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 I Don't Brag
Posts: 6960
    
| So do we have any experts or people of experience with diabetic dogs? My 11 yr old male Heeler was diagnosed about 2 weeks ago. We are on our way to getting his sugar levels stabilized, but I would like to get him on a better feed program.
He developed the diabetes having been feed Diamond's Lamb and Rice most of his life. The vet had me put him on Hills W/D, but the first ingredient is corn!!!! That doesn't seem like the best choice to me for a diabetic. (not saying in any way that the dog food caused this, just wanting to point out that I had them on a corn free diet before).
So I would like to switch him to something healthier for his condition. I might not be above cooking my own (even tho' I hate to cook ) but need a balanced diet, low in carbs and fat, plenty of fiber along with the right vitamins, minerals and other supplements to support good function.
Any ideas? I have begun to assemble a list of supplements to possibly include, things like Tumeric, Garcinia Cambogia, Cinnamon, Alpha Lipoic Acid plus the guy at Uckeles said that the Occtocossanol and Malic Acid I bought for my PSSM mare wouldn't hurt either.
So please, throw out some ideas. A commercial food would be much easier for me, but I will go a long way for my critters! Just the portability alone for traveling makes me hipe for a good commercial food. | |
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Sock Snob
Posts: 3021
| My old dog doesnot like dog food so i feed hamberger and rice and she likes regular hamberger, so i get the 80/20 and give to,her.
Edited by daisycake123 2014-03-22 3:43 PM
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 Goat Giver
Posts: 23166
| I am a crappy texter, but I think of you everytime I open my messages........
Anyhow, I'd go raw. I just got through feeding my crew. Two leg quarters for the giant, one for the aussie, two plus a leg for the pyrenees and the thight from the preceeding leg quarter to one of the minis. Dogs are healthy and happy. | |
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Expert
Posts: 1218
Location: Too far from home | We've got an old diabetic border collie that I love (just have to give a little shout out to Abby - smarter than most people I know). We feed her Royal Canin diabetic. We get it from the vet and though I think it's odd, you can only buy from a vet. Plus, if you go to another vet, you need a prescription.
That said, it's expensive...like crazy expensive (think over $50/17# bag) but it must taste awesome because every animal I own wants to gobble it down. I've done a little looking and found the 4health brand that you can get at TSC has no wheat etc. It's still pretty expensive, but is highly rated on some dog food rating sites I found. I've supplemented with it at times and haven't noticed any change in her reactions to feed/insulin.
With 2/day insulin and watching her diet, Abby's done pretty well. We did spay her, which really helped us over a pretty big hump.
Good luck! | |
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 Lived to tell about it and will never do it again
Posts: 5409
| My mothers old dog is a diabetic and the vet has her feeding Science Diet A/D plus she gives shots
Sorry the more I think about it, it might be W/D that he is on
Edited by euchee 2014-03-22 7:25 PM
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I Am a Snake Killer
Posts: 1927
Location: Golden Gulf Coast of Texas | My 14 year old westie was diagnosed a year ago and has done great on the Hills WD! | |
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Member
Posts: 29
| I have a dog that has diabetes. I was opposed to feeding a dog food with corn in it also, but she has done great on the Science Diet w/d. I also found a ton of great information and help on www.k9diabetes.com. | |
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Location: South Dakota | taj - 2014-03-22 9:36 PM I have a dog that has diabetes. I was opposed to feeding a dog food with corn in it also, but she has done great on the Science Diet w/d. I also found a ton of great information and help on www.k9diabetes.com.
I wasn't thrilled with using Science Diet W/D for my diabetic Rat Terrier....but he is doing great on it...I feed him the dry kibble, moistened with water, along with some dry....and then use the canned W/D as a treat...He gets insulin twice a day..He looks good and feels good! | |
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 I Prefer to Live in Fantasy Land
Posts: 64864
Location: In the Hills of Texas | Stitch4k9 is an expert in the dog food world. She has helped me tremendously with dog food issues. I would pm her. | |
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I Don't Brag
Posts: 6960
| Thanks everyone! I have been going through info I find on the net, but to me practical, hands on experience cannot be beat.
A raw diet isn't gonna fly with our lifestyle and being on the road periodically. Glad to hear that there are those doing well on the W/D.
When I stopped at Uckeles, a pair of folks there said that they fed a homemade diet of chicken and green beans, with maybe some supplements added. They felt that even rice was too high on the glycemic scale to feed a diabetic. I might be able to make something like that every couple of weeks and freeze it in portions to carry with us with us when we travel.
I just want to do right by him. I already feel guilty as he could use some stifle surgery. The problem there is he has one bad knee, and a totally blown cruciate in the other. If we do surgery on one, the other would have to get him through recovery and I don't think that it will. Have done shockwave and he gets around pretty good, can still jump on the couch/bed and from the backseat of the truck to the front and doesn't show signs of pain, so he seems to at least be comfortable. I do get my share of dog (dead) lifts by picking him up and carrying his 60 plus pound self up and down stairs, on icy ground etc.
When the weather breaks I will have to see how well he does. My Heelers have always like to hunt and supplement their diet with woodchucks, and also keep the possum and raccoon population down. I am worried if he tries to kill something that gets the better of him because he can't move like he used to and also about the added calories with additional insulin.
Thanks again for all y'all's input. Am continuing to try an educate myself.
and KMC . I take it that you got my text about Faith losing her first toofie. Just want to keep you in the loop with her growing up. When everybody sheds their winter woolies, will get you some more pics. they are just too hairy and the mud doesn't help, to be very photogenic right now. | |
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Goat Giver
Posts: 23166
| rodeoveteran - 2014-03-23 10:02 AM Thanks everyone! I have been going through info I find on the net, but to me practical, hands on experience cannot be beat. A raw diet isn't gonna fly with our lifestyle and being on the road periodically. Glad to hear that there are those doing well on the W/D. When I stopped at Uckeles, a pair of folks there said that they fed a homemade diet of chicken and green beans, with maybe some supplements added. They felt that even rice was too high on the glycemic scale to feed a diabetic. I might be able to make something like that every couple of weeks and freeze it in portions to carry with us with us when we travel. I just want to do right by him. I already feel guilty as he could use some stifle surgery. The problem there is he has one bad knee, and a totally blown cruciate in the other. If we do surgery on one, the other would have to get him through recovery and I don't think that it will. Have done shockwave and he gets around pretty good, can still jump on the couch/bed and from the backseat of the truck to the front and doesn't show signs of pain, so he seems to at least be comfortable. I do get my share of dog (dead) lifts by picking him up and carrying his 60 plus pound self up and down stairs, on icy ground etc. When the weather breaks I will have to see how well he does. My Heelers have always like to hunt and supplement their diet with woodchucks, and also keep the possum and raccoon population down. I am worried if he tries to kill something that gets the better of him because he can't move like he used to and also about the added calories with additional insulin. Thanks again for all y'all's input. Am continuing to try an educate myself. and KMC . I take it that you got my text about Faith losing her first toofie. Just want to keep you in the loop with her growing up. When everybody sheds their winter woolies, will get you some more pics. they are just too hairy and the mud doesn't help, to be very photogenic right now.
My husband is taking the mini that eats raw with him in the truck. Currently he is making two trips to Houston a week. They manage just fine. Dang trucks have as many vet bills as horses. | |
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OT: Feeding the diabetic dog...Help!