Pet dental health is so important for all! At My Pet Nutritionist, we love to educate owners on all aspects of pet health and husbandry. Many pet owners come to us when their pet’s oral health needs improvement; dental surgery is often required, but what do you do if your pet needs dental surgery? This blog post aims to help you understand why a pet may need dental surgery, what to do before surgery, after surgery, and ongoing to reduce the risk of needing further dental surgery. Why Might Your Pet Need Dental Surgery? There are many reasons a dog or cat may need dental surgery. Some mild conditions or cases of dirty teeth may be resolved at home, but many pets require professional help to avoid severe health complications caused by very poor oral health. Here’s some of the most common reasons a pet may need dental surgery: Periodontal Disease: pets with periodontal disease often end up going undiagnosed for a long time, causing the disease to develop. There are various symptoms of periodontal disease including bleeding gums, bad breath, receding gums, tooth loss, pus around the teeth, tooth discolouration and formation of epulis. If left untreated, periodontal disease can be life threatening, as bacteria emanating from the mouth enters the gut via the bloodstream. Organs commonly affected by periodontal disease are the kidneys, liver and heart. If your pet has diabetes, you may also find blood sugar regulation more difficult. Fractured Teeth/Jaw: if your pet manages to fracture their jaw or teeth, this will require dental surgery. Generally speaking, fractured teeth will be removed; some cases may be offered root canal surgery, but it is usually easier to have the tooth removed. Fractured jaws can require more extensive surgery, and come with a longer recovery process. Retained Juvenile Teeth: some young dogs require tooth removal surgery due to retained juvenile teeth. This is when the adult teeth have grown in front of, behind, or next to the puppy teeth, but the puppy teeth have not detached from the gumline, leaving two sets of teeth. Most puppies won’t require this intervention, but some may. Oral Tumours: while rare, oral tumours can happen in dogs at any age, but particularly in older dogs, or dogs with poor dental hygiene in general. Dental surgery is usually recommended to remove the tumour, and surrounding tissues if the margin is available. Some oral tumours will require removal of parts of the jaw. Cleft Palate: in rare cases, a pet may suffer with a cleft palate, which is a congenital defect whereby the roof of the mouth has failed to form properly. This lack of closure results in an opening being left between the mouth and the nasal cavity. Dog breeds most susceptible to this are the brachycephalic breeds (pugs, French bulldogs, English bulldogs, Boston terriers), and cat breeds most prone to this condition are the Siamese, Persian and Savannah cats. Findings Here Findings Here Should I See A Specialist? We recommend seeking help from a veterinary dental specialist! While traditional vets are amazing people, worth their weight in gold, when your dog is undergoing dental surgery we recommend seeking help from a veterinary dental surgeon. The tissues in the mouth are very delicate, and while traditional veterinarians learn about oral health, veterinary dental surgeons are highly skilled in their specialist area, with far more in-depth knowledge when it comes to oral health and disease. Post Diagnosis Preparation Once you have received a diagnosis for your pet’s dental issue, and are awaiting a date for their dental surgery, your veterinarian will most likely give you a short list of things to do between diagnosis and surgery. This list may include some of the following: Feed a softer food: while waiting for surgery, your pet is likely to require a soft food. Softer foods will put less strain on the gums and teeth themselves, which will therefore decrease the risk of pain in these diseased or damaged areas. Many pets lose their appetite when their mouth is painful, which may also create a negative association with food. Some pet owners choose to feed a soft, high quality, high meat content wet food, others may choose to feed a cooked food with added bone broth to soften it. Avoid chews: as chews are generally hard or chewy in texture, allowing your pet access to these may cause pain or further aggravate the affected area. Remove unsuitable toys: some of the toys your vet may recommend removing from your pet’s reach include knotted toys, tug toys, solid toys and balls. Avoiding use of these toys will help reduce discomfort for your pet, and reduce the risk of further damage prior to surgery. Keep these toys out of reach until oral wounds are healed. Antibiotics: depending on your pet’s diagnosis, your vet may recommend a course of oral antibiotics to reduce risk of infection in the affected area, or to treat infection that may already be present. As with any course of antibiotics, it is important to finish the whole course prescribed, unless advised otherwise by your veterinarian. Painkillers: as dental health problems usually cause discomfort or pain, your vet is likely to prescribe painkillers in the time between diagnosis and surgery. Ensure your pet is given these, and look out for any changes in behaviour which may suggest worsening of pain. Practice crate training/calmness: some pets my require a complete rest period after surgery, depending on the procedure required. As activity increases blood flow to the gums, you will most likely need to keep your pet calm following surgery to allow the surgical site to heal. Ensuring your pet is both comfortable in a crate, and able to relax without being overstimulated by normal household life is incredibly beneficial to their post operative period. The more comfortable they are in these scenarios before their surgery, the more relaxed they will be during recovery, which aids the speed of recovery. Findings Here Preparation for the Night Before/Morning
Here at My Pet Nutritionist, we love to take an in-depth look at all organs and systems within the body in an approach to overall health and well-being in pets. As part of our mission to help pet owners keep their pets in the best health possible, some of our blog posts are designed to target one specific part of the body – this blog post take a deep dive into everything liver! Learn what the liver is, what it does, common complaints we see within our customer base, and how to support the liver through diet and lifestyle changes! Liver Structure The liver is the largest internal organ in the body. It is found inside the ribcage of dogs and cats, just below the diaphragm, and while it is a rough triangle-type shape, it is soft, and takes the impression of the surrounding organs including the gallbladder, stomach, pancreas duodenum and the right kidney. It is a large organ, and consists of 6 lobes. Each lobe is made up of many ‘hepatic lobules’, and each lobule holds a large number of blood filled, sac-like cavities called sinusoids. Due to this structure, the liver is a spongey texture, and is able to hold large amounts of blood, which gives the organ a deep red colour. There are two ways fluids travel into the liver; both major blood vessels! The first, known as the Portal Vein takes nutrient rich blood from the gastrointestinal tract into the liver, however this vessel also brings the not-so-beneficial products of chemicals and drugs into the liver too! The other major vessel is called the Hepatic Artery, which delivers oxygen rich blood from the heart and lungs, into the liver. Just like routes into the liver, there are two ‘exits’ too! Hepatic Veins carry blood out of the liver, whereas the Bile Ducts take bile (a yellow coloured digestive substance made in the liver, and stored in the gallbladder) out of the liver, and into the gallbladder. The liver can also self-regenerate if it is compromised through trauma!’ Findings Here Findings Here Findings Here What Does the Liver Do? The liver has many major functions within the body, affecting various aspects of health. Let’s take a look at these: Bile Production: the liver plays an enormous role in digestion. It produces bile, a yellow coloured digestive juice, which is absolutely essential for the digestion of fats in the small intestine and nutrient absorption. Metabolism: the liver’s role in metabolism includes breaking down protein, fat and carbohydrates in order for the body to be able to use them as energy. The energy gained through this metabolic process is stored in the liver as glycogen which is released when required. Vitamins and minerals are also stored by the liver, and inactive forms of these are made active. Blood Detoxification: the liver is the body’s very own toxin removal system! When there are unwanted substances in the blood, the liver removes them from the body. As part of this function, the liver also breaks down any medications in order to eliminate the toxins. Filtration from digestive tract: not only does the liver filter the blood for toxins, but it also filters blood from the digestive tract. Blood Clotting: the liver is home to a variety of proteins which clot blood. These proteins include various coagulation factors, fibrinogen, and prothrombin. Immune aid: the liver plays a role in the immune system too! Some essential proteins and enzymes used in the immune system are produced in the liver. Blood storage: finally, due to the liver’s texture and storage capacity in the sinusoids, it is excellent for storage of blood which it releases if required. Findings Here Findings Here Findings Here Common Liver Complaints Many of our customers come to us for help with their dog’s liver problems. We have helped to support those with a wide range of liver complaints over the years. Some of the most common complaints we see are: Liver Disease: liver disease has many possible underlying causes including genetics, hepatitis, liver tumours, infections or toxin exposure, including from medications and some plants. Liver disease can have a lot of knock on effects on the body including disturbances in filtering toxins, difficulties storing nutrients, and reduced digestive capabilities. Symptoms include increased thirst (polydipsia) and urination (polyuria), vomiting, reduced appetite, rapid weight loss, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin). Diagnosis is sought via a combination of blood test, imaging, and sometimes biopsy of the liver to discover the underlying cause. Liver Shunts: clinically, these are referred to as portosystemic shunts. Dogs with liver shunts have abnormal blood vessels which bypass the liver, meaning the liver cannot perform it’s job of filtration of, or nutrient metabolism from the blood efficiently. Liver shunts can be congenital defects (present from birth), or caused by some types of liver disease. Symptoms of liver shunts include vomiting, diarrhoea, hypersalivation, stunted growth, reduced coordination, seizures, and behavioural changes. Blood tests and imaging (including ultrasound and CT scans) are used to diagnose a liver shunt. Hepatitis: this condition is a chronic inflammatory condition in the liver, often caused by infection, toxin exposure, or immune dysfunction. There are various types of hepatitis, the most infectious one being Adenovirus Type 1 which is potentially life-threatening! Fever, lethargy, vomiting, jaundice, and enlarged liver are all common symptoms of hepatitis. Lifelong liver damage can occur depending on the severity of infection. To diagnose this condition, imaging, blood tests and often liver biopsies are performed. Liver Cancer: liver cancer can be classed as ‘primary’ in which the abnormal cells originate inside the liver itself, or ‘metastatic’ where the abnormal cells spread from other parts of the body. Reduced appetite, weight loss bloating and lethargy are the initial symptoms one can expect, and these may not be clearly linked to liver cancer. More advanced symptoms of liver cancer are those of liver failure. Biopsies, imaging and blood tests are used to diagnose the condition. Acute Liver Failure: the term ‘acute’ refers
Here at My Pet Nutritionist, we know that a healthy gut microbiome is the most important aspect to keeping your dog healthy all round! There is so much to learn about the gut microbiome – what it really is, what it consists of, what other parts of the body it interacts with, and what happens when it’s not in tip top condition. Many of our readers will notice that most of our blogs mention the microbiome, so this blog post is a full round up of everything gut microbiome related, in one easy read! What is the Gut Microbiome? Every dog has a gut microbiome. It’s one of the most important parts of your dog in terms of digestion and overall health, from joints to skin, to the brain and immunity. The microbiome is a community of microbes, including good and bad bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The gut microbiome is very carefully balanced. Some of the microbes found in a healthy gut microbiome are ones we would typically class as ‘bad’ which have health conditions associated with them, including bad bacteria such as Salmonella, and Clostridia. Viruses and Fungi are typically classed as ‘bad’ microbes too, but are still part of a healthy microbiome. Good bacteria such as Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Enterococcus are all found in abundance in the healthy canine gut microbiome – these beneficial bacteria are found in high enough numbers to outweigh the negative impact of the bad microbes found in the gut. A healthy gut microbiome means the ‘good guys’ outweigh the ‘bad guys’. Health problems begin to emerge when the gut microbiome is knocked out of balance, allowing for gut dysbiosis to occur. Gut dysbiosis can lead to a host of health problems including reduced skin and joint health, increased digestive issues, and prominent or mild negative behavioural changes. Findings Here Findings Here Interactions Between the Gut Microbiome and the Rest of the Body The health of the gut microbiome is a huge part of overall health – but why is this? You may be wondering how gut health could impact so many other parts of the body, so let’s take a closer look at these! We can look at the gut as a ‘roundabout’. Roundabouts have multiple exits – these ‘exits’ stemming from the gut are collectively called Axes; and these link to other parts of the body to form a two-way pathway/link from the gut. The main axes are: The Gut-Skin Axis: this pathway connects the gut to the skin, and the skin to the gut. If we start at the gut and work our way to the skin, we can see that poor gut health can cause or exacerbate skin conditions. Going to other way; from skin to gut, we unfortunately have the risk of gut microbiome damage caused by external exposure to toxins, whether they’re from laundry detergents, household cleaning products, external flea and tick medications, or other environmental toxins. The Gut-Joint Axis: this pathway connects the gut to the musculoskeletal system, and the musculoskeletal system to the gut. An imbalance in the gut microbiome can be connected to poor joint health, especially in cases of osteoarthritis due to the increase in inflammation around the joints. In a poorly balanced gut, there is often an increased risk of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory metabolites being produced, which are the main cause of poor joint health in dogs. The Gut-Brain Axis: this is the bidirectional pathway between the brain and the gut. This pathway has connections both physically, and chemically. In terms of physical connections, the Vagus Nerve is the main avenue for carrying signals between the two locations. Chemically, the healthy gut produces neurotransmitters and hormones, which move between the brain and gut. Mood, response to stress, and digestion are three of the main roles of the gut-brain axis. It is also important to note that around 70-80% of the immune system is found in the gut! Keeping the gut microbiome healthy, and perfectly balanced means the immune system, and therefore overall health of an individual remains stable. Findings Here Findings Here Findings Here Findings Here What Happens When the Gut Microbiome is Unhealthy? When the Gut Microbiome is unhealthy, a host of health conditions can occur. As previously mentioned, an unhealthy gut microbiome is unbalanced; and this condition is called Gut Dysbiosis. Gut Dysbiosis occurs when the ‘bad microbes’ outweigh the ‘good microbes’. Here’s some health concerns that we see a lot in those with an unhealthy gut microbiome: Food sensitivities: when the gut microbiome is unbalanced, food sensitivities are common due to increased gut permeability; known as Leaky Gut. When the gut integrity is poor, food particles leak into the bloodstream which encourages the body to create an immune response, presenting as food sensitivities. Yeast: yeast cells are naturally present in the gut; they’re called Candida. When Candida is present, and there’s not enough of the good microbes to keep these in check, a yeast infection will often occur. Symptoms include rust coloured paws, ears and groin, cheesy smelling feet, and itching among others. Digestive problems: digestive upset including diarrhoea and vomiting is common in those with an unhealthy gut microbiome, due to the abundance of ‘bad’ microbes and a lack of ‘good’ ones to keep the effects of the bad ones at bay. Many dogs also suffer with Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) which contributes to these symptoms. Bad breath: a lot of owners assume their dog’s bad breath is caused by poor dental hygiene, however this is often not the case. Bad breath can emanate from the gut, in those with poor gut health. When the gut microbiome is unbalanced, the overgrowth of harmful bacteria in the gut results in the production of VSCs; Volatile Sulphur Compounds, which cause bad breath. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): when the gut microbiome is unbalanced, inflammation occurs as a result. This inflammation often leads to chronic inflammatory conditions such as IBD. Other gastrointestinal conditions occur due to this too, however IBD
Here at My Pet Nutritionist, we use a combination of healthy diets tailored to your pet’s needs, alongside beneficial gut-friendly herbs, and nutraceuticals. These supplementary additions often come with hosts of benefits, when used in the correct way, for a specific purpose. We often get asked about the various herbs and nutraceuticals we recommend in various blog posts and in our recipes and supplements – you can learn more about some of these here! What Are Gut Healing Herbs? Herbs high in mucilage are often known as the ‘gut healing herbs’. These herbs are usually considered to be a source of prebiotics – food for probiotics; however these herbs have another very important function when it comes to gut health! Mucilage is a soluble dietary fibre, which produces a mucus-like substance which lines the gut wall. When the gut wall is lined with this slimy textured substance, it forms a protective barrier to reduce the risk of further gut damage, and allow the gut to heal. Inflammation is then reduced due to lack of irritation. Mucilage has a fantastic soothing effect on the digestive tract too – those with acid reflux, or having recovered from illnesses like kennel cough which may cause throat irritation may find a powdered form best, due to the soothing effect of the mucilage in these herbs. As an additional benefit of these popular gut healing herbs, the mucilage can increase digestive performance resulting in better stools; this is due to the mucilage adding bulk to the stool (reducing constipation), aiding water absorption, and increasing gut motility. Some studies also suggest that mucilage rich herbs may reduce the build up of cholesterol, and aid the regulation of blood sugar levels. Frequently used mucilage herbs include slippery elm, marshmallow root, and deglycyrrhizinated liquorice root – we will look closer at these later. Findings Here Findings Here What Are Nutraceuticals? Nutraceuticals are components of foods that bring benefit to health. You may often come across plant based supplements for pets; these are packed full of nutraceuticals! Functional foods are also classed as nutraceuticals. Many nutraceuticals enhance basic nutrition, whereas some provide medicinal properties. Some benefits of using carefully selected nutraceuticals include improved overall health, prevention of chronic disease, increased longevity and all round structural support for the body. The term ‘nutraceutical’ is a combination of the words ‘nutrition’ and ‘pharmaceutical’ – meaning they share the same properties as pharmaceuticals, but are acquired through nutrition Functional herbs, antioxidants, probiotics, vitamins and minerals are all examples of the categories most commonly encountered in the world of pet nutrition. We will delve into these categories in terms of nutraceuticals later. Findings Here Findings Here When Should We Use Gut Healing Herbs and Nutraceuticals? A question we often hear at My Pet Nutritionist, is “should we be giving any supplements?” – and our answer is always “if your pet could benefit from a carefully selected supplement, then absolutely!”. It is important not to needlessly add lots of different nutraceuticals and gut healing herbs to your dog’s diet, unless they require/could benefit from it. When it comes to giving mucilage herbs, these can be incredibly beneficial in situations where gut damage is apparent. Situations a mucilage herb may be beneficial include: Allergies: due to an immune malfunction Intolerances: due to gut damage or leaky gut syndrome Following vaccines, worm or flesa treatment: these products are very damaging on the gut, so gut healing may be necessary. Acid reflux: soothes the digestive tract and reduces the risk of acid reflux Upset stomach or constipation: these herbs help to rectify loose or solid stools when needed. Great to have in the first aid cupboard! When looking at nutraceuticals, we need to look at the symptoms your dog or cat is displaying, alongside gaining a diagnosis from your veterinarian. Some types of illnesses you may use nutraceuticals for include: Joint issues Skin issues Digestive issues Cognitive health issues (anxiety etc) Vision issues As brilliant as nutraceuticals can be as part of your pet’s health regime, many do come with some contraindications with pharmaceuticals your pet may need. Contraindications are negative interactions with drugs – these interactions can often cause downregulation of the drugs themselves, leaving your pet vulnerable to disease progression. An example of this is curcumin – the active compound in turmeric. It is fantastic for joint support/arthritis, cardiovascular function, reducing inflammation, eradicating free radicals, immune support, cognitive ability and cancer prevention. The reduction in pain in those who take curcumin is vast; however some individuals may require pain pharmaceutical pain relief for their condition. Curcumin is known to downregulate the effects of some pharmaceutical analgesics, as well as various other drugs. It is always best to check with your veterinarian before starting a new nutraceutical, if your pet is on pharmaceutical drugs. Findings Here Findings Here Popular Gut Healing Herbs The three most popular gut healing herbs can all be found inside our Gut Guardian supplement, along with probiotics and chamomile. Lets take a closer look at these mucilage herbs! Marshmallow Root: this is a sweet smelling and tasting herb derived from the Althaea officinalis plant. When combined with water, it immediately forms a thick, slimy substance due to it’s high mucilage content. Traditionally, marshmallow root is used in cases of digestive or respiratory issues, and also topically to soothe skin issues. As well as being high in mucilage, it also contains high amounts of antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties, and antibacterial properties. slippery elm: like marshmallow root, slippery elm produces a slimy substance when combined with water. It originates from the inner bark of the slippery elm tree (Ulmus rubra), and is often used to treat digestive issues, and sore throats by lining the oesophagus. DGL (deglycyrrhizinated liquorice): this herb increases mucous production in the body, which helps line the stomach, reducing the risk of harm caused by acid. DGL is thought to have properties to treat ulcers too! Findings Here Findings Here Findings Here Popular Nutraceuticals There are many nutraceuticals used in the
In part two of our focus on the diet of a senior dog, we will look further into some specific nutritional categories bringing fantastic health benefits to your senior dog. We will also go through our recommendations on what to feed your senior pet, including specific nutrients and supplements you may wish to consider! Read Part 1 here! Specific Beneficial Nutrients There are a number of macro- and micronutrient categories senior dogs would benefit greatly from to slow the ageing process down, and reduce age-related inflammation. The two main categories to analyse here are Antioxidants, and Omega Fatty Acids. Antioxidants: these are one of the most important categories of nutrients to feed your senior dog (and are highly beneficial at any age!) due to their action against oxidative stress. As dogs age, oxidative stress becomes more proliferative; it’s a natural part of ageing! Oxidative stress is caused by ‘free radicals’ – unstable oxygen molecules missing an electron. Free radicals damage all parts of the body from organs to joints, causing joint degeneration, cancer, altering DNA, neurodegenerative diseases, adverse alteration of fats and proteins, and other diseases like diabetes, so it is incredibly important to combat these cells as best you can. Antioxidants tackle and remove free radicals from the body, leading to less oxidative stress, and therefore slower ageing. Some excellent sources to think about including in your senior dog’s diet include blueberries, strawberries, artichoke, goji berries, red cabbage, kale, ginger, spinach, parsley, pecans (in small amounts due to fat content), fresh garlic (avoid in Japanese breeds) and rosemary (avoid in epileptic dogs). Omegas Fatty Acids: this group of fats are another incredibly important category of nutrients to include in your senior dog’s diet, specifically Omega 3. The two ‘main’ omega fatty acids are Omega 3 and 6 – both are essential. Omega 9 is present in the diet too, but doesn’t add as many benefits to the dog’s health as Omegas 3 and 6. Omega 6 fatty acids called Linolenic Acid (LA) and Arachidonic Acid (ARA) are inherently inflammatory. The only non-inflammatory Omega 6 is Gamma-linolenic Acid (GLA). Omega 6 brings many benefits to the health of the dog despite it’s inflammatory properties, including control of hormones, however as it is naturally in abundance in our carnivorous pets’ meat based diet, we need to balance the inflammation out! This is where Omega 3 comes in! Omega 3 includes Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA), Alpha-linolenic Acid (ALA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA), and is inherently anti-inflammatory. The anti-inflammatory properties of Omega 3 Fatty Acids balance out the inflammation caused by Omega 6 Fatty Acids. EPA is the main inflammation reducer, while ALA aids immune and heart health, and DHA aids cognitive health and development. Some excellent sources of Omega 3 to include in your dog’s diet include fatty fish and fish oils, algal oil, flax and chia seed, oysters and eggs. You can read more about choosing an omega supplement for your pet here! Findings Here Findings Here Findings Here What Type of Food Should I Feed? The dog food market really is a minefield! There are many options of different food types, each claiming to be the best! Our ethos here at My Pet Nutritionist is to feed as fresh food as possible! Minimal processing is a major factor in healthy ageing and longevity. In this article, we are going to take a closer look at dry food, fresh cooked food, and raw food. Dry food is not a diet we would generally recommend, especially not for a senior dog! But why? High carb: carbohydrates can have an inflammatory effect on our pets. Dry foods are typically between 30 and 60% carbohydrate – sometimes even higher! Manufacturing process: these foods undergo a huge amount of processing. During the cycle of production from raw ingredient to bag, these foods are subject to up to 4 separate high-heat processes, each time reducing nutritional quality. Synthetic vitamins and minerals: our senior dogs may not be able to utilise the synthetic vitamins and minerals often sprayed onto the dry food at the end of the manufacturing process, deeming them useless. Glyphosate: due to the extreme manufacturing process, glyphosate production occurs. This is the main ingredient effective against killing weeds, but it is linked with cancer and damage of the gut microbiome. Mycotoxins and Aflatoxins: mycotoxins are chemical compounds caused by mould and can lead to vomiting and seizures. Aflatoxins are also caused by mould in food and can lead to cancer and liver damage. Storage mites: before bagging, dry foods are often stored in large hoppers – and even after bagging, the shelf life is very long, encouraging storage mites which can trigger allergies. Advanced Glycation End Products: shortened to AGEs, these harmful chemical compounds are produced during manufacturing, and a linked to cancers, inflammation, oxidative stress and premature ageing. Why do we advocate for a fresh cooked, or raw diet? Which is best for senior dogs? Fresh food is minimally processed, meaning the harmful compounds listed above do not form, reducing the risk of inflammation, oxidative stress and other disease in the body. As the ingredients are still in their whole, natural form they are nutrient dense, and provide the body with excellent nutrition! Another major benefit to fresh food, is that it is high in moisture – moisture in the diet is essential for kidney and gut health, both of which are known to worsen during the ageing process! As the gut motility of senior dogs can reduce, and other changes in the gut naturally occur, many seniors cope best with fresh cooked food as opposed to raw food – though some do still tolerate raw food! We have an extensive array of well formulated and balanced meal recipes for dogs on our website! Our Recommendations There are various aspects of diet we actively encourage owners of senior dogs to include in their dog’s feeding regime. Some may benefit from a more tailored 1-2-1 approach with one of our consultants, however our general
Here at My Pet Nutritionist, we help pet owners help their beloved dogs and cats with all aspects of health and nutrition. Those we consult for include all ages, from puppyhood right through to old age. Our golden oldies deserve just as much love and care as their younger counterparts! As a dog ages, their dietary needs may change – but how? In this bumper 2-part blog, we take a look at the dietary changes your senior dog may need to stay happy, healthy and pain free! Is My Dog a Senior? This is a question we here ever so frequently! Is your dog a senior? Is there a specific age your dog becomes a ‘senior’? what are the signs your dog is becoming a senior? Many processed dog food manufacturers will class a senior dog as ‘7 years plus’ – however we know there are so many contributing factors to a dog becoming a ‘senior’, and this isn’t always at 7 years of age! Factors affecting a dog’s ageing include: Breed: generally speaking, larger breeds will hit their senior years far earlier than smaller breeds. Breeds with predispositions to health conditions may also reach senior years earlier than those without. Genetics: a dog’s family genetics/history can affect the age they reach senior years. Medical history: if your pet has had any health complications growing up, any medical reactions, infections etc, these may cause senior years to come sooner. A dog’s neutering status, or the time they were neutered may also contribute to ageing. Dietary History: a dog fed a gut-friendly diet, full of natural nutrients, with minimal processing for life is more likely to reach senior years later than those fed an ultra-processed diet full of synthetic micronutrients. Ultra-processed dry foods also tend to have a high content of pro-ageing substances called Advanced Glycation End-Products (AGEs) which cause faster ageing. Exposure to toxins: toxin exposure can cause disruption in the endocrine (hormone) system, and cause gut stress which usually comes hand in hand with life shortening conditions, causing senior years to approach quickly. These toxins can be anything from flea and worm medications to environmental toxins both in the home and out and about. Behavioural History: even your dog’s behaviour can have an effect on longevity! This may seem like an odd link, but behavioural stress can have an effect on physical stress, and vice versa. The pathway between the brain and gut, known as the gut-brain axis is at play here! Physical stress on the body, caused by behavioural stress, will speed up the process of ageing. Signs that your dog is entering their senior years include: Weight loss Reduced hearing Reduce eyesight Increased fatigue Less willingness to exercise Reduced cognitive ability Stiffness Reduced appetite Increased water consumption Development of lumps and bumps Lack of balance and stability. Of course, as your dog enters the early staged of senior-hood, these symptoms may be mild, and your dog may only display a few. As your dog progresses through their senior years, more symptoms may appear, or existing symptoms may worsen. Nutritional Needs of a Senior Dog As your dog ages, various changes occur throughout their body which require some nutritional tweaks to ensure optimum health continues. These changes include various internal systems in the body such as: Gut health: the gut of an ageing dog can be subject to various changes affecting gut motility, nutrient absorption and processing. Digestive capabilities often occur due to gut degeneration. Brain health: ageing canines are often subject to cognitive decline. Joint health: one of the major pathways from the gut is the gut-joint axis. When the senior dog’s gut is compromised, joint conditions can become more prominent. Senior dogs generally require more joint support than younger dogs. Dental Health: dental conditions like gingivitis, tooth decay, periodontal disease, tooth fractures and tooth resorption are often seen in older dogs. Kidney Health: kidney disease is one of the more common age-related diseases we often hear about here at My Pet Nutritionist, as older dogs are more susceptible to Chronic Kidney Disease; a progressive disease. Heart Health: as the heart is a muscle, over time it can begin to fatigue. Statistically, around 75% of senior dogs suffer some sort of heart disease! Findings Here Findings Here Findings Here Findings Here When it comes to nutritional composition, we need to look closely at the macronutrients and micronutrients in your dog’s diet; both quantities of, and types/sources of. Macronutrients are the main nutrients our bodies require in larger amounts; let’s take a look these requirements for a senior dog: Protein: The building blocks of protein are called Amino Acids. Amino Acids are essential for pretty much everything in the body to form and function normally, including muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, hair, nails and skin. Protein is also used in the endocrine system, to enable the healthy production of hormones throughout the body. As the dog ages, protein deficiencies become more common, which can lead to absorption issues and muscle degradation which ultimately affects mobility. A meat based, moderate-high protein diet is advisable for senior dogs. Fat: as dogs become less active due to the natural ageing process, a low fat diet may be advisable. Feeding a high fat diet when activity levels are waning may cause weight gain which puts pressure on joints and other parts of the body. The type of fat included in the diet also makes a difference! Saturated fats are the type we ideally do not want much of, however Omega 3 Fatty Acids are known for their anti-inflammatory properties, and are an important part of s senior dog’s diet! More on this later. Carbohydrate: ‘complex’ carbs which are high in fibre may be a great addition to your pet’s diet, to improve digestion, regulate metabolism and help maintain the immune and nervous systems. Higher fibre carbohydrate options include kale, broccoli and leafy green vegetables. Other ‘complex’ carbs that are ok to be fed in small amounts include sweet potato, pumpkin, banana, berries
Here at My Pet Nutritionist, we consult for a huge number of families with an enormous variety of health concerns in their pets. Once diagnosed by a veterinarian, our packages aim to support your pet with a more natural view. One of the conditions we are asked about a lot, is Hypophosphatemia. This is a condition that occurs in both dogs and cats, so this blog may be a handy read for both owners of cats and dogs. Hypophosphatemia is the clinical term for low phosphorous levels being present in the blood. This condition is far more common in dogs than it is in cats. Hypophosphatemia is associated with a host of other health conditions, and can cause a variety of health conditions in itself. Some of the conditions commonly caused by Hypophosphatemia include: Bone Diseases: Rickets is a bone disease often caused by low phosphorous levels, and is specifically a bone growth disease – it ultimately causes bone softening to occur, as well as deformities, especially in puppies and kittens! Another common bone disease caused by Hypophosphatemia is Osteomalacia which is a very similar bone softening disease, but found more commonly in adults. Muscle Weakness: muscles may become weaker, and the pet may become more physically unstable, and may appear slimmer with little muscle tone. Respiratory problems: in rare, severe cases, respiratory issues can occur as a result of low blood phosphorous. Heart Failure: another rare condition to come of low phosphorous levels, in the more severe cases. Seizures: again, while rare, seizures can occur as a direct result of severe Hypophosphatemia. Findings Here Findings Here Symptoms and Causes The clinical presentation of Hypophosphatemia changes depending on the severity of the deficiency in your pet. The trickier side of these symptoms, is that they are common in a variety of health issues, not just Hypophosphatemia! This can make diagnosis more difficult. If your pet has mild Hypophosphatemia, you can expect to see some of, or all of the following symptoms: Muscle weakness: a change in gait, difficulty climbing stairs, weakness when getting up from a bed or laying position, or difficulty standing for long periods. Reduced, or total loss of appetite: pets may have a reduced appetite, or stop eating all together. Lethargy: unwillingness to be active for usual periods of time. Pets may be less alert. Disorientation: leaning or wobbling when standing may occur Findings Here If your pet has severe Hypophosphatemia, you may see the above symptoms, as well as some of the following: Seizures: neurological activity can occur due to the lack of phosphorous in the blood. Ataxia: loss of coordination is another possible neurological symptom often seen in those with a severe deficiency of phosphorous in the blood. Constipation: this can occur due to paralysis of the intestines, meaning faecal matter cannot be pushed through the digestive system in order to be expelled. This condition is called Ileus. Irregular Heartbeat: arrythmias can be detected by your vet using a stethoscope. This is a symptom of severe blood phosphorous deficiency. Haemolytic anaemia and Haemolysis: abnormalities in red blood cell counts during bloodwork may show red blood cell destruction. These conditions are a symptom of severe Hypophosphatemia. Breathing difficulties: these often come hand in hand with heart conditions, and are a symptom of Hypophosphatemia. Findings Here When we look into the possible causes of Hypophosphatemia, there are a number of possible reasons for it’s onset. Let’s take a look at them: Dietary Deficiencies: if the pet’s diet is lacking in phosphorous, hypophosphatemia is a risk. This may be found in those fed a poor quality diet. Renal Disease: disease in the kidneys can cause hypophosphatemia through two pathways – increased excretion of phosphorous in urine, and reduced ability to reabsorb phosphorous in the kidneys. Hyperparathyroidism: when the parathyroid gland (which is involved in the calcium:phosphorous ratio) is overactive, phosphorous loss is increased. Cushing’s Disease (Hyperadrenocorticism): phosphorous imbalances are common in those with Cushing’s Disease. Fatty Liver Disease (Hepatic Lipidosis): this disease in cats is a contributor to phosphorous loss. Diabetic Ketoacidosis: severe phosphorous loss can be caused by this condition which occurs as a result of complications in diabetic animals. Poor Intestinal Absorption: in those with poor gut health, absorption of phosphorous in the gut can cause deficiencies. Phosphorous Redistribution: deficiencies in phosphorous occur when there is a shift from extracellular fluid (the blood) to intracellular fluid (the cells in the body) Specific Intravenous Therapies: some IV fluids can cause a reduction in phosphorous in the blood. Findings Here Findings Here Findings Here Diagnosis Diagnosis of Hypophosphatemia is a simple process. Your veterinarian will take a blood sample, and analyse it. The test is called a ‘Serum Phosphate Test’. Once this analysis is complete, your vet will inform you as to whether your pet’s phosphorous levels are within the ‘normal’ range of results. Findings Here Conventional Treatment When it comes to treatment your vet may offer, they will first and foremost look at underlying causes. Each individual cause will have a different treatment plan, so it is important to work with your vet on these. Depending on the severity of your pet’s Hypophosphatemia, phosphorous supplementation will be advised. More severe cases may have phosphorous supplementation intravenously, but most cases will be advised to give oral supplements. Some veterinarians will also advise on changing your pet’s diet to one with extra phosphorous. Frequent check ups will be carried out by your veterinary team to keep an eye on your pet’s blood phosphorous levels. Findings Here Findings Here A Natural Approach to Hypophosphatemia As always, our approach is often supported by veterinary care, so we tend to look at this as a complementary approach as opposed to alternative. Here are some of our considerations: Feed fresh: Poor dry food will most likely be lacking in various micronutrients despite its ‘complete and balanced’ label. Nutrient levels may be affected due to the numerous periods of exposure to high heat and the subsequent nutrient loss. Synthetic nutrients are often sprayed
Here at My Pet Nutritionist, we consult with dogs and cats with a huge variety of health concerns, from digestive problems to dental problems, and everything in between! One of the dental concerns we see, affects both cats and dogs – tooth resorption. It is estimated that around 60% of cats (pure-bred cats seem to suffer the most), and 40% of dogs will be affected by Tooth Resorption by the time they turn 6 years old! There are various layers to the tooth, starting from the outer surface to the very inside of the tooth, the layers are: Enamel: a thin, white, hard layer which protects the sensitive insides of the tooth Dentin: a tick, softer layer of tissues beneath the enamel, containing microscopic tubules which lead to the nerves in the tooth. Pulp chamber: the powerhouse of the tooth. The pulp creates dentin, and also provides the dentin with nutrients to keep it healthy. This chamber is commonly known as the ‘root canal’ as it extends to the root of the tooth. Cementum: a hard surface anchoring the tooth to the gum. The gum also has multiple layers. Starting from the outer surface visible to the eye to the inside of the gum, the layers are: Gingival Margin: this part keeps the teeth securely in place. Gingival Sulcus: attaches the gum to the tooth. Cemento Enamel Junction: the area where the tooth meets the gum. Periodontal Ligament: attaches the tooth to the jaw. Pets with Tooth Resorption suffer from erosion of their dentin, which ultimately becomes destroyed. This process cannot be reversed! Gradually, more and more of the tooth is affected, becoming destroyed, and appearing to absorb into the gum. Findings Here Findings Here There are many types of Tooth Resorption in both cats, and dogs. Types in cats Type 1: Normal density is maintained, and Periodontal Ligament is unchanged. Resorption is in the Cemento Enamel Junction. Destruction occurs toward the root, or in a side to side direction. Type 2: Narrowing at the Periodontal Ligament area, and the tooth root becomes as dense as the surrounding bone. Type 3: a combination of Types 1 and 2 – teeth also become multicoloured. Types in Dogs External Replacement Resorption: most common form in dogs. The ligament space and root of the tooth change dramatically. External Inflammatory Resorption: the tooth roots are very inflamed. External Cervical Root Surface Resorption: lesions are present around the Cemento enamel junction. External Surface Resorption: the very edges of the tooth root may show on x-rays to be slightly uneven. No other clinical symptoms show. Internal Inflammatory Resorption: oval shaped swellings grow in the root of the tooth. Often caused by dental disease. Internal Surface Resorption: oval shaped swellings form further up the tooth root. May be caused by trauma, but are extremely rare. Internal Replacement Resorption: incredibly rare in pets. Progressive condition. Tunnel-like areas form as a result of tooth root fractures. Findings Here Findings Here Symptoms and Causes Outward symptoms are rarely noticeable in most cases of tooth resorption, making diagnosis often difficult. As pet owners, we need to be really vigilant when it comes to oral health. Regular teeth cleaning is important; and as part of your regular husbandry regime, practicing touching your dog or cat’s tooth may be more important than you may think! One of the few signs that your pet may be suffering with tooth resorption, is pain when the tooth is touched. Other signs include: Increase in drooling Head shaking Reduction of appetite (due to pain when eating) Gingivitis/bleeding from the mouth Face rubbing Gagging Frequent sneezing In progressed cases, tooth fractures are possible – this is largely down to potential damage to the crown of the tooth due to loss of structural tissues. As a result of tooth resorption, your pet may suffer with oral infections – this is due to lesions forming on the tooth crown making the inner tooth accessible by bad bacteria. Very little is known about causes of tooth resorption. While many studies have been carried out, no specific cause has been pinpointed. During these studies, it was found that cells known as ‘odontoclasts’ are responsible for breaking down the hard tooth tissues. Findings Here Findings Here Diagnosis The process of diagnosis is usually simple when a dog shows signs of tooth resorption. Firstly , your veterinarian will discuss your dog’s symptoms, and run a physical examination of your dog’s mouth/teeth. Some veterinarians will run an additional examination under general anaesthetic to be able to get a more thorough look/feel of your dog’s teeth and gums. Next, they will take X-rays of your dog’s teeth. The X-rays will enable them to tell if your dog does have tooth resorption, and how severe the individual’s case is. Conventional Treatment Once your cat or dog has received their diagnoses of Tooth Resorption, treatment must be prompt due to this condition being particularly painful. The treatment offered by your veterinarian will depend on the type of resorption your pet has, and also the severity. Some pets may be referred to a veterinary dentist for treatment. In the event that the condition has progressed rapidly, or too far for the tooth to remain stable, the affected unstable tooth/teeth will be removed. This is a surgical procedure carried out under anaesthetic. In some cases, only part of a tooth is removed, if the veterinary dentist, or veterinary surgeon feels this is in the pet’s best interest. If your pet’s condition is not so advanced, and their teeth are still stable in the gum, treatment mostly involves frequent oral health check ups to check if any intervention is needed yet. Another treatment offered in select cases whereby the tooth is saveable, is root canal treatment. Again, this is a procedure carried out under anaesthetic. During root canal treatment, pulp is removed from the root canal, which is then cleaned, and filled with dental material. The aim of this treatment is to slow the progression of tooth resorption. As this
Here at My Pet Nutritionist, we tend to see quite a few cases of Cushing’s disease. Some cases seem to occur as a result of corticosteroid treatment and others tend to come with a plethora of other symptoms and disease. Here we can cover all we understand about this disease from a conventional perspective, and then we can delve deeper into the natural support we tend to offer. Cushing’s disease, also known as hyperadrenocorticism, is a condition in dogs where the adrenal glands produce too much cortisol; a hormone that helps regulate metabolism, immune response, and stress. There are two primary forms of Cushing’s disease in dogs as we currently understand, but various other forms which are perhaps less common. Let’s take a look at these, starting with the two primary forms. Pituitary-dependent Cushing’s Disease (PDH): This is the most common form, accounting for about 85% of cases. It’s caused by a benign tumour in the pituitary gland (a small gland at the base of the brain) that stimulates the adrenal glands to produce excess cortisol. Adrenal-dependent Cushing’s Disease (ADH): This form is less common and results from a tumour in one of the adrenal glands themselves. This tumour produces excess cortisol independently of the pituitary gland. Iatrogenic Cushing’s Disease: This form of Cushing’s Disease is caused by the administration of corticosteroid medications (e.g., prednisone) for other medical conditions. Long-term or high-dose use of these medications can lead to symptoms similar to Cushing’s Disease. This is not a true form of Cushing’s Disease but rather a drug-induced condition, meaning it can be ‘reversed’. Once the corticosteroid medication is reduced or stopped, the symptoms usually resolve, though it’s important to do so under veterinary guidance. Primary Adrenal Hyperplasia: In rare cases, a dog may develop Cushing’s Disease due to non-tumour-related hyperplasia (enlargement) of the adrenal glands, which leads to excessive cortisol production. This is less common compared to pituitary or adrenal tumours, and may occur due to chronic inflammation or trauma. ACTH-Secreting Tumours Elsewhere: While the pituitary gland is the most common source of excessive adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) production leading to Cushing’s Disease, there are rare cases where tumours in other parts of the body (such as the pancreas) can produce ACTH or ACTH-like substances, leading to Cushing’s- like symptoms. Genetic or Congenital Causes: Although rare, some genetic or congenital conditions could potentially lead to Cushing’s Disease by causing the adrenal glands to produce excessive cortisol. However, this is not well-documented and is less commonly recognised or understood. In summary, while tumours in the pituitary gland or adrenal glands are the most common causes of Cushing’s Disease in dogs, other less common scenarios, such as iatrogenic effects or rare forms of hyperplasia, can also lead to similar symptoms. Symptoms of Cushing’s Disease The symptoms of Cushing’s Disease can vary, but common signs include: Increased thirst and urination. Dogs may drink more water (polydipsia) and urinate (polyuria) more frequently. Increased appetite Excessive Panting Abdominal swelling: A “pot-bellied” appearance due to abdominal distension. The weight is usually carried differently to those who are simply obese. Hair loss: The coat may become thin or brittle, and dogs may experience symmetrical hair loss, sometimes all over! Skin changes: The skin may become thin and prone to bruising/discolouration or infections. Those with hair loss caused by Cushing’s Disease often have a black, scaly look about them. Lethargy and fatigue Muscle wastage, especially in the hind limbs Behavioural change, including increased irritability or changes in mood. If you suspect your dog has Cushing’s Disease, your first step as a responsible pet owner is to seek veterinary assistance, where your dog’s symptoms can be investigated, and an appropriate diagnosis made. It is important to work with your veterinarian to build a suitable treatment plan for your pet. It is also important to note that some of these symptoms can also commonly be seen in other disease, hence the importance of a veterinary consultation. Causes and Risk Factors The exact cause of Cushing’s Disease isn’t always clear, but several factors can contribute: Genetics: Certain breeds are more prone to developing Cushing’s Disease, including most commonly Dachshunds, Poodles, Boxers, and Beagles. Age: Cushing’s Disease is more commonly diagnosed in middle-aged to older dogs, typically between 6 to 12 years of age. Tumours: Tumours in the pituitary gland or adrenal glands are the primary cause of Cushing’s Disease. These tumours are usually benign but can lead to significant health issues due to the impact on hormonal production and the overproduction of cortisol. Gut Health: Gut health has a huge impact on Cushing’s Disease for many reasons. Gut dysbiosis (which occurs when there is an imbalance in the gut microbiome) can come hand-in-hand with Cushing’s Disease due to the fact that some types of bacteria found in the gut cause Cortisol degradation. In those with Gut Dysbiosis, the microbiome may lack enough of this bacteria, causing elevated Cortisol levels. Inflammation: any inflammation in the body is a risk factor of Cushing’s Disease. Cortisol is known to reduce inflammation, however levels are often so high in those with Cushing’s Disease, the body often enters a state of low-grade systemic inflammation. This generalised inflammation can lead to a host of other diseases including cardiovascular (heart) disease, diabetes, and bone mass issues such as osteoarthritis. Toxin Exposure: When we really look into the nitty gritty of toxin exposure, both internally and externally, we can see worrying factors that can cause Cushing’s Disease, and other endocrine diseases. Unfortunately, some toxins our pets (and their humans!) often come into frequent contact with, are known endocrine disruptors. Endocrine disruptors interfere with the balance of hormones in the HPA Axis, which can cause overproduction of the cortisol hormone, and also commonly presents as skin issues. You can read more about the HPA axis here. Findings Here Findings Here Findings Here Findings Here Diagnosis Diagnosing Cushing’s Disease involves a combination of blood tests, urine tests, and diagnostic imaging (usually ultrasound or CT scans) to check for tumours and assess
The brain; that all important organ each and every one of us, and our pets, has! It controls everything in the body, whether it’s thoughts, memory, touch sensitivity, emotions, coordination, temperature regulation, endocrine (hormone) regulation, or any other process in the body. The brain is so important, and keeping it healthy should be every pet owner’s mission! But how do we do that? Find out in this blog post, how to keep the brain healthy! Changes Through Life Stages From teeny puppy, to elderly senior dog, your dog’s brain goes through many changes! As a newborn, your puppy will immediately know what to do when it comes to feeding – this is because the behaviour is instinctive – meaning they’re born automatically knowing how to feed, breathe, move, vocalise etc. Their eyes and ears are completely shut for the first two to three weeks, so instinct goes a long way! A puppy’s brain is not fully developed until the age of 2 years! As your puppy reaches 4 to 5 weeks, the next 8 or so weeks are absolutely crucial in socialisation and cognitive development. Many reputable breeders use a socialisation scheme called Puppy Culture, which is a socialisation structure to ensure your puppy gets the best socialisation and is comfortable in all new experiences they may come across in life! This cognitive stage is one of the most important times to focus on brain health. As your puppy reaches 6-12 months, hormones start to come into play. The brain is a huge producer of many hormones, so brain health during this stage, called ‘adolescence’, is extremely important. During this stage, you may find your puppy’s behaviour relapses a little, and you may find they become anxious in some situations. It is important to feed and supplement to aid brain health during these stages, and also take your training regime back to puppy basics. Keep reading to find out about diet and supplements for brain health! During adulthood, your dog’s brain health can massively dictate it’s typical mental state, how full his or her ‘anxiety bucket’ is, and how low the baseline of that bucket is – ie, their threshold of tolerance in some situations. The ‘anxiety bucket’ is a great way to look at a dog’s brain when it comes to tolerance – those with poorer brain health will have a higher baseline – think of a bucket. An empty bucket is a good sign – it means the dog is level headed, calm and happy. The bucket of a dog with poor brain health, will have material in the bottom of it, making less space for emotions to fit in it. Every trigger, or negative stimuli the dog experiences, adds into the bucket – when the bucket is full, the dog reacts. This is called Trigger Stacking. Those with poor brain health will fill their bucket quicker than those with good brain health (and more room in the bucket to start with!). As your dog reaches his or her senior years, and progresses through them, the brain health can begin to decline, just as it can in humans. As the dog ages, the body often starts to produce proteins known as Beta-Amyloids, which leave deposits on the brain. These deposits left on the brain cause nerve destruction, and leaves plaque in the brain, which hinders cognitive health. Plaque being present in the brain reduces the production of the all important neurotransmitters, which are the ‘messengers’ involved in almost every bodily process. As you can see, brain health should be a focus of all pet owners, throughout their pet’s life. What Causes Poor Brain Health? There are a number of reasons a dog may have poor brain health, so let’s take a look at them! Genetics can have a huge affect on brain health. If brain health is poor due to medical reasons along the breeding line. A genetically poor brain, will pass down through generations. Stress levels during welp can have an enormous impact on brain health in puppies. If a mother dog in welp is stressed, sadly this can have an affect on the puppies’ brain health. If we think back to our bucket analogy, puppies from stressed mothers will naturally have a lower threshold for tolerance, or a higher baseline in their bucket! Socialisation in the first 12 weeks of age can impact a puppy’s mental capabilities. If properly done, the puppy will be set up for a higher chance of success as it ages, if not done correctly, a lack of socialisation (new smells, sights, sounds, objects, ages of people, races in humans, transport methods, textures, and finally other dogs) can lead to poor brain health from an early age. Free Radicals are oxygen atoms in the body, containing an unpaired electron in their orbit, making the molecule unstable and reactive. These unstable oxygen atoms lead to oxidative stress, which opens the body, and especially brain, up to some serious health conditions, including cancer, a rapid cognitive decline and other issues. These are most commonly found in dogs fed diets lacking antioxidants, and also in ageing dogs. Inflammation in the body, especially common in those lacking omega 3 in the diet, causes inflammation on the brain, which can lead to brain disease, affecting hormone release, and production of neurotransmitters. Poor gut health is another common reason a dog may have poor brain health. This may seem quite disconnected, given the gut and the brain are at complete opposite ends of the body, but the two are connected by a pathway known as the gut-brain axis. The gut is much like a roundabout, and connects to many different parts of the body, which are the roundabout ‘exits’ – one of these exits heads to the brain, and the brain back to the gut. Poor gut health affects the brain, and poor brain health affects the gut. Neurotoxins in or around the pet are sadly something we see all too often in our initial consultations. Neurotoxins
There are so many reasons why your dog may have diarrhoea. At My Pet Nutritionist, we help lots of owners with dogs with frequent diarrhoea, and some common causes seem to come up more than others during client consultations. In this blog post, you will find information about the most common causes of diarrhoea in dogs. Diarrhoea is generally a symptom of a physiological stressor; a huge amount of conditions come under this. This blog post only touches the most common reasons we see in practice, however the cause of diarrhoea is certainly nowhere near limited to these issues – seeking veterinary attention if your dog has recurring diarrhoea is essential, in order to rule out any longer term, or more serious health problems. Parasitic Burdens Parasitic burdens, whether they’re intestinal worms, or protozoan parasites like giardia, often cause diarrhoea; in fact, diarrhoea is one of the most common symptoms of parasitic burdens. How do we know if our pets have parasitic burdens? So many pet parents are shocked when they’re informed their pet has parasites, purely on the basis that they cannot see them in the pet’s poop. Intestinal worms are only visible in the faeces if the burden is high. Diarrhoea can start to develop as soon as there are parasite eggs in the digestive tract – these are microscopic, so cannot be seen with the naked eye! Now, your veterinarian can run a faecal egg test, but you can also do these at home! There are various companies from whom you can order a sampling kit from. You simply follow the instructions, pop a poop sample in the provided pot, and pop it in the post back to the company you ordered from. Their laboratories will then look at your dog’s sample under the microscope, record the results, and return them via email. Some companies include protozoan parasites as standard, but others require a separate test for these. Lungworm counts are separate sampling kits, and require a pooled sample over the course of 3 days. It’s advisable to test for intestinal worms every 3 months, and lungworm every 6 to 8 weeks. Depending on the result of your wormcount, you may be able to treat it using GSE – we recommend the BioCare Grapefruit Extract. Heavier burdens may require veterinary intervention. You can read more about internal parasites in our comprehensive blog post here. Findings Here Findings Here Food Sensitivities Food sensitivities are an extremely common topic here at My Pet Nutritionist. We help a huge amount of owners overcome their pets’ dietary troubles when it comes to allergies and intolerances. Food allergies are caused by a malfunction of the immune system, whereas food intolerances are usually down to poor gut health, especially in cases of Leaky Gut where the gut wall integrity is poor. The gut microbiome is very fragile, and is ever so important for all round general health as 70-80% of the immune system resides in the gut. The microbiome as a whole, includes everything from good and bad bacteria, to parasites viruses etc, but a health gut microbiome is in perfect balance, where the ‘good guys’ out weigh the ‘bad guys’. When a dog has poor gut health, and in turn has food sensitivities, the ‘bad guys’ start to overrule the ‘good guys’, which then leads to diarrhoea. In order to work on food sensitivities, and rule out problematic ingredients form your dog’s diet, it is advisable to run a full elimination diet, and carry out lots of gut work through the use of mucilage herbs and probiotics, which will help to heal the gut wall, and improve the amount of ‘good guys’ in the gut microbiome, ultimately reducing the risk of diarrhoea and possible bacterial infections. Our Gut Guardian supplement is a high quality blend of mucilage herbs, soil based probiotics, and calming chamomile. Gut Guardian You can read more on running an elimination diet here. Findings Here Findings Here IBD and Lymphoplasmacytic Gastritis Another common topic among our clients in their consultations with the team is IBD – Inflammatory Bowel Disease. An extreme case of IBD can be diagnosed as Lymphoplasmacytic Gastritis. Lymphoplasmacytic Gastritis is a chronic form of IBD, whereby inflammatory cells and cytokines (the substance which stimulates inflammation of cells) penetrate the stomach and intestinal lining. As you can imagine, when inflammatory cells enter the digestive system, it causes havoc! The inflammatory cells invade the stomach and intestinal lining due to having been subject to an abnormal immune response. There is a huge link to the lymphatic system in the gut too; which means a knock on effect to the rest of the body is very likely. Lymphoplasmacytic Gastritis happens most commonly in older dogs, but has been known in dogs as young as 8 months old. There are a number of causes of this condition, including the adorementioned parasitic burdens and food sensitivities, as well as Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) whereby the bad bacteria in the small intestine’s microbiome overtake the goof bacteria, leading to diarrhoea. As with food sensitivities, gut health is very important in tackling this disease, and got work supplements are highly recommended. Reducing environmental toxins is also paramount in your journey to a better belly! You can read more about Lymphoplasmacytic Gastritis here. Findings Here Findings Here Stress and Anxiety Stress and anxiety can massively affect the gut. The gut is much like a roundabout, with a large number of axes stemming from it to other parts of the body, linking gut health to nearly every other system within the body! When it comes to stress, anxiety, and even excitement (when adrenaline is high), the gut-brain axis is in focus. The gut-brain axis means that stress, anxiety and excitement can affect the gut microbiome, and a bad gut microbiome can also have an affect on brain health and mood. Calm Complex If your dog gets particularly excited or stressed for their walks, you may find they have a loose stool, despite being
Naturally, many pet parents come to us, here at My Pet Nutritionist, having received abnormal blood and urine test results. Abnormal readings in our pets’ results, whether high or low, can be extremely worrying for many of us humans; one of the conditions shown through an abnormally low blood test result, is Hypoglycaemia. This blog looks at what it is, how to spot it, what causes it, what the vet may offer, and how you can support the body through diet and therapeutic supplements. What is Hypoglycaemia? If we break down the word ‘hypoglycaemia’ into three parts, we know what this condition entails. ‘Hypo’ means ‘under’ or ‘less’, ‘Glyc’ relates to ‘glucose’ (a monosaccharide carbohydrate; a type of sugar that can be used for energy but must be consumed for it to be present in the body. It is stored as Glycogen), and ‘aemia’ related to ‘blood’. Hypoglycaemia is a metabolic condition diagnosed when your pet has low blood sugar, or low blood glucose readings to be precise! In healthy dogs, the blood glucose level should be between 3.3 and 6.1mmol/L. If your pet’s blood results come back having a blood glucose concentration lower than 3.3mmol/L, your pet has hypoglycaemia, and requires medical attention, and may benefit in many cases from a diet change. Which we will discuss later in this blog. As glucose is one of the main sources of energy, a lack of it can affect various organs in the body, including the brain! Findings Here Symptoms of Hypoglycaemia There are a range of symptoms associated with hypoglycaemia in cats and dogs. If you see any of these symptoms in your pet, seek veterinary assistance as soon as possible! Symptoms you may see include: Reduced appetite Fatigue and lethargy Excessive water consumption (polydipsia) Excessive urination (polyuria) Reduced coordination, and slow response times Rear end weakness, or complete loss of use Seizure activity, including mild tremors, involuntary twitching, and full seizures Neurologically associated symptoms listed above, and reduced willingness to move or exercise are often the earliest signs of hypoglycaemia. Causes of Hypoglycaemia So what could cause your pet to get low blood glucose concentration readings? There are two categories we need to look at here – physiological reasons, and pathological reasons. Let’s start with physiological reasons why your pet’s blood glucose levels may be low: Overworking/extreme exercise. This is often referred to as ‘hunting dog hypoglycaemia’, and happens mostly in dogs as opposed to cats, but can happen in cats too! Overworked pets will use all available glucose for energy, then reserves of glucose in the body are diminished, causing the aforementioned symptoms. These dogs often have inadequate glycogen stores for the amount of work they are asked to do. Malnutrition. Now, malnutrition can be many things – It can be a lack of appropriate diet, the lack of enough food/calories, or even excess portions/calories. In the case of hypoglycaemia, pets with an inadequate dietary consumption of glucose end up with depleted glycogen stores as they use these for energy. Small Stature/Anorexia. Young smaller breed puppies, or juvenile toy breed dogs can be at a greater risk of hypoglycaemia. In cats, anorexia is a possible cause of hypoglycaemia. This is because they have limited muscle mass and body fat, meaning glycogen stores are limited, and blood glucose is used up very quickly. Toxicity. Whether it’s toxicity associated with medications/drugs, consumption of xylitol, or other toxic substances, in some cases in both dogs and cats, hypersecretion of insulin occurs, which lowers blood glucose levels. Similarly, if a diabetic pet has been given two doses of insulin too close together, hypoglycaemia may occur. Extreme vomiting. This is one of the most common reasons a cat may have low blood glucose concentrations, but is possible in dogs too. As the pet vomits excessively, blood glucose is used, and ultimately this causes depletion of glycogen stores in the body. Findings Here Findings Here Moving onto pathological causes of hypoglycaemia in pets, there are many endocrine and hepatic diseases associated with low blood glucose concentration in pets. Let’s take a look at these: Diabetes. This is one of the most common causes of hypoglycaemia in both cats and dogs. When the body produces too much insulin, or the pet is given too much insulin in the event of a hyperglycaemic attack, glucose production is decreased, and hypoglycaemia occurs. You can read more about diabetes in dogs here. Severe hepatic disease. Whether your pat has hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, neoplasia or any other liver disease, hypoglycaemia is a risk. The liver plays a role in glucose storage, in the form of glycogen – this is called hepatic gluconeogenesis. When the liver is diseased, it is unable to perform this function, leading to low glycogen storage, and therefore, low blood glucose concentration. Both cats and dogs can fall victim to these issues. Portosystemic Shunt. This also causes hepatic gluconeogenesis to decrease, as the vein transporting blood to and from the intestines and heart, bypasses the liver. This is seen more commonly in dogs than cats. Hypoadrenocorticism (Addison’s Disease). This disease is associated with the endocrine system. The counter regulatory hormone, Cortisol, plays a huge role in keeping glucose levels stable in the bloodstream, however in cases of Hypoadrenocorticism, when the adrenal gland which releases cortisol is unable to do so, glucose production is inhibited. This can happen in both cats and dogs. Hypopituitarism. Another endocrine condition, this time affecting the pituitary gland, and it’s ability to release relevant hormones. When the gland is unable to produce and release other counter-regulatory hormones, this time being Growth Hormone and adrenocorticotropic hormone, the glycogen stores are diminished as glucose production is slower than the rate it is being used at. Both cats and dogs can be at risk of this pathway. Islet Cell Hyperplasia and Insulinoma. These are two conditions related to the excessive secretion of insulin. Insulin in high amounts makes the body use excessive amounts of glucose, which lowers the blood glucose concentration. These
