Dogs…Naturally! is for dog owners, breeders, trainers, health professionals, and anybody who wants to learn about the best in alternative care for their dogs.

The Goals of the new magazine are:

• Promote Natural Rearing of dogs. Natural Rearing includes avoiding vaccinations, kibble diets, chemicals and pesticides in an effort to improve the health and longevity of our dogs
• Promote alternative medicine including homeopathy, traditional chinese medicine, chiropractic, aromatherapy and more
• Promote positive and effective training methods
• Make natural care more accessible by creating a community and forum for pet owners, breeders, veterinarians, trainers, and anybody who loves dogs
• Assist readers in securing natural food, products and services by providing affordable advertising for smaller natural care businesses.

The first issue is currently FREE via digital or pdf download here

http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/index.html

Looks to be a promising new magazine offering resources and education about caring for your pets naturally.

If your dog is apt to running away, be sure to put a sign on the front door reminding visitors to shut the gate and/or close the door securely.

Consider purchasing some really nice chew bones for your dog,  put your dogs crate in a quiet room so if he or she is getting to overwhelmed with visitors and commotion you can let him retire and enjoy  a nice juicy bone in peace.

Keep a close eye on food, especially Christmas Chocolates !

Shadrach the blogging dog wrote a great post last week about holiday safety be sure to check it out !

“December 9, 2009 – Sanger, CA– Pet Carousel has initiated a recall of all Pig Ears and all varieties of Beef Hoof pet treats because the products may be contaminated with Salmonella. The problem was discovered after FDA testing found positive results for Salmonella in pig ears and beef hoof products.

These products were recalled because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.  Salmonella can affect both humans and animals. People handling dry pet food and/or pet treats can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the treats or any surfaces exposed to these products.”

Visit the FDA for a complete product listing

Several other Dog DNA test exist, a few we have previously blogged about,  but the downfall of each one has been there limit of breeds they can detect. This new test claims over 200 breeds which is the highest yet but what I found really interesting is the pre-screen for 14 breed related diseases!  That is amazing, I can’t wait until they release more detailed info about that.  Also, useful for owner’s is the puppy’s adult weight range !  How many times have you met someone who got a mutt puppy who thought it would only be 30 pounds and lo and behold it was over 100 pounds!

And while I am excited about the health screening possibilities of course, I am alittle miffed that a great big thank you to the Canine Health Foundation and AKC breeders of purebred dogs was not included in this press announcement.  It is because of the work and funds from the AKC and Canine Health Foundation that these breed specific diseases have been identified in the first place and the purebred DNA is even available to develop these tests.

So, from me at least…Thank you Canine Health Foundation !

Digest All Plus™ is an “advanced, cutting-edge formula” of broad-range digestive enzymes and probiotics for dogs and cats, consisting of a pure blend of kosher and non-GMO, non-animal-derived enzymes and concentrated probiotics (10 Billion CFU’s/g), according to the manufacturer. With more than 15 different enzymes and probiotics, the supplement also contains patented Peptizyme SP® that “exhibits antibacterial properties.” Manufactured in human, GMP-certified plants in theUSA; it contains no fillers, animal by-products, synthetic ingredients or yeast; available in 4 oz, 8 oz, 1 lb, 2 lb and 4 lb packaging.

The manufacturer Wholistic Pet Organics has a strong reputations for providing super premium products, the company uses strictly human-grade, whole-food certified organic ingredients in its nutrient-rich products.

When selecting a digestive enzyme it is critical that the source and quality of ingredients guide your choice.

Happy Feeding !

When faced with an ill dog or worse yet an emergency, many pet owners are so overwhelmed with concern for their pet they can’t even think of which questions to ask, nor do some of us know what questions to ask.  Navigating through the terminology, tests and results, drug names and not to mention options sometimes presented in 5 minutes or less can leave even the most savvy pet owner dizzy.

As managed care sweeps into the veterinarian industry changing the way veterinarians are paid and the way many are expected to practice a small but growing number of pet owners and veterinarians are beginning to notice what many in the human field of medicine have known for years; Managed care often equates to loss of personalized care.

A recent study found that “One in four (pet owners) felt that vets acted in their pets’ best interests. But 26 percent believed that vets were motivated by their own benefit. About 31 percent (one in three) thought that vets did not have sufficient time to attend the issues correctly. And one in four felt they were forced to go through a variety of often overwhelming exams and procedures at the end of their pets’ lives” .

The above study was a small study but speaks volumes and is most likely an underestimate of how many pet owners feel about the current state of veterinarian medicine.

The answer in human medicine is the Patient Advocate and the answer in vet medicine is the Vet Care Advocate.

Just like a human patient advocate a Vet Care Advocate will collaborate with the general practice veterinarian, pharmacy, specialists, laboratories, facilitate the relationship between individuals and their veterinarian clinic but more specifically your vet care advocate will be specifically focused on your pets case, every aspect and detail of your pet’s history, condition, diagnosis, treatment and plan.

A vet care advocate is similar to a consulting vet but a consulting vet usually only looks at one particular aspect of your pets case where as a vet care advocate is interested in every aspect.  You can utilize a vet care advocate in numerous ways, a total case review or to answer those questions you don’t think of until you leave the clinic, locating the best doctors and specialists to researching treatment options.

Vet Care Advocacy Links:

Whole Pet Mobile

Speaking for Spot

Here in the Northwest we mostly are concerned about fleas on our dogs, although Ticks are present in the Northwest they are not as big a problem for us.

Most of us are aware of topical applications that are applied every 30 days to prevent and treat for fleas.  These topical applications while effective are pesticides and many consumers and veterinarians are concerned about the potential side effects of these products.  Dr. Thomason and Dr. Bloomer warn in their paper Battling Fleas, Ticks and More: “pet owners most often aren’t told about the adverse effects, the neurotoxins within the pesticide products, the cancer causing ingredients (both active and inert), or how they also affect the environment by their traditional health care practitioners. In fact, pet owners are rarely given Full Disclosure and/or Informed Consent regarding these products.”

Previously we blogged about Diatomaceous Earth and it’s ability to help prevent and treat fleas.

Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is USDA approved for use in human food storage and regularly added to grain storage to help control beetles.

DE is commonly used to control fleas and used as a natural wormer by Natural Rearing Breeders. DE is a 100% natural organic pesticide.  DE Food Grade is FDA approved for internal and external use in both dogs and humans.

Instead of applying that topical you might consider a less toxic solution such as DE. 

Previously we blogged about a new company here in Washington called Pure Dog Chow, they offer a great price and high quality DE.  Check out their current special and learn how you can get some free DE!

WSU has just released a test for the genetic mutation associated with the development of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy in boxer dogs.  Boxer owners/breeders can now collect a simple cheek swab for testing.  A test kit is available from the WSU site and costs only $60 !

Dr. Meurs is also hosting a one hour online course “Update on Boxer Cardiomyopathy” on June 10, 2009.

Heart disease is an all too common cause of death in many dogs, Dr. Meur’s research and discoveries will bring us closer to understanding, diagnosing, treating and preventing heart disease!

FDA Approves New Drug to Treat Cushing’s Disease in Dogs

The Food and Drug Administration announced today the approval of Vetoryl (trilostane) Capsules, a new drug for the treatment of pituitary-dependent and adrenal-dependent hyperadrenocorticism, commonly known as Cushing’s disease. Vetoryl, a new molecular entity, is the first drug approved to treat both pituitary- and adrenal-dependent Cushing’s disease in dogs.

Cushing’s disease is a condition that results when the body produces too much cortisol. Cortisol is normally released during times of stress. The level of cortisol produced in dogs with Cushing’s disease is excessive and, if left untreated, becomes incapacitating.

Vetoryl acts to block production of cortisol, produced by the adrenal glands. The disease is a complicated and slowly developing one, and the early signs are not always noticed. Symptoms include increased drinking, increased urination, increased appetite, reduced activity, excessive panting, thin or fragile skin, hair loss, recurrent skin infections, and enlargement of the abdomen.

Safety and effectiveness were supported by two field studies in the United Kingdom (U.K.) and one multi-center field study in the United States (U.S.). Success was measured by improvements in both ACTH stimulation test results and clinical signs (appetite, activity, panting, thirst and urination).

The most comment adverse reactions were vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea, and anorexia.

Vetoryl is manufactured by Penn Pharmaceuticals, Wales and distributed by Dechra Veterinary Products, Overland Park, KS.

For additional information, please see
http://www.fda.gov/cvm/FOI/141-291o120508.pdf and http://www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/cushings051109.html.

Better pick up that poop !  BioPet Vet Lab can now identify your dog by droppings left at the scene ! According to BioPet

“Unfortunately, every neighborhood has to deal with some amount of unscooped dog waste that impacts the health and beauty of the community. Home owner associations (HOA) and others who want to tackle this problem now have a powerful tool at their command – PooPrints™. By preregistering the neighborhood dogs in the DNA World Pet Registry and linking those registrations to their community, unscooped droppings can be matched to the dog that left them. The HOA or apartment management can know which of their home owners failed to pick up after their dogs.”

The company offers a variety of ways that homeowner associations and apartment complexes can institute this DNA program by making every tenets dog be DNA profiled when moving in the complex!

Not sure how I feel about mandatory DNA profiling for this cause, I totally support breeders DNA profiling and microchipping all puppies but pet owners with mandatory DNA profiling to enforce poop ?

Seems a little stinky (no pun intended) and sticky, so what the nosey neighbor that is in every bodies business will now run around with a dna swab sticking it in any poop left on the ground ?

Well honestly, I can think of a few neighbors that I would love to see doing that and I am sure they would too !

I guess time will tell if Home Owner Associations and Apartment Managers decide to take Poop Patrol to a whole new level !

Have a good day and remember to pick up your dog’s poop !