DO YOU KNOW WHO MAKES YOUR PET'S FOOD?

The vast majority of pet owners buy their pet food in the same store where they buy their groceries. Many pet parents purchase diets prescribed by their pet's veterinarian to treat different disease problems. But is there really a difference in the quality of ingredients used to make these foods? While some foods are proclaimed to be made in US facilities, the real question lies in the sourcing of the ingredients to make those foods. It is IMPOSSIBLE to know where the ingredients started by reading the pet food label. Pet food companies are allowed to say "Made in the USA" if the food is put together in the US. It does not mean the ingredients started in the US. Commonly, synthetic vitamin/mineral supplements are sourced overseas, usually China. The latest new ploy, now that pet parents have decided to avoid products "Made in China" is for the pet food companies to source or assemble in Viet Nam, Cambodia, Thailand, or Taiwan. The question is, how safe are ingredients originating in those countries? What oversight governs production of food (or feed) products? Who tests the ingredients before entry into the United States? My recommendation for every consumer (yes, you have homework) is to call the company that makes the food you want to feed. Ask them where they source their ingredients. Ask if the meat is sourced from free range, antibiotic-free, hormone-free flocks or herds. Ask them what kind of purity and quality testing they perform. Ask if they use synthetic vitamins or real vitamins. Ask if they add artificial flavors and colors. Once you make a list of questions, you can easily find a phone number to reach the company by looking online or looking on a bag or can of the food. A good pet food company will readily answer your questions and be pleased to serve you. I recently called Allprovide pet food and asked these questions. The owner of the company answered the phone and provided a clear answer to every question. I called the Dingo pet treat company and got a run-around with a lot of unanswered questions. Who would you buy from?

Xylitol and Artificial Sweeteners are Extremely Toxic to Dogs

Xylitol is a natural, sugar-free sweetener commonly found in many chewing gums, mints, snacks, oral rinses, peanut butter, toothpaste, and supplements. Xylitol can be extremely toxic when eaten by dogs. The xylitol content of these products can vary widely depending on brand and flavor.

Signs of xylitol poisoning in dogs include:

• Weakness
• Lethargy
• Collapse
• Vomiting
• Tremoring
• Seizures
• Jaundice
• Black-tarry stool
• Coma or death

If you suspect your dog ingested xylitol, contact your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) immediately. 

In dogs, ingestion of 1 gram per 20 pounds of body weight can cause an acute, life-threatening low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) within 10-15 minutes. Take the packaging with you when you see your veterinarian so the amount ingested can be determined. Ingestion of larger amounts can result in liver failure. Depending on the symptoms in your dog, vomiting may be induced by your veterinarian. Treatment includes monitoring of blood sugar and liver values, IV fluids, sugar supplementation in IV fluids, and liver protective drugs [e.g., milk thistle, S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe)], as needed. Activated charcoal does not reliably bind xylitol, therefore it is not recommended. Blood work (evaluating liver function) should be re-evaluated 2-3 days after discharge, depending on the toxic dose ingested.

Please keep all products containing xylitol out of reach from your pet. I see pets that have taken these products from lady’s purses quite commonly and I have also seen cases where children “shared” with the family dog.

Kidney Failure in Cats and How to Treat it Naturall

Kidney failure in cats is the number one problem reported to pet insurance companies. Some things that can contribute to kidney disease include

high blood pressure, chronic urinary tract infection, urinary tract obstruction, viral diseases, and some drugs (like NSAIDS).

Symptoms of chronic kidney disease can include: 

• Decreased appetite
• Weight loss
• Rough coat
• Poor grooming
• Vomiting
• Increased or decreased thirst and urination

Cats do not drink enough water in general. When they are fed dry food they make very concentrated urine and the kidneys have to work very hard. Because the urine is so concentrated the cats tend to make crystals and stones in their urinary tract. Kidney stones are much more common since we have been feeding so much dry food to cats.

One simple solution to kidney disease prevention is feeding a high-moisture, species appropriate diet. In nature, cats would eat fresh-killed prey that is high in moisture and protein. Dry food with only 3-6% moisture that is high in carbohydrates is inappropriate for cats and contributes to chronic kidney disease.

Treatment for kidney disease includes feeding a very high moisture diet. Traditional veterinarians recommend feeding low protein diets, including dry diets. These are inappropriate, in my opinion.
Newer research has shown that old animals have a higher need for protein and should not be fed overly protein-restricted diets. Treatment can include subcutaneous fluids given frequently, injections of B vitamins, D vitamin supplementation, high moisture species-appropriate diet (meat!), supplements, blood pressure medications, and a low-stress environment. Acupuncture and herbals can also be very helpful.

For more information, check out my book From Needles To Natural, the chapters on kidney disease and feeding cats.

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Osteoarthritis in Dogs and how to Treat it Naturally

Osteoarthritis is the third most common problem in dogs reported by pet insurance groups. Osteoarthritis is seen more commonly in older dogs, but even young dogs with elbow or hip dysplasia can have osteoarthritis. On radiographs, there will be bone spurs and chips and joint swelling. The joints may feel enlarged or hot on palpation.

Most people think arthritis symptoms are worse in cold, damp weather, but there are actually some forms of arthritis that are worse in hot, dry weather. No pet should have to suffer from the pain of arthritis, as there are so many treatments available to help them. Traditional veterinarians will tend to grab an NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) as the first line of defense, as these medications will decrease inflammation and pain. But they come at a cost; many dogs will develop liver or kidney disease secondary to drug usage.

There are many alternatives available. In my practice, we use supplements like glucosamine/chondroitin/hyaluronic acid, colostrum, PSGAGS, and omega 3 fatty acids to help rebuild joints and decrease inflammation. We use therapies like acupuncture, cold laser therapy, and chiropractic manipulation to decrease pain. Weight management is very important for these dogs, so a species-appropriate diet with an appropriate amount of caloric density is paramount. Chinese herbs and homeopathic remedies can also be used to decrease pain and inflammation.

Don’t settle for poorly managed pain for your dog. For more information, check out by book From Needles To Natural, the chapter on degenerative joint disease.

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somewhere i have a great hip dysplasia photo. If not i'll try to find one at work

How to Treat and Cure Ear Infections in Dogs

The second most common problem for dogs, as reported to insurance companies for reimbursement, is otitis – infected ears. I commonly see dogs with chronically infected ears in my practice. If I can get owners to follow a few simple instructions, the problem can usually be solved for good.

Before

First and foremost, have your veterinarian perform cytology to see what is growing in the ear. This
procedure is very simple and painless. A small amount of debris from the infected ear(s) is obtained using a cotton swab. The debris is smeared on a microscope slide, stained, and observed under the microscope. The infection can be identified as a yeast or bacterial infection. Bacteria can be identified according to type, as cocci or rods. Determining the organisms is important, as this will dictate the treatment.

After First Treatment

Bacterial infections are commonly found secondary to getting water in the ear after bathing or swimming and should respond quickly to treatment. They should not be recurring if the correct therapy has been implemented. If the infection is occurring secondary to a polyp or mass down in the ear canal, the mass will need to be removed in order to solve the problem permanently. Your veterinarian should use an otoscope to examine the external ear canals, all the way down to the ear drum, making sure there has been no rupture of the tympanic membrane (ear drum).

If yeast is detected on cytology, it is most commonly associated with an allergy. The most common yeasty otitis externa is a food allergy. Over 95% of external ear infections in my practice will respond to treatment if the diet is modified to eliminate the offending allergen.
allergy that manifests as

Determining the source of the allergen can be very difficult. Traditional veterinarians and dermatologists will usually resort to prescription hypoallergenic diets. Even the board-certified dermatologists will admit that these diets only work about half the time. Part of the reason behind that could be the contamination of these diets that was proven in multiple studies and presented at the August 2015 AAFCO meeting.

I have had the best results by putting the pets on a single protein that they have never eaten, along with draining vegetables like turnips and radishes, fruits like pears and apples, and one carbohydrate. Some pets will not be able to tolerate any carbohydrates, which will be a bigger challenge. My first choice carbohydrate is usually quinoa, but sometimes I will use barley, as it is cooling and draining. The hypoallergenic diet must be maintained for at least six weeks. I will usually add a mineral supplement to the diet although short-term mineral deficiencies will not cause problems. Once it is determined which proteins the pet can tolerate, it may be possible to find a high-quality commercial diet that will solve the problem.

For clients who want a commercial product from the outset, I usually recommend a frozen or dehydrated raw product, as they are generally very high in protein, available in many different proteins, and have no grains that could contribute to allergies.  Commercial rabbit or duck diets are usually a good choice. Your pet does not have to suffer from chronic ear infections. You do not have to suffer from the odor and work of cleaning your dog’s ears. Cure the problem once and for all with diet and correct treatments. For more information, check out my book, From Needles To Natural, the chapters on ear disease and allergies.

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Pet Allergies and Itching

Before

Would it surprise you to know the most common pet insurance claim for dogs is related to allergies and itching? Many pets suffer from seasonal allergies to trees, weeds, grasses, molds, and pollens. Rather than suffering from runny eyes and nose, most pets develop intense itching. They lick and chew their feet and skin, causing hair loss, hot spots, and skin infections.

How do you help your pet through these tough times without resorting to the use of steroids and other harmful medications? First and foremost, your pet needs to have a healthy immune system. Since the majority of the immune system can be found in the cells lining the intestinal tract, it is paramount to keep those cells healthy. This can be accomplished by feeding a species-appropriate diet high in animal protein. Many pets do not do well on a high-carbohydrate diet and many suffer from allergies to the plant proteins found in kibble foods.

Use a high-quality probiotic, like Rx Biotic or Synacore, along with good food. The pre- and

After

probiotics found in these products help feed and restore the good bacteria found in the gut. The good bacteria fight the bad bacteria that release toxins into the bowel and bloodstream. Avoid antibiotics that kill off the good bacteria.

Allergy testing (by skin scratch or by serum blood tests) along with desensitization (with injections or oral therapy) can help decrease your pet’s itching by up to 90%. Omega 3 fatty acids are naturally anti-inflammatory and can be combined with herbal licorice. For hot spots that have appeared, apply honey to combat infection, cucumber slices to drain heat and swelling, and bathe the area with warm black tea to soothe and draw out inflammation.

There is no need for your pet to suffer from chronic allergies. By following a natural health protocol, you can keep your pet’s itching to a minimum. For more information, check out the chapter in my book From Needles To Natural on allergies.

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NUTRITION LABELS - WHAT DO THEY REALLY TELL YOU?

NUTRITION LABELS - WHAT DO THEY REALLY TELL YOU?

After the post regarding concerns with copper levels in pet food, it became apparent to me that folks take the pet food label as "gospel", believing the food contains the exact levels of each ingredient listed on the label. This is a false belief.

The labels on pet food bags list the guaranteed "maximum" or "minimum" of each ingredient. One or two batches of finished product are tested to confirm that the minimum or maximum levels are in line with the label claims. Not every batch of food is tested. In fact, very few batches are tested. Testing is very expensive and can cost upwards of $2500 per food. Even with home cooking, everything is a "best guess" when calculating fat, protein, calories, and nutrient profile.

Let's say you want to feed a low fat diet. Turkey is lower in fat, generally, than beef. So you buy ground turkey. Ground turkey can have turkey skin, white meat, and dark meat included, which will raise the fat content. I looked up copper content of beef liver and found the following levels on charts for the same amount of liver: 14.5 mg, 21.5, 14.3, and 12.0. These numbers are pretty different.

Every batch of food that is processed will have different levels of nutrients, depending on the ingredients used to make the food. Was the beef grass fed or feedlot cattle? Was the fish wild caught or farmed? Was the product refrigerated, fresh, or frozen prior to processing the food? How depleted was the soil upon which the grains were grown? Unless the exact nutrient profile of every ingredient is tested and known, there can be significant variation between batches. And we will only know the exact nutrient profile of a food if it is tested after production. Even then, how much degradation takes place if the bag or can of food sits in a warehouse or store for a year before being eaten?

The bottom line is that we do the best we can with the information we have available for each individual pet. Splitting hairs and trying to make this into an exact science is nonproductive and pretty impossible.

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