Pet Connection August / September Issue

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The Raw Food Industry Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow Medicinal Mushrooms & Their Benefits!

AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2022

Water Detoxification

VETS WITHOUT BORDERS Do Dogs Need Carbohydrates?

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GETTING THE SCOOP ON CANADA’S PET CULTURE VOLUME 15 • ISSUE 3 • AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2022

Inside: Do Dogs Need Carbohydrates?

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by Dr. Mark Roberts Bsc (Hons), PhD

The Raw Food Industry Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

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by Julie Lauzon, Agr, M.Sc.

Medicinal Mushrooms And Their Benefits

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by Donna Middleton, ACCN

Litter Box Life

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Amara

by Anne Jablonski

Water Intoxication

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by Jessika Harding

Northern Animal Health Initiative

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by Dr. Elaine Klemmensen (Vets Without Borders)

Breed Spotlight Silken Windhound

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IN EVERY ISSUE 4

Letter from the Publisher Mark Your Calendars!

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Cross Canada Photo Contest Cover Photo: Wyatt, Courtesy of Shannon Anselmo, Photo by Pauline Ng

48-51

Nanuk

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2022

by Shannon Anselmo

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Letter from the Publisher PUBLISHER Leslie Kennedy Tel: 604.220.5346 info@petconnection.ca www.petconnection.ca GRAPHIC DESIGN Britton Design Services CONTRIBUTORS Jessika Harding Anne Jablonski Dr. Elaine Klemmensen Julie Lauzon Donna Middleton Dr. Mark Roberts

Pet Connection is published 6 times a year. Founded in 2008.

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PEFC 4

Staying Alive!

Summer is finally here! That was a long dreary winter being cooped up, with nowhere to go.

Now is the time, to embrace the season and get out there and do as many fun, life affirming activities that you can with your pets and friends. Dogs are as much social creatures as we are, and they for the most part like being with others and doing fun things with their family.

Find something that you all enjoy and can do together.

Dog agility, and nose work are super fun things to get out and try. If you haven’t yet, I highly recommend it. It’s easy to find a local club that will accept beginners. Even dog dancing for some has turned into a major pastime, and it’s just beautiful to watch. For those who like more freedom, frisbee catching is always a fun way to start to spend time with your dog in the park.

Whatever you plan to do this summer, just enjoy the moment - as it will never come again.

Here’s to living that best dog life! (and cat!).

- Leslie Kennedy Publisher

“He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog.

You are his life, his love, his leader.

He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart.

You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.”

- Unknown

OUR MISSION: To save innocent companion animals from any type of harm.

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AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2022

CONTRIBUTORS

Jessika Harding, I am a huge animal lover and a pet nutrition enthusiast with a background in companion animal nutrition (canine and feline) and biotechnology. From growing up with dogs to working with my local shelter and pet store, animals have always been a significant part of my life. I am currently owned by two fantastic German Shorthaired Pointers - Artemis and Apolla, they keep me on my toes and wouldn’t have it any other way. www.ironwillrawdogfood.com

Anne Jablonski lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and two ill-mannered, well-fed, and deeply-loved cats. She works as a freelance business consultant, teaches mindfulness and yoga, and credits a mellow orange tabby named Duke and Dr. Lisa Pierson for setting her on a path years ago to get good and educated about cat nutrition. www.catnutrition.org

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2022

Dr. Elaine Klemmensen has practised veterinary medicine for over 30 years in Canada and abroad. Most recently both Elaine and her husband Rob travelled for Veterinarians without Borders Canada to Poland to assess the situation after the Ukraine crisis started. In addition, since selling their companion animal practice in 2017, Rob and Elaine have volunteered with nine different organizations in seven different countries including VWB’s Northern Health Initiative. They are incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to work with so many wonderful groups and are humbled by the amazing people they have met along the way.

Rob and Elaine live in the beautiful West Kootenay region of British Columbia and when they aren’t working as volunteer vets they are most likely found exploring the world from a seat of a bicycle. www.vetswithoutborders.ca

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Julie Lauzon, Agr, M. Sc., Julie’s vast education includes a 4-year Bachelor’s Degree in Agronomy, a 2-year Master Degree in Animal Science, paired with countless hours of continuous training and education in pet nutrition (including Colorado State University) as well as accreditation with Agrologist Canada, makes her an invaluable resource for Canadians who need advice on pet food and supplements. With dogs of her own who compete in a high level of agility, Julie understands the concerns of Canadian pet parents who want to offer their pets the best nutrition possible. For more information: www.bigcountryraw.ca

Donna Middleton, ACCN, is a Advanced Certified Canine Nutritionist, graduating with Honours from the Companion Animal Sciences Institute. Her passion is helping pet guardians who are looking for answers for better alternatives for their beloved pets. Donna lives in Winnipeg, with her husband, teenage son and 4 dogs. Two are rescues and 2 are Canadian Registered Champion Papillion's. When she is not in the show ring with Castel’s AltCh Nathaniel RE, you can find them in the Rally Obedience ring or working on their agility titles. www.headtotailcaninenutrition.com

Dr. Mark Roberts, Bsc (Hons), PhD, is focused on providing evidence-based advice on all aspects of canine nutrition. This includes general pet food, therapeutic diets and supplements. His goal is to help dog owners make the best nutritional decisions for their pets. www.nutritionalinstinct.com Facebook page is: Dr. Mark Roberts | Facebook

Natural Treats Healthier Pets Shades of Gray is a Canadian family owned business that specializes in high quality and all natural delicacies for your precious pets.

We take pride in keeping all pets and pet owners happy and healthy.

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We welcome wholesale inquires.

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DO DOGS NEED Carbohydrates?

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2022

By Dr Mark Roberts BSc (Hons), PhD

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glucose within a normal range, but this doesn’t mean they need to consume carbohydrates, let me explain.

When dogs consume a diet high in fat and protein, with no carbohydrates, they use non carbohydrate (or the fancy word gluconeogenic) pathways to not only maintain blood glucose, but to also stop any of the spikes, typically seen in carbohydrate dense foods.

Indeed, the word, gluconeogenesis, simply means gluco (glucose), neo (new) and genesis (creation).

Amino acids (which come from protein), more specifically alanine, glycine, and serine result in blood glucose being generated after first being broken down by certain enzymes in the liver. Amino acids serve several important jobs, including building and repairing tissues like hair, nails, bones, muscles, cartilage, and skin. Additionally, many enzymes and hormones are constructed from amino acids. So, regarding utilising amino acids as a source energy on a long-term basis, a high protein content is required, (so as not to risk negating the other roles amino acids need to perform). The alternative approach is to have a higher dietary percentage from fat, hence enabling dogs to use this alternative energy pathway.

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D

o dogs really need carbohydrates as part of their diet? Let’s get straight to the point on this one, the answer in no. Indeed, neither the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), The National Research Council (NRC) or the European Pet Food Industry (FEDIAF) have a requirement for carbohydrates. The key point here, is to understand that dogs need to maintain blood

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Another way in which glucose is made without carbohydrates involves something called the Cori cycle. In this process, lactate (which is produced as the body turns food into energy), collects in the muscle cells and is taken up by the liver. The liver then performs gluconeogenesis, essentially converting lactate back to glucose. The glucose then travels back to the muscles to be used.

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The final way we want to focus on how a dog makes glucose from non-carbohydrate sources involves a type of fat called triglycerides, found in both dietary fat and body composition.

When triglycerides are broken down, the result is the release of fatty acids and glycerol. We shall discuss fatty acids in the future, however regarding glycerol, its contribution to glucose production (which occurs in the liver) is directly correlated to being released from the fatty acids I mentioned.

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In my own research, I found that when dogs were strictly fed a high fat and protein based diet for 28 days, blood glucose concentrations were normal. In addition, last year I completed approximately 2000 miles of training with my dogs consuming a diet with essentially no more than 1% of energy derived from dietary carbohydrate. I regularly measured my dog blood glucose, with all values within range, additionally, no impaired performance or fatigue was observed.

In other research, two groups of dogs were fed either a high carbohydrate (HC) or high fat (HF) diet, while undergoing an aerobic exercise program using a treadmill1. On completion of the training phase, it is concluded that at the start there was an increased glycogen storage associated with the HC diet fed dogs, compared to the HF fed dogs. However, despite this, a much greater level of glycogen depletion occurred in the HC dogs, compared to the HF dogs. A simple way to understand this, is that glycogen is basically stored carbohydrate, (think of it as a fuel tank), hence why the HC group had a higher amount prior to the exercise component. Despite the HC dogs having fuller “fuel tanks,” because the HF dogs were much better at sparing carbohydrates during intense exercise, they were deemed to be a better dietary strategy for endurance. Essentially this means the HC dogs fuel tank, emptied much faster than the HF diets, even though this group had lower levels to start with.

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Supporting this finding, another study found that using sled dogs, running 160 km (100 miles) a day, for 5 consecutive days did not develop cumulative glycogen depletion2. This was even more impressive given that the dogs consumed a relatively limited carbohydrate intake. As previously discussed, glycerol

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when separated from free fatty acids, results in stimulating glycogenolysis. However, interestingly, in that in conjunction with this gluconeogenic “switching on” a significant inhibition of the conversion of stored glycogen to glucose for use has been observed in dogs3.

Reverting to the fuel tank analogy I used, this basically means the fuel tank (containing glycogen) has been turned off, and the use of other non-carbohydrate sources to synthesize glucose is turned on. However, to enable this process to occur, a limited amount of dietary carbohydrate must be consumed, otherwise a depletion in the fuel tank will occur and performance impaired.

Indeed, the impact of this process, was elegantly highlighted in both the studies discussed.

The only remaining option to reduce fatigue in a working dog fed a high carbohydrate diet, is therefore to have them consume carbohydrate-based foods on a regular basis (approximately every two hours), or performance will be negatively impacted. This approach is common in human exercise nutrition, with the term “hitting the wall,” referring to when the fuel tank is empty, and glucose replenishment needed (gel packs, drinks etc.).

The key difference when utilising fat as the source of fuel, is that not only does fat simply have much more energy than carbohydrate, but even a lean dog (or human), has a hugely greater amount of stored energy in fat, than carbohydrate. This means, the need to constantly “top up” energy stores on a frequent basis is not required.

In summary, dogs are easily capable of thriving on a diet, free of carbohydrate content. However, the need to provide quality animal proteins and fats is important for many nutritional reasons, including helping the pathways I discussed to operate optimally, in turn maintaining healthy blood glucose levels in the animal.

References 1. Reynolds, A. J., Fuhrer, Laurent., Dunlap, H. L., Finke, Mark., & Kallfelz, F. A. (1995). Effect of diet and training on muscle glycogen storage and utilization in sled dogs. Journal of applied physiology, 79(5), 1601-1607.

2. McKenzie, Erica., Holbrook, T., Williamson, Kathy., Royer, Christopher., Valberg, Stephanie., Hinchcliff, Ken., ... & Davis, M. (2005). Recovery of muscle glycogen concentrations in sled dogs during prolonged exercise. Medicine and science in sports and exercise, 37(8), 1307-1312.

3. Chu, C. A., Sherck, S. M., Igawa, K., Sindelar, D. K., Neal, D. W., Emshwiller, M., & Cherrington, A. D. (2002).

Effects of free fatty acids on hepatic glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis in conscious dogs. American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism, 282(2), E402-E411.

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THE RAW FOOD INDUSTRY: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

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By Julie Lauzon, Agr, M. Sc.

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The origin of raw feeding Raw diets have come a long way since 1993 when Dr. Ian Billinghurst, pioneer of the Prey Model Raw and BARF feeding methods, published the book Give Your Dog a Bone. The new AAFCO and NRC raw food industry formulation standards have provided a way for there to be a species-appropriate raw diet suitable and available for every household pet. Whether you are relying on common sense or science, if you are “DIY” adept or prefer the easy “thaw and serve” method, there is now more information than ever on how properly to feed our pets raw.

Long before I was involved in the pet industry, people around the world were starting to question the way we fed our pets. Seeing the rise of cancer and inflammatory diseases, and the drastic and rapid reduction in life expectancy, questions needed to be asked and answers needed to be found. In human nutrition, doctors started to report the negative effects of eating processed food, high sugar, and high salt diets on human health. We started to learn about anti-cancer super foods, as well

We are passionate about helping your pet to optimum health by working with your pet's individual needs based on their health history.

as the importance of eating balanced diets containing fresh and local ingredients. Since our pets are family, it is no surprise that pet parents wanted to understand why pet industry professionals were recommending highly processed rather than fresh food for our pets.

After documentaries like Pet Fooled appeared on Netflix, and some celebrity Veterinarians and Nutritionists started using social media to show the dark side of the pet food industry, pet parents started to question the ingredients in their pet food. With kibble and canned food, consumers rely 100% on the transparency and regulation of the manufacturers and the pet food industry because, to the naked eye, all kibble looks the same in the dog’s bowl. Pet parents started reading pet food labels, they started to ask questions, request higher quality ingredients, and demand better manufacturing standards and product accountability. But for some, that wasn’t enough because they realized that the ingredients should provide the nutrition. But what ingredients, should we be looking for? What types of fresh foods can nourish our pets optimally? Where do we start?

Me We dic no i w Ordnal M have er O ush nli room ne s!

Donna Middleton

Advanced Certified Canine Nutritionist Contact: Phone: 204-997-8711 Email: headtotail@mymts.net https://headtotailcaninenutrition.com

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2022

We offer: • Zoom consultations • Customized Dietary and supplemental plans • Free support with all purchases from our website

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Prey Model Raw

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Noticing that wild canines and felines ate mostly whole prey, which they scavenged or hunted, and that contained natural ratios of meat, organs, and bones, and choosing to imitate this diet, the Prey Model Raw Diet was born.

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By mimicking this diet, thousands of pet parents were the first to see what we now know as the benefits of raw feeding: smaller stool, shinier coat, greatly improved oral health, and most importantly increased overall health and longevity. Some pet parents, out of necessity for managing their pet’s health issues, like allergies, diabetes, dietary intolerances, obesity, etc, saw for the first time, that a raw diet contributed to the relief of their pet’s condition. Although all evidence was anecdotal, with no science or clinical trials done which prove any of these extraordinary claims, raw feeding still became the fastest growing “trend” of the industry — just by word of mouth and testimonials. This is how the term Biologically Appropriate Raw Food (BARF) came to life.

The name says it all: biologically appropriate — feeding

our domestic carnivore (or opportunistic carnivore for dogs) the way their biology and physiology were meant to be nourished. If dogs and cats evolved from wild animals to domestic animals, during thousands of years at our side, shouldn’t their diets be closer to ours than their wild, undomesticated cousins? The answer is — absolutely! However, in the past 125 years humans and their pets began eating record amounts of heavily processed food. For the greatest part of human existence, our own diet consisted of locally produced and hunted meat, fruits, vegetables, and grains — raw or slightly cooked. If we look closely at dogs’ and cats’ physiology, we can clearly see that, from a biological perspective, they did not evolve as drastically as the pet food industry would like us to believe.

Pet food manufacturers claim that domesticated canines and felines have evolved to have greater ability to digest carbohydrates than their wild cousins. They make this claim so they can increase the carbohydrate content of kibble, because grains, potatoes and peas are a much cheaper ingredient than meat, which increases profitability. However, dogs and cats, even domesticated

Dogs are an opportunistic species and will often eat what they find or what is offered to them. Though dogs (and most cats) can often live many years on a severely nutrient deficient diet, you don’t have to look too closely at stray dogs and cats that have to “fend for themselves” by scavenging and hunting, to see that they aren’t the picture

of health. Clearly their “natural” diets aren’t optimal.

Which nutrients are they missing and how can they be incorporated into the diet? In short, what is the ideal diet for our pet carnivores? For the passionate, nutritionminded pet parent, this is where the “fun” begins — learning new ways to maximize diets for our pets.

Questioning what’s been done and learning how to improve, is a strength of many raw feeders that are passionate about their pets and animal nutrition.

Instead of accepting the claims of kibble producers, raw feeders have always been on the lookout for the most optimal diet to feed our pets. Many of them agree that raw pet food should be the sweet spot in between wild canine and feline species and their new domesticated way of life, which meant following whole prey ratio may not be enough.

Formulations based on nutrients In the early 1900s, studies started to be done on nutrient requirements for many individual animal species (most are regrouped under the National Academies Press /

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2022

ones, are not designed to eat a carb-heavy diet. All dogs, from the tiniest Chihuahua to the majestic Great Dane, are not able to crush and grind food using rear flat teeth, like all omnivores and herbivores. This means that the food they eat should only need to be torn using their incisors and canines and then swallowed. They can’t rely on raw vegetables or grains for nutrition as they have no mechanical method to break down fiber. The only way to feed dogs, or any other carnivore, plant matter that they can actually digest (derive nutrients from) is to have it cooked, ground, or fermented. Does this sound biologically appropriate? I haven’t yet met a dog or cat than can cook, operate a grinder or has the knowledge to ferment food. Looking deeper we see that the rest of the canine and feline digestive system is also not efficient for a carbohydrate-laden diet.

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National Research Council – NRC – publications).

Ethical standards, not being what they are today, made these studies very risky for the animals involved and many developed major health issues or did not survive.

The purpose was to create dietary deficiencies or excesses in the test animals to determine healthy nutrient requirements. These studies became very useful for pet food manufacturers and led to the creation of “complete and balanced” pet food, that we can feed every day — very much like our fortified cereals. This diet was made up of meat by-products and carbohydrate-based flours, to which were added essential vitamins and minerals to meet the newly discovered recommended nutrient levels.

Even though this type of processed food is what many pet parents were trying to get away from, the data from these reports became very useful for raw feeders as well.

Scientific studies gave us access to laboratory analysis of nutrient values of whole and raw foods, so it wasn’t too difficult to simply formulate a raw diet to meet nutrient standards. This gives raw food brands and DIY feeders the tools to make sure that the raw diets they

are feeding their pets provides complete and balanced nutrition. Pet nutrition professionals are now well aware that the nutrients in raw beef liver is very different than that found in pork spleen, and that duck meat has a vastly different nutrient profile than chicken. Because of this, most raw feeders agree that variety is the key to a complete and nutritious, raw, fresh food diet.

Even though they saw resistance from the veterinary community and big names in the pet food industry, which had the monopoly of the pet food sales for decades, claiming it as dangerous, raw feeding continued to gain momentum. Concerns surrounding bacterial hazard, cross-contamination and lack of information, were those most commonly brought forth. Though based on some truth; yes, raw diets can contain bacteria especially if safe food handling practices are not employed, and yes, if not done properly (like feeding only chicken breast and broccoli with no source of calcium to support growing puppy bones), there could be major nutrient deficiencies.

For those that could see the direct benefits of raw feeding, the possible few negative effects were seen as an opportunity to improve the diet they were already feeding to their pets. Only a decade ago, the options were more limited than they are today. A commercially made raw diet — with nutrition formulation based on science, made with human grade ingredients, produced in stateof-the-art facilities with high biosecurity standards was convenient but very expensive. The other option was to spend the time to learn and create a homemade diet — gathering the raw ingredients, calculating nutrient profiles, and preparing and pre-portioning meals could save some money but is very time consuming.

The criticism of the process and demands for science has completely changed the pet food the industry. In nearly every pet specialty shop, and even some veterinary clinics, you will find a wall of freezers, full of raw diet options with seemingly unlimited protein options, various portion sizes, grind options for large or small

breed and a range of raw ingredients, to meet just about any dietary preference. Just like kibble and canned food, raw diets now come in all sizes, shapes and price points.

We can still find the typical PMR and BARF formulations, based on meat, organ, bone and vegetable ratio, but some new terms have reached the freezer doors. Terms like: GMP:

Good Manufacturing Practices

HACCP: Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point NRC:

Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats

AAFCO: Association of American Feed Control Officials FEDIAF: European Pet Food Industry Federation CFIA:

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

FDA:

Food and Drug Administration

These terms are used by raw pet food companies

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New industry standards

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New science behind raw feeding

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to demonstrate the quality of their food. Some are related to the formulation, nutrition, or ingredients (NRC, AAFCO, FEDIAF) and others to food safety, traceability, and biosecurity (GMP, HACCP, CFIA, FDA). Because of science, we’ve learned that feeding the optimal raw diet isn’t as easy as imitating wolves and lions. Raw feeders and pet food professionals expect raw food brands to truly know what they are doing, and be accountable for the products they make, just as the companies that produce the food humans eat. Recipes based on ingredient ratios are no longer adequate — consumers want formulations that meet actual nutrient requirements, made from quality, human grade ingredients, produced following strict food safety protocols. Many people now claim that their pets eat better than they do themselves. Are most people aware of their daily zinc intake or even the daily requirement? Maybe not, but many serious raw pet food brands know exactly how much zinc there is in one serving of their raw diets.

When prepared, stored and handled properly, it’s very possible that raw pet food is safer to bring into our homes than grocery store purchased lettuce, which has had more recalls for dangerous salmonella and E.coli contamination than raw pet food.

Science is catching up with popular opinion and few would argue that there is no proof that raw is a better dietary option for our pets.

The number of independent scientific studies and data comparing raw and processed diets for both dogs and cats seems to grow daily.

Building scientific data takes time, but we are getting there. What we are currently missing is replicable results. The industry’s scientific community needs to take the published studies seriously and do the same experiments themselves. There are papers about raw diets and its positive influence on so many elements of our pet’s health: gut microbiome, fecal bacterial profile, diet digestibility, joint health, growth and development, the management of chronic diseases, and so much more. (https:// www.petfoodstudies.com/). We are way past the word of mouth stage.

The mindset toward feeding our pets fresh foods has become much more flexible — it’s no longer an “us vs. them” mentality, where you’re forced to choose a side.

Now, there’s even an in between option; the slightly cooked diet or partially fresh diet — “a little bit of fresh is better than none”. The variety of fresh food options: like dog-safe fruits and vegetables, fermented milk, raw eggs, side dishes, toppers, and supplements, make it possible to optimise a processed diet without making a full commitment to raw. This opens the door to pet parents who are less comfortable with feeding raw meat and allows them to take a small step into feeding their pets whole food, more like we feed the rest of our family.

So, the question is, using what we have learned, have we finally created the optimal diet for our pets? Can it be improved at all? The greatest commitment and strength of the raw feeding community is to never stop learning to improve our pet’s diets. We want pet parents to continue to ask questions, to push those that feed our pets and look after their health to do better. Because at the end of the day, we all want the same thing: our pets to live a long and healthy life by our side.

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MEDICINAL MUSHROOMS AND THEIR BENEFITS

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By Donna Middleton, ACCN

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I

am over the top excited to share my latest passion with you!! As an enthusiastic dog nutritionist I am a huge believer in the Hippocrates quote “Let Food Be Thy Medicine and Medicine Be Thy Food”. He acknowledges the importance of healthy eating and how the nutrients in foods have healing properties.

This quote also supports my ideology that Mother Nature supplies us with what we need on this earth.

Nobel prize winner, Linus Pauling, states “Every ailment, every sickness and every disease can be traced back to an organic trace of mineral deficiency.”

that appear far greater than the responses we have to plants. Phylogenetically, the animal kingdom is more closely related to mushrooms than it is to plants, and we can speculate that this relationship is responsible for the enhanced medicinal benefits we observe.”1 Mushrooms is a food that has the ability to “sing” to the body’s receptors, informing the immune system of where help is needed to maintain health and vigour. This occurs due to the mushrooms being a rich source of bioactive

With these kind of ideals in mind, I have gone down the medicinal mushroom rabbit hole and want to share with you what I have discovered so far, as the learning never stops.

History Mushrooms have been used by our ancestors for thousands of years.

Documented sources to the reishi mushroom’s ability to boost the health date back as far as 2,400 years, and it has appeared in ancient Chinese and Japanese artwork.

However, (the) this mushroom has likely been in use as a medicinal herb for over 4,000 years.

An article in the NIH (National Institute Health), titled Medicinal Mushrooms: Ancient Remedies Meet Modern Science, states “Mushrooms are nature’s miniature pharmaceutical factories, rich in a vast array of novel constituents and wide open for exploration.” and “The literature on human response to mushrooms demonstrates a magnitude and diversity of effects

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Medicinal Mushrooms as Natures Pharmaceuticals

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compounds called polysaccharides, which include beta-glucans. Beta-glucans are immunomodulatory compounds that help to balance the immune system.

So if the body’s immune system is weak, like as in an infection, then the beta-glucans will stimulate it to become more in balance. Contrastingly, if the immune system is overactive as in an auto-immune response, the beta-glucans will de-escalate the response, bringing the body back into homeostasis.

Medicinal Mushrooms work synergistically together when blended as you will see below in the “Pairs with” under the description of the mushrooms benefits.

Mushroom Supplements Are Not All Created Equal Fruiting Body vs Mycelium on Grain (MOG) Mushroom growers do not grow their mushrooms on grain, such as rice, but on a natural substrate.

Growers that use grains harvest the grains along with the mycelium (similar to roots) and grind it up together and tend to sell it as “Mushroom” powder. However, since there is no mushrooms (fruiting bodies) in the powder, this is more appropriately called “fungal mycelium biomass” since it contains fungal mycelium (roots) and the grain substrate it was grown on. This powder can contain as much as 50% carbohydrates from the grain.

As of March 2019, the labels now need to state if the product contains mycelium.2

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The most medicinally beneficial compounds found in mushrooms are the Beta-glucans (B-glucans).3

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Studies show that mushroom fruiting bodies contain much more B-glucans than fungal mycelium grown on grain and much less alpha-glucans than grain-grown mycelium.4 The chart below taken from Real Mushrooms.com, shows major differences between fruiting body, pure mycelium and myceliated grain in a study of Cordyceps mushrooms beta-glucan content.

Percentage of Beta-Glucans in Cordyceps Mushroom VS Mycelium Cordyceps Militaris Mushrooms

34.4% Cordyceps Cs-4 (Pure Mycelium)

7.6% Cordyceps Mycelium Grown On Grain

1.5% Analytical data courtesy of Nammex™

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In summary it is important to know that not all products that are labeled “Mushrooms” contain any fruiting bodies at all, and may be as much as 50% carbohydrate from grain. If using the mushrooms on a cancer patient on a strict no carbohydrate diet, this could mean the difference between success and failure of therapy.

Buyer Beware, What to Look For: • Mushrooms should at least be hot water extracted to obtain higher concentrations of beta-glucans and other components, which is the medicinal part of the mushroom.

• The powders should only contain and state that it is “Fruiting Body” (top of mushroom) and not the mycelium and grains.

• They should be organic and 3rd party tested for impurities.

• They should not be grown on grains as this increases the starch levels and takes away from the health benefits.

• They should be tested to show their active components, beta-glucans, and shown on the label.

• Avoid buying a product with very little information on the label.

Four Medicinal Mushrooms and Their Unique Benefits Lions Mane (Hericium erinaceus) Neurologic Plus • Neurodegenerative conditions • Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD) • Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) • Granulomatous Meningoencephalopathy (GME) • Epilepsy • Depression • Immune Support8 • Inflammation • Reduced immunity • Cancer • Vaccine titers (boosts the immune system to keep vaccine antibodies activated) • Digestive Support9 • Gastritis (traditional TCM application) • Bowel inflammation (IBS/IBD)

Lions Mane supports: Nervous System, Cognition, Stomach, Microbiome Key Strengths: • Nootropic (enhances cognition) • Mental and neurological support6 • Anti-aging • Hepatoprotection (protecting the liver) • Reduces cholesterol and hyperlipidemia (lipids) • Cognitive support7 • Calming/Anxiety • Neuroprotection/Neuroregeneration/ Trauma repair • Neurologic inflammation

• Prebiotic support of the microbiome due to fiber content and immune modulation • Heart10 • Reduces strokes and heart disease Organ Association: Kidney, Spleen, Stomach, Lungs TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) action: • Strengthens the Spleen and Regulates the • Stomach (benefits digestion and metabolism).

• Nourishes the Kidneys and brain (helps with fatigue and concentration) • Nourishes the lungs Pairs well with: • Reishi for neurological support • Turkey Tail and or (and/or) Chaga for cancer support, especially of the nervous system • Chaga for digestive support

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Lion’s Mane is a functional mushroom with many supporting health benefits, including supporting a healthy inflammation response and boosting brain function, making it a very attractive option for those looking to add a mushroom supplement as part of their pets healthy lifestyle or to aid in an “aging gracefully” protocol.

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Cordyceps (Cordyceps militaris) Performance/Energy – Increases cellular ATP energy stores • Combats fatigue from Stress12 • Immune Support13 • Anti-Cancer14 • Anti-viral15 • Anti-bacterial • Anti-fungal • Anti-inflammatory16 • Cardiovascular support • Thrombus formation inhibitor • Mildly hypotensive • Vasodilator • Reduces heart rate • Reduces experimentally induced arrhythmias • Reduces blood lipids like cholesterol • Liver – Lung – Kidney Support • Improves detoxification • Reduces hepatic inflammation and fibrosis17 Cordyceps has been used for centuries for its wonderful energy enhancing, anti-aging and health promoting properties.

It’s ability to increase energy, improve lung capacity, decrease inflammation, and promote heart health has caught the attention of athletes. This could be very beneficial for our athletic dogs as well as our seniors, as we all want our dogs to age gracefully and have the quality of life to the end.

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Supports:

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Lungs, Kidneys, Mitochondria, Immune, Microbiome Key Strengths: • Energy support • Enhances Energy and Activity11 • Anti-aging • Stamina/Exercise performance/ Agility trials and Competition

• Improves kidney function; has been used in combination with dialysis successfully18 • Supports asthmatic and COPD patients19 Organ Association: Lung, Kidney, Heart TCM action: • Tonifies the Kidneys; strengthens adrenal glands, increases stamina.

• Nourishes Lungs Pairs well with: • Lion’s Mane for calming and neurological conditions • Turkey Tail for cancer conditions.

• Reishi for liver and allergy support • Chaga for fatigue support

Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor) Immune Support • It is increasingly being understood that our overall health is highly dependent on our gut health.

The composition of the gut microbiota affects everything from digestion to cognitive function.

• Support of the Immune System • Inflammation • Reduced Immunity • Cancer

• Liver support23 • Enhances energy • Supports blood sugar balance

Supports:

Organ Affinity:

Immune, Microbiome

Heart, Spleen, Liver, Kidney

Key Strengths:

TCM action:

Turkey tail improves immune function by stimulating cytokine production, increasing natural killer cells, and through other immune-boosting functions.

• Immune "defensive" support20 • Adaptogen (supporting the bodies ability to adapt to stress thereby supporting the immune system) • Cancer support21

• Strengthens the Spleen (boosts metabolism and immunity) • Regulates fluids • Clears heat and toxins (what do you mean it clears heat?)

Pairs well with:

• Antiviral activity

• Chaga or Maitake for cancer

• Prebiotic support of microbiome due to fiber content and immune activity22

• Reishi for antiviral activity

Recovery Support Supplement Formulated to help animals that have a weakened immune system, oxidative stress or have been diagnosed with cancer.

We keep your pets healthy and happy.

Canadian owned and operated. www.pet-tek.ca

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2022

Turkey Tail is one of the most commonly used medicinal mushrooms. Along with Reishi, Turkey Tail is one of the most studied medicinal mushrooms in the world with focus in the oncology world.

• Vaccine titers (boosts the immune system to keep vaccine antibodies activated)

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Reishi (Ganoderma lingzhi) Longevity mushroom Supports: Heart, Microbiome, Adrenals, Immune (immune system) Key Strengths: • Anti-aging • Allergy support – antihistamine effects24 • Heart25 Reishi mushroom has been admired in China for thousands of years. It is illustrated in many Chinese works of art and is utilised in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Research began in China and Japan during the 70’s discovering the high active levels of beta-glucans with the ability to potentiate innate immunity by activating immune cells. Another compound found in Reishi mushrooms called triterpenoids were discovered in significant amounts which sets Reishi apart from all the other medicinal mushrooms.

• Settles the mind – meditation aid used by Zen monks • Support of immune system • Immunomodulator26 • Inflammation • Cancer 27/28 • Allergies29 • Vaccine titers

References:

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2022

1.

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Integr Med (Encinitas). 2014 Feb; 13(1): 46–47, Paul Stamets, DSc and Heather Zwickey,PhD 2. AHPA Guidance Policy https://www.ahpa.org/Portals/0/PDFs/Policies/Guidance-Policies/AHPA_Guidance_on_fungi_labeling.pdf 3. Beta Glucan: Health Benefits in Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome https://www. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3236515/ 4. Determination of Glucan Contents in the Fruiting Bodies and Mycelia of Lentinula edodes Cultivars https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4206800/#:~:text=The%20 %CE%B2%2Dglucan%20content%20in%20mycelia%20ranged%20from%20 15.59%20%C2%B1,%25%20to%2027.09%20%C2%B1%202.11%25 5. https://www.realmushrooms.com/mushroom-anatomy-parts/ 6. Spelman, Kevin; Sutherland, Elizabeth; Bagade, Aravind. December 19, 2017 Journal of Restorative Medicine, Volume 6, Number 1, 3 December 2017, pp. 19-26(8) https://restorativemedicine.org/journal/neurological-activity-lions-mane-hericiumerinaceus/ 7. Spelman, Kevin; Sutherland, Elizabeth; Bagade, Aravind. December 19, 2017 Journal of Restorative Medicine, Volume 6, Number 1, 3 December 2017, pp. 19-26(8) https://restorativemedicine.org/journal/neurological-activity-lions-mane-hericiumerinaceus/ 8. Hou, Y., Ding, X., & Hou, W. (2015). Composition and antioxidant activity of water-soluble oligosaccharides from Hericium erinaceus. Molecular medicine reports, 11(5), 3794–3799. https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2014.3121 9. Wang, M., Konishi, T., Gao, Y., Xu, D., & Gao, Q. (2015). Anti-Gastric Ulcer Activity of Polysaccharide Fraction Isolated from Mycelium Culture of Lion’s Mane Medicinal Mushroom, Hericium erinaceus (Higher Basidiomycetes). International journal of medicinal mushrooms, 17(11), 1055–1060. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm. nih.gov/28087447/ 10. Rahman, M. A., Abdullah, N., & Aminudin, N. (2014). Inhibitory effect on in vitro LDL oxidation and HMG Co-A reductase activity of the liquid-liquid partitioned fractions of Hericium erinaceus (Bull.) Persoon (lion’s mane mushroom). BioMed research international, 2014, 828149. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/828149

11. Steve Chen 1, Zhaoping Li, Robert Krochmal, Marlon Abrazado, Woosong Kim, Christopher B Cooper Randomized Controlled Trial J Altern Complement Med 2010 May;16(5):585-90. Doi: 10.1089/acm.2009.0226 .https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm. nih.gov/20804368/ 12. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2014;2014:979613. doi: 10.1155/2014/979613. Epub 2014 Apr 1.

Improving Training Condition Assessment in Endurance Cyclists: Effects of Ganoderma lucidum and Ophiocordyceps sinensis Dietary SupplementationPaola Rossi 1, Daniela Buonocore 1, Elisa Altobelli 2, Federico Brandalise 1, Valentina Cesaroni 1, Davide Iozzi 1, Elena Savino 2, Fulvio Marzatico https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih. gov/24799948/ 13. 2020 Jun; 25(12): 2735.

Published online 2020 Jun 12. doi: 10.3390/molecules25122735 Cordycepin for Health and Wellbeing: A Potent Bioactive Metabolite of an Entomopathogenic Medicinal Fungus Cordyceps with Its Nutraceutical and Therapeutic Potential https:// www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7356751/ 14. 2019 Feb 1;364:12-21. doi: 10.1016/j.taap.2018.12.006. Epub 2018 Dec 7.Cordycepin sensitizes breast cancer cells toward irradiation through elevating ROS production involving Nrf2 Jiali Dong 1, Yuan Li 1, Huiwen Xiao 1, Dan Luo 1, Shuqin Zhang 1, Changchun Zhu 1, Mian Jiang 1, Ming Cui 2, Lu Lu 3, Saijun Fan 4 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm. nih.gov/30529626/ 15. J Med Food 2015 Oct;18(10):1164-72. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2014.3350. Epub 2015 Aug 18. Cordyceps militaris Enhances Cell-Mediated Immunity in Healthy Korean Men Ho Joon Kang 1, Hyun Wook Baik 1, Sang Jung Kim 1, Seong Gyu Lee 2, Hong Yup Ahn 3, Ju Sang Park 1, Sang Jong Park 1, Eun Jeong Jang 1, Sang Woon Park 1, Jin Young Choi 1, Ji Hee Sung 1, Seung Min Lee 1 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26284906/ 16. 2014; 9(10): e110266.

Published online 2014 Oct 17. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0110266 Anti-Inflammatory Properties of the Medicinal Mushroom Cordyceps militaris Might Be Related to Its Linear (1→3)-β-D-GlucanFhernanda R. Smiderle, 1 Cristiane H. Baggio, 2

• Supportive of neuro-function and neuro-protective • Traumatic injury to brain and spinal cord • Stroke • Neurodegenerative conditions – Alzheimer's/Parkinson's (AD/PD) – Epilepsy – Depression – Sleep support, • Prebiotic support of the microbiome due to fiber content and immune modulation • Oxidative stress support • Antioxidant

Final Thoughts: When adding a mushroom powder to your pets diet start with a fraction of the recommended dose and work up to be sure the body tolerates it well and your pet adjusts to the flavour.

Adjust the dosage based on your pets health conditions.

For more details on dosing contact your products information team for support and guidance.

Include your veterinarian as part of your pets “health team” when adding in medicinal mushrooms.

As you can see the rabbit hole of information and studies is endless and so very fascinating. My hope is you have learned enough to make some informative decisions when choosing a mushroom product for your dog or cat.

Pairs well with:

• Turkey Tail for cancer conditions

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

Débora G. Borato, 2 Arquimedes P. Santana-Filho, 1 Guilherme L. Sassaki, 1 Marcello Iacomini, 1 and Leo J. L. D. Van Griensven 3 , * https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4201515/ Cordyceps Sinensis: Anti-fibrotic and inflammatory effects of a cultured polysaccharide extract August 2017Bioactive Carbohydrates and Dietary Fibre 14DOI:10.1016/j. bcdf.2017.07.012 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/318848459_Cordyceps_Sinensis_Anti-fibrotic_and_inflammatory_effects_of_a_cultured_polysaccharide_extract Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2019; 2019: 7850863.

Published online 2019 Mar 31. doi: 10.1155/2019/7850863Cordyceps militaris Improves Chronic Kidney Disease by Affecting TLR4/NF-κB Redox Signaling Pathway https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6462325/ Pediatr Neonatol 2008 Oct;49(5):171-8. doi: 10.1016/S1875-9572(09)60004-8 Effects of the immunomodulatory agent Cordyceps militaris on airway inflammation in a mouse asthma model Chia-Hsiu Hsu 1, Hai-Lun Sun, Ji-Nan Sheu, Min-Sho Ku, Chun-Ming Hu, You Chan, Ko-Huang Lue https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19133568/ Steenwijk, H. P., Bast, A., & devan Boer, A. (2021). Immunomodulating Effects of Fungal Beta-Glucans: From Traditional Use to Medicine. Nutrients, 13(4), 1333. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13041333 Published online 2019 Jul 3. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00703 Coriolus Versicolor and Ganoderma Lucidum Related Natural Products as an Adjunct Therapy for Cancers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials , * https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6616310/ 2021 Apr 17;13(4):1333. doi: 10.3390/nu13041333.Immunomodulating Effects of Fungal Beta-Glucans: From Traditional Use to Medicine https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm. nih.gov/25006989/ Coriolus versicolor (Yunzhi) Use as Therapy in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients with Poor Liver Function or Who Are

“LET FOOD BE THY MEDICINE AND MEDICINE BE THY FOOD”

24. Studies on Ganoderma lucidum. VII: Anti-allergic Effect (2) July 1986 Yakugaku zasshi journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan 106(7):600-604 DOI:10.1248/yakushi1947.106.7_600 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/316319822_Studies_on_Ganoderma_ lucidum_VII_Anti-allergic_Effect_2 25. Studies on Ganoderma lucidum. I. Efficacy against Hypertension and Side Effects KATSUO KANMATSUSE, NAGAO KAJIWARA, KYOKO HAYASHI, SHYUJI SHIMOGAICHI, ITARU FUKINBARA, HIDEO ISHIKAWA, TSUTOMU TAMURA https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/ yakushi1947/105/10/105_10_942/_article 26. Ganoderma lucidum improves physical fitness in women with fibromyalgia Daniel Collado Mateo1 , Francesco Pazzi1 , Francisco J. Domínguez Muñoz1 , Juan Pedro Martín Martínez1 , Pedro R. Olivares2 , Narcis Gusi1 and José C. Adsuar1https:// scielo.isciii.es/pdf/nh/v32n5/31originalalimentosfuncionales03.pdf 27. Ganoderma lucidum stimulates NK cell cytotoxicity by inducing NKG2D/NCR activation and secretion of perforin and granulysin Chih-Jung Chang*, Yi-Yuan M Chen*, Chia-Chen Lu, ...June 26, 2013 https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.11 77/1753425913491789?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori%3Arid%3Acrossref. org&rfr_dat=cr_pub++0pubmed& 28. 2017 Dec; 14(6): 7467–7472. 2017 Oct 9. doi: 10.3892/ol.2017.7153 Anticancer effect of triterpenes from Ganoderma lucidum in human prostate cancer cells Lijun Qu,1 Sumei Li,2 Yumin Zhuo,1 Jianfan Chen,1 Xiaoping Qin,1 and Guoqing Guo2 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5755215/ 29. 1985 Apr;33(4):1367-74. doi: 10.1248/cpb.33.1367. The biologically active constituents of Ganoderma lucidum (Fr.) Karst. Histamine release-inhibitory triterpenes https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2412714/ Disclaimer: The information in this article is provided as information resources only, and are not to be used or relied on to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This information does not create any patient-doctor relationship, and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment.. The information in this article is intended for educational purposes. The information is not intended to replace medical advice offered by licensed medical physicians. Please consult your veterinarian for any medical advice.

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2022

• Lion’s Mane for calming and neurological conditions.

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Great Idea!

SUMMER FUN

Do you have any great ideas you want to share?

Email them to: info@petconnection.ca

This is from Toby!

He can’t wait for visitors to his library.

This library has a poo bag dispenser with a solar powered light.

Always good to be pupared!

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2022

Photos courtesy of Laura Holt.

On Instagram & Twitter @fulcandles

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Meet Piper, Treble & Electric!

Omega Alpha’s Ambassadors!

Piper, Treble & Electric’s owner handler is Kara Bellingham.

Kara Bellingham shares her home with her husband and their 4 dogs: Piper (10-year-old rescue mix breed), Electric (5-year-old border collie), Treble (6-year-old rescue border collie mix) and Hexadecimal (8-month-old border collie) who go everywhere with them! They train and compete in agility, nosework, dock diving and disc dog, with their true passion being freestyle disc.

Piper, Treble and Electric have travelled across Western Canada and through the USA competing and placing in the sport of disc dog. You will also find them on stage sharing their talents of the many sports and tricks they do performing in front of thousands of people with the Superdogs. Hexadecimal has recently joined the pack and is training, up to be right there along side her family competing and performing on stage when she is old enough to do so. In their spare time, you will find them enjoying the great outdoors, camping, skijoring, and hiking! “ Omega Alpha has played a significant role in supporting the overall health and well-being of my fur family. Some of our favourite products that we use daily are Sinewpet, GlucosaPet, E-Z Mobility, Shiny Coat, Wild Salmon Oil, Nutrify and Probiotic 8 Plus. Thank you Omega Alpha for being a part of my pups’ lives! ”

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AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2022

− Kara Bellingham, Alberta.

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Litter Box Life

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2022

By Anne Jablonski

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Here are the eight cardinal rules for peaceful coexistence between you, your cat, and cat litter boxes.

1. Keep it clean. Really clean. Really, really clean.

include the video demonstrating her method from her website here.

To view Dr. Pierson's video go to http://www.catnutrition.org/litterbox.html

By the time litter box odor is noticeable to you, it’s already been noticeable to your cat for some time. Think about how you would feel using a bathroom in which the toilet hasn’t been flushed for days. Don’t subject your cat to that. And if you do? Don’t be surprised if you start seeing “inappropriate elimination” in your house.

Remember, a cat’s sense of smell is infinitely more sensitive than our own. Cats can sense some 200 million odors and there is simply no comparing their sensory world to our own. Did I mention how critical it is to keep the litter box clean?

Make scooping the box something you do at least twice a day. If you do this, it barely takes a few seconds and will spare you from ever having to face a really dirty box. No one wants that--least of all the cat that has to walk in it.

Personally, I was never comfortable with the idea of leaving ANY litter, including the clumping litters, in the box for more than two weeks without completely emptying the contents and cleaning the box. Even with daily scooping, most people are not going to be able to get at every bit of soiled litter -- unless you use the “Dr. Pierson method.” Dr. Pierson kindly agreed to let me

Dr. Pierson’s method involves using plenty of litter so that the clumps of urine are almost always “suspended” in the box, so it minimizes opportunity for the bottom of the box to get soiled. The “tilt” method also enables you to ensure that you're scooping the whole clump, rather than risking breaking it into pieces and contaminating the clean litter. Finally, it requires having a spray bottle on hand with a dilute bleach solution that you use to tidy up the sides as needed. What’s especially wonderful is how fast this method is particularly if you have the right tools on hand. I started using this method a few years ago and to my amazement, my litter boxes have never been cleaner. You could eat off the boxes in this house (well, almost). And for the first time ever, I find I’m not having to change the box completely every two weeks. There’s no need. My only gripe about Dr. Pierson’s method is that I didn’t think of it myself first.

If the litter box is not pristine, empty the contents of the box and follow up by scouring the box thoroughly with a non-toxic soap (I like to use Dr. Bronner’s castile soap) and rinse. Then rinse again. Then rinse again. Dry the box in the sunshine for a few hours.

Sweep up the area around the boxes on “litter change” day. If need be, wash the floor area with a diluted

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Dr. Pierson’s only condition for sharing this video with me was to make sure everyone understands that she purposely let the litter box get extra dirty for the illustrative purposes of filming of this great event.

Seriously, no joke, she wants to make sure everyone understands that the box in this video is “unacceptably filthy” and, in her mind (and mine), a litter box is plenty dirty once there are more than three “items” in it. Dr. Pierson and I implore you to not let your litter box get as dirty as the one shown in this video. If you cannot stick to the “three to four item” rule because of your work schedule, then please add more boxes.

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vinegar-in-water solution. Do NOT use harsh chemical cleaning products anywhere near your cat. Ever. In fact, be careful when selecting any cleaning products for use in a house with a cat.

Please don’t force your cat to suffer with a dirty box because you've designated cleaning it as your child’s responsibility. Yes, it’s wonderful to teach children what’s involved in caring for an animal, but children often cannot be trusted to maintain a litter box properly and leaving the box filthy as an “object lesson” for your child is terribly unfair to the cat. Certainly none of the humans in your house will want to live with the smell.

An adult needs to ensure that the box is clean, so if you've put your child in charge of the job and s/he falls down on the job? Then you need to take over.

If you keep up with it, we’re really not talking about spending more than two to three minutes of your time twice a day. I promise that it’s not a big deal once you get into this routine and stick to it. And for the at-least-twice-monthly method of emptying of the boxes altogether? That doesn’t take more than a few minutes if you have a nice big trash bag on hand and your soap, bleach, and rubber gloves nearby.

I strongly urge you to visit Dr. Lisa Pierson’s web page on litter boxes. It has some of the best and clearest advice I've ever seen assembled in one place on how to keep litter boxes spotlessly clean using a remarkably fast and easy method. Dr. Andrea Tasi also has some priceless tips on litter boxes on her site.

Remember: Keeping up with litter box cleaning every day is a very small price to pay to ensure your cat doesn’t start urinating or defecating where you don't want her to.

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2. Offer your cats more than one box.

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Some cats, even if they’re in a single-cat household, are averse to urinating and defecating in the same box.

So give them more than one box. I can’t even begin to explain why, especially in a multiple-cat household, one cat will want to use one particular box for urinating, another for defecating and another cat will have his/ her own preferences. Don’t sweat it trying to figure it out. Just acknowledge the fact that your desire is to have the cats use a litter box and that you may have to make special accommodations to ensure that each cat has what s/he needs. Believe me, it sure beats dealing with the nightmare of a cat that is eliminating inappropriately around your house.

3. Ditch those covered boxes. Or at least offer one uncovered box.

I know many people like these boxes and their cats have used them with no problems for years. I'm a big believer, however, in doing whatever it takes to prevent problems from sneaking up from behind. The covered boxes tend to trap odors. They may keep the odors at bay from your nose, but remember that your cat is forced to enter a small, enclosed space and remain there while she takes care of business. Stick your head into that covered box once in awhile and if it smells bad to you, remember that to your cat--with her intensely sensitive nose--it smells much, much worse. If you don’t want to stick your head into that box, ask yourself why.

4. Keep the box in a place where there is not a lot of busy foot traffic or noise.

Companies that sell the covered boxes say that they can substantially reduce odor. But they’re not reducing odor for the cat--unless you are truly doing your cat caregiver job and cleaning meticulously at least twice a day. A friend suggested to me once that a covered cat box is, to a cat, much like how we humans think about those porta-potties. Eeew, you know? If you can keep them spotless clean and promise to scoop them at least twice daily, then fine. But be honest: if you’re not going to do that, do not subject your cat to using a porta-potty. If you do buy a hooded box, buy a big one with tall sides and ample room.

Perhaps even more importantly, there is much to be said for not making it too easy for cat caregivers to avoid seeing what is going on in the litter box every day. The covered boxes and the “self-cleaning” boxes simply make it far too easy to miss something important, such as noticing if your cat is having runny stools or diarrhea, or urinating more or less than is normal.

If your cat really likes her covered box, then offer a second box that is uncovered. Trust me. This is a good idea.

You don’t want your cat being frightened by movement or noise. Let your cat use her clean litter box in peace and privacy.

5. Don't use a litter with perfumes or additives or any litter with sharp edges or that your cat could find uncomfortable on her paws.

Skip those perfumed litters and the “crystal- or pearltype” litters that can hurt the sensitive paws of cats, especially kittens. Many pellet litters that are made with pine or newspapers can be very uncomfortable for your cat. And if your cat starts associating using the litter box with being uncomfortable? It’s not hard to guess what will happen next.

I hate to think of a cat that’s started eliminating

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You also don't want your cat to have to hunch down in an unnatural position to use her box. Give her the room she needs to be comfortable in the box. If it’s too uncomfortable for your cat to use her box, she may very well stop using it.

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inappropriately ending up in a shelter, un-adoptable, because someone used the wrong litter for that cat and she developed an aversion to the box. Very unfair.

is amiss with your cat. A litter box you that you plug in, forget about, and that sweeps everything, figuratively, under the rug won't let you do that.

Perfumes are chemicals a cat ingests when she cleans herself. You don’t want that, and it certainly does your cat no good.

Leaving aside the issue of the wisdom of having anything heavily perfumed or chemically-treated near your cats (i.e., the heavily scented litters) there is absolutely NO need for special perfumes or additives if a cat box is maintained correctly. If you simply take on a LITTLE bit of daily cleaning responsibility, you realize that maintaining a litter box situation everyone is happy with-the caregiver and the cats--need not be time-consuming or expensive.

Companies sell cat litter with the presumption that people hate the smell of litter boxes and having houses that scream, “I have a cat and things smell here.” The other issue of course is that companies presume people don’t like cleaning litter boxes. Hence, wanting to sell something that purports to solve a consumer’s problem, companies develop all kinds of gimmicks and gadgets ostensibly designed to solve the odor and cleaning problem or in some other way appeal to humans.

When you walk into the litter box aisle of a pet supply superstore, you see a phenomenally huge display area of various litters and contraptions. We have, in addition to the basic choices regarding clumping and non-clumping litters, litters with all manner of additives that lay claim to masking odor and even “automatic” litter boxes that claim to clean themselves, thus ostensibly making it possible for us to totally ignore the litter box except to empty a container containing automatically-scooped urine and feces.

I'll repeat my suggestion yet again to visit Dr. Pierson’s site on litter boxes and to have a look at her nifty video link that shows you exactly how it’s done. We're talking maybe 90 seconds twice a day for a sparkling clean litter box that your cat will probably be quite happy to use.

6. If you use a non-clumping clay litter, empty it daily.

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But all those gadgets and gimmicks--the chemical and perfume additives, the strange-shaped litters (like those pearls and “litter crystals” that are so uncomfortable for many cats’ paws), the absurdly small hooded boxes, and the litter boxes that you have to plug in--all are based on the assumption that the litter box is, at its core, a problem.

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But believe me, the litter box need not be a problem.

Think of it this way: a litter box is merely a necessity that--if you just spend a few minutes learning how to keep properly clean--is there to provide your cat an acceptable place to do her business. It’s no big deal.

You have a cat. You have a litter box. And staying in regular, but brief, touch with what is going on in those litter boxes can be worth its weight in gold in terms of staying on top of your cat’s health. To my mind, it’s a very big mistake not to have a regular look at the size of “peeballs” and the consistency of a cat’s stools. Noticing things there is a nice “early warning” sign if something

Even with daily scooping, non-clumping litters get filthy fast. You can scoop the feces out of the box, but you’re still left with urine-soaked clay that smells just dreadful to your cat. Very quickly what might look like a “clean” box is just a box full of small pieces of urine-laden clay.

Every litter has pluses and minuses, and for me and many others, it’s a matter of finding something where the pluses sufficiently outweigh the minuses. I don’t like using clay at all. Environmentally, it's a disaster.

Using the cleaning method I use with the clumping litter

that I like, which is made of grass, I minimize what gets tossed.

The corn- and wheat-based litters are fine as far as they go, but I've found them both intensely dusty. Some of the corn-based litter is expensive and I don’t like, frankly, using anything around my cats that's a potential allergen trigger. So you’ll have to shop around, armed with information, and find what suits you.

The perfect cat litter? To my mind, it’s: clumping, environmentally-friendly, very low dust, unadulterated with added scents, affordable, comfortable on a cat’s paws, naturally attractive to cats, and devoid of any potential allergens. My choice? SmartCat.

7. Some cats need a large box.

Give them one.

small litter box, whereas an amply-sized male cat might do fine in a small box. I’d rather indulge the fussy cat with an oversized box than have her urinate on the sofa.

Another suggestion if you’ve got a cat who likes to urinate with her back end perched high in the air is to buy one of those large plastic storage bins with very high sides. You may want to give your cat, especially a senior cat, an easy set of steps so she can enter and exit such a box without having to leap. The litter box experience should be a pleasant habit for your cat, not an ordeal. If it becomes an ordeal, your cat may well stop using the box altogether.

8. Make it easy on yourself. Keep plenty of litter on hand and have the supplies you need to keep the box clean near the boxes.

When you buy litter, buy a lot. You don’t want to face a dirty litter box and have to think about driving to the store before you can change it. You should never run out of litter. Stock up when it’s on sale.

I think most litter boxes are just too small. Some cats, especially females, tend to urinate “up and out” of the box. My petite little female tortoiseshell-tabby mix was notorious for this. It was as though she was using the sides of the box as her canvas for spray-painting compelling pee-art designs. I finally mostly solved the problem by getting one of those large dog-litter boxes which has higher sides and added a couple of very large hooded boxes to our mix of four boxes (for two cats).

You can find the oversized, un-hooded boxes at many pet superstores or specialty pet supply shops.

It’s not only big cats that like big boxes. My little petite female couldn’t adequately do what she needs to do in a

I keep a store of bags from the ones that newspapers get delivered in and from grocery stores, stashed by the box, so when I clean the box, it’s just a matter of grabbing a bag and my scoop, scooping the boxes of every trace I can find of stuff that shouldn’t be there, putting that into the plastic bag, and then tying the bag shut tightly before tossing.

I know I’m sounding like a broken record, but please do visit Dr. Lisa Pierson’s “how to” page on litter boxes.

I thought I was the Queen O’ Clean when it came to litter box hygiene until I learned her way of doing it. I’ve learned that her clever method is not only faster than what I was doing before, but it’s a big time- and money-saver.

No more hauling out heavy bags of litter-filled trash. The

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Using an oversized heavy metal scoop with holes in it (the kind they sell for use with deep fryers) purchased from the kitchen department at just about any store works well for digging in deep litter for “treasures.” I started using the mother of all litter scoops and love it. It doesn’t break like so many of those cheap plastic ones they sell with litter boxes often do and is big enough to grab an entire “clump” without breaking it up. When you’re done using it, give it a quick clean and hang it nearby.

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boxes are always clean. And my cats have never been more happy about their pristine litter boxes. Since I live with a tortoiseshell -- if you have one yourself I know you're nodding knowingly -- keeping her very happy with her litter box is an extremely important thing. Actually, keeping her happy on every front is a pretty important thing.

far away from the litter box. If you do that, follow the manufacturer's instructions to the letter. Another nice idea is to try using Dr. Elsey’s Cat Attract litter. Nice texture, not too dusty, clumping, and contains some magical scent (only detectable to cats) that tells cats, “do your business here.”

If your cat does begin eliminating inappropriately, first rule out any physical ailment with your vet. There are more than a few medical reasons that a cat might stop using the litter box, and some of them are lifethreatening. If you’ve ruled out a medical reason, next, take an honest survey of the litter boxes in your home and ask: are they clean? Is the litter pleasing to the cat? is the area quiet? If need be, try changing litters or moving the box. You might also consider using Feliway in areas where the cat has eliminated inappropriately,

Like it or not, the bit of time you need to spend on learning to live at peace with a litter box is the price you pay for agreeing to live with cats. They really don’t ask for much from us. Healthy food, love, and a clean “bathroom.” That’s quite a bargain in exchange for all the affection, warmth, and purrs that you get in return. From a practical standpoint, it’s also an easy way to increase the odds that your cat will not start eliminating in places where you don’t want her to.

Mental Enrichment!

WORK OUT YOUR BRAIN!

Try this Word Jumble.

Unscramble each of the clue words.

Take the letters that appear in the circled boxes and unscramble them for the final message.

PAYLER ETAES HMUPTCA TOESNH Answer is on page 40 (in the Calendar section)

So spacious in here!

This jumble was created by The Blue Sheet Clubhouse, a group of brain injury survivors. The Cridge Centre for the Family’s Brain Injury Services provides independent housing with support for survivors of brain injury. Through the development of support groups like The Blue Sheet Clubhouse we strive to provide opportunities for personal development and reintegration in the community.

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2022

The penthouse unit that the magician rented to his rabbit was known as the...

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AUGUST 2022

SEPTEMBER 2022

Saturday August 20th International Homeless Animals Day Is honored around the world with adopt-a-thons, animal blessings, spay/neuter clinics, and other events to bring awareness to the homeless.

Falls on every third Saturday in August.

Monday September 5th Labour Day Saturday September 17th and Sunday September 18th Canadian Pet Expo Cost to attend International Centre 6900 Airport Road Mississauga, Ontario

Jumble Answer from page 39

Player, Tease, Matchup, Honest

Answer: TOP HAT

The Pet Connection assumes no responsibility for any information listed for any of these events. While every attempt is made to double check information submitted, we are not responsible for any cancelled events, rescheduled events, wrong dates or times, location changes, wrong address’s or wrong phone numbers. If you have an event you would like to mention, please submit it to, info@petconnection.ca. Due to space limitations there is no guarantee that it will be listed.

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AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2022

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WATER INTOXICATION

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2022

By Jessika Harding

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While it is important to avoid dehydration, there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. Many dog owners do not realize their dogs can drink too much water. If this happens and if left untreated, it could be fatal. The over consumption of water is often referred to as water toxemia or hyperhydration but regardless of the name, hyponatremia is the result.

intracellular fluid found inside the cell and extracellular fluid found outside of the cell. Generally speaking, the body is able to maintain a specific balance of water and electrolytes within these fluids with relative ease. The kidneys play an important part in maintaining this balance as they are responsible for excreting water from the body. If water is taken in faster than the kidneys are able to excrete, sodium levels will begin dropping because of this dilution.

Hyponatremia is a condition that happens when the sodium level in the blood becomes abnormally low relatively quickly (this is different from chronic mildly low sodium levels). Sodium is found primarily in bodily fluids outside the cell and is a major electrolyte which is responsible for maintaining blood pressure, muscle, and nerve function. When this major electrolyte is not present in proper concentrations problems can arise.

Sodium levels in extracellular fluid will drop below normal concentration as water moves from outside of the cell into the cell in an effort to maintain balance. This increased water volume inside the cell will cause swelling – organs such as the liver can accommodate this increased volume, but others cannot. Brain cells are particularly sensitive to such swelling due to water intoxication, this results in many neurological symptoms presenting.

Physiology and Symptoms

The early symptoms of water intoxication include pale gums, confusion, lethargy, disorientation, and stumbling.

These symptoms can quickly progress (in a matter of minutes) to severe symptoms such as laboured breathing, collapse and seizures which can sometimes result in coma or death.

Dogs can drink too much water

A quick physiology lesson – water balance inside the body is essential for maintaining health and wellness.

There are two types of fluids to keep in mind when discussing the impact water balance has on bodily cells -

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While this condition is considered to be relatively rare, it is no surprise the incident rates increase during the hot summer months. Excessive water intake in dogs often occurs when the dog is swimming, diving underwater, retrieving or even while playing “catch” with a garden hose or sprinkler.

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Dogs that are particularly susceptible to water intoxication are those that are high-energy/highdrive, live in extreme heat and small dogs. Dogs who live in areas with extreme heat need to drink water more frequently increasing their likelihood of over consumption. High-drive/high-energy dogs often have higher pain thresholds allowing them to push through the discomfort of drinking too much water, this is especially true when they are participating in dog sports or working. For smaller dogs, it often takes their body longer to excrete excess water allowing more time for water and electrolytes to become unbalanced.

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a combination of diuretics and other IV medications to rebalance the intracellular and extracellular sodium and water balance. For mild water intoxication, treatment may be more conservative and result in mild water restriction with an electrolyte supplement.

Prevention is key Water intoxication can be irreversible in many advanced cases; therefore prevention is key. Monitor and assess your dog’s swimming style – if they keep their mouths open or head low to the water, they are at a greater risk for consuming too much water and will require frequent breaks. If your dog is fortunate enough to have easy access to open bodies of water such as a lake, swimming pool or pond, do not allow them unlimited access.

Planned swimming or fetching adventures are much safer and will allow you to enforce rest periods and more closely monitor their water consumption.

Water intoxication progresses quickly, if your pet has been playing in water and begins to exhibit any symptoms listed above, it is important that you seek immediate veterinary care.

When playing fetch in the water, it is important to pay attention to the style of toy you are using. Avoid playing fetch with large items that force the dog to keep their mouth open wide, such as a tennis ball or excessively large bumper. Instead, opt for a toy that is flatter and allows the dog to close their mouth further.

The primary goal when treating acute water intoxication is to raise the sodium concentration in the body gradually, and over the course of a few hours. This can be done using

Now that you know the signs and symptoms to watch out for, have yourself a great summer and enjoy the beautiful weather.

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Northern Animal Health Initiative

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2022

By Dr. Elaine Klemmensen

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Over 16 days in September and October 2021, a small group of volunteer veterinarians and registered veterinary technologists travelled to three communities in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut region of Canada: Fort Liard, Wrigley and Taloyoak

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pon arrival in Yellowknife, we were met by VWB liaison and coordinator, Dr. Michelle Tuma, who briefed us on the communities we would be visiting, reviewed protocols and coordinated our equipment and supplies. The next morning four excited volunteers got an early start for the long drive to their first community clinic in Fort Liard, NWT. During the 790 km drive, wildlife sightings were frequent, including numerous bison, several bald eagles, a black bear, a fox and a lynx – making it feel like a safari! Upon arrival, volunteers went to work setting up the mobile clinic in the Environment and Natural Resources shop before enjoying a delicious meal prepared by our wonderful community

liaison Christine, and then heading to bed to recharge in preparation for our first day.

The Fort Liard clinic was well received, in part due to the ongoing presence of VWB in this community and partly due to the advocacy and commitment of our community liaisons. During our four-day health clinic, the team saw 53 animals for health exams and vaccines and performed 8 canine neuters and 3 canine spays. Of the 53 animals examined, 5 were cats which is somewhat unique as cats are less commonly brought into the Northern Health Clinics. While we were somewhat disappointed to perform only 3 spay surgeries, the team was encouraged

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presence in these communities, it is hoped the VWB Northern Animal Health Initiative will slowly and steadily build relationships and become a trusted partner in animal health and welfare.

Our next stop was the community of Wrigley, NWT where 26 animals were examined over a 2-day health clinic. Surgeries performed included a mammary mass resection and one spay, as well as one sedation for porcupine quill removal. Despite being a quieter clinic, the team was well received. By ensuring an ongoing

Excited about our final clinic in Taloyoak, Nunavut, the team settled in for the long journey back to Yellowknife where they would restock supplies and fly equipment by cargo to this remote northern community. Located on the Boothia Peninsula in the Kitikmeot region of Nunavut, Taloyoak or Talurjuaq is the northernmost

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2022

that two of these surgeries were on mature females who had delivered pups just 6 weeks earlier. Without this intervention, these females would most certainly deliver at least one more litter before VWB’s return in 2022.

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Given the remoteness of Taloyoak and the delays associated with weather, it should come as no surprise that transporting cargo for a mobile veterinary clinic can come with a few headaches. Our anesthesia equipment arrived 36 hours after the team and medical supplies. To make the most of our short time in the community, we got busy setting up our mobile work site at the recreation

center hall and then went for a walk to introduce ourselves and the project to the many puppy guardians we had noticed on arrival in the Hamlet. It was during these home visits that the team met Maya and Angel, nursing mothers of two recent litters owned by the same family. After offering to do health checks, vaccinate and deworm the pups, the owner expressed his excitement and gratitude that we could help prevent more litters by spaying Maya and Angel, saying, “I don’t want this to keep happening, but we have no way to prevent it.” He had heard a group of vets was coming to Taloyoak but

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community in mainland Canada. With a population of just over 1,000 residents, the community is serviced only by air and an annual supply sealift.

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Documenting the specifics of our experience serving the Northern Animal Health Initiative provides an overview of the logistics of these volunteer-driven projects – from the communities visited to the number of animals treated. However, it fails to express what happens between the “logistics” and the “specifics.” The challenge of dead batteries, flat tires and keys broken off in lock.

The bloating surgery patient and the search for a garden hose. The visits to the dump to look for (and find) bears. The experience of eating caribou shepherd pie in Canada’s northernmost community. Watching a couple of veterinarians running about, waving their hands and almost missing the flight when one of their Nunavut isolation exemptions arrived mere minutes before takeoff.

And, for certain volunteers, the nightmares induced by yet another COVID nasal swab will remain long after the other memories of this trip are forgotten.

I often wonder what it is that draws those of us who love this work to do it. The logistics and conditions we work in can be challenging. For many, it involves using their hard-earned holiday time to travel to and

participate in a volunteer project. There may be out-ofpocket expenses that volunteers absorb. While we have come to expect some stress, some swearing and some unexpected roadblocks along the way, we have learned the rewards of this work outweigh any negatives. Along with sharing, laughter and the opportunity to be part of a team of generous and adventurous individuals, using our professional skills to serve with no expectation of anything in return, “fills our cups” in a way that needs to be experienced to be understood. Jessica Johnson, a registered veterinary technologist at the Calgary Animal Referral and Emergency Center and a repeat volunteer with VWB describes how after years of working in a specialty practice she felt she was missing out on helping a certain subset of patients and their owners. She says, “I found that through volunteering I can not only change the lives of animals and their owners, but I also get to learn all about different ways of life and veterinary medicine.” It is a privilege to be invited into these communities, to experience a unique culture within the confines of Canada and to experience the joy that comes from sharing the gift of your skill and of your time. On behalf of the 2021 Northern Animal Health Initiative volunteers, thank you for this opportunity – may your hands be busy and your heart filled with gratitude.

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2022

said, “I didn’t believe it would happen.” Maya and Angel were two of the 6 canine spays performed, along with 6 canine neuters, one trauma treatment and 64 health exams/vaccinations in Taloyoak.

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BREED SPOTLIGHT

Silken Windhound

Photos of Wyatt Courtesy of Shannon Anselmo Vancouver, British Columbia

Wyatt is a ten year old Silken Windhound. He enjoys playing a game of cards. Wyatt has his Champion Trick Dog Title, has competed Nosework and trained in Rally O.

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2022

Typically a long lived breed Silkens Windhounds are active and healthy into their teens with the oldest known Silken living to her 20th birthday.

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The Silken Windhound is the result of the vision of the breed founder Francie Stull in Texas.

Created from Borzoi, Long Haired Whippets and a little bit of Sheltie - the breed was first named in 1998.

Silkens are typically 18 – 20 inches with devoted, loving and confident personalities.

Their coats come in many colors form pure white to pure black with reds, creams, brindles and silvers in solid and spotted patterns. Their coats are low maintenance requiring only occasional brushing.

Silken Windhounds love to run. Silkens can be found competing in sports such as Nosework, Barn Hunt, Agility, Straight and Oval Racing, Lure Coursing, Rally O. They also enjoy Stand up Paddling, Kayaking, Hiking, Camping.

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2022

The one thing that each and every Silken Windhound have in common is that they love to be with their family and have lots of time in a nice comfortable dog bed.

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Contest is only open to Canadian pets alive and living in Canada. If you have multiple pets, you can send in multiple photos, but please only one photo per pet per month.

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Contest is only open to Canadian pets alive and living in Canada. If you have multiple pets, you can send in multiple photos, but please only one photo per pet per month.

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