I see many sick cats and dogs (mostly dogs) coming through the door at MPN, with owners at a loss as to what to do next. Whilst we see so much disease and every pet is different, there are some set things I always recommend to everyone, that are imperative to your pet’s health. This is to detox their life and GET RID OF THE CHEMICALS. I have heard several sad stories about reactions and disease caused by treatments, mostly neurological damage and death from flea treatments and worming stories where the dog went into fits and endured life long seizures. If we aren’t personally meant to handle these chemicals, then they shouldn’t be going on or in our pet’s bodies. Conventional chemical flea and tick treatments from your vet or over the counter, are highly toxic pesticides that accumulate in the blood, skin and tissue. When you give your dog these chemical treatments, they work systemically (throughout the body). They are absorbed into his/her blood so when a flea or tick feeds on your dog’s blood, they also eat the chemical Isoxazolines, and become paralysed, eventually dying. Both fleas and ticks have to bite and latch on, to suck your dogs blood, before becoming paralysed and dying from the pesticides. It can take hours upon hours before the fleas and ticks die. This allows sufficient time for the fleas to become bothersome and the ticks to spread disease. The problem with these chemicals is to kill the parasites, they have to poison your cat or dog first. These awful chemical treatments can also cause neurological issues and permanent damage in cats and dogs. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) put out a warning on Isoxazoline flea and tick products in September 2018, warning on the potential neurological adverse reactions. The side effects range from, diarrhoea, vomiting, lethargy, seizures, convulsions, skin disorders, ataxia and death. Although this warning has been given, sadly the FDA still states that they work with manufacturers and deem it safe with side effects now listed to make this a known danger? Apparently to note dangers within the labelling and making statements on potential dangers, now makes this a non safety issue. I’m still scratching my head. Any safety data on these products are only tested a few months, so we don’t even know about the long term implications. Those treatments containing Isoxazoline: Bravecto (fluralaner) tablets for dogs Bravecto (fluralaner) topical solution for cats and dogs Credelio (lotilaner) tablets for dogs Nexgard (afoxalaner) tablets for dogs Simparica (sarolaner) tablets for dogs Revolution Plus (selamectin and sarolaner topical solution) for cats and used in the prevention of heartworms Natural Solutions Using a natural preventative is far safer and effective than conventional means. In using chemical treatments, these are designed to kill the parasite once on the host, whereas the natural prevention aims to repel fleas and ticks, so your cat or dog doesn’t even become a host. This is a more effective approach at preventing disease if done appropriately. To protect against fleas, ticks and worms, there are several natural and effective options you can consider so please read on. Flea, tick and worming products Flea products and tick products are incredibly toxic and overload the body when the immune system is already under challenge. Fleas aren’t a great concern although very bothersome and cause discomfort and allergies in your pet, but ticks are a problem. Make sure after every walk you check your dog thoroughly and invest in a tick removal kit if you are in a zone for ticks (there’s a tick key listed down below). They can be dangerous to your dog as they carry disease. There are lots of natural products out there. Rotating them is important as fleas and ticks are adaptable and you need to make sure your pets are not a desirable host. Homemade Itchy Dog Spray of apple cider vinegar mixed spritz potion can be an effective flea and tick deterrent; 1. 250mls of organic Apple cidar vinegar and preferably from the mother (this means Apple cider vinegar that is simply unrefined, unpasteurised. unfiltered and from the mother). Organic AC Vinegar 2. 250mls of distilled water, filtered water, bottled water but definitely not tap water. 3. Fresh chamomile (organic preferably) or a teabag steeped in boiling water for 30 minutes (to be added as part of the 250mls water). 4. 10 drops of Organic lavender aromatherapy oil and/or a few drops of essential oils such as lemon eucalyptus, tea tree, sandalwood, clary sage and patchouli. If you decide to use this on the cat too (avoid the aromatherapy oils due to the phenolics: this can be toxic to cats). 5. Water spray bottle. I prefer brown glass but we don’t have to go fancy here. Just make sure its stored in a cool dry place and if plastic, doesn’t sweat as PCB’s could leak into your lovely potion. Alternatively, you can go for a spray already made up from Greens for healthy pets called Don’t Bug Me! Don’t Bug Me Hedge row hounds offers a wonderful herbal mix called natures bounty, that is easily and safely added to food. Natures Bounty Diatomaceous earth is a good effective option although if your dog has sensitivities, allergies or any breathing problems, tread with caution. Food grade diatomaceous earth is made from teeny, tiny sea creatures, often found in places like the white cliffs of Dover. It dehydrates and suffocates the parasites and their eggs, thus killing them. Please ensure this is a good quality, food grade product as it can have high levels of toxicity. It can be used to sprinkle around the home and dusted through your dog’s coat. Care should be taken not to breath in the powder (caution with your dog too). Diatomaceous Earth Another lovely spray with beautiful essentials, sprayed before you go on a walk and perhaps afterwards, can be helpful in warding off critters. Biospotix do natural spot ons and collars. Biospotix Flea Spray A natural flea collar or
I am writing this blog today because I keep seeing a bashing of the use of supplementation of vitamins and minerals for your dog and I think it can become confusing and taken out of context. I wanted to create a whole picture of your dog’s health, the nutritional profile of food, common deficiencies, genetic mutations and malabsorption issues, that can affect this entire picture of health and where deficiencies can most certainly lead to concerns such as poor digestion, skin issues and disease. I am not an advocate of throw it in and see happens, but I am an advocate for addressing nutritional shortfalls in a diet that can most certainly lead to other issues if left unturned. So this blog is about balance, retrospect and highlighting that there isn’t always a generic approach to feeding. Food supplements are an umbrella for functional ingredients whether they are wholefoods, probiotics, fatty acids or vitamins and minerals. Food supplements are big business and rightly so as certain supplements can offer unique and effective support in some cases. Many of us may know about chamomile and valerian for calming, medicinal mushrooms for immune support, glucosamine and green lipped mussel for joint support and probiotics for digestive support and immunity. The list is endless when it comes to wonderful supplements we can use, some of great quality and efficacy and some not so great. Supplements are a wonderful addition to a healthy diet if used correctly and can support disease. Today I wanted to mention the use of vitamins and minerals and the controversy surrounding them. Gut Guardian Vitamins and minerals, unless from wholefood source, and believe me I’ve been in the industry long enough to know this process is far from the ‘wholefood’ dream you are sold, are derived from a number of sources that may be deemed synthetic. This seems to be a dirty word in the industry at the moment and without people knowing much about it, they tend to give it a bad wrap. Whilst I am not an advocate of overloading the body with additional vitamins and minerals, I do know how transformative they are when used in deficiency or disease and also in some cases, prevention. Foods nowadays don’t tend to provide the levels of nutrients expected and required from what we call a balanced diet. This is why it’s become such a huge industry in the health sector. Looking at pets, this trend closely follows. Due to agriculture, farming and depleted soils, food doesn’t always offer the nutritional profile we are led to believe (no one meat source or vegetables will contain the same amount of vitamins and minerals). Creating recipes is something I have to do on a weekly basis. I love working with the power and transformative therapy of food but I do on occasion like to ensure a little added vitamin and mineral are provided when I know it is something that often shows up as a deficiency due to depletion or that a particular dog will require additional support. For example, there are some beautiful zinc rich foods that you can include in your dog’s food on a daily basis if you create your own food at home. Whether this be from oysters, pumpkin seeds, venison and other red meats but as a formulator of foods, it’s easy to see how many meals, even over time, don’t quite hit the mark for the amounts required by dogs. Research has proven that zinc is one of the hardest minerals to absorb due to it being pipped to the post by so many other minerals and around 60-85% of zinc in the diet is not well utilised and absorbed. I hope I am painting a fair picture here, it’s simply about balance and looking at possible shortfalls. In my practise, I work with due diligence and a fine tooth comb. As a functional medicine practitioner, I work off a grid that maps all bodily systems over a 12 page questionnaire. We look at this sytem as well as history, presenting symptoms and possible diagnosis. I would call it a jigsaw puzzle that I piece together, trying to fill in any missing pieces. I can quite often tell if there is a deficiency but I do often work with tests to make sure the more dangerously stored nutrients such as A,D,E and K are tested. Unfortunately there is poor testing for minerals and whilst some might still offer blood tests, this often gives inaccurate readings unless your dog is at death’s door. There are a number of symptoms associated with deficiencies that when taking in the whole picture of health, can often tell you a lot about the pathophysiology and the health state of your dog. Fresh foods are incredibly important for a number of reasons. They provide enzymes, antioxidants, phytonutrients and fatty acids that are all essential for good health. Vitamins and minerals are only one factor and aspect when we look at ‘nourishment’. However, vitamins and minerals are incredibly important and involved in 1000’s of biochemical pathways in your dog’s body. Whilst food source is always preferable, we can see that there can be many reasons for dog’s not to absorb effectively. The most common deficiencies I see in clinic today are vitamin B9, vitamin B12, vitamin D, magnesium and zinc. Obviously this is not exclusive, just my overall experience. Reasons for nutritional deficiencies Poor commercial food I don’t even know where to begin. Most foods are so void of any nutrition after they have been cooked to high temperatures, several times over, a premix of vitamins and minerals have to be added to provide any nutrition at all. This isn’t good basic nutrition and i am not a fan of any commercial food unless home cooked style or raw. To further the problem even more, many commercial pet food in the EU do not fulfil nutritional requirements. Only 6% (6/97) of wet and 38% (30/80) of dry food were fully compliant
Here at MPN, we see many cases of liver disease. If your pet has been given the diagnosis of liver disease and you want the very best for them, then read on. Feeding prescription diets don’t often work successfully and if you want to learn about how you can help with fresh food and supplements, then this is the guide for you. Liver Disease Liver disease can present differently, so I have listed some of the common disease we see today. Chronic Hepatitis is the most common primary liver disease found in dogs. This chronic inflammatory condition is generally not determined although genetics, copper, infectious agents, infections such as leptospirosis or viral infections, severe trauma and various drugs (phenobarbital, NSAIDs, paracetamol) may be implicated. Copper-associated hepatitis, where copper accumulates within hepatocytes can become toxic and cause liver damage. Acute liver failure results in sudden loss of liver function, which is often associated with neurologic problems and blood clotting issues. It can occur due to a sudden injury or due to an additional issue, taxing an already diseased liver. Hepatic encephalopathy, a syndrome of neurologic problems caused by poor liver function, is seen in a quite a few liver disease cases. While the development of this condition is not totally understood, failure of the liver to clear poisons from the bloodstream, changes in amino acid metabolism and neurologic issues may synergistically work together to cause this disease. Portosystemic shunts are often described as congenital (inborn). However, they can rarely develop over time due to illness and this is called an acquired liver shunt (often occurring in older dogs and less frequently in cats). They can be caused by high blood pressure in the vessels entering into the liver. In a healthy cat or dog, blood supply draining the intestines, travels through the portal vein into the liver, where it is then filtered. It then returns blood to the heart via the vena cava. A portosystemic shunt (also known as PSS), is an abnormal vein connecting the blood supply returning from the intestines to the vein returning blood to the heart. It bypasses the liver by shunting the blood flow and there in lies it’s name. The key is to detect liver disease early as it can take months or even years to identify itself. Signs and symptoms of Liver Disease There are number of signs and symptoms in Liver Disease. If any of these arise consistently, you should go to the vets and get it checked out. Ascites (swelling of the abdomen) Play bowing Increased salivation (common in cats) Diarrhoea/orange coloured often Yellowish eyes, tongue, and/or gums (jaundice) Bloody urine or stools Licking of Lips (often a sign of nausea) Vomiting Increased water consumption and increased urination Possible pruritus (itching) An unstable walk Weight loss Lethargy Confusion Muscle wastage (this tends to appear when advanced) Seizures (if your dog’s liver disease isn’t caught at an early stage, it can lead to a serious condition Blindness (in TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) the eyes and liver share important meridians Unfortunately, the majority of these aren’t necessarily specific to liver disease as signs and symptoms can vary from case to case. A visit to the vets as soon as any symptoms arise, is always the best option. Liver Function I refer to the liver as the power house. It manages, processes and filters pretty much everything in the body. The liver has two main sections, called the right and the left lobes. The gallbladder sits under the liver, along with parts of the pancreas and intestines. The liver and these organs work together beautifully to digest, absorb, and process food. The liver filters the blood coming from the digestive system, before passing it to the rest of the body. The liver also detoxifies chemicals and metabolises hormones and drugs and any other toxins the body needs to rid. Whilst all of this is going on, the liver secretes bile that ends up in the intestines, emulsifying fats in the digestive process. The liver also makes proteins essential for blood clotting and many other functions. Its an incredibly clever and intuitive organ and can even regenerate liver cells, even if a portion of liver is removed in surgery. It’s a miraculous organ and your pet relies on it’s functioning for good health. What may cause Liver Disease (some factors) Poor Diet; can trigger genetics and put a massive strain on the liver. Diet may not be solely responsible in the etiology of this disease, but it certainly plays a role in treatment and support. Stress; should never be underestimated in the pathogenisis of liver disease. Trying to modulate the stress response is always helpful in any disease state. Calm Complex Copper Toxicity; copper-associated hepatitis, where copper accumulates within hepatocytes can become toxic and cause liver damage. This can be due to a low level zinc diet or genetics that impair the detoxification of copper and the assimilation and absorption of zinc. Low Copper Endocrine Disease; diabetes mellitus, hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s disease) and hyperthyroidism are all diseases in which impaired liver function can arise. i always ask for your vet to check this first, as treating the underlying endocrine disease is often the most important and effective part of caring for the liver. Infectious agents (leptospirosis or viral); sometimes vets will say the cause of liver disease is unknown but testing for a viral infection can sometimes implicate liver damage. We find working with the immune system in these cases and supporting the liver function is essential. Several types of infections may affect the liver, including bacterial, fungal, and parasitic diseases. Severe trauma; your pet could have been in a terrible accident that involved the liver area. Trauma can cause damage so understanding that trauma is important. Pharmaceuticals; the overuse or poor tolerance of phenobarbital, NSAIDs, paracetamol and other drugs may be implicated in liver disease. Vaccinosis; we are keen on safe vaccinations. We adhere and recommend the WSAVA vaccination guidelines as a minimum (world small
A brilliant guide on how to vaccinate safely, here it is in all it’s glory, everything you need to know about taking care of your pet, not over vaccinating, being responsible and taking care of your pet, based on scientific review. Guidelines from the World Small Animal Veterinary Association are at the core of this article and something many vets ignore or don’t know about. UNDERSTANDING VACCINATIONS, IMMUNISATION, TITER TESTING AND WSAVA GUIDELINES The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) is a global veterinary community that bases their guidelines on evidence based veterinarian medicine. These guidelines are to give vets the current scientific advice on the best vaccination concept. In this blog we will be discussing core vaccinations, the difference between vaccinating and immunising and WSAVA guidelines on vaccination protocol and titer testing. Core vaccinations are “parvovirus, hepatitis and distemper” this is the DHP three in one vaccination currently in the UK. The only vaccinations you can give on its own is parvovirus. What is the difference between vaccinating and immunisation? Just because you have vaccinated your dog does not mean that your dog is immunised, when we give a vaccination, we aim to immunise. When a dog is immunised it means that the vaccination has worked and the dog has immunity to the diseases it has been vaccinated against. If you give the last vaccination when your pup is too young, they will still be covered by the mothers maternal immunity and the vaccination will not work/take. Then once the mothers maternal immunity has wained they can be unprotected against those diseases. If you have a dog that is a non responder, it is impossible to immunise them no matter how often you give a vaccination, these dogs will always be susceptible to those diseases. WSAVA guidelines on puppy vaccinations The recommendations are for initial core vaccinations at 6-8wks of age, then every 2/4wks until 16wks of age, then a booster at 6-12 months or a titer test 4wks after the 16wk vaccination, to check if the puppy is immunised. If the pup is immunised, then the guidelines say there is no need for the 6-12 month booster. The difficulty is knowing at what age it is best to give the first vaccination as most pups with be covered by their mothers maternal immunity (MDA). Maternal immunity is passed to the pup through the colostrum in the mother’s milk. Maternal immunity can begin to wain as little as 8 weeks but can last up to 14-16 weeks and for this reason, the WSAVA states, there is “No single primary vaccination policy will therefore cover all situations”. When getting a pup, it is important to know if the mother is immunised, if so the pup will have some maternal immunity. If you vaccinate early and give three vaccinations, you risk over vaccinating your pup but if you wait till later to vaccinate, there is a risk of your pup getting one of the illnesses. It depends on your pups circumstances and what risk you see as the greater. My advice is to base your decision on this. If the pup is hand reared, the pup will not have any maternal immunity therefore the earlier vaccinations would be more beneficial. Waiting to give the last vaccination at 16 weeks is important as this is when the dog is most capable of responding to the vaccination, as all of the mother’s maternal immunity will have wained. How often should core vaccinations “parvovirus, hepatitis and distemper” be given? Often these vaccinations are given annually, this should not happen as the data sheet that comes with the DHP vaccine states “once every three years”. Once every three years, is in most cases, still too frequent for most dogs as the science has proven by serological testing and by challenge that core vaccinations can last up-to the life time of the pet. This is why it is so important to always titer test before giving core vaccinations. WSAVA guidelines state not to be given more frequently than every three years. This does not mean to give every three years, it means they should not ever be given sooner that three years. Please see WSAVA guidelines below. WSAVA GUILDLINES ❗️VACCINATIONS SHOULD NOT BE GIVEN NEEDLESSLY❗️ ❗️CORE VACCINATIONS SHOULD NOT BE GIVEN MORE FREQUENTLY THAN ONCE EVERY THREE YEARS BECAUSE THE DURATION OF IMMUNITY IS MANY YEARS AND MAY BE UP TO THE LIFE TIME OF THE PET❗️ ❗️A DOG THAT HAS RESPONDED TO CORE VACCINATIONS MAINTAINS SOLID IMMUNITY (immunological memory) FOR MANY YEARS IN THE ABSENCE OFANY REPEAT VACCINATIONS❗️ ❗️IT MUST BE REMEMBERED THAT EVEN THE THREE YEAR LICENCE IS A MINIMUM DURATION OF IMMUNITY AND FOR MOST CORE VACCINATIONS THE TRUE DURATION OF IMMUNITY IS LIKELY TO BE CONSIDERABLY LONGER IF NOT LIFELONG❗️ ❗️AN ADOPED ADULT DOG (OR PUPPY OVER 16WKS OF AGE) OF UNKNOWN VACCINATION HISTORY REQUIRES ONLY A SINGLE DOSE OF CORE VACCINATION TO ENGENDER A PROTECTIVE IMMUNE RESPONSE❗️ WSVSA statement on giving more than one core vaccination to an adult dog (or pup over 16 weeks of age and restarting vaccinations is….. ❗️THIS PRACTICE IS UNJUSTIFIED AND IS SIMPLY CONTRARY TO THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE OF IMMUNOLOGICAL MEMORY❗️ How does a titer work? To explain titer testing a little more, a titer test is a simple blood test that will look for circulating antibodies in the dogs bloodstream. When you do a titer test, the level of the titer (antibodies) is irrelevant, it doesn’t matter if your dogs titers come back high or low. Any measurable antibodies means the dog has immunity. These titers will go up and down depending what the circumstance is. A high titer doesn’t mean your dog is more immune than a low titer, a high titer can mean one of two things. The dogs immune system has been over stimulated by vaccinations or your dog has just come into contact with a said disease. For example, if there is a parvo outbreak in your area, your dogs
A healthy urinary system is important to your pet’s health and detoxification. Your pets’s urinary system, including the kidneys and bladder, work to process and remove waste from their body. Bladder problems may include infections or a variety of stones and these problems can affect your dog’s comfort and overall well being. Cats and dogs can be prone to developing urinary ‘stones’ and infection. These occur when the concentration of certain minerals in your pet’s urine becomes too high (alkaline). In healthy pets, the urine pH is generally in the 6.5 to 7.0 range. If the pH is acidic (pH below 6) or alkaline (pH above 7) it may allow bacteria to thrive and for crystals or stones to form. Alkaline urine can also be caused by kidney disease, long-term drug use such as diuretic or antacids. Sometimes an elevated urine pH, elevated levels of urinary phosphorus or ammonia, may also predispose your pet to the formation of struvite bladder stones. Unlike humans, pets are most likely to suffer from these stones in their bladder, rather than their kidneys. Stones in the bladder can cause inflammation, predispose to urinary tract infections and even cause an obstruction of the urinary tract. This is when this problem can become serious and should not be ignored. There are different types of stone composed of different minerals and compounds. Examples of these are struvite, calcium oxalate, urate and cystine. These stones form due to urine pH, output, genetics and other factors, play a huge role in stones developing. Your pet can also suffer from bacterial infection in their urinary system, leading to discomfort in the lower urinary tract. Urinary incontinence, congenital anatomic abnormalities and tumours are amongst other conditions that may affect the urinary tract in cats and dogs. Dalmatians have a genetic mutation that affects protein processing in their body, putting them at risk of urate stones. English Bulldogs and other breeds can also be affected by this mutation. If your pet is also overweight there is a higher likelihood in developing calcium oxalate stones. Female dogs and cats are more likely to suffer with UTI’s and stones often due to structure but also possible hormonal changes, affecting neutered dogs in particular. The signs of UTI’s, stones or worse may include one or more of the following; Chronic diarrhoea, loose stools or constipation Difficult or painful urination Stooping as if to defecate Incomplete urination Urinary incontinence Darker colour urine and offensive odour Fresh blood spots in urine Bloated, tender abdomen Loss of appetite Lack of energy Crying out in pain (generally from stones) Panting Weight loss Possible Causes of UTI’s and Stones Poor commercial foods (this includes veterinary prescriptions). We know raw fed or fresher fed pets have a more biodiverse microbiota that creates metabolites that protect the mucosa and UT. Food allergies and sensitivities to foods such as beef, chicken, milk, eggs, corn, wheat, and soy or flavourings and colourings are common, commonly found in many processed pet food. Stress is often a low grade release of cortisol that can slow down digestion causing digestive dysfunctions, leading to inflammation of the entire body, including the UT. Hormonal changes and de-sexing of a cat or dog can make for concurrent issues. Cushing Disease or Diabetes Mellitus. Endocrine issues and dysfunction tend to affect the UT. Looking at underlying issues is always helpful. Dysbiosis leads to increased intestinal permeability, loss of immune tolerance, immune response, activating immune cells and specific microbiome (good bacteria) shifts. SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth), is commonly found in the bowel and highly associated to concurrent UTI’s. Parasitic infections can take hold when the GI is not functioning well and immune function becomes compromised. The urinary tract may be a weakened system in your pet’s health, displaying different urinary issues. Poor immunity and gut immunity (integrity of the ‘one cell epithelial of the gut’), can cause over-reactivity and inflammation. This can arise from birth from not being weaned effectively to environ Anatomical structural issues where the urethra is close to the anus and collects bacteria easily opening up to many infections. Genetics in rare occasions can predispose a cat or dog to urinary stones. Cystinuria is a rare inherited disease that results in the formation of stones made of an amino acid called cysteine. The known gene defects responsible for cystinuria affect the kidneys and cause the kidneys to improperly excrete too much cysteine into the urine. Consistent use of antibiotics can wipe out good bacteria that protects the mucosa of the gut and UT. Adverse drug reactions or over-medication and vaccination can create a hyperactive immune state, inflammation and UT issues and infection. Conventional Veterinary Approach to UT issues Vet’s often use bland prescription diets of poor quality and antibiotic drugs as an intervention to reduce infection, inflammation and common symptoms. Whilst this may help the initial inflammation and reduce the alkalinity of the urine, this is not an effective or healthy longterm option. The prescription diets for struvite stones are based on low protein, low phosphorus and low magnesium, helping to acidify the urine. Calcium oxalate stones are rather similar but also need to be careful of calcium and reduce or avoid oxalic vegetables (beet greens, rhubarb, spinach,swiss chard, endives, kale etc). Antibiotics are the most common drug to treat urinary infections. Uropathogenic E. coli is the most prevalent bacteria in UTI’s. Studies show antibiotics used in the treatment of these infections reduce the number of lactobacilli in the urinary system and may cause antibiotic resistance in the following period and destroy the existing natural barrier of the urinary system formed against infections. Vets may also prescribe anti-inflammatory medication to reduce inflammation and pain medication if your cat or dog experiences discomfort. How Diet and Supplements can Help Nutrition Looking at suitable diets and food for your pet is essential. A fresh and balanced diet rich in easily digestible proteins, good fats and vegetables (fibre) can help support gut microbiota, a healthy body and a healthy UT. Home prepared, cooked and home delivered, or raw is the very best in this instance.
Let’s chat about gastrointestinal health. There’s a lot involved in keeping your pet healthy and the main area to focus on is the digestive system. Digestion is important and there are some poor pooches and pussy cats out there whom are diagnosed with inflammatory Bowel Disease, namely Crohns and Colitis. Intestinal issues and disorders are among the most common reasons for trips to the vet whether it be diarrhoea, constipation, IBS and today’s focus, IBD’s such as Crohns and Colitis. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) such as Colitis and Crohns are conditions resulting from an inflammatory response in the gut. They are characterised by the infiltration of pro-inflammatory cells into the intestinal mucosa. The lining of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract may become thickened and/or ulcerated, overreactive and less integral, with lessened gut acid and an imbalance of good gut microbiome (the good bacteria in the gut). Nutrient absorption may be compromised and the passage of food and waste material through the gastrointestinal tract may be altered. This can lead to a very sick pet. There is a genetic correlation in IBD but this disease is a combination of genetics and environmental factors. Some breeds of dog do however seem to be more susceptible to the disease such as Schnauzers, French Bulldogs, Doberman Pinschers, Mastiffs and Alaskan Malamutes. Findings here The signs of IBD may include one or more of the following; Chronic diarrhoea, loose stools or constipation Difficult or painful bowel movements Bloated, tender abdomen and gas Fresh blood and/or mucus in the stool Chronic or intermittent regurgitation/vomiting (often a sign common in cats) Loss of appetite Lack of energy Weight loss While many other problems can also cause these symptoms, when they become more frequent and chronic, then the diagnosis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) can then be given. Colitis by definition is inflammation of the lining of the colon. This can be inflammation only or can turn into ulcerative colitis where the integrity of the bowel lining becomes compromised and ulcerates. Colitis is usually limited to superficial layers (mucosa, superficial part of the submucosa) of the colon. Crohns by definition is Inflammation in different areas of the digestive tract from the mouth through to the anus and tends to affect the deeper layers of the bowel wall. When a pet has IBD, his stomach lining can become irritated, causing food to move through his system faster or gut motility can become slower. Over time, the lining of the digestive tract can ulcerate, thicken and become irritated from the inflammatory cells. Healthy cells that usually fight off bacteria and other invasive allergens will build up within this area of the body, causing diarrhoea, constipation, cramping, and abdominal pain. Possible Causes of IBD’s A poor, inadequate processed pet food can cause inflammation in the GI tract. Food allergies and sensitivities to foods such as beef, chicken, milk, eggs, corn, wheat, and soy or flavourings and colourings are common, commonly found in many processed pet food. Stress is often a low grade release of cortisol that can slow down digestion causing digestive dysfunctions, leading to inflammation. Dysbiosis (bacterial overgrowth in the gut) is highly linked to autoimmunity and in particular digestive disease (IBD). Dysbiosis leads to increased intestinal permeability, loss of immune tolerance, immune response, activating immune cells and specific microbiome (good bacteria) shifts. SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth), is commonly found in the bowel and highly associated to IBD. Histamine and allergic response, impacts SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth), that in humans is linked to IBD’s. Parasitic infections can take hold when the GI is not functioning well and immune function is compromised. Stress leads to mast cell activation via binding of corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) to mast cell CRH receptor sites increasing inflammation and IBD’s. Poor immunity and gut immunity (integrity of the ‘one cell epithelial of the gut’), can cause over-reactivity and inflammation (IBD). This can arise from birth from not being weaned effectively. Adverse drug reactions or over-medication and vaccination, which can create a hyperactive immune state and may be a factor in IBD’s. Conventional Veterinary Approach to IBD Vet’s often use bland prescription diets of poor quality and certain drugs as an intervention to reduce inflammation and common symptoms. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), inhibit the gastric acid production and are amongst the top 10 most commonly prescribed drugs in the world for humans and pets. Acid reflux can be a symptom of an IBD. Whilst inhibitors may give short term relief, a more holistic approach is far more successful than unnaturally suppressing HCL levels. Pro-kinetic medication is sometimes used to help move food through the digestive system and strengthen the oesophageal sphincter muscles in acid reflux, a known symptom of IBD’s. Prednisone or other similar steroids, may me used to address the inflammatory nature of IBD’s. This does however negatively impact the immune and endocrine system and in human conventional medicine, is being used less and less. Long term this is a very damaging drug. How Diet and Supplements can Help Nutrition Looking at suitable diets and food for your pet is essential. A fresh and balanced diet rich in easily digestible proteins, good fats and vegetables (fibre) can help support gut microbiota and stomach acid levels. Home made cooked or raw food are often best in this instance. Findings here Processed foods and sugars can cause inflammation in your dog’s stomach, decrease acid levels, triggering acid reflux symptoms, poor gut motility, proliferation of bad bacteria and so forth. Certain foods can often elicit an unwanted immune response, so understanding what might be causing your pet to react is essential. If feeding a fresh diet has not worked, doing a food sensitivity test can help in removing the offending culprits. Nutriscan sensitivity test: check your pet at home easily for food sensitivity. https://nutriscan.org Low dietary fibre intake is associated with decreased stomach and gut motility and delayed gastric emptying. Low fibre findings are mostly found in humans, but our counterparts experience the same pathogenesis in IBD and
There’s some mixed feelings about mushrooms but they get a lot of press and rightly so. They are wonderful and each have a magical affect with direct correlation and clinical research to immune and organ support. There are a lots of species of mushrooms and not all medicinal but most magical. Mushrooms help to regenerate, prevent, protect and intervene with certain disease states and the research is growing. The magical mushrooms we will look at today are Maitake, Shiitake, Reishi, Cordyceps, Coriolus and AHCC (active hexose correlated compound). These mushrooms offer nutritional abundance and amazing cell and immune function: Minerals such as potassium, selenium, sodium,zinc, phosphorus Sugars such as mannitol, xylose, glucose, galactose, mannose Vitamins such as b complex, folic acid, vitamin D Proteins essential amino acids Lipids such as phospholipids, sterols, free fatty acids, mono-, di- and triglycerides Polysaccharides such as glycogen and beta-D-glucans Enzymes such as proteolytic The most powerful of all of these are the polysaccharide fraction, mainly beta-glucans, responsible for the immune-modulating effects. Fungal beta-glucans have been shown to activate leukocytes, which depend on structural characteristics of beta-glucans. Findings here Polysaccharopeptides are protein-bound polysaccharides (carbohydrates) that are found in many mushrooms. Krestin (PSK) and Polysaccharide Peptide (PSP) are two types of polysaccharopeptides. Both PSK and PSP possess powerful immune-boosting properties. They promote immune response by both activating and inhibiting specific types of immune cells and by suppressing inflammation. Due to their ability to naturally strengthen the immune system, PSP and PSK are commonly used as anti-cancer agents in conjunction with human surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation in countries like Japan. Maitake (Grifola frondosa); may help to regulate blood sugar, support heart health, boost the immune system, particularly in cancer care. In fact maitake has shown the most promise in helping support cancer patients. In 2004, an in vitro study showed the effectiveness in 3 types of dog cancer, CF33- Mammary cancer cells, CF21-Connective tissue cancer cells and CL1- Lymphoma cancer cells. The significant study showed that the D-fraction of maitake held the ability to inhibit the growth of the CF21 and CF33 cancer cells. Findings here Shiitake (Lentinula edodes); contain ergothioniene, an active compound that provides potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties, as well as lentinan, a compound that may help fight against bacterial, viral and parasitic infections. Shiitake is shown to support liver function, lower blood cholesterol levels, help regulate blood sugars, support skin conditions, used in supporting the immune system in prostate or breast cancer. Findings here Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum): a powerful medicinal mushroom that has been found to possess immune-modulating and immune-potentiating capabilities. Reishi has been characterised as a wonder herb, helping with possible inflammation and allergic reaction. Reishi may help with liver function, fatigue, cancer, skin disorders, digestive issues and possible leaky gut. Findings here Cordyceps Sinensis; may help endurance and stamina during exercise, may have anti-ageing properties due to it containing an enzyme called super oxide dismutase. May have a potential anti-tumor effect, may help to modulate blood sugars, support heart health and help to fight inflammation. Findings here Turkey Tail (Coriolus versicolor); contains a variety of powerful antioxidants and other compounds that may help boost your dog’s immune system and even help fight certain cancers. possessing powerful immune-boosting properties. They promote immune response by both activating and inhibiting specific types of immune cells and by suppressing inflammation. A test-tube study found that turkey tail extract modified gut bacteria composition by increasing populations of beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus whilst reducing potentially harmful bacteria such as Clostridium and Staphylococcus. Findings here AHCC® (active hexose correlated compound); is a natural substance extracted from certain species of basidiomycetes, a class of mushrooms that includes shiitake. Research on a canine study showed AHCC treatment might be effective for improvement of clinical state and anti-tumor effect. Findings here Findings here Mushrooms are a wonderful addition and one to explore if you wish to add them to your pet’s plate. As always, we are here to help, so check out our services, click the link below. Consultations MPN Team x
We see acid reflux rather frequently. It’s usually for a number of reasons and can be a symptom that may end up being more of a problem than anticipated. It’s not a nice thing for doggos to experience and is often telling you something is not quite right and finding out what that is, is paramount. So read on my lovely peeps, resolve your doggo’s blessed reflux. What is acid reflux? Acid reflux in dogs, also known as gastroesophageal reflux, occurs when the acid (chime: mix of acid, salts and bile) from the stomach moves into the oesophagus. It can obviously cause some discomfort and although a symptom in itself (that is not deemed dangerous), it can lead to other issues. Reflux can cause irritation, inflammation and wear on the lining of the oesophagus, leading to possible ulcers. If left for long enough, this can cause narrowing, thinning, or necrosis of the oesophagus. Also a constant regurgitation (a common symptom of acid reflux) can cause vomit to enter a dogs’ lungs and lead to further damage or aspiration pneumonia. Symptoms may be as follows: Bad breath Constipation, diarrhoea and bloating Burping, gagging, or minimal vomiting/regurgitation after a meal Dry cough Wheezing Pain after eating, such as restlessness and hunching over Inactivity or lethargy after meal Loss of appetite Weight loss There are many factors that may cause GERD, and these should be systematically evaluated when creating a treatment plan, aiming to address the reason as opposed to the disease itself. What role does acid play in the gut? Appropriate acid levels in the gut are paramount. HCL is also responsible for breaking down dietary proteins aiding in the absorption of nutrients. Healthy levels of acid (HCL) eliminates bacteria and viruses and prevents the overgrowth of pathogens in the upper GI tract, so hypochlorhydria (low HCL) can be a risk factor for SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth), fungal overgrowth, intestinal permeability and possible sensitivities and allergies. Acid in the stomach can be too high but most commonly, is presents as too low, incapable of fully digesting and emptying food into the small intestines, allowing chime to sit in the stomach and allowing regurgitation. There is often the misconception that it’s often too high and therefore must be suppressed by drugs. Research has proven that a lack or suppression of gastric acid (HCL), has been associated with an increase in bone fractures, possible autoimmune disease, impaired absorption of B12, iron and magnesium. Poor gut health and reflux can be linked to allergies, arthritis, autoimmune disease, itching and rashes, fatigue, anxiety, cancer, and so much more. In short, if the gut isn’t functioning at full capacity, then neither is your pet’s health. Why is your dog experiencing acid reflux? Stress is often a low grade release of cortisol that can slow down digestion, creating a bolus of food in the stomach, that can sit around, coming up as regurgitation, rather than emptying into the small intestines in a timely fashion. Poor gut motility sometimes linked to poor food (dry food) or neurological dysfunction. Structural issues can be the cause such as obstruction, a loose dysfunctional lower oesophageal sphincter, hiatal hernia or inflammation caused from disease such as megaesophagus. Food intolerances, sensitivity and allergies can create immune dysfunction and a less hospitable digestive environment. Poor gut microbiota, yeast overgrowth, bacterial overgrowth, SIBO (small intestinal overgrowth), sometimes from antibiotic use. Poor immunity and gut immunity (integrity of the ‘one cell epithelial of the gut’), can cause inflammation and a lower level of acid which can slow down protein digestion and cause regurgitation. Disease such as a liver disease, pancreatitis, IBD (inflammatory bowel disease). Nutritional deficiencies. Being overweight. Conventional Veterinary Approach to Acid Reflux Vet’s often used drugs as an intervention and whilst it might alleviate initial symptoms, it is not a long term solution and implicates longer term issues. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), inhibit the gastric acid production and are amongst the top 10 most commonly prescribed drugs in the world for humans and pets. Pro-kinetic medication is sometimes used to help move food through the digestive system and strengthen the oesophageal sphincter muscles. The above aren’t really successful options long term and most certainly do not address the cause. Whilst inhibitors may give short term relief, a more holistic approach is far more successful than unnaturally suppressing HCL levels. The conventional approach generally believes that acid is overproduced. Whilst this is possible, it is deemed to be the reverse in many circumstances. How Diet and Supplements can Help The gut is the epicentre of immunity and health. If your dog’s digestive system is not working correctly, then nothing else will be. A symptom of acid reflux is telling you there is a dis-ease in the body and something needs to change to rectify it. Determining the reasons why are key. Is the food suitable for your dog? Are you feeding a commercial dry food? Are there nutritional deficiencies? Is there stress? Is the gut functioning properly? Nutrition Looking at suitable diets and food for your pet is essential. A fresh and balanced diet rich in easily digestible proteins, good fats and vegetables (fibre) can help support gut microbiota and stomach acid levels. Home made cooked or raw food are often best in this instance Findings here Processed foods and sugars can cause inflammation in your dog’s stomach, decrease acid levels, triggering acid reflux symptoms. Certain foods can often be an aggravator of reflux, so understanding what might be bothering your dog is essential. If feeding a fresh diet has not worked and you are at a loss. Doing a food sensitivity test can help in removing the culprits. An elimination diet is the best way forward as intolerance and allergy testing can be inconclusive. Low dietary fibre intake is associated with decreased stomach and gut motility and delayed gastric emptying. Low fibre findings are mostly found in humans, but our counterparts experience the same pathogenesis in acid reflux and adding insoluble fibre, may help. Findings here Checking
We can’t tell you how much My Pet Nutritionist talk about anal glands and pooping with people. We can wake up to pictures of my client’s dog’s poop on my phone (on a daily basis). It’s a real thing people! Anal gland issues and sloppy pooh are problems that you pet parents come up against every day. We know from research, that just over 10% of dogs will have issues with their anal glands, in their lifetime. Cat’s also have anal glands but we don’t see this issue crop up in the vets as commonly due to the nature of their social habits. Although anal glands are supposed to empty as faeces are passed, this doesn’t always happen. Over time the anal glands can fill up and can become inflamed, impacted and pretty painful. There can be many reasons why, some simple and some more complex. There are a lot of things we can do naturally for anal gland issues, so read ahead peeps. Function and Symptoms The anal glands function is to release pheromones, enabling the communication between dogs and other mammals, including cats. The anal glands located on the lower sides of the anus, produce a fluid with a scent that identifies him or her, communicating sex, health and approximate age to other animals. This is the reason why dogs sniff each’ others bottoms and love mooching for ‘scents’. These sacs excrete fluid when the dog/cat has a bowel movement. Discharge in the anal glands should be liquid and if the ducts are open then your dog should have no issues. As faeces pass through the anus, the anal glands become expressed and voila, pheromones are released and communication with the outside world begins. If your dog has impacted anal sacs, they will experience some or all of the below symptoms: Scooting (dragging bottom on the floor) Licking or biting at the bottom area Difficulty sitting or standing On rare occasion, chasing the tail Some vets may recommend removing the glands if the problem is consistent and severe but this SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN, unless there is disease of the glands, such as cancer. Personally, I’ve seen some awful cases with removed anal glands, as it disrupts the function of the anal sphincter and interferes with the body’s ability to cleanse. They are really unwell dogs and end up displaying other issues, longterm, that are incredibly difficult to support. Always seek a second opinion. It’s all in the Pooh Poor quality bowel movements can contribute to anal glands becoming impacted. So what should a healthy stool look like? To fully express the anal glands, the faeces need to look quite bullet like, powdery and dry. Your dog should not strain but a firm, pick-up-able poop, that one is able to hold between the thumb and middle finger (without it breaking), is an optimum poop. This will aid in the anal glands expressing more efficiently. Check out our guide on pooh here. The Ultimate Dog Pooh Guide Other reasons for Anal Gland Issues Sometimes a dog’s anal sac issues can be a symptom of broader systemic issue. This is where our consultation services can be really help. We often find by looking at the 8 systems cycle in functional medicine, we can consider every element of health and see what might be under lying. So here is how we look at the problem. Stress; low grade stress (commonly experienced by many dogs) can interfere with the function of the gut, slowing digestion and the transit of food. Gut microbiota (good bacteria) that supports digestive function can also be destroyed by the effects of stress. Addressing stress can be really helpful. Digestion; poor quality bowel movements can contribute to anal glands becoming impacted. Constipation and diarrhoea can produce stool that isn’t sufficient for the task of emptying the anal sacs. This often allows for constipation or diarrhoea, preventing solid faeces passing over the anal sacs. Supporting healthy levels of digestive and pancreatic enzymes and good levels of gastric juices (HCL), are incredibly important for a healthy functioning bowel. SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) and yeast infections have potentially been linked to more frequent anal gland issues. Good bacteria in the gut is essential for optimal function, preventing bad bacteria and yeast overgrowth. Also checking for worms and parasites can be helpful in anal gland dysfunction. Immunity; food allergies, intolerances or sensitivities are due to an under functioning or overly sensitive immune system. It is key to establish if your pet is reacting to any foods, as this can affect digestion. By eliminating them, rebuilding immunity (gut) and addressing inflammation, this can directly impact your pet’s digestive system and anal gland excretion. Neurological; many nutrients are essential for the nervous system and this is a complex system. One key mineral is magnesium, essential for neurological function and in particular the vagus nerve that connects the gut-brain axis. Deficient magnesium can cause a slow ‘peristaltic’ movement within the bowel (a motion that pushes food through the bowel). If this isn’t functioning well, the slow passage of food can equal slow transit of food, creating constipation, slow detoxification and impaired anal sac fluid emptying. Detoxification; is a network of systems but the liver and gallbladder are most closely connected to digestive function helping with fat digestion (emulsification). The liver must be working effectively for the digestive system to work efficiently and reduce the toxic load on the anal glands. Structure; hereditary malformations of the anal glands could also be a cause. This is less common but worth exploring if nothing seems to help. Structure and integrity of the connective tissue with regards to stomach muscles, back muscles, back legs and so forth is supportive in allowing your dog to defecate effectively. Stooping, squatting and pushing all require strength of the body. Some dog’s who are lame will have problems expressing. Working on the structure of your dog’s body can be helpful, if this is an issue. Hormones; low oestrogen can lead to chronic constipation in
Slim fat doggy. We are a globally obsessed about the fat content of foods, limiting fats when we need to lose weight, reducing certain fats in the belief that they are bad for us. The truth is, it’s about balance, it’s about less carbohydrates and more about the quality of proteins and looking at the beautiful essential fats that our dog’s require. Dogs utilise fats rather differently to us but the premise is the same, good fats equals good health. What are fats? The main macronutrients for health are proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Proteins and fats are responsible for many bodily functions. However, carbohydrates are a pure source of energy only and given that the dog only produces a minimal amount of amylase by the pancreas, their need for carbs is very low indeed (think beautiful vegetables here). Fats contain 2.5 times more energy than protein or dietary soluble carbohydrate. Around 90% of dietary fat is made up of triglycerides that are made up of fatty acids and a glycerol. In a fat molecule, the fatty acids are attached to each of the three carbons of the glycerol molecule with an ester bond through the oxygen atom. Here’s the boring bit about classifications of fatty acids…. ‘There are different classifications of fatty acids based on the length of their carbon chain, by the presence or absence of double bonds, the number of double bonds, the position of those bonds along the carbon chain, and by their melting point. Fats with no double bond at all are called saturated fats. Fats containing fatty acid chains with a double bond are called unsaturated fats.” Saturated fats contain the maximum level of hydrogen atoms possible and have no double bonds. Unsaturated fats, some of the hydrogen atoms are missing and have been replaced with double bonds between the carbon atoms. Monounsaturated fats, have one double bond. Polyunsaturated fats, have two or more double bonds. Polyunsaturated fats (PUFA’s) can be divided into two main groups: Omega-6 and Omega-3. The difference between the two is where the first of the double bond occurs. Omega 3 fatty acids, the first double bond occurs on the third carbon atom. In Omega 6 fatty acids, the first double bond is on the sixth carbon atom, counting from the methyl end. Omega-6 fatty acids include linoleic acid (LA), arachidonic acid (AA) and gamma linolenic acid (GLA). Omega-3 fatty acids include alpha linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). What fats are essential for my dog’s health? Your dog requires both saturated and unsaturated fats but in particular balance. If that balance is out, particularly with the polyunsaturated fats, inflammation can occur and therefore, health issues arise. It is proven that dogs metabolise up to 95% of the fats they consume even though fat digestion is more far more complex than breaking down and assimilating protein and carbohydrates. Fats are a highly digestible and accessible form of energy for doggos and absolutely essential for health. Fats have many vital roles within the body; Energy production Development of all cells Neurological function Production of hormones Reproductive support Reduce inflammation Healthy skin and coat Nutrient absorption (such as vitamin A,D,E,K) Let’s talk about the most known and essential to health. Omega-6 and Omega-3 fats help to control hormones in the body such as regulating inflammatory response and blood pressure. Omega-6 fatty acids produce immune hormones that increase inflammation. Omega 6 fatty acids also help with blood clotting, brain function, and normal growth and development, helps stimulate skin and hair growth, maintain bone health, regulate metabolism, and maintain the reproductive system. A diet rich in Omega-6, can often cause skin issues and aggravate allergies, arthritis and any possible inflammatory disease. Omega-3 fatty acids are part of the phospholipid bilayer in the membrane of your dog’s cells. This means that they help regulate cellular communication in every area of the body. Omega-3 fatty acids form a large percentage of brain matter and are the foundation of pro and anti-inflammatory compounds. The balance between Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids is an important part of a healthy immune system and balances out inflammation. A diet poor in Omega-3 can lead to chronic disease and autoimmune disease. Findings here A ratio of approximately 4-1 Omega-6 to Omega-3 is considered optimum for a dog’s diets. Many commercial dog foods contain ratios of 20-1 and sometimes ratios up to 50-1 (often seen in foods that contain high amounts of corn, naturally high in Omega-6 EFAs). This will result in an Omega-3 deficiency and a huge amount of inflammation. If you feed your dog a commercial dog food, it will more than likely be too high in pro-inflammatory Omega-6 fats. And if you feed your dog a raw meat diet that isn’t raised 100% on pasture, they too may be high in pro-inflammatory Omega-6 fats. Sources of Omega-3 and Omega-6 Omega-3 fatty acids, ALA (alpha linolenic acid) is often found in certain plants such as flax seed, sacha inchi seed, hemp seeds, chia seeds, avocado flesh only and oysters. Although ALA foods and supplements are not a substitute for fish or algae oil, due to the high Omega-6 content also, they can be an excellent additional supplement to include in the diet and added to certain meat sources. DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) are often found in high levels and good ratios in fish (these have the most anti-inflammatory effect). Found in salmon, tuna, trout, cod, krill, oysters, seabass, mackerel, sardines and anchovies. Non animal sources containing DHA and EPA are phytoplankton and marine algae oil. Although these are wonderful additions to your dog’s diet, they do not contain as much DHA and EPA as fish. They therefore don’t exert as much of an anti-inflammatory effect. Fish and fish oil Whole fish is a wonderful addition to the your dog’s diet but ensuring you don’t feed fish from the Pacific due to radiation, heavy metals and toxins, is essential. Feeding small fish such as krill,
What does the pancreas do? The pancreas is a small organ that sits behind the small intestine and the stomach. The pancreas digests food and regulates a cat and dog’s blood sugar. The pancreas produces and stores inactive enzymes that should only be activated when they enter the small intestine. Amylase for carbohydrate digestion, lipase for emulsifying and digesting fats and protease for digesting protein. Most of the pancreas is composed of cells that produce digestive enzymes. These cells are arranged in clusters that are connected to a series of small ducts. Pancreatic enzymes and juices flow from the cells and minor ducts into the main pancreatic duct, leading to the duodenum. The pancreas also contains small “islands” of hormone-producing cells called the islets of Langerhans, which secrete insulin and glucagon,along with somatostatin, hormones that mostly regulate blood sugar metabolism. What is pancreatitis Pancreatitis is the intense inflammation and swelling of the pancreas. It can either be an acute case, where animals can be at high risk (sometimes fatal) from a sudden onset of mass inflammation, where this tends to go away in a matter of a few days to a week (if the patient survives it). Chronic pancreatitis is a low grade inflammation over an extended period of time, leading to other possible health complications. Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) is the termed coined when the pancreas is no longer able to produce digestive enzymes, this can result from chronic pancreatitis. When the pancreas is damaged, further complications such as diabetes may appear over time, if not managed effectively. The prognosis depends on the severity of the disease. If left untreated, pancreatitis may lead to severe organ damage and even sudden death. Pancreatitis can cause a lot of pain and damage so if your pet seems uncomfortable, please do not ignore this, go to your veterinarian. Common symptoms but not exclusive are; Loss of appetite Sickness Diarrhoea Lethargy Dehydration Restlessness Arched back In milder forms, symptoms aren’t always obvious but may include loss of appetite, lethargy and diarrhoea. During an attack they may hunch the back, holding their bottom in the air with front legs and head low to the floor. Why it is so prevalent It is almost 50% more common in cats and dogs than in humans. A combination of environmental and genetic factors plays a role in the development of many cases of pancreatitis in pets. We see many acquired inflammatory issues related to IBS and IBD. You will find certain breeds such as cocker spaniels, dachshunds, miniature schnauzers and poodles are more susceptible to pancreatitis due to common genetic snips (SNP) in cats and dogs. It’s sometimes difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of pancreatitis but the following definitely play a part in the full picture of health. Scavenging; eating spoiled foods and incredibly high amounts of oxidised fat. Processed foods; eating processed foods, always high in sugars and sometimes grains are specifically high in carbohydrates.These carbohydrates put an unusual load on the pancreas. Cats and dogs are carnivores and naturally produce less amylase than any other digestive enzyme in the digestive system. Rancid fats; found in poor processed foods and poorly stored fats, leading to oxidation and inflammation and therefore, more than likely, leaky gut. IBS/IBD; low HCL levels in the gut, poor microbiome and constant immune triggers to environmental stimuli, food being the biggest offender, seems to be involved in a low grade chronic inflammation that may impact the pancreas and can bring about episodes or undiagnosed characteristics of pancreatitis. Grains and Lectins; often contained in dry food due to being cheap ingredients, creates inflammation and up regulates a protein called zonulin. Zonulin is responsible for (and a new diagnostic biomarker of) intestinal permeability (leaky gut). Leaky gut/gut integrity/intestinal permeability; leaky gut is when the integrity of the ‘one cell epithelial’ lining of the gut, becomes compromised by inappropriate foods, allergens, toxins and so forth. These slack and under functioning junctures allow chemicals, including food stuff into the blood stream, that should not be permitted. Leaky gut is linked to many disease states and closely linked to a lowered gut immunity in pancreatitis. Inflammation and imbalanced immunity; acute and chronic pancreatitis are dynamic inflammatory processes. Immune cells playa critical role in pancreatitis progression so looking towards that intricate cascade and supporting stress are key. Pharmaceuticals; in recent years, a large number of commonly prescribed medications have been linked to drug-induced pancreatitis pathogenesis. Although mechanisms are proposed, the exact cause of injury is not well understood. Obesity; obese animals are predisposed to a wide variety of diseases affecting many organ systems. Endocrine disorders commonly associated with obesity include canine pancreatitis. Cushing’s disease; is an endocrine disease and is commonly associated in pancreatitis. High blood levels of fats; triglycerides, have also been listed as a risk factor to pancreatitis in canines. Infections such as Babesia canis or Leishmania have shown to be present in some canine pancreatic patients. Genetics; genetic polymorphisms are found in certain breeds, the most common being SPINK1. Feeding a processed diet and in a toxic environment (vaccinations included), are more likely to express this gene, however this is far too common a disease for it to be purely genetic. Nutrition regime in pancreatitis There’s a lot of conflicting advice out there for pancreatitis but we have worked in this with humans and pets and the aetiology, pathogenesis and therefore dietary plans are rather similar in terms of approach and the following can be very helpful. Findings here We do not advocate any processed foods in this disease, only fresh, balanced, home cooked or raw food. There is often the suggestion that small meals spread over time is the best protocol in pancreatitis but this activates the pancreas, aggravating the inflammation further. When you start feeding fresh and balanced food over time, we find feeding twice a day, if your schedule permits it, feeding breakfast around 9am and then dinner at about 4pm, allowing a longer fast between dinner and the following breakfast. If your pet can tolerate being fed once a day, this might be
Let’s get talking about gastrointestinal health. There’s a lot involved in keeping your pet healthy and the main area to focus on is the digestive system. We haven’t talked about pooh for once, which is a relief. I’m sure you will agree…. Intestinal issues and disorders are among the most common reasons for trips to the vet whether it be diarrhoea, constipation, IBS and IBD’s and so forth. So, having a healthy gut is more than firming up dog poop and preventing those night time rumbles. It is central to health and one of the eight key factors to functional medicine. It is connected to everything that happens in the body and that’s why we always look to the gut when we start helping pets with chronic health problems. Poor gut health can be linked to allergies, arthritis, autoimmune disease, itching and rashes, fatigue, anxiety, cancer, and so much more. In short, if the gut isn’t functioning at full capacity then neither is your pet’s health. What the Gut does for you and your Pet Intestinal health could be defined as the optimal digestion, absorption, and assimilation of food. It helps to regulate and promote functions throughout the entire body as it absorbs nutrients that support all bodily functions from energy production, hormone signaling, skin health, mental health, immune signaling and toxin and waste elimination. Before we leap into the 7 steps for optimal digestive health, I want to cover the 5 elements to the function within the gut (ecosystem, immunity, gut-brain connection, detoxification and assimilation and absorption). Ecosystem; there are bugs in the gut that form a diverse ecosystem of friendly bacteria that must be in balance for your pet to achieve optimum health. The term now coined for your gut ecosystem is the microbiome. It refers to the collection of genomes from all the microorganisms in the gut environment. This includes bacteria, virus and fungus. Here we will focus on the good bacteria; prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics. Prebiotics are types of dietary fibre that feed the friendly bacteria in your gut that are often found in certain fruit and vegetables (such as asparagus and bananas), chicory, dandelion greens, flaxseeds, konjac and some fermented foods. To obtain therapeutic effect, prebiotics found in these foods are often extracted and given as supplements (these being Inulin, FOS, GOS, Arabinogalactans and so on). These beautiful prebiotics help the gut bacteria produce nutrients for your pet’s colon cells such as short chain fatty acids such as like butyrate, acetate and propionate. These fatty acids can also be absorbed into the bloodstream and improve metabolic health such as diabetes and hyperlipidemia. Be warned they can cause gas and should be ventured carefully. Then we have good bacteria often referred to as probiotics (probiotic strains). They are live, good, friendly bacteria that help to promote balance in the intestines. They work by increasing (stabilising) the number of good bacteria in the gut, providing a network of communicating bacteria that help support and induce certain functions in the gut. Dietary nutrients may be converted into metabolites by intestinal microbes (probiotics) that serve as biologically active molecules affecting regulatory functions in your pet. They can help to protect the gut mucosa, preventing gut inflammation, leaky gut and other intestinal or systemic disease states. Good bacteria can also attach to the cells and release substances that help prevent bad bacteria from accumulating. In fact, their function is wide and still a lot unknown. If too many of the wrong bacteria, parasites and yeasts can proliferate by a poor digestive ecosystem, this is where issues begin creep in in terms of symptoms (gas, bloating, diarrhoea, itching), yeast infections, food intolerances, leaky gut syndrome, inflammation and then ultimately immune dysfunction where we start to see disease creep in. We then have postbiotics, they are the non-viable bacterial products or metabolic byproducts from pre and probiotic microorganisms that have biologic activity in your pet. Research indicates that postbiotics can have direct immunomodulatory and clinically relevant effects in the body of animals and humans. So in a nutshell this is the ecosystem of the gut. Immunity; approximately 70% of the immune system resides in the gut, so making sure your pet’s digestive system is in tip-top condition is essential. Gut immunity is the ‘one cell-thick layer’ lining of the gut that protects your pet from the toxic environment. Although composed of only a single cell layer, the intestinal epithelium forms a barrier against penetration of bad microbes. Defects in barrier function contributes to the development of inflammation of the gut. Epithelial cells of the small intestine are coated in a glycocalyx of mucins and other glycoproteins that can interact with and trap bacteria in the mucus. If that barrier is damaged and your pet gets ‘leaky gut’, he can become intolerant to foods, that usually may be digested perfectly well. The immune system will become overactive, and it will begin producing inflammation throughout the entire body. Filtering out the good molecules from the bad molecules and protecting the immune system is another important factor in gut health. Gut-brain axis; there is the second brain, gut-brain connection. Did you know that your pet’s gut actually contains more neurotransmitters than the brain? In fact, the gut has a brain of its own. It is called the “enteric nervous system” and it is a very sophisticated. Messages constantly travel back and forth between the gut-brain and the head-brain and when those messages are interfered with in any way, health will suffer. This is often how food and digestion can have a massive impact on behaviour in animals. Detoxification; the gut has to get rid of all the toxins produced as byproducts of your pet’s metabolism (see how I didn’t mention pooh?). It can also help get rid of certain pathogens and toxins that are ingested on a daily basis. The liver supports digestion by processing the nutrients absorbed by the small intestines and secretes bile into the small intestine to help emulsify and digest fats. The bowel is required to metabolise and detoxify this matter with the
