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Originally Posted by Ladymom  My Lady doesn't have a shunt, but she's been on seizure medication for nine years and it's damaged her liver. She became a very picky eater until I changed her diet. Liver compromised dogs still need protein as too little can actually damage their liver. They just need high quality protein preferably from dairy products like eggs, cottage cheese and tofu.
This is a great resource for liver friendly foods and sample recipes. Liver | B-Naturals.Com Newsletter
This is Dr. Center's Tofu and Rice diet:
1 lb tofu, 2 lbs cottage cheese, 4 cups cooked rice, 6 T safflower oil, 1 tsp salt substitute, 6 tsp dicalcium phosphate, 1-1 tsp pectin. Can use a strong low salt cheese to flavor. (Center S. A., Reynolds, A., College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853).
Vegetarian kibble is also good. Petsmart carries both Avoderm and Natures Recipe vegetarian varieties. |
That is so true. Not only is the amount important, but also the type of protein that you feed. Dairy and vegetarian proteins are best. If your baby is having symptoms, it's best to start out on the lower end of protein intake and increase very slowly as she does well so that you can get her up to a good amount of protein. Increasing safely without causing symptoms is done through the use of other things as well (Lactulose, fiber, probiotics, etc.) Dr. Center usually recommends 2g of protein per kg of body weight to start with and increase from there. Is your baby a pup? If so, then she needs even more than an adult dog. If your baby does have liver problems, there are other things that she will need, but let's just see if it's actually the liver first.
Petco carries Natural Balance Vegetarian as well. I think I mentioned that one already though.