| Most Recent Posts PAAWS Vitamins Restore life for Dog's ArthritisPosted 23-Aug-08 21:35:37 BST Updated 23-Aug-08 21:36:11 BST Dr. Carol,
My 10 year 9month old Newfoundland / retriever mix, will be 11 years old this November. His name is Garth and the best dog we ever had. Garth tore his knee up back in 2004 and had it surgically repaired. He suffered from arthritis ever since. My sister-in-law used your Paaws vitamin product for her German Sheppard and after she passed on she gave me the remainder of what was left. To our amazement your Paaws vitamin product has changed his life. The people who know him at our dog park always comment on how well he is getting around. Thank you so much for such a great product and to anyone who is considering using it, don't think twice cause IT WORKS. Thank You, Ray B. Stroudsburg, PA
INTERNET PET SITES YOU CAN TRUST!Posted 22-Jul-08 14:39:31 BST Recent surveys of pet owners have shown that more than 70% of them agree that
their pet is part of the family. And, just like human family members, today's advice on healthcare, discipline, and rearing comes from many different sources, including
the Internet. Can you trust everything you read on the Web?
We live in an age of almost instantaneous information. 24-hour news stations, talk radio, and, of course, the Internet, have revolutionized the way we think and educate ourselves. It is easier than ever to research a topic and make
decisions about almost any subject, even the medical care of our families and
our pets. But is all that advice good? How do we filter what we find? How do we decide what is the best advice on caring for our four legged family members? With the pet market expected to top more than $41 billion this year, many businesses have turned to the Internet to reach more pet owners and broaden their markets. Searching for pet related items on the Web will find everything
from pet psychics to pet pharmacies to training aids and toys. With this explosion
of information, many people might ask: "Are there Internet pet sites that you can trust?" Many of these sites are developed and maintained by trainers, breeders, and other animal experts. Perhaps some of these non-veterinary animal authorities have good basic knowledge of a limited area of animal behavior, breed, or
even potentially, health issues. No one would likely question the advice and
expertise of a trainer of champion Border Collies when it comes to the best way to work these dogs, but should we listen to his advice on heartworm preventative? More to the point, when is it ok to trust our pet's health to someone other than
the family veterinarian?
For most pet owners their veterinarian is their primary source for advice. In fact, veterinarians consistently rank in the Top 5 of America's most trusted professions. Despite these warm feelings of trust, the urge and desire to save
money on our pet's care is a big factor in who pet owners will turn to for advice.
One example would be the increase in chat rooms, blogs, and other media sources
that highlight pet "experts" other than veterinarians.
Anyone can post information on the Web. There is no requirement that the person actually be an expert. And while much valuable information can be found, there is also much that is inaccurate or just plain incorrect or dangerous.
When it comes to understanding how all aspects of a pet's environment, genetics, physical health, and even mental and emotional health are related, your family veterinarian, with his or her years of intensive post-graduate training in medicine
and surgery, is still the best choice to provide you with the answers you need.
Veterinarians have either a D.V.M. or a V.M.D. degree. This Doctor of Veterinary
Medicine designation is your assurance of proper training and the completion of a
university accredited curriculum. Just like your doctor, some veterinarians become
specialists, focusing on internal medicine, dermatology, or even family practice.
Knowing this, a good place to start to find accurate and up-to-date information on animal health care, is your veterinarian's web site. Most veterinary sites have links to pre-approved veterinary medical sites, such as www.veterinarypartner.com
or sites associated with the nearest veterinary teaching hospital.
Additionally, your veterinarian's web site may allow you to order common pet medications and other treatments online. Some, such as www.DrCarol.com allow you to even schedule an appointment or ask for advice.
The best part about visiting your family veterinarian's web site is the comfort of knowing it comes from your pet's doctor - who knows your pet and your family best. Other trustworthy sites might include the website for the Companion Animal Parasite Council (http://www.petsandparasites.com), and the American Kennel Club website (http://www.akc.org).
The huge pipeline of information that is the Internet is wonderful. You have an incredible resource at your fingertips. But frankly it should come with a warning label - "Caution, the information you receive or the products you buy may or may
not be correct! "
For the health care of your special pet friend, don't rely on third party sources with unknown qualifications. You, your veterinarian and your pet are the best team to ensure your pet lives a long and healthy life.
Another site you can trust is www.carolonpets.com. This is veterinarian, Dr. Carol Osborne's site and contains up to date reliable pet health and longevity information for dogs and cats. Your Best Friend's Best Friend, Dr. Carol, DVM Dr. Carol Osborne is a veterinarian at the American Pet Institute and can be reached at drcarol@drcarol.com or you can contact her toll free at 1-866-372-2765. Dr. Carol's Pets, LLC. 953 Bell Road Chagrin Falls, OH 44022 US Lymphosarcoma Cancer In Dogs: Dr. Carol OsbornePosted 20-Mar-08 16:16:55 GMT Lymphosarcoma is a very common type of cancer in dogs. It is also known as lymphoma or non-Hodgkin's' lymphoma and is one of the most common cancers treated in veterinary medicine.
Many different species develop Lymphosarcoma. The most common form of Lymphosarcoma in dogs is that which starts in the lymph nodes. Your dog may feel fine and have no clinical symptoms other than enlarged lymph nodes. Usually the first place this is noticed is under the jaw. Other forms of Lymphosarcoma can start in the chest, abdomen, bone marrow, or skin
Many different species develop Lymphosarcoma. The most common form of Lymphosarcoma in dogs is that which starts in the lymph nodes. Your dog may feel fine and have no clinical symptoms other than enlarged lymph nodes. Usually the first place this is noticed is under the jaw. Other forms of Lymphosarcoma can start in the chest, abdomen, bone marrow, or skin.
FACT: In advanced cases, the cancer can spread, which vets call “metastasize”, to involve multiple sites.
DIAGNOSIS
Because Lymphosarcoma can spread to almost any tissue in the body, a thorough work-up needs to be done to determine stage of disease. This lets us know how advanced the disease has become and ultimately helps us decide what treatment would be most beneficial. Typically, staging includes the following tests.
It is not always necessary to do all of the tests listed above, however, these help give us an indication of the stage of your pet’s cancer and his/her general health and ability to undergo treatment.
STAGES
Lymphosarcoma is staged from Stage I to Stage V. Stage I disease means that the cancer is confined to only one lymph node. State I is rarely diagnosed in pets. Stage II refers to cancer in more than one node but in one region of the body. Stage III refers to cancer in nodes generalized in the body. Stage IV means disease is not only in the nodes but also in the spleen or liver. Stage V refers to all of the above plus cancer in the bone marrow, blood or other sites not listed above. There is also a sub classification of “A” or “B”. “A” means that the patient is not ill with the disease while “B” means that the patient is showing clinical symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, fluid in the lungs, etc. Stage IIIA is usually the earliest we detect the disease in dogs. Even higher stages of Lymphosarcoma are very treatable.
TREATMENT
Chemotherapy – means “chemical” treatment and refers to drug therapy. Anti-cancer drugs can be administered intravenously, subcutaneously or even orally depending on the drug chosen. Fortunately, animals tolerate these treatments far better than people. The incidence of side effects tends to be less than 5 percent.
Will there be hair loss? In general, no. Exceptions include Poodles, which are at risk for chemotherapy induced hair loss. Old English Sheepdogs are also at higher risk. If any hair is lost, it will regrow after treatment is stopped.
While Lymphosarcoma is a very treatable disease, it is not a curable disease.
What are chances of remission and how long will it last? It does depend on the TYPE of Lymphosarcoma present, but in general, greater than 90% of dogs will achieve a complete remission. The average length of remission is 8-12 months.
What happens after my pet comes out of remission? Your pet can be retreated at that time. Second and third remissions are always possible.
Cost of treatment – Treatment costs can start at $500 and reach $2,000 for larger pets. The Oncology Service at OVRS is involved in funded clinical trials. Our goal is treating Lymphosarcoma is to give your pet not only quantity of time but more important quality time.
RENAL LYMPHOSARCOMA
Renal Lymphosarcoma is the term used when the kidneys are the primary site of involvement. Signs include those of kidney dysfunction/failure; initially cats drink and urinate a lot. Later, cats lose their appetite, vomit and become depressed.
MEDIASTINAL LYMPHOSARCOMA
The Mediastinum is a term used for “lymph” tissue near the heart and lungs. These cats have difficulty breathing because the cancer forms a “tumor” mass in their chest or causes excess fluid to accumulate around their lungs.
BONE MARROW LYMPHOSARCOMA: LEUKEMIA
If the cancer was confined to the bone marrow, it would be called Leukemia. The signs seen would relate to the type of blood cell affected in the bone marrow. The bone marrow normally makes red blood cells that carry oxygen, white blood cells that fight infection and platelets that help blood to clot. A decreased number of these cells as a result of Leukemia would cause: anemia, infections, and bleeding disorders respectively.
DIAGNOSIS
Diagnosis is confirmed by a tissue biopsy, which is a microscopic examination of tissue from the specific site involved. To completely evaluate a dog suspected of having this type of cancer, a detailed exam is necessary to determine whether or not the cancer has spread to involve any other areas of the body. Veterinary cancer specialists (Oncologists) refer to this as “STAGING”. Diagnostic Procedures used to ‘STAGE” the cancer include:
Once the extent of the cancer is determined by ‘STAGING”, the best treatment can be determined.
TREATMENT
Ninety percent of dogs treated with chemotherapy go into remission, which means the cancer is no longer detectible. Remission is not a cure, but it does allow good quality of life. Eight to Ten Months is the average remission and survival time. Unlike humans, less than five percent of dogs experience serious side effects from Chemotherapy, which can include:
Dogs don’t lose their hair like people (except Poodles, Old English Sheepdogs) do with Chemotherapy, but some do lose their whiskers.
COMPLEMENTARY TREATMENTS
CANCER DIETS
A good diet and a multi-vitamin mineral supplement are standard for most cases.
NUTRACEUTICALS, HORMONES, HERBS AND OTHER SUPPLEMENTS
There are quite a few considerations that go into designing a supplement program for a cancer patient.
Below is a brief listing of supplements that may be helpful with cancer treatment. No doses are provided because every animal should receive an individual evaluation. Full spectrum vitamin supplements including PAAWS and VitaLife have proven to be very beneficial for many canine cancer patients.
SUPPLEMENTS TO CONSIDER
Look for the * - these are considered essential supplements:
IMMUNESTIMULANTS:
Housebreaking your New Puppy by Dr. Carol OsbornePosted 20-Mar-08 16:03:19 GMT Good housebreaking techniques teach your dog to relieve himself where and when you’d like him to.
Dogs instinctively mark their own territory. Therefore, your goal is to teach your dog the boundaries of his territory. Housebreaking can be learned in four to eight weeks and can start when your puppy is eight weeks old.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
First of all, buy a crate. Be sure it’s the right size: it should be large enough for comfort, but not too big because your puppy will sleep at one end and use the other end for his business. If you get an airline-approved crate, you can also use it like a mobile home when you’re traveling. You might be able to find a crate with an adjustable divider and slide the divider back as your puppy grows.
Puppies need to go outside when they wake up, after every meal, and before bedtime. Most puppies eliminate within the first hour after eating. They should be fed two to three times each day, at the same time. Food should be left out for 20 to 30 minutes, and the last meal should be finished five hours before bedtime.
Take your puppy out on a leash through the same door to the same spot every time, and when he does his business, reward him with praise. If your puppy does not eliminate when you take him outside, bring him inside, put him in his crate for 15 minutes, and repeat the procedure until you achieve success. At that point, when you bring him in don’t put him back in his crate. Confine your puppy to a relatively small, safe area of your home and provide constant supervision until your puppy is completely housetrained.
If you have to leave your puppy at home alone each day for several hours, restrict him to a larger area like a small room or a playpen. This area should provide enough space for sleeping and eating. Several feet away, place papers at the elimination site.
A common mistake is to let your dog go outside alone. Many dogs come back inside the house and the do their business. This causes most people to become upset. Their reaction inadvertently reinforces the negative behavior. If your dog relieves himself in front of you, softly tell a shy dog “no”, or use a firmer tone with a stubborn dog. Then take him to the spot on a leash where he is supposed to relieve himself and offer him immediate praise. Correcting your dog after the fact – even if it only happened a few minutes before – is ineffective because dogs have no way of associating your discipline with a past behavior.
If your puppy does make a mistake inside, it’s important to get rid of the odor. Effective products are available commercially and can be recommended by your vet. This author had had very good luck with Elim Odor products. Using ammonia to clean up a mistake can actually make it worse. With dedication, supervision and patience housetraining your puppy will be a success.
Copyright (c), 2008, Dr. Carol Osborne, D.V.M.
All Rights Reserved
Longevity Vitamin Supplements for Dogs: by Dr. CarolPosted 20-Mar-08 15:59:03 GMT  Longevity research confirms the fact that optimal vitamin supplements can deter and slow the aging process in people and dog’s. Antioxidants and essential nutrients have a synergistic effect; they work together like a team so that when combined properly one plus one equals three. To help your dog enjoy a long healthy life look for supplements like PAAWS and VitaLife that combine optimal levels of vital nutrients geared specifically to optimize your dog’s health and wellness based on his or her age and body weight. Be sure the product you choose is made in the United States and backed by clinical trials with a veterinarian on staff.
When it comes to optimal nutritional supplements, your pet’s potential health benefits far outweigh the cost and your dog will be living proof for years to come.
What to Look For in a Longevity Supplement For your Dog
The market is exploding with products claiming to improve the health and wellness of individuals using vitamins and nutritional supplements. People are now seeking the same products to complement the health of their pets. The benefits of appropriate nutritional supplements are overwhelming and can add several healthy years to your life, as well as your dogs.
Dogs Age Faster Than People
Longevity is attributed 30 percent to genetics and 70 percent to lifestyle. Up to 90 percent of diseases in dogs are due to the degenerative processes associated with aging.
Does Your Dog Act His Age?
Because dogs age seven times faster than people, major health changes occur in a short amount of time. Dogs are considered puppies for about one year, adults from age two to six, and seniors at age seven. Giant breeds, like Great Danes, age even more quickly and are considered seniors at age five. Signs of aging in dogs occur slowly, but generally begin at maturity, somewhere between age one and two.
Dr. Denham Harman’s Free Radical Theory of Aging, applies to people and pets, including dogs. This universally accepted theory states that aging is a process in which the body’s systems deteriorate faster than the body can repair them.
The changes occur due to oxidative damage caused by harmful compounds called free radicals. Free radicals are toxic, electrically unstable molecules. As we age, they are produced more quickly.
Free radicals damage your dog’s body similar to the way oxygen causes iron to rust. They are detrimental to your dog’s genetic material, his DNA and RNA, his cell membranes and enzyme systems.
Free radicals are formed each time we take a breath. Exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays, as well as to environmental toxins, pollution, heavy metals and stress contribute to free radical formation. Your dog’s diet and drugs, such as antibiotics, are also factors.
Free radicals weaken your dog’s natural defenses and have been associated with the development of up to 90 percent of the age-related degenerative conditions we associate with aging:
Our life span, as well as the length of your dog’s life, is ultimately determined by how quickly free radicals cause harmful oxidative changes to occur. Therefore what you feed your dog, as well as the supplements you choose for your dog are both very important.
Help Your Dog Enjoy a Longer, Healthier Life
Your Dog’s Diet
You are what you eat, and that’s just as important for people as it is for dogs. What you feed your dog directly affects his health and wellness. The longer and more consistently you give your dog an optimally balanced diet, the greater his chances are of living a longer, healthier life.
Dogs, like people are omnivores and can naturally exist on a diet of meat, fruit and vegetables. Consult with your vet to determine the best diet for your dog. Commercial varieties worth looking into include organic, natural diets such as Prairie made by Natures Variety.
Homemade, natural diets take more time and effort but in many cases are well worth the extra effort. Vegetarian and raw food diets are another option that, with careful supervision, may provide complete and balanced nutrition for your dog.
According to the Guinness Book of Records, a Border Collie in England named Taffy, lived to the spry age of 27 eating an all-natural, organic diet.
Healthy Dog Snacks
Fruits and vegetables are healthy, low calorie snacks many pets enjoy. Those rich in antioxidants are especially beneficial for your dog:
Oranges are rich in Vitamin C, tomatoes are filled with Lycopenes and sweet potatoes are a source of Vitamin E and Beta Carotene. Carrots and cantaloupes also provide Beta Carotene for your dog.
Antioxidant Supplements for Your Dog: Sooner Not Later
Recent research documents that antioxidants provide very bright prospects for increasing the quality and length of your dog’s life. In addition, scientists have found that sooner is better than later as far as your dog’s potential health benefits. Antioxidant supplementation started as a puppy, before free radical damage has occurred, can increase the healthy lifespan of your dog by up to 20 percent.
Antioxidant supplements, including Vitamins A, C, and E, the minerals Selenium and Zinc, and the nutrients Alpha Lipoic Acid and Coenzyme Q10, are the body’s natural defense against free radical damage. They can help to protect your dog by neutralizing free radicals and decreasing the resultant levels of oxidative damage.
Other noteworthy antioxidant supplements for your dog include:
The effects of antioxidants are beneficial and act synergistically for people and dog’s undergoing cancer therapy. In well controlled studies, people and pets treated with antioxidants (with or without chemotherapy and radiation) have tolerated treatments better and experienced less weight loss. More importantly, they enjoyed a better overall quality of life and lived longer than individuals receiving no supplements.
Nutritional Supplements for Your Dog’s Bones, Joints & Cartilage
Glucosamine is an amino sugar naturally produced in your dog’s body from glucose, which is your dog’s blood sugar, and the Amino Acid, Glutamine. It helps the cartilage between the joints retain water so the cartilage can act like a cushion to absorb shock and withstand compression. Glucosamine is vital to protecting the health and integrity of your dog’s bones, joints and cartilage. It helps to:
Glucosamine is also a normal component of the urinary bladder in dog’s and cat’s and may help to relieve urinary disorders.
MSM (methyl-sulfonyl-methane) is a natural source of sulfur that works along with Glucosamine to help protect the health and integrity of your dog’s bones, joints and cartilage.
Essential Fatty Acid Supplements for Your Dog
Essential Fatty Acids are vital to life and support all bodily functions in your dog. They help to keep cell membranes soft and pliable, so your pet’s cells can absorb dietary nutrients. They enhance your dog’s skin and hair coat and are needed for the normal development of the nervous system and brain.
Fatty Acids are vital to brain health and help to preserve mental clarity. They decrease the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia in dogs, cats and people. Fatty Acids may reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure, as well as provide therapeutic effects in your dog for:
Flea allergies, food intolerances and bacterial skin infections can often be relieved by providing your dog with fatty acid supplements.
The proper balance of Fatty Acids helps to reduce wear and tear on your dog’s body by decreasing stress triggered increases in cholesterol and the stress hormone Cortisol. Research indicates that the ratio of 5:1 of Omega 6 to Omega 3 Fatty Acids seems to provide the greatest clinical benefits, surpassing that of any individual Fatty Acid alone.
Amino Acid Supplements for Your Dog
Glutamine is the most abundant Amino Acid in the body. It is the major energy source for the cells that line the digestive system and strengthens your dog’s natural defense system known as the immune system.
Glutamine promotes healing of the digestive system thereby reducing bowel disorders. It spares protein and reduces muscle loss during periods of injury, stress and high endurance activities. Therefore it is especially beneficial for pets recovering from trauma and for working and show dogs.
Glutamine also has many anti-aging effects. It helps to preserve memory and to prevent the harmful effects of Cortisol, the hormone that is responsible for accelerating the aging process in people and in your dog.
Digestive Enzyme Supplements for Your Dog
Digestive Enzymes are produced by the salivary glands, stomach, pancreas and liver and are released into the digestive tract. Enzymes help your dog’s body to breakdown proteins, fats and carbohydrates in his food so they can be absorbed and utilized.
Your dog’s production of enzymes naturally decreases with increasing age. Illnesses, stress, food intolerances, allergies and drugs like antibiotics also have a negative affect on enzyme production and function. This can result in a variety of digestive disturbances ranging from flatulence and gas to diarrhea, life threatening dehydration and malnutrition.
Digestive Enzymes are vital to maintain your dog’s overall health. They improve the efficiency of digestion so your pet’s body can utilize the nutrients essential for energy production and ultimately for life itself.
They help the body to recover from disease and promote restoration of good health in your dog. Enzymes are useful to reduce pain and swelling after exercise or trauma and help speed up recovery rates. Enzymes support your dog’s immune system thereby enhancing his ability to ward off disease and infection. They have been also been used effectively in cancer therapy for people and pets.
Papain is an enzyme that has aspirin-like effects to decrease swollen, painful inflamed tissues in your dog. Bromelain is an enzyme found in pineapple stems that inhibits the spread of lung cancer in mice.
Digestive Enzyme supplements may be beneficial in dogs with digestive problems, immune disorders including rheumatoid arthritis and arthritis, cancer and a variety of bowel disorders. They are especially useful in older dogs with reduced digestive ability.
The Anti-Aging “A” Supplement List For Your Dog:
Copyright (c) 2008, Dr. Carol Osborne, D.V.M. Please do not copy in any manner, print or electronic, without permission from the author. |
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