A global infection of both humans and animals, leptospirosis is on the tip of most owners and dog professional’s tongue. Caused by the pathogen icleptospira spp. it is a major zoonosis, with infection acquired from wild and domestic animals. Canine leptospirosis presents very similarly to the syndromes presented in other species with hepatic, renal and pulmonary ramifications. In short, it’s pretty rough, but vaccine induced immunity is restricted to serologically related serovars and is generally very short-lived; therefore, needing annual revaccination. If there are more than 230 serovars belonging to at least ten pathogenic species, does the vaccine even pose benefits? Or do the risks outweigh them? We are going to look at the science and explore both sides to this story. Fancy coming along for the journey? Leptospirosis is characterised by fever, jaundice, vomiting, diarrhoea, renal failure, haemorrhages and ultimately death. However, for those who recover, they may become asymptomatic renal carriers for extended periods and shed infectious leptospires into the environment. This is a large source of infection, as rats can be carriers but do not show signs of infection. Whilst treated dogs can shed leptospires, so can vaccinated dogs. This raises the first red flag; is this potentially increasing exposure? Most signs of leptospirosis become apparent in the first week after infection; younger dogs, less than 1 year of age tend to get the most severe forms of leptospirosis and 87-100% of infected dogs will have some degree of renal implication. There do appear to be different clinical parameters of the infection: Peracute Disease: super-sudden onset which usually affects younger dogs with an overwhelming exposure. The large amount of toxin causes rapid death before the kidney or liver disease even occurs. Acute Disease and Subacute Disease: this is the classic form which manifests as fever with bruising and bleeding, general muscle pain and painful abdomen from kidney and/or liver disease. There may be jaundice and inflammation in the eyes. Chronic Disease: recurring fevers, chronic hepatitis, chronic kidney disease, uveitis, poor appetite and weight loss. However, leptospira interrogans sensu lato is sensitive to doxycycline which is a readily available antibiotic. Leptospires are cleared from the blood within 24 hours of starting antibiotics. But it does take around 7 days to clear from the urine. Prognosis, depending on organ damage is 80-90% with appropriate treatment. There are, however, other serovars, like the pomona which is associated with more severe disease and in severe kidney cases, dialysis can be required which is often limited. So, whilst treatment is largely effective, if started soon enough, there was clearly enough concern to develop a vaccine. Vaccination against leptospira interrogans sensu lato is available for the seravars canicola, grippotyphosa, pomona and icterohaemorragiae. Some vaccines coverall four serovars, whereas some cover two of the four. This is where you will recognise the common lepto two or four vaccine. Vaccination against canicola and icterohaemorragiae has been traditional for dogs and vaccination overall, has been seen to reduce the severity of the disease, but will not prevent infected dogs from being carriers. Note, it supposedly reduces severity, it doesn’t necessarily prevent occurrence. The leptospirosis vaccine was soon associated with a higher chance of vaccine reactions. This is a result of human research into leptospirosis. In the U.K. in 2014 , over 2000 reports of Novibac L4 adverse reactions have been reported to the VMD (Veterinary Medicine Directive) and around 120 suspected deaths related to vaccinosis. In addition to this, data suggested that the severity of the disease was associated with the intensity of the immune response. In short, the more intense and early the response, the more severe the disease. Findings here If our immune system, and our dog’s, is primed to take out antigens and protect, why does a more intense response seem to make things worse? An intense immune response induces a high level of inflammatory cytokines which can result in severe tissue lesions. Immunity is like the porridge in Goldilocks. It can sometimes be too cold (lacking) and sometimes too hot (overzealous). Ideally, we want it, just right. There are many things that affect immune responses, in the case of lepto, a more intense response was associated with previous infection. Fever was induced by virulent injection in previously immunised rabbits whereas non-immunised rabbits exhibited no fever after injection. So, in this case, the immunised rabbits fared poorer than non-immunised rabbits. See where we might be going with this? So we are vaccinating to potentially reduce, not prevent the severity of infection but here it appears those rabbits immunised, had a more severe reaction to exposure. But, stress, nutrition and the environment can all affect immune responses too. So too, can genes. This can help explain why some animals are more, or less susceptible to pathogens (or vaccines) than others. And explain the age-old statement, but my dog was fine! It therefore raises no eyebrows when reports appear of clinical leptospirosis in numerous dogs when they had previously been vaccinated. You’ll remember this from earlier, when it was deemed to reduce severity, not necessary prevent occurrence. This was however, associated with vaccine type. In short, the dogs were vaccinated against only two of the many pathogenic serovars. So, in walked Lepto 4. But these new vaccines were associated with further increases in vaccine reactions, not limited to local swelling or hypersensitivity, but including cardiac abnormalities. Specifically, heart murmurs appearing between first and second vaccination. Findings here What is particularly interesting in studies exploring the use of lepto 4 vaccines, is that dogs demonstrated antibodies to serovars not vaccinated against. Researchers have therefore concluded that natural exposure (not vaccine exposure) to serovars provide positive titre results. Not only that, but in cases of vaccinations up to 1745 days previously, some dogs still demonstrated antibodies. This raises a question around the need for such frequent booster vaccinations. The take home from this particular study was “seroconversion following vaccination differed considerably among individual dogs.” Yet they still concluded that, “in the light of the high incidence and
Cats are obligate carnivores. What this essentially means is that cats rely on nutrients in animal tissues to meet their specific requirements. Not plants…. but animal tissues. So, let’s explore the world of the cat in a little more detail and see how we can support their nutritional needs to not only survive, but thrive. Evolutionary events have led to a unique digestive and metabolic peculiarity. Whilst in many other species, we have the three macronutrients, fat, protein and carbohydrates, cats seem to have no physiological requirements for carbohydrates. Now where this becomes interesting is that the brain and red blood cells have an absolute need for glucose, and we know that carbs equal glucose, so where do cats get glucose from? Surely without carbohydrates they would be forever hypoglycaemic? Well, through a process of gluconeogenesis, they produce glucose. Us humans, and dogs too can perform this process, but cats have it down to a fine art. Gluconeogenesis is the metabolic process by which glucose is produced from non-carbohydrate precursors, like lactate and amino acids (and we know that amino acids are the building blocks of protein). All amino acids, except leucine and lysine are gluconeogenic and alanine is the major gluconeogenic amino acid. The process mainly occurs in the liver, but some processes are carried out in the kidneys and a small portion is carried out in the intestines. It is thought that cats evolved with the process because of their proportionally large brain. As we have mentioned, the brain has an absolute need for glucose, and it is thought that the brain demand for glucose in cats is around 30% whereas for us humans who have a much larger brain is 44%. Cats wouldn’t have been able to consume high enough levels of carbohydrates from their natural prey diet, so their body had to adapt to survive. This evolution has resulted in a small capacity for starch digestion, having limited salivary amylase which is similar to dogs. Amylase is found in the feline pancreas and chyme, but the activity is incredibly low compared to other animals. Their pancreatic maltase activity is also extremely low. Cats seem to know this and when given the opportunity will choose low carbohydrate but high protein diets in order to balance their own macronutrients. They also don’t appear to have developed a sweet tooth. In evolutionary terms, us humans would have stocked up on sweet-tasting foods, but cats didn’t need to. To that end, they don’t show any preference for natural sugars or artificial sweeteners. In the absence of protein, cats will opt for fat. When fat and protein is limited, but carbohydrate is unlimited, cats appear to experience nutritional deficits. This is largely due to their requirement for taurine. Taurine is present in a range of meats and seafoods but is essentially absent from plant material. This is another reason why cats are deemed obligate carnivores. Dietary deficiency of taurine is linked with a range of important conditions. Retinal Degeneration More commonly known as retinal atrophy, it is the complete or partial wasting of the retina. The cells degenerate over time, eventually leading to blindness in the cat. First signs include the eye being more reflective and the pupils are more dilated than normal. Lesions are usually bilaterally symmetrical. A dietary deficiency must be present for several months before changes appear but lesions are progressive whilst the cat is on a deficient diet, although visual defects don’t tend to appear until the late stages of degeneration. Reproduction Taurine deficiency is well known for having marked effects on reproductive performance and on the growth and survival of the young. Cerebellar dysfunction often occurs in kittens of taurine deficient mothers. Dilated Cardiomyopathy Taurine deficiency can lead to weakening of the muscle cells in the heart, causing a condition called dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Taurine is essential in membrane stabilisation. Many cases of feline dilated cardiomyopathy are associated with low plasma taurine levels and when administered with taurine, they show an improvement. Sadly, when left untreated for too long, dilated cardiomyopathy will progress to heart failure and death. The importance of taurine in commercial cat food was noted in the late 1980’s; following reformulation of cat foods, cases of taurine related dilated cardiomyopathy decreased from 28% to just 6%. Findings here Including taurine, eleven amino acids are recognised as essential for the cat, but some have a higher utilisation than others. Taurine is necessary for vision and the function of the cardiac muscle, nervous system, immune system, and reproductive systems. Arginine is used in the urea cycle and methionine and cysteine are incorporated into antioxidants, hair and urinary outputs but are primarily gluconeogenic amino acids, catabolised to provide energy. With their incredible utilisation of amino acids, cats present what is known as a carnivore connection. This is a bundle of carbohydrate-sensitive conditions, first noted in humans who were late to join the carbohydrate-eating party (Paleo-Indians, Australian Aborigines for example). In short, there is a higher incidence of conditions like glucose intolerance, insulin resistance and diabetes. However, other data has suggested that carbohydrate content is of little effect, and these conditions are instead associated with overweight or obese cats. 44% of cats in the UK are deemed as overweight or obese by veterinary professionals. Whereas when surveyed, only 8% of owners think their cat needs to lose any weight. Obesity is defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health. This is a result of excess calories that the body cannot use; these calories can be from any of the macronutrients. It is often considered that a major factor driving obesity is the practice of free-feeding, in which a bowl of dry food is available for consumption by a cat throughout the day, and simply topped up as it runs out. There is also recent research that suggests feeding cats just once a day may control hunger better than several feeds a day. Findings here This study demonstrated that the cats showed a faster
Anxiety…the word that gets 337,000,000 hits on google. Many of us and our dogs would say, around that many things make us anxious in any one day, but anxiety for the dog can sadly be very life-limiting. Common signs include panting in the absence of exercise, pacing, salivating in the absence of food, inappropriate vocalisation, hyper-arousal, or lethargy and repetitive or compulsive behaviour. Not only that, but there are recognised cases of separation anxiety in the dog where they will dig at exit points, toilet inappropriately and the above behaviours become worse when separated from their guardian. Causes of anxiety are vast, what some dogs will find exciting, others will find stressful. This is where a better understanding of anxiety lies. In humans, anxiety is defined as a fear or worry, whereas stress is a response to a threat or situation. In the dog, if we consider separation anxiety, whilst dogs may respond to the trigger of you picking your keys up, or getting your coat, they exhibit a stress-response. Seeing as bonfire night is upon us, we thought we would talk about how to support and modulate this stress response. Stress is a response in the autonomic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system primes for flight or flight. The parasympathetic nervous system then comes along to balance it all out, and primes to rest and digest. Whilst this is a very generic overview of the stress-response, there are many processes that are going on, on the inside. To this end, certain nutrients can support and modulate stress responses and help to maintain a balanced system. Magnesium Often noted as the ultimate chill pill, magnesium is an essential nutrient that many are deficient in. Its low levels are regularly established incases of depression in humans, so it is clear it plays a role in mood modulation and the stress response. Findings here Magnesium affects a number of neurotransmitter systems. Firstly, it inhibits excitatory neurotransmitters. Excessive excitation can lead to the death of brain cells, which affects the overall structure and functioning of the brain. Magnesium also acts as a cofactor in the serotoninergic system. As we know serotonin is the happy chemical, and low levels of magnesium are regularly linked to low serotonin levels. Not only that, but magnesium excretion is increased during times of stress. Catecholamines and corticosteroids enhance the shift of magnesium from inside the cell to outside of the cell leading to increased urinary excretion. In turn, low magnesium levels increase the release of stress-associated hormones. This unfortunately creates a cycle of a reduced resistance to stress. Magnesium is found in leafy greens, nuts and seeds. The ones packing the highest punch are spinach and pumpkin seeds. Magnesium is also necessary for calcium absorption, so balancing these levels is key. High levels of calcium increase the need for magnesium. High dosages of vitamin D can also induce magnesium depletion. As an aside, magnesium competes with fluoride in the body and will decrease absorption, minimising the impact of fluoride in the body. Knowing that magnesium is a key player in many of the systems necessary for balanced mood and can be depleted further in times of stress, it pays to add magnesium rich foods to your dog’s diet. L-Theanine An amino acid found in tea leaves; its relaxing effects have been noted in humans for a while now. This is appearing to be true for our canine companions too. In mammals, L-Theanine can cross the blood-brain barrier within an hour after administration. It appears to remain in the plasma and brain for several hours after. L-Theanine isseen to facilitate the generation of alpha waves which are indicative of a relaxed but awake and alert state. L-Theanine helps regulate the usual stress responses like increased blood pressure, heart rate and cortisol secretion. In dogs, L-Theanine treatment has been seen to reduce anxiety scores during storms in fear of humans. Findings here There is also evidence for L-Theanine improving cognitive function and performance in test situations. Findings here It is thought that because of its similarity to glutamate, it can interact with the same receptors, therefore playing a role in neuroprotection against glutamate toxicity. There are also reports of increased GABA activity in the brain following L-theanine administration and we know that GABA is the brakes of the brain. Findings here Green tea contains the highest L-theanine content, and in moderation is perfectly safe to offer to your dog. Alternatively, there are a number of L-theanine supplements available. Findings here Vitamin D Every tissue in the body has vitamin D receptors, but it is the ones in the brain we are most interested in. Vitamin D activates genes that regulate the immune system and release neurotransmitters. In humans, vitamin D receptors are found in the same brain regions that are linked with depression, so we know it has an impact on mood; seasonal affective disorder ties in with this. It is thought that vitamin D plays a role in calcium balance in neurons, which helps to balance excitatory and inhibitory pathways in the brain. Not only that but vitamin D is linked to the regulation of nerve growth factor which is essential in neuronal survival. Offspring of vitamin D deficient mothers often experience learning and memory problems with altered grooming behaviours, and we know that grooming in most mammals is calming and comforting. Findings here The long and the short of it, vitamin D deficiency is regularly noted in cases of anxiety. Findings here Dog’s don’t have the same ability to synthesis vitamin D from the sun as we do, so they rely solely on dietary sources. Sources of vitamin D include oily fish, red meat, liver, and eggs. There are several health issues that affect absorption of vitamin D, like IBD and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency along with having a low-fat diet. Supplementation is an option but being fat soluble be mindful of levels. Magnesium assists in the activation of Vitamin D, so ensure adequate levels of Mg before you
Whilst carbs are generally demonised in human and pet health, if you want to reap the rewards of fibre, you’ll have to play fair with carbohydrates. So, let’s look at carbs for what they really are. A carbohydrate is a molecule made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, which is why you may often see them noted CHO. Their primary function is to provide energy. Carbohydrates are made up of three components, fibre, starch, and sugar. Sugar is a simple carb. Having fewer molecules to digest and breakdown, it sends an immediate burst of glucose into the blood stream. This is the one that tends to cause a ruckus. Fibre and starch, however, are complex carbs, having longer chains of molecules. Starch takes longer to digest, having a more gradual effect on the body and fibre is a non-digestible complex carbohydrate. So, whilst fibre possibly doesn’t get the attention it deserves, and carbohydrates are routinely demonised, the heath benefits are often overlooked. Fibre, you may be surprised to learn, can be a key player in maintaining absolute gut health and supporting anxious behaviours. 1) Fibre to support your dog’s gut barrier If fibre and resistant starch can’t be digested, what happens to it? It gets fermented by the bacteria living in the gut. This produces short-chain-fatty acids, also known as SCFAs. The most common SCFAs produced are acetate, butyrate and propionate and they all have unique roles. They provide fuel for intestinal epithelial cells, which strengthen the gut barrier and butyrate is known for its role keeping the junctions of the barrier nice and tight. Not only that but SCFAs are able to stimulate mucus production, which is vital for creating a barrier between the external environment and the underlying gut epithelial layer. Mucin production plays an important role in protection from harmful pathogens and immunity. Findings here 2) Fibre to support your dog’s well-bein As you have seen, non-digestible fibre gets fermented into SCFAs in the gut. SCFAs also exert effects on the brain. Not only have all examples of SCFAs been found in the brain, suggesting they can cross the blood-brain-barrier, they appear to modulate neurotransmitters and neurotrophic factors. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers used by the body’s nervous system. Acetate has been shown to affect levels of glutamate and GABA. Glutamate is an excitatory neurotransmitter and is involved in virtually every major excitatory brain function. GABA is the brakes; it is an inhibitory neurotransmitter. GABA facilitates sleep and reduces both mental and physical stress, creating a calm mood for your dog. In the same strand, it seems all SCFAs can affect levels of tryptophan which is the enzyme involved in the synthesis of serotonin and we all know that serotonin is the happy chemical! Generally, the inclusion of dietary fibre has been deemed a highly appealing approach, which is simple and relatively low risk if you are looking to help support your dog’s mental well-being. Findings here 3) Fibre as a prebiotic for your dog Here is another word you may have come across, but along with probiotics and synbiotics, not really understood which one is which, or whether either even does anything! Well, prebiotics were first defined as “non digestible food ingredients that beneficially affect the host by selectively stimulating the growth and/or activity of one or limited number of bacteria in the colon, thus improving host health.” So, possibly without even knowing, if you included non-digestible fibre in your dog’s diet, you were likely including prebiotics already. All prebiotics are fibre. But not all fibre is prebiotic. Prebiotic substances have demonstrated the ability to manipulate the gastrointestinal ecosystem of the dog, improving the composition of their microbiota and overall improving immune system function in dogs. Short-chain-fructooligosaccharides and oligofructose seem to modulate the intestinal microbiota and aid absorption of certain minerals, whereas mannooligosaccharide exhibits a positive effect on immune system function. Yet is it noted that supplement studies are carried out on healthy dogs; little evidence exists considering the role in canine disease. That said, there are a range of foods that contain naturally occurring prebiotics including dandelion greens, berries, bananas, flaxseed, apples, carrots, asparagus and of course mushrooms! 4) Fibre for your dog’s heart Cardiovascular disease is an inflammatory disease and diet is often considered the cornerstone for CVD treatment. Many studies have demonstrated that high amounts of dietary fibre can significantly reduce the risk of CVD. It is thought that fibre reduces cholesterol and fatty acid absorption and reduces glucose absorption along with decreasing insulin secretion. SCFAs, which are fermented from dietary fibre, also have anti-inflammatory properties and inflammation is central to complications associated with CVD. Findings here 5) Fibre for your dog’s overall health Dietary fibre adds bulk to the stool, which can alleviate cases of constipation. Not only that, but healthy bowel movements are essential to anal gland health in the dog. On its journey, dietary fibre attracts water and turns it to gel during digestion, this not only slows the absorption of glucose but can trap potentially harmful substances. In the same strand, it can speed the transit of food through the digestive system which facilitates regular bowel movements. Findings here Commonly Used Fibre Although fibre is generally an umbrella term, there are fibres within fibres. Cellulose consists of glucose units bound by linkages that can only be broken down by microbial enzymes, those found in the colon. Cellulose is an effective stool bulking agent. Pectins are found in the skins of fruits, being water soluble and rapidly fermentable. Gums are viscous and sticky polysaccharides found in the seeds of plants; they tend to have a variable fermentation rate. Psyllium husk is a form of soluble fibre, it contains mucilage which swells when in contact with fluid, forming a gel. Psyllium can help to improve faecal consistency. Fructo-oligosaccharides are polymers than contain up to nine sugars. FOS enters the colon intact and then is fermented by bifidobacterial and lactobacillus. FOS is fermented into SCFAs. This fermentation also reduces intestinal pH which can inhibit the growth
Whilst dogs do demonstrate emotions, and you’ve probably seen images doing the rounds on the internet, dogs don’t cry. They have tear ducts like us humans, but when we are balling at the dog dying in, I am Legend, our dog is probably still dreaming of squirrels, KO’d in front of the fire. Not only do our tear ducts allow us to cry, but they form part of a larger system which has a nifty function. This function applies to our dogs too. The Tear System The tear system in the eye keeps it wet enough to be comfortable; you may have come across certain breeds of dog with a condition known as dry eye. This is exactly what it says on the tin, the eye is simply too dry. Tears contribute to eye defences as they contain antimicrobial factors and wash away foreign bodies and dirt. Not only that, but because the cornea has no blood vessels, tears also provide a way of brining nutrients to its cells. The tear system has glands that make the tear fluid, openings that let the tears out and ducts inside of the nose that lets the tears drain through. After washing over the corneal surface, tears flow into the nasolacrimal system, draining into the nasal or oral cavity. The nasolacrimal duct begins with two small openings in the eyelids near the nose, one on the upper eyelid and one on the lower eyelid. Tears are composed of water, electrolytes,proteins, lipids, and mucins; between 60 and 500 different proteins have been identified in tear film. They are seen to have three layers. The mucous layer contains mucins, immunoglobulins, salts, urea, enzymes, glucose, and leukocytes. Mucins form a barrier which protect against pathogens and debris. The gel-like barrier also facilitates the movement of particles, preventing shearing damage. The aqueous layer consists of water, electrolytes, proteins, anti-microbial agents, cytokines, vitamins, immunoglobins, peptide growth factors and hormones. It lubricates, washes away foreign bodies, and nourishes the cornea with oxygen and proteins. Growth factors, vitamins and electrolytes are key to epithelial (cells that line the surface) integrity. The lipid layer, the outermost layer, contains a range of lipids. It reduces evaporation from the underlying aqueous layer and limits contamination from dust and bacteria. Tears are crucial to eye health. Tear secretion is complex. It responds to the conditions faced by the eye, but also influenced by a range of hormones and cytokine balance. Cytokine is derived from two Greek words, cyto meaning cell and kinos meaning movement. Cytokines are cell signalling molecules that aid communication in immune responses. They stimulate the movement of cells towards sites of inflammation, infection, and trauma. Cytokines are agents that modulate or alter the immune system response. Cytokines are classified into: – Lymphokines which are cytokines secreted by T cells and regulate the immune response – Pro-inflammatory cytokines which amplify and perpetuate the inflammatory process – Growth factors which promote cell survival and result in structural changes – Chemokines which stimulate migration of cells – And anti-inflammatory cytokines which negatively modulate the inflammatory response It makes absolute sense that when faced with an ocular threat, cytokine levels increase, presenting as the usual immune response, water and itchiness which is common with seasonal allergies or intolerances. But what is also interesting is that that the rest of the body can also influence tear production. Inflammation is an immunological defence against injury, infection, and allergy. Acute inflammatory response is short lived, levels are altered, the body is primed, the body fights, wins and returns to homeostasis. When there is a prolonged persistence of an antigen, chronic inflammation occurs and can have body wide ramifications. The most considered is how chronic inflammatory diseases of the gut can cause various health issues; inflammatory bowel disease for example is caused by cytokine-driven inflammation of the gut. This leads us to why, no matter what you apply to your white dog’s face, you can’t get rid of those stains. Tear Staining Epiphora as it is technically known is a condition which causes the abnormal overflow of tears. It results in reddish staining around the eyes. The physical shape of your dog can contribute to the development of it; their head shape and where their eyes sit. Some breeds of dogs can over-produce tears due to a turning in of the eyelashes or eyelid. Turning out of the eyelid is also known in Great Danes, Bloodhounds and Spaniels. There may also be congenital abnormalities resulting in too large an opening of the eyelids, common in brachycephalic breeds. Blockage of the nasolacrimal system can also result in the overflow of tears. This can be hereditary but can also be caused by inflammation of infection and in some cases tumour. There is also the risk of a foreign body lodged within the duct. However, inflammation, resulting in the overflow of tears can be infectious or immune-mediated. Supporting your dog’s immune system could be the missing piece of the puzzle when tackling tear staining. Immune Response and Inflammation There are many things that can kick start an inflammatory response in your dog: Untreated acute inflammation such as infection or injury Long term exposure to irritants (chemicals, polluted air etc) Chronic stress Over-nutrition and obesity (increased metabolic processes) Malnutrition But there are changes that can be made. Nutrition and Inflammation Dietary patterns high in refined starches, sugar and saturated and trans fatty acids have been linked to the activation of the innate immune system, resulting in an excessive production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The consensus is that a less processed diet is associated with reduced markers of inflammation. However, calcium, magnesium, Vitamin D and Omega-3 Fatty Acids are thought to protect against inflammation. Findings here Add foods like green leafy vegetables and fatty fish like salmon, sardines, and mackerel to your dog’s diet. Beef liver is a great source of Vitamin D too! Antioxidants too help counter oxidative stress which is a key player in inflammation. Astaxanthin is a powerful antioxidant found in microalgae. It
Traditional Chinese medicine focuses on healing the root cause of disease; encompassing a range of modalities from herbal medicine, mind-body exercise, acupuncture and of course nutrition. Nutrition encompasses food energetics which are based on the idea that certain foods have certain profiles and can subsequently be used to change the profile of the body. Yin energy is cold or cool, and there are certain foods which have cooling properties. Yang energy is warm or hot, and there are certain foods which are warming. There are also neutral foods,which are thought to have little impact on body profile. It is also thought that flavours can act upon certain organ systems and therefore create a desired health benefit. Not only that, but TCM also advocates a seasonal approach to good health. Creating a holistic view of health, it is easy to nod in agreement with many of the TCM ideas, so let’s explore them in a little more detail. Yin and Yang Yin Yang theory forms the basis of TCM; the idea that balance is key. When a deficiency exists, it should be toned up. When an excess exists, it should be reduced. If there is too much heat, it should be cooled. When there is too much cold, it should be warmed. If dampness is present, it should be dried and so on. Yin and Yang is also assigned based on heat signs. Heat and cold can be both deficient and excess; the goal is to be in harmony. Generally speaking, active, young, and outgoing pets are described as yang. Whereas older, quiet, and shy pets are described as yin. Some animals will self-regulate, the older quiet yin cat may choose to sleep in a warm window, whereas the young yang,excited puppy might jump in the water to cool off. However, we can help yang animals remained balanced by adjusting the environment. For the yang pet, provide cooling environments and foods. Include plenty of shade, air conditioning,fans, and misting. Offer fish, turkey,banana, duck, celery, kelp, spinach and broccoli. For the yin pet, provide warming environments and foods; space to sunbathe, heaters and blankets. Offer mutton, deer, chicken, ginger, chicken liver, squash, and pumpkin. Maintaining the yin-yang balance is key to ultimate health and TCM dictates that its disharmony is the basis of all disease. Yang Excess Yang excess is produced by the invasion of excessive heat, yin us unable to counteract the warming properties so an excess heat condition appears. Treatment requires the heat to be dispelled. Clinical signs: Acute onset Short course Younger age No general weakness Hyperactive High fever Red or purple tongue Strong and fast pulse Yin Excess Yin excess occurs when there is an invasion of excessive coldness. Clinical signs: Acute onset Short course Younger age No general weakness Pain Swelling or oedema Loose stool Pale or purple tongue Strong and slow pulse Yang Deficiency Yang deficiency occurs when yang is lower than normal, but yin is at its normal level. The warming properties of yang are insufficient to equalise the cooling properties, resulting in a cold condition. Clinical signs: Chronic onset Long course Older age Coldness at extremities Edema Loose stool Urinary incontinence Chronic pain/weakness Weakness in rear limbs Infertility Pale tongue Weak and deep pulse Yin Deficiency Yin deficiency is when yin is lower than normal, but yang remains stable. This heat condition is named a false heat. Clinical signs: Chronic onset Long course Older age General weakness Thirsty Lower degree of fever Restless or anxious Prefers cool Red and dry tongue Thready and fast pulse These patterns are then used, by a qualified practitioner, to classify clinical conditions and develop a treatment plan. TCM for Itchy Dogs Whilst the clinical manifestation of skin issues overall becomes quite complex in TCM, the general thought is that most conditions are heat invasions, with damp elements and yin deficiencies. When presented with seasonal allergies, eczema, itching, erosions with pus, alopecia, hot spots and dermatitis, a cooling diet is recommended. In cases of geriatric dryness or dandruff and chronic skin conditions a neutral or cooling diet is recommended. Cooling meats include turkey, ocean fish, rabbit, and white fish. Cooling vegetables include spinach, broccoli, celery, kelp, cabbage, cucumber, and melon. Sesame and flaxseed oil are also cooling. Low Fat Fish Neutral meats include pork, bison, duck, beef liver, pork liver, goose, mackerel, sardines, herring, salmon, and tuna. Neutral vegetables include carrots, green beans, peas, and shiitake mushrooms. Olive oil is also classed as neutral. If we are to consider foods to drain damp, they include beef, beef kidney, lamb kidney, mackerel, and sardines. Along with parsley, lettuce, parsnip, pumpkin,and seaweed. TCM for Skeletal Health With many skeletal issues facing dogs, it is no surprise we want to know if we can use food energetics to our advantage. What is particularly interesting, is that cases of rheumatoid arthritis can present as either hot or cold. The cold pattern is described in humans (dogs have yet to learn how to speak) as cold feelings in the limbs and joints, stiffness, or pain in a joint or muscle which is relieved by applying warmth. Symptoms increase with exposure to cold. The heat pattern is associated with hot, red, and swollen joints with severe pain generally relieved by applying cold. Although diagnosed across the board as rheumatoid arthritis, both hot and cold patterns exhibit different biological markers. Both patterns share the same expressed genes, but they appear to have different signalling pathways. T cell proliferation and the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines appear to be increased in hot pattern RA patients. There also appears to be more severe collagen destruction in hot pattern RA too. Cold pattern RA appears to have a higher rate of protein and fat mobilisation demonstrating a more obvious muscle breakdown. Cold pattern patients also demonstrate a reduced hypothalamic-pituitary-axis function which is associated with a decreased stress response which goes someway to explain the higher fatigue level reported in cold pattern RA. Findings here RA, to most is considered
Trillions of bacteria, viruses and fungi live on or inside of us. Maintaining a balanced relationship with them is to ours, and our pet’s advantage. Together they form the gut microbiome; a rich ecosystem that performs a variety of functions in the body. These bacteria can digest food, produce important nutrients, regulate the immune system and protect against harmful pathogens. A range of bacterial species is necessary for a healthy microbiome, but there are many things that affect our microbiome, including the environment, medications like antibiotics, and even the method of delivery when our pets were born. Diet is emerging as one of the biggest influences on the health of our gut, and subsequently our overall health. Whilst we can’t control everything that influences the composition of our gut, we can pay attention to what we eat. And probiotics are one of those things. Probiotics are live microorganisms that provide health benefits to the host when ingested in adequate amounts. They are not to be confused with prebiotics which are selectively fermented ingredients that result in specific changes in the composition and/or activity of the gut microbiota. Synbiotics are products that contain both. The term probiotics was first introduced in 1965; in contrast to antibiotics, probiotics are deemed to stimulate growth of other organisms (antibiotics are used to kill). Probiotics are live microbes that can be formulated into many different types of products from food to supplements. The most common probiotics you’ve come across will likely be lactobacillus and bifidobacterium. Probiotics are reported to suppress diarrhoea, alleviate lactose intolerance (in humans), exhibit antimicrobial activities, reduce irritable bowel symptoms and prevent inflammatory bowel disease. With a rap sheet like that, we need to explore these functions in a little more detail. Probiotics in Gut Barrier Health The intestine possesses a barrier. It acts as a selectively permeable barrier permitting the absorption of nutrients, electrolytes and water but providing an effective defence against toxins and antigens. This barrier consists of a mucosal layer, antimicrobial peptides, and tight junctions. The mucosal layer has an important role in regulating the severity of infections. An altered mucosal integrity is generally associated with inflammatory bowel disease. There is evidence that certain strains of the commonly deemed bad, Escherichia coli can prevent the disruption of the mucosal layer and can in fact, restore it when damaged. Findings here Mucin glycoproteins are large components of epithelial mucus and several lactobacillus species have been seen to increase mucin production in humans. This mucin is key in preventing the adhesion of potential pathogens in the gut. Probiotic microorganisms expressing antimicrobial peptides could also be efficient in bacterial control. Findings here Tight junctions are key to barrier formation and certain strains of bacteria, lactobacilli for example, modulate the regulation of several genes encoding adherens junction proteins. The gut is maintained by the expression of both adherens junction and tight junction proteins. Findings here There are also links between inflammation and intestinal permeability. Certain probiotics have been seen to prevent cytokine-induced epithelial damage. Findings here Competitive Microorganisms A healthy gut is when the balance is tipped in favour of the good bugs. The issue is that every microorganism’s purpose in life is to survive. To survive in the intestinal tract, species must compete for receptor sites. To do this,they have a few tricks up their sleeve. Species will create a hostile environment for other species, they will eliminate receptor sites, produce, and secrete antimicrobial substances and deplete essential nutrients other species need to survive. Lactobacilli and bifidobacterial have been shown to inhibit a range of pathogens including E. coli, Salmonella, Helicobacter pylori and Listeria. Findings here Gastrointestinal Disorders where probiotics have shown benefit: Antibiotic associated diarrhoea– several randomised controlled trials have demonstrated AAD may be prevented by administration of probiotics. Colitis – Studies are somewhat inconclusive, but it is recommended to follow antibiotic treatment in these cases, with a course of probiotics. Infectious diarrhoea-significantly shortened using probiotics. IBS – Bifidobacterium demonstrates significant effect in reducing IBS symptoms. Findings here Probiotics and the Immune System Probiotics play a role in the delicate balance between necessary and excessive defence mechanisms in the innate and adaptive immune systems. One mechanism in which they do this is through gene expression. Certain strains of bacteria have been seen to regulate genes mediating immune responses. It was clear that the administration of certain strains modulated inflammation (L. acidophilus), wound healing,cellular growth, proliferation, and development (L. Rhamnosus). Other strains of bacteria have been seen to modulate Th1 and Th2 balance. These are cytokines which are hormonal messengers, responsible for most of the biological effects in the immune system. Th1 cytokines tend to produce inflammatory responses, responsible for killing intracellular parasites and for perpetuating autoimmune responses. However, excessive inflammatory responses can lead to tissue damage, so it needs to be balanced. This is where Th2 cytokines come in. Th2 include interleukins which have more anti-inflammatory responses. Th2responses help regulate Th1 responses. Findings here The importance of immune modulation at a gut level can be understood easily when you consider that approximately 70% of the entire immune system is found here and the thin layer of connective tissue known as the lamina propria contains around 80% of all plasma cells responsible for IgA antibody production (IgA is the first line of defence in the resistance against infection). Findings here Not only that but several bacterial strains are known to synthesise vitamins. Bacteroides, Bifidobacterium and Enterococcus are known to synthesise thiamine, folate, biotin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid and vitamin K. Not only that, but bacteria play a role in their absorption! Findings here Probiotics and Obesity Gut microbes play a major role in the energy extraction from food, through a variety of mechanisms. Many plant polysaccharides and complex carbohydrates cannot be digested by the host; however, the gut microbes can metabolise them to short chain fatty acids like acetate, butyrate and propionate. Butyrate provides an energy source for colonic epithelial cells and also plays an important role in modulating immune and inflammatory
If you are interested in your own nutrition, chances are you’ve come across chia seeds in some sort of smoothie. Touted as a super-food, Chia, also known as Salvia Hispanica, packs a whole lot of punch in those small seeds! Not only beneficial to us humans, but chia can be a beneficial supplement for our canine friends. What is Chia? The word Chia is an adaptation of the Spanish word “chian” or “chien.” Originating from Nahuati, it means oily. This gives you a good way of remembering the benefits of the herbaceous plant; the seeds have a particularly high fat content. Grown worldwide, it tends to favour mountainous regions in Argentina, Peru, Paraguay, Ecuador, Mexico and Australia. It is also grown in Europe, but in greenhouses. Nutritional Composition Chia seeds are high in nutritional value, and seemingly across the board! Their high fibre content, gram for gram, exceeds that of nuts, cereals and other seeds. They pack a whopping 35g of fibre per 100g, flaxseed coming in a close second with 27-28g per 100g. Corn and rice come in around 6-8g of fibre per 100g! Findings here High consumption of fibre has been linked with reduced risk of heart disease, diabetes and a range of cancers. Not only that, but dietary fibre contributes to feelings of satiety so it’s helpful in weight management. Findings here Protein content comes in around 24g per 100g, but what is impressive is the range of amino acids contained! Chia seeds contain arginine, leucine, phenylalanine, valine and lysine. They also contain endogenous amino acids, mainly glutamic and aspartic acids, alanine, serine and glycine. Your dog’s body utilises amino acids to make proteins which help him break down food, grow and develop, repair body tissue and perform a range of other body functions. They can also be used as a source of energy. There are 9 amino acids which cannot be made by the body and as such need to come from food. These are: histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine. As you compare, Chia seeds contain many of the essential amino acids needed in the body. You then have non-essential amino acids which the body can produce by itself; these include alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, proline, serine, and tyrosine. There are also certain acids that are deemed conditional, so if you are particularly interested, you can research this further. If we return to the content of chia seeds, arginine is involved in protecting the intestine and in nervous system function. It also has a role in blood pressure regulation. Glycine has a role in most bodily functions. It is a precursor in intestine proliferation, energy generation in skeletal muscle, immune system function, nervous system function and cardiovascular protection. Findings here Chia seeds are also high in a range of minerals. Phosphorus 860-919mg/100g Essential for bone and teeth formation. Findings here Calcium 456-631mg/100 Calcium is essential in bone and teeth health, blood clotting, nerve impulse, regulating heart rate and maintaining general homeostasis in cells. Findings here Potassium 407-726mg/100g Necessary for the normal functioning of cells, nerves and muscles. Findings here Magnesium 335-449mg/100g Essential in bone and teeth formation and for normal nerve and muscle function. Findings here Their vitamin content is as follows: Vitamin B1 0.6mg/100g Vitamin B2 0.2mg/100g Niacin 8.8mg/100g It’s not surprising that with the mineral content of chia seeds, studies have shown that long term dietary intake of chia is associated with increased bone density. Findings here Chia seeds are also particularly high in Omega 3 Fatty Acids. Studies show around 65% of the oil content is Omega 3! No other food to date has even come close to the same content. Omega 3 has a range of benefits in the body. It promotes healthy cells, immune system, eyes, brain, joints, skin and coats. When discussing the nutritional benefits of Chia specifically, studies have shown the following: They are cardio protective They may help to control diabetes Potential to decrease LDL cholesterol and increase HDL cholesterol Control blood pressure Stabilise blood glucose levels Vision support Supports cognitive function and brain development Anti-inflammatory Anti-viral Findings here Their anti-inflammatory properties have been found of benefit in cases of joint pain and rheumatoid arthritis. Findings here Studies have also shown chia seeds have been supportive when used as a complementary treatment for chronic kidney disease. Findings here It’s easy to see why chia are touted as a super-food. They do pack a whole lot of nutritional punch, for both you and your dog. They are easy to store, and they don’t taste of much, which makes them easy to slip in with even the fussiest of eaters. Chia is non-allergenic, so suitable for most dogs. Of course, check with a health care professional before feeding them. Be mindful, chia can absorb multiple time sits own weight in water, so if you aren’t feeding in a gel form (seeds soaked in water before feeding), ensure your dog has access to fresh water. If you want to check out our what we do, check us out. Consultations Thanks for reading. Team MPN x
Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is a water-soluble vitamin which means no matter how much it is absorbed; any excess will be excreted via urine. It is critical for a range of functions in the body and if you have looked in any multivitamin aisles in the supermarket, it is one of the well-known B complex vitamins. A common deficiency in human vegetarians,disorders of cobalamin metabolism are seemingly increasing in small animal medicine. The causes of deficiency range from chronic gastrointestinal disease to hereditary disease, but what is clear is the health impact of low levels. Suboptimal B12 levels result in: Blood cell count abnormalities Disorders of lipid and protein metabolism Failure to thrive Anorexia Lethargy Vomiting Mood disorders/cognitive decline Slow healing Shortness of breath Muscle weakness Unsteady movement Increased homocysteine levels Functional folate deficiency Because the human body’s stores of B12 can seemingly last 3-6 years, low levels may take a while to be noticed. This seems to be true in our four-legged friends too. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at why it’s so important. Vitamin B12 is essential for DNA and RNA synthesis and for cellular energy production. All cells in all bodies need to know what they are doing and they need energy to do them! There are no known naturally occurring bioactive forms of B12 in plant sources. This is because B12 is synthesised by the bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract of animals, and then absorbed by the host animals. B12 is concentrated in their tissues, which is then eaten by other animals. Sources of B12 include red meat, fish, dairy and eggs. This is why human vegetarians and vegans are often low in it. Once ingested, dietary protein is partially digested by pepsin (digestive enzyme) and hydrochloric acid (HCI). Here Cbl (cobalamin) is released and binds to another protein called haptocorrin. Haptocorrin is then digested by pancreatic proteases (things that breakdown protein); freeing Cbl which can then bind to intrinsic factor. This then forms the B12 complex which travels through the small intestine. Here, there are receptors for intrinsic factor. The complex is internalised into the ileal enterocyte, and then released into the plasma, binding to a plasma protein. B12 is then delivered to those body parts that use and need it. And, there are certain many parts of the body that need and use it. Methionine Cycle B12 plays a vital role in the methionine cycle, which is involved in a range of cellular functions, particularly converting homocysteine to methionine. Methionine can be converted into sulphur-containing molecules which protect tissues,modify DNA, and ensure correct functioning of cells. Methionine also plays a role in creating new proteins in the body, which is essential when older proteins degrade. Whilst it has a role in a range of functions, there have been suggestions that cancer cells too are methionine dependent. Yet, when methionine is replaced with its precursor homocysteine, cancer cell growth is inhibited. Findings here That said, methionine is a key player in producing glutathione. Glutathione is often referred to as the body’s master antioxidant. It is composed of the three amino acids cysteine, glycine and glutamate. Glutathione is an important part of the body’s defence systems. Free radicals are like the exhaust fumes of work, work that the body carries out on a day to day basis. An imbalance in free radicals can result in oxidative stress, something which glutathione can alleviate. Glutathione depletion is often linked with low immune function and increased infection. It has also been found to be protective of skin, lens, cornea and retina damage. Findings here The balance of homocysteine is important,and B12 (along with B6) has the greatest effect on those levels. High levels of homocysteine are often linked to the early development of heart disease, along with Alzheimer’s (in humans), birth defects, blood clots, endothelial damage, and stroke. Resistance to Insulin Mouse studies have suggested that restricted B12 and methionine resulted in an increased resistance to insulin. Insulin is the gatekeeper for glucose getting into cells. Without insulin, glucose remains in the blood without a party to go to. It is argued that the restriction resulted in the lower availability of molecules that are vital to the process of DNA methylation (regulator of gene expression). These gene expressions were modulators underlying the development of resistance to insulin. Findings here Lipid (Fat) Metabolis Low levels of B12 have been noted to increase levels of adiposity, triglycerides, and total cholesterol. It is suggested that deficiency inhibits the oxidation of fatty acids. In these cases, there is also an increase in pro inflammatory cytokines. Findings here The dysregulation of lipid metabolism raises another interesting element. The nervous system has a rich lipid composition. Myelin sheaths are sleeves of fatty tissue that protect nerve cells. These nerve cells carry messages around the body. This is why low levels of B12 can lead to peripheral neuropathy. Without sufficient B12, the myelin sheath is damaged (demyelination) resulting in the disruption of nerve signals between the spinal cord and different parts of the body. This is the same mechanism that occurs in degenerative myelopathy. Whilst it is generally deemed a genetic condition in dogs (specific to certain breeds), in human studies, low levels of B12 have been associated with the condition. B12 deficiency is often a differential diagnosis to degenerative cervical myelopathy in humans too. Findings here Humans with low B12 often report progressive tingling in fingers and toes, without the ability to speak, it is unclear whether these symptoms affect our dogs too, but certainly poses food for thought in itchy cases. Findings here Anaemia The most recognised deficiency of B12 is anaemia. B12 is involved in the formation of healthy red blood cells; anaemia is when the body doesn’t have enough of them. Pernicious anaemia is usually a result of malabsorption of B12 due to a lack of intrinsic factor, the protein found in the stomach. Without enough B12, the red blood cells don’t divide normally (thanks to
Chewing is one of the habits we’d like to encourage our puppy to stop as soon as possible. Not only for the trail of destruction they leave in their wake, but for their own safety. Whilst I’m not advocating that destructive chewing should be encouraged; opportunities to chew can in fact be a helpful strategy for helping your dog manage their stress. Stress, like chewing, often gets a bad rap because both usually have negative connotations attached. But stress is a psychological and physiological response to events that alter our norm, or if you want to get technical, our homeostatic balance. Eustress, known as good stress, can enhance performance, but distress is when the dog is not coping. This results in a range of physical and emotional challenges. The Biology of Stress There is no doubt about it, our modern world has many sources of stress, for us and our dogs. There are two systems at play in a stress response. The sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system. These are two divisions of the autonomic nervous system which regulates involuntary physiological processes. In short, it’s a system that neither you nor your dog has much conscious control over. When faced with a stressor, the sympathetic nervous system releases a flurry of hormones to boost the body’s alertness including adrenaline and noradrenaline. It quickens the heart and breathing rate. This system increases blood glucose levels and fight, or flight is triggered. Energy is directed to limbs and the brain because that is where it’s needed. Energy is diverted from the digestive and excretory systems, which is why stressed dogs may sometimes suffer with digestive issues such as loose stools and a lack of appetite. When the stressor has passed, the parasympathetic nervous system kicks in to bring the body back into balance. The only way I can remember the difference in the systems is to imagine a parachutist sleeping with a plate of food. This system slows the heart and breathing rate. It provides an energy conservation response – allowing the body to recover. This is known as the rest and digest phase. What’s interesting is that whilst the first release of adrenaline into the bloodstream may dissipate within 15 minutes, the glucocorticoids that follow can take anywhere from 2-6 days to return to a baseline. This means that if our dog’s system isn’t given sufficient recovery time, cortisol levels can soon creep up, day after day. This then becomes chronic stress which can have a detrimental impact on our canine friends. This also explains the idea behind trigger stacking. You know those weeks where things just go from bad to worse but it is the most minute inconvenience that sends you over the edge. The Psychology of Stress Stress can enhance performance, the actual response increases alertness. Blood is diverted to the brain, heart, lungs and muscles which all need to work well to deal with the stressor presented. Short-lived stress can also result in result in new brain cells being produced; when tested, animals perform poorly, immediately after the stressful event, but better two weeks later. This is because cells need time to mature. The issue is when dogs are exposed to chronic stress and are unable to cope with it. When the sympathetic nervous system is always activated, there becomes an imbalance in the hormones flooding the body. The parasympathetic system doesn’t get a chance to re-balance things. It’s almost a double-edged sword – good stress increases alertness, but the very increase in alertness means the dog is unable to recover. The stressed dog may present with a range of typically defined anxious behaviours like excessive drooling, grooming or panting, they may be more vocal than usual with barking or howling. These dogs present with high levels of corticotropin-releasing hormone which is released by the body during times of stress which tells us biologically that the dog isn’t sufficiently recovering from stressors. Chronic stress triggers maladaptive changes in the body and brain, which can significantly affect how the brain works. This is not ideal for any dog. One of the neurotransmitters released by the recovery system (the parasympathetic nervous system) is acetylcholine and it is clear that when there are disruptions in the release of it, issues with attention, learning and memory follow. This is why well managed training classes are vital. If the very same training class causes a stress response, then successful learning is unlikely to follow. Not only that, but one of the primary targets in the brain for stress hormones is the prefrontal cortex. This region controls functions like working memory, distraction, novelty seeking and decision making. In short, a chronically stressed dog may be more easily distracted, more likely to seek novel experiences (less likely to respond to their handler), poor at decision making and struggle to remember key behaviours. Stress can also manifest in excessive panting in the dog. We know that dogs can only sniff or pant, they can’t do both at the same time. We also know that sniffing lowers heart rate. If the stressed dog is panting, they can’t sniff, which means they can’t even utilise that stress-reducing mechanism. This is where chewing can help. Not simply allowing your dog to chew anything he gets his teeth around, but controlled opportunities with a purpose. Study after study have demonstrated that chewing can counter the effects of stress. Not only does it reduce stress hormone levels, it also limits sensory processing of external stressors. In short, it keeps your dog’s attention off things it doesn’t need to be paying attention to. At the same time, chewing is known to improve alertness; it shortens reaction time and increases vigilance. This is thought to be due to the increase in heart rate during the chewing task which increases cerebral blood flow and brain activity. So, chewing for the dog can help them rebalance their stress levels and also improve their alertness ready for training sessions. There seems to be
When looking at the nation’s dogs we have a major issue on our hands, a topic that can stir up emotive responses from owners and something that animal professionals may have a tricky time addressing… OBESITY From an owners perspective, they only want the best for their dog, and to be told their dog is overweight can be hurtful to hear. Your animal professional hasn’t seen those puppy dog eyes, peering over the plate looking for crumbs. Or the look you get when you need to nip out and you’re compelled to give them a treat as compensation. From an animal professional perspective, we see that overweight dog walk into our clinic and our heart sinks. Desperately wanting to tell you the list of byproduct diseases of obesity and give you a long list of things to change for your dog’s health. Instead, we softly mention they could stand to lose a little weight, to be met with a look of shock and disheartened words. Please don’t think we are here to make you feel that you’re not doing your best, we are here to guide you and want you to have the most time with your beloved pet. As much as it may be a tough conversation to have, we as animal professionals have a duty of care to animals in our clinic, and weight management is something that we need to be discussing more. For us it isn’t simply a case of sprinting around the park and cutting back portion sizes, there is so much more that we can do and it starts by inspecting what is in the dog’s bowl. Say for example your dog is on processed kibble, cutting back portion size when looking at the calorie deficit model for weight loss may have some impact. However,with your older dogs they will reserve reduced energy levels caused by food restriction, meaning weight loss can be very slow or stationary. Most processed dog food has a high percentage of carbohydrates, and this is where the issue lies. When a high volume of carbohydrates hit the GI tract, this causes a rapid increase in blood sugar and insulin levels. If the body cannot use this energy quickly enough, the leftovers get shunted into fat cells held in adipose tissue. Now going on a slight but relevant tangent, arthritis is a byproduct of obesity. Arthritis is an inflammatory disease affecting the joints and shows a higher prevalence in overweight dogs. Findings here If adipose tissue has a larger surface area caused by obesity, this increases the amount of pro inflammatory adipokines. So not only does additional physical pressure cause inflammation, but inflammation responses are increased tenfold with adipokines also jumping on an arthritic joint. Findings here So we know that carbohydrates increase blood sugar and insulin and lead to a cacophony of different issues, of which I’ve briefly discussed one. How can we look to combat this and get the best from our dog’s health, well for a start you can cut the carbs or at least look to reduce them. At MPN, we are hugely passionate about species appropriate diets and have seen incredible progress with pain management, all from just swapping to fresh foods. Even if you can’t make the leap to fully raw feed or fresh feed, there is plenty of middle ground that you can address, that will help towards a healthy life for your dog. Supercharging the bowl Whether you’re a keen raw feeder or just wanting to liven up the bowl by adding in some fresh, there is plenty of choice. Focusing on musculoskeletal health, our first port of call is adding things high in glucosamine and chondroitin. Both are complex sugars found within the structures of cartilage. Studies have indicated that these have a positive effect on pain management and ROM increase associated with Osteoarthritis. Findings here If you have compromised cartilage, you can heal with cartilage and these are super easy to source for your dog’s bowl, from bone broth, raw beef trachea to green lipped mussels (GLM). By supporting the joint health of an overweight dog, we can encourage further ROM and decrease inflammation, all working towards weight loss, there is a lot of research around turmeric (curcumin) and ginger (gingerol). Findings here Other favourites of ours for targeting joint inflammation are ACV, chamomile, fresh small fish and sunflower seeds. There is a huge amount of free radical damage (oxidative stress) created from excess adipose tissue and so looking at antioxidants to support this can be helpful. A diet high in colourful, fresh vegetables and Vitamin C can be fabulous in this instance. Findings here Lifestyle management If your dog is overweight, their joint health is likely already under pressure, but we can add some simple changes in place to reduce this strain. Start by increasing the length of your dog’s exercise, but reduce the pace. By having your dog run around the park doesn’t necessarily mean they will burn off more calories. High-impact activities will increase inflammation responses and then facilitate a pain response. Count your dog’s steps, have them on a lead next to you and go that bit further with less pressure, rather than seeing them flail around on the horizon chasing a squirrel. Be present and enjoy the walk with them, as much as it’s good for your dog, it’s good for you too! Oh no, here comes the fun police… ball flingers. Ball flingers can cause such horrific damage to your dog’s musculoskeletal structure over time, from huge repetitive stress crashing through the body when they come to a stop. If you’re not ready to put the ball flinger down, maybe drop the amount of times you throw it, or ensure warm up and cool down regime, the aim being to reduce inflammation and injury. Even things like ramps into the car and little stairs for the sofa make a tremendous impact on keeping inflammation and strain at bay. Therapies If your dog is
One of the most abundant minerals in the body along with calcium and phosphorus, magnesium is essential to bodily function. Whilst there is some disagreement on the numbers, anywhere from 60-70% of the body’s magnesium is found in bone; the rest is in cellular fluid and soft tissue. Absorbed primarily in the small intestine,it soon finds its way to regulate muscle contraction (including the heart),blood pressure, insulin metabolism and to synthesise DNA, RNA and proteins! Not only that but it plays a key role in the nervous system for nerve transmission and neuromuscular coordination. It has also been found to protect against excitotoxicity. Rarely heralded for these qualities, it is an easy nutrient to miss; several human nutrition textbooks certainly do. So, let us explore this trusty element (Mg)in a little more detail and how it is particularly important to overall health. What is Magnesium? Magnesium is a chemical element; it is found in the Earth’s crust and found dissolved in sea water with sodium and chlorine. It is essential to all cells in the human body and activates some 300 enzymatic reactions necessary for metabolism. It interacts with ATP (energy carrying molecule), DNA and RNA. Plants too require magnesium to synthesise chlorophyll (the green pigment found in plants), which is essential for photosynthesis. Magnesium helps promote the absorption and metabolism of other minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, sodium and potassium. Not only that but it also plays a role in the utilisation of B-complex vitamins and vitamins C and E. Magnesium is the second most abundant mineral in your dog’s body, after potassium. It has a role throughout the body, so let’s start at the top. Signs of Magnesium deficiency Possible signs your pet is deficient: Muscle cramps Seizures Nervousness Low stress tolerance Anxiety Depression ‘Behavioural issues’ GI upset (often constipation with low levels) Loss of appetite and nausea Pancreatic dysfunction decreased glucose tolerance Fatigue Heart arrhythmia Hypertension Urinary disorders in cats The Role of Magnesium in Neurological Disorders Magnesium is essential in nerve transmission and neuromuscular conduction. It is also thought to be protective of excessive excitation that can lead to neuronal cell death. What this means is, it is thought to be of benefit in cases of chronic pain, anxiety and depression. It’s all to do with neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are in short, the body’s chemical messengers. They are the molecules used by the nervous system to shuttle messages between neurons, and from neurons to glands or muscles. Communication between neurons occurs at tiny gaps called synapses. One neuron (presynaptic neuron) releases a chemical (neurotransmitter) that is received by the other one (post synaptic neuron), which subsequently alters that neuronal function. Receptors can be designated as either excitatory or inhibitory; excitatory if they increase the likelihood of an action potential, and inhibitory if they decrease the likelihood a neuron will fire an action. The body thrives when it is in balance, maintaining homeostasis. Think of it as if you got into the car and just carried on driving, ignoring stop signs, junctions, other cars etc. Chaos would ensue. Inhibitory neurotransmitters are the highway code, stop signs, roundabouts etc; they ensure balance. There are two particularly relevant neurotransmitters, GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) and glutamate. Glutamate is excitatory and GABA is inhibitory. GABA counters Glutamate; they are the ying:yang of neurotransmitters. GABA relaxes and sedates, which is why low levels of GABA are often linked to anxiety or mood disorders (in humans). Magnesium is thought to modulate glutamatergic neurotransmission. Low magnesium levels have been suggestive of a supportive environment for excitotoxity; in short, there was too much glutamate at the party which resulted in cell death. Not surprisingly, this results in neurological decline/disorder. Magnesium seems to inhibit the receptors which glutamate acts on. Through this mechanism, it is also thought that GABA availability is increased. Findings here (Interestingly, the mineral zinc also down regulates glutamate response). Findings here In humans, many studies have demonstrated that magnesium is neuroprotective; this is particularly relevant for anxious or fearful dogs. Findings here Magnesium and the Heart Magnesium deficiencies have been linked with cardiovascular disorders, including high blood pressure and abnormal rhythms. There are a number of mechanisms in which magnesium supports heart health and function. Magnesium naturally competes with calcium which is essential in generating heart muscle contractions. Calcium stimulates the muscle and magnesium counters it; helping them to relax (this is also why magnesium is used in cases of spasms). When magnesium levels are low, calcium can overstimulate heart muscles causing a rapid or irregular heartbeat. As we have mentioned, magnesium is key to maintaining balance. Findings here There are also studies that suggest low levels of magnesium have been linked to low HDL (good) cholesterol, high triglycerides, and total cholesterol. This suggests that magnesium could be protective in cases of heart disease. Findings here Magnesium and Oxidative Stress and Free Radicals Oxidative stress is defined as the imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants; potentially leading to damage. Oxidants are reactive species,and some are free radicals. Reactive species are important in many physiological processes, but the over production can cause problems. It is thought that magnesium may attenuate free radical production in one of two ways. Firstly, it may directly inhibit free radical production and secondly, it may facilitate the scavenging of free radicals. Low magnesium levels have been linked with reduced antioxidants like glutathione, vitamin C, vitamin E and selenium. In short, low magnesium has been linked to greater levels of free radical production and low-level production of other antioxidants. Findings here Magnesium, Glucose Metabolism, and Insulin Resistance When food is eaten, it makes its way through the stomach and into the intestines; it is converted into glucose or blood sugar (the body’s fuel). In response, the pancreas produces insulin which helps cells absorb glucose for energy, now, blood sugar levels start to fall. High glucose calls for high levels of insulin and if this is repeated regularly, the body can stop responding to insulin; or stop producing it all together. Magnesium plays a
