By Dr. Jennifer Coates
I just had a disturbing conversation with a neighbor about his dog Maggie. Maggie is an elderly black lab who is doing surprisingly well despite suffering from diabetes mellitus, lumbosacral stenosis (causing extreme hind end weakness), protein-losing nephropathy (a disorder that causes her to spill protein into her urine), and allergies. She also recently recovered from a nasty bout of diarrhea, which her veterinarian suspects was a result of some changes she made in Maggie’s medication protocol. My neighbor often asks for my opinion about his animals’ health, so I didn’t think anything was out of the ordinary when he stopped me as I walked past his house… until he related the following story. Maggie’s itching had recently worsened. She has never had a full work up for her chronic, intermittent itching, but all signs point to it being a seasonal allergy to something in her environment (e.g., pollen). Each summer her scratching intensifies, improves with standard, symptomatic treatment for allergies, and then fades when the cold weather returns. John told me that her itching in combination with the recent diarrhea is what sent him to the pet supply store for advice. I didn’t have the nerve to ask why he didn’t first reach out to his veterinarian. Upon his arrival at the pet store, he was approached by a “very helpful” (his words, not mine) sales associate. John described his concerns at which point the sales associate told him that Maggie had a food allergy and should be eating a “limited ingredient” dog food. John bought the food and started feeding it to Maggie that night. Thankfully, Maggie had a regular monitoring appointment scheduled later in the week. Her veterinarian checked her blood sugar level, which turned out to be dangerously high despite the fact that her diabetic control had been excellent in the past. When I replied that I wasn’t surprised Maggie’s insulin needs were very different after starting a new diet, John looked completely shocked. I proceeded to describe what a delicate balancing act diabetes management is and how a change in virtually anything (diet, exercise, insulin dose or type, health status, etc.) can upset the apple cart. Maggie’s doctor had quickly figured out what was going on and encouraged John to put Maggie back on her previous diet. It took a little while, but the old girl (the dog, not the vet) is now back to what constitutes normal for her. Maggie’s story has a happy ending, but if it didn’t, there would have been plenty of blame to go around. Her veterinarian didn’t do a good enough job educating John on the intricacies of diabetic management. John should never have listened to the advice of someone with little training in canine nutrition. The pet store employee’s misdiagnosis of a food allergy and misunderstanding of her case almost cost a beautiful dog her life. If you are responsible for feeding a dog with diabetes, or any disease for which dietary management plays a crucial role, please talk to your veterinarian before changing foods. Pet owners often complain that vets only recommend diets so they can make money off of selling them. If this is true, you shouldn’t seek dietary advice from a business that makes a much bigger percentage of its profits off pet food sales, you should look for a new vet.
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MADRID - Health authorities on Tuesday ordered the death of the dog owned by a Spanish health worker infected with Ebola in Madrid, triggering a campaign to save him by her husband and animal rights activists. The husband, Javier Limon, who has been placed in quarantine, contacted local media to object to the decision by Madrid's department of health. "They told me that if I didn't give authorization, they would get a judicial order to enter my home by force and sacrifice the dog," he told El Mundo newspaper. The authorities said in a statement there was a risk the dog could be "a carrier of the virus even without showing symptoms", and that it could "expel the virus in its fluids with a potential risk of contagion". Romero said the dog, Excalibur, was isolated at home with a stockpile of food and water and could relieve himself outside. The story triggered a petition and some heated responses on Twitter, under the hashtag #SalvemosAExcalibur (#SaveExcalibur). Animal rights group Pacma said there was no evidence of the Ebola virus being transmitted from dogs to humans. "He should be examined and placed in quarantine, and treated if necessary," said Javier Moreno, a co-founder of Pacma. Image: Villa Pepa Protective Association / via Facebook Source: AFP Dogs will tell you in subtle ways when they're not happy – do you know what the signals mean?Before a baby is born, it is imperative you learn to read your dog's body language so that you can interpret the often subtle signs that mean a dog is unhappy or uncomfortable.
"The better you become at reading your dog's body language, the better you will be at avoiding accidents," said Gina DiNardo Lash, assistant vice president of the American Kennel Club. "My main rule is to never leave a dog alone with an infant or toddler." In the meantime, it is helpful to crate-train your dog if you haven't done so already, Lash said. A crate provides a cozy and secure place for the dog to rest and take a time-out from all the new sights, sounds, and smells of the new baby. When the dog becomes uncomfortable, it will appreciate having its own special place to recuperate. Too Much of a Good Thing Many dogs will tolerate being hugged while giving very clear signals they are unhappy or uncomfortable. Often a dog will bite after giving signals that it wants the hugging to stop. Dogs don't like hugs, believe it or not," said Kellyann Conway, director of animal training and behavior for Animal Pet Video and Petfinder.com. "Dogs don't greet each other with hugs when they meet. When one dog places himself over the shoulder and neck area of another dog, he is seeking status over the dog." According to the American Kennel Club:
Interpreting Meaning Recognizing warning signs in a dog's body language will help tremendously in improving the relationship between pet and child, Lash said. While all dogs are individuals, some gestures are considered universal:
Members of the Pack Dogs may believe that children are members of the pack, and a pack leader may lean heavily on a toddler, paw at the child roughly, or hurt the child by accident. "It's important that toddlers understand the pet isn't a toy, that in fact it's very delicate," Conway said. "Make it clear there can be no tail or ear pulling, chasing, jumping on, hitting, teasing, yelling, or any other behavior that could frighten or hurt your pet." Here are some more tips for ensuring a safe interaction between pets and children:
The best dogs to be around children are those owned by responsible adults. Take the time to learn dog body language and teach your child the proper way to behave around a dog. PARIS - A mayor in eastern France has refused to sign a license for two dogs named "Itler" and "Iva" who he claims are owned by an official from France's far-right National Front.
"I don't want to sign this licence ... of course 'Itler' and 'Iva' make you think of Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun, a dubious play on words," said Luc Binsinger, the mayor of the small town of Saint-Nicolas-de-Port. "I have written to the local prefect to ask him what I can do. In the meantime, I'm not signing," he told AFP, adding he believed the owner of the two American Staffordshire Terriers was a local National Front official. "It's completely mad. Stupid even," added Binsinger. The owner had already secured an initial license -- required in France for dangerous dogs -- but the names had apparently not raised eyebrows at the time. "It's not a question of how dangerous the dogs are, it's a question of principle," said Binsinger. Neither the local prefect nor the owner could be immediately reached for comment. There is in theory no restrictions on naming animals in France ... with one exception -- you cannot call a pig Napoleon, due to a law aimed at preserving the image of the Emperor which is still on the statute books. Source: AFP Hippocrates said “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” He knew that nutrition was the foundation for a healthy life. But more than that, he realized that it was substances in food that was key. What he didn’t know is how that key unlocked the power within the food we eat. Nutrigenomics has unlocked that mystery. This science will revolutionize dietary management for ourselves and our pets.
What is Nutrigenomics? We now know the entire human, canine and feline genetic code. We also have technological advances that allow us to look at the expression of genes to stimuli in real, nanosecond time. This means we can actually measure the effects of chemicals on the DNA of the cell. Neutrogenomics looks at these gene expression changes as a result of chemicals in foods. It identifies positive or negative responses to substances in foods. This information has verified some long standing beliefs in the benefits from certain foods and unmasked the failure of purported beliefs about other foods. Dog Food Example of Nutrigenomics Recently a well-known commercial producer of veterinary weight loss diets for dogs and cats introduced some new products. The company presented the results of they had achieved with these products at the latest Academy of Veterinary Internal Medicine Symposium that I recently attended in Nashville, Tennessee. They documented more fat loss and less muscle loss during weight loss using their proprietary diet blend. Fat loss is desirable during dieting. Muscle loss is not desirable because muscles are the leading source of caloric expenditure during dieting. But traditional weight loss diets involve muscle loss. This loss contributes to decreased calorie expenditure during dieting and contributes to the weight plateaus or even weight gain during the dieting process. The most effective weight loss diet would maximize fat loss while sparing muscle mass. And that was the aim of this company’s new diet formulation. Utilizing nurtigenomic analysis, their compelling results suggested that specific amounts of tomato pumice, coconut oil, and the amino acids L-lysine, L-carnitine and L-leucine triggered a favorable genetic change during a calorie restricted diet. The response of the cellular nucleus to the chemicals in these ingredients and these amino acids induced DNA to turn on genes that preferentially burned fat while preserving muscle. The data presented by the company is definitely limited and much more long term study is needed, but the power of this new science, nutrigenomics, is great stuff. This is especially true for those of us dedicated to homemade diets. Nutrogenomics and Homemade Pet Food At this point in time, most nutrigenomic information is proprietary and patented. The company above has made certain that their formula is protected. But this information will eventually become more readily available as the science becomes more common place. As it does, I will certainly incorporate these ingredients, in appropriate amounts, in my homemade diet programs so the power of nutrigenomics is available for your dog’s nutrition and greater health. For years, many have advocated for the inclusion of certain foods in our and our pet’s diets. With nutrigenomics we can now objectively analyze these claims and truly choose foods that in fact contain chemicals that can favorably alter our metabolism. akk’s Pacific, Inc. and KONG have voluntarily recalled two lots of dog treats from PetSmart stores due to non-toxic mold growth. The following KONG dog treats are being recalled: KONG Jumbo Aussie Sticks Beef Item Code: 75559 Best Before Dates: 01/30/16 and 01/31/16 KONG Jumbo Aussie Sticks Lamb Item Code: 75560 Best Before Dates: 01/30/16 and 01/31/16 According to a company letter obtained by Pet360, the mold is non-toxic and only affected the two lots listed above. It was discovered in the Jakk’s warehouse, where KONG Jumbo Aussie Sticks are manufactured. Both dog treat product lots affected by this recall are in the process of being destroyed. The small amount of product that shipped to PetSmart has been proactively withdrawn from their warehouses and removed from all shelves. To date, no consumer complaints have been received by KONG. If you have KONG Jumbo Aussie Sticks that are affected by this recall, you are advised to return it to PetSmart for a full refund. RECALL (9/26/14): Recall of Bravo® Select Chicken and Turkey Pet Foods Due to Salmonella Health Risk10/1/2014 Contact Consumer: 866-922-9222 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - September 26, 2014 - (Manchester, CT) Bravo of Manchester, CT is recalling select lots of Bravo Turkey and Chicken pet foods for dogs and cats because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.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 some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. 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 recalled product was distributed nationwide beginning on November 14, 2013 to distributors, retail stores, internet retailers and directly to consumers. The product can be identified by the batch ID code (best used by date) printed on the side of the plastic tube. 1) These products are being recalled because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. RAW FOOD DIET BRAVO! TURKEY BLEND FOR DOGS AND CATS Product Number: 31-102 Size: 2 lb. (32 OZ) plastic tubes Best used by date: 11-05-15 UPC: 829546311025 Keep Frozen Bravo! Blends All Natural Chicken Blend diet for dogs & cats Product Number: 21-102 Size: 2 lb. (32 OZ) plastic tubes Best used by date: 08-11-16 UPC: 829546211028 Keep Frozen 2) These products are being recalled out of an abundance of caution because they were manufactured in the same manufacturing facility or on the same day as products that tested positive. Premium Turkey Formula BRAVO Balance RAW DIET Product Number: 31-405 Size: 5 lb. (80 OZ) 2.3KG plastic tubes Best used by date: 11-05-15 UPC: 829546314057 Keep Frozen Bravo! Blends All Natural Chicken Blend diet for dogs & cats Product Number: 21-105 Size: 5 lb. (80 OZ) 2.3KG plastic tubes Best used by date: 08-11-16 UPC: 829546211059 Keep Frozen The recall was initiated after routine testing by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture revealed the presence of Salmonella in two lots of product. This batch tested negative by a third party independent laboratory prior to release for distribution to consumers. No additional products affected by this recall. The company has received no reports of illness in either people or animals associated with these products to date. In addition to the voluntary recall of the above products, Bravo has chosen to voluntarily withdraw the following poultry products from the marketplace to provide its customers with the certainty of safety. Those products include all sizes (2 lb., 5 lb. and 10 lb.) of Bravo Chicken Blend(s), Bravo Turkey Blend(s), Bravo Balance Chicken Balance and Bravo Balance Premium Turkey Formula frozen raw diet products with best used by dates between June 20, 2016 and September 18, 2016. This is being done out of an abundance of caution despite no evidence of any manufacturing defect or distribution problem. None of these products are known to have tested positive for the presence of pathogens. This market withdrawal has NOT been requested by the FDA, but is being done voluntarily by Bravo. The recalled product should not be sold or fed to pets. Pet owners who have the affected product at home should dispose of this product in a safe manner (example, a securely covered trash receptacle). Customers who have purchased the recalled pet food can return to the store where purchased and submit the Product Recall Claim Form available on the Bravo websitewww.bravopetfoods.com for a full refund or store credit. More information on the Bravo recall can also be found atwww.bravopetfoods.com, or call toll free (866) 922-9222 Monday through Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (EST). Product labels for the affected products are attached. This past September was designated as Happy Cat Month. That’s right — a whole month dedicated to keeping your cat happy and, of course, healthy.
Although we're now at the end of September, here are my top tips for keeping your cat happy throughout the year. Provide entertainment for your cat. Make sure your cat has lots of toys to play with and also make sure you set aside some personal time for interacting and playing with your cat. It will help you bond with your cat and also promote exercise, an important part of your cat’s routine to prevent weight gain and to keep your cat’s mind stimulated. Make sure all your cat’s needs are met by providing a clean litter box, perches, hiding places, and scratching surfaces. A clean food and water dish is essential as well. In multiple cat households, you’ll need additional sets of resources. Without these things, your cat is likely to become stressed and may start exhibiting unwanted behaviors. Stress can also be a contributing factor in illnesses for your cat. Keep your cat lean and fit. An overweight cat is more susceptible to a variety of diseases, including diabetes. Lots of toys and interactive play will be a big factor in increasing exercise for your cat, helping to burn calories and keep your cat at a proper weight. Diet, of course, plays a role as well. Feed your cat a high quality diet appropriate to your cat’s lifestage. Make sure the diet is complete and balanced. Feed in a proportion that keeps your cat from gaining excess weight. This next tip may not make your cat particularly happy but regular veterinary visits are essential for maintaining your cat’s health. Of course, a healthy cat is a happy one. Don’t forget about your cat’s teeth. Regular oral care will help keep your cat’s mouth healthy and help prevent dental disease, a common malady in cats. If your cat enjoys spending time outdoors, consider providing a catio. A catio is an outdoor enclosure that will confine your cat to a given space and provide protection from the threats faced by cats that spend time outdoors unsupervised. A catio can provide hours of entertainment for your cat. Another option is taking your cat outdoors on a collar or harness and leash. Your cat will enjoy investigating the outdoor environment and you will be there to keep him safe and secure. For more information about Happy Cat Month, more tips, information about adoption, and a list of helpful resources, please visit the CATalyst Council Happy Cat Month page. |
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