Newsletter Reference by Topic

Inflammatory Bowel Disease, IBD, is a health condition that is very common and continues to raise the most questions on the K9Nutrition Facebook page and in private consults. I have written about this topic before – more than once – and yet it continues to be a plaguing disease among the canine community. IBD generally starts with the dog having diarrhea. Then it occurs more frequently and sometimes with urgency. Occasionally vomiting occurs and eventually weight loss accompanies IBD.

Knowing blood value terms and their significance, when they are elevated or decreased, can be helpful in making treatment decisions for your dog. However, while dog owners are oftentimes given this information from their veterinarian, they are frequently uncertain or confused about what all the different levels mean. This month, we take another look at a few of the most common blood chemistry terms. Blood values and terms can vary by the test or the laboratory producing the results, but for the purpose of this newsletter, we will use the values and terms that are primarily the United States terms and values.

Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. One of the functions of the pancreas is to release enzymes to help digest food. When the pancreas becomes inflamed, it releases enzymes in excess and begins to digest its own tissue. This creates great trauma and pain to the dog. Symptoms of pancreatitis include loss of appetite, vomiting, arching of the back with stomach pain, diarrhea, dehydration, and in some cases jaundice.

I get many questions regarding the best nutrition for dogs as they begin to reach their senior years. Most people want to make sure their companions are comfortable and getting everything they need. So, to answer some of your questions, we’re going to take a look at an overview of…

Animal-based fats are essential for dogs. They are what your dogs need and crave the most! Fats offer a good source of calories and are needed for energy, to absorb fat soluble vitamins (vitamins E, A and D), to protect nerve fibers and to keep dogs warm during the winter months. Additionally, they offer the flavor to the foods your dog loves! Unlike us, dogs do not respond to fats the way our bodies do. They do not get ‘hardenings of the arteries’ and they do not have to worry about cholesterol clogging their arteries. Dogs are carnivores and their systems are uniquely designed to digest and utilize fats.

This month and next, we will be discuss and dispel some of the common myths about feeding dogs and proper nutrition. Many of these myths we will talk about include information that circulates on the Internet and is frequently discussed among dog fanciers when the topic of canine nutrition is discussed.