Ask the Vet

DR. DENEEN FASANO

DOCTOR OF VETERINARY MEDICINE AND HOLISTIC PRACTITIONER

ASK DR. DENEEN

E-mail your questions about Animal health and nutrition to Dr. Deneen and if your question is chosen, she'll answer it here. Email your question to: askthevet@animalinks.com

Q: We feed our Lola a high quality premium pet food. She's a 3 1/2 year old Border collie mix and in good health. Should we be giving her vitamin supplements? Are they really necessary?

-Andrea and Brice-Atlanta, GA

A: Although a good premium food will provide a solid foundation, food alone cannot supply all the nutrients necessary. One reason is the guidelines commercial pet food manufacturers are required to follow are not intended for promoting optimum health, but are only the amounts needed to prevent deficiency in the "average" pet. Additionally, cooking and processing pet food also destroy nutrients, making it more difficult to get even the recommended vitamin levels.

In today's polluted environment, healthy pets need additional nutrients to support their immune systems but without adding calories as our pets' activity levels are decreasing. Supplementing with natural vitamins and minerals offer the same benefits derived from whole foods and help to enable your pet's immune system to function at its fullest potential. I recommend natural nutritional supplements formulated for dogs or cats as part of your healthy pet's wellness program. Ask your vet about what is right for Lola.

Q: Q: My Vet wants to put my dog on an anti-inflammatory drug to treat his arthritis. I've heard that some of the side effects can be serious. Are there alternatives?

-Sherry-Altoona, PA

A: Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate supplements are fast becoming the most widely used natural supplements for arthritis in dogs in place of anti-inflammatory drugs. They have been shown to significantly contribute to easing the discomfort of arthritis without drug induced side effects. Plus these nutraceuticals actually promote some healing and tissue repair

Q: I'm confused. I have a traditional vet for my dog and 2 cats that I have a lot of confidence in, but a friend suggested I try a holistic vet for my dog's food allergies. Now I like the approach of this vet. Should I stop taking my pets to their old vet and only use the new, holistic vet?

-Charlene- Colorado Springs, CO

A. A: Holistic veterinarians undergo the same training as traditional vets, obtain degrees in veterinary medicine and use many of the same techniques and medications that other vets do. However, traditional medicine focuses on treating symptoms through a scientific approach to healing that includes diagnosing through physical examinations, blood testing and x-rays, treating pets with antibiotics and surgery, and preventing disease through vaccinations.

Holistic veterinary medicine emphasizes not only treating symptoms, but treating the whole animal, creating a lifestyle for your pets that is conducive to physical and mental well-being. Holistic veterinarians look at a variety of factors, including nutrition, genetics, environment and the relationship between pets and owners. Treatment options include, acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, herbal medicine, diet, homeopathics, flower essences, vitamins, supplements and many other therapies. In general, holistic veterinary medicine is used for chronic rather than acute conditions. In the case of severe trauma, for instance, your pets will likely benefit most from conventional techniques, which work more quickly than most alternative methods. But for long-term conditions, holistic medicine may provide you with more options to choose from to improve your animals’ health.

For maintaining health and wellness, Complementary Therapies can be used in conjunction with Traditional Medicine. Once a traditional diagnosis is obtained, a patient, whether animal or human, can be treated with a combination of medical therapies to treat the condition, and with supplements to support the body or immune system in order to facilitate healing. With certain diagnoses only natural therapies may be needed. In some cases traditional therapies don’t work or are not enough and Complementary therapies can be added to allow the animal or human patient to heal.

Q: During a recent visit to the vet’s I discovered my 6-year-old collieshepherd mix gained almost 8-lbs. in a year. The year before, he’d gained 4 1/2 –lbs. Of course, both the vet and I want Max to lose weight, but the diet food the vet put him on doesn’t seem to have much nutritional value. What’s the best way to get him to lose weight and staylean and healthy?

-Ron, Asheville, NC

A. Many of the diet foods for pets are dry foods. Dry food tends to be very concentrated in calories. To reduce the calories, some pet food manufacturers add fiber and sometimes even puff the food up with air. The result is a food that is lower in calories but also lower in nutritional value. Dogs’ coats can become dull from lack of fats and vitamins; they will crave food and are always hungry. Many don't even lose weight.

Dogs will lose weight if you eliminate or decrease the amount of dry food that you feed. Homemade food and canned food are high in moisture and high in nutritional value. You can actually feed more and have fewer calories, and the dogs will be more satisfied. You can consult with a holistic veterinarian on how to formulate a balanced homemade diet.

If there is still no weight loss, consider having your pet tested for low thyroid, a common cause of weight gain in dogs.

Q: My husband is a couch potato and he’s turned our Golden Retriever into one, too. Jake was very playful as a puppy, but as he’s gotten older, napping on the sofa with my husband has become his favorite pastime. How can I get Jake to be more active?

-Amy, San Jose, CA

A. Dogs will become sluggish (mentally and physically) and overweight if they are allowed to lounge around for long periods without some form of exercise or activity. I recommend what I call “The Lazy Dog’s Exercise Program” for dogs like Jake.

• Walking: Dogs should be taken for a long walk at least twice a day. How long depends on the breed of the dog. If possible, find a park that permits leashed dogs and carry a clean-up bag. You’ll know when you’ve walked enough because Jake will be tired when he gets home.
• Fetching: In between walks, spend some time playing “Fetch” indoors or out with a toy or ball. Start with short throws. As Jake builds up stamina, increase the length of his run.
• Swimming: If you’re near a pond or lake or have a pool, and Jake likes the water, swimming is another excellent fat burning exercise, even more fun if you jump in with him.
• Horse riding: If you’re a rider, larger breed dogs like Jake will enjoy accompanying you on the trail. Start with shorter rides at a slower pace.
• Cycling: Do not do this exercise if you live in hilly country or an urban area with heavy traffic. Only obedient and well-trained dogs should be exercised while you’ re on a bicycle and only after they’re built up endurance.
• Gym workout: If you’re a city dweller or in bad weather, there are specially designed treadmills for dogs Jake can use at home and even gyms for canines. This is truly the Lazy Dog’ s way to exercise. Many dogs are content to walk on a treadmill while watching their favorite TV programs. Be sure not to set the speed too high.
• Stairs climbing: If you live in a home or duplex with stairs, this can be done year ‘round. Toss a ball or toy to the head of the stairs and have Jake retrieve it and bring it to you at the bottom. For dogs with shorter legs and breeds with hip problems, check with your vet before beginning this exercise.
• Enroll in dog classes: Jake may be more willing to exercise if you add variety and the company of other dogs. Agility dog training classes are good both mentally and physically. If Jake likes to jump, fly ball training may be just the thing!
• Outsourcings: If you can’t do 2 walks a day and your husband won’t get off the couch, hire a professional dog walker. Make sure the dog walker walks dogs of roughly the same size as Jake and not more than 4 or 5 at a time.
• A gradual increase is better than no activities at all. Be patient and have fun. The trick is to be consistent without being so rigid the exercises become more work than workout for both you and Jake.

Q. My dog is a Frisbee addict. After years of competing in tournaments Regis has developed flat feet. He’s miserable without his Frisbee but our vet says if he keeps playing he may have trouble walking in a few years.

-Tanza, Baltimore, MD

A. Dogs walk on their toes, with a spring to their step, supported by the bones, muscles and joint just above the paws. When these weaken, dogs walk with their toes splayed flat, hence “flat feet.” Regis may have been born with this tendency, heightened by his love for Frisbee. Untreated, he may start to limp and find walking painful. In my practice I treat many canine athletes with a regimen of Veterinary Spinal Manipulative Therapy, Acupuncture and Tui-na (Chinese Massage) on their legs, ankle joints, pads and toes. Regis may also benefit tremendously from custom made leg braces that support his weakened joints and muscles and can help build them back up again. Regis should wear his braces when he competes or plays Frisbee for fun and for several hours a day as well. How long he needs them will depend on his progress, although many canine athletes wear them indefinitely.