Canine autoimmune vasculitis and diet

Question
QUESTION: Hi Catherine,

Jack, my 6-year old Harrier has recently been diagnosed with autoimmune vasculitis. We know this was not vaccine related as it has been almost 1 year from last vaccine. He is being treated with prednisolone. I did some research online regarding a link between pet food additives and this illness.

Due to our struggling economy and layoffs in our family I had to switch from Nutro Ultra Holistic and Eagle Pack Holistic to Purina Beneful and Pedigree to get us by as we have 6 dogs to feed (My husband and I also stopped eating as healthy.) They were on this for 1-2 years. Things are better now and just this week I switched back to Nutro Ultra Holistic dry with 1 TB of the canned mixed in for flavor. I thought this was a superior food and they had no problem with it in the past but have been reading some disturbing news about this company online. Now I'm wondering if I should go back to the Eagle Pack Holistic, however the ingredient list seems better on the Ultra.

Which food would you recommend as the most superior for Jack's condition. I'm open to other brands available in my area but please keep in mind that I have to feed 6, which on either of these formulas runs 260 per month and I have other animals to feed as well so I definitely cannot afford to spend more than that.

Thank you!

ANSWER: Hi Sally,

First of all, I'm sorry your dog has this condition. Ideally I'd like to see this dog on a home prepared diet, but recognize in your situation this is not likely to be an option. I see pros and cons with both these dry foods (but then I do with ALL commercial products) and these two are very close with regard to quality and reputation. Neither are my *favorites* in that price range but  it always comes down to what works for an individual dog.

Eagle pack:

Ingredients:
Lamb Meal, Ground Brown Rice, Ground White Rice, Chicken Fat (Preserved With Natural Mixed Tocopherols), Oatmeal, Dried Beet Pulp, Flaxseed, Dried Egg Product, Carrots, Sun-Cured Alfalfa, Peas, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Quinoa (Organic), Apples, Blueberries, Inulin, Taurine, Beta-Carotene, Cranberries, Dehydrated Kelp, Glucosamine Hydrochloride, Yucca Schidigera Extract, DL-Methionine, Vitamin A Acetate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, d-Pantothenic Acid, Niacin Supplement, Choline Chloride, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Biotin, Lecithin, Rosemary Extract, Inositol, Polysaccharide Complexes of Zinc, Iron, Manganese, Copper and Cobalt, Potassium Iodate, Sodium Selenite, Lactobacillus acidophilus Lactobacillus casei, Enterococcus faecium, B. subtillus, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus coagulins, Aspergillus oryzae, and Aspergillus niger.


Nutro Ultra:

Chicken Meal, Whole Brown Rice, Ground Rice, Rice Bran, Chicken, Lamb Meal, Salmon Meal, Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed Tocopherols, a source of Vitamin E), Natural Flavors, Flaxseed, Oatmeal, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Dried Plain Beet Pulp, Soybean Oil (preserved with mixed Tocopherols, a source of Vitamin E), Sunflower Oil (preserved with mixed Tocopherols, a source of Vitamin E), Fish Oil (preserved with mixed Tocopherols, a source of Vitamin E), Potassium Chloride, Egg Product, Tomato Pomace, Dried Pomegranate, Dried Blueberry, Dried Avocado, Dried Cranberry, Dried Pumpkin, Dried Spinach, Dried Carrot, Salt, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Sulfate, Zinc Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, L-Carnitine, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Biotin, Copper Proteinate, Niacin Supplement, Potassium Iodide, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement (source of Vitamin B2), Thiamine Mononitrate (source of Vitamin B1), Sodium Selenite, Beta Carotene, Manganese Proteinate, Manganous Oxide, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (source of Vitamin B6), Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (source of Vitamin K activity), Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement.



BUT - then there's this:
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2008/06/pet_food_recalls98.html

I have to say, I wouldn't be able to recommend Nutro after this, Eagle Pack is a good food, and no recalls that I've been aware of. What don't you like about the ingredient list?
Or is it the nutrient levels you're concerned about?

In the premium range, you could look at several other brands: Natural Balance,Innova, Wellness, Acana, Fromm and Merrick's all come to mind. All are super-premium products, most have  a sensitive line, and I've used and recommended these products over and over with consistently excellent results.

Are you using any supplements to help with the vasculitis or has your vet advised against this?

All the best, Catherine

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

QUESTION: If I only had 1-2 dogs they would be on a home prepared diet. In researching all the ingredients I would need to purchase to feed all 6 I've realized it's not a financial option. I did find a product for dogs at www.drharveys.com that is a chemical free mix of ingredients that you add meat, oil and water too for a balanced meal. This may prove to be more cost-effective for me. Have you had experience with this brand?

No, my vet has not recommended anything. In fact, he has no idea what has caused this. All he can think to do is to keep him on pred and wants to see him again in 1 month.  I would welcome all your suggestions in regards to supplements.

I did look into Natural Balance but was also concerned over reports of recalls and poisoned food of theirs. I will reconsider if you think they have corrected the problem and will also look into the other brands you recommend. If unable to afford a homemade diet for all I may have to make the decision to just feed Jack and 1 or 2 others that diet and the rest the highest quality commercial I can find.

Thank you so much for all your help.

Answer
Hi Sally,
My apologies for taking so long to reply. I have been overwhelmingly busy of late with both clients, writing deadlines and preparation for my upcoming seminar. It's amazing how time just gets away from us.
In answer to your question; I have had a look at Dr. Harvey's and despite the usual rhetoric, hype and so on, the site had some pluses. I would say the food is worth a try, if you feel unable to cook/consult with a professional right now. A friend of mine has her standard poodle on this food and she's done very nicely, but to be fair that dog has no serious health issues. I would still prefer to see your dog on a supervised, home made protocol(diet and supplements) but if that isn't possible a food like Dr.Harvey's is a good backup plan.

For what it's worth I know many, many breeders and rescuers who have multiple dogs and only feed home prepared to a few - bitches they plan to breed, geriatrics, dogs with health issues. In an ideal world all dogs could eat home made diets, but in reality, many cannot afford the time and energy, so I would not feel bad about it if you do end up with a special diet for Jack. He does, after all, have special needs.

All the best and again, my apologies for the delay.
Catherine