Veterinarians go to vet school because they love animals and want to learn how to prevent, diagnose and treat disease, as well as how handle trauma and cure illness. However, somewhere along the way, some vets get co-opted into becoming purveyors of pet food, which they sell out of their medical clinics. How did vets get caught up in selling pet food? How did these doctors become promoters of what to feed pets?

Nutrition is not a topic that is given much time in veterinary school, any more than in human medical training. There simply is not enough time to incorporate it into the vast and complex amounts of knowledge and training that doctors (both animal and human) need to learn to prevent or treat illness. Those studying to become human doctors or future veterinarians may get no more than a handful of hours over a period of years.

In veterinary school, students draw their information and their philosophies about pet food based on textbooks, which often contain facts and studies underwritten by large pet food companies. The positive outcomes of studies of their own foods and formulas (which may or may not be reviewed by other scientists) can give veterinarians encouragement to recommend these foods to clients. In addition, at every veterinary college I visited I saw truckloads of dog and cat food that had been delivered as gifts by numerous pet food companies for the use of students and professors. Free food might influence a student’s attitude towards that product, especially if they were struggling to pay for many costly years of veterinary education.

Out in the world of practicing veterinarians, many of the commercial pet food companies also give veterinary clinics a monopoly on selling certain formulations of those foods, which is a financial boost as it covers some of the operating overhead of a vet office. All of this makes for not much independent thinking about pet food on the part of vets: it brings to mind the phrase “don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.” I am not alone in believing this is an explanation why veterinarians may not question the ingredients or even the reliability of the science behind the formulations.

It should be obvious that the best food comes from the best quality ingredients — yet a great number of pet foods sold from vet offices contain an overwhelming number of the ingredients identified by The Whole Dog Journal and www.DogFoodAdvisor.com to be red flags of poor quality formulas. In my own experience, my veterinarians have not actually read the ingredient list on the foods they sell — instead they rely on the company’s claims that the foods are “complete and balanced,” which they may literally be, without being genuinely nutritious.

There is a worrisome similarity in the “missing piece” of nutritional education in the medical training for both human and animal doctors since we know that “you are what you eat” and good health begins with a good diet — while poor dietary habits can lead to illness. A documentary movie like Super Size Me proves this all too clearly for human eating habits. However, a significant difference between animal and human patients is that people would not think of asking their own doctors what they or their children should eat at every meal for every day for the rest of their lives! Yet pet parents ask their vets that question all the time and put an unfair burden on a veterinarian who may believe s/he should have that answer. Any veterinarian (or doctor for people) who is personally interested in the relationship between wellness and food needs to pursue it on his/her own and “connect the dots” using common sense that applies to their own individual needs. We each have to take responsibility to choose food for ourselves and our families that is made in the best possible way — which in the human or animal food aisles means reading labels and making wise and healthy choices.

I say let’s allow veterinarians to express their love and wisdom about animal health and illness by doing what they are trained to do, which is to be medical caregivers. And let’s inform ourselves about nutrition so that we can make the best decisions for our pet food ourselves — as we do for the rest of our family.

–Tracie Hotchner

No matter how much you wash them, some plastic bowls will always retain odors. Plastic can also harbor bacteria, which then can irritate the cat’s chin. The best way to feed a cat wet food is to give up the idea of a bowl entirely and serve meals on a nice saucer so that your kitty cat doesn’t have to press her face down into a bowl of food, which can often cause blackheads on her chin.

And here are some of the really good suggestions from readers:

1) We use a new paper plate every feeding and then throw it away. Keeps the kitty happy and healthy.

2) After reading this tip plastic bowls are going to be a thing of the past for Smudge. He will now be eating his wet food from a nice ceramic saucer. I can reuse those plastic bowls underneath small plants if I put holes in the bottom for drainage.

3) I took your advice about the bowls, and this past summer picked up some fine china saucers at a yard sale. My cats love the fine china, and they do not have to put their face in a bowl. The dishes are great when heating food in the microwave, and I can put them in the dishwasher and have them sterilized.

4) I use ceramic and china saucers and bowls for wet food, steel for outside water and ceramic and glass for inside water dishes. No paper plates or plastic used! I wash their dishes with warm soapy water and rinse well. I buy most of their dishes at the thrift store, so no big deal if the dishes break. I keep a separate scrubbie in the sink for them and separate dishtowel. It costs a few extra minutes a day, but they are so well worth it!

5) I discovered it’s true that plastic bowls are not good for cats because it creates an infection right below their mouth: I found this was the problem on three of my (24 rescued!) Persians and when I switched to ceramic dishes the infection cleared up quickly. I love my ‘kids’ (all 24 of them!) and everyone should take this seriously. Goodwill and Salvation Army and other second-hand stores have ceramic and glass dishes very inexpensively.

One of our cats, a 2 year old neutered male named Pumpkin (picture attached), has not been eating well the past few days. He’s one of three cats (two boys and one girl, all siblings) who each eat a normal 5.5 oz can of wet cat food (Friskies) twice a day — totaling 6 cans/day– and the only one not eating the food. We have a variety of flavors so I thought it was a specific one and changed which one he was eating. Still not interested… Would try to take some bites but then walk away. His urine and fecal movements are okay and we do have water down for them, too. Out of frustration and desperation to get him to eat, I cooked up some ground beef and he’s had about 1 C worth over the past 24 hours. Also ate a vienna sausage (I use those to give my12 year old dog a daily pill — gave him one without a pill obviously), and some baked ham so I know he’s hungry. Turned up his nose to some turkey gravy (also opened up a can of this out of desperation), but I’ll try him on some chicken tomorrow — still frozen.

Fur feels kind of oily like it gets when they are sick but not overly oily — he’s normally a very soft (almost angora like his sister) and fluffy kitty. I had been adding in the oil of one fish oil capsule to the boys’ food as they were having a bad time with flea dermatitis (their sister doesn’t like the fish oil at all) so I’ve stopped that for the meantime. He’s really not changed behaviors, just a little sluggish at times. Just gave him some more hamburger and he’s happy — I’m just glad he’s eating! What else should I give him besides chicken? He’s the known butter thief in the family too — but I’ve had it locked up and he can’t get to it (room temperature butter for spreading on toast — locked it in the cabinet above the toaster).

I’ve also attached two pictures of plants I’ve recently brought into the house when these freezing temperatures descended upon us last week. Nearly killed my huge Aloe plant and HUGE Macho fern (forgot them on the front porch — we use the carport for going in and out), two bridal veil plants (dark green pots), and my jasmine plant which I had in the back yard in full sun. Not sure if he’s chewed any of those — though the aloe is suspect as it was weeping for a bit when it thawed out (and STUNK! I need to trim the bad leaves off now), and he did play a bit with the macho fern (likes to play hide and seek under it). I do know someone or all three of them have been munching on my artificial Christmas tree as I’ve seen urps with that stuff in it on the floor. Nothing like more cleaning of carpets…

We have recently changed (in Nov) all of their flea meds from Frontline to Advantage and I’ve seen such a DIFFERENCE in their skin. They’re not breaking out anymore! We’ve been vacuuming (which the vet’s tech — their daughter — said activates the hatching of the eggs with the vibrations) every other day and cleaning the carpets with HOT water every two weeks to keep on top of it. The cats are indoors only but we have the large dog (1/2 Boxer- 1/4 German Shepard 1/4 Labrador Retriever) and our daughter’s year old Australian Terrier who do go in and out. We do try to remember to spray the yard during the spring and summer but it’s been a very tough season here in the south for fleas.

I do wish we could afford the Weruva and Vectra for the cats and dogs but we also have a horse (5 year old American Quarter Horse, sorrel/chestnut, named Buster) so our pennies are stretched out very thin for animal upkeep, and my husband will be retiring from the Army this next year. I don’t work, do homeschool our youngest daughter, and we have a wedding for our eldest daughter next year to pay for in October. Her dog and horse will go with her too–so then I could possibly afford the Vectra. which I’d like to invest in as we live in a very sandy soil area (“sand hills” of North Carolina). I’ve also looked into the cost of making our own cat food and have found the supplements I’ll need online — just need to buy a meat grinder and find who has the best prices for the meat. That will be a gradual transition, too. Until then, bonuses of homemade meat balls once in a while are given to all of them (they like them raw and I don’t add anything to them).

There were a couple of things I told Dee when she called into CAT CHAT® that night (she doesn’t have SiriusXM satellite radio but I told her anyone can call the toll free number 866-675-6675 between 8-9 PM EST any Wednesday night!) First, I think something is definitely up with Pumpkin — his greasy fur and change in appetite is a big tip off so I think a vet visit is need for a physical exam and blood work. Secondly, while I understand financial constraints, the science behind Frontline is 17 years old so it is markedly less effective than Vectra, which has been formulated and newly developed with the newest technology and research. Also, Frontline is now sold over the counter and on websites and there is no quality control and no way of knowing you are getting a genuine product (there are a lot of websites selling fake product), even if it is less effective than Vectra! (many people find it stops working after about 2 weeks so they put on another application which is really unsafe and unhealthy since it is a 30-day product, even if it does not work effectively for that long). The really awesome Christmas Stocking Stuffer news is that Dee is going to get some complimentary Vectra for her kitties from Dr. Elizabeth Hodgkins (the Official vet of CAT CHAT® who is now the head of Vectra’s Veterinary Services — congratulations Elizabeth!) One reason why is that Dee knows about Vectra from me, would want to choose it over any other brand, and has budgetary concerns right now — we know she’ll one day be able to be a loyal and satisfied Vectra customer for her dog and kitty cats!

Lastly, if she wants to make food at home it needs to be chicken-based and the grinder she gets must be capable of grinding whole chickens, bones and all, with added organ meat. Beyond that, she is going to need to supplement with Platinum Performance for a fully balanced meal (taurine, etc.) and overall health benefits (Dr. Elizabeth and many vets I know suggest all their dogs and cats are on Platinum daily, as are my dogs and mini-donkey and my husband and I!) so there are monetary considerations in all this, too!

Here were Dr. Elizabeth’s comments on Pumpkin:

The Friskies is not a bad alternative to dry food if the owner can’t upgrade to whole chicken or similar. The Platinum only costs 5 cents/day/cat so that really shouldn’t be an issue. Unfortunately, I doubt that cold weather is affecting this cat’s appetite. Hot weather can, but generally cats will eat more during cold weather. She doesn’t say how old this kitty is but I suspect there is something medical going on and if it persists, she will have to take him to be examined as it may be serious and it will be cheaper and easier to deal with the earlier she acts. The change in the fur is also troublesome so I think unless he snaps out of this soon, a vet visit is in order.

Here is a comment about Pumpkin from Dr Donna Spector, DOG TALK® and CAT CHAT® Official Second Opinion Vet (www.SPECTORDVM.com):

While the decreased appetite does happen to some cats… I wouldn’t necessarily want to just chalk it up to that. I took a look at the picture and he is looking a little greasy/unkempt. Being a young cat… they can get into a lot of things… sometimes GI foreign bodies look like this, pancreatitis, dietary indiscretion, etc. These are the questions I would ask of a client: with the holidays… do they have tinsel up or other decorations that he might have nibbled on? Does he have access to the tree / tree water? I once had a 3 year old cat who ate so many pine needles from the Christmas tree he was impacted from the stomach up to his mid-espophagus. No vomiting… just didn’t want to eat. So this isn’t necessarily something like that… but this can be a digestively stressful time of year… any parties? People who fed fatty treats? New treats recently?

I don’t think trying a different brand of food is a bad idea and in the short term (one or two weeks) she can home cook for him… especially if he is sick (like with a pancreatitis, etc) the very best thing would be lean meats she cooks at home. Sounds like he liked the burger she gave him and he actually ate a decent amount. But I think she needs to get the vet sooner rather than later.

Thank you to my wonderful veterinary colleagues who are so swift and generous with their time and knowledge! And wishing good health to Pumpkin, of course.

UPDATE: Pumpkin Pulled Out of It!

I was so happy to get this message back from Dee in North Carolina — who was ready to take Pumpkin to the vet, but was very glad not to have to!

Last night Pumpkin came and slept with us, something he’s not done in a very long time. This morning he ate an entire can of food (gave half with the others at breakfast and then the other half about an hour later), and again this evening he just ate a full dinner without any problem. His fur is feeling and looking almost normal again. Whatever it was it has passed (of course I was praying for him, too . I’ll still continue to monitor him and will call in tonight as promised.

I am so thankful for this gift of Vectra! Honestly it is a true surprise as I was not expecting anything but a suggestion of what to feed Pumpkin, etc. I am truly thankful to both you and Dr. Elizabeth Hodgkins for this unexpected but very welcome gift.

We have two vets we use. One is the vet clinic on the Army base (Fort Bragg) where my husband is stationed and retiring from and they only carry Frontline for the cats. I take the cats there for their annual shots, but we can’t do much beyond regular check ups and minor things there. I can pretty much say it will be a no go for the military to add Vectra to their clinics — they’re extremely tough to get things changed there.

I will look into the Platinum Performance supplement Dr. Elizabeth mentioned, and the fish oil was normal human fish oil by Sundown Naturals (1000 mg). Obviously I have listened to you about fish oil but thought this would be as good as Nordic Naturals and even more obviously now I have a LOT MORE to learn! My cats have been off “kitty crack” since March and I will look more into what would be best for them at the level that I can afford. If it’s staying with Friskies then so be it unless there is something better out there which is better and pretty comparable in price. I can say our cost for cat, dog, and horse food/litter/meds is pretty expensive each month, but I love them all as I do my children. They are my furry children! I’ll be calling in tonight, I promise. Thank you, again, for all of your generosity and helping me get them on the right track.

I replied:

Dear Dee — It was terrific that you called into CAT CHAT® tonight – wonderful to get to know you in person! I have three things to straighten out for you which I didn’t have time for on the air.

1)   The vet on the base is WAY “OFF BASE”! No cats should be getting annual shots of any kind — holistic vets and health-conscious vets of any kind have known for years that yearly vaccinations are unnecessary and possibly harmful. The AVMA (which is the organization all vets belong to) has a stated policy that vaccines should only be given every 3 years (although many of the more educated vets would say that is often overkill for many pets). So you can save some money and definitely some potential harm to your kitties right there!

2)   WERUVA, my favorite cat food, is definitely costly because of the very high quality ingredients it contains, but they also make BFF (Best Feline Friend), a less costly yet high quality cat food. Both these foods and even the Friskies your other kitties eat and many brands both value-priced and premium can be found at my newest sponsor www.PETLFOW.com! With a minimum $60 order you will pay NO SHIPPING even for litter (all the Dr Elsey Precious Cat litters are there and imagine how nice to not have to lug them home but let the UPS man bring them without charge!) Simply put dogtalk (one word) in the code box at checkout and you will not be lugging stuff home from the market anymore! Also, Petflow.com carries the kibble I feed my own dogs — HALO — which I’d love you to try because you can feed less of it because of the high quality of the real meat they use to achieve the protein level. The brand you have been using was recently part of a pet food recall and instead, I’d love to see your dogs getting the highest quality nutrition from a company that does no advertising and instead uses that money for charitable contributions through www.Freekibble.com (you should sign up for their daily quick quizzes — it’s seriously fun and HALO food is donated even if you get the answer wrong!).

3) Other fish oils are definitely NOT like Nordic Naturals — for you, or your pets. There is no comparison between the seriousness with which the Norwegians treat their oceans and responsibly choose the fish they will use for their omega-3 oil — it is a country with a centuries old tradition of making fish oil in a safe, sustainable and healthy way. The oil is filtered with the highest level of care and is third-party tested for purity — one of the worst things you can put in your body or your pet’s body is oil that is tainted with pollutants or has become rancid, both of which would do more harm than good. So please get Nordic Naturals — you can puncture one capsule and squeeze a few drops on the cat’s paw each day to lick off — for the dogs, each pet capsule is dosed for 20 lbs of dog, so feed accordingly. If you are going to make the really good decision to include the anti-inflammatory and overall health benefits of omega-3 fish oil in your diet and that of your pets, an important use of your resources is to make sure you have a really fresh, pure product or it’s better not to do it at all (but I do definitely recommend doing it!)

–Tracie Hotchner

Hi Tracie,

I’m thrilled that the Weruva has resolved Leo’s struvite crystal situation.  However, for the last 3-4 months he has been biting the tip of his tail and chewing on his paws.  The vet thinks he possibly has a food allergy to chicken, and offered steroid shots.  To give Leo some immediate relief the vet gave him one shot.  I do not plan to continue a course of steroids.

I  also switched Leo to a limited ingredient diet on March 14th, feeding him Instinct’s rabbit, venison and lamb.  There is no chicken or chicken liver.  He did really well until last week when he started over-grooming and biting his tail and paws again.

I apply Advantage flea control every three to four weeks. I was hoping the change in diet would help, but he seems to have the same allergy symptoms. I would love your advise on what other things I can do to help him.

Thanks!
Laura K.

Laura -

Here’s what is going on:

Leo needs omega-3 fatty acids in the form of fish oil — Nordic Naturals is my favorite because of its purity and freshness — it comes in pet capsules and you can puncture the capsule and squeeze a few drops on his paws every day for him to enjoy & lick off. These omega-3 oils are anti-inflammatory in general plus they nourish the skin at a cellular level.

You are so right to avoid the steroid shots — it creates a horrible cycle of dependence on them and it solves nothing — only deals with the symptoms and creates problems of its own

Food allergies are extremely rare and vets blame chicken all the time and then give shots — without any proof of why the animal is suffering – it’s ridiculous! I think you may still have fleas — one flea bite can create a terrible itchy reaction and the biting and scratching can cause more irritation.

The product you are using cannot compare to Vectra for cats — it is far superior because it is the newest technology and kills off all 3 life cycles of the flea — which can live in your environment for years unless the life cycle is ended. Plus, it works efficiently for a full 30 days so there is not reason to have a product that you have to reapply too soon because it isn’t working anymore! Please go on my website and see the page about Vectra so you can figure out how to ask your vet to carry it or you can go to your nearest Banfield Vet Clinic which has Vectra made for them under the name First Shield — this product is available only through vets — never online, to protect the quality and safety of the product.

About the crystals — to avoid them forming again you want him to drink as much water as possible — which cats are not inclined to do, especially if getting such good nourishment. So you have to make the water really tasty! In addition to giving my favorite canned cat food, Weruva, I urge you to buy a canister of Ice Pups (just ignore the name!)  from the Honest Kitchen — available online if you don’t have a premium pet store near you. It’s finely ground chicken & herbs which dissolves in water after you stir it around and makes it really delicious. So you can put half a teaspoon in a shallow bowl of half a cup of water and see if you can get him to slurp up some of that, too!

Let me know how everything goes!

–Tracie Hotchner

Tracie,

I was at the seminar today. I was the girl with the 2 German Shepherds on that horrific Hill’s Prescription Diet from the vet. I am sorry I had to leave without speaking to you. I had to get home so my husband could go to work and take care of my 5 year old.

I just wanted to thank you so much for all of the invaluable information, not just for my dogs, but for my cat as well! I had no idea how bad “kitty crack” was. I will be changing her diet and contacting Betsy Pallazzo about my GSD’s as well. I knew that the Hill’s was bad, but I had no idea HOW bad!

Really, I can’t Thank You enough! Not only was today informative but entertaining as well. You are a very intelligent, interesting woman to listen/speak to.

Christine F.

Sorry we didn’t get any personal time afterwards — my heart really goes out to you with the digestive challenges of your guys. And I definitely want to work with you to get their tummies settled down enough to eat some proper food. They are omnivorous carnivores being fed like feed lot chickens or worse! (As you now know for sure) And they deserve a whole lot better than that — which you also definitely know!

I was so grateful & impressed that you actually printed out the ingredients list of what is in that prescription diet your vet has been selling you — damned alarming!

So the first step is to get them on some Digest-All Plus powder. It’s the best digestive enzyme product I’ve found. You can buy it from Wholistic Pet Organics directly at 888-452-7263. Or you can go to SmartpakCanine.com to order it. But be careful: there are SO many other cool things on that website you might be tempted to add to your order since there’s only one low shipping fee for anything you buy! Come to think of it, go on that website for sure because I want to first try to transition them to a quality kibble before we try to get them onto Proportions.

In their case, we are going to do ALL kibble to begin with. Try to get their guts used to a step up, gradually. Check out all the Wellness brands they carry. You can get it as a big bag or as Portion Paks, which come pre-measured and sealed in daily meals and monthly shipments. That keeps it fresher, and makes sure you are using the same and correct amount at each meal. There is a Wellness that only has 5 ingredients I believe: a super hypo-allergenic one — choose that — unless you’ve already tried it, in which case, still try it because now you have the Digest All Plus. Boil up some white rice with a piece of chicken in it (so it tastes good) and add that to the kibble. I am afraid to say “add yogurt.” Let’s start with this but the Digest All Plus is essential. I want to help you through this to get to nutritional wellness on the other side of this nightmare!

–Tracie Hotchner

Diabetes In Dogs: Why They Get It, How To Manage It

Diabetes in dogs is based on a genetic tendency towards developing it — they are almost exclusively Type 1 diabetics and would become diabetic regardless of their diets (unlike cats who become type 2 diabetics from a diet with carbohydrates, or people who can develop type 2 diabetes from obesity).

In Type 1 diabetes, there is a true lack of pancreatic insulin production. Dogs who have a genetic susceptibility to immune destruction of the cells within the pancreas that secrete insulin (or some breeds are just born without the correct number of cells) will progress to a complete lack of insulin. The cells do not just temporarily shut-down — they are just gone. Because of this, dogs who develop diabetes are almost always dependent on insulin and no matter what you do to them, they will always require insulin.

If you feed your dog a high protein/low carb diet, it may help slow the onset of diabetes in a dog destined to get the disease but if you have a dog with the genetic profile to be a Type 1 diabetic it will happen, regardless. It may happen more slowly in a dog on that type of diet, but it will happen.

Every diabetic dog is a bit different and diet will have a lot more impact in some than others. Also the need for weight gain or weight loss factor into this dietary equation for each individual. You want to make sure your vet has checked your dog’s thyroid levels since an imbalance there can also affect the metabolism and cause weight changes.

If you already have a dog who is significantly overweight, then your best bet to achieve weight loss is the same as in any dog: reduce the amount of highly processed carbs which has probably caused the obesity (an all-carb diet with a heavily corn and grain based kibble) and increase the protein to kick start the metabolism into burning that fat. This is the theory behind the Atkins diet and others for people, and the same holds true for dogs: reduce carbs, increase protein, and you will see weight loss.

Once a dog gets diabetes you might mistakenly think that lowering the carbohydrates would be a solution (as it is in people) but in dogs, research has proven that a high fiber diet is the best management tool because it helps to slow glucose absorption from the intestine. This creates a more stable blood sugar throughout the day, making it easier to manage the diabetes successfully. So you want to keep a diabetic dog on a high quality diet and then add a supplemental source of soluble fiber to help best control the blood sugar after eating (technically called the post-prandial glucose level).

The best diet for all diabetic dogs is one that is high in fiber since that is helps to control the fluctuations of the dog’s blood sugar levels. Most commercially available high fiber diets contain high levels of a fiber that is called insoluble fiber (e.g. lignins and cellulose) while a tastier diet with better blood sugar control comes from adding more soluble fiber sources (e.g. gums and pectins) as the main source of fiber in the food.

No matter what fine food you’re feeding your diabetic dog, you will need to add significant amounts of soluble fiber (Metamucil, broccoli, carrots, canned pumpkin, and baked or boiled potato skins, and chick peas).

It is important that people realize that while fiber is technically a carbohydrate, it is a complex carbohydrate and is not digested by the body the same way as a simple carbohydrate, which is why not all carbohydrate foods are bad. The glycemic index/insulin index was created so that people can understand the impact of different types of carbs.

High quality kibble contains 2-3% fiber as insoluble fiber while a diabetic dog should ideally be eating about 8% to 12% fiber, especially of the soluble form of fiber to maximize the glucose lowering effects. But this means you need to add good natural sources of soluble fiber like psyllium husk (aka Metamucil), canned pumpkin and veggies such as carrots and broccoli in any form. Other sources are beans like chickpeas which have tons of fiber and protein and a very low glycemic index — if you mash them there is less possibility for causing gas. If your dog has issues about the stool being too soft you can add insoluble fiber in the form of potato skins (boiled or baked) but not sweet potatoes which are a source of fiber (the average sized potato (75grams) that give 3 grams of fiber but is a high calorie item.

On a gram basis, a high fiber diet is considered about 20 grams of fiber per 400 calories. So you have to figure out what the normal kibble supplies and then supplement. For example, let’s say Kibble X supplies 10 grams of fiber in 300 calories. We have to find a way to supplement an additional 10 grams of fiber in every 100 calories of food. In these instances, you often have to go to a purified form of fiber (like psyllium/ Metamucil) which supplies 3.5 grams of fiber per teaspoon (which is 20 calories). It isn’t a cookbook recipe, it’s different for each dog.

That is the current picture with diabetes in dogs but there are concerns from some experts that we may start to create a new form of Type 2 diabetes in dogs — similar to the situation in cats and people. Dogs are omnivores so metabolically they are able to handle a larger carb load than cats, but high carbohydrate diets are more likely to lead to obesity due to the presence of high glycemic fillers. Over time, dogs who are not genetically predisposed to becoming Type 1 diabetic may indeed develop a Type 2 metabolism from eating these type of foods — so a diet with reduced carbohydrates like Proportions would be a good way to guard against diabetes.

Hi Tracie,

I’m Betty from Waterford with the adopted poodle who is about 11 years old.  Coki has been having a bad time with lethargy and nausea.  I’ve spent the better part of the last two days at the VCA Animal Hospital in Waterford.  Lab work shows that she is positive not for Lyme disease but another parasite caused by tick exposure.  She’s a pretty sick puppy and may still end up in hospital but I’d rather take care of her at home.

My real question for you is what is better than Frontline.  This is obviously a failure of Frontline.  I live near Harkness Park and Waterford Beach so ticks are plentiful.  I, in fact, have just finished the treatment for Lyme disease after being bitten by a deer tick.  A friend just gave me a tag called Shoo which is supposed to be good for tick repellent.  Have you ever heard of it?  I’m a little leery of something that is supposed to be good for 4 months and it’s a tag you put on the dog’s collar.

Any advice you can give me I’d appreciate, and yes I do have The Dog Bible.
Betty

I am SO sorry that Coki has been knocked flat by a tick-borne disease — and so sorry that you, too, got nailed by a tick. As you know, I have been talking about VECTRA 3-D on the air for so long, trying to get people to realize how serious the illnesses are and how important it is to have safe and effective protection. I am surprised you didn’t recall my having spoken of it because had you gotten it on Coki she would very likely not have been bitten and gotten so ill. I have talked so often on Dog Talk® about how the older anti-tick products have become ineffective against the ticks that have adapted to older technology — as you have found yourself with Frontline, which is an older product. There are numerous horrible diseases caused by these parasites, which can be protected against by using Vectra 3-D, but the recommendation is to use it every single month year round.  As soon as Coki is better you need to start her on Vectra 3-D and use it religiously every month, now that she has been weakened by one tick-borne disease already she could become even more seriously ill if another tick were to infect her with a different disease.  I am baffled why the doctors at the VCA hospital didn’t tell you about First Shield, which is made for them by Vectra and is the exact same product, always requiring a veterinarian to dispense it. As for that tag, I have never heard of it but it cannot possibly work as effectively as the full body coverage that Vectra 3-D gives.

As for your copy of The Dog Bible, did I already send you an autographed bookplate for it? I seem to recall having done that.

All paws crossed for a speedy and successful recovery for Coki- and just as soon as the veterinarian says she is ready for it, please start that Vectra 3-D and make it a year round habit.

Tracie

Thank you Tracie.  I did remember you talking about Vectra but I couldn’t remember the name.  On Saturdays when I’m listening to your show I’m usually driving around so I couldn’t write down the name, then there were a couple of family emergencies which took me out of town and, frankly, I forgot about it.  Coki is now doing mush better and I’m hoping to get her back on the medicine soon but will go by the doctor’s order.  I have been impressed with them and their follow through.  The vet called me yesterday just to check and see how she was doing.  They really would have liked me to leave her with them over the weekend but I had to take her home and take care of her myself.  We had a couple of rough days but we made it.  The big concern to me was dehydration on a 17 pound animal.  People don’t seem to realize that animals are a lot like little kids, one minute they are really terribly sick and then suddenly greatly improved, but watch out because they can go back down again really quickly.  If I sound like a nurse it’s because I am.  I’ll ask about the First Shield this morning when we go back to VCA.

Thanks again,
Betty V

Betty replied:

The VCA Hosp here says they are unfamiliar with First Shield so I’ll have to get it elsewhere.  She is doing really well now but had to have a little more subcutaneous fluid again yesterday.  She is finally drinking water instead of the reduced sodium chicken broth so I thing we are close to normalcy if there is any such thing.

So I smacked my forehead and said:

I am such a DOPE — it is the Banfield clinics that carry Vectra as First Shield.

Sorry about that. Use the Internet to find a Banfield clinic near you. What great news about her recovery — rather than chicken broth, I suggest you buy a canister of Ice Pups right away — it is made by the Honest Kitchen and is ground up chicken & herbs that dissolves in water — really great for recovering dogs because they get protein & other nutrition from the fluid. I use it for one of my dogs who doesn’t drink enough water. Go on my website and see the listing of all the East Coast stores that carry The Honest Kitchen products — otherwise go to the link for the company on my website and they will ship directly to you. It’s such a  wonderful and unique product and although it was intended to be made into ice cubes you could give your dog in hot weather, I think it makes a great meal alternative or fluid booster.

Keep up the good work.
Tracie Hotchner

The Dog Bible

Love your show!  My 4 year old portuguese water dog has always had an issue with topical flea solutions. We’ve tried Vectra, Frontline, Advantage etc. over the years. He gets very uncomfortable and itchy after the applications, bites his paws and has little red pustules that break out on his belly everywhere. Last year, we didn’t use any topical flea meds, had no skin issues!  Instead I applied one drop daily of youngs living palo santo oil on the skin near his rump.  Maybe I got lucky or maybe that oil worked!  He goes to doggy daycare three times a week so he’s around other dogs all year long. What do you recommend for dogs who don’t seem to tolerate the topical flea remedies?

Steve B.

Sorry for the delay in answering — I have been swamped. Topicals are the only reliable way to go for full flea control. And I use and highly recommend the newest formulation with a great applicator – Vectra – only sold by vets and super effective. If your own vet does not carry it, you can go to the nearest Banfield clinic where they all have Vectra but it is called First Shield. I got in touch with the doctors there and they said:

“Tell him to ask for Vectra Dog and Puppy, instead of Vectra 3D. He shouldn’t see a reaction. I suspect if he has tried Vectra, he used Vectra 3D which he doesn’t need if fleas are his primary concern. He can use just a small amount the first day, just to see, and then if no reaction, he can put the rest on the next day.”

Hope that helps!

–Tracie Hotchner

Thank you so much for taking the time to deal with my “Vectra” problem. I went to  Banfield’s and purchased a 4 pack today. I find it is much longer lasting than Frontline Plus for ticks and fleas. What a relief to find it available as an ‘over the counter’ purchase, since my Vet did not carry it.  I love the internet, it solves a lot of problems and it found you for me.

Thanks again,
Joan from Ormond Beach, FL

I just heard your show for the first time a few nights ago on Radio 710 WOR, and I Loved it! I was particularly interested when you started talking about dry vs. wet cat food, as I have wondered about this issue for a very long time…  Everywhere I look, I see / hear conflicting opinions, and it seems nobody can seem to agree; the one thing everyone does agree with (especially my VET ) is that my Maine Coon LEO is too fat!

He weighs 17.5 lbs!  After hearing your show and then visiting your website on Saturday 11-7, I decided to put Leo on a wet food only diet. (Leo also has a brother and a sister at home, but they aren’t fat BUT I don’t want them to get that way, so they will be eating wet food only as well)

I know that Maine Coons are supposed to be big boned, long, etc, but they are not supposed to be fat, and Leo definitely has a big belly. While he certainly is big boned, he is also overweight. When you view him from above, he is shaped like a bowling ball! Leo also seems to have some allergy issues: he has tiny little itchy spots on his skin, he sneezes, etc. and I have taken him to the vet several times regarding this, and the Vet definitely feels its allergies. Hopefully, the diet change will help this issue as well.

He is approximately 3 years old. I rescued him from a shelter a year and a half ago… he is a very wonderful, intelligent, sweet and funny boy, and I want him to be with me for a long, long time! Please add him as a contestant in your Fat Cat contest! I look forward to sending you updates on his progress every couple of weeks

At this time, I can’t financially afford Weruva, although it seems like a FANTASTIC product, and I hope to be able to switch them over to it by the middle of 2010 when things improve for me financially. For now, they love Fancy Feast Gourmet.

Thanks!
Connie, Leo’s Mom

Hi Connie! I am so excited to hear from you and see Fat Leo, who will be Slim Leo soon.  His photo is going right up on the website and you are going to get a special coupon for Dr. Elsey’s Precious Cat long haired litter!!

Thanks for joining the contest. It’s just wonderful to learn of your decision to get him off the “Kitty Crack” and save his beautiful life!

Tracie

P.S.
Petco has a food made just for them by Weruva called Soulistic — really high quality, only 89 cents a can — you can use that, too. On Petco.com they give my listeners a discount by putting in MYCATCHAT. Stay in touch with Leo’s progress!