I recently spoke with my mother-in-law about one of her cats who is not eating well and losing weight and so my thoughts today are to write about feeding our cat companions. There is an ideal approach to cat nutrition, however, there is also a very important exception to this ideal approach.
I have written about and spoken to many clients about our purring feline companions being "obligate carnivores." In other words, they are creatures designed and obligated to eat meat. A feline in the wild will have little, if any, direct ingestion of plant material. The analogy I often use is that of a cat living in a corn field. If there are no mice, voles, birds or other small prey to eat the cat would not turn to eat an ear of corn to survive. The cat would starve to death without meat. A cat's anatomy and physiology is designed to consume a diet rich in protein and fat with little to no carbohydrates (grain).
The teeth of a cat are sharp and designed to puncture and cut through meat and to do very little chewing. In fact, a cat's jaw can only move up and down and has no ability to make a lateral chewing motion. Dry food is typically swallowed whole and so the notion that dry food has dental benefits is a myth. Cats also have a relatively short small intestine and stomach designed for digesting small, protein rich meals.
Evolution of the cat has enhanced and eliminated certain biochemical functions because they are meat eaters. For example, a dog can convert the carotenes found in fruits and vegetables into vitamin A. But the cat cannot derive vitamin A from plant sources and must rely on animal sources, such as organ meat (liver), to get the essential nutrient need of vitamin A met.
Cats simply do not have a dietary requirement for carbohydrates (grain) and yet most cat food is made with corn and rice and other grains very similar to the diets made for dogs. A high protein diet is ideal. It is extremely important to note, however, that essential nutrients are missing from feeding just canned tuna, canned chicken or chicken livers and significant disease can be the result of feeding such a limited diet.
The good news is that there are formulated cat diets, both canned and dry, that are high protein and grain free. Innova EVO cat food is one such diet. All the essential nutrients are met with this diet and are ideal for our carnivore cats. It is my suggestion to try this diet to enhance the health and well-being of your cat. However, this is where I get to the big exception to this ideal feeding approach.
Domesticated cats often start life on a grain based kibble diet which accounts for the great majority of cat food available and this leads some cats to becoming what I refer to as "carbohydrate junkies". These cats likely crave the sugar high that comes with digesting corn and rice and other grains in their meal. And although they are obligate carnivores some of our domesticated cats will refuse to eat a high protein diet. While many cats make the diet transition from a grain based diet to a meat protein based diet smoothly, others will not. And while a high protein, high fat, low carbohydrate diet is an ideal approach to feeding our carnivore cats, it is even more important that a cat eat every day even if it means feeding a carbohydrate based diet. If you have a "carbohydrate junkie" try to find food with meat listed as the first one or two ingredients rather than corn. Try a high protein diet, like Innove EVO for your cat, but more importantly, make sure your cat eats every day.
Kindest wishes,
Dr. Jacquie
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
What is Holistic?
ho·lis·tic
As a holistic veterinarian I rely on Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) to help guide my physical exam findings and to determine how acupuncture, herbal medicine, and nutrition might best help an individual patient. One of my favorite aspects of the TCVM approach is how emotions can directly influence the health of our animal companions. When emotions are overwhelming and left unchecked the health of a patient is compromised.
Overwhelming and prolonged grief can create disease in the large intestine and lungs, anger and frustration can lead to disease of the liver and gall bladder, excessive worry can take a toll on the stomach and spleen while fear and anxiety can adversely effect the health and functions of the kidney and bladder. The heart and small intestine can become imbalanced and diseased with a patient who experiences overpowering, persistent joy. By knowing the emotional health and personality type of a patient I am given additional insight into the health and well-being of my animal patients.
Rommel is a 6 year old Rottweiller who is strong willed but gentle and takes his role as the number one dog in the household quite seriously. Rommel came to me for red eyes and for vomiting yellow bile. He had been doing this for several weeks but seemed fine in every other way. A Western approach to Rommel's healthcare might have been to treat his eyes with an antibiotic ointment and his tummy upset with Pepcid AC to decrease gastric acid.
However, in TCVM eyes reflect the health of the liver. In addition, a look at Rommel's tongue while he pants in the exam room, shows that the area on his tongue which reflects the liver and gall bladder were bright red and dry. I ask when he vomits to which the owner states that it is always in the middle of the night. In TCVM the twelve major organs in the body follow a 24 hour circadian rhythm. Each organ is most active for 2 hours of the day and the liver and gall bladder are most active between 11pm and 3am. So now I feel comfortable that this isn't just an eye and digestive problem, it looks as if the liver needs some care.
With further questioning about Rommel's emotional state I find that anger and frustration may be an overwhelming emotion for him. Rommel's family has been fostering a 3 year old dog for about 2 months. This younger dog, Koda, jumps on Rommel, steals Rommel's toys and barrels out of the dog door first while pushing Rommel aside. Rommel snapped at Koda once when he first joined the family but was severely reprimanded by his people. Now I suspect his anger and frustration are the underlying cause of his red eyes and vomiting.
The owners and I decide that Rommel will always go out the dog door first while Koda is made to wait and Rommel's toys are off limits to Koda. Rommel will be given his food to eat before Koda and Rommel will be allowed on the sofa while Koda lays in the dog bed on the floor. All of these things will help re-establish that Rommel is the "top dog". The owners are going to add milk thistle and aloe vera to his daily diet for a month to help ease the stress the liver has had. These simple things should help his emotional well-being and liver balance while resolving his red eyes and vomiting and without the use of pharmaceuticals.
One month later, Rommel is much happier. His eyes haven't been red and he hasn't vomited in 3 weeks. In fact, he is playing with Koda now that Koda is showing the appropriate respect for the "top dog". Rommel is his strong-willed, gentle self again.
Kindest wishes,
Dr. Jacquie
- Pronunciation:
- \hō-ˈlis-tik\
- Function:
- adjective
- Date:
- 1926
As a holistic veterinarian I rely on Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) to help guide my physical exam findings and to determine how acupuncture, herbal medicine, and nutrition might best help an individual patient. One of my favorite aspects of the TCVM approach is how emotions can directly influence the health of our animal companions. When emotions are overwhelming and left unchecked the health of a patient is compromised.
Overwhelming and prolonged grief can create disease in the large intestine and lungs, anger and frustration can lead to disease of the liver and gall bladder, excessive worry can take a toll on the stomach and spleen while fear and anxiety can adversely effect the health and functions of the kidney and bladder. The heart and small intestine can become imbalanced and diseased with a patient who experiences overpowering, persistent joy. By knowing the emotional health and personality type of a patient I am given additional insight into the health and well-being of my animal patients.
Rommel is a 6 year old Rottweiller who is strong willed but gentle and takes his role as the number one dog in the household quite seriously. Rommel came to me for red eyes and for vomiting yellow bile. He had been doing this for several weeks but seemed fine in every other way. A Western approach to Rommel's healthcare might have been to treat his eyes with an antibiotic ointment and his tummy upset with Pepcid AC to decrease gastric acid.
However, in TCVM eyes reflect the health of the liver. In addition, a look at Rommel's tongue while he pants in the exam room, shows that the area on his tongue which reflects the liver and gall bladder were bright red and dry. I ask when he vomits to which the owner states that it is always in the middle of the night. In TCVM the twelve major organs in the body follow a 24 hour circadian rhythm. Each organ is most active for 2 hours of the day and the liver and gall bladder are most active between 11pm and 3am. So now I feel comfortable that this isn't just an eye and digestive problem, it looks as if the liver needs some care.
With further questioning about Rommel's emotional state I find that anger and frustration may be an overwhelming emotion for him. Rommel's family has been fostering a 3 year old dog for about 2 months. This younger dog, Koda, jumps on Rommel, steals Rommel's toys and barrels out of the dog door first while pushing Rommel aside. Rommel snapped at Koda once when he first joined the family but was severely reprimanded by his people. Now I suspect his anger and frustration are the underlying cause of his red eyes and vomiting.
The owners and I decide that Rommel will always go out the dog door first while Koda is made to wait and Rommel's toys are off limits to Koda. Rommel will be given his food to eat before Koda and Rommel will be allowed on the sofa while Koda lays in the dog bed on the floor. All of these things will help re-establish that Rommel is the "top dog". The owners are going to add milk thistle and aloe vera to his daily diet for a month to help ease the stress the liver has had. These simple things should help his emotional well-being and liver balance while resolving his red eyes and vomiting and without the use of pharmaceuticals.
One month later, Rommel is much happier. His eyes haven't been red and he hasn't vomited in 3 weeks. In fact, he is playing with Koda now that Koda is showing the appropriate respect for the "top dog". Rommel is his strong-willed, gentle self again.
Kindest wishes,
Dr. Jacquie
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Give the Gift of Acupuncture
Winter time should be a time to slow down, eat less, sleep more, keep warm, perhaps quietly reflect on the year that has past and the year to come and to prepare for the blossoming of Spring. It is natural for plants and animals in the wild and should be natural for our own animal companions as well. But as I write this on the very day of the Winter Solstice and the season turns from Autumn to Winter there is a flurry of activity in my household as there is every year and no doubt in many other households as well!
I know that on this cold Sunday morning our dogs would be more than happy to curl up on top of my husband feeling the warmth of his body and snuggled in blankets. Instead, there is chaos, excitement, anticipation at my house that our dogs feel, experience and react to. The dogs are up and out of bed early with me today so that I can bake, clean, make my twentieth last minute shopping list, wrap gifts, and make preparations to build a gingerbread house. This year we are hosting 14 of my husband's wonderful relatives for Christmas dinner. So I am not quietly reflective - I am quietly anxious instead.
The kids are on their winter break, awake early and have been playing excitedly, talking non-stop (almost squealing) about all the gifts under the tree and plans for Christmas day. And our four wonderful and sensitive dogs reflect their excited, anxious, active humans by running in and out of the dog door barking at nonexistent noises, wrestling each other in the middle of the living room knocking over plants and furniture, and de-stuffing two pillows in the last week. Oh yeah, my husband found my rolling pin for baking on the grass outside yesterday. . . .
Poor dogs. And this is where I want to suggest the gift of acupuncture for your animal companions (and mine) this year. Stress is tough on the immune system and sickness can be the result. Acupuncture causes the release of neuro-chemicals that calm and relax a patient and release the stress of an active December. Tight muscles from tension and activity are eased with acupuncture. The pain and stiffness of osteoarthritis which has a tendency to flare up when the weather cools down and the rain falls can be relieved with acupuncture. Acupuncture is wonderful for aiding the body's natural response to re-balance with the seasonal change.
Funny- I have settled down myself as I write this and quietly reflect on how my life and mood affect our dogs and would you believe it - all four of the dogs are now curled up in bed together.
Kindest wishes,
Dr. Jacquie
I know that on this cold Sunday morning our dogs would be more than happy to curl up on top of my husband feeling the warmth of his body and snuggled in blankets. Instead, there is chaos, excitement, anticipation at my house that our dogs feel, experience and react to. The dogs are up and out of bed early with me today so that I can bake, clean, make my twentieth last minute shopping list, wrap gifts, and make preparations to build a gingerbread house. This year we are hosting 14 of my husband's wonderful relatives for Christmas dinner. So I am not quietly reflective - I am quietly anxious instead.
The kids are on their winter break, awake early and have been playing excitedly, talking non-stop (almost squealing) about all the gifts under the tree and plans for Christmas day. And our four wonderful and sensitive dogs reflect their excited, anxious, active humans by running in and out of the dog door barking at nonexistent noises, wrestling each other in the middle of the living room knocking over plants and furniture, and de-stuffing two pillows in the last week. Oh yeah, my husband found my rolling pin for baking on the grass outside yesterday. . . .
Poor dogs. And this is where I want to suggest the gift of acupuncture for your animal companions (and mine) this year. Stress is tough on the immune system and sickness can be the result. Acupuncture causes the release of neuro-chemicals that calm and relax a patient and release the stress of an active December. Tight muscles from tension and activity are eased with acupuncture. The pain and stiffness of osteoarthritis which has a tendency to flare up when the weather cools down and the rain falls can be relieved with acupuncture. Acupuncture is wonderful for aiding the body's natural response to re-balance with the seasonal change.
Funny- I have settled down myself as I write this and quietly reflect on how my life and mood affect our dogs and would you believe it - all four of the dogs are now curled up in bed together.
Kindest wishes,
Dr. Jacquie
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Christmas Pet Tips
We are in a new house for the holiday this year, but have found the perfect place of honor for the tree to sit and be admired until the new year. And while we found the perfect spot for the Christmas tree in the house we are still working on finding the perfect spot for all the ornaments to sit. So far we have had to move the glass and ceramic ornaments hanging from the bottom of the tree to above "dog-tail height"! Their happy swinging tails have broken two ornaments already and broken glass or ceramic can cut their paws and our feet. So this year we have learned the importance of taking the wagging tail into consideration when placing ornaments.
Last year we learned about the importance of "food" ornament placement on the tree. My daughter's girl scout troop hand-made and decorated ornaments using dough that was then hardened by baking. She proudly showed off the six ornaments she had made and decorated the tree with them. But after a few days we began to notice that her ornaments were disappearing. We moved them higher up the tree, but five of the six dough ornaments were eaten up despite our moving them higher up the tree. I think our cat, Martin, might have helped out his favorite dog buddy by knocking the higher placed edible ornaments off the tree! We discovered the guilty dog - and it was indeed Martin's best dog buddy - when we saw Rex vomit contents that looked similar to dough! This year the last remaining "dough ornament" has a place of honor near the very tip of the tree - so far it still remains there!
Lastly, drinking pine tree water can cause tummy upset as well. To avoid that potential hazard I do not trim away the limbs of tree that are close to the ground so the dogs cannot reach the tree stand full of water. Tree limbs close to the ground also keeps the gifts farther away from the tree and in plain sight which is important so that not only is the tree stand water less accessible, but presents that can be eaten are easily kept track of. It is my 9 year old son's job to keep the daily present count as I cannot be certain that one of our wonderful but mischievous dogs would not steal a present to unwrap and play with outside. Ingesting legos, matchbox cars, stuffed animals are just a few gift items that could lead to an intestinal blockage.
Kindest wishes and keep the pets safe,
Dr. Jacquie
Last year we learned about the importance of "food" ornament placement on the tree. My daughter's girl scout troop hand-made and decorated ornaments using dough that was then hardened by baking. She proudly showed off the six ornaments she had made and decorated the tree with them. But after a few days we began to notice that her ornaments were disappearing. We moved them higher up the tree, but five of the six dough ornaments were eaten up despite our moving them higher up the tree. I think our cat, Martin, might have helped out his favorite dog buddy by knocking the higher placed edible ornaments off the tree! We discovered the guilty dog - and it was indeed Martin's best dog buddy - when we saw Rex vomit contents that looked similar to dough! This year the last remaining "dough ornament" has a place of honor near the very tip of the tree - so far it still remains there!
Lastly, drinking pine tree water can cause tummy upset as well. To avoid that potential hazard I do not trim away the limbs of tree that are close to the ground so the dogs cannot reach the tree stand full of water. Tree limbs close to the ground also keeps the gifts farther away from the tree and in plain sight which is important so that not only is the tree stand water less accessible, but presents that can be eaten are easily kept track of. It is my 9 year old son's job to keep the daily present count as I cannot be certain that one of our wonderful but mischievous dogs would not steal a present to unwrap and play with outside. Ingesting legos, matchbox cars, stuffed animals are just a few gift items that could lead to an intestinal blockage.
Kindest wishes and keep the pets safe,
Dr. Jacquie
Friday, December 12, 2008
Christmas with the Pets
My husband, two kids and I spent the other night picking out the perfect Christmas tree. It was serious business looking at each and every tree - twice - and to finally come to a consensus on the perfect tree to adorn with sparkling lights and sentimental ornaments. As we walked toward the Christmas tree lot we passed under a canopy filled with the most beautiful poinsettias I had ever seen. The lovely, velvety red flowers add so nicely to the season's festive feel.
But as much as I appreciate poinsettias - I never buy the plant because two of our four dogs, Dyna and Mac, are super extraordinary canine plant eaters. And even though the flowers and leaves are bitter and should be distasteful to animals and small kids alike, I cannot be certain that my two cattle dogs won't graze away anyhow! The plant is not fatally poisonous, but chewing on the plant will cause tummy upset. Vomiting and diarrhea could lead to a mess in the house and possibly dehydration. So enjoy the plant for the holiday, but if you have plant loving canines like I do or plant loving felines, then avoid the tummy upset by appreciating the poinsettia somewhere other than your house!
Have a happy and safe holiday - Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Assalamu Alaikum.
Kindest wishes,
Dr. Jacquie
But as much as I appreciate poinsettias - I never buy the plant because two of our four dogs, Dyna and Mac, are super extraordinary canine plant eaters. And even though the flowers and leaves are bitter and should be distasteful to animals and small kids alike, I cannot be certain that my two cattle dogs won't graze away anyhow! The plant is not fatally poisonous, but chewing on the plant will cause tummy upset. Vomiting and diarrhea could lead to a mess in the house and possibly dehydration. So enjoy the plant for the holiday, but if you have plant loving canines like I do or plant loving felines, then avoid the tummy upset by appreciating the poinsettia somewhere other than your house!
Have a happy and safe holiday - Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Assalamu Alaikum.
Kindest wishes,
Dr. Jacquie
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Animal Herbal and Nutritional Supplements
Animal herbal and nutritional supplements are easily obtained on the internet complete with testimonials from pet owners enthusiastic about endorsing the effectiveness of the product. Animal supplements can be found to treat cancer, arthritis, kidney failure, heart disease, anxiety, seizures, diabetes and many more ailments.
This "cottage industry" has flourished in the last several years as more and more pet owners seek gentle and effective medicine to use instead of pharmaceuticals. However, the variety of animal supplements available are staggering and with little to no oversight on the production, quality, and labeling of these products the potential danger to animals in using herbal and nutritional supplement increases.
Where are the herbs grown? Are pesticides used? Is what is listed on the label truly what is to be found in the product? What is the actual amount of the herb, vitamin, or mineral in the product? A label listing percentages does not provide the information needed to assess the product's safe use on animals.
In 2001 the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) was formed for companies producing animal supplements to join so that a clear set of guidelines could be followed. With a product labeled with the NASC seal, veterinarians and consumers could be assured that the highest current standards of supplement quality were being followed in order to protect the health of horses and small animals. Listed below is taken directly from the NASC website:
NASC members must agree to adhere to NASC’s quality standards which include submitting to an independent audit to ensure conformance with quality system requirements.
Kindest wishes,
Dr. Jacquie
This "cottage industry" has flourished in the last several years as more and more pet owners seek gentle and effective medicine to use instead of pharmaceuticals. However, the variety of animal supplements available are staggering and with little to no oversight on the production, quality, and labeling of these products the potential danger to animals in using herbal and nutritional supplement increases.
Where are the herbs grown? Are pesticides used? Is what is listed on the label truly what is to be found in the product? What is the actual amount of the herb, vitamin, or mineral in the product? A label listing percentages does not provide the information needed to assess the product's safe use on animals.
In 2001 the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) was formed for companies producing animal supplements to join so that a clear set of guidelines could be followed. With a product labeled with the NASC seal, veterinarians and consumers could be assured that the highest current standards of supplement quality were being followed in order to protect the health of horses and small animals. Listed below is taken directly from the NASC website:
NASC members must agree to adhere to NASC’s quality standards which include submitting to an independent audit to ensure conformance with quality system requirements.
NASC member companies are required to demonstrate compliance with the following criteria before they are granted permission to display the Seal on their products, websites, product literature and advertisements:
- The company must have a Quality Control Manual in place that provides written Standard Operating Procedures for production process control. This helps ensure the company is providing a consistent and quality product.
- The company must have an Adverse Event Reporting/Complaint System in place to continually monitor and evaluate products and ingredients.
- The company must follow proper Label Guidelines for all products and all forms of labeling.
- The company's product labels must include any specific Warning and Caution Statements recommended by the Food & Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine and the NASC Scientific Advisory Committee for particular ingredients.
Kindest wishes,
Dr. Jacquie
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Homeless Animals
Today my 13 year old daughter and I spent the day helping New Hope Cattle Dog Rescue at an adoption event sponsored by HALO Animal Rescue in Phoenix. Labradors, Greyhounds, Cattle Dogs, Chihuahuas, Papillons, Beagles, and countless adorable mixed breed dogs of all ages and sizes were represented by animal rescue groups from all over the valley. Most of the dogs at today's event live temporarily with foster families until a permanent home can be found. It can take months for that perfect home to be found by the loving volunteers of rescue groups and shelters.
These volunteers do not get paid; and this unpaid work is not easy. It takes a special kind of person to give the tremendous amount of time it takes to foster a dog. These volunteers make every effort to help rehabilitate and socialize abused dogs, or raise and socialize orphaned, rambunctious puppies or makes certain that an injured dog receive medical attention. Rescue group and shelter volunteers are dedicated, selfless and have an unwavering belief that the greatest reward for this thankless job is the honor of finding a permanent and loving home for these precious, innocent animals.
As a veterinarian I don't know any other group of people who are so wholly dedicated and compassionate to the plight, safety and care of homeless animals. It is nothing short of inspirational.
PLEASE consider adopting your first or next pet from a rescue group or shelter. There are plenty of pure-bred dogs and adorable mixed breed dogs needing a home without making a purchase from a pet store or backyard breeder.
Kindest wishes,
Dr. Jacquie
These volunteers do not get paid; and this unpaid work is not easy. It takes a special kind of person to give the tremendous amount of time it takes to foster a dog. These volunteers make every effort to help rehabilitate and socialize abused dogs, or raise and socialize orphaned, rambunctious puppies or makes certain that an injured dog receive medical attention. Rescue group and shelter volunteers are dedicated, selfless and have an unwavering belief that the greatest reward for this thankless job is the honor of finding a permanent and loving home for these precious, innocent animals.
As a veterinarian I don't know any other group of people who are so wholly dedicated and compassionate to the plight, safety and care of homeless animals. It is nothing short of inspirational.
PLEASE consider adopting your first or next pet from a rescue group or shelter. There are plenty of pure-bred dogs and adorable mixed breed dogs needing a home without making a purchase from a pet store or backyard breeder.
Kindest wishes,
Dr. Jacquie
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