Expert: Herbs, NuVet Plus Supplements, Dog/Cat Food Recipes; ( Marie) - 9/27/2009

Question
QUESTION: I have some questions about the old dog health problem, hope you can help me! My old dog (15 years old, pomeranian) had blood test yesterday, and her kidney is not good... urea and crea is around 2 times higher than normal andher thyroid gland is not good as well, the T4 is around 4 times lower than normal.. so need to take lots of medicine. Doctor said she cant have chicken anymore as it is not good for her kidney.. so she advices her to eat dry food instead...sigh...but she doesnt like the dry food and doesnt eat.. but now, because she doesnt have appetite, so she doesnt eat chicken too.. any food can feed her and resume her appetite???? doctor said maybe it's because of her bad teeth, so she feels very painful when eat..pls advices how to help her?? is there any supplement instead of medicine help her to eat again or good for her thyroid gland?? and there is a supplements named "slippery elm bark", is it a good herbs to resume her appetite? Doctor gave her some medicine to resume her appetite but seems it doesnt work, she still doesnt eat..and for the hypothyroidism for her? instead of medicine? She is now taking the ThyroMed chewable tablets..any naturals supplement is good for her health??? Thanks for your kindly help again!



ANSWER: Hi Clara, Please give her the medications from the vet.  Don't try natural solutions on this kid.. Her system is too shot for Naturals.
Here is a recipe for dogs with kidney disease:  HOME-cooking for your gal-

** see if your vet will let you feed them...

Egg and Potato Diet

(Low-protein, low-phosphorus, high-potas­sium, normal sodium)

1 egg, large, cooked

3 cups potato, boiled with skin

1 tablespoon chicken fat


1 1/2 calcium carbonate tablets (600 milligrams calcium)


1/2 multiple vitamin-mineral tablet  ( YOU can't get NuVET in your country...LOOK for another brand that is Holistic)

Provides 600 kilocalories, 15.1 grams protein, 18.5 grams fat

Supports caloric needs of an 18-pound dog

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beef and Potato Diet

(Low-protein, low-phosphorus, high-potas­sium, low-sodium)

       2 ounces lean ground beef (raw weight), cooked

    3 cups potato, boiled with skin

     2 tablespoons chicken fat

    1 1/2 calcium carbonate tablets (600 milligrams calcium)

      1/2 multiple vitamin-mineral tablet

Provides 737 kilocalories, 18.6 grams protein, 32.5 grams fat

Supports caloric needs of a 23- to 24-pound dog

***************************************

Eggs and Rice Diet

(Low-protein, low-phosphorus, low-potassi­um, normal sodium)

1 egg, large, hard-boiled

2 cups rice, long-grain, cooked

1 tablespoon chicken fat

1 1/2calcium carbonate tablets (600 milligrams calcium)

1/2multiple vitamin-mineral tablet

Provides 721 kilocalories, 15.2 grams protein, 31.4 grams fat

Supports caloric needs of a 23-pound dog


ALSO - if you don't have a vitamin supplement / NuVET is Wonderful...
Sold in the USA and Canada...
http://www.apluspetcare.com/untitled4.html....

or call 1-800-474-7044  Ask for a 60 count at 39.99 or a 90 count bottle of the wafers at 55.00
MOST dogs need 1 wafer per day/  MENTION my name as your REFERRAL -
Marie Peppers / ask the Pet Nurse...  


good luck with the home cooking....

Marie Peppers LPN MA

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

QUESTION: Thanks for your advice! My doggie has lost lots of weight. She's just around 2.6kg now as she loss appetite and doesnt eat. what food can i give her for resuming her appetite? now, i feed her chicken and beef congee by needle. actually she hasnt eat the chicken or beef, should i add an egg white into the congee to give her some protein?

ANSWER: Oh, so sorry.... Ask the vet for a formula to help her gain some weight.
Also, the vet can give you some medications to help get her appetite back.

Do what you can to get this gal to start eating something.
Baby food - canned baby chicken may be something she can lick up?

Marie

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

QUESTION: actually she can lick the congee.. but she has no interest on it at all..so can only feed by needle.. btw, how much food and water she needs daily? she is only 2.6 kg now.. and i feed her around 25ml congee with dry food twice a day.. will add more bit by bit.. i am just afraid she used to be feed and wont eat by herself again..

Answer
Hi - She does need at least 10cc of water every 2-3 hours when awake.
As for the rice mush mix ( congee), just get in what she can tolerate without vomiting.

Good luck - this sounds like a hard situation to deal with.
YOU are doing a great job!

Marie