not Lab - King Charles

**Laceezmom** · 02-01-2012, 09:29 AM

My mother has a sick King Charles Spaniel she rescued from a puppy mill about five years ago. We guess him to be about six or seven years old. She has him at the vet this morning for an ultrasound of his liver. Over the weekend he had bouts of vomiting and saw the vet Monday AM who gave him IV fluids and antibiotics. It does not seem to be helping. His liver counts are elevated. He has been on Natural Balance food for about six months. He has also recently started, at the vet's request, a powder added to his food which is supposed to reduce tartar build up. My mothere, widowed and 88, is beside herself and I, living several hours away, am not sure her vet is the best. Any thoughts on the food, liver, tooth powder?

**javasmom** · 02-01-2012, 10:19 AM

Check online...I thought there were other dogs having the same issue that were also on NB food.
Actually....check the other thread here:

What would you do?

**Sophiesmama** · 02-01-2012, 06:10 PM

I have been hearing things about the NB food too! Scary! I sure hope the dog gets better!

**Laceezmom** · 02-01-2012, 09:28 PM

I had seen the referenced thread and passed that info to my mother. Her dog was diagnosed today with canine hepatitis. I checked some info and it seems like an unusual diagnosis. He does not have frequent interaction with other dogs and probably because of his upbringing in the puppy mill, is not very social with other dogs, although good with my lab and my sister's lab. I hope the vet has made the right call and will be able to treat effectively. I have suggested that once they stabalize the dog, if they can, that my mother just cook for him for a while and find a new food after he is all better.

**Campfire_Dog** · 02-01-2012, 09:59 PM

Did the vet say it could be treated successfully.
Judy and Jack

**Laceezmom** · 02-02-2012, 03:02 PM

He is being treated with daily subcutaneous IV fluids and an injection of an antibiotic. Plus some white fluid which my mother says is supposed to coat the inflamed digestive tract. It does not sound like there is much improvement. He is very lathargic, eating only tiny bits of baby food. And he vomits up the white fluid on the way home from the vet each day. If it is the infectious canine hepatitis he should get better soon as the virus is resolved.

**cinderbay** · 02-02-2012, 08:24 PM

WTH!!! Have them contact NB!! They just called me back from the email I sent but when I tried to return the call they were closed.

**cinderbay** · 02-02-2012, 08:29 PM

Is he being treated for canine hepatitis or does he truly have it. Since Lily was negative for Lepto she is being treated like it is infections (hepatitis). But I am still finding this natural balance thing a little more than coincidental...

**Laceezmom** · 02-02-2012, 08:53 PM

I don't know if he really has hepatitis or if the vet is just treating as if. My mother is a little confused and said she would ask specifically tomorrow. After reading all the New Balance stuff, she thinks it is the food. The infectious Canine Hepatitis sounds pretty rare, especially for a dog who does not play with other dogs. I think the treatment of IV fluids and antibiotics would be pretty much the same, no matter what caused the liver, intestine inflamation. I agree that the food sounds suspect.

**BigBrownDog** · 02-02-2012, 09:22 PM

Consumer complaints about Natural Balance Pet Foods

Here is some contact info for their CS that I pulled off of a site (above) that is FILLED with consumer complaints about NB food and their very sick pets. Most of the illness noted sound like your dogs.

Hi, I'm Jennifer Freeman, a registered veterinarian technician and the director of customer service for Natural Balance Pet Foods, Inc. Your concerns are very important to us, and I would like to speak with you personally. I can be contacted Monday Friday from 8:00 AM 4:00 PM at 800-829-4493 OR through email at [email protected]. Sincerely, Jennifer Freeman, B.S., R.V.T. Director, Customer Service Natural Balance Pet Foods, Inc.