Canine Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA & IMHA) - dog food suggestions

we feed our dog wellness and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for certain foods. Our vet suggested purina pro plan but oliver's stomach doesnt seem to be taking to it. I don't know if it is the food or if it is the meds he is on. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks, Mark and Oliver

mark pennsylvania

I started buying the new Iams...sorry can't remember exact name and I threw away bag after I put it in my bin. It is in a white bag with green writing(not the regular solid green bag). It is the new supposedly improved version...supposedly provides more immune support...at least it says that on bag! It is more pricey(is that possible) than regular Iams was 12.00 for about 6 pounds at Wa-mart. Molly loved it much more than the lamb and rice Iams, even dry. Her skin was so bad and dry and it cleared right up too, not sure if it was that or the fresh eggs I started adding from my chickens surplus. I have read some people feed raw diets and I entertained that idea until I tried the chicken livers and she hated them and they grossed me out! POOR chickens, I have chickens as pets! LOL! Amy

amy texas

I know this is not practicle for all dogs, but we make all of our dog food. Ren is very small (Chihuahua) so she has a diet of cooked chicken breast, beef, veal, fish, potatoes, yams, peas, carrots and brown rice. I cut each item into small pieces and then mix two together. Example: fish and potato or chicken, rice and carrots. She also gets pet-tinic twice daily to supplement vitamins.

Susie Delaware

I trust the Paul Newman organic line. It's a bit pricey, but the ingredients are good and the meat is all human grade. They have dry and canned food as well and my dog especially likes the canned organic beef liver and, of course, the treats. Karen

Karen NC

I agree with Susie. Home cooked is best, steamed white rice, veggies (no onions), boiled chicken, fish, potatoes, etc. We did this for about 2 months, then fell off the wagon and are back on Iams :( Cooking for a 75 lb Predinisone starved dog was getting pretty tough! I'd say Wellness should be great though- isn't that more 'whole food's' and organic stuff? It's probably way better than Purina, they probably use alot of grain and fillers. good luck, I'm sure others will have more suggestions. How's the little fellow doing? what's his PCV at these days? melissa and tiggs

melissa slc

The more natural the better. If the listed ingrediants sound like something people could eat it's a pretty good sign. If corn (in any form) is one of the first listed ingrediants it usually indicates a cheaper lower quality food. Corn has little nutritional value, and it doesn't agree with many dogs. There are some good websites on dog food ratings also. Good Luck, Irene

Irene Arizona

At one point my dog stopped eating and Dr. Dodds suggested several different foods, one of which was Eagle Pack Holistic Select. It comes in duck, lamb, chicken and beef. It's not available at grocery stores but at the pet food stores. Both of my dogs absolutely love it! They have been on it now for three months or so. I buy the canned and dry and give a little of each. The pet store guy originally told me Chicken Soup for the Soul (I think thats right) was a good food and cheaper however my dogs didn't like it as well. The cost is a little more than I was paying but I am just greatful to have something they will eat that is good for them. Oh well that's my input. I rave about this food to everyone as I am just astounded that they like it as well as they do -They just don't seem to know its dog food - Shhhhhh LOL!

Chris Pa

I think Wellness is a much better product, here is a great site that reviews dog food. Interesting, seems like most vets recommend Purina pro Plan, from what I understand they get minimal nutritional training in school and Purina is always pushed as a great product. Wellness review http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_reviews/showproduct.php/product/327/sort/2/cat/all/page/3 Purina review http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_reviews/showproduct.php/product/1394/sort/2/cat/all/page/1 Susie, you didnt mention any organ meat or calcium, if a dog if on a long ternm home cooked diet, it must included some kind of organ meat, like liver, and calcium. Also for great general info on dog nutrition and they cover just about every thing else from training to illness is the Whole Dog newsletter that goes out monthly http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/

Laurie CA

Laurie, Just curious where you heard about feeding organ meat? I recall reading somewhere that any meat that was a bodily "filter" meat (IE liver, kidneys, spleen, etc.) should be avoided. I am glad that you did mention calicum. I think that adding low fat cottage chesse to my list is important. Thanks, SUE

Susie Delaware

I have that info somewhere on why, I will find it. its not much at all ie 1% so if you feed 20oz a day it would be 1 oz and its recommended every other day. I think its really a balance because a good protein source is important and you dont want it too fatty to make the liver work harder. I do feed Wylie cooked liver treats since its very high source of iron which is good the those red blood cells

Laurie CA

When Cody was ill, we found the Eagle Pack Holistic Line (www.eaglepack.com) and also The Honest Kitchen, which is a dehydrated raw (www.thehonestkitchen.com) which is made in a human foods plant in San Diego. He did very well on these and 2+ years later he is doing well, off all meds and we're still using these foods. BTW, I use the honest kitchen as a topper as it's quite expensive.

Betty Dallas

This thread was discussed between 05/01/2009 and 06/01/2009

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