Forum Discussion

RBak's avatar
RBak
Explorer
Dec 06, 2014

New Prescription Diet woes

Andy has high liver values so is on a prescription diet for this. The first one, Royal Canin Hepatic, he didn't like and wouldn't eat, so I switched to Hills LD, but not gradually. He wouldn't eat it mixed in with the Royal Canin, so I gave up and gave it to him straight. Of course he had diarrhea. So we've been on boiled chicken and rice for the past few days, and he was beginning to firm up until I tried mixing in a little LD yesterday. He ate it and this morning had diarrhea again. So what do I do? Keep him on the chicken and rice and forget about the prescription diets? I'm almost ready to start cooking for him and forget about the commercially prepared foods. I haven't tried using pumpkin yet and I do have Centrine given to me by my vet for bowel problems when we are travelling. Do I break down and give him one of those pills today? Otherwise, he seems fine - acting as usual and has not lost any weight. Dr. Doug, I need your advice, and also those of those forum members who have gone through this with their pets.

Rita
  • AZPops's avatar
    AZPops
    Explorer
    Dec 06, 2014
    I feel your pain, re: new diets. One thing you could try is giving Andy a probiotic (?), e.g. Calvin's on Proviable DC, which worked extremely well since he's been on Fluconazole.

    Pops
  • doxiemom11's avatar
    doxiemom11
    Explorer II
    Dec 06, 2014
    Not sure chicken & rice would provide for nutritional needs. Maybe if you added in some veg and fruits and vitamins ???
  • dturm's avatar
    dturm
    Moderator
    Dec 06, 2014
    Short term any diet that addresses the diarrhea is OK. To me it's more important to eat than be on a special diet for the liver. Lance gave good advice regarding the probiotics, that is worth trying.

    I've found that dogs with liver issues tend to have very sensitive digestive systems and diarrhea is a pretty common issue even without diet changes.
  • NCWriter's avatar
    NCWriter
    Explorer
    Dec 06, 2014
    The pumpkin helped Raylene for a short bout of diarrhea recently along with a little plain yoghurt.

    When she had a prolonged vomiting episode in June, the plain boiled chicken & rice wasn't helping, and I think that she might have had a chicken sensitivity issue in the first place. The vet suggested Royal Canin Anallergenic kibble and the vomiting stopped immediately. Now she's on RC Selected protein, potato venison, and doing well.
  • nabi's avatar
    nabi
    Explorer
    Dec 06, 2014
    sorry to hear about Andys GI difficulties...always such a hard thing to deal with, praying you hit upon the magic combo for him soon.
  • RBak's avatar
    RBak
    Explorer
    Dec 07, 2014
    He still has soft, formed stools today - light yellow in color. Has been fed only rice and chicken for the past 24 hours and wants to eat! So what do I do now - give him rice water and withhold food for today to rest his colon then take him to the vet tomorrow? I am so upset about this and blame the change in kibble. He was doing great on the ID and the change to hepatic diets seems to have caused all this misery. My vet is not available on Sundays - bummer! Otherwise, he is acting normally and has a great appetite, but the diarrhea - or the soft formed variation of it - is still here. Do I take him to the emergency vet today or can I wait on this? Help - need advice!

    Rita
  • dturm's avatar
    dturm
    Moderator
    Dec 07, 2014
    If the stools are firming up and he's acting normal there isn't a need to rush to the emergency clinic. I'd continue the chicken & rice or i/d and consult your vet tomorrow.
  • RBak's avatar
    RBak
    Explorer
    Dec 08, 2014
    Andy had a bout of vomiting/diarrhea yesterday and last night. Took him to my former vet (farther away but worth the drive) and he was given an injection for the vomiting/diarrhea and Centrine and Metronidazole pills to take for this week. He also is to go back on Lowfat ID, which he has been eating this year with good results. AND, most importantly, he will be tested for Cushing's disease during the next few week. I've read about this and would appreciate any input or information anyone could supply. This is NOT what I expected - I thought I was just dealing with a mast cell tumor and elevated liver enzymes.

    Rita
  • Deb_and_Ed_M's avatar
    Deb_and_Ed_M
    Explorer II
    Dec 08, 2014
    RBak wrote:
    Andy had a bout of vomiting/diarrhea yesterday and last night. Took him to my former vet (farther away but worth the drive) and he was given an injection for the vomiting/diarrhea and Centrine and Metronidazole pills to take for this week. He also is to go back on Lowfat ID, which he has been eating this year with good results. AND, most importantly, he will be tested for Cushing's disease during the next few week. I've read about this and would appreciate any input or information anyone could supply. This is NOT what I expected - I thought I was just dealing with a mast cell tumor and elevated liver enzymes.

    Rita


    Yeeeessh! Praying this all resolves easily?

    One thing I found, to get Ike to eat more (he was just a nibbler), was to add a teaspoonful of stew (just the plain old canned human stuff) and a bit of water to his kibble, mix it well - then zap it about 10 seconds in the microwave to bring out that wonderful aroma. They're dogs - they can detect "people food" in tiny concentrations....LOL!

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