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1Dog3Cats
Member

Posts: 52
From:
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 07-15-2003 09:15 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for 1Dog3Cats     Edit/Delete Message
Hello :-)
I am a new member!! I have a 3-year old Golden Sable-White Shetland Sheepdog. I also have a Gray Tabby cat, a Snowshoe cat, and a Blue Lynx Point Siamese cat!!

My dog has terrible inhalant allergies this summer!! She currently is eating Eukanuba F/P presciption food, taking Atarax, and 3 MG of Pred a day.

Currently, she is eating very little per day. Usually no more than 1/2 cup of food.
On a very rare ocassion, she will eat a little more than 1/2 cup of food per day.

She currently weights 24.6 pounds, which is perfect according to the Vet!! He wanted her to loose 2.5 pounds, which she has, in 3 weeks. It's because she's eating very little.

The Vet found no medical reason for her lack of appetite, and has encouraged me to continue with the * 20 minute food limit 2 times a day* method!!

I am very worried, that she will continue to loose weight, since her appetite is so low!!

I have tried adding veggies and fruit.. no luck!! I even tried canned food, which she turns her nose up at!!!!

She only gets 1 Greenie a week, and 1 small treat per day!! ** Greenie was OK'd by the Vet **

She isn't permitted to have beef, chicken, yeast, wheat, corn, or any dairy food.

What can I do to get her to eat?? I am open to any reasonab;e suggestion!!!!

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nern
Member

Posts: 473
From:NY, USA
Registered: Oct 2002

posted 07-15-2003 11:57 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for nern   Click Here to Email nern     Edit/Delete Message
Im not sure what the weather is like in your area but here its been pretty warm and every year around this time my pets seem to have a decreased appetite which seems to be due to the weather. Just a thought.

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Jas

Moderator

Posts: 163
From:
Registered: May 2003

posted 07-16-2003 01:40 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Jas     Edit/Delete Message
Hi there,
I'm a bit curious why your dog is on a special food diet for inhalant allergies. Inhalant allergies and food sensitivities (or food allergies) can be quite different but both can be difficult to pin-point. I thought inhalant allergies were from things like molds, pollen, dust, chemicals etc.?

Might be the combination of summer and the meds making her not feel like eating. Has your vet suggested an elimination diet to determine what food (if any) she is allergic to? I have heard that 30% of allergic reactions to food are not from the food but the additives in the commercial food..... With all the stuff most commercial foods contain this doesn't surprise me! I feed my dogs a raw food diet, that I have found beneficial and that includes meat & bone sources, offal, muscle meat, veggies & fruit. This might be something worth considering, but I strongly suggest reading up on it first.

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honeybear
Member

Posts: 152
From:
Registered: May 2003

posted 07-16-2003 11:54 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for honeybear     Edit/Delete Message
my cat has just developed horrible inhalent allergies the last two years, the prescribed everything, even went thru shot sensitivity, but no vail this year he still had them, So I went to a holistic vet, He said it is his commercial food that breaks down the immune system that eventually causes the allergies and changed his food to a all natural diet and wants me to consider the raw meat diet. Said it is a long healing process so I will just have to wait and see, he said the same applies to dogs. Since your dog is not eating I dont know why you cant give him some cooked chicken or beef, he has to be feeling pretty awful with prednizone. Also just an fyi on food, Switched my lab to an all natural food that has no wheat dairy, corn, basicly meat based, called innova, I did this because of his problems with ears hot spots and basicly lethargic. It has been about 3 months and I have a new dog! He has so much energy it is amazing and his teeth and gums look so much better and (knock on wood) so far no hot spots or ear problems.

I know this holistic vet is a firm believer in what you feed your dogs and cats is what causes most of their ills. I dont know how much truth it is when he said the cat devloped allergies due to a weakened immune system due to his diet. But I am to the point to try anything.

good luck
Honeybear

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RottyMommy

Moderator

Posts: 343
From:Harrisburg,PA USA
Registered: Feb 2003

posted 07-16-2003 07:22 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for RottyMommy   Click Here to Email RottyMommy     Edit/Delete Message
First suggestion get your dog off the food. Eukanuba, Iams, and Science Diet is junk. Iams and Eukanuba are made by the same people. Right now there is an ongoing law suit on Iams due to animal testing in bad conditions and also the labeling for the amount of food to feed your dog that is on the bag is wrong. Secondly your vet gets kick backs by selling the food. They get kick backs mainly on Science Diet but also know of vets that get kick backs off of Iams products. Iams products has corn in it. WHich is not digestible for animals. If your dog has allergies I would suggest possibly a lamb and rice formula if you are going to go with pet store products. Nutro makes a good lamb and rice formula. Also Wellness, Innova, and Solid Gold which you cant find in big pet stores but should be able to find in small ones or online. Solid Gold is what my dogs are now on but all 4 of those are good foods. If you would like I can give you the name of a man that has helped many people out as far as deciding on foods and what type of foods is best for specific problems. Bottom line first off I would get your dog off Iams products and on to a better rated food. After your dog adjusts to the new food atleast some of his problems would probably subside. As far as him not eating and your vet saying its ok. I would get a second opinion by another vet. Im not sure how big your dog is but 25 pounds sounds thin to me. I am not sure what the size is supposed to be on the dog but bottomline a loss of apetite means something is going on and if your vet didnt pick up on that you need to find a new one. Keep us updated and hope this helps

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honeybear
Member

Posts: 152
From:
Registered: May 2003

posted 07-17-2003 01:39 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for honeybear     Edit/Delete Message
Rottymommy, I agree with everything you said, didnt know just how bad the problems are with Iams. I do know how my lab has suffereed for 6 years on the commercial food and what the vet sells. The vet diet food is just loaded with corn.

Please change your dogs food as I said earlier, my lab is doing so much better on the Innvova food which the feed stores carry. Also my holistic vet carries the solid goldb brand so I think they are fairly easy to find locally and than there is the internet.

Honeybear

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puttin510
Member

Posts: 616
From:,Calif. U.S.A.
Registered: Dec 2002

posted 07-17-2003 03:17 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for puttin510     Edit/Delete Message
My poodle get allergies from thigns ouside. The only things I see that happen are a runny nose, (usually at the dog parks(any dog park and once in a while around our neighborhood. Plus she will clean and nibble on her feet as if to clean them. But thats it. It could be a combination of warm weather and the meds causing him to eat less. Some meds make you less hungry.

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1Dog3Cats
Member

Posts: 52
From:
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 07-20-2003 06:42 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for 1Dog3Cats     Edit/Delete Message
Thank You for your suggestions :)

My answers to the questions that were asked!!
1) Shetland Sheepdogs typicaly weight between 20-25 pounds.
2) The Vet has done a Thyroid and Diabetics test. Both came back within normal range.
3)I do think the combination of heat and her medication is adding to her decreased lack of hunger.
4)I also think she doesn't really care for her food, so she hopes I'll leave something else if she waits long enough!!
5) The Vet has her on Prescription Food, because he believes there are underlying food allergies as well. I have noticed an imporvement with the food as well... no more nasty ear infections!!


I noticed several of you made it clear, that you don't like Iams or Eukanuba food!!!!!!
I appreciate your honesty and can appreciate the reasons you don't like their pet foods!!

I do, however, feel it is what is best for my dog at this time!!!! The Eukanuba F/P doesn't contain wheat, corn, yeast, beef, or chicken. It is the food she will eat.
I had tried IVD R/P which is refused to eat, period!!!

When I am able to find a better quality food that meets her Vet's approval and I know she will eat, I'll be switching her over to the new food. I am looking into the B.A.R.F diet, but, it will take time. I will not feed her Nutro Max, Science Diet, anything by Purinia, or a stroe brand food.

Have a great day :-)

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Maisey
Member

Posts: 309
From:Portland, Oregon US
Registered: Feb 2003

posted 07-21-2003 11:40 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Maisey   Click Here to Email Maisey     Edit/Delete Message
Check out the Whole Dog Journal when you start your research..they have some really good information. When I wanted to switch my dogs , I had to really twist my vets arm to get a list of ingredients with the proper amount of everything my dog needed, I DID get it though and gave him reasons for not wanting to use Science Diet that he just couldn't refute. I have been able to find alternate foods that I think are beter quality and still have the prescription ingredient that my dog needs. I am still looking for the perfect food though! Smiles, Maisey

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1Dog3Cats
Member

Posts: 52
From:
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 07-23-2003 07:43 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for 1Dog3Cats     Edit/Delete Message
I am seeking a second opinion from another Vet on Friday!!

My beloved dog didn't shake her head, paw at her ears, or lick her feet for 4 days. Now she is back to pawing at her ears, licking her feet, and shaking her head numerous times throughout the day.

Her medication schedule has stayed the same, so the sudden onset of "symptoms" has shocked me!!!!

She refuses to eat more than 1/4 cup of food a day now!! I've tried adding water from a can of Tuna Fish, she eats a few more crunchies. I've tried adding a dab of Nutra-Cal, she eats the pieces with the Nutra-Cal on them.

While she hasn't lost anymore weight, I am still very concerned!!!!

I'm going with my gut feeling!! The orginal Vet couldn't bother to take my concern about her lack of appetite seriuosly and chose to blame me for it!!

Please keep my beloved dog in your thoughts!!

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goob
Member

Posts: 186
From:
Registered: Mar 2003

posted 07-23-2003 08:47 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for goob     Edit/Delete Message
Has he checked her teeth/mouth? If she broke a tooth or has a sore in her mouth, that could make her reluctant to eat.

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1Dog3Cats
Member

Posts: 52
From:
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 07-25-2003 03:35 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for 1Dog3Cats     Edit/Delete Message
:::In Tears:::
I spoke with another Vet this morning!! He believes my beloved dog has a Thyroid problem. He said her constant ear problems, scratching and biting her paws and legs, doing well on medication and then going back to square one, and patches of fur that are very brittle while other areas are as soft as silk lead him to a Thyroid problem.

Even though her previous Thyroid test came back with "normal" results, he said it could still be the problem and as with any other test, some problmes won't show up on the first test.

The Thyroid test will also test for a Kidney or Liver problem.

I am not avoid all medications until the results come back, which is Monday morning!!

I have added a EFA Oil suppliment to her food and have to srpay a topical Steriod on her coat twice a day.

While I know dogs can survive and have a pretty good life with a Thyroid problem, I am still scared and worried!!!

I would appreciate anyone and everyone keeping my beloved dog in their thoughts

------------------
Carla and beloved pets
"Remember! We each have a responsibility to care for animals and to care for the enviornment."

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honeybear
Member

Posts: 152
From:
Registered: May 2003

posted 07-25-2003 04:05 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for honeybear     Edit/Delete Message
if your dog does have a thyroid issue, it should be no problem, my parents shitzue has been on medications and is doing great. With all that itching and chewing,It really sounds like allergies though, have you had your had my cat and he is allergic to several grasses and weeds, and he has been thru the de-sensation with shots.
My thought are with your baby and let us know how the tests are.
Honeybear

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honeybear
Member

Posts: 152
From:
Registered: May 2003

posted 07-25-2003 05:55 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for honeybear     Edit/Delete Message
I read my post and elft uot what I was traying to say, has your dog been stested for allergies? they can do blood work and find out if she is allergic to anything
Honeybear

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1Dog3Cats
Member

Posts: 52
From:
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 07-26-2003 02:16 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for 1Dog3Cats     Edit/Delete Message
The Vet I spoke with on Friday informed me, that my dog has (2) red flags that cause my beloved dog to be at high risk for Hypothyrodisim. Her Tryglcyeriades were 2300 and her Liver Enzyme was 250.
Normal Trygleceriades are 100. Normal Liver Enzymes are 100.
The T4 resluts were not back yet. I will know those results Monday morning. If the results come back normal, I will fast my dog for 12 hours and do another test on Tuesday.
If the second test shows elevated Trygcyleriades or an elevated Liver Enzyme, I am to give her Thyroid medication.

I'd like to be able to say I have hope, but, in speaking with the Vet and reviewing her elevated levels, I have no hope!!!

While I do know Hypothyroidism can be treated, it's not an illness I'd wish on any animal!!

I am happy, that I did have a second test done. Imagine how long my dog might have suffered, had I not requested a second test??

I want to say THANKS, to all of you who strongly suggested I see another Vet!!!

I truly appreciate the support, the chance to talk, and be amoung some of the most caring people :-)


------------------
Carla and beloved pets
"Remember! We each have a responsibility to care for animals and to care for the enviornment."

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puttin510
Member

Posts: 616
From:,Calif. U.S.A.
Registered: Dec 2002

posted 07-26-2003 08:00 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for puttin510     Edit/Delete Message
We are all hoping the best for your sweetie. If worst comes to worst she will need to take a pill or two everyday for the rest of her life. After getting used to that regimine it will all feel normal and not so scarey. You know the only time my poodle licks or chews her pads is right after a walk. Maybe it the grass or something in the pavement causing the reaction. The reason she doesn't eat much could be that she really dislikes her food, Maybe try some turkey or chicken broth, (homemade de-fatted). I wish you all the luck. I know it is really hard to watch your pet and not know what to do. I have called the vets office trying not to cry a few times. They are such loving creatures.

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baby-snickers
Member

Posts: 106
From:
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 08-13-2003 11:00 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for baby-snickers     Edit/Delete Message
maybe its liver shunts

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