I want to mention here how highly I recommend Lew's book, which of course Leerburg carries:

http://leerburg.com/webboard/thread.php?topic_id=26613&page=1#282039

http://leerburg.com/9000.htm

Julie, did I/we miss any other diet questions?

Also, I wanted to mention again that this egg idea (below) is totally viable while you gather ingredients and make sure your mother understands about the importance of drinking and peeing for this dog, even if encouraging him is needed. (Bowls of fresh water in several places, baited if need be, water added to already wet food, no kibble, no "dog biscuits," and so on ..... opportunities galore for peeing, even hourly potty trips to make sure the dog never "holds it" ..... ):

For now, "she can very simply cook up some eggs, leaving out half the yolks since he is not used to that fat, and pouring a bit of chicken broth over them to add fluid and enhance the taste."

mom is making up Lew's sample diets for now, and I told her we would get more details squared away as we go.

Excellent, Julie!

With a drastic change in food, I always do small snack-like meals and watch the poops. (And anyway, this dog with the bile vomiting will almost surely do better on small snack-like meals.)

A big meal of a new food can trigger diarrhea, which is MUCH easier to avoid than fix.

Did we talk about fish oil and Vitamin E?

Regardless of the underlying trigger, he is inflamed there, and so is his itchy skin -- and the long-chain Omega 3 EFAs (essential fatty acids) called DHA and EPA* in fish oil are potent anti-inflammation agents.

Natural Vitamin E (d-alpha, not dl-alpha, preferably with mixed tocopherols) support/protect the PUFAs** in oil supplements during processing by the body. We supply extra when we give oil supplements so processing them doesn't deplete the body's stores of E.

How much does this dog weigh again? I know he's small, which is kind of good news, because quality fish oil is not inexpensive, and the dosage goes by weight.




*
docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid

**
polyunsaturated fatty acids

Well Mom started Bentley on Lew's sample diet and amazingly after a day he tried it. He wouldn't eat the cauliflower but a great start! At least he is recognizing it as food. And she doesn't have the stress of him threatening to starve himself.

He is drinking well and she has put bowls around the house and he has tried them, but drinks mostly at his regular spot.

The treats are a peanut butter kind, homemade but with half brown rice as the flour. they are not soft but not hard with enough moisture to mold if left out of the fridge. She is going to get on making him more with a better "flour" and soft, but she is also dealing with her "spouse" being very sick right now so I am trying to not overwhelm her with too much at one time.

We are now talking about getting the right supplements but I am beat and have been ont he computer a long time getting some work done so i will get back tomorrow and ask the supplement questions after i have a chance to look at the info given already.

Bentley is 13 pounds.

Thanks again for all the time and help. I don't have that sinking in deep water feeling anymore. Mom is taking a copy of the diet to the vet when she takes a urine sample in, just to see what they say. J

 Quote: Julie Sloan

Mom is taking a copy of the diet to the vet when she takes a urine sample in, just to see what they say. J

I hope you will prepare her for pushback and recommendations for waiting-room food.

One potential problem is that the "kidney" RX food, even if it was a good food, has nothing to do with calcium oxalate bladder stones.

For me, JMO, I'd be prepared to listen politely and reply "OK, you've given me something to think about! Thank you!'

JMO.

She is to be congratulated and so are you. This is a big step. This dog truly needs this fresh food with its natural water remaining in it.

And good job for the bowls of fresh tempting water and lots of potty opportunities! (This dog should never "hold it" with urine. He should drink and pee, flushing his urinary tract.)

GOOD JOB!

Just post when you want supplement info.

"I don't have that sinking in deep water feeling anymore. "


Action is always good! Taking control, heading in the right direction, checking something that you researched carefully off a mental list ..... big relief!

 Quote: Julie Sloan

Well Mom started Bentley on Lew's sample diet and amazingly after a day he tried it. He wouldn't eat the cauliflower but a great start! At least he is recognizing it as food. And she doesn't have the stress of him threatening to starve himself.

He is drinking well and she has put bowls around the house and he has tried them, but drinks mostly at his regular spot.

This is great news, Julie! Sure hope this will be the answer for Bentley. And he's small enough that the cost and time commitment involved in doing a home-prepared diet shouldn't be too stressful for your mom.

http://www.earthanimal.com/organic-herbal-remedies/organic-herbal-remedy-for-pee-pee-formula.html

http://www.azmira.com/products/herbal-extracts/kidni-biotic/

Our vet recommended the above products along with the raw diet (we use pre-mixed raw along with home made) for our Peke that had calcium oxalate stones. He recommended the Pee Pee Formula for primary use and the Kidni Biotics to use when taking the recommended break from the other. His recommendation was 4 weeks on the Pee Pee Formula and then one on the Kidni Biotics. They aren't cheap but you only use a few drops. For our 8 lb Peke it's 5 drops each meal for the Pee Pee Formula and 3 for the Kidni Biotics. There has not been a reoccurence with the stones after the 2nd surgery since we started her on the diet and supplements including the two I mention above.

Thank you. We are still not getting into the supplements too hard yet. Mom is dealing with a lot with her boyfriend having some serious health issues. And going through a lot of tests this week. We are going to talk again this weekend.