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NOTE: This post is a retroactive journal and all dates, times and events have been logged accordingly and will appear in italics. All thoughts and feelings are my own.
July 24, 2015
I was really overwhelmed with information yesterday, felt like my first day of learning Geometry. It was our first call with Dr. B and I was blown away by it all. I have to say that he explained Angelo’s mitral valve disease very thoroughly, and yet, was able to translate it into laymen lingo. We went over what could have potentially have caused Angelo’s heart problems, and while there are a number of things, Dr. B feels it is probably genetics. I couldn’t help but to breathe a slight sigh of relief. However, just because it’s genetics, that doesn’t take away my guilt. I do blame myself still yet. Being his Dad, I just feel like I could have done more, maybe prevented it or caught it earlier?
But Dr. B calmed me and told me not to stress so much, instead, he said it’s important to remember that animals feed off our energy and that if I am upset, Angelo could also be getting upset. Instead he said we should be concentrating on getting Angelo better and up to par.
The biggest thing we needed to change was Angelo’s diet. Prior to this consult, Dr. B’s assistant had me send over what type of food we were feeding Angelo. So during the call, Dr. B asked me to quickly go over the ingredients on the back of the bag of dog food and tell him what I thought about it and how I felt it helped Angelo. Honestly, I had no damn clue. Yes, I did feel embarrassed, because as a pet parent, I should have been more vigilant, especially with what happened back in 2007. Dr. B went through some of those ingredients and NONE of them sounded like they were of any benefit to a well balanced diet.
I didn’t want to get political as this consult was for Angelo and it was costing me a mini fortune, but I probed a bit more about the dog food companies and their responsibility to pet parents. In a nut shell I was absolutely DISGUSTED at all the lies the public is fed about what is actually in commercial pet food.
THE LIES: Shortly after our consult I found a video online that showed a former AAFCO President (Association of Animal Feed Control Officials, which regulates the sale and distribution of animal feeds and animal drug remedies) saying that they use euthanized dogs/cats in commercial pet food.
What bothered me too is I found out that many veterinarian schools are actually sponsored by the large dog food companies. This is why when most veterinarians are asked about diet, they recommend a commercial dog food. Add to the fact that veterinarians aren’t really taught about nutrition (they have to take additional classes, and many don’t see the point) and you have the perfect storm colliding. All of this makes sense now.
After recovering from the horrifying things I learned, Dr. B recommended that I cook daily for Angelo. Good grief, I can barely get toast right. We wanted to ease Angelo in to eating home cooked meals, or else he could get a sore tummy. For the couple of weeks, he would eat nothing but organic ground beef and sweet potato.
Organic beef or beef in general is important for ALL dogs who have heart disease. The belief is that since the heart is deficient in certain nutrients, you feed what it’s lacking. In this instance the beef would help provide carnitine and taurine, which help strengthen the heart. As time goes on, we can add detoxifying vegetables such as alfalfa sprouts, kale, broccoli and clover sprouts.
We also need to add some supplements like fish oil, probiotics and Co-Q10. A bit nervous as I don’t know how Angelo will respond to this, he’s such a picky eater that I imagine he will be refusing it. Oh well, it needs to be done.
Before we hung up the phone, we spoke about oral hygiene and it’s effect on the heart. Just like humans, bad teeth can lead to a bad heart. I actually used to brush Angelo’s teeth daily when he was younger, and surprisingly he didn’t mind it. Anyway, I was given a simple recipe for the solution, so I hope he likes it.
Well here we go.
– Marky
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Hi guys! Toby was a rescue so we’re unsure of his exact age. We think he was 5 when we got him. He came to us bone thin and with heart worm (which caused his heart issues). We used a new slow-kill treatment on the heart worm (took 6 mos but easier on the pup). I started to work on diet and it took almost a year to find something my diva dog would either eat or not experience digestive issues. Started with Iams, because that’s what all my dogs ate growing up. He gained weight to fast. Switched to softer food, like stews. Apparently Toby can’t digest carrots, which are in everything. Then Ani gave me the book, Food Pets Die For. I started cooking for him, and I hate to cook. Eased him in slowly only to discover he will pick out all the vegetables and refuse to eat them. After polling on IG, and talking to our behavioral trainer (he arrived very defensive and freaked out), I stopped cooking and started buying freeze-dried raw. It looks like kibble, has no ingredients other than just beef or just turkey, and he loves it. He eats Vital Essentials freeze dried beef or turkey. He often gets a freeze dried chicken topper from Stella & Chewy with his dinner and sometimes frozen (he only likes them frozen) green beans as a topper.
Hi Michelle!
We love hearing about Toby and his journey! Most of all, we love that he’s in a loving home with you! Regarding the diet, we had the same issue with Angelo and his pickiness. Evidently, Chiweenies are notoriously picky. He would eat around the veggies and only eat the meat and starch.
Our holistic vet said for pet parents who have this problem, he recommended making a veggie smoothie and then freezing them into ice cubes. Then giving them as treats. Apparently, the pups like this more. We didn’t do that because I was determined to get him to eat it.
Eventually he learned to eat the veggies, I restricted his intake of food at first and gave him less. Basically, he was still hungry after only eating the meat/starch so he slowly began eating the veggies. Now, he eats his entire meal. Thank goodness! lol
I’ve heard good things about vital essentials and Stella & Chewy. Now I know, if he ever gets picky again, I’m going to take your advice and try those brands out!
Love you and Toby lots!
Hello ,
I saw your tweet about animals and thought I will check your website. I like it!
I love pets. I have two beautiful thai cats called Tammy(female) and Yommo(male). Yommo is 1 year older than Tommy. He acts like a bigger brother for her. 🙂
I have even created an Instagram account for them ( https://www.instagram.com/tayo_home/ ) and probably soon they will have more followers than me (kinda funny).
I have subscribed to your newsletter. 🙂
Keep up the good work on your blog.
Regards
Wiki
Hi Wiki!
Tammy and Yommo are beautiful!!!! Looks like you’ve crossed over and like us, have created an instagram for your fur babies!!! We absolutely love it! Thank you so much for subscribing, we truly appreciate it. Have an amazing week and give your two kitties some kisses and belly rubs from us.