My hypothesis, and experiment

[Mary's Mama]

:o I am about to pull my hair out with Bo the old sheltie. If it is not one thing it is another. Thing is he isn't REALLY sick or anything. Just little problems that keep reoccuring. He has been having a cough and dry scaley scabby areas on his skin. They said it was kennel cough and a staph infection but two courses of anitbiotics for each has helped but not gotten rid of it. Now we have Quantum antibiotic cream for the skin. He was also started on 3V's and gets one twice a day.

Here is my hypothesis, it seems all of this started when I changed him to the senior diet in hopes of helping him drop more weight. He continues to loose about 2 lbs a month, reasonable progress. However the senior diet (wellness) is very low protein (17%) fat (8%) and high fiber. I am wondering if a lack of protein and fat could be contributing to his skin issues and overall health in general.

Also, he has recently started thyroid medicine. We had his 1 mo t4 done and it was really high so they said to cut the dose in half.

Now for my experiment. I want him to have more protein and fat but I also want him to at least maintain his current weight. I am switching the other dogs to Mmillenia. I figured if I feed him 1/2 cup per day rather than 2/3 cup per day, it will be about the same calories. I plan on adding some veggies for bulk so he isn't hungry. Do you think that will work, or will he just blow up like a balloon.

On a side note, I know Mary will do great on the Mmillenia however I was wandering if you all thought it would be okay for a puppy. Mary never wanted to eat her puppy food so she went on adult food at about 4 months and is in excellent condition. I am considering just feeding the new pup the Mmillenia too. Any thoughts.

Thanks for listening to my ramble!!

[Nancy B]

Mary's Mama napisał(a):

:oHere is my hypothesis, it seems all of this started when I changed him to the senior diet in hopes of helping him drop more weight.

This sentence combined with the symptoms you listed make me wonder if he's having an allergic reaction to something in the Wellness. Yes, Wellness is a good food but individual dogs can still have reactions to ingredients. Check the Wellness bag for grains (most common allergy) and see that the next food you try doesn't have the same grains.

Dogs that do have allergic reactions to foods usually do well on foods with very few ingredients. California Natural is one that a lot of allergic dogs do well on.

BTW, you can give a 1000 mg fish oil capsule (Omega 3) each day to help with dry skin.

[imported_Foster]

If he is not doing well on the senior food siwtch him over and see what happens. If you don't want to use veggies all the time you can use 100% pure canned pumpkin. My dogs love it.

Personally, I don't believe in feeding puppy food. All my dogs go straight on adult food. I think there is too much fat and protein in puppy food. which can cause the puppies to grow too fast. Feeding adult will just slow the growth process but is just as nutricious...

[Mary's Mama]

Nancy and Foster - Thanks for your comments.

Nancy - I am not sure if it is allergies or not. He did fine on the Wellness adult for about 6 months with no adverse reactions and for the majority of his life was on grocery store food with no allergic reactions. However it very well could be, they can develop them at the drop of a hat. The new food is Solid Gold Mmellinnia. It is has very few grains, no corn wheat or soy products. It also has some good oils in it as well. I just know that his problems are related to the food change, now I am kicking myself in the rear for making the change.

Foster - I'm right on track with you. I have decreased his amount of food and been giving him pumpkin for a few days now, he really likes it too. Just didn't have time to put together a veggie mush during the week with the new puppy. I'll get right on it tomorrow. I think you are right about the puppy food. His current food is outrageous, 33% protein. That seems crazy to me. I bought a small bag of it and it will probably last a while. I think I will keep him on it till he gets to 12 weeks then begin the transition.