TOTW - Page 1

Is anyone having trouble with phosparus levels on this (PH levels)??

Be more explicit? What are you asking? How do you think you are having trouble with phosphorus? And what do you think that has to do with pH levels? Are you talking about phosphoric acid?

My friend did a full blood panel on a young male 8 months old;  his phosphorus level was too high;  he has had some uninary tract trouble in the past and they want his phosphorus levels more normal and TOTW salmon (or fish in genral) has a much higher phosphorus level than say chicken or a low fat bison/beef.  That is why I am asking.

 I had to switch my GSD bitch from TOTW (fish based).  She got sick (anorexia, fever) 3 months after the switch and her bloodwork showed elevated liver values.  She's now eating Avoderm adult with no obvious problems and her liver values are back in the normal range.  Could the illness and the food be unrelated?  Possibly, but now she won't go near the TOTW.  Won't even sniff it.

 

Then yes, likely the food may not help his situation and could potentially contribute to problems. If the pup has some temporary situation with a UTI etc., then this would likely resolve. Were repeat tests done to see where the pups is now?

IF he has some predisposition to kidney or urinary disease, then considering a different food might be in order. It is difficult to say more without knowing specifics. Your friends veterinarian should be the one to address these questions as to what the situation is with the pup.

As far as the food goes, in general, all canine foods produced in the US must meet certain standards. So essentially most of them have the same or very similar ingredients and amounts in them, depending on variety. The problem is that there is no recommended daily amount of most substances, including vitamins, for a canine. So this is where some food makers make it up as they go along, perhaps adding more, or less, of certain substances. In the case of many supplements, including glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, for example, the literature is filled with anecdotal evidence, but there are few, if any real scientific studies supporting the efficacy of such supplements, including in humans. In fact, with humans, there are more and more studies demonstrating no benefit, and sometimes harm, in all too many supplements. And there is poor quality control because such products do not have to meet FDA approval, as yet. That may soon change.

I don't feed TOTW, but many do and many are quite satisfied with it.

PS  Yes his liver functions are up also;  not extreme but some.  Yes we are changing his food to a chicken protein rather than fish protein;  chicken/bison/beef I believe in that order and less in phosphorus (excuse spelling) naturally so it makes sence to me to go back to chicken;  and I did not have any luck on the Wetlands formula of TOTW and the protein is too high for this particular dog.

Hey, thank you all for inputs, just trying to get this young fellow straightened out before he is re-homed.  Thx  Nanci

I would be doing more blood work  at the very least, on this dog and suggest that something else is going on if his liver enzymes are elevated. They should not be and they probably have little to do with food. Good luck.

Avoderm is a great food to use .

Naturals and it  has done well on three of my gsd owned by others...They swear by it...
I would start slow and get blood panels checks often...

YR

TOTW is made by diamond and suffers the same problems as other diamond products............inconsistency.
pjp

Yes we are changing him to one of three:  My choice in this order.  Natural Planet Organic, California Natural + some oil supplement or Karma. 

I didn't like Avoderm years back, but I noticed they have added some lines of food so may be better now. 

Again Thanks to all,  really helpful.  Nanci