PET ANEMIA

• Anemia is a condition in which there is an abnormally low red blood cell count. Red blood cells contain a protein molecule called hemoglobin that moves oxygenated blood to all the body’s tissues.
• Anemia has three causes: blood loss, destruction of red blood cells (hemolytic anemia), and insufficient production of red blood cells (aplastic anemia).
• When your pet has insufficient hemoglobin to carry oxygen to the body’s tissues, he experiences oxygen starvation. Symptoms can include weakness, lethargy, elevated heart rate, pale mucous membranes, loss of appetite and rapid breathing.
• Anemia isn’t difficult to diagnose, however, the underlying problem must also be identified and resolved. Treatment for anemia depends on the underlying cause.

This Month’s Real Story: Tiramisu, a Precious Genetic Disaster 

 

By Dr. Becker: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2013/01/25/real-story-tiramisu.aspx

We’re kicking off a brand new year of real stories with Tiramisu, a beautiful tan and white Pekingese patient of mine. Tira was born in a puppy mill in October 2002. And like all puppy mill dogs, she was not bred from a desire to pass on outstanding genetics -- she was bred to make money.
Tira’s human parents had no idea puppies at the pet store they bought her from (and most pet stores) were mill dogs, but thankfully, they were and are 100 percent committed to making their pet’s quality of life the best it can be. So when Tira’s health problems began, her owners were prepared to do all they could to keep her in the best condition possible.

Tira’s Unfortunate Genetics Start Causing Problems Immediately

Tira’s first congenital (from birth) issue to surface was a common one. Her third eyelid prolapsed when she was just a few months old, and unfortunately, the eyelid was removed rather than replaced by her local vet. This meant she would forever have an eye condition known as KCS -- keratoconjunctivitis sicca, or dry eye.
Tira’s second congenital defect was identified in July 2003, when orthopedic surgeons surgically stabilized her left medially luxated shoulder joint (page 1). Both of her shoulders were unstable, making normal walking difficult for her. The surgeons repaired the worst shoulder first, with a plan to address the right shoulder when she could no longer bear any weight.
Then in February 2005 when she was two and a half, Tira developed an intervertebral disc prolapse caused by a congenital deformity in her spinal vertebral bodies. This predisposed her to an acute episode of disc disease, where she became unable to use either of her back legs. She had a myelogram (page 2) that revealed she had disc prolapse at her thoracolumbar junction.
Tira was treated for this condition and did regain use of her rear limbs, but her gait remained abnormal. Unfortunately, It wasn’t long before her fourth congenital deformity showed itself.

A Fourth Congenital Issue Arises

Tira’s seizures started in September 2006, just before her fourth birthday. She had regular episodes of shaking, drooling and loss of coordination through June 2007, when her local vet referred her for additional diagnostic testing.
An abdominal ultrasound revealed a genetic condition known as microhepatica (page 3). It was discovered that her liver was too small for her body, so when the liver could not keep up with its job of filtering metabolic wastes, the toxins crossed her blood-brain barrier and caused seizures.
In addition to this long list of health problems, Tira had been plagued with urinary tract infections most of her life (pages 4 and 5).

My First Visit with Little Tira

I met Tiramisu in May 2008. My heart broke for this little angel.
Tira’s back legs were still uncoordinated from the intervertebral disc disease (IVDD).
Her left shoulder had unaddressed scar tissue from the surgery and her right humerus was still unstable, causing her to spontaneously fall over and be unable to walk.
She had lots of pain and overworked muscles throughout her body from years of holding herself and moving awkwardly in an attempt to compensate for bad shoulders and a bad back.
Tira had disuse atrophy with reduced range of motion in many joints. She had seasonal allergies, was regularly constipated, and needed her anal glands manually expressed on a routine basis. But it was the unregulated seizures that her mom and dad really wanted to address.

Tira’s Healing Protocol

I suggested we start Tira on liver support that assists with detoxification, as her too-small liver was overburdened.
I put her on Alpha-Ketoglutaric Acid. This supplement assists in the removal of ammonia from the central nervous system, which is one of the reasons pets with poor liver size and function have seizures. I also started her on a blend of nutraceuticals called MedCaps DPO that assists with detoxification.
Tira was placed on a novel protein raw food diet, rich in the naturally occurring antioxidants her body desperately needed. Her parents agreed to keep a seizure log and call me immediately if she had another episode.

Addressing Tira’s Musculoskeletal Issues

We also needed to aggressively address Tira’s significant musculoskeletal issues. Because her shoulder joints were deformed, she spent her life shifting weight to her rear limbs and compensating with her mid back.
Surgical stabilization of her left shoulder allowed her to overbear weight on that shoulder, taking the pressure off her right, unstable shoulder joint. Over time, her left shoulder developed arthritis from overuse. This caused her to continue to offload her weight to her rear limbs and compensate through her thoracic spine.
Over time, this stressed her mid spine to the point of crisis, and she damaged intervertebral discs in her back. Because her rear limbs grew weak after this injury, she literally didn’t have a (good) leg to stand on. My goal was to control Tira’s pain, reduce inflammation, and improve stability and proprioception, as well as muscle tone and range of motion.
We started Tira on a rehab protocol of at-home strengthening exercises, regular chiropractic care, water therapy, laser therapy, acupuncture and oral supplementation with natural pain support and chondroprotective agents.

Tackling Tira’s Chronic Constipation and Urinary Tract Infections

With regard to her constipation, my theory was that it was secondary to her back pain. I thought Tira might be choosing not to poop as often as she should because it was too painful to assume the normal position needed to effectively defecate.
My hope was if we could reduce her spinal pain and inflammation, she would poop more regularly and the constipation might resolve. Tira’s owners agreed to administer a stool softener on days she did not poop on her own and begin the back strengthening protocol I suggested.
I noted that most of her urinalyses showed struvite crystals and an elevated urine pH. I believed these issues to be diet related and by balancing her nutritional status, I hoped the crystals and high urine pH – both of which are precursors for recurrent urinary tract infections -- would resolve.

Tira Today

I’m happy to report that Tira responded well to the protocol.
She’s had no more seizures. Her body began responding to the physical rehabilitation, and her quality of life started to improve. Her constipation issues resolved when her back pain was managed and she gained back some core strength.
By March 2009 her Bile Acids (liver function test) were almost normal (page 6). By fall 2009, they were normal (pages 7 and 8), indicating her liver was functioning efficiently despite being too small for her body.
Tira’s urinalysis was also normal; the recurrent urinary issues were resolved with dietary improvement. Her blood work and urine remained normal and balanced as of August 2012 at her last biannual exam.
My staff and I were delighted to be included by her loving family in the celebration of Tiramisu’s 10th birthday this past October. It was gratifying to see that despite having a body far from genetically perfect, Tira is happy, mobile and content thanks to her owners’ consistent attention and commitment to her overall well-being.

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If You Feed Salmon to Your Pet (or Eat It Yourself), Please Read This

 

By Dr. Becker

The week before Christmas, the FDA determined that the first genetically engineered (G.E.) animal – a type of salmon – will have “no significant impact” on the environment, and will be “as safe as food from conventional Atlantic salmon.”
The FDA’s draft environmental assessment will be open for public comment for two months, but according to the New York Times, it seems likely the salmon will be approved in the not-too-distant future. (Interestingly, the assessment was completed in early May, but wasn’t released until after the presidential election in November. According to the NYTimes, proponents of the salmon believe the delay was due to fear by the Obama administration that unfavorable consumer reaction could have an impact on the outcome of the election.)

According to the FDA, G.E. Salmon is Safe to Eat and No Risk to the Environment

AquaBounty Technologies is the company that developed the product, called the AquAdvantage salmon. They have been trying to get FDA approval of the salmon for around 15 years.
According to the NYTimes, the AquAdvantage salmon “… is an Atlantic salmon that contains a growth hormone gene from the Chinook salmon and a genetic switch from the ocean pout, an eel-like creature. The switch keeps the gene on so that the salmon produces growth hormone year round, rather than only during warm weather. The fish reach market weight in about 18 months instead of three years.”
The FDA’s environmental analysis of the G.E. salmon looked at whether the fish could escape, adapt to life in the wild, and have a negative impact on the environment. One concern is whether the much larger AquAdvantage salmon could spell disaster for the wild Atlantic salmon by taking its food and mates.
The FDA concluded the risk of negatively affecting the environment is “extremely remote.” It states the salmon will be raised in inland tanks with little to no means of escape, and in the event of escape, the fish wouldn’t live long due to the warm temperatures and saltiness of nearby bodies of water. The agency also claims the G.E. salmon would be unlikely to reproduce because they would be sterilized, however, according to the Times, the sterilization method is not foolproof.

The FDA believes the salmon would have no effect on endangered species, including wild Atlantic salmon. Apparently the National Marine Fisheries Service and the Fish and Wildlife Service did not take issue with the FDA’s opinion.

Opponents of “Frankenfish” Vehemently Disagree with the FDA’s Assessment

According to the Huffington Post, critics of the genetically engineered salmon, “… worry that it could cause human allergies and the eventual decimation of the natural salmon population if it escapes and breeds in the wild.”
Opponents think the FDA should compile a more comprehensive environmental impact statement. They feel not enough samples were studied to conclude that the fish would be safe to eat.
Others opposed to the breeding of engineered animals believe it’s an issue of ethics.

“The G.E. salmon has no socially redeeming value,” Andrew Kimbrell, executive director of the Center for Food Safety (CFS), a Washington advocacy group opposed to farm biotechnology, said in a statement. “It’s bad for the consumer, bad for the salmon industry and bad for the environment. F.D.A.’s decision is premature and misguided.”

In a December 21st press release, the CFS blasted the FDA:

“The FDA decision ignores calls from more than forty members of the U.S. Congress who have repeatedly urged FDA to conduct more rigorous review of environmental and health safety, and halt any approval process until concerns over risks, transparency and oversight have been fully satisfied. The public filed nearly 400,000 comments demanding FDA reject this application. Additionally, more than 300 environmental, consumer, health and animal welfare organizations, salmon and fishing groups and associations, food companies, chefs and restaurants filed joint statements with FDA opposing approval.”

You can learn more details about the potential risks of genetically engineered salmon at the Ocean Conservancy, the “Stop GE Fish” page at the Center for Food Safety, and by reading Dr. Mercola’s excellent article, Act Now to Stop Genetically Engineered Fish from Receiving Approval.

Feeding Salmon to Your Pet

As some of you may be aware, I don’t recommend feeding a lot of fish-based commercial pet foods to your dog or cat. I explain why in this article.
But since fish are a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential to your pet's well-being, if you do want to supplement your pet's diet with fish, I suggest you go with sardines packed in water. Sardines don't live long enough to store toxins in their bodies, and they're an excellent source of omega-3s.

I have also always recommended feeding wild caught salmon in rotation with other proteins, however, should G.E. salmon be given the green light, I’ll have to revisit my position on this subject. It’s entirely possible we won’t be able to tell by reading labels whether we’re serving our pets (or ourselves) real salmon or “frankenfish.”
If you choose not to feed any fish to your dog or cat, I certainly recommend you supplement your pet's diet with krill oil or another omega-3 fatty acid.

6 Mobile Apps for Dog Training

Having a happy well-trained dog is a must for any dog owner. If you a mobile device, such as asmartphone or tablet, you can train your dog even while on the go. To help train your dog to be best, here are 6 mobile apps for dog training:Read on...

RAW MEAT DIET FOR DOGS AND CATS

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=G3wLTlqnMMg

Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a parasite

http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/videos.aspx

By Dr. Becker

Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a parasite, Toxoplasma gondii or T. gondii, that lives inside cells.

Studies show that about 30 percent of U.S. cats and dogs have been exposed to the T. gondii parasite, as well as 25 to 50 percent of Americans. Animals and people living in rural areas are more likely to be exposed to toxoplasma. However, infection and clinical disease is actually quite rare.

Disease Transmission

Cats are the primary hosts for toxoplasma. The parasite completes its life cycle in a kitty’s gastrointestinal tract and winds up back in the environment in feces.

But cats are only one source of several avenues of infection. In fact, owning a cat is not a common way to acquire toxoplasmosis. In the U.S., the parasite is most often transmitted to humans through raw or undercooked meat, unwashed fruits and vegetables, and contaminated water or soil.

Animals become infected in one of three ways:

• By eating contaminated meat
• By ingesting contaminated feces or water
• Through congenital infection across the placenta, meaning the babies pick up the infection from an infected mother in utero

Most cats are infected congenitally across the placenta or by nursing. Many of these kittens are stillborn or die shortly after birth. Those that do survive may have inflammation of the brain, liver, or lungs.

Toxoplasmosis infections in adult cats are rare. They are usually seen in kitties never exposed to T. gondii, those who sustain an overwhelming exposure to the parasite, or kitties who are immunosuppressed due to another infection or medication.

Symptoms of Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis can either be acute or chronic. The acute form usually comes with symptoms, but often the chronic form is a low-grade disease that is asymptomatic.

More cats than dogs show symptoms of infection. And although any dog can be infected by the parasite, it’s usually seen in young dogs with immature or compromised immune systems.

Symptoms of toxoplasmosis can include neurologic symptoms (including seizures, tremors, depression, lethargy, muscle weakness, loss of coordination, and paralysis), shortness of breath, fever, weight loss, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice (yellowing of the skin), inflammation of the tonsils, and inflammation of the retina, iris or cornea.

Diagnosis and Treatment

The best way to diagnose toxoplasmosis is to measure the existence of antibodies to the organism with the toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibody test.

Other diagnostic tests your vet may run include a complete blood count, a chemistry panel, urinalysis, fecal analysis, an eye exam, an ELISA test, chest X-rays, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, and analysis of chest or abdominal fluid.

Traditional treatments for toxoplasmosis include antibiotics, anticonvulsants (if there are seizures), supportive care of any organ systems that have been damaged, and for the debilitated patient, IV fluids.

I’ve actually seen only one case of toxoplasmosis in my veterinary career. It was in a dog who ate freshly hunted rabbit meat that had not been frozen before it was offered to the dog. The dog was brought to the emergency veterinary clinic with acute neurologic symptoms.

Fortunately, the diagnosis was made quickly, treatment was started and the dog recovered uneventfully. However, this does point out why I always recommend freezing fresh game before feeding the meat to a pet. Freezing meat for 24 hours kills toxoplasma.

The potential for toxoplasmosis is one reason vets recommend against feeding a raw food diet. However, it’s important to note that as long as the meat has been frozen for at least 24 hours, there’s absolutely no risk of toxoplasma infection.

Pregnancy, Cats and Toxoplasmosis

I’ve had a few pregnant cat owners asking me if they need to get rid of their kitties, because cats are the natural hosts of the T. gondii parasite. The only people who recommend giving up cats to avoid toxoplasmosis either don’t know what they’re talking about or haven’t kept up with the latest information on the subject.

During pregnancy, in-the-know obstetricians will simply recommend pregnant women avoid cleaning the litter box. If you have a dog and a cat, don’t allow the dog access to the litter box, as many dogs like to eat cat feces, potentially increasing the risk of transmission.

Other steps you can take to help reduce infection potential include:

• Cover outdoor sandboxes when not in use to keep kitties from using them as litter boxes.
• Wear gloves when gardening or doing yard work.
• Wear disposable gloves to clean the litter box and also a face mask if you happen to be immunosuppressed.
• Keep the litter box in pristine condition. The longer infected cat poop sits in the litter box, the higher the risk the eggs of the parasite will become infective.