Sheridan

Went to the vet this morning and he's suggested Ardee see a canine opthamologist. He has a blue shadow in his eyes which the vet thinks is either the beginnings of cataracts or ageing nuclear scelerosis. If it's the latter then nothing can be done but if the former, he said that an operation sooner rather than later would be better. An operation is very expensive, of course, but if one will help I'd find the money somewhere. What experiences do people have with cataracts or nuclear scelerosis?

Product details here ,Australian made http://www.pawzazzpetz.com.au/gpage2.html Oh dear, looks good but not for my lad, I'm afraid with lamb, poultry, beef (can't eat these) and wheat in it. Wheatens sometimes don't do well on wheat - ironically.

Isn't it great that you can give a dog a vegetable and it thinks it's the best treat ever?

Got any links?

Thanks folks. I've passed the info onto my friend. ;)

The protein source in the Z/D is chicken.

Yes, the protein in the Z/D is hydrolised so dogs retain the protein better. It's recommended for protein losing kidney diseases rather than the kidney (K/D) kibble. I agree with Kavik that if you really want to see what's wrong, you need to do a proper food trial. I did one of these last year and my dog did so well on the substitute food that he's still on it. The only protein source that he hadn't had was kangaroo and turkey. I can't stand roo at the best of times so he went on steamed mince turkey, which he loves. He's also on Eukanuka FP Response. As treats he has Eagle Pack Holistic Anchovy and Salmon and on Ziwipeak Venison and Greenlipped Mussel. I am speaking to the vet on Saturday and am going to suggest he goes off the Eukanuba and moves to the Eagle Pack for his main food. I also give him canned tuna and canned sardines, both in springwater if I haven't any turkey for him.

I'll be having a chat to the vet on Saturday about my dog's diet ...

Spot on molasseslass. I've done a fair amount of research myself and have come to the same conclusion: Nutrience (holistic), Nutro, EP, Ziwipeak and Dick Van Pattens Natural Balance came out the best for me as well. In saying that, sometimes my budget dictates what i buy for my girls and over the years i have used some Advance varieties, Proplan, even Optimum on the odd occasion. Ziwipeak has a lot of fat in it. I only use it for treats.

Food subjects often cause controversy but the others aren't wrong in pointing out that some vets push certain foods because they sell it. It's trial and error with a lot of foods and each owner has to decide what works best for their dog. If a dog is doing well on a certain food, whether premium or not, there's no reason to change. Some dogs do very well on Supercoat and Pedigree. If that's the case, they don't need to be changed to a premium brand.

I don't like pet grade mince. It's just way too fatty to my mind. Of course, I'm the bunny who spends $3.99 per 500 grams on turkey mince for my boy ...

A rake might be better but with a slicker going against the grain first and then going back down in layers with a comb.

Any links to Australian sellers?

Friend is looking for vet recommendations around the Strathpine area of Brisbane, particularly anyone good with terriers. She was underwhelmed by the vet down the road from her.

Yes, that's what happened with my dog. Lethargic, back to normal. Were it my dog, I'd get the blood tests done now.

Mine's nearly 12, so I'd rather not risk it.

With the spring itches I'd like to give my dog something but am wary of anything that will make him drowsy.

With my dog (not a large breed), the breeder had previously told us that when he was ready for adult food he'd stop eating his puppy food and that's precisely what happened.

I'd suggest getting a full blood work up from the vets. Get them to test for everything. My last dog was very lethargic one day and it was the first sign of a kidney disease. He died three weeks later.

My dog used to be on Supercoat and did very well on it for 10 and a half years. Then his environment changed to another state and he didn't do so well on it. I changed foods and he's much, much better. If your dog does well on one food there's no particular reason other than health to change to another.

I can't remember what the ingredients are in DVP but there was something in there that my dog couldn't eat, so it's the Eagle Pack holistic fish one and the Eukanuba FP for him, with Ziwipeak for treats.

The one I know of who died of eating bacon fat was in the UK.

With all things, it depends on the dog. Some dogs can tolerate it, some can't. Having had a dog with pancreatitis I think it's risky.

Wouldn't hesitate for my own dog but then, I've never had to fork out money upfront for vet bills. I've always been able to pay them off. I don't have $11,000 and if I had to fork out up front then I'd simply not be able to do so. If I could pay it off then I would.

If you're going to feed pumpkin, sweet or not, you should soak it first. Chockers in phosphorus.