3 Myths About Your Pet’s Prescription Diet
By Susan Blake Davis, CCN
Copr. © 2011 eNewsChannels™ and Susan Blake Davis
Willow enjoying a whole food diet
When your veterinarian recommends a prescription diet for your pet, it is because your pet has a health condition that requires dietary modification. Your veterinarian has your pet’s best interest in mind and is trying to help you take better care of your pet.
What is a pet prescription diet? A prescription diet is a commercially prepared food scientifically formulated to address a specific health condition. For example, a kidney diet has reduced protein and phosphorous. When pets are diagnosed with various health conditions, dietary modification can make a significant impact on their health and well-being. The adage “you are what you eat” holds true.
There is an important point of clarification however. Yes– your pet needs to follow a diet based on a scientific formulary prescribing specific nutritional requirements (e.g. low fat, high fiber, low sodium). But, what is often misunderstood however, is that the only option for achieving this dietary formulary is by using commercially prepared prescription food. In other words, just because your pet needs a low fat, high fiber diet doesn’t mean that there is only one way to serve it using a canned or dry commercially prepared “prescription food”. There are homemade and combined homemade/commercial alternatives and it is important for you to know your options so that you can make an informed decision about what is best for your pet.
Myth #1—The Commercially Prepared Prescription Diet Is the Only Food OPTION My Pet Can Eat
Yes and No—The reason your pet needs to be on a prescription diet is because it is a “prescription” regarding various food groups such as fats, protein and carbohydrates as well as the vitamin and mineral content. For example, pets with kidney disease need a diet low in phosphorous. So—yes, if your veterinarian has diagnosed a disease, you should follow the vet’s prescription regarding your pet’s nutritional needs . However, this doesn’t mean that the only food choice is the dry and canned food commercial options available at your veterinarian’s office. You can prepare a homemade option or use a combination of homemade with raw frozen food or other commercial foods, but the point is that whatever you feed, it needs to meet the nutritional needs set forth in the prescription!
It would be difficult for the average pet owner to figure out the appropriate dietary alternatives for their pet within the confines of the “prescribed guidelines” In fact, there is a risk that if you are doing a lot of food combining on your own, you may end up doing more harm than good. It is quite common for pet owners to use the prescription commercial food all the while adding in miscellaneous treats and table scraps, thereby defeating the whole purpose. The point here is that there are natural, homemade and alternative ways to give your pet a “prescription” diet beyond the commercial prescription foods but it is highly recommended that you seek out the advice of a pet nutritionist or holistic veterinarian to ensure the diet meets the nutritional needs of your pet.
MYTH #2—It’s Okay to Feed My Pet’s Prescription Diet to All of My Pets
Not necessarily—Not unless all of your pets have the same health problems and require the same prescription diet. In multiple pet households, it is quite common for pet owners to feed the same food to all of their pets. Would you give the same medication to all of your pets too? Prescription diets are a dietary formulary that restrict certain ingredients—this might be advantageous for the pet for whom the diet is prescribed, but not for other pets. For example, a pet owner may have a senior cat and a 2 year old cat. A young cat needs a high protein, high fat diet. If a young cat is fed a prescription kidney diet, the cat may experience muscle atrophy and other health problems associated with a low protein diet. This is again, why it is so important to either consult with a pet nutritionist or holistic veterinarian or ensure that each pet is only eating the food that is designated for them.
MYTH #3 –If My Pet Has Multiple Health Problems, a Commercially Prepared Prescription Diet Will Address All of my Pet’s Nutritional Needs
Not necessarily—When pets have multiple health issues occurring, commercial pet food options are not nearly as successful. For example, a dog may have severe allergies and liver disease. There is no one “magic” formula a vet can prescribe to address multiple health problems. The commercially prescribed liver diets may be lower in fat and liver-friendly, but will most likely contain grains which the pet could be allergic to. And even when a pet is using a commercially prepared prescription diet for one health condition, another one may develop in the process. For example, pets that are prone to bladder stones may use a prescription diet to prevent the bladder stones but then develop hot spots and itching. if your pet has multiple health conditions, using a custom-tailored diet specifically designed for your pet by a holistic veterinarian or pet nutritionist is a more beneficial approach.
When your pet is diagnosed with a particular health condition, you want to do what’s best to help. Diet clearly has an impact but there are many ways to approach your pet’s health problem. The important point is to know that there are options.
The Honest Kitchen pet food can be combined with homemade ingredients in varying proportions (depending upon your pet’s health concerns) as a wholesome, nutritious alternative to ”prescription diets”. Please work with a veterinary professional to ensure your pet’s specific dietary requirements are carefully managed.
Learn more about how a pet nutritionist can help your pet by visiting www.AskAriel.com
“Gung Hay Fat Choy”; Happy New Year of the Tiger!
A Guest Post from Animal Communicator and Author, Paula Brown
“Say, I’m so happy I feel like bouncing!” – Tigger, Winnie the Pooh Ring in the Chinese New Year of the Tiger on February 14! ! If you are a “Tiger” (or are a Tiger’s “person”) this will be a very fast paced “just do it” type of year. The Tiger is the third animal in the Chinese Zodiac’s 12-year cycle, which begins with the new moon in Aquarius each New Year according to the Chinese calendar.
The “Tiger” is difficult to resist with its powerful roar as well as its deep soft purr. On the positive side, it is courageous, strong, independent and big hearted. The Tiger also holds the opposite traits of inflexibility, moodiness, is disobedient and predatory. To balance these traits is the challenge for this year…to be flexible and graceful through quick thunderous change. Go to www.gotoastrology.com to find out a bit about “how” you (or your Chinese birth animal) will prowl through the year of the Tiger! New Year celebrations include Dragons dances, firecrackers and fireworks, lantern ceremonies, gift giving and food fests. Actually, the month long celebration ending on the full moon has deeper meaning with family and friends gathering to give gifts and honor their connections to each other and nature as well.
From cleaning out the home, decorating with auspicious flowers, wearing new clothes, blessing their homes and putting positive intentions into the New Year with ceremony and sharing of special foods. These New Year energies of the Metal Tiger affect all of us as well as our animal friends. Celebrate this time with your fur folks to bring both of you into a New Year filled with love and abundance. For people and their animals it is a celebratory time colored especially by the very lucky, protective, and prosperous color of red! Red is the color of the life space of Fame. Take a look at the bagua in my site at: www.furshui.com to find this energy zone of Fame / Reputation and place a comfy new red toned bed or throw for your pet to recharge in. Give a pretty red bandana, collar or leash to your pooch or tiger with the intent of healthy energy or chi for this New Year! AND, be sure and put lots of healthy treats in a special red bowl in this space to tempt in your fur folk to activate your and his Fame chi for the year of the Tiger.
Metal is the element of this year’s Tiger…that element can be found in the Children / Creativity gua in your home or yard. Why not strengthen that space as well by giving a nice new red toy and playing in this space with your fur folk. When they are happy in this space you can watch your creativity bloom along with having fun with your fur kids! Use your imagination to show your love and respect for your animals during this auspicious time of year. Put your intent of “Tiger” qualities of big heart and love into this New Year and give thanks and joy to your pets for their constant unconditional love and magic! As the exuberant “Tigger” of Winnie the Pooh fame would say: “Well, I gotta go now. I’ve got a lotta bouncin’ to do! Hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo! T-T-F-N: ta-ta for now!” Go and “bounce” into the New Year of the Tiger…Gung Hay Fat Choy to you!
Paula Paula Brown / The Heart of Communication Animal Communicator / Author / Feng Shui Practitioner www.furshui.com www.animalhearttalk.com
A Guest Post from Jan Rasmussen, author of Scared Poopless
Vaccinating Small Dogs: Risks Vets Aren’t Revealing
At last, a smoking gun … discovered pointing directly at Chihuahuas, Dachshunds, Maltese, Yorkies and other small dogs … in fact, pointed at all dogs receiving multiple vaccines during one clinic visit.
Many scientific studies and task force reports have altered my view of vaccination over the years, but none have stunned me as much as “Adverse events diagnosed within three days of vaccine administration in dogs” by Drs. Moore, Guptill, Ward, et al. This two-year study of vaccine reactions (from data gathered at 360 Banfield clinics in 2002 and 2003) concluded: “Young adult small-breed neutered dogs that received multiple vaccines per office visit were at greatest risk of a VAAE [Vaccine Associated Adverse Event] within 72 hours after vaccination.” And that’s not all the report revealed.
In the study (published in the Journal of American Veterinary Medical Association in October, 2005), 1.2 million dogs received almost 3.5 million vaccine doses. Reactions reported within 3 days (as designated by computer codes) included nonspecific vaccine reactions, allergic reactions, urticaria (hives), anaphylaxis (severe, whole-body allergic reaction), cardiac arrest, cardiovascular shock and sudden death. For each 10,000 dogs vaccinating, 38 adverse reactions were reported.
You’re probably thinking: just 38 reactions per 10,000 dogs? That’s not too bad. But bear in mind that this study did NOT include:
- Reactions reported more than 72 hours after vaccination (thus eliminating reactions taking longer to develop or be discovered, such as injection site cancers, autoimmune diseases, skin diseases and other major conditions).
- Reactions that occurred but were never reported by clients.
- Conditions not recognized by the vet as vaccine reactions.
- Conditions not selected for this study. (Seizures weren’t on the list, nor were countless other common reactions.)
- Conditions not recorded by the vet. The 2007 World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) Vaccine Guidelines reports “gross under-reporting of vaccine-associated adverse events ….”
- Reactions in dogs also getting a heartworm shot, presumably because of the increased risk of reaction. (Currently, vets are warned not to give Proheart 6 with a vaccination.)
Read More here.
Our friend Jan Rasmussen is the national award-winning author of Scared Poopless: The Straight Scoop on Dog Care and consumer advocate for dog lovers.
Moments with Baxter
A few months ago, we had the great pleasure of meeting a very special dog named Baxter. He’s a nineteen year old therapy dog with the most extraordinary gaze that it seems like he already knows all about you, before you’ve even introduced yourself.
Recently, the book ‘Moments with Baxter – comfort and love with the world’s best therapy dog’ was launched and we highly recommend it! The book is full of incredible true stories of Baxter’s work connecting with and bringing comfort and love to hospice patients.
The book is a beautiful account of finding joy in the moment and the amazing intuitive abilities of animals to truly help their human counterparts on so many levels. Click below to learn more.
Moments with Baxter is a truly inspirational, moving book. All proceeds from the sale of Moments with Baxter, will be donated to charitable causes.
Signs of Illness
Fluffy and Spots Painful Secrets
All too often, owners bring in their pets to their veterinarian for an illness that came on “overnight.” Suddenly, the pet is very thin, or not walking, or unable to eat. We often find that the pet’s condition is far advanced in these cases. How, you may be wondering, does this happen?
Wild animals naturally hide their pain to protect themselves from predators, and this behavior exists even in our domestic pets. Observing your pet’s behavior is vital to managing his or her pain. This can be very difficult when you see your pet every day, as subtle changes slowly progress. However, there are some “red flag” changes that can tip you off early in the course of a problem. Should you notice any of the following, a visit to your vet is recommended.
Change in chewing habits
Dropping food, slow eating, or chewing on one side of the mouth may indicate a dental disorder or other oral problem. Additional signs may include weight loss, bad breath or excessive face rubbing. Routine dental checkups are important to prevent and treat dental disorders and related pain. I believe in providing dogs the opportunity for natural chewing often. That means either raw or hard “recreational” bones. Feeding bones, such as turkey necks, chicken backs, etc. also is a great way to provide both a natural diet and natural tooth care.
Drastic weight gain or loss
Pain directly affects your pet’s weight and eating habits. Overweight animals have an increased chance of tearing ligaments and damaging joints. They also exercise less, causing them to gain weight. Pain can also cause animals to lose their appetites, which will lead to weight loss. Kidney, liver, and thyroid problems can cause weight changes, as can cancer. Whether your pet’s weight has increased or decreased, a change that occurs without you changing the feeding program is cause for concern.
Avoids touching or handling
Avoiding attention or handling may be a sign of a progressive disease such as osteoarthritis, Lyme disease, or other systemic problems. Even gentle pressure can be painful for these animals. They may shy away from a back rub, when it used to be a favorite thing. They may even hide or avoid interaction with people or other pets to avoid pain. Dogs especially may become “grumpier” and growl or snap when other dogs bump into them – a sign frequently described by the owner of multiple dogs when the “grumpy” dog is having a health problem.
Decreased movement and activity
Arthritis is the most common cause of pain in pets. However, other organ diseases as well as cancer can cause changes in activity level. This is the common sign owners report in the very stoic pet. Increases or decreases in your pet’s activity or energy level should always be investigated. I have seen Greyhounds with a corn in their pad show no other signs other than decreased movement. Removing the corn transforms the dog!
House training accidents
Pet owners often believe that “accidents” are a result of behavioral issues. Some even feel the pet is being spiteful. However, most pets do not lose their house training without a reason. Urinary tract infections, bladder stones, parasites, food allergy, and intestinal disease can all cause changes in urination and defecation. Behavioral problems are usually more common in senior pets and multiple cat homes. Changes and stress in the home situation, such as during a family crisis, moving, or merging/splitting of households often provoke behavioral issues.
Because of the natural tendency to hide pain and discomfort, many health problems can be missed until they are severe. Minor changes in activity and behavior can be the first sign of a serious problem. Being in tune with your pet’s normal habits and acting promptly when you observe a change enables early detection and treatment of disease. Don’t be afraid to call your veterinarian, even if your only observation is that your pet is not acting normally. Your prompt action will at the very least save your pet pain and discomfort, and in the extreme, can even save his life.
Dr. Laurie S. Coger DVM is a well known holistic veterinarian who also blogs for Times Union at http://blogs.timesunion.com/petsandvets/
Please visit her web site at www.TheWholisticVet.com to learn more about a natural approach to your pet’s care.
