Part 3

Pet Food Topics

Organic - At least this one has a legal definition. According to the USDA – the term “USDA Organic” may only be applied to pet food labels that follow USDA rules. Look for the seal, but there is much blur even on the definition of organic. Read more on organic here.

Holistic - There is not even a legal definition of this term under laws devoted to pet foods. Any manufacturer can make claims of “holistic” in literature and brochures regardless of ingredients chosen. SIGH.If you want to waste your money on this veterinary marketing ploy, go ahead; it is meaningless and unregulated.

Human Grade- Claims that a product contains or is made from ingredients that are “human grade”, “human quality”, “people foods”, “ingredients you (the purchaser) would eat”, are false and misleading.  It is illegal for companies to use this wording unless the food is made start to finish in a human plant but that doesn’t stop them from doing so.

Natural - According to AAFCO, the term “natural” requires a pet food to consist of only natural ingredients without chemical alterations.

by Dr. Tom Khun

Have you heard about the National Tick Assessment program?  That is what I think we should be doing when we find a tick on ourselves or our pets.  Remove the tick with tweezers, place it in a zip-lock bag and take it to your veterinary office for identification.  Knowing the species of tick will help your physician or veterinarian zero in on the tick-borne disease the tick may carry.  Certain ticks carry certain diseases and not others.  For example:  A Lone Star Tick (Amblyomma americanum) carries Tularemia disease, Ehrlichiosis, Tick Paralysis and on cats can transmit Cytauxzoonosis.  Whereas, the American Dog Tick (Dermacentor variabilis) transmits Rocky Mountain Spotted fever, babesiosis, Tularemia and Tick Paralysis but not Erhlichiosis. There are at least six common species of ticks and at least eight common diseases.  When you or your pet becomes ill, the doctor will know the likely diseases to test for and treat.

Certain areas of the country are hot-beds for certain species of ticks.  The Brown Dog Tick (Ripicephalus sanquineus), which can transmit Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Erhlichiosis, and Babesiosis, is found throughout the U.S. and even worldwide, but the American Dog Tick doesn’t inhabit the Rocky Mountain area of the country.  If you go on vacation with your pet and pick up a hitch-hiker you hadn’t counted on, take the tick to your veterinary office, have it identified and you and your pet will have additional information to help you both stay safe and healthy.

Have questions about ticks?  Vets are standing by.

In his daily clinical practice Dr. Kuhn has a special interest and advanced training in ultrasonography, knee surgery, dentistry, and pain management. Dr. Tom Khun  is owner of two animal hospitals in Asheville, NC.

Dogs make great running companions. They get us off the couch, provide a sense of safety, and are just fun to be with. Running is also a good way to burn off extra energy that might otherwise go into chewing and barking. Before you set out, bring your dog in for a physical exam to be sure your dog’s heart and joints are healthy. Here are some safety tips:

• Most young dogs (5-12 months) have enough energy to keep up with a person jogging, but not the brains to know when to stop. Excess impact can permanently damage developing bones. Wait until small/medium breed dogs are 6 to 9 months and large breed dogs are 12 months of age to introduce a running program. Until then, take long walks and short easy jogs on softer grass or trails.
• Choose a light and sturdy 4 to 6 foot leash which will be comfortable to hold while running. A head collar is a great option for dogs that tend to pull.
• Be extra cautious in hot weather, which can occur year round in sunny Florida. Watch carefully for signs of fatigue or heat illness (panting, slowing down, foaming at the mouth, weakness, seeking shade, agitation, glazed eyes).  Also remember to exercise early in the morning or late in the evening when it is cooler.
• When you start running with your dog, begin slowly to gradually condition him/her. Many dogs will keep going past what they can reasonably tolerate. Watch for signs of fatigue, as listed above, during your run. Also look for stiffness and raw, tender foot pads the next day. These would all be signs you went too far too soon.

Dr. Jennifer Wallace is a Gainesville, FL Veterinarian who is an avid writer and pet parent.

While there are some disease risks that rise when we share our home and germs with our pets, with proper hygiene and just as important thorough preventative care for your pets, sharing your home with pets and relishing in as many furry snuggles as possible does have its wealth of benefits, including psychological support, friendship, and even promoting good health. Here are a few of my favorites.

Pets are a natural mood elevator! In fact, playing with a dog can elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine.
Infants are less likely to develop allergies if they share their home with a family dog. They also are less likely to develop eczema.

Having pets tends to lead to better heath for the elderly, particularly less anxious outbursts for those with Alzheimer’s. At least one insurance company (Midland Life Insurance Company) even asks elderly applicants if they have a pet as part of their screening.

Sharing your life with a dog or cat has cardiovascular benefits as well. It appears to lower blood pressure and heart attack patients with pets survive longer than those without pets.

While extra cautions should be taken with the young, elderly, or immune-compromised, the studies shows there is a low risk of zoonotic disease transmission from sharing your home with a healthy pet. Any area licked by a pet, especially for those at increased health risk or an open wound, should be immediately washed with soap and water. Pets should be kept free of all ectoparasites, routinely dewormed for protection against internal parasites, maintained on heartworm prevention medication year round, and regularly examined by a veterinarian. Use common sense and wash your hands after handling feces or even gardening. Keeping your fur kids healthy is crucial to keeping your human family healthy.

Pleasant Plains Animal Hospital contributed to this article. They are a Staten Island Veterinary Hospital.

Here’s a funny video to carry you through the rest of your week!

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