Veterinarians know far more about nutrition than most doctors. Pets generally don't have health insurance, and it's much cheaper to prevent disease in your pet through good nutrition than it is to treat it with drugs and surgery down the road. Veterinarians both understand good nutrition and preach it to their customers. Veterinarians also understand the direct correlation between the foods a pet eats and the chronic diseases they will exhibit. For example, vets know very well that if you feed your dog leftovers of human food, you will probably end up giving your dog chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes and heart disease.

Now there is an interesting indication. If leftover human food will kill your dog, what's it doing to you and your family? We'll look at that a little bit later, but here's a hint: pet food is actually more nutritionally balanced than human food. And there is a very good reason why, which will be discussed in detail later on.

If you feed your pets lots of white rice for example, you will end up giving them diabetes. In fact, if you're asking a veterinarian who has been practicing for twenty or thirty years, they will tell you that they have recently seen a skyrocketing increase in the number of cases of diabetes in dogs. That's due to changes in the nutritional makeup of cheaper dog food products today that are using a lot of white rice as a filler (because white rice is cheap and makes the dog foods more profitable). But just as in human beings, white rice causes diabetes and obesity because it's a refined carbohydrate offering little more than "empty calories."

When you look at pets, there is a direct relationship between foods and disease that is quite apparent. Part of the reason this is so apparent is because pets age much more quickly than human beings. Of course, we're all familiar with the phrase "dog years" and the idea that dogs age approximately seven times faster than human beings. This allows you to notice the relationship between nutrition and health seven times more quickly in your dogs than you might notice it in yourself or in your family.

In other words, if you start feeding your dog foods and food ingredients that promote disease and cause nutritional deficiencies (i.e. most human food), your dog will start to show symptoms of those deficiencies seven times more quickly than a human being would.

So one of the reasons that human beings don't catch on to the links between nutrition and disease is because it happens so slowly. It can sometimes take years or even decades for a disease to show up that has been caused by a dietary habit. Yet, in animals, you can quickly see this appearing far more quickly.

Now it would be highly unethical to do this, so I'm not suggesting that you do. This is for a mental experiment only. If you were to take two dogs that were genetically very similar (from the same litter, for example), and you brought them into your house from the time they were very young then fed one dog all the processed foods that human beings eat, while feeding the other dog outstanding nutrition from the more expensive dog food formulas, you would see a tremendous difference in the health and lifespan of these two dogs.

The dog fed human food, which would include refined grains, white flour, added sugars, chemical food additives and other toxic ingredients would have a much lower quality of life than the healthy dog. It would also have a shorter life span and sky-high health care costs associated with the treatment of the chronic diseases it would undoubtedly experience.

The healthy dog, on the other hand, would live longer and would be more vibrant, more emotionally stable, have greater lean body mass and lower body fat. It would have a healthier cardiovascular system, healthier teeth and would express a much higher degree of health than the other dog. It would also probably die someday from so-called natural causes, without all the medical costs associated with the unhealthy dog. So once again, I don't recommend doing this (because it would be unethical), but if you were to take two dogs and feed them radically different diets as an experiment, it would be apparent to anyone that nutrition is a powerful influencer of health in mammals.

Whole eggs (raw or cooked) fed daily to pets offer numerous health benefits, according to Dr Ian Billinghurst, Australian veterinary surgeon, author, and long-time advocate of feeding raw whole food to pets.

His claims are supported by local veterinary surgeon Dr Alex Melrose (B.V.Sc., M.R.V.C.S.), who refers to eggs as ‘natural health food for cats and dogs’.

Says Dr Billinghurst (B.V.Sc (Hons), Bsc. Agr, Dip. Ed), “Eggs are an ideal food to feed cats and dogs, being affordable, nutritious, whole foods with the ability to markedly enhance your pet's health.

They are a healthy, natural 'fast food' without additives or preservatives, that have formed part of animals’ diets for years.”

He adds: “An egg a day dropped into the feed bowl is an easy, logical and healthy complement to the artificial diets currently fed to most pets. The simple addition of a whole raw or cooked egg will contribute enormously towards alleviating the numerous degenerative and other diseases caused by modern processed pet foods.”

Eggs add high quality protein - essential for body building and enhanced immune system health, essential fatty acids for immune, hormonal, skin, kidney, heart, liver, reproductive, coat and brain health.

They assist in brain health and hormone building, with phospholipids for the health of every cell in the body, choline for brain and liver health and vitamin A for bone health, immune system and mucous membrane health, among other valuable nutrients.

Eggs also contain vital anti-oxidants, such as lutein and zeaxanthin, which help protect the eye and reduce the effects of aging, which is accelerated by poor modern diets.

These antioxidants play a vital role in reducing the risk of retinal degeneration and cataracts, both of which cause blindness in our older pets.”

Dr. Billinghurst points out that eggs are a vital ingredient and play an essential role in the raw whole food diet he advocates, as outlined in his books 'Give Your Dog a Bone,' 'Grow Your Pups With Bones' and 'The BARF Diet.' (Biologically Approved Raw Food’ or ‘Bones And Raw Food’ – see www.barfworld.com)

Local vet Dr Melrose agrees: “The humble egg should take centre stage in the diet of the modern pet, no matter what else is being fed. This simple, great value but extraordinary whole food can play a leading role as a ‘functional food’ for any modern cat or dog.

Whether fed as part of a natural food diet or added to modern processed foods, an egg a day will help maintain well-being and assist in preventing illness in both cats and dogs.”

It's important to know the signs of healthy behavior and when that behavior changes. The best, most effective way to treat illness and disease in our pets is to catch it as early as possible. So here are some clues to when Fido or Tigger might be feeling a bit under the weather.

Vomiting
Vomiting is a sure sign that all is not well with your pet. While it may be a single, isolated, unexplained event, it may mean a host of far more serious scenarios. Vomiting could indicate a metabolic problem, digestive problem, infection, heartworms, and even cancer.

While this sounds unappetizing, it is important to notice the character of the pet's vomit. Is is yellow, black, red, etc.? Is there undigested food in it? Is it liquid only? All of these answers provide clues for your veterinarian to determine what is going on. Also, how often the pet vomits, and what behavior precedes the vomiting are important.

Diarrhea
Loose stool could just mean that your pet ate a meal that didn't agree with his system. But prolonged diarrhea can create a loss of electrolytes that could lead to other serious problems like diabetes, distemper, pancreatitis, infection, inflammation, or cancer. Although this is really gross, your veterinarian will need to know what the diarrhea looks like. Is is black? Tinged with blood? Is there mucous? These are all important clues.

Change In Appetite
Decreased appetite
When a typically enthusiastic eater doesn't want dinner, then something is definitely up. It could be just a small case of gastritis (tummy ache) or it could mean something much more serious is going on. Call your veterinarian right away and tell her/him about the situation.

Increased appetite
In some cases, a suddenly ravenous pet could mean something is wrong, as well. Particularly with older cats, this is a tell-tale sign. A common disease of geriatric cats is hyperthyroidism, an over-activity of the thyroid gland. A hallmark sign of hyperthyroidism is a cat that eats constantly, but isn't gaining weight or has even lost weight.

Also, a pet that begins to eat weird things could be meaningful. If your dog suddenly starts eating dirt, feces, vegetation, wall plaster, etc., then there may be a nutritional deficit in the animal's diet.

Weight Loss
If your pet seems to have lost a lot of weight (and you don't have him on a diet) then there is cause for concern. You should not be able to see any of the bony protuberances of the spine (back bones), ribs, or hips. This could mean that your pet is "wasting muscle," which is very serious.

Change In "Normal" Activity Level
In this case, it is essential that you know what "normal" is for your pet. Does it meet you at the door every day? Does it play constantly? Does it sleep the day away? Whenever your pet's normal behavior deviates from the usual, that's a big clue that something is going on. A normally active pet that suddenly doesn't want to move, or a normally calm, sedate animal that is suddenly running around frantically is indication that something is wrong.

Clumsy Or Disoriented Behavior
This could mean a neurological disorder, liver disease, problems with sight, or even an ear infection. Other causes may be ingesting poisonous plants, or hazardous chemicals (like antifreeze at this time of year).

In all cases, if you observe anything that is out-of-the-ordinary, of concern, or unusual with your pet, call your veterinarian right away. Do not wait a few days to see if things get better (note that many people wait till it's too late before acting)! Remember, the best chance your pet has for recovery is early diagnosis.

Change In Urination
Frequent Urination
If you dog is asking to go outside a lot more than normal or your cat is using the litter box more often, then something may be going on. Of course, the kidneys may be malfunctioning, but there could be infection or crystals in the bladder. And a hallmark sign of diabetes (just like in people) is frequent urination. Again, the color and character of the urine is important in helping the veterinarian figure out what is wrong.

Straining to Urinate
If you see your pet squatting to urinate, but nothing comes out, run (don't walk) to the nearest veterinary clinic. An animal that cannot void his urine constitutes a medical emergency! This could be due to infection, blockage by urine crystals or other objects (i.e. abnormal growth in the bladder), problems with the prostate, for example. If this blockage is not cleared in a timely manner, the obstruction could be fatal. Do not wait to see if Fido will feel better. Call your veterinarian right away.

Unusual Odour
I know that this will sound impossible to tell, but if your pet's breath is abnormally smelly, there could be something going wrong. Really foul breath could mean tartar on the teeth, gum disease, or even a foreign body lodged in the mouth. Smelly ears could signal infection or infestations. And a metabolic condition called ketoacidosis can produce a "fruity" odor to the breath. Skin infections can also cause a foul odor.

Runny Eyes Or Nose
A runny nose doesn't usually mean your dog has a cold, but it could mean a host of other serious illnesses like respiratory infection, sinus infection, tooth abscess, or cancer. Runny eyes could mean conjunctivitis (inflammation of the eye) or infection.

Hair Loss
Hair loss could mean flea infestation, skin parasites, metabolic disease (like Thyroid disease), nutritional deficiencies, contact with a caustic chemical or even cancer. Less serious reasons for hair loss are late pregnancy, or nursing a litter.

Limping or Sensitivity to touch
Limping could indicate that your pet has stepped on something sharp (that may still be lodged in the foot). It could also indicate arthritis, or other joint malady (like hip dysplasia, torn ligament in the knee, or shoulder). Your pet may have been hit by a car, stepped on, or in a fight. If you are petting your dog or cat and she yelps or turns to nip at you when you touch a particular area, there's a good chance that there is an injury of some kind in that area

5 kg. hamburger meat (the cheapest kind)
1 large box of whole grain cereal
1 large box of oatmeal
1 jar of wheat germ
1 1/4 cups veg. oil
1 /14 cup molasses
10 raw eggs
10 envelopes of unflavored gelatin
pinch of salt

Mix all ingredients together, much like you would a meatloaf. Divide into 10 . Bag and freeezw. Thaw as needed. Serve raw

Vets and breeders say natural preservatives like Vitamin E and rosemary are very healthy ingredients in your dog's diet. But there are lots of things in dog food that aren't good, and can cause health problems which could require a trip to the vet.

"It's real important to read the ingredients in the food, not just whatever's the cheapest. A lot of foods use a lot of corn and soy in them and they may be good carbohydrates, but they're not a lot of value to the dog. You can create a lot of gas in your dog and stuff like that. They're fillers," Hamilton says.

A lot of fillers means the dog has to eat more of the food to get the nutrition they need, which means you use more to feed him. Dogs are meateaters and Hamilton says they should get enough in their food. Keep an eye on the amount of protein and fat too. Hamilton finds 20 percent protein mixed with 15-percent fat makes a good match.

Hamilton has worked with dogs 17 years. He's done a lot of homework on what's best and what's not for man's best friend. "I called around and found out it was one of the best foods in the country. The number one ingredient is fresh chicken meat. (see Farina)

A nutritionally balanced diet gives a dog a healthy, shiny coat and prevents dry skin. But more importantly, giving your dog the right food protects the animal's vital organs. Vets say the cheaper, less nutritional food can cause serious damage to a dog's liver, kidneys and pancreas.

The issue of feeding raw meat as part (or the entirety) of a domestic dog's diet has proven to be very dangerous. What started out as an unresearched and unsubstantiated diet that qualified veterinarians dismissed as a fad, has now become a real threat for the well-meaning dog lovers who are striving to give their dog's the best. Additionally, dogs who are not on a raw meat diet are still at risk because of parasites and bacteria spread through feces at commonly shared parks.

I am often asked if my motivation for speaking out against raw meat diets is driven by a product that I sell. No. I do not sell any products and I highly recommend homemade or supplemented diets.

Veterinarians across the United States have grave concerns about bones and raw food (BARF) in a dog's diet. History and current statistics show us that both wild and domestic dogs that eat BARF can and do become very ill for a number of reasons.

There has been a significant increase in a variety of illnesses due to a raw meat diet. Some dogs become ill right away and others have severe pancreatic, kidney, heart, and brain illnesses due to a long-term raw meat diet. Most dogs that die from a BARF diet do not show signs of illness until a few days before it kills them. This is true with pancreatitis, and with the raw chicken or turkey necks and backs, which injure the stomach and intestines.

Look Before You Leap

Advocates of a BARF diet make a giant leap from a low-quality kibble to raw meat and bones, skipping over a more common-sense solution: a homemade diet with cooked meat. Any initial results they might see with a raw meat diet are a result of an "absence" of one or more ingredients of the kibble - NOT the "presence" of raw meat. I am very much in favor of home-made diets made with cooked meat and grains, raw veggies and fruits, as long as you have researched your dog's current health status and breeding history if possible.

I considered a raw diet for my dog and decided to challenge the idea by thoroughly investigating everyone's claims (on both sides of the fence). It has evolved into an 11 year independent study. The most compelling evidence are the growing number of dogs I have known to actually die from a raw turkey or chicken back/neck tearing apart their stomach. Intestinal parasites from the raw meat causing a slow death or severe illness. Female dogs on a raw meat diet are more commonly dying while giving birth to a litter.

Throughout my research, I have interviewed and collected data from several top veterinary universities and nutrition experts with degrees in science and biology. Not one of these credited experts could honestly say that a raw meat and/or bone diet for domestic dogs was anywhere near the realm of safe. In addition, I have not found a holistic practitioner or raw meat advocate that can provide evidence that raw meat actually benefits the dog. For example, I'm often told "my dog has a beautiful coat". Raw meat is high in fat - this could also be accomplished with olive oil added to their diet, without the risk of illnesses associated with raw meat. New studies are coming out frequently - all opposed to raw meat and bone diets.

A Diet That Kills in the Wild

Advocates of a raw meat diet feel that it's "bringing your dog back to a more natural style of living". None of the people who are promoting a raw meat diet (that I have encountered) have actually had contact with a wild dog. Dr. Billinghurst admittedly has never done any studies on wolves or wild dogs. I have. I have a wolf sanctuary, and the truth is that wild-born wolves taken into captivity are typically malnourished. Most people *assume* that because wild dogs don't have the opportunity to cook their food, that nature has set up the perfect diet for them. This is simply not true. We know from their carcasses that they die of splintered fowl bones and have very bad dentalia (dental problems).

As for the statement that raw meat is a biologically correct food, Humans have survived healthfully on cooked foods for thousands of years. It is more than safe to say that diseases such as Cancer are not caused by cooking your meat.

There are a variety of raw meat menus being offered. You can also find several home-made raw meat diets on websites. It's possible that some of these menus or products are better/safer than others. However, I have been told by experienced veterinarians and nutritionists that they all have in common - they are extremely unbalanced and also put your dog at risk of contracting dangerous bacteria and parasites. This is not my own opinion, but that of the top veterinary universities and true nutritional experts. Anyone to deny there is risk, is fooling themselves!

A PIONEERING treatment has allowed paralysed dogs to regain some movement. The results have raised hopes that the method will work in people too.

So far, nine dogs paralysed in road accidents or by spinal disc injuries have been treated by veterinary surgeons Robin Franklin and Nick Jeffery of the University of Cambridge. Within a month, all regained the ability to make jerky movements in their hind legs, Jeffery told a meeting in Birmingham, UK, this week, although they are only slowly gaining the ability to support their own weight.

Many different approaches to treating spinal injuries are being explored, but promising results in small animals such as rats have often not been repeated in larger animals. That is one of the reasons why the dog results are exciting, says Geoffrey Raisman of the Institute of Neurology at University College London, one of the pioneers of the method used by the Cambridge team.

"I think that these findings in dogs are directly relevant to the human situation," he says. "Of course, we can¹t know for sure without doing the work but it is a very good indicator that we can expect the same effects. We are hoping to start similar trials in humans within a couple of years."

Jeffery agrees the results seen in the nine dogs are encouraging, but says a full recovery may require a combination of methods. "It is exceedingly improbable that one simple intervention alone will permit full recovery of locomotor activity after this type of extremely severe spinal cord injury," he cautions.

His team is one of several studying the use of specialised cells called olfactory ensheathing glia cells. OEG cells, found in the back of the nose, are support cells for the only nerve cells in the central nervous system capable of constant regeneration.

For the Cambridge study, OEG cells were collected by opening the skulls of the dogs. The cells were multiplied in the lab and then injected into the damaged part of the spinal cord.

As well as regaining some movement, the dogs also seemed to recover some sensation below the injury site. Three of the dogs can warn their owners when they have a full bladder, Jeffery says, though they have not regained control. There are no signs that the dogs have regained a proper pain response, but neither do they appear to suffer pain from the severed nerve, a potential side effect of the treatment.

Franklin is looking for an alternative source of OEG cells, as three of the nine dogs have suffered seizures as a result of the surgery. The team has found a form of stem cell in the nasal mucosa that can be turned into OEGs in the lab. These cells can be collected by inserting a simple swab into the nose. The Australian team is using a similar approach.

A trial of another spinal injury treatment in dogs hit the headlines in December. Injections of a chemical called PEG appeared to greatly boost recovery. However, PEG has to be injected within 48 hours of an injury. By contrast, all nine dogs treated at Cambridge had been paralysed for at least three months without showing any sign of recovery.

18/01/2005 - A University of Toronto study involving beagles indicates that cognitive stimulation may boost the effects of an antioxidant-rich diet in combatting the loss of learning ability with advanced aging.

The results of a study of four groups of beagles, each experiencing a different combination of antioxidant supplementation and behavioural enrichment over a two-year period, are published in the January 2005 issue of Neurobiology of Aging.

In October 2003, a separate study conducted at the University of Toronto showed that old dogs that were on diet fortified with antioxidants such as vitamin E, vitamin C, and beta-carotene performed better on a variety of cognitive tests than dogs that were not on the diet.

"Although we found that not all cognitive functions respond to antioxidant treatment, our data suggests that antioxidants play an important role in preventing or slowing age-related cognitive impairments," said Dr Dwight Tapp.

In the latest study, one group of elderly dogs was fed a regular diet combined with regular experience. The second group received a regular diet and enriched experience; the third group an enriched diet and regular experience; and the fourth group both an enriched diet and an enriched experience.

Researchers noticed that the effect of combining the two treatments produced 'statistically-significant' benefits on a dog's ability to learn, compared to administering either treatment on its own.

“We were really surprised just how clear-cut the benefit is of using a combined therapy,” said lead investigator and psychology professor Bill Milgram.

“Since humans and dogs have many biological and behavioral parallels, I predict similar results would be attained in people,” he added.

Like humans, dogs lose some of their ability to learn new information as they get older and suffer from both long-and short-term memory lapses.

What They Are and What They Do

Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate supplements are fast becoming the most widely used supplements in dogs' diets. The reason is this: Arthritis in dogs is one of the most common health problems seen by veterinarians. And quite unfortunately dog owners and veterinarians rarely notice the early warning signs of arthritis in dogs because these animals have the character to ignore soreness and discomfort until the arthritic changes in the joints have progressed significantly. Recent widespread availability of nutraceuticals such as GLUCOSAMINE and CHONDROITIN SULFATE have proven to be significant contributors to easing the discomfort of arthritis in dogs. Plus these substances actually promote healing and tissue repair.

WHAT IS ARTHRITIS?

We do need to get something firmly fixed in our minds, though, before we get into a discussion of supplements and their effects on arthritis in dogs. If any joint in the dog's body (and this is true in humans as well) has significant structural changes from normal, no amount of consumed nutrients in any form will correct that structural damage. If there are calcium deposits, scar tissue, cartilage tears and dissolution, contour changes to the bones at the joint surfaces from long term abnormal forces being applied... these abnormalities will remain present and will continue to affect the animal regardless of nutritional intake. Supplements to the dog's diet such as Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate, Omega Fatty Acids, Vitamin E, Selenium, and MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) all assist in decreasing inflammation and improving the body's ability to repair and strengthen tissues. Supplements will not reverse structural changes in a joint such as torn cartilage, calcium deposits and advanced scar tissue. The best you can expect from an arthritic joint when providing supplements such as Glucosamine and Chondroitin is a decrease in pain sensation, an improved resistance to additional joint tissue breakdown, and rejuvenation (improved health) of some soft tissues.