Hepatic Dog Foods

[anisenin]

Tiko has a slight Liver Shunt problem, most likely the shunt did not completely close.  He will be a year next month and we have decided to put him on a Hepatic Dog Food:
Choices are
Royal Canin Hepatic LS 14
Hills I/d Canine Hepatic Health
Medi-Cal Health
Has anyone had any experience with any of these. I did phone the a  lady that owned a Shorkie Breeding business in Ontario and she suggested Hills. I would really appreciate any help.

[Mai Tai]

My dog was on Hills So diet for urinary stones, and it did not work.  He is now on Royal Canin UD for stones.  Don't think it will work either.  Good luck with Tiko though and let us know.

[Auburn9]

Sorry for  you and your pups and hope the dog food helps.  By the way how old are your dogs, seems like a lot of problems with our Shorkie's, keeping my fingers crossed for Ava and hope she will be strong and healthy.  I've had two dogs both with bad health problems and don't think I can go through that again. 

[Pinky]

Are these the choices the vet gave you? I had a little poodle that was incredibly sick, not liver shunts, but the vet recommended Royal Canin.

[anisenin]

Thanks, Pinky.  The vet suggested Royal Canin or Medi-Cal.  However, looking up the ingredients, they totally stray from all foods that a dog IS NOT SUPPOSE TO EAT; therefore, the dilema.
There are a few hepatic dog recipes on line.  How is your dog doing on Royal Canin, and is it on the Hepatic LS 14?

[Pinky]

I never did get her to eat it and she died two days later She was a drastic case, though. A lot of the foods vet recommend have things in them that aren't all that great

It's not hepatic, but I found this article on the limited ingredients line by Natural Balance.
 
http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-reviews/natural-balance-limited-ingredient-diets-dry/

I think the protein might still be a bit high, but it's worth to look over. Good luck finding good food!

[ellietoo]

Most RX diets are not made of anything a dog would naturally eat. They put ingredients that are kind of bland in there and then replace the missing vitamins and minerals with synthetic replacements. I'm sorry your dog is sick. When I first took Gracie to the vet and they heard she was part Yorkie they warned me to watch for signs of liver shunt problems. I guess it has become all too common in the Yorkie breed. I really don't know what they are trying to avoid with the food they are telling you to feed your baby. Have they suggested surgery to fix the problem?

[anisenin]

I talked to a Vet by the name of Dr. Meg Smart from the University of Saskatchewan, she got me to put Tiko on Milk Thistle Drops and then on a 1/2 tep of a formulated Saskatchewan made product that has Milk Thistle, Kelp, Blueberries, Hemp, Probiotics and other things that are great for the liver, gastro, eyes, etc.  She is sending me a homemade diet that she had her dog on and a dog food that Tiko can go on.  She has no use for Royal Canin or Hills, but has her eye on Iams.  Will advise once I hear anything.  Tiko is doing great so far, no neurological signs, just a 11 month busy boy who friends call "a hairy kid with four legs"  lol

[mandy15]

I'm sorry to hear about Tiko. He's the same age of Angel, 11 months old. That sounds good what she's suggesting. That sound very good for him.

[ellietoo]

I talked to a Vet by the name of Dr. Meg Smart from the University of Saskatchewan, she got me to put Tiko on Milk Thistle Drops and then on a 1/2 tep of a formulated Saskatchewan made product that has Milk Thistle, Kelp, Blueberries, Hemp, Probiotics and other things that are great for the liver, gastro, eyes, etc.  She is sending me a homemade diet that she had her dog on and a dog food that Tiko can go on.  She has no use for Royal Canin or Hills, but has her eye on Iams.  Will advise once I hear anything.  Tiko is doing great so far, no neurological signs, just a 11 month busy boy who friends call "a hairy kid with four legs"  lol

I'm so glad you talked to this person. I'm sure a homemade diet will be so much better for your dog than one of those RX diets that the dog food companies put out. Royal Canin is full of grains and other foods no dog would eat naturally. Such a shame they they care more about making food that lasts a long time more than they care about what is actually good for the dog.

[KIKIMYLOVEBUG]

SOO SORRY TO HEAR TIKO HAS TO GO THROUGH THIS INCLUDING YOU. HOW IS HE NOW?