Food!

[Naya]

I posted a while ago about Harley having issues with her back end. She sits and spins trying to get to something. Vets done X-rays and bloods and a biopsy, but couldn’t find anything. She stopped doing it for a while, but the last 5 days it’s started again - day and night. It’s clearly distressing her. She’s been on a raw diet - The Dogs Butcher and we give her veg each day. We’ve decided to take her off this food as not sure if it’s the issue. We are looking for a low fat decent kibble to swap to, to see if that’s the issue. I know there are websites I can look at, but thought I would ask on here for any recommendations. Any help will help!

 

[SwampDonkey]

Millie's wolfheart tracker or Highland mix both low fat both good. I've used them both for Rory.

 

[Atemas]

Aah what a shame, this is happening again.

I’m not sure if either are low fat but I feed Red Symply Turkey kibble and Forthglade wet Turkey. I don’t give her anywhere near the recommended amounts - she has 130g kibble and a tray of wet food per day. She has a small quantity of Fish4Dogs food for treats. This suits her well and also keeps her weight stable. Symply do a light kibble (low calorie) too.

 

[Stacia]

Is Harley in any pain which causes her to spin? I know vets have done tests but maybe there is something if she wasn't doing it when being examined. Spinning could be a behavioural problem, it can become a compulsion, also it can relieve some stress. Has Harley a sore area inside her rectum so that when she is about do defecate it hurts or causes a little temporary blockage? I am not saying any of these are the reason but just thinking of what could cause it.

 

[Naya]

Harley’s anal glands and that area was fully checked. She isn’t having an issues when opening her bowels. Last night we managed to roughly pinpoint what she’s trying to get to - near the top of her leg at the back - I’ve marked it on the photo below. If we rub anywhere near here she twists her body right round and crouches down and goes all timid and licking lips whilst burying her head in my lap, then she sits and starts spinning to get to it. We have got a vets appointment at 4.20pm today as she is doing this behaviour at least every hour if not more - even overnight. It’s clearly stressing her out too.

 

[Selina27]

Poor Harley, I hope the vets can find out what it is now that you can pinpoint the area.

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

Sorry to hear this, poor Harley. Carbon just eats any old thing I get for him, so I get him different stuff all the time, whatever ingredient list looks the best quality and low purine. So no great recommendations from us, I'm afraid.

 

[Cath]

Poor girl

 

[Cath]

What did the vet say @Naya

 

[Naya]

They given her some tablets to help with itching. She has a few patches that look inflamed from where she’s been licking / nibbling. They want to see her in 2 weeks if they help, but next Tuesday / Wednesday if they haven’t helped at all by then. Shes booked in to have some large fatty lumps removed (nearly tennis ball size on her tummy and in one shoulder) very early In January, so if it’s still going on then they will do a scan when she’s under anaesthetic. They think it’s a good idea to change food so I’ve ordered new food today - thanks @SwampDonkey for the recommendation - they were really helpful on the phone. I suppose it’s wait and see!

 

[Naya]

Harley is responding well to the medication - she’s nearly stopped spinning and going for her legs/fluffy bit so much. We have been changing her food slowly this week and she loves the kibble . Fingers crossed that things are on the up.

 

[Cath]

How is Harley doing @Naya

 

[Naya]

How is Harley doing @Naya

She seems to be doing well thanks @Cath
The medication has helped and she’s no longer itching. She really likes her new food too and has become a bit more active again
She is having some fatty lumps removed on 6th Jan as one is the size of a tennis ball in her tummy and knocks against her leg when she walks. She has another one about the size of a gold ball on her shoulder so getting that removed too. Hopefully, once they have gone she will be more comfortable

 

[MellowYellow]

Glad to hear Harley is doing better. I hope the op to remove the fatty lumps goes well. Poppy has several though they are all quite small, except for one on her leg which we are monitoring.