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CONTENTS August/September 2021
Features 10
1 1 ways to manage pain in dogs and cats
When it comes to managing pain in dogs and cats, these alternative modalities have a lot to offer. Consider trying one of these options before reaching for the pain meds.
11 herbs that are good 21 for dogs — inside and out
Herbs add to your dog’s well-being, whether used in his diet or for healing. These 11 herbs can be incorporated into everything from teas and treats to rinses and salves.
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7 fun things to do with your dog this summer
If you’re looking for something to do with your dog this summer, and aren’t sure what’s available as the pandemic winds down, check out this list of seven fun and simple ideas.
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ake dog training easier M with nutritional brainboosters
How well your dog can be trained depends not only on the methods you use, but also on how easily he learns. These brain-boosting foods and supplements support his cognition.
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Columns 14 NUTRIENT HIGHLIGHT
Essential fatty acids for dogs and cats with arthritis Which essential fatty acids (EFAs) do dogs and cats need as supplements, and how do they work to help alleviate the inflammation associated with arthritis?
16 EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING
Emotional stress in dogs — part 2 Our dogs can pick up on our stress, so it’s important to be aware of how we’re feeling. Here’s a look at how to relieve emotional stress in ourselves and our canine companions.
20 NUTRITION FACTS The unlikely history of commercial pet food
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28 EYE CARE
Keeping your dog’s eyes healthy While many canine eye diseases are “silent”, a rudimentary understanding of eye anatomy, and some of the signs and symptoms to look for, can help you keep your dog’s eyes healthy.
32 NATURAL REMEDY Can turmeric help treat cancer in dogs and cats?
Turmeric is an ancient medicinal spice with an array of healing qualities. It may even be helpful for treating cancer in dogs and cats.
34 GOLDEN YEARS Caring for your senior dog
Being aware of your dog’s changing needs as he ages, and taking steps to accommodate them, will help ensure he enjoys his final years to the fullest.
39 MODALITY HIGHLIGHT
How massage benefits senior dogs and cats
40 FELINE
66 NEED TO
4 steps to littertraining your cat
Mineral deficiencies and chronic illness in dogs
BEHAVIOR
KNOW
Successfully littertraining your new cat or kitten involves several important steps, from choosing the right litter box, to making sure you keep it clean.
62 Why give herbs to pets?
APPROACH
60 ANIMAL ACUPRESSURE
What iridology can tell you about your pet’s health
Acupressuremassage eases cancer treatment side effects in pets
By studying the iris of a dog or cat’s eye, a veterinarian trained in iridology can uncover important details about an animal’s health and well-being.
54 CANCER CARE Is intralesional chemotherapy an option for your dog or cat?
Because it directly targets tumors while bypassing systemic circulation, intralesional chemotherapy produces fewer side effects in dogs and cats than traditional chemo.
Carolyn and Peppe
Natural remedies for ear infections in dogs
59 HEALING WITH HERBS
48 ALTERNATIVE
57 BRIGHT SPOT
68 EAR CARE
If your dog or cat is receiving chemo or other cancer treatments, he may have uncomfortable side effects. These acupressure-massage sessions can ease his discomfort.
62 FOCUS ON CBD CBD and joint supplements — an approach to arthritis in dogs
Find out how CBD, especially when used in conjunction with joint supplements, can help alleviate arthritis and other joint problems in dogs.
Conventional medications for ear infections in dogs can cause side effects and lead to resistant pathogens. These natural remedies offer an effective, non-toxic alternative.
72 GOOD TO HEAR!
Dogs and cats rule!
76 KNOW YOUR CAT
How to enhance the bond between you and your cat Contrary to popular belief, cats enjoy attention and affection too. Here are some tips on enhancing the bond you share with your own kitty.
79 SMART CHOICES
Choosing the right curcumin supplement for your dog
Departments 7 Editorial 27 Recall roundup 43 Newsworthy 46 Product picks
Social Media
80 Classifieds
51 AW Academy
product reviews
81 Marketplace
52 From the NASC 65 Dog days of summer 71 Let’s get social!
81 Events 82 Newsworthy
Tips, contests and more! AnimalWellnessMagazine
Nutrition videos, recipes and more! Animal Wellness Magazine
Tips, pet photos, and more! AnimalWellnessMagazine
Crafts, laughs, and more! AnimalWellness
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11 ways to manage
pain in dogs and cats
D gs Cats
When it comes to managing pain in dogs and cats, these alternative modalities have a lot to offer. Consider trying one of these options before reaching for the pain meds.
By Deana Cappucci, BS, LVT, CCRVN, CCMT, VTS (Physical Rehabilitation)
Animals experience pain just like we do. But because dogs and cats are so stoic, most people don’t realize their animals are suffering. In nature, animals that show signs of pain or weakness are targets for prey, so they have adapted to hide their pain in order to survive. Learning how to recognize pain in your dog or cat is the first step, along with getting the problem properly diagnosed by your veterinarian. And there are many ways to manage pain besides medication. This article explores some alternative modalities for pain management in dogs and cats.
RECOGNIZING PAIN IN YOUR COMPANION ANIMAL In dogs and cats, pain presents as a change in behavior or mobility (see sidebar on page 12). For instance, a dog experiencing pain from arthritis may not want to perform daily activities, such as going for long walks, or may have a hard time getting in and out of the car. Cats in pain may hesitate or avoid jumping onto higher surfaces, may hide more often, or experience a decreased appetite.
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If you notice these signs in your own dog or cat, take him to the veterinarian for a checkup. Pain can arise from many different conditions and it’s important to find out which one is bothering your own animal so he can be properly treated.
PAIN MANAGEMENT — 11 ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS Fortunately, there are many ways you and your animal’s healthcare team can help manage pain and extend his quality of life.
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Physical rehabilitation Physical therapy is a service often used in human medicine to help patients recover from surgery or restore tissue function after an injury. Likewise, many modalities used in animal physical rehabilitation help reduce pain and inflammation to improve an animal’s comfort.
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Laser therapy Therapeutic ultrasound Laser therapy, also referred to as low-level light therapy or Therapeutic ultrasound uses low energy sound waves photobiomodulation, uses light to stimulate specific cells to to warm up the tissue. It improves flexibility and promotes reduce pain associated with healing while decreasing inflammation. The laser pain and inflammation. It’s can also help regenerate often used for animals with Laser is often used on animals damaged tissue by restoring soft tissue trauma, such as experiencing arthritis or soft function. Laser is often used muscle and tendon strains on animals experiencing or sprains. tissue injuries, or recovering from arthritis or soft tissue injuries, or recovering Extracorporeal surgical procedures. from surgical procedures. shockwave therapy Animals with neurologic This device uses high diseases, such as intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) or energy sound waves to stimulate the tissue, causing a degenerative myelopathy, benefit from laser as it helps physiologic response that leads to endorphin release for regenerate nerve function. pain management, and promote tissue healing. Animals that benefit from shockwave therapy include those suffering from arthritis, muscle and tendon injuries, or Thermal therapy bone fractures that are not healing as expected. There are Thermal therapies such as heat and cryotherapy are often many different types of shockwave therapy, some of which used to improve circulation or decrease inflammation and may require light sedation due to the loud sound and swelling. Ice is added after surgical procedures to help reduce intensity of the shocks. pain and swelling, whereas heat can be applied to sore muscles or stiff joints to provide circulation to the tissues and joints.
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NATURAL SUPPLEMENTS
ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS is
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rth a h it w ts a c d n a s g o d for Which essential fatty acids (EFAs) do dogs and cats need as supplements, and how do they work to help alleviate the inflammation associated with arthritis?
By Jean Hofve, DVM
As our dogs and cats age, they are increasingly likely to develop osteoarthritis and other joint problems. There are many natural and holistic ways to help keep our animals mobile and free of discomfort, and certain essential fatty acids (EFAs) play a supporting role. Let’s look at how these EFAs can help ease your dog or cat’s arthritis and improve his joint health.
WHICH FATTY ACIDS ARE ESSENTIAL TO DOGS AND CATS? Only two fatty acids are essential for dogs: alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, an Omega-3 fatty acid from plants) and linoleic acid (LA, an Omega-6 fatty acid found in plants and animals). Cats also need arachidonic acid (an Omega-6). From these fundamental molecules, the body theoretically makes the other fatty acids it needs.
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In addition, two other fatty acids are considered essential during development (pregnancy, lactation, and growth) — the Omega-3s, EPA and DHA (eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid). Theoretically, ALA is a precursor for EPA and DHA. However, carnivores like dogs and cats aren’t very good at making that conversion. Newborn puppies can manufacture DHA, but they lose that ability at weaning. Dogs convert less than 5% of ALA to EPA, and none to DHA. Cats are even more limited. While there is a huge body of scientific evidence showing how important EPA and DHA are for optimal health beyond the early life stages, they are not technically essential. However, because EPA and DHA are so extremely beneficial, let’s look at what they do and why you may want to add them to your dog or cat’s diet. Since
we can be confident that, no matter what our animals are eating, they are getting enough ALA and Omega-6s in their food, the only fatty acids they really need more of are the Omega-3s.
OMEGA-3S AND OMEGA6S — THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO INFLAMMATION Omega-3 fatty acids are said to be “antiinflammatory” and Omega-6s “proinflammatory” because of how they are used in the body to make certain hormonelike compounds: one pathway suppresses and the other promotes inflammation. However, it isn’t quite as simple as it sounds. For example, GLA (gamma-linoleic acid) is an Omega-6, yet it is anti-inflammatory. Arachidonic acid can contribute to either pathway. But as a general rule, Omega-6s — especially in excessive amounts when compared to Omega-3s — are more likely to lead to inflammation.
The ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3 fatty acids in the diet is important. Fatty acid imbalances are linked to many serious health conditions, such as allergies, cancer, heart disease, and asthma — and arthritis. One study found that the Omega-6 to Omega-3 ratio in commercial cat foods ranged from 6:1 to 27:1, while the ratio in the natural diets of feral cats was estimated to be 1:1 to 2:1 — quite a difference!
OMEGA-3S FOR ARTHRITIS Inflammation is at the root of most of the degenerative diseases of aging. Conditions involving inflammation often end in “itis” — arthritis, pancreatitis, dermatitis, etc. EPA has powerful antiinflammatory effects, and is helpful in preventing and moderating many, if not most, inflammatory conditions. • Research suggests that Omega-3s have a direct beneficial effect on degenerative diseases, including arthritis, by slowing down the rate at which telomeres (the protective caps on the ends of the packaged DNA in chromosomes) become shortened. Telomeres have a similar function to the plastic ends of shoelaces; they
prevent the ends of chromosomes from becoming “frayed” or damaged. Telomeres are greatly shortened in patients with arthritis. • Supplementary Omega-3s have also been found to improve cartilage health, an important factor in the treatment of arthritis. • Adding Omega-3s increases the benefit of glucosamine supplements. • EPA accumulates in the joint fluid and may exert an anti-inflammatory effect directly within the joint. Because dogs and cats can’t make as much EPA and DHA as they need from ALA, marine oils are the best way to supplement them with essential fatty acids. The best Omega-3 supplements come from wild (not farm-raised) salmon, non-predatory fish like sardines and anchovies, or green-lipped mussels. Cod liver oil is a good source of EPA and DHA; but be aware that human products contain added vitamins A and D, which may cause toxicity in small animals. Omega-3 fatty acids are an important supplement for cats and dogs. Young, old, healthy, sick, skinny, fat — all animals can benefit from these powerful nutrients.
What EFAs are and what they do The term “essential” fatty acids means that the dog or cat (or human!) cannot synthesize these fatty acids within his body but must obtain them in his diet. There are certain fatty acids our dogs and cats need but may not be getting from their food, and that can affect their health in a variety of ways. EFAs have many important roles. They are: • Critical for fetal development • Incorporated into every cell membrane in the body, giving it fluidity and optimal functionality • Precursors to many important hormones and other compounds and molecules in the body • Important for protecting the brain.
MORE ABOUT EPA, DHA, AND ALA The ancestors of our dogs and cats got the Omega-3s, EPA and DHA, from their prey, such as rabbits, birds, and deer. The brains, fat, and skin of these wild animals contain the highest amounts of DHA, while EPA is abundant in their livers, muscles, and blood. North American livestock and poultry are fed large amounts of corn, sorghum, and other grains, which largely shifts their natural Omega-3 content to almost all Omega-6. Commercial pet foods are made from the meat and by-products of these animals, as well as with plant products like corn, potatoes and beans. Some plants contain ALA, but have no EPA or DHA. Even raw and homemade foods don’t contain much natural Omega-3, because the meat and poultry used in making them are almost devoid of these fatty acids.
The difference between plant and animal fatty acid sources can cause some confusion. Animal fats and many plants are good sources of LA. Some plants, like flaxseed, hemp, and walnuts also contain ALA. While ALA is an essential fatty acid, it is usually plentiful in the diet and does not need supplementation.
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