V19I5 (Oct/Nov 2017)

ANIMAL WELLNESS

For a long, healthy life!

WELLNESS + 15 FOODS

NUTRITION ISSUE

CHOOSING THE

BEST PET FOOD

THAT FIGHT

CANCER

FOR YOUR DOG

LEASHWALKING

The key is quality!

LISTEN UP!

BASICS

NATURAL EAR CARE FOR YOUR BEST FRIEND

How to transform your pooch into a polite walking partner

ITCHY SKIN?

Moose Juniper

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NUTRITIONAL STEPS TO ALLEVIATING HIS ALLERGIES

GOING NUTS OVER

COCONUT Health benefits you can share with your dog

THIS FAMOUS MALAMUTE MIX AND HIS FOXY “GIRLFRIEND” ARE CHARMING FANS WORLDWIDE.

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2017 Display until November 15, 2017

$6.95 USA/Canada

VOLUME 19 ISSUE 5

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BONUS INSIDE!

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October/November 2017

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Contents ts October/November 2017

Features

18 A NUTRITIONAL APPROACH TO YOUR PET’S SKIN PROBLEMS

Following these 7 nutritional guidelines can significantly reduce your dog or cat’s itchiness.

22 LEASH-WALKING

BASICS FOR YOUR DOG

Is your dog an unruly leash-walker? Does he pull you off your feet every time something distracts him? These tips will help transform him into a polite walking partner.

24 TAKING CARE OF YOUR

PET’S EARS

Given how common ear problems are in dogs and cats, it pays to give regular attention to the state of your own pet’s ears, and to know how to keep them clean and healthy.

28 CHRONIC

INFLAMMATION AND YOUR PET  PART 2

In the second part of this article, we’ll look at the connection between chronic inflammation and cancer, and how dietary changes can help.

34 CANCER-FIGHTING

FOODS TO SHARE WITH YOUR DOG

From colorful fruits and vegetables to mushrooms and seaweed, these nutrient-packed foods can help reduce your dog’s risk of cancer.

40 PROBIOTICS FOR PETS

 A PRIMER

They’re not just for GI issues. Probiotics can help with a range of health problems and can also help maintain overall wellness in healthy dogs and cats.

46 MOOSE AND JUNIPER

Moose is a handsome Malamute mix who shares a loving home with some unconventional roommates – including his “girlfriend”, a domestic fox named Juniper.

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46 50 DRY EYE IN DOGS

Also called keratoconjunctivitis sicca, dry eye is common in some dogs. Because it has many underlying causes, a proper diagnosis is essential before it can be effectively treated.

52 LEGALIZING CANNABIS FOR PETS

Making sense of the changing laws and regulations surrounding the use of medical marijuana in dogs and cats.

58 ADD THIS SIMPLE FRUIT/VEGGIE MIX TO YOUR DOG’S DIET

Whether you home-prepare your dog’s food, or give him a premium packaged diet, this easy-tomake veggie and fruit mix will add some extra nutrition to his meals.

66 CHOOSING QUALITY

PET FOOD FOR YOUR DOG OR CAT

Making optimal dietary choices for your pet is crucial to his health, happiness and longevity. The key is to look for the best quality you can afford.

74 BOTANICAL

TREATMENTS FOR MIDDLE EAR INFECTIONS IN PETS

Herbs and other botanicals are effective weapons against the bacteria and fungi associated with otitis media in dogs and cats.

78 WHAT YOUR DOG’S POOP CAN TELL YOU ABOUT HIS HEALTH

Looking too closely at your dog’s feces might be yucky, but reporting any changes to your veterinarian is an important part of keeping tabs on his overall well-being.

82 COCONUT AND YOUR PET

From oils and treats to shampoos and balms, the humble coconut is making its way into a lot of pet products. How does this popular tropical food benefit your dog or cat’s health?

90 WHY CATS CAN’T BE

VEGETARIAN

Your cat needs a meat-based diet in order to stay healthy.

94 DOES YOUR CAT HAVE WHISKER STRESS?

Food and water bowls that are too small can result in a feline behavioral issue called whisker stress.

97 WHAT'S NEW IN CAT BEDS?

Today’s cat beds are available in a huge variety of styles and designs, so you can select the features that best suit your kitty’s needs!

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Columns

12 Yakkity yak 60 Rewind 63 Business profile –

Redbarn Pet Products

70 Passages 72 To the rescue 81 Lucky's world 88 Tail end

Departments

96 Business profile –

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Product picks

64

Animal Wellness resource guide

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The scoop

Tips, contests and more!

AnimalWellnessMagazine

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Marketplace

News, events, and tips! @ AW_magazine

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Events calendar

Tips, pet photos, and more!

AnimalWellnessMagazine

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Classifieds

85 Book reviews

Forever Litter Trays

Social media Crafts, laughs, and more!

AnimalWellness

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Editorial

October/November 2017

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VOLUME 19 ISSUE 5

EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT Editor-in-Chief: Dana Cox Managing Editor: Ann Brightman Staff Writer: Emily Watson Senior Graphic Designer: Dawn Cumby-Dallin Graphic Designer: Kathleen Atkinson Graphic Designer: Sylvia Flegg Social Media Manager: Maddie Maillet Digital Media Manager: Theresa Gannon Web Design & Development: Brad Vader Tail End Illustration: Libby Sinden Lucky's World Illustrations: Mike Carless Cover Image Courtesy of: @boyfriendmoose COLUMNISTS & CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Marybeth Bittel Sarah Brandon, DVM Christine Caplan, CVT Janet Caplan Kristin Clark W. Jean Dodds, DVM Audi Donamor Fanna Easter, CPDT-KA, KPA CTP, ABCDT-L2 Martha C. Lindsay, MS, DVM, CVH, CNE Patrick Mahaney, VMD, CVA Shawn Messonnier, DVM Stacey Oke, DVM, MSc Anna O’Brien, DVM Anne Quick Nancy Scanlan, DVM, CVA Karen Shaw Becker, DVM Greg Tilford Tonya Wilhelm ADMINISTRATION & SALES President/C.E.O.: Tim Hockley Accounting: Susan Smith Circulation & Office Manager: Libby Sinden

ON THE COVER PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF:

@boyfriendmoose Moose’s good looks and laidback personality make him a natural for photography – and for social media stardom! This famous Malamute/ Australian shepherd mix shares his home with an assortment of other critters, including two domestic foxes. Turn to page 46 for Moose’s full story.

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SUBMISSIONS: Please email all editorial material to Ann Brightman, Managing Editor, at ann@redstonemediagroup.com. We welcome previously unpublished articles and color pictures either in jpeg, tif or disc form at 300 dpi. We cannot guarantee that either articles or pictures will be used or that they will be returned. We reserve the right to publish all letters received. You can also mail submissions to: Animal Wellness Magazine, 160 Charlotte St., Suite 202, Peterborough, ON, Canada K9J 2T8. Please direct other correspondence to info@redstonemediagroup.com.

AnimalWellnessMagazine.com

ADVERTISING SALES National Accounts Manager: Ann Beacom, (866) 764 -1212 ext. 222 annbeacom@redstonemediagroup.com Western Regional Manager: Becky Starr, (866) 764-1212 ext. 221 becky@redstonemediagroup.com Multimedia Specialist: Kat Shaw, (866) 764-1212 ext. 315 katshaw@redstonemediagroup.com Subscription Services Manager: Brittany Tufts, (866) 764-1212 ext. 115 brittany@redstonemediagroup.com CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING: Libby Sinden classifiedads@animalwellnessmagazine.com TO SUBSCRIBE: Subscription price at time of this issue is $24.00 in the U.S. and Canada, including taxes for six issues shipped via surface mail. Subscriptions can be processed by: Website: www.animalwellnessmagazine.com Phone: (866) 764-1212 ext 115 US MAIL: Animal Wellness Magazine, 6834 S University Blvd PMB 155 Centennial, CO 80122 CDN MAIL: Animal Wellness Magazine, 160 Charlotte St., Suite 202, Peterborough, ON, Canada K9J 2T8 Subscriptions are payable by VISA, MasterCard, American Express, check or money order. The material in this magazine is not intended to replace the care of veterinary practitioners. The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the editor, and different views may appear in other issues. Redstone Media Group Inc., publisher of Animal Wellness, does not promote any of the products orservices advertised by a third party advertiser in this publication, nor does Redstone Media Group Inc. verify the accuracy of any claims made in connection with such advertisers.

Refund policy: call or write our customer service department and we will refund unmailed issues.

DEALER INQUIRIES WELCOME: Animal Wellness Magazine is available at a discount for resale in retail shops and through various organizations. Call Libby at (866) 764-1212 ext 100 and ask for dealer magazine sales, fax us at (705) 742-4596 or e-mail at libby@animalwellnessmagazine.com

Animal Wellness Magazine (ISSN 1710-1190) is published six times a year by Redstone Media Group Inc. Publications Mail Agreement #40884047. Entire contents copyright© 2017. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted by any means, without prior written permission of the publisher. Publication date: August 2017.

Improving the lives of animals... one reader at a time.

editorial

ARE YOU A PET

his past summer went by in a blur. Between some unexpected business and personal travel, and a family health crisis, it seemed like we were always either packing or unpacking a suitcase. Sometimes we had friends looking after our animals; at other times, they went with us. Mealtimes were a little hectic for everyone and, on a few occasions during this period, I found myself in different pet food stores, looking for wholesome foods for the fur-kids. I couldn’t help but think about how the inside of these stores has changed over the last decade or two. Natural nutrition is front and center, and many outlets have fridges and freezers. Still, I know I raised a few staff eyebrows, as I scrutinized every food label before making a purchase.

After such a summer, it seems appropriate that Fall brings with it our annual Animal Wellness nutrition issue. As always, this edition is packed with topical tips and suggestions to help you ensure that your four-legged friend is consuming the best nutrition possible. You might want to start by reading our comprehensive rundown of high quality packaged pet foods, from premium kibbles and canned choices, to raw frozen and freeze-dried diets.

We also present articles on the top cancer-fighting foods to share with your dog; the importance of probiotics for your pet’s digestive health; and nutritional advice for skin problems. Find out how coconut can benefit your best friend, or try making a simple fresh fruit and veggie mix that will add extra goodness to his meals.

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We’re also focusing on eye and ear health in this issue, so you’ll find an overview on common ear problems in pets, and how they can be treated and prevented, along with advice on the best herbs for treating middle ear infections. Also included is a close-up look at dry eye, a condition that afflicts a lot of dogs.

Our cover story features an unlikely duo – a gorgeous Malamute mix named Moose, and his “girlfriend” Juniper, who’s a domestic fox! This photogenic canine “couple” went viral just over a year ago, and now have thousands of fans.

As we head into the cooler weather, you might want to brush up on your dog’s leash-training basics before heading out on those autumn hikes, or check up on the latest in cozy cat beds for your kitty. Our Feline Wellness section also includes articles on whisker stress (yes, it’s a thing!) and why cats can’t be vegetarians.

Yours in health,

Dana Cox Editor-in-Chief

October/November 2017

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contributors

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1. Veterinarian Dr. Sarah Brandon graduated from Oklahoma State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in 2002 and is a co-founder/ owner and operator of Canna Companion LLC, based in Sultan, Washington. For the past 12 years, Dr. Brandon practiced feline-only medicine.

She is the co-creator of the Canna Companion product line and is one of the world leaders in the investigation of cannabis science and its potential to complement traditional veterinary medicine.

Turn to page 52 for Dr. Brandon’s article on laws and legislation surrounding cannabis.

2. Veterinarian Dr. Jean Dodds received her veterinary degree in 1964 from the Ontario Veterinary College. In 1986, she established Hemopet, the first non-profit national blood bank program for animals. Dr. Dodds has been a member of many committees on hematology, animal models of human disease and veterinary medicine. She received the Holistic Veterinarian of the Year Award from the AHVMA in 1994.

See page 28 for Part 2 of Dr. Dodds’ article on chronic inflammation and pets.

3. Dr. Martha Lindsay graduated from Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1979. In 2000, she began working in behavior medicine for New England Veterinary Behavior Associates in Lexington, Massachusetts. She was certified by the AVH in 2006, and by 2008 had completed Advanced Clinical Training in Nutrition Response Testing. Also in 2008, after three years of study at the National Institute of Whole Health, Dr. Lindsay became certified in Whole Health Nutrition Education. On page 18, she looks at nutritional solutions to skin problems.

4. Veterinarian Dr. Patrick Mahaney graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 1999. He is a certified veterinary acupuncturist from the International

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Animal Wellness

Veterinary Acupuncture Society. His practice, California Pet Acupuncture and Wellness, offers integrative medicine. Dr. Mahaney writes a veterinary blog for patrickmahaney.com and is working on his first book, The Uncomfortable Vet. He writes about ear problems and care on page 24.

5. Veterinarian Dr. Shawn Messonnier wrote The Natural Health Bible for Dogs and Cats, The Natural Vet’s Guide to Preventing and Treating Cancer in Dogs, and 8 Weeks to a Healthy Dog. He’s the pet care expert for Martha Stewart Living’s “Dr. Shawn – The Natural Vet” on Sirius Satellite Radio, and creator of Dr. Shawn’s Pet Organics. His practice, Paws & Claws Animal Hospital (petcarenaturally.com), is in Plano, Texas. For this issue, Dr. Messonnier focuses on probiotics for pets. (page 40) 6. Dr. Nancy Scanlan is Executive Director for the AHVM Foundation, a board member of the World Association of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, and a consultant on the Veterinary Information Network. She has been using complementary health therapies in her veterinary practice since 1970, including nutraceuticals, acupuncture, non-classical homeopathy, trigger point therapy, and Chinese and Western herbs.

Dr. Scanlan was Executive Director of the AHVMA for three years, president of the VBMA for two years, and is a member of the VBMA, AVBM, AHVMA, WATCVM, AVMA, and CVMA. Turn to page 78 for her article on what your dog’s feces can tell you about his health.

7. Veterinarian Dr. Karen Shaw Becker received her degree from the Iowa State College of Veterinary Medicine. She owns/ operates Natural Pet Animal Hospital, Feathers Bird Clinic, TheraPaw Rehabilitation and Pain Management Clinic and Covenant Wildlife

Rehabilitation in Illinois. She co-authored Real Food for Healthy Pets and hosts a holistic animal wellness website (mercolahealthypets.com). On page 90, Dr. Becker explains why cats can’t be vegetarians.

8. Christine Caplan is a Certified Vet Tech, and a long-time PR veteran and content marketing expert who brings her unique understanding of social and digital media to connect dog lovers to brands both on and offline. She lives with three hounds – two “doxies” and a beagle/basset hound mix – who constantly teach her about life and companionship (mylifewithdogspdx.com).

She looks at the causes of dry eye in pets on page 50.

9. Greg Tilford is CEO and formulator of Animal Essentials Inc., and an industry consultant and custom formulator for veterinarians worldwide. He is the author of five books, including Herbs for Pets, the Natural Way to Enhance your Pet’s Life. He has taught at veterinary institutions and conferences, including the annual AHVMA conference. Greg serves as honorary advisor to the Japan Animal Wellness Association for international pet care professionals. He is a charter member of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the NASC. He founded the Animal Products Committee of the American Herbal Products Association and has served on Health Canada’s Expert Advisory Committee for Veterinary Natural Health Products.

Read his article on botanicals for ear infections in pets (page 74).

10. Audi Donamor has been successfully creating special needs diets for companion animals for two decades. She founded the University of Guelph’s Smiling Blue Skies® Cancer Fund and Smiling Blue Skies® Fund for Innovative Research. She is the proud recipient of a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, and

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was honored with the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, for her work in cancer, from the University of Guelph/Ontario Veterinary College.

The Smiling Blue Skies Cancer Fund is also the recipient of the “Pets + Us” Community Outreach Champion Award. Turn to page 34 for her article on cancer-fighting foods.

11. Fanna Easter is a freelance writer and professional dog trainer. She has earned several national animal behavior certifications (CPDTKA, KPA CTP, ABCDT-L2). Fanna owns Positive Pooch Dog Training, and shares her home with her bull terrier, Rottweiler and husband. On page 58, she offers tips on making a raw fruit and veggie mix for dogs.

12. Tonya Wilhelm is a dog training and cat care specialist who has traveled the US promoting positive ways of preventing and managing behavior issues with a holistic approach. Named one of the top ten dog trainers in the US, she has helped thousands build happy relationships with their dogs using humane, positive training methods.

She wrote Proactive Puppy Care; offers group and private dog training classes; provides training and behavior services, and does workshops at pet expos (raisingyourpetsnaturally.com). Read Tonya’s leash-training basics on page 22.

contributors

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has spent more than 20 years working to nurture, re-socialize and rehabilitate abused rescues of all breeds, shapes and sizes. On page 82, Marybeth looks at the health benefits of coconut for pets.

14. Kristin Clark is certified by the American Council of Animal Naturopathy as a Small Animal Naturopath and Carnivore Nutrition Consultant. A member of the American Association of Drugless Practitioners, she is passionate about helping pets thrive naturally. You can visit her website at caninehealthpromotion.com. Kristin explains the phenomenon of feline whisker stress on page 94.

13. Marybeth Bittel is a freelance writer and marketing consultant who lives in the Great Lakes region with her husband and rescue dogs. She

October/November 2017

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yakkity yak LANDMARK LAW HELPS SHELTER ANIMALS This past spring, Sacramento, California passed a law that all animals in pet stores must come from rescues or shelters, according to Best Friends.

Joining 213 cities across 18 states, Sacramento is promoting pet adoption and working to eradicate the practice of selling animals from unethical breeding situations. By partnering with animal rescue organizations to adopt out cats and dogs, the pet stores will help free up space in shelters so that more animals can be saved.

As it turns out, this important law was mostly a formality, since all but one pet store in Sacramento had already implemented the practice before the bill was passed. Other states with the most jurisdictions to embrace this landmark movement include Florida, New Jersey and New York. North of the border, several pet stores in Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia have also passed the law. bestfriends.org/resources/states-local-pet-sale-bans

LAWYERS FOR ANIMALS Because they can’t speak for themselves, animals need human voices to stand up for them. Just law year, Connecticut became the first state to offer legal advocates to abused animals.

A group of volunteer legal representatives was appointed by the judicial system to represent animals that have suffered neglect or other forms of mistreatment. Seven lawyers and a University of Connecticut law professor make up the approved volunteers, who can be requested by prosecutors or defense attorneys on an as-needed basis.

“Every state has the problem of overburdened courts that understandably prioritize human cases over animal cases in allocating resources,” says Professor Jessica Rubin, a specialist in animal law. “This is a way to help.” care2.com/causes/connecticut-givesabused-animals-their-own-lawyers.html

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Animal Wellness

apple slice with a bit of peanut butter makes a simple, healthy treat An

for dogs.

NEW DOG DANCING AWARD Dog dancing is a fun and colorful canine activity. The World Canine Freestyle Organization (WCFO) has introduced a new award in honor of the late Darlene Arden – author, dog dancing enthusiast, animal behaviorist consultant, and occasional writer for Animal Wellness. The first Darlene Arden Irrepressible Dancing Dog Award went to Susan von Surhke and her Briard, Ilairo, during a three-day World Canine Freestyle workshop/competitions event on June 25. Just a couple of weeks later, on July 9, Stephanie Sampson and her English mastiff, Charleston (pictured at right) received the same award at a similar event in Tuscon, Arizona. For info on upcoming dog dancing competitions, visit worldcaninefreestyle.org

PARKINSON’S DETECTOR DOGS Dogs are increasingly being used for their incredible ability to detect diseases in humans. Thanks to their powerful sense of smell, these four-legged “doctors” can detect cancer, blood sugar changes in diabetics, and even dangerous cardiac conditions. Now, they’re even sniffing out Parkinson’s disease.

A particular odor is linked to Parkinson’s, though it remains unclear which molecules are responsible for the smell. That’s where dogs come in. In a trial conducted by Manchester University and research charity Medical Detection Dogs, two Labrador retrievers and a cocker spaniel were trained to sniff the skin swabs of 700 people. Using their olfactory skills, the canine team helped the researchers pinpoint the molecules that generate this unique “Parkinson’s smell”.

MDD CEO and co-founder Claire Guest poses with a few canine members of the bio detection team. Jack (front) is a Parkinson's detection dog.

While there is still no cure for the disease, dogs may be able to detect it years before symptoms arise – a huge advantage for Parkinson’s patients. iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/new-trial-will-have-dogs-sniffing-outparkinsons-disease

PET SITTING LAW HAS NEW YORKERS SCRAMBLING Pet sitting is a popular career for many animal lovers.

But recently, New York City residents were surprised to learn that using private homes to board other people’s dogs and cats is illegal unless the individual has a kennel license. The city’s Health Code does not permit boarding, feeding and grooming animals for a fee without a license, which can’t be issued for private homes.

This regulation was brought to light late last year, when the Health Department sent a letter to the popular pet sitting app, Rover, claiming that their users were breaking the law.

Rover has plans to get the law overturned. In the meantime, pet sitting can still take place within the homes of pet parents requesting services.

“Commercial boarding of animals in homes is illegal,” says NYC Department of Health spokesman Julien A. Martinez. “But the Health Code does not apply to a pet sitter hired to come into someone’s home to walk/feed/attend to their pet while they are not there.”

To learn more about the laws in your own municipality, contact your state’s Department of Agriculture. usda.gov October/November 2017

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yakkity yak REDUCING EUTHANASIA IN PUERTO RICO

berlee Photo courtesy of Kim

Dinn/The HSUS

An astounding 95% of animals are euthanized in Puerto Rican shelters.

Those who don’t make it into the system roam the streets, suffering from mange and other diseases. Recognizing a desperate need for help, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has launched its Sister Shelter Project, a facet of its larger Humane Puerto Rico program.

The project’s goal is to build resources and professionalize the operation of Puerto Rican shelters by pairing each one with a top shelter on the US mainland. In conjunction with Maddie’s Fund, an organization dedicated to ending euthanasia, experts from the partnering shelters are being sent to Puerto Rico to lift some of the burden off the shoulders of local volunteers.

rs by sharing Stateside shelters support Puerto Rico shelte less pet home ss addre them g helpin and ices best pract rates. nasia eutha overpopulation and high

“The stateside partners in the Sister Shelter Project have experts in disease management, volunteer programs, community outreach, customer service, and lifesaving adoption programs, all items desperately needed in Puerto Rico,” states the HSUS. blog.humanesociety.org

HELPING PETS OF THE HOMELESS Approximately 10% of homeless people in the US are pet owners.

For many of these people, dogs and cats offer unconditional love, companionship and protection on the streets.

Pets of the Homeless is a nonprofit that provides food and basic medical care for these animals. Based in Nevada, it was founded in 2008 – it has since provided veterinary care to more than 15,800 animals, as well as nearly 500 tons of food.

The organization also believes in the healing power of the humananimal bond. In the majority of cases, homeless people are with their pets 24/7.

conditions

affecting dogs and cats – start Pets of the Homeless is an organization that helps feed and provide basic veterinary care to pets belonging to homeless people.

“They care for their pets on limited resources so they themselves have less,” says Genevieve Frederick, co-founder and president. “Our task, nationwide, is to feed and provide basic emergency veterinary care, and thus relieve the anguish and anxiety of homeless people who cannot provide for their pets.” petsofthehomeless.org

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Animal Wellness

Periodontal disease is one of the most common young to keep

your pet’s teeth and gums

healthy.

October/November 2017

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yakkity yak NATIONAL ANIMAL ABUSE REGISTRY Despite education and awareness, animal abuse continues. Meanwhile, animal abuse registries have been dismissed by lawmakers as frivolous and unnecessary.

So far, only a handful of bills have been passed in several US cities, and only Tennessee has established a state-wide registry.

But here’s the good news: the Animal Legal Defense Fund is working to create a national registry to help stop animal abuse, and to alert shelters and rescues to individuals who are deemed unfit to adopt a pet. The database is expected to become available to the public by the end of this year, and will feature the names, dates of birth, offenses, and conviction and expiration dates of animal abusers. positively.com/news/national-animal-abuse-registry-in-the-works

STAY VIGILANT ABOUT TICKS

PET-FRIENDLIEST CITIES IN AMERICA

The warm weather has come to an end in many regions, but that doesn’t mean the threat of Lyme disease is over.

According to Purdue University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, pet parents should continue exercising vigilance in protecting their dogs from tick bites, especially if they live in more southerly areas of the US. Keep your dog’s immune system healthy, remember to use natural bug repellent when out walking, and avoid overgrown areas where ticks can congregate.

In order to determine where Americans’ animal companions can enjoy the best quality of life without breaking the bank, WalletHub compared the pet-friendliness of the country’s 100 largest cities. Cost of veterinary care and insurance, “walkability”, and number of pet-related businesses, dog parks and animal shelters were all taken into consideration.

Here are the results:

purdue.edu/newsroom

q Scottsdale, AZ w Phoenix, AZ e Tampa, FL r San Diego, CA t Orlando, FL y Birmingham, AL u Austin, TX i Cincinnati, OH o Atlanta, GA a Las Vegas, NV

Visit wallethub.com/edu/most-pet-friendlycities/5562/ to view the full report.

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October/November 2017

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skin problems A nutritional approach to your pet’s

By Martha C. Lindsay, MS, DVM, CVH, CNE

Following these 7 nutritional guidelines can significantly reduce your dog or cat’s itchiness.

Switching a dog or cat with skin problems to a fresh food diet often brings about an improvement in itchiness. We have seen some skin cases clear up completely thanks to dietary changes.

This article will give you some nutritional guidelines that will not only reduce dermatological problems in your pet, but also improve his general health. Keep in mind that each dog and cat is unique, and may require additional supplementation, but the basic food changes covered here can be a good start. As always, work with a holistic or integrative veterinarian so you can properly address your pet’s individual needs, especially if he has other health problems.

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FEED HIM A HIGH QUALITY DIET First and foremost, give your dog or cat the best quality food you can afford. It should be:

a. Fresh: As most of us already know, diets made from fresh food ingredients provide vastly superior nutrition over processed commercial foods. b. Clean: Many chemicals are used in animal and plant farming.

Look for meats that contain no antibiotics or hormones.

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D gs Cats

The Weston A Price Foundation produces a compact paperback Shopping Guide, updated each year, that lists reliable meat sources around the country. You may also know of local communitysupported farms with organic or minimally chemically-treated meat and produce. There may even be local pet food co-ops you can join to purchase meats less expensively.

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GIVE HIM THE RIGHT PROPORTIONS OF MEAT AND VEGGIES The basic diet for dogs consists of 50% to 75% meat and 25% to 50% high calorie cooked vegetables.

• This makes the diet about 17% to 25% animal protein, a minimal amount. You can increase the percentage of meat for growing, athletic or cachectic animals.

• Fresh food contains approximately 75% water, whereas commercial dry foods are without moisture. So we need high calorie vegetables along with the meat. The harder the vegetable, the more calories it contains. Examples are potatoes, sweet potatoes, cauliflower, beets, winter squash, turnips and parsnips. If your dog has arthritis, stay away from nightshade

vegetables in case he has a sensitivity to glycoalkaloids or steroid alkaloids. Nightshade vegetables include white potatoes, all types of tomatoes and peppers, and eggplants.

The basic diet for cats is 100% meat. You can add some wellcooked vegetables for variety if the cat likes them. Some cats are so conditioned to the taste, texture and smell of commercial dry foods that it can take time – sometimes months – to change their diet. If a cat will not eat any type of fresh meat at all, ever so gradually add water to the dry food. Once the dry food is soft enough, start adding minute amounts of cooked minced meat, gradually increasing the amount of meat and decreasing the dry food. Then over time, you can cook the meat less and less. Some cats will eat canned or cooked minced food when the dry food is powdered and “salted” over the top.

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START WITH COOKED MEAT, THEN TRANSITION TO RAW We usually start with cooked meat since the pet’s intestinal microflora have been conditioned to processed foods and might not easily digest raw meat at first. This can result in loose and frequent stools. Gradually cook the meat less and less until it’s being served raw. Not every pet can eat every kind of meat protein. If any observable problems occur after your dog or cat eats a particular type of meat, don’t give him any more.

PROVIDE BASIC SUPPLEMENTS Consult a holistic or integrative veterinarian before giving your dog or cat a new supplement, so that you get the right product and dosage.

a. C alcium is needed to balance the high phosphorus content of meat. Processed bone meal and other calcium carbonate products may be indigestible for some animals and the manufacturer should ensure the bone meal is clear of heavy metals. I have seen two dogs that were fed meat with bone diets whose incisors looked like glass, with a line of pink pulp clearly visible inside. The teeth became white again after some months of providing the dogs with a more bioavailable calcium supplement.

Continued on page 20.

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Case reports

• Duke, a neutered male boxer, came to us at six years of age with chronic diarrhea and constant scratching of the ears, neck and chest. Two weeks into the diet transition, his diarrhea resolved and the itchiness reduced to the point where he could sleep through the night. The client saw this as a 50% decrease in itchiness.

H owever, Duke was still so itchy during the day that his owner wished to hurry up the process. So we gave him Nutrition Response Testing and found he had mercury poisoning.

Mercury, arsenic and aluminum toxicity commonly underlie skin conditions in Massachusetts, where Duke lives. We gave him concentrated cilantro, and the mercury in Duke’s body’s gradually reduced over the next six weeks; as well, his itchiness gradually subsided and has not returned over the past three months.

• Oliver, a male neutered seven-year-old Bichon/Shihtzu cross, presented with a diagnosis of atopy and recurrent ear inflammations that started when he was 1½ years old. Spring and fall brought on more itchiness.

B y the third week of diet transition, Oliver no longer needed Benadryl, and the client reported an itchiness rating of 2/10 to 3/10 compared to the initial 10/10. Two weeks later, the itchiness increased to 6/10 and Nutrition Response Testing showed his medications to be a problem.

Solidago was used to start the detoxification process. Six weeks later, Oliver’s itchiness had reduced to 2/10 to 3/10 again. A few weeks later, the itchiness increased so the Solidago was discontinued and the itchiness subsided over the next two days.

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Continued from page 19. b.

Vitamins and minerals should be whole food products whose ingredient lists include only food names – not chemical names for vitamin fractions. Most commercial diets have artificial fractions of vitamins and non-chelated minerals added after cooking. These are not usable by the body without the addition of missing phytonutrients to create the complete biologically-active vitamins we get in fresh foods. In some cases, artificial fractions can be toxic to the body. c. O mega 3 fatty acids are very important for itchy pets as they are needed to modulate inflammatory conditions. If you can afford to feed pasture-raised animal products, there may be sufficient Omega 3 in your dog or cat’s food and additional supplementation won’t be needed.

5 6 7

The water you give your pet should be filtered through activated charcoal, at the very least. Pitcher-type filters can be found in many department stores. Tap water contains many chemicals, metals and unhealthy organic compounds. Helpful information about different water filtration systems can be found at mercola.com and idealearthwater.com.

Keep a log of weekly body weights and call your vet if there is any weight loss. It is also a great idea to keep a record of your pet’s clinical signs. For example, you can rate his itchiness on a scale of 0-10 (none to horrible) on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. This is very useful for helping you and your vet decide when to add alternative therapies, and for tracking progress. ne more very important O point. The doses of products chosen for basic support or for specific medical conditions may need to be reduced over time. Once the pet’s body is in a healthier condition and builds up reserves, the concentrated nutrient product seems to overstimulate the system, so a dose reduction may be required.

Another reason why it’s important to work with your vet.

Consuming adequate protein and healthy fats with a variety of fruits and vegetables, while staying away from processed foods and refined sugar, is the healthiest way for both animals and people to eat. Fresh diets help maintain great health. They can also heal skin conditions on their own, or become a key part of an integrative approach that includes additional therapies.

October/November 2017

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Is your dog an unruly leash-walker? Does he pull you off your feet every time something distracts him? These tips will help transform him into a polite walking partner.

By T ony

Leash-walking

BASICS for you and your dog Walking your dog is excellent exercise for both of you. But if he doesn’t know how to walk well on a leash, and is constantly pulling or lunging, your outings can be anything but enjoyable.

Here are some tried and true techniques for teaching your dog to be a good walking partner.

THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT Before you can teach your dog how to walk well on a leash, it’s essential you have the right equipment.

1 2 3

I prefer harnesses over collars for walking a dog. Choke chains in particular are an absolute no-no. By using a proper harness, you prevent any pressure or injury to your dog's neck or spine.

Be sure to buy a high quality product and measure your dog carefully to get the ideal fit.

Next, you need a good quality dog leash. Avoid extendable leashes – they not only teach a dog to pull, but can also be dangerous. A standard six-foot leash is my preferred choice.

Six feet gives your dog enough leash length to do his business during walks, yet keeps him close by and under your control.

Bring along some super-special treats. They need to be valued highly enough that your dog will be more interested in them than in the squirrel that just ran by. What does he really go gaga over? Once you discover the treats he loves most, reserve them for walks only, and keep the second-best goodies for other uses. This will help keep him keenly motivated when you’re on walks.

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TRAIN INSIDE FIRST Start with a little foundation training inside the house, where there are few, if any, distractions. This will give you a chance to get comfortable with your training techniques (such as how you are going to hold the leash). You’re going to get your dog's attention, walk him around the house, feed him a treat, and repeat. This allows your dog to quickly learn that this is an enjoyable game with lots of rewards.

The goal is to teach your dog that it’s fun to hang with you and walk wherever you go. Attach his leash to his harness, smile, and say

3 RULES FOR LOOSE-LEASH WALKING  Once your dog's leash is attached to his harness, you

must start practicing good walking and leash manner skills. There is no “off-time”. It's all or nothing. If you want your dog to understand that he is not to pull when his leash is on, you must practice each and every time he’s wearing it.

 If the leash gets tight, your dog isn’t allowed to go forward. This is the foundation of what you will be teaching him. Tight leash = no go. Loose leash = go.

 Have a set time for outdoor training sessions. When

you first start teaching your dog to walk nicely on a leash, telling yourself that you are going to go around the block right off the bat may not be the best goal.

Instead, set up a specific training goal, such as 15 minutes or “x” number of treats. When you are halfway through your time or treats, turn back to come home.

“let's go” as you take a few steps forward, encouraging him to walk with you. As he does so, tell him how good he is and give him a treat when you stop. Tell him once again how good he is. Repeat the smile, “let's go”, walk and treat. At this point, you are only taking a few steps at a time before stopping and treating.

Practice this indoor walking technique in short bursts, as often as you and your dog are up for it. Keep the sessions short and enjoyable for your dog.

Trainer tip:

If your dog pulls during the training session, stop walking. Try to get his attention again and reward him when he once more focuses on you. Your next session should be shorter before stopping and treating. Your goal is to have your dog win, yet never have a tight leash.

OUTDOOR TRAINING Once your dog has mastered his training indoors, you can move outside. Because there will be more distractions outdoors, however, start out by taking fewer steps before rewarding and stopping. When a situation is more challenging, as when distractions are present, training needs to become easier. Remember, you want to reward your dog for being successful.

Don't get into the mindset of thinking you have to walk on a straight boring sidewalk in a straight boring line. You can do this training in your yard, or at a park. After all, you didn't have a sidewalk inside your house, so you don't have to walk on one when you’re outside. By keeping your dog engaged and wondering what's next, you’ll be more likely to keep his attention instead of ending up with a tight leash as his focus is drawn elsewhere.

If you do end up with a tight leash, just stop and plant your feet. Remember: a tight leash means no going forward. Make a playful smooching sound with your mouth to engage your dog, and once he turns around to look at you, have a little party with him.

Rub him, get silly, give him some treats, run with him, whatever. What you’re doing is making the point that you are more fun and exciting than what he was distracted by.

Training your dog to become a good walking partner doesn’t happen overnight. It takes lots of patience and practice – but it’s so worth the effort.

A GOOD MOOD = A GOOD WALK You need to be in a good frame of mind when you take your dog for a walk, especially if you’re still working on his leash skills. Getting grouchy with your dog is not going to yield the best experience for either of you. If you’re feeling down or irritable, do something else until you feel lighter. It’s very important to smile and have fun when walking or working with your dog.

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D gs Cats

By Patrick Mahaney, VMD, CVA

Taking care of your

PET’S EARS Given how common ear problems are in dogs and cats, it pays to give regular attention to the state of your own pet’s ears, and to know how to keep them clean and healthy.

Ear problems are among the most common reasons cats and dogs are taken to the veterinarian for evaluation and treatment.

Yet many of these problems could be prevented or minimized with an awareness of how and why they manifest, along with some practiced cleaning effort. With the right knowledge and techniques, you can keep your dog or cat’s ears healthy for life.

WHAT TYPES OF EAR PROBLEMS AFFECT PETS? All species’ ears are basically an extension of the skin into the skull. As a result, many skin problems also impact the ears.

Seasonal and non-seasonal environmental and food allergies, infections, cancer, exposure to hot or freezing temperatures or solar radiation, toxic reactions, trauma, and other factors can all damage your dog or cat’s ears.

Infections with bacteria, mites and yeast are some of the most common contributing factors to pet ear problems. These organisms may already live on the surface of the skin, or they can enter from an outside source (plant awn, soil, another animal’s mouth, etc.) and flourish in the dark moist environment inside the ear.

Internal organ abnormalities often cause changes to the skin and coat. This means the ears can be negatively impacted by glandular conditions like diabetes mellitus (deficient pancreatic

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insulin production), hyperthyroidism (over-functioning thyroid glands), hypothyroidism (under-functioning thyroid glands), hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s disease, or over-functioning adrenal glands), kidney and liver disease, among others.

HOW ARE CANINE AND FELINE EAR CONDITIONS DIAGNOSED? Most ear problems in dogs and cats primarily affect the outer ear (otitis externa), are relatively easy to diagnose and treat, and cause mild to moderate clinical signs. Middle and inner ear ailments (otitis media and otitis interna, respectively) are more likely to cause moderate to severe clinical signs and are a greater challenge to diagnose and treat.

Besides visually assessing the outer ear and smelling for an unpleasant odor, your veterinarian should use an otoscope to permit examination of the vertical and horizontal canals (see sidebar on page 26) and the tympanic membrane. He or she should also perform a full-body physical exam.

If any abnormalities like ear discharge are found, a sample can be collected for cytology (microscopic evaluation) and culture/sensitivity. Pending the pet’s overall health status, other diagnostics like blood and urine testing, x-rays, or other evaluation may be needed. Since disorders of the ear often cause

discomfort, a pet may need to be sedated or anesthetized to better assess and treat particular conditions.

WHAT TREATMENT OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE? Conventional treatment for otitis externa includes flushing with an ear-cleaning solution and applying topical antibiotic, anti-fungal or anti-inflammatory medications. More severe ear disorders, like otitis interna and media, may require oral or injectable medications or surgical treatment.

Holistic treatment focuses on treating the ear from the inside out. It includes dietary supplements that reduce tissue damage and offer an anti-inflammatory effect, such as fish oil-based Omega 3 fatty acids, antioxidants (e.g. vitamins C and E) herbs (e.g. turmeric, ginger) and probiotics, all of which improve whole body health and therefore skin health. (Editor’s note: for more info on how herbs and other botanicals can be used to treat otitis media, turn to page 74.)

Additionally, many patients suffering from ear and skin disorders potentially related to food or environmental allergies improve when transitioned from highly-processed commercial pet food to high quality whole food diets with simple natural ingredients. Food allergies to certain proteins and carbohydrates can contribute to skin inflammation that also manifests in the

CLINICAL SIGNS OF EAR PROBLEMS IN A DOG OR CAT • Scratching around the ears, face, or neck • Head shaking or tilt • Ear flap or canal redness, swelling, discharge or odor • Mass-like skin lesions (cancerous or non-cancerous masses) • Not wanting the head or ears touched • Lethargy • Decreased appetite • Vocalizing • Ataxia (loss of balance)

ears, so food elimination diets, in which a single protein and carbohydrate source not previously consumed replaces options previously eaten, can be of benefit. Food elimination trials take six to eight weeks to yield results, and any cheating by feeding protein or carbohydrate sources not matching the options chosen for the trial can negate the benefits of this approach.

Continued on page 26.

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Continued from page 25.

AREN’T DOG AND CAT EARS JUST LIKE HUMAN EARS? Canine and feline ears have a different structure than human ears. Our ears have a “straight shot”, called the horizontal canal, which connects the tympanic membrane (eardrum) to the pinna (flap). Dogs and cats have a vertical canal that drops downward from the pinna and then takes a nearly 90° bend to become a horizontal canal, which courses inward to the tympanic membrane. The longer ear canal helps make canine and feline hearing sharper than ours; but it also means the pet’s ears can be more challenging to keep clean, and it also makes them prone to an accumulation of debris as well as to infections, especially as the ear canal is bent.

Dogs and cats have three parts to their ears – outer, middle, and inner.

1 The ear canal and pinna make up the outer ear.

2 The tympanic membrane, an air-filled chamber containing three tiny bones (hammer, anvil and stirrup), along with the eustachian tube (an airfilled tube connecting to the junction of the nose and mouth) form the middle ear.

3 The cochlea (hearing organ) and vestibular system (balance-permitting organ) constitute the inner ear.

When the pinna points out or up, the ear canal is considered to be open. This permits air to enter the canal and minimize the development of a moist environment that can support the proliferation of microorganisms (bacteria, mites, yeast, etc.). Yet an open ear canal permits allergens and moisture to enter the ear, which in turn can contribute to aural ailments.

Pets with pinnae pointing down (i.e. floppy-eared dogs) are considered to have a closed ear canal. This helps prevent water and irritants from entering the ear canal, but it also creates a dark, warm and potentially moist microenvironment which supports microorganism growth and ear problems.

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HOW CAN I PREVENT EAR PROBLEMS IN MY PET? Many ear problems can be prevented through routine care, such as flushing with a veterinary-prescribed irrigating solution and keeping canal hair plucked or trimmed short (provided no trimmed hairs accumulate in the canal). Pets that swim or are bathed frequently; live in areas with dense environmental allergens; have open ear canals; or are prone to skin problems, should be given preventive treatment as often as deemed necessary by your veterinarian.

If you aren’t comfortable with the process of cleaning your dog or cat’s ears, ask your veterinarian to give you a demonstration. Veterinary technicians and professional groomers are also adept at cleaning canine and feline ears, and scheduling consistent technician appointments and grooming sessions can help you stay ahead of problems before clinical signs appear.

In short, prevention is truly the best treatment when it comes to your pet’s ears. Doing a daily examination with your eyes and nose is a great starting point for detecting problems before they start, and is my top recommendation.

Additionally, because ear problems can occur and worsen rapidly, it’s crucial that pets have regular veterinary examinations. I recommend healthy dogs and cats be given a examination at least every 12 months; those with health problems or regularly taking medications should be examined more frequently.

Ear infections and other problems can be very uncomfortable for your dog and cat, and are sometimes challenging to treat once they’re established. By inspecting and cleaning your pet’s ears, and having him regularly checked by a veterinarian, you can help ward off any serious issues.

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By W. Jean Dodds, DVM

CHRONIC INFLAMMATION and your pet – part 2

D gs Cats When free radicals are released from cells undergoing oxidative stress, the result is chronic inflammation and a variety of health problems in dogs and cats. In the second part of this article, we’ll look at the connection between chronic inflammation and cancer, and how dietary changes can help.

Cancer is responsible for about half of all dog and cat deaths in North America. Mounting evidence links cancer to environmental toxins – everything from common household cleaners and pesticides to flea and tick preventives and vaccines have been shown to cause carcinogenic mutations.

In fact, researchers estimate that only 5% to 10% of all cancer cases originate from genetic predisposition, while 90% to 95% are the result of lifestyle and environmental factors.

They have even concluded that 30% to 40% of all cancers can be prevented by implementing dietary changes. This is good news for our cats and dogs.

INFLAMMATION AND CANCER – 9 PREDISPOSING FACTORS

1 2 3

Obesity alters the metabolism of hormones that maintain and control the balance of cell proliferation, maturation and cell death. Pro-inflammatory mediators, like cytokines produced by fat cells, activate a factor that promotes carcinogenic change. Fifteen types of cancer in people are linked to long-term obesity, especially the bowel cancer that occurs later in life.

High glycemic index (GI) carbs promote cancer mutations as well as high levels of insulin. This results in a high risk for type 2 diabetes and colorectal cancer. One should avoid eating and feeding refined sugars and flours.

Fluoride accumulates in bones, causing a high risk for bone cancer (osteosarcoma). Dogs are ten times more likely to have osteosarcoma than people. High fluoride levels are found in food and fluoridated water. As well, commercial dry dog foods contain 1.6 to 2.5 times the safe fluoride level stated by the EPA because these foods typically contain bone meal, meat meal and meat byproduct meal. Dogs with cancer should avoid bone meal and animal by-products, and drink fluoride-free water.

4 5

Environmental toxins include lawn and garden pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, swimming pool products, household cleaning, carpet and laundry products, construction materials, automotive products including antifreeze batteries and battery acids, personal care and hygiene products, pet care and grooming products.

PBDEs (PolyBrominated Diphenyl Ethers) are flame-retardant chemicals that have been used in clothing, furniture and electronics for 40 years. They leak into the environment and are known disruptors of endocrine function, especially of the thyroid gland. They have also been linked to developmental problems, and even

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cancer, in animals. Residues of PBDEs are found in the serum, foods and house dust of cats and dogs. PBDE levels in cats can be 20 to 100 times those found in humans, while levels in dogs are five to ten times higher; dogs metabolize them faster than cats, and have an enzyme that helps detoxify them.

6 7

Secondhand smoke is a serious culprit. Research studies have found that dogs exposed to large amounts of secondhand smoke eventually show pre-cancerous changes and even cancerous lesions in their lung tissue.

Topical flea/tick preventives are another issue. In 1989, Purdue University Veterinary School found that dogs receiving one or two topical pesticides per year had a 60% increased risk of bladder cancer. Dogs given more than two applications per year were 3.5 times more likely to develop bladder cancer. The risk was increased even more in overweight or obese dogs.

Continued on page 30.

FOODS, NUTRIENTS AND SUPPLEMENTS THAT FIGHT INFLAMMATION AND CANCER • Dietary changes can prevent 30% to 40% of all cancers.

Remove harmful foods that block the effects of functional foods. Functional foods and nutrients include turmeric (curcumin), folate, cruciferous vegetables, SAMe, vitamin B12, green leafy and yellow orange vegetables, ginger, milk thistle, berries (blueberries, cranberries, chokeberries), pomegranate, medicinal mushrooms, prebiotics (spirulina), and probiotics, vitamin D and Omega-3 fatty acids.

•Antioxidants help balance the immune system and reduce free radical damage. They include vitamins A, C, E and coenzyme Q10. Antiangiogenic supplements such as pectin and shark cartilage help reduce the blood supply to cancers.

• Beneficial phytochemicals include carotenoids (e.g. betacarotene, lutein), flavonoids (e.g. quercetin, resveratrol, rutin), and phytosterols (plant sterols). Use green leafy vegetables like spinach, broccoli, kale, lettuce, Italian parsley, Swiss chard, collards, bok choy or turnip greens.

Add yellow orange vegetables like squashes, carrots, pumpkin, yellow beets, yams, and sweet potatoes. Both green leafy and yellow orange vegetables, when given three times a week or more, can decrease canine bladder cancer risk by 92%.

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Continued from page 29.

OXIDATIVE STRESS, CHRONIC INFLAMMATION AND CANCER – main contributors

1 Oxidative stress Canine patients with lymphoma, fibrosarcoma, mast cell tumor, malignant melanoma, osteosarcoma, nasal and other tumors were studied and compared to healthy dogs. Results showed a significant increase in antioxidant capacity and activity in the cancer group, along with impaired defense mechanisms.

2 Cancer and immune surveillance Cancer cells are created in the body every day. A healthy immune system distinguishes these altered cells from normal cells and kills them. However, when the immune system is compromised, these cells live and divide until they create tumors. Cancer cells are energyhungry and use glucose and protein for energy; they prefer certain amino acids, like arginine, and use it at the expense of the host.

Thus, cancer diets often contain arginine to replenish and repair depleted sources.

3 Behavior of cancer cells Cancer cells preferentially metabolize glucose for energy. This differs from normal cells as cancer cells form lactate, an acid that causes the body to expend energy to convert it back to glucose. Cancer diets should thus be low in carbohydrates, although end-stage cancer diets include carbohydrates to replace the body’s depleted energy stores.

Most cancer cells cannot metabolize fats, so cancer diets also need high quality, high fat content (especially Omega-3 fatty acids) to provide a safe energy source. However, these high fat diets are unsuitable for pets prone to pancreatitis or liver disease. Bioavailable vitamins and minerals are also needed.

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8

Adverse vaccine reactions are common. Both MLV and inactivated killed vaccines can produce serious adverse reactions, including death, in susceptible animals. Injection site sarcomas can occur in both dogs and cats, and can reoccur after removal. These lesions are most commonly associated with rabies and feline leukemia vaccines, but can occur after any vaccination. Affected pets should not be revaccinated, including for rabies. These pets need to receive written exemption/waivers instead.

9

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a chemical used to harden plastics and resins while keeping them flexible. Despite its known health hazards, it is still used in plastic water bottles, food containers, and to line food tins. BPA leaches into the food and beverages it comes into contact with, which means an estimated 95% of the population has BPA exposure. It has estrogenlike properties and affects many body tissues and functions. Please only use canned goods that are labelled BPA-, BPF- and BPS-free.

As you can see, many things contribute to chronic inflammation in your pet’s body. And over time, that inflammation can lead to cancer. Being aware of the predisposing factors and taking steps to eliminate or minimize their effects, along with feeding your dog or cat a healthy diet (see sidebar on page 29), can reduce his risk of inflammation and cancer.

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If your pet needs eye surgery, he needs

ANTIOXIDANTS!

Why do our dogs and cats need special antioxidants for their eyes? For the same reasons we do! Oxidative stress is prevalent everywhere, particularly when the eye is injured or undergoes surgery. Any surgical procedure creates inflammation, which in turn creates free radical species. This is collectively called oxidative stress, and it’s present not just at the surgical site due to tissue manipulation, but throughout the rest of the body due to the effects of general anesthesia. General anesthesia lowers tear production as well as the total antioxidant activity in the tears. It also affects the brain, regardless of the patient's age.

For these reasons, it is important to complement a pet’s normal diet with specific antioxidants that not only fight daily "normal" oxidative stress, but also protect the dog or cat before and after eye surgery.

Traditional medications are typically prescribed to fight infection and inflammation pre- and post-surgery. But what can we do to protect against the damaging effects of inflammation that cause further oxidative stress, not only to the surgical area but also to normal neighboring tissues? Traditional medicine does not usually address these effects, as most healthy immune systems can remove damaged cells and tissues. However, the eye is a unique organ that has a limited ability to remove its own damaged tissues, and it is often impossible to surgically address this damage. For example, damaged tissue near a surgical leg wound can usually be removed (debrided), but this isn’t so for the delicate eye.

Inflammation inside the eye (uveitis) can create an unregulated and unrelenting cycle of vicious inflammation that damages

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cells and tissues. Uncontrolled uveitis can lead to blindness and sometimes even the removal of an eye. Besides traditional anti-inflammatory medical therapy, it is imperative to include a variety of specific antioxidants and free radical scavengers in the treatment protocol. These antioxidants include vitamins (C, E, B1 and B2), carotenoids (e.g. lutein, zeaxanthin and astaxanthin), aldose reductase inhibitors (e.g. alpha lipoic acid), and flavonoids (grapeseed extract and green tea extract).

These antioxidants attack oxidative stress to rebalance innate antioxidant defenses and provide the extra support necessary to address free radical production. Many also provide antiinflammatory benefits.

Some ocular surgical procedures require a short course of medications, while others, such as cataract surgery, may require lifelong anti-inflammatory medications. Both cataracts and cataract surgery in dogs and cats create low-grade lifetime uveitis. This is because of something called "immunologic memory" – the eye "remembers" inflammation, similar to how arthritis can linger for years after a knee injury (the knee "remembers" the injury).

Unfortunately, the natural aging process depletes the body's antioxidants. Normal aging of the retina results in a gradual loss of night vision. Additionally, normal aging of the brain can result in cognitive dysfunction syndrome, aka dementia (“dogmentia”).

Antioxidants that support the aging eye also support the aging brain. The lifetime use of a specific blend of antioxidants is important to control oxidative stress and inflammation, especially when eye surgery is required.

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CANCERFIGHTING

FOODS

By Audi Donamor

From colorful fruits and vegetables to mushrooms and seaweed, these nutrient-packed foods can help reduce your dog’s risk of cancer.

Cancer is an increasingly common health problem in dogs of all ages. The best way to help prevent cancer from affecting your own canine companion is to give him a healthy lifestyle that includes a nutritious whole foods diet. His diet can be further supplemented with a range of cancer-fighting foods such as mushrooms, colorful fruits and vegetables, fish, seaweed and turmeric.

THE MEDICINAL POWER OF MUSHROOMS There are about 100,000 varieties of mushroom – approximately 700 are used for food, and 50 have medicinal properties. Even common varieties contain naturally-occurring antioxidants, including L-ergoothioneine, along with all the B vitamins (except Vitamin B12), copper, phosphorus, potassium and selenium. It has been discovered that common white button mushrooms contain as much free radical-scavenging power as medicinal mushrooms; they support the lungs, spleen and intestines, and are used to treat diarrhea, mucous discharge and vomiting.

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• Shiitake mushrooms have been used medicinally for over 6,000 years. They are a rich source of protein, and contain vitamins A, B6 and C, copper, folate, iron, magnesium, manganese, niacin, pantothenic acid, potassium, riboflavin, selenium, thiamine, zinc and dietary fiber. Shiitake mushrooms also contain more than 50 enzymes, including pepsin, which aids in digestion.

One of the amazing things about Shiitake mushrooms is that they’re a natural source of interferon, a protein that appears to induce an immune response against cancer and viral diseases.

They also contain germanium, which supports cellular oxygenation and the immune response.

Beta-glucan, a form of natural sugar with powerful immune-boosting and anti-cancer properties, is also found in Shiitake mushrooms. Research going back to the 1940s has demonstrated that the beta-glucan in these mushrooms helps slow down tumor growth and decreases the side effects of traditional cancer treatments like chemotherapy.

Lentian, also found in Shiitakes, is technically classified as a polysaccharide but is often referred to as a branched betaglucan; it further supports the immune system, helping to fight infection and disease.

• Reishi, the “Grass of Heaven”, is used as a tonic to help increase energy, improve digestion, regulate the immune system, support the cardiovascular system, and help alleviate allergy symptoms. Reishi mushrooms are also rich in polysaccharides, polypeptides, and 16 types of amino acid, coumarin, organic acids and microelements.

In traditional East Asian medicine, 1.5 to 9 grams of dried Reishi (one level teaspoon is equal to approximately 2.75 grams), prepared as a tea, are recommended for humans each day. The daily amount is divided between the morning and evening. You can do the same for your dog. Small dogs can be given 1 gram of the fruiting body of Reishi, medium-sized dogs 2 grams, and large dogs 3 grams, divided between two meals.

2 Blueberries and cranberries contain significant Making Reishi tea is simple. Bring filtered water and dried Reishi mushrooms or powder to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. The tea will be quite strong in 20 to 30 minutes, and you can recycle the “grounds” as long as there is color in the tea. Simply add some to your dog’s meals. The tea can be refrigerated for two days. Shake before using.

• Maitake mushrooms have been used medicinally for 3,000 years in China and Japan. The Maitake is often referred to as the “King of Mushrooms”. It has an incredible range of healing powers; referred to as an anti-cancer agent, it also helps regulate blood sugar levels and lower cholesterol.

The chemical structure of Maitake’s polysaccharide compound is slightly different from the beta-glucans found in other medicinal mushrooms. Maitake’s D-fraction, the most active form of beta-glucan, has demonstrated strong tumorsuppressant abilities in a number of clinical studies, and also boosts immunity to fight infections more effectively.

Making Maitake tea is just like making Reishi tea. For humans, 2 to 4 grams of dried mushrooms are recommended. Small dogs can have ½ gram of Maitake each day, while medium dogs can have 1 gram per day, and large dogs 2 grams per day.

FRUITS AND VEGETABLES – THE BRIGHTER THE BETTER

1 Apples are a very rich source of vitamin C. They also contain potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, selenium, iron, manganese, copper, zinc, vitamin A, folate and vitamin E. Red Delicious, Northern Spy, and Ida Red apples contain more potent disease-fighting antioxidants than other red apples.

levels of resveratrol, a natural compound with anti-cancer properties. Blueberries are a very rich source of antioxidants that come from anthocyanins, the pigments that give the berries their deep blue color. Try red raspberries and blackberries too.

3 Broccoli is a phytonutrient-dense member of the cruciferous family.

It contains at least three cancerprotective biochemicals, including sulforaphane, which support the immune system. Broccoli contains lots of vitamin C and beta-carotene, as well as vitamins A and D. Other members of the cruciferous family include Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, rutabagas, kohlrabi, Bok Choy, kale, Swiss chard, collards and turnips.

Cooking cruciferous vegetables releases indole, a cancer-fighting enzyme.

4 Carrots are a powerhouse of nutrients.

They contain pro-vitamin A, also known as beta-carotene, vitamins B, C, D, E and K, riboflavin, niacin, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, sodium, iron, magnesium, manganese, sulphur, copper and iodine. They support the immune system, aid digestion, and are also recognized as a glandular tonic.

Continued on page 36.

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9 Tomatoes have been shown to lower the risk of some kinds of cancer. The secret is lycopene, the chemical that gives tomatoes their bright red color. Cooked tomatoes contain more lycopene, because cooking breaks down the cellular walls, allowing carotenoids to be more concentrated. To make tomatoes even more beneficial, add a little fat, like cold-pressed virgin olive oil.

This allows the lycopene to be better absorbed into the body.

10 W atermelon contains 40% more lycopene than tomatoes!

FISH – but be sure to choose the right kind

Continued from page 35.

5G reen beans are an excellent source of vitamin A because of

Fish and shellfish contain high quality protein and offer a variety of other nutritional benefits, including Omega 3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), along with vitamins B2 and D, calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, iodine, magnesium and potassium. Adding fish to your dog’s diet can have all kinds of benefits, supporting heart health, brain function and eye health, and helping with inflammation.

their concentration of carotenoids, including beta-carotene. They also contain vitamins C and K, calcium, copper, fiber, folic acid, iron, magnesium, manganese, niacin, phosphorus, potassium, protein, riboflavin, thiamine and Omega 3 fatty acids.

A word of advice though – leave the raw fish to the experts, and instead serve it cooked or from a can. Some raw fish contains parasites; for example, raw salmon poisoning is caused by a rickettsia that uses a parasite fluke on the salmon as a host.

6M angos are a good source of fiber and contain a small

Try cooked fresh fish or canned wild salmon, sardines and mackerel, packed in water. Remember to choose wild-caught fish over farmed; wild fish tends to contain more Omega 3 essential fatty acids, and is less likely to be contaminated with harmful pollutants.

amount of protein as well as potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, selenium, copper, zinc and manganese.

They are also rich in vitamins A, C, folate and B6.

7 Pomegranates are a rich source of ellagic acid and also contain the flavonoids anthocyanidin and proanthocyanidin, which have demonstrated reduced tumour angiogenesis in a variety of studies.

8 Sweet potatoes are a great source of vitamin E. They also include an abundance of vitamins A, B6, and C, calcium, iron, folate, potassium, copper and thiamine. Sweet potatoes are a rich source of beta-carotene, which may be a significant factor in reducing the risk of certain cancers.

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For fish safety, visit epa.gov/choose-fish-and-shellfish-wisely/fishand-shellfish-advisories-and-safe-eating-guidelines.

SEAWEED IS A SUPER FOOD Seaweeds are among the world’s super foods, and have been part of the human diet for thousands of years. It is estimated that our oceans are home to more than 8,000 species of seaweed.

Kelp (see sidebar on page 35) is the richest source of trace minerals. Pituitary, adrenal and thyroid glands benefit from

these trace minerals. Kelp supports the immune system, helps regulate blood sugar levels, soothes the gastrointestinal tract, and helps alleviate joint pain.

Fresh sea vegetables should be gathered, washed and stored in the refrigerator, and cooked in ceramic pots, glassware or stainless steel. Dried sea vegetables should be stored in dark glass jars or hung in dark dry rooms.

Consider Acadian sea kelp, dulse, kombu, nori, wakame, and Irish moss. Look for sustainably-harvested sundried OCIA (Organic Crop Improvement Association) standard sea vegetables that have been tested for heavy metals, herbicides, pesticides, PCBs, fuel oil and bacteriological contaminants.

vitamin E, providing essential disease-fighting compounds that protect the body by neutralizing free radicals.

An infusion of turmeric is an easy way to provide a revitalizing tonic for your dog. Simply take 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder, and place it in a strainer in a cup. Fill the cup with freshly boiled filtered water. Cover the cup with a plate and leave it to infuse (steep) for five to ten minutes. One human dose is 500 ml. A quarter of this dose can be used for a small dog; 250 ml is recommended for medium to large dogs, and a full dose for giant breeds.

See recipes on page 38.

TURMERIC Turmeric goes by many names, including Curcuma longa and Indian saffron, and it has many medicinal properties that arise from its deep yellow pigment. Turmeric contains a powerful active compound called curcumin, which has been found to be a more powerful antioxidant than

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RECIPES MUSHROOM AND MEAT STEW Ingredients

1 cup fresh Shiitake mushrooms (or other mushroom of your choice), finely chopped or sliced 1 clove garlic, finely minced (optional) ½ teaspoon sea salt 1 tablespoon cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil or rice bran oil 3 c ups cooked whole brown rice or quinoa; Thai jasmine rice can also be used (cook 1 cup of rice with 3 cups of filtered water) 1 pound of protein such as turkey, chicken, beef, bison or lamb

Instructions

Choose organic ingredients whenever possible. Heat oil in a large pan. Add mushrooms, meat and garlic, and gently cook until tender. Add rice and salt, and combine well.

SHIITAKE MUSHROOM TEA Ingredients

2 dried Shiitake mushrooms, broken into small pieces 1 cup filtered water

Instructions

Place Shiitake pieces and filtered water in a small pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer for 30 minutes. Strain mushroom bits and cool tea before serving to your dog. One cup of tea is equal to four doses, which can be added to food or drinking water. Shiitake pieces can also be added to your dog’s meals.

CARROT FLAN This is an adaptation of a recipe that comes from Nature’ s Children by Juliette de Bairacli Levy.

Ingredients

2 cups finely grated raw carrot (can also be made with sweet potatoes or yams, or a combination that includes red apples) 6 raw egg yolks 6 tablespoons filtered water ½ teaspoon sea salt or kelp flakes ¼ teaspoon turmeric ¾ cup of a whole grain or pseudo grain like quinoa, teff or chia can also be added to this recipe

Instructions

Beat the egg yolks, water and salt. Combine the grated carrots with the egg mixture and add turmeric. Add grain if desired.

Grease a casserole dish and pour in the mixture. Bake in a 350°F oven for 30 minutes. Cool, cut in strips and serve.

FABULOUS FISH CAKES Ingredients

TURKEY TAIL AND TURMERIC IMMUNE BOOSTER

2 pounds ground white fish or salmon 3 whole eggs 2 carrots 2 teaspoons sea salt (optional) 4 tablespoons oatmeal ¼ cup cold-pressed oil (e.g. olive oil or camelina oil) ¾ cup filtered water; you can use fish or vegetable stock to replace some or all of the filtered water

Ingredients

Instructions

1 cup turkey tail mushrooms, finely chopped 3 cups filtered water 1 tablespoon organic turmeric 1½ teaspoons local or Manuka honey

Instructions

Place chopped turkey tail mushrooms and filtered water in a medium-sized pot.

Bring to a boil, then turn down to simmer for one hour. Remove from heat. Stir in turmeric and honey. Cool and serve.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Combine all ingredients, except the fish, in a food processor or blender. Turn out into a large mixing bowl. Add fish and combine thoroughly.

Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or lightly grease them. You can make large patties for your canine companion by using an ice cream scoop. Lightly flatten the fish cakes with a fork, before popping them into the oven.

Bake for approximately one hour. Remove from oven and cool completely. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving. Store in the refrigerator or freezer.

This recipe can easily be cut in half, or frozen in small portions for future use.

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39

PROBIOTICS D gs Cats

By Shawn Messonnier, DVM

FOR PETS

They’re not just for GI issues. Probiotics can help with a range of health problems and can also help maintain overall wellness in healthy dogs and cats.

Supplements for dogs and cats are many and varied, but my clients ask about probiotics the most. In fact, it’s a rare consultation during which the topic of probiotics doesn’t come up. So it’s obvious that this particular supplement is of concern to pet owners. And for good reason. Let’s take a closer look at probiotics and why they are so important to the health of your dog or cat.

WHAT EXACTLY ARE PROBIOTICS? Probiotics are nutritional supplements with a variety of uses. The name probiotic literally means “for life”. Without probiotics, there literally can be no life. Probiotics are composed of bacteria (typically) or yeasts (less commonly) that keep people and pets healthy and alive, as opposed to the pathogenic microorganisms (such as E. coli or Staph spp.) that cause disease and death.

All animals and people are born with a healthy microbiome, a collection of microorganisms that populate the GI tract. There they reside, reproduce, and maintain health by preventing overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria and yeasts.

Without probiotics in the gut, pathogenic microorganisms would populate the GI tract and kill the animal or person. There are so many microorganisms in the GI tract keeping us healthy that this microbiome, which influences the

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local lymph tissue in the walls of the intestine (called GALT – gut associated lymphoid tissue) functions as the largest lymphatic organ in the body.

The beneficial bacteria are important for a variety of essential functions, including digestion, producing and metabolizing vitamins, fatty acids and other trace nutrients, and protecting the body from infection.

Consider a combination product that provides both probiotics and enzymes, to offer additional GI and anti-inflammatory support.

WHEN MIGHT A PROBIOTICS SUPPLEMENT BE NEEDED? By giving a dog or cat good healthy bacteria in the form of probiotics, we can help him stay healthy by supporting not just his GI health but also an important arm of his immune system.

While we typically use probiotics for pets suffering from GI problems, they are useful for many other issues as well. Here are some of the instances in which I might prescribe probiotics (to be honest, I recommend them to all my clients because of the many health benefits).

• An infection in the body or GI tract • Changes that cause stress (boarding, moving, vaccination, surgery, etc.)

Continued on page 42.

A note about prebiotics The term “prebiotic” is often used in conjunction with “probiotic” and is closely related to it.

Prebiotics are basically food for the probiotics.

Prebiotics (“pre” means “before” and “biotic” means “life”) are therapeutic nutritional preparations used for GI effects; they favor the growth of normal bacterial flora without favoring the growth of pathogenic organisms.

Another definition I like is that prebiotics are a non-digestible, selectively-fermented food ingredient that changes composition and/or activity in the gastrointestinal microflora, conferring health benefits on the host. In pets, these foods include inulin, fructooligosaccharides, mannosoligosaccharides and arabinogalactans.

While prebiotics provide nutrition for the probiotics, they also have their own positive health effects. For example, arabinogalactans have been shown to offer local GI immunomodulating effects.

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Continued from page 41.

• Abrupt changes in the pet’s diet • Immune disorders • Young pets adapting to a new house • Old pets who typically have “weakened” immune systems • Pets taking medications, even for a few days, but especially if longer than one week, including antibiotics, antifungals, NSAIDS and steroids; many medications destroy the normal bacterial flora of the GI system; probiotics repopulate the system with normal and healthy bacteria

Leaky gut syndrome While conventional medicine doesn’t recognize this common disorder, it’s important to diagnose and treat leaky gut syndrome in order to maximize health and improve treatment response in sick pets. Leaky gut arises when the integrity of the mucosal lining of the GI tract is damaged, causing it to become permeable or “leaky”. Common causes include a variety of medications and any other toxins that enter the GI tract. When increased permeability occurs, unwanted molecules (toxins, harmful bacteria) are allowed to pass through the GI tract into the body.

Since the body recognizes these molecules as foreign, it attacks them, likely contributing to a variety of autoimmune diseases, including Type 1 diabetes and autoimmune thyroiditis. In addition to absorbing toxins, leaky gut also “leaks” beneficial proteins, including globulins, into the GI tract and out of the body. Over the long term, this can cause death through low body levels of protein. Finally, even though leaky gut is not recognized by many mainstream doctors, it has been shown to be the cause of fatality in dogs dying from parvoviral infections.

• Pets with specific medical problems that increase the risk of infection, including diabetes and Cushing’s/adrenal disease • GI parasites • Cancer • Allergies • IBD • Vomiting/diarrhea • Various inflammatory conditions (arthritis, dental disease, etc.)

• Leaky gut syndrome (see sidebar at left) • Hairballs – I typically use probiotics and enzymes to achieve ideal hairball control

WHAT PROBIOTIC SPECIES ARE BEST? While various manufacturers claim that their supplements contain the “correct” or “best” species of probiotic microorganisms, in reality we don’t yet really know what is “best”. Manufacturers have done limited studies on their products, showing benefits for specific disorders, although this has been more extensively done for human probiotics.

It may be that one day we’ll discover that a certain strain of probiotic is best for treating a certain disease. For now, I prescribe quality supplements that contain viable organisms – I use a product that contains both probiotics and enzymes, to aid in digestion.

In general, probiotic supplements should contain at least one or more of the following strains of healthy bacterial species, since these are well known and have shown positive results in the few studies that have been done to date: Bacillus coagulans, Lactobacillus spp., and Bifidobacterium animalis (strain AHC7).

In my opinion, the specific microorganisms may not be as important as just making sure the pet is taking probiotics.

Probiotic products should contain live bacteria – ideally at least one billion beneficial bacteria per serving. They should not contain artificial ingredients.

SHOULD “NORMAL” PETS TAKE PROBIOTICS? Yes! Pets and people do not need to be ill in order to benefit from probiotic supplementation. And it may be that probiotics for healthy pets could prevent or minimize various disorders, especially GI problems.

Probiotics are among the most important supplements you can give your dog or cat. In addition to supporting a healthy GI system, they can provide immune support and are an important aspect in treating a variety of medical disorders.

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for key stages in your dog’s life

By Stacey Oke, DVM, MSc

The use of nutritional supplements to support joint, skin and coat health in dogs is very popular. Omega-3 fatty acid supplements, containing DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) from freshwater fish, are excellent choices for joints, skin/coat and more. In fact, scientific evidence supporting the benefits of Omega-3s is robust, suggesting multiple uses of these fatty acids at all stages of your dog’s life.

PUPPIES According to one research group, Omega-3 fatty acids facilitate training in puppies. This is because DHA plays an important role in brain and retinal (eye) development in young animals.

More specifically, 50% of the brain is comprised of fat, and DHA makes up 10% to 20% of all the fat found in the brain. DHA impacts attention, memory, and even trainability. Compared to unsupplemented puppies, those fed a diet rich in Omega-3 fatty acids performed better at various learning tasks, visual contrast discrimination, and psychomotor performance tasks, which included solving T-mazes with and without obstacles to find food rewards.

ADULTS Several published reports suggest that Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation benefits dogs with canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) – a common skin disease that causes hair loss, itching, redness and decreased quality of life. Although fish oil alone cannot completely control CAD, studies show that supplementing with Omega-3s decreases required doses of corticosteroids and cyclosporine A. These drugs have side effects, so decreasing their usage with fish oil is both advantageous and economical.

Omega-3s also maximize skin and coat quality in dogs without CAD. They decrease mat formation, scales, dandruff, general itchiness and dry skin. Evidence also supports the use of fish oil supplements for certain cardiovascular disorders (e.g. heart

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failure, atrial fibrillation, hypertension) as well as inflammatory, autoimmune, musculoskeletal, and gastrointestinal disorders (e.g. IBD).

SENIORS In older animals, joint disease (osteoarthritis) and declining cognitive function are the main targets of Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation. Fish oils have anti-inflammatory properties and benefit dogs diagnosed with osteoarthritis. One study reported that dogs were more comfortable, had an increased willingness to rise from resting positions, were more interested in play, and showed a significant improvement in their ability to walk after only a few weeks of fish oil supplementation.

Dogs with declining cognitive function associated with aging also benefit from fish oil. Recognition of family members and other dogs, excessive licking, and patterned pacing behaviors all improved following dietary supplementation with Omega-3 fatty acids, according to one study. Other studies suggest that dogs with epilepsy and aggression also benefit from EPA- and DHA-containing supplements.

CHOOSING A SUPPLEMENT When seeking any nutritional supplement, choose wisely because not all products are manufactured using appropriate quality control/assurance protocols. Select a manufacturer that relies on sound science to support their products rather than testimonials, and that provides clear administration recommendations, and customer support. Such products are more likely to contain the type and amount of ingredient listed on the label and are therefore more likely to benefit your dog.

Dr. Stacey Oke is a practicing veterinarian and freelance medical writer and editor. Since 2005, she has been a research consultant for nutritional supplement companies, assists physicians and veterinarians publish research articles and textbooks, and writes for educational magazines and websites.

Moose

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Juniper & Photos courtesy of @boyfriendmoose

Moose is a handsome Malamute mix who shares a loving home with some unconventional roommates – including his “girlfriend ”, a domestic fox named Juniper.

The internet abounds with photos and videos of unlikely animal friendships. Cats and pigs, goats and camels – even giraffes and ostriches. But no animal has made more interspecies connections than the domestic dog. Bonding with birds, tigers, deer and countless other critters, dogs have proven themselves to be the least prejudiced when it comes to making friends, and this impartiality never fails to tugs on our heartstrings. So it’s no surprise that Moose, a handsome Malamute/Australian shepherd whose “girlfriend” is a fox, has achieved social media stardom.

Moose’s early days weren’t happy ones. Seven years ago, when he was just a puppy, he was dropped off after hours in front of a veterinary office, along with his mother and five siblings. They were discovered the next morning, cold and wet, and veterinary staff immediately saw that the mother was in poor condition.

Further evaluation revealed she was suffering from parvovirus.

Unfortunately, she did not recover. But Moose and the rest of the litter survived. Before long, they had all found loving homes – in Moose’s case, with a teenaged girl who volunteered at the clinic.

Jessika was only 18 when she adopted Moose. Though she now has a household full of different creatures, Moose was her very first animal companion. “I knew that taking him home would be rewarding,” says Jessika. “And yet, I had no idea how thankful I would be for him, or that Moose would see me through the most crucial years of my life.”

Moose quickly became Jessika’s rock. He was her roommate at her first apartment, a shoulder to cry on during her first heartbreak, and even her protector during a break-in. “He was my constant companion and I genuinely feel we grew up together,” Jessika says. “He's been there for everything. And he looks after me just as much as I look after him.”

Moose and Jessika have been through a lot together over the years, including many additions to their little family. Today, their ever-growing clan has expanded to include a cat, two sugar gliders and Moose’s aforementioned unlikely partner – a domestic fox named Juniper. Hyper, edgy and independent, Juniper is Moose’s other half.

Continued on page 48.

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Photos courtesy of @boyfriendmoose

Continued from page 47.

“Juniper went viral over a year ago,” says Jessika. “The couple made appearances together on social media and quickly became an Instagram iconic duo.” Even without Juniper, Moose is more than deserving of his devoted Instagram followers – which total 163,000 to date. Posed with or without his foxy friend, his photographs garner the attention of fans, and it’s fair to assume many of them consider Moose the true star of the show.

“People fell in love with his patient, laidback personality,” says Jessika. And indeed, every one of Moose’s pictures portrays him as the most gentle, caring “boyfriend” any fox could dream of having. When he’s not good-naturedly entertaining Juniper, he’s sitting regally in the woods, lounging happily around the house, or calmly waiting to be fed – a perfect picture of the wellmannered behavior every pet parent covets.

Moose is also the perfect picture of health. Besides being raised in a home full of love and quality care, this healthy pooch is fed a wholesome raw diet from WeFeedRaw. “He is in great shape for his age and I fully believe his diet is the main contributor to his vitality,” says Jessika, who switched Moose to raw food to help with the skin issues he was experiencing. “His coat was always incredibly dry and he would get easily fatigued whenever we went out hiking,” she says. “After switching him to a completely raw diet, he no longer has any skin issues, his coat is always silky, he sheds way less, his teeth are healthier, and even after hiking for miles he still has ‘zoomies’ when we stop for a break.

It’s been amazing watching him act like a puppy again, even though he's seven.”

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So what does the future hold for a dog who already has it all?

According to Jessika, the plan is to expand their mismatched family even further. “I’m currently in the process of fulfilling my lifelong dream of opening an exotic animal sanctuary,” she says. When Jessika was only 13, her mom began enrolling her in volunteer programs that allowed her to work with both domestic and exotic animals. That passion followed her into her adulthood. Some of Moose’s four-legged housemates came from neglectful circumstances, and Jessika’s goal is to use her experience to open a fully functional facility to care for more like them.

Luckily, Moose is fully on board. “He’s like a guardian for smaller animals and children,” says Jessika. “He’s very empathic and does everything he can to comfort the living things around him if they're in distress.” Without a doubt, Moose will continue to help Jessika rehabilitate more animals, including the newest member of their family – a baby rescue fox named Fig. But no matter how many animals Jessika takes in, Moose will always hold a special place in her heart. “He’s been an astounding companion over the years,” she says. “I can’t imagine life without him.”

Find Moose online

instagram.com/boyfriendmoose juniperfoxx.com

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DRY EYE IN DOGS

By Christine Caplan, CVT

Also called keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), dry eye is a common problem in some dogs. Because it has many underlying causes, a proper diagnosis is essential before it can be effectively treated.

Dry eye is a relatively common condition in dogs that’s frequently overlooked during routine exams. Its medical name is keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), and it occurs when your dog doesn't make enough tears to keep his eyes lubricated. Without tears, the dog’s eyes become irritated, leading to redness and discharge. If left untreated, KSC can cause damage to the eyes and eventually even vision loss. Dry eye has many causes, so a correct diagnosis is vital to successful treatment.

WHY DO DOGS GET DRY EYE? “The most common cause of KCS in dogs is immune-mediated disease,” says holistic veterinarian Dr. Cornelia Wagner. “From a holistic standpoint, it is almost always associated with Blood Deficiency and often coexists in a patient afflicted by allergic dermatitis.” Dry eye arising from immune-mediated disease causes destruction to the tear-producing gland tissue, and although we don’t know why this type of inflammatory reaction occurs, certain breeds are predisposed to it, including the American cocker spaniel, the miniature Schnauzer and the West Highland white terrier.

mild corneal neovascularization (the invasion of new blood vessels into the cornea from the limbus) and blepharospasm or twitching eyelids. When dry eye is immune-mediated, the eyes look extremely red and your dog may have trouble opening his eyelids. This can often look like a simple case of conjunctivitis.

“Any dog with red eyes and/or discharge from the eyes needs to be seen by a veterinarian,” says Dr. Wagner. “Acute KCS is very painful and could lead to the loss of the eye(s) if not recognized and treated properly.” Other signs of KCS can include recurring eye infections, and a dull or cloudy look to the eye.

DIAGNOSING DRY EYE Because dry eye can have many causes, and may lead to eye damage and vision loss if left untreated, an early diagnosis is of vital importance. In order to determine how dry your dog’s eyes

SYMPTOM STAGES IN CANINE KCS

There are typically three stages of clinical signs you should watch for:

Although immune-mediated conditions are most often at the root of dry eye, it also has quite a few other potential causes – see sidebar on page 51.

1. Initial – Typically, there is an ocular discharge with mucus and pus, followed by eyelid twitching. An increase in blood flow to the vessels in the eye can also occur, making the eye look extremely red.

CLINICAL SIGNS OF KCS

2. Intermediate – An intense mucoid ocular discharge may occur. The cornea may appear cloudy.

According to an article in Today’s Veterinary Practice, called “Diagnosis & Treatment of Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca in Dogs”, common clinical signs of dry eye are mucus discharge,

3. Final – Pigmentation occurs, and is typically followed by recurrent corneal ulceration, leading to possible blindness.

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are, your veterinarian will use the Schirmer Tear Test (STT).

This test is the cornerstone of quantitative KCS diagnosis.

To perform the test, a strip of specific paper is put just inside the lower eyelid in the outer corner of the eye and left for 60 seconds.

The eye’s moisture will wet the paper. At the end of the 60-second period, the height of the moistened area on the paper is measured.

A height less than 5mm mean the eye is severely dry.

TREATMENT VARIES DEPENDING ON CAUSE AND SEVERITY “Depending on the severity [of a patient’s dry eye], we treat it either with Chinese herbal formulas addressing Blood Deficiency, along with homeopathic eye drops to stimulate tear production; or we combine the herbal therapies with topical treatment, using cyclosporine ointment,” says Dr. Wagner. “We also use acupuncture to influence tear production and address the inflammation and Blood Deficiency.”

Dry eye should not be treated topically at home without a proper diagnosis of the underlying cause. “I would not encourage anyone to use herbal eye washes or eye drops without talking to a holistic veterinarian first,” says Dr. Wagner. While herbal eye washes are great for preventing infections, they can’t correct dry eye on their own because they don’t address the underlying cause.

ADDITIONAL CAUSES OF DRY EYE • Canine distemper • A congenital lack of tear-producing gland tissue • Reactions to certain drugs like Sulfa derivative medications •A nesthesia, which temporarily reduces tear function • Surgery for cherry eye, which removes the third eyelid’s tear-producing gland • Hypothyroidism • A congenital alacrima observed in the Yorkshire terrier, Bedlington terrier, English cocker spaniel, and Cavalier King Charles spaniel can also lead to dry eye.

If your dog’s eyes are irritated, red, dull-looking and/or exuding a discharge of any kind, the first thing to do is see a veterinarian as soon as possible. Other eye problems can cause symptoms similar to KCS, but either way, a prompt diagnosis is needed before treatment can be determined. Your dog’s eye health and vision are too important to do otherwise.

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Legalizing

D gs Cats

for pets

By Sarah Brandon, DVM

Making sense of the changing laws and regulations surrounding the use of medical marijuana in dogs and cats.

The legalization of medical cannabis for both pets and people is a hot topic. Opinions range from 100% nationwide decriminalization to a more cautious approach advocating for further research. So how do you know what to ask your veterinarian about medical cannabis for your dog or cat? What exactly can the doctor discuss, recommend or prescribe? How will the current political turmoil in DC affect the future of medical cannabis? The answers to these questions aren’t easy to find or understand, and they change frequently. That being said, let’s look at what we do know.

MEDICAL PROPERTIES AREN’T WIDELY RECOGNIZED Beyond defining and typing cannabis (see sidebar on page 53), one big hurdle is whether C. sativa has any medical value. In the United States, at least on a federal level, no part of the cannabis plant is deemed to have any medical value. The majority of states beg to differ and medical cannabis dispensaries abound. Nonetheless, the lack of medical efficacy acknowledged at the federal level puts professionals in an awkward position when it comes to discussing cannabis with their human patients. Extending this problem to the veterinary world, the law is even less clear and often varies state to state. The California state veterinary medical board currently

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prohibits veterinarians from discussing medical cannabis, while Oregon’s board authorizes such discussions provided they are properly noted in medical records.

WHERE WE STAND ON CANNABIS – FOR NOW Here is where we currently stand in the United States regarding cannabis chemotypes: Marijuana is officially regarded as a Schedule I drug having no medical value.

Hemp is an industrial crop from which many companies obtain CBD (the non-psychotropic and purportedly medically beneficial compound in cannabis).

However, these general definitions are rapidly changing, which leaves consumers and professionals reeling.

• The 1970 enactment of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) added synthetic THC to the Schedule I list and adopted the following definition of marijuana from the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937. “The term ‘marihuana’ means all parts of the plant Cannabis sativa L., whether growing or not; the seeds thereof; the resin

extracted from any part of such plant; and every compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of such plant, its seeds or resin. Such term does not include the mature stalks of such plant, fiber produced from such stalks, oil or cake made from the seeds of such plant, any other compound, manufacture, salt, derivative, mixture, or preparation of such mature stalks (except the resin extracted therefrom), fiber, oil, or cake, or the sterilized seed of such plant which is incapable of germination.”

As a Schedule 1 controlled substance, deriving CBD from marijuana violates the federal CSA. However, the Act does not include the plant’s “mature stalks” in its definition. These stalks are used to create hemp products (which contain little to no THC and have no intoxicating effects). Hemp is not scheduled under the CSA, so it doesn’t come under the enforcement authority of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Similarly, CBD is not scheduled under the CSA, has a different molecular structure, and is recognized with its own unique DEA Control Number (CBD is #7372, marijuana is #7360).

• On February 7, 2014, the 2013 Hemp Farm Bill was enacted into law.

Section 7606 of the bill defines industrial hemp as "the plant Cannabis sativa L. and any part of such plant, whether growing or not, with a delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration of not more than 0.3% on a dry weight basis."

Hemp refers to cannabis varieties primarily grown as an agricultural crop (such as seeds and fiber, and by-products such as oil) and is characterized by plants low in THC. The U.S. Congressional Research Service’s 2016 report to legislators states: “A level of about 1% THC is considered the threshold for cannabis to have a psychotropic effect or an intoxicating potential. Current laws regulating hemp cultivation in the European Union and Canada use 0.3% THC as the dividing line between industrial and potentially drug-producing cannabis.”

• December 2016 saw a different take on cannabis-related compounds. A new rule published by the DEA arguably makes hemp (which contains CBD as well as THC) a Schedule I drug under the CSA because of the broad definition of “marijuana extract”. However, an agency cannot substantially change a statute implemented by Congress, nor can it list a new drug without following listing procedures in the CSA. Arguably, this new rule attempts to do just that by redefining “marijuana” and creating a new code number. The DEA indicated this new rule was not intended to change substantive law regarding the control of a substance. While this statement is not binding, it does indicate the DEA does not currently intend to take enforcement actions against entities otherwise in compliance with the CSA before adoption of the new rule. Nonetheless, there are already efforts being made by various industries to contest the new rule and clarify the state of the law.

• On January 23, 2017, the Congressional Research Service published a report on hemp to help clarify its definition. Generally, “‘cannabis’ refers to the plant species Cannabis sativa and all of its industrial, medicinal, and recreational varieties. The terms ‘industrial hemp’ and ‘hemp’ are

DEFINING AND TYPING

CANNABIS

One of the most confusing aspects of cannabis legalities involves the various definitions used for the plant.

The genus Cannabis encompasses a staggering array of plants whose continental Asian origins prompt some sources to place all species under C. sativa. Others prefer three different variations: C. indica, C. ruderalis and C. sativa. For this article, we will primarily address C. sativa since it encompasses marijuana and hemp varieties.

Genetic testing of Cannabis spp. is ongoing though it is not yet standard practice to identify types of cannabis based on DNA analyses. This means scientific and political communities are left to reference cannabis strains by phenotype (what the plant looks like) and chemotype (how the plant looks chemically). Phenotyping is difficult even for cannabis experts, let alone a lawmaker, so it isn’t traditionally used.

That leaves chemotyping as our primary means of identifying and regulating cannabis species. Currently, the focus is on THC percentages and where such values may have originated. One would think chemical analysis eases this confusion, but a closer look proves otherwise. Broadly, we can categorize cannabis into marijuana and hemp, with marijuana having THC levels above psychotropic levels (>1% THC) and hemp containing THC levels <0.3%. This latter value is consistent with the EU and Canadian definitions of hemp.

China, which has been a major hemp producer for decades, has no central governmental definition for the crop, but its Yunnan provincial Drug Enforcement Administration classifies industrial hemp as “the plant Cannabis sativa L. and any part of such plant, whether growing or not, with THC concentration of no more than 0.3% on a dry weight basis.”

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EDUCATION, EDUCATION, EDUCATION The best way to combat confusion is to educate yourself. Learn the facts of what the research community does and doesn’t know about medical cannabis.

used interchangeably, and the term ‘marijuana’ refers to the plant used as a medicinal or recreational drug unless otherwise specified.”

MAKING SENSE OF IT ALL – YOU AND YOUR VETERINARIAN When it comes to medical cannabis, the Internet offers a plethora of anecdotal reports regarding its use. These reports range from THC toxicity to CBD “miracle cures”, and everything in between. Recommendations for cannabis administration to ailing dogs or cats abound, and include “blowing (cannabis) smoke in their ears” (do not attempt this as dogs and cats do not like to get high) or instructions like “just give one drop per day and increase as needed”.

This advice is also dangerous because the cannabis industry is not as tightly-regulated as one would think, and a drop of one product can contain drastically different CBD or THC concentrations than a drop from a different batch of the same brand. Hemp-based products are also available for pets and each company provides differing guidelines for administration. Realizing the enormity of the task at hand, many people rightly turn to their veterinarians for guidance, only to end up feeling stonewalled.

Here’s why. Veterinarians are between a rock and a hard place when it comes to cannabis. Because the cannabis revolution is a groundbased movement, medical professionals are no more or less educated than many laypeople, and are at a loss when it comes to helping their clients. When they do attempt to garner more information, they often encounter contradictory results. Additionally, many veterinarians have DEA licenses which may be put in jeopardy by marijuana recommendations; and state medical boards often do not have clear recommendations for such situations. In short, when it comes to cannabis, your vet may not know the best way to help you, despite his/her desire to do so.

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• You can start the process by understanding that all mammals have an endocannabinoid system (ECS). The cannabis plant is the only one known to man with an entire receptor system devoted just to the ECS. It appears to be active in all tissues, and dogs and cats respond similarly to humans when it comes to both medical benefits and negative effects. Despite a significant volume of anecdotal evidence, double-blinded studies are lacking and realistic expectations should be maintained when considering any such therapy.

• Utilize certificate of analyses (COA) to help understand exactly what you are giving your pet. While not required by any regulatory agency, COAs provide third party laboratory results for a given product, helping to standardize the industry.

Ask a dispensary or specific company if they have viewable COAs for their products. Many will provide them on request and even indicate the exact batch in question. Such companies are generally open and happy to help move the industry forward. Reading a COA can be tricky, but in general, you are checking to make sure the potency of CBD and THC (% or mg/g) are as advertised.

• Pet parents should come prepared to educate their veterinarians on this topic, and it’s helpful to provide the legal aspects as you understand them, along with resources for further research. While no veterinarian can prescribe Schedule I drugs, conversations and recommendations made between a medical

We all know the American federal government is in turmoil right now, but what does that mean for medical cannabis in veterinary medicine? In short, no one knows. It is likely, however, that further clarifications of THC and CBD, hemp and marijuana, and the medical aspects of cannabis are on the books. It is also likely such

clarification will be challenged a few times, although it is unlikely the genie will be put back in the bottle.

professional and client are considered a form of protected speech. In October 2003, the United States Supreme Court let stand a ruling by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals permitting physicians to recommend marijuana to human patients whom they believe might benefit from its use. From litigation in that case, “The government agreed with plaintiffs that revocation of a [physician’s] license was not authorized where a doctor merely discussed the pros and cons of marijuana use.” (Conant v. Walkers, 2002). First Amendment principles at the heart of the Conant decision also apply to veterinarians (veterinary law often follows human law in cases like this) in the US who wish to: iscuss fully and candidly the risks and D benefits of cannabis use with patients.

Do one of the following: “recommend” (or “approve”, “endorse”, “suggest” or “advise”) legal cannabis products in accordance with their medical judgment, as with any other pet supplement, for a patient's use.

Record in their patients’ charts discussions about, and recommendations of, cannabis products.

Educate themselves about the full value of the cannabis plant, its applications, and different routes of administration.

It’s clear to me that cannabis is here to stay, and while the waters may be rough right now, the legalities will eventually get smoothed out and our dogs and cats will benefit from this useful plant.

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product picks New

raw diet

Whitefish and salmon are palatable and nutritious, and most dogs love them. Northwest Naturals’ new Whitefish and Salmon Recipe is a complete and balanced raw food that can be fed alone or added to your dog's current diet. It’s a great way to give him an alternative protein without overburdening his digestion. The frozen recipe comes in bars, chubs and nuggets; also choose from freeze-dried nuggets.

Starting at $4.95 NW-Naturals.net

Probiotics and

digestive health

Probiotics are vital for maintaining optimal digestive health. Probios Intelliflora® is a probiotic supplement that comes in single dose 1 gm sachets; it’s intended for daily use to help support GI health in dogs and cats.

The supplement contains 200 million CFUs (colony forming units) and includes Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus planetarium and Lactobacillus casei.

Probios.com

Tasty

training treats

Training is an adventure – and a journey. To encourage your dog along the way, and help ensure success, it’s important to use the right-sized treats. Zuke’s Crunchy Naturals are specially crafted in the US using the Earth’s best ingredients. These crunchy wholesome bites are available in two-, five- and 10-calorie varieties. There are even vegetarian and vegan choices.

Zukes.com/dog-food

Back brace

for dogs

Back pain can be just as uncomfortable and debilitating for dogs as it is for people. For dogs suffering from back pain, or who need support for the prevention of back injury, WiggleLess® is the answer.

It’s a veterinarian-recommended and patented brace designed to stabilize the dog’s spinal column, curtail twisting, relieve stress and provide comfortable, firm back support.

Starting at $71.45 Wiggleless.com/aw

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Animal Wellness

Oral care made

easy

Good dental health for pets includes regular home care between vet visits. One way to achieve this is with Leba III, a no-brush product that you simply spray into your dog or cat’s mouth. The active ingredients are mint (Lamiacea) and rose (Rosaceae).

The spray stimulates enzymes and changes the chemistry in the mouth, causing tartar to soften and fall out. $50 Lebalab.com

Light the way to

wellness

Light therapy reduces inflammation, treats sore muscles, heals soft tissue injuries, reduces healing time, increases circulation and relieves arthritis pain. An easyto-use light therapy pad from Canine Light Therapy provides the same therapeutic energy as a laser at a fraction of the cost. The pads are available in three sizes; treat your pet at home or add a rechargeable battery pack and use the pad anywhere. $224 to $799 for individual Light Therapy pads CanineLightTherapy.com

Exceptional

nutrition

Wild Alaskan salmon is a rich source of essential fatty acids. It’s the primary ingredient in a new ultrapremium pet food from Grizzly Pet Products. Grizzly Super Foods provide extremely digestible, certified low-glycemic, high Omega-3 nutrition for dogs and cats. They contain additional ingredients such as organic coconut meal and quinoa, and ten essential amino acids, and are free of grains, glutens, potatoes, peas and legumes.

Safe

bug repellents

3 lbs – $27.95 GrizzlyPetProducts.com/grizzly-super-foods

Protecting your pet from pests doesn’t have to mean using harmful chemicals. BugPellent products were developed by a scientist who specializes in green chemistry for the environmental remediation industry.

Available in a gel or spray, the products avoid the use of pesticides, solvents and alcohols, and instead contain eight essential oils, all shown to repel different insect species.

Gel: 8 oz – $9; 16 oz – $14 Spray: $15 BugPellent.com October/November 2017

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Add this simple

FRUIT & VEGGIE MIX to your dog’s diet Whether you home-prepare your dog’s food, or give him a premium packaged or raw frozen diet, this easyto-make veggie and fruit mix will add some extra nutrition to his meals.

By Fanna Easter, CPDT-KA, KPA CTP, ABCDT-L2 Just like us, dogs should eat a variety of fresh vegetables and fruits with their meals. Whether home-prepared or purchased, high quality whole food diets offer complete nutrition on their own, but adding some extra goodness certainly doesn’t hurt! The mix presented in this article is made from raw fruits and vegetables and can be made at home, then portioned and frozen for daily use right through the fall and winter.

SHOPPING FOR PRODUCE If possible, select organic vegetables and fruit to keep chemical exposure to a minimum. Even better, visit your local farmers’ market for fresh organic vegetables that support local businesses. Buy produce that’s in season, and ask how it was grown if you’re not sure. Carrots, sweet potatoes and squash are good choices, as are dark green cruciferous vegetables. The latter are nature’s powerhouse foods; they are

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Animal Wellness

packed with essential nutrients, antioxidants and fiber. Kale, collard greens and broccoli are great examples of cruciferous vegetables that, when pulped into a mixture, provide amazing benefits for dogs. Pick up a few healthy fruits too, such as apples, blueberries and pears, which are packed with antioxidants and flavonoids.

Purchasing in bulk is cheaper, especially when certain vegetables and fruits are in season. Don’t worry about purchasing too much; once you’ve made your mix, you’ll be freezing it in portions and serving it for months to come. Basically, whenever you find locally-grown organic vegetables and fruits, grab them! Just be sure to avoid onions, grapes and raisins – these are toxic to dogs.

MAKING YOUR MIX Once home with your produce, set up your kitchen for a grinding extravaganza. Dogs are unable to digest whole raw vegetables and fruits because these foods have a thick cellulose covering.

To break up the cellulose, it’s best to pulp the produce; this way, your dog is able to digest and utilize essential nutrients while still benefiting from the raw fiber. Start by:

1. C leaning all vegetables and fruits 2.

with a chemical-free produce wash, and rinsing thoroughly.

Removing any thick fibrous

ends and dead leaves from vegetables; halving and removing any seeds and stems from fruits.

Placing all washed produce on a towel to air dry, while setting up an area to grind and pack your mixture.

3.

There are multiple ways to pulp produce, with food processors being the easiest and least expensive. Some people use heavyduty juicers, which quickly and efficiently grind dense vegetables to a fine consistency.

Grind each fruit and vegetable separately and combine them in a large bowl. Include both the liquid and pulp for a thick, soupy yet easily digestible grind. The mix should resemble a thick gazpacho soup, or a dense well-minced salsa.

STORING AND SERVING Once all your vegetables and fruits have been pulped, dumped into a large bowl and mixed, it’s time to portion out your dog’s servings. If you home-prepare his food, assume that 1/5 of each meal will consist of the veggie mixture; if he is eating a packaged diet that’s already nutritionally complete, you may just want to add a small amount of the mix to his food each day, depending on his size and how much he eats at each meal. Divide the portions into plastic Ziploc bags, including no more than what will cover five days in each bag. You can also bag the mix in daily portions, if you wish, but this is a lot more time-consuming.

Leave one bag out for current use, and put the rest in the freezer. Once frozen, the mix will easily last six months, which means your dog can enjoy his fruits and vegetables even when they’re long out of season.

When getting a new bag out of the freezer, let it thaw, then scoop out a serving to suit your dog’s needs or tastes. Zip the bag up again and put it in the fridge – it will keep five days once out of the freezer.

Most dogs will readily lap up this healthy fruit and veggie mix, especially if it’s topped with a small dollop of raw unfiltered honey!

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This column features articles library at AnimalWellnessMagazine.com

By Anna O’Brien, DVM

CANINE BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS AND WHAT THEY MEAN FIND OUT WHAT THESE “BAD BEHAVIORS” MIGHT BE TELLING YOU ABOUT YOUR DOG’S PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING.

“If only he could talk.” It’s a common lament, especially when a dog is “misbehaving” or otherwise acting out of character and you don’t know why. A study of body language can help, but sometimes the behavior itself can tell us the most about what’s going on – that is, if we pick up on the clues. Here are five common canine behaviors and some tips on deciphering what they might be saying about your dog’s health and well-being.

1. HYPERACTIVITY AND

DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR

Hyperactivity is normal in a puppy, and some breeds are known to be more highly strung than others. And if your dog bounces off the walls when you come home from work, that’s a good thing.

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Animal Wellness

But what about an adult dog who is constantly overactive, sometimes to the point of destruction?

Most often, this is a result of not enough exercise. The majority of dogs should be outside for either walks or play time for at least 30 minutes a day. Larger, more active “working” breeds such as Labradors, shepherds and huskies need much more exercise time for both their physical and mental health. Play fetch or go for a jog. Your dog needs

to burn up extra energy in a positive way outside, rather than in a destructive way inside.

If your dog is exhibiting destructive behavior when left alone in the house, this may be a sign of separation anxiety.

He may be telling you that being left alone makes him uneasy and he craves your company to the point of causing pathologic behavior. Cases such as these take a lot of time and effort to control. A starting point is, again, to give the dog more exercise. He may also need a crate to call his â&#x20AC;&#x153;safe havenâ&#x20AC;? when alone in the house. Provide him with acceptable chew toys such as Kongs; filling these nearly indestructible toys with treats such as peanut butter will make their entertainment value last a long time, keeping your dog occupied and out of trouble.

direct some of his anxiety and excess energy into something constructive. Also, creating a regular routine for bathroom breaks and meals gives your dog some stability in his life, and that can lessen anxiety.

2. AGGRESSION TOWARDS YOU

A good-natured dog that suddenly becomes aggressive towards you has recently experienced something that caused him to act this way. Dogs do not suddenly wake up one morning and decide to bite their people out of the blue. There is almost always a logical reason for canine behaviors; we just have to figure out what it is.

Continued on page 62.

Providing your dog with more things to think about can help as well. Teach him tricks, take him to obedience classes, or even introduce him to a sport such as canine agility. All these can re-

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Continued from page 61.

First and foremost, from a health standpoint, always try to rule out pain as the cause of aggression. Note clues such as when and how he was aggressive toward you. What were the circumstances? How long has it been going on? A dog that experiences a short, brief amount of pain will react in a surprised manner that either turns into a feeling of defensiveness or fear.

Depending on the dog’s personality, this may be manifested as a yelp, a snap, a growl or hiding. A trip to the veterinarian will help uncover any potential medical reasons behind this behavior.

3. INAPPETENCE AND LETHARGY

A normally active dog that is suddenly moping around the dog park is sending you a very strong message: I don’t feel good.

Take note of how he is holding himself. Is his back hunched, indicating a sour stomach? Is he reluctant to move, suggesting possible joint pain?

Dogs can have “off” days just like us, when they may not feel as lively as they normally do. But if your dog is acting more than just a little slow, and turns up his nose at dinner, these are big signs that things are not right. If your dog misses two meals in a 12-hour period, take him to the vet. Something is wrong.

Characterize your dog’s sudden diet change. Does he merely eat slowly, as if his mouth was hurting him, possibly indicating dental problems, or does he ignore his bowl completely?

Excessive drooling is a sign of nausea. Does he still drink water?

Has there been any vomiting? These are some of the questions your veterinarian will ask you.

4. ACCIDENTS IN THE HOUSE

If your dog starts having accidents inside, start by ruling out medical reasons by taking him to the vet. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common problem in dogs and cause a frequent and urgent need to urinate that sometimes cannot wait until the evening walk.

Cystoliths, or bladder stones, can also be a culprit, causing bladder irritation.

If he seems frightened by a particular location, try to remember if there were any

LOUD NOISES that might have scared him.

These can be found either by the presence of crystals in the urine or on radiographs. Sometimes a large stone can be felt on abdominal palpation.

If your dog has been given a clean bill of health, then his accidents (both urination and defecation) may be a sign of anxiety. Has anything changed in your environment recently? A new baby or animal, moving to a new house, even sometimes a new bed can trigger unease in a particularly sensitive dog.

5. SUDDENLY SPOOKY

If your usually laid-back dog is suddenly fearful of something, a change has occurred. If he seems frightened by a particular location, try to remember if there were any loud noises that might have scared him – a gunshot if you were in the woods, a car backfiring, or an unfriendly new neighborhood dog. Also be on the lookout for anything your dog might have injured himself on – a piece of glass, a slick patch of ice, or maybe a stray fly ball from someone’s baseball practice. It might take time for him to regain his trust of that area or situation. Bring treats and reward your dog for being brave when you next encounter this same location.

Watch your dog in his home environment to see if he acts normally there. Sometimes, if an older dog is losing his hearing or sight, he may begin to feel jumpy. During this adjustment phase, help your dog by keeping things as low-key in the household as possible. Older dogs benefit from twice yearly veterinary checkups to catch such age-related changes more quickly.

Changes in behavior and personality are your dog’s way of saying that something has changed, and this is how he is responding because of it. Learning how to identify these changes and correctly deal with his responses can help you better understand and assist your dog.

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Business Profile

REDBARN Pet Products

By Matthew Berk

Jeff Baikie

all-natural

This pet food company helps people make quality nutritional decisions for their dogs and cats.

Jeff and Howard when they first started Redbarn.

Canadian-born Jeff Baikie and Howard Bloxam became friends when they were 12 years old, and playing on the same hockey team. They took separate paths when they grew up, but their bond remained strong. In the early 1990s, Howard and Jeff reconnected – not to play hockey this time, but to start a business together. In 1996, they founded Redbarn Pet Products, a company dedicated to making pet foods using only top quality ingredients.

“When Redbarn started, the pet food industry was a very different place,” says Allison Arcos, media marketing manager.

“People weren’t researching the ingredient panels of their pets’ food and natural products were few and far between.”

Despite the shortage of educated consumers, Jeff and Howard remained committed to developing all-natural products with limited ingredients. Before long, this dedication to quality was recognized and appreciated by dog parents across the country, and by 2010, the company was thriving.

To better fill the growing demand for their food and treats, Jeff and Howard purchased a former ham factory in Great Bend, Kansas; the facility includes a state-of-the-art water treatment system designed to return only clean water to the earth. Three years later, Redbarn expanded its market to cater to cats as well as dogs, introducing a grain-free line just for felines. Today, Redbarn offers over 200 high quality products for dogs and cats,

Howard Bloxam

including rolled and canned foods, as well as bully sticks, bones and many other delectable treats.

To ensure it produces only the best food and treats, the company sources every one of its ingredients from trusted partners in the US. Redbarn also has a quality assurance program designed to ensure the safety, legality and quality of everything they produce – starting with the manufacturing process. “This is the most robust function and encompasses most of the testing we do,” says Allison. “We have an in-house lab where we do microbiological testing, and we test for common pathogens, check water activity, and pH levels.” Meanwhile, a dedicated legal team checks each product to ensure its weight matches that listed on the package, while techs patrol the production floor to account for visual quality, and to make sure all procedures are being properly followed.

“It’s about more than just holding ourselves accountable,” says Allison. “Part of what we do is to look outside our organization to verify our quality standards.” And according to Allison, the peace of mind that comes from producing high-quality pet foods and treats is one of the most satisfying aspects of her job.

“Redbarn has a mission to make products that don’t just speak to consumers’ desires and trends, but also help support the health of their pets,” she adds. “It’s incredibly rewarding to make foods and treats that people trust and their pets enjoy.”

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COMMUNICATORS

INTEGRATIVE VETS Affordable Holistic Animal Therapies West Hollywood, CA USA Phone: 323-304-2984 Ballantrae Animal Hospital Margaret Hacking, DVM Stouffville, ON Canada Phone: (905) 640-6809 Website: www.AnimalWellnessCentre.com Beechmount Animal Hospital Waterloo, ON Canada Phone: (519) 888-6590 Website: www.beechmountanhosp.ca Dr. Lisa Burgess Millgrove Veterinary Services Millgrove, ON Canada Phone: (905) 690-4557 Email: service@burgessvet.com Website: www.millgrovevet.com Sharon R. Doolittle, DVM, Inc. Smithfield, RI USA Phone: (401) 349-2668 Email: vetinfo@holisticanimalvet.com Website: www.holisticanimalvet.com

Janice DeFonda Can We Talk Fayetteville, NY USA Phone: (315) 329-0116 Email: angelwhispurr@gmail.com Website: www.angelwhispurr.com

Dr. Autumn Drouin, DVM, ND and Dr. Sasan Haghighat (Hyatt), DVM, CVA North-East Newmarket Veterinary Service Newmarket, ON Canada Phone: (905) 830-1030 Email: holisticveterinarian@gmail.com Website: www.holistic-vet.ca

Animal Wellness

• Acupuncture • Chiropractic •Conventional Medicine •Therapeutic Nutrition •Traditional Chinese Medicine Guelph, Ontario, Canada (519)836-2782 www.GuelphVet.com info@GuelphVet.com Harwood Oaks Animal Clinic Bedford, TX USA Phone: 817-354-7676 Website: www.harwoodoaksanimalclinic.com Hawks Prairie Veterinary Hospital Lacey, WA USA Phone: (360) 459-6556 Email: hawksprairievet@yahoo.com Website: www.hawksprairieveterinaryhospital.com Holistic Animal Care Stephanie Chalmers, DVM, CVH Santa Rosa, CA USA Phone: (707) 538-4643 Home Vet Weston, CT USA Phone: (203) 222-7979 Website: www.homevet.com

Carrie Hutchinson, VMD Rockledge Veterinary Clinic Rockledge, PA USA Phone: (215) 379-1677 Email: info@rockledgevet.com Website: www.rockledgevet.com

Essex Animal Hospital Essex, ON CAN Phone: (519) 776-7325 Email: info@essexanimalhospital.ca Website: www.essexanimalhospital.ca Family Veterinary Center Haydenville, MA USA Phone: (413) 268-8387 Website: www.famvets.com

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Individualized, Integrative Veterinary Care

Horizon Veterinary Services Susan Maier, DVM Simpsonville, KY USA Phone: (502) 722-8231 Email: horizonvetserv@yahoo.com Website: www.horizonvetserv.com

Lydia Hiby Mysticviz Burbank, CA USA Phone: (818)-244-0091 Website: www.lydiahiby.com Lynn McKenzie Animal Energy Sedona, AZ USA Phone: (512) 827-0505 x 8642 Email: lynn@animalenergy.com Website: www.animalenergy.com

Dr. Caroline Goulard, DVM, CCRT, CVA, CVPP Paws on the Go Laguna Woods, CA USA Phone: (949) 707-1696 Email: cgoulard@pawsonthego.net Website: www.pawsonthego.net

Integrated Veterinary Clinic Sacramento, CA USA Phone: 916-454-1825 Gail Jewell, DVM Kelowna, BC Canada Phone: (888) 622-8300 Website: www.holisticvet.ca

communicators • integrative vets • natural products • pet psychic Reiki therapy • schools & wellness education • shelters & rescues

Steven Marsden, DVM Edmonton Holistic Veterinary Clinic Edmonton, AB Canada Phone: 780-436-4944

PET PSYCHIC

SCHOOLS & WELLNESS EDUCATION

Dr. Shawn Messonnier Paws and Claws Vet Clinic Plano, TX USA Phone: (972) 712-0893 Email: shawnvet@sbcglobal.net Website: www.pettogethers.net/healthypet

PetMassage, Ltd. Toledo, OH USA Toll Free: (800) 779-1001 Phone: (419) 475-3539 Email: info@petmassage.com Website: www.petmassage.com

Mark Newkirk, VMD Newkirk Family Veterinarians gg Harbor Township, NJ USA Phone: (609) 645-2120 Email: mnewk@alternativevet.com Website: www.alternativevet.com

Healing Touch for Animals Highlands Ranch, CO USA Phone: (303) 470-6572 Email: drea@healingtouchforanimals.com Website: www.healingtouchforanimals.co

PUBLICATIONS

Treetops Rocklyn Limited Alliston, ON Canada Toll Free: (866) 919-8733 Phone: (705) 735-6174 Email: info@treetops.on.ca Website: www.treetopsweb.com

Dr. Judy Stolz, DVM, ND Phoenix, AZ USA Phone: (480) 838-9724 Email: drstolz@gmail.com Website: www.drstolz.com

Well Animal Institute Brighton, CO USA Phone: (303) 514-0076 Email: info@wellanimalinstitute.com Website: www.wellanimalinstitute.com

NATURAL PRODUCT

MANUFACTURERS & DISTRIBUTORS Azmira Holistic Animal Care Tuscon, AZ USA Phone: (800) 497-5665 Email: info@azmira.com Website: www.azmira.com

SHELTERS & RESCUES Alaskan Malamute Mt. Gilead, OH USA Phone: (419) 512-2423 Email: shaman@brightnet.net

NATURAL PRODUCT RETAILERS DERMagic Skin Care for Animals, Inc. Kingston, WA USA Phone: (425) 637-4643 Email: info@DERMagic.com Website: www.DERMagic.net Dog Gone Dirt All Natural Dog & Horse Skin Care Products Crescent City, FL USA Phone: (386) 559-3454 Email: doggonedirt@yahoo.com Website: www.doggonedirt.com

REIKI THERAPY Aileen D’Angelo, RMT, Cn. TPM Hoof, Paw & Claw Reiki Northboro, MA USA Phone: (508) 393-3684 Email: hoofpawclaw@verizon.net Website: www.reikiforcritters.com Amy Pikalek Hikari Natural Healing Madison, WI USA Phone: (608) 886-8778 Email: hikarihealing@yahoo.com Website: www.hikarihealing.com

Advertise your business in the Wellness Resource Guide

1-866-764-1212

American Brittany Rescue Sugar Grove, IL USA Phone: (866) BRIT-911 Email: rhonda@americanbrittanyrescue.org Website: www.americanbrittanyrescue.org Animal Avengers Los Angeles, CA USA Phone: (323) 655-4220 Email: admin@animalavengers.com Website: www.animalavengers.com Animal Rescue of the Rockies Breckenridge, CO USA Phone: (970) 389-8324 Email: arrcolorado@gmail.com Website: www.animalrescueoftherockies.org Boston Terrier Club of America PA USA Phone: (724) 883-4732 Email: btcaresc@greenepa.net California Coastal Horse Rescue Ojai, CA USA Phone: (805) 649-1090 Website: www.calcoastalhorserescue.com

October/November 2017

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Choosing

D gs Cats

QUALITY pet food for your dog or cat

Making optimal dietary choices for your pet is crucial to his health, happiness and longevity. The key is to look for the best quality you can afford.

By Emily Watson

IT

can be challenging to determine which pet foods are good for your dog or cat, and which aren’t. The first step is to know the difference between high and low quality foods so you can feel good about the brand you choose. Here’s a breakdown of what to look for – and what to avoid.

DRY PET FOOD Kibble remains one of the most popular feeding options for pet parents in North America. Dry food is quick, easy and clean – and if you invest in the right kind, it gives your pooch all the nutrients he needs. Unfortunately, most commercial kibble brands are made from poor quality ingredients and contain harmful substances such as artificial flavors, additives and by-product meals. Often, they are high in unhealthy carbohydrates, and depending on how they are processed, lose a great deal of their nutritional value.

As a general rule of thumb, the majority of commercial kibbles at your local grocery store are likely made from inferior ingredients. If you want to do the best you can by your dog or cat, head to a specialty pet store for his food. Look for dry diets made from whole named meats, natural vitamins and minerals,

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“We make ultra-premium, high protein, low carbohydrate recipes focused on a limited set of ethically-sourced ingredients,” says Isaac Langleben, company co-founder. “Consumers are increasingly looking for products that are natural, and with respect to proteins, are free of antibiotics and growth hormones.” Open Farm is committed to full transparency, and has dedicated a section of their website to listing where every ingredient in every batch of food is sourced. All their ingredients are humanely raised, and none come from China. “We’re always inspired to see the love and connection between our customers and their pets, and feel grateful to be playing a role in their lives by providing a premium healthy diet that also aligns with their values,” says Isaac.

WET PET FOOD When it comes to convenience, canned pet foods take a close second to kibble. Again, though, quality is key so be sure to shop around, read ingredient labels, and avoid products that don’t contain named whole meats, or that feature by-products and lists of additives.

Photo courtesy of Open Farm

and other healthy ingredients such as oatmeal or sweet potato.

There are many to choose from. One example is Open Farm, which offers high quality dry dog and cat food made with superior ingredients.

As a company that offers ready-to-serve dog food made with 100% human grade ingredients in a human food plant, Caru Pet Food Company is a frontrunner when it comes to high quality. “Many pets can become sensitive to common grains or soy ingredients and experience recurring problems such as itching or digestive upsets,” says Adrian Pettyan, CEO and co-founder. “Our Classic and Daily Dish stews are prepared without wheat, gluten, corn or soy ingredients, right here in the United States. Not only are these recipes GMO-free, but they’re packed in Tetra Pak® cartons that protect freshness and flavor without any preservatives.”

Continued on page 68.

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Continued from page 67.

FROZEN RAW PET FOOD A high quality raw food diet improves digestion, increases energy, and promotes healthier skin and hair – among many other benefits. Because raw food represents the “biologically appropriate” diet eaten by our dogs’ and cats’ ancestors, it offers optimal nutrition – and companies such as Sojos and Northwest Naturals have made it both convenient and safe.

Once considered a “messy” choice, raw food is now easy to feed and store. It’s available in various options including frozen tubes, patties, medallions and nuggets. “Northwest Naturals offers complete and balanced raw food nuggets that can be fed right from the bag, just like kibble,” says Patti Salladay, salesperson and marketer. “You just pour and serve, and you never have to touch the food.”

Photo courtesy of Northwest Naturals

This is an appealing feature for many consumers, since the risk of food-borne illness that comes with handling raw meat is an ongoing concern, and unfortunately deters many pet parents from switching to raw diets. But this threat is greatly minimized if you use safe handling practices and invest in a high quality food brand. “Northwest Naturals uses High Pressure Processing (HPP) on all poultry products,” says Patti. “This process, when used at the correct temperature, pressure and hold time, fractures the cell wall of harmful pathogens and bacteria.” HPP makes poultry products (which pose a higher risk than red meats) safe for consumers and their pets, eliminating the risk of salmonella, E. coli and lysteria without altering the quality of the food.

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FREEZE-DRIED/DEHYDRATED RAW PET FOODS Freeze-dried or dehydrated raw food selections are also increasingly popular. They’re easy to feed, especially if you travel with your pet, because they don’t need to be kept frozen. They’re also very convenient, because all you need to do is add water to create a healthy, palatable meal consisting of raw food ingredients.

Sojos uses a proprietary freeze-drying process that eliminates food-borne pathogens while locking in taste and nutrition.

“There’s a growing awareness that heat and other harsh processing can damage delicate nutrients”, says Jen Loesch, the company’s general manager. “Raw food, on the other hand, is served the way nature intended – rich in naturally-occurring nutrients and enzymes.”

Photo courtesy of Sojos

Another perk to Caru’s packaging is that, unlike most pet food cans, it contains no BPA. Also called Bisphenol A, this chemical is an endocrine-disrupting chemical, and can negatively affect an animal’s metabolism and gut microbiomes. When shopping for a canned food for your pet, don’t hesitate to call the company to ask whether or not their cans are lined with BPA. Labels can be misleading, so it’s never a bad idea to go directly to the source.

LifeFORCE offers a selection of high quality dehydrated pet foods made from raw meats such as chicken, lamb, beef and turkey, along with a selection of fresh vegetables like sweet potato, broccoli, carrots and squash.

It’s easier than it has ever been to feed your cat or dog a healthy, high quality diet – you just have to know what to look for!

“There’s an old saying – garbage in, garbage out,” says Patti.

“When you feed a lower grade food to your pet, most of it will be eliminated in his waste with very little nutrition being absorbed.

The fresher the food, and the higher the quality, the healthier and more nutritional it is.” High quality pet foods will be more expensive than those low-end grocery store brands, but they’ll help pay for themselves in fewer vet bills down the road!

Shopping List

✓Caru Pet Food, carupetfood.com ✓LifeFORCE (available in Canada), lifeforcepet.com ✓Northwest Naturals, nwnwordpress1.nw-naturals.net/wp/ ✓Open Farm, openfarmpet.com ✓Orijen, orijen.ca ✓Sojos, sojos.com ✓Stella & Chewy’s, stellaandchewys.com

the scoop COMMITTED TO COMPASSION

Pura Naturals Pet recently announced that they are Leaping Bunny Certified. This designation upholds the highest standards of compassion for animals in consumer products. Pura is committed to producing ethical, eco-friendly pet products using quality non-toxic ingredients.

PuraNaturalsPet.com

BUY A SHIRT, HELP A RESCUE

Most dog rescues are overcrowded and underfunded. Former firefighter and t-shirt club entrepreneur, Jim Scano, is helping out with the recent launch of his Dog Rescue Shirt Club. For just $20 a month, you get a new t-shirt each month featuring a different dog rescue – all proceeds go to the rescue.

DogRescueShirtClub.com

SAFETY ASSURED!

Sleepypod has crash tested its new Clickit Terrain car safety harness for dogs. The harness was found to meet both U.S. and Canadian safety standards for child restraint systems.

“The harness kept the crash test dog from accelerating forward and leaving the test bench while controlling rotation,” says Michael Leung, company co-founder.

Sleepypod.com

LEARN MORE ABOUT ESSENTIAL OILS Drs. Albright, Hanover and Rykoff are integrative veterinarians who have many years’ experience using essential oils with animals. They are available to help teach you how to implement essential oils and supplements into a health care regimen tailored to your pet.

YLVetsAndPets.com

VET STUDENTS MAKING A DIFFERENCE

For the tenth year in a row, veterinary students from Oregon State University travelled to Nicaragua this past summer to conduct six days of free clinics on Ometepe Island, which has no regular veterinary care. Under the supervision of volunteer veterinarians, the students spayed and neutered hundreds of dogs and cats.

Stuorgs.oregonstate.edu/ivsa

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passages

TOO TALL’S

transition

By Anne Quick

As

an Animal Intuitive, I literally talk to animals, both alive and in spirit. Whether or not you believe this is possible, I ask that you suspend your disbelief and listen to my story about Too Tall, my best friend and heart dog, who made his transition last year.

Too Tall was a retired racing greyhound who broke his leg during a race in May of 2008. I adopted him four months later.

He was a tall and handsome brindle who stole everyone’s heart.

You could not help being affected by him; in fact, he told me he was here on Earth to not only teach and help me, but to teach and help everyone he came in contact with.

All animals are our teachers. They come into our lives to teach us about unconditional love, and to help us learn our life lessons.

Too Tall helped me learn that I’m loved and worthy of love.

He came into my life at a time when I really needed a friend.

He helped me through my mother’s death from breast cancer, my severe depression and resulting hospitalizations. He was my rock during a very difficult time. I could always count on him when I needed some love and a snuggle.

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On September 7 of last year, I found out that Too Tall was in liver failure, and likely had liver cancer. I knew without hesitation that saying goodbye was the right thing to do. He was suffering and had been for weeks. We set up an appointment for Too Tall to be euthanized at 3 pm the following day, which meant we had less than 24 hours left.

That night, I took Too Tall on a walk. We spent several hours lying together under the stars near a lake. I told him I wasn’t sure what I was going to do without him. I do have another greyhound named Kelly, and I love her of course, but she isn’t as affectionate as Too Tall, and is more independent and aloof.

The next day, I was lying next to Too Tall on the floor. Again I said, “I don’t know what I’m going to do without you.” In my mind, I heard Too Tall say, “Don’t worry, I will always be there. Kelly is going to take my place. We’ve had a talk.” I found comfort in this, but still wasn’t sure how I was going handle not having Too Tall around.

Over the next day or two, he showed me.

Both dogs always travelled with me. If I could take them somewhere, I would. They were both therapy dogs as well, so we often went to schools, libraries and other places. During the trip, Too Tall always lay down in the back of my SUV, while Kelly constantly changed positions. When we stopped, I didn’t open the hatch until both dogs were lying down, so that I could attach their leashes before they jumped out. Too Tall would already be lying down, but I would have to wait a couple of seconds for Kelly to follow suit. But on Too Tall’s last day, when we arrived at the vet’s office, it was Kelly who was lying down. I had to wait a little for Too Tall to lie down as well. I noticed the difference but attributed it to mere coincidence. I should have known better.

Before Too Tall passed, I told him I was going to miss his smell. I have never noticed another person’s or animal’s smell the way I did Too Tall’s. I would often receive weird looks from people because I loved to smell his neck. As I was lying with Too Tall in the lobby of the vet’s office, I buried my nose in his neck to get one last whiff. To my surprise, his smell was not there. Too Tall told me he was already starting to transition, and that if I noticed his smell after his passing, it would mean he was letting me know he was with me.

As we drove home from the vet after Too Tall was euthanized, Kelly lay down the whole time, the way he used to. The next morning, I noticed Kelly was acting like Too Tall in the way she moved, and in the positions she took. She even came over and nudged me the way Too Tall did. At one point, I was looking at Too Tall’s empty bed and thinking to myself, I wish I could smell you. I then received an intuitive hit to smell Kelly. Sure enough, she smelled like Too Tall! I then saw Too Tall in my mind’s eye, rolling over as if laughing hysterically. He loved it that I kept being surprised!

Through the rest of that day, I lost count of the number of signs Too Tall sent me – through a song on the radio, for example, or in the clear shape of a racing greyhound in the clouds. I also find it’s much easier to talk to him now that he has transitioned to spirit. He told me he would always be with me, and he certainly showed me how Kelly was taking his place. I should have known the first time Kelly acted like Too Tall was no coincidence, as there are none.

I want to share this story to reassure others that our loved ones, human and animal, are always with us. We just need to ask and they will send us signs. We then need to trust that what we receive is in fact a message, and not a coincidence. Death is merely a transition, and just as in life, animals remain our loving teachers.

We spent several hours lying together under the stars near a lake.

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to the rescue

Photo courtesy of Michelle Aaron Photography

Zoe’s Animal Rescue Society Rescue code: ZOE

Thanks to the dedicated staff and volunteers at Zoe's Animal Rescue Society, stray, abandoned and surrendered animals are able to find loving forever homes.

LOCATION: Edmonton, Alberta YEAR ESTABLISHED: 2012 NUMBER OF STAFF/VOLUNTEERS/FOSTER HOMES: No paid staff. “We have about 50 very active volunteers with another 200 less active ones and about 50 active foster homes,” says codirector Sasha Campbell.

TYPES OF ANIMAL THEY WORK WITH: Zoe’s primary focus is cats and dogs, but they often dedicate resources to helping other animals in need. “We have rescued pigs, guinea pigs and rabbits as well,” says co-director Kath Oltsher.

FUNDRAISING PROJECTS: “We depend on our volunteers and supporters – many through social media – to donate,” says Sasha.

“We do anything and everything to raise money to pay our vet bills, which is the major part of our expenses.” Zoe’s also has a Helping Hand initiative for animals outside their organization that need expensive vet care, as well as a spay and neuter program.

“We do bottle drives, chocolate sales, garage sales, cat yoga and cat cafes, compost sales, pub nights, and more,” Kath adds.

Zoe’s also partners with realtors and other businesses interested in sponsorship, and works with veterinarians who offer free spay and neuter procedures in support of their cause.

FAVORITE RESCUE STORY: “Last year, a small team of volunteers spent three days searching through a heavily wooded rural

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Follow on Faceb o

.com/zoesanim ok alrescue

area, looking for a mama and her brand new litter of puppies,” says Kath. “The weather was chilly and the brush was thick and scratchy, and we had to be extra careful because a cougar was active in the area.”

Eventually the team found the canine family in a deep hole dug beneath an old rusted car. “Although we were fairly positive it was her den, we were a bit afraid it might be a skunk den or that mama might be frightened and become defensive,” Sasha says. “Fortunately, she turned out to be very friendly and we were able to bring her and her three-day-old puppies into care.” Today, all ten puppies are fully grown and living happily with their individual adoptive families. They meet up every now and again at a dog park for a litter reunion, staying connected through Zoe’s Happily Ever After Facebook group. zoesanimalrescue.org facebook.com/ Zoesanimalrescue

Zoe's Happily Ever After Facebook page allows adoptive families to post updates about their rescue animals.

Animal Wellness has supported rescue efforts for almost 15 years and is a proud partner of Best Friends Animal Society. This column honors the work of shelters and rescues across North America.

For their full stories, visit www.AnimalWellnessMagazine.com

CANADA RESCUES

USA RESCUES

Boxer Rescue Ontario Burlington, Ontario Rescue Code: BOXER www.boxerrescueontario.com

A Different Breed Animal Rescue Organization Dallas, Texas Rescue Code: ADBRESCUE www.adifferentbreed.org

Dhana Metta Rescue Society Surrey, British Columbia Rescue Code: DHANA www.dhanamettarescuesociety.org

All Aboard Animal Rescue Fort Collins, California Rescue Code: AAAR www.aaanimalrescue.org

Grand River All Breed Rescue Cambridge, Ontario Rescue Code: GRAB www.grandriveallbreedrescue.ca

Anchors Up Rescue Group Las Vegas, Nevada Rescue Code: ANCHORSUP www.anchorsuprescuegroup.org

Home At Last Dog Rescue Surrey, British Columbia Rescue Code: HALDR www.homeatlastdogrescuebc.ca

Ark Animal Sanctuary Houlton, Maine Rescue Code: ARK www.arksanctuary.com

K9 Crusaders Cobourg, Ontario Rescue Code: K9C www.k9c.ca

Basset Rescue Of Old Dominion Charlottesville, Virginia Rescue Code: BROOD www.brood-va.org

Little Paws Rescue Society Vancouver, British Columbia Rescue Code: LPRS www.littlepawsrescue.ca

Big Fluffy Dog Rescue Nashville, Tennessee Rescue Code: BFDR www.bigfluffydogs.com

Marshall’s Dog Rescue Perth, Ontario Rescue Code: MARSHALL www.marshalldogrescue.com

Blind Dog Rescue Alliance Seymour, Connecticut Rescue Code: BDRA www.blinddogrescue.org

Precious Paws Rescue Barrie, Ontario Rescue Code: PPR www.preciouspawsrescue.ca

Blue Ridge Boxer Rescue Hickory, North Carolina Rescue Code: BRBR www.blueridgeboxerrescue.com

Ruff Start New Beginnings Colborne, Ontario Rescue Code: RSNB www.ruffstartnewbeginnings.com

Central Ohio Pomeranian Rescue Delaware, Ohio Rescue Code: COPR www.ohiopomrescue.com

Save Our Scruff Toronto, Ontario Rescue Code: SOS www.saveourscruff.org

DC Shiba Inu Rescue Washington, DC Rescue Code: DCSIR www.dcsir.org

Snookie’s Society Toronto, Ontario Rescue Code: SNOOKIE www.snookiessociety.com

Fetching Tails Foundation Itasca, Illinois Rescue Code: AWA283 www.fetchingtailsfoundation.com

TEAM Dog Rescue Toronto, Ontario Rescue Code: TEAM www.teamdogrescue.ca

Floyd Felines Rome, Georgia Rescue Code: FLOYD www.floydfelines.com

The Animal Guardian Society Oshawa, Ontario Rescue Code: TAGS www.animalguardian.org

Forever Loved Pets Sanctuary Scottsdale, Arizona Rescue Code: FLPS www.foreverlovedpets.org

Zoe’s Animal Rescue Society Edmonton, Alberta Rescue Code: ZOE www.zoesanimalrescue.org

Friends of Upland Animal Shelter Upland, California Rescue Code: FRIENDS www.friendsofuplandanimalshelter.org

All Paws Matter Stouffville, Ontario Rescue Code: APM1423 www.allpawsmatter.ca

GREY2K USA Arlington, Massachusetts Rescue Code: GREY2K www.grey2k.org

Adopt Me Rescue Studio City, California Rescue Code: ADOPTME www.adoptmerescue.org

Good Karma Dog Rescue River Vale, New Jersey Rescue Code: GKDR www.goodkarmadogrescue.com Higher Ground Animal Sanctuary Mead, Washington Rescue Code: AWA278 www.highergroundanimalsanctuary.org Mini Mighty Mutts Phoenix, Arizona Rescue Code: AWA287 www.minimightymutts.com Outcast Rescue Catasauqua, Pennsylvania Rescue Code: OUTCAST www.outcastrescue.com PAWS Project Middleton, New England Rescue Code: PAWS www.facebook.com/PAWSMitzvah The Cat Network Miami, Florida Rescue Code: THECATNETWORK www.thecatnetwork.org The Misfits Dogs Rescue Colorado Springs, Colorado Rescue Code: MISFIT www.misfitcrusaders.com The Sanctuary For Senior Dogs Cleveland, Ohio Rescue Code: AWA092 www.sanctuaryforseniordogs.org Wags 2 Wishes Animal Rescue Plainfield, Illinois Rescue Code: W2W www.w2wrescue.com

SUBSCRIBE & WE WILL DONATE

25%

TO A RESCUE!

It's easy!

1 Choose a rescue from this list Subscribe at 2 AnimalWellnessMagazine.com/ subscribe

3 Enter rescue code for chosen rescue 4 Enjoy your subscription!

October/November 2017

73

Botanical treatments

By Greg Tilford

D gs Cats Unlike conventional drugs, herbs and other botanicals make resistance nearly impossible for even the nastiest pathogens, and are effective weapons against the bacteria and fungi associated with otitis media in dogs and cats.

Middle ear infections, also referred to as otitis media, are a common problem in dogs and cats. The ear canal is like a fermentation vessel for pathogenic bacteria and fungi, especially if copious ear wax, dirt or other debris is present. This article looks at the herbs and other botanicals that can effectively treat these ear infections in dogs and cats.

been compared to those of Fluconazole, a drug commonly used to combat blastomycosis, histoplasmosis and various other fungal infections. It is also antibacterial and serves as an excellent vulnerary agent, bringing soothing relief and accelerating cell reproduction and granuloma at the site of open sores, insect bites and other minor injuries.

BOTANICALS FOR AN EAR RINSE

Tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternafolia) – Tea tree oil is especially useful in the ears, and has strong activity against a broad variety of pathogenic fungi and bacteria. It can be safely used in concentrations of ≤3% on dogs; however, in my opinion, tea tree oil should not be applied consecutively for more than three days in cats, who tend to be hypersensitive to it, especially when they lick it from their fur. Although I have yet to see any actual adverse events from the use of tea tree oil, a number of reports warn of acute hepatotoxicity, neurotoxicity and nephritic events when the oil is ingested in higher concentrations over non-specific periods of time. More is not better, and caution always rules – use this one sparingly on cats, and try to avoid direct ingestion of whatever formulation you use.

All the botanicals presented in this article are best used as components of an ear rinse (see sidebar on page 75), applied twice a day. Here are some of my favorites, and how they work.

Cider vinegar – Well known for its yeastfighting antifungal and antibacterial actions, it’s an excellent cleanser that cuts through ear wax while inhibiting yeast and bacterial reproduction. Vinegar containing 5% acetic acid, in a concentration of ≤20% of the total formula, can be safely used with minimal risk of increased irritation.

Calendula extract (Calendula officinalis) – The activities of calendula extract have

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Lavender oil (Lavendula off.) – This oil has been shown to be effective against at least 120 strains of pathogenic bacteria, and is among the safest essential oils for use in animals. It is also a remarkable healing agent and “carrier” for other botanical medicines; it serves as a quick-acting vasodilator that increases blood circulation into the dermis. Lavender oil also lends a much welcomed calming effect.

Thyme oil (Thymus off.) – Thyme oil is stronger and more reliable than lavender as a broad spectrum antimicrobial agent in solutions below 0.5%. This is due to its high concentrations of highly active thymol and carvacrol. As an example of how “less is sometimes better”, pick up a bottle of Listerine mouthwash and read the label. Thymol is a primary active ingredient – but at a concentration of just 0.064%. Being an herbalist who believes that “the whole plant is greater than the sum of its parts”, I prefer to use thyme in the form of a whole leaf ethanol tincture. To use thyme in the ears, dilute 5ml of the 1:2 alcohol based oil into 250ml of a distilled water solution containing 20% cider vinegar. Rinse the ear liberally with the solution, twice daily.

Continued on page 76.

A natural ear rinse solution

Clean the dog or cat’s ears with a rinse solution that serves a dual purpose of removing dirt while inhibiting pathogenic bacteria and fungi residing in the ear canal. (Be sure to first consult with a holistic or integrative vet, for a correct diagnosis and help determining your pet’s specific needs.) I prefer a base of cider vinegar, aloe vera juice and distilled water, to which a variety of essentials oils and herb extracts can be added.

The overall solution should be fairly dilute, especially in the case of essential oils, which can otherwise be irritating to the point of aggravating rather than relieving inflammation. To prevent this and to assure optimal effectiveness of the formula, I recommend limiting essential oil components of any formula to ≤3% of total volume of the formula. Again, you will need your veterinarian’s assistance in choosing the right oil and dosage for your own pet.

Most herb extracts (tinctures) can be used more liberally, depending of course on the choice of herbs. “Hot” herbs, such as garlic or peppermint, should not be used in concentrations exceeding 5%. Calendula on the other hand is quite forgiving, especially if used as a glycerite – my preferred form of any herb extract used in or on the ears. Glycerin lends its own healing benefits to a formula. Both antimicrobial and humectant, glycerin serves to absorb drainage and prevent pooling of exudate in dermal tissues.

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necessary

DIETARY CHANGES MAY BE

Many cases of otitis media are influenced by food allergies, so any holistic approach will require a critical assessment of your dog or cat’s diet.

• Begin by removing all the “usual suspects” from the diet: wheat, soy, corn and their by-products.

• Meat by-products and meat meal should be avoided in favor of human-grade whole meats (e.g. turkey, fish, chicken, lamb, duck, etc.).

• Artificial dyes or preservatives need to be eliminated. Instead, opt for foods preserved with natural vitamin E, rosemary oil, or other natural antioxidants.

• Supplementation should include immune-tonics, such as Echinacea, to help boost the body’s resistance to infection, and antimicrobials. Both can be used topically for direct intervention, and systemically to chase and inhibit pathogens from the inside out.

Continued from page 75.

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), Oregon grape (Mahonia spp.) and Coptis species – The roots of these plants are rich with berberine, a bright yellow protoberberinetype isoquinoline alkaloid. Berberine offers a very broad spectrum of antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral activity. Several studies support this claim. In one, berberine was shown to be highly active against Fluconazoleresistant yeasts. It is also effective against a wide variety of pathogenic bacteria, including drug resistant staphylococcus aureus. The usefulness of berberine stems from its ability to strongly inhibit, if not completely kill, pathogenic microbes on contact. This puts goldenseal and other berberine-bearing plants at the top of my list of resources for direct application.

Olive leaf (olea europaea) – Perhaps the “king” of antimicrobial herbs, olive leaf is simply amazing. Its healing powers have been known for a very long time. In the early to mid-1800s, olive leaf was found to be a very effective febrifuge remedy, and was seen as much better than quinine in the treatment of malaria. Olive leaf has broad-spectrum antibacterial and antifungal properties. In a recent in-vitro study, a scant 0.6% (v/v) dilution of olive leaf tea was shown to kill E.coli within three hours, while Candida albicans was

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completely killed by a 15% (v/v) extract. Olive leaf is effective in many forms (aqueous, ethanol or glycerin extracts) and is very safe. For applications against otitis media, I recommend a 1:4 glycerite, diluted to concentrations between 10% to 20% in distilled water and up to 20% cider vinegar.

Rosemary oil (Rosmarinus off. L.) – No article on Western botanical interventions against otitis media would be complete without a mention of rosemary oil. There is good reason why this oil is used as a natural preservative in hundreds of natural foods and medicines. It can be applied safely and is very effective at inhibiting reproduction or killing (depending on concentration) an impressive variety of troublesome bacteria. In a 2003 study published in The Brazilian Journal of Biosciences, rosemary oil was found to be effective against 18 isolates of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius isolated from dogs. In another study, the oil was shown to be effective against six microbial species, including gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis), gramnegative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa), a yeast (Candida albicans), and a fungus (Aspergillus niger).

Rosemary oil can be used with a broad margin of safety in dilutions of ≤3%. Like lavender, it may impart a calming effect upon an otherwise pain-tormented animal. However, I find that stronger dilutions will sometimes result in an opposite, energizing effect.

As pathogenic bacteria and fungi become increasingly resistant to our antibiotic arsenal, what may once have been a “simple case” of otitis media can now become an all-out battle against infection. Fortunately, we have herbs to turn to. Unlike conventional antimicrobial drugs, herbs present complex chemistries that make adaptation and resistance nearly impossible for even the nastiest pathogens. Best of all, with the help of your holistic or integrative vet, these herbs are easy to access and very safe to use.

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What your dogâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

POOP can tell you about his health

By Nancy Scanlan, DVM, CVA

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Looking too closely at your dog’s feces might be yucky, but noting any changes and reporting them to your veterinarian is an important part of keeping tabs on his overall well-being.

Cleaning up after our dogs is a daily task for most of us, although we tend to not look too closely at what we’re scooping up.

Examining your dog’s poop is probably the last thing you want to do, but be aware that the appearance of his feces can tell you some important things about his health. Changes in your dog’s stool can signal the beginnings of a health problem, and informing your veterinarian can give him or her some inside information about what is going on in your furry friend’s body. Let’s look at some common problems that can show up in your dog’s excrement.

DIARRHEA Soft stool or diarrhea is often your first obvious indication that something is amiss with your dog. It doesn’t tell you specifically what is wrong, just that something’s going on. The mildest indication is a stool that looks normal but is a little softer than usual when you pick it up. The other extreme is watery diarrhea, often with a lot of gas. If you can’t clean up after your dog except with paper towels, something is really irritating his intestinal tract.

Depending on how sensitive your dog is, a bout of diarrhea might just mean he got into the garbage. If he is otherwise perfectly happy, give him a little white rice mixed with cottage cheese for a day or two to see if he improves. If he doesn’t, he needs to get checked out at the vet’s office. Similarly, if watery stool is accompanied by a fever (temperature over 102.5°F) or lethargy, your dog needs to see a veterinarian as soon as possible.

CONSTIPATION In most cases, constipation arises from a lack of moisture and/or fiber in the diet. Avoid commercial dry pet foods, and make sure your dog is eating a high quality diet made from fresh whole food ingredients, including some vegetables and fruit. Also ensure he has 24/7 access to fresh pure water.

More serious causes of constipation include the ingestion of a foreign object, a growth in the digestive tract, an injury in the pelvic area, or a reaction to medications. If constipation does not clear up in a few days, even with the addition of moisture or fiber, take your dog to the vet.

BLOOD AND/OR MUCUS Blood in your dog’s stool is not something to take lightly. It indicates there is a lot of inflammation in the intestines. If the October/November 2017

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inflammation is at the end of the digestive tract, the blood will be bright red. If it’s higher up, it will look more like black tar.

The whole stool may even look black and tarry.

If you have been giving your dog baby aspirin or a prescription painkiller, know that it can cause intestinal bleeding or even ulcers. If you have just started one of these medications and your dog loses his appetite within a week or so, it may also be a sign of a developing ulcer. Stop the medication immediately, especially if there is blood in the stool, and contact your vet. If you don’t, the ulcer may penetrate the intestine, causing a hole that leads straight to the abdominal cavity, and necessitating emergency surgery.

Parasite problems

Most parasites stay in the body and just shed eggs into the feces. This means your veterinarian can determine more than you’ll be able to about any parasites lurking in your dog. However, some parasites manifest in the stool. Any sign of the following warrants a trip to the vet. The younger the dog, the more likely he is to have worms.

Other causes of blood in the stool can include colitis, IBD, certain parasites (see sidebar at left) and other serious conditions. Again, it’s important to take your dog to the vet as soon as possible if you see blood in his feces.

Mucus also indicates inflammation or irritation, but isn’t as critical as blood as long as it is clear. Bloody mucus should be treated the same way as pure blood – with a trip to the vet.

Some dogs often have mucus surrounding their stools, although the stool itself looks healthy. There is still something going on, however, and the problem will often go away if you add a prebiotic and a probiotic to his diet.

ODOR An excessively foul odor from the stool may indicate that your dog’s system does not respond well to fiber. You can try switching from insoluble fiber (e.g. whole grains, brown rice) to soluble fiber foods (e.g. oats, apples, blueberries), and add a digestive enzyme. Plant-based enzymes work well for this. Be sure cellulase is one of them.

• The most common worm you’ll see in the stool itself is actually just part of a worm – the tapeworm segment. When fresh it is flat and white, with a blunt front end that will crawl around a little. After it has been exposed to the air for a while, it will dry up and look a little bit like brown rice. Do not expect tapeworms to look like those ugly pictures you might have seen online. That part is what’s still inside your dog; it’s not the part that is shed in the stool.

• Puppies also commonly have roundworms, which look sort of like white spaghetti noodles, and are often seen in the stool. If there is severe inflammation, bloody fluid will accompany them.

• In the case of hookworms or whipworms, you won’t see the worms in the stool. Whipworms will often cause intermittent diarrhea, however. Your dog might have diarrhea for a day, go back to normal for weeks, have another day of diarrhea, then go back to normal again, etc. If this keeps happening, and there is no other obvious reason for it, take a sample of the diarrhea to the vet.

• Coccidia and giardia can cause enough irritation to lead to soft stool or diarrhea, often accompanied by some clear mucus and sometimes a little blood. Take the poop to the vet to find out specifically which parasite is causing the problem.

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A greasylooking stool can signal excess fat in the diet, which can lead to pancreatitis.

Intr

g! n i c u od

!!

TM

Introd

ucing

!!!

Lucky is a fun and quirky canine with a zest for life.

But Lucky wasnʻt always so lucky.

Hereʻs how this lovable rescue dog found his forever home...

Stay tuned for more of Luckyʻs adventures in upcoming issues!

Help a rescue today! Visit animalwellnessmarket.com to check out Lucky’s new swag!

A portion of proceeds will support animal shelters and rescue groups across North America.

October/November 2017

81

Coconut From oils and treats

and your pet

By Marybeth Bittel

to shampoos and balms, the humble coconut is making its

D gs Cats

way into a lot of pet products. How does this popular tropical food

benefit

your

dog or cat’s health?

In recent years, the world has been discovering the health benefits of the coconut – not just for themselves, but for their dogs and cats too. And cracked open, a coconut’s nutritional profile certainly looks good. According to the USDA National Nutrient Database, raw coconut pulp or “meat” is an excellent source of potassium, iron, fiber, magnesium and vitamin C. The water harvested from young coconuts is a ready source of electrolytes and enzymes, while the oil has a variety of healthgiving applications. And more and more people are sharing these benefits with their dogs and cats.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF COCONUT OIL According to veterinarian Dr. W. Jean Dodds and canine nutritionist Diana Laverdure, co-authors of Canine Nutrigenomics, dogs and cats can particularly benefit from coconut oil.

The therapeutic qualities of coconut oil appear to stem from its abundance of medium chain triglycerides (MCTs). The authors reference several studies, in which the findings suggested that MCTs break down more quickly in the bloodstream than regular

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fats, thereby delivering an accessible supply of non-carbohydrate energy. The research also indicates that MCTs help the body and brain utilize Omega 3 fatty acids more efficiently, and that MCTs can easily traverse the blood-brain barrier.

• One specific pet-based study (Pan et al, 2010) supplemented the diets of 24 beagles with 5.5% MCT. The dogs, ranging in age from seven to 11, demonstrated measurable improvements in learning-related tasks after just two weeks, and even greater improvement after one month. It therefore appears that MCTs may help support an aging animal’s brain by supplying an alternative source of usable energy.

• Veterinarian Dr. Elizabeth Cutright, a founding consultant at Healthier Pets Naturally, says coconut oil offers other benefits as well. “We know that coconut oil is a healthy fat that exhibits anti-inflammatory properties,” she explains. “It has the potential to help support cell membranes, enhance skin and coat condition, aid in hormone balance, and support healthy thyroid function. Used as one component of a whole

Cats and coconut

Many cat owners wonder if coconut is safe for their feline friends. The short answer seems to be “yes”, although at least one report suggests that certain cats have an aversion to it.

As part of one study, researchers fed young healthy felines purified diets containing either hydrogenated coconut oil or MCTs. Recorded food intake appeared lower, and the cats lost weight. When the MCT content was enhanced, cats refused the food after one tasting. diet health protocol, it can also help support digestion and fat-soluble nutrient absorption.”

• Dr. Cutright also points to literature that highlights coconut oil’s antimicrobial effects, particularly against yeast. Former University of Maryland biochemist and dietary fats researcher Mary Enig, PhD, has specifically pointed to coconut oil’s high lauric acid content; her writings explain that this saturated fatty acid is used by the body to make a monoglyceride called monolaurin, which helps infants resist viral, bacterial or protozoal infections. Coconut oil is also high in caprylic acid, known for its antifungal properties.

Continued on page 84.

“Several integrative vets have gone on record stating their preference for organic dairy butter over coconut oil for cats,” says Dr. Cutright. “Certain cats seem to prefer it taste-wise, and have fewer reactions. Veterinarian Dr. Richard Palmquist finds that it really helps older cats who have a hard time keeping on weight, or who struggle with stomach sensitivity.”

October/November 2017

83

Continued from page 83.

COCONUT CAUTIONS Recently, the American Heart Association (AHA) updated its advice on saturated fat, which represents roughly 80% of the fat found in coconut oil. Based on its data review, the AHA maintains that saturated fat can raise “bad” (LDL) cholesterol.

Interestingly, the association only appears to have considered a somewhat limited subset of the 17 meta-analyses and systematic reviews illustrating no well-defined link between heart disease and saturated fat intake. However, it’s still worth recognizing that coconut oil isn’t a cure-all for either people or pets.

“I find that people often think coconut oil is some sort of panacea, which it’s not,” says Dr. Cutright. She stresses that coconut in any form tends to offer the best therapeutic benefits when it’s combined with a healthful whole food approach.

When using the oil, says Dr. Cutright, “the biggest risk factor I see is either diarrhea, or in severe cases, pancreatitis. I haven’t seen cholesterol increases, but a few doctors feel they have witnessed this and/or weight gain – especially in cats.” While several studies appear to show that coconut oil’s lauric acid helps increase “good” HDL cholesterol, the extra fat consumption could pose a problem for certain pets.

To help minimize any risk, Dr. Cutright strongly recommends feeding coconut oil in lower doses. She also suggests adjusting the overall diet to account for the higher caloric intake resulting from coconut oil consumption.

“I personally use 1/8 teaspoon for cats and small dogs, once daily,” she explains. “For medium to large dogs, I use ¼ to ½ teaspoon daily. For giant dogs, I use ½ to 1 teaspoon daily, or 1/8 teaspoon per ten pounds of body weight.”

While coconut consumption is generally considered safe and healthy for pets, as with anything else, talk to your integrative or holistic veterinarian before introducing it to your dog or cat’s diet, and watch closely for allergic skin reactions, loose stools or other undesirable reactions. Used in moderation, however, in conjunction with an overall healthy diet and lifestyle, coconut can be a beneficial addition to your pet’s wellness regime.

Coconut cornucopia

You can find an extensive range of coconut-based products for pets. Some are edible, others topical.

Oil Both Dr. Cutright and Dr. Dodds suggest choosing unrefined (virgin) cold-pressed coconut oil. This helps avoid possible pesticide contamination, while preserving optimum nutritional value. One product example is Wilderness Family Naturals Cherished Friends Coconut Oil (wildernessfamilynaturals.com).

Cold-pressed organic coconut oil is also available in many grocery and health food stores.

Treats Some companies dehydrate coconut meat into easily stored chips that make tasty training treats and food toppers. Coconut treats also help promote a healthy coat. CocoTherapy Organic Coconut Chips are a good choice (cocotherapy.com). The company also offers coconut oil for dogs.

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Shampoo Coconut-enriched shampoo may help soothe minor skin irritation and promote softer coats.

Coconut Clean Organic Dog Shampoo (coconutclean.com) also includes neem plus a blend of essential oils to help discourage fleas and ticks. For cats, adding a drop of liquefied coconut oil to a natural shampoo can sometimes enhance its moisturizing benefits.

Paw protection Certain non-toxic paw moisturizing balms are formulated with coconut oil to naturally protect your dog’s feet against snow, ice and salt. One choice is Muttluks Pawmagik Balm (muttluks.com). Dr. Cutright notes that applying coconut oil topically may encourage some pets to lick it off. “In those cases, try playing with the dog following application to help distract his attention.”

We buy our dogs the best toys, the best food and the best healthcare we can afford.

Like proud parents, we dress them up and photograph them, posting their smiling faces all over social media. But do our dogs love us as much as we love them? Do they appreciate the high quality of care we provide? Is there a way to find out?

A distinguished professor of neuroscience, Gregory Berns set out to find the answers to these questions. With a team of fellow scientists, he trained dogs to go into an MRI scanner, and discovered that canines, like humans, experience varying levels of joy, and are happiest when they are with their people. Documenting these and other surprising results in his new book, What It’s Like to Be a Dog: And Other Adventures in Animal Neuroscience, Berns reminds pet parents that “spoiling” your dog does not go unappreciated.

A complex but engrossing volume that’s accessible to scientists and laymen alike, this book is a fascinating and insightful exploration of the canine brain.

book reviews

Title: What It’s Like to Be a Dog Author: Gregory Berns

Publisher: Basic Books

Title: How to Age-Proof Your Dog Authors: Elizabeth U. Murphy Like it or not, our dogs are going to age. And it’s up to us to help them age well. In her new book, Elizabeth U. Murphy provides readers with proactive and preventative healthcare tools that can be catered to the needs of each individual dog.

How to Age-Proof Your Dog: The Art and Science of Successful Canine Aging touches on the importance of regular physical examinations for dogs, and lifestyle choices such as exercise regimens. All dogs – and therefore all human-canine relationships – are unique, and Murphy eloquently laces this reality into her informative guide. Emphasizing the idea that healthcare should be personalized based on a dog’s age, breed and even personality, this indepth guide helps the reader understand how to best care for his or her own dog.

Whether you’ve just adopted a puppy or are preparing to say goodbye to a senior companion, How to Age-Proof Your Dog is an informative and valuable read.

Publisher: Hachette Books

October/November 2017

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Animal Communicators CAROL SCHULTZ – Animal Communicator/Intuitive Healing Support. Interactive, compassionate, practical, and insightful Consultations and Energy Balancing for all species. Assistance with emotional, behavioral, physical, end of life, in spirit, plus lost animals. Classes & mentoring available. (815) 531-2850 www.carolschultz.com SHIRLEY SCOTT – Internationally known Animal Communicator & Clairvoyant connects with your pets here or in spirit. She reads emotional/behavior/health problems, provides classes & workshops in animal communication & training. (541) 577-3051, sscott@shirley-scott.com, www.shirley-scott.com

Associations INTERNATIONAL ASS’N OF ANIMAL MASSAGE & BODYWORK/ASS’N OF CANINE WATER THERAPY – Welcome trained practitioners of Animal Massage and Bodywork. The IAAMB/ACWT supports and promotes the practitioners of complementary care for animals through networking, continuing education, website, online referrals, newsletters, insurance, annual educational conferences, lobbying and credentialing of schools. www.IAAMB.org

Books & Publications 1000’s OF DOG BOOKS, DVD’S AND TRAINING TOOLS IN STOCK – Ready to ship. Dogwise has what you want!

(800) 776-2665; www.dogwise.com

For Sale FOR SALE – Profitable/Positive Cash Flow Animal Health Company, proprietary products. 17 years in business: National/International Sales. Average annual sales for 2014 & 2015, $380,000 plus. Location: Anywhere. Owner Retiring. Contact Owner: (905) 684-2375; rjhoffman.rhgi@gmail.com; PO Box 771117, Memphis, TN 38177.

Holistic Veterinarians EAST YORK ANIMAL CLINIC HOLISTIC CENTRE – Dr. Paul McCutcheon, Dr. Cindy Kneebone & Dr. Candice Chiu. The first and oldest integrative veterinary clinic in Ontario with over fifty years of service to the community and our collective veterinarian experience of 95 years. We provide a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic methods utilizing the latest research in integrative medicine. Please visit our website to explore our services. www.eastyorkanimalclinic. com eyac@holisticpetvet.com (416) 757-3569, 805 O’Connor Drive, Toronto, ON, M4B 2S7 GUELPH ANIMAL HOSPITAL – Offers a full range of conventional veterinary services as well as acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, herbal and nutritional. Dr. Rob Butler is certified in Veterinary Acupuncture and is also trained in Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine. Dr. Smolkin is certified in Animal Chiropractic. By integrating conventional and complementary therapies, treatments can be tailored to the individual’s needs and preferences. Contact Guelph Animal Hospital at (519) 836-2781 or www.quelphvet.com

events

MAIN STREET VETERINARY SERVICES – Our mission is to help guide our animal companions to better health naturally. We provide a variety of veterinary medical services for pets from conventional services to holistic services such as chiropractic or acupuncture care. Our commitment to our patients, high quality customized medicine and customer service will be evident in all that we do. 2360 Main Street, London, ON N6P 1P9.

(519) 203-2000; www.mainstreetvetservices.ca/

Schools & Training PETMASSAGE (FOR DOGS) TRAINING AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE – “Remove Disease from Your Pet’s Body Using Only Your Hands.” Skype and written interview: Jonathan Rudinger with Dr. Karen Becker – Dr. Mercola’s August 2014 Healthy Pets Newsletter: Link on homepage of www.petmassage.com WALKS ‘N’ WAGS PET FIRST AID – National Leaders in Pet First Aid Certification Courses for dogs and cats. Learn preventative skills and practice emergency bandaging with live wiggly pets. Distance Learning also available. www.walksnwags.com or (800) 298-1152

Email your event to: info@animalwellnessmagazine.com

The Winnipeg Pet Show October 21–22, 2017 – Winnipeg, MB

Be sure to check out other Amazing Pet Expo events all year round at www.amazingpetexpos.com

Shop for unique pet products, meet animal rescue groups, speak with breeders, learn about pet nutrition, and have FUN!

Showtime Productions, producer of quality events for over 30 years, is proud to present The Winnipeg Pet Show!

For more information: (800) 977-3609 http://www.stlpetexpo.com/

For more information: (613) 241-7775 www.OttawaPetExpo.ca

Whole Life Expo 2017 November 3–5, 2017 – Toronto, ON

Tampa Bay Pet Con November 18–19, 2017 – Tampa Bay, FL

Whole Life Expo is Canada's largest showcase of natural health, alternative medicine, and eco-friendly lifestyles. With 75 speakers and over 200 exhibitors, it brings you the most comprehensive array of special promotions and free samples from natural health product retailers presented by our dynamic exhibitors.

Fabulous prize giveaways and fun for both the two-legged and fourlegged!

This pet show is a weekend dedicated to people who love their pets. Pet lovers will discover the latest pet-related products and services, and will also be treated to fun and family entertainment including X-Treme Dogs, a Pet Fashion Show, Sunova Play Zone, Kitty Corner and more!

Our goal is to encourage and promote responsible pet ownership through a combination of educational seminars and demonstrations on the Main Stage.

For more information: (204) 943-7469 info@showtimeproductions.ca http://winnipegpetshow.com/ St. Louis Pet Expo October 28–29, 2017 – St. Louis, MO You will find tons of exhibitors and demonstrations as well as free nail trims. There will be prize giveaways and live entertainment. You can adopt from one of the many Rescue groups and also learn about pet care, volunteerism, grooming, training and much more!

For more information: (416) 515-1330 info@wholelifeexpo.ca www.wholelifeexpo.ca Ottawa Pet Expo 2017 November 11–12, 2017 – Ottawa, ON The Ottawa Pet Expo is for pet owners...and their pets. Bring your dogs and cats and birds and rats!

Dozens of rescue groups and a mega-adoption event, discounted vaccinations, microchipping, heartworm and flea preventatives, free nail trims, agility demonstrations, live entertainment, obedience demonstrations, author readings/book signings and the latest and greatest pet products!

Learn about pet care, volunteerism, grooming, pet behavior and training, traveling with your pet, how you can make a difference, and various types of pets/breeds. Plus a veterinarian FAQ, fun activities for you and your pet and MUCH MORE! For more information: (800) 977-3609 http://www.tampabaypetexpo.com/

October/November 2017

87

tail end

Huey’s favorite

“snack”

By Janet Caplan

At almost 16, Huey has seen better days. No longer able to hear, see or even move much, our elderly cocker spaniel spends a good part of each day lying around, either on the mat near the front door or in a corner of the living room. His arthritic legs make it difficult, often impossible, for him to jump up on his favorite chair for a better view of his surroundings, before settling in for another well-deserved nap. Walks of even the shortest distance are few and far between, and we deal with bathroom mishaps on a daily basis. Life with our beautiful, brilliant Huey has altered, but we make the best of his aging situation.

When Huey was younger, I’d do my best to keep tissues out of his reach. Of course, I was younger then too, and would actually remember to empty my pockets. I guess we’re both a little off our game, because about a year ago, after noticing the frequency of Huey’s trips upstairs, I realized what he was up to and that I was at fault for not thinking about emptying my jacket pockets.

Since then, I do my best to remember; although Huey usually comes away with nothing after one of his excursions upstairs, there are still times when he returns licking his lips after a midday snack of paper products.

Basically, we let him do as he pleases.

But I don’t worry about it so much now. I mean, how can I let Huey be disappointed every time he makes that gruelling trek upstairs?

Even though there are days when Huey can barely cross the floor due to stiff joints, he still somehow manages to climb the 15 stairs up to our bedroom – not just once a day, but twice and often three times. Huey has always been goal-oriented and focused on the prize…and there is one, at least in his eyes, at the end of this long and arduous climb.

Hanging from the chair near the entrance to our bedroom are a couple of fleece jackets: the ones I wear on the daily walks I take, with or without a canine companion. These deep-pocketed hoodies are perfect for the cooler mornings we experience yearround here on Vancouver Island. The pockets of these jackets are generally stuffed with something – usually fresh doggie bags and always a few tissues.

It’s the tissues Huey can’t resist. He never could.

He’s been doing this for years – eating tissues or whatever other paper products he can sink his teeth into. And for years I’ve been stopping him, snatching these questionable “snacks” out of his big toothy mouth and scolding him. But not anymore. In fact, I probably facilitate his bad habit.

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feline WELLNESS Hip, cool and healthy!

WHY CATS CANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T BE

VEGETARIAN MEAT IS ABSOLUTELY VITAL TO THE FELINE DIET

COOL

CAT BEDS Help your kitty cozy up in style!

ECOFRIENDLY

WHISKER

STRESS

AND HOW IT AFFECTS HER EATING HABITS

LITTER TRAY SYSTEM October/November 2017

89

Why cats can’ t be

By Karen Shaw Becker, DVM

Your cat needs a meatbased diet in order to stay healthy.

Many people who choose to be vegetarian do so for ethical reasons. But while a vegetarian diet may be a good choice for us (I’m vegetarian myself), it’s unhealthy and dangerous for our cats. Those who force their cats to eat meat-free diets are putting their personal beliefs ahead of their pets’ physiological requirements and well-being. That may sound blunt, but it’s my duty as a veterinarian to discourage cat owners from feeding plant-based diets to carnivorous animals that need meat in order to survive and thrive.

CATS ARE NOT ONLY CARNIVORES – THEY’RE HYPERCARNIVORES Also called obligate or true carnivores, all felines, both wild and domestic, big and small, must eat meat to survive. They can eat small quantities of plant-based food, but meat must be the main ingredient in their diet. True carnivores simply aren’t designed

by Mother Nature to digest vegetable matter.

Cats must eat animal meat and organs to meet their nutritional needs, and plant-based proteins (grains and vegetables) are not a substitute. Your kitty lacks the specific enzymes necessary to use plant proteins as efficiently as animal proteins.

The proteins derived from animal tissue contain a complete amino acid profile. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. Plant-based proteins don't contain all the amino acids critical for the health of an obligate carnivore. Humans, who are omnivores, have the physiological ability to turn plant proteins into the missing pieces needed for a complete amino acid profile.

Obligate carnivores do not.

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CATS NEED MEAT, AND LOTS OF IT Cats also need much more protein in their diets than other animals. Kittens require one-and-a-half times more protein than puppies, and adult cats need two to three times the amount adult dogs require. The reason? While other mammal species use most of the protein they consume for growth and body maintenance, cats use it for this purpose plus as a source of energy.

When other species don’t get enough protein in their diets, their bodies make adjustments to conserve amino acids to manage the deficit. But your kitty’s body must continue to use protein even when it’s missing from his diet, which is why protein malnutrition is common in sick, injured and anorexic cats.

In addition to their increased need for protein, cats have a higher requirement for certain amino acids found naturally in animal tissue, including taurine. Taurine is found in animal muscle meat, particularly in the heart and liver, and a deficiency causes serious health problems in cats, including cardiovascular disease and blindness.

CATS HAVE VITAMIN REQUIREMENTS ONLY MEAT CAN PROVIDE • Felines have a special need for vitamin A, which is naturally available only in animal tissue. They lack the intestinal enzymes necessary to convert the beta-carotene in plants to the active form of vitamin A, which is essential for vision, bone and muscle growth, reproduction and the health of epithelial tissues.

• Cats also require five times more dietary thiamine (vitamin B1) than dogs do. A thiamine deficiency can result in a poor quality coat, loss of appetite, hunched posture, neurologic problems including seizures, and even death. Since vitamin B1 isn't stable in commercial pet foods, and levels drop significantly the longer the food is stored, many cats may be thiamine-deficient unless they're eating a freshly-made real food diet or are receiving a quality supplement.

• Cats must consume vitamin D in their diets because they can't synthesize it through their skin. The livers and fatty tissues of prey animals are rich in vitamin D. • Kitties must also get arachidonic acid, an Omega 6 fatty acid, from their diet.

YOUR CAT ALSO NEEDS A DIET

moisture-rich

Yet another distinctive biological feature of cats is their need to get most of their water intake from the food they eat, because they're not as responsive as other animals to sensations of thirst or dehydration.

Unlike dogs, who drink frequently from their water bowls, cats fed a dry diet aren't compelled to search for another source of water to make up the difference between what their bodies require and what their diet provides.

This can result in chronic mild dehydration, a condition that will ultimately result in disease, especially of the lower urinary tract and kidneys.

OFFER A VARIETY OF MEATS TO YOUR CAT – BUT AVOID MOST FISH My recommendation is to feed your cat a nutritionally balanced, species-appropriate, meat-based fresh food diet. Give him a variety of meats like chicken, beef, rabbit and lamb from high quality sources, and on a rotating basis, to reduce the risk of food intolerances.

I don't recommend a diet that’s exclusively fish protein. Most seafood today is heavily contaminated with toxic metals, industrial chemicals and pesticides. In addition, the fishmeal in most commercial pet foods contains the potentially deadly preservative ethoxyquin, as well as mycotoxins.

Too much fish in your cat’s diet can also create thiamine and vitamin E deficiencies over time, along with health problems associated with too much dietary iodine and magnesium.

With that said, it’s true that fish is a great source of Omega 3 fatty acids, which cats need to stay healthy. So I recommend sardines packed in water, or wild caught salmon, and/or supplement his diet with krill oil.

In short, your cat can’t be a vegetarian. He needs a fresh, whole meat-based diet to stay healthy.

October/November 2017

91

Supplements for

in cats

By Stacey Oke, DVM, MSc As the years go by, our frisky felines slow down. Ambling about only to use the litter box, or to eat, they gain weight and sleep most of the day, rarely jumping on or off furniture the way they used to. Though often attributed to laziness, these signs aren’t always “normal” and may suggest our feline companions are suffering from osteoarthritis (OA) – a painful, debilitating condition affecting joints such as the hip, elbow and stifle, and causing lameness.

Recognizing the importance of osteoarthritis in cats, the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery recently devoted an entire issue to recognizing lameness and OA in cats.

“Orthopedic disease, particularly osteoarthritis (OA), is emerging as one of the most important disease conditions in cats, with some studies indicating a prevalence of up to 90% in cats,” wrote Sharon Kerwin, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS, of Texas A&M’s College of Veterinary Medicine, in this special edition.

“Still, much remains unknown about the etiology, prevention and treatment of feline orthopedic disease, and its recognition is often a challenge in the clinical setting.”

SIGNS OF OA IN CATS Cats are extraordinarily stoic masters of disguise. They are able to mask their discomfort, rarely showing overt signs of pain. Examining cats in a veterinary hospital is challenging, which further complicates the picture. History is therefore key when diagnosing osteoarthritis.

Signs that your cat suffers from OA include: • Decreased ability or willingness to jump • Lower jumps • Lameness or stiff gait • Reduced activity level • Suppressed appetite and grooming • Behavioral changes

MANAGING FELINE OA Once OA is recognized, a multimodal treatment approach maximizes quality of life and minimizes welfare issues.

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Veterinary-prescribed medications such as NSAIDs (meloxicam, robenacoxib), alternate analgesics (gabapentin, tramadol), and stem cell therapy remain important treatment options. Physical/ massage therapy, environmental enrichment, and diet-related changes are equally important.

In terms of dietary management, oral joint health supplements containing glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, and avocado/soybean unsaponifiables (ASU); Omega-3 fatty acids/fish oil containing EPA and DHA; and weight management, are all advocated.

Studies support the use of each of these approaches for improving a cat’s mobility and overall quality of life.

• Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate provide precursors of cartilage metabolism to help build healthier cartilage, while ASU possesses potent anti-inflammatory properties that are beneficial for arthritic joints.

• Cats with degenerative joint disease supplemented with fish oil experience improved activity levels compared with cats fed a diet without fish oil. In addition, despite the fact that fish oil is “fat”, cats offered Omega-3 fatty acids tend to lose excess body weight.

STRATEGIC SUPPLEMENTATION Choose high-quality nutritional supplements that are more likely to benefit your cat. As succinctly summarized in one article in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery’s lameness edition: “It is the authors’ opinion that products produced by reputable veterinary manufacturers should always be used….”

Products supported by science rather than testimonials and word of mouth will be more beneficial and economical than poorer quality supplements.

Dr. Stacey Oke is a practicing veterinarian and freelance medical writer and editor. Since 2005, she has been a research consultant for nutritional supplement companies, assists physicians and veterinarians publish research articles and textbooks, and writes for educational magazines and websites.

October/November 2017

93

Does your cat have

whisker stress?

By Kristin Clark

Food and water bowls that are too small can result in a feline behavioral issue called whisker stress.

Does your cat pull her food out of her bowl before she eats it, leaving a mess for you to clean up? Or does she only eat a few mouthfuls from the top of her dish and then beg for more, completely ignoring what’s left?

There’s probably a valid reason why she’s doing this, and it’s not to make your life more difficult. She may have what’s called “whisker stress”.

WHAT IN THE WORLD IS WHISKER STRESS? To really understand this issue, let’s take a look at your cat’s whiskers. Whiskers provide cats (and all other mammals) with information about the objects they come into contact with. Many cats’ whiskers are so finely tuned that they can even pick up air movement. They help enhance the cat’s senses, particularly short-distance vision. Although whiskers look like a type of hair, they’re actually rich in blood vessels and nerve endings, so they’re extraordinarily sensitive. They help cats navigate through their surroundings.

A cat typically has between eight and 12 whiskers on each side of her face, as well as shorter whiskers on her chin, above her eyes, and even on her legs. Each whisker is essentially set up to transmit information about pressure being applied along its length to its base, which contains the follicle and receptors. The tip of each whisker has proprioceptors, sensory organs that are incredibly sensitive to even to the slightest pressure. Cats can use

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Feline Wellness

their whiskers to determine how far away an object is, where it’s located, and – quite amazingly – even its texture.

WHY DOES THIS AFFECT A CAT’S EATING HABITS? So what does all this have to do with your cat’s mealtime habits?

Well, because the proprioceptors in her whiskers are so incredibly sensitive, it can actually be painful for her to eat or drink out of a bowl that’s too narrow to accommodate her whiskers without having them touch the sides. This is why some cats will use their paws to scoop food out of their bowls, or only eat off the very top of the bowl. In some instances, you may notice that your cat seems reluctant to eat even though she’s clearly hungry. She may meow at the bowl, even if there is food in it, pace around it, or stand beside it for a while before eating. In all these examples, the cat is trying to avoid having to cram her sensitive whiskers into the bowl, something that’s very uncomfortable for her.

To give you an idea of just how sensitive a cat’s whiskers are, consider this: if a single whisker moves 1/200th the width of a human hair, it sends a signal to the cat’s brain.

Now picture how intense the signal must be if the cat has to push her whole face into a bowl, smashing her whiskers up against the sides while trying to eat. Because the cat’s whiskers have evolved to give her information about her environment, and to make sure, for example, that she is able

to navigate through narrow spaces safely, a bowl that’s too small means her whiskers are constantly sending signals to her brain that the space is too narrow and she needs to stop trying to fit her head in it.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM? Luckily, the fix is relatively simple. Just start feeding and watering your cat from bowls that take the span of her whiskers into account. The bowls should be both wide enough and shallow enough that her whiskers don’t touch the sides, even if she puts her whole head in to get at food on the very bottom. You can use a shallow plate or saucer, or purchase a bowl specifically designed to relieve whisker stress. Some good options are Dr. Catsby’s Bowl for Whisker Relief (drcatsby.com) or Trendy Pet’s Whisker Free Stress raised bowl (trendypet.com).

Using appropriately sized and shaped dishes will eliminate whisker stress and make your cat’s mealtimes much more comfortable and relaxing – and it’ll cut down on clean-up too!

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Business Profile

Forever

By Matthew Berk

This eco-friendly couple developed a litter tray that’s reducing the “carbon pawprints” of felines everywhere.

When you share your life with an indoor cat, it can be difficult to “go green”. Cat litter takes a toll on the environment by contributing to landfill waste; in fact, until recent years, there was no convenient or inexpensive way for people to deal with their cats’ waste in a sustainable manner. Recognizing this lack, cat lovers Rick Weldon and his wife Melissa (pictured above) decided to design a litter tray that would save them time while also saving the planet.

“I researched various existing litterbox options, and was impressed by one called the ScoopFree,” says Rick. “But I soon found its cardboard cartridges to be both expensive and very wasteful for the environment, so I handmade my own from PVC.” The Weldons’ cats gave the new invention their own stamp of approval, so Rick decided to make more to give to friends – and they were a hit. “I started selling them on Ebay,” he says, adding that he made over 2,000 trays by hand in the first year, before transitioning to a manufacturing facility.

That was 12 years ago, and today, Forever Litter Trays is a wellknown and respected company. Since the company’s inception, the Weldons have upgraded their materials, sold tens of thousands of litter trays, and after a great deal of research and experimentation, developed their own specially-formulated litter called Just the Crystals. While the business has grown exponentially over the last

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decade, their mission has remained the same – to provide a high quality, well-designed litter tray that is cost effective, easy to use, and most importantly, eco-friendly.

With only two products, Rick and his team are able to focus on their mission while ensuring the best quality in everything they produce. Just the Crystals is packaged in pre-measured recyclable bags, and provides up to five times the absorbency of traditional clay litters, so it doesn’t need to be discarded as often. Their recyclable trays, meanwhile, have a life expectancy of up to a decade, or even longer. “I still hear from customers who are using trays I handmade ten years ago,” says Rick. “The newest version is even more durable. That's part of why we call them ‘Forever’ trays.” This dedication to sustainability has paid off. Since 2005, the company has saved over a million cardboard trays – and their plastic coatings – from going into landfills.

Without a doubt, environmental commitment is a valued part of the Weldons’ business. But as long-time cat guardians, the most rewarding aspect of Rick and Melissa’s job is sharing their experiences and providing helpful tips to fellow cat lovers. “We do our utmost to provide personalized and timely customer service, and to interact directly with customers on a daily basis,” says Rick. “You wouldn’t believe how many truly nice people we’ve encountered by doing this over the years.”

What’s new in

cat beds?

Cats love to nap. In fact, the average feline sleeps 12 to 16 hours each day. No wonder they’re finicky about where they curl up!

Fortunately, with all the different styles of cat beds available on the market, it’s easier than ever to find the perfect sleeping arrangement for your kitty. Let’s take a look at some of the most innovative options.

CAVE BEDS Cave or “pod” cat beds are all the rage. They give cats a confined space to snooze in where they won’t be disturbed by too much light, excess noise, or other bothersome distractions. Designed to “cocoon” kitties for ultimate privacy, caves come in multiple sizes, so they’re great for cats of all ages and weight levels.

“Cats are naturally attracted to beds shaped like caves for a variety of reasons,” says Christopher Palmeiro, co-owner and president of Twin Critters. “In the wild, cats often seek hiding places that provide protection from predators, or that give them a clear view for stalking their next meal.” This family-owned business handcrafts cat caves constructed from organic sheep’s wool. The beds provide the perfect temperature-controlled space for cats to relax and sleep in.

Photo courtesy of Armarkat

Today’s cat beds are available in a huge variety of styles and designs, so you can select the features that best suit your kitty’s needs!

Photo courtesy of Cat Crib

Photo courtesy of The Cat Ball

By Emily Watson

MOBILE BEDS These beds double as carriers, which can make any necessary travel less stressful for the cat. “Many cats associate travel with negative experiences such as a trip to the vet or kennel,” says Michael Leung, co-founder and lead product designer for Sleepypod. “The Ultra Plush bedding in our carriers enables cats to use them as everyday pet beds or cozy napping spots, so they can feel secure traveling in the comfort of their very own ‘safe’ space.”

Sleepypod beds are crash-tested to ensure ultimate safety in cars, and even fit into airplane seats. Whether you’re an avid traveller or just looking for an efficient way to transport your kitty to the groomer, these beds are worth checking out. But don’t let their transportability fool you – they’re also perfect for at-home use.

ELEVATED BEDS When it comes to feeling secure, many felines prefer being up high. Elevated cat beds offer maximum protection, provide a better vantage point from which your cat can monitor her surroundings, and increase airflow beneath the bed to help regulate body temperature.

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Photo courtesy of Twin Critters

To make your own cat bed using recycled materials, visit animalwellness.com/ blog/diy-cat-beds.

Continued from page 97.

Most importantly, height promotes sounder sleep. “Because cats feel most secure in high places, many will prefer to spend much of the day in a cat tree,” says Andrea Krantz, sales manager at Armarkat, a company specializing in unique cat trees and beds.

“The condos, hammocks or teepee portions of the trees give cats built-in places to hide or snooze after play.”

HAMMOCK BEDS If you’ve ever dozed off in a hammock, you understand their appeal. Similar to the human version, cat hammocks conform to your feline’s body, reducing pressure on her joints. Cat hammocks are also a space-saver. They can be hung on walls, attached to cat trees, or in the case of the Cat Crib, fastened to existing furniture.

Cat Crib’s hammock-style beds can be tied to any chair with four legs. “Cats are drawn to the covered safe space under the chair,” says Greg Hora, company owner. “They like it because they can be partly hidden while still being in the same room as their humans.” Like other kitty hammocks, Cat Crib beds maximize floor space, and they’re easy to wash and dry.

STYLES AND DESIGNS ABOUND Cat beds come in a huge range of designs, styles and colors, which means your kitty can sleep well without clashing with your décor!

Some companies create beds resembling nightstands or other furnishings, while others, like The Cat Ball, offer unique customizable designs.

Beds by The Cat Ball are made from a washable foam material and come in many colors and patterns. “We started out making cat beds that would look great in the living room,” says Jenifer Boaro, designer and COO. “When we select fabrics, we also think about what would look good with different feline coat colors, and what would be great for cat photography.”

Shopping list Armarkat, armarkat.com Cat Crib, catcrib.com The Cat Ball, thecatball.com Twin Critters, twincritters.com Sleepypod, sleepypod.com

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Photo courtesy of Sleepypod

In short, when it comes to cat beds, the sky’s the limit. Always start by carefully considering your cat’s individual preferences for a sleeping spot – that way, you can help ensure she’ll use the bed. Once that’s done, you can enjoy shopping for a model that appeals to your own sense of aesthetics!

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