With the New Year in full swing many of us think about our waistlines and dieting. Some will start dieting before the holidays to fit into those party clothes. Others will contemplate strategies for eating during the holidays to minimize gain with the goal to lose those extra pounds after the holidays. You know, the proverbial “New Year’s Resolution.” We should not forget about our pets' waistlines either. Since cats often pose the greatest challenge when it comes to weight loss presentations at the 2014 Academy of Veterinary Internal Medicine Symposium in Nashville, Tennessee, highlighted the following weight loss strategies for cats. Chronic Calorie Reduction Chronic calorie reduction is a weight loss strategy based on restricting calories at a calculated level and maintaining or reducing that level of calories until a cat achieves its ideal weight. In this particular study, 32 client owned, obese cats were evaluated by a sophisticated X-ray technology (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry or DEXA) to determine their ideal body weights (IBW). The cats were then put on a diet that delivered 80% of the calories necessary for their resting energy requirement, or RER. RER is the absolute minimum number of calories necessary for body function at complete rest; not the amount of calories needed for maintenance energy requirement (MER) that includes normal, regular daily activities. The cats were fed this way until they reached their IBW, or until 104 weeks (2 years), whichever came first. Twenty-six percent of the cats left the study early due to owner non-compliance. Owner relocation, cat aggression to researchers, and other medical reasons caused another nine cats to drop from the study. Of the seventeen cats that finished the study, thirteen (76%) achieved their IBW within the first year. Three other cats achieved IBW in the second year, and one cat did not achieve IBW in the time period. Calorie adjustments during the testing period varied from as low as 40% of RER calories to as high as 100% of RER calories based on periodic weight monitoring. Periodic blood testing ensured the safety of the diet for the cats. Intermittent Calorie Restriction Intermittent calorie restriction is a weight loss strategy where animals are calorie restricted part of the time and fed normally the other times. In this study, 28 laboratory cats were divided into two equal groups. Fourteen cats were fed 75% of their estimated MER for six months. The other fourteen cats were fed 75% of their MER for the first two weeks of the month and then 100% of their MER for the second two weeks for twelve months. These cats were fed longer so that their calorie restricted period matched the period for the group that was chronically restricted for six months. Weekly body weights and monthly body scans for body fat were performed on all cats throughout the study period. The researchers found that the intermittent group lost more body fat than the chronically restricted group. They also found that 82% of the intermittent group achieved IBW in the time period versus only 36% of the chronic restriction group. The Bottom Line The intermittent strategy may prove to be a more effective program for two reasons: It has the potential for decreasing the metabolic changes that occur during dieting that promote weight regain after dieting. This may mean that cats can be fed a more satisfying amount of calories after dieting. Presently, those cats and dogs that lose weight on chronic calorie restrictions are only able to ingest 10% more calories after their diet (anecdotal evidence from researchers and my own clinical experience). More importantly, owner compliance may be better if there is not the perception of starving their babies. Certainly more research is needed to address these concerns. Some human research has yielded the same results with intermittent calorie restriction. Perhaps this is the way we should strategize for the holidays for ourselves and our pets. Happy Holidays! A Peaceful Farewell provides compassionate at home pet euthanasia to fellow pet owners in Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Scottsdale, and most of the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area.
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Take a close look at the front of a few dog food labels the next time you are at the pet supply store. Do you know what’s behind the phraseology that you see there? In some cases, what is written is defined by a regulatory body, but other terms are essentially meaningless. Read on to learn which words and phrases you should look for and which are pure marketing hype. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) has established rules about how the front of a dog food label can reference ingredients. For example:
Other terms that have specific definitions include: Natural The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) defines “natural” as being derived “solely from plant, animal or mined sources, either in its unprocessed state or having been subjected to physical processing, heat processing, rendering, purification extraction, hydrolysis, enzymolysis or fermentation, but not having been produced by or subject to a chemically synthetic process and not containing any additives or processing aids that are chemically synthetic except in amounts as might occur unavoidably in good manufacturing practices.” Organic Agricultural products labeled as organic are produced in accordance with the provisions of the Organic Foods Production Act and the regulations of the National Organic Program as outlined by the USDA. The term indicates that an agricultural product has been produced through approved methods that integrate cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity. Synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, irradiation, and genetic engineering may not be used. Human Grade Human food safety and sanitation standards are described in regulations adopted by the FDA. Description of a product as human-grade indicates compliance with these standards. For a manufactured pet food, both the ingredients and final product processing must comply with the standards. Thus, unless a pet food manufacturing facility complies with human food safety standards, once ingredients enter the facility they are no longer human-grade and it would not be appropriate to describe the finished pet food or ingredients as human-grade. Many of the other terms that you’ll find on dog food labels are really just hype. Simplify your dog food shopping experience and ignore any references to a food being holistic, ancestral, instinctual, premium, super-premium, or containing no fillers. A Peaceful Farewell provides compassionate at home pet euthanasia to fellow pet owners in Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Scottsdale, and most of the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area.
Jump Your Bones, Inc. Recalls Roo Bites (Cubes) Pet Treats Because of Possible Salmonella ContaminationContact: Consumer: (888) 249-6755 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – December 31, 2014 – Jump Your Bones, Inc. of Boca Raton, Florida is voluntarily recalling Jump Your Bones brand name Roo Bites (Cubes) because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. No pet or consumer illnesses from this product have been reported to date. Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products. Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers. Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever, and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian. The affected lots of Jump Your Bones Pet Treats were distributed to retail pet food stores nationwide and through pet food retailers/distributors. The affected products are sold in Boutique Bags and online stores. The products affected by this recall are only identified with the following UPC codes: 63633010041 for 80g. / 2.82oz. including samples of .32 oz. This recall is being made with the knowledge of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Consumers who have purchased the above product of Jump Your Bones, Inc. pet treats are urged to stop feeding them and return product to place of purchase for a full refund or dispose of them immediately. For further information about the recall please call (888) 249-6755 from Monday – Friday 9am – 5PM EST. A Peaceful Farewell provides compassionate at home pet euthanasia to fellow pet owners in Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Scottsdale, and most of the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area.
A Peaceful Farewell provides compassionate at home pet euthanasia to fellow pet owners in Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Scottsdale, and most of the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area. A Life of Furry Luxury
Have you always dreamed of vacationing with your pet? You're not alone. More than three-quarters of traveling pet owners would take Fido or Fifi on every vacation if they could, according to an AAA press release. Unfortunately, more than half of those survey takers reported difficulty finding pet-friendly accommodations. Don't despair, though. They are out there. From luxurious to economic, here are the best pet-friendly hotel chains in America. 1. Kimpton Hotels The first full-service hotel company to welcome pets, Kimpton Hotels has over 50 one-of-a-kind properties in major urban and resort destinations across the United States. Not only is each and every location pet-friendly with amenities like pet beds and complimentary nightly wine receptions where pets are welcome, but families with pets are never charged an extra fee or deposit. Additionally, any size, weight, shape, or breed of pet is accepted — feathery and scaly ones, too! 2. Loews Hotel The "Loews Loves Pets" program is an amenities smorgasbord for pet-loving vacationers, including a welcomes package with a pet bowl, dog tag, and treats as well as special services like dog walking, pet sitting, and doggie spa treatments. Loews has even partnered with Banfield Pet Hospital to offer furry guests a complimentary examination and a 15% discount on services during their stay. Hotel guests pay a daily $25/pet fee. 3. Hilton Even though Hilton hotels are known the world over, you may be unaware of their pet-friendly policies. Over 300 properties are "pet ready" with bowls, placemats, and travel totes filled with organic treats, bio-degradable waste bags, and a travel-sized bottle of deodorizing disinfectant. Fees and policies may vary, so call ahead before booking a room. 4. La Quinta Inns & Suites La Quinta has over 700 pet-friendly locations from coast to coast. Cats and dogs up to 50 pounds are allowed in guest rooms with no fees or deposits required. However, you must be present or your pet must be crated when rooms are freshened up by the housekeepers. 5. Extended Stay America With over 680 pet-friendly properties and 5 brands to choose from, ExtendedStay Hotels offers plenty of options for you and your pet to find the perfect hotel. There is a limit of up to two pets per room as well as a $25/day pet fee and a non-refundable cleaning fee (not to exceed $150/pet). Contact the hotel directly to ask more about specific weight, size and breed restrictions. Your puppy is brand new and you want to protect him. The best thing you can do is to feed him or her a healthy, balanced diet to help promote your puppy's immune system. With that said, you can’t protect your baby pooch from everything. Here are six common illnesses he could catch in his first year of life. 1. PARVOVIRUS (PARVO) This highly contagious virus attacks puppies aged between 12 weeks and up to 3 years. Transmitted through bodily secretions, parvovirus is easily passed on, though most dogs are vaccinated against it starting at six to eight weeks, then again every three weeks until they are four months old (or until your veterinarian recommends). Symptoms: Parvo in dogs starts with a fever, and at this point puppies are probably very contagious (to other dogs, not humans). After a few days, they will experience vomiting and bloody diarrhea and become dehydrated and weak. Treatment: Vaccinate against parvovirus! If you haven’t, hospitalization is the best route, where your puppy will be given IV fluids and sometimes antibiotics to prevent sepsis, which can be fatal. Recovery time: Three to seven days. Puppies with parvo are usually hospitalized for three to four days then go home with medications. 2. DISTEMPER The vaccination against distemper is quite effective. The first vaccination takes place at six to eight weeks, and again after 9 weeks, and when puppies have had one or two vaccines they are immune. Consult your veterinarian for the best course of action for your dog concerning the distemper vaccine. Symptoms: This can really be an ugly disease. It shows in two ways: Initially distemper in dogs typically appears as an upper respiratory disease with sneezing and eye discharge. Then it can develop into pneumonia or can lead to neurological problems such as a fatal encephalopathy (brain damage). Distemper in dogs is frequently misdiagnosed because owners think their puppy has a "cold" so by the time we see them they have tons of discharge from their nose and eyes and have high fever. They are also depressed. Treatment: Seek medical attention for distemper in dogs. This usually involves inpatient supportive care. Recovery time: It can take weeks to recover from canine distemper and pets usually go home from the hospital with respiratory medications. The bad news about canine distemper is if your puppy survives it, the disease can lie dormant and break out again when she’s older. At that point she has an even worse prognosis because the disease can lead to neurological problems such as seizures. 3. KENNEL COUGH Bacteria or parainfluenza viruses, both of which are airborne, cause kennel cough in dogs — also known as infectious tracheobronchitis. The disease name is a misnomer because animals that aren’t in kennels can —and do — contract it. Puppies can be vaccinated against kennel cough starting at six to eight weeks, and then every six to 12 months after that, though the vaccine doesn’t necessarily protect against the disease, but does lead to milder symptoms. Symptoms: Kennel cough starts with lethargy, decreased appetite and fever, then puppies develop a deep, often productive, cough. If untreated, kennel cough can lead to pneumonia. Treatment: If you note any unusual coughing from your puppy it’s best to get him checked out to make sure he’s not developing pneumonia. Recovery time: Kennel cough usually runs its course in 10 to 14 days. 4. ADENOVIRUS Adenovirus in dogs causes hepatitis, but it’s rarely seen these days because of the efficacy of vaccines. Often the adenovirus vaccine is given with the canine distemper vaccine, though you may want to ask your veterinarian. Symptoms: It’s really difficult to know if your dog has adenovirus, but it typically starts with gastrointestinal problems like vomiting and diarrhea and can develop into jaundice. Treatment: Inpatient fluid therapy and nutritional support may be required. Your doctor will prescribe antibiotics and/or fluid reducers as necessary. 5. LEPTOSPIROSIS This bacterial disease can affect the kidneys and the liver and is transmitted through contaminated water and infected urine. Your puppy can be vaccinated against leptospirosis at 10 to 12 weeks, then again at 13 to 15 weeks. Be aware that not all clinics vaccinate for leptospirosis, so ask your veterinarian if it's appropriate for your puppy. Symptoms: Symptoms of leptospirosis are flu-like: Vomiting and/or fever and/or lethargy. Treatment: Antibiotics Recovery time: Depending on the severity of the infection, an antibiotic course can last four weeks or more. 6. VOMITING (AND DIARRHEA) If your puppy’s suffering from either of these nasties, the first thing to rule out is intestinal parasites. If these are not the cause vomiting/diarrhea, your pooch has probably just eaten or licked something he shouldn’t have. Nine times out of 10 what they’ve consumed comes back out again. Other causes could be one of the diseases listed above. Treatment: Continue to offer water, and provide food if your puppy asks for it but that’s less essential than keeping them hydrated. After 12 hours (vomiting) or 24 hours (diarrhea), take your dog to your veterinarian if he’s not getting better. Your veterinarian can provide you with a therapeutic bland diet to help your puppy feel better. Recovery time: Your puppy should recover from vomiting or diarrhea that is not related to a parasite within 12 to 24 hours. A Peaceful Farewell provides compassionate at home pet euthanasia to fellow pet owners in Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Scottsdale, and most of the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area.
It's no secret that people are crazy about their pets, but how much would you pay to save a goldfish? A man spent 300 pounds or $460 in U.S. dollars on a procedure to save his 3-inch goldfish's life. The pet owner brought the sick fish to Toll Barn Veterinary Centre in North Walsham, U.K. for a consultation and was told the fish had two small tumors that would require surgery. In an e-mail to USA TODAY Network, Faye Bethell, a veterinarian at the clinic, said one of tumors was preventing the fish from passing feces. After initially refusing treatment because of the hefty price tag, the owner changed his mind. Bethell said they began the procedure by introducing a small amount of anesthetizing agent into the goldfish's water. After the anesthesia took effect, the fish was placed on a waterproof drape and anesthetic water was inserted into the fish's mouth through a tube and bubbled over the gills, Bethell said. During the nearly hour-long procedure, Bethell used a miniature heart-rate monitor to ensure the fish was "under" and removed two lumps with a mini scalpel. Finally, Bethell stitched closed the tiny incisions and covered them with a special "glue" to waterproof the scales before the fish was slowly awakened. Mary Bowerman, USA TODAY A Peaceful Farewell provides compassionate at home pet euthanasia to fellow pet owners in Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Scottsdale, and most of the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area.
Enola, a 35-year-old African Sulcata tortoise, is one of three rescued or adopted by the videographer. She gets in the dog door occasionally, just looking for a little excitement. A Peaceful Farewell provides compassionate at home pet euthanasia to fellow pet owners in Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Scottsdale, and most of the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area.
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