Suggestions needed to help fill my Rotts appetite.

[KRISSIE]

Hi I would like to hear your suggestions regarding a filler for my dog. My Rott has Addisons disease (opposite of cushings ) she was diagnosed with this disease 2 1/2 years ago and we have been treating her with steroids ever since. The steroids she takes Florineff and Predisone have increased her appetite tremendously. It seems as though she can never get enough to eat. She is "obsessed with food" and as time goes on her obsession seems to be becoming more intense. She is starting to become a bit more assertive in her quest for food. What I mean by "assertive" is she is becoming pushy and stealing food. I have been feeding her Canidae and she does fabulaous ( health wise) on it but it has not helped to curve the appetite, nothing has...:( . I recently decided with my Vet to switch her over to Canidae Platinum Diet this way I can give her more food while still maintaning her weight. I am now feeding her a cup more than i was before but I am still not seeing a change in her appetite. I was wondering if there is something I can give her to help fill her up so she does not feel so hungry all the time. I would really appreciate all suggestions. This is starting to become overbearing.

Thank You.

[Sue]

Our lab bitch has a thyroid problem and was ravenous all the time. She's now on medication as well as carefully measured amounts of food, which she still doesn't think is anywhere near enough. When I talked this over with the vet she agreed with my idea of carrots, celery, lettuce (if she'll eat it), a few slices of apple, etc.....low cal alternatives that really fill up that empty space. Just remember to start slowly!

[Carina43]

I agree with extra vegetables, though adding veggies to a kible diet is going to really increase the carbs & fiber - two things a dog doesn't really need much of anyhow. So you might see some diarrhea or upset, like Sue indicated take it slow! Boiled rice is another thing that could fill her up a bit too.

If you're comfortable giving her raw bones, something like beef ribs could give her something she'll need to really take her time to eat - and won't add a TON of calories. Plus the beef ribs are softer bones - my dogs spend hours and hours gnawing on them. In fact breakfast this morning was a rack of beef ribs each - that was hours ago, and they're still lying down working away at them. :)
Of course I don't know if she's on any dietary restrictions - I don't know much about the condition.

[KRISSIE]

Hi Sue, Thank you for your suggestions, You mentioned your Lab had a thyroid problem, My Rott also has a thyroid problem too. I think from the prolonged use of steroids it has affected her thyroid, she is also taking medicine for that ( Soloxine 0.8 mg 1 x a day). It never even dawned on me that the meds for the thyroid could also be contributing to her tremendous appetite. .
It is terrible the way she has become, in the garbage, scrounging around looking for food all the time, stealing food off the stove. You can imagine how hard it is to keep her out of everything. I really feel sorry for her, the hunger feeling must be overwhelming for her to act like this all the time.
Did you notice if the carrots, celery, apples, etc .. really helped to curve the appetite?

[KRISSIE]

Thank you Carina43 for your suggestions. ;)

[moondog]

Hi Krissie,

My dog is also on steroids (due to PLE) and I've found that a big ol' marrow bone keeps her pretty satisfied. I remove the marrow because my dog cannot absorb fat, but you could remove it to reduce the calories just as well. Another low calorie, tummy filling veggie you could try are cooked potatoes. If you want less fiber, don't feed the skins. Luna was on a potato and turkey diet for awhile and it was HARD to get enough potatoes in her to meet her calorie requirements. She'd fill up quickly with potatoes. Rice is what I have used to actually put weight on her, so that might not be the best choice if you want to maintain her current weight.

By the way, do you live anywhere near Saint John's Place in Brooklyn? If you do, I have a daughter who just moved there who is having major Rottie withdrawals and would LOVE to see yours! :)

[KRISSIE]

HI Moondog...Thank you so much for your suggestions, the potatoes sound like an excellent idea to help fill her up a bit. ;) My trainer sells the big marrow bones maybe I'll purchase one from her and see how she does with that.

Wow, your daughter just moved to Brooklyn. How does she like it? it must be very difffferent then Cal! Ask her to send you down some Bagels, you haven't had a Bagel till you've had a NY Bagel..lol. I am not exactly sure where Saint John's place is.. Do you know if it is in Prospect Park? If it is in Prospect Park that is a VERY nice area, she will like it there. I am in Bay Ridge, not to far from Prospect Park. If she is in need of some rotti loving then she would LOVE my Maximus. He's still young (1 years old ) and always welcomes a new friend. However, I have to warn you , he may KISS her to death!...lol. :D

[rottnkidd]

Hi Krissie - I don't know if you're schedule allows for you to join any of the internet groups, but I've been told that the K9 Addisons group at Yahoo is a great place to fraternize with other's whose dog's suffer from Addisons. Here's the url to subscribe if you'd be interested.
http://www.k9Addisons-subscribe@NO SPAMMING.com
Perhaps there are members on that list, that are experiencing the ravenous appetite in their dog's too, and they can offer more suggestions.

Also, are you using any vitamin therapy? Ask your vet about this.
In one of my books, "The Holistic Guide for a Healthy Dog", by
Wendy Volhard and Kerry Brown DVM, it's written that for Addison's..."Nutritional supplementation is necessary for both Cushings and Addison's disease. The adrenal glands will not function without adequate Vit B complex, Vit C, minerals and the amino acid tyrosine in the diet." (Tyrosine is found in bananas,
aged cheese, chicken liver and yeast) There's also mention of herbal remedies, when used along with the prescribed meds, that may 'stimulate' the glands enough so that "medication can be reduced or withdrawn completely." (I would only use herbs
with the assistance of a homeopathic vet) Best wishes to you!
kathy

[KRISSIE]

Hi Kathy, Thank You very much for the helpful information. I am already a member of the Addison's disease group that you mentioned, although I haven't been there in a long time. I'll have to go back in and see what's happening there. What you were mentioning about the Vit and minerals, I never knew that but it certainly makes sense ! Goes to show you learn something new all the time. :D I would be very interested in seeing a Homeopathic Vet as you suggested. It would be wonderful if I could treat this disease a little differently. If I could decrease her meds a bit, that would be a real plus. That would probably help to get her appetite under control too. I'm going check with the Addison's group and see if they can recommend a Holistic Vet to me. Thanks agian for your help and info. ;)