Be leary of "Slentrol" for dog weight control

The drug company Pfizer has just released the first FDA-approved weight loss drug for dogs called Slentrol. This drug blocks fat absorption in the dog's digestive tract and makes them feel full.

Unfortunately, if it's blocking fat absorption, it also blocks the vital fat-soluble nutrients, including COQ10 which is the major source of energy for your pet and important for healthy organ function of the heart, brain, and liver to name a few. According to Dr. Al Sears, it will also rob your dog of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K which are crucial to eyesight, strong bones, heart and coat health.

The drug has terrible side effects of vomiting, loose stool, diarrhea and sluggishness. The drug sounds very much like the human weight loss drug Alli which I personally would never take, and would not subject my dogs to either. Did you know the instructions for Alli say to wear dark pants and take a change of clothes to work?

I've written previously about commercial pet food containing grains and how it can cause weight gain, allergies and many other conditions in dogs and cats. If your dog is overweight and you're considering using Slentrol, please read my posts before doing so. There are other alternatives to drugs for your pet's weight control. Abby went from a very pudgy 32 pounds a year ago, back down to her ideal weight of 25 pounds just by changing her diet, which eliminated her allergies and thus eliminated her need for Prednisone pills (a steroid drug given for skin allergies known to cause weight gain and other side effects).

So check out what's really in your pet's food that doesn't need to be there, watch portion size, check what's in their treats, and increase their exercise. This drug Slentrol sounds like a bad deal to me.

Slow down your dog's food-gobbling

I have written previously about my dog Rosie's food gobbling problem, and some of the methods I've used to slow her eating. Food gobbling can lead to vomiting, belching and flatulence. Vomiting is a signal that something is seriously wrong with the dog's eating and digestive process. Belching and flatulence are signs that your dog's system is trying to balance out pressure inside and outside of his body. Eating too fast can cause bloat, gagging, and choking, and can affect your dog's ability to get the most nutrients from his food.

I was asked to test a new product called the Dog Pause Bowl, designed to force your dog to eat his or her food more slowly. They sent me 2 of their bowls free, in exchange for my opinion of their product. My first impression of the bowls was that they are very solidly made, and I could see instantly how it would take the dogs longer to eat their food. Abby had no problem with the change, and it took her about twice as long to finish her food. Rosie at first wasn't so sure about this new bowl, and sat in front of it for a while, looking at it and then at me. She eventually decided to eat, and it took her about twice as long to finish also. On the second morning, she went right to work eating with no hesitation. I am very pleased with these bowls, as they easily solved Rosie's gulping behavior. Both dogs were very involved with eating in a methodical way, and weren't concerned about finishing first and moving in on the other's bowl. Meal time is much more peaceful with the new bowls.

Other than receiving the 2 free bowls, I haven't been compensated in any way and am not an affiliate for them. I truly believe in this product and have given you my honest opinion in the hope it will help others with the same problem. If you'd like more information on the Dog Pause Bowl, CLICK HERE. They are currently on sale for $17.95. You can watch a 45 second side by side video of a dog eating from his bowl, compared to the Dog Pause Bowl, and it takes the test dog nearly twice as long to finish his food with the new bowl.

Slowing your dog's intake of food can eliminate all kinds of health problems. The Dog Pause Bowl is a simple fix for a potentially dangerous problem that will help extend your dog's life.

Danger to your pets from electromagnetic frequencies

Due to our world becoming saturated with electromagnetic frequencies (EMFs), more and more people and their pets are becoming "electrically sensitive." Symptoms range from headaches, burning sensations, tingling, debilitating brain fog, heart arrhythmias, migraines, severe depression, chronic insomnia, and even life threatening seizures and heart attacks. The elderly and very young, along with pets because of their size are most susceptible.

Take steps now to reduce exposure to such items as Blackberrys, cell phones, cordless phones, computer games, computers, WiFis, refrigerators, air conditioners, electric heaters, dishwashers, microwaves and other large appliances.

There's a great article by Natural News which goes into this in more detail, and also provides 15 ways you can reduce EMF radiation in your home and life. To read this article, CLICK HERE.

Follow-up on Abby's allergies and otitis

I've written previously about Abby's skin and ear allergies, but new readers may not be aware of the tremendous improvement she has made since changing her diet. If your dog has allergies, I recommend you read my previous posts on the subject; you can find all the posts listed on the upper left of my blog under "Posts by Category", then click on "dog allergies."

Abby had her first visit to the vet this week since I changed her food, took her off Prednisone and the antibiotic drops for her ears in May of last year. I was very pleased that she has lost 4 pounds since her last vet visit a year ago (we've had a constant battle with her weight gain aftere she was put on Prednisone at age 3, going from a normal weight of 23 pounds up to 31 pounds, and no amount of cutting back on food and treats along with exercise seemed to help). She now weighs 27 pounds, and I'm hopeful we can keep it going in a downward direction. The biggest news this week was that our vet said she gets the "best cocker ears award." Her ears show no signs of otitis, and this is the same dog that a year ago was on constant antibiotic drops, and even that wasn't keeping the otitis at bay any longer. If you'd like to read my post on the very inexpensive home ear remedy I am using, CLICK HERE.

The bottom line: if your dog is suffering from allergies and ear problems, I recommend you change their diet, remove all grains and chemicals, and increase the protein content. A raw diet is very beneficial for strengthening the dog's immune system which in turn helps the skin allergies, as well as all-natural grain-free kibble formulas such as Canidae, Innova and Wellness Core.

Is your cat or dog in pain?

It's easy to see if your cat or dog is having pain if they are limping, whining, or crying out. When your cat or dog is generally uncomfortable or have an all-over pain, it may not be as easy to tell what's wrong. There are many more subtle signs you can watch for.

Generally, if your cat or dog is normally happy and friendly, but becomes irritable and doesn't want to be held, or petted, something is wrong. Any change in behaviour, such as wanting to be away from everyone, should be watched. Other signs such as continuous licking, biting or scratching are signs your pet is trying to make itself feel better. Also specifically for cats, if your cat is panting, it is life threatening, and you need to get help immediately.

If any of these behaviours continue, it's best to see your veterinarian. Also a note of caution; never give your pet a human medication without checking with your vet first. Some of our medications are toxic to animals.

Causes of cat and dog vomiting

A cat or dog vomiting occasionally is pretty common, and no cause for alarm. But how do you know when it's a symptom of a serious problem? First, you need to determine if your pet is vomiting or regurgitating, as your veterinarian will need to know which it is to proceed with a diagnosis. It can be helpful to take a sample of the vomit or regurgitated food to the veterinarian for ph analysis.

Vomiting

With vomiting, the stomach and upper intestine contents are ejected. Some causes may be disease of the stomach and upper intestinal tract, or diseases of other organs that cause an accumulation of toxins in the blood, which stimulate vomiting. The cat or dog will be apprehensive and will heave or retch to vomit. Vomiting can happen any time after eating, or if the pet is not eating food at all. If there is food in the vomit, it will be partially digested and have a yellow fluid (bile). If the vomit contains blood, it may be fresh, or look like coffee grounds if the blood was digested. Blood is seen with stomach ulcers, stomach cancer or uremia.

Regurgitation

With regurgitation, the contents of the esophagus are ejected (food that hasn't reached the stomach yet). This can happen if the muscle of the esophagus loses tone and dilates, so the food doesn't move through to the stomach as it should, and the dog or cat will regurgitate the food shortly after eating. The food can also be inhaled into its airways causing pneumonia and coughing. The pet will lower its head and expel the food with little effort. The food is usually undigested, and may be tubular in shape and covered in a slimy mucus. The cat or dog will often try to eat the regurgitated food.

Repeated vomiting and regurgitation can be a symptom of a serious condition, so don't take it lightly. For more information on causes and treatment for pet vomiting, CLICK HERE.

Herbal Pet Medications

I found a good article on the uses of herbal medications and all natural products such as apple cidar vinegar for your pet's ailments. The article also recommends yellow and green foods for relieving toxins. And did you know that watermelon is one of the best free radical scavengers? This is good news to me, as Abby and Rosie love watermelon, and now I know that not only is it not bad for them, but is actually helping their health.

For the complete article, here is the site: Doggie's Paradise

Pet toothpaste recall

Pets by Penny has a post about a pet toothpaste recall that I felt needed to be reprinted here in the hopes of getting the word out to all petowners. Her information is actually contained in 2 separate posts, so here are the links for each one:
Very dangerous pet product recall
Recall affects human products too

The Iams pet food scandal

I just received a newsletter from Healthy Happy dogs.com regarding Iams pet food, and the way they treat the dogs and cats they use for testing purposes. I did an internet search and found the following pertaining to Iam's answer to these charges which you can read here. Another article I found by Nuvo.net that gives an overview of the situation can be read here.One of my readers also informed me of an article on Peta, from the Poodle and dog blog which you can read here. But Peta is not the only organization speaking out against Iams. Another of my readers, Jan's funny farm, advised me of this article, entitled the Iam's Expose - to read it click here. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts.

Here is the article from HealthHappyDogs.com:
"Iams Scandal

There are pet food manufacturers out there who profess to provide a superior product. They may even come highly recommended by your vet. And probably the product does contain superior ingredients to those cheap supermarket brands.

But at what price?

And by price here I'm not talking about the cash you outlay from you wallet for the product. No, I'm talking about societal cost, and specifically the cost incurred by animals just like your dog and mine.

Some of these animals pay with their lives.

Appalling and sickening, but unfortunately true.

PETA (People for Ethical Treatment of Animals) has uncovered a scandal involving Iams, one of the well-known, high-end pet food products which is sold in pet shops and vetinarians, and is often highly recommended by those professionals who we would think are in the know."

To read the entire article, click here

Natural herbal treatments for your dog

I've recently discovered a great site called Pet Well Being.com that I recommend you check out for all your pet needs.

This site has natural herbal remedies for all kinds of dog ailments: arthritis and joint care, internal ailments, cancer treatment, skin, eye and ear care, stress and anxiety, vitamin and dietary supplements, and flea control, as well as dog water fountains, hemp collars and leashes.

The site is Better Business Bureau Online certified, with secure ordering so you can shop with peace of mind.

The truth about garlic for pets

I found a very good article on the use of garlic for your pets, written by PetsbyPenny. I've been confused on this subject because I've read that garlic can be poisonous to pets, yet garlic is an ingredient in many pet foods and recommended by some as a flea deterent. Penny has given me permission to reprint her article here. I hope you find it helpful.

You read lots of advice about adding garlic to pet's food. It's supposed to do everything from discouraging fleas and ticks to stimulating a weak immune system. Holistic veterinarians, as well as alternatives practices such as Chinese medicine, recommend it. However, this is not a case of "if a little is good, more is better". Even this simple herb can be overdone and used incorrectly.

Recently, the fact that garlic is part of the lily family--as are shallots and onions--caused additional concerns among those who knew that a compound found in onions can cause anemia and possibly death in large enough and/or frequent enough doses. The dose is the key. It has to be quite large to harm a normal animal, or the animal must be eating it in food regularly. (That doesn't mean you should let Rocky have onions once a week when you have roast beef. Anything that is harmful should be avoided.)

But, what about an animal that is elderly or one with an immune system disorder or anemia? Most vets will say not to give it to your animal if any of these conditions are suspected. This is where it becomes important to consult a qualified practitioner. Allergies, for example, are the result of an overactive immune system. So is rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and other immune system disorders.

Stimulating the immune system in humans or animals that have this type of disease can cause a flare-up and create additional problems. In aging animals, it can be difficult to recognize these diseases, just as it can be when they are in the early stages. So err to the side of caution, especially if you are administering herbs without the guidance of your veterinarian.

Many holistic veterinarians recommend adding garlic to homemade pet foods and as a supplement. There are a number of benefits to using this herb correctly. It can aid digestion, stimulate immune functions, eliminate internal and external parasites, and lower cholesterol. I tend to stick to the lowest recommended doses which is only about 1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder three to four times per week. Fresh garlic is less concentrated, but garlic cloves vary in size which means your dose varies too. So chop it up and measure it. I still wouldn't use over 1/8 teaspoon, as recommended above.

Personally, I don't ever give it to cats, but some holistic vets say it is safe in reduced doses. Cats have special problems with these types of herbs and tolerate very little. I wouldn't consider any more than half of the dog dose and give it only two or three days per week at most. If you try it and your cat rejects it, don't insist that your pet eat it. This advice applies to dogs too. Never force your pet to eat food or medicine that it rejects unless you consult your veterinarian and he or she instructs you to do so.

Brewer's yeast is often used in tandem with garlic, and it can also be very useful. However, I recommend adding one supplement at a time and using it for at least a week before adding another. One of my dogs is allergic to brewer's yeast, and it's in an amazing variety of foods and treats. You won't know what's causing a problem if you add multiple supplements or medications all at one time. The same applies to vaccinations.

It takes more time and costs a bit more to implement one thing at a time. Nevertheless, it's worth it because you won't have to try to guess which one caused a reaction if that ever happens. Any type of allergic reaction has the potential to become worse every time a person or animal is exposed to it. It is especially important to add or vaccinations one at a time as pets age. I can tell you from experience that even an animal that has never had a reaction may develop new sensitivities as their body changes.

Finally, take an occasional break from vitamins and supplements. Some experts recommend a week off every month. Others have various preferences. One vet I know recommends only giving our vitamin supplements on weekdays, which give more frequent breaks of shorter duration.

If you wish to read more on this subject, The Nature of Animal Healing, by Dr. Martin Goldstein, is one of the many good reference books available for pet guardians. Another good source of information is the Holistic Healthcare Library at the Only Natural Pet Store. If you have questions or want to find other sources of information, please don't hesitate to drop me an email or respond through the comment feature on this blog.

Now for the legal requirements: I'm not a veterinarian and nothing in this blog is meant to replace the advice of your veterinarian. It is also not to be construed as medical advice for people or animals. My purpose in sharing this information is to help you learn more about this subject. A knowledgeable pet guardian becomes a competent partner with their pet's health care providers.

Bacterial allergies in dogs

The final part of my series on dog allergies covers bacterial allergy, which is an over-reaction of the dog's immune system to normal skin bacteria. A bacterial problem usually appears as a secondary infection following another type of skin infection. The most common organism is Staphylococci, which is not contagious to humans or other pets.
Symptoms are red and ulcerated skin, itchy yellow pustules, turning into dry crusty areas as the problem continues, along with hair loss and odor. It can look very much like ringworm, and usually affects the trunk of the dog, but can appear in any area. A bacterial infection is suspected when antibiotics work for a while, but the symptoms return after the antibiotics are stopped, and can be confirmed with an Intradermal Skin Test.
Treatment requires antibiotics to get the disease under control, and following up with desensitization using killed staph bacteria for long term treatment. Washing the dog with antibacterial shampoo such as benzoyl peroxide, and applying antibiotic ointment to dried skin along with antibiotic pills for 3 to 4 weeks is usually prescribed.

Dog inhalant allergies

Part 4 on dog allergies will cover inhalant allergies, also called atopy and is very common. The same allergens that cause allergies in humans can cause inhaled allergies in dogs. However, while a human will sneeze, cough, and have watery eyes, a dog will usually have itching skin, much the same as a food allergy or flea bite allergy.

Cause and symptoms: common allergens are grass, weed, and tree pollen, fabrics, dander, dust mites, and mold. Seasonal itching for an inhalant allergy usually begins at age 1 to 3 years, whereas a flea bite allergy usually begins at age 3 to 5. The inhalant allergy may start out seasonally, but then as the dog ages it can affect him all year long. Atopy causes itching around the eyes and mouth, armpits, belly, legs, around the anus, and can also cause ear infections.

Treatment: Steroids such as Prednisone are often prescribed to block the allergic reaction. Some allergens are believed to absorb through the skin, so hypoallergenic shampoo can help relieve itching, along with fatty acid supplements. Keeping grass or weeds mowed so that they don't pollinate will help somewhat. If your dog requires more than 2 shots annually, or is taking steroid pills every other day for more than 4 months out of the year, consider alternative treatment. Side affects of prolonged use of Prednisone are:
*excessive appetite, thirst and panting
*immune suppression
*inflammation of the pancreas
*urinary incontinence
Alternative treatments are: antihistamines, Omega 3 fatty acid supplements, and herbal topicals such as calendula, comfrey, and chamomile. Using an air cleaner inside the home may also give relief. I would also suggest feeding only a food that has no chemicals and preservatives, since it could be a food allergy.

How often should your dog be vaccinated?

To vaccinate or not vaccinate your dog--that is the question.

I have always believed that vaccinating my dogs against distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis, leptospirosis, and parainfluenza was important and necessary to protect their good health. However, recently I've begun to question whether or not it is right for my dogs.

Many veterinarians are divided into two groups on this subject. Some still believe dogs should be vaccinated every year for all infectious diseases, whether or not the dog still has immunity and if they have exposure to them. Others believe in a more natural approach, and that vaccinations are actually poisoning the dog and are causing more diseases than they prevent. Most already agree that cats should now only be vaccinated every three years for distemper, and if they have no exposure to feline leukemia, that they not be vaccinated against it because of the number of cats that developed sarcoma (cancerous tumors) at the vaccination site. No such decision has been reached about dogs at this point, although many dogs have developed tumors as well at the vaccination site, and are also showing anaphylaxic reactions to the vaccines. Some have reported dogs becoming aggressive after repeated vaccinations. It's believed that the immune system becomes compromised from exposure to too many viruses and causes an allergic reaction.

One suggestion I've seen is to talk to your veterinarian about running an annual blood test which shows how much immunity your dog still has to these diseases, and therefore helps determine if a booster is needed or not.

I've been on the fence on this issue ever since I heard about the controversy, as I don't want to needlessly expose my dogs to problems from the vaccines, but I want to be sure they're protected. How do you feel about it; have you made any decision as to whether to allow vaccination every year or not?