I did a bunch of research for my dog, so I’d thought I’d share it for other peoples’ needs:
I noticed he had a swollen elbow which looked like a canine hygroma. And the leg around it was swollen with retained fluid.
The treatment is basically an orthopedic mattress and a compression bandage to keep the fluid from retaining.
My dog had a habit of disdaining dog beds and flopping on the floor itself. I was planning to get him a new bed, and it feels sad but I’m glad I hadn’t ordered him one yet. I was able to cancel my order for vet tape (though now, thinking of it, maybe I should have kept it for the cats. Whoops.) though I’ve now got a package of XL doggy pee pads.
Anyways, I did a bunch of research about fluid retention and dog health. Things that I’m going to keep in mind for any future dogs.
Because of that fluid retention he had, a veterinarian would have prescribed a diuretic like furosemide (Lasik). And it does have some side-effects, but for serious fluid retention more serious drugs are needed.
My dog was almost 15-years old. I noticed his elbow on like Thursday and was planning on changing his diet and getting him a vet appointment for past Monday. But later that night he must have had a stroke. He fell down and hurt his hygroma and his back legs became too weak to hold him up. By today, Friday… He passed away at 5 p.m. Me and my dad nursed him all day long, and we made the decision to let him pass at home.
I think it’s one of those things that people should consider.
I mean, he insisted on being outside, so we helped him get out there and he laid down in a spot near where he liked to mark. Facing the birdfeeder and his birds and bunnies. He watched them all day until he died.
And I gave him water and broth drizzled into his mouth with a glass straw. And it’s lucky for me that the store was out of stock, because I ordered a baster to use to feed him with. And while a baster is always useful, it would have had bad feelings in my mind.
Anyways, we spoke to him, and we soothed him, and he was never alone all day. And he went peacefully of natural causes.
And it’s horrible to say goodbye to someone you love so much. But at the same time, it was kind of beautiful. That he passed away watching his birds and his bunnies, with sun above and the wind in his nose. And it was a kind of perfect day, not too hot, not too cold, sunny with a clear blue sky
And it’s like, what’s the better way to go? In a hospital or in a hospice? In a strange room hooked to loud machines or in your bed? Or in a chair outside watching your last sunset or sunrise? Trapped behind walls, or with the wind on your face?
And if you don’t tell people, how are they ever going to know?
To see the sky from behind a window or on a lawn? To watch it on TV or imagine it through bland walls?
It’s the kind of thing that it’s worth it to think about. Because we all have an expiration date… Though hopefully it’s one that’s very far away after a full and happy life.
And I like to think my dog had a good life. He certainly lived a long time for a dog.
Homemade dog food should have
- at least 10% lean protein
- up to 50% carbohydrates
- about 2.5-4.5% fiber
- at least 5.5% fat, usually from vegetable oil
- vitamin and mineral supplements for dogs
Most recipes use
* Protein–turkey, chicken, fish, lean beef.
* Carbohydrates–rice, pasta, potatoes.
* Fiber–green beans, peas, carrots.
* Fat–canola oil, soybean oil, corn oil.
I ordered some produce for my dog this morning, and luckily it’s all stuff that’s good for humans too.
In the course of researching dietary diuretics for dogs, I decided I was going to make him some doggy smoothies to get him back up to health. Because while furosemide is the diuretic vets use, it also requires a prescription.
Meanwhile, a balanced diet will prevent fluid retention, and diuretic foods can help release retained water.
- burdock root
- alfalfa (can have side-effects)
- red clover (can have side-effects)
- raspberry leaves (can have serious side effects)
- dandelion
- okra
- melon
- papaya (moderation)
- peach
- banana
- celery (seeds and plant)
- Brussels sprouts
- carrots
(NOTE: The following is also information I gathered off the Internet. This is a basis from which you can start your own search. I am not a veterinarian.)
I focused my research on burdock, dandelion, and regular food because I saw that alfalfa, red clover, raspberry leaves, and I think papaya all had added notes about them from different websites. Like, they work and they could be used on your dog safely, but some dogs have adverse reactions, and it wasn’t worth the risk for me.
Because burdock root doesn’t taste good to dogs, make a decoction of the root. Add 1 cup cold water and 1 tsp dried herb or 2 Tbsp fresh herb to a pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes. Strain and let the liquid cool.
Burdock is supposedly a healthy food with no side effects, you shouldn’t have to worry about giving your dog too much. Just mix the decoction in your dog’s food, or even give your dog the fresh herb in their food.
Basically the same recipe for the burdock can be used to make a dandelion tea that can be added to a dog’s drinking water or their food. Boil and simmer the dandelion roots, then strain the tea. If you add it to their water, it can aid digestion, so should be given to them before the main meal.
For adding dried and crushed dandelion leaves and roots to a dog’s food, it’s a ratio of 1 tsp dandelion to 20lbs body weight.
If you’re using fresh dandelions, chop up the stems, stalks, and blossoms, and add a touch of chicken broth. The dog should lick it up.
And, like, humans can enjoy burdock tea and dandelion tea. They’re very healthful with a wealth of benefits.
BUT
If you’re like me and you think you have a yard full of dandelions… you might want to take a second look.
What I thought were dandelions were actually "cat’s ear dandelions," a completely different plant.
Dandelions are T. officinale (the common dandelion) and T. erythrospermum (the red-seeded dandelion). While cat’s ear dandelions are hypochaeris radicata. And while both species are edible, they are different no matter how closely they resemble each other.
So yeah. I have a few dandelions here and there, but for the most part what’s growing in my yard are cat’s ear dandelions.
Like, for the last few years I’ve been getting mad at "the weird dandelions" cropping up. Because the regular dandelions had smooth leaves and they grew close to the ground, and "the weird ones" were growing multiple stalks on one plant and they were getting super tall and the leaves were fuzzy and just gross feeling.
So I’d be out there trying to gather smooth dandelion leaves for my quail, and instead there’d be all these fuzzy leaves that they refused to eat.
And it turns out they weren’t even dandelions at all. Weirdness.
So yeah. Before you just assume those bright yellow blossoms are dandelions… take a closer peek.
Anyways. I ordered some celery seeds, celery stalks, a watermelon, some peaches, and carrots to make my dog some diuretic smoothies. So, those are all good for humans too, so it’s not a waste, I just feel sad that he didn’t have more time.
But today was such a good day. I mean, the sadness is real. But it was beautiful weather, and there were so many birds hopping around the yard, and I think it was a good way for a dog to pass on. Peaceful and seemingly without any pain.
And for the next dog we get, I have a list of foods they get to eat. Human foods but without all the added salt and black pepper and garlic and onions and other "bad for dogs" things that we humans get to enjoy.
Here’s a partial list:
* plain Greek yogurt
* celery
* celery seeds
* rice
* cooked peeled potato
* peas
* carrots
* okra
* melon
* banana
* Brussels sprouts
* zucchini
* pumpkin
* papaya
* eggs
* green beans
* oatmeal
* barley
* millet
* quinoa
* peanut butter
* cooked peeled sweet potato
* fish
* apples
* cucumbers
* cauliflower (Warning: flatulence)
* broccoli
* coconut
* blueberries
* cabbage
* bok choy
* turnip
* lentils
* radish
* strawberries
* lettuce
* spinach
* lima beans
* black beans
* kidney beans
* most legumes
* nectarines
* Cream of Wheat
* flax seeds
There are so many "human foods" that your dog can enjoy. And because they’re a dog, they don’t need all the added flares and whistles that humans demand.
Like, you can hard boil some eggs, peel and chop them, and mix them up with microwaved potato and sprinkle with celery seeds, dill weed, parsley, and basil.
Dogs love cooked egg yolk. And unless your dog is on a special diet, they can enjoy the yolks while you eat the whites, or vice versa, or all mixed up.
Just because it’s "human food" doesn’t mean it’s bad for your dogs. You just have to leave out the human extras we like to add: salt, black pepper, garlic, onion, paprika, mustard, ketchup, soy sauce, tartar sauce, ranch dressing, grapes, raisins, refried beans, cream of tartar, green onion, chives, nutmeg, allspice, pumpkin pie spice, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, Herbs de Provence, marjoram (NO to marjoram! It’s why Italian seasoning is bad.).
Herbs/spices that are safe or even healthful for dogs, though consider your amounts for your canine pal:
* dill weed
* basil
* cumin
* oregano (only a little)
* parsley
* sage
* vinegar
* red ripe tomato
* chia seeds
* cilantro
* cinnamon
* ginger
* rosemary
* echinacea
* thyme
* coriander
* savory
* ground fennel
It’s kind of a hassle, having to make two kinds of meals–one for humans and one for dogs–but it’s worth it if your buddy gets to live a long and healthy life. Plus they’re always so grateful to be given food; it makes even the most mediocre of chefs feel like a star.
Just remember to limit the salts, and otherwise there’s a whole wealth of spices and fruits and vegetables that your dog can enjoy alongside you. Which can save you money when you consider how expensive canned pet foods are becoming.
So to be able to give your dog a scoop of kibble a day and have pre-made meals stashed in the freezer… You can give your dog a taste of variety without having to worry about by-products and weird additives because you’ll know exactly what’s gone into your dog’s meal: love and real human grade food.
I miss my dog. I’ll probably miss him even more tomorrow when I remember he’s gone.
But all dogs go to Heaven, and he definitely belongs up there. He was a good boy. And I loved him from the moment I met him.
Miss you, buddy. You were a good dog.
~Harper Kingsley
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