Testimonial - Mr. Darby the Weimaraner

This is a case I am very proud of, and cannot believe I have met and am now friends with a most wonderful person as a result of this field of work.
Mr. Darcy had a very unusual medical condition that would have cost him his life if not repaired.  This problem is usually found after the dog is over a year of age.  Mr. Darcy was nearly 2 (if I remember correctly) when his trouble started.  Short story here.  Mr. Darcy was to have a liver biopsy, but what the surgeon found was what is called a peritoneal pericardial diaphragmatic hernia (PPDH). This means that he had a hole in his diaphragm and in the sac that surrounds the heart.  Instead of all of his "innards" being in his abdomen, they were all scrambled up.  Some were in his chest and I believe his heart was in his abdomen.  Karin can correct me if I have said something incorrectly. The surgeon was able to repair this, but it was a long, hard, recovery for Mr. Darcy.  It is hard for the body to heal itself if there is inadequate nutrition. Thank you for your kind words Karin.

"I have known Dr. Susan Lauten since September 2009 when I contacted her as a last resort for my dog who was not getting back on his paws after extensive surgery. The veterinarians agreed that nutrition may be the key to his recovery and provided me with 20 pages about canine nutrition from a veterinary textbook. I WAS COMPLETELY LOST. Somebody recommended Dr. Lauten, and she agreed to take on a complicated case.
It required out-of-the-box thinking in a scenario rarely seen, and with Susan's guidance and advice, my dog began his slow process of recovery.
He is now healthy, but I still consult with Susan periodically because adjustments in his diets are still necessary.
I have found in Susan a person of exceptional knowledge and attention to detail. I also found a friend who was willing to listen to my fears and nursed me through the recovery process as much as my dog.
I cannot recommend Dr. Susan Lauten more as an expert in her field of pet nutrition and as a wonderful human being."
I think you all need a picture of Mr. Darcy and my friend (his Mom) Karin to go with this story.  I think he is doing very well :-)

Testimonial - Darby

Darby and his Mom are such great people.  In his later years, Darby faced several challenges such as gastrointestinal disease and gall bladder infections and surgeries. Darby always received the best of care, and he had an amazing internist who pulled him through several crises.  Darby finally went to the rainbow bridge, but he got the best out of his life. I think we started working together in 2009.
Oddly, Darby's Mom called me last night.  She was ready for a new puppy, and has saved a life by adopting from the shelter.  She will home cook for him too. I can't wait to begin with the new baby.

"Susan is great to work with when your pet is in need. I trusted that her nutrition advice was sound, and although my little dog could not tell me how he felt, I felt that the new diets created by susan were helping his conditions. She is always concerned and sympathetic, a true animal lover- it's a passion more than a job."
Jennifer Nash Ostermann

Testimonials - Lucy

It is time to share some testimonials with readers.  Maybe you'll see similarities with your own fur family and it prompts you to seek help. I have been honored to work on some amazing cases.

A little background:  The Shar Pei breed is subject to a hereditary disease called renal amyloidosis. In the Shar Pei amyloidosis is a reactive condition. This form of systemic amyloidosis usually occurs with chronic inflammatory diseases.

Lucy, had an awesome family who went way above and beyond the call of duty.
When I received the case, Lucy was not eating and was brought to a specialty clinic for evaluation.

"Lucy, a Shar Pei, was diagnosed with end-stage renal failure in April, 2010; that she had less than a month to live.  I called Susan anyway.  It is now October.  She has two vets, a specialist and a regular vet.  They cannot believe she is still alive, much less running and playing.  I believe in Susan so much that I will personally recommend her to anyone.  My email is pam@dbswebsite.com
Thank you Susan for giving our family hope that was once lost."
Pam Sullivan Masters
Louisville, KY

Renal or kidney disease is common in older dogs and cats, and requires careful monitoring and dietary changes. The commercial choices are limited but targeted to the disease process, while some dogs or cats are unable to tolerate the veterinary/prescription diets formulated for this disease. Should this happen to your furry family member, remember that we can formulate home-cooked diets specifically tailored for your family member's needs. We would work through your veterinarian to make recommendations about appropriate recipes. A nutritionist will regulate each nutrient that blood and urine tests indicate as problem areas.
If you live in the Orange County, CA area, there is someone who can teach you to make the diet, come to your home to make it, or it can be delivered, frozen, to your home. http://www.californiak9kitchen.com/

Early detection is important for long life.  Annual or semi-annual health checks for your "mature" family member with your veterinarian allow early detection of many diseases.

A personal Thank you to Pam and her daughter Cyndi.  I appreciate the kind words and you guys deserve a medal for your efforts. Perhaps I could come back as a 4-legged family member of yours.

Be well,
Susan and family

susan@petnutritionconsulting.com
http://www.petnutritionconsulting.com/
http://www.howlinghound.blogspotslauten/

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