Diet for dog with congestive heart failure

[Nancy]

Hi,

Any ideas for a diet for a mini schnauzer without added salt? Also, any ideas how to easily get a lot of pills down a dog? I don't want to buy those commercial pill pouches sinces they're so expensive, and I don't want to have her start running away every time I have to give her a pill.

Thanks!

[SmoothCollieluver]

You probably need to get a perscription diet for the dog. But as far as the pills you can put them in cheese or liverwarts or bread. anything like that. I had a dog with eplipsy (sp?) and had to give her pills for years.

[Ingemor]

I did a little bit of research about this when my dog was diagnosed with heart failure. I would definitely ask what your vet recommends. But here are a couple of things to read:

This first site is British, so some of the brands mentioned aren't available here. It does offer suggestions about interpreting the sodium content on the labels of dog food:
http://www.blackness2000.fsnet.co.uk/LoNa.htm

Low sodium foods are also discussed here:
http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/clientED/heartCare.asp

While I did eventually lose my Billie, she did well for quite a while on her meds and on Hills h/d from the vet. I found the best way to give her pills was to wrap them in a little bit of cheese or in sliced turkey from the deli.

Just checked out your profile picture - your dogs are so cute. Best wishes for you.

[Nancy]

Thanks for the ideas! She's doing well after her first hospitalization, starting more meds today. We're just keeping her comfortable and having fun!!!

[Lolakitty]

Glad to hear your pup is doing well :)
Does your vet hospital do any compounding(putting the pill in a liquid solution), or is there a human pharmacy near you that does? (I think Kerr Drugs and Walgreens around here started to advertise for animal Rx not so long ago.)
When my kiddo first got really sick, the vet hospital I went to was great that way (little did I know they were also unique that way-- due to specializing in bird vet medecine)-- it's a nice liquid solution you draw up with an eyedropper and squirt into the corner of the mouth. They even meat- or fish-flavor it :p

[Nancy]

I will check with Walgreen's - thanks. One of her meds is from there - enalapril. Bread is working well. Cheese has a lot of salt so I don't use it. Has anyone ever heard of pancreatitis from turkey? A vet in Florida told me that I shouldn't give my schnauzers turkey so I've avoided it.

BTW, I emailed Dr. Nelson from the Washington State University Website about heart disease in dogs that someone mentioned. She was very reassuring about how I was approaching sodium in her diet. She stated that if I can't control symptoms with the food I'm using, I can switch to a renal diet or later a heart diet.

It is very difficult to find treats without added salt. I read every label in PetSmart one day and only found 1 brand without it, that also didn't have wheat (she itches a lot from it). Any other ideas for treats?

Annie is the smaller black one in the photo. She is adjusting well to her new regimen of pills & peeing. I recently went on vacation and took her with me so I could monitor her adjustment. I had to put her on a leash to take her outside, so she started walking and now is stronger than ever! It's all about quality right now, and we're both hanging in there!

[luv4gsds]

Have you looked into making doggie treats. That away you can control what goes into the treats. Maybe come up with something to hide the medication in.

[SmoothCollieluver]

I think dogs can get pancreatitis from just about anything. Just depends on what that particular dog is senstive to.

[Nancy]

Interestingly, my dog's cardiologist has not restricted salt in her diet. She is highly regarded & is at the practice that all of the local vets refer to for complex cases. At this time she doesn't recommend a change in diet. My girl is on 2 diuretics & enalapril, and her kidney function & electrolytes are normal & lungs are clear. We are treating based on symptoms. However, I'm still restricting where I can.

I'm going to try to find a wheatless (she's allergic), and salt free treat to make. Any ideas welcome. She likes some fruits & veggies so I should probably stick to them as much as possible.

Again, thanks for the info everyone. It's nice to be able to ask questions & get some different opinions. Gives me options to work on...

[luv4gsds]

You might be able to use these recipes.

Doggie Cookies

3 jars (2 1/2 oz.) beef or chicken baby food
1/4 cup dry powder milk
1/4 cup wheat germ or cream of wheat

Combine all ingredients in bowl and mix well. Roll dough into small balls and place on greased cookie sheet. Flatten with a fork. Bake for 15 minutes. Refrigerate.



Baked Salmon Patties Treats

2 (14.75) can pink salmon
2 eggs

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Drian some of the liquid off of the salmon.
In a medium bowl add salmon and eggs mix all together and form into small patties. Put on oiled cookie sheet and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until brown.

I have more recipes.

[Nancy]

I could eat the salmon ones! Sound yummy. Any others you'd care to offer, I'd love to know. Don't forget, no salt, no wheat. :)

[luv4gsds]

Here is a site that has a lot of doggie treat recipes. The other recipes I have wouldn't suit your dog.
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/ranch/1011/dog.htm#LiverBrownies

[Ingemor]

Here's a store-bought treat without salt or wheat: Kong Stuff'n Tots.
Three ingredients: beef liver, milo grain, anise.
They're available at sitstay.com, at the bottom of this page:
http://www.sitstay.com/store/edibles/treats1.shtml#EDKT2
I've also found them at Petsmart.