RAW FOR ALL?
EVERY DOG AND CAT SHOULD EAT RAW!
We see websites, Facebook pages, Tweets and even magazine articles every week which say that the only safe and healthy way to feed your pet dog or cat is with a raw diet (also called raw meaty bones, BARF and probably some other things too). But is this really true?
RAW IS WHAT DOGS AND CATS EVOLVED TO EAT!
For cats this is very true. Cats are not fully domesticated and have shared their lives with humans for a much shorter time than dogs. They are obligate carnivores which means they must eat meat to stay healthy. They have a lower tolerance for carbohydrates than dogs and some authors suggest high grain diets could contribute to obesity and diabetes in cats.
Dogs on the other hand…. Although dogs and wolves share most of their DNA dogs are very different from today’s wolves. Over countless generations they have subtly changed to allow themselves to take advantage of living with humans. The ancient wolves who became dogs were the ones who were least fearful of humans, best at communicating with humans, and the best at living off human food scraps. Dogs thrive on a high meat diet, but most can also utilise carbohydrates.
Until very recent times dogs and cats would have been fed mostly leftovers which may have been raw or cooked. First cereal biscuits for adding to meat were developed, then canning allowed the industrial supply of leftovers to dogs and cats. Early pet foods did not take into account the needs of cats and dogs, but modern pet foods claim to be scientifically designed for optimal nutrition. And they probably are…
PROCESSED PET FOODS ARE UNHEALTHY!
We don’t like this sort of sweeping statement because there are so many different commercial wet and dry foods out there. There are concerns that over-processing and superheating could lead to carcinogens being present in the end products. Others have raised concerns about the quality of ingredients or contamination, and others about the safety of food additives. But it is possible to buy foods which are mixed and baked rather than extruded and to buy lightly cooked trays and pouches of food as well as highly processed ones. Some foods contain only ingredients you could find at home and can offer a convenient alternative to DIY raw feeding.
There are no studies comparing health and longevity of raw and commercial kibble fed dogs. Anecdotally many owners report their dogs are healthier and fitter after changing to raw, but some see no change or a worsening in health and many very healthy dogs are fed commercial diets.
Raw diets are not without their risks; bones can get stuck in the mouth or the gut (but raw bones are safer than cooked) and poorly planned diets can lead to nutritional deficiencies.
ALL PETS CAN EAT RAW!
Not all pets can tolerate a raw diet. Old, frail animals will find cooked foods easier to digest and will benefit from warm meals. Animals with weakened immune systems may not be able to cope with any bacteria on raw meat. Some are sick if they eat raw bones and a few won’t even tolerate ground raw bones. For these pets a lightly cooked wet food or a high quality biscuit may be a better choice.
Not all owners can feed raw either. Making raw feeding cost effective takes time, space for a freezer and planning. Pre-prepared raw meals can be bought, but they are quite expensive if you’re feeding a large dog. Owners who may be immunosuppressed should take extra precautions when handling raw meat and ensure their pet is fed in an area that can easily be cleaned but good hygiene is important for any raw feeder.
A few health problems can be controlled with ‘prescription diets’. The same effects can often be obtained from a raw or home cooked diet, but veterinary advice should always be sought before taking a pet off a prescription diet.
SHOULD YOU FEED RAW?
We aren’t going to take a side on that one! Ideally owners wanting to switch to raw feeding should discuss it with a raw friendly vet who will also be able to help them source ingredients and avoid pitfalls. A sympathetic vet will also be able to advice on alternatives for those who can’t raw feed but want to give the best diet they can to their pet.
Stay Cool
HOLISTIC HEATWAVE!
KEEPING YOUR PETS COOL AS THE TEMPERATURE RISES
The unpredictable nature of the British summer can leave pets struggling to cope so, just in case the thermometer hits the promised highs this weekend here are some tips to keep your pets safe and cool.
HOT WEATHER TIPS FOR DOGS
Try to exercise your dog at the cooler times of day. If you have to go for a mid-day walk try to choose a shady walk; perhaps in some woodland.
Test the tarmac with your hand; if it’s too hot to touch it’s too hot for your dog to walk on. Watch out for melted tar that can get stuck in the hair between the pads.
Ensure clean, cool water is always available but don’t offer icy water to a hot dog returning from exercise as this may cause stomach cramps and vomiting.
Make dog ice pops by freezing treats in salt free stock.
An ice pack under the bed or in front of a fan can help keep your dog cool, and special cooling mats are also available.
Everyone knows not to leave their dogs in hot cars, but take car when driving around too; the air con or fans won’t always reach your dog if it is in the boot.
Walks that include a swim in a lake, river or the sea are great hot day options but check there are no risks such as blue-green algae and hidden obstructions before letting your dog dive in. Take fresh water to avoid your dog drinking sea water.
Think twice before clipping your dog! Double coats can actually help insulate your dog against heat. If in doubt consult a groomer.
HOT WEATHER TIPS FOR CATS
Cats are better at coping with heat than dogs, but ensure they have cool, shady places to snooze.
If your cat is a grazer ensure that food left out doesn’t become covered with fly eggs.
Cats with white ears and noses are at risk of skin cancer if they spend too much time in the sun. Use a pet or child sunscreen to protect them.
HOT WEATHER TIPS FOR OUTDOOR RABBITS AND GUINEA PIGS
Again, make sure the hutch and run provide shade.
Ensure water does not run out!
Consider a reflective hutch cover to help keep your pets cool.
Rabbits might enjoy a shallow water tray to paddle in, but guinea pigs generally don’t like getting wet.
HOT WEATHER TIPS FOR INDOOR PETS
Make sure your pets cage is out of direct sunlight and use fans to provide a cooling breeze.
Keep water bottles topped up and offer juicy treats like a little carrot or fresh herbs.
Enjoy this nice weather and stay safe!
DEADLY ICE?
ICE CAUSES FATAL BLOAT IN DOGS!
Really?
INTERNET STORY WARNS “ICE WATER CAUSES DANGEROUS BLOAT IN DOGS”
And yet the ‘hoax slayer’ sites say it’s not true at all. Some days it feel more like we’re the Mythbusters team on TV than a holisitc vet practice, but our mission is to educate so…what is the truth about ice and dogs?
Drinking cold water, iced water or enjoying a frozen treat on a hot day is really unlikely to cause your dog any more harm than an ice lolly or a Pimms over ice will do you. BUT if the dog has just returned from exercise and is hot and tired, or worse on the verge of heat exhaustion then iced water should be avoided. Very cold water hitting the stomach of a very hot dog can cause painful stomach cramps (try it yourself after a run…oh, you don’t fancy it, ok!) but these in themselves are unlikely to cause bloat. It may cause vomiting and this won’t help the dog recover and rehydrate. The bigger risk for bloat is from the dog drinking too quickly and taking large amounts of air into the stomach with the water. Again, not every dog will have a problem, but it could trigger a problem in a bloat prone individual. Feeding too soon before or after exercise are more common triggers for bloat and it can happen spontaneously in some dogs, possibly in response to stress.
SAFE WAYS TO COOL DOWN A HOT DOG
For a normal dog on a hot day just keep the water bowl topped up and in a shady spot. Frozen water bottles in front of fans can provide cheap ‘air con’ to travelling or kenneled dogs. Frozen treats provide great entertainment, especially if it’s too hot for walkies. You can freeze a stuffed Kong, make flavoured ice cubes, freeze carrots or put a whole selection of treats in a big bowl and freeze them (see picture).
For a dog which is very hot after exercise offer small amounts of tepid water at regular intervals until the dog is recovered. Use fans, cooling coats or hosing to reduce the body temperature. Avoid feeding until the dog is fully recovered as he won’t be able to digest food properly. Electrolyte drinks don’t help dogs recover in the same way as they do humans because dogs lose pure water when exercising whereas humans lose lots of salts through sweat. Electrolytes are more useful is a dog has been sick or had diarrhoea.
For dogs which tend to gulp water try a ‘Road Refresher’ bowl. these are non-spill bowls designed for travel but they have also been very effective at altering the way gulpers drink.
ONE DOG OR TWO?
ONE DOG OR TWO?
There are few things that make our vet happier than meeting clients with a new puppy.
There are few things that worry her more than meeting new clients with two new puppies!
We know how it happens…the family visit the breeder to chose their pup…there are two left that they just can’t pick between…and they’ll be great company for each other…and you can train one each…BUT…
TWO’S COMPANY…THREE’S A CROWD
There is no doubt that two puppies will entertain each other while you are busy at work, cooking dinner or rounding up the kids.
Unfortunately this is where problems can start. The pups have so much fun together they don’t need you at all! In order to train a puppy you need to build a bond with it. This is easily done if you are the source of all food, play and cuddles but less so if the puppy can get play and physical contact from another puppy. It’s almost like twins who invent a secret language!
Added to that you’ll have double bills for vaccines, neutering, insurance, training classes, kennels…..
BUT WHAT ABOUT THE PACK?
Dogs aren’t really pack animals. They are social individuals, much like humans and they have evolved to live alongside humans. Dogs have developed body language and vocal gestures which they only use with humans and, unlike most other domestic pets, can get along without doggy companionship as long as they get plenty of stimulation from their humans and get to meet and play with friendly dogs on a regular basis.
All of this said it is wonderful when you do own more than one dog. Our vet Vicky never thought her first dog missed out, until she got a second…and a third! “It’s lovely to watch them play with each other in a different way than they do with me.” But it’s not always easy, “They do need to be separated at mealtimes, especially when they have bones. And sometimes, if they need different exercise levels I can do three or four walks a day!” Vicky recommends waiting until your first puppy is fully trained and mature, or until your rescue dog is totally settled, before looking for a new dog. This could mean leaving 18months to 2 years between puppies or a year between rescue dogs.
Our Vet Vicky is currently working on her level 5 COAPE Diploma in Companion Animal Training and Behaviour to add to the range of services she offers.
PROOF? YOU CAN’T HANDLE THE PROOF!
IS THERE EVIDENCE FOR COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE?
A criticism often made of holistic practitioners is that we have no evidence that our treatments work. The truth is that some complementary therapies have a great deal of high quality scientific data to support their use, alongside anecdotal, historical and case study use.
EVIDENCE FOR ACUPUNCTURE?
When people think of acupuncture they think of an ancient, mystical, eastern therapy with cures disease by the rather strange sounding technique of ‘stimulating the flow of Chi along meridians’. Sounds a bit ‘far out’ doesn’t it…but if you translate ‘chi’ to energy and ‘meridians’ to nerves and blood vessels things sound more normal to our western ears. Studies have shown that needling certain points can alter heart rate and brain activity in areas relating to pain perception (1). Various studies have also looked at the effect of acupuncture on pain scores of human patients with knee pain (2). Blinding and placebo control are really hard in acupuncture trials as it’s difficult to devise a convincing ‘sham’ needling technique which might not have some effects itself. It has also been shown that acupuncture increases blood flow in the skin and muscles (3) which could help with healing in injury cases.
EVIDENCE FOR HERBAL MEDICINE?
Perhaps the most simple proof that herbs can have an effect on the human or animal body is that many plants are poisonous! One doubting pet owner suggested that there was nothing in herbs. Vicky offered him a cup of Foxglove tea and he backtracked a little. But there is a lot more evidence out there on the effects of herbal extracts. Echinacea has been well studied both in clinical situations and at a physiological level, showing not only an effect on the immune system, but the actual part of the immune system being affected (4,5)! Another well studied herb is Milk Thistle with good evidence for its use in protecting the liver from damage (6). Pharmaceutical companies provide an awful lot of information on the effects and safety of herbal medicines as many are being examined for their potential to supply the next wonder-drug. However history has shown that synthetic versions of plant compounds can be more toxic, as well as more effective, than the natural plant extract (7).
EVIDENCE FOR HOMEOPATHY?
At Four Seasons Holistic Veterinary Care we don’t offer homeopathy because, as yet, there is not sufficient scientifically rigorous evidence for how it works, or even that it works. Most published research looks at case studies without adequate blinding or controls, and though there are some promising results at first glance the improvements seen could often be attributed to the disease following it’s natural course (as in ringworm in cattle which usually self cures) or to environmental changes such as the resolution of flooding in a leptospirosis outbreak (8). The challenge for homeopathy is that improvements can be attributed to the ‘method’ (a long consulations examining diet, lifestyle etc and advice on changes which can be made to those) rather than the medicine and this has also been an excuse in the past for the lack of scientific trials. That said, some researchers are looking at homeopathic remedies and methods for testing them in a scientific way which may one day give this are of complementary medicine the evidence base it needs to be taken seriously (9).
ENOUGH EVIDENCE?
For us the biggest driver behind us using a particular therapy is that it has worked on similar patients before and been well tolerated. We never offer miracle cures and we take a truly holistic view of your pets health using modern diagnostic tools and medicines alongside diet, behavioural and lifestyle advice, acupuncture, physical therapies and herbal medicines to improve health. That makes pinpointing the cause of the improvement a bit tricky….but if it works we’re all happy!
REFERENCES:
We don’t normally reference or add links as we want you to stay and enjoy our website but if you want to know where we found our evidence here goes!
1) http://pubs.rsna.org/doi/abs/10.1148/radiology.212.1.r99jl04133
2)http://rheumatology.oxfordjournals.org/content/46/3/384.full?referer=www.clickfind.com.au
3)http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00421-003-0825-3
4)http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00421-003-0825-3
5)http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0166354209003192
6)http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0166354209003192
7)http://www.eao.chups.jussieu.fr/polys/certifopt/saule_coxib/theme/1vane2003.pdf
8)http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1475491610000585
9)http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6882/7/1%20?iframe=true&width=100%&height=100%
ALABAMA ROT RAW FOOD LINK?
IS RAW FOOD THE CAUSE OF ‘ALABAMA ROT’?
Probably not.
A report in the Telegraph has an expert stating that feeding raw meat to dogs could be the cause of the UK outbreak of the cutaneous and renal glomerular vasculopathy syndrome dubbed ‘Alabama Rot’. It is true that the original 1980’s Alabama Rot (AR) had the same symptoms and was linked to poor hygiene around raw meat but the outbreak differed from the UK one in several respects. The original AR outbreaks were confined to racing greyhounds; UK cases have been seen in all ages and breeds of dogs. The original AR cases were fed raw meat in kennels; some of the UK cases have never been fed raw meat. E. coli was isolated from dogs suffering from the original AR outbreak; despite looking E. coli has not been found in the UK cases. In addition the UK cases seem geographically linked to woodland and have occurred in the winter-spring period for the last two years, seeming to no occur in the summer or autumn. This pattern rather rules out a raw meat diet as the source of the disease in our opinion.
SO WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF UK ‘ALABAMA ROT’?
We still don’t know the cause despite extensive testing of affected dogs. Woodland seems key, and maybe damp conditions. The cause could be an E. coli strain which is hard to isolate but an environmental source (broken drains, flooded out animal dens, dead animals) seems more likely than the diet.
HOW TO AVOID UK ‘ALABAMA ROT’?
At the moment there is no sure fire way to avoid your dog becoming ill with this syndrome. Hopefully with warmer, drier weather the number of cases will decline, as happened in 2013. Check if there have been cases locally, or where you are holidaying and check your dog daily for the skin erosions on the legs and face which can be the early symptoms. If you see unusual skin lesions, especially if you have walked where cases have been reported, seek veterinary attention as soon as possible. Expect the vet to take blood samples and to repeat them in a week even if they are normal to begin with.
In one case a number of dogs belonging to the same owner died, but one survived. The surviving dog had been washed off after exercise. No-one knows if this made the difference or not, but hosing dogs off after woodland walks could be a sensible precaution.
If you raw feed we don’t think there is any reason to stop doing so at the moment, but we always recommend good food hygiene standards are observed. You shouldn’t feed your dog meat that you wouldn’t be happy to cook up and eat yourself (from a food safety point of view, we accept most people don’t want to eat tripe!). The same goes for prepared wet or dry diets; don’t feed mouldy, stale or off smelling foods.
WEEDS OR WONDER HERBS?
WEEDS OR WONDERHERBS?
Spring has now well and truly sprung and ‘weeds’ are plauging keen gardeners. But many common ‘weeds’ are in fact useful herbs that you can add to your pets diet! Remember this advice is for using small amounts of fresh herb in healthy animals. Do not try and use forgaed herbs to treat your pets medical condition without consulting a trained herbal vet and always pick from places uncontaminated by chemicals or road fumes.
DANDELIONS
Taraxacum officinale is used by veterinary herbalists to treat a wide range of diseases. The leaves have diuretic properties useful in urinary and heart problems. The roots help to cleanse the digestive system and are a tonic for the liver. We would suggest using the leaves only, added to your pets vegetable mix (on a homemade raw diet). The whole leaves are loved by rabbits and guinea pigs and are great for tortoises coming out of hibernation too.
CLEAVERS
Galium aparine (known to children as sticky willies, sweathearts or goosegrass) is another cleansing spring herb. We use it where the lymphatic system isn’t working well, in bladder problems and for dry skin conditions. This herb is best blanched in boiling water before adding to the veg mix because it’s very coarse and hairy! Chickens love this herb too, pick some and watch them go mad for it.
NETTLES
Urtica dioica is the common stinging nettle but it’s young leaves and shoots can be eaten by humans and animals. Although the skin can cause nasty rashes, the herb is great for allergies if taken as a tincture! It is also mineral rich and another gently cleansing herb. If adding this one to your pets diet pick the tips carefully and blanch them before use, like with the cleavers.
BEING GREEN
BEING ‘GREEN’
As a practice which uses herbs to improve animal health and wellbeing it shouldn’t be surprising that we also care about the environment.
We choose herbs from suppliers that grow or gather ethically, and avoid using herbs which are rare and must be collected from the wild. The companies we use also ship their products by sea, rather than air, to reduce their carbon footprint.
RE-USE, RECYCLE
Where safe and possible we re-use bottles and tubs to supply herbs. You may also notice most of the padded envelopes we use are re-used too. This helps reduce waste and costs to our clients.
If you are able to return empty medicine pots and bottles we would be very grateful, if you can’t then please re-use or recycle them yourselves.
WHAT IS A HOLISTIC VET?
WHAT IS A HOLISTIC VET?
This week someone on an internet forum expressed surprise that our vet Vicky Payne was a Holistic vet! Vicky thinks this is because she has written in support of vaccination and against untrained people giving advice on which homepoathic or herbal remedy to buy from the internet.
WHAT IS HOLISTIC VETERINARY CARE?
For us at Four Seasons Holistic Veterinary Care, “Holistic” means using detailed evaluation of a pet’s diet and lifestyle as well as hands on examination and conventional diagnostic tests (sometimes including blood tests or x-rays) to achieve a diagnosis, or in many cases multiple diagnoses.
We then choose from a full range of conventional and complementary therapies to help that pet back to wellness. Therapies we use or advise include dietary changes, behaviour and lifestyle modification, acupuncture, owner performed home physio, herbal medicines and conventional medicines and surgery. In some circumstances we will also refer your pet to local physiotherapists, massage therapists or hydrotherapists for supportive care.
“Holistic” to us also means caring for a pet’s well-being from the planning of a mating, right through to the planning of end of life care and euthanasia. We are happy to advise on health testing for breeding dogs and cats, tools which can help accurately time mating for dogs, rearing and socialisation of puppies and kittens both with the breeder and after sale, as well as advising on appropriate vaccination, worming and flea treatment schedules based on sound science and a consideration of an individual pet’s risk. Many of our patients are in their Autumn years so inevitably we have to help owners with decisions surrounding palliative care, quality of life, the end of life and planning for the future.
Our passion for life-long care is why Vicky chose the name ‘Four Seasons Holistic Veterinary Care’.
WHAT ISN’T HOLISTIC VETERINARY CARE?
We can’t speak for other ‘Holistic’ practices but for us “Holistic” does not mean alternative (diagnosis and treatment must always be done by a vet or under veterinary supervision), homeopathic (though many practices also add this to their treatments offered), anti-vaccination, anti-conventional medicine or assisting in self diagnosis and recommending buying unregulated products.
KENNEL COUGH VACCINE…USEFUL OR WORTHLESS?
KENNEL COUGH A.K.A CANINE INFECTIOUS TRACHEOBRONCHITIS!
Now you see why we call it Kennel Cough!
Once more Vicky our Holistic Vet has spotted articles circulating the internet which may or may not be giving their readers the whole story…this time the headline, “Kennel Cough Vaccine is a Waste of Money!”. So…..ready for a balanced review?
WHAT IS KENNEL COUGH?
Kennel Cough is properly known as Canine Infectious Tracheobronchitis. It is a highly contagious, complex respiratory disease of dogs. In healthy adult dogs it causes an annoying, hacking cough for up to four weeks, but in young puppies and older dogs it can have more serious consequences including pneumonia and death.
It is caused by a bacteria called Bordatella bronchiseptica with one of a number of viruses including Canine Parainfluenza virus, Canine Adenovirus and Canine Herpesvirus.
It is spread by coughing and sneezing but can also remain in the environment for a short time meaning direct dog to dog contact isn’t required.
IS MY DOG AT RISK FROM KENNEL COUGH?
We recommend all puppies and breeding bitches are vaccinated. Puppies have little natural immunity and infection in puppies can cause pneumonia, fading puppy syndrome and death.
We recommend old dogs and those with chronic respiratory diseases are also vaccinated, again because consequences could be severe for these dogs.
Most adult dogs are at risk of contracting Kennel Cough but as the disease is usually more annoying than dangerous in this group some owners choose not to vaccinate. Dogs are at higher risk of contracting kennel cough if they go to kennels, groomers, training classes, shows and competitions or ares used by multiple dogs.
DOES THE VACCINE WORK, AND IS IT SAFE?
It has been suggested that the Kennel Cough vaccine doesn’t work, but that’s not really true. Most vaccines contain modified live Bordatella and Parainfluenza and create good protection against these after 3 days (Bordatella) and 3 weeks (Parainfluenza). As mentioned many other viruses can be involved too so the dog is still at risk from these. Often dogs are not taken for vaccination until an outbreak has started, so may be incubating the disease already. Usually in a Kennel Cough outbreak vaccinated dogs are either fully protected, or get a milder form of the disease to unvaccinated dogs.
The vaccine creates local immunity by being given up the nose so is amongst the safest vaccinations. It can be used for pregnant bitches and pups from 3weeks old!
Reactions are rare but some dogs, especially brachycephalic breeds such as pugs, get a little snotty after vaccination.
The diseases in the vaccine are modified so the vaccinated dog can’t spread disease from the vaccine to other dogs. Cats, unvaccinated dogs and people can suffer mild and transient symptoms but won’t get full blown kennel cough. However dogs which have already had Kennel Cough can shed it for a long time, even for three months after vaccination.
HOW IS KENNEL COUGH TREATED?
If your dog does get Kennel Cough he may need very little treatment; in mild cases use honey to soothe the throat (some human cough medicines can be used too, but consult your vet!). If your dog seems miserable, or won’t eat your vet may prescribe anti-inflammatories. Only the most serious cases need antibiotics. If visiting your vet when you think your dog has Kennel Cough leave it in the car until the vet is ready for you to reduce spread. Kennel Cough also responds really well to herbal medicines (contact us if you would like a bespoke herbal preparation for your dog!).
SO SHOULD MY DOG GET THE KENNEL COUGH VACCINE?
Our best advice is to speak to your vet so you can decide between you the best course of action for your dog.