I want to share our great news!!!!!!!!
Franky had another check-up today.............. RBC, WBC, and platelet counts are great....... pathology of his spleen they removed NO CANCER!!!!!, bladder infection....GONE!, incision totally healed.
He is now off of all of his meds except a thyroid medication.
I'm so darn happy I could do cartwheels, if only I could do a cart wheel LOL!!
:hello2: :hello2: :hello2: :hello2: :hello2: :hello2: :hello2: :hello2: :hello2: :hello2:
Now for a question, the pathology of his bladder/urethral stones came back as magnesium. So of course they suggest using Science diet formulated for stones, but I refuse to feed any Hills or IAMS foods. The doctor did not push the issue ( we love him and he knows how I feel about dogfood). He believes that the stones formed because the conditions were right due to Franky's severe bladder infection and other issues, but a diet change might be extra precaution. Does anyone one know of a "good" food formulated to prevent these kind of stones? I am going to do a lot of research but thought I'd ask in case anyone else has faced this issue. We currently feed Wellness Core, a high protein, low fat, grain free kibble. I like Wellness because it is baked not extruded, has lots of fruits and veggies and is certified ethoxyquin free. I would consider any other quality food such as Evo, etc but cooking/BARF/ Raw feeding is not a feasable option for us.
Thanks!
Dawn
I may be putting my foot in it, but if one of The Herd was recommended for a Science Diet, I would use it. The Science Diet people have been taking pet nutrition seriously for the 30 years that my family has been involved with them.
Let met put it in perspective - the people who make Swiffer have to deal with a bogus urban legend on the Internet about some collie that walked on the floor, licked its paws, and died of antifreeze poisoning from the Swiffer. It is a total lie. On their website, they explain this to anyone who clicks on. Their last sentence is "We have families and we own pets too."
What makes you think that Science Diet is unhealthy or unsafe?
Karen :heart:
The Zs eat something called "Nutro". Yamisi was feeding this to the Zs when we first adopted them, so we continued with the diet. Knowing how conscientious Yamisi was, I know that it is very good food. The next time we get a bag, I'll find out who makes it, but you can get it at PetSmart. It is pricey...$9.99 for a 5 lb bag.
I fed Rudy & Max Iams for the entire lives and never had any problems. Scallywag, the mixed dobie used to eat Purina Dog Chow and she lived over 14 1/2 years, quite remarkable for a dog her size and for the environment she lived in.
WOW!!! Great news! When Loki had her only bladder infection, David C. reccommended bottle water (we have well) and no change indiet. No infection in 3 years.
For what that's worth.
And I feed Wellness 5.
David, It is made by Nutro Products. Do you use the Max, Natural Choice or Ultra Line?
Zena and Zack use the Ultra and Natural Choice lines.
You could call the company and see what the magnesium level is in it.
Merion & the ZZ's
To persons that like Science Diet foods have you read the ingredients on the bag not something I would want to give my dog I have done allot of reseach over the years have read allot of dog food bags. One great source of information about dog food is the web site below some of the reviews are interesting.My personal feelings towards Since diet is that vets get a kick back for selling it but that is my personal opinion. If you notice Science Diet is no where on the good foods list.
Papbouv
http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_reviews/index.php
Very,very happy that you did get such great news about your baby Franky hope he stays well and happy for a very long time to come.Papbouv
Sorry if I high jacked your thread about Science Diet I also think it is not a very good food.Have you tried putting in Kidney stones in dogs what to feed them in your search area to see what you come up with???
Porky eats Nutro too. He eats the kind for sensitive skin and sensitive stomachs. Oatmeal and rice i think. It is only $8.2? for a 5 pound bag. We can get it here locally at murdochs which is a farm and ranch store. Also, Porky is allowed in their store which is fun. The whole staff know him there!! Nutro has been the only food that hasn't given Porky tummy troubles or itchy skin and ears! I am impressed by it. Porky's skin color and shine to his coat has imporoved fourfold since starting this food. I would highly reccommend it to anyone that asked.
thank goodness thats good news.
The Science diets are sold in any shop except the R/d out here. All my lot have had Science Diet and we are always been commented on their coats etc, and Emma live till nigh on 17.
But it is each to there own, but if you think back dogs scavenged for food in days gone by I don't think they were any worse off. The last thing I would feed my lot is PAL, I try to buy Australian made and owned.
As for water tap or spring or bottled all have trace metals and minerals, you have to go to ultra pure eg Milli Q to get rid of them (only available in Labs) and not recommended for drinking as we and our 4 legged kids need the trace metals and minerals.
Every one is on to the band wagon on whats in pet food, which lists everything, but (at least out here ) do you know what you are eating. Look at the side of a bread wrapper...............
Roberta
Dawn, what WONDERFUL NEWS abouy Franky. I am soooo happy for you :hello2: :hello2: WAY TO GO FRANKY :apls: :apls: :apls: I would probably use whatever food my Vet recommended.
Quote from: Leslie on September 17, 2007, 07:29:25 PM
WOW!!! Great news! When Loki had her only bladder infection, David C. reccommended bottle water (we have well) and no change indiet. No infection in 3 years.
For what that's worth.
And I feed Wellness 5.
Oh, duh, I forgot to mention that we have a water softener. Loki's infection was 90 days after we moved into the house with softener.
Excellent news !!!! I feed Solid Gold - Rudy eats the kibble, Brandy eats the canned. Definatly do the research -there is something out there for ya !!! (I have to concur on your feelings for Science Diet - Brandy has liver/gall bladder issues and my vet recommended one of the Science Diets - I just said no. I just don't like the ingredients).
Wonderful news!
So while I get no kickback from Science Diet, I DO have an apron from them. LOL
Seriously, Science Diet has special diets for differing health isues - KD for kidneys, HD for heart problems. LD for liver, etc. I used the Ultra High stress diet for Rebecca, my hyperactive Irish Setter, and I would use their specialty diets if a vet recommends them.
And really, guys, we're talking about our beloved puppers who would gladly snarf down a two-week-old opposum carcass they found in the back yard. Aren't we being just a little bit silly?
Tongue-in-cheek,
Karen :heart:
Great! Thanks to EVERYONE for your opinions.! I have found that the best informed decision is made by exploring both sides of the fence. I know that dogfood rates right up there with religion and politics as "topics not to discuss" LOL.
Great tip on the water.... Leslie we have well water, too and I wasn't even thinking along that line, so thanks. Roberta, you are right, there are minerals everywhere and MilliQ water is not fit to drink (yuck... we have a MillQ system in my lab at work)...I'm just looking to reduce the amount of potassium and magnesium in Frankys diet. I have several emails out to companies such as Science Diet, Nutro, Wellness, etc as to the mineral content of their foods.
Some clarification:
It was not my intention to ruffle any feathers. If you feed brand XYZ and you have a healthy dog....that's great! I don't judge anyone. My grandfather's terrier lived to be 21 on a diet of Gainesburger and table scraps. For me, I have to address all of Frankys health issues, not just stones and I have based my opinion on knowledge and research, not urban legends. My statement regarding Science diet was not a bash, but the main ingredients of the prescription diet for stones are: corn, pork fat and by-products none of which are good for a dog with hypothyroidism, immune dysfunction and cancer remission and they are not good for weight control (as I have to keep him slim from a history of IVDD). Also Science Diet is one company that uses ethoxyquin as a preservative. Ethoxyquin causes unneeded liver stress on an unhealthy dog and Frank is now minus his spleen and 1/2 of his wiener, so his liver and kidneys have to work harder and I want to avoid anything else that can cause problems. I know these facts as I am a research chemist and ethoxyquin is used as a component in certain pesticides. However in a healthy dog.... there should be no issues. My thoughts might seem silly but when you spend countless nights of lost sleep and over $20 grand in vet bills, you will try anything and everything to keep your fur-baby well.
I love and respect our vet, but my feeling is that they cannot be experts in everything and sometimes nutrition is understandably not high on their list....... My analogy being...I wouldn't go to the gynecologist for a toothache (LOL) :2funny: So I'm rambling on now... just didn't want anyone to have the wrong idea or bad feelings about my post.
Again... I value each and every one of your opinions.
Thanks to everyone for the "cheers" for Frank!
:thumb:
Dawn
I don't think anyone took your post to mean you were trying to stir things up. It just kinda swung the conversation that way. I like what Roberta said best. We are all picky about what we feed our dogs, but look at what we are feeding ourselves! She is absolutely right on that. I do agree that the kind of food the pet owner chooses should be based on how they feel about the brand personally and what they see in their dog's health.
I wouldn't worry about anyone being offended. I don't think anyone is. Hope our advice helps.
Not offended here you do have to account for the whole dog that has allot of problems address each one of the problems the best you can. From what I have heard and read over the years vets do not study allot about nutrition, was hoping if you put the kidney stone problem in your search area that might help. But with all the other problems too it you be hard to find a food that would address all of Franky's problems I do wish you luck know you will do the best you can for your boy.
Papbouv