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  1. #11
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    I asked the Vet last month if he needed a special food. He said no. I will now have to return the dog food. I really appreciate your input. The protein is 26% for Innova compared to 20% for the IAMS we have been using. I will have to go speak to my Vet. I don't know why he did not think my question about the food was relevant. However, aside from the liver issue...he is scratching less from the lower grain. will get to the root of the problem. Thank you for mentioning the protein, Sparky thanks you too for your concern.

  2. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by SasatheRusty View Post
    I asked the Vet last month if he needed a special food. He said no. I will now have to return the dog food. I really appreciate your input. The protein is 26% for Innova compared to 20% for the IAMS we have been using. I will have to go speak to my Vet. I don't know why he did not think my question about the food was relevant. However, aside from the liver issue...he is scratching less from the lower grain. will get to the root of the problem. Thank you for mentioning the protein, Sparky thanks you too for your concern.
    Sadly, vets aren't often that well versed in nutrition. The nutrition classes taught in a lot of vet schools are taught by the manufacturers of dog food. . . . And they are taught more reactionary medicine. They treat problems that are there but aren't that good to preventing problems especially by nutritional means.
    Patrice and the Houston Duo

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  3. #13
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    Well, I had a good talk with the Purina Vet in NY at the Westminister. I am NOW using the Purina Pro Plan Savor (weaning them off the Iaams and Innova) Most of all the show dogs are on Purina. Their Vet spent 15 minutes with me discussing liver values and diet and how the dog was acting clinically. I explained I did not want to ask for free advice, but he said no problem and gave me all the time in the world. What a great experience. HOWEVER, we came to find out when we returned from the show and took the dogs home that they had ticks. Now we addressed the issue in October after they had been boarded, when we went to the Vet and switched from Fronline to Advantix II. The doctor also put them on clyndamycine which now in retrospect was a questionable option. SO..here is what happened.Sparky boarded at a lovely kennel and Penny stayed with our daughter. My daughter's dog was not affected, only Penny and Sparky had ticks. Go figure. So my husband and I removed as many as we could find and went to get ADAMS flea and tick shampoo and gave all three dogs a bath. We continue to check and found some more on Sparky and Penny. Maya is at our home as the"kids" are on vacation. However,,,now Penny & Sparky are fine. We are having our grounds sprayed and I will alert the Kennel owner as well. I think we never had a clue about OUR dogs getting ticks. But I have to say that their fur has never looked better or shinier after using that shampoo. Hubby used gloves for washing them and every time we check their fur we wash our hands. So, for the last few months I think that all my angst about the food and the scratching was for nothing. We havent had a long cold weather spell here in a few years. That is why the area is seeing an "uptick" in ticks. We also went to the vaccine clinic prior to our trip so who knows if they picked up more there. Talk about being awakened in the middle of the night from thumping and scratching for months. I had a very peaceful sleep last night that I had not had in months and so did my DH. So now I am going to stick with Purina Pro Plan and if I have a question, they have Vets and Dietitians to speak with. I am done with all the designer foods. I need a rest from looking constantly at labels. This food is all made in America. I do read labels as I will not purchase any animal food made in China. I check labels for treats and chews.The forum has been very instructive and educational. ALthough we all do our individual thing, I feel that I learn and gather knowledge to make informative decisions by reading all of your suggestions. Thank you all for your on the spot help. I hope we are on the right track now with our Senior pups. We love them more an more each day and I do believe they understand our concern.

  4. #14
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    Very interesting. However, before I took the recommendation of someone who was paid by that dog food company to advocate for them, I'd check out Dogaware. They have some great objective ratings and advice on dog food.
    Patrice and the Houston Duo

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  5. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by lotsadox View Post
    Very interesting. However, before I took the recommendation of someone who was paid by that dog food company to advocate for them, I'd check out Dogaware. They have some great objective ratings and advice on dog food.
    Ditto. You think someone who is hired by a company is giving an unbiased opinion??
    Olga
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  6. #16
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    As someone who knows her way around the pharmaceutical & medical industry I would know if a person is being honest. As an RN for many years I know the doctors who understand their stuff. He also recommended a specialist for a second opinion. I am not a novice when it comes spotting the real deal. My dogs are loving their new food and doing quite well. I was not born yesterday and have had Doxies for the last 36 years. It is important to be positive. You would have had to meet him and hear the conversation. He spoke to me as one medical professional to another. .

  7. #17
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    Just sayin'. Nothing wrong with getting second opinion. On itching or dog food. Dogaware is unbiased. . . .
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  8. #18
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    lotsadox, I just rook a look at the site you recommended. Regarding diet for senior dogs and liver....it was exactly what that Vet told me. He said you should not lower protein in Senior dogs and if clinically I felt Sparky was doing well do not worry so much about the protein. I was glad to know that I was able to make an informed decision based on his impute. He definitely did not bash the product I was using. He told me it was good. It is my current choice to switch to the Purina Pro Plan. I appreciated his unbiased outlook toward me. Sometimes you have to give credit to a good person. I was at a fun show and people including the Vets from Cornell were delightful and informative. I will carefully study the above site and I thank you for presenting the information. We can continue to learn and keep an open mind. Take care and thank you! But, just so you know, a lot of people who have blogs get their food and treats to try for free. This is not exactly unbiased. The information is good but their product promotion can be based on many factors. Now I think I am going to put this subject to rest

  9. #19
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    Did you look at the list of recommended foods? Nothing by Purina was on the list. Nor is anything by Purina on the Whole Dog Journal's recommended foods. These two resources are considered by most informed people to be the definitive lists for high quality pet foods.

    I'm sure he was a perfectly nice man just trying to make a living and I'm sure he told you a lot of things that you wanted to hear. I'm just don't think the part about Purina being high quality food is the truth. And just so you know, people that work for pet food companies make their living by promoting that company's dog food. Just sayin' . . .
    Patrice and the Houston Duo

    DREAM Dachshund Rescue

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