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12-07-2011, 04:19 PM | #1 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: nd
Posts: 51
| Anyone have a yorkie with heart problems..low sodium diet My little man Gabriel went to the vet today ( he has been coughing) and he has a enlarged heart. Congestive. His lungs and liver have fluid and his little heart has grown huge so the vet wants him on Lasix and a special diet low in sodium. She said most dogs won't eat the Hills brand so she does not carry it. I was told to research what brands were low since it changes often. She said pet companies are not good at disclosing sodium. Does anyone have any recomendations for a low sodium dog food? I am so heart broken we are so close so its really hard to get this diagnosis. My father also had it so I really hate seeing Gabe with it. So sad..
__________________ Susan |
Welcome Guest! | |
12-07-2011, 04:24 PM | #2 |
And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI
Posts: 17,928
| I'm very sorry. I agree with your vet. Pet food companies can be terrible about disclosing sodium. This really depends on how far you want to go with things/how much you can spend. The very best option for your pup is to see a canine cardiologist and possibly discuss the diet with a veterinary nutritionist.
__________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶 |
12-07-2011, 04:30 PM | #3 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: nd
Posts: 51
| We do not have dog cardiologist here. Just vets.
__________________ Susan |
12-07-2011, 04:30 PM | #4 |
Crazy about Kacee! Donating Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kansas
Posts: 21,173
| I'm so sorry to read that. I don't have recommendations, but I do have a web site that at the bottom of each page lists all of the ingredients so you can review them and make a decision that way. Perhaps you could get some samples from another store if you see some you are interested in trying. Pet Food Online | Dog & Cat Supplies & Products | PetFoodDirect.com
__________________ Karen Kacee Muffin 1991-2005 Rest in Peace My Little Angel |
12-07-2011, 04:34 PM | #5 |
Crazy about Kacee! Donating Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kansas
Posts: 21,173
| This in-depth article may interest you: Congestive Heart Failure Your Dog - CHF And The Mitral Valve
__________________ Karen Kacee Muffin 1991-2005 Rest in Peace My Little Angel |
12-07-2011, 04:40 PM | #6 |
Crazy about Kacee! Donating Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kansas
Posts: 21,173
| Prepare Low Sodium Food at Home Some pet owners prefer to prepare the food at home to be able to control the amount of sodium that goes into the dog’s daily diet. The diet must be carefully monitored and a vet should be consulted to determine the main ingredients and the amounts needed by the dog. Typically, the dog will need to get a source of protein, which can be obtained from beef or chicken. The meat may be combined with rice or cornmeal, but salt shouldn’t be added to the mix. Salt without sodium can be used, but this will have a different taste, which not all dogs like. The dog may also get organic vegetables and fruits as treats. Read more: Low Sodium Diet for Dogs - VetInfo Low Sodium Diet for Dogs - VetInfo
__________________ Karen Kacee Muffin 1991-2005 Rest in Peace My Little Angel |
12-07-2011, 07:34 PM | #7 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: nd
Posts: 51
| Thanks for the info! I read most of it. I will read the medical on congestive heart failure tomorrow. I read one earlier tonight and I just wanted to cry. Least Gabriel is feeling better tonight. He wanted to play. Its just so hard seeing how huge his heart is and how it is pushing on everything in his chest. Poor little guy. He is such a mommies boy its hard knowing he is seriously ill.
__________________ Susan |
12-07-2011, 09:53 PM | #8 |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: FtWorth,TX,USA
Posts: 3,269
| I am so sorry that your baby is not doing well. Skittles is our 10yr old poodle. He has always been the one that want to play,will even bring you toys. He was diagnosed 2 months ago with an enlarges heart and it is very obvious in xrays. He now takes a med to help his heart beat more effecently. His diet consist of chic n rice mixed with carrots and baby peas,Blue Buffalo kibble,he also gets pieces of apple and carrot for treats. He still plays pretty hard with the baby yorkie every evening,but we stop when he is tired. It is hard to watch our very loved furbabys grow older or struggle with health issues. We also own Skittle half brother that has some of the same health issues. Blessings to you and your baby as you try to make sure that he has the best quality life that you can give. |
12-07-2011, 11:07 PM | #9 |
Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas
Posts: 27,450
| I am so sorry that your little Gabe is ill. I had a very sick pup a couple of years ago who needed a special diet. None of the commercial foods were really what he needed so my vet arranged a telephone/email consult with the vet nutritionist at Texas A&M. He reviewed all of my pup's vet records and made up a home cooked diet for him. The cost was $150 for the entire thing! I received two recipes...and he was wonderful about answering any questions that I had. Here is a link to information about him: John E Bauer I will keep your Gabe, and you in my thoughts and prayers.
__________________ |
12-08-2011, 12:44 AM | #10 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: nd
Posts: 51
| Thanks everyone!! I got the links off of here to try and get info and samples to sodium free diets. I have emailed most the companies and have asked them directly to see if they have anything. I did notice that his favorite treat PBJ by Waggin treats had no salt listed. I emailed the co. to be sure. It would be nice if he could have something he likes. Gabes heart is huge and he is only 4 yrs old. It is causing his trachea to shift and his heart is resting on his ribs which it should not. I am hoping and praying with the Lasix it will be better by his appt next week. We had a major flood here (Minot ND) and lost our home. Our Yorkies lost their back yard they so loved. Its been a hard winter and now for all of us. Thankyou for your understanding.
__________________ Susan |
12-09-2011, 02:28 AM | #11 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: nd
Posts: 51
| Wow this is what I got back from Waggin treats: Thank you for contacting Waggin' Train(r). We appreciate your inquiry. We do not have sodium information available for our treats. We regret we are unable to assist you at this time. Again, thank you for visiting our website. And this was my response back to them: Well I regret because of this I will not be spending so much money on your treats. I also regret to tell you I will be sharing this letter with the Yorkie forum that has thousands of people reading it. So you are telling me that even if no salt is listed you still add salt. Shame on your company. Susan Maybe they will listen if they know people care about ingredients. If anyone has a salt free diet that can be home cooked let me know. So far I am finding it is hard to get low salt foods for dogs. They can't even tell me what is reccomended by the dog food industry. I have had numerous responses and none the same. Blue Bufalo said: "The sodium in our dry dog formulas can range from 0.17-0.45% as fed."
__________________ Susan |
12-09-2011, 02:33 AM | #12 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: nd
Posts: 51
| We see the vet next week so I will again ask about proper diet. She said to just research low salt pet foods. Not a easy task. I just want options in case I do not get the info I need.
__________________ Susan |
12-09-2011, 07:28 AM | #13 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 189
| You may wish to review this page by Lew Olson: Heart Healthy Diet | B-Naturals.Com Newsletter I would definitely suggest having a consulting nutritionist on board who is working hand in hand with my vet. This, to me, is alot more complex than just researching a "low sodium" diet.
__________________ Beanie the 12 lb Mini Dachshund Fed A Prey Model Raw Diet |
12-09-2011, 08:39 AM | #14 |
YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Denmark
Posts: 2
| Royal Canin have Cardiac diet formulas (dry and wet) in Europe, maybe you can get them in the States as well? The wet food has less sodium than the dry. My yorkie had diarrhea from the Science Diet, but did well on Royal Canin, she also liked the Royal Canin a lot better. |
12-09-2011, 10:15 PM | #15 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: nd
Posts: 51
| The vet put Gabe on lasix for 3 days a double dose and than a single dose a day. The thing is he was suppose to feel better from what I was told. Its onlt the second full day and he is not looking good. His eyes are off and he seems more tired. Not coughing at all which is suppose to get worse as his heart fails. He just is sluggish and he does not want to be held which is very unusual for him. I just expected him to get better not seem worse. I have had only 2 hours sleep I just want to hold him and pray for him. I have see the healing power of God so I know he can heal Gabe. Its so hard when they are ill.
__________________ Susan |
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