Figma

Well, yes it was May. Can't copy/ paste here. It was the Kirkland web site. Dogfoodadvosor.com/dog-food-recall

Heard there is a Kirkland dog food recall, you may know this. Their web site lists the States of distribution and the bar codes to check

Yes, I get the CVS brand, same as Pepcid. Our Grey gets 20 mg twice a day, per our Vet's orders

I'm just now reading the posts on Jabari and it sounds like I could have typed that story! Having almost the same issues with our 12-yr old Grey. Yep, was down to 54.5 lbs and seemed to have lost the weight pretty quickly. His normal weight has been more around 65-70 lbs for some years. He has always been a picky eater but really was turning up his nose to most anything I tried. Off to the Vet we went and did complete blood work, which was pretty normal. He has had somewhat of a cough/gag type thing going on but chest x-ray looked normal. Referred to another clinic to get an abdominal ultrasound, which pretty much looked normal but for a small thickened area (no definitive explanation). The only thing that is really showing up in protein in his urine. I contacted Dr. Dodds and she has been helpful in that this is probably not a thyroid issue and she said these test results are not all that unusual in an older Grey. She suggested what food to feed and agreed with the BP meds to keep the BP down in the kidneys. She also recommended Pepcid (20 mg) twice a day, which we are doing. His appetite is still hit and miss and he still looks very thin. However, he is still alert (for him) and gets excited and enjoys his daily walks. Can't say I notice much improvement with weight gain. So, all we know for sure is that he dumping protein in his urine and I am trying to follow Dr. Dodd's instructions. She did stress *no ID formula food*!! I have been feeding Natural Balance Fish and Sweet Potato with some canned also. I did try the canned, green tripe with his kibble today and he at that right down. Past 3 days, he has probably only eaten 1 meal each day. I have had this discussion before and am trying to find out what other Grey members suggested in the way of supplements. Vit B, I think. Hope we can all come up with some answers.

Sounds like the canned would really be easiest! It doesn't need to be raw to have the "dog crack" effect. I had to order Tripett online but the Solid Gold Green Cow tripe is at Petco (we don't have independent holistic pet food places where I live; YMMV). I don't find the canned smells that much worse than, say, cat food. Beth adores it and does well with it, though unfortunately I'll have to stop feeding it because of her just-diagnosed pancreas issue, at least for the time being. My friend told me about the canned that PetCo carries and I went and got some. Opened it this morning and mixed it with Ranger's kibble and he ate it right down.Didn't smell all that bad. He is still getting so thin, hope he continues to eat this!!

Yes, Enalapril and other ACE inhibitors have been linked to kidney failure. It is not understood why, however. It is theorized that dogs/people taking these medications may already have compromised kidney function and the declining function is coincidental and has nothing to do with the medication. There may be a link, however. It is, of course, difficult to parse out when the patient is taking it for kidney failure. I can tell you that Sadie took Enalapril for nearly two years. She began at 10mg and eventually increased to 20mg. I do not believe that it "caused" kidney failure. Yes, Enalapril and other ACE inhibitors have been linked to kidney failure. It is not understood why, however. It is theorized that dogs/people taking these medications may already have compromised kidney function and the declining function is coincidental and has nothing to do with the medication. There may be a link, however. It is, of course, difficult to parse out when the patient is taking it for kidney failure. I can tell you that Sadie took Enalapril for nearly two years. She began at 10mg and eventually increased to 20mg. I do not believe that it "caused" kidney failure. Our Grey, although his BUN is within normal, is losing protein in his urine. His BP was rather high in the office. Our Vet put him on 10 mg Enalapril he said to help keep the pressure down in the kidneys. I took Dr Dodd's advice and have him on Natural Balance Fish and Sweet Potato with some canned. Some days he eats and some days not. Sometimes once a day and sometimes twice. I did try the canned tripe this morning and he ate that right down with his kibble. He is still active, loves his daily walks, but still looks awfully thin and is drinking a lot of water.

LOL!!! Our Grey sleeps in the bedroom cause he wants to know where *we* are and that we aren't up to something.

Our Grey has two beds, one in our bedroom and one in the family room. He sleeps on either of these and stays on his bed in our room during the night, always has and never gets up on the bed, won't even get up if I try to call him up. However, if we aren't here, he jumps on our bed. He thinks I don't know but I always hear a *thump* as I'm coming down the hall to the bedroom. Surprise!! He is on his bed or the floor but there is always evidence someone has been in *my* bed.

Our Grey has always been a picky eater. Makes me nuts! He was losing weight (he just turned 12) off to the Vet we went. Looks like we are dealing with renal issues. Aside from that, I tried samples of various foods recommended by a Vet and he is now on Natural Balance Fish and Sweet Potato and I used a little of the canned food per meal also. It's like $2.00 a can. Just to try a little variety, I picked up a can of Bison and Venison. He turns his nose up to both. You might try and see if you can get some samples of the Natural Balance. The pet store here that sells these types of foods, luckily, always has the small sample bags and gave me quite a few to try. His stools are good on this food too.

:lol

Thanks so much for taking the time to send all this information. Some of which helps answer some questions. Like I said, I had contacted Dr. Dodds and I am now feeding the Natural Balance Fish and Sweet Potato with a little canned added. I tried a little of the canned Bison but he wouldn't touch it yesterday but he ate a full meal this morning with the fish one added. This is 21% protein and 10% fat. From what Dr. Dodds told me, this food should be okay even though I thought you needed a lower protein. I didn't have the information on the Dick Van Patten food. Maybe I can see if the store has samples of that. An issues with our Grey (and always has been) is to just get him to consistently eat!! I need to get him to the Vet and get a weight on him again but it doesn't appear he has lost any more. He is still drinking water more often. He is still active and enjoys his two daily walks. I've been going to my Vet for a very long time and I do trust him but really don't feel he keeps up on the latest research, trends, etc. It is not unusual for me to take stuff over for him to read. I was skeptical about using the BP meds but Ranger seems none the worse for wear taking it so I'll continue with that. On Dr Dodd's recommendation, he is getting 20 mg of Pepcid a day (my Vet had told me 10 mg but we increased it). My Vet didn't say when to bring him back again for follow up. When should blood work and/or urinalysis be done again and how often? The sense of smell information was interesting. Maybe that's why he didn't eat the Bison but likes the fish. Who knows? again, thanks! I wouldn't recommend starting any supplement without discussing it with your vet. Whether or not dogs with confirmed renal disease need supplements, and what dosage, depends on lab work, such as looking at the calcium and phosphorus levels, as well as electrolyte levels. Oh, definitely would consult with my Vet before starting anything. Was just wondering what was being given and the dosage so I could relay that information to him. There aren't many Grey savy Vets in this area. thanks

If you haven't done blood work and received a dx of CRF you don't want to do this. Excess calcium binds Phos, which is what you want with kidney disease. But you do not want to do that with a dog with healthy kidneys. Excess Calcium in a dog without renal disease will bind zinc and affect potassium absorption. For a healthy dog there is plenty of Vit D in their food and with exposure to sunshine for half an hour per day. ETA: Oops, just saw in another thread you are dealing with a kidney dog. From my experience any Phos binder should help the back end weakness. I think we are dealing with renal issues, per my Vet. Protein in his urine but BUN was normal. So, do I or don't I want to supplement and, if so, with what and what dosage? I don't understand this binding discussion. What kidney diet were you using for her?

Ahhhhhhhh, glad to hear she is home and resting and surprised she ate and so much!!!! Well,that's over with. Whew.

Hasn't had his urine rechecked and my Vet sent the original sample to an outside lab and had two tests run on it. If there's an infection, don't know where it might be. His WBC was actually low and a few others were slightly off (Low or High). X rays and the ultrasound didn't really show much except maybe a possible thickening in the lower intestine which two Vets think may be a food issue that's why it was suggested I put him on the fish diet. He had been on the Blue Chicken for Seniors.

Interesting. I've noticed our Grey seems a bit weak in the rear. What doses are you giving and what brands? Can you give those supplements with renal issues?

Oh, this all seems so confusing. I was told the protein content of grain-free foods will always be higher (because they don’t have the bulk protein being wheat or corn or soy – cheaper protein sources) but you feed less of it to maintain caloric needs. When his blood work was done on the 7th, his BUN was within the normal range. My Vet said there is protein in his urine. I am feeding him the Fish and Sweet Potato and I did pick up some of the Bison and Sweet Potato canned and the Fish and Sweet Potato canned. I add maybe 2 Tlbs per meal and he is eating. Still drinking a lot of water but he still seems active, for him, goes on his walks, etc. A couple of friends of mine have worked with a nutritionist (have that info some place) and she had them feeding the sticky rice. I think you have to order that? Something just makes me feel something else is going on here besides possible renal failure but none of the tests, as far as I know, are showing much of anything. Thanks for all the help, appreciate it. Just don't want to kill my poor dog.

I don't know if I mentioned here that I had contacted Dr Dodds in So. Calif. She has been very good in answering some of my concerns. First thing she told me was to NOT use a prescription diet, of which I had just picked up a case of the ID food. LOL!! She also suggested either feeding Wellness, Eagle Holistic, Natural Balance, etc. I had a dog that wasn't eating at all. After trial and error with some samples, I'm now feeding the Natural Balance Fish and Sweet Potato with a little of the canned (same) added. It is Protein 21% and Fat 10% with Phosphorus of .9% minimum. For the past week, except for yesterday, he has been eating a good two meals a day. He still continues to drink more water, stools are normal, etc. I may take him to the Vet's office this week to get another weight on him because he doesn't look like he has gained any and still looks awfully thin. He is on the BP meds once a day and Pepcid twice a day. Dr. Dodds suggested I increase that to 20 mg instead of 10 mg. I did pick up some of the green tripe but haven't opened it yet due to what everyone is saying about the smell. LOL!! From what I've read (and haven't read everything) seems latest research shows the protein is not as much of a concern as the Phosphorus with renal issues. Any thoughts? At least he is finally eating something.

Have always used a raised feeder. As a matter of fact, my DH made ours and I painted and stenciled it. Top was getting pretty dirty so he took it out to sand it down and repaint it. I only have the one so put the food bowl on the floor. Nope, Ranger was not going to eat there. So, I took out a box and put the food bowl on top of that. Nope, was not going to eat there either. So, took out a step stool and put the food bowl on top of that. Nope, wouldn't eat that way either!!!! I finally told DH to finish that feeder or this dog was not eating. Well, it finally dried and I put it back late last night. He finally ate his breakfast about 11:00 last night!!!

I've never fed them but have to say that our Grey is the first dog I've ever had that doesn't seem to know what to do with a bone. LOL!!! The first time I tried to give him raw turkey necks, you could see he wanted it but didn't want to get his feet dirty holding it. I should have gotten that on video. This dog.............. I wonder if he would eat or chew on a bully stick but we think he may be starting some renal issues and I wonder if it would be a good idea to give him one. Anyone know??? He is not on BP meds and Natural Balance Fish and Sweet Potato and Pepcid.

When our Grey gets gassy, it is usually a food issue. As a matter of fact, my Vet recently suggested we put him on a food with fish and stay away from poultry. Said, even though they may have eaten it for a long time, can still develop a sensitivity to it. Maybe try getting a small bag of Pro Plan Salmon for Sensitive Stomachs and see if that helps.

Agree about the concern if he is not drinking. Since I've had Shelties years ago, I keep a butterfly syringe on hand and will use that to give water, if necessary. I'm not talking for major dehydration issues but for some liquid intake. I'm not sure on the Comfortis. My son's Vet just gave that to him to give to his dog (which I think may be a Grey mix, actually) They had a major flea problem but the dogs often go to the dog park and dog beach. His dog hasn't seemed to have any problems with it but I don't know that I would use it myself. And, I use the Pepcid also. Due to our Grey having some health problems lately and a very poor appetite with some vomiting of bile, my Vet and Dr. Dodds told me to give him 20 mg 2 x daily and it has helped. That with a diet change to Natural Balance Fish and Sweet Potato. If there is no temp, vomiting, lethargy, etc. I'd probably wait until tomorrow but would keep a close eye out for any signs of dehydration. It's okay for dogs to go some time without food but still need water. I cannot believe how fast this breed can lose weight if they stop eating. Good luck

Good luck tomorrow. Our Grey had 4 teeth extracted at age 11 and he did fine with that. However, he seems to have issues after anesthetic even though my Vet insists he follows the protocol I gave him for Greys and anesthetic. Love the name, by the way, If I ever got a Papillion, thought I might name it Bijou.

Came to the Boards to check on a few updates and I was so hoping this one had been resolved!! If you or the Vet don't see anything in the nasal passage or the oral cavity, I'd still opt for an endoscopy. Sure there is nothing stuck in her nasal cavity maybe? Prayers still on the way

Oh, I can certainly understand why you are upset!!!! We had some SA issues with out Grey when we first got him and he did some damage but not to that extent!!! Luckily, he would stay in a crate but he was never in it very long. Eventually, I would shut the doors to the 2 extra bedrooms and bathroom and put an ex-pen across the opening to the living room as he will go in there and mark on the coffee table. That gives him the master bedroom, family room and kitchen. He does get on my bed when I am not home and may make a mess out of it but doesn't tear up anything. Now, I certainly agree with all the great suggestions from some of the others but I'm kind of on the other end of the thought process here and think this just may not be the right fit *right now* for you and this Greyhound. With a move coming up in the near future, I would worry there will be more activity in your home then moving, adjusting to a new home and environment, etc. If you still wanted to try, perhaps the group you are working with could foster the dog for a while again until you get resettled. Of course, that would also be another disruption to environment, schedules, etc. I just wonder if you are going to be able to find the time and patience to try and work through this then *possibly* have to go through the same issues at the new place. Just a thought. I am certainly one to try what I can do rectify issues but I would do some serious thinking on this one as to whether this is good for you and, in the long run, good for the dog. Do I need my flame-retardant jacket on?

Oh my. Hope you get into the Vet soon. I had a Sheltie years ago and he was bleeding like that. Ended up it was coming from his esophagus. Hope all will be okay.