Posh ‘natural’ pet food recalled as cats and their owners develop bovine tuberculosis.

Posh ‘natural’ pet food recalled as cats and their owners develop bovine tuberculosis.Fifty pedigree animals on a pricy gourmet diet have been taken ill and at least one has died, with two people also infected..A luxury cat food designed for pedigree pets has triggered an outbreak of a deadly strain of tuberculosis that has infected 50 cats and at least two of their owners. The “natural cat” wild venison cat food has been subjected to a nationwide recall by Natural Instinct, the company which sold it to thousands of cat owners as a healthier alternative to mass-produced pet food. It follows research by veterinary scientists at Edinburgh University who investigated why 50 cats in 30 homes around Britain had developed bovine tuberculosis (bTB). Almost all the cats were expensive pedigrees whose owners kept them indoors, meaning they had no contact with livestock or wild animals which can carry such infections. The one thing all the cats had in common was that they were fed Natural Instinct’s raw wild venison cat food which costs about £4.50 for two daily portions, compared with under 20p for a typical dried cat food. Bovine TB is related to human TB and is now so common in UK cattle that strains are infecting wildlife such as badgers, foxes and deer. Danielle Gunn-Moore, professor of feline medicine at Edinburgh University, who co-authored the research, said: “Raw meat diets could be good for cats, in theory, but there is a clear risk of infection so checks are vital. It’s not just bTB — there’s also a risk of toxoplasmosis, salmonella and other pathogens.”She and her colleagues gathered reports of bovine TB in cats in 30 households around the UK. The team had to test 90 felines and refer 100 people for tests. Two people have been found to be infected but more could emerge.

VETERINARY MEDICINE: Joint Supplements for Dogs.

 Managing canine orthopedic disease with joint supplements will help your dog live comfortably.Phytotherapy (“plant medicine”) is as old as humankind.

Turmeric is a powerful spice and has recently received a great deal of attention in human medicine. It is considered a strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. Fish oil Fish oil are an excellent source of fatty acids, which are critical for canine health dogs cannot synthesize enough of their own, so fatty acids must be supplemented through diet. Deficiencies can lead to coat, skin, joint, and reproductive problems.

The common supplement is the cod liver oil however,this can be sourced naturally by feeding dogs with fish rich in omega 3 such as the mackerel. 

 Coconut oil. 
The benefits of coconut oil are enormous and have found usefulness in both animals and man. Coconut oil also contains lauric acid, a saturated fatty acid that is converted in the body to monolaurin, a monoglyceride compound with numerous beneficial properties, such as anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, anti-fungal and anti-protozoal.

VETERINARY MEDICINE: Soaking Dry Dog food.

VETERINARY MEDICINE: Soaking Dry Dog food. If you've ever soaked your dog's food, you're aware of how much dry dog food expands when immersed in water. It's a little horrifying, actually, to realize how much more space a certain amount of food will require in a dog's stomach and gut once the dog's digestive juices hydrate the individual kibbles. It nearly doubles in volume. The kibbles are like little sponges - some more than others. Soaking dry dog food by adding water will definitely increase the palatability of dry food for some dogs,help digestibility and prevents bloat.It is very important not to let moisten food stand for long hours at room temperature to prevent bacterial growth . While most people soak the dry food with water,others use bone broth and many others use milk,just to ensure gut health of their pets. According to MastiffLover "I've been soaking my dogs kibble for about 45 years now. When I was a little girl my parents best friends lost their dog to bloat and I remember them saying their vet told them that it was probably because they weren't soaking her food and that she would always drink a bunch of water after eating." Jenny does these to her dogs kibble "If you give it enough 'soaking' time it will increase about four-fold :-(I no longer fed my dogs 'bowls' of dry food -- moistened of not. I prefer to feed hard biscuits -- large enough that they cannot be swallowed whole. I cannot understand WHY pet food manufacturers do not market their dry food as biscuit rather than pelletized bits. Adapted from whole dog journal.

Veterinary Medicine: Xerostomia in dogs.

Veterinary Medicine: Xerostomia in dogs. Xerostomia is also referred to as dry mouth,a condition that occurs when the dog stops producing saliva. Drooling shows that your dog is producing saliva ,this helps to wash over the teeth,helps moisten food during eating and keeps the oral cavity clean. Xerostomia in dogs is not painful but it can affect swallowing of food,results in dry sticky gums and bad breath. The common causes of xerostomia in dogs are 1) Dehydration. 2)Nerve damage. 3)Drug interactions. 4) Cancer treatment. Treatment is based on solving the underlying issues,but the dog is encouraged to drink more water to prevent dehydration.

THE BENEFITS OF YOGURT IN DOGS.

 THE BENEFITS OF YOGURT IN DOGS.

The Benefits of Yogurt for Dogs.Did you know that there is a natural option that can improve almost immediately your dog’s digestive system and in a healthy way?

 It is called Yogurt! Yogurt, what is it? Yogurt  derived when milk is fermented by a bacteria called Lactobacillus Acidophilus that produce lactic acid.

This bacteria, considered one of the “good ones,” it helps in the lactose digestion process and collaborates to keep the natural balance of the internal bacteria culture found in the digestive system as part of the native intestinal flora (Gut Flora).

 Yogurt is one of the best natural calcium sources that help control or prevent gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea, constipation, irritable bowel movement and yeast infection.

 Yogurt also promotes the production of niacin and folic acid these are essential nutrients especially during pregnancy.

   The benefits of yoghurt for dogs:

1)The immune system is improved and enhanced.

 2)Gut flora balance/ control and digestion improvement of the lactose.

 3)Cholesterol, it helps to control and reduce high levels of total cholesterol.

 4)Prevents yeast infection,

 5)Good source of animal protein that helps to build muscle

. 6)Provides a healthy dose of Potassium that is essential  to maintain muscles and nerves  and to regulate fluid levels in your dog’s body.

 7)Its a good source of calcium that helps to develop bone.

VETERINARY MEDICINE: Temperament and Behaviors of Chow Chow Dogs .

VETERINARY MEDICINE: Temperament and Behaviors of Chow Chow Dogs.

The Chow Chow dog has a lion or teddy-bear-like appearance and tends to be quite reserved in nature. This Chow Chow dog temperament can change when the dog is treated in an aggressive manner.

 This dog carries itself with an air of pride and expects to be treated with respect. There is a tendency for Chow Chow dog behaviors to be painted in a negative light, and they have been said to be fierce and vicious dogs, but this type of behavior is only displayed around strangers or with breeds that have not been socialized well or at all. .


  Chow Dog Behaviors Outlined

. 1)Clean and Quiet: The most interesting of the Chow Chow dog behaviors is its tendency to be clean compared to most dogs although it sheds a lot. Its “clean” behavior makes it a great dog to have as a house pet, but its shedding will need getting used to.


 The Chow Chow dog temperament leans towards quietness as this dog usually minds its own business. If you don’t bother it, it will not bother you, unless you come too close for comfort, then you will get a reaction from it. The “clean” behavior of Chow Chow dogs makes them easy to house-train compared to other dogs. Their cleanliness can almost be compared to that of a cat.



 2)Strong Willed: A behavior of Chow Chow dogs that must be managed is the tendency to be strong willed. Unfortunately, this trait does not show up until the dog is much older.

The Chow Chow dog temperament will not allow its owner to beat it into submission, nor does it feel inclined to please its trainer. The personality of the Chow Chow dog is one that runs on respect. If its owner can earn its respect, then it will obey. Consistency in the enforcement of rules, be they house rules or behavior expectations, as well as an understanding of his temperament are bound to bend the will of your Chow Chow.

 Variations in the tone of voice are enough to communicate instructions or wants, never feel tempted to use harsh methods to win his respect.

VETERINARY MEDICINE: Behaviors of Traumatized Dogs and How to Handle them.

VETERINARY MEDICINE: Behaviors of Traumatized Dogs and How to Handle them. Dogs feel happiness, sadness and all different emotions and sensations but triggered in a different way. Dogs response to trauma are all different and will respond to different situations in different ways. For example, some dogs can deal with trauma and seem completely fine, but some can’t, and sometimes with a situation not related to the trauma..the dog “loses it”. Same goes with the severity of the reaction, some dogs are badly affected, others just slightly affected and some dogs do not seem to be affected at all, there is no possible way that we can generalize and say all dogs respond the same. It is sad to say, but not all dogs have a good start in life, and for some, it can be more than simple neglect. It can be an abused dog or mistreated and this can have consequences dog’s behavior, social skills, and the way how interacts with people and other dogs. If you know up front your new pet has a traumatic background, you should make the transition as comfortable as possible. Try to create a routine with simple things like feeding it at the same time every day, giving it space for the most part and, if you have children, make sure they don’t overwhelm the dog… at first can make a big difference. Do the introduction to other pets slowly, not all at once, and if noises seem to upset him/her, keep the volume to a minimum until the dog adjusts. Animals adapt very easily to the external environment, so many will adjust with nothing more than a loving and supportive environment. But if the trauma is severe, it will be better to use the professional intervention of a certified animal behavior that can determine the best method to deal with a specific issue. Tips to deal with Traumatized Dogs. 1) Find a safe place for your dog in your house. A dog crate or his preferred spot for your dog with a dog bed will develop a clear structure of safety. This is the safe place for your dog, do not create a negative experience in that area, for example: don’t take a crate as a punishment to enclose your dog for something wrong that he/she made. 2)Avoid any situation that causes the dog fear A traumatized dog facing a stress situation can feel fear, and the fear is reinforced by the reaction to the trauma exposed, so then the fear to the same recurrent scenario can become stronger and so on. 3)Do not confront its fears or force the dog in any way If you feel you can’t manage how to help your dog the best way is to approach to a professional where he slowly and gradually can be desensitized to its perceived fears. A dog trainer specialized in dog behaviors and fear aggression will be very useful. 4)Have fun with your dog Do as much with your dog that he/she enjoy as possible. Having fun with your dog will help to increase the trust and confidence in you. 5)Never punish a fearful dog Sometimes we can misunderstand that the reaction to a trauma can be just fear and show obedience and behavior issues not listening commands. Remember, a punishment may up the fear for the dog and instead of just looking fearful it may start to react with aggression. 6)Watch your dog’s body language Dog’s body language Always take attention for signs of stress such as leash puller or pusher behavior, slower or faster movement, freezing, lip licking, yawning, etc.