Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Regardless, the results of testing and analysis reveal that, in some instances, 9 out of 10 Blue Buffalo products tested contained poultry by-product meal, even though the packaging indicated otherwise. Instead, tests indicated the products contained several signature elements of poultry by-product meal: eggshell, raw feather and leg scale.
Leg scale. Lovely.
Alison, thanks for sharing that, I had no idea. I believe Wyatt reacted the same way that Jasper did when we fed him Blue Buffalo once. We figured that when the itching coincided with the food switch, we knew that's what had to be it so we never fed it to him again.
At least pet food industry fiascoes make consumers more aware, and willing to take their dollars elsewhere when companies pull stuff like this. It's just too bad that our pets have to suffer for a corporation's profits in the meantime. Ugh.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
What the hell is leg scale? Ok, I'm not sure I even want to know and I'm damn sure not googling that. Ugh...we tried Tanner on Blue Buffalo and he had HORRIBLE indigestion and stomach issues. I'm really sick of these companies doing everything they can to make a dollar from a product at the expense of lives. UGH
Mom to Tripawd Angels Jake (2001-2014) and Rosco (2012-2015) and Tripawd Tanner. “Whatever happens tomorrow, we had today; and I'll always remember it”
There were some interesting comments following the article that Alison directed us to. I was particularly interested to read one from a vet named Michael Clayton that made a whole lot of sense. He gave a couple of links that I plan to follow up on reading, but he sounded like someone who is not a reactionary one way or the other. I know that our dogs have eaten foods with carbs for years, but we have not been dealing with bone cancer, thank goodness. Just wondering here how long it will take for the pendulum to swing the other way.
Off my soapbox.
Kathi and Murphy
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
jerry said
Regardless, the results of testing and analysis reveal that, in some instances, 9 out of 10 Blue Buffalo products tested contained poultry by-product meal, even though the packaging indicated otherwise. Instead, tests indicated the products contained several signature elements of poultry by-product meal: eggshell, raw feather and leg scale.
Leg scale. Lovely.
Alison, thanks for sharing that, I had no idea. I believe Wyatt reacted the same way that Jasper did when we fed him Blue Buffalo once. We figured that when the itching coincided with the food switch, we knew that's what had to be it so we never fed it to him again.
At least pet food industry fiascoes make consumers more aware, and willing to take their dollars elsewhere when companies pull stuff like this. It's just too bad that our pets have to suffer for a corporation's profits in the meantime. Ugh.
Thanks to Michelle for posting on her FB page so I saw it and thankfully can change her diet quickly and hopefully get her to stop with the itchies! I suspected it might be food but who really knows? She's only been w/me 6 months. Our vet told us we needed a full year to really evaluate her issues. Grrr... and I've been giving her allergy meds!
Onward - we are switching to Perfect Balance Grain free or Orijen today!
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Just came across this really helpful blog post about choosing a dog food:
Canine Nutrition: What Is In Your Dog's Food
Do you know the meat content of your dog’s food? Is your dog’s diet grain-free ? Does the food meet the nutritional standards set by AAFCO?
These are important and sometimes complicated questions to consider when assessing the quality of your dog’s food.
In this post, we will run through some important things to consider when selecting your dog’s dry or wet food.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
So after reading about the lawsuit against Blue Buffalo (Thanks Alison and Michelle I had no idea) and reading some of the on-line reviews I've switched Lucian from Blue Buffalo Freedom Lg Breed Puppy to Orijen Lg Breed Puppy. I finally got a medium size bag ($45 
) to try him on yesterday. Orijen isn't easily found and there's only 4 places I found carry it within a 30 mile radius.
Lucian has been itching for some time now...I just figured it was from winter weather and burning the wood stove drying out his skin. But after reading about Jasper's itches as well as on-line reviewers talking about how their pups itched while on BB I started worrying..."have I been doing this to my puppy?!?!?" Lucian's poops have also been getting a little more on the mushy side as of late...he was pooping nicely formed poops (as nice as poop can form 
) that hubby would refer to as "bouncers" because they would kind of bounce when they hit the ground. So I stopped the BB cold turkey last night (I know we should transition from one to the other) but I just don't want to be giving Lucian anything else that could be effecting him negatively in the BB.
I decided to give Orijen a try since folks here have spoken highly of it and internet reviewers indicate it's the best food out there. Then I come across the "critics"...
who say it gave their dogs loose stools (diarrhea), horrible gas, and high protein foods aren't good for dogs. Lucian's gas was bad before so I was attributing that to BB but lord if it gets worse I don't know how hubby and I will be able to live in the same home with him. So now I'm worrying AGAIN
() "what if I've screwed up again in what to feed him."
I figured if anybody could put my mind at ease it would be you guys. The folks that have actually had first hand experience with Orijen and how their furkids reacted to it. I thought I had been doing right by both Leland and Lucian by feeding them Blue Buffalo but apparently I was way off in putting my faith in that company to care as much for the welfare of our furkids as we do.
Sahana and her Angel Leland
November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014
May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!
Feeding dogs is such a personal decision! I want to make a comment on Hills Science Diet Anti Cancer Formula. It is based on a recipe developed by Dr. Greg Olgilvie and tested on golden retrievers with lymphoma. Dogs fed this recipe lived 8 months longer than those not fed it.
I home prepare the Ogilvie recipe for my dogs, both with and without cancer. Not only do I want a low carb, moderate fat and protein diet for my guys, I want to know how the food is prepared and what is in it. I never worry about toxins or recalls.
I know most are not willing to take this route, but I have found it takes a small time investment to guarantee supreme quality food for my guys.
mary and Blaze
leland4 said
So after reading about the lawsuit against Blue Buffalo (Thanks Alison and Michelle I had no idea) and reading some of the on-line reviews I've switched Lucian from Blue Buffalo Freedom Lg Breed Puppy to Orijen Lg Breed Puppy. I finally got a medium size bag ($45Lucian has been itching for some time now...I just figured it was from winter weather and burning the wood stove drying out his skin. But after reading about Jasper's itches as well as on-line reviewers talking about how their pups itched while on BB I started worrying..."have I been doing this to my puppy?!?!?" Lucian's poops have also been getting a little more on the mushy side as of late...he was pooping nicely formed poops (as nice as poop can form
I decided to give Orijen a try since folks here have spoken highly of it and internet reviewers indicate it's the best food out there. Then I come across the "critics"...
(
I figured if anybody could put my mind at ease it would be you guys. The folks that have actually had first hand experience with Orijen and how their furkids reacted to it. I thought I had been doing right by both Leland and Lucian by feeding them Blue Buffalo but apparently I was way off in putting my faith in that company to care as much for the welfare of our furkids as we do.
Sahana and her Angel Leland
Sahana... we had the SAME issue w/poop getting softer and harder to pick up. Jasper is one week, maybe more, in Lotus food and her itching has greatly reduced (she still does it but I think it's a chewing / have to have something in her mouth thing) and her poops are much easier to pick up. We didn't have gas w/BB but I felt horrible about the itching and reading all the other reviews. I feel comfortable w/her new food choice albeit higher in calories so I have to reduce her usual 1 cup to 3/4 cup and it looks so small and sad in her bowl so I mix in extras like eggs, spinach, pumpkin to make it more exciting. I figure if we eat w/our eyes ... so much dogs!
Hugs!
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
I think is Orijen is a very good food as well as higher protein foods like EVO, Taste of the Wild, First Mate (from Canada) and Solid Gold. These foods are very energy dense so always switch over slowly or there is a good chance your dog could get diarrhea or gas. Pay attention to calories since many of these diets contain 500 calories or more per cup so overfeeding can also lead to diarrhea.
Not all dogs can handle a high protein diet. My dog Tazzie could not due to liver issues so she ate Innova or California Natural. I just had to switch Julian to Royal Canin Vegetarian diet because the EVO herring was causing cysteine crystals in his urine (these are atypical crystals that can occur genetically in some breeds such as Newfies, Mastiffs, and Bulldogs). After just 1 month on the new diet the crystals are gone but had they persisted he may have developed bladder stones and needed surgery.
There is no one perfect diet for every dog so make sure that real meat is the first ingredient and preferably minimal to no by products. Dogs with cancer should have a high protein diet if possible but many dogs do well on a moderate protein of 35% with some fruits, veggies, or whole grains. Some dogs with skin allergies may do better with just 1 protein and 1 carb such as sweet potato or oatmeal.
Pam
Pam - thank you SOOOOO much for weighing it! It is a lot of 'food for thought' and I hadn't even thought about high protein and liver issues. I'll watch it with Jasper but agree w/the higher calorie comment. We add lots of veggies, cucumbers, carrots, spinach, to make her meal look more hearty!
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
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