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Your Current Pet Food Could be Damaging Your Pets Health Massive advertising campaigns by manufacturers effectively brainwash pet owners into buying their food. Where do they get the money as this runs from thousands of pounds to millions? ... Answer they use whatever ingredients are the cheapest at the time. This means that your pet gets poor nutrition and they get maximum profits. It also means that the ingredients in each batch of food may be different. Loose terms are used such as (cereals), (derivatives), (EC / EEC permitted) so that ‘A’ you the consumer will probably never research what these terms mean and ‘B’ legally they don’t have to change their ingredient labels with the changes they make at production. Check the ingredients, you will get a shock which leading manufacturers include these. Poor Quality Ingredients That DO NOT Need To Be In Pet Food Derivatives constant ingredient changes to cheapest available Cereals cheap bulking agents ; constant ingredient changes to cheapest available Gluten an inexpensive byproduct of human food processing with almost no nutritional value left, serves mostly as a cheap binder Soya / Soy widely used in dog foods as a protein source. However, Soy is commonly known as a cause of food allergies in dogs Wheat / Wheat Gluten the tough, viscid nitrogenous substance remaining when wheat is washed to remove the starch. very difficult to digest. the less food that is digested, the more mess to clean up at the other end. this is a good source of carbohydrate and protein, but it is one of the main ingredients known to cause dietary intolerances and allergies, so should be avoided when feeding pets with these problems. BHA considered carcinogenic = cancerous BHT considered carcinogenic = cancerous Ethoxyquin listed and identified as a hazardous chemical Propylene Glycol less-toxic version of anti freeze. very powerful preservative. strong artificial sweet taste that pets find addictive. EC / EEC Permitted covers over 4000 chemical additives including BHA ; BHT ; propylene glycol Ponceau 4R considered carcinogenic = cancerous. currently listed as a banned substance by the U.S. associated with hyperactivity Brilliant Blue associated with hyperactivity Tartrazine anxiety, depression, itching, general weakness, heatwaves, sleep disturbance, behavioural issues, inflamed stomach lining An improper diet leads to a build up of waste matter (toxins) in the body Depending on the individual pet this may take days, weeks, months or years. If your pet encounters any of the following problems it is very likely that the poor quality ingredients in the pet food is the cause... Acute Inflammatory Reactions = Pancreatitis/Hepatitis - Allergic Reactions = Eczema/Auto Immune Disease - Bad Breath - Behavioural Problems - Biting Or Licking Feet - Body Odour - Dandruff - Diarrhoea - Discharges From Eyes/Ears/Genitals - Eating Faeces = Coprophagia - Eating Grass - Excessive Grooming (Cats) - Hormonal Imbalance = False Preganacy/Irregular Oestrus - Increased Susceptibility To Infections - Itchy Skin - Obesity (Excess Weight) - Overfull Anal Glands - Persistant Moulting/Casting/Shedding Of Hair - Scurfy Dry Coat - Stiffening Muscles And Joints = Rheumatism/Arthritis - Tooth Tartar/Gum Disease - Vomiting - Waxy Or Itchy Ears A high protein diet does NOT cause hyperactivity or behavioural problems This misconception has lingered in the dog world for too many years despite a lack of evidence to support it. Origin of the High-Protein Diet Myth: The high-protein diet myth originated with early studies on the effects of a high-protein diet on rats, rather than dogs. Unlike dogs, rats are not meat eaters, so the behavioral outcome of a high-protein diet for rats is significantly different from the outcome for dogs. Definition of Hyperactivity: While you may believe that your dog is hyperactive, he most likely is not, in the technical sense of the term. Dogs with true hyperactivity--a rare medical condition--are unnaturally frantic, pace incessantly and pant excessively. Causes of Hyperactivity: True hyperactivity results from a genetic predisposition. Dogs who appear hyperactive but do not meet the criteria for a diagnosis may simply be high-energy, overly reactive or descended from high-drive, working line dogs. Help for the Hyper Dog: If your dog is diagnosed with hyperactivity, they will benefit from certain stimulant medications. Dogs who are simply high-energy will benefit from daily exercise, obedience, structured households and sufficient time to decompress in a quiet crate environment. Poor quality ingredients in pet foods (listed above) have been proven to be main contributors so a change of diet to a premium single meat protein source. YOUR ARE WHAT YOU EAT Our goal is to improve your pets wellbeing and life expectancy with a healthy diet, within the first few weeks you should see differences such as... Brighter Eyes - Better Mobility - More Energetic - Better Skin and Coat Condition - Mentally and Physically Happier and Relaxed - Fewer Trips To The Vet INGREDIENTS TO AVOID IN PET FOODS ANIMAL FATS Frequently used because it is very cheap and palatable. The manufacturer can use the fat renderered from any animal. This is bad news for dogs with food intolerances as you never know what animals the fat blend is from. Even if you find your dog is tolerant to this batch of dog food, the next batch could be different. They also tend to have a low linoleic acid (Omega 6) content which can have an impact in the skin and coat of your dog. The source of these are diverse and include restaurant grease and factory by-products. Due to the nature of animal fat, they tend to be preserved with artificial preservatives such as BHT, BHA or Ethoxyquin to prevent rancidity as it is hard to preverse them naturally. Avoid! Always look for a product with a named fat source i.e. Chicken fat or lamb fat BHA Butylated Hydroxysanisole - a white, waxy phenolic antioxidant, used to preserve fats and oils, especially in foods. Banned from human use in many countries. Possible human carcinogen, apparently carcinogenic in animal experiments. The oxidative characteristics and/or metabolites of BHA and BHT may contribute to carcinogenicity (an agent directly involved in the exacerbation of cancer) or tumorigenic (capable of causing tumors). Causes squamous-cell carcinomas (form of cancer that may occur in many different organs, including the skin, lips, mouth, esophagus, urinary bladder, prostate, lungs, vagina, and cervix) in rats and hamsters. Enhanced stomach and unrinary bladder carcinogenesis. BHT Butylated Hydroxytoluene - a crystalline phenolic antioxidant, used to preserve fats and oils, especially in foods. Banned from human use in many countries. Possible human carcinogen, apparently carcinogenic in animal experiments. The oxidative characteristics and/or metabolites of BHA and BHT may contribute to carcinogenicity (an agent directly involved in the exacerbation of cancer) or tumorigenic (capable of causing tumors). Promoted urinary bladder carcinogenesis. Could be a promoter of thyroid carcinogenesis. Those in favour of vivisection might perhaps be able to explain why chemicals continue to be used when they have been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals. Either the data is valid or it isn't. Which will it be? According to Dr Wendell O Belfield, author of How to Have a Healther Dog, both BHA and BHT are known to cause liver and kidney dysfunction and are banned in some European countries. He says that ethoxyquin is suspected of causing cancer, and that propylene glycol, another common pet food ingredient, causes the destruction of red blood cells. Dr Jean Dodds tells us that underlying thyroid disease can render dogs susceptible to other autoimmune diseases. She says that an important link has been shown between a deficiency in the mineral, selenium, and hypothyroidism. "The selenium issue is further complicated," says Dr Dodds, "because chemical antioxidants can impair the bioavailability of vitamin A, vitamin E and selenium. As manufacturers of many premium pet foods began adding the synthetic antioxidant, ethoxyquin, in the late 1980s, its effects along with those of other chemical preservatives (BHA, BHT) are surely detrimental over the long term. The way to avoid this problem is to use foods preserved with natural antioxidants such as vitamin E and vitamin C." Ethoxyquin requires employees handling the substance to wear eye and respiratory protection. According to the publication Z-Team, 1993, ethoxyquin containers are marked with a skull and crossbones and prominently display the word, 'POISON'. So what to do about the pet food dilemma? Pet food manufacturers that do NOT use chemical preservatives usually proudly proclaim this fact on labelling and promotional literature - and if enough of us refuse to buy chemical-laden pet foods, they'll soon stop trying to sell it. Also note that the levels of hazardous chemicals within human foods are usually far lower than those permitted in pet food. Alternatively, we dog lovers could continue doing what we've always done, and refuse to believe that anyone would sell us anything that could cause harm to our dogs. As John Lennon said: "living is easy with eyes closed” As far as the majority of the pet food industry is concerned, your pet food will be preserved with one or more different antioxidants - either natural (Vitamin E, C or Tocopherols) or (BHA, BHT, Ethoxyquin or similar) or a mixture of both types - and the pattern will be something like this:- Product 1 Meat Meal and Fats pre-treated with BHA, BHT by supplier. During processing, BHA, BHT or similar anitioxidant added. Ingredient declaration: ...Contains permitted EC preservatives. Product 2 Meat Meal and Fats pre-treated with Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Tocopherols or similar by supplier. During processing, additional Vit E, C or Tocopherols added. Ingredient declaration: '... naturally preserved with... ' Product 3 Meat Meal and Fats pre-treated with BHA, BHT or similar by supplier. During processing, Vitamin E, C or Tocopherols added. Ingredient declaration: '... naturally preserved..' or 'no added preservatives'. 'Hang on!' you might say at this point. 'Product 3 contains artificial preservatives!' And of course it does, but because the meat meal and fats were pre-treated before manufacture by the supplier, I think I'm right in saying that you don't actually have to declare them as ingredients (there's a similar rule with human food, believe it or not) You need to know this! Some companies specify from their suppliers that fats and meat meal do not contain artificial preservatives, others do not. You may not realise this from the ingredient declaration. Dr. Lisa Freeman, DVM writes 'The problem is that there's no legal definition of "all natural," "preservative free," or similarly named products. Manufacturers define products by what they believe these terms mean. In general, the implication is that no preservatives or artificial colors have been added and that natural preservatives, such as vitamin C or vitamin E, have been used, but this can vary from brand to brand. In addition, although these products may not contain added artificial preservatives, they may still contain low low levels of artificial preservatives that were already in the meat or fat-soluble vitamins obtained from suppliers.' BEEF Although a good source of protein, beef is known to cause dietary intolerances and allergies. It is also lower down the digestibility scale from chicken, turkey and lamb. This term allows the use of anything that is not classed as a cereal. It is generally waste material from the Human food preparation industry. By the time it is processed at high temperature, it contains no nutritional value except as another fibre source. It is inexpensive to use and is classed as another bulking agent. CEREALS Bulking agents used to fill up the remainder of the food. Poor quality ingredients which allow manufacturers to use the cheapest ingredients available at the time of production, this unfortunately means that each batch may not have the same ingredients. DERIVATIVES OF VEGETABLE ORIGIN Sounds unpleasant, is unpleasant! Another loose term used to disguise all manner of hidden ingredients such as vegetable residues and even charcoal. A vague term used to describe by-products of vegetable origin. This can include anything that has been derived from a vegetable, from charcoal to compost! Seeing this ingredient in a pet food should set alarm bells ringing as it can be used to hide all manner of unspecified ingredients. Official definition: Derivatives resulting from the treatment of vegetable products in particular cereals, vegetables, legumes and oil seeds. EC PERMITTED ADDITIVES / ANTIOXIDANTS / PRESERVATIVES Sounds harmless enough but this term covers over 4000 chemical additives that can be added to pet food without individually naming them, many of which have been banned from human foods due to health concerns, including colours such as E110 (sunset yellow) and E102 (tartrazine) which have been proven to cause hyperactivity in children. The three synthetic antioxidants commonly used by pet food manufacturers are: E320 - BHA – Butylatedhydroyanilose. E321 - BHT – Butylatedhydroyutoluen. E324 – Ethoxyquin. These are extremely effective at their job, however they are associated with several health problems (including cancer) when fed in quantity. No surprise to learn that this is one of the cheaper methods of preserving pet foods! There is a wealth of information on the internet on the possible problems caused by the use of these chemicals, including causing cancer in dogs. As this information is quite often contradictory it's hard to determine the truth. However, whilst the jury is out, there are healthier natural choices available. The healthiest option is to preserve the food naturally with tocopherals which are a blend of vitamins "E" & "C". These are commonly made from vegetable oil. This is quite often used in conjunction with rosemary which is a natural antioxidant. GLUTEN An inexpensive byproduct of human food processing with almost no nutritional value left, serves mostly as a binder. MEAT AND ANIMAL DERIVATIVES Meat and animal derivatives" is a generic term that covers all animals and parts such as heads, feet, guts, lungs, hair, feathers and wool! They don’t have to tell you what parts are used or even what species it comes from. It can sourced from any animal. i.e. Chicken? Horse? Rabbit Emu? Rat? Giraffe? This term can be used to hide unhealthy or undesirable ingredients, and to enable the manufacturer to change the protein source with from batch to batch to whatever is the cheapest available at the time of manufacture without changing the label. Meat and animal derivatives are used in many successful pet foods because most consumers don't know any better. Official definition of meat and animal derivatives: All the fleshy parts of slaughtered warm-blooded land animals fresh or preserved by appropriate treatment, and all products and derivatives of the processing of the carcase or parts of the carcase of such animals. Pets that are intolerant to certain proteins may be fine with one batch but have problems with the next as it's impossible to know which is in each bag. Clean parts of slaughtered poultry, such as heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, feet, abdomen, intestines and heads. PROPYLENE GLYCOL A preservative that is used in pet foods. less-toxic version of anti freeze. Very powerful preservative with a strong artificial sweet taste that pets find addictive. It is best avoided as it known to cause problems such as hair loss, dull coat, diarrhoea etc. A colourless or white crystalline solid, chiefly sodium chloride, used extensively in ground or granulated form as a food seasoning and preservative. May also appear in ingredient list as ‘Iodized Salt’ (iodine supplement added), ‘Sea Salt’ (as opposed to salt mined from underground deposits) or ‘Sodium Chloride (chemical expression). While salt is a necessary mineral, it is also generally present in sufficient quantities in the ingredients pet foods include. Just like for humans, too much sodium intake is unhealthy for animals. In poor quality foods it is often used in large amounts to add flavour and make the food more interesting. SOYA / SOY Soybeans are widely used in dog foods as a protein source. However, Soy is commonly known as a cause of food allergies in dogs. SUGAR Can include sucrose, cane sugar, caramel corn syrup and others. Sugar or sweetener is an absolutely unnecessary ingredient in pet foods, added to make the product more attractive. Continuous intake can promote hypoglycaemia, obesity, nervousness, cataracts, tooth decay, arthritis and allergies. Pets also get addicted to foods that contain sugars, so it can be a tough piece of work to make them eat something healthier. WHEAT / WHEAT GLUTEN The tough, viscid nitrogenous substance remaining when wheat is washed to remove the starch. Very difficult to digest. The less food that is digested, the more mess to clean up at the other end. This is a good source of carbohydrate and protein, but it is one of the main ingredients known to cause dietary intolerances and allergies, so should be avoided when feeding pets with these problems. INGREDIENTS GLOSSARY ASH Ash content is given as a percentage. It isn't an ingredient that is added but the total mineral content of the product after incineration. Dried brewer's yeast is a residue left over from the brewing industry, and it is an excellent source of B-complex vitamins and amino acids. CARROTS Carrots are a good source of beta-carotene, vitamins and minerals CELLULOSE Cellulose is a form of fibre derived from plants. It can help to stimulate the production of saliva, thus assisting the passage of hairballs. CHICKEN (FRESH) Fresh chicken is highly palatable, highly digestible and is an excellent protein source for cats and dogs. It has an extremely high biological value meaning that it is easily broken down into its constituent amino acids (the building blocks of protein) necessary for a variety of structural and metabolic functions within the body. Most fresh chicken used in pet foods is chicken viscera - so organ meat and intestines - which is highly nutritious and is exactly what dogs would eat in the wild. Using up the leftovers from chicken destined for human consumption makes this a very efficient food source for pets. Chicken meat is an good protein source with a balanced amino acid acid mix. Like fresh chicken, chicken meal is an excellent protein source. It comprises the clean parts of the carcass ground up into a calcium-rich flour. Good quality chicken meal does not include heads, feet or feathers. Chicken meat and meal is an good protein source with a balanced amino acid mix. This is the same as fresh chicken but with the water removed which means that it gives a better guide to the actual quantity in the final product. Can be described as "The dried, clean rendered flesh of the animal with the water and fat removed". CHICKEN FAT / OIL Highly palatable and has a high and consistent level of the essential fatty acids that are necessary for a healthy skin and coat, and is considered to be one of the highest quality fat sources available. CHONDROITIN Chondroitin Sulphate blocks destructive enzymes that break down cartilage in the joint. There is always a low level of these destructive enzymes in the joint, but when injury or abnormal wear occurs the enzymes multiply. Chondroitin is a safe and natural ingredient, and any excess that is not required by the body is simply excreted in the urine. CORN Corn (or maize as it is also known) is a starch carbohydrate. Ground corn is used as an energy source. CRANBERRY EXTRACT Cranberry extract may aid in maintaining urinary tract health. It contains a sugar substance (D-mannose), which has the special ability of being able to prevent harmful bacteria from sticking to the mucosal walls. Cranberry also contains arbutin, which is effective against certain bacteria and fungi, including Candida. By limiting these harmful bacteria, conditions such as cystitis and bladder stones are less likely to affect your pet. EGG Dried whole egg powder is a versatile ingredient. The yolk is a good fat source, whilst egg whites contain the purest form of protein found in whole foods. Eggs are also a valuable source of vitamins and minerals. FISH (FRESH) Fresh fish such as salmon is a highly nutritious and palatable protein source for cats and dogs. It usually consists of the leftovers from human-grade fish, such as viscera, which is minced into a fine paste before being added into pet food. It also contains good levels of omega 6 and omega 3 which consist of polyunsaturated fatty acids DHA and EPA. DHA is known to help brain function. FISH (MEAL) Fish meal is the dried fish ingredient used in many pet foods, and is a natural balanced feed ingredient that is high in protein, energy and minerals, vitamins and micronutrients. It contains 6 - 10% fish oil, which is high in the health promoting omega-3 very long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids EPA and DHA, often simply referred to as 'omega-3s'.
GLUCOSAMINE SULPHATE Glucosamine provides the building blocks to synthesise new joint cartilage and together with chondroitin and MSM promotes joint mobility and longevity, and has been shown to aid conditions such as hip dysplasia and arthritis. Glucosamine is a safe and natural ingredient, and any excess that is not required by the body is simply excreted in the urine. GRAPE SEED EXTRACT Grape seed extract is derived from red wine grapes. It is a source of oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs), which are a category of bioflavenoids. These are water soluble plant pigments that may support health by strengthening the blood capillaries and other connective tissue. Grape seed extract is an extremely powerful antioxidant, and is possibly the only antioxidant with the capacity to cross into the brain, thus improving mental alertness. (Whilst grapes in a large volume may be toxic to dogs, grape seed extract is included in pet foods at a safe level and will not have any harmful side effects.) GREEN TEA EXTRACT Green tea extract is derived from the plant Camellia sinesis. Unlike black tea, green tea is not fermented, allowing the active constituents to remain unaltered in the herb. It is a powerful antioxidant that supports the cardiovascular system, and traditional Chinese medicine has recommended green tea to aid digestion, enhance immunity and improve energy levels. LAMB (MEAL + DRIED) Lamb meal is used in many hypo-allergenic dog foods. It is a good protein source and is rich in calcium and a good source of zinc, and is produced from meat trimmings and the clean parts of the carcass cooked, dried and ground into a fine flour. It does not include the wool, blood, head, hooves and specified risk material such as the spinal cord. Definition of meal: Meals are prepared by the heating, drying and grinding whole or parts of warm blooded land animals from which the fat has been partially extracted or physically removed. The product has to be free from hooves, horn, bristle, hair and feathers as well as digestive tract content. L-Carnitine is produced in small quantities in the body by the liver and testes. It is naturally present in meat, yeasts, egg and milk and increases fat metabolism in the skeletal and cardiac muscle, and may improve endurance and stamina. It is also may be of benefit to the overweight or less active dog since it helps to increase the conversion of fat to energy and helps maintain lean body mass. LINOLEIC ACID (OMEGA 6) LINSEED Linseed is also known as flax. This plant is a good source of dietary fibre, Omega-3 fatty acids and lignans (which have antioxidant properties). Linseed oil contains linoleic acid and alpha linoleic acid. Linoleic acid is a polyunsaturated fatty acid used in the biosynthesis of prostaglandins and cell membranes. MAIZE Maize (or corn as it is also known) is a starch carbohydrate. Ground maize is used as an energy source. MSM The methyl-sulphonyl-methane (MSM) is an all natural, ultra-pure MSM derived from pine bark. MSM is a naturally ocurring form of organic sulphur. Its beneficial properties include the relief of pain and inflammation. It is also thought that MSM may improve mental alertness and relieve stress. NUCLEOTIDES These natural short-chain proteins (derived from yeast) are able to enhance metabolic function and have particular benefits to the digestive and immune systems. Nucleotides allow optimum levels of nutrients to be absorbed by the body, as well as facilitating a more rapid cell replication in response to an outside challenge. OATS Oats are a good source of energy and protein, as well as being rich in fat, minerals and vitamins E and B. POTATO Potato is a high quality carbohydrate. It is often used as an alternative to rice and therefore a good ingredient for dogs with rice intolerances. RICE Rice is the most digestible of all grains and is known to be low in allergy risk and so is found in many "hypo-allergenic" pet foods. Rice is rich in unsaturated fatty acids and B Vitamins. ROSEMARY / ROSEMARY EXTRACT Natural pet foods are often stabilised naturally using mixed tocopherols (Vitamin E) and rosemary. Rosemary is a natural antioxidant and is used to prevent the oxidisation of the fat components of the diets. SEAWEED (KELP) Seaweed, or kelp, is a useful source of natural particularly minerals including sodium, potassium, calcium and iodine. SUGAR BEET PULP Beet pulp is a by product of sugar production, and is a good source of both soluble and insoluble fibre. The soluble fibre is a good food source for the friendly bacteria in the large intestine. It also slows the rate of food passage through the gut ensuring a preferential transit time of food, leading to maximum digestion and absorption of nutrients. The insoluble fibre increases peristalsis, helps an animal to feel satisfactorily full and provides a crunchy texture to the kibbles to aid oral hygiene. Fibre is important for maintaining normal gastrointestinal transit time and motility and cats and dogs with stomach upsets can be found eating grass or other vegetation, possibly in the attempt to soothe their gut with increased fibre. A quality fibre source in the correct proportion may help to reduce the incidence of conditions such as diabetes mellitus and obesity. It may also help to prevent constipation and diarrhoea. SUNFLOWER OIL This is a high quality fat source as it is very high in linoleic acid (Omega 6) content, however it doesn't tend to have very high palatability levels. Sunflower oil tends to work best when used in conjunction with a high quality single source animal fat. TAURINE Taurine is an essential nutrient for cats, and is often added to good quality cat foods. TOCOPHEROLS Natural pet foods are often preserved naturally using tocopherols (Vitamin E). All dry pet foods require an antioxidant in order to prevent the fat components in the diet from becoming rancid on exposure to air. Tocopherols (vitamin E) are a naturally occuring antioxidant which is used to preserve pet foods. Tocopherols are often made from edible vegetables oils. The use of Tocopherols in a dog food is a good indication of a better dog food. YUCCA EXTRACT Yucca has antioxidant properties, and may also help to reduce faecal and body odour. FEEDING BOWLS It is important never to choose a bowl that is too big as you will tend to overfeed : use a measuring cup or scales If you have a deep chested breed avoid elevated feeders as it may be a contributor to Bloat - Gastric Dilation / Volvus (GDV) HEALTHY EATING Taking a good look at the food we eat could not only be the key to a better diet but the key to good health for all the family, and that includes the family pet. Food intolerance can be the source of some of the recurring bouts of mystery tummy upsets or persistent skin problems that are often seen in pet dogs and cats. In theory, any ingredient in any food has the potential to cause intolerance but the likely suspects are proteins such as beef, soya and milk, and are carbohydrates such as wheat, wheat protein and lactose (dairy products). Many of these are used in standard pet foods. Unsurprisingly, food additives, including colourants and preservatives, can also be responsible for an adverse reaction. Human and veterinary research has identified chemicals in some colourants and taste enhancers as triggers for epileptic fits. The colours (essentially oranges, blues, reds and yellows) that effect hyperactivity in children have been found to do the same in dogs. In dogs and cats the first symptoms are likely to be skin related: itchiness, scratching and perhaps hair loss. Digestive symptoms can be indicative of an allergy – increased bowel movements, frequent licking or chewing of the paws, hot spots, ear infections or changes in behavior. When the effect is delayed, the intolerance can manifest itself in an un-dramatic and non-specific way making diagnosis for any doctor or vet very difficult. Abdominal pains, loss of appetite, muscle stiffness and lethargy can make the sufferer (pet or human) feel generally ‘unwell’ but not necessarily pinpoint a reaction to food as its cause. Dietary intolerance in dogs very often affects the animal’s skin or digestive system, but not exclusively. “We have long been brainwashed by pet food manufacturers into thinking they are the only people who know how to provide nourishment for our pets so it’s difficult to step back from that and use common sense” “The worrying news is that food intolerance is probably more prevalent than pet owners and veterinary surgeons would imagine. This should act as a warning to follow up any persistent or recurrent symptoms of ill health. Food could be the cause or an aggravating factor. It is also imperative that dogs with skin disorders should have their anal glands emptied. By doing this we remove a great deal of toxic matter from the system. It’s like emptying the dustbin and can help to reduce signs of skin disease” Holistic, organic and hypoallergenic diets, exclude common allergens such as wheat protein or soya thereby minimizing the risk of an allergic reaction. Such diets also avoid low quality ingredients, cheap fillers, artificial additives and sugar. Sugar has an adverse effect on the digestive system because it is an irritant to the intestinal lining. When changing a pet’s diet it may take a few weeks before there are noticeable improvements. For recovering pets, supplements designed to bring back health and vitality such as fatty acids can be added to daily feeds. The two main classes of fatty acids related to skin and coat are the Omega-3’s and the Omega-6’s. Quality diet and balance in all things are just as important for pets as for people CHOOSING A FOOD Your dog relies on you to make the right choice for him/her as they can't speak, so you must speak for them. However, choosing a good quality dog food is more difficult than it should be. Pet food labels can be hard to understand. Ambiguous pet food labelling is common place and this makes it hard for you to choose the best pet food for your dog. The ingredients label is the source of information for what is in the pet food, it is what helps you decide whether to make the purchase. Most manufacturers are not interested in animal health, the ingredients listed on their packaging proves this. These companies make massive profits by using cheap, poor quality ingredients which allows them to spend millions on eye catching packaging and advertising every year. This is effectively brainwashing the public to buy it. A friend, relative, vet or breeder may recommend a food to you but do not let this sway your judgement as even the professionals are taken in by the above. Always research ingredients before you choose. This is a typical pet food label: Ingredients: Cereals, meat and animal derivatives, animal fats, derivatives of vegetable origin, vegetable protein extract, minerals. Preserved with EC permitted antioxidants. So what’s in this product? This can make it very hard to know exactly what is in your dog's food. The ingredients can even change from bag to bag. This is particularly problematic when your pet has an allergy or food intolerance. "PREMIUM" - SOUNDS EXPENSIVE? VETERINARY or PRESCRIPTION DIET ALTERNATIVE Thanks to the holistic effects of Burns products they can often be used instead of veterinary prescribed foods. Burns works by promoting normal, natural physiology of the whole body, unlike veterinary diets which are generally formulated to alter a specific organ state. Medicines are classified by law according to how much their use needs to be regulated by a responsible person. This is to ensure the safety of humans, animals and the environment. GSL - general sales list medicines can be sold to anyone. (over the counter) PML - prescribed merchant list medicines are restricted to stockists who are familiar with their safe use. This might apply to wormers, sheep dips etc. POM - prescription only medicines can only be purchased by a doctor or vet. This would apply to powerful or dangerous medicines or those which might have far-reaching effects. Some pet foods are sold only through veterinary surgeons. This is not because they are POM medicines. In fact they are not medicines at all. Their use is restricted not by law but by a marketing decision by the manufacturer to restrict the supply of their products. They argue that this is because pets suffering from disease should be under the care of health care professionals and that the diets should only be used in the light of an accurate diagnosis. This would be a sound argument if veterinary diets were only used in that way. In reality, a definitive diagnosis is often impossible even with considerable expense and using invasive techniques. Some veterinary diets are not even intended to treat specific disease but are for disease prevention. For instance, there is a veterinary diet which is intended to slow senility. The manufacturer’s recommendation to vets is that it should be given to all dogs over seven years of age! Veterinary diets designed to treat disease tend to be aimed at a specific condition whereas pathological conditions affect more than one organ system at the same time. For instance, high liver enzyme levels are, in most cases, due to an (undiagnosed) problem elsewhere in the body which is having a secondary effect on the liver. A holistic diet promotes the health of the whole body rather than a specific organ or function. Certain veterinary foods of a specialist nature can be justified in cases of advanced, life-threatening disease. The table below shows, in broad terms, how Burns foods can be an effective replacement for Veterinary & Prescription DietsTM. This list is not a blanket recommendation; we advise that pet owners should contact our nutritional advisors on Freephone 0800 083 66 96 before changing diet as our nutritional advice has to be tailored to suit the individual dog. We also recommend that pet owners should involve their vets in decisions about nutrition. (human) FOODS TO AVOID (giving to your dog) No this isn't a section for naming dog food brands that we don't think make the grade! This section is regarding ingredients that you may find in your kitchen that you must keep out of reach. A dog's metabolism and digestive system is very different to a human's. There are foods that are perfectly fine for humans to eat which are potentially dangerous to a dog. This is one of the reasons you should think carefully before feeding table scraps - are you sure you know what you are feeding your dog and the possible problems? If your dog appears unwell and you believe it could be due to something he has consumed, immediately phone your local veterinarian for advice. ALCOHOL Can cause vomiting, diarrhea, lack of coordination, poor breathing, abnormal blood acidity, coma and death, just like in humans. The difference is that dogs are much smaller and are more susceptible to intoxication. ARTIFICIAL SWEETENER (XYLITOL) This can lead to liver failure through the over-release of insulin, vomiting, lethargy and loss of coordination. It does not take long to see signs of nearing liver failure - only a few days. Be very careful as this substance is in a wide range of products, such as candy, chewing gum, toothpaste and baked goods. AVOCADO The substance Persin can cause vomiting, diarrhea and sometimes heart congestion. BABY FOOD Can contain onion powder, which can be toxic to dogs. (Please see onion below). Can also result in nutritional deficiencies, if fed in large amounts. BONES FROM FISH, POULTRY, OR OTHER MEAT SOURCES Can cause obstruction or laceration of the digestive system. CAT FOOD Cat food should not be fed to dogs due to the higher protein and fat levels. The nutritional requirements of a cat are significantly different to a dogs. Likewise, dog food should not be fed to a cat as it lacks taurine which is essential to the health of a cat's heart and eyes. Cooked chicken bones can splinter causing either choking or damage to the dog's mouth. It is the cooking process that makes the bones splinter so easily. CHIVES (RAW, COOKED, OR POWDER) Onions, garlic and chives in all forms (dry, raw, cooked) contain thiosulphate, which can irritate the gastrointestinal system of your dog. A relatively high dosage (600-800 grams) in one meal or spread apart over a few days can damage red blood cells (haemolytic anaemia). CHOCOLATE However tempting it may be, it can be dangerous to feed chocolate to your dog. Chocolate contains theobromine which is poisonous to dogs causing vomiting, diarrhea restlessness and in extreme cases seizures and may be fatal. Different chocolate products have different amounts of theobromine and therefore it is difficult to specify safe quantities. If given the opportunity, many pets will readily over consume chocolate. Therefore all chocolate foods should be stored in areas inaccessible to pets. COFFEE / TEA & OTHER CAFFEINE Contain caffeine, theobromine, or theophylline, which can be toxic and affect the heart and nervous system. CORN ON THE COB One of the most common ways a dog can get a blocked intestine. The dog bites of a piece of the cob one inch long and swallows it. The corn is digested off the cob in the tummy and the cob is left to block the small intestine and feels like a brillo pad trying to scrape it's way down the digestive track. This is seen in vet offices often and can kill the dog if not removed surgically. DOUGH Yeast dough can expand once digested causing pain and problems in the dog's stomach and intestines. FAT TRIMMINGS Can cause pancreatitis. GARLIC / ONIONS (RAW, COOKED, OR POWDER) Onions, garlic and chives in all forms (dry, raw, cooked) contain sulfoxides and disulfides, which can irritate the gastrointestinal system of your dog. A relatively high dosage (600-800 grams) in one meal or spread apart over a few days can damage red blood cells (haemolytic anaemia). Cats are more susceptible than dogs. Garlic is less toxic than onions. Note that baby food should not be fed to a dog as it can quite often contain onion powder - you must must check the label first ! GRAPES / RAISINS Grapes and raisins can lead to kidney failure in dogs due a toxin which is present. This toxin has not been identified yet. There have been no problems associated with grape seed extract. Can damage the lining of the digestive system and be toxic to the other organs including the liver and kidneys. LICORICE LIVER (LARGE AMOUNTS) Can cause Vitamin A toxicity, which affects muscles and bones. MACADAMIA NUTS Contain an unknown toxin, which can affect the digestive and nervous systems and muscle, can cause tremors, pain and distress. Owing to the lack of lactase, consumption may lead to bloating, gas, diarrhea and other digestive upsets. MOULDY OR SPOILED FOOD Can contain multiple toxins causing vomiting and diarrhea and can also affect other organs. MUSHROOMS Can contain toxins, which may affect multiple systems in the body, cause shock, and result in death ONIONS / GARLIC (RAW, COOKED, OR POWDER) Onions, garlic and chives in all forms (dry, raw, cooked) contain sulfoxides and disulfides, which can irritate the gastrointestinal system of your dog. A relatively high dosage (600-800 grams) in one meal or spread apart over a few days can damage red blood cells (haemolytic anaemia). Cats are more susceptible than dogs. Garlic is less toxic than onions. Note that baby food should not be fed to a dog as it can quite often contain onion powder - you must must check the label first ! PITS FROM PEACHES AND PLUMS Can cause obstruction of the digestive tract. POTATO / RHUBARB / TOMATO LEAVES / POTATO AND TOMATO STEMS RAISINS / GRAPES Contain an unknown toxin, which can damage the kidneys. Contain an enzyme called avidin, which decreases the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin). This can lead to skin and hair coat problems. Raw eggs may also contain Salmonella. RAW FISH Can result in a thiamine (a B vitamin) deficiency leading to loss of appetite, seizures, and in severe cases, death. More common if raw fish is fed regularly. PRHUBARB / POTATO / TOMATO LEAVES / POTATO AND TOMATO STEMS SALT If eaten in large quantities it may lead to electrolyte imbalances. SUGARY FOODS Can lead to obesity, dental problems, and possibly diabetes mellitus. TABLE SCRAPS (IN LARGE AMOUNTS) Table scraps are not nutritionally balanced. They should never be more than 10% of the diet. Fat should be trimmed from meat; bones should not be fed. TOMATO LEAVES / POTATO / RHUBARB / POTATO AND TOMATO STEMS YEAST DOUGH Can expand and produce gas in the digestive system, causing pain and possible rupture of the stomach or intestines. XYLITOL (ARTIFICIAL SWEETENER) This can lead to liver failure through the over-release of insulin, vomiting, lethargy and loss of coordination. It does not take long to see signs of nearing liver failure - only a few days. Be very careful as this substance is in a wide range of products, such as candy, chewing gum, toothpaste and baked goods. ANIMAL TESTING http://www.boycottpandg.co.uk/testing.asp http://www.hurtfulessences.org/ http://www.marscandykills.com/ POISONS - SUBSTANCES OF LOW TOXICITY The following is a list of substances that are frequently eaten by pets. If these are eaten it can generally be anticipated that there will be no clinical signs, other than drooling, vomiting and/or diarrhoea. ANTACID TABLETS (‘over the counter’) - BLU-TACK® or other similar adhesives - CHALK - CHARCOAL - COAL (real or artificial) - COTONEASTER species - CUT-FLOWER/HOUSEPLANT FOOD - EXPANDED POLYSTYRENE - FOLIC ACID - FUCHSIA SPECIES - HOLLY (Ilex species) - HONEYSUCKLE (Lonicera species) - MATCHES - MISTLETOE (Viscum album) - -Oral CONTRACEPTIVES AND HORMONE - REPLACEMENTTHERAPY (HRT) tablets - PYRACANTHA SPECIES - ROWAN (Sorbus aucuparia) - SILICA GEL - WAX CANDLES/CRAYONS Although in many cases treatment may not be necessary, if you are at all concerned then contact your vet for advice. The animal should always have easy access to drinking water. Some Substances Which Can Be Poisonous....BE ALERT! CAR ANTI-FREEZE - CHOCOLATE - HUMAN MEDICINES - LICORICE - LILIES - PLANT BULBS - RAISINS - SLUG PELLETS Always read labels on products and follow their warnings about contact with animals POISONOUS PLANTS Some of the following plants can be toxic. Check with your veterinarian before having them in your home. Aloe Vera - Apple (seeds) - Apricot (pit) - Autumn Crocus - Baby's Breath - Branching Ivy - Buddhist Pine - Calla Lily - Ceriman - Cherry (seeds and wilting leaves) - Cineraria - Cordatum - Cornstalk Plant - Cuban Laurel - Cycads - Daffodil - Dieffenbachia - Dragon Tree - Easter Lily (especially cats!) - Elephant Ears - English Ivy - Fiddle-leaf Fig - Foxglove - Geranium - Giant Dumb Cane - Gold Dust Dracaena - Hahn's Self-Branching Ivy - Hurricane Plant - Janet Craig Dracaena - Jerusalem Cherry - Lacy Tree Philodendron - Madagascar Dragon Tree - Marijuana - Miniature Croton - Morning Glory - Narcissus - Nephytis - Oleander - Oriental Lily (especially cats!) - Peach (wilting leaves and pits) - Plumosa Fern - Poison Ivy - Pothos - Primrose - Red Princess - Rhododendron - Saddle Leaf Philodendron - Satin Pothos - Silver Pothos - String of Pearls - Sweetheart Ivy - Taro Vine - Tomato Plant (green fruit, stem and leaves) - Tropic Snow Dieffenbachia – Yew - Amaryllis - Apple Leaf Croton - Asparagus Fern - Azalea - Bird of Paradise - Buckeye - Caladium - Castor Bean - Charming Dieffenbachia - Chinese Evergreen - Clematis - Corn Plant - Croton - Cutleaf Philodendron - Cyclamen - Devil's Ivy - Dracaena Palm - Dumb Cane - Elaine - Emerald - Feather - Eucalyptus - Florida Beauty - Fruit Salad Plant - German Ivy - Glacier Ivy - Golden Pothos - Heartland Philodendron - Indian Rubber Plant - Japanese Show Lily (especially cats!) - Kalanchoe - Lily of the Valley - Marble Queen - Mexican Breadfruit - Mistletoe - Mother-in-Law's Tongue - Needlepoint Ivy - Nightshade - Onion - Peace Lily - Pencil Cactus - Poinsettia (low toxicity) - Poison Oak - Precatory Bean - Red Emerald - Red-Margined Dracaena - Ribbon Plant - Sago Palm - Schefflera - Spotted Dumb Cane - Striped Dracaena - Swiss Cheese Plant - Tiger Lily (especially cats!) - Tree Philodendron - Weeping Fig BLOAT - GASTRIC DILATION / VOLVUS (GDV) COPROPHAGIA (faeces/poo eating) The good news; it won’t harm your dog. The bad news; it’s disgusting, messy and leads to the worst bad breath imaginable. There’s also the risk of acquiring internal parasites i.e worms if your dog eats faeces from other animals. Autocoprophagia eating its own faeces… Intraspecific Coprophagia eating faeces from within its own species ie another dog. Interspecific Coprophagia eating faeces from another species (ie cat, deer, rabbit, horse, etc) It is first of all very important to work out why this might be happening as it is not always straight forward. What diet is the dog being fed on? Is it a high cereal diet? Does the diet have low digestibility? How much is this dog being fed? Dietary deficiencies are one of the most common theories. Feed a super premium dog food (no ‘derivatives’ or ‘cereals’), measure it out at the correct amount for their size, age and activity level. Was the puppy purchased older than normal (over 8 or 10 weeks) and therefore left with its mother longer than normal? Was the dog chastised excessively as a puppy for indoor toileting or even just shouted at? Puppies will sometimes eat their own toilet during house training. It happens because they’re still unsure of where they’re supposed to defecate and where they’re not supposed to defecate. Afraid they may have done something wrong they will ‘destroy the evidence’. Allelomimetic behaviour: The dog observes the nursing mother cleaning up the faeces and urine in their the first 3.5 weeks, especially if the pup is one of the first born or it sees its owner picking up the faeces, and copies this behaviour. Monkey see monkey do. Clean up after your dog as soon as you can, if they get to it first DO NOT shout at them. Simple aversion therapy can be done by letting the dog approach the stool on a long lead. If they start sniffing it, give a leash check with something like a Jingler or a noise aversion device such as training discs or a plastic bottle with shingle which can be rattled simultaneously with a "Leave it", "Off ", "No" command, always ensuring that you REWARD GOOD BEHAVIOUR. Attention Junkies: The owners may scold or shout at the dog, despite being a being a negative reaction it is attention all the same. Which is what some dogs may crave. Cat food is high in protein and so cat litter may prove appealing to your dog. You must curb this behaviour immediately, as cat litter can be toxic for a dog. Some people recommend adding pineapple or courgette to their food, or by sprinkling pepper, tabasco, mustard, paraffin, chillies, hot sauce, lemon onto their stools as a deterrent. NOTE: This only tackles the problem of your dog eating its own stools. Finally try to be patient….they do not know that it is wrong! Commercial Remedies: Re-Worming : Stool Repel-UM Tablets : Conditioning Tablets : Brewers Yeast : Vitamin B : Basket Muzzle BLOOD IN THE FAECES WHAT INGREDIENTS ARE MOST LIKELY TO TRIGGER AN ALLERGIC REACTION ? The Animal Welfare Act introduced on April 6th 2007 received Royal Assent in 2006. From April 2007, the Act will repeal the Protection of Animals Act 1911 and the Abandonment of Animals Act 1960. The new Act increases and introduces new penalties to tackle acts of cruelty, neglect, mutilation, tail docking, animal fighting and the giving of pets as prizes. In addition to this it will introduce a duty of care for all pet owners to provide for their animals a suitable environment, a suitable diet, the ability to exhibit normal behaviour patterns, protection from pain, suffering, injury and disease and consideration of the animal’s needs to be housed with, or apart from, other animals. THE CLEAN NEIGHBOURHOODS AND ENVIRONMENT ACT 2005 Under this Act, you could be fined up to £1,000 for breaching dog control orders. Local authorities can make orders for standard offences including: failing to remove dog faeces, not keeping a dog on a lead, not putting and keeping a dog on a lead when directed to do so, permitting a dog to enter land from which dogs are excluded and taking more than a specified number of dogs on to land. The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act also updates the law on stray dogs by transferring the responsibility for strays from the police to the local authorities. However this section of the Act has not yet come into force. It is highly recommended that your dog is microchipped and registered with Petlog, the largest pet reunification scheme in the UK, as this can prove extremely effective in locating a lost pet. The Petlog Premium service can even alert local vets and dog wardens when an owner reports where their pet was lost. This can be done by telephone, SMS text message or via the Petlog website. Contact Petlog on 0844 463 3999 or visit www.petlog.org.uk to find out more. If you lose your dog, you should stay in regular contact with the local council, Petlog, vets, dog shelters and the police, and put up posters in the area where you lost it. Dog wardens are obliged to seize stray dogs and the police, for now, still have discretionary power to seize stray dogs under the Dogs Act 1906. The finder of a stray dog must return it to its owner (if known), or take it to the local authority or police (although soon, only the local authority will receive stray dogs). It is illegal to take a found dog into your home without reporting it to the police first. If you want to retain the dog, this might be allowed, provided you are capable of looking after the dog and agree to keep it for at least 28 days. However, the original owner could still have a claim for the dog’s return. BYELAWS ON NOISY ANIMALS If your dog’s barking causes a serious nuisance to neighbours, the local authority can serve a noise abatement notice, which if unheeded can result in you paying fines and legal expenses. BREEDING AND SALE OF DOGS (WELFARE) ACT 1999 Breeders who breed four or more litters per year must be licensed by their local authority. Breeders with fewer litters must also be licensed if they are carrying out a business of breeding dogs for sale. Licensed breeders must: a) Not mate a bitch less than 12 months old. b) Not whelp more than six litters from a bitch. c) Not whelp two litters within a 12 month period from the same bitch. d) Keep accurate records. e) Not sell a puppy until it is at least eight weeks of age, other than to a keeper of a licensed pet shop or Scottish rearing establishment. THE CONTROL OF DOGS ORDER 1992 This mandates that any dog in a public place must wear a collar with the name and address (including postcode) of the owner engraved or written on it, or engraved on a tag. Your telephone number is optional (but advisable). DANGEROUS DOGS ACT 1991 (SECTION 3) It is a criminal offence (for the owner and/or the person in charge of the dog) to allow a dog to be ‘dangerously out of control’ in a public place, a place where it is not permitted to be, and some other areas. A ‘dangerously out of control’ dog can be defined as a dog that has injured someone or a dog that a person has grounds for reasonable apprehension that it may do so. Something as simple as your dog chasing, barking at or jumping up at a person or child could lead to a complaint, so ensure that your dog is under control at all times. If your dog injures a person, it may be seized by the police and your penalty may include a prison sentence and/or a ban on keeping dogs. There is also an automatic presumption that your dog will be destroyed (unless you can persuade the court that it is not a danger to the public, in which case it may be subject to a control order). You may also have to pay a fine, compensation and costs. The following breeds are banned under the Dangerous Dog Act:- American Pit Bull Terriers, Fila Brasiliero, Dogo Argentino and Japanese Tosa. It is an offence to have a dog on a designated road without it being held on a lead. Local authorities may have similar bye-laws covering public areas. Dogs travelling in vehicles should not be a nuisance or in any way distract the driver during a journey. If a dog is injured in a car accident, the driver must stop and give their details to the person in charge of the dog. If there is no person in charge of the dog, the incident must be reported to the police within 24 hours. You could be liable for damage caused by your dog under this Act or under some degree of negligence. It is highly advisable to have third party liability insurance to cover this, something that is included in most pet and some household insurance policies. ANIMAL BOARDING ESTABLISHMENTS ACT 1963 Anyone boarding animals as a business (even at home) needs to be licensed by the local authority. DOGS (PROTECTION OF LIVESTOCK) ACT 1953 Your dog must not worry (chase or attack) livestock (cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, horses and poultry) on agricultural land, so keep your dog on a lead around livestock. If your dog worries livestock, the farmer has the right to stop your dog (even by shooting your dog in certain circumstances). It is a civil offence if a dog is dangerous (to people or animals) and not kept under proper control (generally regarded as not on a lead nor muzzled). This law can apply wherever the incident happened. The dog can be subject to a control or a destruction order and you may have to pay costs. As a dog owner, you should be aware of laws which affect you and your dog. Enclosed are some useful guidelines to help you keep within the dog law! The Kennel Club is the best place for advice on these issues and provides many services to help you to be a law abiding, responsible dog owner.
I thought this was an interesting article. It is a newspaper article however and some facts may not be true therefore please remain objective. I am not posting this to give vets a bad name but if there is truth in what this vet is saying I must say that I and certainly a majority of pet owners vet/client trust will be questioned... WHY I'M ASHAMED TO BE A VET: A SHOCKING EXPOSÉ OF THE PROFESSION THAT PUTS PETS THROUGH 'PAINFUL AND UNNECESSARY TREATMENTS TO FLEECE THEIR TRUSTING OWNERS' For eight years Matthew Watkinson worked as a vet. But are vets really the saints they are made out to be? Here, Matthew, 32, now an author, exposes the uncuddly truth about vets that every animal lover should read. . .Matthew Watkinson says treating family pets has spawned a whole industry. The greyhound's soulful eyes seemed to plead with me to help him. His thin tail tucked between his legs, he stood still with fear on the examination table as the posse of fellow veterinary students listened to the chief lecturer. Aged 12, he had bone cancer in a hind leg and it was advanced, we were told. Looking at the dog, I imagined he'd had a good life. Obviously, from the condition of his brushed coat, and his muscled body, he had an owner who knew how to care for him. As a student vet who in a year was to graduate to work in my own practice, I knew what I would recommend if I were this dog's owner - and that was a loving and peaceful death. But putting the greyhound to sleep and out of his misery was not the correct answer, the lecturer told me quite sternly. A humane death would not be the course of treatment offered to its owner. Well, at any rate, not yet. After all, didn't I realise the advances that had been made in veterinary medicine? There were 'options' that could extend this old dog's life. No, instead, its leg was going to be amputated and then a course of chemotherapy would be tried to ensure that 'all was done to save the dog's life' - at a cost of £1,000 to £2,000, or even more. I have no idea what the owner thought of this. But, as the majority of pet owners want to do the best by their beloved dog, I can only imagine he or she took this 'chief' vet's expensive advice to try to 'save' the pet. Meanwhile, I remember pushing down the revulsion I felt about putting the dog through what we all knew would be punishing treatment that in all likelihood would not work. And even if it did give that greyhound an extra year or so of life, how could anyone explain to it that the suffering was for a reason? That lying in a small cage, surgically maimed, and hooked up to a drip for weeks, perhaps months, would be 'worth it'. Today I look back on that lecture and realise that already I had begun to question the role of vets in animal 'welfare'. 'I found myself so disgusted at the moneymaking practices I left the profession altogether' The point is yes, we could treat this dog's cancer, but was it in the best interests of that dog? Morally, should we have even considered further treatment or was it all about making money? Of course, back then I avoided becoming embroiled in ethics. I was just thrilled to be one of the lucky few to have made it into the most prestigious vet school in the country - London's Royal Veterinary College. Having had a comprehensive school education, I went into the job because I was fascinated by biology and genuinely wanted to help animals. And although my parents had good jobs - my mother was a nurse and my father a radiographer - I was the first person in my family to go to university, and understandably my family was incredibly proud of my achievement. So, despite the doubts already beginning to form in my mind, I ploughed on. A year after the greyhound incident I graduated and took my veterinary oath, which all vets swear to, promising 'to ensure the welfare of animals committed to my care'. Back then, I had no concept that far from the saviours of animals they purport to be, the blame for much animal suffering in the UK can be laid so firmly at the door of vets. I had no idea that I would ultimately be driven to confess that I am ashamed to be a vet and that, eight years after qualifying, I would find myself so disgusted at the moneymaking practices that I would leave the profession altogether. Of course, not all vets deliberately set out to make as much money as they can out of treating animals. But money - not the welfare of the animal - is often at the forefront of the vet's mind. Of course there are outright cowboys in any field and the veterinary profession is sadly no exception. Today you will notice more and more practices have sprung up throughout the country - especially in those affluent areas where the middle-class residents treat their pets as part of their family. One might imagine that because there are so many more vets that animals need more medical help than ever. But the truth is far simpler. A whole industry has arisen out of squeezing the most money out of treating family pets. During the 'health check' that goes with a jab visit, it is amazing how many problems the vet might find. It is not unheard of for vets to Google a pet owner's home to see which area the family live in. Big house in a posh road - well, you can offer more treatment to that pet owner, of course. I never witnessed this in my practice, but I heard of it happening. Charge more for your services so a vaccination that costs a few pence becomes a £35 'consultation'. And that isn't all. While the owner might believe he or she is only taking their cat for a vaccination (and I have no problem with sensible preventative healthcare) for the vet, this visit can be a way to make even more money out of a perfectly healthy animal. During the 'health check' which accompanies the vaccination visit, it is amazing the potential 'problems' the vet might find. So your vet discovers your cat has a seemingly innocuous chipped tooth? I have known of cat owners told that despite the fact their cat is perfectly fine - and frankly animals in the wild break their teeth all the time and do not need expensive dentistry work - that to remove the tooth is justified 'just in case' it later causes a problem. Having a tooth removed, especially a canine tooth, is major surgery - costing upwards if £100 - and should only be done if the cat is suffering because of it. But more often than not, a loving owner will trust their vet and sadly go along with surgery that is not only unnecessary but plain risky for a pet who does not need it. Similarly, I have known vets suggest doing an 'exploratory' operation on a cat just because it had been sick. But like humans, cats and dogs get sick from time to time. The best response is to wait and see, not offer a battery of blood tests and invasive operations. Having allowed their pet to have such an operation, the owner when the pet recovers will put this down to the operation being a success. It is not: if nothing was found, your pet would have begun feeling better anyway. Possibly sooner. Sadly, the best way to deal with many problems is not to treat at all. Small animals such as guinea pigs and rabbits should be put to sleep if they present with an illness that can't be easily rectified with a dose of antibiotics. Their lives should not be prolonged at all cost. If your cat or dog gets cancer you should not, in my opinion, subject it to long, torturous treatment. Nor should cats that are run over and experience a complex injury or bladder problems - sadly an all-too-common feature of road accidents as the car catches the back of the cat as it tries to escape - endure lots of operations in the hope that the problems can be cured. Even if they can be - eventually - I believe putting any animal through this is barbaric. One problem is that overtreating pets has been made to look as if it is normal by programmes such as the BBC's Super Vets, last shown in 2007, where it was usual to subject animals that, frankly, should have been put to sleep to whatever it took to get them well. This is cruel as caging an animal for a long time is not, in my view, thinking of its 'welfare'. Which brings me to another issue that helps vets to carry out these expensive and totally unnecessary procedures - pet insurance. These days, pet insurance is pushed as a 'necessity'. Sit in any vet's surgery and you are left in no doubt as you survey the dozens of adverts for it that 'good' owners have it while 'bad' owners do not. 'However you look at it, pet insurance is simply a licence to print money' So unsurprisingly, the average middle-class family feels more comfortable having this insurance. They have medical insurance for their children, so it's only natural that they want the same for their family dog or cat. Insurance for a pet dog or cat costs on average from £60 to £250 a year. Worryingly, if you have pet insurance you can be sure your vet is more likely to offer your pet treatments - because your vet knows you won't be paying so you can afford it. But, however you look at it, insurance is simply a licence to print money. Unfortunately, the only creatures insurance helps are vets. If you are a loving owner you will not want to put your pet through cruel, lengthy and costly procedures. And as this is all insurers cover - they do not provide for any useful essentials such as neutering, vaccinations or teeth cleaning - there is no point to them. But vets aren't only guilty of treating animals when there is no problem. Sadly they are guilty of creating problems in the first place. Take bulldogs. They have been hideously bred to have a characteristic collapsed face. This restricts breathing and stops them panting properly. Ridiculous as it may seem, they have also created an animal that can't breathe fast enough to have sex. So a bulldog must be artificially inseminated by a vet using a general anaesthetic. Once pregnant, the bulldog faces another dreadful side effect, again caused by breeding. Bulldogs have such a small pelvis that most are unable to give birth naturally. So 90 per cent of bulldogs require a Caesarean. If the vet were truly putting the animal first, he would refuse to inseminate a bulldog in the first place. Instead, to ensure the welfare of the bulldog, vets should be insisting that pregnancies only occur in bulldogs that can mate naturally. But, of course, they won't say that or refuse the breeder's wishes - after all, as a vet you are making money out of all of these medical procedures. An insemination costs around £80 to £300 depending on the exact procedure and a Caesarean £500. Vets have created their own market. One of the reasons there are so many vets now is that vets have created their own market. I find it outrageous that, given their role, any vet criticises Cruft's for exhibiting these dog breeds. After all, it is the vets themselves who have aided and abetted these atrocities. And this practice certainly isn't confined to bulldogs. We have daschunds bred with elongated spines so they look 'attractive' for their breed. But these sausage dogs are prone to slipped discs and back problems which, in turn, makes more money for vets who do many operations a year to 'help' these issues (most of which do not work and cause more suffering to the dog.) We have cats that can't breathe because of their overly flat noses and weep constantly from eyes that are too large, other cats and dogs without fur that can't go out in the sunshine as they will burn. The current fashionable craze for miniature dogs is also damaging. These dogs are prized on their tininess - so the smallest dogs are chosen but in reality these are the runts of the litter that used to be allowed to die as they were so weak. In turn vets are simply creating weaker animals. They are going against the force of nature, Charles Darwin's natural selection. And because weaker animals are surviving they need more medical care from vets who force them to survive. This is great news for vets and the reason for their proliferation. But surely not for animal welfare, which they pledged, when they took their veterinary oath, to put first. So where does the loving pet owner stand in all this? Common sense must prevail. A loving pet owner does not humanise their cat or dog but realises it is an animal. The loving owner does not want to maximise their pet's life at any cost but puts their animal's welfare first. Do not fear the death of your pet when the time comes. Instead, embrace it and ensure your pet has a good death in the same way you gave it a good life. HUMAN CANCER TREATMENT ? In the mid 1950's, Dr. Budwig began extensive research on the benefits of flaxseed (linseed) because of its rich essential fatty acid content known as linoleic and linolenic. Dr. Budwig assisted many seriously ill people, even those who were given up as terminal by orthodox medical doctors, to regain their health through a simple regimen of flaxseed oil blended with Quark, the German form of cottage cheese. She supplemented her patients' diets with two tablespoons of flaxseed oil combined with 1/4 cup of cottage cheese. She found that a yellowish green substance in their blood was replaced with a healthy red pigment, haemoglobin. She also found that the tumours receded and disappeared, anaemia was alleviated, and vital energy was regained. It took about three months for the changes to occur. During that time the symptoms of cancer, diabetes, or liver disease also disappeared. Studies around the world have shown the benefits of using flaxseed oil with protein, showing impressive results including greatly boosting the immune system, anti-tumour activity, normalized blood pressure levels and inhibition of cancer cell growth. Flax Oil can be found at most health food stores and some supermarkets. When buying flax, be sure that it has been refrigerated! Also, check the processing date; buy the freshest flax available. Fresh flax should have very little taste or smell. If it smells fishy and tastes very strong...take it back. THE CANCER TREATMENT Dr Johanna Budwig recommends a ratio of one tablespoon Flax Oil per 1/4 cup of cottage cheese. Dr. Budwig uses three tablespoons of flax oil mixed with 3/4 cup of cottage cheese per 100 pounds of body weight for ill patients. However, depending on the severity of the cancer, up to six tablespoons can be taken, mixed with a corresponding amount of cottage cheese. If you want to take more than one tablespoon, ease into it. Flax is 100% oil, so if you do not normally eat a lot of fat, allow your body time to adjust. WHY COTTAGE CHEESE? Don't leave out the cottage cheese. It is every bit as important as the flax in this approach. A highly sulpherated protein is necessary for the flax to achieve optimum results and cottage cheese is one of the highest sulphur-based proteins. If you can not eat sulphur, tofu may be used in place of cottage cheese. SOME CONDITIONS IMPROVED BY OMEGA-3 OILS: |
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