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by GSDS4EVR on 08 December 2011 - 02:12
Hello Everyone,
I have been doing some research online but have found it nearly impossible to identify healthy foods for my 12 week old pup that are low in potassium.
I dont even see Potassium listed in the analysis of the majority of the foods I have researched,
I feed raw, with supplements, and also subsitute Grain Free Kibble.
This boy has been on NOW! Grain free puppy .
I like to alternate protein sources so some brands I use are TOTW, Orijen, Acana, and Wellness CORE!
I recently tried another brand that is not grain Free from Fromm .
In any event this little man has been through hell and back in his short 12 weeks of life.
He is not well, and I want to do everything in my power to give him the best chance of recovery and a normal life.
He developed a UTI a week ago and within 24 hrs of noticing a change of his demeaner and appetite he was urinating blood.
Well 10 days, 3 vet hospitals, 2 surgerys, and $10K later the problem was diagnosed.
He was born with an ectopic ureter.
He lost his left kidney on Saturday night, and was also diagnosed with intussuecption which luckily we caught in time and no intestines needed removal.
He is coming home tomorrow, is "spunky" according to his surgeon, good appetite, drinking and urinating well.
He is going to need another surgery in the coming weeks to correct the EU but in the interim he needs continued meds to clear the infection, food and nurishment to regain his strength, and we need to get the right kidney which was also affected as healthy as we can to sustain him long term.
My vet said he needs to be on a low potassium diet since his potassium is a bit elevated.
My vet suggested the following diets:
Science Diet Canned Puppy – Healthy Development Savory chicken entrée
Pro-Plan Chicken and Rice- All Life Stages
Pro-Plan Performance Formula
Pro-Plan chicken and rice puppy Formula
I am doing some research online as I need to purchase food for him in the morning before picking him up at Cornell
Whatever food I choose I will be using cranberry extract supplements, and NuVet Wafers.
A few internet searches led me to Sojo Home Cooking , and the Green Grain Free Bag.
He was previously on NOW! Grain Free Puppy
I cant find the potassium values for Sojo, or any of the others .
Does anyone know which ones are lowest?
Where can I find this info, it isnt included in the analysis.
If anyone has any experience with this, suggestions etc I could really use all the info I could gather right about now.
Thanks!
I have been doing some research online but have found it nearly impossible to identify healthy foods for my 12 week old pup that are low in potassium.
I dont even see Potassium listed in the analysis of the majority of the foods I have researched,
I feed raw, with supplements, and also subsitute Grain Free Kibble.
This boy has been on NOW! Grain free puppy .
I like to alternate protein sources so some brands I use are TOTW, Orijen, Acana, and Wellness CORE!
I recently tried another brand that is not grain Free from Fromm .
In any event this little man has been through hell and back in his short 12 weeks of life.
He is not well, and I want to do everything in my power to give him the best chance of recovery and a normal life.
He developed a UTI a week ago and within 24 hrs of noticing a change of his demeaner and appetite he was urinating blood.
Well 10 days, 3 vet hospitals, 2 surgerys, and $10K later the problem was diagnosed.
He was born with an ectopic ureter.
He lost his left kidney on Saturday night, and was also diagnosed with intussuecption which luckily we caught in time and no intestines needed removal.
He is coming home tomorrow, is "spunky" according to his surgeon, good appetite, drinking and urinating well.
He is going to need another surgery in the coming weeks to correct the EU but in the interim he needs continued meds to clear the infection, food and nurishment to regain his strength, and we need to get the right kidney which was also affected as healthy as we can to sustain him long term.
My vet said he needs to be on a low potassium diet since his potassium is a bit elevated.
My vet suggested the following diets:
Science Diet Canned Puppy – Healthy Development Savory chicken entrée
Pro-Plan Chicken and Rice- All Life Stages
Pro-Plan Performance Formula
Pro-Plan chicken and rice puppy Formula
I am doing some research online as I need to purchase food for him in the morning before picking him up at Cornell
Whatever food I choose I will be using cranberry extract supplements, and NuVet Wafers.
A few internet searches led me to Sojo Home Cooking , and the Green Grain Free Bag.
He was previously on NOW! Grain Free Puppy
I cant find the potassium values for Sojo, or any of the others .
Does anyone know which ones are lowest?
Where can I find this info, it isnt included in the analysis.
If anyone has any experience with this, suggestions etc I could really use all the info I could gather right about now.
Thanks!
by Two Moons on 08 December 2011 - 03:12
Poor dogs.
by GSDS4EVR on 08 December 2011 - 04:12
Moons,
What does that mean ??? " Poor dogs"?
Please explain
What does that mean ??? " Poor dogs"?
Please explain
by hexe on 08 December 2011 - 06:12
DAMN IT! I had a whole post typed and ready, hit the Submit button, and the freakin' thing is GONE!!!
GSDS4EVR, don't pay any attention to Moons. He probably is trying to suggest that it would have been better to let your little boy go than to have the surgeries done...which would be his prerogative, if this were his puppy, but Foru's YOUR puppy, and that wasn't what you felt was best for him. Me, I would've done the same thing as you've done, but I'm sentimental like that, and get attached to my puppies fast, too. I'm soooo relieved that he came through the surgery well and is coming home with you tomorrow (well, looking at the clock, it's today by EST). Bet you can't wait to hold him while he assaults you with puppy kisses again! :))
Most dog food manufacturers don't list the potassium content of their foods on the package or their websites, but they do all have that information in-house, and if you call them and ask for it, they'll dig it out for you. I think your best bet, at least for right now, would be to look over some of the home-prepared recipes that the links below will take you to and go that route while he's still recovering from the infection and the surgeries. You'll be better able to keep the protein source high-value, which will help limit the amount of waste product that will be in the bloodstream and therefore help ease the burden on the right kidney, and a bland homecooked diet will be easier on his intestinal tract, too...he's still a small enough fellow that you won't need to be making up tens of pounds of food at a time, either. ;)
To get you started, here's some places you can increase your familiarity with managing kidney disease in dogs:
http://www.vetprof.com/clientinfo/KidneyDiseaseInDogs/
(A word about the above web site--the originator of this site, Susan Fleischer, wasn't a vet, but she made it her business to educate herself thoroughly on the subject of canine renal disease, especially that which affected young dogs, as her chosen breed has a form of juvenile renal disease that runs within it. She became well-versed enough on the topic that veterinarians who were fellow members of a private veterinary email list, VETPROF, consulted with her when they were facing a tough renal case in their practices, and many of Susan's posts there became client handouts the vets used in their hospitals. When Susan herself passed away in 2007, the members of VETPROF all agreed that it would be awful if her webpage which contained all this information simply disappeared because she had; consequently, the group decided to sponsor the page on the VETPROF server, updating the info as new research came in. Thus, all of the material on the pages the above link will lead you to have been reviewed by licensed veterinarians and found to be accurate and current to the best of everyone's knowledge. Susan Fleischer was the best friend a renal patient dog could ever hope to have on this earth.)
http://www.2ndchance.info/kidney.htm
http://www.2ndchance.info/homemadediets.htm
http://dogcathomeprepareddiet.com/diet_and_chronic_renal_disease.html
This should give you a good starting point. Hooray for Foru, the toughest little GSD soldier around!!!
GSDS4EVR, don't pay any attention to Moons. He probably is trying to suggest that it would have been better to let your little boy go than to have the surgeries done...which would be his prerogative, if this were his puppy, but Foru's YOUR puppy, and that wasn't what you felt was best for him. Me, I would've done the same thing as you've done, but I'm sentimental like that, and get attached to my puppies fast, too. I'm soooo relieved that he came through the surgery well and is coming home with you tomorrow (well, looking at the clock, it's today by EST). Bet you can't wait to hold him while he assaults you with puppy kisses again! :))
Most dog food manufacturers don't list the potassium content of their foods on the package or their websites, but they do all have that information in-house, and if you call them and ask for it, they'll dig it out for you. I think your best bet, at least for right now, would be to look over some of the home-prepared recipes that the links below will take you to and go that route while he's still recovering from the infection and the surgeries. You'll be better able to keep the protein source high-value, which will help limit the amount of waste product that will be in the bloodstream and therefore help ease the burden on the right kidney, and a bland homecooked diet will be easier on his intestinal tract, too...he's still a small enough fellow that you won't need to be making up tens of pounds of food at a time, either. ;)
To get you started, here's some places you can increase your familiarity with managing kidney disease in dogs:
http://www.vetprof.com/clientinfo/KidneyDiseaseInDogs/
(A word about the above web site--the originator of this site, Susan Fleischer, wasn't a vet, but she made it her business to educate herself thoroughly on the subject of canine renal disease, especially that which affected young dogs, as her chosen breed has a form of juvenile renal disease that runs within it. She became well-versed enough on the topic that veterinarians who were fellow members of a private veterinary email list, VETPROF, consulted with her when they were facing a tough renal case in their practices, and many of Susan's posts there became client handouts the vets used in their hospitals. When Susan herself passed away in 2007, the members of VETPROF all agreed that it would be awful if her webpage which contained all this information simply disappeared because she had; consequently, the group decided to sponsor the page on the VETPROF server, updating the info as new research came in. Thus, all of the material on the pages the above link will lead you to have been reviewed by licensed veterinarians and found to be accurate and current to the best of everyone's knowledge. Susan Fleischer was the best friend a renal patient dog could ever hope to have on this earth.)
http://www.2ndchance.info/kidney.htm
http://www.2ndchance.info/homemadediets.htm
http://dogcathomeprepareddiet.com/diet_and_chronic_renal_disease.html
This should give you a good starting point. Hooray for Foru, the toughest little GSD soldier around!!!
by beetree on 08 December 2011 - 13:12
I'll join you in that, hexe, Three Cheers for a speedy recovery for Foru!
by GSDS4EVR on 09 December 2011 - 06:12
Thanks to Hexe, and Beetree for all of the very much appreciated info and good wishes.
We got home tonight about 6 p.m and I am up waiting to give him his midnight meds, and treatment.
The vet at Cornell told me he was "spunky", but that was an understatement.
He is feeling much better, eating very well, and a little too active in my opinion for his e-collar and temporary tubing catheter that needs to be in place until his surgery to correct the Ectopic Ureter.
I really appreciated all of the support, and good wishes.
I do realize not everyone would do what I have done with Foru,but I would like to say that I feel 100% responsible for him. He would not be here or enduring any of this if it were not for me. As I told my vet, and I feel in my heart until I hear he is terminally ill or there is no hope, I will do whatever I can physically , emotionally, and financially to ensure this boy has the very best chance of a normal life.
In good conceince I could not euthanize him because of financial impact, if he could have corrective life saving surgery.
I am sorry if others dont feel that way, but this is not a money making business and I feel there are enough good people on this site that love, appreciate the breed, and want to better the breed.
If as I always say in the end the puppies sold in this economy go to loving homes, and are lifelong companions I am happy.
I dont make anything from the sale of pups, it costs me more each and every day for food, health screenings, training, titles, hips/ elbows, travel, showing, entry fees, handlers, etc not to mention vaccines, wormings, microchips, AKC fees etc.
I invest at least 10 to 12K in all of my females before I would even consider breeding them.
I only have a few, and I love them dearly.
I had a 12 month old pup sold to a neighbor and elderly couple last year, I should say he was 3 months when they bought him, but the day after his first birthday he was miraculous.
His owner was watching TV in his recliner, and his wife had gone to bed to watch Tv and dozed off.
She awoke suddenly to our boy (1 day after his first birthday) who had opened her bedroom door and was up on her bed ( which he never did) standing over her chest and barking in her face.
He had never done this, or acted this way, and the way she described it originally she was a little mad.
She woke up not knowing what was wrong, and thinking he needed to go out, she yelled for her husband ( still mad) "why didnt you let the dog out".
As she rose to let him outside ( to their fenced BY) he ran passed the back door and into the living room where his 76 year old dad was having a stroke.
He sat by his side and barked and barked until she came over and realized something was seriosuly wrong and dialed 911.
This is a 12 month old pup, no professional training, a simple housepet and companion.
But the smartest, most compasionate and intelligent companion I could imagine.
I chose him from the litter for them , obviously not knowing what would later occur but he was so calm, intelligent and attentive I was confident this would be a good fit.
I am so happy and proud of each one of my boys and girls and love them all.
I actually lost a sale of one puppy to a well known horse breeder, and racing enthusiast.
He sent me a nasty gram after receiving my buyers agreement which required him to notify me and give me right of first refusal in the event he was unable to keep her at any time for any reason.
He informed me that he breeds. and competes with race horses ( which I already knew) and when an animal is sold and money exchanges hands that is the end of it, and he should not be required to tell me anything at any time if he decides to sell her at a later date for any reason.
I explained to him that this puppy was brought into this world by me , and that my responsibility to her does not end simply because money exchanges hands. I went on to explain that things happen that are not expected or anticipated such as loss of income, death etc and this was for the safety of the animal to ensure they would never end up in a shelter and would only be given to approved homes.
I never heard back from him.
In any event although this doesnt have much to do with my current boy " to each his own".
I came here looking for info to assist with his care, and long term prognosis because that is all I care about and luckily have no experience with these types of illnesses.
He is my number 1 concern, and it doesnt matter to me what it costs, I dont consider myself a "breeder" . I am not looking to make money . I am a GSD enthusiast and animal lover , who has a few litters a year from well screened HD/ED A stamped , titled parents.
I apologize if this post has gone wayward, I am looking to learn from this, take good care of my boy to ensure the best prognosis, and just looking for any info that will assist me with that, not judgement.
Believe me if he were terminal . or suffering, I would do anything to end his pain, just like I will do everything now to give him every chance he needs and deserves.
He is an innocent puppy, who has not even begun to live his life.
Any suggestions for low potassium diets, would be appreciated.
If anyone has experience with ectopic ureters , I would also like to know about the diagnosis, care and long term prognosis.
Right now my boy is so lively, spunky, lovable, appreciative, and amazing I wont give up on him.
When, and if he is ever done with his fight. he will let me know, right now he is well known at Cornell a big fan of their DR's and Surgeons, and a medical miracle.in their eyes and mine.
He is not out of the woods because the underlying condition has not been corrected, but we will deal with it one step at a time.
I am hoping for some updates re: diet, healthcare, prognosis , etc from anyone who has experience with this.
Thanks to all especially Hexe and Beetree, Happy Holidays to you all!
We got home tonight about 6 p.m and I am up waiting to give him his midnight meds, and treatment.
The vet at Cornell told me he was "spunky", but that was an understatement.
He is feeling much better, eating very well, and a little too active in my opinion for his e-collar and temporary tubing catheter that needs to be in place until his surgery to correct the Ectopic Ureter.
I really appreciated all of the support, and good wishes.
I do realize not everyone would do what I have done with Foru,but I would like to say that I feel 100% responsible for him. He would not be here or enduring any of this if it were not for me. As I told my vet, and I feel in my heart until I hear he is terminally ill or there is no hope, I will do whatever I can physically , emotionally, and financially to ensure this boy has the very best chance of a normal life.
In good conceince I could not euthanize him because of financial impact, if he could have corrective life saving surgery.
I am sorry if others dont feel that way, but this is not a money making business and I feel there are enough good people on this site that love, appreciate the breed, and want to better the breed.
If as I always say in the end the puppies sold in this economy go to loving homes, and are lifelong companions I am happy.
I dont make anything from the sale of pups, it costs me more each and every day for food, health screenings, training, titles, hips/ elbows, travel, showing, entry fees, handlers, etc not to mention vaccines, wormings, microchips, AKC fees etc.
I invest at least 10 to 12K in all of my females before I would even consider breeding them.
I only have a few, and I love them dearly.
I had a 12 month old pup sold to a neighbor and elderly couple last year, I should say he was 3 months when they bought him, but the day after his first birthday he was miraculous.
His owner was watching TV in his recliner, and his wife had gone to bed to watch Tv and dozed off.
She awoke suddenly to our boy (1 day after his first birthday) who had opened her bedroom door and was up on her bed ( which he never did) standing over her chest and barking in her face.
He had never done this, or acted this way, and the way she described it originally she was a little mad.
She woke up not knowing what was wrong, and thinking he needed to go out, she yelled for her husband ( still mad) "why didnt you let the dog out".
As she rose to let him outside ( to their fenced BY) he ran passed the back door and into the living room where his 76 year old dad was having a stroke.
He sat by his side and barked and barked until she came over and realized something was seriosuly wrong and dialed 911.
This is a 12 month old pup, no professional training, a simple housepet and companion.
But the smartest, most compasionate and intelligent companion I could imagine.
I chose him from the litter for them , obviously not knowing what would later occur but he was so calm, intelligent and attentive I was confident this would be a good fit.
I am so happy and proud of each one of my boys and girls and love them all.
I actually lost a sale of one puppy to a well known horse breeder, and racing enthusiast.
He sent me a nasty gram after receiving my buyers agreement which required him to notify me and give me right of first refusal in the event he was unable to keep her at any time for any reason.
He informed me that he breeds. and competes with race horses ( which I already knew) and when an animal is sold and money exchanges hands that is the end of it, and he should not be required to tell me anything at any time if he decides to sell her at a later date for any reason.
I explained to him that this puppy was brought into this world by me , and that my responsibility to her does not end simply because money exchanges hands. I went on to explain that things happen that are not expected or anticipated such as loss of income, death etc and this was for the safety of the animal to ensure they would never end up in a shelter and would only be given to approved homes.
I never heard back from him.
In any event although this doesnt have much to do with my current boy " to each his own".
I came here looking for info to assist with his care, and long term prognosis because that is all I care about and luckily have no experience with these types of illnesses.
He is my number 1 concern, and it doesnt matter to me what it costs, I dont consider myself a "breeder" . I am not looking to make money . I am a GSD enthusiast and animal lover , who has a few litters a year from well screened HD/ED A stamped , titled parents.
I apologize if this post has gone wayward, I am looking to learn from this, take good care of my boy to ensure the best prognosis, and just looking for any info that will assist me with that, not judgement.
Believe me if he were terminal . or suffering, I would do anything to end his pain, just like I will do everything now to give him every chance he needs and deserves.
He is an innocent puppy, who has not even begun to live his life.
Any suggestions for low potassium diets, would be appreciated.
If anyone has experience with ectopic ureters , I would also like to know about the diagnosis, care and long term prognosis.
Right now my boy is so lively, spunky, lovable, appreciative, and amazing I wont give up on him.
When, and if he is ever done with his fight. he will let me know, right now he is well known at Cornell a big fan of their DR's and Surgeons, and a medical miracle.in their eyes and mine.
He is not out of the woods because the underlying condition has not been corrected, but we will deal with it one step at a time.
I am hoping for some updates re: diet, healthcare, prognosis , etc from anyone who has experience with this.
Thanks to all especially Hexe and Beetree, Happy Holidays to you all!
by Two Moons on 09 December 2011 - 16:12
hexe,
You do not have a clue what was meant by my response so please do not try to explain my meaning for me to others.
Don't pay any attention to Moons?
That was also quite rude, I know who you are so, nuff said.
As for the dog, yeah poor dog.
Moons.
You do not have a clue what was meant by my response so please do not try to explain my meaning for me to others.
Don't pay any attention to Moons?
That was also quite rude, I know who you are so, nuff said.
As for the dog, yeah poor dog.
Moons.
by hunger4justice on 09 December 2011 - 23:12
Is is potassium that is to be low in kidney disease or phosphorous? I am very sorry to hear about your poor pup and glad that you are trying to give him a chance. Prayers to you both.
by GSDS4EVR on 10 December 2011 - 02:12
It is phosphorous that is supposed to be low, but my boy has elevated potassium levels also so he needs a low potassium diet as well.
We have decided to go with the Prp Plan Performance formula for all life stages,
I am not thrilled with the ingredients (2nd is Corn), but he likes it and is doing well with normal stools so go figure.
Does anyone have any experience with ectopic ureters?
Is this common?
I have never heard of this but did learn it affects predominantly females, so again.... go figure,
Luckily the little man's luck has taken a turn for the better, his issues have been identified and we are dealing with them.
He is a happy, lovable, and intelligent boy and I hope the worst is over for him, and that the corective surgery allows him to live as close to a normal life as possible.
We will keep everyone posted, please also share any info or expereince you have all had with ectopoc ureters.
We have decided to go with the Prp Plan Performance formula for all life stages,
I am not thrilled with the ingredients (2nd is Corn), but he likes it and is doing well with normal stools so go figure.
Does anyone have any experience with ectopic ureters?
Is this common?
I have never heard of this but did learn it affects predominantly females, so again.... go figure,
Luckily the little man's luck has taken a turn for the better, his issues have been identified and we are dealing with them.
He is a happy, lovable, and intelligent boy and I hope the worst is over for him, and that the corective surgery allows him to live as close to a normal life as possible.
We will keep everyone posted, please also share any info or expereince you have all had with ectopoc ureters.
by GSDS4EVR on 14 December 2011 - 04:12
My boy gained 3 lbs in 5 days since being released from Cornell , and is doing well. He is very active and spunky, and needs to be confined so as not to damage his catheter tubing, etc.
Again, if anyone has experience with extopic ureters I would love all the info and insight.
I havent ever heard of this or come across it, and it would help me immensly to know what others have experienced.
Again, if anyone has experience with extopic ureters I would love all the info and insight.
I havent ever heard of this or come across it, and it would help me immensly to know what others have experienced.
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