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  #1  
Old May 21st, 2013, 08:41 AM
newfie-mix newfie-mix is offline
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Diet question for my sick dog

Hi,

The question is below.
Here's a little context.....

I need to try and put weight on my dog fast.
Long story, she's skinny and losing weight slowly and vet can't figure out what's going on after several tests (next stop internal specialist)
Vet says at this point it falls under the rare category.
She also has Megaesophagus. (vet does not think it's related to the skinny and weight loss)
Anyway, not looking for guesses on what's wrong with her.
I'm in good hands in that department.
Not so much in the diet department.

The vet has her on Medi Cal Gastro High Energy wet canned food (3 cans a day)
And in between the 3 meals, I also give her Trippet canned food.
She also gets treats, and eats crap off the ground outdoors (when I'm not able to stop it of course
But she's getting harder stool and constipation.
And still lost a little weight! (I know, not normal - but for now I have to keep trying things)
I know the Medi Cal is garbage, even if it is "balanced" food.
So this week I'm telling him I'm changing the diet gameplan.

Question:
Any suggestions for fast weight gain with quality, balanced, food that can hopefully steer clear of constipation and loose stool?

Thanks
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  #2  
Old May 22nd, 2013, 07:17 PM
kitona kitona is offline
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Try regular full fat yogurt with a little slippery elm powder. The bacteria should help regulate her digestion and the slippery elm will help calm her entire gastro-intestinal system. Simple, inexpensive and worth a try.
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Old May 22nd, 2013, 07:31 PM
Barkingdog Barkingdog is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kitona View Post
Try regular full fat yogurt with a little slippery elm powder. The bacteria should help regulate her digestion and the slippery elm will help calm her entire gastro-intestinal system. Simple, inexpensive and worth a try.
The yogurt need to have live and active cultures , not all yogurts have this. And it should not have any sugar or sweeteners in it.
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  #4  
Old May 22nd, 2013, 07:37 PM
kitona kitona is offline
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Just did a quick check of Medi Cal Gastro on Dog Food Analysis and the first ingredient is corn. That could be a big issue right there. Corn is pretty rough on a dog's digestive system and your dog could be allergic. If you can find either NRG or Honest Kitchen in your area, give it a try. Both are ''dehydrated raw'' foods that need soaking in warm water before feeding. Neither contain grains or anything unpronounceable. Again, simple and worth a try.
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Old May 22nd, 2013, 07:39 PM
kitona kitona is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Barkingdog View Post
The yogurt need to have live and active cultures , not all yogurts have this. And it should not have any sugar or sweeteners in it.
Yes, I meant to include what you said. Thank you!
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  #6  
Old May 22nd, 2013, 08:03 PM
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Loki Love Loki Love is offline
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What about Satin Balls? If you google that, you'll find lots of recipes. Keep in mind they are quite rich and shouldn't be fed for extended periods of time.
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Old May 23rd, 2013, 06:38 AM
newfie-mix newfie-mix is offline
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Good ideas.
Thanks.
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Old May 23rd, 2013, 07:49 AM
newfie-mix newfie-mix is offline
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Summary

So from what I've gathered here and elsewhere, the following could be helpful:
Plain yoghurt with probiotics
Wheat germ or bran
Aloe vera juice
Slippery Elm
Pumpkin puree


Now to figure out amounts.
She's 70 lbs.
She gets 5 meals a day right now.
Should I add the above items (or most of them) to each meal?
Should I mix them in with her wet food, or just put on top?
And how much approx. of each, per meal, for a one day total?

Thanks

ps. Other suggestions/comments welcome of course
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  #9  
Old May 23rd, 2013, 09:14 AM
Barkingdog Barkingdog is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by newfie-mix View Post
So from what I've gathered here and elsewhere, the following could be helpful:
Plain yoghurt with probiotics
Wheat germ or bran
Aloe vera juice
Slippery Elm
Pumpkin puree


Now to figure out amounts.
She's 70 lbs.
She gets 5 meals a day right now.
Should I add the above items (or most of them) to each meal?
Should I mix them in with her wet food, or just put on top?
And how much approx. of each, per meal, for a one day total?

Thanks

ps. Other suggestions/comments welcome of course
you should start off giving your dog a small amount of any of these foods and give only one at a time. Some dogs can't handle gluten so you should give your a little Wheat Germ to see how she does . Bran will make a dog poop more so do not give your too much of it at once if you're not able to take her out during the day. I think it would be a good idea to also talk to your vet and see if they know how much your dog can eat of and food on the list.
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  #10  
Old May 24th, 2013, 01:10 PM
newfie-mix newfie-mix is offline
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Yes ran it by the vet and got the ok.
Introduced them individually and no problem.
She doesn't seem to have any allergies or sensitivities.
I think the constipation/hard stool is the vet food and
the increased amount she is eating.
Will see vet on Monday and see if her weight has stabilized or if she lost a bit again.
Either way, I plan to stop the vet canned food and switch with a good high end canned food that meets the same requirements.
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constipation, medi cal, rare illness, skinny, weight loss

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