Hemorrhagic GastroEnteritis (HGE) canine ;

Question
QUESTION: Hi Marie,

My name is Jessica and I have a 2-year old male English Mastiff who weighs about 130 pounds.

In the last 8 weeks I have had to take him to emergency care twice for extreme bloody diarrhea and vomiting bile. Both times, the results have come back as HGE.  

I have done my fair share of research as well as listened to several vets' opinions.  I realize that the cause of HGE is unknown and technically there is nothing you can do to prevent it.

However, I am beginning to wonder if my baby has some type of dietary intolerance or allergy that is causing the HGE. After keeping him on a bland chicken and rice diet for a few days, I am considering putting him on either a raw diet or a home cooked diet.

I would love to hear your advice or feedback.

Thanks!

ANSWER: Hi Jessica, Poor you and poor dog!  Yes, I would love to help.  I would NOT feed Raw, please cook all his meats.
What was he eating for foods in the last year?
Brand?
Snacks?
Any table food is so, what kinds?
Medications now and in the recent past?

Please get back to me as I do want to help.


Marie Peppers LPN MA
Ask the Pet Nurse

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

QUESTION: Hi Marie,

Thanks for your quick response! Yes, this experience has not been nice to my emotions or my wallet! And my poor baby, I know this can't be pleasant for him either!

I have been feeding him Blue Buffalo for the last 6 months, I would say. Before that, I had him on Taste of the Wild.  

As for treats, I try to stick to the higher quality treats...right now he has Old Mother Hubbard treats.

He gets a minimal amount of human food. Every once in a while he will get a small handout in his bowl. Maybe a bite of chicken or steak off our plate, once a week.  Or I will throw him a piece of apple every once in a while when I am eating one.

The only medication he is on is a heartworm preventative.

Answer
Jessica - Please update me in the next month;  I love to follow people and see if my advice helped you at all.  KEEP me posted, Marie Peppers LPN MA

Ok Jessica, Let's get this boy onto a special diet.  You will need to use my home-cooking recipe and order a special low fat food.
We will also add a few supplements to the program.  The Foods you are using are excellent but not for your dog's special needs.

Please remeber that I am a Pet Nurse and not a Vet.  You may want to pass this by your Vet.
Many Vets are not trained in feeding and nutrition.

Please write down my phone number and e-mail.  You will want to contact me if you have anymore questions.
Marie Peppers 803-424-2312
mtnmom@gci.net

First - Please call and order this Holistic low fat dog food ( it says weight loss but it's mainly low fat and easy to digest)
Life's Abundance - They will deliver this to your door - you can go onto Auto-Ship and save.
We will be only feeding him this food in 1/2 the normal amount.
( You will be placing home-cooking on top of this dry kibble)
This is the weight loss formula -

http://www.lifesabundance.com/Products/ProductList.aspx?realname=20066428&catego(Pet_Base)
If you get the 17.6 pound bag you will be feeding only 3 cups per day and this bag will last 30 days.
( For Treats - Life's Abundance sells "Wholesome Hearts" - Please order some of that brand for your dog's snacks )  The Dry dog food can also be used as a snack at mid-day.


Next, This home-cooked recipe will be placed on top of the Dry dog food at each meal.


Hamburger Dinner

2 cup cooked rice or pasta  ( YOU can OMIT the Rice and Pasta )/ * Use x-tra cottage cheese:
3/4 cup low-fat cottage cheese  ( must be low fat or even NON-Fat is fine)  (Veggies must be broken down very small for digestion)  
1  pound lean hamburger meat, fat drained and crumbled  - Cooked meat
1 cup steamed ( cooked ) vegetables ( peas?  green beans : diced very small)or Mashed Veggies
Mix rice and cottage cheese in a medium sized dog dish.
Add hamburger and veggies.
( If you want to cut out the cottage cheese, you can use low fat plain yogurt in it's place)

Please offer 2 NuVET supplements per day - ( Wafers ) HE will love them.
NuVET vitamin/supplements will balance out the recipes.  HOLISTIC and Very safe.
GREAT for digestion, diarrhea and even food allergies, ....
It's Allergy Blaster and Immune system booster:
I am sure his Immue system is low.


CALL 1-800-474-7044 ( M-F 8-4) California time zone *( Order discount code 81098)
or
http://www.nuvet.com/81098
They have a taste guarantee and "60 day" money back satifaction trial offer.

TELL them Pet Nurse Marie is working with you on HOME-Cooking recipes.
YOUR boy can stay on this diet long term.


If you feel he needs help with his digestion you can also give "Pepcid AC"
***** ASK your VET if this would be ok???  Most Vets refer to Pepcid-  

PEPCID AC- Now available over-the-counter as 10mg tablets, Pepcid AC is a useful drug for vomiting in the dog. Designed as an antacid, Pepcid AC decreases the acid secretion in the stomach, thereby alleviating associated discomfort and nausea.


Ok, I have given you a large amount of info.  Please let me know if you have any questions.
You will be giving 1.5 cups of Dry food plus 1.5 cups of home-cooked in the am.
For the "pm" meal you will give 1.25 to 1.5 cups of the dry food and 1 cup of the home-cooked.
Totals per day will be 3 cups of the Life's Abundance dry food and 2.5 cups of the home-cooked food each day.

You will be giving 2 NuVet Supplements per day.
You can add 1 teaspoon of pure salmon oil per day-  NOT per meal
Must be pure salmon oil - We love alaska Salmon oil / Yummy chummies brand is great:
( If you can find ground buffalo, get some - use that in place of the hamburger when possible)

good luck ----

Marie Peppers LPN MA
mtnmom@gci.net