Expert: Herbs, NuVet Plus Supplements, Dog/Cat Food Recipes; ( Marie) - 9/17/2009

Question
she is losing weight. i need to know, please, what should i do???? [see below i copied the last email so you would remember]

also, you said do not give her grain treats!!! but why did you say to give her brown rice and potatoes [are they not grains?]

thank you. please help...i feel like i am making her worse!!
  
QUESTION: marie,
so you are saying 1 cup of meat and 1/2 cup of potato or rice and 1/2 veges and divide the 2 cups into 3 meals. then i can giver her 1/2 of activia a day. and some carrots

i am confused as to why she can't have her beef bone or some chicken feet?

If you choose to give cottage cheese - the low fat goat milk's brand is helpful.must be careful not to use cottage cheese daily
Dairy products ( cheese can sure be a problem with renal failure.
Just keep up the good work -
YOU can ask me a question daily if needed.

53 lb. dog c slightly elevated bun and creatine dx kidney failure
always been fed raw meat and veges
chicken feet in the morning and 1 c. of food [chicken, beef, zucchini, carrots, sweet potatoes]in the evening

YOU SUGGESTION
at your suggestion,giving her 1/2 cup to 3/4 c. 3 times a day

QUESTION HOW DOES THIS HELP??...
at your suggestion i am giving her 1/4 to 1/2 activia in between her mini meals. [you said for the probiotics] when she was first diagnosed the vet said give her cottage cheese and jack cheese and yogurt, but i have stopped giving her that because you said it is not good for her kidneys

i am giving her 1/4 c tofu [to make up the 1 cup of protein she is getting a day [3/4 c. dark meat chicken or beef plus the tofu] plus 1/2 potatoes or rice plus 1/2 cup veges [carrots or zucchini] this is the 2 cups i then divide into 3 portions for the day]
IS THERE ANYTHING I SHOULD CHANGE OR ADD?
Answer

All LOOKS very good!  Keep up the good work!

Marie

ANSWER: You need to see if the amounts will fill her up... If not, give a little more of all.
Just play with the amounts going up slightly.  You can add more meat and some of the other items.

I wanted you to work with her on the amounts.
Nothing was written in stone.  You just give a little more food ....

As far as the "Grain-free" treats - they are easy to digest.  Too many grains and phos cause UTIs and stones.  Many dogs in renal failure will get chronic UTIs..
So glad your dog doesn't have any urine infections.
This  Feeding program and the cranberry will keep the UTIs away.


Good luck and keep up the good work!

Marie Peppers LPN MA

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: hi,

she lost another 2 lbs, so i am trying to figure out how to get her more food. she looks good and seems fine, but her waist is quite indented.

also, i have been told that the nuvet has ingredients in it that are very dangerous for the dog with kidney disease.obviously, you disagree, but it does have phosperous, which i know you said was contraindicated.

thank you

Answer
Hi :  Many dogs take NuVET with kidney disease and do fine at the 1/2 dosage I referred to.
Yes, you can have phosphorus in limited and controlled amounts.
If she is loosing weight you need to play with the meat and give more.  When anyone home cooks you need to watch your pet and see what the Hunger needs are.  If a dog just seems to want more food and it not loosing weight, they may just be a little piggie.
With your dog, I did tell you to feed more and to work with the amounts in the recipe.

Also, please see your vet for more blood work, just to make sure there are no other problems.

Also, I would go to the vet and use the scale there.  YOUR scale may be slightly off.
They are glad to have you use the scale for a quick weight.  No needed to have a scheduled visit for this service.  

Marie Peppers LPN MA