Our 20# rescue Bichon, Bijou, is 13 and has had two surgeries for bladder stones--the last surgery was about 4 years ago. During her recent teeth cleaning, we had x-rays taken of her bladder to see if she had any bladder stones. She's always urinated in spurts and dribbles, so we figured while she was "under" for the teeth cleaning, we'd double check things. All is fine.
We've had her on the canned dog food we get from our vet, the "C/D" one that's for urinary tract health, and she's been on it for YEARS. Mr. Sparkly and I think she is getting tired of it because for the past few days, she's been turning up her nose at it and not eating it. We feed her twice a day.
I told Mr. Sparkly (as an example) it doesn't matter how good my lasagna is, if he had to eat it twice a day for years, he'd get tired of it. I think this is what's going on with Bijou. When I cook her some chicken with green beans, she's a Hoover vacuum cleaner. If I make scrambled egg whites with a tiny bit of cheese, she's a Hoover again.
We've tried mixing some of her C/D food with a smaller amount of Taste of the Wild canned food, and she'll eat around the C/D.
I'd be happy to cook her up special food that would support her urinary tract health, but I need some input, please. She does NOT like cottage cheese or sardines, not together, not separately (can't blame her! lol ).
What do I make? Chicken? Beef or chicken liver? Turkey? Lamb? Brown Rice? Green beans? Egg whites? Apples?
How much of what do I include in the food?
What do I need to add that supports urinary tract health and helps prevent bladder stones from forming?
Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions!
Sparkly
I think Bijou needs different food
Re: I think Bijou needs different food
When was Bijou's dental, was it just recently, within a week or two? If so, that could be why she isn't eating her C/D as normal, could have slight inflammation, etc - did she have any extractions?
I assume bloodwork was done prior to the dental? Was her bloodwork all normal?
Don't automatically assume she is tired of the C/D, it could be something else going on, you want to be sure. Also, ask your vet for an equivalent urinary-tract diet in another veterinary brand instead of drastically changing her diet. You certainly don't want to rock that bladder stone boat by abruptly changing her diet.
You should know that preparing home-cooked meals is a big undertaking, takes some knowledge, and they are not always 100% nutritionally complete, especially fed long term. Depending on the type of bladder stones she was producing, would also depend on certain ingredients you would want to avoid in the home-cooked diet. The C/D is ideal in that it is already prepared, contains the necessary nutrients and minerals (in limited form for the intended purpose), cost-effective.
First, make sure nothing else is going on that she is avoiding her food. Then, ask the vet about another veterinary equivalent diet. If you are extremely serious about home-cooking for her, then ask your vet to refer you to the vet nutritionists at BalanceIt - personally, I would stick with the C/D (or another veterinary equivalent).
I assume bloodwork was done prior to the dental? Was her bloodwork all normal?
Don't automatically assume she is tired of the C/D, it could be something else going on, you want to be sure. Also, ask your vet for an equivalent urinary-tract diet in another veterinary brand instead of drastically changing her diet. You certainly don't want to rock that bladder stone boat by abruptly changing her diet.
You should know that preparing home-cooked meals is a big undertaking, takes some knowledge, and they are not always 100% nutritionally complete, especially fed long term. Depending on the type of bladder stones she was producing, would also depend on certain ingredients you would want to avoid in the home-cooked diet. The C/D is ideal in that it is already prepared, contains the necessary nutrients and minerals (in limited form for the intended purpose), cost-effective.
First, make sure nothing else is going on that she is avoiding her food. Then, ask the vet about another veterinary equivalent diet. If you are extremely serious about home-cooking for her, then ask your vet to refer you to the vet nutritionists at BalanceIt - personally, I would stick with the C/D (or another veterinary equivalent).
..........Traci
Re: I think Bijou needs different food
Hi, Traci,
Bijou's dental cleaning was mid August and she did have one tooth extracted. Her blood work was done prior to the dental and it was all normal.
Thanks for your quick reply, information, and suggestions!
Sparkly
Bijou's dental cleaning was mid August and she did have one tooth extracted. Her blood work was done prior to the dental and it was all normal.
Thanks for your quick reply, information, and suggestions!
Sparkly
Bijou update.
We took her to the vet and gave our okay for them to do whatever tests, ultrasound, x-rays necessary to find out what's going on.
She has a 4 inch tumor growing on her liver, stomach and intestine. Her liver panel results were all *extremely* elevated, and one of the tests had results to high to read and there is irreversible damage. We have no hope. She feels so bad, we can tell. There is no coming back from this so we will be saying goodbye tomorrow.
Please hold a good thought for us. Mr. Sparkly isn't doing very well as she is her Daddy's Girl and he has never lost a dog that was "his" before.
:O(
We took her to the vet and gave our okay for them to do whatever tests, ultrasound, x-rays necessary to find out what's going on.
She has a 4 inch tumor growing on her liver, stomach and intestine. Her liver panel results were all *extremely* elevated, and one of the tests had results to high to read and there is irreversible damage. We have no hope. She feels so bad, we can tell. There is no coming back from this so we will be saying goodbye tomorrow.
Please hold a good thought for us. Mr. Sparkly isn't doing very well as she is her Daddy's Girl and he has never lost a dog that was "his" before.
:O(
Re: I think Bijou needs different food
So terribly sorry! You all are in my thoughts. Please look into counseling for pet loss as soon as you can - it does help some.
E's Hobbit (Dot B.)
Austin TX
E's Hobbit (Dot B.)
Austin TX
Re: I think Bijou needs different food
I normally would say, seek a second opinion immediately. Yet, if the xrays and ultrasound were actually done and the diagnosis was made from real evidence, then sadly, it is oftentimes, little we can do.
I am at a complete loss for words, my heart just breaks for you and Mr Sparkly. You have had so much to deal with, with Maggie's loss, with this new turn of events with sweet little Bijou, may God hold your aching hearts in his hands. Please know you are not alone, Bijou is in our hearts, thoughts and prayers and so are you, I would give anything to take this pain away for you!
((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))
I am at a complete loss for words, my heart just breaks for you and Mr Sparkly. You have had so much to deal with, with Maggie's loss, with this new turn of events with sweet little Bijou, may God hold your aching hearts in his hands. Please know you are not alone, Bijou is in our hearts, thoughts and prayers and so are you, I would give anything to take this pain away for you!
((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))
..........Traci
Re: I think Bijou needs different food
Thank you both for your kind thoughts and comforting words.
We have been loving on her all day and night. This morning was when we did actually have all the tests done, and there is no question about the diagnosis based on the real evidence.
Losing Maggie, and now saying goodbye to Bijou has brought us to our knees. I know we don't walk this path alone, as so many have walked it before us, and so many are with us in spirit as we walk it now.
Special thank you for the thoughts and prayers and the kindess of your words.
Sparkly (and Mr. Sparkly, who is beyond speech right now)
We have been loving on her all day and night. This morning was when we did actually have all the tests done, and there is no question about the diagnosis based on the real evidence.
Losing Maggie, and now saying goodbye to Bijou has brought us to our knees. I know we don't walk this path alone, as so many have walked it before us, and so many are with us in spirit as we walk it now.
Special thank you for the thoughts and prayers and the kindess of your words.
Sparkly (and Mr. Sparkly, who is beyond speech right now)
Re: I think Bijou needs different food
I truly know that feeling. It was only March, just shortly before you lost your precious Maggie, that I lost my precious Cotton kitty. I'm still dealing with it. Many of our members here have lost precious ones in recent months. It is a very trying time. Please know we are here for you.
I also feel Mr Sparky's pain and sorrow. When I lost my best buddy years ago, I was beside myself and couldn't function for months. He too had a serious liver condition and we did everything imaginable that we could do - he too was 13 years old. He was so special to me in that he never left my side during so many transitions in my life then, he was my kitty soul-mate, I'm sure Bijou is Mr Sparky's puppy soul-mate too.
Please whisper in Bijou's ear that she is so loved, by all of us. You are all very much in our hearts and prayers!
I also feel Mr Sparky's pain and sorrow. When I lost my best buddy years ago, I was beside myself and couldn't function for months. He too had a serious liver condition and we did everything imaginable that we could do - he too was 13 years old. He was so special to me in that he never left my side during so many transitions in my life then, he was my kitty soul-mate, I'm sure Bijou is Mr Sparky's puppy soul-mate too.
Please whisper in Bijou's ear that she is so loved, by all of us. You are all very much in our hearts and prayers!
..........Traci
Re: I think Bijou needs different food
Sending hugs to you both...I lost my sweet Winnie in a similar manner, and I still miss her. I'd love to see her helicopter tail one more time, and I cherish the fond memories I have of her.
You are in my prayers today...
You are in my prayers today...
Re: I think Bijou needs different food
Thank you all for your kind and compassionate replies.
I am so sorry that we all share this bond of sorrow at the passing of our beloved babies.
I think maybe we all carry these losses with us in our hearts, as there are big ol' empty spaces that were once filled with the little souls who were/are a part of us during the time they shared our lives. I'm thankful that there are other areas in our hearts waiting to be filled if and when we're ready.
I held Bijou in my arms at the vet's the whole time, and until she was gone (and I held on a little more afterwards, too), and Mr. Sparkly was the last face she saw. She loved her Daddy so much! We told her she was a good girl, we love her so much, and to go find Maggie.
Bijou and Maggie both had such a good life, and knew they were loved.
Again, thank you all, and I am sorry for the losses that bind us together. I wouldn't have missed the joy that was Maggie or Bijou for the world. We are so lucky to still have our boy, Luigi.
Sparkly
I am so sorry that we all share this bond of sorrow at the passing of our beloved babies.
I think maybe we all carry these losses with us in our hearts, as there are big ol' empty spaces that were once filled with the little souls who were/are a part of us during the time they shared our lives. I'm thankful that there are other areas in our hearts waiting to be filled if and when we're ready.
I held Bijou in my arms at the vet's the whole time, and until she was gone (and I held on a little more afterwards, too), and Mr. Sparkly was the last face she saw. She loved her Daddy so much! We told her she was a good girl, we love her so much, and to go find Maggie.
Bijou and Maggie both had such a good life, and knew they were loved.
Again, thank you all, and I am sorry for the losses that bind us together. I wouldn't have missed the joy that was Maggie or Bijou for the world. We are so lucky to still have our boy, Luigi.
Sparkly