Results arrived this week revealing toxic zinc levels in an unopened bag of Nutro Max Cat Adult Roasted Chicken Flavor food. The Nutro cat food bag stated it was best if used by June 7, 2010. The zinc levels were deadly coming in at 2100 parts per million. A cat eating this food would receive over 38 times the amount of zinc recommended by the National Research Council, or 175 mg of zinc a day. A 9 pound cat would ingest a lethal dose of this food in just over 2 days. Chances of any cat surviving after eating this food would be very unlikely. Signs of Zinc toxicity are similar to those of pancreatitis with severe episodes of vomiting and diarrhea. If the cats survived long enough liver and kidney damage could be possible consequences as well.

The receipt for the purchase of this food showed that it was purchased 1 day AFTER the Nutro Cat Food recall was announced. Apparently Nutro had not yet informed the retail store of the problem. Nutro didn’t seem to be overly concerned. Pfpsa.org is glad to work with clients and law firm’s interested in pursuing a class action against Nutro Pet Products.

Most of us remember the deadly pet food recalls of 2007. What few people realize, is that AAFCO aggressively lobbied for allowing non-protein nitrogen in pet food and was able to slip this allowance past numerous state legislatures, including Washington State. By AAFCO standards, melamine and cyanuric acid in pet food was nothing more than a labeling violation. AAFCO sees nothing wrong with including those substances in pet food at up to 1.25%. Using cyanuric acid, for example, by AAFCO standards, would allow 5,875 ppm cyanuric acid content in pet food, provided the label included a decidedly deceptive disclaimer of “This includes not more than 1.25% equivalent crude protein, which is not nutritionally available as protein”. What is the real value of the pet food safety guidelines offered by AAFCO? If pet owners purchase pet foods and products that comply with AFFCO guidelines, how would they impact the health of their pets? In one study, as little as 30 mg/kg day of cyanuric acid destroyed the kidneys of lab animals in just six months.

Read the rest of this entry »

Feeding candy licorice to your dog – or any kind of confection, for that matter – is a definite no-no. But the herbal form of licorice is a time-tested remedy for gastrointestinal upset and skin problems such as allergies. And some veterinarians use it as an anti-inflammatory for problems such as itching in the place of powerful drugs like steroids.

“The most important thing for people to understand is that the effects of licorice are slow and cumulative, as opposed to a steroid injection,” says holistic veterinarian, Carol Osborne, DVM, of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, author of “Dr. Carol’s Naturally Healthy Dogs” (Marshall Editions, 2006). With the latter, “about four hours later the animal is in great shape, which lasts for about 10 days, but then you have the side effects of steroids, like stress on liver and kidneys.”

As with any herb, it is important to discuss licorice use with your veterinarian. The active ingredient in licorice is the nearly impossible to pronounce chemical component glycyrrhizin, which stimulates the adrenal glands and produces an anti-inflammatory response similar to that of corticosteroids such as prednisone.

Read the rest of this entry »

Holistic Veterinarian, Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM., is featured on the cover story for the June/July 2009 Issue of:
Dogs for Kids Magazine: Help My Dog Stinks Pages 28-32; By Donna Martin.

Over the last decade advances in veterinary medicine have nearly doubled the canine life span. The technological innovations we now offer for pets, parallel those available for people, reaching far beyond our previous expectations. What are the factors limiting longevity in pets? What impact do anti-oxidant supplementation and dietary intervention have on lengthening healthy life spans for pets? Successful techniques for rejuvenating the body and lengthening life spans in people have been documented. Would similar strategies prove effective for dogs?

George, a 7 year old Dalmatian not only suffered from severe arthritis, he was also paralyzed, due to a spinal injury. Surgery cost was estimated at $4000, with no guarantee of success and little hope of him ever walking again. George’s owners, Don and Pam Brennan were devastated and sadly carried George out of the office that day on a stretcher. He couldn’t even stand up to go to the bathroom. With tears streaming down their faces, they knew it was the end. They spent that night together saying their final goodbyes.

The next morning a friend told them about ongoing clinical trials of an anti-aging pet product. This was their last chance. They had nothing to lose, so they gave it a try. Within 30 days, George was out in the front yard playing with the other dogs. He was back to the way he used to be, playful like a puppy. George enjoyed several healthy, happy years thereafter. Pam and Don were thrilled-they got their dog back!

Anti-Aging medicine, although not yet formally recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association, is the newest clinical medical specialty offered to human physicians. So, why wouldn’t this be applicable for veterinarians as well?
Read the rest of this entry »

We trust that medications for our families and our pets are made with the highest regard for purity and safety. But, several recent high profile cases have unnerved many people and created a negative spotlight for compounding pharmacies. So, can you trust the medications your veterinarian orders for your pet?

From the very first time our ancient ancestors mixed certain tree barks with water to create a pain-deadening tea, the art and science of pharmacology have flourished. Through great civilizations like Rome, into the Middle Ages and straight through to modern times, the pharmacist (or “chemist”) has been an integral part of patient care in both human and veterinary practices.

Most people do not realize there are two types of pharmacies. Compounding pharmacies are those that actually make, mix or “compound” therapeutic medications “in-house” as compared to those that simply count and dispense prepared medications.

This concept is not new…in fact, for most of this profession’s history, pharmacists used their knowledge of chemicals and base ingredients to create the appropriate drug ordered by the doctor. It has only been within the last 50 years that pharmacists have moved from being compounders of medicines to dispensers of pre-made drugs.

But even the modernization and convenience of prepared pharmaceutical drugs did not remove the need for many special or out of production drugs to be made on site. Some patients have allergies to ingredients in the medications. Others, especially children and veterinary patients, require unique flavorings to help disguise bitter drugs and improve compliance. And, as the age old joke describes, giving a pill to a cat can be a hair-raising experience!

Read the rest of this entry »

Dr. Carol,

I have 2 dogs that have both recently started on your pet vitamins. They already seemed to have increased energy.

One thing I have noticed, but I am not sure if it is PAAWS related, is that they seem to sleep better. Before they started the PAAWS vitamins they would get up at night and my sleep suffered but now we all sleep all night!

Thanks,
Susan T.
Ashville, North Carolina

Dear Dr. Carol,

I hope you’ve received our note, and we can’t thank you enough for your wonderful advice and all the time you spent helping us with our tail wagging boys. You are an Angel!

That shall tell you a bit about our having gotten the marvelous box of your pet goodies for our two Mastiffs.

As for the Paaws vitamins , great name by the way, both of my big boys down your pet vitamins like candy.

I’m very pleased about them, particularly because I like to get them going on natural nutrients for their hips and joints as soon as I can. I know Mastiffs are said to age faster than other dog breeds and have many problems with arthritis, which I hope to avoid by starting them on your supplements while they are still young.

I am SO IMPRESSED with your book, Dr. Carol; I truly am; for many reasons. Nice going!!!

What a WONDERFUL book.

Thanks very much!

Lovingly,
Stephanie R. and The Big Boys: Max and Chester
Dallas, Texas

Hi Dr. Carol,
Well here are our puppy girls, Phoebe, Daisy Mae and Schatzie. Phoebe and Schatzie both take your paaws supplement and really love it. We definitely have seen an improvement in their energy levels. Now they are able to keep up Daisy which is really a work out.

We’ve been using your product for quite some time as you know with our present girls and with the past two schnauzers that we had for ten years. We really recommend your Paaws vitamin product to anyone who wants to keep the family pets healthy and active.

Carol and Fred S.
La Crosse, Wisconsin

PETS AND their PEOPLE

How Much Exercise Do Dogs Need? Dogs needs at least 20 minutes of exercise twice a day. The exact amount varies with age, breed, weight and physical condition.

Veterinarian and author, Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM, says,” Don’t jump off the sofa one minute and take a ten mile hike the next, dogs, like people, need to get in shape gradually a little bit each day.” Try starting with a couple of ten minute walks and you can both build up from there. And if your pet hasn’t taken much exercise recently get the vet to check him/her out before you begin the program.

One hour of exercise increases your dog’s lifespan by 4 days. Devise a fitness program for your dog and you may find that you get as much out of it, if not more, than your dog.

Exercise Is Fun With Your Dog!

Exercise is integral to life. Not only is it essential for optimal health, it also improves circulation, stimulates vital organs, facilitates digestion and helps eliminate harmful toxins from the body. Exercise provides aerobic activity that stimulates your dog mentally and physically. And exercising with pets is fun. It is a great way to bond, and it is as good for you as it is for your dog. Most owners end up looking forward to this “special time” as much as their dog does.

Some enlightened fitness centers open their doors to people and pets – use it or lose it doesn’t just apply to people.

Exercise Goals
Read the rest of this entry »

Mainstream veterinary medicine is opening up its doors to nutritional supplements and nutriceuticals in part because consumer demand is booming. Supplements are helpful for dogs and cats in a variety of ways; they can increase the efficacy of conventional medications, to boost immunity in dogs with cancer, or to neutralize the side effects of chemotherapy. For example, vitamins help reduce upset stomachs in dogs receiving chemotherapy. For a pet receiving the chemo drug Carboplatin, astragalus, an herbal supplement enhances carboplatin’s efficacy.

The use of nutritional supplements for joint and arthritis disorders is well documented. Primary vitamin supplements useful for canine arthritis disorders include Glucosamine, MSM, Omega- Fatty Acids, Vitamin C and Chondroitan Sulfate. Omega-3 fatty acids actually block a substance called arachidonic acid, thereby stopping your dog’s body from producing the enzymes responsible for cartilage degradation.

Dogs with liver disease often receive Vitamin E, Milk Thistle and SAM-E. A dog with chronic active hepatitis may be initially treated traditionally with corticosteroids but may also receive Vitamin E, Milk Thistle and Zinc to enhance the results and promote healing of the liver.

How much of which supplement to use and for what purpose remain as major unanswered questions for the vast majority of veterinarians and pet owners alike.
Read the rest of this entry »