For commercial, how about California Natural? They have the fewest ingredients and have a lamb and rice and a herring and sweet potato. I know that the rice formula isn't grain free, but it's a thought in case she can't tolerate potato or fish.
I had to have Jack food allergy tested. And while some people will say that's wasted money, it wasn't. I avoided foods he tested high for and lo and behold, in six weeks he was a different dog. No more hot spots or dropped coat, no more vomiting...
The worst case is you'll get false positives, but since the tests show scales, you can ignore borderline lows.
Cal Nat is fairly easy to come by, too. And then there's Evanger's Duck and Sweet Potato canned...
And how about turkey and brown rice? Brown rice is less processed and dogs that are allergic to chicken aren't necessarily sensitive to turkey. Or ground lamb and a baked sweet potato?
no prb, dave! Lucy's health is way more important than what food I need help choosing!!
To second what Michelle is saying - our foster basset had a very sensitive stomach, and couldn't do chicken but had no issue with duck or turkey - if you are looking to do a bland diet - turkey doesn't seem to have the same ill effects as chicken.
I appreciate all the suggestions. Lucy most definitely needs to be on a allergy diet. It was actually very interesting when I spoke to the specialist about diets last month. He unsurprisingly works primarily with the big name Rx diets like Hill's and Royal Canin. The interesting part was that he liked some of them but not others. For example, he hates the I/D from Hill's, but likes the Z/D. (I'm just making that up, I don't recall the exact thing). He did say, however, the one non Rx brand his clients have had good success with is Wellness and their limited ingredient diets. They have a venison formula (which is the protein Lucy is on right now), but I'm thinking changing her to duck will be what he advises if/when the time comes. I don't want to change her protein source if I can avoid it due to the nature of IBD.
Dave can't you be a pest and request that the doc call on an off hr. or is the vet a stink pot getting around to clients only on his time? How annoying....
I have used Evangers canned duck formula for a few sensitive dogs (since this brand does not have to much extra junk in it) and it has worked for some sensitive dogs. However, it is rich and some can not handle the duck. My thought is, stick to what you know has worked for Lucy rather than make things worse right now by changing up. That way when the doc calls you have not changed your routine, and also just in case you have to take Lucy in to the clinic for a check etc.
He's a stink. That whole place is full of 'em. They are one of if the not the best animal hospitals in GA and they know it. The fact of the matter is Lucy just isn't that interesting a case for them. She got great treatment there, but the phone thing is a bit ridiculous with them. The specialists are all booked up with appointments and even the one Lucy has seen only returns phone calls at the very end of the day. If you don't answer the phone when he calls, that's it, he's out the door and you're SOL.
To make things more complicated, the drug Lucy is on is highly non-standard. Its something only the internal medicine docs use and therefore if I try to talk to another doctor that is available (which, btw can only happen with a tech acting as an intermediary) they have no clue about the drug and its side effects. When I called this morning and spoke with a tech who badly mangled my message to the doctor and gave me a completely nonsensical response, I asked if I could just come in and talk with the doctor in person. Her response was to bring Lucy in for emergency care and they will admit her overnight so the internal medicine intern that covers over the weekend can examine her tomorrow. I just hung up the phone without saying anything else.
What BS....I feel your pain. We have had gone through the same ordeal with the specialist we have had to use. I have been a complete pest at times. I have gone in unannounced to become more of a pest in the waiting room if I got stinky answers. I knew the tech had no clue and would not get it right so I "dropped by". Wanting to get rid of me they did put forth my questions I had written on paper to pass back while I waited. Finally the vet did come out at least to talk in passing.
Sadly there are many vets who do not want to deal with the public. I find some of the newer vet's or specialized vets beside manners horrible or sorely lacking.....but that's another story.
It is easier said than done in some cases there are only up to three specialists in a state. All of them are in great demand. I depends on the type of care needed for the dog. We have a regular vet that is so much better in the human & dog interaction dept. however he is not versed in some things specific to immunity disease. So we have to bite it and go to the anti social curmudgeon at times.
Out of concern, I suggested the University of Athens months ago, a teaching vet school and in my opinion surpassing any 'specialist' available. They want to explore and understand and cure the health issues of our animals and are not financially driven. It's an hour drive.
Snf: That's exactly the boat I'm in. The regular vet I take them to is awesome! She's thorough in her diagnostics, doesn't mind answering questions, and is almost always available to talk on the phone within a few hours, usually less if receptionist feels its important. If she isn't around, one of the other vets in the practice will fill in for her willingly and with just as quick and reliable a response. Lucy is such a special case for them that they've even discussed her situation among themselves. They've never seen a case of IBD as severe as hers. This is why I feel strongly about using a specialist that has treated a lot of other dogs just as severe as Lucy is.
Elaine: I remember you making the UGA suggestion and I very much appreciate it. I chose to go with a local specialist for two reasons. First, I know you had a great experience there with your dog, but I have heard of a few bad experiences there from other people. Second, since I wanted Lucy's normal vet to continue to play a role in her care, I thought it would be a good idea to use someone she has worked with before and trusts.
Thus, I put up with the crappy games on the phone because I feel the quality of the advice I get (when I'm able to get it) is really good and the communication between the specialist and the normal vet is very important.
I feel its a shame that canine health care is lacking such luster, but so is human health care, reallly. It took a lot to get to both a canine neurologist and oral surgeon that would work with my vet and me and my dogs. its a tough, tough thing when you are proactive in your dogs health - there are a lot of holes in the system!
I hope your weekend is a good one, Dave! Give lucy hugs from the Washi pack here in PA! I feel so bad for that poor pup - how is Joey doing post-neuter?
Sorry, gonna have to argue. Is Lucy's health better? Is she getting better, if not cured, stablized? Are you satisfied that Lucy is improving? I simply ask you to open your mind to looking in a different direction because it is clear to me the direction and choices you are taking for Lucy are not working. Why would you chose to stay on that path when it is not working?
Thanks Jen! I hope so too. Lucy appreciates the hugs and sends a few face licks back your way.
Joey's doing better today. He's still been sleeping most of the day and pretty cuddly, but the whining and moaning has stopped for now. Last night I took his e-collar off for a few hours after dinner and he was feeling good enough to try to initiate play with Lucy while they were both on the couch together. I felt bad having to stop it. Overall, he's progressing nicely though.
Scarlet - NO! Not UGA!!! I'll never go there again! I know two people who's dogs died of misdiagnosed cancer and in my case, they badly botched my Jack's back surgery leaving him a quad and infecting his spinal cord. I had to put him to sleep. Their treatment of him was beyond horrible.
A coworker got fed up with them with her dog's illness and took him to Auburn, who helped. She'll never take her dog to UGA again. I'd ask my vet for a referral to Auburn.
Dave - Georgia Vet Specialists? I know them. You're right, they are good, but in this case IBD probably isn't something that interests them. I don't know where you live, but there is a holistic vet I make a trek to - Loving Touch in Stone Mountain. And the person who comes up with my dogs' diets is from thedogfoodproject.com aka Mordanna over at ourdogsonline.com.
Elaine: Thank you for your concern about Lucy. To answer your questions...Lucy has made more progress from just one visit to GVS than she has in all the other visits to a vet she's made combined. Her health is much better, her weight is much better, and her stool (up until today) has been more regular and firm than it has been in the entire time I've owned her. Her appetite remains good, her coat is softer and shinier, and she hasn't vomited since starting the medication she's on. I agree with you, if I ever get to the point where I don't feel the path she is on is working, I will not hesitate to make a change. But for now, the evidence is overwhelming that she's improving significantly.
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Thanks for the suggestions Michelle! I'm inclined to stick with what has been working so far despite my frustrations with them. Lucy really has progressed by leaps and bounds. If I need to make a change, I'll definitely keep those places in mind! :-)
Comments
I had to have Jack food allergy tested. And while some people will say that's wasted money, it wasn't. I avoided foods he tested high for and lo and behold, in six weeks he was a different dog. No more hot spots or dropped coat, no more vomiting...
The worst case is you'll get false positives, but since the tests show scales, you can ignore borderline lows.
Cal Nat is fairly easy to come by, too. And then there's Evanger's Duck and Sweet Potato canned...
And how about turkey and brown rice? Brown rice is less processed and dogs that are allergic to chicken aren't necessarily sensitive to turkey. Or ground lamb and a baked sweet potato?
To second what Michelle is saying - our foster basset had a very sensitive stomach, and couldn't do chicken but had no issue with duck or turkey - if you are looking to do a bland diet - turkey doesn't seem to have the same ill effects as chicken.
Come on specialty doc!! Call Dave back!
Grrr. I really thought we were past this. :-(
I have used Evangers canned duck formula for a few sensitive dogs (since this brand does not have to much extra junk in it) and it has worked for some sensitive dogs. However, it is rich and some can not handle the duck. My thought is, stick to what you know has worked for Lucy rather than make things worse right now by changing up. That way when the doc calls you have not changed your routine, and also just in case you have to take Lucy in to the clinic for a check etc.
Snf
To make things more complicated, the drug Lucy is on is highly non-standard. Its something only the internal medicine docs use and therefore if I try to talk to another doctor that is available (which, btw can only happen with a tech acting as an intermediary) they have no clue about the drug and its side effects. When I called this morning and spoke with a tech who badly mangled my message to the doctor and gave me a completely nonsensical response, I asked if I could just come in and talk with the doctor in person. Her response was to bring Lucy in for emergency care and they will admit her overnight so the internal medicine intern that covers over the weekend can examine her tomorrow. I just hung up the phone without saying anything else.
Sadly there are many vets who do not want to deal with the public. I find some of the newer vet's or specialized vets beside manners horrible or sorely lacking.....but that's another story.
Hang in there an be persistent
Snf
Snf
Elaine: I remember you making the UGA suggestion and I very much appreciate it. I chose to go with a local specialist for two reasons. First, I know you had a great experience there with your dog, but I have heard of a few bad experiences there from other people. Second, since I wanted Lucy's normal vet to continue to play a role in her care, I thought it would be a good idea to use someone she has worked with before and trusts.
Thus, I put up with the crappy games on the phone because I feel the quality of the advice I get (when I'm able to get it) is really good and the communication between the specialist and the normal vet is very important.
It took a lot to get to both a canine neurologist and oral surgeon that would work with my vet and me and my dogs.
its a tough, tough thing when you are proactive in your dogs health - there are a lot of holes in the system!
I hope your weekend is a good one, Dave! Give lucy hugs from the Washi pack here in PA! I feel so bad for that poor pup - how is Joey doing post-neuter?
Joey's doing better today. He's still been sleeping most of the day and pretty cuddly, but the whining and moaning has stopped for now. Last night I took his e-collar off for a few hours after dinner and he was feeling good enough to try to initiate play with Lucy while they were both on the couch together. I felt bad having to stop it. Overall, he's progressing nicely though.
A coworker got fed up with them with her dog's illness and took him to Auburn, who helped. She'll never take her dog to UGA again. I'd ask my vet for a referral to Auburn.
Dave - Georgia Vet Specialists? I know them. You're right, they are good, but in this case IBD probably isn't something that interests them. I don't know where you live, but there is a holistic vet I make a trek to - Loving Touch in Stone Mountain. And the person who comes up with my dogs' diets is from thedogfoodproject.com aka Mordanna over at ourdogsonline.com.
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Thanks for the suggestions Michelle! I'm inclined to stick with what has been working so far despite my frustrations with them. Lucy really has progressed by leaps and bounds. If I need to make a change, I'll definitely keep those places in mind! :-)