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We spend a fortune on supplements for dogs & cats, but not all supplements are beneficial, or even safe. Evaluating Supplements for Dogs & Cats Is Like Eating In a RestaurantIn a way, trusting a supplement company is like trusting a restaurant. When eating out, we trust the ingredients, the food storage, the cleanliness without having to go back and inspect the kitchen. When clients ask about supplements, I’m going to do my best to ensure they have all the information they need to decide whether or not to give the product to their pet. There are about 50,000 supplements for dogs & cats, so how do we know what’s good to give pets? It’s not easy. It requires research. That’s right, research. I evaluate the following:- What problem does the dog or cat have, and would the supplement help with that problem?
- What are the supplement’s active ingredients? The inactive ingredients?
- What amount or percentage of the total is each ingredient?
- Are all ingredients declared or does the manufacturer buy some ingredients from other companies who are not required to list everything the materials they are supplying contain?
- From what countries do the ingredients originate?
- How long has the product been used and how many pets have used it?
- What is the company’s reputation?
- Are there clinical trials demonstrating this exact product with its particular combination of ingredients is helpful?
- Is there an independent third-party laboratory that has tested the supplement?
- Is the supplement priced appropriately for the benefit?
- Is the supplement stored by a distributor so that it doesn’t get over-heated?
- Will this particular dog or cat accept the supplement in its current form?
Supplement IngredientsSupplements list ingredients, but that is not the end of the story. Government regulations allow hundreds supplement labels to contain ingredients that are not listed. For example, a label can say hydrolyzed yeast extract and not say the extract contains MSG. A label can say “spices” and not say which spices. Many products that oxidize, like fish, are mixed with antioxidants like ethoxiquin but the supplement label does not need to include ethoxiquin if the supplement company did not add it themselves. . If you think food & supplement labels tell the whole story, think of melamine.What amount or percentage of the total is each ingredient? Percentages and ratios of ingredients to each other are significant. Think of how much milk or sugar you want in your tea. There is a point where it is just right. For many supplements, there is a range of ratios that will work, and the best supplements get the ratios of ingredients just right. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) herbal formulas are examples of getting ingredients just right. They’ve spent hundreds of hundreds of years perfecting the ratios of herbs in the formulas. Compare a herbal formula that has been used for hundreds of hundreds of years to a supplement that has been on line for 20 years. Choose herbs and supplements with a history. Where are the ingredients sourced? Do the ingredients come, like melamine, from China? From the US? From Canada? While I like Chinese herbal formulas, I don’t recommend supplements made in China to my clients unless the supplement is manufactured in the US or Canada. For herbal formulas, I trust Kan Herbs from the US and Natural Path from Canada. Is the supplement priced appropriately for the benefit? Some supplements are expensive but dogs and cats really do well taking them: Nordic Natural’s Omega 3 Pet and Missing Link are great examples of products that are worth their weight in gold. Unfortunately, there are also supplements that are expensive but don’t provide significant benefit.Supplement StorageMany supplements oxidize during storage, including fish oils, flax, & antioxidant vitamins. I expect that supplements warehoused in Florida have more oxidation during storage than do supplements warehoused in northern states. Thus, I don’t recommend supplements from 1800 Pet Meds who warehouses & distributes out of Florida. Choose wiselyUse supplements, just chose great products and make sure they’ll work for your dog and cat.
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Atopy is Latin for “strange,” but there is nothing strange about atopy. Atopy, or the genetic tendency to have an immune reaction to something that is inhaled or touched, causes allergy symptoms. Food allergies are not atopy, but some pets will have atopy (allergies to what they inhale & contact) and also be allergic to foods. It is estimated 5-15% of dogs are atopic. Cats have atopy and allergies too, but we aren’t as clear how many or which breeds are affected as we’re clear about dogs. Dog Breeds Commonly Affected with Atopy and Allergies · Akitas · Beagles · Bichons · Boxers · Bulldogs · Chihuahuas · Dalmatians · French Bulldogs · German Shepherds · Herding breeds: Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, etc · Maltese · Newfoundlands · Poodles · Puggles · Retrievers: Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers · Rottweilers · Schnauzers · Setters · Shar peis · Shiba Inus · Shih Tzus · Terriers: Scotties, Westies, Yorkies, all of them at risk Signs and Symptoms of Atopy & Allergies in Dogs · Itchy feet, itchy face, itchy bottom · Runny eyes · Secondary skin infection: yeast (Malassezia) & bacterial (Staph) · Symptoms obvious before middle age, usually obvious between 9 months and 3 years of age. · Young, say 3-month-old, puppies that have skin infections · Licking, especially feet and groin · Red, itchy ears with recurrent ear infections One reason our allergic dogs & cats are so itchy is that the oils on the skin and the skin pH are abnormal. Helping Dogs & Cats with Atopy & Allergies We have several ways to help pets with atopy & allergies, including · TCM herbal formulas · Omega 3 Fatty Acids · Antihistamines · Shampoos · Immune-modifying Medications · Homeopathy Using Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to help Pets with Atopy & Allergies TCM herbal formulas are ideal for dogs & cats with allergies. For example, the following help especially when itching is a strong component of your pet’s symptoms: · Bao Hu Jiang Jun Tang (Protect the General) for dry, itchy skin in a shy or anxious pet that also has liver disease, and possible liver enzyme elevation (ALP, ALT, AST). These pets may have tongues that are pale, or purple, or red; pulses that are thin, or wiry or choppy. · Bu Gan Tang (Nourish the Liver Decoction) for itchy, seborrhic skin in a pet that may also have any of the following: muscle spasm, Scotty cramp, wobblers, dry eye (KCS), liver inflammation and elevated liver enzymes, lymphoma, petit mal seizures, and behaviour problems (noise sensitivity, timidity, separation anxiety, thunder phobia, or fear aggression). · Dang Gui Shao Yao San (Angelica Nourish the Blood Decoction) for pets with powdery dander & itchy skin. They may also have bladder crystals, elevated triglycerides (hyperlipidemia), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), constipation, and be over weight. These pets may also be irritable, depressed or timid. Their tongues are often pale and lavender colored. · Jia Wei Si Wu Tant (Augmented Four Materials) for pets with dry, itchy skin, or hives who may also have weak hind legs, anemia, constipation, blurred vision and a tendency to dizziness (vertigo). Their tongues are often pale and coated; pulses, thin & slippery. · Long Dan Xie Gan Tang (Quell Fire) is for the pet with severe itching and possibly bacterial or yeast (Malassezia) skin infection or mange (Demodex). These pets may also have tendency to ear infections, bladder infections (cystitis), incontinence, anal sac inflammation, Cushing’s disease, and obesity. They may have ravenous appetites and tend to eat things they shouldn’t. The tongues of dogs that benefit from Quell Fire often have red sides and a yellow coat; their pulses may be rapid, forceful, and wiry. · Qing Ying Tang (Clear the Nutritive Level Decoction) is for pets with intensely itchy skin and possibly bacterial or yeast (Malassezia) skin infection or mange (Demodex). These pets may also have tendency to autoimmune disease (IMHA), masticatory myositis, pneumonia, meningitis. They may develop vaccine reactions and be very ill after routine vaccination. · San Ren Tang (Three Seeds Decoction)is especially helpful for itchy cats. San Ren Tang is for pets with itchy skin that is usually oily. They may have a streak of slightly oily hair right down the center of the back, often with dander. Itchy cats that benefit from San Ren Tang may also have feline hyperesthesia syndrome or feline asthma. They may have anal sac inflammation, constipation and malodorous flatulence. Some have chronic vomiting. The ears are often greasy and there may be eye discharge. They may urinate outside the litter box due to agitation. Tongues are wet, pale or red; pulse, soft. · Si Miao San (Four Marvels) is a marvellous formula for the itchy dog or cat that is also hot. It helps dogs with itchy, infected feet (pododermatitis), itchy bottom (anal sacculitis), itchy ears (otitis externa due to yeast). These dogs may also have immune problems (IMHA), arthritis, back pain or stiffness, degenerative myelopathy, proprioceptive disorder or numbness. Some may have epilepsy or vestibular syndrome, pancreatitis, prostatic hypertrophy or vaginitis, Cushing’s disease, cystitis, bladder cancer (TCC or transitional cell carcinoma), or blood cancer (lymphoma). Tongues are pale or red; pulse, soft. · Si Wu Xiao Feng Yin (Four Materials Eliminate the Wind or Dry Derma Relief) is for itchy dogs with hot skin. They may have mange (Demodex) hot stops (pyodermatitis), rashes, seborrhea or bacteria infection (pyoderma). Some may have ear infections (otitis), dry eye (KCS), and behavorial problems including anxiety, noise sensitivity, timidity, separation anxiety and territoriality. The beauty of using TCM herbal formula for allergic dogs or cats is that we can treat the skin along with other significant problems by choosing the correct formula. More about allergies in the next few days.
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We’re discussing allergies and atopy in dogs & cats. We’ve covered TCM herbal formulas that help allergic pets, and later we’ll cover additional ways to help with Omega 3 fatty acids, shampoos, conventional meds. Now, though, let’s look at how complex this issue is by discussing · allergies that occur as materials travel right through our pet’s skin · allergies that occur because dust or grain mites are ingested along with foods. Abnormal Skin in Dogs & Cats with Allergies Dogs and cats with allergies often have several problems contributing to their symptoms. We used to think the redness and itching, runny eyes, and itchy ears were due to white blood cell (WBC) release of IgE. IgE binds mast cells circulating in the blood and tissues and sensitizes them to foreign antigens. Upon meeting the antigen again, the mast cell releases histamine, leukotriene and this causes inflammation, itching and redness. Well, it’s not that simple. There are allergic humans (and we think pets are similar) with T-helper cells that cause skin barrier malfunction. This allows antigens to penetrate right through the skin (percutaneous absorption). With this potential for exposure, pets can be allergic instantly to antigens in the environment. The following are suspected of worsening pets’ allergies: · Environmental exposures · Infections (especially Staph) · Vaccinations Well, at least one of these is entirely preventable. Dust Mites, Grain Mites, and Allergies As though it isn’t enough to have antigens able to penetrate through the skin, there is also a problem when pets are exposed to foods and dust mites at the same time. North Carolina College of Vet Medicine has a study that showed dogs may become spontaneously allergic when dust mites are eaten along with foods. Unfortunately dust mites are ubiquitous. They live everywhere and thrive in moist environments such as carpets, pet beds, mattresses, basements. And the food storage mites (Tyrophagus putrescentiae and Lepidoglyphus destructor) found in kibble, dry food, cereal grains and cheese affect pets allergic to the dust mite. The house dust mite is Dermatophagoides farina and D pteronyssinus. To protect your pet from grain mites, don’t feed kibble. This may be why so many allergic pets thrive on raw diets. Avoid any packaged foods or cereal grains and cheese. To protect your pet from house dust mites, avoid carpets, fabrics and upholstery. Use microporous mattress covers. Air fabrics outside for 12 hours in either hot sun or cold, dry air. Wash bedding in hot soapy water or cold water with tea tree oil. Vacuum like it’s your new religion. Don’t rely on air ionizers or chemical dust miticides as they’re ineffective. Use Benzyl benzoate (Acarosan spray), but use it at 4 x the manufacturer’s amount and leave it on the carpet for 12 hours to help decrease the number of dust mites.
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Pets that have allergies to food and to antigens that are inhaled and touched are said to have a summation effect or cross reactivity between inhalants and foods. For example, ragweed allergic dogs may experience heightened allergy symptoms when they eat cucumbers, zucchini or strawberries. One dog that was allergic to cedar had increased symptoms after eating tomatoes. Take care, tomatoes are now in almost every commercial kibble available (tomato pumice).
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Researchers at Texas Tech University have discovered that dog toys, including plastic fetching batons called bumpers, contain harmful bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, & estrogens. The U.S. government banned the use of BPA in baby bottles in 2012, but it is not just babies that are affected. These chemicals are in many containers, including water bottles. Humans exposed to BPA, phthalates & estrogens are affected for life, even when exposed in utero as a fetus. It is not healthy for pregnant dogs or moms to ingest these chemicals because they are passed onto the fetus. With dog toys, the older they are, the more chemicals they leach. What is a good gift for your dog if plastic toys and bumpers are unhealthy? You tell me.
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Yes, Poinsettia is toxic when chewed, swallowed, or rubbed onto skin. Poinsettia is Euphorbia pulcherrima, a seasonal plant with green and red, pink or yellow leaves. Dogs or cats eating the leaves may have gastrointestinal (GI) signs, including vomiting and diarrhea. Dogs or cats that rub the sap from the stem or leaves onto their skin may develop dermatitis. So, enjoy the poinsettia, but put your plant where your pet can’t enjoy it. Other Toxic Plants There are several other plants even more toxic to pets than are Poinsettias: - Angel’s Trumpet
- Azalea
- Christmas Tree (Melia azendarach)
- Daffodil
- Daphne
- English Holly
- English Ivy
- Lily
- Mistletoe
- Narcissus
- Oleander
- Philodendron (Monstera and Philodendron species)
- Rhododendron
- Yellow Jessamine (Gelsemium)
- Yew
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Wow, holidays are to celebrate and you’d never guess it looking at how many ways our dogs, cats, & birds can get into trouble over the next few weeks. Here’s a list of dangerous plants, foods, and other hazards you’ll want to protect your pets from: - Angel hair
- Antifreeze with ethylene glycol
- Chocolate, especially dark chocolate
- Christmas tree water with preservatives
- Grapes
- Hiding under a car’s hood and being torn by the fan belt when the car is turned on
- Holly bushes & berries,
- Leavening agents and bread dough
- Lights & extension cords
- Lillies
- Macadamia nuts
- Onions
- Poinsettias
- Raisins
- Road salt and ice-melt products
- String that secured the turkey’s legs
- Sugar-free candy & gum that contains xylitol
- Sugar-free drinks with xylitol (Propel water)
- Tinsel
- Turkey carcass in the garbage can
- Windshield de-icer with isopropanol
- Windshield wiper fluid with methanol
ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435)ASPCA Web site http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-controlfor information.
