Shaianne's Visit to the Vet!!!

[shais_mom]

Shaianne went to the vet today and this is what we found out:
Shai has a history of cholititis, she was treated for that about a year ago (I found that out b/c she was bleeding rectally and I was very frightened, I am an xray tech and know what that could mean). She was treated with two rounds of antibiotics and that was it. Well, the Dr. said today that she could have gastritis, and put her on 2 pills.
And we also decided to:
1-wean her off canned food, and go strictly to dry food
2-no rawhide treats that has a tendency to upset their stomachs
3-no moist treats just the dry ones
She said that we can try this and if doesn't help we may have to feed her Hills i/d which I suspected anyway. But the vet said we would try this route, b/c she knows that that food is quite a bit more expensive than regular food, and I am on a "limited" single person income. But whatever works for Shaianne I will do, I think the hardest thing is going to be no canned food b/c she doesn't eat dry food very well. But she better learn!!!!
I know the Hills i/d will be expensive but I got to thinking about how much canned food I buy, and the cost will probably equal out to close to the same.
Thank you for all the concern, I appreciate it and so does Shaianne
Hugs and nose kisses to all out furry friends out there!!!
Staci and Shaianne

[ownerof3dogs]

I glad that she will be all right. I think your about the cost of the food equalling out. it probaly will cost about the same.

You said that she might not eat it. you could try and add warm water to it.

[lhg0962]

Staci,
I'm so glad you got some answers and at least have a direction to go with Shaianne's problems. I sure do hope it works for you. She might not act interested in that dry food immediately, but she'll get hungry and settle into a routine in no time. I'm paying $1.09/can for Iams now. Honey and Lilly share a can with their dry food each morning. You're bound to save some money over purchasing canned food.
I'm really into the research on this food issue and if I can add years to their life, I certainly want to try. Thanks for getting this whole food discussion started. It continues to be confusing. But I have this long list of websites, names, etc. to read and I plan to start this weekend. It really is interesting how opinionated people are about this topic.
From one "single" mom to another, I feel your pain (financial that is).
Logan

[This message has been edited by lhg0962 (edited January 05, 2001).]

[Genia]

Staci, Did your vet say why Shaianne is to be weaned off canned food? I saw in your forum about dog food that you mixed dry with canned? I'm just wondering because like Logan, I started giving Jeffrey and Bandit a can mixed in with thier dry in the mornings. I was just wondering if he suggested it because of Shai's previous medical history or if there was another reason. Bandit is due for a check-up this month. I'm going to ask my vet if the canned food is okay. I'm glad things are looking up for you and your dog.

Logan,
From one single Mom to another, I definitely understand finances. Use those coupons! Usually they offer $1 off bags and $1 off five cans. May not sound like much but I am a serious coupon clipper



[This message has been edited by Genia (edited January 06, 2001).]

[karen israel]

Hi Staci! I know it's so hard to wean them off things they love since they're so habitual. I get 1 25 pd bag of Hills K9 RD and also get 24 can case I use 1c of dry and slightly more than 1/4 wet BUT!!! my mother, who originally wasn't thrilled with a dog upsetting our lives (she loves them but didn't want one) decided that plain ole dog food must be boring and wretched and took it upon herself to include about 1/2 shredded boneless chicken breast !!! Plus, the juice that goes with it since it includes some veggies!!! SOOOOO...all this leads to my suggestion of nofat, low or no sodium broth added to the dry to get S to eat it. Like, Cody isn't her spoiled granddog or nuthin!

[Sudilar]

Staci,
Glad to hear that something can be done for Shaianne. I know that sometimes special dog food can be expensive but...what we don't do for our babies!! For a while, my Killian was on Eukanuba F/P (fish and potatoes) with 1/2 can of salmon a day to treat his skin and weight problem when we first got him from the shelter. That was expensive,but the results were worth it ( a big, healthy, hairy dog)! Hang in there and I hope Shaianne recovers quickly!

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***Save a life, ADOPT***

[carrie]

You may like to try the prescribed canned food on four days and your own home made food of white fish, cooked rice, a teaspoon of oil and minced carrots and greens on the other three days. It will cut cost and encourage a healthy digestive system. (Add some raw, minced garlic too)

[tatsxxx11]

You've already gotten so much terrific advice. Perhaps with time you can start slowly incorporating some manner of "wet" food into Shai's diet?? Ask your vet the reasoning behind "all dry" (i.e. gastric irritability, dumping syndorme, etc.) Is it a chronic or acute problem? Perhaps, when you and the vet have a better grasp on the problem, you can work out a way of incorporating other food types gradually? Or, as Carrie suggests, alternate/limit certain foods with the dry? What a great Mom you are! Big hugs to Shai, brave girl!! It's so hard not to eat what we like!!!

[KYS]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by shais_mom:
[B]Shaianne went to the vet today and this , Well, the Dr. said today that she could have gastritis, and put her on 2 pills. >>>>>>>>>

I hope the change of diet and the pills work for Shai.
I looked up Gastritis since my male dog
spits up sporadically.
(he does like to eat anything
and everything in the yard)
I just wish I new what it was,
that was irrating his stomach,
and I would get rid of it.
Best wishes for Shai and please let us
know if she stops vomiting.

[RachelJ]

Good luck with the new regime for sweet Shai. I too think the warm water will help with accepting the dry food. I use about 1/3 cup (of warm water) with is divided between my two dogs' dishes so that isn't much. Also they eat the food so fast, it doesn't even make the dry food soggy, just releases some of the aroma of the food.

[JKRJG24]

Verry sorry to hear about her!!!! I'm glad to hear she'll be OK!!!!!! Give her a hug for me!!!!

[shais_mom]

Thank you SOOO much everyone! I got teary eyed just reading the posts
My vet said that a dog with sensitive stomachs like hers, dry food is best. And dry treats like biscuits and marrow bones, not puperoni type. I knew that b/c when she gets the puperoni she has the most horrible gas and can clear a room!!
Some people said to cook for her lean ground beef and rice.
I am going to the pet store today and I think I am going to try to get the sensible choice natural selection that I mentioned in the dog food forum. About coupons- I am a coupon cutter too which is probably why Shai doesn't get a very good consistent dry food. (bad mom ) I had a coupon on the sample bag of food for the Sensible Choice and forgot it and pitched it and then remembered and went thru the trash with latex gloves!!! Didn't find it tho!!! Oh well there goes $3!!
Shai has not vomited since Monday night so each day is a success in that respect.
I WILL keep you posted--Thanks again everyone!!!

[Sudilar]

That's good news about Shai. I hope she continues to get better!

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***Save a life, ADOPT***

[tatsxxx11]

Great news from a great Mom! Sounds like you're on the right track. Hope Shai can "keep it down" and enjoy a good dinner tonight. Hugs to Shai.

[ktreva52]

Ask your vet about switching Shai to a senior food. It is more easily digested, but retains the fiber content needed for good bowel action. We've never had the cholitis, but my daughter adopted a dog that had severe gastritis. Ella was nothing but skin and bones when Charity adopted her and the vet didn't even think Ella would survive. Charity added (God, I'm having a major brain fart here) the nutrition supplement Nutri-something, comes in a tube like toothpaste. Anyway, Miss Ella is 6 years old and weighs about 50 lbs. and looks great, so there is hope for severe gastritis. Good luck with Shai.