Daisy is an 8.5 year old, spayed yellow Labrador retriever. She was diagnosed with autoimmune-mediated polyarthritis last fall and has been on prednisone ever since (currently 20 mg/day). It has helped slow the progression and inflammation in her joints, particularly her metacarpi and carpi. I didn’t want her to have to take prednisone, but after trying to wean her off of it a couple of months ago, and seeing the amount of pain that she gradually slid into, I had to put her back on the 20 mg/day. The pred seems to be now causing her to have some pretty severe digestive issues, to the point of vomiting, being in a great deal of pain, bloating, and unable to eat. I now have her on famantidine once/day, ordered Gastriplex, but would like to get some recommendations on a diet for her that will help her gut heal. Do you have any suggestions
Hello Ginny,
The best diets to look for should have no food dyes, preservatives or grain additives. A high quality protein diet, moderate fat and highly digestible carbohydrate should help her digestive system. Several diets you may try are EVO, Wellness Core, Blue Wilderness, or Horizon Legacy. Since Daisy has such a sensitive digestive system you should take 7 to 10 days to integrate the new diet.
You may also want to consider essential fatty acids such as Super EPA, fish oils are extremely anti-inflammatory and immune supportive. This may help with the inflammation in her gastro-intestinal tract. Best of luck.
Sincerely,
Colleen Smith DVM,CVA