Making changes in Bogey's health regimen

[Deb's Tiny Dogs]

Yesterday was the first time I've seen our homeopathic vet since we put Miko down. Yesterday, I took Bogey for a visit and we wound up talking for two hours.

We started by reviewing Bogey's recent bloodwork and urinalysis. There are some things she is concerned with such as:

High protein, calcium, sodium and globulin. Low thyroid. He has no symptoms of anything other than his skin seems dry and his coat looks a little dull despite salmon oil in his food. We are going to redo all the tests in 2 months and go from there.

However, all our dogs have been fed Urban Wolf for over a year, which is widely thought of as just an excellant food. It has a really high protein value. There's so much controversy about whether high protein diets cause kidney failure. Miko died primarily from kidney failure so I'm a little bit worried.

So, we agreed to feed them Urban Wolf in the a.m. then a completely homemade much lower protein diet in the p.m. She told me about this highly regarded vet in California where you send him your pet's blood and urine test results for the past year and detailed observation reports from your local vet(s). He then tailor makes a homemade diet for your pet which addresses their specific issues and tendencies. He gives you a recipe (it's all homemade stuff). Anyway, she's checking to see how much it would cost.

Also, I've been reading a lot about an herb called Thuja. It comes in tiny, tiny pellets you give your dog. Studies have shown it has a very positive effect on preventing lipoma's (fatty tissues) from growing. She agreed it was very good and we are going to try it. Although, I will say that eliminating grains from Bogey's diet has pretty much stopped the endless lumps he was getting.

She seemed more concerned about the elevated globulin levels than anything. Does anyone know anything about globulin?

[mara]

All I know about globulins is that there are several with several different make-ups. I think you have to find out the specific one she is concerned with in order to understand why she is concerned. I believe, though, that in general globulins are proteins.

Because of Mara's weight problems I had switched her to a no grain kibble. Most of those are generally high protein....40%. I personally did some damage to my kidneys by following a diet too high in protein so I was leary about feeding her this. I feed kibble, not raw.

A couple months ago I found a kibble that has no grain, 24% protein, low fat content and I believe Mara is actually feeling better since the change in food. Alot of people where we walk have commented on her higher energy level lately wich I am attributing to the dietary change.
Just what I needed.....a Mara with more energy!!! Just joking....she's feeling well and I'm very happy about that!!

Anyway, sorry to go off on a tangent....I'd like to learn more about what your Vet is referring to (about globulins) as well.

[Dauxside]

Deb I don't know if your homeopathic has spoken to you but adding Raw Apple Cider vinegar to Bogey's diet may also help with his health.

Because I do feed raw I always add a bit to their drinking water and to their food. I use the raw unpasterized ACV - the other has no "mother" and basically is "dead."

Just one of many sites of interest:
http://www.hundmeister.com/acvbenefit.htm

[Savage Destiny]

I agree with Daux on the ACV! It does wonders, I add it to all my animal's food.

As far as protein goes, I think with a homemade diet you should be fine. High quality, moist protein is not hard on a dog's kidneys. The problem lies in low quality proteins (like that found in grocery store pet food) or extremely high amounts of dry protein (like a kibble with 40% or more).

[Deb's Tiny Dogs]

Originally Posted by Dauxside

Deb I don't know if your homeopathic has spoken to you but adding Raw Apple Cider vinegar to Bogey's diet may also help with his health.

Because I do feed raw I always add a bit to their drinking water and to their food. I use the raw unpasterized ACV - the other has no "mother" and basically is "dead."

Just one of many sites of interest:
http://www.hundmeister.com/acvbenefit.htm

Very interesting. I'm a little confused about how much they would need to drink a day. Midway in the article it reads that consuming 12 ounces a day is therapeutic. I know I could never get my dogs to consume that.

Also, is it bitter like regular vinegar? If so, doesn't it make their water bitter?

Do you keep it in the fridge?

[Dauxside]

Mine get a tsp in their water, plus 1/4 cup in their food (remmeber I feed raw so it's mixed in.) Every time I change the water I add the vinegar. Myself, I drink it too. I eat a high protein diet - trying to cure some health issues and it can be hard on the body. Drinking the raw (natural) ACV keeps my kidneys, liver, etc clean.

[Deb's Tiny Dogs]

Originally Posted by Dauxside

Mine get a tsp in their water, plus 1/4 cup in their food (remmeber I feed raw so it's mixed in.) Every time I change the water I add the vinegar. Myself, I drink it too. I eat a high protein diet - trying to cure some health issues and it can be hard on the body. Drinking the raw (natural) ACV keeps my kidneys, liver, etc clean.

Is it bitter? Do you keep it in the fridge?

So, is that 1/4 cup with every meal?

[Dauxside]

Originally Posted by Deb's Tiny Dogs

Is it bitter? Do you keep it in the fridge?

So, is that 1/4 cup with every meal?

Sorry Deb I just noticed you asked that before - yes once opened the organic vinegar is in fridge. It's stronger tasting than the regular but the dogs and I have gotten use to the taste.

I put the 1/4 in their whole (raw) food when I make up the weekly batch - it's a little over 3lbs of raw food (raw organic meats, veggies, fruit and some suppliments - brewers yeast, freeze-dried ground seaweed, flax seed meal or oil, garlic) to that I add the 1/4 cup raw ACV. I do both the food and water because sometimes DH forgets to add to water when giving fresh. This way I know they're covered and they can't OD on it.

[Deb's Tiny Dogs]

I mentioned in the initial post on this thread that Bogey had a few abnormal blood work values and that we are going to repeat the tests in about a month. The abnormal values were:

High protein, calcium, sodium and globulin. Low thyroid. He has no symptoms of anything other than his skin seems dry and his coat looks a little dull despite salmon oil in his food.

Well, now I'm noticing his skin is really getting flaky. Anyone have anything really good for dry skin?

I'm still concerned though because he is already getting Wild Salmon Oil in his food. Could this be a sign of something else?

[Dauxside]

Dry skin can be a sign of low thyroid function;

Vet's don't generally run a hypothyroid screen without either being asked or sorting out other avenues.

The most common tests for thyroid function are T4 (the main Thyroid hormone) and canine TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone from the Pituitary Gland). If the screening test using the T4 analysis indicates low a value for T4, further evaluation is very important in determining the actual origin of the dysfunction causing the signs of hypothyroidism. Some veterinary laboratories now recommend TgAA (Thyroglobin Auto-antibody) analysis be done because it identifies thyroiditis much earlier in the progression of the disease. All of these assays are relatively inexpensive, and the information they provide is very important for establishing a diagnosis.

The other thing, which it might very well be is...how warm is it in your house? Really dry warm air can dry out coat and skin. Just put some moisture in the air and see if that helps.

You can do some aromatherapy while you're at it . Good for everyone's skin/hair and "head."