12/11/12
Gallery Dog Wallpaper
So much Wallpaper very beautiful about dogs,
yeallow puppies Wallpaper so cute
Wallpaper Black dog alone in glass
Wallpaper black puppy in red bed
How can I chat with other dog people?
Question: How can I chat with other dog people?
Answer: Sometimes it isn't easy connecting with other dog nuts, and being around people who do not understand your commitment and need to talk "dog" can be frustrating as well as lonely at times.
Well, come on in! About Dogs has a wonderful online community of dog lovers just like you. Join us on The Dog Park, where many dog lovers and dog experts gather to chat about our favourite species and share knowledge. You can browse the discussions as a Guest, or you can join to become an About Member here, and post any questions you might have. Joining is free and easy.
Take the time to read the Rules Of The Forum, they are there to help make your welcome go smoothly and easily, and then hop on in! The Dog Park is a wonderful, laid-back community comprised of many dog lovers, and we are happy to include you in our "pack".
How to Help Your Dog with Cataracts
It is not uncommon for dogs to develop cataracts over time. Most dogs are not affected until they get up there in years and it begins gradually. However, not all dogs with a cloudy-looking eye has cataracts. In fact, the geriatric eye is a hardening of the lens of the eye, known as Nuclear Sclerosis and not a cataract. You as the pet parent may have concerns and wonder how you can help your dog with cataracts. This is the first sign of vision loss in our pets but it does not mean that your dog cannot see. So, what exactly is a cataract and how does it affect your dog?
According to the Pet Place, the lens that covers the eye is normally clear but when a cataract develops, the lens becomes cloudy, blocking transmission of light to the retina. The eyes will appear to have a bluish, gray or white covering on the eye itself. A dog with problem cataracts may have a tendency to bump into things, reluctant to do normal activities like jumping, climbing stairs and so forth, may seem withdrawn in unfamiliar circumstances and is constantly squinting. In advanced cases, the dog may experience pain, inflammation and redness of the eyes.
Animaleyecare.net states that the causes of cataracts is usually genetic although a specific trauma to the eye can definitely be a factor. Dogs with diabetes are predisposed to cataracts. In puppies, cataracts can be the result of nutritional disorders. Dogs with an ocular type disease may develop cataracts as well as rare cases of birth defects, side effects to radiation and infections or toxic drugs.
If you have concerns about your dog's eyes, your veterinarian can perform a thorough physical examination to recognize cataracts and exclude any underlying medical issues. Some tests may be performed in order to do so, such as blood tests, ultrasound of the eye and an electroretinogram to evaluate the function of the retina.
Be sure to contact your veterinarian to find out any known treatment for cataracts in dogs. The condition cannot be reversed. Cataract surgery can be performed in more advanced cases but is not always recommended or necessary for your dog to live a long happy life. If the cataracts are due to an underlying condition such as diabetes, that condition needs to be treated. The cataracts will not clear up but will progress as long as underlying issues are addressed and remedied.
There is little that you can do to prevent cataracts. To provide a good life for your dog, be sure to keep the home in consistent order as most dogs have things memorized so as not to run into something. For his/her safety, be sure the yard is fenced in or is on a leash and monitored.
About Cataracts in Dogs
What is a Cataract?
What is not a Cataract?
Why did my dog develop a Cataract?
How are Cataracts treated?
How well will my dog see after Cataract surgery?
Why is Cataract surgery so expensive?
What if Cataract surgery is not done?
What is involved in having Cataract surgery performed on my dog?
What are the risks involved with Cataract surgery?
What is a Cataract?
Like a camera, eyes have a clear lens inside them that is used for focusing. A cataract is any opacity within a lens. The opacity can be very small (incipient cataract) and not interfere with vision. It can involve more of the lens (immature cataract) and cause blurred vision. Eventually, the entire lens can become cloudy, and all functional vision lost. This is called a mature cataract. Some mature cataracts will transform over time into hypermature cataracts. Hypermature cataracts usually are reduced in size due to loss of water and proteins from the lens. This causes the lens to shrivel and the lens capsule to wrinkle—similar to a grape turning into a raisin. Hypermature cataracts vary in how cloudy they are. Some are completely cloudy, and others have clear areas that can allow some vision IF the rest of the eye is functional. Depending on the dog’s age and breed, it can take several months to years for a mature cataract to turn into a hypermature cataract.
What is not a cataract?
Normal geriatric dog eye, with normal Nuclear Sclerosis
All geriatric dogs (usually beginning at 6 years of age) develop a hardening of the lens (Nuclear Sclerosis) that causes the lens to have a grayish appearance. The grayish-blue haze increases as the dog ages. Nuclear sclerosis is NOT a cataract, and does not usually interfere with vision. The photo to the right shows a normal geriatric dog eye with normal nuclear sclerosis. Nuclear sclerosis also occurs in humans, and the hardening of the lens with age results in reduced near-vision in people; this is why people in their 40’s and older need reading glasses—because their lenses no longer are soft enough to easily change shape to allow for near vision. Another name for this is presbyopia, which means “old eye”. Dogs do not have good near-vision to begin with (compared to people), so nuclear sclerosis does not significantly interfere with their near-vision.
How do you tell the difference between nuclear sclerosis and cataract in your dog? The answer is that you can’t. You can start with having your family veterinarian evaluate your dog’s eyes, but often it is difficult for a doctor who is not an ophthalmologist to differentiate between the two conditions. However, veterinary ophthalmologists can tell the difference between nuclear sclerosis and cataract, using specialized equipment and their expertise. Also keep in mind that dogs can develop BOTH nuclear sclerosis AND cataract—many geriatric dogs do develop cataracts. If your geriatric dog has cloudy eyes but still appears to see well, this does not mean that they do not have cataracts—dogs can see fairly well if their cataracts are small. Dogs also can adapt well if one eye is blind from cataract and the other is not—often, they adapt so well that the owner does not realize that the dog cannot see out of one eye. Dogs can also adapt well—up to a point–if both eyes gradually develop severe cataracts; dogs can develop a “memory map” as to where things are in their familiar environment. Dogs with poor vision do not let their owners know that they have a vision problem until it is severe in both eyes.
Why did my dog develop a Cataract?
Cataracts have many causes in dogs, and sometimes it is not possible to identify the cause of cataracts in affected patients.
Most cataracts in dogs are inherited and can occur at any age. The cataract may develop rapidly over weeks, or slowly over years, and occur in one or both eyes. Different breeds of dogs have different characteristics of cataract development. For example, cataracts in Bichon frise dogs tend to develop rapidly in early adulthood and usually involve the entire lens in both eyes. Mixed-breed dogs can also develop inherited cataracts.
The second-most common cause of cataracts in dogs is diabetes (diabetes mellitus). 75% of diabetic dogs will develop blinding cataracts within the first year of being diabetic. Often, the cataracts form very shortly after the dog becomes diabetic. See the accompanying article, Cataracts, Blindness, and Diabetic Dogs. Diabetic cataracts develop VERY fast—often overnight—in dogs, and they are a medical and surgical emergency.
The third most common cause of cataracts in dogs is a toxic reaction in the lens—the lens is “sick”, due to some other ocular disease or (much less commonly) due to a drug reaction. These are called “toxic cataracts”. Toxic cataracts caused by ocular disease are quite common in dogs, and are caused by: 1) retinal degeneration, especially Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)— uveitis (intraocular inflammation) of any cause, including trauma; and 3) secondary to glaucoma (increased intraocular pressure) of any cause
A special type of cataract occurs in dogs in which the lens capsule is ruptured due to trauma. The trauma can be penetrating (such as a cat claw injury or pellet gun injury) or a severe blow to the eye that results in lens capsular rupture. The lens contents leak out through the hole in the capsule and cause both cataract and a severe immune-mediated reactive uveitis; the uveitis does not usually “peak” in severity until 2–3 weeks AFTER the injury occurred. It is not always apparent that the lens capsule has ruptured; often, by the time this is diagnosed it is too late to save the eye and the eye needs to be removed. Thus, it is prudent to seek immediate medical attention for ANY injury to your dog’s eye. Lens capsules can also rupture if the lens swells, causing the capsule to stretch and split open. This can happen in diabetic dogs and in some types of inherited cataracts that rapidly form.
Cataracts can also develop due to nutritional deficiencies in dogs, such as orphan puppies on an artificial milk-replacer diet. These are called nutritional cataracts, and they often will improve as the puppy matures.
Dogs also can develop cataracts with age (often after 8 years of life). However, age-related cataracts in dogs are usually small and do not significantly interfere with vision.
There are many other potential causes of cataracts in dogs, such as birth defects, radiation (usually from prolonged radiation therapy for cancer of the head), infection, etc. but discussion of these causes is beyond the scope of this review article.
How are Cataracts treated?
Once a lens has developed a cataract, there is no known method to make the lens clear again. Immature, mature, and hypermature cataracts can be treated by surgically removing them.
However, nutritional support of the lens can help to prevent or lessen the severity of developing cataracts. Nutritional supplementation can help to enhance lens health by providing oral antioxidants designed specifically for support of the canine eye. Antioxidant supplementation may also help reduce ocular inflammation that occurs in dogs both secondary to cataract formation and following cataract surgery. A unique antioxidant supplement product designed to support the health of the canine eye has recently been developed. Ocu-GLO Rx™ is a pharmaceutical-grade canine vision supplement containing 12 antioxidants; it is specifically formulated for support of the canine eye—especially for retina and lens health. Ocu-GLO Rx™ was developed by two veterinary ophthalmologists (one of which is Dr. Terri McCalla) and a compounding pharmacist. For more information about this unique canine vision supplement
It is important to understand that no cataract can be reversed; once the lens is cloudy, it stays that way unless cataract surgery is performed to remove it. Two exceptions to this rule are: 1) some nutritional cataracts can improve over time; and 2) hypermature cataracts can develop clear zones over time. However, as this process occurs in hypermature cataracts, damage to the eye also occurs in the form of lens-induced inflammation (called lens-induced uveitis or LIU). LIU, in turn, can cause glaucoma, retinal detachment, and/or lens luxation (slippage of the lens from its attachments, allowing the lens to float around inside the eye and cause damage and pain).
Cataract surgery is one of the most common surgeries performed on humans. However, not all dogs with cataracts need or should have cataract surgery. In fact, most dogs with cataracts do not need surgery, because most lens opacities in dogs (and a lens opacity is a cataract, no matter how tiny or big) are small and don’t significantly interfere with vision. Just because a dog’s eye has a cataract does not mean that the dog must undergo cataract surgery. Only a veterinary ophthalmologist can determine if cataract surgery is indicated in an affected patient.
Cataract surgery is a quality of life surgery—not a life-saving surgery. The ophthalmologist must evaluate many criteria before determining if a dog can or should undergo cataract surgery. However, it is also true (in Dr. McCalla’s view) that restoring a blind dog’s vision with cataract surgery is one of the most satisfying parts of being a veterinary ophthalmologist, and surgery can give a dog a wonderful new lease on life. For a blind dog to again be able to see its owner, to play with toys, look out the window and actually see things—this is life-changing for canine patients and their owners. This is especially true if the dog is elderly and deaf or hard of hearing—to have its vision restored can make a huge difference in its quality of life.
The procedures and equipment used to remove cataracts in dogs are the same as those used in humans. A small incision is made in the eye and a hole is made in the capsular bag that holds the lens. Phacoemulsification is then performed, in which a special probe ultrasonically emulsifies and removes the cataract (the lens contents inside the capsule). After the cloudy lens is removed, the lens capsule remains and is called the capsular bag. An artificial replacement lens, called an intraocular lens or IOL, is placed in the bag. The eye is closed with extremely small absorbable sutures. IOLs are either rigid polymer plastic lenses or soft foldable lenses. The choice of which type of IOL to place inside an eye during surgery is determined by the ophthalmologist. Because even the slightest damage to structures in the canine eye can have disastrous effects, cataract surgery is extremely delicate surgery and is performed under general anesthesia with high-magnification using an operating microscope. If both eyes are affected, usually both eyes are operated on at the same time—especially in diabetic dogs.
How well will my dog see after Cataract surgery?
After successful cataract surgery dogs see close to normal. However, we cannot give dogs perfect vision. This is because an exact replacement of the original living lens is not possible. Furthermore, dogs have more inflammation in their eyes after surgery than humans and therefore have more scarring. This scarring does slightly decrease vision. The post-operative inflammation and scarring (lens capsular opacification) may be lessened by both anti-inflammatory drugs and oral antioxidant supplementation Most owners notice a tremendous increase in their pet’s vision after cataract surgery, but they can still detect certain visual difficulties.
After surgery, cataracts cannot recur. However, some dogs can have decreased vision years after cataract surgery due to formed scar tissue, glaucoma, and/or retinal detachment. In rare instances, placement of an IOL is not possible at the time of cataract surgery. These dogs still see better, but are more far-sighted and near objects are out of focus. The cornea does two thirds of the focusing of the eye, so vision is still present but not perfect if the lens (which does one-third of the focusing) cannot be replaced with an IOL. Some dogs require anti-inflammatory medication and/or Ocu-GLO Rx™ for several weeks, months, or lifetime following cataract surgery. This may help reduce the risk of capsular opacification, secondary glaucoma, and/or retinal detachment forming.
Why is Cataract surgery so expensive?
Cataract surgery is expensive because it requires specialized equipment and training. The instruments and equipment used for cataract surgery in dogs are the same type used for cataract surgery in people. Furthermore, you are paying for the highly advanced training and expertise of a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist.
When people undergo cataract surgery, they usually pay very little for it because insurance picks up most of the tab. This is not the case in veterinary medicine. The pet owner pays 100% of the cost of cataract surgery and other health care for their pet. Even pet health insurance policies often exclude cataract surgery, because the cataracts are often genetic and most insurance companies will not cover any genetic or pre-existing condition. If you have health insurance for your dog, do not assume it will cover cataract surgery—check with your insurance provider.
What if Cataract surgery is not done?
Immature, mature, and hypermature cataracts can cause a serious reactive inflammation inside the eye (Lens Induced Uveitis, or LIU) that must be medically treated, whether or not surgery is performed. LIU can lead to complications such as glaucoma or a detached retina whether or not cataract surgery is performed, and LIU decreases the success rate of cataract surgery. An additional potential complication in eyes not undergoing surgery is lens luxation, which can be quite painful depending on how the lens slips (luxates) out of position. Glaucoma is also painful, in the form of a headache. Cataract surgery is an elective procedure. If surgery is not performed, lifetime anti-inflammatory eye drops are required, as well as periodic eye re-examinations. Dr. McCalla also prescribes for these patients as a lifetime support for ocular health when cataract surgery is not elected. There is a best window of time in which to perform surgery. The earlier the cataract can be removed, the better.
If cataract surgery is not done, your dog might do just fine. However, it might not; the worst-case scenarios that could occur are that the dog eventually develops glaucoma secondary to LIU (which is chronically painful in the form of a headache), or develops extremely painful lens luxation. If these conditions cannot be controlled medically (and lens luxation usually cannot be medically controlled, especially if the lens luxates into the anterior chamber of the eye), then surgery is needed; either removal of the eye, or removal of the luxated lens if there is a hope of vision. There are other surgical choices for blind glaucomatous eyes
It is also important to understand that most dogs that are blinded from cataracts can adequately adjust to their vision loss, if they are in a safe and stable environment and their eyes are not painful. You cannot determine if your dog’s eyes are painful from cataract development—if your dog has developed secondary glaucoma, it has a headache but will not show this in any obvious way, until it is too late. By that time, the affect eye is enlarged and completely blind due to destruction of the optic nerve. When this occurs, medication usually is not adequate to control the increased intraocular pressure, and surgery is needed to relieve the pain.
If your dog has cataracts but you believe that you cannot afford surgery, it is still VERY important for you to have your dog evaluated by a veterinary ophthalmologist!This is because medical treatment of the affected eye(s) is almost always needed to help prevent complications arising from the presence of the cataract. The cataract causes LIU, which in turn can cause many serious complications and the complete loss of the eye (including possible surgical removal of the affected eye).
What is involved in having Cataract surgery performed on my dog?
The first step is to have your pet examined by Dr. Terri McCalla at Animal Eye Care to determine if your pet is a good candidate for surgery. A preoperative blood profile (including serum triglyceride testing; for nondiabetic dogs, the blood is drawn after the dog has been off food for 10–12 hours. For diabetic dogs, the blood is drawn shortly before the morning or evening meal to mimic a fasting blood sample), comprehensive physical exam, and assessment of anesthetic level of risk are then performed by your family veterinarian. If your pet “passes” these tests, electroretinography (ERG) and gonioscopy testing is scheduled at our hospital, as inpatient procedures. They are performed under sedation, and cause no discomfort. ERG testing evaluates retinal function, as it is vital that the retina (the “film in the camera”) is working, in order to perform cataract surgery. Gonioscopy evaluates the drainage angle of the eye to determine if the eye(s) are at increased genetic risk of developing glaucoma postoperatively. If they are, additional medications will be prescribed and these medications may be needed for your pet’s lifetime. Ultrasonography of the eye(s) is also performed at another nearby veterinary hospital. Some patients require ultrasonography and not ERG testing, and some patients require neither test. In this case, gonioscopy is performed on the day of cataract surgery.
If your dog “passes” the ERG test and/or ultrasound test(s), surgery can be scheduled. The eyes require 3 days of intense medication immediately preceding the surgery day. Dr. McCalla also prescribes Ocu-GLO Rx™ (oral antioxidant supplementation) prior to and following cataract surgery. On the day of surgery, your pet will need to arrive at the hospital early in the morning to receive intensive eye treatment before surgery. The surgery is performed and your pet goes home the same day. Your pet will not have eye patches. Your pet must wear a harnessafter surgery when being walked. Attach the leash to the harness and NOT to a neck collar, as this could place pressure on the jugular veins, causing increased eye pressure.
Vision usually improves during the first week after surgery—often within 24 hours—but the return of functional vision sometimes takes up to 2–3 weeks. Most dogs exhibit minimal to no pain after surgery. Your pet will require oral medication and two or three different kinds of eye drops 3 to 4 times a day for the first few weeks after surgery, and on a lesser frequency for several months post surgery. Your pet MUST wear a cone-shaped restraint collar (E collar) the first 2 weeks after surgery to prevent self-trauma to the eyes. We also ask that you bring your pet back for reexaminations at 1 day, 5 to 7 days, 2 to 3 weeks, 8 to 10 weeks, and 4 to 6 months post surgery, and every 6 to 12 months thereafter. This reexamination schedule may change if there are post-operative complications.
What are the risks involved with Cataract surgery?
Cataract surgery is a highly successful procedure, but there are risks. Chances of the patient having improved vision after surgery are high for most dogs (90%–95%). But 5% to 10% of dogs will not regain good vision due to complications, and may actually be permanently blind in one or both of the operated eyes.
If your dog has significant LIU (most commonly caused by a hypermature cataract), this also decreases the success rate. LIU is the primary reason that the sooner that cataract surgery can be done, the better.
The risk of intraocular scar tissue. All dogs develop some intraocular scar tissue (primarily opacities of the lens capsule). Excessive scar tissue will limit vision. Puppies and young adult dogs develop more capsular opacities than older dogs. Anti-inflammatory medication and antioxidant supplementation with Ocu-GLO Rx™ may help reduce the formation of severe capsular opacities.
The risk of glaucoma. Glaucoma (increase in eye pressure) occurs in 30% of dogs that have cataract surgery, usually within the first 24 hours after surgery. This is not as bad as it sounds; most of these pressure increases are quite temporary and quickly resolve with treatment within the first 1–2 days after surgery. However, glaucoma can also occur later—months to years following surgery. Glaucoma not only can cause complete vision loss, but also may require the need for additional medications or surgery. It can be painful (in the form of a headache) and cause LOSS OF THE EYE if uncontrolled.
The risk of retinal detachment. While surgical re-attachment of the retina is sometimes possible, the success rate can be low and this complication usually results in complete vision loss. However, if it is caught early the surgical success rate is much higher.
The risk of intraocular Infection. While this is rare, it can cause complete vision loss as well as LOSS OF THE EYE (i.e. surgical removal of the eye).
The risk of general anesthesia. Anesthesia safety has progressed tremendously during the last 5 years. However, even healthy pets CAN DIE UNDER GENERAL ANESTHESIA. We take anesthesia seriously and use the safest medications at Animal Eye Care. All patients are monitored extensively by our surgical staff. All patients receive electronically assisted ventilation and monitoring of their blood oxygenation, carbon dioxide levels, respiration, temperature, heart function, and blood pressure.
How can the risk of developing postoperative complications be reduced for your dog?
By following these recommendations:
Having your dog’s eyes examined by a veterinary ophthalmologist as soon as cataracts are suspected (especially if your dog is diabetic), and NOT waiting until the lens is completely opaque and the eye is blind. Sometimes general veterinary practitioners advise waiting—It is best NOT to wait!
Following all treatment directions correctly and faithfully.
Bringing your dog to all recommended postoperative reexaminations by your ophthalmologist. Regular postoperative reexaminations by the ophthalmologist, for the rest of the dog’s life, are needed.
Lifetime postoperative antioxidant supplementation with Ocu-GLO Rx™ for more information).
Calling your ophthalmologist’s office if you suspect ANY change has occurred in your dog’s eye(s).
Always using a harness to walk your dog; do not attach the leash to a neck collar.
Successful cataract surgery depends on a great team effort over the lifespan of your dog—a willing patient (your dog must allow itself to be treated with both oral and topical medication, and must allow its eyes to be examined by an ophthalmologist. If your dog is a land shark, we will not even get to first base in order to examine it!), a dedicated owner who can follow treatment instructions and bring the patient for all scheduled ophthalmic examinations AND call our office if they have any concerns, a dedicated ophthalmologist and staff who are available when you need them, and a dedicated family veterinarian who is able to refer your dog to an ophthalmologist and work with you and the ophthalmologist to ensure that your dog is as healthy as possible.
The One (and Only) Vitamin Not Needed in a Dog’s Diet
Have you ever seen a dog eating an orange? Or a lemon?
Probably, not. That’s because unlike humans… who require vitamin C to sustain life… dogs possess the natural ability to make their own.
Without vitamin C humans get a disease called scurvy… and die. Dogs do fine without it.
Just the same, there have been some reports claiming the vitamin may be beneficial in the treatment of bladder infections… or even hip dysplasias.
Unfortunately, those claims are only anecdotal and have not yet been scientifically confirmed by what’s known as “peer-reviewed” research.
So, don’t worry if you don’t find vitamin C… or any of the vegetables or fruits that naturally contain it… on your dog food’s ingredient list.
Your dog can take care of that nutritional shortfall… all by herself.
Dog question: Multivitamins for Dogs
Vitamins can improve the quality of your pet's life. They help regulate body processes, protect the body from environmental toxins, and break down nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats so the body can utilize them. Vitamins work with minerals and enzymes for digestion, reproduction, muscle and bone growth, and maintenance of healthy skin and haircoat. All multi-vitamins for pets are not created equal.
What are the functions of vitamins?
Vitamins are necessary for literally tens of thousands of different chemical reactions in the body. They often work in conjunction with minerals and enzymes to assure normal digestion, reproduction, muscle and bone growth and function, healthy skin and hair, clotting of blood, and the use of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates by the body.
Are there different types of vitamins?
Yes. Vitamins are generally classified into two groups based on how or if they are stored in the body. Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the liver and fatty tissue. Water-soluble vitamins, on the other hand, are stored in only very small amounts by the body. They need to be taken in daily, and any excesses are excreted by the body each day.
Fat-soluble vitamins include:
Vitamin A
Vitamin D
Vitamin E
Vitamin K Water-soluble vitamins include:
Vitamin C
Vitamin B1 (thiamin)
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)
Vitamin B3 (niacin)
Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)
Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) and Folic Acid
Biotin
The following charts show some functions of vitamins and what can happen to your pet if deficiencies occur:
Do I need to supplement my puppy's diet?To ensure your puppy is always in top form, feed a healthy, quality food, and supplement when necessary. A daily multi-vitamin such as Lifestage Select® Puppy Vitamins may help ensure that growing puppies get the vitamins they need for healthy tissues, strong bones, and overall good health.Should I supplement my adult dog's diet?To ensure your dog is always in top form, feed a healthy, quality food, and supplement when necessary. Older animals tend to absorb fewer vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes through the intestinal tract, and lose more of them through the kidneys and urinary tract. Also, some older animals eat less (due to conditions such as oral disease) and may not receive their daily needs of vitamins and minerals. Some evidence in other species suggest that antioxidants such as vitamins A, E, and C (beta-carotene) may play a role in protecting against some normal aging processes. Talk with your veterinarian to determine which supplements may be beneficial for your dog.What if my dog is super active?Lifestage Select® Adult includes all of the vitamins your pet needs for a healthy life. It is especially beneficial for very active animals and also for animals under a lot of stress. When you give your pet Lifestage Select® Adult or any of our Lifestage Select® series, you can be assured that your pet is getting correct vitamins for his lifestyle and for his stage of life.What if my dog is on a diet?High quality light foods should contain adequate vitamins and minerals. If you are only feeding your pet less of his regular food to cut down, you may want to supplement with a multivitamin.Should I give my senior dog supplements?Aging dogs have special nutritional needs, and some of those can be supplied in the form of supplements. Lifestage Select® Senior, has higher levels of the vitamins and minerals your senior dog may need. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A large percentage of older dogs suffer from arthritis. We recommend a daily supplement containing glucosamine, such as Lifestage Select® Senior Plus, for dogs suffering from arthritis, hip dysplasia, or other bone or joint problems. If your dog is not eating a complete balanced diet, then a vitamin/mineral supplement is recommended to prevent any deficiencies.
What traits should I look for in a quality vitamin?
Our advice to you is to check the label before giving any vitamin/mineral supplement to your pet and look for the following qualities:
- Contains at least 8 essential vitamins including Vitamin A, B-complex, D, and E, as well as the B vitamins. Vitamins A and E are all-important antioxidants that help maintain a healthy immune system and should also be included in the supplement.
- Vitamins and minerals should be in the correct ratio for your pet's good health.
- High palatability (Lifestage Select® multivitamins are all formulated with a delicious bacon/liver flavor that will tempt the fussiest pet!)
In addition, look at the ingredient list of multi-vitamin supplements to see from which sources the vitamins and minerals are coming. For instance, our Lifestage Select® multivitamins contain:
- B-Complex and zinc from Brewer's Yeast and other sources
- Magnesium from wheat germ and fish, and other sources
- Calcium from non-fat dried milk, and other sources
- Fatty acids from marine sources, such as cod liver oil
- Iron from natural sources, such as liver, as well as other sources
- Not all vitamin supplements contain these quality ingredients. And, remember that whatever your particular pet's species or age, the right supplementation will help him live the best quality life possible.
Can I give my pet too many vitamins?
There is always some controversy regarding vitamin supplementation. Many people feel supplements are very necessary. They feel that even when feeding a high quality food, some of the vitamins may have been destroyed by the processing or storage. Pet owners feeding a homemade diet or a diet high in table scraps should give their pet a high quality vitamin/mineral supplement. Ill or recovering pets who may have a poor appetite should also be given a good vitamin/mineral supplement since they are not receiving their daily requirements through the food they eat.
The possibility of vitamin toxicity with the fat-soluble vitamins, especially Vitamin A and D, which are stored in the body, can occur with severe oversupplementation. Toxicities do not occur when you give your pet the recommended amount of high-quality, commercially prepared vitamin/mineral supplements. However, if you give a variety of supplements, each containing Vitamin A or D, oversupplementation is more likely. Supplements must be chosen with care and large numbers of different supplements should not be used together unless prescribed by a veterinarian.
Dog Vitamins and Supplements
Many people take dietary supplements or vitamins. And increasingly, they’re likely to give them to their pets, too.
As many as a third of U.S. dogs and cats may receive vitamins or supplements. The most common are multivitamins, supplements to support arthritic joints, and fatty acids to reduce shedding and improve a coat’s shine, according to a 2006 study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Pet owners also may give probiotics to alleviate gastrointestinal problems or antioxidants to counteract the effects of aging, such as cognitive dysfunction.
With a growing population of aging, overweight dogs, the market for dog supplements is expected to increase 37% by 2012, reaching $1.7 billion, according to Packaged Facts, a market research firm.
Veterinary nutritionist Susan Wynn, DVM, sees many clients in her practice near Atlanta who give their dogs vitamins and nutritional supplements. “They come in with bags full sometimes,” she says.
But do dogs need those vitamins and supplements? And are they even safe? Experts say some work, others don’t, and some aren’t necessary and may even be harmful to dogs.
“Most people are doing it because they want to, not because it’s necessary,” says C.A. Tony Buffington, DVM, PhD, professor of veterinary clinical sciences at The Ohio State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital.
WebMD talked with experts for answers to frequently asked questions about dog vitamins and supplements.
1. Does my dog need vitamins?
Most dogs receive a complete and balanced diet - including necessary vitamins and minerals - from commercially processed dog food, according to the FDA. Dogs fed a homemade diet may need supplements. “It’s absolutely critical, but it should be done to match the diet,” Wynn says. “You can’t just create a meal and give your dog a vitamin.” Check with a veterinarian or nutritionist for help in determining what, if anything, is needed.
2. Is there any danger in giving my dog vitamins?
Possibly. If an animal already eats a balanced diet and receives excess portions of some vitamins and minerals, they could be harmful, according to the FDA and veterinarians.
Too much calcium can cause skeletal problems, especially in large-breed puppies; too much vitamin A can harm blood vessels and cause dehydration and joint pain. Excess vitamin D can prompt a dog to stop eating, harm bones, and cause muscles to atrophy.
3. Should I check with my vet before supplementing?
Absolutely, vets say. Symptoms that look like arthritis, such as a dog with a weak rear end, could instead be a neurological problem. A poor coat could indicate skin, metabolic or hormonal problems.
“Don’t forego traditional therapies, especially if it’s a life- or organ-threatening illness for your pet,” says Dawn M. Boothe, DVM, MS, PhD, director of the clinical pharmacology lab at the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine. “Make sure you stick with a standard of care and use the supplements as they were intended, as supplements.”
Ingredients in some supplements, such as herbals, may interact with other medicine an animal is taking. Your vet can also assess whether your pet needs a supplement.
“If they’re eating a complete and balanced diet and they’re healthy and have no problems, they don’t actually need supplementation,” Wynn says. She recommends fruits and vegetables to pet owners who want to give extra nutrients. Other than that, she limits her recommendations if a dog is healthy.
“We want to use things that are safe long-term,” Wynn says. “Probiotics fit that bill. That’s probably all I would recommend.”
4. Do dog supplements work?
It depends on what the supplement is used for and how it is manufactured, veterinarians say. Clinical trials are rare. “It’s hard finding quality evidence for the efficacy, much less the need for these products,” Boothe says.
Glucosamine-chondroitin supplements, commonly given to dogs with osteoarthritis, have shown mixed results in testing in humans and animals. A 2007 study published in The Veterinary Journal concluded that dogs treated with glucosamine-chondroitin sulfate showed less pain and more mobility after 70 days of treatment.
But a 2006 study for the National Institutes of Health Glucosamine/Chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial concluded that the supplements weren't effective in humans with mild pain. Those with moderate to severe pain may have seen some benefit, but because of the small size of this group the researchers called for more studies.
Fatty acids can help coats look better. Fish oil supplements also can reduce inflammation, according to a study published in the American Journal of Veterinary Research.
Antioxidants such as vitamins C and E also reduce inflammation and help aging dogs with memory problems, Wynn says. But she’s cautious about recommending supplements, especially for young animals that might be on nutritional supplements for many years. “Almost none of them have been tested for long-term safety in dogs,” Wynn says.
5. Do supplements contain the promised nutrients?
Again, it depends. ConsumerLab.com, which tests products for its industry certification program and sells subscriptions to its reports for consumers, surveyed glucosamine/chondroitin supplements for pets and humans. Sixty percent of the pet products failed, compared to 25% of those manufactured for people, says Tod Cooperman, MD, president of ConsumerLab.com.
The National Animal Supplement Council also checked its members’ joint support products and found that 25% didn’t meet label claims, president Bill Bookout says. “We require companies to do an investigation, find out why that is, and take corrective action.”
ConsumerLab.com tests of three probiotic supplements in 2006 showed that only one contained enough viable organisms to be effective. “In the pet area, we’ve seen the quality is lower than it is for human supplements,” Cooperman says.
6. Who regulates dog vitamins and supplements?
The FDA oversees animal supplements. A 2008 report from the National Research Council, a scientific research unit of the nonprofit National Academies, concluded there was little information on the safety of pet supplements.
The National Animal Supplement Council is addressing some of these concerns. The council sets labeling guidelines, requires adverse event reports for problems with supplements and tests some products to check whether they contain the amount of ingredients claimed on the label. The group has also required its members - about 90% of the industry - to adopt new standards for manufacturing by June 2010.
But "the quality of these products is a major, major concern,” Boothe says.
7. How should I choose a supplement?
Here are tips from veterinarians and those who test supplements or work in the industry.
Look for a brand that specializes in one area, or that has commissioned clinical studies of their products.
Read labels. Know the name of the ingredient you’re looking for, so you won’t be deceived by sound-alikes.
Look for a lot number on the product, a sign that the company has set up quality control checks.
Look for a contact number for the company on the label. Call and ask who formulated the product, what expertise they have, and how long the manufacturer has been in business.
Be wary of claims that sound too good to be true, such as promises to alleviate diseases like parvovirus, cancer, and hip dysplasia.
Look for certification from an organization that has independently verified a supplement’s contents.
Be cautious about giving human supplements to dogs. Some products, such as garlic, can be dangerous for dogs.
Know the seller. Cooperman says ConsumerLab.com has found fewer problems with supplements sold at vet’s offices, although they do occur.
8. What about supplements in dog food?
Check the label to see how much of an ingredient is actually in the food. Some adult dog foods contain glucosamine/chondroitin but because of state regulations that restrict the amount, it’s usually not a therapeutic dose.
A prescription dog food, on the other hand, may contain therapeutic levels of the supplement. Other dog foods might contain botanicals, such as cranberry, to ward off urinary tract infections or DHA to boost cognitive development in puppies.
“From an efficacy and safety standard, if it’s in a pet food, I have a greater level of confidence,” Boothe says.
12/10/12
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LITTLE DOGS NAMES
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