[Dogmom07]

My Rott/Dobie mix has been diagnosed with Heart Disease (Cardio Myopathy) Our vet wants to put him on low sodium diet, Prescription K/D from Science Diet.

Our Beagle died last year of Kidney failure at 16 yrs old and was put on this food when he was diagnosed. He only lived 3 days after he started on this food...I know it probably was not the food that put him over the edge, but I have had a bad feeling about this food since then, I am afraid to start my dog on this!

Does anyone else have their dogs on this presciption food?

[skelaki]

One of my collies was put on it and died within a day. I don't think it was the food but why not get another opinion from a holistic vet who might be able to give you a more natural diet? Don't forget that unless they make a special effort to learn something about canine nutrition, most vets know virtually nothing about the subject. And, in fact, very often their entire study of the subject comes from pamphlets written by guess who? No other than the Hill Company, which just happens to produce Science Diet foods.

[Ginny01OT]

Does anyone out there know what makes that food "good" for cardiac dog patients? Protein level, fat level, carb level? I think that is a good question for the vet--and if you find out I would love to hear what they have to say.

[Dogmom07]

I understood low sodium is the key. I asked my vet to order Royal Canin Special Diet for dogs with Cardiac Disease. I am hoping to get good results from this, he did not carry this in his office but agreed to order this for me. It was reccommended by a Holistic Vet.

Here is the description on their website:

Asymptomatic dogs with heart murmurs or cardiomegaly (with or without concurrent cardiac medications)
Dogs with mild signs of congestive heart failure (clinical signs of coughing or dyspnea)
Puppies diagnosed with heart disease
Adult dog breeds at risk for cardiac disease
Contraindications: Healthy growing puppies (i.e. no evidence of heart disease)
A.C.T.:

Arginine, Carnitine, Taurine are essential nutrients for optimal cardiovascular function.

EPA/DHA:

Eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids are long-chain omega-3 fatty acids that modulate inflammatory reactions.

Moderate Sodium :

Moderate, rather than severe, sodium restriction to reduce the work load on the heart.

Natural Preservative:

Naturally preserved with mixed tocopherols, rosemary extract, and citric acid.

Nutritional Differences:
(as compared to typical commercial pet foods)

Supplemented with arginine, carnitine, and taurine
Mildly restricted sodium appropriate for Class I-II heart disease
Appropriate levels of magnesium and potassium
Moderate protein content
Enriched with omega-3 fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid)
Enriched B vitamin content
Enriched with antioxidants (vitamin E, vitamin C, and taurine)

[Wimble Woof]

As many of you may know, my Bailey ( Cocker Spaneil) has a heart condition starting. His vet also suggested low sodium, but did not push me towards any prescription foods ( seeing as I would have refused anyways) our vet knowing I feed raw and Orijen said to keep him eating what he is, but keep an eye for sodium levels.
Was your dog put on medications yet?
Bailey has not started up his meds as his heart condition isnt severe enough to warrent them, the vet is more concerned about the side effects to heart meds.
We were told to start Bailey on half the adult dosage for Co-Enzyme Q-10, Taurine, and Vasculin on a daily basis... have you started on anything like this?
Dont be "bully'd" into prescription foods too easily. I dont know of any direct links to the foods and death but they are very low quality foods, a major shock to a dogs system if they have been eating "good higher quality" foods.

Why do I have a hyperlink to my word Orijen ????

[Lorina]

I've noticed that some foods get hyperlinked. I'm guessing it's an advertising plug in. I'm glad to know it's not just me that sees them. I was beginning to worrry I had a bug or spyware.

"I see them too. You're as sane as I am." -- Luna Lovegood.

Back to the topic at hand, I do see a lot of good come from prescription diets. My own cat did fantastic on K/D for her kidney failure, but to be honest, it didn't help her heart condition. That deteriorated, and there wasn't much to be done for her. That's not to say prescription diets won't work for your dog. Every case is different, and with my cat having both kidney and heart failure, it was a delicate balancing act keeping her adequately hydrated for her kidneys, and not retaining fluid for her heart.

But sure to avoid junky treats high in sodium, like Beggin Strips, Pupperoni and Snausages. I'm sure you already know that, but someone reading with similar issues might not.

[Dogmom07]

Wimble Wolf, sorry to hear about Bailey's heart condition. My Mel is rather large, 108 lbs and he pants heavily during his walks so we have started him on Enalapril and half pills of Lasix. The doses are not high as he is in the beginning stages also. I actually see a little improvement in his breathing when we return from his walks.

I am going to look into Orijen, I have never heard of this. I have told the vet I do not want K/D Science Diet - He is ordering a low sodium food especially made for cardiac conditions by Royal Canin - I think this is a better quality food.

Lorina, I have already taken away his favorite snacks - Puparonis But I bought him Boars Head low sodium turkey from the Deli, He liked that switch I have also bought low sodium biscuits from the vet, which he is not crazy about, but he eats them!

[borzoimom]

Originally Posted by Dogmom07

My Rott/Dobie mix has been diagnosed with Heart Disease (Cardio Myopathy) Our vet wants to put him on low sodium diet, Prescription K/D from Science Diet.

Our Beagle died last year of Kidney failure at 16 yrs old and was put on this food when he was diagnosed. He only lived 3 days after he started on this food...I know it probably was not the food that put him over the edge, but I have had a bad feeling about this food since then, I am afraid to start my dog on this!

Does anyone else have their dogs on this presciption food?

Yes I have... I am afraid when we get into perscribtion diets- we need to go with our vets. Has your vet placed the dog on a mediction called digthetalis. ( spelling- but you would recognize it if they did...)

[Wimble Woof]

http://www.hillspet.com/zSkin_2/prod...34374302037389

Nutrient
Nutrient Guarantee
% As Fed1
% Dry Matter2
% As Fed, Caloric Basis3
g/100 kcal
Protein 12.0 min 13.4 14.5 3.3
Fat 16.0 min 17.6 19.0 4.4
Carbohydrate (NFE) 56.5 61.1 14.1
Crude Fiber 2.8 max 1.1 1.2 0.3
mg/100 kcal3
Calcium 0.50 min 0.74 0.80 184
Phosphorus 0.23 0.25 57
Sodium 0.28 max 0.22 0.24 55
Potassium 0.60 0.65 149
Magnesium 0.093 0.101 23
Omega-3 Fatty Acids Total 1.40 1.51 348

Im sort of concerned with the low protien and high fat contents in the KD formula myself, the second ingredient in it is Pork fat. Yes low sodium diets are reccomended for heart conditions, but with humans, so is low fat right?
I may be wrong here, but seems a bit odd to me.

For the Royal Canin...
http://www.royalcanin.us/vetdiet/can...lycardiac.html
I presume that it is the early cardiac formula your vet is ordering???
I cant copy and paste, but atleast the second ingredient is not a fat ( the third is lol) and there is less fat content, no corn.
However they say there is "mildly restricted sodium levels appropriate for class one and class 2 heart disease. So, right there it's not that you are getting a food with NO sodium .
However, I feel Royal canin is the 'lesser of the 2 evils' if I HAD to choose one.