VETERINARY MEDICINE: LIVER TREAT FOR DOGS.

VETERINARY MEDICINE: LIVER TREAT FOR DOGS. Dogs require protein to build the body and repair damaged cells thus they are an essential part of the diet.Protein can be sourced from plants and animals to be incorporated in dog meals. Protein sources that are of animal origin are beef, mutton, chicken,turkey ,liver,gizzard tongue,and eggs,while plant based protein will include beans and soy.The proportion of the protein varies with source and the inclusion in diet will depend on this amount.The use of protein in the body cannot be overemphasized,however the inclusion of this in diet must be proportional to dietary requirement,health status and age of dog. Protein make and repair cells,turn food to energy,create certain enzymes,hormones and antibodies.The metabolism of protein results in amino acids that are needed for proper body functioning and cell function maintenance. Liver is a protein source for dogs can be incorporated in diet at a rate of once or twice a week.Liver provides protein,fat and vitamin A.It is also a source of copper,iron,niacin,phosphorus and zinc. Liver treats are restricted to 1/2 servings per week because its very high in vitamin A,so as not to risk the possibilities of hypervitaminosis . Liver recipes may include boiled,fried,baked or steamed and stewed options.The liver to be used as treats must possess these qualities so that its nutritional value is harnessed.The liver must be clean,with no holes or nodules. It must not be brittle,discolored or have any odor.The liver must not have flukes,or worms and must not be turgid.It must not be filled with blood,jaundiced or doughy. Liver can be a supplement to a meal or as a healthy snack or a main meal.A liver recipe that is quick and easy is the fried liver treat,prepared as follows; 1) Get liver; wash and dice. 2)boil for some 2 minutes,then fry the liver cubes. This can be served with pasta/rice or just serve as liver cuts. The liver can also be boiled until very tender and pounded this can be incorporated in meals or used as stewing delicacy.Liver treats not only serve nutritional benefits but can be used as therapy in anemic patients,where liver extracts are of immense benefits. When next you are having a liver dish, toss fido his share he will love it.

HOME COOKING FOR YOUR DOGS.

Feeding dogs a healthy meal requires that its balanced containing all essential nutrients in the right portion.Dog food must contain carbohydrate,protein,fats/oil,vitamins and minerals and the dog must have access to clean water. The various component of the diet perform various functions that maintain the body functions and assist growth and development.Carbohydrates are energy giving food,needed to provide the body ready source energy needed for daily functions and work of the dogs.The percentage of carbohydrate needed in diet depends on the age of the dog,the function of the dog(working dogs, guard dogs,farm dogs) with the highest quantity in the most tasked dogs. The sources of carbohydrate include rice,pasta. potatoes,bread,yam e.t.c. Protein sources will include meat,fish, meat products ,fish products.These are necessary for building muscle.Fat/oil usually added to diet in forms of oil, fish oil extracts,while the vitamins/minerals are found in vegetables,fruits,supplements and additives. Dog meal can be presented in various forms such as boiling,baked,stewed, a combination of these ingredient at the right amount is key to ensure balanced diet.When dogs are fed properly the tendency of dog eating poop is zero,and the possibility of food poison is prevented because food is served fresh,natural without any artificial preservatives. Dog recipes will include a blend of pasta,diced with carrot/spinach,cooked in fish broth and served with fish/meat.Eggs are also a good source of food for dogs as its a complete meal on its own,so it can be boiled/fried and mixed with rice/pasta.The benefit of home cooking is that you expose your dog to variety and monitor nutrients. Home cooking also has the advantage of utilizing premix,which will impact positively on the health status of the dog. Atovi has been a good source of vitamins and minerals for dogs ensuring growth,large litter size and absence of diseases.

WATERMELON BENEFITS FOR ANIMALS.

Watermelon is a highly nutritious fruit packed with nutrients that help body function properly.It is made up of 92% of water,making it a perfect hydration source when body fluids are depleted.Its juice has a calming effect on blood vessels,thus making it valuable in management of hypertension. 


Potassium is of the minerals found in watermelon,this helps in regulation of water/electrolyte balance making it valuable in control of heart rate and blood pressure.It protects against stroke and coronary heart disease,regulating blood pressure.


 Watermelon contains vitamin C, B ,A, it also contains dietary fiber that is essential for digestive health.The watermelon is a colorful fruit ,adding color to meals,salad or snack bowl,the red pigment is as a result of lycopene which is in high quantity in the fruit.

 Lycopene is an antioxidant responsible for destroying any free radicals in the body which normally damage cells and destroys immune system.These free radicals are cancer causing elements,but lycopene mops them up thus preventing several types of cancer and lycopene helps to fight heart disease

 Watermelon contains flavonoids,carotenoids and tritepenoids which have anti inflammatory and antioxidant properties, this is the reason why watermelon prevent muscle soreness,joint pain and arthritis.The antioxidant property offers protection against colon,prostate,breast,endometrial,lung and pancreatic cancers.

 Watermelon contains citrulline which is an essential amino acid, this is converted to arginine another essential amino acid essentially by the kidneys.Watermelon has natural diuretic properties ,thus helping to maintain kidney health by flushing out of the tubule at regular interval thus preventing urolith formation.  Chicken ,goats and snails can also be fed with watermelon to harness these benefits.

The benefits of watermelon are enormous,and they also offer same benefits to the animal world. Dogs can be fed with watermelon to supplement their meal, or as a snack or treat, you can also use it as a treatment option in cases of kidney problems or weight management in dogs.

 Watermelon given to dogs must be clean,diced/cubed and seedless, and give moderate servings /mealtime. If your dog is eating poop; supplement with watermelon and you will be amazed at the result.

VETERINARY MEDICINE: Why your dog is eating poop.

VETERINARY MEDICINE: Why your dog is eating poop. Dogs are energetic and always on the move,looking at stuff,digging,running around and all other stuff.Most dog owners can tolerate the fast paced life of these hairy creatures but detests the poop eating habit,yes habit! can be corrected. VETERINARY MEDICINE: Why your dog is eating poop.Dogs eat poop for various reasons such as 1) nutritional deficiencies. 2) social behavior. 3) Restlessness/boredom .4) environment .5)starvation. The poop eating habit of dogs though disgusting , may be a signal to the owner that the diet is not complete/balanced,the management techniques are wrong and house training is inadequate. Dog food must be a balanced ration of carbohydrate,protein,fats/oil with minerals and vitamins,hence dogs on incomplete rations are deficient in certain elements needed for growth and proper body functioning and maintenance of body systems.The dog will try to makeup for the inadequacy by eating up the poop with the intention of getting more nutrients. Dog training should include house training, dogs should have a schedule when they are taken out to poop and where the training is excellent ,dogs are prevented from eating poop.Dogs that are kept tied up for long periods without any supervision,can also resort to poop eating when hungry or out of sheer boredom. VETERINARY MEDICINE: Why your dog is eating poop. The environment also plays a role in the poop eating behavior; rural dwellers in certain countries encourage their dogs to eat poop, when humans poop they give it to their dogs,some others even allow the dog lick the bum of the child to clean it.Dogs living in such environment eating poop is normal,and since dogs learn by observation it spreads to the pack they run with and they also pass the habit down to their pups as the bitch normally eats poop of her pups to keep the kennel clean. Social behavior also contribute to dog eating poop, dogs in a pack that eats poop will also assume its normal and will follow suit while dogs running with another pack that eats poop will also pick up the habit. Dogs that are starved, or given small rations at longer intervals tend to look for alternate sources of food,this dog eating poop is not limited to their own but to poop of other animals.Dogs pick up certain habits out of boredom ; poop eating can also fall in this category. The prevention of this habit will depend on the underlining cause,and if this is corrected ,the dog will stop eating poop.

MEAT AND HUMAN HEALTH.

Human health is impacted by various factors hinged on animal health. It has been discovered that 60% of diseases in humans are caused by pathogens of animal origin,hence animal health is really human health. 

The various animal pathogen can affect man through consumption of their products and byproducts,hence proper handling,processing and packaging are very essential. Food handling plays a vital role in food safety and every protocol to ensure that meat is wholesome and fit for human consumption must be put in place.

The health status of the animals from the farm to slaughter is very important and must be addressed.Adequate inspection of carcasses in abattoirs is key to meat safety and consumption of wholesome meat and meat products . 

 Meat presented for sale must be clean,odorless,with no swellings/pus exuding.Meat must be hygienically processed and packaged before being adjudged wholesome and fit for human consumption. 

These pictures show diseased animal organs that should never be consumed,but condemned and discarded. MEAT AND HUMAN HEALTH.

AGRIBUSINESS: FOOD SAFETY IN THE MEAT INDUSTRY..

             FOOD SAFETY IN THE MEAT INDUSTRY.

.Food safety is of paramount importance in meat industry;handling,processing,packaging and storage are hazard analysis critical points(HACCP).Food safety deals with protocol/procedure that are employed to prevent food borne illness,which are usually fatal.

                   FOOD SAFETY IN THE MEAT INDUSTRY. 

 Food safety in meat industry actually begins on the farm where these animals are raised; the feeding,medication and management practice play vital roles in the quality of meat that is processed and sold.

The animals are fed on balanced rations,given required vaccination and medication.The animals are not raised on growth promoters or other hormones that impact human health,and all drugs administered must have been completely expelled from system before slaughter.

 FOOD SAFETY IN THE MEAT INDUSTRY. The animals presented for slaughter must be healthy,and certified fit by veterinarian at antemortem inspection.Sick,debilitated and pregnant animals are not to be slaughtered.

 The animals are to be slaughtered in a clean facility with clean water source,the food processors must be well equipped to prevent transfer of microorganism to the carcass.Water plays a vital role in the abattoir because its the medium used to clean the carcasses,floors,drains and working area.The carcass is duly inspected and diseased parts are condemned,or in some cases the entire carcass is condemned.

 Hand washing is very important; hands should be washed at intervals during processing to prevent food borne illness.Food can easily be contaminated during transportation and storage,hence proper cooling vans must be used in transporting meat,and these must be stored at right temperature to prevent growth of bacteria.


 Meat presented for sale must have following qualities;1) clean. 2) have no odor/foul smell. 3) have no lumps,pustules or swellings . 4) must not have holes/tunnel with flukes ,5)must not discharge any fluid/pus 6) must no give off any color-tinged fluid when pressed 7) must maintain original color. 

When meat is processed  it must be done at proper temperature,exposure of meat to environmental elements such as dust,flies, and excessive exposure to sun affect the quality of meat with resultant impact on human health.

  When next you are in the meat market , check it out properly before you buy.

FOOD SAFETY.

Food safety refers to methods,procedures and protocols that are practiced in food industry.These procedures/protocol are put in place during processing, packaging and transportation. Food safety is very important to human health because it prevents food-borne diseases that could be fatal.Food safety prevents hazards in food that cause injury,illness and sometimes death.These hazards could be physical,biological or chemical in nature , found in food and drinks, have varying impacts on human health.The susceptibility of individuals to these hazards vary with children being major subjects followed by elderly older than 65, then pregnant women and lastly immune compromised individuals. The physical hazard include stones,broken glass,plastic cuts,jewelry,rings,pieces of fabric(shredding table cloth ) and boards e.t.c.The hazard usually occur during processing,packing and storage.The food processors are usually the major cause of these form of hazard; the work unit,tools and personal hygiene have all being pinned as sources of food hazard. Chemical hazard include poisonous substances,chemicals ,soaps,detergents or cleaning liquids that are spilled during food processing.Pesticides,rodenticides and paints have also being fingered as hazard in food industry. Biological hazards are microorganism ,which include bacteria,viruses and parasites.The parasites are usually tiny worms in beef,pork and fish; these parasites are usually found in contaminated water,used in processing.Bacteria grow in food under certain conditions such as low temperatures,fecal contamination,or cross contamination which result in food spoilage and food borne illness.These bacteria contaminate food during processing handling and storage. Viruses in food usually contaminate food during processing ,these are usually from food processors that are coughing,sneezing,and picking nose.These can be prevented by maintaining high level of hygiene by food processors. Food borne illness can be prevented by implementing the following ;1) high standard of personal hygiene. 2)temperature control. 3) preventing of cross contamination between various food items. 4)cleaning of utensils,working area and cutting boards. 5) proper packaging and storage. Personal hygiene will include washing hands before handling meat,after using toilet and after handling various raw food.The food processor must not wear jewelry and accessories that can easily drop off during production, nails must be cut short and clean,hair must be covered and neat clean clothing must be worn. The processor must wear clean overall,gloves and clean working shoes.The health status of food processors play a vital role in the level of safety of the food ,hence processors that are ill, coughing,sneezing, vomiting or have diarrhea should not handle food.Food operators must undergo regular checkup to ascertain health status,any case tuberculosis,hepatitis,HIV/AIDS should be reported. Hand washing plays an important role in food safety and the benefits cannot be overemphasized; hand washing removes microorganisms and should be done throughout the day.