Can You Guess the First 5 Ingredients in This Popular Veterinary Diet?

November 30, 2012

By Dr. Becker

It was just a matter of time before manufacturers of “therapeutic” pet foods realized they were leaving money on the table by not offering a veterinary diet for healthy pets.

These companies have been primarily involved in producing formulas to “treat” specific health conditions in dogs and cats – everything from obesity to kidney failure to old age. Of course, many of these health conditions were created or exacerbated by low quality pet food in the first place – pet food made by the same companies who also produce therapeutic formulas. Read on...

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7 Popular Excuses Vets Get From Pet Owners

By Dr. Patty Khuly | April 18, 2

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You may be surprised (or not) to hear how often pet owners make excuses for their pets — and themselves. Here are seven of my favorites.

1. She’s Not Fat!

It’s just fur. She’s a solid dog. The breed is supposed to look that way. Her coat just makes it look like she’s carrying a few extra pounds. She’s big boned and beefy by nature. She just ate and always looks bloated afterward.
None of these excuses tends to work on me. Sorry. Still, if you want to euphemize by calling her Rubenesque, that’s OK with me. But let’s be clear on what shape of woman Rubens was extra fond of.Read on...

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By Karen Shaw Becker, DVM

Contrary to popular belief, not all dietary fats cause obesity in your pet. Just as in humans, the “good” fats (omega-3 fats) enhance energy production in your dog or cat, so they actually create less fat.
Because most pets consume an abundance of high carbohydrate, empty calorie dry foods (kibble), the pet obesity issue is quickly rivaling the human obesity epidemic.
A great example is Donnie, a 7-year old mixed breed, neutered male dog. Judging from his physical features we guessed Donnie was a yellow lab/German shepherd mix.
Donnie arrived at my hospital exhibiting classic omega-3 deficiency symptoms. He had tested positive for Demodex mange (a non-contagious skin mite that proliferates on immunosuppressed animals). Fifty percent of his hair was missing and the exposed skin was scabby from scratching. Both ears were infected, and he was not just over weight; he was over-fat and under-muscled.
Donnie was brought to me as a last resort. After his owners had rescued him from a shelter, they were told to consider euthanasia as his skin issues were “uncontrollable” and  his immune system was clearly imbalanced .  My goal was to provide this dog some immediate relief, as well as address his nutritional deficiencies. 
I weaned Donnie onto a new, species-appropriate diet, instituted regular baths and ear cleanings, and provided an abundance of antioxidants and healthy omega-3  fats. After three months, not only was Donnie free from Demodex, he had regrown healthy new hair and had lost over 10 pounds of fat.
The owners were very pleased with his progress, but Donnie was the happiest of all -- itch free, with a shiny coat, and agile in his new, rebalanced body.
And as you might have guessed, omega-6 and omega-3 fats are as vital to your pet’s health as they are to yours. These fatty acids are crucial for many of your pet’s most important tissues and organs -- everything from reproduction to a healthy skin and coat.
There is also mounting evidence that essential fats play a significant role in your pet’s ability to fight off most all illness and disease.
This is the most common nutritional deficiency I see in my practice.
The symptoms I encounter on a daily basis include cats with dry skin and chronic oral inflammation, and dogs with recurrent skin and ear infections. 
Fortunately, this is an easily remedied situation.Read on...