Multiple complex Schnauzer health issues

by Sonia
(Connecticut)

Hello Dr. Schonbeck. I enjoyed reading your web site; it is very informative and helpful. But I have a complex issue with 4 out of five of my mini Schnauzers who range from 7 1/2 years to 12 years. I have one, 8 years old, with pulmonary interstitial fibrosis. She is presently on Chinese herbs that help the lungs function better by helping to loosen up the phlegm and being less constrictive. She is also a bit overweight. Her mate is nearly 12 years old and showing signs of painful arthritis in the hind legs and some visual impairment.

My two latest victims of serious health issues are the siblings, 7 1/2 year old females. One lost about 4 to 5 pounds quickly and last month diagnosed with diabetes. She is now on 9 units of insulin twice daily and her glucose has not gone less than 1,000 on the keto diastix reading but her ketones have been negative.

Her sister suffered an attack of acute pancreatitis just last week with very high lipase and amylase levels. She was hospitalized for three days on IV drip, pain patches and other medications. Unfortunately, she will have nothing to do with the prescribed Hills I/D or W/D foods but much prefers commercial canned or home cooked foods like boiled chicken or turkey breasts. She has a very good appetite now. The diabetic sister has gone from being a very good eater (she was overweight) to very finicky.

These two diseases, pancreatitis and diabetes, as you know, have opposite dietary restrictions and it is very difficult for me now to find the proper commercial dog food that will be safe for them both. One requires high protein, low carbs, grain free while the other requires lower protein and low fat. I am also having to use low salt/low fat turkey sandwich meats as in between snacks for the diabetic dog as she will not eat on command prior to her insulin injection. I have spoken to conventional and naturalist vets who have conflicting suggestions and ideas and have truly confused me even more. What is the ideal food for Schnauzers who are so prone to these diseases? Is there a palatable canned food that will make them all happy, help reduce weight as well as satisfy their health needs without further complications? I would appreciate your advice!!! I am so confused and frustrated. Thank you!

Reply:

Hi Sonia

Thank you for your question and sorry again for my late response.

This is not easy.

I have been seeking some authorities, and been waiting for their response.

But unfortunately they have not been able to give any help.

I have looked upon Royal Canin and Hills diets as well, to do comparisons.

In my opinion the pancreatitis is more important to take into account in this situation.

But the carbohydrate amount in these type of foods is high.

You could adjust the insulin dose, I am not really happy with this.

No - I am sorry.

One dog food being able to deal with both situations, is hard to find.

The best would be to give the best food for the individual dogs and problems.

Perhaps others......

I would like to see any comments form readers of this if you have any experience dealing with this.

Please come forward and post a comment.

This could help Sonia and her dogs!

I will try to have this on my mind and if i find a possible solution i'll let you know

Thank you for your kind words regarding this site.

DVM Per Schonbeck

Comments for
Multiple complex Schnauzer health issues

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Jul 04, 2011

Schnauzer sensitive to foods & health issues
by: Tracey

Hello, So sorry to hear about the loss of your baby. It is so sad to loose a pet. I too have a schnauzer who is sensitive to every thing. We adopted him from a friend at the age of 7. We have had him for 3 1/2 years now. I had no idea the issues he had. He is so precious. In the beginning he threw up every single time he was fed. So, I went wheat and gluten free. That helped but he was still having some problems from time to time. So, I started from scratch. Feeding him fresh boiled chicken with cooked sweet potatoes and so forth. He loved it and did well. But I knew he need supplements and so forth. So, while attending a festival prior to Christmas I found 4-paws gourmet. They are awesome. She has saved very sick pets who were being ready to be put down. She makes every thing herself and it has dramatically changed my sweet Romeo. That is my schnauzers name. He no longer throws up every time he eats and he has lost the extra weight which he needed to loose and he eats more than he use to. He weighed 22.8 lbs. when we got him and he was so bloated. He now weighs 18 lbs. and he is much healthier. His coat is so soft and he loves the food and treats. I say the word puffin and he runs to the fridge. She make him pumpkin muffins and special treats just for his needs. It is awesome. Also, I purchased a liver cleanse at Sprouts. It is 5 drops that you put in their water and it cleanses their liver slowly. Good luck let me know how it goes and I hope your babies improve with time.
Blessings, Tracey

Mar 07, 2011

Never-ending ailments in Schnauzers
by: Anonymous

Hello. I have not checked in for quite some time. Unfortunately, health issues amongst my dogs has continued and worsened. My male died in May of a sudden case of lymphosarcoma which we got no warning on. It was very, very sad and traumatic as he was diagnosed and died within a week. I am still in shock over this unexpected and traumatic loss. His partner with the lung disease continues to fight for every breath. She continues on Chinese supplements which have been giving her more time. Since summer her belly size has increased tremendously. I suspected this was organomegaly or ascites as she was not eating tremendous amounts of food to merit the sudden increase in abdominal girth. On ultrasound she was found to have a very large liver. This has made her breathing even more difficult. The two siblings once again landed in the hospital this year in January and February with pancreatitis. I've continued them on low fat canned foods (Merrick, Wellness Core, and recently tried Taste of the Wild) all very healthy, natural, grain free, low fat. I am suspecting their treats are to blame, made in China! Dogswell has "healthy" treats of sweet potato and chicken, chicken treats, and the like. But they do not seem to be affected by sweet potato treats alone. I am still in the midst of trying to figure out exactly what it is that is making these dogs sick. Fortunately, I purchased pet insurance or I would be buried in debt by now and unable to pay the bills any longer. Special and expensive foods/treats, vet visits, hospitalizations, medications, supplements are horrific expenses but I won't give up on my babies until I simply cannot cough up a dime any more. 3/8/11

Apr 10, 2010

Schnauzer health issues
by: Sonia

Thank you for your kind words and valuable advice Dr. Schonbeck. I do appreciate that you continue to seek more advice from your colleagues on these very complex and never-ending health issues with my five Schnauzers. What confuses me is why is the Hills W/D preferred over other better quality foods that boast 3 to 4% fat, no additives, grain free, low glycemic, low carbs, high protein, no soy, hormone free, no byproducts? They also contain fruits, vegetables, added vitamins, probiotics and supplements. Yet Hills contains egg product, ground whole grain corn, salt and many additives. How very confusing for the consumer. How is this food so much better and at 12.7% fat? I truly believe select veterinarian facilities are contracted to push this product to their benefit.

Since my last comment, the diabetic dog and previously hospitalized sister with pancreatitis were once again hospitalized last month for acute pancreatitis. I was firmly warned to stop feeding the dogs all previously given commercial dog foods (even though they were of higher quality, all natural and low in fat) and restrict them to Hills W/D ONLY! They still hate it. They will not eat it without tremendous coaxing or near starvation. I've tried the canned, dry, mixing it, adding warm water, adding warm low salt/nonfat broth without luck. They miss their previous foods and will not budge but to take only a few mouthfuls of the W/D when they are very hungry. The diabetic dog has gone from 9 units daily to 10 to 11 to 12 and is now at 13 units of insulin twice daily! But her weight is down, as well as her sister's. I'm now on pins and needles constantly worrying about their finickiness and if they will get sick again. The vet bills are killing us and adding much strain to our already stretched budget. Even our health is suffering with all these worries and stressors. But we will continue forward hoping they will stay healthy as we strive to restrict their diets and not succomb to their very sad brown eyes. I just recently started them all on milk thistle which has been shown beneficial to the health of the liver.

As per Dr. Schonbeck, I too would appreciate hearing from others, including veterinarians and nutritionalists, on what they feel is best or what they have experienced in this arena. Thank you.

Mar 23, 2010

WEIGHT CAUTION
by: 5DOG-MOM

The major health risk with most dogs these days is obesity. We overindulge our pets and they become overweight with ensuing heart disease, joint pain, problems breathing, digesting or even being active. I have seen what extra weight can do to a pet and thus am now very careful with what they eat. NO TABLE SCRAPS!!! That was my weakness...I couldn't stand them staring at me while I ate. They got into the habit of my sharing with them and it is a very difficult habit to break. But I am consoling myself by saying to myself "you are saving their lives". Vet bills are astronomical especially when you have numerous pets, all close in age and all becoming ill in one way or another. I've learned my lesson with feeding and treats. I'd rather pay now with their prescription dog food than later to the vet and risk their precious health and lives!!! Also remember if it's bad for you, it's probably bad for your pet, too. The Internet holds vast sources of information on what is bad and good for your particular pet. Check it out; you'll be surprised!

Mar 23, 2010

FOOD
by: 5DOG-MOM

My five Schnauzers have always been very spoiled with the healthiest of foods (canned and dry), not junk commercial foods which contain wheat, glutens, corn, soy, byproducts, preservatives nor artificial colorings/flavors. Schnauzers are notorious for pancreatitis, Cushing's, GI upset, allergies, bladder stones and more. They are what they eat. If you feed them junk they will develop serious health issues at a young age. Unfortunately, some of these issues are also congenital and cannot be foreseen but a proper diet will help keep them at bay.

Mar 20, 2010

food
by: danny

I would like to know what she was feeding these dogs. thank you

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