Omega oils are one of the most important components of your pet’s diet, but with such variety of products on the market, aimed both at animals and humans, how do we know which to opt for? Here at My Pet Nutritionist, we recommend a variety of different products from various different brands, and for many different reasons! This blog past aims to help you choose the right omega source for your pets, and explains how to tell one product from the next! What Are Omegas? Omegas are Fatty Acids with a huge variety of uses within the body. Cell membranes are partly formed by Omegas, which deems them an essential nutrient for all living beings. Brain and heart health are both aided by omegas, as well as weight management and cognitive development during puppyhood, and as seniors. Omegas also control part of the body’s inflammatory response, making them useful for joint health, as well as aiding the management of, prevention of, or treatment of many health conditions. Omega Fatty Acids come in three types: Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids are both classed as ‘essential’ nutrients Omega 9 is classed as non-essential but is beneficial to include in the diet So how do the three types of omegas differ chemically? Each different type of omega has not only a different chemical structure, but they have a different amount of saturation of fat. Let’s take a look at their differences a bit more closely. Omega 3 Fatty Acids are ‘polyunsaturated’, which means there is more than one unsaturated carbon bond. In a diagram of chemical structure, you will see two or more ‘double bonds’ between carbon atoms, with a hydrogen atom missing. These polyunsaturated fatty acids cannot be produced by the body, and must be consumed in the diet. Omega 6 Fatty Acids are also ‘polyunsaturated’, however two of the Omega 6 Fatty Acids are able to be produced by the body, leaving the third needing to be consumed in the diet. Omega 9 Fatty Acids are ‘monounsaturated’, which means there is only one unsaturated carbon bond. In a diagram of chemical structure, you would see only one ‘double bond’ with no hydrogen attached to the carbon atoms. These fatty acids can be produced by the body, which makes them non-essential in the diet. We mentioned that some omegas play a role in the body’s inflammatory response, so let’s discuss which ones are inflammatory, and which are anti-inflammatory. Omegas 3 and 9 have some fantastic anti-inflammatory effects on the body, which aids joint health, and is also a contributor to the reduced risk of cancers. There is also one Omega 6 fatty acid which is anti-inflammatory. The names and health roles of these anti-inflammatory Omega 3, 6 and 9 Fatty Acids are as follows: Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA): Omega 3 Fatty Acid playing a role in general reduction in inflammation. Alpha-linolenic Acid (ALA): Omega 3 Fatty Acid playing a role in heart and immune health. Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA): Omega 3 Fatty Acid playing a role in brain health and cognitive development. Gamma-linolenic Acid (GLA): Omega 6 Fatty Acid aiding the control of hormones. Oleic Acid (OA): Omega 9 Fatty Acid plays a large role in prevention of cancer and heart disease, and reduction of cholesterol. The other Omega 6 Fatty Acids are inflammatory, which negate the omega 3, and vice versa. It is very much a balancing act of omega 3 and 6 consumption, to receive the benefits of omega 6, but keep inflammation to a minimum. Linolenic Acid (LA): Omega 6 Fatty Acid which helps to prevent heart disease, keep a regular heartbeat, and potential to prevent blood clots. Arachidonic Acid (ARA): Omega 6 Fatty Acid which as an important signalling molecule, plays a huge role in the mediation of many cellular functions such as remodelling actin, a extremely important protein in some cells in the body, useful for protein-protein interactions. Findings Here Findings Here Findings Here Sources of Omega Where can we find these all important Omegas in order to add them into our pet’s diets? There are so many sources of Omegas, some good, some not so advisable. They are found in many forms, from fresh foods, to extracted oils which come in capsules, or in a large bottle, usually with a pump. There are meat based sources of omegas, and there are plant based sources of omegas. Some of the most popular sources of each type of Omega 3, 6 or 9 Fatty Acid we have discussed so far in this blog post, are: Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA): found in fatty fish and fish oils, as well as many algal oils. Alpha-linolenic Acid (ALA): found in flaxseed oil, chia seeds, walnut oil, perilla oil or oysters. Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA): found in fatty fish , fish oils and algae oils, and eggs. Gamma-linolenic Acid (GLA): found in Hempseed oil, borage oil (to be given with caution, in small quantities only), and evening primrose oil (to be given with caution, and not to be given to epileptic pets) Linolenic Acid (LA): found in sunflower oil, some nuts, seeds, olive oil, flaxseed, avocado oil (though the amount here is low) and eggs. Arachidonic Acid (ARA): found in meat and poultry, particularly farmed. Oleic Acid (OA): found in olive oil, some fish oils, and some nuts. What to Look Out For When it comes to picking an omega source for our pets, as with anything, most of us want to make an informed decision to pick the absolute best for our furry friends! With such huge variety of Omega products on the market, how to we know what is best? How is one product different to another? As with many dietary additions, there are many qualities to look out for or avoid in different products. Not all products are equal in quality, so that’s where we come in handy – keep reading for pointers on selecting a source of omegas for your pets! Fresh Food Sources As with most things we
The topic for this blog post here at My Pet Nutritionist, is all about the skin, specifically, two skin conditions we see frequently in dogs who come to us for help. Calcinosis Cutis, and Mucinosis are two conditions affecting the epidermis, and can be mild, or severe. Find out more about what they look like, what causes them, and how to support the body in getting rid of them in this blog post. What Are Calcinosis Cutis and Mucinosis? Calcinosis cutis and Mucinosis are both skin conditions, which can look quite similar. They both result in hairloss and redness of the skin, usually with either scabs, lesions, or small bobbles of skin, much like a patch of very tiny grapes. The bobbles are more apparent in cases of Mucinosis, and the legions or scabs are more typical of those suffering with calcinosis. Both conditions are as a result of a build up of substances in the various layers of the skin, but the deposits are different depending on the condition. Calcinosis cutis occurs when there are deposits of insoluble minerals in the skin, which leads to dystrophic calcification (where blood calcium levels are normal, but calcium salts are deposited in tissues, often due to damage) or metastatic calcification (where blood calcium levels are elevated). Dystrophic calcification is the more common form of calcification found in dogs, but metastatic calcification can happen. This condition is often in one or two smaller patches on your dog, however if the majority of the body is covered in the associated calcium deposits, the vet may diagnose it as Calcinosis universalis. Findings Here Dogs diagnosed with this condition require further investigation, as it occurs as a secondary issue to an underlying, and often severe health problem, which we will go deeper into shortly. Findings Here Mucinosis, or Cutaneous Mucinosis, happens when there is a build up of a glycoprotein called Mucin. Mucin is predominantly comprised of Hyaluronic Acid, and is essential in the body and plays a role in immune system modulation, inflammation control, lubrication of the digestive and reproductive tracts, lubrication of joints, and aids in the removal of pathogens, allergens, and foreign bodies. The more Hyaluronic Acid in the body, the more mucin there is, produced by the intestinal epithelium. Excess Mucin in the body is pushed toward the surface of the skin, which leads to severe bobbling and folding of the skin. Findings Here Findings Here A diagnosis of Mucinosis is not usually life-threatening, but secondary issues including breathing issues, eye problems such as entropion, and bacterial skin issues may occur. Mucinosis also occurs as a secondary condition to an underlying health problem, much like those with Calcinosis cutis. Causes of Calcinosis Cutis and Mucinosis Both conditions are as a result of an underlying condition, so let’s take a look at what causes what! When it comes to breed predisposition, Mucinosis is common in the Shar Pei. This is thought to be due to a genetic mutation which has been inherited from earlier generations, which causes high levels of hyaluronic acid to be present in blood serum. Larger/heavier set breeds, including bulldogs and German Shepherds seem to be affected by Calcinosis cutis more commonly than other breeds. Findings Here Age can be a factor in Calcinosis cutis too, affecting younger dogs under 2 years of age more commonly than older dogs. Trauma to the body, and reactions to medications, vaccinations, and foreign bodies can all be common underlying causes of Calcinosis cutis, as these leave tissues exposed, and vulnerable to inflammation and deposits of calcium mineral salts. Trauma and reactions cause the dystrophic form. Similarly, as inflamed tissues are at higher risk of damage, allergies and intolerances can be linked back to both conditions. Working on allergies, and running an elimination diet is essential for many with these conditions. You can learn more about elimination diets here. You may also wish to check for allergies using a nutriscan test. Findings Here When we look at specific medications that can cause Calcinosis cutis, there’s one type we commonly see as a cause of the condition; steroids. The over use of steroids is one of the top contributors to the onset of Calcinosis cutis in its metastatic form. Long term steroids can leave the body open to so many diseases, which is why it’s always best to get to the root cause of your pet’s issue, and only use steroids short term, and as a last resort. Findings Here Much like the over use of steroids, the over production of corticosteroids, which are adrenal hormones used by the body in the control of inflammation, is another of the most common underlying problems associated with Calcinosis cutis. The condition ‘hyperadrenocorticism’ (commonly known as Cushing’s Disease) is where the adrenal gland over produces corticosteroids as a result of adrenal cancer, pituitary cancer, or overgrowth of the adrenal glands. Unfortunately, the presence of too much corticosteroid in the body can supress the immune system, and damage the gut microbiome, which causes deposits of calcium to build up in the skin. Findings Here Kidney disease can also be an underlying cause of a build up of calcium in the skin, as their main role is to remove waste and excess products from the blood. If the kidney is unable to function properly, it wont be able to filter out any excess mineral salts. This is more common in cats than dogs, but can also happen in dogs in rarer cases. In dogs, kidney disease and the associated onset of Calcinosis cutis can be caused by contraction of leptospirosis. Findings Here Those with cancerous tumours on major glands in the body can also cause the blood calcium concentration to raise, leaving the body with excess calcium to be pushed through the layers of the skin, causing Calcinosis cutis. Findings Here When it comes to non-genetic underlying causes of Mucinosis in dogs, there are two theories, both regarding hyaluronic acid. The first is that there is a defect
Here as My Pet Nutritionist, we see customers with pets with a host of different diagnoses. Diet and lifestyle play a huge role in the management of such conditions, and this is no different when your pet has been diagnosed with Hypokalaemia. Find out more about this condition in this blog post, where you can learn what it is, how to spot symptoms, conventional treatments available, and how you can help your dog by tweaking their diet and lifestyle. What is Hypokalaemia? Hypokalaemia is a deficiency of potassium in the bloodstream. We can break the word down into three parts; ‘hypo’ meaning there is not enough of something, ‘kal’ being related to the chemical formula of potassium, and ‘aemia’ meaning in relation to the blood. Potassium is an electrolyte, and is an essential mineral, stored mostly inside cells. It plays a huge role in the body, including keeping nerve function healthy, ensuring the muscles and heart function correctly, and aiding the transport of both nutrients, and waste around the body. Those with hypokalaemia are deficient in potassium, which plays havoc on nerve, muscle and heart function as the change in concentration of potassium disrupts electrical charges and cell signals from passing through the cells properly. Nutrient absorption and waste remove may also reduce. Hypokalaemia mostly affects the nervous system, the cardiovascular system (which is as a result of hypokalaemia of the nervous system, as the lack of electric signalling from the brain to the heart causes irregular heartbeat which can ultimately lead to death), and the musculoskeletal system. This condition can happen in both dogs and cats, but is more common in dogs than it is in cats. Symptoms of Hypokalaemia There are a variety of symptoms you may see in your pet prior to diagnosis, however milder cases may be symptom-free until the deficiency is severe, when symptoms start to show. These symptoms can include: Lethargy/fatigue Vomiting Severe constipation Increased thirst Increased urination Weight loss Muscle wastage Changes to gait (stiffness, posture/head position, and walking on the back of their feet, not the sole) Irregular heartbeat If your pet is showing any number of these symptoms, it is important you seek veterinary attention as soon as possible. Causes of Hypokalaemia So what causes hypokalaemia? This certainly isn’t a straight forward, one answer fits all situation, so let’s take a look at the potential causes of hypokalaemia in pets. In the event that too much potassium is lost from the body due to polyurea (excessively urinating), excessive defecating, vomiting or other bodily fluid loss, Hypokalaemia is a risk. This is often seen as a secondary health complication to chronic kidney disease (CKD), cardiac issues, or cancer, but most commonly with CKD. Those with CKD, cardiac issues or cancer may notice symptoms after some time, as the damage caused on cells in the body causes potassium loss, which is often not replaced in the diet. Findings Here As potassium can only be sourced through the diet, the lack of a properly balanced diet, low food intake (such as those with anorexia), or reductions in the amount of food eaten by the individual each day either due to illness, or weight loss where daily food allowances have been reduced too quickly, can all lead to Hypokalaemia. The recommended amount of potassium per day for a dog is 1g per 15kg (33lbs) bodyweight. For a cat, the recommended daily amount of potassium is 0.33g per 4kg (9lbs) bodyweight. Findings Here Findings Here Findings Here Dogs and cats with metabolic conditions may also be at risk of developing hypokalaemia. Those with diabetes mellitus are among the more common to experience a lack of potassium in the bloodstream. Findings Here The use of some medications such as most cardiac medications which are diuretics can lead to hypokalaemia too, however this is a tricky problem to solve, as the medications with the potential to cause hypokalaemia, are often life saving, and required. Findings Here Diagnosing Hypokalaemia As hypokalaemia is very often associated with other diseases, most commonly CKD, your veterinarian will run a urinalysis – this is where you take a sample of your dog or cat’s urine, which is then analysed in a lab to check your pet’s kidney function. abnormal function of the kidneys could point to hypokalaemia being the reason for your pet’s stiff gait, muscle wastage, or other symptoms commonly displayed by pets with the condition. Alongside a urinalysis, your veterinarian will take a sample of your pet’s blood, which will be analysed in a lab to determine current concentrations of potassium in the blood serum. Abnormal levels of potassium will be easily identified via this blood test. As cardiac issues often come hand in hand with hypokalaemia, due to the lack of ability to send electric signals to the muscle to encourage it to work, many veterinarians will also run an ECG on your pet to ensure their heart is in good working order. This is often carried out following diagnosis of hypokalaemia. Auscultation (listening to parts of the body with a stethoscope) will be carried out, as it should be with any veterinary appointment, regardless of reason. This will quickly check for any signs of arrhythmia, from where the veterinarian may proceed to using an ECG. Findings Here Conventional Treatment Options When treating, or managing hypokalaemia, the ‘conventional’ treatments are very much similar to the natural support you can provide your cat or dog. The ultimate goal, is to raise potassium levels! In the more severe cases, where the pet is extremely unwell, unable to walk, constantly vomiting, defecating and urinating, the pet will be given a potassium rich mixture via intravenous drip. Depending on the condition, and medical history of the pet in question, the veterinarian will be able to determine how fast the potassium drip should be administered – too fast, and the heart may be affected by an irregular heartbeat! Your veterinarian may recommend a specific diet, and will also recommend giving your dog daily potassium
Here at My Pet Nutritionist, we don’t like to leave any stone unturned – pun not intended! When it comes to a diagnosis of bladder stones/crystals, it can feel like you’re embarking on a never ending journey. You will find lots of information on each type of bladder stone found in dogs, but this blog post focusses on Struvite Stones. What are Struvite Crystals/Stones? Struvite Crystals are the most common type of crystal found in dogs, and when combined with Urease, a bacteria-produced enzyme, struvite stones are formed. Struvite crystals being present in the urine by themselves, aren’t much of a worry, however when they are combined with the aforementioned Urease, struvite stones do become a problem, and require treatment. Struvite stones also develop as a result of infection by other bacteria types including Proteus, and Staphylococci strains. There are two other names you may see for Struvite Stones, and these are due to their chemical make up; these are: Magnesium-ammonium-phosphate Triple phosphate Female dogs are more at risk of developing struvite stones, with a staggering 85% of cases being seen in female dogs! Dogs with recurring UTIs (urinary tract infections) are also among the most likely to develop struvite stones. Symptoms of Struvite Stones A range of different symptoms may occur if your dog develops struvite stones, including: Blood in urine ‘downward dog’ position indicating stomach pain Frequent urination Urinary incontinence/urinating in unusual places Difficulty urinating Regular licking of the genitals Increased thirst Nausea Findings Here How Do They Form? Struvite Stones thrive in an alkaline environment. When looking at the pH of your dog’s urine using a pH test strip, alkaline urine will show as a blue or purple tone. The healthy range of canine urine is between 6.5 and 7, which is neutral, or very slightly acidic. Anything above pH7 is alkaline. When the body undergoes bacterial infection in the bladder, ammonia is produced, which in turn causes the pH to become more alkaline, allowing the formation of struvite stones to occur. Findings Here Diagnosis of Struvite Stones The easiest way to diagnose struvite stones in dogs, is via X-Ray, however sometimes this isn’t possible due to other parts of the body getting in the way of a clear image. X-Rays use radiowaves, and produce Radiographs (hence those who take the images are known as radiographers!). Struvite stones are radiodense, which means they would show up very easily in X-Rays. In cases where X-Rays are not possible, the veterinarian may use ultrasound on the bladder area. Before scans, the veterinarian may give a coloured liquid to the dog which dyes the stones, making them more visible. The accompanying step to working out the type of stone present, is through urinalysis. Urine samples are needed to find out if any bacteria or crystals are present – this can help determine the type of stone, since bladder stones aren’t very easy to tell apart through imaging alone. If a sample of a stone is taken, this can be analysed by a veterinary laboratory for an official diagnosis of stone type. Findings Here What Can the Vet Do? Much like the removal of another type of bladder stone, the Cysteine Stone, the vet may suggest surgical removal. The surgical procedure is called a Ureteroscopy, during which a very small instrument is passed through the bladder and up the Ureter, pushing the stone out in the process. Alternatively, the pet may be opened up, and large stones causing blockages will be removed by hand. For a non-surgical, less invasive approach, the vet may recommend a procedure known as a urohyrdopropulsion. This procedure is usually most successful on medium to large dogs, and involves two catheters being placed in the dog; one up the urethra, and the other in the urethral lumen. A finger is inserted into the rectum to push against the urethra, causing a build up of pressure and a tight seal. Once a tight seal is made, saline water is flushed through the catheters, and the bladder is palpated, flushing the small stones out. Although this method requires anaesthesia, it is preferred for smaller stones as it is much less invasive than surgery. Findings Here Your veterinarian may suggest a diet change too – however they may wish to sell you a ‘prescription’ dry food diet. This is where fresh feeding is paramount, as dry foods have a low meat content, and low moisture – both of which are essential in abundance for a dog with bladder stones! Let’s take a look at diet, and supplements to help prevent Struvite Stones. Supporting the Body, and Preventing Struvite Stones When it comes to supporting the body with the aim to reduce the risk of recurring Struvite Stones, we need to look at the diet, as well as suitable supplementation. Diet Dogs with any bladder stones, require a high moisture diet! Fresh feeding, whether that’s raw or gently cooked, allows for meals to be suitably high in moisture. You may even wish to ‘float’ the food – meaning you add extra water to it. The other benefit of providing a fresh diet, is the high meat content. Feeding a predominantly meat based diet is essential for those suffering from Struvite Stones as meat naturally encourages a more acidic environment in the bladder. Some ingredients to consider including in your dog’s diet, to promote an acidic environment include: Chicken Pork Beef Eggs Fish Venison Meanwhile, it’s best to avoid more alkaline food like: Broccoli Carrot Cucumber Pumpkin Kale Sweet potato Apple Banana Cabbage Pumpkin We have two recipes balanced to FEDIAF, which are ideal for those with struvite stones – Low Fat Fish and Low Fat Venison. Supplements A number of supplements can be very useful in the combatting of Struvite Stones. Gut Health supplements are one of the most important ones to give, as with almost any condition, a healthy gut microbiome helps. When urea is excreted into the gut passage, it is broken down by the bacterial colonies in
Here at My Pet Nutritionist, we help customers tackle a host of different health conditions and concerns. Some diseases our customers’ dogs come to us with are common, and simple, others are not so common, and more complex. Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency is one of the not-so-common examples of health concerns we have helped customers with. While it is rare, and not tested for as standard, we are beginning to see more and more cases of EPI, so this blog post will be a great educational tool for those who want to learn more about EPI, as well as those who’s pet has been diagnosed with it. What is EPI? EPI, as its commonly called, is shortened from Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency. ‘Exocrine’ is the system to do with the body’s enzymes. The pancreas is an important part of the digestive system, and also an important part of the exocrine and endocrine systems. The pancreas is an organ, located in the right side of the abdomen, close to your dog’s stomach. There are two parts to the pancreas – the exocrine pancreas and the endocrine pancreas. The endocrine pancreas releases the hormone, Insulin, which controls blood sugar levels. The exocrine pancreas releases enzymes responsible for food digestion, particularly the macronutrient, protein. In those suffering with EPI, the pancreas is unable to produce enough of these enzymes, which leads to major malnutrition, unless treated daily. EPI is an incurable disease, and requires daily management to keep symptoms at bay. Findings Here Symptoms of EPI There are a number of symptoms associated with Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency. Many of these symptoms are common symptoms of other health conditions, which makes diagnosis of EPI quite tricky, but the symptoms can be severe, and in some cases life threatening. Here’s some of the main symptoms you could expect from a dog suffering with EPI include: Rapid weight loss Lack of ability to put weight on Insatiable appetite Chronic diarrhoea Mucus in the stool Vomiting Lethargy/fatigue If your dog has a number of these symptoms, it is extremely important you have your dog assessed by a veterinarian, as EPI dogs can go downhill very quickly. Findings Here Diagnosis of EPI Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency is rarely routinely tested for upon first signs of symptoms, and is regularly misdiagnosed. As the disease is quite rare, and little is taught about it in initial veterinary qualifications, dog owners who suspect this disease often have to specifically request for testing for EPI in their initial consultations. So how is EPI diagnosed? There are two tests carried out in those with suspected EPI. A fasted blood test, and a faecal test. Once the sample has been taken, the test used is called a Canine Trypsinogen-like Immunoassay (or cTLI for short!). For this test, pets must be starved for a minimum of 6 hours – this is usually best done overnight. Trypsinogen is a non-activated enzyme; known as a proenzyme. The pancreas of healthy individuals secretes Trypsinogen into the small intestine with other enzymes in the mix, where it converts to Trypsin – the activated form, which is used to digest proteins. It is very much normal for Trypsinogen to be detected in blood tests of healthy animals, because a little Trypsinogen leaks into the blood stream where it is circulated around the body. How do cTLI results differ for those with EPI? The results from a cTLI of a dog with EPI will show as low to no Trypsinogen when analysed. This is because those suffering with EPI have a reduced functionality of the pancreatic tissues, resulting in less Trypsinogen being secreted into the intestine, and therefore less leaking into the bloodstream, if any. Findings Here Another blood test is usually carried out in cases where EPI is suspected, to test for levels of Vitamin B9 (Folate) and Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin). While these vitamins aren’t directly related to the pancreas, they can easily be affected by a poorly functioning pancreas due to the affect EPI has on the microbiome of the gut. Blood serum analysis for Vitamin B12 will be low, as EPI can lead to B12 deficiency, whereas serum analyses for Folate will usually come back in excess. You can read more about high Folate and it’s relationship with low Vitamin B12, and how these are affected by the pancreas in our blog here. Findings Here Let’s move onto the faecal testing side of EPI diagnosis. The test carried out is called a Faecal Elastase Test. This test is for another of the pancreatic enzymes used during digestion, called Elastase. As with all enzymes, Elastase performs a specific job – it’s role in digestion is to help break down fats, carbohydrates and proteins, for use by the body for energy, growth, and cell maintenance. Healthy individuals with a well functioning pancreas will have elastase in their stools, however those with EPI will not produce as much elastase due to damaged pancreatic tissues, so elastase would be lacking in faecal samples. Findings Here Causes of EPI There are various reasons a dog may have EPI – it can be congenital (present from birth), hereditary (genetically inherited), or acquired (through trauma or disease). Congenital and hereditary causes are self-explanatory – it’s important to source puppies from health tested breeding pairs, with no history of EPI in their immediate or extended genetic lines. If you are opening up your heart and home to a rescue dog, there is a small chance of congenital or hereditary EPI, as you don’t know the history of the dog’s genetic lineage, however it is a rare disease, so it wouldn’t be on the forefront of our minds when considering a rescue dog. Should you experience the symptoms listed in this blog post, hopefully our guide will help you and your rescue dog should the need arise. As with many diseases we write about here at My Pet Nutritionist, there are some breeds which are genetically predisposed to EPI, including: West Highland White Terriers German Shepherds Akitas Border
Internal parasitic burdens can be quite worrisome for pet parents – they can affect both our pets, and us humans too, so they’re certainly something to be one step ahead of! Here at My pet Nutritionist, we aim to put your mind at ease, and to help you fully understand the ins and outs of parasites, giving you lots of options to help prevent and control infestations. You can read part 1 here! Welcome to part 2 – Internal Parasites When looking at internal parasites, there are various parts of the body targeted, which we need to look at, including the intestines, (where you can find nematodes, cestodes and protozoa), the lungs, and the heart. Some of these parasites can be life threatening, so it’s important to understand symptoms, prevention, and treatment options. Intestinal Parasites Intestinal parasites are usually referred to by pet owners, as ‘worms’. While some are worms, not all intestinal parasites are worms, nor are all worms equal! Nematodes differ from Cestodes, which differ from Protozoa, so we will delve deeper into each type here in this blog post. Nematodes Nematodes are from the phyla Nematoda, and are your typical worm – they usually look similar to your garden earth worms (though are not actually related!); long and thin, with a squashable texture, and tapered ends. This, of course, is a generalisation, and there are various physical and mechanical differences between the different parasitic nematodes. Here’s the strange thing about nematodes – they can be harmless, and actually beneficial, or they can be parasitic – it’s a very broad phyla! Beneficial nematodes are often used as a means of environmental flea, tick and ant control. These are sold online or from some environmental/gardening shops, and are mixed with water before being sprayed onto the affected area. The microscopic nematodes, now sprayed all over the area, target, and eat the larvae of their target species, which controls pest population! Anyway, getting back to the parasitic kind! Let’s take a look at the intestinal nematodes pet owners may face during their time with pets. Roundworms (Toxocara canis and Toxicaris leonina) Roundworms, also known as Ascarid worms, are very easy to identify in their matured form. If a pet has a burden of these worms, which have matured from their larval stage, they will be very obviously present in the animal’s faeces, or vomit. They are white in colour, usually long (between 4 and 6 inches), thin, and curly – they are often expelled from the body in spirals. The main method of transmission of roundworm to our pets, is through coming into contact with contaminated faeces. Those carrying roundworm, shed microscopic eggs into their faeces, leaving others to come into contact with it. Some insects and other animals, including cockroaches, earthworms, and birds can also carry roundworm eggs, which if eaten by your pet, can pass onto, and mature inside your pet. Puppies can also be born with roundworms, and shed live eggs in their faeces. A question owners often ask, is if they can catch roundworms from their pets – and the answer is yes! Accidental oral contact with your pets faeces can pass roundworms on to you, if your pet is carrying roundworm eggs. Symptoms you may see if your dog has a mature roundworm burden include: Diarrhoea Vomiting Changes to skin and coat Weight loss Bloated appearance to the stomach Visible worms in faeces and/or vomit If your dog has recently contracted roundworm, and it is still in it’s larval stage, it’s unlikely there will be many symptoms, apart from perhaps some loose stools. Findings Here Hookworms (Uncinaria stenocephala and Ancylostoma caninum) The next intestinal nematodes we will look at are Hookworms. As per their name, matured hookworms look like very small, but not microscopic, hooks. They are very thin, no longer than 2cm long, and are white in colour. They can be seen in faeces when they’re matured, but can be confused with undigested food particles, or even small pieces of string. In order to stay inside the intestine, where they are fed and housed in those infected, they have small mouthparts which latch onto the intestine walls where they feed directly from blood vessels surrounding the intestine. There are a few methods of transmission for hookworms in pets – pets can contract them through their mother’s milk as puppies or via the placenta before birth, and they can be orally ingested, or even be contracted through the skin. Hookworm larvae can lay dormant, and reactivate during pregnancy too, so it’s important to run regular faecal samples during pregnancy. Can hookworms transmit to humans? Yes, and no. Larvae can be transmitted in unsanitary conditions, but are rarely transmitted as adults. There is one exception to this however! This may make you shudder, but matured Hookworms can work their way into the human body through the skin, most commonly through bare feet in unsanitary conditions where pets have shed larvae in their faeces. While Hookworm infestations aren’t generally life threatening, they can cause anaemia if left untreated – this is more common in young animals than in adults though. Some symptoms you may notice if your pet has Hookworms include: ‘downward dog’ position in dogs (showing gastrointestinal discomfort) Diarrhoea Vomiting Bloodied stools (due to blood loss when Hookworms detach from the gut lining, as they inject anticoagulants into the localised feeding area) Changes to skin and coat Anaemia, especially in young animals Physical development impairments in young pets Small string like worms visible in faeces Coughing in severe cases If your dog has Hookworms in their larval stage, you may see diarrhoea, but may not see other symptoms, as eggs are microscopic. Findings Here Findings Here Whipworms (Trichuris vulpis) Whipworms, the third nematode sometimes found in our pets, get their name from their shape, much like the other nematodes discussed in this article. If you think of a whip, carried by movie heroes like Indiana Jones, and reduce it’s size to 0.5-5cm – you’ll have
Parasites are always a worry with our pets – let’s face it, our pets touch all sorts on the ground during their walks, sniffing sessions, and play time! It’s inevitable that they come into contact with faeces, urine, slugs, snails and so much more, giving many opportunities for parasites to be picked up, both internally and externally. Here at My Pet Nutritionist we want to help you understand more about parasites, how we can test for them, and how we can help the body rid of them. This is a bumper two part blog, providing you with all the need-to-know information regarding parasites! You can read Part 2 here! Welcome to part 1 – External Parasites Fleas Fleas can be identified as tiny black insects, moving in a hopping form. They jump and crawl around your dog, using a long feeding tube to suck blood from under your dog’s skin. they are very much visible to the naked eye, and another sign of fleas being present, is the dirt they leave behind – this can be identified as black matter in patches across the skin of the dog, at the base of hair follicles. Fleas can be picked up out on walks, or from communal dog establishments when in contact with another dog with fleas, or wildlife with fleas. There are different types of fleas, which target different animal species, some live happily on dogs and cats too, but others can only survive on their intended species, for example hedgehog fleas can only survive on hedgehogs. Cat fleas and dog fleas are the ones most commonly seen in pet households. They can also bite their humans too! If flea infestations are left for too long, the pet can become anaemic (particularly common in puppies), and also suffer with hair loss. Later in this blog post, we will discuss the dangers of using isoxazolines (chewable pest treatments) and spot-on treatments for our pets. Sometimes severe infestations do require one of these products to get them under control, as well as professional house exterminators, but we recommend avoiding these products unless it is as a last resort. Naturally, you can help prevent fleas through the use of selected essential oils (take extra caution with cats when using EOs) and neem oil on the pet, and feeding fresh garlic to dogs (though avoid feeding garlic to puppies under 6 months, and any Japanese breed as these are susceptible to allicin poisoning), as well as another herbal flea prevention supplement. There are many natural topical and internal products on the market, specifically for their target species, whether that’s cat or dog, so using these in a layered approach may give you the best chance of staying flea free! If your pet was to get some fleas, rubbing a thick layer of shampoo onto their dry coat, and leaving for 10 minutes before rinsing out using a comb can really help control the infestation. You can also purchase electric flea-zapping combs which can have great results! In severe cases, food grade diatomaceous earth could be sprinkled onto the coat, however this is extremely drying on the skin, and can be lethal if inhaled. You will also need to focus on steam cleaning your soft furnishings, carpets etc, and clean the house regularly, making extra sure to clean any small, potentially moist nooks and crannies, and wicker items as fleas seem to love these areas! Findings Here Findings Here Ticks Ticks get a really bad reputation – and for good reason, especially in some countries outside of the UK. Ticks can be identified as having a bulbous body, with very small head, and 8 legs, protruding from the head area. When they’re attached to your pet’s skin, you will be able to see the large rounded body (the larger the body, the more the tick has fed), with some legs seen very close to the skin. Ticks need to be removed as soon as possible, as they can carry a range of diseases – anything from Lyme disease (which is the most common tick bourne disease in the UK, though isn’t very common I itself) to disease leading to Alfa Gal Syndrome in humans, and paralysis in the host in other countries. They really can be nasty little creatures! To remove a tick, simply grab a tick removal tool and follow the basic instructions. They’re usually fail safe, and easy to use. If by chance, you do get the head stuck in the pet, these usually work their way out in time. To transmit Lymes Disease, ticks have to be attached for 36-48 hours, however some species of ticks carrying more sinister diseases in countries outside the UK can transmit disease quicker, so it’s super important to check your pets twice a day, and after every walk. You can read more about types of ticks, tick removal, and tick prevention in our blog dedicated to ticks here! Mites Mites come in various forms. The most common ones we see, are Mange (of which there are two types), harvest mites, and ear mites. Let’s take a look at some of these. Mange Mange presents as large areas of hair loss and scabbing. In severe cases, dogs can become completely bald. To test for mange, your veterinarian will take a skin scrape – a sample of the skin’s microbiome, which is analysed under a microscope for mite activity. Each type of mite is a different shape, so the type of mite can easily be diagnosed. Sarcoptic mange is often referred to as Scabies. Sarcoptic mange mites tend to live on the skin’s surface, and tend to be contagious. Ivermectin is the treatment often prescribed by veterinarians to battle sarcoptic mange, however there are some potential complication to using this, which we will discuss later in this blog. Some medicated, anti-seborrheic shampoos, are often used too. There are some natural options that may work in helping fight sarcoptic mange mites, including neem oil, turmeric, and some select essential
Malabsorption is something we see fairly frequently in dogs here at My Pet Nutritionist. It can be quite scary for pet owners to witness, but there may be some things we can recommend to help these pets. This blog post will explain what malabsorption is, what causes it, and how you can support the body through diet and supplements. What is Malabsorption? Malabsorption is a condition that affects the patient’s ability to efficiently absorb nutrients from food sources. The dog may be consuming a perfectly balanced diet, but still unable to benefit from the nutrition it provides. This is down to underlying problems between the small intestine, and the pancreas; these underlying problems can be a multitude of ailments, so further investigation into potential underlying issues is paramount and working with your veterinarian to discover these, is important. Regular visitors to our blog, may notice we often list breeds who are commonly predisposed to each condition we talk about, however when it comes to malabsorption, there is no specific breed predisposed. This is down to the fact that different breeds will be predisposed to different underlying conditions, and it very much depends on the condition diagnosed, which is causing the malabsorption. Symptoms of Malabsorption There are a variety of symptoms you may notice if your dog has malabsorption. Here are some of them: Pica (consumption of unusual/inedible items) Weight loss, often rapid Lethargy and fatigue Insatiable appetite/extreme hunger Loose stools and gurgling stomach Flactulance Nausea and vomiting Reduced coat condition If these symptoms are present in your dog, please seek veterinary advice as soon as possible as investigations are the important first step in helping your dog with malabsorption. Findings Here Causes of Malabsorption There are many underlying conditions which could lead to malabsorption. We will go through some of these, and give a brief description of each one. You may wish to take this article with you to your veterinary appointment as some of the conditions are not routinely tested for. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Inflammatory Bowel Disease is something we talk about, and see a lot here at My Pet Nutritionist. It seems to be very common in lots of dogs who have poor gut health. Those with IBD have inflamed bowels due to the penetration of cytokines and inflammatory cells to the gut and stomach, causing an abnormal immune response. This then has an effect on the lymphatic system, which in severe cases causes Lymphoplasmacytic Gastritis. When the digestive system is inflamed, nutrient absorption becomes very difficult, causing malabsorption. You can read more about severe IBD here. Findings Here Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) We see a lot of patients with SIBO. Those suffering with bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine will often suffer with malabsorption. This major imbalance in the microbiome means that some bad bacteria out-competes the good bacteria required as part of a health microbiome. The bad bacteria, of which there are too many in those with SIBO, often release toxins, and massively interfere with the absorption of nutrients. Findings Here Findings Here Intestinal Blockage Blockages of the intestine are a very common cause of malabsorption. These often go unnoticed, especially if owners don’t realise their dog has swallowed something undigestible, or if the dog is unable to tolerate bone as part of their raw diet. When the bowel is obstructed, food is unable to pass through the intestine, and therefore nutrients are not absorbed from the food, leading to severe weight loss, as part of malabsorption. Blockages causing malabsorption require surgery for removal. Findings Here Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) This disease is a severe one, and is often not checked for routinely by veterinarians. It may be something to bring up with your vet during your appointment, as though its relatively rare, we are starting to see a few more cases here and there. Your vet may need to do some reading up on it before advising. EPI is occurs due to the pancreas producing less digestive enzymes than needed. Because there is a deficiency in digestive enzymes, foods consumed are not appropriately digested, and therefore nutrients are not absorbed, causing rapid weight loss, large volumes of poor stools, pica, and a variety of other symptoms of malabsorption. This condition is not curable, and dogs diagnosed with it will require regular veterinary check ups, and daily enzyme supplements. Findings Here Findings Here Parasitic Burdens Parasites are another fairly common cause of malabsorption because the parasites compromise the health of the gut, and also syphon nutrients for themselves. Severe infestations of intestinal parasites, or severe cases of giardiasis (where cysts form on the gut following infection from the protozoan parasite Giardia) can lead to malabsorption and severe malnutrition, causing many of the symptoms listed above. It is important to send a faecal sample to a faecal testing laboratory on a regular basis, preferably every 12 weeks, to catch any worm eggs or juvenile worms before large infestations are able to occur. Regular natural worm prevention is also essential for those who tolerate it. You can learn more about natural pest control in our blog here. Findings Here Food Sensitivities Food sensitivities are probably the most common ailments in our customer’s dogs. We deal with a huge number of dogs with food sensitivities, many of which have weight loss as a symptom. Food intolerances are generally coupled with poor gut health, especially cases linked to Leaky Gut Syndrome, whereby the integrity of the gut wall is compromised. When the gut is in bad condition, the microbiome becomes unbalanced, making nutrient absorption tricky. Findings Here Intestinal Growths and Tumours Much like those with an intestinal blockage due to consumption of inedible items, growths and tumours in the intestinal tract are a blockage risk. When these growths or tumours develop and grow, they can create a total blockage of the intestine, which stops nutrients from being absorbed efficiently. While these can be removed by surgery in many cases, some require part of the bowel to removed
Here at My Pet Nutritionist, Liver Disease is something we help pet parents with quite often. The prospect of living with a dog with liver disease can be a daunting one. But we are here to help put your mind at ease, with this handy blog post packed full of useful hints and tips to supporting your pet’s liver, naturally. The Role of the Liver The liver is an extremely important organ in the body. It plays many roles in the overall health of the pet, including digestion, nutrient absorption, metabolism, detoxification, immunity, and endocrinologically. These roles, all link with one another, much like a large ‘loop’ of bodily functions dependent on the liver. Metabolically, the liver detoxifies fats from the body, and is also involved in the conversion of thyroid hormone 3 to thyroid hormone 4, which we can also look at from an endocrinology point of view. When looking deeper into the liver’s role in detoxification, we see that not only does it detoxify the body of excess fatty acids, but also of drugs, steroidal hormones, environmental toxins, and ammonia (as it helps the formation of urea). In terms of nutrients absorption and storage, the liver is involved in the storage of glycogen, which controls blood sugar levels, and also plays a role in the storage and absorption of Vitamins A, B12, D, E and K, as well as minerals such as iron, magnesium, zinc, and copper. If we look at what the liver produces, we see is produces cholesterol, which is an important precursor to vitamin D synthesis, and production of sex hormones, and it also produces bile, which is used for digestion of food, and also helps keep the gut free from unwanted microbes. Looking at hormone production, the liver produces and secretes four main hormones, or precursors for production of other important hormones. These are: Somatomedin (insulin-like growth factor, essential for regulation of growth of bones and tissues in the body) Angiotensinogen (involved in the regulation of blood pressure and balance of fluid) Thrombopoietin (used by the body to stimulate blood platelet development) Hepcidin (used to block the ability of cells releasing iron, which in turn regulates iron homeostasis in the body) Findings Here Findings Here Findings Here Findings Here Finally, the liver is largely involved in the synthesis of some of the body’s most important proteins, such as: Prothrombin (used in blood clotting) Albumin (plasma protein responsible for controlling the flow of fluids through the capillaries, known as Oncotic Pressure) Globulins (used in immune function) Ceruloplasmin (enables healthy absorption of dietary copper) Lipoproteins (used to transport cholesterol in the body) Findings Here Findings Here Findings Here Findings Here Findings Here What is Liver Disease? Liver disease can be any form of problem with your dog’s liver. Generally speaking, most liver problems in dogs start with an enlarged or swollen liver. Due to the strain on the liver when it is inflamed, liver cells begin to die off, while being replaced by scar tissues – tissues that form after trauma, and can be obstructive if they become too thick. The presence of scar tissues in the liver, cause the structure, texture and appearance of the liver to change. It tends to become firmer – the scientific name for this, is cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is not reversible, and can be a death sentence for the dog, as the liver fails. There can be many triggers and causes of liver disease in pets, including use of some drugs such as selected pest treatments, onset of hepatitis (chronic swelling of the liver), cancer, environmental toxins, infection or sepsis, congenital issues, and even autoimmune disease. Symptoms of liver disease include: Lack of appetite Blood in vomit due to stomach ulceration Jaundice (yellowing of skin, eyes and mucous membranes) Fluid build-up in the abdomen/bloat Excessive urination (polyuria) Excessive water consumption (polydipsia) Diarrhoea Fever Neurologic symptoms Issues with blood clotting There are some changes to diet and lifestyle we can make to help those with liver disease – let’s find out about these! Liver Guard Supporting the Liver Gut Health Gut health may seem like an odd connection to liver disease, however the two can certainly be linked! There’s a group of systems, or axes, which link the gut with the rest of the body, acting as a sort of ‘roundabout’ for the microbiome. You may have heard us mentioning the HPA Axis, the Gut-Brain Axis, and the Gut-Skin Axis; well, the Gut-Liver Axis is another! The main vein involved in the interactions between the gut and the liver, is called the Portal Vein. This is a two way path, through which products derived from the gut are transported directly the liver, and bile, and other liver secretions are transported directly back to the gut to be used in digestion. As the gut microbiome is so incredibly important for prevention, and management of nearly all health conditions, a healthy gut is ever so important. Healthy microbial communities in the gut, make for healthy gut-liver axis homeostasis. Having an unhealthy or unbalanced gut microbiome can lead to exposure to microbes which are pro-inflammatory, causing liver inflammation, and consequently, liver disease. Findings Here To keep the gut healthy, we can tweak the diet, and add supplements – which we will discuss next! Diet As ever, when the body is under inflammatory stress, or has any disease, we need to look at tweaking the diet, to ensure the pet is being fed the most biologically appropriate diet, with the correct nutrition to nurture the body depending on the specific health condition(s) the pet may be facing. A fresh diet would be most suitable, whether that’s raw or cooked. Many dogs suffering with liver problems, may do better on a cooked food instead of raw, but many do just as well on raw! Now, when it comes to different liver conditions, there is no one-recipe-fits-all. Those with liver shunts for example, we would recommend sought advice from one of our team, so we can provide
Here at My Pet Nutritionist, we help pet owners with a host of different health conditions. One we see from time to time, is Spondylosis in dogs. Us humans can get Spondylosis too, but it tends to be more common in our canine companions than it does in their owners. This blog post aims to help you get a better understanding of Spondylosis in dogs, including what it is, how to spot the signs and symptoms, and how you can support the body naturally. What is Spondylosis? Spondylosis, called Spondylosis deformans in the veterinary world, affects the spine; more specifically, the vertebrae – the bones that make up the spine. It’s a degenerative condition, which means it gradually gets worse as the patient ages. Those with spondylosis have bony spurs growing on their vertebrae, known as osteophytes. But why are these growths bad news? The vertebrae protect the spinal chord – probably one of the most important parts of the body as it sends signals between the brain and the rest of the body, and vice versa, and ais also involved in reflexes and coordination. The body spurs growing on the underside of the vertebrae can rub on the spinal cord, causing damage, which then has a knock-on effect to the dog’s sensory capabilities, and ability to move freely. Spondylosis can be widespread, with bony spurs forming along the entire spine, or localised, where they only form in one or two spots. It is most commonly seen in the lower spine, AKA the Lumbar Region, as well as hips and tail. In particularly bad cases, bony spurs can fuse vertebrae together, making mobility tricky. Spondylosis is quite common in aging dogs, especially those who are heavier set, such as giant breeds, or breeds with cobby bodies, and short legs, but it can happen at any age and breed, depending on the cause, which we will look at shortly. The most commonly affected breed is the Boxer, where estimates suggest around 70% of elderly individuals over the age of 9, have been diagnosed with the disease. Findings Here Symptoms of Spondylosis The somewhat strange thing about symptoms when looking at a potential diagnosis of Spondylosis, is that there are very few clinical signs presented, especially not those specific to the condition. Some symptoms you may notice include: Spinal pain: hunching of spine, lameness, unwillingness to walk, difficulty laying down and standing up, general reduction of mobility Behavioural changes: your dog may become more reactive due to pain, and the fear of being hurt by another dog bumping them. Yelping when specific areas are manipulated Lethargy General weakness and stiffness Reduced appetite If your dog is displaying these signs, there could be a number of potential spinal issues, so it’s important to consult your veterinarian to grasp a better understanding of the exact issue your dog is having. Causes of Spondylosis So why does Spondylosis occur? It can be a natural part of the ageing process – just through general wear and tear of an older dog. Another cause of the development of Spondylosis, is trauma to the spine from injury, whether it’s minor trauma, like a bump to the spine, a wobbly landing from a higher surface, or repeated over-use of the spine (often seen in sports dogs who do the same movement repetitively), to major trauma such as having been hit by a car, or having had surgery to correct IVDD. A third potential cause of Spondylosis, is genetic predisposition. There are not many predisposed breeds, but the most commonly seen tend to be Boxers, German Shepherds, and Flat Coat Retrievers. Spondylosis can also form as a secondary disease! Between the vertebrae of a healthy dog, lays soft tissue. This enables the discs to act as shock absorbers, and softens impact, keeping the vertebrae separate. There is a degenerative disc disease, previously mentioned in its abbreviated form, IVDD (Inter-Vertebral Disc Disease), in which the tissue between the vertebrae wears away, leaving bone to rub on bone, prompting the formation of bony spurs to re-stabilise the joint. Findings Here Diagnosing Spondylosis As there is usually a lack of obvious symptoms in cases of Spondylosis, it can be tricky to pinpoint a test for it. If your dog is experiences clear signs of back pain, or even just at the vet for their annual health check where the dog displays possible signs of pain, the vet will use your dog’s medical history records to look for potential missed signs. They will perform any neurological and orthopaedic examinations they feel are necessary, and go from there. Your vet will typically want to rule out any other potential health issues before testing further for Spondylosis. A canine physiotherapist may be able to give a better look into mobility and how your dog’s gait is affected through a video analysis. This may be done through referral; however many allow the owner to book directly in with them to discuss the video, and their findings. Once your veterinarian has ruled out the potential for other, perhaps more common health issues, he or she will book your dog in for an x-ray of the spine, which includes the chest and abdominal cavities, naturally. X-rays tend to give a definitive answer as to whether the dog has Spondylosis or not, due to the visibility of bony spurs on the vertebrae. Less commonly, a vet may recommend an MRI scan – these tend to show potential spinal cord damage as opposed to the bony spurs themselves, which can be an important part of recommending the correct treatment. This procedure is usually carried out on referral with a neurologist. Findings Here Conventional Treatments There is actually very little a veterinarian can do in the event of a dog having Spondylosis, as every individual is different. The treatment plan is heavily based on symptoms the individual’s dog is showing, now a generalised treatment plan, which would be the same for all sufferers. Pain medication is regularly prescribed for those suffering
A question commonly asked by owners, here at My Pet Nutritionist, is ‘how can I boost my dog’s immunity?’, or ‘how do I strengthen my dog’s immune system?’. Well, we’re here to give you some helpful tips on how to strengthen your dog’s immune system – you may be surprised with some of the topics covered, but hopefully you will understand the concepts in this detailed blog post. A healthy immune system is the difference between overall health, and disease, and in many cases, the difference between life or death! We strive to keep our own immune systems strong, and our pets deserve just as much strength in their immune system – they are outside, low to the ground, sniffing public areas barefoot much of the time, after all! The Immune System There are various parts to the immune system as a whole. Generally speaking, when an owner wants to ‘boost the immune system’, it’s the Adaptive (or Acquired) Immune System in question – the immunity gained following seroconversion of vaccinations. Here’s a bit about the Adaptive Immune System, which can be split into two mechanisms: Humoral (antibody mediated) immunity primarily involves B-Lymphocytes. During a humoral immune response, when an antigen is detected, with the help of T Helper Lymphocytes, the B Cells go through a differentiation process, which produces Memory B Cells and Effector B Cells, which are both specific to the B Cell they were differentiated from, and therefore are specifically shaped to combat a specific antigen/pathogen. This is the most common immune response, especially following successful vaccination. Titre Tests pick up these antibodies. Cellular, or cell-mediated immunity involves another type of cell – T-Cells. When T-Cells differentiate, they become T-Killer Cells which attach to and engulf antigens. Allergic responses and autoimmune conditions are part of the cell-mediated adaptive immune system. There are other parts to the overall immune system of a dog, or any other mammal, too. Let’s take a brief look at what these are, and how they differ from the Adaptive Immune System. Active Immunity: this is what is happening when the dog is exposed to a pathogen. The active immune system is the fastest acting system and is the body’s first response to the presence of a pathogen. In the presence of a pathogen, the B-Lymphocytes create and release antibodies. Passive Immunity: this is the immunity passed on to an individual instead of being created by their body. In dogs we call this Maternally Derived Antibodies (MDA). MDA is passed onto the puppies from the mother and is vital to health in the early weeks. It usually wanes between 10 and 16 weeks of age, unless interrupted by vaccination. MDA is passed onto the puppies through the placenta, and through the mothers milk. If a puppy is hand reared, he/she may require extra caution than those who drink mothers milk. Innate (also called non-specific) Immunity: this includes the immunity and defence systems your dog is born with. Barriers like skin, the gastro-intestinal tract, eyelashes etc all help keep pathogens out of the body which is why gut health is so very important – at least 70% of your immune system is in the gut! Defence systems like mucosal layers, saliva, stomach acid etc are also part of the innate immune system. Another immune response included as part of the innate immune system is inflammation – this often acts as a marker to pathogens so they can be destroyed. There are various day-to-day aspects of life, including diet and lifestyle which can affect your dog’s immune capabilities, so let’s dig deeper into these. How Gut Health Affects the Immune System It is becoming more widely known, that 70-80% of the immune system lays in the gut – quite a staggering figure! The all important gut microbiome is naturally perfectly balanced – there are ‘good guys’ and ‘bad guys’ that all make up a healthy gut microbiome, but there’s enough of the ‘good guys’ to keep the ‘bad guys’ under control. When the gut is not healthy, the microbiome is knocked out of balance, and the ‘bad guys’ are able to take over, causing disease within the body. There are various substances, and other triggers such as stress, which cause damage to the gut wall, too. When the gut wall is damaged, the gut microbiome is again, knocked out of balance as it is leaked from the gut (known as Leaky Gut). When the gut is leaking, the immune system is left very vulnerable, so it’s imperative to keep the gut healthy at all times – and if it’s not healthy, focus on getting it healthy! The vast majority of systems in the body are connected to the gut very much like a roundabout. These connections are called axis and there are many, for example, the gut-brain axis, the gut-musculoskeletal axis, the gut-liver axis, and the gut-skin axis. The microbiome communicates with this organ systems by creating messengers and metabolites such as probiotics in order to help support function. This is an emerging area of immunity that science is newly delving into. We will delve into some gut health supplements later on in this blog post. Findings Here Findings Here Gut Guardian How Diet Affects the Immune System The diet plays a large role in gut and immune health. Commercial dry food diets being overly processed do not have the live capacity to nourish the gut microbiome like fresh foods do. Moisture in food is incredibly important for all mammalian species, and dogs are no different. Dry food generally has 6-10% moisture; making it dehydrating to the intestinal tract. We know there are some wondrous foods to feed our dogs to support immunity. Fresh in raw or cooked form is always advisable but there are certain ingredients that we favour as they hold great healing and supportive capabilities. We have a fantastic blog explaining the ingredients we tend to favour, which can be found here. When we look at ingredients, both in kibble and in
Graves Disease is an autoimmune disease involving the endocrine (hormone) system, specifically the thyroid, which we see from time to time here at My Pet Nutritionist. It can be a worrisome diagnosis for any pet owner, and it’s important that owners of pets with Graves Disease understand what it is, and how they can tailor their pet’s diet and lifestyle to keep on top of symptoms; which ultimately extends their pet’s comfort. That’s where we come in, to provide you our Ultimate Guide to Graves Disease in Pets. What is Graves Disease? Graves Disease is the non-clinical, or common, name for autoimmune Hyperthyroidism. You may have heard about Hypothyroidism quite regularly on social media and other platforms where pet owners connect, particularly on dog based platforms; but you may not have seen much discussion on Hyperthyroidism. Graves Disease is rare, but possible, in dogs but tends to be more of a frequent trouble for our feline companions. It can be found in us humans, too! So what exactly is Graves Disease? What happens when your pet has it? If you want the short answer, the thyroid gland in your pet is overactive – it’s working over time! We feel it’s important to understand more about it though, so read on! Graves Disease is an autoimmune condition. Autoimmunity tends to occur due to a damaged immune system, or in individuals with a genetically compromised immune system. The body essentially attacks itself, as it recognises various proteins and other substances in the body, as foreign. The thyroid is a gland which produces various hormones, essential for a healthy life. The hormones produced and secreted by the thyroid are called triiodothyronine (T3), and thyroxine (T4) – these help regulate the body’s metabolic rate. When there is a deficiency in these hormones, important bodily processes slow down, which causes a host of health issues. Now, when these hormones are too abundant, effects on the body can be equally as disruptive. We will discuss symptoms next. Symptoms of Graves Disease There are various symptoms of Graves Disease which you may notice in your cat or dog. Let’s take a look at some of the main symptoms: Weight loss, often rapid Diarrhoea Nausea/vomiting Swelling of the neck and face Increased urination Increased drinking Increased appetite Difficulty swallowing Shortness of breath and increases heart rate Change in pitch of bark Reduced eyesight capabilities Behavioural changes, including anxiety depression, and/or hyperactivity. Causes of Graves Disease The cause of Graves Disease is very much unknown. There is very little research into the causes of Graves Disease. It is often describes as ‘idiopathic’, meaning there’s no known cause. Some studies suggest that one known cause of Graves Disease in dogs (though rare) is as a result of a rapidly spreading cancer, called thyroid carcinoma. In cats, some cases of Graves Disease are secondary to a non-cancerous tumour forming on the thyroid gland called Adenomas. Like in dogs, in rare occasions, malignant tumours known as adenocarcinomas can cause the development of Graves Disease by causing the over production of hormones. It is possible that deficiencies in the diet may contribute to onset of Hyperthyroidism, as well as exposure to chemicals and toxins absorbed by the body, including flea and tick products which are toxins, and end up in the bloodstream, which disrupts the normal functioning of the thyroid. Diagnosing Graves Disease The first step in a diagnosis of Graves Disease, is a physical examination of the neck area of your pet. The purpose of this, is to feel for an enlarged thyroid gland. Secondly, the vet will take a blood sample to test for hormone levels in the blood. If the reading comes back with a value higher than the ideal’ threshold for each hormone, it’s very likely your pet has Graves Disease. If the T3 readings are high, but the T4 readings are ideal, more tests may be required, which would be discussed with the vet. These tests may include further bloodwork, and a urinalysis, which will show potential secondary defects to the heart and kidneys. As the thyroid is involved hormonally with the vast majority of the body’s organs, imperfect bloodwork in relation to other organs, could help show a problem with the thyroid. Conventional Treatments As always, here at My Pet Nutritionist, we like owners to be able to make an informed choice with their dog’s health, and encourage the use of conventional treatments where necessary in life potentially endangering situations, and situations where quality of life becomes the biggest importance. This is of course, alongside as much natural support as possible, and feeding a fresh, therapeutic diet. More on this later – let’s take a look at the conventional treatments your veterinarian may offer. There are various approaches which may be taken. As carcinomas are one of the most common, treatable reasons a dog or cat may have Hyperthyroidism, most are based around treating the cancer. Radioactive Iodine Therapy Radioactive Iodine Therapy is fairly common in practices which offer it as a treatment. The radioactive iodine is injected into the bloodstream, which makes its way to the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland takes the iodine up, causing radiation to be emitted. The emitted radiation then destroys any cancerous tissues around the thyroid, but does not cause any damage further afield. This treatment often results in normal levels of hormone production within mere weeks of the injection, making it extremely effective in curing hyperthyroidism. This treatment option has to be undertaken in a specialist veterinary hospital with licencing to carry and use radioactive substances. The pet must also be kept in the surgery until their levels of radiation are safe for handling. Findings Here Findings Here Medication Some drugs may be offered, to inhibit the production and release of hormones from the thyroid. As the thyroid is overactive, slowing it down is imperative to managing Graves Disease. This method will not cure, but can support the pet in reducing flare ups and secondary health implications. Being the
