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11-18-2008, 04:45 PM | #1 |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 3,421
| I'm annoyed with my vet (Re: feeding and nutracal) When I phoned to make an appt for Missy's 2nd set of vaccinations, I asked about dog food. They said Science Diet is "Great Food" and to continue feeding it to her Don't worry, I didn't...I've switched her over to "Go Natural" and she's doing wonderful with the switch. Tomorrow will be her first day of only having the new food, I took a week to switch her over. I think it's crappy that my vet recommended it though. Well, just now I called the office again to ask them about Nutracal (well the Canadian equivalent called Excel), which I've been giving to Missy when I've noticed her getting some of the early signs of hypoglycemia. They told me NOT to give it to her, "her food should be giving her enough nutrition". It is obvious to me that both yesterday, and 2 days prior to that, Missy needed the Excel. If I wouldn't have given it to her, I think things would have gone downhill. She is only 8 weeks old now (7 when I got her) she weighs 1 lb 3 ozs as of today. She was obviously sent away from her Mom to early (not by my choosing). Both days that she had some troubles (became tired and wobbly, and not eating much) the Excel pepped her right back up, and got her eating and back to her regular old self. I told the vet office this, and they still insisted that I shouldn't give her anything but her dog food. I'm not sure what to think of all this. I'm kind of getting discouraged with my vet, whom I always thought was wayyyy over priced, and went overboard with some of the things they had me do with my previous pets. Maybe it's time to find a new vet. This one is suppose to be one of the top rated though! So about the Excel (or Nutracal), I've been browsing the forum, and some places I read to use it a couple of times a day, as a preventative type measure, to keep her sugars stable...and other places I read to only use it when she seems to be not doing too well. Please, do you have any tips or suggestions to keep Missy strong and healthy through the next few weeks when she is SO little? I've been researching here like crazy, but I get such a mishmash of information. I would appreciate some opinions on foods, supplements etc. I've been mashing her food up with warm water, and mixing just a smidgen of canned food of the same type, just to get her interested in eating. I've been giving her the Excel 2-3 times a day, and she has a warm water bottle, and a space heater to keep her cozy. I'm making sure that she gets her rest and keeping her stress level low. I just want to make sure she makes it through these next few weeks. When I see her starting to slow down, it REALLY worries me. It's happened 2 days out of 6 so far. Thank you.
__________________ Shaunna with Missy (my princess) & Dora (my tomboy) |
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11-18-2008, 04:55 PM | #2 |
YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: pennsylvania
Posts: 783
| If she's eating several times a day she doesn't need nutrical 2-3 times a day, in fact, it could cause loose stools. A lot of vets recommend Science diet. There are many good foods out there and it seems everyone has different ideas as to which is best. If she's truly showing signs of hypoglycemia you could give her the nutrical. I know people on here are big on it but I raised yorkies for 20 years and never used it. I did give honey a couple times over that period but very rarely. 1lb 3oz is small but not too small for 8 weeks. Good luck with your baby. It sounds like you are doing a pretty good job. Just use common sense. |
11-18-2008, 04:58 PM | #3 |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 3,421
| She eats Ok normally, but both times when she's seemed to slow down on me and get tired and wobbly she hasn't eaten all day. It's not just my imagination, she has seemed sick, not rush to the vet sick, but not well. This is what concerns me. And yes, I'm one of those freaky paranoid Moms, just ask my kids!
__________________ Shaunna with Missy (my princess) & Dora (my tomboy) |
11-18-2008, 05:42 PM | #4 |
YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Washington D.C.
Posts: 707
| Hills/Science Diet gives veterinarians kickbacks for selling/reccomending their products. Veterinary schools do not generally offer courses in nutrition and when they do, those courses are often sponsored by major pet food companies to indoctrinate young vet students into promoting mass produced poorly made pet foods. Why? Its complicated and many books like Food Pets Die For (Ann Martin) and Pet Food Politics (Marion Nestle) do a much better job of explaining then I ever could. The long and short of it is to find a vet you like and trust. I am a raw feeder and I go to an integrative/holistic vet who promotes nutrition as a means to wellness. But this is considered ALTERNATIVE. Hello! We are what we eat! There is nothing alternative about that, but the pet food industry is a billion dollar one and there are many myths and misconceptions that would take tons of research to bust through and find the truth. Decide what food and routine works best for your pup. If you are interested, AHVMA - Home is a great resource for finding a holistic minded vet. If you are going to spend more money, it might as well be with a vet you trust. For an 8 week old, nutrical is often necessary to keep their blood sugar levels stable. These dogs are TINY!! Just don't overdo it and make sure you are brushing your dogs teeth so they don't rot and the baby is trained as she gets her adult teeth to accept dental hygiene. Good luck!
__________________ Roving dogs do not indicate the civilization or compassion of the society; they betray on the contrary the ignorance and lethargy of its members. -Ghandi |
11-18-2008, 06:02 PM | #5 |
And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI
Posts: 17,928
| I wouldn't be too upset with the vet for recommend Science Diet. They don't get much nutritional training and lots of vets prefer this food. I would just do your own thing and hope the vet understands. If they continue to pressure you into feeding it, I'd switch vets. As for nutrical, when she is having those kinds of symptoms, she needs it. Did the vet say don't give it or the staff? if the staff said it I'd ignore them and only ask the vet those kinds of questions. If the vet wasn't worried about those symptoms and didn't think she needed sugar, I'd find a new vet...
__________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶 |
11-18-2008, 06:11 PM | #6 | |
I ♥ Joey & Ralphie! Donating Member | Quote:
__________________ NancyJoey Proud members of the CrAzYcLuB and YAP! ** Just Say No to Puppymills – Join YAP! Yorkshire Terrier Club of America – Breeder Referrals | |
11-18-2008, 08:19 PM | #7 |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 3,421
| Thanks for the replies. Cupofdog - what awesome information! Ellie May - The nurse told me not to give Nutracal AT ALL. She said if she starts showing those signs bring her in, don't give her anything other than her food. Nancy1999 - I am free feeding. I have for all my pets. I am aware that she needs protein with the Nutracal, she would eat her food about 5-10 mins after the Nutracal each time. It's like it made her feel better and she got her appetite back.
__________________ Shaunna with Missy (my princess) & Dora (my tomboy) |
11-18-2008, 09:25 PM | #9 |
Lovin' my R & R Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Middleton, Idaho
Posts: 2,152
| Be careful careful with nutrical- it can supress the appetite and cause them to not eat like they should. I would recommend purchasing some canned food that she loves, and use that a few times a day in between her normal kibble. Just a thought. And like other have said, don't be mad at your vet for recommending Science Diet, it's what they are taught and they make easy money selling it. Do your own research and made your own educated decisions. We as pet owners have to advocate for our animal's health. I am not saying that we shouldn't take our vet's advice, it's just that our animals are more important to us, then them. And yes, money is a big part of their agenda. The good ones care about the animals, but money is still a huge factor. I can vet bash cuz I'm married to one
__________________ Amanda 's Ranger & Ryder |
11-19-2008, 01:07 AM | #10 |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 3,421
| Heheheh Amanda, I wanted to be a vet It's just frustrating because you want to be able to trust your vet, but how can you when you're getting misinformation? I didn't have to give her the Nutracal today. She is doing wonderful, and actually eating more dry Kibble then she has since I got her! She was eating more of the canned in the last few days. I am going to continue giving her both canned and kibble for awhile, just to keep her appetite up. Now, she seems to be eating whatever I give her. It's great! Thanks for the help.
__________________ Shaunna with Missy (my princess) & Dora (my tomboy) |
11-19-2008, 05:24 AM | #11 | |
And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI
Posts: 17,928
| Quote:
Since it was just the nurse, I'd ask the vet what they think. Vet techs only get one year of school having to do with vet medicine and vet assistants get none. I don't think Nutrical should be given constantly but if my dog start to shake or wobbly and I thought she was going hypo, I "would" be giving her some type of sugar and any vet should know that it needs to be done... If I just wanted to get Ellie to eat and keep her stable if she wasn't having problems, I'd give her canned.
__________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶 Last edited by Ellie May; 11-19-2008 at 05:26 AM. | |
11-19-2008, 06:55 AM | #12 |
YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Long Island, NY USA
Posts: 3,498
| What's wrong with science diet dog food? I'm trying to figure out what dry kibble is best for my 3 yorkie puppies. I leave it out all day and they just go pick when they are hungry. COCO PEBBLES TRIXIE |
11-19-2008, 07:49 AM | #13 | |
Lovin' my R & R Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Middleton, Idaho
Posts: 2,152
| Quote:
Glad to hear Missy is doing better. Just a question, but is this the same vet that said the puppies were fine to go home at 7 weeks? If so, it is obvious he/she doesn't have extensive experience with tiny dogs and you may want to look for someone that does. Have a good day!!
__________________ Amanda 's Ranger & Ryder | |
11-19-2008, 08:05 AM | #14 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: TX
Posts: 2,799
| I was in a similar boat the other day with my vet. I finally told him that we would have to agree to disagree about Science Diet. It may not be the worst food but I think there are better ones out there and although he recommends Science Diet, we don't have to use it.
__________________ ~ Angie |
11-19-2008, 08:48 AM | #15 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: May 2008 Location: Metro Detroit
Posts: 57
| Again, what is wrong with Science Diet??? |
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