عيادة بيطرية

عيادة بيطرية

. Milk products are bad for dogs

. Milk products are bad for dogs

•Some adult dogs can lack the digestive enzyme needed to process lactose. Try your dog with a small volume of milk to see what happens. Milk products such as yoghurt (natural, unsweetened), cottage cheese, and buttermilk are excellent foods for dogs, and good sources of bioavailable calcium.  

date 3/28/2013
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Bones are bad for dogs

Bones are bad for dogs

Wrong! Cooked bones are bad for dogs. They can splinter and damage the gut. However, managed sensibly, raw bones are beneficial to teeth and gums and provide a relaxing treat. If you are worried about feeding raw bones, use mutton flap or brisket, which contain quite soft bones.

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Preventing Obesity in Dogs


Preventing Obesity in Dogs

1-Provide exercise

Exercise has many benefits. It not only helps to burn calories but it also:
-  Strengthens respiratory and circulatory systems
-  Helps get oxygen to tissue cells
-  Keeps muscles toned and joints flexible
-  Releases energy, relieves boredom, and keeps mind active
-  Aids in digestion


2-Choose the correct type and amount of food


Dogs need different types and amounts of food during their life stages. Younger animals require more energy, protein, and minerals than older dogs. Active field trial dogs, and dogs 
who are outside in cooler weather would also have greater

energy needs. Pregnant or nursing dogs require increased protein, minerals, and energy. 'Couch potato' dogs, however, have much lower energy needs. Older dogs, even if they remain active, may require fewer calories than when they were young.

Some dogs regulate their intake well, others eat anything in sight. In general, it is best to provide food as 'meals' rather than having a food bowl filled with food available at all times (free choice, ad. lib.). This way it is easier to monitor intake and food will not become stale. 
In a multiple pet household, providing food as meals also helps to ensure the pet is eating 
the food appropriate for him.



3-Regularly monitor the dog's weight


It is easy for us to put on a couple of pounds and not notice it until we try wearing something we have not worn for a while. It is even harder to notice small weight gains in dogs. By routinely weighing your dog (at the same time of day, on the same scale), you will be able to notice a slight weight increase (or decrease) before it becomes a serious problem.

4-Regulate the weight of young dogs

Dogs who are overweight while growing have a greaterrisk of becoming overweight as adults. We need to make sure growing animals have adequate nutrition, but we do not want to feed too much. In addition to contributing to weight problems as the animal ages, excess weight when young can contribute to other problems such as joint disease.


5-Limit or eliminate treats and table scraps


The extra calories and decreased nutritional value of treats and table scraps are often the biggest offenders when it comes to weight control. Treats are generally better than table scraps, and have their use, as when training dogs to 'come.' But giving too many treats can have serious consequences. Most dogs, when it comes right down to it, would rather have your attention than a treat. Spending extra time playing or grooming your dog will probably give you both much more satisfaction than the treat, which is gobbled up in three seconds and then forgotten 

6-Treat any contributing factors or diseases


Although most weight gain in dogs is simply due to feeding too much or exercising too little, there are medical conditions which can contribute to obesity. Many of these conditions can be treated. If your dog has an unexplained increase in appetite or weight, 
have your dog examined by your veterinarian to be sure there is not a disease process causing the problem. 

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Treatment Dog Overweight


  Treatment Dog  Overweight

Treatment of any concurrent or underlying disease that affects obesity is recommended.


* Lower your dog's daily caloric intake by changing the dog
    food product (there are several diets formulated for weight
    loss) or the amount fed daily.


* Increasing fiber or water intake may sometimes be necessary
    to satiate your dog.


* Increase exercise activity. To enhance exercise, a variety of 
    leashes and toys are available


Characteristics of a Good Weight Loss Diet
Essential to a good weight reduction program is reducing the calories fed, but how much? Most weight loss protocols for dogs recommend feeding 75% of the energy needs your pet would need when he is at his ideal weight. There is extreme variability (up to 20%) in the actual energy animals of the same weight may need since their activity level can vary greatly. For this reason, the dog's response to the 

weight reduction program is monitored and adjustments made as necessary.

Regular food or diet food?
There are two basic ways to cut down on calories. One is to feed less of the food the dog is currently eating. The second is to switch to special weight reduction diets. And of course, with either way, table scraps are a no-no and treats need to be minimized.
There are several advantages to feeding a balanced commercial weight reduction diet. First, weight reduction diets are generally high-fiber, low-fat diets which have a low energy density and allow a greater loss of body fat than simply feeding smaller amounts of a high-fat diet. This is because fat contains over twice as many calories as protein and carbohydrates and low-calorie dense foods tend to produce satiety (a feeling of being full) at a lower level of calorie intake. In addition, more energy is used in digesting and absorbing low-fat, high-fiber diets. Finally, by reducing the amount of the food currently being fed, you are also decreasing the level of protein, vitamins, minerals, etc., not just the fat. These reductions could be eliminated by using supplements, but it is much more difficult to achieve the right balance.
There are some instances in which feeding less of the current diet is preferred. If a dog is already on a special diet because of another medical condition (e.g.; bladder stones), it would be beneficial to maintain the pet on that diet. In some instances, the restricted availability of special weight reduction foods or their increased cost may make feeding less of the normal diet more appealing to the owner.
There are many weight reduction and "lite"diets available and include Drs. Foster and Smith Adult Lite Dog Food, Hill's Prescription Diet r/d and w/d, Royal Canin Calorie Control CC Diet, Purina's OM-Formula, and Eukanuba's Reduced Fat Formula. In addition, there are 'grocery store' brands which market themselves as weight reduction or weight control diets. Many pet foods claim to be diet foods and nutritionally balanced. To be sure your dog is receiving adequate nutrition while on a weight reduction diet; consider some of the guidelines below.
Summary
Weight reduction diets can be helpful tools in producing weight loss in overweight animals. In selecting a weight reduction diet, a nutrient analysis should be performed to ensure the animal will maintain adequate nutrition during the weight reduction process. Increasing exercise and eliminating treats need to go hand in hand with the reducing diet, if we are to achieve optimal results.

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How Do I Determine if My Dog is Overweight ?

How Do I Determine if My Dog is Overweight?


Q. When is a dog considered to be fat?
A. Veterinarians often use a 9 point scoring system to evaluate the body condition of pets. A point value of 1 means the dog or cat is extremely thin to the point of emaciation. A score of 9 means the pet is grossly overweight. And like Goldilocks and the three bears, a score of 5 is 'just right.' To determine body score, there are several specific areas of the dog or cat we look at. Remember, these are guidelines. A Greyhound with a score of 5 is still going to be thinner than a Bulldog with the same score.
NOTE: We have included some illustrations at the end of this article which depict the contours of various body scores.
To perform the rating, we first feel the pet's ribs. We should be able to quite easily feel the ribs. There should be a slight amount of fat over them, but each rib should be distinct. If you can see the ribs, the pet is too thin. If you can not feel them at all, the pet is very overweight.
Second, check the area near the base of the tail. There should be a slight fat covering over this area and it should feel smooth. If the bones protrude, the pet is too thin; if you can not feel any bones at all, the pet is very overweight.
Third, feel other bony prominences on the pet's body such as the spine, shoulders, and hips. Again, you should be able to feel a small amount of fat over these areas. If these bones are easily felt or visible, the dog or cat is too thin. If you can not feel the bones beneath the layer of fat, the animal is obviously overweight.
Fourth, look at your pet from above. The animal should have a definite waist behind the ribs. If the waist is extreme, or again, bony prominences are visible, the animal is too thin. If there is no waist, or worse yet, the area between the ribs and hips is wider than the hips or ribs, the dog or cat is grossly overweight.
Fifth, look at the pet from the side. Dogs and cats should have an abdominal tuck, i.e., the area behind the ribs should be smaller in diameter than the chest. This can vary a lot between breeds. Irish Setters and Greyhounds, for instance, appear to have a much more distinct abdominal tuck, since they are so deep-chested. An animal who is too thin will have a very severe abdominal tuck. Overweight animals will have no abdominal tuck.
If you feel your dog is overweight, consult your veterinarian to determine if there are any other medical problems before starting the animal on a weight reduction program. Your veterinarian can also suggest various diets, how fast your pet should lose weight, etc .
Very Thin
Body Score = 1

Thin
Body Score = 3

Ideal
Body Score = 5

Overweight
Body Score = 7

Obese
Body Score = 9

 

Health Risks in Overweight or Obese Dogs


As in people, dogs carrying extra pounds of weight place extra demands on virtually all the organs of their bodies. When we overload these organs, disease and sometimes death are the consequences. The health risks to overweight dogs are serious and every dog owner should be aware of them. The more common consequences of obesity in dogs are discussed below.
-      Diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes)
-      Damage to joints, bones, and ligaments
-      Heart disease and increased blood pressure
-      Difficulty breathing
-      Decreased stamina
-      Heat intolerance
-      Decreased liver function
-      Increased surgical and anesthetic risk
-      Reproductive problems
-      Digestive disorders
-      Decreased immune function
-      Skin and hair coat problems
-      Increased risk of cancer
-      Decreased quality and length of life

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