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lindsay write wrote:

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I think we're all truly humbled by your story, Joan. All those wonderful dogs are so lucky to have you but you're so lucky to have them, too. It's no wonder why you keep cruising the Internet for more disadvantaged pugs! They make life so challenging but so much fun. And heart-warming, too, as evidenced in the relationships you described.

We all have a better understanding about what's going on at your house! Yes, I think we all agree that quality of life is most important. And making sure your entire menagerie is kept happy by feeding food and treats equally and, as you mentioned, in a timely manner! You've got more of a puzzle than most of us but what the heck - we love a challenge. And you obviously love challenges, too, so hang in there with us and, hopefully, we can all help Bella.

Okay you asked for it, the liver diet. there are as many views on this as there are books on the market. So just as one does when figuring out a good diabetic diet for your particular dog, one has to apply some common sense to all of this theory. Also the most important thing with liver problems is to keep them eating. they have a terrible tendency if they skip even one meal, to skip the next, and the next even more. To do with ammonia buildup and bilirubin, so sometimes it is a matter of finding what they WILL eat and not what they SHOULD eat. Luckily I think we are thru that phase with Bella, and she will now eat most things, and looking for more.

However her tummy will not take too much fiber, borccoli for instance has a disastous effect. That is how I found out that diarrhea and the resulting dehydration (even slight) can cause a diabetic to go low! Oatmeal is not good either.

Most important point is often, frequent smaller meals, keeps the digestive system going, and helps not to overload the liver.

Modern thinking is now that a hi protein, ( only high quality), is beneficial. Chicken, low fat white fish, low fat cottage cheese, egg white etc. Cod has a unique amino acid that aids liver restoration, so we give that to her most days. She can only take a small amt of dairy, or loose bowels. She does get a tsp of 1% cottage cheese bid

Hi carb diet for energy...................thats where the compromise comes in with the diabetic part. they recommend sweet potato, she can't take that, bg way too high . I have cut her rice way down, but may need to add back some whole wheat pasta

Most veggies are ok, as long as the dog can handle it, she loves green beans, and I have cut back on the carrots but she still gets a bit. celery has too much oxalate, so I don't use it for all the others either. few peas, but they don't like them much.

some bland fruits, she won't eat them

No preservatives or artificial coloring, flavoring etc.

distilled (bottled) water

supplements: milk thistle (she won't eat if you add this), urosidiol (gives her diarrhea), samE - we have started her back on this 2 wks now and so far so good. Omega 3,6,9, she gets this am and pm. vitamin mineral supplement with probiotics - she gets this, and I have tried yogurt, but does not agree with her. She alos gets a calcium supplement. I have just started her back on a tsp of pumpkin bid to help with transitioning her food a bit

no vaccines, no nsaids, nothing that is cleared or processed by the liver.

I have undoubtedly left out some important points, but this has the main points.

One other thing, if you have a dog with liver issues, you need to consult with your vet, and do research, please don't take these guidelines as gospel. the older diets for liver dogs were low protein, and most people fed commercial food i/d for instance. More recent findings have gone completely in the other direction. But you will have to make your own decisions about that. Lots of material online, and several good forums for this.

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Do you have a list of things that are okay and not okay for a dog with hepatitis to eat? Maybe when we see the list, we can help you choose things that will be well suited to a diabetic's diet. Then we might be able to figure out what times would be best to feed which foods in order to stop the insulin overlap problem.

I write "we" but I really mean the others on the board! I always had trouble understanding carbs and whatnot so the people here were forced to keep it really simple with me.