Q: Which food should I be feeding my pets?

A: With literally dozens of brands and hundreds of formulas, how do you know what kind of food is right for your pet? For this article we’ll focus on commercially available diets. When choosing a food, in most cases you get what you pay for. Although premium diets are more expensive per pound, they also contain more nutrients with less filler. Premium diets contain all of the vitamins, minerals, and enzymes that your pet needs to stay healthy. Best of all you don’t have to be a nutritionist to know that what you’re feeding is good for your pet’s health.

It’s been shown that a good quality food combined with optimal weight control improves the quality of life and increases longevity. Specialty pet diets can be formulated for life stages, breed size, dental health, and weight control.  Like human food, commercial pet diets range in quality from that of fast food to whole quality ingredients.

So which diets would we consider to be premium?
Listed in order of combined quality and value: Hill’s Science Diet | Royal Canin | Iams/Eukanuba | Nutro. Diets which are less nutrient dense: Ol’Roy | Attaboy & Attacat | Alpo | MeowMix | During the past few years we’ve seen a flood of new diets with brands like Avoderm and Blue Buffalo. Unfortunately it’s still too early for us to speak to the value of these new diets, but the ingredients appear to be of good quality. No matter which food you choose it’s important not to change formulas too often. Frequent changes, even within the same brand can lead to an upset stomach or fussy eating habits. When changing diets it’s best to do so over a 3-5 day period slowly mixing in the new diet while phasing out the old.

Canned Food: There’s no doubt that most cats and dogs love canned foods. Keep in mind when feeding this type of food, dental plaque will accumulate faster than with dry food. Most canned diets contain 70% or more water and don’t always provide the best value. When feeding canned diets it’s also not uncommon for us to hear that my pet won’t eat their food anymore. Upon further investigation, these situations are usually due to switching wet food brands or substituting wet food for dry. Once your pet discovers they like one food over another, they can be remarkably stubborn holding out for “the good stuff.”

Measuring food and remaining consistent is important for optimal weight control too. Your pet could live an additional 2 years beyond the average life span by staying trim. Most foods will have feeding tables based on optimal weight. Because every pet is different, you may have to adjust the feeding amounts up or down to maintain proper weight control. Beware that some commercial dog treats are beginning to use sugar (which will be listed in the ingredients) to increase their flavor appeal. Feel free to drop by our hospital any time to weigh your pets and pick up a body diagram.

Pet food governing bodies are the USDA and AAFCO.

Written by: Justin Fall, RVT, Practice Manager

Stay tuned for truth in advertising
- How accurate is the information in pet food commercials?

Pet parents have told us that they want to provide their pets with the best care possible. However choosing between the best care and budget concerns is not an easy choice. Now with health plans starting at $29/mo, your pet simply receives the care they need when they need it. Each life stage includes core services such as vaccines and parasite prevention. We then add services designed to optimize health based on age and health status. Other benefits include no charge examinations, and 10% off prescriptions and medical care.

Feel free to call our office at (775) 746-0333 with questions or click the link below for a detailed Q&A.

http://www.cahreno.com/wellnessplans.htm

Submitted by
Brian McLaughlin, DVM

The holidays bring with them several potential dangers for our pets that we all need to be aware of.  The most obvious is food.  While we don’t want Fluffy and Sylvester to be left out, we must be sure they are not indulging in people food.  It may be tempting to give them some of the leftovers, but many of these foods are high in fat.  This high fat content can trigger a dangerous disease called pancreatitis.  Pancreatitis can result in release of digestive enzymes into the abdominal cavity, causing serious damage and possible death.  So, before you sit down to that dinner, feed your pets their normal meal so that they are less likely to be begging and less likely to make you feel guilty.

When you clean up the kitchen, be sure to secure the garbage container to prevent access by your pets.  Most people are aware that bones can cause intestinal perforations and obstructions if swallowed, but just as dangerous are aluminum foil, plastic wraps, or utensils that have the scent of food left on them.  Pets will greedily swallow these items, resulting in serious gastrointestinal problems.

Chocolate is another treat to avoid giving to your pets.  Chocolate contains a toxin called theobromine which can cause hyperexcitability, nervousness, vomiting, diarrhea, cardiac problems, and death.

Christmas decorations create a potential hazard as well.  Tinsel and ribbons are particularly attractive to cats that like to play with them.  If swallowed, these items get snagged in the gastrointestinal tract, creating “linear foreign bodies” that will require surgical intervention for removal.

Lastly, we need to be aware that two favorite types of Christmas foliage, Poinsettia and Mistletoe can be toxic to pets that ingest them.

The holidays are a special time for friends and family.  Don’t forget about you special family members, and please keep their holidays safe and secure.

Again, thank you for all of the compassion and support!

If you know or suspect your pet has been hit by a car, seek veterinary treatment immediately. Many animals are disoriented and painful or bleeding, so the best plan is to wrap them in a blanket and drive them directly to the nearest veterinary hospital to seek immediate attention. Your veterinarian will be able to perform a complete physical examination and detect signs which may indicate internal injury.  Injuries are often confirmed by performing diagnostics such as the following:

The Veterinary Exam may include:

A Complete Blood Count (CBC) and Chemistry Panel to look for signs of infection and organ function and damage to things such as the liver, kidneys or spleen.

A Pulse Ox Monitor may be applied to the animal’s tongue to ensure the body is getting adequate oxygen. Supplemental oxygen may be given to improve this condition.

An ECG or Electrocardiogram a monitoring device that looks at heart function and rate to ensure it is beating correctly and that there is no arrhythmias from the accident that may require immediate medications to prevent heart failure.

Radiographs or X-Rays may be taken of the chest or abdomen (belly) to ensure there are no internal injuries to organs or broken bones. Multiple views are often needed as small fractures can be difficult or impossible to find with one image. As well; multiple radiographs of a painful limb are often taken to asses if there is a fracture and categorize it so that it can be best stabilized and repaired.

Ultrasound Exam of the chest or abdomen are often performed to look for damage to internal organs; such as bleeding from the liver; which will not show up on radiographs. This information may help the veterinarian determine if emergency surgery is required.

Emergency Surgery some pets may need to be taken to surgery immediately as the condition is eminently life threatening. Other conditions that require surgery may be delayed so that the patient can be stabilized first and in better condition to withstand anaesthesia. This may include pain medications, antibiotics, intravenous fluids, oxygen therapy and actively increasing the pet’s body temperature.

Monitoring your pet at home:

After returning from your veterinarians; you should monitor your pet closely for any of the following signs:

1. Difficulty breathing or pain which may be in the form of rapid shallow breathing or deep laboured breathes
2. Bleeding from anywhere on the body (nose, gums, anus)
3. Pale of bluish mucus membranes and gums
4. Disorientation, stumbling or falling over
5. Reluctance or inability to stand and move
6. Vomiting or wretching
7. Not eating, drinking or a change in attitude (quiet/depressed)
8. Dark coloured stools or urine (or blood tinged)
9. A bloated abdomen or belly
10. Other signs your veterinarian may have discussed at your visit.

How to prevent Hit by Car Accidents and your pets

1. Keep your dog on a leash at all times when outside or in a dog approved and fenced park
2. Ensure that your pet’s backyard is securely fenced and  check it regularly
3. Spay and neuter your pet to discourage their desire to wander in search of a mate
4. Keep cats indoors always or especially at night when they are prone to wander
5. Make sure your pet is secure when traveling on foot or by car, ensure they are wearing proper and current identification tags
6. If your dog is riding in the back of a truck, ensure they are wearing a secure fitted harness. Fasten their leash to a center anchor point directly behind the cab.  Also the leash should be long enough for your dog to move around and lay down but short enough so they can not put their front or back legs over the side of the truck bed and fall partially out resulting in choking or worse
7. Ensure that your pet is microchipped so they can be safely returned if they run off after being hit by a car. Pets are fearful and painful and will often run from the scene and their owners.
8. Play an active role in helping  report lost or found pets so they can be returned safely to their owners as soon as possible

Dental disease is not only a problem in the mouth, it affects the health of the entire body.  Bacteria from oral disease travel in the bloodstream to the heart, liver, and kidneys and cause disease there as well.

When first starting your brushing routine, begin with the toothpaste by itself.  Use a pet toothpaste, not a human tooth paste.  A pet will swallow anything you put in its mouth and human toothpaste contains detergents that can upset the stomach if swallowed.  Pet toothpaste is flavored with a taste that your pet will like.  This is half the battle.

When you begin, leave the brush alone for a while.  Place a glob of toothpaste on your finger and gently rub it all around the pet’s mouth.  Do this every day.  This will slowly accustom your pet to having its mouth handled and get them used to the idea.  Be gentle and go slowly.  Don’t scare them and don’t hurt them.  They like the taste and will look forward to this daily event.

After a few days or weeks, try the brush.  Use a brush with soft bristles that will slide underneath the gingival margin.  This is where the nasty plaque lives that causes periodontal disease.  Keep the mouth closed, otherwise you will have a battle on your hands.  Slide the brush in between the lips and the teeth, holding the brush at a 45 degree angle to the gumline and make circular motions all the way back.  Do the same with the lower jaw.

The lower jaw presents a special challenge in the molar region.  Here the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth and the mouth will need to be opened slightly to access this area.  Some people will place a small chew toy in the front of the mouth to hold it open during this part of the procedure.

That’s all there is to it!  Studies have shown that brushing must be done at least every other day to be effective and every day is even better.  It only takes a couple of minutes a day and is well worth the effort.  It’s all in the training.  Once that part is accomplished, it is smooth sailing.  Good luck!

For a video demonstration, go to:  http://www.nevadaveterinarydentistry.com/video_pgs/brushing_vid.htm

There are four factors that contribute to overweight pets:
1: Poor quality or improper diet
2: Overeating
3: Lack of exercise
4: Medical diseases

A veterinarian can determine if your pet’s size, weight and feeding schedules are appropriate by calculating body condition scoring. Body scores range from one to nine, one being extremely thin, and a nine being markedly obese. An ideal score is a four or five. (See Purina Body Condition Score Guidelines for further information).

Just like in humans, there are many health risks associated with obesity. As your pet’s weight increases so does their risk of developing one or more of these serious problems:
Arthritis
Breathing difficulties
Diabetes
Exercise intolerance
Fatty liver
Heart Disease
Ruptured ligaments and soft tissues
Vertebral disc diseases

Overweight pets are also a greater anesthetic and surgical risk, they have less energy and often are not able to groom properly. Weight reduction can be achieved by lowering caloric intake along with correction of concurrent medical conditions. Before starting any new exercise program, your pet should be examined by a veterinarian prior to doing so. There are medical conditions that can cause your pet to be obese and can be ruled out by a blood test and physical exam. Increased exercise is critical, but can be impractical in cats and difficult in dogs due to arthritis and other painful diseases.

For any diet and exercise program to be successful, an owner must be committed to its successful outcome. Veterinary prescription diets are also available to aid in weight reduction. The principle in all therapeutic diets is to reduce caloric density but maintain the right amount of protein, vitamins and minerals. There are number of different formulations that offer a low fat content combined with high levels of indigestible fiber, which rely in part on an earlier feeling of satiety (that feeling of fullness) to limit food intake. As most dogs and cats will eat to meet their daily caloric requirements, calorie restriction remains the gold standard of successful weight loss. Although most cases of obesity can be corrected with proper owner compliance, early pet owner education remains the best preventative measure. Overfeeding puppies and kittens may lead to being overweight later in life. In puppies, overfeeding may also accelerate the growth rate, which in certain breeds may increase any predisposition to certain skeletal and orthopedic diseases. Young pets should be fed an appropriate daily amount of a balanced food with a caloric density that will result in normal growth rates and lean body condition. For most adult pets, avoidance of free choice feeding and poor behavioral habits like allowing them to beg and be rewarded for the behavior. Regular exercise still remains the best approach to the prevention of obesity.

Based on your pet’s age and nutritional needs, your veterinarian can recommend a weight loss program to get your pet back on the right track. With the proper diet and exercise your pet will lose weight. It can be a real challenge to stick to a weight management program but it’s worth it to have a happier, healthier pet, which will benefit you both in the years to come. The plus side of exercising regularly with your pet is that you may see a negative in your scale number as well as your four legged friends.

Dr. Kelly MacLellan, DVM