Hi, all. Been reading with interest, but not writing for awhile. I am looking for advice from folks on the list as you have all been extremely helpful to me in the past.
I know that our food choices for our pampered furry pals is often a heatedly discussed item. but I am looking for advice for Holly, my sweet faced Berner girl. FYI - Holly (6 +) has a history of mast cell ca, and has problems with her gait for many years, started to have difficulty getting up, worsening as she was entering her older years. (She has been through many tests, with no specific diagnosis to date). Our vet put her on Metacam to help with the quality of her life. She feels much better! However, blood work and urine (x 2 so far) have suggested the beginning of a problem with her kidneys (not drug related!) and the vet suggested a low protein diet would help take some of the stress off her kidneys. Holly has been on a kibble diet (supplemented with a small piece of my banana each morning, and fave veggies - green, red, yellow peppers, lettuce, mushrooms, broccoli and APPLES - YUCK NO CELERY MOM!) I am looking for advice re a good quality low protein (high quality protein!) diet that is kibble. We had her on Purina Pro Plan Chicken and Rice for years, but the vet has recommended reducing her protein intake. We then put her on another food which gave her incredibly foul gas (and yes, worked it in slowly) We couldn't stand it so switched her to another,....and yet she is a wee bit, shall we say, loose in the stools - although not diarrhea. Her teeth have cleared up dramatically once we got her off the Pro Plan (tiny pieces she would just swallow, I think, instead of chew!) but I don't think either of her new foods have agreed with her. Before just switching back to Pro Plan I thought I'd ask for some advice from those who have been there and have more knowledge. It is really difficult to compare information about dog foods! Looking for suggestions for DRY kibble, please, that would be low (20% or less) protein. I understand the benefits of a BARF diet, but don't want to do that at this point in her life. Thanks very much for your caring about this breed. There is NOTHING like a Berner! I love my Buddy Boy the Aussie BUT Holly rules my heart! Patti, in Brockville with Holly the Berner Girl, Buddy the Aussie Boy and Frosty the CRAZY ice storm rescue cat!
