Fish Only Diet?

[bunkermom]

So technically this question doesn't pertain to my boxer but I am trying to help out a client.

I am a veterinary technician and we have a client who has a German Sheperd who has been struggling for months with severe dermatitis around his anus and we are beginning to suspect he has the beginning stages of anal fistulas. Unfortunately the dog is highly aggressive and it is *very* difficult to examine him...and impossible to do anything even slightly invasive (as in checking anal glands) without him being sedated. It also doesn't help that he is the LARGEST German Sheperd I have ever seen...weighing in at 130lbs and he could maybe stand to lose 10 lbs!

So, question is this: In my research I have found that pets with anal fistulas typically have anal gland problems along with IBD or IBS. The recommendation is a grain free kibble that is fish/potato based. Easy to digest and tolerated well. I can only find a couple of fish based grain free kibbles: Core Ocean, Orijen Fresh Fish, Taste of the Wild Pacific Salmon and Solid Gold BATM (which has beef but at least no chicken). The most affordable is Taste of the Wild and since she is feeding such a large dog, cost is an issue!

Is there a possibility of a homecooked diet that has no grains and is strictly fish based? I know that rotating protein sources is ideal but we have to get this issue anal fistula/IBD under control first...that is our priority. It is so hard to treat this dog and his owner loves him a LOT!

Thanks guys...sorry it took me so long to get to the point!

Autumn

[kayboxer]

I do use Wellness CORE Ocean formula and really like it. The only think about homecooking with fish is fish can be kind of expensive, at least around my area. To feed a large dog like that I don't know how much you would have to put in. I'd check out how much fish is first. It can be done, just don't know how much cheaper it would be.

[bunkermom]

Unfortunately, the grain free fish based kibble is not cheap either...and Orijen is a great food but RIDICULOUSLY high priced. I can't imagine that home cooking would cost any more than that!

Does anyone know where I could find a balanced diet recipe for a pet who needs fish to be as his only protein source...at least for a few months? I know that it is probably not ideal but with the IBD, it sounds like a good start.

Autumn

[kayboxer]

If you search the homecooking forums you will find tons of recipe ideas. Also, do an internet search on homecooking for your dogs. When I strictly homecooked, I used chicken or beef, offal (livers, gizzards, hearts) and just added the veggies I wanted, such as sweet potatoes, spinach, broccoli, green beans, carrots, apples, blueberries, or whatever else I had I thought might be good. I never added any grains. It really isn't hard, just make a big stew and either pressure cook it (what I do for large amounts, then freeze) or you can even use a crockpot or cook on the stove for a few hours since you are using fish.

[bunkermom]

I am sorry, I don't think I am being very clear! I know *how* to homecook but what I am trying to find is a recipe with very clear amounts of supplements and such for a fish only diet.

This may not be possible as I am certain I read somewhere that a fish only diet is not able to be fed long term. I have being doing research on IBD and appropriate diets in canines but the only things I am coming up with are fish/potato diets...which is fine but I guess my question is if a dog is able to eat a fish/potato kibble diet for their entire lives then is it safe to assume they can also eat a fish/potato homecooked diet as well?

At this point it is NOT safe to change protein sources on this guy. He has major sensitivity to diet changes and again it is very difficult to treat him for anything due to his aggression.

I talked to his owner yesterday and she is going to buy a bag of grain free fish/potato kibble today and start slowly mixing and see what he thinks. I told her to cut out all canned food...if he refuses dinner without it, add a bit of canned salmon instead or mackerel.

Thank you again for your help. I have scoured the forum here...unfortunately I am not finding the answer to my real question which is can this fish homecooked diet be fed long term? Possibly lifelong?

Thanks guys!
Autumn

[gmacleod]

A diet based solely on fish would not be balanced - so for the long term, should only be considered if the dog can't eat anything else.

Some IBD suffers improve with grain-free kibble. Most improve a heck of a lot more without kibble of any description Every dog is an individual, of course, but there are an awful lot of raw feeders in this world who became so after years of trying every kibble (including prescription foods) on the market for their IBD sufferers - and in desperation finally tried real food, with magic bullet results (probably one of the reasons some raw feeders then end with evangelical tendancies... ) Very few of them find they have to restrict their raw diets in any way.

Homecooked doesn't usually produce the same magic bullet results that natural raw diets do for IBD. But it usually helps substantially more than a grain free kibble diet.

If this person needs dietary advice along with medical, I'd suggest they would be better off consulting a holistic vet with nutritional expertise (then at least they would be getting the benefit of medical training along with the dietary issues).

[bunkermom]

I couldn't agree more. Unfortunately, there are not any holistic veterinarians in this area; I believe the closest one is at least an hour or more drive from here.

My first recommendation to his owner was a raw diet but she is not ready to make that leap. I did print out a lot of information regarding raw for her though, hopefully she will read it and become more interested. At this point, getting him off Iams Large Breed for and onto a grain-free kibble is a big step!

I think you guys would be so proud of me...I have really been working on the veterinarian that I work for regarding the types of food we recommend. He is beginning to see the light and is finally starting to ask more questions. My goal for the future is to eventually carry a grain free food at our clinic! We would be the first in this area (that I am aware of) that would recommend anything other than Science Diet!

Autumn

[BxrMommieNAZ]

Natural Balance has a Fish and Sweet Potato kibble, I pay around $45 (tax included) at my PetCo for a 28 pound bag, I feed (2) 65 pound dogs and it lasts me around 3 1/2 weeks feeding both of them. It's the limited ingredient diet line so the only protein source is fish and it is grain free. Just another option as it isn't too high in price, relatively easy to find, and is a decent food. And it's worked GREAT for my colitis and allergy dog.

Good luck!

[Sonnysdad]

[QUOTE=bunkermom;1239557) Sonny is very picky with dry food, we found warm water mixed in his food results in him eating it up like theres no tomorrow, too much and he gets the runs. Cost barely noticable!