What should you feed your pet? It’s a very broad question, with many answers. No one individual is the same! That said, at My Pet Nutritionist, we aim to help pet owners make an informed decision. We recommend feeding fresh food to both cats and dogs. In this blog post, we will look at why we recommend fresh feeding, and touch on the different diets available on the market, and look at how each one is manufactured to give you an insight into why we do, or don’t recommend it. Why Feed Fresh? Fresh feeding, whether it’s raw, or cooked, uses whole food ingredients to form a complete, and balanced meal. Raw feeding is the closest diet to that of a wild carnivore, and cooked food is the next best option. Fresh foods are high in moisture which is essential for healthy kidney function, as well as general hydration. Fresh foods are highly digestible! As the ingredients are all biologically appropriate (which means all suitable for the species being fed), they are easy to digest. Unfortunately the bulk of the ingredients in dry foods are difficult for dogs or cats to digest, which can lead to long term health implications. The fact that fresh foods are minimally processed is also a huge benefit. The more processed a food is, the riskier it is to general health, both short, and long term. When a food is highly processed, carcinogenic compounds known as Advanced Glycation End-Products (AGEs) form. AGEs cause oxidative stress, generalised inflammation and premature ageing too. Glyphosate is commonly found in processed foods – you may have heard of Glyphosate before. Glyphosate is the active ingredient in many gardening herbicides! It is linked to cancer and major damage to the gut microbiome. This is not an issue with fresh feeding, especially if you purchase your dog or cat’s raw ingredients from organic sources. Fresh foods tend to be very low in carbohydrates; some vegetables contain carbohydrates, such as sweet potato, which may be fed in small quantities, but dry foods, and other processed foods are usually very high in carbohydrates; usually between 30% and 60% carbs! High carb foods cause blood sugar spikes, and can feed yeast, cancer, and lead to generalised inflammation. You can read more about carbohydrate consumption for dogs here. Cats are obligate carnivores so should not consume any. Finally, contamination of raw food is much lower than that of dry foods. Storage mites are a risk of dry food, but not of fresh foods as these are stored in the freezer. Mycotoxins and Aflatoxins are also commonly found in dry foods, due to their long dry-stored shelf life – again this is eliminated through freeze-stored fresh foods. A frequently asked question regarding safety of raw food vs dry foods, is salmonella contamination. Between 2012 and 2021, 80% of recalls due to salmonella were in fact, of dry food! A group of scientists surveyed 16,412 pet owners from 81 countries; a grand total of 39 had reported human illnesses due to raw pet food – just 0.2% – 9 cases were in the UK. Practice proper food hygiene, just as you would when preparing your own meals, and raw feeding is incredibly safe! Findings Here Manufacturing Raw Food Raw food manufacturing is extremely stringently controlled, and foods are DEFRA tested… more stringently so than raw meat sold for human consumption! Commercially prepared raw food is, in most cases, produced on a cold chain production line. Sound fancy doesn’t it? But what is ‘cold chain processing’? The meat comes into the factories in temperature controlled lorries. The meat is kept below a certain temperature throughout the manufacturing process – it is always kept either frozen or extremely cold at all times, leaving little room for bacterial growth. Once the products are minced, and packaged, they are stored in a deep freeze at below -18oC, before being transported for sale in temperature controlled packaging/vehicles. As you can see, this method is perfect for keeping nutrients intact and to their full potential. Premade raw foods are available for both cats and dogs! Preparing Raw Food at Home If you choose to make your own raw meals, commonly known as DIY, you may wish to freeze your meat first. Freezing is believed to eliminate the potential risk of parasitic burdens in meat, though little scientific scripture is available to prove, or disprove this theory – it may be best to err on the side of caution. As a basic guide, freezing lengths should be as follows: Game, pork and fish: 3 weeks OR deep freeze Other meat: 1 week OR deep freeze Findings Here Findings Here The ratio tends to be 80% muscle meat, 10% bone, 5% liver and 5% other secreting offal such as kidney, pancreas, testicle, spleen, brain etc. Heart and tripe are classed as muscle meat, not offal. To make this 80-10-10 mix into a complete meal, you will need to add plant matter, and omega sources. You can learn more about balancing an 80-10-10 here. If you are considering a DIY raw diet, and you want to learn all there is to know about the ins and outs of raw feeding, you can purchase our fantastic Ultimate Raw Feeding Guide for Dogs. Manufacturing Cooked Food Cooked foods are relatively new to the pet food market, with varieties available for both cats and dogs. Ingredients arrive fresh at the factories in temperature controlled vehicles, before being chopped to size, usually by hand, and cooked in large batches, at low temperatures. Temperatures of all ingredients are regularly checked to avoid bacterial growth, and ensure the food is properly cooked. Due to the nature of manufacturing, and minimal processing, these meals are rich in moisture! The cooked meals are then packaged, and in most cases, frozen in a deep freeze before being transported to retailers or directly to customers in temperatures controlled vehicles/cool box style packaging. Preparing Cooked Food at Home If you are planning to cook for your
Here at My Pet Nutritionist, we see a lot of confusion with regards to fasting your pets. The topic can cause quite the scuffle on social media, with largely varying opinions on the matter – so this blog article aims to help you, the readers, understand more about fasting, and when it is, and is not appropriate, or beneficial to do so. This post covers both cats and dogs, which both have very different needs, so we will split the blog into two sections; one for our feline friends, and one for our canine companions. What is Fasting? Fasting is quite a hot topic in both the pet, and human worlds! Fasting simply is, as it suggests – not feeding for a fairly lengthy period of time. The two types are: Intermittent fasting: feeding once per day, or twice per day, but no more than 6 hours apart, giving 16-23 hours between feeds Complete fasting: giving no food at all for a day or more. We will discuss length of fasting time for each species through this blog post. Should I Fast my Cat? The answer to this question isn’t a simple one – yes, and no. Cats should never be completely fasted, but can be fed one large meal per day in an intermittent fasting style. Cats are generally very susceptible to toxicity. Intake of dietary nutrients is extremely important for detoxification in cats, so regular and frequent feeding is essential. Cats should never go more than 24 hours without food! If the body is unable to suitable detoxify through nutrition, the risk of acute fatty liver increases. Lets take a deeper look at the science behind the importance of detox in cats. Cats are deficient in enzymes involved in later stages of detoxification. One notable example of this is glutathione peroxidase. Glutathione peroxidase is a catalytic enzyme, which reduces hydrogen peroxide to water, which detoxifies the body and limits the harmful effects of hydrogen peroxide. Findings Here A process involved in the later stages of detoxification, known as sulfation, is dependent on sufficient consumption of the amino acid, taurine. Unlike dogs and us humans, cats are unable to synthesise taurine from cysteine in their diet, so cats require direct taurine sources to ensure sulfation can occur. Ensuring a taurine rich diet for cats, helps to improve hepatic detoxification (liver detox). Findings Here Finally, cats are not able to synthesize arginine. Arginine is an essential part of detoxification via urea, and if lacking it in the diet, this can lead to acute encephalopathy. Findings Here Findings Here Should I Fast my Dog? Fasting dogs, in most cases, is ok… and can actually be very beneficial. Unlike cats, dogs don’t necessarily need to feed every day, as they produce enough of the enzymes and amino acids required for detoxification. In the wild, species in the Canidae family would only eat maximum one larger meal per day. There are some situations where dogs should not be fasted – we will take a look at these next! When Not to Fast While fasting may have some health benefits, it certainly isn’t for all dogs. In the following situations, dogs should not be fasted: If the dog has hunger pukes if not fed twice per day Dogs with acid reflux Puppies Dogs on medications which require food to be consumed before or after Underweight dogs, needing to gain weight Diabetic dogs Bitches in welp How Long to Fast For The length of time you can fast your dog for, very much depends on the individual. Generally speaking, dogs can safely go up to five days without eating, however hydration is important during this time. Most dog owners who fast their dogs, tend to do one or two full fasting days per week, others cut down to just one large meal every day, much like the fasting process for cats, discussed above. When a fast day is included in your dog’s schedule, it’s important to increase their daily portion of food for the rest of the days each week, to allow for the day with no food – so the fast day(s) allowed portion is split between the rest of the dog’s meals that week. We tend to recommend only fasting for one day at a time, and we would always recommend consulting with a professional before beginning your fasting journey, if you’re not a seasoned faster! Benefits of Fasting Once you have established whether you could possibly fast your pet, and for how long, we can look at the benefits this new feeding regime could have. Longevity Research shows that fasting can greatly improve longevity. Studies are mostly carried out on mice. Results show that mice who were fasted for complete days, and allowed to eat as much as they wished on days they’re given food, lived far longer than those fed a set amount every day. Not only were length of lives analysed, but the brain function was also studied. The part of the brain which is affected by Alzheimer’s disease in humans, the Hippocampus, was tested – those who were fasted regularly had less brain damage than those who ate daily, showing enhanced cognitive ability in aging individuals when fasting occurred. Findings Here Findings Here Stronger Immune Function and Infection Fighting Ability The immune system contains many different specialized cells, which each have their own function, and work together to create an immune response, and fight infection. The first cells we will discuss are Macrophages. Macrophages destroy bacterial cells, viruses, and foreign bodies by engulfing them. Another important role they play, is the engulfing and subsequent destruction of dead cells within the body. Fasting is known to increase macrophage activity, making fighting illness quicker. The next immune cells we will talk about are Neutrophils. These are a type of white blood cell – the most commonly found! Their role in the immune system is to engulf bacteria and other microorganisms. Neutrophils destroy the initial invading bacteria when bacterial infections first
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
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
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
Kidney disease is a common issue we see here at My Pet Nutritionist. In the dog world, there is a lot of confusion over what the diet of a dog with kidney disease should consist of, and if it should be low in phosphorous, or low in protein. We are here to help clear up the confusion! A Bit About Kidney Disease… Chronic Kidney Disease, abbreviated to CKD, happens in 4 stages. In order to understand the need for lower phosphorous and protein, we need to take a little look into the four stages. Stage 1 At this stage, there is no build up of toxins in the bloodstream, unlike in later stages. With often normal blood and urinalysis results, dogs with stage 1 kidney disease often have no clinical symptoms. This makes it very difficult to diagnose early on. Stage 2 During stage 2, toxins begin to build in the blood, and the kidneys begin to lose their function. When the kidneys begin to decline, they often begin to leak protein into the urine, which would give a higher protein reading in a urinalysis than is expected of a healthy individual. Blood pressure in these individuals may rise, but otherwise, clinical symptoms are rare at this stage. Stage 3 Once the diseased has progressed to stage 3, clinical symptoms are common, and include excessive drinking and urination. Following urinalysis, protein levels will be much higher, and blood pressure will further increase. Stage 4 Due to the degradation of the kidneys at stage 4, both protein and creatinine levels are high. Protein levels in the urine become incredibly high, and the blood pressure would be very high. Conventional treatments Upon diagnosis of CKD, your veterinarian may wish to flush the kidneys – this aims to remove toxins. This can help resume normal kidney function, but may not work for all dogs. A lower protein and phosphorous diet will likely be recommended. This diet should not be acidic either! We don’t want phosphorous to flood the bloodstream , so many vets with recommend a phosphorous binder, which is a drug designed to stop phosphorous from entering the bloodstream. Due to raised blood pressure in those with CKD, blood pressure medication may be prescribed. As a last resort, once all other medical avenues have been explored the vet may decide to perform kidney dialysis. What Type of Food Should We Feed Your vet will likely recommend a ‘prescription’ renal diet. These come in both wet and dry variations. Wet or fresh food contains 65-75% moisture, and dry food only contains 8-10% moisture. With the level of dehydration when feeding dry food, it can impact the kidneys further, and is not something we recommend. If using a veterinary diet, it may be a better option to go for the wet version. With this in mind, a fresh diet, tailored to suit a dog with kidney disease, would be the absolute best option. A balanced recipe, with low phosphorous and low-medium protein, would be ideal. We have two fantastic balanced recipes, ideal for those suffering with kidney disease in stages 1 and 2; one tripe based, and one beef based. For those with later stage kidney disease, a consultation is necessary. Where raw is a fantastic diet in general, we would recommend feeding a cooked diet in the event your dog is diagnosed with kidney disease, as cooking further reduces phosphorous. To learn more about kidney disease, and how other lifestyle changes can help those with CKD, please read our blog here! Why Should We Feed a Low Phosphorous Diet? People often wonder what the link is between phosphorous and the kidneys, and therefore why it should be fed in very low quantities to dogs who have kidney disease. When the kidneys are damaged, they struggle to remove phosphorous from the blood. While phosphorous is an important nutrient for strong bones and teeth, as well as muscular recovery, in excessive amounts, it can affect bone health, and cardiovascular health. Studies show that greater excretion of phosphorous in the urine reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. When the kidneys are functioning as normal, excretion of phosphorous is very normal; but when the kidneys are not able to function as normal, urinary excretion of phosphorous reduces due to their inability to remove it from the bloodstream, which leads to a greater risk of cardiovascular disease. Findings Here When looking at bone and tooth health, we need to consider the calcium-phosphorous ratio. When these are balanced properly, they work together to form strong bones and teeth, and help keep them in tip-top condition. Unfortunately, when there is an imbalance, and there is too much phosphorous in the body, calcium is pulled from the boned and teeth. Removing calcium from the bones and teeth causes them to become softer and weak. Findings Here Findings Here Why Should We Feed a Low Protein Diet? As previously mentioned, one of the main symptoms of kidney disease, is having high protein levels in urine. Studies show that high protein intake can be linked to proteinuria; protein in the urine. When a dog has low functioning kidneys, consumption of protein in ‘normal’ amounts causes immense stress and pressure on the kidneys, which then adds to the build-up of toxins in the blood. Not only does the amount of protein consumed affect the kidneys, but also the type, and quality of protein. Some of the best options for a protein for those suffering from kidney disease include beef, tripe, chicken, eggs, and fish. It’s very important to feed a diet still containing protein, however. Feeding too little can cause muscle wastage, slower healing from injury, cognitive inabilities, and slower metabolism. Aim to feed a low-moderate amount of protein, as part of a balanced recipe for kidney disease patients. Findings Here Findings Here If your dog has kidney disease, especially in the later stages, we would highly recommend booking in with one of our team for a consultation to help keep your dog
Here at My Pet Nutritionist, we help a lot of dogs who present with regurgitation. It’s not a pleasant sensation for us humans, and it’s no different for our canine companions. Regurgitation can occur for various reasons, which we will take a brief look at in this blog. We will also discuss what is the best food to feed your dog, and what supplements could be considered for your dog suffering with regurgitation. What is Regurgitation? Regurgitation is the expulsion of undigested food via the mouth. Unlike when a dog vomits, when there are ‘warning signs’ such as licking of the lips, drool etc, when a dog regurgitates, it’s very much instantaneous with no pre-warning. One of the biggest risks of regurgitation, especially in brachycephalic breeds, is aspiration pneumonia. When regurgitation occurs, the larynx can struggle to close quickly enough. Being open at the time of regurgitation can cause particles of food to be breathed in, which causes the pneumonia. What Can Cause Regurgitation? There are various reasons a dog may regurgitate. It’s not necessarily a condition on it’s own, but it’s more a symptom of an underlaying illness. It can also be partly down to breed predisposition due to being congenital. Breeds with a predisposition include: Chinese shar pei Newfoundland Miniature schnauzer Great dane German shepherd Labrador Fox terrier Acquired causes (those which regurgitation is a symptom of) include: Acid reflux: the pressure of the chyme in the stomach due to digestive incapabilities, causes the dog to regurgitate. Read more about acid reflux here. Megaoesophagus: peristalsis is unable to occur, so food sits in the oesophagus in the chest. Read more on megaoesophagus here. Laryngeal Paralysis: the larynx is unable to function, so the windpipe and throat may be open at the same time. This causes coughing and gagging, which can lead to regurgitation. Read more on Laryngeal Paralysis here. Brachycephalic Obstructive Airways Syndrome (BOAS): some of the breathing and swallowing pathways which are affected in those with BOAS can cause regurgitation. Food particles can get stuck at various points in the digestive system in these dogs. Surgery is required to open the relevant pathways to reduce the risk of regurgitation. Foreign Body: when something is lodged in the throat or chest cavity, regurgitation can occur, as food particles are unable to bypass the blockage. Cancer: depending on where the tumour is, your dog may be unable to digest food, and/or food particles may get stuck somewhere along the digestive tract, leading to their expulsion through the mouth. Stress: digestive function is compromised when the body is under stress as the sympathetic nervous system kicks in. hypersensitivity occurs during stressful situations too, which heightens the risk of oesophageal irritation, and therefore regurgitation. Incorrect Diet: feeding your dog a diet that does not suit them is a major cause of regurgitation. The body reacts to unsuitable food because the Enteric Nervous System (ENS) causes the digestive tract to become hypersensitive, which leads to regurgitation. Allergies and intolerances can also cause this reaction, so it’s important to get on top of these. Read more on why a dog regurgitates here! Findings Here Findings Here What Should you Feed? Recurring regurgitation can be a huge sign that the diet you are feeding your dog is unsuitable, and needs tweaking. Changing the Type of Food It’s very likely that the type of food you are feeding your dog needs changing if your dog is regurgitating. Of course, we recommend feeding a diet as fresh as possible. Raw food, or cooked food (using one of our balanced recipes). If you are feeding raw food already, and your dog is regurgitating, it may be worth looking into feeding a balanced, cooked diet. Many dogs who regurgitate do better on a cooked diet. Feeding an easily digestible protein such as white fish using our balanced white fish cooked food recipe may be beneficial for a dog with regular episodes of regurgitation. In some cases, the dog requires a lower fat diet. Feeding leaner proteins may help. These tend to put less stress on the digestive tract, and are therefore much easier to digest, reducing the risk of regurgitation. It really is a case of finding what suits your individual dog best! Why would we recommend avoiding dry food? The lack of moisture, and vast amount of difficult-to-digest ingredients in dry foods can cause havoc with the digestive system, which can cause regurgitation. Findings Here Getting on Top of Allergies and Intolerances Working on eliminating foods the dog doesn’t tolerate is essential. The more gut inflammation caused by feeding intolerable foods, the higher the chance of regurgitation. A full elimination diet may be required – this entails feeding one single protein for a prolonged period of time (6-12 weeks), in order to see if it is well tolerated or not, before moving on to the next. Read our blog on Elimination Diets here! Our Transform package is ideal for those suffering from allergies and intolerances! Findings Here Changing the Frequency of Meals Many dogs who suffer from regurgitation require smaller, but more frequent meals. This is particularly useful in dogs with slow digestion, and those with weak peristalsis. Feeding smaller portions allows the body to digest food more thoroughly, causing less irritation in the digestive tract. Better digestion, means less chance of regurgitation. Supplementing your Dog’s Diet There are some supplements which may be beneficial to those suffering with recurring regurgitation. Of course, it’s important underlaying illness is ruled out first, with your veterinarian, but the following supplements may reduce the risk of regurgitation in your dog. Mucilage Herbs Mucilage herbs help heal and protect the gut as well as soothing the digestive tract. Those with regurgitation often have irritation throughout the digestive tract following a meal, so adding mucilage herbs into the regime, helps keep the digestive tract comfortable. Some examples of mucilage herbs include slippery elm, marshmallow root, and deglycyrrhizinated liquorice (DGL). Our product Gut Guardian contains all three, plus calming chamomile, and soil
