ANIMAL WELLNESS
AnimalWELLNESS For a long, healthy life!
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TOP STEPS
Living pawsitive!
for optimal immunity
When his body ATTACKS itself –
RAW BONES
A look at autoimmunity
How to pick the RIGHT ones for your dog
Animal shelters that are making a
Allergies – tips and tactics for
DIFFERENCE
stopping the ITCH
When NOT to VACCINATE
Becca Tobin
This Glee star plays the part of a bully, but in real life, this avid animal lover is anything but.
feline WELLNESS
COOL canine
Hip, cool and healthy!
HIKING GEAR
IT’S SO ITCHY!
Get to the ROOT of feline SKIN ALLERGIES
Carrie Ann Inaba The Dancing With the Stars judge is also passionate about cats
APRIL/MAY Display until May 20, 2013
$5.95 USA/Canada
Strollers
for CATS
ALLERGIC to kitty? DON’T PANIC – there’s no need to get rid of him!
VOLUME 15 ISSUE 2
AnimalWellnessMagazine.com
BONUS FELINE SECTION NOW INSIDE! feline wellness
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Contents April/May 2013
features
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18 When hIs BODy attacKs ItseLf
Autoimmune diseases are increasingly prevalent and have genetic and environmental triggers. Here’s what you should be aware of.
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22 feeDIng yOur pup Large breed dogs grow fast, and that means the right diet and balance of nutrients is critical for proper development and the prevention of health problems in adulthood.
27 WeLLness fOr aLL Critters of many kinds are enjoying improved health thanks to a company that formulates nutraceuticals for aquarium and zoo animals as well as dogs.
28 When nOt tO vaccInate
If you work for an employer that lets you bring your dog to work, you need to hold up your end of the bargain by ensuring your pooch is properly trained and behaved.
51 tOp 5 steps fOr OptIMaL IMMunIty
They’re necessary to protect puppies against infectious disease, but yearly vaccines through adulthood are unnecessary – and in some situations even contraindicated.
A long healthy life depends in large part on a strong and resilient immune system that can resist disease. You may already be incorporating some of these suggestions, but combine all five and you have a powerful recipe for ongoing wellness.
32 Becca tOBIn
56 taKe a hIKe!
This Glee star may play the part of a bully, but in real life she’s anything but. An avid animal lover and dog guardian, she’s also an active anti-bullying spokeswoman.
34 seeIng the LIght
Your dog can pick up on your emotions and stress, and may suffer because of it. Chromatherapy or color harmonics can help calm and balance him – and it has many additional health benefits.
44 In the raW
Raw bones are good for dogs – as long as you choose the right size and type for your pooch.
47 avID aBOut heaLth
Ensuring their products are backed up by science helps this company make a difference.
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48 OffIce etIQuette fOr fIDO
animal wellness
Hitting the trail with your dog this spring? Check out some cool hiking gear and supplies designed especially for canines.
60 see spOt scratch
Hot spots look and feel miserable and frequently arise from an underlying allergy. Treatment is effective if they’re caught early, while a healthy diet and the right supplements can help prevent them altogether.
66 aLLergIc tO KItty? Don’t panic – there’s no need to get rid of your feline friend. By making some changes to your lifestyle, and your cat’s, you can go on living together in good health.
70 Let’s gO fOr a strOLL!
Pet strollers can be a perfect way to give your kitty some fresh air and a change of scene.
72 It’s sO Itchy!
Skin allergies can make your cat’s life miserable. Getting to the root of the problem and implementing an integrative treatment plan is the best way to stop the scratching.
76 tWO-Way street
The founder of Marley’s Mutts estimates he’s rescued more than 600 dogs over the past few years. But he says the dogs have also rescued him.
81 the eDge On enZyMes
The importance of these nutrients to overall health and well being forms the foundation for this company’s nutritional supplements.
82 recOMMenDatIOns fOr rIngWOrM
This fungal infection is relatively common and can spread rapidly. Treatment involves an integrative approach that uses both allopathic medication and natural remedies.
84 the LOss Of a LOve A tribute to a cherished Boston terrier named Andrew Starr.
68 carrIe ann InaBa
This Dancing With the Stars judge can be tough on show contestants, but she’s a total softie when it comes to cats and other critters.
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cOLuMns 12 yakkity yak 40 case study 78 to the rescue 86 Warm & fuzzy 88 passages 91 Book reviews 98 tail end
22 DepartMents 8 editorial 38 product picks 63 Wellness resource guide 74 the scoop
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93 Marketplace 96 ClassiďŹ eds 97 events calendar
animal wellness
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Feeding your
PUP Large breed dogs grow fast, and that means the right diet and balance of nutrients is critical for proper development and the prevention of health problems in adulthood. By Susan Wynn, DVM
Adopting a puppy is exciting. You want to do the best for your new friend, and that includes feeding him properly. This is important with any pup, but large breed dogs have special considerations. However, “life stage nutrition” has been questioned when based only on a dog’s numerical age. So how important is feeding a puppy food?
Rapid growth = room for mistakes The average golden retriever grows from 14 ounces to over 65 pounds within one year – a 70-fold increase in size. Human beings take 18 years to accomplish the same thing. At the same time their joints are growing and being exposed to under- or
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animal wellness
over-nutrition, puppies are susceptible to higher weight stresses, compounding the challenges to normal development. The most important factors in preventing developmental orthopedic disease (DOD) are rate of growth (which is proportional to the caloric intake) and dietary calcium level. A common misconception found in many internet articles is the claim that dietary protein should be controlled in large breed puppies to prevent skeletal abnormalities. This theory was disproved some years ago. Most commercial puppy foods contain more protein than is thought necessary, but studies
have shown that protein contents of 23% to 31% (dry matter) do not have a deleterious effect on growth. The effects of high dietary protein contents in the range of those found in raw diets have not been investigated, to my knowledge. An overweight body condition is an important risk factor for DOD, and feeding for maximum growth increases that risk. Commercial puppy and adult foods containing 10% to 25% fat (dry matter) are considered adequate for growth. Raw diets tend to range from 20% to 40% fat (dry matter) so it is particularly important to slow growth by maintaining a very lean body condition when these diets are fed. It has been shown that body fat is higher in puppies fed very high fat, low carbohydrate diets during growth.
Most nutritionists recommend that large, fastgrowing puppies eat diets containing at least 30% protein and 9% fat (dry matter basis). The calcium content should be around 1.5% (or 3 grams/1,000 kcal). Body condition score The body condition score (BCS) is an estimation of the body fat content. I recommend the 9-point scale, which is better validated (and in use anyway if one allows “half scores� in the 5-point system). You should learn how to perform a body condition score for your own pup – your veterinarian can help you with this. In puppies, the BCS should be monitored weekly, since the calorie requirement constantly increases to six to 12 months of age (depending on the breed). Maintain a body condition score of 4/9 in large breed, rapidly growing puppies. Ignore the feeding quantities listed
animal wellness
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