Before spending hundreds of dollars on this, please do your homework.

[Yorkiedaze]

Why would anyone want to spend $250.00 for a Vet. to send "your" vet. a dog diet? Then an additional $100.00 for a second dog. Please read VERY carefully........the Vet. is NOT an expert on dog nutrition! They only go by what is currently found to be ok for the dog. Read "exactly" what kind of checking they do first. Is this enought to make it worth the VERY high price: "This fee covers product research, review of medical information and a diet formulation. It also covers all questions you may have about our diet recommendations".

Save your money and put it into food for your family and pet. Go on line and check out recipes for dogs. Buy the book by Dr. Pitcairn's COMPLETE GUIDE TO NATURAL HEALTH FOR DOGS @ CATS.
I don't use any of the recipes in this book, but it's a power house. Here are some of the chapters:
1. We Need a New Approach to Pet Health Care
2. What's Really in Pet Food
3. Try a Basic Natural Diet........with Supplements
4. Easy-to-Make Recipes for Pet Food
5. Special Diets for Special Pets
6. Helping Your Pet Make the Switch
7. Exercise, Rest, and Natural Grooming
8. Creating a Healthier Environment
9. Choosing a Healthy Animal
10. Emotional Connections and Your Pet's Health
11. Neighborly Relations: Responsible Pet Management
12. Lifestyles: Tips for Special Situations
13. Saying Good-Bye: Copint with a Pet's Death
14. Holistic and Alternative Therapies
15. How to Care for a Sick Animal

QUICK REFERENCE

Common Pet Ailments and Their Treatments
Abscesses
Addison's Disease
Allergies
Anal Gland Problems
Anemia
Appetite Problems
Arthritis
Behavior Problems
Bladder Problems
Breast Tumors
Cancer
Constipation
Cushing's Disease
Dental Problems
Diabetes
Diarrhea and Dysentery
Distemper, Chorrea, and Feling Panleukopenia
Ear Problems
Epilepsy
Eye Problems
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)
Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)
Feline Leukemia (FeLV)
Foxtails
Hair Loss
Heart Problems
Heartworms
Hip Dysplasia
Jaundice
Kidney Failure
Liver Problems
Lyme Disease
Pancreatitis
Paralysis
Pregnancy, Birth, and Care of Newborns
Rabies
Radiation Toxicity
Reproductive Organ Problems
Skin Parasites
Skin Problems
Spaying and Neutering
Stomach Problems
Thyroid Disorders
Toxoplasmosis
Upper Respiratory Infections ("Colds")
Vaccinations
Vomiting
Warts
Weight Problems
West Nile Virus
Worms
Handling Emergencies and Giving First Aid
Schedule for Herbal Treatment
Schedule for Homeopathic Treatment
Additional Recipes, Snacks and Treats
Normal Vital Sign Values
Parts of a Dog and Cat

[107barney]

I take huge issue with your post because I know what site you are referring to. The consulting veterinarian is a world renowned expert on dog nutrition and a respected member of the ACVN. Please double check your facts because you are incorrect about the credentials of the site owner.

The money spent is well worth the nutrition consult. I've done the consults and they include a thorough review of the dog's medical history amongst other things.

Your constant disparagement of the very good advice I and others give here to consult with professionals who are experts in the field in favor of self-help quackery is tiresome, and you should know better. Your diet isn't balanced and the book you reference is laughable at best. I have read them all.

People who really care about their dogs will pay the fee and leave the guesswork to others.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Yorkiedaze

Why would anyone want to spend $250.00 for a Vet. to send "your" vet. a dog diet?

I would spend DOUBLE that if it came to that to have the opinion of an expert. I believe you are referring to Dr. Remillard. Below are her credentials. If it is indeed her that you are referring to, I am not sure how you think she is not qualified.


Dr. Rebecca L. Remillard
Dr. Remillard has been awarded B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. in Animal Nutrition from three different US Universities. She earned a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from the Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine in 1987 and became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Nutrition in 1991. She completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Surgical Nutrition at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 1993. She has been the Senior Staff Nutritionist since 1993 at the MSPCA Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston, a major metropolitan referral hospital serving more than 40,000 dog and cat cases annually.
Dr. Remillard is founder and president of Veterinary Nutritional Consultations, which has been incorporated in Massachusetts since 1993. There are approximately sixty individuals in the world with the combined qualifications of a Ph.D. in animal nutrition, a D.V.M., and Board Certification by the American College of Veterinary Nutrition (DACVN). Her interests primarily lie in the area of nutrient utilization as altered by disease processes. She continues to train veterinary students, interns, residents and provide continuing education to practitioners on the subject of canine and feline nutrition at international conferences.

She served on the Executive Board of the American Academy of Veterinary Nutrition (Home) (1999 to 2005) and the American College of Veterinary Nutrition (American College of Veterinary Nutrition) (2000 to 2006). She is considered a legal expert in the field of clinical pet nutrition, has conducted numerous clinical studies at several universities in the actual use of nutritional pet products, and has authored more than 50 publications in the field of nutrition for veterinarians. She has co-edited editions of a major nutrition textbook, Small Animal Clinical Nutrition, for veterinarians and veterinary students. These textbooks have since been translated into five languages for worldwide distribution. Dr. Remillard has extensive relationships with professionals in veterinary medicine. She has been conversing regularly with veterinarians worldwide as a Nutritional Consultant on the Veterinary Information Network since 1997, and therefore has a wide network of resources and experiences in the practice of veterinary clinical nutrition, which she brings to each individual consultation.
------------

My Cookie is on a homecooked diet that a vet nutrionist in Houston put her on. I happily paid her fee and my Cookie's life is being saved because of that diet! She has lymphangectasia and I would never trust a lay person to tell me what to feed her since I know that would probably kill her. WhatEVER that vet charged, I would happily pay.

[107barney]

I have a dog with epilepsy and there is no diet to help with epilepsy according to his neurologist.

[107barney]

One more thing - please don't mislead.

The fees you quoted are for a SICK dog needing a customized diet from a professional. If your dog does not have medical problems then it is only $25 for the first diet, and $12 for each additional diet if purchased at the same time. I cant think of a much cheaper way to go quite frankly. The vast majority of pet owners who want to safely and scientifically home cook for their pets with a level of assurance that the diet is balanced properly can benefit from this very inexpensive $25 fee.

As for sick pets, I can't think of a better way to spend $250 if there is a sick pet who needs the proper help. My own dog Daisy has had an entire life changing and life saving experience from this veterinary nutritionist and she has saved me a lot of money, heartache and saved my dog from suffering as she was the one with answers when medical help couldn't meet her needs...and believe me, there were many experts and fees paid before this one.

Last I checked, $250 for an expert veterinary opinion was fair game. And most don't discount for a second pet! Obviously, there will always be people who are philosophically opposed to paying for expert opinions and want to do it their own lay person way but for those who don't there are very valid and reliable options out there such as this site. I recommend Welcome to Pet Diets to anyone who has a healthy pet or a sick pet in both cases I have personally used the service and am a highly satisfied customer.

[Yorkiedaze]

Originally Posted by 107barney

I take huge issue with your post because I know what site you are referring to. The consulting veterinarian is a world renowned expert on dog nutrition and a respected member of the ACVN. Please double check your facts because you are incorrect about the credentials of the site owner.

The money spent is well worth the nutrition consult. I've done the consults and they include a thorough review of the dog's medical history amongst other things.

Your constant disparagement of the very good advice I and others give here to consult with professionals who are experts in the field in favor of self-help quackery is tiresome, and you should know better. Your diet isn't balanced and the book you reference is laughable at best. I have read them all.

People who really care about their dogs will pay the fee and leave the guesswork to others.

All of us here have every right to voice our opinions as often as we want, and I will continue to try and help people save money and also to see that feeding dogs real food as opposed to commercial kibble is safer and healthier without all the added risks we see in the ever increasing recalls, and we all have the right to take what we need from them without the bashing some inflict.
I wrote that company and ask if there were experts in that field and where they got their degree. This is all I got in return:

You asked:

Are any of you "experts" on dog nutrition, and if so, where did you get your degree? I've been checking everywhere and have never found anyone who is an expert in this field.

Our Answer:

Please see the information on our "about us" and "founder" page.


Please send any reply or additional questions to: Petdiets@att.net

Rebecca Remillard, Ph.D., D.V.M., DACVN

And when I did check this out, this is what I found, and this only:

https://www.petdiets.com/Consult/default.asp

Now if you can read more into this, then let us know what it is.

I did not spend all this time typing out good information to deliberately upset anyone and I resent the implication. I will continue to post my concerns, and since they upset you, then don't open them.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Yorkiedaze

All of us here have every right to voice our opinions as often as we want, and I will continue to try and help people save money and also to see that feeding dogs real food as opposed to commercial kibble is safer and healthier without all the added risks we see in the ever increasing recalls, and we all have the right to take what we need from them without the bashing some inflict.
I wrote that company and ask if there were experts in that field and where they got their degree. This is all I got in return:

You asked:

Are any of you "experts" on dog nutrition, and if so, where did you get your degree? I've been checking everywhere and have never found anyone who is an expert in this field.

Our Answer:

Please see the information on our "about us" and "founder" page.


Please send any reply or additional questions to: Petdiets@att.net

Rebecca Remillard, Ph.D., D.V.M., DACVN

And when I did check this out, this is what I found, and this only:

https://www.petdiets.com/Consult/default.asp

Now if you can read more into this, then let us know what it is.

I did not spend all this time typing out good information to deliberately upset anyone and I resent the implication. I will continue to post my concerns, and since they upset you, then don't open them.

Yes, and if you click on founder on that page you will find what I posted above regarding her credentials.

Here....this makes it easier:

http://www.petdiets.com/about/aboutvnc.asp

http://www.petdiets.com/about/aboutfounder.asp

The other day I posted a vet nutrionist from A&M...perhaps you missed his information. I will go find his and post it here. There are many experts in the field of animal nutrition.

[107barney]

Originally Posted by Yorkiedaze

All of us here have every right to voice our opinions as often as we want, and I will continue to try and help people save money and also to see that feeding dogs real food as opposed to commercial kibble is safer and healthier without all the added risks we see in the ever increasing recalls, and we all have the right to take what we need from them without the bashing some inflict.
I wrote that company and ask if there were experts in that field and where they got their degree. This is all I got in return:

You asked:

Are any of you "experts" on dog nutrition, and if so, where did you get your degree? I've been checking everywhere and have never found anyone who is an expert in this field.

Our Answer:

Please see the information on our "about us" and "founder" page.


Please send any reply or additional questions to: Petdiets@att.net

Rebecca Remillard, Ph.D., D.V.M., DACVN

And when I did check this out, this is what I found, and this only:

https://www.petdiets.com/Consult/default.asp

Now if you can read more into this, then let us know what it is.

I did not spend all this time typing out good information to deliberately upset anyone and I resent the implication. I will continue to post my concerns, and since they upset you, then don't open them.

Did you not see this on the website?
https://www.petdiets.com/about/aboutfounder.asp

And did you miss the part about it being $25? Your book surely must have cost about that, no?

[ladyjane]

This is Dr. John Bauer from Texas A&M. I have personally used him in the past for one of my pups that was in renal failure.

John E Bauer

[ladyjane]

Everyone needs to remember that sometimes a penny saved is a dollar lost. You really have to be careful when trying to save money especially when it comes to medical care for yourself or your pups. Often the cheap way out may end up costing more in medical treatments. I am not saying that all cost saving methods are unwise; but I do think that it is wise to really think long and hard about choices. Do your research and don't just believe anyone who comes along with advice.

[sugarmamma]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

Everyone needs to remember that sometimes a penny saved is a dollar lost. You really have to be careful when trying to save money especially when it comes to medical care for yourself or your pups. Often the cheap way out may end up costing more in medical treatments. I am not saying that all cost saving methods are unwise; but I do think that it is wise to really think long and hard about choices. Do your research and don't just believe anyone who comes along with advice.

Excellent advice

Penny Wise and Pound Foolish can really cost you your bottom dollar in the end!

I see nothing outrageous about charging $25 for others to benefit from Dr Remillard's educational background and pet nutritional knowledge!

[Schooby]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

Everyone needs to remember that sometimes a penny saved is a dollar lost. You really have to be careful when trying to save money especially when it comes to medical care for yourself or your pups. Often the cheap way out may end up costing more in medical treatments. I am not saying that all cost saving methods are unwise; but I do think that it is wise to really think long and hard about choices. Do your research and don't just believe anyone who comes along with advice.

[AprilLove]

Originally Posted by Yorkiedaze

Why would anyone want to spend $250.00 for a Vet. to send "your" vet. a dog diet? Then an additional $100.00 for a second dog. Please read VERY carefully........the Vet. is NOT an expert on dog nutrition! They only go by what is currently found to be ok for the dog. Read "exactly" what kind of checking they do first. Is this enought to make it worth the VERY high price: "This fee covers product research, review of medical information and a diet formulation. It also covers all questions you may have about our diet recommendations".

Save your money and put it into food for your family and pet. Go on line and check out recipes for dogs. Buy the book by Dr. Pitcairn's COMPLETE GUIDE TO NATURAL HEALTH FOR DOGS @ CATS.
I don't use any of the recipes in this book, but it's a power house. Here are some of the chapters:
1. We Need a New Approach to Pet Health Care
2. What's Really in Pet Food
3. Try a Basic Natural Diet........with Supplements
4. Easy-to-Make Recipes for Pet Food
5. Special Diets for Special Pets
6. Helping Your Pet Make the Switch
7. Exercise, Rest, and Natural Grooming
8. Creating a Healthier Environment
9. Choosing a Healthy Animal
10. Emotional Connections and Your Pet's Health
11. Neighborly Relations: Responsible Pet Management
12. Lifestyles: Tips for Special Situations
13. Saying Good-Bye: Copint with a Pet's Death
14. Holistic and Alternative Therapies
15. How to Care for a Sick Animal

QUICK REFERENCE

Common Pet Ailments and Their Treatments
Abscesses
Addison's Disease
Allergies
Anal Gland Problems
Anemia
Appetite Problems
Arthritis
Behavior Problems
Bladder Problems
Breast Tumors
Cancer
Constipation
Cushing's Disease
Dental Problems
Diabetes
Diarrhea and Dysentery
Distemper, Chorrea, and Feling Panleukopenia
Ear Problems
Epilepsy
Eye Problems
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)
Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)
Feline Leukemia (FeLV)
Foxtails
Hair Loss
Heart Problems
Heartworms
Hip Dysplasia
Jaundice
Kidney Failure
Liver Problems
Lyme Disease
Pancreatitis
Paralysis
Pregnancy, Birth, and Care of Newborns
Rabies
Radiation Toxicity
Reproductive Organ Problems
Skin Parasites
Skin Problems
Spaying and Neutering
Stomach Problems
Thyroid Disorders
Toxoplasmosis
Upper Respiratory Infections ("Colds")
Vaccinations
Vomiting
Warts
Weight Problems
West Nile Virus
Worms
Handling Emergencies and Giving First Aid
Schedule for Herbal Treatment
Schedule for Homeopathic Treatment
Additional Recipes, Snacks and Treats
Normal Vital Sign Values
Parts of a Dog and Cat

Thanks for posting this! I didn't know about this book or the author, downloading it from amazon now. I am a firm believer in holistic/natural approach to healthy living (don't consider it "quackery" at all) and have benefited tremendously in my own personal health, and am on the side of believing we are drugging/vaccinating our furbabies/ ( canine and feline) waaaay too much and as a result they are developing more diseases, sicknesses, neuro issues than ever before. One only has to look in the S & I Forum here to see how many "issues" just so happen after a week or two or so after having vaccines/shots administered.... sorry I am rambling, ugh
Anyway, I looked up Dr. PitCairn and it seems he also has impressive credentials in his field and in fact is highly regarded by many traditional vets, and he was very involved in studies related to the effect vaccines have on our furry friends.
I think it is fair for each individual to read, research, talk, study and to come to their own conclusions on what we choose for our "kids".
This isn't about spending money or not for me, its about choosing what I believe is the best for MY babies.
Here is his credentials:
Dr. Pitcairn Bio | ANHC Education Programs

and another interesting read from another DVM:Timeless Spirit Magazine

[Ellie May]

To each their own.

I see nothing wrong with somebody who has DVM, PhD, MS, plus a Hopkins surgical nutrition fellowship charging $250 to create a highly specialized diet for a sick pet. In fact, it seems it bit low to me. That said, she is my dog's nutritionist and I have never paid near that amount. Both having a vet consult her instead or contacting her at her job site is a cheaper way to go. And for healthy animals it is only $25.

Many people on YT like Dr. Pitcairn. Again, to each their own. I do have his book (an older edition). Some of the advice in it just doesn't appeal to me and I will never accept this kind of thing for my furkids.

Because the book is old, I'm sure he has changed his mind on some things as veterinary medicine has advanced (like feeding onions, for instance). But there are some other things that really bother me. Some ways he suggests to cut costs are to feed vegetable cores and peelings, use bug infested grain, use slightly spoiled meat for dogs, and use leftover cereals, sandwiches, casseroles, gravies, etc. The recipes look fairly high in fat to me and there is no guaranteed analysis with them (so we don't know the % protein or fat in these diets).

So my opinion is that people turn to those who have spent years of their lives obtaining nutrition education, who have done peer reviewed studies of their own, who are highly respected among most veterinarians, and who are able to produce for exact recipes.

[McheleM]

Hmmm, since I work for my money and pay my own bills, I can spend however much I want on what I want.

When you take care of my family and my pets, then you get an opinion on how I spend my money.

By the way, I found a much cheaper alternative to a mastectomy and chemotherapy.....there's a guy on craigslist who said he'll do my surgery for half the cost of that board certified Dr, and he can get some chemo meds online and save me a ton of money. I should probably save some money and go that route, right????