Could anybody give me any advice what to feed my 14 year old. Springer bitch.
She's taking Fortekor, Frusemide and just started Millophyline for a cough caused by heart failure. Last week the vet increased the frusimide and since then her appetite has just vanished. She used to wolf down the Iam's senior but she turns her nose up at that as with the winalot and mixer and the Butchers complete. I can understand that the tablets dehydrate her and dry food is the last thing she wants. I've tried putting boiling water on it and leaving it soften but she's not bothered. She will still wolf down  breakfast cereal and tinned tuna but I know thats not enough.
How do I keep up the supply of nutrients and energy. I be grateful for any suggestions of what to buy and where to get it.

Mike.

Hi Mike -

If I were you, I'd try Nature Diet or Natures Menu.

You might be able to buy these in your local pet shop to give them a try and see if she likes them.

www.naturediet.net

www.naturesmenu.co.uk

Both are wet food and are highly palatable.  Also incredibly excellent ingredients - no junk or additives.

If you phone Nature Diet and explain about your dog's condition and what medications she is taking, they may be able to suggest which flavour would best suit her condition.

http://www.naturesmenu.co.uk/products/pouches/dogs/senior-lamb/
http://www.naturediet.net/products/product.html?cat_branch=herbal/&product=senior

Both the above are for senior dogs

Hi Mike
I've had a few dogs with heart problems, and my first one the vet had to adjust the medication of several times as sometimes a new dose would make him feel worse etc. So if yours has started to refuse food after the latest adjustment I would see the vet again and discuss it as other adjustments might be needed. With mine it took about 3 months but in the end we hit upon a perfect dose (he was also on 3 lots) and he was fine for another 3 years.

Thanks for your replies, I went back to the vet and he said that she has an infection and has prescribed antibiotics.

What age was your dog Goldmali when you finally managed to get his tablets right. I'm afraid that none of the tablets I'm giving my beloved dog have had any effect on the cough and the vet has said that its pretty much the beginning of the end. She had an xray a couple of weeks ago and has fluid in one of her lungs. She's still pretty active though, still love's her walkies and never gets out of breath. Its just this wretched cough and the fact she won't eat anything substantial.

i would keep her off dry food if it just drys her up try pedigree tinned hey have gravey in them so there nice and moist or try her on raw meat see how she likes that but the only thing there is id ask vet if that would be ok with her having a bad heart but i feed mine on it and he loves it and there is all kinds

Hiya :) You can make her a nice liquid stock with any kind of bones, chicken, beef or fish. Add a carrot or 2, stck of celery, parsley, thyme, clove of garlic oil. Boil them for a few hours, strain & leave to cool, when cold it will be like jelly & you can freeze for when you need it. You can give her this to drink, its very nourishing & will keep her hydrated :)

You can also try adding a little honey to her drinking water to encourage her to drink more :)