vet said that's okay. The most important thing is to get them to eat.
The vet has recommended some veggies too - carrots and the like. But Grace has never been a big eater of these things (Sofie, the other dog, not in renal failure, has been known to eat a full bowl of green beans, by the way ... not recommended, also by the way). I'll see if I can get more info up on the topic soon.
The process takes a lot of patience - definitely can identify with your frustrations.
Jim
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