There are so many aspects of health that we look at here at My Pet Nutritionist. Diet and lifestyle are considered, including vaccination schedules, chemical treatment exposure, the quality of water provided and the cleaning products/household products used in the pet’s environment. However there is another factor often overlooked when it comes to disease – stress! We often say disease is expressed according to how we interface with our environment. The main factors here being nutrition, toxins and stress. Stress can be mental, or physical. Mental stress and physical stress can also be linked. In this blog, we will look at the links between stress, and disease. What is Stress? We all know what stress feels like from time to time (and if you don’t, the rest of us are very jealous!), but how does it look from a biological standpoint? What actually happens in our and our pets’ bodies during stress? Stress responses start off in the part of the brain that deals with emotions; the Amygdala. The Amygdala sends a message to the ‘control centre of the body’; the Hypothalamus, the very centre of the brain. The Hypothalamus then interacts with the autonomic nervous system (the part of the nervous system that controls involuntary bodily functions such as breathing, heartbeat, blood pressure etc) to make adjustments in the body, to cope with the stress. The autonomic nervous system is the main system involved in stress responses, and branches into the sympathetic, and parasympathetic nervous systems. These systems are what give the tell-tale signs of stress in your pets (and yourself!), and what help reduce the effects of the stress response. Let’s take a look at some of the common symptoms of stress, caused by the different systems: The sympathetic nervous system Inhibits saliva production Increases heartrate Dilutes pupils Relaxes urinary bladder Inhibits digestive capabilities (read on to find out more on this!) Dilates bronchia The parasympathetic nervous system Promotes saliva production Decreases heartrate Constricts pupils Constricts urinary bladder Stimulates digestive functions Constricts bronchia Stress isn’t always emotional – it’s important to remember this! Common stressors include: Emotional: fear, mental trauma, anxiety Physical: over-exertion, injury, pain Environmental: allergens, pollutants, radiation and rapid temperature changes Biological: bacteria, viruses, parasitic burdens Chemical: pesticides/herbicides, toxins, heavy metals Consumable: ultra-processed foods You can read more about the stress response here! Findings Here Findings Here Calm Complex The Gut-Brain Axis Gut health plays a role in mental health, which means the health of your pet’s gut, is incredibly important to look at if your pet is frequently stressed. The gut is very much linked to every system in the body, and the nervous system is no exception! Bidirectional (both ways) occurs between the gut and the brain, so having a stressed pet, can be a little like a vicious circle, in that emotional stressors can affect the gut, and poor gut health can affect the pet’s emotions. Located in the peripheral nervous system, the main nerve associated with this bidirectional signalling between the gut and the brain, is the Vagus Nerve. Unlike other cranial nerves, which signal between the head and neck areas, the Vagus Nerve reaches all the way through the body, to connect the brain to the gut. The Vagus Nerve is responsible for various bodily functions, including: Allowing for swallowing and vocalisation in the larynx and pharynx Parasympathetic supply to the heart in the thorax, which reduces the heart rate during stressful situations Regulates smooth muscle contraction in the intestine, to enable normal defecation The Vagus Nerve is essential to link the central nervous system to the enteric nervous system to enable healthy digestion. You can read more about the Gut-Brain Axis here! Findings Here Emotional Stress and its Effects on the Body Having an anxious pet can be heartbreaking for the owner – not to mention hard work (which is very much worth it!). Due to the gut-brain axis, we know that emotional stress, doesn’t just stay within the brain! It can cause disease throughout the body, purely down to the fact the Vagus Nerve is an important part of so many systems in the body. The endocrine (hormone) system, and enteric nervous system are both massively affected by poor brain health, and prolonged periods of emotional stress can lead to a host of hormone-related diseases, and disease within the digestive tract. Of course, not all dogs with endocrine or digestive issues are stressed, nor can it always be put down to stress, but stress responses and brain health are very often overlooked – so here is your reminder to check your pet’s mental wellbeing. Think about things you could improve in their life to give them a calmer, more level mental state if they are typically easily overwhelmed, or provide them with a more stimulating routine or space if your dog’s mental health is poor due to boredom. It works both ways! Read on to find out more on how to keep your pet’s stress levels to a minimum. Findings Here Calm Complex Physical/Environmental Stress and its Effects on the Body When our pets go through some form of physical stress, whether it’s injury, or illness, the pressure on the body’s systems (which are already working harder than normal, in order to fight disease or heal injuries) can once again, cause a vicious circle. The added pressure on the body’s systems, makes for the potential for disease to worsen due to stress. We need to help our pets recover in a timely manner with as little emotional stress as possible, in order to reduce stress. Physical and environmental stress can cause emotional stress, which we know can lead to endocrine and digestive upset. Gut damage can then lead to numerous other diseases because 70-80% of the immune system lays in the gut. Chemical/Consumable Stress and its Effects on the Body Chemicals used on the pet, and around the pet as well as what you feed your pet can cause stress on the body, which leads to disease. This is
Here at My Pet Nutritionist, we see a lot of people worried about their dog’s recent blood test results. The Liver Enzyme reading may be higher than expected for a variety of reasons, and could be partly down to the food being fed to your dog. This blog aims to help you gain a better understanding of the value you may have received, and what may have caused it to be high. A Bit About Liver Enzyme Readings When your dog has a full panel of blood tests, performed by your veterinarian, your dog’s liver function is tested. The results will show on the results sheet as values for ‘ALT’, ‘AST’, ‘ALP’, and ‘GGT’. There is a set range of values which denote normal/healthy liver function which are as follows: ALT: 12-118 U/L AST: 15-66 U/L ALP: 20-200 U/L GGT: 0-25 U/L Each reading is the result for a different liver enzyme – read on to learn about each one. Your vet should help you analyse your dog’s results, and offer feedback as to the health of your dog’s liver. Findings Here Findings Here Findings Here What are the Liver Enzymes? As mentioned, each value relates to the levels of a different enzyme. Enzymes help to speed up chemical reactions in the body, and in the case of the liver enzymes as a whole, they are responsible for the production of bile, blood clotting, digestion, breaking down toxins, and helping the body to fight infection. Let’s take a look at the different enzymes tested for in your dog’s liver. Alanine Transaminase (ALT) ALT is an important catalyst for the process involved in the metabolism of glucose and protein, to for pyruvate (major part of cellular respiration) and glutamate (an important neurotransmitter used for memory, mood regulation and cognitive capabilities). When liver cells are damaged, ALT is released into the bloodstream. High amounts of ALT Leakage, means your dog could have liver disease or trauma. Findings Here Findings Here Aspartate Transaminase (AST) AST plays a major role in Gluconeogenesis of the liver, as well as some other tissues and organs. It is a catalyst for the transfer of an amino acid from aspartate to glutamate. Raised AST values can also be caused by leakage into the bloodstream through disease or trauma to the liver, as well as trauma to the muscles in the body, as AST is also found in the musculoskeletal system in mammals. Findings Here Findings Here Alkaline Phosphatase (ASP) ASP is found throughout the body, in the bloodstream. It is the catalyst for the hydrolysis of phosphate esters, leading to the breakdown of proteins in the body, and it is produced not only by the liver, but in the kidneys, intestines, pancreas and bones; it is however, produced mostly by the liver. Findings Here Findings Here Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) GGT aids the transfer of amino acids through the membrane of cells, and is also involved in leukotriene metabolism. It is a prominent marker of liver dysfunction, so elevated GGT readings are best to be further investigated as soon as possible! Findings Here Findings Here Liver Guard What Causes Raised Liver Enzymes? While there are various underlaying health conditions which cause raised liver values, including liver disease, hepatitis, cancer, thyroid disease, various myositis diseases (muscular disease), diet can influence your dog’s liver enzyme values. Too Much Copper When there is too much copper in the diet for the individual dog, the dog may develop copper-storage liver disease, scientifically known as Copper Hepatopathy. Copper is an important nutrient to include in your dog’s diet, as it aids the production of energy, and maintenance of blood vessels, and connective tissues throughout the body, however the liver is unable to process large amounts of it, which leads to a build up in the liver, which then has to store it. This damages the liver, causing elevated liver enzymes due to disease. Findings Here Findings Here Low Copper Too Much Vitamin A While Vitamin A is an important part of a balanced diet, essential for ocular health, healthy development, a strong immune system, and reproductive health, supplementing the diet with extra Vitamin A can cause elevated liver enzymes. When looking at nutrient profiles of your dog’s diet, try to use fresh ingredients (fresh fruit and veg, specifically selected, may be the best addition to your dog’s diet), instead of a supplement. Supplements tend to be very concentrated, which could easily tip your dog over their recommended daily intake of Vitamin A – this is called hepatotoxicity. Findings Here Findings Here Findings Here Too Much Iron Over-supplementing iron can also cause hepatotoxicity, which occurs due to iron-poisoning. Having excess iron intake causes raised liver enzymes due to the damage caused by hepatotoxicity, known as hemochromatosis. Findings Here Findings Here Zinc Deficiency Zinc deficiency often comes hand in hand with excess Vitamin A consumption. Some studies suggest that elevated Vitamin A in the blood could be caused by a lack of zinc, not just by over-consumption. Zinc levels are often skipped during testing for various diseases, but are extremely important to investigate. Findings Here Findings Here Findings Here High Carbohydrate Diets Studies show that dogs fed a high carbohydrate diet are more at risk of developing liver disease, and therefore raised liver enzymes than those fed a low carbohydrate diet. One of the roles of the liver, is to maintain glucose concentrations in order to control the metabolism of carbohydrates. If the liver is strained too hard due to being overloaded by carbohydrates, it is at risk of leaking enzymes into the bloodstream, causing elevated liver enzymes. Findings Here Findings Here Findings Here Ketogenic Diets As much as a high carbohydrate diet may lead to leakage of liver enzymes, a low-to-no carbohydrate diet may also lead to the leakage of liver enzymes, as the liver overproduces them. Some conditions do require a ketogenic diet, such as those suffering from cancer, but if your dog is on a ketogenic diet, ensure your dog’s blood is
Here at My Pet Nutritionist, we deal with a huge amount of dogs with skin complaints. One of the skin complaints we see fairly often is Furunculosis. As a recurring skin infection, there are things we can do to support the body; read on to find out how we can help. What is Furunculosis? Furunculosis is a deeply embedded infection of the skin, or deep rooted inflammation of the skin. it is a bacterial infection of the skin and soft tissues, and emanates from the around, and inside the base of hair follicles, reaching through the dermis, and into the subcutaneous layers of the skin (the layers just beneath the skin’s surface). Findings Here Furunculosis clinically presents as small, often pus-filled boils on, or just under the skin. There are a few types of furunculosis you may have seen mentioned in your time as a dog owner, so let’s take a look at the common ones! Anal Furunculosis What is it? Probably one of the most common types of furunculosis mentioned by dog owners, is Anal Furunculosis. As per it’s name, this is where hair follicles around the anus become infected, and chronically inflamed. Another name for Anal Furunculosis is Perianal Fistula. This is an extremely painful type of furunculosis, as well as being one of the most difficult to treat, and stop from recurring. Findings Here Causes Evidence suggests it’s an immune mediated disease, as there is a strong genetic association with one specific allele, and tests show upregulated cytokine expression causing T-cell infiltration. It also tends to mostly affect middle aged dogs. Findings Here Findings Here A zinc deficiency could contribute to the onset of furunculosis too; zinc deficiencies usually present clinically in the form of a variety of skin issues. Findings Here Genetic predisposition is a common cause of anal furunclulosis, including the following breeds: German Shepherd (most common predisposition) Beagle Labrador Various Bulldog breeds Old English Sheepdog Australian Shepherd Staffordshire Bull Terrier Findings Here Symptoms There are various symptoms of anal furunculosis, but many are similar to general anal gland troubles, and not obvious until the infected boils begin to show. Some signs and symptoms include: Scooting Licking/nibbling around the anus and base of the tail Change in posture Difficulty passing faeces Bloodied stool (bright red) Lethargy Potential weight loss Interdigital Furunculosis What is it? Many of our readers will likely have seen ‘interdigital cysts’ mentioned by other dog owners – these are incredibly common in our domestic dogs. ‘Interdigital cyst’ is the somewhat shorter, almost self-explanatory term for Interdigital Furunculosis. Interdigital means ‘between the digits’ – no, not number in this sense; but the toes. Inflamed and infected boils/cysts appear between the toes, causing pain and annoyance to the dog, due to infection showing outwardly, from the hair follicles in the area. Findings Here Causes Most causes of Interdigital Furunculosis are down to trauma to hair follicles present between the toes. A variety of things can cause this, which we will discuss below, but first, we will take a look at some other potential causes of interdigital cysts. Endocrine diseases such as Cushing’s Disease and hypothyroidism can contribute to problems internally with the hair follicles around the toes. Bacterial and fungal infections in the foot areas, including yeast (for which you can read more about in our blog here), and various strains of Staphylococcus infection, can cause the onset of furunculosis in between the toes. Now on to the trauma related causes! Paw licking is a huge risk factor for hair follicle trauma between the toes. Paw licking can be caused by food sensitivities, anxiety, pain in the area, or even due to compulsive neurological disorders. Foreign bodies like the dreaded grass seed may also cause both paw licking, and generalised inflammation of the toe area, and therefore increase the risk of interdigital furunculosis. The root cause of any paw licking must be found and treated as a matter of importance! The length of a dog’s paw hair can also cause trauma to the hair follicles. When the dog walks on his or her feet, the hair between the toes may rub, which causes skin inflammation, and leaves the hair follicles vulnerable to infection. Those with longer fur between the toes, may be at a much lower risk of hair follicle damage, as the fur helps protect the follicles. Dog breeds at a greater risk of interdigital irritation due to their shorter coat length include: Various Bulldog breeds Basset Hound Staffordshire Bull Terrier Pug Great Dane Boxer Boston Terrier Beagle The shape of the dog’s foot can also have bearing on it’s potential for the onset of Interdigital Furunculosis. Those with wider gaps between their toes leave the skin in between their toes open to irritation by the environment. Those who are overweight are also more likely to have poor paw conformation whereby their toes spread, causing potential for irritation of the interdigital hair follicles. Findings Here Symptoms Early signs of Interdigital Furunculosis are a little easier to spot than Anal Furunculosis. Generally, the area will become red to start with, and slight swelling may become apparent. In cases where a foreign body is present, oozing of the area may occur. This needs veterinary treatment right away. The dog will usually lick, nibble and or favour the paw(s) affected, which is a very strong sign of a paw ailment. Once fully established, the Interdigital Furunculosis will present as a large swelling between the toes, usually warm or hot to touch, and very red in colour. It can be a shiny texture on it’s surface too, due to the swelling of a specific hair follicle, and lack of fur on it. Findings Here General Furunculosis After Grooming What is it? While there’s generally no single reason for the onset of both Anal and Interdigital Furunculosis, generalized post-grooming Furunculosis has a clear trigger, and usually crops up 24-48 hours after a dog has been groomed. It can establish in any part of the body, particularly in
Here at My Pet Nutritionist, we see many dogs with severe gastritis. There are so many types of gastritis, and Lymphoplasmacytic, or Lymphocytic-plasmacytic, Gastritis is one of the common types of gastritis we see. It’s quite a mouthful of a word, so hopefully this blog should simplify it, and give our readers a deeper understanding of the condition, and how we can help through food, lifestyle changes, and supplementation. What Is Lymphoplasmacytic Gastritis? Don’t let the length of the word scare you – you may not have heard of Lymphoplasmacytic Gastritis before, but it’s likely you have heard of IBD; Inflammatory Bowel Disease. 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. This is where the name ‘Lymphoplasmacytic’ comes from – the link with the lymphatic system. 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 conditions which have very similar symptoms to Lymphoplasmacytic Gastritis, including Giardia, a protozoan parasite we see regularly, Salmonella poisoning, Pancreatitis, and Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) which we also see frequently. A more severe health condition with similar symptoms is Lymphocytic Gastritis-Like T Cell Lymphoma. These similarities make diagnosis a little tricky. Findings Here Findings Here Findings Here Symptoms of Lymphoplasmacytic Gastritis This leads us nicely on to spotting the signs and symptoms of Lymphoplasmacytic Gastritis. There are a variety of symptoms of Lymphoplasmacytic Gastritis, which are as follows: Infrequent flares to start, gradually becoming more frequent as time goes on Chronic diarrhoea Nausea and Vomiting Bloody vomit Loss of appetite Weight loss Abdominal swelling Dark, bloody stool Coughing up blood Lethargy Some dogs may struggle to breathe Diagnosing Lymphoplasmacytic Gastritis As with any symptomatic patient, it’s incredibly important to visit your veterinary surgery, and have a consultation with your veterinarian in order to properly diagnose the condition and work out your next plan of action. Your vet will take a sample of blood in order to run a full blood panel to look for potential issues with your dog’s blood values. The blood values are commonly within normal ranges for dogs suffering with this condition, but some are slightly anaemic, or have lower than normal levels of proteins in the blood. A test for pancreatic function may be carried out to rule out the possibility of pancreatitis, and Vitamin B12 and Folate levels may be tested; this checks the intestines ability to absorb efficiently. You can read more on folate and B12 levels in our blog here! The final, and possibly most helpful step in diagnosis of Lymphoplasmacytic Gastritis, is scanning. While standard x-rays tend to look ‘normal’, ultrasounds will show inflammation in the bowel area, and are often the key to diagnosis. Some vets may carry out a Barium radiograph, which is more useful than a standard x-ray, but not preferable to an ultrasound. For definite confirmation of Lymphoplasmacytic Gastritis, a biopsy will be taken. Findings Here What Causes Lymphoplasmacytic Gastritis? There are various causes of Lymphoplasmacytic Gastritis. Let’s take a look at them! Breed predisposition: some breeds are genetically predisposed to the condition. These include the cocker spaniel, basenji, shar pei, German shepherd, Yorkshire terrier and wheaton terrier. Food sensitivities: always a big topic here at MPN, food intolerances and allergies can be a huge factor for the development of Lymphoplasmacytic gastritis. SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth): bacterial overgrowth damages the gut, which in turn leads to inflammation Parasites: parasitic infection can lead to major inflammation in the gut and bowel. Bacterial infection: having a bacterial infection causes an imbalance in the gut microbiome, which has a huge knock on effect within the body. Inflammation is a major issue caused by this. Findings Here Findings Here Conventional Treatments Of course, there will be pharmaceutical approaches your vet may offer. Once independently researching these, you may wish to proceed, but you may wish to support the body naturally. We cannot sway your opinion either way, so it’s important to listen to your veterinarian, and fully research recommendations, particularly longer term recommendations. It’s likely your vet will prescribe a binding medication, which helps bind the contents of the bowel – these pastes usually contain a beneficial clay called Kaolin, and a probiotic to help repopulate the gut. Anti-nausea medication may be essential in the initial recovery of your dog, to enable the dog to stop vomiting, and hopefully encourage eating. As your dog will likely be dehydrated due to the chronic diarrhoea and vomiting they will likely suffer, it will be important to rehydrate through intravenous fluids. IV fluids will be carried out at the veterinary practise. To help the initial recovery, your vet may also prescribe antibiotics in case of infection, steroids to help reduce inflammation in an effective and timely manner, and diuretic medication to reduce the amount of excess fluids in the body. After the first round of medication, your dog will be reassessed, and further treatment decided upon, if necessary. Your vet may offer an antiparasitic medication at this point, however we would advice a full faecal panel first, as there’s no point treating something that is not there! Your vet may discuss dietary changes to help reduce the risk of reoccurrence, and this is where we can help! Findings Here Findings Here Supporting the Body Naturally So how can we support the body naturally, to keep on top of Lymphoplasmacytic Gastritis? Diet Diet plays a large role in supporting the body. As always, fresh food is most suitable for those with Lymphoplasmacytic Gastritis.
Yeast is a problem we see very often here at My Pet Nutritionist. Owners often feel they have run out of options with regards to treating the yeast, so this guide has been made with the goal of helping you overcome yeast; you may just see something missing from your routine which could be the missing piece for success! What Is Yeast? Yeast, as we commonly call it, comes in two forms – Candida; a fungal pathogen, and Malassezia; a skin based hydrophobic yeast. Candida makes up a small portion of a healthy gut microbiome, and is naturally found in the gut, and genital tract. While candida is a very normal part of a healthy gut, if the gut is not kept in tip top condition, it can cause problems. In the healthy gut microbiome, there are good bacteria, and there are bad bacteria. The good bacteria keep the levels of bad bacteria in check, which means the bad bacteria aren’t able to wreak havoc! When the gut is impaired the opportunistic fungal pathogen, candida will take hold, and grow. Now we have too much of the ‘bad guys’ and not enough of the good bacteria to fight it off, and so candida takes over! Once candida has taken over, and the gut is not healed, we start to see the typical yeast symptoms in our pets. Malassezia often happens as a result of environmental allergies, as the skin barrier is damaged, allowing for the formation of yeast on the skin. Much like inside the gut, the skin has it’s own microbiome, in which the bad pathogens are kept in check by the good. When the good pathogens diminish, the bad ones are able to take over! This is something we see in a vast amount of customers who come to us with a dog with environmental allergies. Symptoms include: Rusty colour, mainly between toes and paw pads, ears, under the tail, and around the groin and armpit areas. It can occur in other places too, but these moister areas are prime location for it! Repetitive paw licking Licking under the tail area Ear scratching and head shaking Excessively rubbing face and body on walls and furniture Hair loss An unmistakable odour; much like a damp, cheesy smell, or popcorn-like smell Sometimes discharge is apparent in yeast cases More Information on yeast can be found here. Let’s take a look at how we can help our dogs battle Candida and Malassezia! Battling Yeast When dealing with yeast, there are many contributing lifestyle and nutrition factors, which may need to be tweaked a little, or added to combat the pathogens, and repair both the gut barrier, and the skin barrier. Diet As always, here at My Pet Nutritionist, we are very fresh food forward. Feeding a dog with yeast is no different – one of the main steps to battling yeast, is cutting out dry food as much as possible. A fresh, balanced diet would be your best option whether it’s raw, or homecooked using one of our balanced recipes. Why does diet matter for those suffering from yeast? Let’s take a look at the composition and manufacturing process of dry foods, first and foremost. Kibble is high in carbohydrates: generally speaking, most kibbles are between a whopping 30 and 70% carbohydrates! Carbohydrates are sugars – a fantastic food source for yeast! The canine body struggles to digest carbohydrates often found dry foods, which causes gut inflammation. Kibble is ultra processed: excessive processing causes the food to become inflammatory. When the gut becomes inflamed, damage occurs, which leaves the microbiome vulnerable, and causes imbalances as the bad microbes out compete the good microbes. Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) are produced during high heat manufacturing and extrusion of dry foods. AGEs not only speed up the ageing process, but they have many other health disadvantages too, one being that they expand the life of yeast. We need to cut out products which produce AGEs when we are battling yeast! Findings Here Why can fresh feeding help combat yeast? You can tweak the diet to ensure there’s no starchy carbohydrates. Less ‘food’ for the yeast! It’s much easier on the gut, as it’s highly digestible! This means less gut damage and less inflammation. There’s no high temperatures or vigorous processing involved, meaning no AGEs form! What do we need to include in a fresh diet for yeast sufferers? Our recipes for cooked foods are already balanced for you! However if you are raw feeding, you will want to feed 80% muscle meat, 10% bone, 10% secreting offal (half liver, half other secreting offal, preferably!) with the addition of omega 3 sources like raw eggs, fish oils and oily fish, and algal oils. Some vegetables may be suitable to be added to the diet of a yeasty beastie, but we need to be very selective, and very careful which ones we pick! High fibre, low starch veggies are ideal, if tolerated – it’s wise to start off by giving a miniscule amount of plant matter, and gradually building up to 10% plant matter. Some options are broccoli, kale, and cabbage. Try to avoid starchy carbohydrate plants such as sweet potato, carrot and squash. Supplements There are so many supplements on the market these days – it can feel quite daunting selecting the most suitable ones for your pet. Some are better than others when it comes to battling yeast. Gut healing: gut healing supplements are very important – in order to regain balance in the gut microbiome, we want the gut to be in a good, healthy, and strong state. Mucilage herbs are our friend here! Slippery Elm, Marshmallow Root and Deglycyrrhizinated Liquorice are all great for this purpose! Gut Guardian Probiotics: probiotics are essential for yeast sufferers, as they help to rebalance the gut microbiome, by out competing the bad bacteria, which in turn will aid the recovery of the skin barrier. Once there are sufficient levels of good bacteria, the ratio
Pancreatitis flare ups are often a concerning time for pet owners. With so many associated triggers, tailoring the individual dog’s routine to their needs is very important. One of the triggers we see a lot here at My Pet Nutritionist, is food sensitivities. Read on to learn more about how food sensitivities can be linked to pancreatic flares. A bit about the pancreas The pancreas is a very important organ in the body; it is part of the digestive, and endocrine systems. It’s role in the digestive system is to produce digestive enzymes to aid the breakdown of foods, with fat and protein being the main targets. Within the endocrine system, the pancreas produces insulin; a hormone which controls blood sugar levels. The pancreas is located in the abdominal region, on the right hand side, near the stomach, and above the intestines. The pancreatic duct attaches the pancreas to the small intestine, and transports the digestive juices made by the pancreas, into the small intestine, to be able to begin breaking food down. Before reaching the intestine, however, another duct from the gallbladder joins the pancreatic duct, and transports bile to the intestine. Findings Here When the pancreas becomes inflamed it releases the digestive enzymes it produces too early, which can result in the body starting to digest the pancreas itself, as well as the abdominal cavity; this is a pancreatic flare. Acute pancreatitis happens suddenly whether it is a mild flare, or a severe flare which hospitalises the pet. Chronic pancreatitis on the other hand, tends to happen for longer periods of time, and intermittently – symptoms are generally milder, but more constant than acute pancreatitis cases. Dogs with enzyme deficiencies, nutritional imbalances or intolerances, or other endocrine conditions tend to get chronic pancreatitis as opposed to acute pancreatitis. Dogs suffering with chronic pancreatitis are often found to be deficient in Vitamins C and E, as well as selenium. The main health condition associated with pancreatic flares, is Pancreatitis. Symptoms of a pancreatic flare are as follows: Vomiting Diarrhoea, sometimes bloody Fever/high temperature Increased heartrate Dehydration Digestive difficulties Abdominal pain (the ‘downward dog’ position, are hunched over back are classic signs of this) Low appetite Pressures on the pancreas For those suffering with pancreatic flares, or pancreatitis in general, it is extremely important to recognise, and understand the triggers of a flare. Let’s discuss the major trigger of a pancreatic flare. Fats More specifically, excess fats, and the wrong type of fats! Fat reduction in the diet is one of the most common things we hear pet owners panic about when their dog has pancreatitis, or a pancreatic flare. While excess fats can be very hard on the already inflamed pancreas, some fats such as fish oils and olive oils have been shown to block cellular mechanisms involved in the development of acute pancreatitis. Massively restricting fat may not be completely necessary long term for pancreatitis patients, but short term during a flare, may be worth reducing. We tend to advise 15% dry matter fat content in the diet of a pancreatitis patient, which is around 5% crude fat. In non-severe cases, the fat content can be gradually increased. Feeding a high fat diet, where the dog is unable to fully digest the fat consumed, can put pressure on the pancreas due to high blood fat content. More digestive enzymes are required for digestion of excessive fats, which causes the pancreas to overwork in order to produce those enzymes. Overworking an organ causes inflammation, which leads to health problems associated with that organ; in this case, a pancreatic flare. Carbs A less well known approach among dog owners, carbohydrates should be kept to a minimum in all dogs, but especially in those with pancreatitis. There is a huge link between high-carbohydrate diets, and an increase in excess blood fat. This is why it is important to steer away from dry food/kibble based diets – these are high in carbs, and the high carb content leads to high blood fat content, which as just discussed causes the pancreas to overwork. Findings Here Findings Here Findings Here Findings Here High carbohydrate dry food diets also lack suitable amounts of vitamin E, due to it being an unstable vitamin, and the long shelf life of dry foods causes the vitamin E content to diminish by around 30% just 6 months from manufacture. As previously mentioned, those with chronic pancreatitis tend to be deficient in vitamin E already, so feeding a high carb, processed diet low in suitable vitamin E may not be a great idea. Vitamin E plays an important role in the removal of excess fat from the body. Less Vitamin E = More excess fat = Pressure on the Pancreas Findings Here Food Sensitivities As the main topic of this blog; food sensitivities can put huge pressure on the pancreas, linking them with pancreatic flares. It is incredibly important to work on your dog’s food intolerances so many reasons, pancreatic pressure being one of them. More on this subject later. Genetic Predisposition As with many health complaints, genetic predispositions are very much a problem with pancreatic flares. Whereas all breeds can suffer with pancreatitis, some breeds are more prone than others, purely down to their breed, and genetics. These breeds include: Miniature Schnauzers Miniature Poodles (and crosses of!) Cocker Spaniels Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Boxers Collies To find out more about pancreatitis, and how dietary changes, lifestyle changes, and correct supplementation can help, have a read of our Natural Guide to Pancreatitis! How do food sensitivities affect the pancreas? So, how do food sensitivities affect the pancreas, resulting in pancreatic flares? Food sensitivities are largely down to gut health, and immune modulation. If you are a regular reader of our blogs, you will notice us mention Leaky Gut a lot as well as inflammation. 70-80% of the immune system lays in the gut, so gut health is always paramount! Leaky Gut As per the condition’s name, leaky gut sufferers
At My Pet Nutritionist, we understand the importance of both macro- and micronutrients, as well as what happens when our pets are both deficient in them, and what happens when our pets are consuming too much of a specific nutrient. In this blog, we will look at folate – aka Vitamin B9, and what happens when dogs have too much folate; a fairly common issue. Read on to learn more! What is Folate? Also known as Vitamin B9 or Folic Acid, Folate is an important water soluble vitamin. Folate can be found in a lot of foods, some of which can be found below. If a pet requires a supplement version, folic acid would be used, as it has a higher rate of absorption at 85%, than naturally occurring folate with a 50% absorption rate. Findings Here Some dietary sources of folate include: Dark leafy greens Sunflower seeds Fruits Liver Eggs So what does folate do in the body? Folate is important for the metabolism of protein, as it aids the formation of DNA and RNA. Folate is also important to break down homocysteine into methionine in the body, which is an amino acid that can cause harm if there are high amounts in the body. Red blood cell formation during growth periods, including young dogs, and pregnant dogs, is also largely down to folate being consumed in the correct quantities. Some studies also suggest that folate can reduce the risk of some cancers due to it’s role in RNA production, however… and that is a big however… in one human study, high-dose folic acid was given to patients with a history of polyps, to see if folate would reduce the risk of these. The results were not as the scientists hypothesized, and unfortunately the risk of new, and more serious polyps was increased. So this brings us to why high folate isn’t ideal! Findings Here The Problem with High Folate Although folate is an important nutrient, having high folate levels is not ideal, and can lead to other issues in the body. In one study, high folate levels indicated low vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 deficiencies can lead to anaemia, skin problems, muscle weakness, weight loss, sickness, and cardiovascular issues. Brain and nervous system damage are two of the more life threatening problems with a vitamin B12 deficiency being masked by high folate. Findings Here Moving back to the aforementioned cancer risk, studies suggest a link between high folate levels, and the increased risk of some cancers, and cardiovascular disease. This area of research is still evolving as more studies are being done to look into the issue, but research so far, does suggest a link. Findings Here When looking at the risk specifically of folic acid, found in fortified foods, and in supplement form, we can conclude that excess amounts in the bloodstream is bad news. The liver is the main organ involved in breaking down folic acid, however it can only process so much, meaning excess folic acid, now known as Unmetabolised Folic Acid (UMFA) accumulates in the blood. UMFA is linked with many health concerns including insulin resistance, poor cognitive development in the young, early cognitive degeneration in older dogs, and other health conditions. In pregnant females, these issues can also be passed on to their litter! Findings Here Findings Here Causes and Diagnosis of High Folate In order to diagnose high folate levels, your dog will have a blood sample taken. This sample is then spun in a centrifuge to separate the components of the blood, leaving the serum. The serum is then tested for vitamin B12 and B9 concentrations, since low B12 and high B9 usually come hand in hand. The test is called a Metabolic Function Test. Your vet will be able to carry this test out – you may need to have this test done prior to a consultation with one of the My Pet Nutritionist team, for us to be able to help you, and better understand your pet’s situation. Let’s take a look at the two major reasons why your dog may have high folate concentrations. Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) The most common reason for high folate levels that we see here at My Pet Nutritionist, is SIBO. In dogs with SIBO, there is excess bacterial growth in the small intestine, which leads to maldigestion and difficulty absorbing nutrients. Symptoms include diarrhoea, sickness, weight loss, bloating and constipation. Dogs with SIBO, have less of an ability to synthesize folate. The reduced ability to synthesize it, makes for an increase of excess folate in the bloodstream, which in turn leads to other health issues, if not treated. Findings Here Findings Here Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) The second condition with similar effects on the folate and B12 levels, is much less common; and so rare, many veterinarians have little to no experience of the disease. Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency is another digestive issue, this time involving the lack of pancreatic enzymes. With the lack of enzymes from the pancreas, the small intestine becomes unable to sufficiently digest food, which leads to rapid weight loss, and inability to regain the weight without treatment. Due to the digestive imbalances caused by EPI, the body is unable to completely break down the folate consumed, which results in increased levels of unmetabolized folate in the bloodstream. EPI can be a secondary disease to those already suffering with SIBO, too! Findings Here Findings Here Stress This is a trigger which is very often overlooked. Stress has such an immense impact on dogs both behaviourally, and medically, as it causes disruption in the gut. You may have heard of the ‘fight or flight response’ whereby a dog in a stressful situation does one of two things – they either fight, or they leave the situation or shut down (flight); this isn’t where the ‘fight or flight’ response stops, however! Part of the response happens internally, as the blood supply is temporarily cut off from the gut, which in
Here at My Pet Nutritionist, we see lots of cases of Hotspots. Those seeing a hotspot for the first time can be worrying; those who deal with them regularly may feel overwhelmed, and frustrated at their regular reappearance. In this blog we will look at what hotspots are, how they happen, their link to gut health, and how we can support the body to heal them efficiently. What Are Hotspots? Hotspots are scientifically known as Pyotraumatic Dermatitis. Another common name for them is ‘Acute Moist Dermatitis’; this name gives more of a visual impression of what you can expect to see of a hotspot case. They present as red raw, moist areas of hairloss, and can happen on both dogs and cats. There is no specific place hotspots can happen on the body, and they tend to show up very quickly. Often confused with ringworm, hotspots are wet in appearance, and often more open/raw looking than ringworm. Ringworm also tends to occur in patches, as opposed to one single spot. Are they sore for your pet? Yes! Hotspots can be very sore for your pet, so it’s important not to leave them. You may notice increased itching and licking of the area, as well as potential behavioural changes due to pain. The sore my ooze liquid, particularly if the hotspot has become infected, which would also bring an unpleasant odour. The fur around the edge of the lesion may be matted. There is no correlation between age, sex or breed when it comes to the likelihood of s dog getting a hotspot. Findings Here What Causes Them? Hotspots are caused by bacterial overgrowth, or are secondary to another underlaying health issue. The biggest trigger for hotspots, is repeated itching of an area on the body. This can make hotspots a secondary health problem to allergies and intolerances, flea infestations and other insect bites, ear infections, grass seeds, stress and anxiety, and poor grooming husbandry when matts are close to the skin. The constant itching and licking of an area makes the perfect growth site for bacteria – moisture and warmth are bacteria’s favourite conditions! Findings Here Findings Here Hotspots and Gut Health As with most skin related problems, there is a huge link with poor gut health. We need to look closely at the Skin-Gut Axis. The skin and gut barrier share many qualities, as they’re both highly vascularised and innervated due to their role in both immune function, and neuro-endocrine function. When looking at the inside of the gut and the surface of the skin, to the naked eye they may seem worlds apart, but both are covered in epithelial cells which both make direct contact with the corresponding environment (the skin contacts particles in the air, things we touch etc, and the inside of the gut touches everything moving through the gut). The biggest similarity between the skin and the gut, is that they both possess their own microbiome. I’m sure you’ve heard us talking about the microbiome on many occasions; but that is because the microbiome is so incredibly important for health and proper functioning of various systems and organs. The microbiome is made up of all microbes the relevant organ uses, and makes contact with, including good (and bad!) bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa and other parasites. Gut Guardian There are many studies which prove positive links between probiotic supplementation and skin quality, which can be found in our blog about the gut-skin axis! Metabolites from the gut are shown to link directly to the skin’s ability to fight off ‘nasties’ which would in turn, reduce the risk of hotspots. An important neurotransmitter called Acetylcholine also plays a role in the functioning of the skin’s barrier, and how it deals with overgrowth of bacteria. Supporting the Body for Healing If your dog currently has a hotspot, it’s very important to treat it as soon as possible, as it won’t go away on it’s own. If the hotspot is oozing a yellow or creamy colour, you will need to seek veterinary attention, however it is important to work on the gut following use of antibiotics your vet may prescribe. Step 1: Shave the Fur Gently shave the fur around the hotspot – this enables you to see the full extent of the hotspot, and gives you a clean area to treat it, without the risk of fur getting into the wound. It also allows the hotspot to ‘breathe’, which is imperative in helping it dry up. Step 2: Clean the Area Using either boiled and cooled salt water, colloidal silver, Leucillin/Dew, or probiotic wound spray, gently clean the area to ensure there’s no bad bacteria on or around the hotspot. Pat it dry gently with a cotton pad. Step 3: Apply Green Clay With a clean, soft brush, such as a clean makeup brush, lightly dust some green clay on the hotspot – green clay is an excellent ‘staple’ for the dog cupboard (come on, everyone has a dog cupboard or drawer)! Green clay helps remove toxin from the skin, and helps dry the wound out. When purchasing your clay, ensure the product is 100% green clay, as some products contain added ingredients, including fragrances, which we definitely don’t want to use on our dogs! If you spot the hotspot getting wet through the clay, pop a little more on. Reapply the green clay once or twice per day, and keep the area dry at all times! Step 4: Prevent the Dog from Licking or Itching It’s important to not let the dog lick the wound, or get it wet. Itching the wound can aggravate it too, so don’t let them do this! You may need to resort to the cone of shame (Elizabethan collar, lampshade, or whatever you might call it!) for a few days to achieve this. Depending on where on the body the hotspot is, you may be able to use a clean t-shirt or sock to help cover it. Step 5: Wait! Hopefully
Paw biting is probably one of the most common symptoms we see among our clients at My Pet Nutritionist. It’s daunting when your dog just wont stop! The noise of paw chewing, every owner of a paw biter knows… it can be draining! Our handy guide may help you understand why your dog is biting his paws, and what you could do to help alleviate it. Exposure to chemicals Exposure to chemicals in various aspects of life, can have a massive effect on your dog’s health – especially gut health, which can lead to symptoms such as itchy paws and undercarriage. Let’s discuss the effects flea and worm treatments, household cleaners, and environmental products can have on itchy paws! Flea and Worm Treatments Flea and worm treatments may seem rather an odd cause of paw biting, as flea and worm treatments are administered either orally, or on the skin. These products are so very damaging to the body, both internally, and externally. Not only can they cause chemical burns, and sore skin, as well as neurological problems, they can also damage the gut. A damaged gut can cause a histamine response in the body, which brings with it, symptoms such as excessive itching and licking, including paw biting. We would recommend switching to natural alternatives for flea and worm prevention. Household Cleaning Products It’s important to be mindful of the ingredients used in household cleaning and laundry products. An enormous amount of the ingredients in many laundry products and cleaning products are skin irritants. Try to use as natural products as possible – some natural pet companies stock natural laundry and cleaning products, probiotic laundry and cleaning products, or you can make your own! But my cleaning product states ‘pet friendly’?! Unfortunately, this simply means that it wont kill your pet. Great, but skin irritations are still very prevalent! Dogs make nearly constant contact between their feet, and the floor or soft furnishings, meaning they are more at risk of contact allergies on the feet, causing biting. Environmental Products Navigating around environmental toxins can be extremely tricky. The vast majority of councils in the UK tend to spray weed killer on the streets. These are just one of the environmental products which can contribute to paw biting. Others include patio cleaners, professional astroturf cleaners, grit/antifreeze, and many others. Washing paws after walks is a great idea to help reduce the risk of these toxins affecting the comfort of the dog’s paws. Yeast Yeast tends to have a very familiar symptom, along with the paw biting; a rusty colour on and around the toes. Yeast has two pathways – from the gut, and purely on the skin. Most yeast we see is down to an unhealthy gut, which allows for the overgrowth of candida, however, less commonly dogs may get Malassezia; which is a yeast infection on the skin. Candida Candida is a fungus which occurs naturally on the skin, and in the gut. When it is present in the correct amount, it’s a healthy part of a well-functioning microbiome. The issue comes when candida out competes good bacteria – this leads to a yeast infection. This predominantly occurs in the small intestine, and is aptly named Small Intestine Fungal Infection (SIFO). Overgrowths of candida can be down to exposure to the aforementioned toxins, poor gut health (and therefore a weakened immune system), allergies and intolerances, and antibiotics. As antibiotics not only attack bad bacteria, they also attack the good bacteria, which allows for the growth of fungi such as candida. As yeast thrives on sugar, its important to cut out any high carb, starchy, and sugary foods. Dry food can contain anywhere between 30 and 70% carbohydrates! This means that feeding a balanced fresh food would be the best option. It is also very important to keep on top of, or get to the bottom of allergies and intolerances; running an elimination diet, and healing the gut with mucilage herbs and probiotics is usually the winning combo when getting to the bottom of intolerances. Vaccines, some types of fish such as tuna, and even tap water are contaminated with heavy metals – yeast also thrives on heavy metal exposure, so it’s also important to not use such products, and use filtered water. Working on gut health is very important – you may find our Gut Guardian supplement useful! Findings Here Findings Here Malassezia Folliculitis Affecting only the skin, Malassezia Folliculitis is the skin-specific species of yeast fungus. Often called Fungal Acne, Malassezia causes acne-like pimples on the skin due to the yeast infecting hair follicles. Malassezia can be harder to treat than candida, but thankfully, rarely affects the paws. Findings Here Findings Here You can fund out more about yeast in our blog here! Allergies and Intolerances Unbeknownst to many, allergies and intolerances are very different from one another, and intolerances are often mistaken for allergies. Intolerances are the digestive inability to break down certain foods, specifically proteins. The inability to digest proteins properly, causes intolerances to develop. They can be worked on and improved through gut-work using mucilage herbs, and probiotics such as our Gut Guardian supplement. Allergies are much more severe, and are down to immune modulation – true allergies cannot really be improved. In some cases, allergies are life threatening. An interesting fact, is that in food reactivity cases, on average 10% are true allergies, whereas 90% are intolerances. Food Food allergies and intolerances can affect paw biting, due to poor gut integrity which causes a histamine response by the body. When the body reacts to a sudden influx of histamine, one of the most common symptoms is itching. Irritation can, and often does happen all over the body. Red sores, constant scratching, restlessness, and frustrated panting can all show your dog is itchy. Paw biting is one of these common symptoms too – this shows the dog’s paws are itching, as part of the immune response to foreign particles in the bloodstream. Contact Contact allergies
Here at My Pet Nutritionist, we see a lot of worried puppy parents, struggling with pyoderma. Skin conditions are a very common topic at MPN HQ, so let’s take a dive into pyoderma, what it is, what causes it, and how to support the body with it. What is Pyoderma? The word pyoderma, literally translates to ‘pus in the skin’ (‘pyo’ = pus, ‘derma’ = skin). The condition presents as acne-like spots on the skin, often in the chin area, and around the lips. Pyoderma is a bacterial skin infection, the most common bacteria affecting it being Staphyloccocus intermedius. When there is too much of a specific bacteria present on the skin, the risk of pyoderma is significant. Pyoderma can happen at any age, but is particularly common in puppies – known as puppy pyoderma. Pyoderma can spread between humans and dogs, so it’s important to clean your hands thoroughly when you touch the affected areas on your dog. Findings Here Findings Here Causes of Pyoderma A common contributing factor of pyoderma is environment. Dogs living in warm, humid environments may be at a higher risk than those living in cool, dry environments. Humidity and warmth are essential for bacterial growth. Items in the environment can also contribute to the onset of pyoderma; the biggest culprit being dog bowls! Plastic bowls are particularly good bacterial breeding grounds because they scratch very easily (even if you cant see the scratches to the naked eye), which leaves crevices which are difficult to fully clean, allowing for bacterial growth. When the dog touches the bowl, the bacteria rubs onto the skin, causing pyoderma. An unhealthy gut is also a huge contributing factor to the overcolonisation of bacteria, which can cause pyoderma. 70-80% of the immune system lays in the gut. When the gut is damaged, through the use of chemicals, pest control pharmaceuticals, poor diet or ingredients, or any other cause of gut damage, this can have a severe effect on the body’s ability to get rid of the over-colonised bad bacteria. This leaves the dog more vulnerable to pyoderma. Secondary infection is also one of the major causes of pyoderma. It can be a secondary infection arising from a poor skin barrier, poor gut flora, intolerences to food, and contact allergies from the environment. As well as these common health complaints, there is also a genetic mutation called the Fillagrin mutation – this is much like eczema in humans. Findings Here Breed predisposition may also be a factor in the onset of pyoderma, however more research in this field is needed. Breeds thought to be at higher risk of pyoderma include: Spaniels (ususally lip fold pyoderma) Pekingese Pugs Boxers Bulldogs Shar Pei Read more about genes and skin health here! Finally, stress could contirbute to a dog getting pyoderma. Just like in us humans, stress-spots are very much possible. This is down to the skin having developed it’s own HPA axis. When the body is under stress, the adrenal glands release, and flood the body with stress hormones. This sudden burst of hormones can cause pyoderma to form on the skin. Read more about the skin’s HPA axis here! How to Prevent Pyoderma Prevention of pyoderma is something that may be overlooked by many pet owners, but it can happen to any dog at any age, so it’s something to be mindful of. Using the Right Bowls In order to reduce the risk of bacteria against the skin on the face, and around the mouth, we need to be mindful of the bowls being used for food and water. Glass (modern Pyrex is great, but avoid vintage Pyrex due to the potential for lead contamination!) bowls are a fantastic option, but beware if your dog is likely to pick it up and drop it. Stainless steel bowls are also a good option. Avoid plastic bowls, and be cautious using ceramic bowls, due to the ease of cracking of the glaze, which could then harbor bacteria. Keeping the Gut Healthy As previously mentioned, 70-80% of the immune system lays in the gut, so keeping the gut healthy is incredibly important. There are many avenues to keeping the gut healthy. Feed a fresh diet where possible – dry food is very drying on the gut, and often contains ingredients that can contribute to Leaky Gut. Fresh food, whether it’s raw or cooked using one of our recipes balanced to FEDIAF, is high in moisture, so is better for the gut. Avoid using worm and flea pharmaceuticals – these act a lot like paint stripper on the gut, and contain damaging ingredients, not to mention the risk of seizures, ataxia, and other nasty side effects. Don’t over-vaccinate! The adjuvants used in vaccinations can be detrimental to gut health due to the content of heavy metals. Use a probiotic, and if needed, a mucilage herb. Our product Gut Gurdian is a great choice, combining three mucilage herbs, calming chamomile, and some good quality soil based probiotics. Keeping the Skin Clean Keeping skin clean and dry is very important – focusing on the chin and mouth area, wrinkles/folds in certain breeds, and armpits and groin areas. You may wish to use a hypochlorous based product, of topical probiotic product to clean with, such as Leucillin or Dew (Hypochlorous based), or Provilan LUCAA+ probiotic products. Ensure areas are thoroughly dried. Keep On Top of Allergies Allergy symptoms usually include itching – constant itching of an area will irritate the skin, and leave it open to bacterial infections, especially in the hair follicles. It’s important to work on finding your dog’s triggers, and eliminating them. Keep the Environment Clean Try to keep the dog’s living environment clean! A clean environment, means less risk of bacteria. Less bacteria in the environment, reduces the risk of transmission to a host. How to Support the Body If your dog has pyoderma already, there are some things you can do to support the body through recovery. Let’s take a look at some
Here at My Pet Nutritionist, acid reflux is one of the most common issues we come across in our consultations. Dogs with acid reflux may have it for a variety of reasons, from allergies to BOAS, and many other reasons in between. These dogs are often less tolerable of some generally preferred diets, so require a specific diet and supplement regime, which we will discuss here! A Bit About Acid Reflux Acid reflux is formally known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). When a dog eats, a mixture is formed in the stomach, comprising of stomach acid, salts and bile; this is called chime. Those with acid reflux suffer from the chime mixture entering the oesophagus. Acid reflux is a symptom of many underlying health conditions, and can be very uncomfortable. While acid reflux itself is not life threatening, it can lead to oesophageal ulcers due to repeated inflammation of the lining of the oesophagus, as well as the potential risk of aspiration pneumonia. Symptoms of Acid Reflux include: Bad breath Regular burping and regurgitation Tenderness of the stomach (bowing is the main sign of this) Constipation or diarrhoea Lack of appetite Lethargy Wheezing and dry coughs Weight loss Acid reflux is often caused by low stomach acid, contrary to what many may assume. Proton pump inhibitors are often prescribed under the assumption that the dog has too much stomach acid, however it’s often the exact opposite issue. This may seem an odd concept, however it becomes clear that when the stomach is lacking acid, it is unable to fully digest food at a high enough rate, so the food tends to sit in the stomach, which is then regurgitated. For more information on acid reflux, read our blog here! Diet When is comes to feeding a dog with acid reflux, it’s important not to feed processed foods. Processed foods such as kibble, are very inflammatory, which ultimately reduces stomach acid. A reduction in stomach acid can be a major trigger for acid reflux, as there’s less acid to digest foods. Fresh feeding for acid reflux dogs can be raw, or lightly cooked. Many dogs with acid reflux find it difficult to tolerate raw food, as the food sits in the stomach for a long time; when it sits in the stomach in chime, gasses are released, and the chance of reflux increases. Cooked food is often the best option. When feeding a cooked food, it is incredibly important to follow a balanced recipe, such as our recipes! Sticking to the leaner protein options such as the white fish recipe may be the best option, as feeding fattier proteins may cause more issue for dogs who are unable to digest efficiently. Acid reflux is often a symptom of allergies, so it’s important to get to the bottom of the dog’s allergies, and eliminate trigger proteins from the diet. To achieve this, an elimination diet should be carried out. Why not book in with one of our team for guidance through an elimination diet? Ensure there is plenty of fibre in the diet. Insoluble fibre increases gut and stomach motility, which is essential for those suffering from acid reflux. Some great sources of insoluble dietary fibre are: Broccoli Leafy greens Cauliflower Carrots Berries Findings Here Feeding a good variety of proteins (if allergy constraints allow), and a variety of plant matter can help ensure there are no vitamin deficiencies, which could contribute to acid reflux. In the human world, bariatric surgery patients often suffer with GERD, due to the inability to consume sufficient amounts of vitamins and minerals – nutritional deficiencies can impact our dogs too! Zinc deficiencies are common among acid reflux patients as it is thought that zinc helps protect the lining of the stomach. Findings Here Findings Here Working on getting to the bottom of any allergies and intolerances is important in helping relieve your dog of symptoms too! Allergies and intolerances are largely down to gut health, which causes a knock on effect on acid reflux. It’s also very important to choose the correct supplements to give your dog when suffering with acid reflux. Supplements The first, and most important supplement, or group of supplements we will be looking at, is those that aid gut health. Mucilage Herbs Mucilage herbs include Slippery Elm, Marshmallow Root, and Declycyrrhizinated Liquorice Root. These herbs are excellent for healing the gut, as they coat the digestive system. They not only help heal the gut, but they also soothe the oesophageal tract which is great for those suffering with acid reflux. Our probiotic and mucilage herb blend, Gut Guardian, may be perfect for your dog! Probiotics Probiotics are essential for a healthy gut. They help the gut microbiome flourish, which in turn aids digestion of foods, reducing the risk of chime sitting in the gut. Our aforementioned Gut Guardian supplement contains a great variety of clean probiotics, so may be a great choice for your dog! Findings Here Digestive Enzymes Some dogs, especially our acid reflux dogs, often suffer from poor digestion, due to insufficient amounts of the required digestive enzymes. When lacking such enzymes, food sits in the stomach in the chime mixture, which is them repeatedly regurgitated. Giving a good digestive enzyme may be pivotal to your dog’s recovery, or management of acid reflux. The two enzymes as play in this situation are Pepsin and Trypsin. Findings Here Rhodiola This is a herb, less commonly known in general, which contributes to responding to physical and mental stressors. As well as aiding those with diabetes, cancer, and anxiety, Rhodiola is great at helping the body cope with the physical stressors acid reflux brings. Findings Here Theanine Theanine is a non-protien amino acid which occurs naturally in tea. It plays a role in the prevention of acid refluc flare ups by increasing GABA activity, and reduce oesophageal sphincter relaxations. Together these reduce the symptoms of acid reflux. Findings Here If your dog has acid reflux, and you are unsure what to feed
Here at My Pet Nutritionist, we often help pet owners battle with oxalate crystals/stones in their pets. A diagnosis of any urinary stone can seem daunting, but that’s where we can step in to help! This is a handy guide to the ins-and-outs of Calcium Oxalate stones! What are Oxalate Stones? Oxalate stones, formally known as Calcium Oxalate stones, are formed of microscopic crystals of calcium oxalate. They’re the second most common type of urinary stone found in dogs, second to Struvite stones. If left untreated, oxalate crystals are one of the leading causes of kidneys stones. Males tend to get diagnosed with oxalate stones more often than females, and they’re more common in older dogs than they are in younger dogs. Some breeds are predisposed to Oxalate Stones. These include: Miniature schnauzer Yorkshire terrier Lhasa apso Bichon frise Shih Tzu Miniature poodle Chihuahua Jack Russel Findings Here Findings Here Symptoms of Oxalate Stones There are a number of symptoms caused by oxalate stones, including: Difficulty urinating Bloody or cloudy urine Smelly urine Frequent urination Distended abdomen Lack of appetite Changes in behaviour Lethargy Vomiting If your dog has such symptoms, it’s important to seek veterinary assistance. How Do They Form? Studies show that feeding a diet that causes high levels of urine acidity can contribute to the formation of oxalate stones. Research suggests that urine high in calcium, citrates and oxalates (these changes to urine are largely controlled by diet) can increase the risk of the dog having oxalate stones. Breed, and sex predisposition are huge factors in the formation of oxalate stones, alongside the aforementioned dietary factors. Findings Here Findings Here Diagnosis, and Getting Rid of Oxalate Stones When taken to the vet, the dog will have a blood sample taken, and a full blood panel will be run. A urinalysis will also be performed to check for increased levels of acidity, calcium, citrates and oxalates. If bladder stones are not able to be felt through palpation of the bladder, an x-ray may be performed to work out exactly what we are dealing with. Unfortunately, oxalate stones usually require surgical intervention, as they cannot be dissolved once formed. Like with Cysteine stones, smaller crystals may be able to be flushed out using urohydropropulsion, however as these crystals, untreated, can grow rapidly and cause urine infections, most veterinary surgeons would prefer to operate and remove all crystals as a first port of call. Findings Here Supporting the Body, and Preventing Oxalate Stones There are many ways we can support the body to prevent recurring formation of oxalate stones. Let’s discuss these! Probiotics Studies show that probiotics are effective at breaking down oxalates in the digestive system, so it’s wise to give a good, broad spectrum probiotic every day. Avoid high calcium, acidic, and high oxalate foods It’s incredibly important to keep the pH of the urine as alkaline as possible. There are certain foods we recommend to avoid feeding your dog if they have history of oxalate stone development. These include: Spinach (high in oxalates) Leafy Greens (the darker they are, the more oxalates they contain) Beets (high in oxalates) Citrus fruits (high in citrates and oxalates) Legumes (high in lectin, and oxalates) Beans (high in lectin and oxalates) Nuts and seeds (high in oxalates) Berries (high in oxalates) Increase moisture intake Always insure your dog is drinking plenty of water! A high moisture diet is also incredibly important, be it raw, or freshly cooked. You can also ‘float’ the food, by adding extra water to it. Check out our low oxalate recipe here! Limit sodium intake Another reason to avoid dry foods, is that they’re often high in salt. Salt is very dehydrating on the body, so it’s important to limit sodium intake. Findings Here Findings Here Findings Here Has your dog been diagnosed with Oxalate, of any other type of urinary tones? If the answer is YES, don’t hesitate to book a consultation with one of our team! Team MPN x
