Dog owners often meet conflicting advice when it comes to their pet’s nutrition. It really can be a minefield! Here at My Pet Nutritionist, we love to have a balanced view on certain aspects of nutrition in order to help pet parents make an informed decision. Starchy vegetables are often both shunned and recommended among pet parents – this blog aims to help you decide if you should feed them to your dog. What Are Starchy Vegetables? How do we define ‘starchy’ in terms of vegetables? Starchy vegetables are those with high complex carbohydrate content. Of this high carbohydrate content, a large proportion is starch. Starch is made of a large number of glucose molecules joined together; known as a polysaccharide. Starchy foods are digested very slowly, providing slow-release energy; not the main source of energy for a dog! We must remember the digestive tract of a dog is much shorter than that of us humans, which means there is less time for digestion to occur. The Nutritional Research Council (NRC) state that dogs do not require a large amount of carbohydrates. Some common examples of starchy vegetables include: Potato Sweet Potato Squash Pumpkin Parsnip Peas Banana watermelon Different vegetables contain different amounts of starch, which each have a differing Glycaemic Index. Keep reading to learn about the Glycaemic Index! The Glycaemic Index When looking at feeding plant matter, whether that’s fruits or vegetables, we suggest looking at the Glycaemic Index (GI). This index is a means of rating how quickly a food containing carbohydrates will raise blood sugar levels/causes a sugar spike. The three categories are: Low GI: foods with very low or no carbohydrate content. These foods will usually digest quickly, and either will not cause a raise in blood sugar levels, or will only raise it slightly, and slowly. Some examples include broccoli, green beans, cucumber, courgette, cabbage, peppers, mushrooms and herbs. Medium GI: foods with a medium amount of carbohydrate. These foods will cause an elevation in blood sugar levels, which will happen at a medium pace. Foods with a medium glycaemic index will generally take a little longer to digest than those with a Low glycaemic index. Examples include berries, apples and pears. High GI: high carbohydrate foods, usually complex carbs; and where our starchy vegetables fit in! These foods will raise blood sugar levels considerably, and quickly. They are also slower to digest. Findings Here Pros of Feeding Starchy Vegetables There are certainly some benefits to feeding some starchy vegetables. The key here is to do so with purpose, and in moderation. Here’s how feeding a small amount of starchy vegetables may benefits some dogs: High fibre digestive aid: most high starch vegetables, are also high in fibre. These are often used as a digestive aid, for those requiring help with bowel movements. Popular vegetables used for this purpose are pumpkin and sweet potato. These are also great options for those recovering from illness – it is relatively easy to digest, and supports gut maintenance. Prebiotic: some high starch vegetables have prebiotic qualities, including pumpkin, sweet potato, apple and banana. Prebiotics benefit the gut microbiome as they act as food for probiotics (the good bacteria in the gut). Source of vitamins and minerals: many starchy vegetables are dense in nutrients. Some of the essential vitamins found in abundance in starchy vegetables are Vitamins A, B6, C, E, and K. Mineral-wise, Beta-carotene and Potassium are often found in large amounts in starchy vegetables. Increased metabolism in low fat diets: some dogs require a low fat diet, whether this is due to being overweight, or having a health condition that requires a low fat diet such as Pancreatitis. Studies suggest that feeding starchy vegetables can lead to increased fat metabolism, as well as bringing anti-oxidative effects, and improving mucosal barrier function and immunomodulation. Increased stamina in active/sport dogs: as starchy vegetables offer a form of slow-release energy, feeding a small portion of these as part of an active, or sport dog’s diet, especially approaching days of high activity, may help to support a healthy stamina. Findings Here Findings Here Findings Here Cons of Feeding Starchy Vegetables As with many aspects of healthcare and nutrition, there are some reasons you may wish not to feed starchy vegetables to your individual dog, or at least heavily limit the amount fed. Here are some reasons owners may decide against feeding such ingredients: Yeast and itching: many itchy dogs cannot have high starch diets due to their high carb content. The sugars in these items can contribute to itchiness, and feed yeast. Yeast loves carbs, so in those who are yeasty or itchy, we advise avoiding these vegetables, and only reintroducing slowly and in small amounts as part of a full elimination diet. Weight gain: when consumed in large amounts, the sugars these starchy vegetables are broken down into can contribute to weight gain. Diabetes/Insulin resistance: when large amounts of starchy vegetables are fed to your dog, frequent blood sugar spikes can lead to insulin resistance. This can result in diabetes, which you can read more about here. Anti-nutrients: previously, we mentioned how nutrient dense many starchy vegetable options are; however alongside these beneficial nutrients, they often contain relatively high amounts of ‘anti nutrients’ – these are nutrients which can interfere with the absorption of other nutrients through various pathways. Some examples of anti-nutrients commonly found in starchy vegetables include Phytic Acid, Lectins, Oxalates, Tannins, and Glucosinolates. Pancreatic stress: those with pancreatitis should be wary of feeding many high starch vegetables, due to the added strain on the pancreas. Starchy vegetables and other starchy food sources can be difficult for the pancreas to process. Changes to pH: in the occasion a pet owner feeds their carnivorous pet a high starch/carbohydrate diet, this can cause a change to their natural pH – this process is called Alkalosis as the body becomes more alkaline. Our carnivores naturally have a more acidic pH to be able to digest their natural, meat based
Here at My Pet Nutritionist, we use a combination of healthy diets tailored to your pet’s needs, alongside beneficial gut-friendly herbs, and nutraceuticals. These supplementary additions often come with hosts of benefits, when used in the correct way, for a specific purpose. We often get asked about the various herbs and nutraceuticals we recommend in various blog posts and in our recipes and supplements – you can learn more about some of these here! What Are Gut Healing Herbs? Herbs high in mucilage are often known as the ‘gut healing herbs’. These herbs are usually considered to be a source of prebiotics – food for probiotics; however these herbs have another very important function when it comes to gut health! Mucilage is a soluble dietary fibre, which produces a mucus-like substance which lines the gut wall. When the gut wall is lined with this slimy textured substance, it forms a protective barrier to reduce the risk of further gut damage, and allow the gut to heal. Inflammation is then reduced due to lack of irritation. Mucilage has a fantastic soothing effect on the digestive tract too – those with acid reflux, or having recovered from illnesses like kennel cough which may cause throat irritation may find a powdered form best, due to the soothing effect of the mucilage in these herbs. As an additional benefit of these popular gut healing herbs, the mucilage can increase digestive performance resulting in better stools; this is due to the mucilage adding bulk to the stool (reducing constipation), aiding water absorption, and increasing gut motility. Some studies also suggest that mucilage rich herbs may reduce the build up of cholesterol, and aid the regulation of blood sugar levels. Frequently used mucilage herbs include slippery elm, marshmallow root, and deglycyrrhizinated liquorice root – we will look closer at these later. Findings Here Findings Here What Are Nutraceuticals? Nutraceuticals are components of foods that bring benefit to health. You may often come across plant based supplements for pets; these are packed full of nutraceuticals! Functional foods are also classed as nutraceuticals. Many nutraceuticals enhance basic nutrition, whereas some provide medicinal properties. Some benefits of using carefully selected nutraceuticals include improved overall health, prevention of chronic disease, increased longevity and all round structural support for the body. The term ‘nutraceutical’ is a combination of the words ‘nutrition’ and ‘pharmaceutical’ – meaning they share the same properties as pharmaceuticals, but are acquired through nutrition Functional herbs, antioxidants, probiotics, vitamins and minerals are all examples of the categories most commonly encountered in the world of pet nutrition. We will delve into these categories in terms of nutraceuticals later. Findings Here Findings Here When Should We Use Gut Healing Herbs and Nutraceuticals? A question we often hear at My Pet Nutritionist, is “should we be giving any supplements?” – and our answer is always “if your pet could benefit from a carefully selected supplement, then absolutely!”. It is important not to needlessly add lots of different nutraceuticals and gut healing herbs to your dog’s diet, unless they require/could benefit from it. When it comes to giving mucilage herbs, these can be incredibly beneficial in situations where gut damage is apparent. Situations a mucilage herb may be beneficial include: Allergies: due to an immune malfunction Intolerances: due to gut damage or leaky gut syndrome Following vaccines, worm or flesa treatment: these products are very damaging on the gut, so gut healing may be necessary. Acid reflux: soothes the digestive tract and reduces the risk of acid reflux Upset stomach or constipation: these herbs help to rectify loose or solid stools when needed. Great to have in the first aid cupboard! When looking at nutraceuticals, we need to look at the symptoms your dog or cat is displaying, alongside gaining a diagnosis from your veterinarian. Some types of illnesses you may use nutraceuticals for include: Joint issues Skin issues Digestive issues Cognitive health issues (anxiety etc) Vision issues As brilliant as nutraceuticals can be as part of your pet’s health regime, many do come with some contraindications with pharmaceuticals your pet may need. Contraindications are negative interactions with drugs – these interactions can often cause downregulation of the drugs themselves, leaving your pet vulnerable to disease progression. An example of this is curcumin – the active compound in turmeric. It is fantastic for joint support/arthritis, cardiovascular function, reducing inflammation, eradicating free radicals, immune support, cognitive ability and cancer prevention. The reduction in pain in those who take curcumin is vast; however some individuals may require pain pharmaceutical pain relief for their condition. Curcumin is known to downregulate the effects of some pharmaceutical analgesics, as well as various other drugs. It is always best to check with your veterinarian before starting a new nutraceutical, if your pet is on pharmaceutical drugs. Findings Here Findings Here Popular Gut Healing Herbs The three most popular gut healing herbs can all be found inside our Gut Guardian supplement, along with probiotics and chamomile. Lets take a closer look at these mucilage herbs! Marshmallow Root: this is a sweet smelling and tasting herb derived from the Althaea officinalis plant. When combined with water, it immediately forms a thick, slimy substance due to it’s high mucilage content. Traditionally, marshmallow root is used in cases of digestive or respiratory issues, and also topically to soothe skin issues. As well as being high in mucilage, it also contains high amounts of antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties, and antibacterial properties. slippery elm: like marshmallow root, slippery elm produces a slimy substance when combined with water. It originates from the inner bark of the slippery elm tree (Ulmus rubra), and is often used to treat digestive issues, and sore throats by lining the oesophagus. DGL (deglycyrrhizinated liquorice): this herb increases mucous production in the body, which helps line the stomach, reducing the risk of harm caused by acid. DGL is thought to have properties to treat ulcers too! Findings Here Findings Here Findings Here Popular Nutraceuticals There are many nutraceuticals used in the
In part two of our focus on the diet of a senior dog, we will look further into some specific nutritional categories bringing fantastic health benefits to your senior dog. We will also go through our recommendations on what to feed your senior pet, including specific nutrients and supplements you may wish to consider! Read Part 1 here! Specific Beneficial Nutrients There are a number of macro- and micronutrient categories senior dogs would benefit greatly from to slow the ageing process down, and reduce age-related inflammation. The two main categories to analyse here are Antioxidants, and Omega Fatty Acids. Antioxidants: these are one of the most important categories of nutrients to feed your senior dog (and are highly beneficial at any age!) due to their action against oxidative stress. As dogs age, oxidative stress becomes more proliferative; it’s a natural part of ageing! Oxidative stress is caused by ‘free radicals’ – unstable oxygen molecules missing an electron. Free radicals damage all parts of the body from organs to joints, causing joint degeneration, cancer, altering DNA, neurodegenerative diseases, adverse alteration of fats and proteins, and other diseases like diabetes, so it is incredibly important to combat these cells as best you can. Antioxidants tackle and remove free radicals from the body, leading to less oxidative stress, and therefore slower ageing. Some excellent sources to think about including in your senior dog’s diet include blueberries, strawberries, artichoke, goji berries, red cabbage, kale, ginger, spinach, parsley, pecans (in small amounts due to fat content), fresh garlic (avoid in Japanese breeds) and rosemary (avoid in epileptic dogs). Omegas Fatty Acids: this group of fats are another incredibly important category of nutrients to include in your senior dog’s diet, specifically Omega 3. The two ‘main’ omega fatty acids are Omega 3 and 6 – both are essential. Omega 9 is present in the diet too, but doesn’t add as many benefits to the dog’s health as Omegas 3 and 6. Omega 6 fatty acids called Linolenic Acid (LA) and Arachidonic Acid (ARA) are inherently inflammatory. The only non-inflammatory Omega 6 is Gamma-linolenic Acid (GLA). Omega 6 brings many benefits to the health of the dog despite it’s inflammatory properties, including control of hormones, however as it is naturally in abundance in our carnivorous pets’ meat based diet, we need to balance the inflammation out! This is where Omega 3 comes in! Omega 3 includes Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA), Alpha-linolenic Acid (ALA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA), and is inherently anti-inflammatory. The anti-inflammatory properties of Omega 3 Fatty Acids balance out the inflammation caused by Omega 6 Fatty Acids. EPA is the main inflammation reducer, while ALA aids immune and heart health, and DHA aids cognitive health and development. Some excellent sources of Omega 3 to include in your dog’s diet include fatty fish and fish oils, algal oil, flax and chia seed, oysters and eggs. You can read more about choosing an omega supplement for your pet here! Findings Here Findings Here Findings Here What Type of Food Should I Feed? The dog food market really is a minefield! There are many options of different food types, each claiming to be the best! Our ethos here at My Pet Nutritionist is to feed as fresh food as possible! Minimal processing is a major factor in healthy ageing and longevity. In this article, we are going to take a closer look at dry food, fresh cooked food, and raw food. Dry food is not a diet we would generally recommend, especially not for a senior dog! But why? High carb: carbohydrates can have an inflammatory effect on our pets. Dry foods are typically between 30 and 60% carbohydrate – sometimes even higher! Manufacturing process: these foods undergo a huge amount of processing. During the cycle of production from raw ingredient to bag, these foods are subject to up to 4 separate high-heat processes, each time reducing nutritional quality. Synthetic vitamins and minerals: our senior dogs may not be able to utilise the synthetic vitamins and minerals often sprayed onto the dry food at the end of the manufacturing process, deeming them useless. Glyphosate: due to the extreme manufacturing process, glyphosate production occurs. This is the main ingredient effective against killing weeds, but it is linked with cancer and damage of the gut microbiome. Mycotoxins and Aflatoxins: mycotoxins are chemical compounds caused by mould and can lead to vomiting and seizures. Aflatoxins are also caused by mould in food and can lead to cancer and liver damage. Storage mites: before bagging, dry foods are often stored in large hoppers – and even after bagging, the shelf life is very long, encouraging storage mites which can trigger allergies. Advanced Glycation End Products: shortened to AGEs, these harmful chemical compounds are produced during manufacturing, and a linked to cancers, inflammation, oxidative stress and premature ageing. Why do we advocate for a fresh cooked, or raw diet? Which is best for senior dogs? Fresh food is minimally processed, meaning the harmful compounds listed above do not form, reducing the risk of inflammation, oxidative stress and other disease in the body. As the ingredients are still in their whole, natural form they are nutrient dense, and provide the body with excellent nutrition! Another major benefit to fresh food, is that it is high in moisture – moisture in the diet is essential for kidney and gut health, both of which are known to worsen during the ageing process! As the gut motility of senior dogs can reduce, and other changes in the gut naturally occur, many seniors cope best with fresh cooked food as opposed to raw food – though some do still tolerate raw food! We have an extensive array of well formulated and balanced meal recipes for dogs on our website! Our Recommendations There are various aspects of diet we actively encourage owners of senior dogs to include in their dog’s feeding regime. Some may benefit from a more tailored 1-2-1 approach with one of our consultants, however our general
Here at My Pet Nutritionist, we help pet owners help their beloved dogs and cats with all aspects of health and nutrition. Those we consult for include all ages, from puppyhood right through to old age. Our golden oldies deserve just as much love and care as their younger counterparts! As a dog ages, their dietary needs may change – but how? In this bumper 2-part blog, we take a look at the dietary changes your senior dog may need to stay happy, healthy and pain free! Is My Dog a Senior? This is a question we here ever so frequently! Is your dog a senior? Is there a specific age your dog becomes a ‘senior’? what are the signs your dog is becoming a senior? Many processed dog food manufacturers will class a senior dog as ‘7 years plus’ – however we know there are so many contributing factors to a dog becoming a ‘senior’, and this isn’t always at 7 years of age! Factors affecting a dog’s ageing include: Breed: generally speaking, larger breeds will hit their senior years far earlier than smaller breeds. Breeds with predispositions to health conditions may also reach senior years earlier than those without. Genetics: a dog’s family genetics/history can affect the age they reach senior years. Medical history: if your pet has had any health complications growing up, any medical reactions, infections etc, these may cause senior years to come sooner. A dog’s neutering status, or the time they were neutered may also contribute to ageing. Dietary History: a dog fed a gut-friendly diet, full of natural nutrients, with minimal processing for life is more likely to reach senior years later than those fed an ultra-processed diet full of synthetic micronutrients. Ultra-processed dry foods also tend to have a high content of pro-ageing substances called Advanced Glycation End-Products (AGEs) which cause faster ageing. Exposure to toxins: toxin exposure can cause disruption in the endocrine (hormone) system, and cause gut stress which usually comes hand in hand with life shortening conditions, causing senior years to approach quickly. These toxins can be anything from flea and worm medications to environmental toxins both in the home and out and about. Behavioural History: even your dog’s behaviour can have an effect on longevity! This may seem like an odd link, but behavioural stress can have an effect on physical stress, and vice versa. The pathway between the brain and gut, known as the gut-brain axis is at play here! Physical stress on the body, caused by behavioural stress, will speed up the process of ageing. Signs that your dog is entering their senior years include: Weight loss Reduced hearing Reduce eyesight Increased fatigue Less willingness to exercise Reduced cognitive ability Stiffness Reduced appetite Increased water consumption Development of lumps and bumps Lack of balance and stability. Of course, as your dog enters the early staged of senior-hood, these symptoms may be mild, and your dog may only display a few. As your dog progresses through their senior years, more symptoms may appear, or existing symptoms may worsen. Nutritional Needs of a Senior Dog As your dog ages, various changes occur throughout their body which require some nutritional tweaks to ensure optimum health continues. These changes include various internal systems in the body such as: Gut health: the gut of an ageing dog can be subject to various changes affecting gut motility, nutrient absorption and processing. Digestive capabilities often occur due to gut degeneration. Brain health: ageing canines are often subject to cognitive decline. Joint health: one of the major pathways from the gut is the gut-joint axis. When the senior dog’s gut is compromised, joint conditions can become more prominent. Senior dogs generally require more joint support than younger dogs. Dental Health: dental conditions like gingivitis, tooth decay, periodontal disease, tooth fractures and tooth resorption are often seen in older dogs. Kidney Health: kidney disease is one of the more common age-related diseases we often hear about here at My Pet Nutritionist, as older dogs are more susceptible to Chronic Kidney Disease; a progressive disease. Heart Health: as the heart is a muscle, over time it can begin to fatigue. Statistically, around 75% of senior dogs suffer some sort of heart disease! Findings Here Findings Here Findings Here Findings Here When it comes to nutritional composition, we need to look closely at the macronutrients and micronutrients in your dog’s diet; both quantities of, and types/sources of. Macronutrients are the main nutrients our bodies require in larger amounts; let’s take a look these requirements for a senior dog: Protein: The building blocks of protein are called Amino Acids. Amino Acids are essential for pretty much everything in the body to form and function normally, including muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, hair, nails and skin. Protein is also used in the endocrine system, to enable the healthy production of hormones throughout the body. As the dog ages, protein deficiencies become more common, which can lead to absorption issues and muscle degradation which ultimately affects mobility. A meat based, moderate-high protein diet is advisable for senior dogs. Fat: as dogs become less active due to the natural ageing process, a low fat diet may be advisable. Feeding a high fat diet when activity levels are waning may cause weight gain which puts pressure on joints and other parts of the body. The type of fat included in the diet also makes a difference! Saturated fats are the type we ideally do not want much of, however Omega 3 Fatty Acids are known for their anti-inflammatory properties, and are an important part of s senior dog’s diet! More on this later. Carbohydrate: ‘complex’ carbs which are high in fibre may be a great addition to your pet’s diet, to improve digestion, regulate metabolism and help maintain the immune and nervous systems. Higher fibre carbohydrate options include kale, broccoli and leafy green vegetables. Other ‘complex’ carbs that are ok to be fed in small amounts include sweet potato, pumpkin, banana, berries
Here at My Pet Nutritionist, we consult for a huge number of families with an enormous variety of health concerns in their pets. Once diagnosed by a veterinarian, our packages aim to support your pet with a more natural view. One of the conditions we are asked about a lot, is Hypophosphatemia. This is a condition that occurs in both dogs and cats, so this blog may be a handy read for both owners of cats and dogs. Hypophosphatemia is the clinical term for low phosphorous levels being present in the blood. This condition is far more common in dogs than it is in cats. Hypophosphatemia is associated with a host of other health conditions, and can cause a variety of health conditions in itself. Some of the conditions commonly caused by Hypophosphatemia include: Bone Diseases: Rickets is a bone disease often caused by low phosphorous levels, and is specifically a bone growth disease – it ultimately causes bone softening to occur, as well as deformities, especially in puppies and kittens! Another common bone disease caused by Hypophosphatemia is Osteomalacia which is a very similar bone softening disease, but found more commonly in adults. Muscle Weakness: muscles may become weaker, and the pet may become more physically unstable, and may appear slimmer with little muscle tone. Respiratory problems: in rare, severe cases, respiratory issues can occur as a result of low blood phosphorous. Heart Failure: another rare condition to come of low phosphorous levels, in the more severe cases. Seizures: again, while rare, seizures can occur as a direct result of severe Hypophosphatemia. Findings Here Findings Here Symptoms and Causes The clinical presentation of Hypophosphatemia changes depending on the severity of the deficiency in your pet. The trickier side of these symptoms, is that they are common in a variety of health issues, not just Hypophosphatemia! This can make diagnosis more difficult. If your pet has mild Hypophosphatemia, you can expect to see some of, or all of the following symptoms: Muscle weakness: a change in gait, difficulty climbing stairs, weakness when getting up from a bed or laying position, or difficulty standing for long periods. Reduced, or total loss of appetite: pets may have a reduced appetite, or stop eating all together. Lethargy: unwillingness to be active for usual periods of time. Pets may be less alert. Disorientation: leaning or wobbling when standing may occur Findings Here If your pet has severe Hypophosphatemia, you may see the above symptoms, as well as some of the following: Seizures: neurological activity can occur due to the lack of phosphorous in the blood. Ataxia: loss of coordination is another possible neurological symptom often seen in those with a severe deficiency of phosphorous in the blood. Constipation: this can occur due to paralysis of the intestines, meaning faecal matter cannot be pushed through the digestive system in order to be expelled. This condition is called Ileus. Irregular Heartbeat: arrythmias can be detected by your vet using a stethoscope. This is a symptom of severe blood phosphorous deficiency. Haemolytic anaemia and Haemolysis: abnormalities in red blood cell counts during bloodwork may show red blood cell destruction. These conditions are a symptom of severe Hypophosphatemia. Breathing difficulties: these often come hand in hand with heart conditions, and are a symptom of Hypophosphatemia. Findings Here When we look into the possible causes of Hypophosphatemia, there are a number of possible reasons for it’s onset. Let’s take a look at them: Dietary Deficiencies: if the pet’s diet is lacking in phosphorous, hypophosphatemia is a risk. This may be found in those fed a poor quality diet. Renal Disease: disease in the kidneys can cause hypophosphatemia through two pathways – increased excretion of phosphorous in urine, and reduced ability to reabsorb phosphorous in the kidneys. Hyperparathyroidism: when the parathyroid gland (which is involved in the calcium:phosphorous ratio) is overactive, phosphorous loss is increased. Cushing’s Disease (Hyperadrenocorticism): phosphorous imbalances are common in those with Cushing’s Disease. Fatty Liver Disease (Hepatic Lipidosis): this disease in cats is a contributor to phosphorous loss. Diabetic Ketoacidosis: severe phosphorous loss can be caused by this condition which occurs as a result of complications in diabetic animals. Poor Intestinal Absorption: in those with poor gut health, absorption of phosphorous in the gut can cause deficiencies. Phosphorous Redistribution: deficiencies in phosphorous occur when there is a shift from extracellular fluid (the blood) to intracellular fluid (the cells in the body) Specific Intravenous Therapies: some IV fluids can cause a reduction in phosphorous in the blood. Findings Here Findings Here Findings Here Diagnosis Diagnosis of Hypophosphatemia is a simple process. Your veterinarian will take a blood sample, and analyse it. The test is called a ‘Serum Phosphate Test’. Once this analysis is complete, your vet will inform you as to whether your pet’s phosphorous levels are within the ‘normal’ range of results. Findings Here Conventional Treatment When it comes to treatment your vet may offer, they will first and foremost look at underlying causes. Each individual cause will have a different treatment plan, so it is important to work with your vet on these. Depending on the severity of your pet’s Hypophosphatemia, phosphorous supplementation will be advised. More severe cases may have phosphorous supplementation intravenously, but most cases will be advised to give oral supplements. Some veterinarians will also advise on changing your pet’s diet to one with extra phosphorous. Frequent check ups will be carried out by your veterinary team to keep an eye on your pet’s blood phosphorous levels. Findings Here Findings Here A Natural Approach to Hypophosphatemia As always, our approach is often supported by veterinary care, so we tend to look at this as a complementary approach as opposed to alternative. Here are some of our considerations: Feed fresh: Poor dry food will most likely be lacking in various micronutrients despite its ‘complete and balanced’ label. Nutrient levels may be affected due to the numerous periods of exposure to high heat and the subsequent nutrient loss. Synthetic nutrients are often sprayed
Here at My Pet Nutritionist, we tend to see quite a few cases of Cushing’s disease. Some cases seem to occur as a result of corticosteroid treatment and others tend to come with a plethora of other symptoms and disease. Here we can cover all we understand about this disease from a conventional perspective, and then we can delve deeper into the natural support we tend to offer. Cushing’s disease, also known as hyperadrenocorticism, is a condition in dogs where the adrenal glands produce too much cortisol; a hormone that helps regulate metabolism, immune response, and stress. There are two primary forms of Cushing’s disease in dogs as we currently understand, but various other forms which are perhaps less common. Let’s take a look at these, starting with the two primary forms. Pituitary-dependent Cushing’s Disease (PDH): This is the most common form, accounting for about 85% of cases. It’s caused by a benign tumour in the pituitary gland (a small gland at the base of the brain) that stimulates the adrenal glands to produce excess cortisol. Adrenal-dependent Cushing’s Disease (ADH): This form is less common and results from a tumour in one of the adrenal glands themselves. This tumour produces excess cortisol independently of the pituitary gland. Iatrogenic Cushing’s Disease: This form of Cushing’s Disease is caused by the administration of corticosteroid medications (e.g., prednisone) for other medical conditions. Long-term or high-dose use of these medications can lead to symptoms similar to Cushing’s Disease. This is not a true form of Cushing’s Disease but rather a drug-induced condition, meaning it can be ‘reversed’. Once the corticosteroid medication is reduced or stopped, the symptoms usually resolve, though it’s important to do so under veterinary guidance. Primary Adrenal Hyperplasia: In rare cases, a dog may develop Cushing’s Disease due to non-tumour-related hyperplasia (enlargement) of the adrenal glands, which leads to excessive cortisol production. This is less common compared to pituitary or adrenal tumours, and may occur due to chronic inflammation or trauma. ACTH-Secreting Tumours Elsewhere: While the pituitary gland is the most common source of excessive adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) production leading to Cushing’s Disease, there are rare cases where tumours in other parts of the body (such as the pancreas) can produce ACTH or ACTH-like substances, leading to Cushing’s- like symptoms. Genetic or Congenital Causes: Although rare, some genetic or congenital conditions could potentially lead to Cushing’s Disease by causing the adrenal glands to produce excessive cortisol. However, this is not well-documented and is less commonly recognised or understood. In summary, while tumours in the pituitary gland or adrenal glands are the most common causes of Cushing’s Disease in dogs, other less common scenarios, such as iatrogenic effects or rare forms of hyperplasia, can also lead to similar symptoms. Symptoms of Cushing’s Disease The symptoms of Cushing’s Disease can vary, but common signs include: Increased thirst and urination. Dogs may drink more water (polydipsia) and urinate (polyuria) more frequently. Increased appetite Excessive Panting Abdominal swelling: A “pot-bellied” appearance due to abdominal distension. The weight is usually carried differently to those who are simply obese. Hair loss: The coat may become thin or brittle, and dogs may experience symmetrical hair loss, sometimes all over! Skin changes: The skin may become thin and prone to bruising/discolouration or infections. Those with hair loss caused by Cushing’s Disease often have a black, scaly look about them. Lethargy and fatigue Muscle wastage, especially in the hind limbs Behavioural change, including increased irritability or changes in mood. If you suspect your dog has Cushing’s Disease, your first step as a responsible pet owner is to seek veterinary assistance, where your dog’s symptoms can be investigated, and an appropriate diagnosis made. It is important to work with your veterinarian to build a suitable treatment plan for your pet. It is also important to note that some of these symptoms can also commonly be seen in other disease, hence the importance of a veterinary consultation. Causes and Risk Factors The exact cause of Cushing’s Disease isn’t always clear, but several factors can contribute: Genetics: Certain breeds are more prone to developing Cushing’s Disease, including most commonly Dachshunds, Poodles, Boxers, and Beagles. Age: Cushing’s Disease is more commonly diagnosed in middle-aged to older dogs, typically between 6 to 12 years of age. Tumours: Tumours in the pituitary gland or adrenal glands are the primary cause of Cushing’s Disease. These tumours are usually benign but can lead to significant health issues due to the impact on hormonal production and the overproduction of cortisol. Gut Health: Gut health has a huge impact on Cushing’s Disease for many reasons. Gut dysbiosis (which occurs when there is an imbalance in the gut microbiome) can come hand-in-hand with Cushing’s Disease due to the fact that some types of bacteria found in the gut cause Cortisol degradation. In those with Gut Dysbiosis, the microbiome may lack enough of this bacteria, causing elevated Cortisol levels. Inflammation: any inflammation in the body is a risk factor of Cushing’s Disease. Cortisol is known to reduce inflammation, however levels are often so high in those with Cushing’s Disease, the body often enters a state of low-grade systemic inflammation. This generalised inflammation can lead to a host of other diseases including cardiovascular (heart) disease, diabetes, and bone mass issues such as osteoarthritis. Toxin Exposure: When we really look into the nitty gritty of toxin exposure, both internally and externally, we can see worrying factors that can cause Cushing’s Disease, and other endocrine diseases. Unfortunately, some toxins our pets (and their humans!) often come into frequent contact with, are known endocrine disruptors. Endocrine disruptors interfere with the balance of hormones in the HPA Axis, which can cause overproduction of the cortisol hormone, and also commonly presents as skin issues. You can read more about the HPA axis here. Findings Here Findings Here Findings Here Findings Here Diagnosis Diagnosing Cushing’s Disease involves a combination of blood tests, urine tests, and diagnostic imaging (usually ultrasound or CT scans) to check for tumours and assess
There are so many reasons why your dog may have diarrhoea. At My Pet Nutritionist, we help lots of owners with dogs with frequent diarrhoea, and some common causes seem to come up more than others during client consultations. In this blog post, you will find information about the most common causes of diarrhoea in dogs. Diarrhoea is generally a symptom of a physiological stressor; a huge amount of conditions come under this. This blog post only touches the most common reasons we see in practice, however the cause of diarrhoea is certainly nowhere near limited to these issues – seeking veterinary attention if your dog has recurring diarrhoea is essential, in order to rule out any longer term, or more serious health problems. Parasitic Burdens Parasitic burdens, whether they’re intestinal worms, or protozoan parasites like giardia, often cause diarrhoea; in fact, diarrhoea is one of the most common symptoms of parasitic burdens. How do we know if our pets have parasitic burdens? So many pet parents are shocked when they’re informed their pet has parasites, purely on the basis that they cannot see them in the pet’s poop. Intestinal worms are only visible in the faeces if the burden is high. Diarrhoea can start to develop as soon as there are parasite eggs in the digestive tract – these are microscopic, so cannot be seen with the naked eye! Now, your veterinarian can run a faecal egg test, but you can also do these at home! There are various companies from whom you can order a sampling kit from. You simply follow the instructions, pop a poop sample in the provided pot, and pop it in the post back to the company you ordered from. Their laboratories will then look at your dog’s sample under the microscope, record the results, and return them via email. Some companies include protozoan parasites as standard, but others require a separate test for these. Lungworm counts are separate sampling kits, and require a pooled sample over the course of 3 days. It’s advisable to test for intestinal worms every 3 months, and lungworm every 6 to 8 weeks. Depending on the result of your wormcount, you may be able to treat it using GSE – we recommend the BioCare Grapefruit Extract. Heavier burdens may require veterinary intervention. You can read more about internal parasites in our comprehensive blog post here. Findings Here Findings Here Food Sensitivities Food sensitivities are an extremely common topic here at My Pet Nutritionist. We help a huge amount of owners overcome their pets’ dietary troubles when it comes to allergies and intolerances. Food allergies are caused by a malfunction of the immune system, whereas food intolerances are usually down to poor gut health, especially in cases of Leaky Gut where the gut wall integrity is poor. The gut microbiome is very fragile, and is ever so important for all round general health as 70-80% of the immune system resides in the gut. The microbiome as a whole, includes everything from good and bad bacteria, to parasites viruses etc, but a health gut microbiome is in perfect balance, where the ‘good guys’ out weigh the ‘bad guys’. When a dog has poor gut health, and in turn has food sensitivities, the ‘bad guys’ start to overrule the ‘good guys’, which then leads to diarrhoea. In order to work on food sensitivities, and rule out problematic ingredients form your dog’s diet, it is advisable to run a full elimination diet, and carry out lots of gut work through the use of mucilage herbs and probiotics, which will help to heal the gut wall, and improve the amount of ‘good guys’ in the gut microbiome, ultimately reducing the risk of diarrhoea and possible bacterial infections. Our Gut Guardian supplement is a high quality blend of mucilage herbs, soil based probiotics, and calming chamomile. Gut Guardian You can read more on running an elimination diet here. Findings Here Findings Here IBD and Lymphoplasmacytic Gastritis Another common topic among our clients in their consultations with the team is IBD – Inflammatory Bowel Disease. An extreme case of IBD can be diagnosed as Lymphoplasmacytic Gastritis. Lymphoplasmacytic Gastritis is a chronic form of IBD, whereby inflammatory cells and cytokines (the substance which stimulates inflammation of cells) penetrate the stomach and intestinal lining. As you can imagine, when inflammatory cells enter the digestive system, it causes havoc! The inflammatory cells invade the stomach and intestinal lining due to having been subject to an abnormal immune response. There is a huge link to the lymphatic system in the gut too; which means a knock on effect to the rest of the body is very likely. Lymphoplasmacytic Gastritis happens most commonly in older dogs, but has been known in dogs as young as 8 months old. There are a number of causes of this condition, including the adorementioned parasitic burdens and food sensitivities, as well as Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) whereby the bad bacteria in the small intestine’s microbiome overtake the goof bacteria, leading to diarrhoea. As with food sensitivities, gut health is very important in tackling this disease, and got work supplements are highly recommended. Reducing environmental toxins is also paramount in your journey to a better belly! You can read more about Lymphoplasmacytic Gastritis here. Findings Here Findings Here Stress and Anxiety Stress and anxiety can massively affect the gut. The gut is much like a roundabout, with a large number of axes stemming from it to other parts of the body, linking gut health to nearly every other system within the body! When it comes to stress, anxiety, and even excitement (when adrenaline is high), the gut-brain axis is in focus. The gut-brain axis means that stress, anxiety and excitement can affect the gut microbiome, and a bad gut microbiome can also have an affect on brain health and mood. Calm Complex If your dog gets particularly excited or stressed for their walks, you may find they have a loose stool, despite being
At My Pet Nutritionist, we help a lot of worried pets owners who’s feline and canine companions have a condition called Pica. Pica can be indirectly life threatening, so we are here to raise awareness of what it is, why it happens, and how we can reduce risk in your pets! What is Pica, and What Causes It? Pica is a compulsive behavioural condition, whereby the pet craves inedible objects. Being a compulsive behavioural disorder, Pica can be very tricky to combat, and requires the help of one, or many professionals, from force free behaviourists to pet nutritionists like us. Underlying illnesses can very much trigger pica in pets, and this is the side we can help you with most. Some of the items commonly ingested by pets with Pica include stones/rocks, dirt, garbage, paper, socks, other fabric items, even walls and plasterboard, or licking paintwork. Faeces is another, which we delve a little deeper into next! As the items often consumed by pets with Pica are often not digestible, they can cause a host of symptoms relating to gut damage, gastric ulceration, internal blockages, and other internal health worries. Symptoms of a secondary health problem include: Vomiting Constipation Diarrhoea Fishy or metallic breath Excessive drinking Excessive drooling Lip licking ‘Downward dog’ position, denoting gastrointestinal pain Burping Changes in behaviour (dogs will often seem ‘low’, cats will often hide) Lethargy When it comes to underlying medical causes of Pica, there are quite a few conditions that can be associated, such as: Lack of nutritional balance leading to malnutrition (likely the most common cause) Kidney disease Immune Mediated Haemolytic Anaemia (IMHA) Parasitic burdens Inflammatory Bowed Disease (IBD) or Lymphatic Gastritis Iron Deficiency Over active thyroid (hyperthyroidism) Diabetes Leaky Gut/poor gut health Gastrointestinal tumours Findings Here Findings Here Those on certain anti seizure medications such as phenobarbital, some pain medications, corticosteroid medications, and some anti-cancer treatments like chemotherapy may also experience Pica. Findings Here Findings Here If we look at causes from a behavioural point of view, it can be particularly common in those with separation anxiety, those lacking mental or physical stimulation, and those lacking appropriate socialization leading to stress. These are all areas to be worked on with a qualified, force free behaviourist, for which specialists in both dogs and cats are available. Coprophagia, A Type of Pica Now, those who are serial faeces eaters, do still have Pica, but a specific type of Pica, known as Coprophagia. Coprophagy occurs more in females than it does in males, and more commonly in dogs than cats. Coprophagy can be normal, specifically in the case of a mother dog with puppies. When nursing a litter of puppies, mother dogs are instinctively clean, and consume their puppy’s excrement for the first few weeks. It is not normal for adult pets who are not nursing litters, to eat faecal matter – this is when coprophagy is not expected, and needs looking into. Findings Here A Side Note on Puppies We feel it is important to mention puppies, specifically. While Pica is indeed, very dangerous in many cases, puppies do explore the world with their mouth! Puppies will often chew inedible items, and ingest parts of toys, socks, splinters of wood from items of furniture they’ve ‘kindly’ redesigned for you; this is quite normal in young and adolescent puppies, and may not follow through to adulthood where Pica becomes an obsessive problem, where underlying illness should be ruled out. To give your puppy the best chance of not ingesting inedible artifacts, ensure plenty of rest is enforced, as well as plenty of mental stimulation. A strong ‘leave it’ command can be majorly beneficial too, and what a better time to instil this, than as a puppy?! Diagnosis and Treatment If you suspect your pet has Pica, it is important to seek veterinary guidance as your first point of call, as acting on the potential for underlying health conditions is important. Similarly, if your dog or cat is experiencing any of the aforementioned symptoms, veterinary help is likely required to reduce the risk of death due to internal blockage. So how is it diagnosed by the vet? Your veterinarian will look at your pet’s medical history – if you have been able to keep a diary of food and behaviour alongside symptoms, this can really aid your vet! A physical examination may be performed, which will feel everything from your dog’s body condition to their lymph nodes. The dog’s mouth will be checked to rule our dental issues, and their heart and lungs will be listened to via stethoscope. Full panel blood tests, and urinalyses may be carried out too, for a more internal approach to diagnostics of underlying health conditions. If the vet feels a blockage is occurring in your pet, they may perform an ultrasound or x-ray, followed by potential surgery for treatment of this issue. Treatments wise, the suitable treatment for any diagnosed internal, underlying condition will be discussed and prescribed. If your vet does not feel surgery or pharmaceutical treatment will be beneficial to your pet, they will likely refer you to a veterinary behaviourist, or other force free behaviourist. How Can We Reduce Risks? In order to reduce the risk of harm from objects consumed by those suffering with Pica, there are a number of precautions we can look at taking – these stem from both a training perspective, and a diet perspective! Training Aids It may seem obvious, but it is incredibly important that we monitor our pets’ actions, especially if they are known to suffer with Pica. Teaching a solid ‘leave it’ command using positive reinforcement is essential. Discuss this with your trainer – it can be learnt at any age. Muzzle training is important for all dogs! This is trickier for cats, but cat muzzles are available to buy. Muzzle training not only means your dog is comfortable in their muzzle, which acts as a barrier between their mouth and the inedible items they like to consume,
If there’s one thing us dog owners and carers see and handle a lot, its poop! It comes in all different colours, shapes, sizes and textures, but do you know if your dog’s poop is ‘good’, or ‘bad’? At My Pet Nutritionist, we often hear from panicked pet parents regarding their pet’s faeces, and if it looks how it should! This handy guide looks at everything ‘dog poop’, including some troubleshooting tips along the way! Pooh Colours When it comes to colour, dog pooh can vary massively! Different colours can indicate different things, so let’s have a look at common dog pooh colours, and what they might mean! Brown is typically associated with poop. Brown can come in any shade, from very light brown, to very dark brown. Brown is a very ‘normal’ colour for faeces. If you feed fresh food, you may notice your dog’s pooh is darker on darker proteins such as lamb, duck or beef, and lighter, almost cream in colour, on lighter proteins like turkey, chicken or white fish. White pooh is commonly seen for two reasons. If it is an older pooh which has been laying around in the garden, it may be simply that it has dried out or been ‘sun bleached’ – especially if your dog is raw fed. If your dog is producing fresh white coloured pooh, and is raw fed, this can be a sign that your dog is not tolerating bone well. In these instances, you may need to switch to a cooked food using one of our recipes, or look at using a bone substitute. Mixed coloured pooh is a common occurrence in fresh fed dogs, and sends a lot of pet owners into panic-mode! Mixed coloured pooh when feeding a fresh food diet is completely normal! You may observe light and dark brown parts withing your dog’s faeces, which is due to your dog having eaten a variety of different proteins. If your dog has eaten a mixture of light and dark proteins in the last day or so, it’s likely their poop will be multi-coloured! Black pooh is something we don’t want to see, particularly if it is loose in texture too! Tarry stools are caused by the presence of Melena (blood) in the faeces, which can be secondary to a number of digestive issues, parasite burdens, liver or kidney disease/cancer. Black, but solid stools can also denote health concerns such as internal bleeding. Some supplements may darken the stool to an almost-black colour, including some soil based probiotic blends. Yellow/orange stools can also be of concern for your dog. Yellow or orange pooh is often soft in texture, and can be due to a number of health conditions. Those suffering with campylobacter often have yellow faeces. Another common reason a dog may have yellow or orange faeces is an issue with the liver, or bile production. Some intolerances present with yellow or orange pooh too, so an elimination diet may be useful. If your dog has yellow or orange stools, further investigation is required by your veterinarian. Pooh Textures Our dogs’ pooh comes in many textures, from so solid it crumbles, to completely watery. Each different pooh formation tells a different story, so it is important to learn what each type means! When your dog’s poop is extremely hard and/or crumbly, it is often shaped in multiple small pieces, and quite often white in colour. ‘Crumbly’ can also be described as the poop turning to dust upon landing on the ground, or when being picked up. Poops like this, are not desirable! These poops show the digestive tract is unable to cope with the recommended amount of bone in a fresh food diet, or that there is too much bone in the fresh diet you are feeding. If this is the case for your dog, you may need to dilute the bone content in the food you are feeding, by replacing 20g of the complete diet per 10kg bodyweight, with the same amount of boneless mince. Some owners prefer to switch to a bone alternative if their dog struggles to digest the bone content of balanced meals, to ensure they’re still getting the calcium they need, but in a form the dog tolerates better. You may also need to give a gut support supplement such as our supplement, Gut Guardian, which you can purchase here! Additional fibre may also be required in the diet. A hard but not crumbly poop is what we are aiming for! The pooh should be a log-like shape, and should be firm to touch (with a poop bag, of course!), but should not easily break apart. This is a great sign that your dog’s digestive tract is functioning well, and their diet is suiting them perfectly! Keep up with the good stuff! Sometimes you may spot a formed, but soft poop laying around, reminding you of the typical cartoon dog poop! These tend to be produced by those on a higher carbohydrate, more processed food (though not all dogs fed these diets will have this type of pooh!), or by a dog with a little digestive upset, be it an intolerance, or gut damage. A small parasitic burden could also result in this type of faeces. In this instance, you may wish to run a wormcount (order a kit from a reputable company, send off your sample, and await results) to check for intestinal parasites, look at running an elimination diet if your dog is already on fresh food, add in some gut support, some more fibre, and perhaps some extra bone. If your dog is fed a dry. Processed diet, switch to a fresh food diet. If you are unable to feed fresh, switching to a food with higher meat content, or a high quality wet food may help you out! If your dog produces a soft and unformed pooh, this should be investigated as it is a clear sign of some digestive upset, or lack of tolerance for
Here at My Pet Nutritionist, we don’t like to leave any stone unturned – pun not intended! When it comes to a diagnosis of bladder stones/crystals, it can feel like you’re embarking on a never ending journey. You will find lots of information on each type of bladder stone found in dogs, but this blog post focusses on Struvite Stones. What are Struvite Crystals/Stones? Struvite Crystals are the most common type of crystal found in dogs, and when combined with Urease, a bacteria-produced enzyme, struvite stones are formed. Struvite crystals being present in the urine by themselves, aren’t much of a worry, however when they are combined with the aforementioned Urease, struvite stones do become a problem, and require treatment. Struvite stones also develop as a result of infection by other bacteria types including Proteus, and Staphylococci strains. There are two other names you may see for Struvite Stones, and these are due to their chemical make up; these are: Magnesium-ammonium-phosphate Triple phosphate Female dogs are more at risk of developing struvite stones, with a staggering 85% of cases being seen in female dogs! Dogs with recurring UTIs (urinary tract infections) are also among the most likely to develop struvite stones. Symptoms of Struvite Stones A range of different symptoms may occur if your dog develops struvite stones, including: Blood in urine ‘downward dog’ position indicating stomach pain Frequent urination Urinary incontinence/urinating in unusual places Difficulty urinating Regular licking of the genitals Increased thirst Nausea Findings Here How Do They Form? Struvite Stones thrive in an alkaline environment. When looking at the pH of your dog’s urine using a pH test strip, alkaline urine will show as a blue or purple tone. The healthy range of canine urine is between 6.5 and 7, which is neutral, or very slightly acidic. Anything above pH7 is alkaline. When the body undergoes bacterial infection in the bladder, ammonia is produced, which in turn causes the pH to become more alkaline, allowing the formation of struvite stones to occur. Findings Here Diagnosis of Struvite Stones The easiest way to diagnose struvite stones in dogs, is via X-Ray, however sometimes this isn’t possible due to other parts of the body getting in the way of a clear image. X-Rays use radiowaves, and produce Radiographs (hence those who take the images are known as radiographers!). Struvite stones are radiodense, which means they would show up very easily in X-Rays. In cases where X-Rays are not possible, the veterinarian may use ultrasound on the bladder area. Before scans, the veterinarian may give a coloured liquid to the dog which dyes the stones, making them more visible. The accompanying step to working out the type of stone present, is through urinalysis. Urine samples are needed to find out if any bacteria or crystals are present – this can help determine the type of stone, since bladder stones aren’t very easy to tell apart through imaging alone. If a sample of a stone is taken, this can be analysed by a veterinary laboratory for an official diagnosis of stone type. Findings Here What Can the Vet Do? Much like the removal of another type of bladder stone, the Cysteine Stone, the vet may suggest surgical removal. The surgical procedure is called a Ureteroscopy, during which a very small instrument is passed through the bladder and up the Ureter, pushing the stone out in the process. Alternatively, the pet may be opened up, and large stones causing blockages will be removed by hand. For a non-surgical, less invasive approach, the vet may recommend a procedure known as a urohyrdopropulsion. This procedure is usually most successful on medium to large dogs, and involves two catheters being placed in the dog; one up the urethra, and the other in the urethral lumen. A finger is inserted into the rectum to push against the urethra, causing a build up of pressure and a tight seal. Once a tight seal is made, saline water is flushed through the catheters, and the bladder is palpated, flushing the small stones out. Although this method requires anaesthesia, it is preferred for smaller stones as it is much less invasive than surgery. Findings Here Your veterinarian may suggest a diet change too – however they may wish to sell you a ‘prescription’ dry food diet. This is where fresh feeding is paramount, as dry foods have a low meat content, and low moisture – both of which are essential in abundance for a dog with bladder stones! Let’s take a look at diet, and supplements to help prevent Struvite Stones. Supporting the Body, and Preventing Struvite Stones When it comes to supporting the body with the aim to reduce the risk of recurring Struvite Stones, we need to look at the diet, as well as suitable supplementation. Diet Dogs with any bladder stones, require a high moisture diet! Fresh feeding, whether that’s raw or gently cooked, allows for meals to be suitably high in moisture. You may even wish to ‘float’ the food – meaning you add extra water to it. The other benefit of providing a fresh diet, is the high meat content. Feeding a predominantly meat based diet is essential for those suffering from Struvite Stones as meat naturally encourages a more acidic environment in the bladder. Some ingredients to consider including in your dog’s diet, to promote an acidic environment include: Chicken Pork Beef Eggs Fish Venison Meanwhile, it’s best to avoid more alkaline food like: Broccoli Carrot Cucumber Pumpkin Kale Sweet potato Apple Banana Cabbage Pumpkin We have two recipes balanced to FEDIAF, which are ideal for those with struvite stones – Low Fat Fish and Low Fat Venison. Supplements A number of supplements can be very useful in the combatting of Struvite Stones. Gut Health supplements are one of the most important ones to give, as with almost any condition, a healthy gut microbiome helps. When urea is excreted into the gut passage, it is broken down by the bacterial colonies in
In the modern dog world, there are so many controversies over various food items, from salmon oil to raw eggs to coconut oil to garlic. Here at My Pet Nutritionist, we like to put owners minds at ease, and help you to evaluate whether it is suitable for your pets, using both scientific and anecdotal evidence based on our professional experience. Salmon oil, raw eggs and coconut oil have all been covered within our blog to date, so now it’s time to have garlic in the spotlight! Let’s discover some myths, and truths about this powerful, often useful ingredient! What Is Garlic? This may seem a bit of an obvious section to many, but you may learn something new too! Garlic (Latin name: Allium sativum), is the bulb of a flowering plant, and is a potent addition to foods in the human world, for flavour as well as medicine. It’s closest relatives are onions, leeks, shallots and chives. Humans have consumed garlic since the times of Ancient Egypt. Originating from south and central Asia, and Iran, the vast majority of the world’s garlic production occurs in China. The chemical make up of garlic gives it it’s many beneficial uses in both the human and dog world, however there are caveats when it comes to garlic and dogs! Allicin, ajoene and polysulfides are among the most powerful sulfur containing compounds, alongside lots of useful enzymes, flavonoids (often useful as antioxidants), and saponins (which have great cancer risk reducing properties, as well as being great for lowering blood fat and blood glucose levels. Findings Here Findings Here The Controversy Around Garlic As dog owners, we only want the best for our precious pooches! And that’s where the confusion sets in – safe? Unsafe? My vet said it’s toxic! Someone on an online dog forum said it’s toxic, but another said its ok? The stigma around garlic really is huge! Some professionals will advise against it through no fault of their own – it’s often simply what is taught to them during their education. The controversy all stems from one specific study on garlic, and it’s affects on dogs. Afterall, it’s relatives onion and leek are very much toxic to our pets, so why should garlic be ok when it contains the same active ingredient, allicin? As well as allicin, members of the allium family also contain Thiosulfate. Thiosulfate, in large quantities, can cause a severe type of anaemia in cats and dogs, called Heinz Body Anaemia. If we look at onions vs garlic, we can compare the amount of thiosulfate, and therefore calculate the risk of Heinz Body Anaemia. Onions contain large quantities of Thiosulfate, whereas garlic only contains miniscule amounts, which plays very little to no risk in healthy individuals, and studies were began to work out just how much garlic is safe for our pet dogs. Findings Here So, moving on to the study. The nutrition world was taken by a storm in 2000 when Dr Osamu Yamamoto released a study called ‘Haemolytic Changes Associated with the Appearance of Eccentrocytes After Intragastric Administration of Garlic Extract to Dogs’. You can find the study here. Now, the first point to make, just from looking at the title; garlic ‘extract’ was used. Have you ever baked a cake, using Vanilla Extract? You may notice the extract is extremely concentrated, making it extremely pungent, requiring just a few drips to flavour the entire cake batter! This concept goes for any extract, including that of garlic. The garlic was administered to the dogs in the study in extract form – 1.2mls of this liquid was given to each dog per day for 7 days – likely the equivalent to much more than one would consider giving their dog of anything! More on equivalent amounts shortly. When looking at the health of the dogs in the study, it’s important to note that there was a death rate of 0% – that’s right, a big fat ZERO! No dogs died in the study, nor were there any physical changes to the dogs. When blood tests were analysed under a microscope, despite the lack of symptoms, there was a case of Heinz Body Anaemia. This was the evidence which caused the scientists to make the rather bold statement, that garlic is unsafe for dogs, sending the pet world into panic! Some of the large pet information databases and websites are still under the assumption that garlic is very much toxic to dogs, warning owners to avoid it. Pet food manufacturers were forced to remove garlic from their recipes once this information was released, but further studies were needed to ascertain whether fresh garlic would be safe, since the aforementioned study used the ultra concentrated garlic extract. Let’s take a deeper look at exactly how fresh garlic tolerance levels differ to that of concentrated garlic extract! What Science Has to Say About It As with many preliminary scientific studies, mass panic had set in, opening up opportunities to research the tolerance level of fresh garlic in dogs, after all in unsuitable quantities, anything can be classed as toxic – even water, and we all know water is incredibly important for all living things! When converting the amount of garlic extract that would need to be administered to a medium sized dog for adverse reactions to occur, to the equivalent amount of fresh garlic, the dog would need to consume 35 cloves of garlic every day (or 245 cloves per week!) – not something any owner would dream of doing, we are very sure! Now for the next study by Dr Osamu Yamamoto, titled ‘Acceleration of Superoxide Generation in Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes and Inhibition of Platelet Aggregation by Alk(en)yl Thiosulfates Derived from Onion and Garlic in Dogs and Humans’, published in 2004. This study can be found here. In this study, they used a fresher form of garlic to carry out their investigation, which ultimately found that garlic was in fact good for cardiovascular health, and useful for a
Here at My Pet Nutritionist, we help customers tackle a host of different health conditions and concerns. Some diseases our customers’ dogs come to us with are common, and simple, others are not so common, and more complex. Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency is one of the not-so-common examples of health concerns we have helped customers with. While it is rare, and not tested for as standard, we are beginning to see more and more cases of EPI, so this blog post will be a great educational tool for those who want to learn more about EPI, as well as those who’s pet has been diagnosed with it. What is EPI? EPI, as its commonly called, is shortened from Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency. ‘Exocrine’ is the system to do with the body’s enzymes. The pancreas is an important part of the digestive system, and also an important part of the exocrine and endocrine systems. The pancreas is an organ, located in the right side of the abdomen, close to your dog’s stomach. There are two parts to the pancreas – the exocrine pancreas and the endocrine pancreas. The endocrine pancreas releases the hormone, Insulin, which controls blood sugar levels. The exocrine pancreas releases enzymes responsible for food digestion, particularly the macronutrient, protein. In those suffering with EPI, the pancreas is unable to produce enough of these enzymes, which leads to major malnutrition, unless treated daily. EPI is an incurable disease, and requires daily management to keep symptoms at bay. Findings Here Symptoms of EPI There are a number of symptoms associated with Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency. Many of these symptoms are common symptoms of other health conditions, which makes diagnosis of EPI quite tricky, but the symptoms can be severe, and in some cases life threatening. Here’s some of the main symptoms you could expect from a dog suffering with EPI include: Rapid weight loss Lack of ability to put weight on Insatiable appetite Chronic diarrhoea Mucus in the stool Vomiting Lethargy/fatigue If your dog has a number of these symptoms, it is extremely important you have your dog assessed by a veterinarian, as EPI dogs can go downhill very quickly. Findings Here Diagnosis of EPI Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency is rarely routinely tested for upon first signs of symptoms, and is regularly misdiagnosed. As the disease is quite rare, and little is taught about it in initial veterinary qualifications, dog owners who suspect this disease often have to specifically request for testing for EPI in their initial consultations. So how is EPI diagnosed? There are two tests carried out in those with suspected EPI. A fasted blood test, and a faecal test. Once the sample has been taken, the test used is called a Canine Trypsinogen-like Immunoassay (or cTLI for short!). For this test, pets must be starved for a minimum of 6 hours – this is usually best done overnight. Trypsinogen is a non-activated enzyme; known as a proenzyme. The pancreas of healthy individuals secretes Trypsinogen into the small intestine with other enzymes in the mix, where it converts to Trypsin – the activated form, which is used to digest proteins. It is very much normal for Trypsinogen to be detected in blood tests of healthy animals, because a little Trypsinogen leaks into the blood stream where it is circulated around the body. How do cTLI results differ for those with EPI? The results from a cTLI of a dog with EPI will show as low to no Trypsinogen when analysed. This is because those suffering with EPI have a reduced functionality of the pancreatic tissues, resulting in less Trypsinogen being secreted into the intestine, and therefore less leaking into the bloodstream, if any. Findings Here Another blood test is usually carried out in cases where EPI is suspected, to test for levels of Vitamin B9 (Folate) and Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin). While these vitamins aren’t directly related to the pancreas, they can easily be affected by a poorly functioning pancreas due to the affect EPI has on the microbiome of the gut. Blood serum analysis for Vitamin B12 will be low, as EPI can lead to B12 deficiency, whereas serum analyses for Folate will usually come back in excess. You can read more about high Folate and it’s relationship with low Vitamin B12, and how these are affected by the pancreas in our blog here. Findings Here Let’s move onto the faecal testing side of EPI diagnosis. The test carried out is called a Faecal Elastase Test. This test is for another of the pancreatic enzymes used during digestion, called Elastase. As with all enzymes, Elastase performs a specific job – it’s role in digestion is to help break down fats, carbohydrates and proteins, for use by the body for energy, growth, and cell maintenance. Healthy individuals with a well functioning pancreas will have elastase in their stools, however those with EPI will not produce as much elastase due to damaged pancreatic tissues, so elastase would be lacking in faecal samples. Findings Here Causes of EPI There are various reasons a dog may have EPI – it can be congenital (present from birth), hereditary (genetically inherited), or acquired (through trauma or disease). Congenital and hereditary causes are self-explanatory – it’s important to source puppies from health tested breeding pairs, with no history of EPI in their immediate or extended genetic lines. If you are opening up your heart and home to a rescue dog, there is a small chance of congenital or hereditary EPI, as you don’t know the history of the dog’s genetic lineage, however it is a rare disease, so it wouldn’t be on the forefront of our minds when considering a rescue dog. Should you experience the symptoms listed in this blog post, hopefully our guide will help you and your rescue dog should the need arise. As with many diseases we write about here at My Pet Nutritionist, there are some breeds which are genetically predisposed to EPI, including: West Highland White Terriers German Shepherds Akitas Border
