PAWS and CLAWS Pet Pantry - Tip of the Week

Essential Fatty Acids ( omega 3,6 and 9) are necessary for the support of healthy joints, heart, skin and hair. The raw diet is rich in omega 6 fatty acids found in meats and vegetables. The omega-3 fatty acids found in flax seed oil and fish body oil are very fragile and break down quickly in the presence of light, heat or air.

Fish oil as well as flax seed oil can become rancid when exposed to light, air and heat. These oils when in a liquid form should be kept in the fridge or freezer away from heat and light. Flax seed oil is very fragile, and should not be shaken as that disrupts the chemical composition of the oil.

These oils in gel caps may be kept at room temperature as they have a preservative added to prevent the oil from becoming rancid. Vitamin E is the preservative of choice. Because oils can deplete the body of vitamin E it is important to give supplemental vitamin E whenever supplementing with oils. The small amount of vitamin E included in some fish oil supplements is not enough, it is there only to help preserve the oil.

Vitamin E may be given on a daily basis, but given every two to three days is also fine. The recommended dosage is: for small dogs 100 IU, medium sized dogs, 200 IU, and large dogs 400 IU.

Borage Oil and Primrose Oil are a good source of omega 6 fatty acids. Borage oil and to a lesser extent Primrose Oil contain GLA (a form of omega 6 fatty acids) which can be helpful for depression, rheumatoid arthritis and panosteitis. They are not a source of omega-3 fatty acids, and are not a good daily supplement for most healthy dogs.

Salmon oil ( fish body oil, not liver oil) may be given daily as it is a good immune regulator, protects the kidneys, liver, heart and is also good for the skin.

For healthy dogs salmon oil (fish body oil, not liver oil) can be administered in doses of 1,000mg for every 20-30 pounds of body weight. If using salmon oil gel caps make sure that each 1,000mg capsule contains approximately 300mg of DHA and EPA combined. If what you are using has more than this, use proportionately less.

The therapeutic dosage for salmon oil (fish body oil not liver oil) is: 1,000 mg for every 10 pounds of body weight. Therapeutic doses are given in cases of kidney disease, for relief of inflammation due to arthritis, or allergies and to help regulate the immune system.

Vitamin A, present in plant matter in the form of beta-carotene may be deficient in a vegetarian diet that does not include dairy and eggs. Cats can not convert beta carotene into vitamin A and not all dogs can efficiently do the conversion. Taurine and L-carnitine are found only in animal tissue. Taurine is essential for cats. Previously it was thought that for dogs it was not essential to have taurine or L-carnitine but new research is finding that at least some dogs develop DCM (Dilated Cardiomyopathy) when they do not get enough of these nutrients.

Vegetarian diets are not only low in calcium, but the phytates in grains actually block calcium absorption. There fore a higher calcium intake is required to meet the animal's requirements.

When Your Dog Has Diarrhea

Once the gastrointestinal system is given a rest and a chance to heal, cases of simple diarrhea will clear up on their own. To facilitate the healing fasting is recommended for between 12-24 hours, (less for small dogs or puppies, longer for larger adult dogs). Only fluids should be offered. This protocol will usually clear up the problem. If symptoms are prolonged, always seek veterinary assistance.

"Struvite stones in the dog are almost always formed because of the urinary changes that occur with specific types of bladder infection: almost always Staphylococcal infection but occasionally a Proteus infection.

Bacteria capable of digesting urea are called urease positive bacteria and in most cases we are talking about Staphylococci. In the dog, the general rule is: No infection, no bladder stone."

Protein Requirements of Senior Dogs

http://www.purina.com/dogs/magazine.asp?article=256
"Nutritional research has shown that healthy older dogs need more protein than young adult dogs - as much as 50 percent more. The additional protein is required to maintain a geriatric dog's protein reserves and support protein turnover, which are important in helping the dog's immune system function at its full capacity. Dogs that do not receive adequate protein are more susceptible to stress, such as injury or infection."

http://b-naturals.com/Apr2003.php
"Protein, Kidneys and Senior Dogs"

Dogs with Renal Failure Need Reduced Phosphorus

http://web.archive.org/web/20011004133707/http://acmepet.petsmart.com/content/health/senior.html
"Indeed, newer research shows dietary protein is not detrimental to kidney function. On the contrary, protein restriction can result in impaired wound healing, diminished immune function and lowered enzyme activities and cellular turnover. Those dogs with impaired renal function do better with dietary phosphorus restriction; however, limiting this mineral is unlikely to delay the onset of renal disease or to benefit healthy geriatric dogs."

http://www.geocities.com/willowind_dals/gearhart2.html
"at least one study has taken several groups of dogs in kidney failure and fed them diets that varied in protein level and phosphorus level. The groups with severely restricted phosphorus lived longer than the groups with normal or high levels of phosphorus. The protein intake made no difference at all in longevity."

Feeding Fish

Fish is a wonderful source of protein for cats and dogs.

Caution should be taken when feeding certain fish raw. Salmon and related fish from the Pacific North West can be infected with an organism that causes Salmon poisoning in dogs if fed raw. All types of fish including Pacific North West Salmon, may be fed cooked or canned as cooking destroys this organism. Salmon from the Atlantic Ocean does not carry this organism.

www.vetmed.wsu.edu/ClientED/salmon.htm

Blood Work and Raw Fed Dogs #16

Before blood work is to be done a fast of 12 hours is recommended. If there is not a fast for at least 12 hours before blood is drawn, the BUN values may be elevated. Another cause of elevated BUN is dehydration. A slightly elevated BUN level is not a cause for concern as long as the creatinine and urine specific gravity are normal.

Egg shells as a Calcium Supplement 17

Powdered eggshells can be used as a calcium source when using boneless meats. A good rule of thumb is to use 1/2 tsp. of ground eggshells per 1 pound of meat. This amount of eggshells is equivalent to 2250 mg of calcium carbonate, or 900 mg of elemental calcium. As long as at least 40% of the diet is raw meaty bones it is not necessary to add calcium in any form.

Mad Cow Disease (BSE)

When feeding beef it is safe to feed muscle meat, heart, tripe and organs as BSE (mad cow disease) only affects the brain and spinal cord. At this time it is not thought that dogs can contract this disease, although a few cats have been shown to be infected.

All our meats are federally inspected which means in the case of our beef (locally raised in Ontario) that blood work is done to test for BSE before cattle can be slaughtered.

Stool Eating (coprophagia) #

In dogs stool eating may be caused by nutritional deficiency, boredom, a habit learned by seeing other dogs do it and malabsorption of food.

Winter Proof Your Pet (1 of 4) #18

THE GREAT OUTDOORS:

As a general rule, if it is too cold for you to be outside comfortably, then it is too cold for your pet. It is important to be able to get your dogs outside for fresh air as well as to relieve themselves. When it comes to cold temperatures older pets as well as puppies and kittens are particularly at risk. Even though most dogs with moderated to heavy coats prefer cooler temperatures as opposed to the heat of the summer, we must keep in mind that the cold wet weather can be harmful for even the hardiest of winter dogs. Frostbite or hypothermia can result if moisture from freezing rain and sleet can reach under the skin, thereby reducing the fur's insulating ability.

For smaller breeds without a lot of hair or for breeds without an undercoat, a sweater or a coat can help keep the body warm during walks or outdoor play. Keeping the chest warm will help protect vital organs. Boots can protect the paws from frostbite and road salt. When walking your dog in snow without boots it is a good idea to keep excess hair around the paws or pads trimmed to make snow removal easier, as there is a danger of "ice balls" - a build up of snow and ice around the paws that painfully pulls on the surrounding fur. Once inside from a winter walk it is important to clean and dry the paws as this helps to prevent cracked pads, tiny cuts, and ice balls.

Commercial protective balms are available and in a pinch petroleum jelly will also soften pads and help prevent injuries. When towelling down your pet after a walk make sure special attention is paid to the underbelly as warming the chest helps to protect vital organs.

Owners of out door cats should know that cats can loose their sense of smell in the snow. Cats who generally return nightly after exploring the neighbourhood may become disoriented or lost. Cats looking for warmth have a tendency to crawl into nooks and crannies.

Your car motor may be one of these warm spots. Before starting your car check under the vehicle, honk your horn or bang on the hood- this will give hiding animals an opportunity to escape.

Winter Proof Your Pet (3 of 4) #20

INSIDE DANGERS

Winter brings additional hazards even inside the home. Plugged in electric heaters can be a fire hazard with cord chewing pets. All working fire places should be fitted with a screen to prevent loose sparks from flying out and burning pets. Depending on the temperature in the home, it may be a good idea to put blankets on uncarpeted or tiled areas. When the weather is colder outside dogs and outdoor cats need higher levels of proteins and calories for the extra energy needed to stay warm and to maintain a healthy coat. This does not mean over feeding especially if the pet is less active in winter.

Winter Proof Your Pet (4 of 4) #21

HIDDEN AND NOT SO HIDDEN POISONS

Both inside and outside of the house what your pet ingests may be very dangerous to his health. Salt or various chemical compounds used to melt the snow can lead to pad burns or much worse when ingested by pets as they lick their paws after being outdoors in the snow. Ingestion of these chemicals can lead to gastrointestinal problems, seizures as well as throat burns. Vomiting, Diarrhea, increased drinking and urination are the symptoms to watch for.

Antifreeze is a sweet tasting liquid that is very attractive to animals whose outside water dish has frozen over. Ingestion of even a tiny amount of antifreeze can be very dangerous and warrants an emergency call to your veterinarian. Symptoms range from behavioural changes such as depression and vomiting, a stumbling walk, an increase in thirst and eventually kidney failure.

Certain plants have a high concentration of chemicals in their bark and /or seeds as well as the leaves. House plants such as rhododendron, azalea, philodendron and dumb cane are dangerous to pets. Holiday plants can be especially nasty. Seasonal lilies can cause kidney failure. Mistletoe berries result in gastrointestinal problems while Christmas holly can cause vomiting and Diarrhea. Poinsettia is not as toxic but can cause a severely irritated mouth leading to vomiting.

Potpourri can be irritating to the mouth and stomach of pets. The oil -based liquids are more damaging possibly leading to liver failure than the dried leaves and flower mixtures.

How Old is my Cat -Really #22

Feline nutritionists have announced a new way to look at feline aging. A cat's life is now measured in four stages; growth (the first year), young adult (1-7 years), mature adult (7-12 years), and geriatric (over 12 years of age).

These new guidelines could have significant health implications for your cat. Felines tend to become fatter as they age (especially when fed commercial diets), but they seem to hit some sort of plateau once they reach the geriatric stage and begin to loose body weight despite taking in more calories. This is due to the fact that older cats are less able to digest the highly processed fats, proteins and calories in commercial foods as their younger counterparts.

This means that cats will benefit from a diet of more energy dense and highly digestible foods to maintain their weight and muscle mass. To this end the feline evolutionary diet, based on fresh foods that mimic what they would eat in the wild is ideal.

Current statistics show that 12% of the deaths in dogs
are caused by heart diseases. This is the second
largest problem in dogs, with cancer being first,
according to this article at www.wabre.org.

for more information on hearts, heart conditions
and diets please go to:
http://b-naturals.com/Jan2003.php

An Introduction to Homeopathy -- by Susan Gayle Wynn

http://www.altvetmed.com/homeopat.html
Homeopathy is a system of medical treatment brought to light almost 200 years ago by a German physician named Samuel Hahnemann. The basic tenets of homeopathy, however, have been in use since ancient times and are best summarized by the basic homeopathic law of similar: "like cures like. " Hahnemann was revolted by the medical treatments of the day, including arsenic and mercury treatments and bloodletting, and did not believe the prevailing theory that quinine cured malaria because it was a bitter substance, since other bitter substances had no effect on the disease. In his first experiments, he discovered that quinine actually caused signs of malaria in higher than therapeutic doses. He developed the theory of "similibus similia curentur," which states that like cures like, and over the next six years set out to test this hypothesis using other substances to "cause disease," then using the diluted, potentised substance to treat people with symptoms that matched the "symptom picture" of the drug. He published his findings in 1796, and the science of homeopathy has grown into world wide use since that time. His system of treatment, as it stands today, utilizes very low doses of substances to resolve syndromes which they might actually cause, in higher doses. A very simple example is in the use of homeopathic ipecac to treat (yes, treat!) vomiting. Homeopathic "remedies", as they are called, are prepared in a very specific manner. The original substance is usually from a natural source, such as plants or minerals, and is progressively diluted and potentized by violent shaking at each step, until the final remedy often theoretically contains none of the original substance! Theories for the mechanism of action include some form of electromagnetic "memory" on the water used to dilute the substance. Homeopathic researchers have discussed everything from fractal geometric involving molecules of water and magnetite, to stress responses to the remedy, where heat shock proteins are used as an example. Although homeopathic research is in its infancy regarding mechanism of action, clinical trials have indicated that the remedies do work, despite the fact that the mechanism is unclear. Because homeopathy seems to work at the subatomic and, potentially, molecular genetic levels, rather than the pharmacological level, the methods for diagnosing and treating disease are entirely foreign to traditional medical thought. Homeopaths view disease as a manifestation of a disturbance in the "vital force," and symptoms of the disease are absolutely unique to each patient. For instance, 2 dogs with parvoviral enteritis may look a little different initially one may have started with vomiting and increasing depression, while the other broke with hemorrhagic diarrhea. The homeopath views these different manifestations as individual differences in the state of the patients' vital force; therefore, they would receive different prescriptions. Homeopathy is said to treat the patient, not the disease. Since the remedies work to assist the vital force in healing the body, one Indian homeopath described the system as "teaching the body to heal itself". There are between one and two thousand homeopathic remedies from which to choose when a prescription is made, and the trained homeopath must be familiar with them to find the one that best matches a patient's symptoms. This is the reason that the initial visit for the first-time patient may take some time, and why a homeopathic consultation may be expensive a homeopath may spend hours on one animal after the patient has left the hospital! Homeopathic remedies are very inexpensive and virtually free of side effects. The biggest advantage of homeopathic treatment, though, is that the remedies stimulate the vital force; in other words, treating a disease actually increases the health of the animal and increases the capacity of the body to fight insults to health. In conventional medicine, the medications often suppress signs of the disease without actually ridding the body of the susceptibility that caused the problem in the first place. Perhaps this is one of the reasons for the increasing popularity of homeopathy. Homeopathy is a well accepted and popular form of therapy in most parts of the world, for all species. (Queen Elizabeth's family physician is a homeopath, and she allows her horses to be treated solely by homeopathy). People are beginning to look for nontoxic, tonifying medications because they have seen the failure of conventional medicine in treating chronic, crippling diseases such as allergies, migraines, back pain, and depression. In using homeopathic and other holistic treatment options in addition to any required conventional therapies for a sick pet, you are providing additional, complementary aids that will help an animal become strong again.

Heart problems in dogs can range from mild to serious. They can be caused by genetic defects (sub-aortic stenosis, mitral valve defects, septal defects and more) to those caused by heartworm infection, cardiomyopathy and poor nutrition (lack of certain nutrients).

For more information and resources on heart defects, read Cardiovascular Disorders:

What I hope to address in this article is information on specific dietary needs of dogs with cardiac problems and supplements that can help support the heart.

It is important to understand what type of heart disease your dog has been diagnosed with, the stage of the disease and if it is progressive. For diet considerations, not many changes are necessary unless the dog is prone to edema (retaining water), hypertension (high blood pressure), or is taking and current prescription medications (which can dictate supplementing or reducing certain nutrients).

In humans, salt restriction is often recommended. However, for dogs this can be contraindicated:

When feeding a raw diet including bones a good human vitamin to give dogs is a stress tab, with vitamin C, B complex and vitamin E. The minerals and calcium are in the food.

For home cooked diets the same applies except if not feeding bones then a calcium source must be added.

Leptospirosis -The New Epidemic

B-Naturals Newsletter
By
Lew Olson,
PhD Natural Health, LMSW-ACP

February 2005

Leptospirosis- The New Epidemic In the fall of 2003, one of my dogs started acting listless, and wouldn't eat. He also started urinating more frequently and had constant craving for water. I took him in for routine tests which included a complete blood panel and urinalysis. Everything looked fine. My veterinarian and I were baffled. The dog continued to get worse and began to dehydrate. He lay curled in a ball and had a slight fever. We started IV fluid therapy, but my vet had no idea what he was looking at or how to treat it.
We tried a series of lab tests which included a tick disease panel and fungal panels. All came back negative. In desperation, I started searching the internet for any illness I could find with these symptoms. One thing started popping up over and over, and it was Leptospirosis. However, all the sites I read talked about elevated liver enzymes, which did not show up in this dog's blood panel results. Then, another one of my dogs became sick with the same symptoms. I went back to researching Leptospirosis and found that there were nine different strains, and two of them did not affect the liver, but had delayed reaction in attacking the kidneys. While the first dogs kidney levels were fine, I had my vet re-test them. And there it was -- this dog had elevated BUN, creatinine and phosphorus. We quickly took a blood sample from both dogs and sent them off for a lepto titer. This test took several days, so we went ahead and started both dogs on Penicillin which is the treatment of choice for lepto. We continued the IV therapy for both dogs, as Leptospirosis in any form causes dehydration.
Re-hydrating an affected dog is paramount for treatment. The tests came back positive for both dogs for a strain of Leptospirosis called Grippotyphosa. It also showed another strain called Pomona, but often one or more strains will show up as a cross positive. It is the highest titer number which is the strain that is involved. My veterinarian was shocked, but I was relieved to know that we now had a diagnosis and a protocol for a treatment course. I hope this article provides you with information about Leptospirosis, its symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention. Most veterinarians are familiar with the two most common forms of Leptospirosis, but the newer strains are often missed in diagnosis and simply seen as chronic renal failure. With the correct diagnosis, Leptospirosis is not only treatable, but treatment is highly successful. What is Leptospirosis? It is a bacterium, most commonly found in urine from affected animals. Dogs can get this from drinking stagnant water or licking areas where affected animals have urinated. Male dogs are more commonly affected than females (probably due to their habits). Also, dogs with lowered immune systems are also vulnerable.
Lepto is most common in the spring and fall, or during a rainy season. It typically can't survive when temperatures are above 80 degrees or when it freezes. Since I live in Texas, summers are too hot for these bacteria to survive. Both of my dogs contracted lepto in late October. After careful observation, we realized they had probably gotten this disease from the squirrels in our yard. Rats and other wildlife can also carry this disease. It takes 4 to 12 days from transmission of this disease to the dog showing symptoms. Symptoms of Leptospirosis First symptoms are usually lethargy, minor fever and shivering. This fever can increase to 104 or 105. The dog will refuse to eat and may show painful joints or muscles. Some may get reddening or infection of the eyes. Two types of Leptospirosis known as Pomona and icterohaemorrhagiae will show elevated liver enzymes and possibly symptoms of jaundice. But in the two strains that are less common, kidney blood levels will elevate along with the symptoms of frequent urination and increased water consumption. These are known as L.
canicola and L. Grippotyphosa. Grippotyphosa was once thought to be uncommon, but in 1998 several dogs became ill in Long island, NY. Almost 150 were found infected with the Grippotyphosa strain. It was thought this strain was isolated to the NE, but now it has been reported throughout the United States and Canada. Diagnosis This is done with a blood sample sent off to a laboratory for Leptospirosis titer. This will measure the amount of Leptospirosis antibodies present in the blood sample along with identifying the correct strain. Note that lepto titers often will not increase until the dog is in the recovery phase. If you test when the dog first becomes ill, the results may not be accurate, so when lepto is suspected, it is best to begin treatment with penicillin and fluids immediately, then confirm the diagnosis with a titer test a week or two later.TreatmentThe first action is IV therapy. This is needed to take care of the severe dehydration, as well as keep the kidneys functioning well. Both of my dogs were on IV therapy for five to seven days. Penicillin is the antibiotic of choice.
Generally treatment is recommended for three weeks.Doxycycline is followed for another two to three weeks, as this will stop the bacteria from being shed and transmitted in the dogs urine.PreventionSome modes of prevention are to make sure that any areas that thedogs are kept are drained well and that there is no standing water. Protect water bowls and buckets from squirrels and other wildlife. At present, there are vaccinations for four strains of Leptospirosis. However, these vaccinations are only good for about four months, and the lepto vaccine does have many side effects, which include anaphyl actic shock. Due to the necessity of repeated vaccinations and its serious side effects, the Kansas State University of Veterinary Medicine no longer supports vaccinating for this disease. They
state:1) The disease has become quite rare in the urban dog.2) A more important reason is the frequency with which we see hives, facial swelling and even life-threatening vaccination reactions called anaphylaxis when we give vaccine cocktails that contain Leptospirosis bacteria. The L in DHLP, the most common vaccine cocktail, stands for Leptospirosis.
These reactions can be very mild or severe enough to cause death. These reactions do not occur on the initial vaccination but do increasingly on succeeding
vaccinations.3) The third reason is that the vaccines against Leptospirosis aren't that effective in preventing the disease and may actually facilitate carrier states. Given this information, it would be up to the dog owner to decide the best option for their dogs. I personally have decided not to vaccinate, and instead I watch for symptoms and keep myself familiar with the symptoms of Leptospirosis. I know that it is treatable with penicillin, but it must be caught quickly to make treatment effective. I cannot make this recommendation for everyone, and each of us has to make the best decision and responsible choice for where we live, the health of our dogs and of course, to not spread this disease to other dogs. Do note that Leptospirosis is most common in spring and fall, so vaccinations would need to be made accordingly. Also, if one dog has it in your home, chances are that all of your dogs are affected.
They may not show the symptoms, but they are most likely carriers of this disease. Since I own15 dogs, it means I had to treat the rest of my dogs with penicillin and then follow up with doxycycline. This was not inexpensive, but certainly necessary to keep all the dogs healthy, but also to make sure they weren't carrying this disease to spread to other dogs. Note that vaccinations do not cover all strains of lepto, so even if your dogs have been vaccinated recently, they can still get the disease. Here are some links to web sites with more information on Leptospirosis indogs:http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=573http://www.vetmedpub.com/cp/pdf/roundtables/ftdodge.pdfhttp://www.ivis.org/advances/Infect_Dis_Carmichael/mcdonough/chapter_frm.asp?LA=1For
support of the dogs during recovery,EPA fish oil given at 1,000 mg per ten pounds of body weight is suggested, as it is renal supportive. BertesImmune Blend would also be helpful for the antioxidants, digestive enzymes and acidophilus. COQ10given at one mg per pound of body weight is also important to help bring down an increased creatinine level. B complex is also suggested to help support the kidneys, although this is already in the Berets Immune Blend. For more information on diet and supplements that are helpful for a dog in acute renal failure, check my article on that here: http://b-naturals.com/May2004.phpQUIZ
QUESTIONS FOR FEBRUARY (Answers follow below)1.
Vitamin D is not common in many foods, but it can be found in all these foods except: A. LiverB. MackerelC.
YogurtD. Eggs 2. BSE is found in what parts of the body of the cow:A. Brain and spinal cordB. Muscle meat, including heartC. Organ meat (liver, kidneys, etc.)D. Tripe 3) For dogs, a vegetarian diet would lack all but which of the following nutrients?A.
TaurineB. Vitamin AC. Vitamin B-12D. CalciumE.
L-Carnitine 4) Which of these nutrients enhances iron absorption?A. Vitamin CB. BranC. FiberD. Soy protein
5) Good supplements recommended for support of the liver include all these except:A. Vitamin EB. Salmon OilC. RimadylD. Milk ThistleE) SAM-e ANSWERS TO QUIZ QUESTIONS:Question 1: C. Although milk is fortified with vitamin D, other dairy products, such as yogurt and cheese, do not have vitamin D, either added or naturally.http://www.cc.nih.gov/ccc/supplements/vitd.html#food
Question 2: A. BSE (mad cow disease) only affects the brain and spinal cord. To the best of our knowledge, dogs cannot contract this disease at all, although a few cats have been shown to be infected. Question 3:
B. Actually, this is a bit of a trick question, since even vitamin A, while present in plants (in the form of beta-carotene), may well be deficient in a vegetarian diet that does not include eggs and dairy, especially since the conversion of beta-carotene to vitamin A may not be something that all dogs do well (and cats cannot do at all). Taurine and l-carnitine are found only in animal tissue. In that past, it has been thought that these were not essential to dogs, but new research is finding that at least some dogs develop DCM (Dilated Cardiomyopathy) when they do not get enough of these nutrients. Vitamin B-12 is found in meat, eggs, and dairy products, but not in plants.
In addition to a vegetarian diet being low in calcium, the phytates in grains blocks calcium absorption, requiring a higher amount of calcium intake in order to meet requirements.http://www.burns-pet-nutrition.co.uk/Articles/vegetarian_diets.htmhttp://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/CCAH/Update06-2/6-2_Taurine.htmlhttp://www.walthamusa.com/articles/wf102fre.pdfhttp://www.sunnysidefarm.com/cardio.htmlhttp://www.vegsoc.org/info/b12.htmlhttp://www.vegsoc.org/info/dogfood2.html
-- note this site recommends a vegetarian diet, but their diet includes eggs and dairy products.http://www.newhope.com/nutritionsciencenews/NSN_backs/Oct_01/pufa.cfm"In
addition, canines can make vitamin A from beta-carotene, but the extent to which they do depend on age, breed, and health." Question 4: A. While Vitamin C aids in the absorption of iron, bran, fiber and soy protein all inhibit iron absorption.http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/CONSUMER/CON00138.html
"These vegetarians are susceptible to iron deficiency anemia because they are not only missing the more readily absorbed iron from animal flesh, they are also likely to be eating many foods with constituents that inhibit iron absorption--soy protein, bran, and fiber, for instance." Question 5: C. Rimadyl, which can cause liver damage in some dogs with extended use.
PRODUCT SPECIALS Specials are good for the entire month of February 2005!!
Free Freight Friday is February 18, 2005: Any orders placed on this day only over $75.00 will be shipped freight free (continental US only) via UPS Ground. Mark this date on your calendar! NOTE:
Qualifying orders will have freight deducted at the time the order is shipped and processed.
A-Z CoQ10 30mg soft gels, 60 count, #05167, regularly $10.95, promotional price $9.15
Berets Green Blend, 16 oz., #8001, regularly $13.95, promotional price $12.58

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TRAMADOL

New Horizons for a Safe Pain Medication for Dogs and Cats

Please go to www.b-naturals.com to read the entire
article under B-Naturals Newsletter, May 2005 by
Lew Olson,
PhD Natural Health, LMSW-ACP

First, let me restrict my comments to the common canine viruses. Bacterial immunity, whether natural or from vaccines,
is always temporary, so none of what I'm saying here applies to bacterial diseases such as bordetalla or Lyme disease.

Second, since issues regarding rabies vaccination are more legal than immunological, I'm going to exclude rabies from
my comments as well.

Third, there are some viruses that don't behave typically. However, none of them are common canine viruses and we don't
vaccinate dogs for any of them, so I'm excluding those from this discussion too.

We can't use titers to "monitor" ongoing immunity and let us know when we "need" to revaccinate our dogs, because there
is no evidence that immunity to common canine viruses ever goes away.

All a titer test measures is levels of antibodies that are circulating in the bloodstream. But those antibodies are not what
make a dog immune to a virus. It is memory cells that make a dog immune, and we have no way of measuring memory cells.

Now, the way that memory cells actually work against viruses is by creating antibodies, so the presence of antibodies
tells us that memory cells exist.

The catch is that the ABSENCE of those antibodies doesn't mean there are no memory cells. In other words, a high
titer will tell us they are immune, but a low titer doesn't tell us they're not.

It's immunologically false to think that as the antibody titer wanes (if it does... that's not always the case. Often,
antibody levels in the blood go up and down), the immunity wanes. Checking titers and "boosting" if they get too low
seems reasonable, but it's not. You can't make an immune animal "more immune," because the immune system will
treat the virus in the vaccine just as if it was the natural virus. There is no increase in immunity and no benefit to the
dog. (Schultz, R.D., "Current and Future Canine and Feline Vaccination Programs." Vet Med 3: No. 3, 233-254, 1998.)

I see a lot of people with animals with serious illnesses and health conditions who agonize over how to "booster"
their immunity, when their dogs are almost certainly already immune to those viruses. While certainly a large number
of those dogs will, when their titers are checked, have what are considered protective antibody titers, even those dogs
who do not are probably also immune. Of course it's better to test titers and use them as a guide than to just
re-vaccinate all these dogs. But better still would be to not expose ANY of these dogs to an unnecessary risk based
on a complete misconception of how immunity to these viruses works in dogs.

The only way to know for certain if your pet has a UTI is to have a urine culture and sensitivity done.
Symptoms of urinary tract infection can include frequent urination, difficulty urinating, blood in the urine,
accidents in the house, pain on urination, etc.

DEMYSTIFYING MYTHS ABOUT PROTEIN

Despite scientific advances that have increased the nutritional knowledge
about the importance of protein in a dog's diet, there still are myths that
feeding too much protein or the wrong kind of protein can be harmful.

Among breeders' key concerns about protein are: Does too much protein cause
kidney failure in older dogs? Is it true that feeding large-breed puppies
too much protein causes developmental bone problems?

The answers to these questions are no. In fact, research shows there is more
reason to be concerned about feeding healthy dogs an inadequate amount of
dietary protein.

Here, we present facts about protein to help you determine the best amount
to include in your dog's diet for a healthy and long life.

The Geriatric Dog
Nutritional research has shown that healthy older dogs need more protein
than young adult dogs - as much as 50 percent more. The additional protein
is required to maintain a geriatric dog's protein reserves and support
protein turnover, which are important in helping the dog's immune system
function at its full capacity. Dogs that do not receive adequate protein are
more susceptible to stress, such as injury or infection.

Dottie Laflamme, D.V.M., Ph.D., a Ralston Research Fellow, says, "It is
important to provide older dogs with enough protein to help them fight the
stress of aging, including injury and infection. Dogs fed inadequate amounts
of protein may appear healthy, but may be less able to resist infection or
fight off other diseases."

Despite this research, there has been a longstanding concern that excessive
protein in diets for older dogs may cause kidney damage. The link is traced
to clinical signs in dogs with kidney failure that relate to a buildup of
byproducts from protein metabolism. However, research conducted during the
past decade has shown that protein does not harm the kidneys.

Research first supporting the link between excessive protein and kidney
disease was conducted in the 1920s, showing that male rodents exhibited
progressive renal disease when fed a high-protein diet.1 Another study on
rodents, conducted in 1982 by B.M. Brenner, also showed that excess dietary
protein caused kidney damage.2 Though these studies were correct in rats,
the results unfortunately were extrapolated to other species.

In contrast, research over the past 10 years or so has shown that protein
does not harm the kidney of dogs. In studies conducted at the University of
Georgia in the early 1990s, both in dogs with chronic kidney failure and in
older dogs with only one kidney, protein levels as high as 34 percent caused
no ill effects.3

Delmar R. Finco, D.V.M., Ph.D., professor of veterinary medicine at the
University of Georgia, says, "Our work was directed at learning whether a
high-protein diet damages the kidney. After four years' studying geriatric
dogs and two years' studying dogs with chronic renal failure, we found no
indication that a high-protein diet was injurious to the kidney. However,
the data did raise the question whether low-protein diets in geriatric dogs
could be considered injurious."

In other studies, David S. Kronfeld, Ph.D., indicated that compared with
high- or low-protein diets, moderate-protein diets, those with up to 34
percent protein, had no ill effects in dogs with chronic renal failure and
were associated with general improvement.4 The report confirmed that unless
a dog has clinical evidence of kidney disease or other problems for which
protein restriction may be beneficial, there is no reason to recommend a
change to a low-protein diet.

Research on dogs at other universities and at the Purina Pet Care Center has
generated similar results. Julie Churchill, D.V.M., assistant clinical
specialist in companion animal nutrition at the University of Minnesota, was
an investigator in studies to learn whether altering the amounts of dietary
protein and fat could protect the kidney in aging dogs.5

"We found there is no benefit in restricting protein in geriatric dogs,"
Churchill says. "We observed no changes in morbidity or mortality. So, the
question is, 'Why restrict protein if there is no benefit?'"

Similarly, preliminary findings from the Purina Pet Care Center indicate
that healthy geriatric dogs fed 45 percent dietary protein have maintained
health and body condition, with no evidence of increased kidney damage due
to protein intake. The evidence supports other recent research that protein
at any level consistent with complete and balanced nutrition has no adverse
effect on the kidneys of normal, healthy dogs.

It is known that as dogs age they become less efficient in metabolizing
protein than young dogs so that older dogs require more protein than young
adult dogs to fully replenish their protein reserves and maintain protein
turnover. The specific amount of protein needed, as a percent of diet,
depends on several factors.

"Geriatric dogs should be treated individually," Churchill says. "I think
it's important to conduct a good health examination and blood biochemical
profile by the time a dog is 7 years old in order to evaluate organ
functioning and determine the best diet for that individual dog."

Similar to how the nutritional needs of dogs change with their age and
lifestyle, their energy requirements tend to decrease with age. However, not
all geriatric animals are less active or overweight. In fact, a greater
proportion of older dogs are underweight than any other age group.

Many inactive older dogs need fewer calories, so it is important that they
consume less food or a lower calorie food than they ate when they were
younger. For this reason, many foods for older dogs are formulated to
contain fewer calories, but it is important that they receive adequate
intake of protein and other nutrients while reducing calorie intake.

The quality of the protein in dog food also is important. It must contain
the right balance of amino acids and be digestible. This usually is
accomplished by using two or more complementary proteins to achieve an
optimum balance. For example, soybean meal and corn protein complement each
other because the amino acids that are deficient in one are present in the
other. Protein digestibility is achieved by the selection of ingredients and
the processing. Processing that becomes too hot can destroy the amino acid
content and lessens digestibility.

Large-Breed Puppies
Dietary protein requirements are much higher for growing puppies than for
fully grown dogs. In addition to supplying the protein needed to support
protein turnover and normal cellular metabolism, protein is needed to build
growing muscles and other tissues.

Research at the Purina Pet Care Center and at other facilities has shown
that puppies fed inadequate protein do not grow as well and are more
susceptible to health problems than those fed nutritionally complete diets.
At the Pet Care Center, English setter puppies that were fed a low-protein
diet showed stunted growth compared to puppies fed higher levels of protein.
However, when the protein level was increased in the puppies at the Pet Care
Center, the deficiency was corrected.

Concern about protein causing developmental bone problems in large-breed
puppies has led some breeders to reduce the amount of protein they feed.
However, in research published in 1993 based on studies of Great Dane
puppies at Utrecht University in the Netherlands, it was shown that dietary
protein does not contribute to these problems.6

Herman A. Hazewinkel, D.V.M., Ph.D., professor of veterinary medicine at
Utrecht University, led the research that found no detrimental effects from
protein levels up to 32 percent of the diet. However, puppies fed a diet of
only 15 percent protein showed evidence of inadequate protein intake.

"Too low protein decreases the growth rate of puppies and also their
immunological response," Hazewinkel says. "This is true for large- and
small-breed puppies. An adequate protein level should be higher than 15
percent."

This study, conducted in young Great Danes during their first half-year of
life, concluded that dietary protein increased to 32 percent does not
negatively affect skeletal or cartilage development in these dogs. The
research also confirmed that dietary protein did not have detrimental
effects on liver and kidney functioning.

1 Newburg LH, Curtis AC. Production of renal injury in the white rat by the
protein of the diet. Arch Int Med. 1928; 42:801-21.
2 Brenner BM, Meyer TW, Hostetter TH. New England J. of Medicine. 1982;
307:652.
3 Finco DR. Proc the Waltham/OSU Symposium on Nephrology and Urology,
Columbus, OH. Oct. 1992, p. 39.
4 Kronfeld DS. Aust. Vet. J. 1994; 71:328.
5 Churchill J, Polzin D, Osborne C, Tet. al. Proceedings ACVM. 1997:675.
6 Nap RC, Hazewinkel HAW, Vorhout G, Biewenga WJ, Koeman JP, Goedegebuure
SA, van't Klooster A Th. The influence of the dietary protein content on
growth in Giant breed dogs. Journal of Veterinary and Comparative
Orthopaedics and Traumatology. 1993; 6:1-8.

immune system regulators that help with allergies and inflammation

Anxiety in Dogs

The following may help in lowering the anxiety level

in dogs

Melatonin: a hormone that has been used with success

for dogs with thunder or other noise phobias, it is

also being tried for separation anxiety.

Rescue Remedy: a combination of Bach Flower Remedies

that may be useful in stressful situations.

Chamomile and Valerian: herbs used for anxiety.

The Anxiety Wrap: used with great success for dogs

with all kinds of anxiety problems.

For more information on these products please check

out the following web sites.

http://www.anxietywrap.com/inthenews.htm

http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com/melatonin.htm

http://www.bachcentre.com/centre/remedies.htm

Pancreatitis and blood work

In animals with pancreatitis the following are

"typically elevated" in blood levels. But they may or

may not be elevated: Amylase, Lipase, Glucose, ALT,

and Triglycerides

Elevated triglycerides can not only lead to but can

also result in pancreatitis. The condition which

results from elevated triglycerides is called

secondary hyperlipidemia

Cruciferous Vegetables
Cruciferous vegetables include Arugula, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Watercress, Bok Choy, Turnip Greens, Mustard Greens, and Collard Greens, Rutabaga, Napa or Chinese Cabbage, Daikon, Radishes, Turnips, Kohlrabi, and Kale, are considered very special vegetables.

Only cruciferous vegetables contain the nutrient isothiocyanates which stimulates the body to break potential carcinogens down. They help the body fight cancer, they prevent our normal cells from becoming cancerous cells. Raw cruciferous vegetables contain thyroid inhibitors known as goitrogens. Goitrogens like circumstances that cause goiter, cause difficulty for the thyroid in making its hormone. Isothiocyanates appear to reduce thyroid function by blocking thyroid peroxidase, and also by disrupting messages that are sent across the membranes of thyroid cells. People and pets who have hypothyroid function should consider limiting the amount of raw cruciferous vegetables they eat. The good news is that cooking cruciferous vegetables destroys the goitrogens.

Vegetables which contain high amounts of oxalates such as Swiss Chard and spinach, should be fed in moderation. Note that chard is called silverbeet in some areas. See the following for more info: http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=george&dbid=48 http://www.cloudnet.com/~djeans/Asides/OxalicAcid.htm
http://www.foodscience.ac.nz/research_topics/oxalate/Oxalate_containing_food.html>

Dog Bites

It takes only 4-6 pounds per square inch (psi) of

pressure to break a finger.

The bite of a pit bull exerts a pressure of 2,400

pounds psi, which is roughly twice that of a

Rottweiler, while the bite of a Lab is 700 psi.

Don't run if a dog threatens you; turning away from

an aggressive dog will often trigger a charge. Do

not feed a dog without the permission of the owner.

Dogs tend to be most protective of their home turf.

Some dogs will attack for reasons other than a

perceived threat or challenge. Dogs do not always

signal their intention to attack by growling or

barking. Talking softly to a dog is no guarantee of

safety, but it will reduce your chances of being

attacked or bitten; women are better at this than

men. Avoid direct eye contact with an aggressive

dog. Most dogs hear "NO!" more often than they hear

their own names, so it is a good word to use if a

dog comes at you. Do not misinterpret a wagging tail

as a sign of friendliness.

Dogs cannot smell fear; when you are afraid, however,

you tend to hunch your shoulders up, and hunching your

shoulders makes you look  bigger. A dog sees this as a

sign of aggression; it is best to stand still, with

your body at an angle, and say "NO!" all the while

avoiding eye contact. 


RABIES VACCINATION UPDATE ONTARIO CANADA 2006

      http://siriusdog.com/articles/rabies-vaccination-ontario-regulations-law.htm

I just took a look at the Rabies Laws Table in the  File Section
& it  said that for Canada, rabies vaccines are:  "not
federally required;  (Ontario: cats & dogs required vaxed in
high-  risk areas; some NB jurisdictions still require 
annual vax) - if vaxed, quarantine is 30 days to 3 months; if 
unvaxed or expired  vax, quarantine is minimum 6 months"  

      
Importance of Switching/Varying foods.
       
      There is no one food that can meet all of the
      nutritional needs of our dogs. Tripe ( see next week's
      tip of week) comes the closest.
       
      A healthy dog with a normal digestive tract being fed
      a good quality food should not  get "the runs" just
      because the type of food being fed has been changed.
       
       
      Whether you feed your dogs commercial pet food or a
      fresh food diet it is important to vary that diet.  To
      ensure your dog gets the maximum nutritional value
      from the foods available to him do not feed the same
      foods all the time. It is best to feed a wide variety
      of foods, with as much fresh food as possible and of
      the highest quality. 
       
      Dogs who are constantly fed the same food are at a
      higher risk of developing food intolerances and
      allergies, and to suffer from minor nutritional
      deficiencies.
       
       All foods contain slightly different nutrients and
      all animals have slightly different nutritional needs.
      Varying the diet ensures an increase in both the range
      of nutrients being fed as well as their ratios. By
      feeding a variety of foods we can ensure that a wider
      array of their nutritional needs can be met.

Unbleached Green Tripe

Nonessential Amino Acids

Alanine
Asparagine
Aspartate
Carnitine
Cysteine
Glutamate
Glutamine
Glycine
Lycine
Hydroxlysine
Hydroxyproline
Proline
Serine
Tyrosine

Animal proteins are considered complete proteins and
plant proteins are called incomplete proteins. This
refers to the amino acid profiles contained in these
proteins.

Amino acids that are often missing in plant proteins
include arginine,taurine, methionine, lysine
andtryptophan. Corn does not contain any glycine,
lysine or tryptophan. The lack of these essential
amino acids denotes the protein quality of the food.
Meat contains all the essential amino acids, and is
considered very high quality. The measure for
assessing the protein quality is based on the chicken
egg, which is considered to have all the amino acids
needed in sufficient amounts.

Protein Digestibility List

Egg whites 1.00
Muscle meats (chicken, beef, lamb) .92
Organ meats (kidney, liver) .90
Milk, cheese .89
Fish .78
Rice .72
Oats .66
Wheat .64
Corn .54

(Note: Values in this table are approximate, as they
have been taken from several nutritional sources and
personal communications with nutrition experts.)

Second to the quality of egg protein is animal protein
(meat and organs)at about 90% digestibility, and the
least quality is plant proteins, which fall as low as
45%. It takes more plant proteins than animal proteins
to give the adequate protein percentages, and even at
that, some amino acids will be lacking. It seems more
sensible to feed meat protein, which is more protein
dense, to achieve the amino acid profiles needed for
dogs.

Heat is another factor in amino acid integrity.
Studies have shown that high temperatures, or long
time exposure to heat, can alter the amino acid
chains. This can cause either a loss or a lowering of
the quality of these proteins. (1) Meat cooked at
extreme temperatures, over a long period of time loses
more nutritional quality than meat cooked less than
twenty minutes. While such cooking may be necessary
for omnivores, carnivores have digestive tracts
designed to readily and easily digest meat that is
raw.

In a study Dr D.S. Kronfeld conducted in 1982, he
concluded after analyzing the protein content of dry
and canned dog foods, “Two reservations on this point
concern the high fiber content of the canned product
intended for older dogs and the possibility of over
cooking the dry foods, for both of these factors tend
to depress protein digestibility. Over cooking form
amino-aldehydo bonds between protein and soluble
carbohydrates, and this particularly interferes with
availability of certain amino acids, notably lysine.”

Dr Kronfeld also reports that overcooking of dog foods
destroys the aminoacids methionine and histidine, and
the cooking reacts with the proteins and starch to
produce such side products as caramel, which contains
no nutrients for a dog. As protein quality decreases,
more is needed to meet the dog’s needs. However, if
more poor quality proteins are added, the dog will
still not get the amino acid requirements. Poor
quality proteins are more taxing on the liver and
kidneys to process and digest. This cancreate a strain
on these organs, which is even more difficult for a
dog with compromised kidney or liver function. The
added strain on an already diseased organ can further
complicate these diseases. Dr Kronfeld reports that
older dogs and dogs with compromised kidneys can
easily process high quality proteins. He states that
high quality proteins in percentages as high as 54%
can actually kill bacteria in the kidneys and create
an acidic condition that is healthier for these
organs. This would be helpful for urinary tract
infections and other bacteria in the dogs system. (2)

Similarly, Dr Bovee’s research in the mid 1970’s
concluded that high protein levels were more
advantageous to dogs with deteriorating kidneys. He
reported that the kidney function was much better in
dogs fed a diet of 54% protein than 27% protein, for up
to two years in his studies.(This study is in complete
opposition to the recommendations of the NRC(National
Research Council) for low protein for dogs with renal
disease.)The same studies concluded that high
percentages of protein in the dogs’ diet also help to
kill bacteria in the urinary tract. (3)

Furthermore, a study was designed to test the
hypothesis that restricting protein intake in older
dogs may protect the kidneys and experimental dogs
were divided into two groups. Dogs in both groups had
a kidney removed to increase vulnerability of the
remaining kidney to any protein effects. One group was
fed a low protein diet (18%) and the other group
received a higher protein diet (34%) for the
subsequent four years. Results of this study indicated
that there were no adverse effects from the higher
protein diet, and mortality was actually higher in the
lower protein group. (4)

A summary of eight studies done on dogs with reduced
renal mass found that levels of protein up to 45% in
the diet had no harmful effect on the kidneys. (5)

Another question is on protein and senior dogs. Many
commercial foods now sell formulas designed
specifically for the needs of the senior dog. These are
often diets that offer lower protein, but studies show
that this can cause more harm than good.

A diet rich in protein is especially important for
older dogs. Senior dogs appear less efficient at
metabolizing protein, so they require additional
protein in their diets to help compensate. In fact,
research has shown that healthy older dogs may need as
much as 50 percent more protein than normal young
healthy adult dogs. (6).

The importance of providing adequate dietary protein
to senior dogs was brought out in research conducted
at the Purina Pet Care Center. In this study, 26
English Pointers, ranging from 7 to 9 years old, were
fed diets that were either 15 percent or 45 percent
protein over several years. Dogs fed the high-protein
diet maintained a directionally higher percent of lean
body mass and lower percent of body fat (6).

There is also more information on protein needs and
the senior dog here:
http://b-naturals.com/Apr2003.php

The need for high quality protein is also applicable
for puppies. Too little protein will do more harm than
good, and there is no research to show that too much
protein is damaging to a growing puppy.

"Dietary protein requirements are much higher for
growing puppies than for fully grown dogs. In addition
to supplying the protein needed to support protein
turnover and normal cellular metabolism, protein is
needed to build growing muscles and other tissues."
(7)

"Research at the Purina Pet Care Center and at other
facilities has shown that puppies fed inadequate
protein do not grow as well and are more susceptible
to health problems than those fed nutritionally
complete diets. At the Pet Care Center, English setter
puppies that were fed alow-protein diet showed stunted
growth compared to puppies fed higher levels of
protein. However, when the protein level was increased
in the puppies at the Pet Care Center, the deficiency
was corrected."(7)

"Concern about protein causing developmental bone
problems in large-breed puppies has led some breeders
to reduce the amount of protein they fed. However, in
research published in 1993 based on studies of Great
Dane puppies at Utrecht University in the Netherlands,
it was shown that dietary protein does not contribute
to these problems."(7)

"Herman A. Hazewinkel, D.V.M., Ph.D., professor of
veterinary medicine at Utrecht University, led the
research that found no detrimental effects from
protein levels up to 32 percent of the diet. However,
puppies fed a diet of only 15 percent protein showed
evidence of inadequate protein intake." (7)

"Too low protein decreases the growth rate of puppies
and also their immunological response," Hazewinkel
says. "This is true for large- and small-breed
puppies. An adequate protein level should be higher
than 15 percent." (7)

"This study, conducted in young Great Danes during
their first half-year of life, concluded that dietary
protein increased to 32 percent does not negatively
affect skeletal or cartilage development in these
dogs. The research also confirmed that dietary protein
did not have detrimental effects on liver and kidney
functioning." (7)

So the conclusion of the above referenced research
stresses the need for high quality protein to achieve
the best growth and immune systems. No proof was found
that protein amounts affect skeletal growth
adversely, except when using too little or too poor
quality.

Since dogs are carnivores, and their digestive systems
are designed to handle large amounts of raw meat and
fat, it would seem logical that they would do better
on a diet that nature intended. Cooking animal
protein changes many amino acids chains, and makes
some of the amino acids dogs need unusable. Dogs’
needs for amino acids differ from humans, and raw meat
contains many or most ingredients for good tissue
health, immunity and good coat and skin for carnivores

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