dog nutrition after trauma

Question
QUESTION: My dog was hit by a car a week ago. He is a healthy (before) 5-y.o. ridgeback cross, 35 kg, desexed. As a result of the accident he had a broken front leg, dislocated hip and collapsed lung, plus multiple deep bruises and cuts. Now the hip was returned into normal position, the lung is improving and the front leg was fixed with metal plates. He is to return home in a few days. Is there anything in his food that would help him to recover better? Normally I fed him Eagle Pack with some additives.

Thank you!

ANSWER: Hi Katia,

What a scary incident for you and your poor baby! I'm very sorry to hear about the accident. I have Ridgebacks too and I know  how fast-moving they can be. I hope your boy is coming along nicely now.

In terms of food, I would say thins:  a balanced  super premium dog food (EagleHolistic, Acana, Fromm FourStar etc) will provide all the nutrients he needs, and although I strongly believe a home prepared diet is optimal, I also don't recommend you start it yourself and especially not at this time, when he has enough stress to deal with. You can add some fish body oil (not cod liver oil) to his food. A little (100 IU a day) natural source Vitamin E as well; I recommend probiotics during recovery; and perhaps feed a little less as he is inactive now.   I would definitely look at adding joint support (glucosamine/chondroitin) as well.
What kinds of additives are you using?

Catherine

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

QUESTION: Hi Catherine,

Thank you for the advice!! I brought him home today.  He lays in the cage and sleeps mostly, he's got NSAID and two antibiotics wit him. Not sure, if probiotics make sense when he's on anibiotics?   I've been giving him fish oil and yogurt, and sardines sometimes. I can buy Eagle holistic, but other brands you mentioned are not available here (I'm in Australia).  Is human glucosamine/chondroitine suitable? I was wondeing also, doesnt he need a reduction in proteins due to the amount of dead tissue he has to process?

Thanks a lot!!
Regards,
Katia

Answer
Hi Katia,

Good to hear he's home now. There are two school of thought on the probiotic use; one suggests that it can't hurt and may help to use them alongside the antibiotics, and the other  view is that it's useless to give them concurrently, but important afterwards. I've always tended to the latter in part because of the huge expense people face with these sorts of traumas, and even an extra 25$ or what -have-you adds up. I strongly believe in using a round of probiotics after the meds, but there's no reason not to include them during if the budget permits.

Fish oil, sardines and yogurt are all excellent additions, as long s he doesn't have a problem with any of them. Standard practise is to increase Vitamin E as well when increasing dietary PUFA (polyunsaturated fatty acids), but I like to be fairly conservative with E, 100 IUs daily would be fine, and 200 still safe. I might use 400 for some cases but not where potential for bleeding is present.

I almost always use a human joint supplement for my onw dogs, it's perfectly safe. But be aware that not all are created equal and just because a product is "human grade" does not ensure it contains the stated aount of active ingredient. My own favorite product is called Cosequin DS and is available at your vet, but it is expensive. You can also check www.consumerlab.com to get some ideas about the quality of various human supplements.

I would actually like to see your dog on a little extra protein, as  various amino acids are required for tissue repair, and to maintain normal metabolic processes. As long as no kidney or liver disease is present, I wouldn't reduce the protein at this time.  Are you concerned about liver or kidney function?

Oh - the Eagle Pack Holistic is a much better food than their so-called Super Premium. I'd transition slowly under the circumstances, use 1/3 of the new food for a few days, then 2/3 and finally the full amount.I'm assuming you're on the Super Premium, right? I much prefer their Holistic Line.

I hope this helps!   And your baby feels better soon.
All the best, Catherine