breathing

Question
QUESTION: Hello
My cocker is pure white and 5 yrs. old. He just about died in my arms. He Lifted his head straight up and began to shake and choke. He layed in my arms tongue hanging and almost black. I put my fingers down his month and did not feel anything, but got him to breath. He bit me pretty good. I took him right to the vet and they could not find any thing wrong, BUT wanted 700.00 to run a blood panel. I did not have the money. I have watched him and he is very restless and breaths very heavy when asleep and seems to stretch his month a lot like yawing. This is all new. Any advise?

Thank you,
Debbra

ANSWER: Debbra, I can't believe your vet sent him home saying "I can't find anything".  And $700 to run a blood panel?  Are you kidding?  You need a new vet.  That's outrageous and ridiculous.
Did he do anything else?  I'm feeling so sorry and know how worried you must be.  I'm shocked by your vet.  He's not very good and certainly not very caring.  Did he even take an x-ray to see if he had something stuck in his throat?  WHAT did he do?

Can you think of anything at all he might have gotten into?  I so wish I could be of more help.
Delores

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: You say Science Diet is a bad food? OMG! I have used it for over 15yrs. and it's not cheep. Please advise me on other foods? I have of course Scooter the cocker and I also have a 7mo. golden. I will also pick up those drops for Scooters eyes. The two large stores by me Pet Co. and Pet Smart.

Thank you for all you have told me....wish I talk to you yrs. ago!

Thank you,
Debbra

Answer
Science Diet is criminally bad.  I don't know how they sleep at night.  I know vets recommend it but that's because the whole "4 hours" of nutritional instruction they get in vet college is sponsored by Hills.  They get them in college - the vets make a profit from the food.
And in general, vets know squat about nutrition.

Pet Smart carries AvoDerm (which is fairly decent) and Organix (better..but low calorie so not for your golden). Petco carries Cesar Milan's food, Spot's Stew, and some formulas of Solid Gold. (don't love that - but it's better than Science Diet).

If you want to up the ante - I'd highly recommend Innova EVO or Orijen.  To find out where to buy - go to Naturapet.com (Innova).  Click on "where to buy".  Whoever carries Innova will carry other premium brands.
Nutrition is key to health and avoiding the vet. Strongly advise using some canned (higher protein - less processed).

Plus - since you have a cocker I'd ask if Scooter ever has ear infections.  I can direct you to a product (Zymox) that will ensure no more vet visits for that.  My own vet uses nothing else and the Vet Dermatologists LOVE this product.

Your 7 month old is in a massive growth spurt and so needs a top notch food.  I know it's a bit more expensive but...how much is one vet visit?

And whatever food you change to - use ALL the formulas - one protein "forever" isn't healthy.
And switch over slowly by adding a bit more of the new food every day.  Go slow.  Especially when you're switching from a crap diet to a much better food.  Much higher protein content.

I'm so happy Scooter seems okay.  Honestly, my heart sank when I read your first email.
Please don't ever go back to that vet.
Write anytime Debbra.
Delores