Chihuahua with gallbladder disease;

Question
QUESTION: Hi, I have a 7 year-old 6.5 lb female chihuahua who was diagnosed with gallbladder disease and put on a ton (8) medicines (taken for the next 3 to 4 weeks).  The Vet requested that I feed a bland, LOW Fat diet.  They recommended either Purina HA (Hypoallergenic) lowfat or Science Diet w/d.  I want to prepare her meals at home.  Do you have a recipe for bland, lowfat, gallbladder-gentle?  Thanks!

ANSWER: Yes, I can give you a recipe for this.  Can you please type out each medication that you are giving your baby.
Also, what snacks do you plan on feeding?  If any?
What brand of food were you feeding this baby?

Let me know.
Marie Peppers LPN MA

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

QUESTION: Hi Marie, Ella was on the following Monday
night and all day Tuesday:
1.  Metoclopramide 0.75 ml 3x/day 30 min
before meals.
2.  Cerenia 24 mg. 1/4 tablet once daily for 4
days.
3.  Pepcid AC 10 mg. 1/4 tablet once per day
at night.
4.  Denamarin 90 mg. 1 tablet daily on empty
stomach.
5.  Ursodiol 25 mg. 1/4 tablet daily with food.
6.  Clavamox. 0.75 ml every 12 hrs for 2-4
weeks.
7.  Baytril 22mg. 1/2 tablet every 12 hrs with
food.
8.  Bupronex. Premeasured syringes by vet.
2 times per day.

Ella was seen by the vet Monday, X-Rays,
bloodwork, urinalysis, ultrasound, the works.
She had elevated lipase levels, but it could
have been because she had eaten breakfast.
On the ultrasound they found mineralized
stones in Ella's kidneys "of unknown clinical
significance." Evidence of thickening of her
gallbladder wall and a moderate amount of
debris in her gallbladder. No parasites in
fecal.

By Tuesday night she did not want to eat the
Purina HA Lowfat food they sent me home
with. She would eat boiled chicken (fat free
breast tenderloins) and white rice. I spoke
with her internist vet ( the one who did the
ultrasound) and she said to stop all meds
except the Pepcid, Metoclopromide and
Cerenia. Ella has not had another gallbladder
attack or pain after eating, even without all
the other drugs and pain meds. The vet
stressed that Low Fat Food is critical for her
for the rest of her life. She can't stay on
chicken and rice, the chicken makes her feet
itch and it's not a complete meal anyway.

I have researched Primal Frozen Raw Diet in
Turkey/Sardine. It seems to be the lowest in
fat I can find that is actual real food ( not the
junk that looks like cornpops from the vet).
My other option seems to be cooking for her
and that's why I've contacted you. Thank you
so much for your genuine interest and
willingness to help!

Answer
WoW-  I can't believe all the meds!!  Glad she is off some of them now.  I don't like a Raw diet, so can't help you on that.  I did hear that Primal is a good company for Raw.
Here is a recipe for her:  She will  need a good vitamin supplement to balance out the home cooking.
YOU must be very careful what you feed this little one:

Give this a Try:

Here are a few low - fat and moderate to low protein.  With kidney crystals  you want to keep the phosphorus levels as low as possible:

recipe for dogs:

The Key is :

***Frequent feedings of high quality simple carbohydrates such as white rice and potatos.  

Soy protein and  2% milk proteins are helpful..

Hamburger, Drained  ( or another meat is fine)  (* not too much chicken)

~NO liver or organ meats...  NO ORGAN MEATS

Boiled eggs without the yokes..  ( NO YOKES) if possible....<<<<<NO YOKES>>>>>>>>>

Unprocessed BROWN Rice..  or White rice...

*mixed daily with some cottage cheese or "soy" plain yogurt.  ( low fat )  ( **LOW fat products always )
YOU don't have to use soy but it is good ...

Also, make sure you add some x-tra water to each dish - Water will help the kidney to function.

( This recipe is a good start - You can also do ground chicken or lamb rather than the hamburger)
Lamb - ground - cooked is a better choice than chicken.

SUPPLEMENT:

Also, 1/2 of NuVET Powder teaspoon  per day for your dog.  
( TOY sized dog)
( depends on size of dog)
Call in your first order  1-800-474-7044  
( tell them order code 81098 and my name Marie Peppers) of Ask the VET Nurse

http://www.nuvet.com/81098

NuVET balances out home cooking - Keeps your pet healthy

I do not have the calorie count for the above suggestions on recipes...
YOU will have to figure them out yourself..


Tips:  
Remember - white rice - Not the *instant kind ...that is processed

potato, boiled with skin

rice, long-grain, cooked

No beens ***( lima and such ) too much (Phos)  ( BAD for kidneys)

GREEN beens are fine and low in Phos
Green beens are great and LOW in calories, too

Broccoli is fine

Cabbage is good

Carrotts are fine, too

sweet potato baked ( not mashed )  plain baked  - NO butter -
YOU can add a dash of garlic powder --- pinch or a 1/8 teaspoon of oilve oil


PLEASE NOTE :  Alway mush up the veggies - or Grate them - Hard to digest in whole form.

Feed 3 very small meals per day -  small means about 1/8 - 1/4 cup per meal. ( for small dog)

Just start out and see how you do ..

Treats - Only Grain free :  ( grain free dog biscuts)
Anything in moderation that is a grain free treat from a quality company.

SoJo makes a nice grain free treat ( 2 of them) see here:

Free shipping with this link:
http://www.sojos.com/index.aspx?affiliate=petnurse



Well, I hope this help you.  Remember with home-cooking you must have a vitamin supplement each day to balance.  Keep me posted and BEST of luck with this.

Marie Peppers LPN MA
Remember - I am not a Vet - so please keep your vet posted on any feeding changes .