Coming to the Darkside....UPDATE

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Well, this is about doodle's brother, Taquito the chihuahua.

 

Many of you know that yesterday he had his blood drawn to re-check his kidneys (creatinine levels specifically).  They have not improved and I have really done all I can do feeding commercial food.

 

My vet fully supports homecooking and walked me through a kidney diet recipe she recommends.  It involves ground beef, eggs, rice, mixed veggies (frozen kind for soup), olive oil. I add Tums, B-complex and fish oil to one feeding a day. 

 

Anyway, I guess this is more of a blog, but to any of you Food Groupers who homecook and know of any other recipes, just let me know. For now, I will go with what vet recommends.  We will re-check his levels in 3 months, assuming he does okay between now and then. He also will be on daily meds for the rest of his life!

 

Let's hope this never applies to any of our doodles, but I thought it might be worth posting so you all get T's update and just in case it helps someone in the future.

 

Update:  Made my first batch last night - doubled the recipe and I got 10 days out of it.  I used the suggestions here and put them in individual containers (1/3 cup per serving).  I kept about 3 days in the fridge and froze the rest.

 

Taquito had his first serving last night and for the first time ever, ate faster and finished his food FIRST!  This morning he had his second serving and Peri physically moved him out of the way to try to steal his food.  She got quite a firm NO.  I am giving her a small spoonfull on her food to placate her.

So, success thus far!  It only took about 30 minutes to cook everything and put it in individual containers, so it wasn't so bad!!!  Thanks for the support all!

[Tammy & Gracie]

Homecooking is an effort but it gets easier with time.  I make big batches and freeze them in one serving containers.  I only cook once every 2 weeks so it has become a habit.  Good luck with it!  You can get containers (like deli's use) at resturant supply stores.  I use and reuse these, running them thru the dishwasher.  I also have some special diet recipes in books I have used.  I'll forward them to you for your vet's approval when I dig them up.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Oh Allyson, welcome to the "Dark Side".  I have to say after doing it for a year, it's not that tough.  The best part is that Tacky probably doesn't eat much....unlike my Murph who eats like a horse.  I'm really sorry that he has not improved...I was so hoping that you would never reach this point.  Your basic diet sounds really good....remember to really drain and rinse the ground beef.  Did she talk to you about percentages of each?  I'd stick to the recipe the Vet recommended for now.  You can get "creative" later when he is more stabilized.  Keep your "chin up"....home cooking just becomes a "way of life" and doesn't feel like such a big deal once you get used to it.  You're such a great "Doggie Mom"!

[Donna K & Quincy]

Sorry that Tacky's levels hadn't improved but I'm guessing that he is not going to be the least put out about having to eat homecooking. What's Peri going to think?

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Allyson, I am sorry that Tacky's levels are still bad but at least they aren't worse.  You are a caring and conscientious dog mom and I know you will do all that can be done to help Tacky live as long and healthy a life as possible.  He is so tiny, could you freeze portions in ice cube trays?

[Susan and Sasha]

So sorry to hear that Taquito's levels haven't improved Allyson...but thankful that they haven't gotten worse.

I'm sure he'll feel pretty special getting all of that home cooking and TLC.

We'll be keeping him and you in our thoughts and prayers...

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Allyson, I have been homecooking for about 2 years now and with some short interruptions to that depending on time or travel, it has been consistantly a positive experience for me and doods alike. I had Murphy's blood work done about 6 months ago because I had a very unsupportive Vet and she felt he couldn't "possibly get the necessary nutrients from homecooked food that he gets from kibble". I had to see for myself, but also show her that his levels of everything were perfect. I took a leap of faith there as I had no way of knowing, other than it just makes so much more sense that the nutrients in fresh meats and veggies had to be better for their systems than dry processed food.

You are so lucky to have found a Vet who encourages it and is able to help you get started. Good for you both. It really isn't all that much work and I do find that even leftovers of our food go into the pot and I feel good about that as I hate waste of anykind.

Being as you have a specific issue with kidneys, I wouldn't entertain just random recipes until you and the Vet have discussed them, but it appears from the first recipe that it is rather routine. Other than the ratio of proteins to carbs and fats, it maybe similar to what most of us homecookers do. Seems it would all have to be easier on his kidneys overall.

Good luck and I bet in no time you will be sharing recipes with us and telling us how fun and easy it all is. BTW...Peri would benefit from it as well and obviously loves it too.  Now I am off to make a batch for my two as it has been too long since I home cooked. (about 2 months now). I know they miss it.

You are doing a fantastic job. I would recommend Dr. Pitcairn's book "Natural Health for Dogs and Cats" He has a few pages on kidney issues and one recipe specific to that issue. My scanner isn;t working or I'd send it to you. But the whole book is very good so I feel well worth having for both dogs.

 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I'm so happy to read this update!  Little Taquito is LOVIN this home cooked diet!  I was able to fool Murph for many months by just putting one tbsp of home cooking on top of his food.  He thought he was getting the same thing as Guinness....but then again I'm guessing Lady Peri may be a little "quicker" than Murph.  Now Murph has more tummy problems than his brother, so it's home cooking for two! (although I do mix in some kibble now).  GREAT NEWS!