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Old 08-03-2015, 11:44 AM   #1
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Default Night wakefulness and distress

Hello everyone,
I know I'm not the most regular member here, but I am seeing increasing issues with Jenna and I need a little advice, please.

About two weeks ago, Jenna came down with a sudden onset of colitis. Her first serious digestive issue since being deathly ill with vasculitis in 2013. Vet assumed she had eaten something she shouldn't (hard to imagine with how careful I am with her, but let's go with it) and it brought on bloody diarrhea and general malaise. Amoxicillin for 2 weeks cleared it up and she seemed a little better.
However, another issue we were having was this night wakefulness. She will sleep to Olympic proportions during the day, and used to be very good at night as well. Now the minute the light is off she is up; restless, making little nose whistles (we call it 'squeeing') and groans and gets off and on the bed, sometimes wandering into the kitchen (my bedroom is just off the side of it) to her feeding area. Sometimes she would walk out and poke my other dog with her nose. Sometimes she'd just hang her head, drop her ears and tail and sit looking miserable.
I take her back to bed and she'll lay down and roll back for a belly rub, but she can only stay still for a few minutes, then the whole process repeats. For the last two nights it's gotten over the top to the point I am concerned she is in pain.

I've Googled (of course) and although her symptoms are not entirely identical I get either liver shunt (only some of the behavioural signs unless her colitis was part of it) or dementia.
She's been balking at her kibble for at least a year. I keep telling the vet she isn't enjoying the food, and that I fear it might not be as good for her anymore, but since she does eventually eat it (what choice does she have?) he is unmoved. He once told me he had a home cooking recipe for dogs who need to avoid meat but although I've begged
to have him switch her to this I have yet to see it.
Before her colitis episode this last month I had her in for nondescript issues like excessive scratching, itching, some sleep disturbances and a general checkup but he found nothing to worry about. (He did not run tests.) We knew she was due for a dental as well, but he wanted to put it off till exactly a year had passed. She should have had her teeth cleaned in July but she got sick with the colitis. Not sure if all this could be caused by her teeth, but that shouldn't be thrown out as a possibility.

I'm taking her in (again!) this afternoon to hopefully get some bloodwork done and whatever other diagnostics the vet recommends to see if we can isolate her problem. All I know is, she is not a happy pup and if she is not happy, I am not happy.

I realize I don't have much to go on in the way of symptoms, but if anyone has had something like this happen, could I have your experiences, please? Jenna is 7 years old (we assume from her rescue's info) and we've had her for 5 years. Also, she has been eating only DVP Natural Balance dry dog food since March of 2013 when she had a life threatening case of vasculitis that her vet concluded was brought on by sensitivity to animal protein. He refuses to take her off this food even now, but I am suspecting (especially from reports I have seen at places like Consumer Affairs) that since the Del Monte acquisition, their formula is either altered or they are adding something to it that is not good because it's obviously making dogs sick.

The last time she was in my vet spoke to someone at the company (I assume that was who it was, although he wasn't specific) and she said that nothing has changed with DVPNB. But there are almost 300 complaints at ConsumerAffairs.com that say otherwise. (You have to right click them to see them as they keep them whited out except for the good reviews and verified reviews.)

All I know is, I have a Yorkie who is presenting with alarming changes in behaviour and I want the cause found, whatever it is, and treated. She is my soul mutt, my most precious and I cannot stand to see her ill.

Thank you in advance for reading and for any and all replies.
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Old 08-03-2015, 07:25 PM   #2
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I am very sorry to hear you are worried about Jenna. Max ate Natural Balance his first year (about 6 years ago). We switched to something else, but then tried NB again. He has a stable stomach, so I was surprised when he started throwing it up. We never went back to NB again.

I've read about potential changes in the formula. If I am not mistaken, the food is processed in plant(s) where other brands are also made, so quality control may also be an issue.

Is there another kibble that your vet would recommend trying?

If Jenna has dental problems, I would imagine that would affect her behavior all day and not just at night. However, Doodlebug has written here that she thought her Daisy girl was suffering dementia. Turned out to be a dental problem.

Praying you can figure out things for Jenna and get her on the road to happiness again. 7 years is still young, even for all she went through.
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Old 08-03-2015, 09:00 PM   #3
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Thank you Maximo
We are back from the vet this evening. He has finally relented and come to the same conclusion I have awhile ago...NB is probably causing her problems.
He did a blood panel and all her levels are "rock star" (his words not mine) There are a few that are low and high: her glucose for example was elevated, not surprising-she was highly agitated. Everything else was in normal range but her ALP, which was 18 (normal is 20-150) and her Phosphorous (?) which was 2.9, right at the baseline.
ALT was 34 (normal is 10-118) and ALB at 3.1 (norm is 2.5-4.4).
BUN is 12, normal is 7-25.
So anything I was looking at coming back odd is okay.
We need to find her an alternative vegan kibble, but other than Royal Canin (needs a script) I don't see anything that meets her needs and also that will ship to Alaska.
I'd love to make her own food, but my vet is dead set against it. (That may change too, who knows?) I think even with my rather lacking skills I could manage it. It has to be better than poisoning her with whatever is in NB now.
She has another 2 weeks worth of amoxicillin, in case we didn't get all the bacteria last time. He felt her stomach and the lower abdomen was tight and she didn't want him touching it. He wants to do a special blood panel after fasting her today, first thing tomorrow, and he is sending it off to A&M in Texas. I smiled when I heard that because I know ladyjane often speaks fondly of them.
He says after this test we'll know exactly what is going on with her internals; it's going to cover intestines, pancreas, liver, stomach...everything. For now he wants her to do the fast and then tomorrow we start the next amoxicillin and in the meantime, I'm looking for a new food, both for her and our other dog (who can still eat meat.)

I'm taking an early evening because I've been up all night with Jenna for so many nights now I am seriously sleep deprived. A long drive into town first thing tomorrow...woohoo! (rolls eyes)

But hey, if we finally find out what is bothering my little girl, it is all worth it!
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Old 08-06-2015, 11:11 AM   #4
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I hadn't read your thread before today. I feel so bad for Jenna after reading it. It especially hit home after reading what food Jenna is eating because my Dalmatian who died last June could only eat vegetarian NB food and so did her sister. I would be in the same place you are right now, not knowing what to feed her.

Good luck in finding another food for Jenna and I hope that you do finally get your answers from the bloodwork that is going to be sent to A&M.
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Old 08-06-2015, 06:45 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wigglewomyn View Post
I hadn't read your thread before today. I feel so bad for Jenna after reading it. It especially hit home after reading what food Jenna is eating because my Dalmatian who died last June could only eat vegetarian NB food and so did her sister. I would be in the same place you are right now, not knowing what to feed her.

Good luck in finding another food for Jenna and I hope that you do finally get your answers from the bloodwork that is going to be sent to A&M.
Thank you for your reply.
I'm sorry to hear about your Dalmatian. They are lovely dogs.
It's really sad isn't it, that a company who did so much for animals got bought out by a company that apparently doesn't care. The food was perfect for her until that happened.
I'm on pins and needles today. I am really looking forward to what the test results say. I'll be bummed out to say the least if these come back inconclusive!
Thanks again for your kind words for Jenna.
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Old 08-06-2015, 07:16 PM   #6
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Just wondering if you have talked with a canine nutritionist and related the lab findings, to get an opinion on diet. Surely, Texas A & M has someone like that associated with their Internal Medicine Dept.
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Old 08-07-2015, 01:42 PM   #7
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Just wondering if you have talked with a canine nutritionist and related the lab findings, to get an opinion on diet. Surely, Texas A & M has someone like that associated with their Internal Medicine Dept.
Hello yorkiemini,
I haven't heard from my vet yet today on the lab findings, but I'll ask him about the nutritionist when I call to check on them. Thank you.
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Old 08-10-2015, 01:46 AM   #8
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Just a brief update as my vet called earlier today with half the results. He had tested for Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency and found it to be negative. We're awaiting results to see if Jenna has had/may have pancreatitis.
She is still on amoxicillin twice a day and the same dog food, vet has not changed her over yet, and she is sleeping better and less anxious, but she has stools in the evenings that have a mucous coating to them, so I know something is still irritating her bowels.
Just want to get this sorted and on a new food for her, she really needs to be done with Natural Balance, imo.
And of course I forgot to ask about the nutritionist. (foreheadslap)
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Old 08-10-2015, 05:49 AM   #9
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Wow, so glad to hear that many of the really scary things have been ruled out and that ml;.ccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccc


Sorry, Bella wanted to see what I'm telling you apparently. Made me laugh so I left it in.


But glad to hear that maybe just a food change might make things better. I hope your answers come quickly!!
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Old 08-11-2015, 02:07 PM   #10
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Thank you Russpilot. Haha...love the addition to your typing by Bella. Jenna tends to just land on the keyboard, but luckily not while I've been posting.

Still waiting to hear about the rest of the results. Meantime I'm running low on her food and really don't want to buy another bag if I don't have to.

Will probably call him today and see what's up. I hate to be a pest, but really...we need an answer.
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Old 08-12-2015, 08:58 PM   #11
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So sorry Jenna is having issues. I am not sure why your vet is against home cooking. If done under the direction of a vet nutritionist it can be wonderful for a pup. My Cookie was diagnosed with lymphangectasia in 2011 and I have been home cooking for her since. I credit her diet with keeping her alive and healthy!

Mention this vet nutritionist to your vet. He might find her website valuable!

www.petdiets.com

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Old 08-16-2015, 12:21 AM   #12
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Quote:
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So sorry Jenna is having issues. I am not sure why your vet is against home cooking. If done under the direction of a vet nutritionist it can be wonderful for a pup. My Cookie was diagnosed with lymphangectasia in 2011 and I have been home cooking for her since. I credit her diet with keeping her alive and healthy!

Mention this vet nutritionist to your vet. He might find her website valuable!

www.petdiets.com
Thank you so much, ladyjane, I was hoping you might comment on my thread.
I'll show this site to my vet, thank you. I can use all the help I can get to convince him!
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Old 08-16-2015, 04:00 AM   #13
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I am late to this thread - but I do have some ideas or suggestions. I am not sure when her last feeding is but I would try to back it up earlier in the day and see if it makes a difference on her night restlessness.


In terms of home cooking - do what ladyjane suggests - and you can get the nutritionist to consult directly with the vet. A good balanced home cooked diet has got to be better for her and just maybe an easy solution for her difficulties.
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Old 08-16-2015, 05:06 AM   #14
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Please keep us posted!
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Old 08-21-2015, 09:45 AM   #15
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Hi everyone. Sorry to be so late back to this but I'm dealing with a ton of issues at the moment and getting very overwhelmed.
Our other dog, also eating DVPNB Vegetarian kibble has developed severe ear infections and had to be put on steroids for a few weeks. We're just dialing her back on doses now and yet she is still having problems. She's also had digestive issues in the last month or so but this is not her only source of nourishment as we feed her homecooked chicken with the kibble. But poor Jenna has nothing else.

A few days ago, while at the end of her second round of amoxicillin, she vomited her food up about 4 hours after eating...maybe a bit longer even...and half of it came up undigested. Phoned her vet and since she didn't do it more than once he said to keep feeding her and we'd recheck in a week. Well last night she was extremely agitated and when we walked outside she took a long time finding a spot and then had liquid diarrhea with mucous again. She strained long after it seemed like she'd finished and was low energy and nervy the rest of the night.

Ladyjane I did look at the site you mentioned but I was stunned that a consult is $300. Is that a typical amount for these services? Due to my current financial situation and being almost at the end of my Care Credit limit that is a huge cost for me. I have no idea where I'll come up with that kind of money after already getting into deep debt on this issue. But it seems I will have no choice because I can't let this continue. ConsumerAffairs.com logged another complaint just two days ago from someone complaining about Natural Balance. Something must be very wrong with this food.
I actually got desperate and ordered some Halo Vegan kibble just in case but now I'm not certain even that will help. Jenna has been fasted since last night and looks brighter today but she is going to get hungry. What the heck do I feed her??
Have a call in to my vet but I loathe getting fobbed off (or being patronized) and just given more meds for her that won't address the problem. I'm sure they're sick of hearing from me but I'm sick of dancing around this issue.

*sigh* Sorry for ranting but I'm at the breaking point. Been very ill myself in the last 24 hours and my patience is worn threadbare.
Will try to update as soon as I know more. By the way all her tests came back from A&M normal. Just don't feel like anything is helping.
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