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?
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Although automobile accidents are the number one cause of broken bones in pets, surprisingly enough the second most common cause of fractures in pets is furniture in your home. Pets jump or fall from, for example, your couch or bed and break a bone.

A recent survey of pet fractures sums up the most common ways, from which broken bones in pets result. In 2008, hit by cars topped the list, followed by accidents in which pets fell or jumped, primarily from everyday household furniture.

Top 10 Ways Pets Break Bones

1. Hit by Car
2. Jumping
3. Falling
4. Fighting With Other Pets or Animals
5. Running and Slipping
6. Being Hit or Struck With an Object
7. Getting Caught in or Between an Object
8. Running into Object
9. Getting Stepped On
10. Being Injured in a Car Accident
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Dear Dr. Carol,

I’m writing to thank you so much for your wonderful product. I truly believe that PAAWS is one of the main reasons that the love of my life, Lindy, enjoys her remarkable health. My vet calls her the miracle dog!

Lindy turned 16 in Febuary. She has lost her hearing and her vision is challenged but her spirit and energy remain strong. She is happy to go out every morning with her friends, also PAAWS dogs! They have been walking together every morning for a least 14 years.

She still rides on the console of my car and just about jumps out of the car window when we get to her favorite park. Lindy still breaks out into vigorous runs every morning.

She has been on PAAWS for as long as I can remember. She always had a delicate constitution, after she began PAAWS Vitamins, I immediately noticed that the problem all but vanished.

I don’t know what Lindy’s life would have been like without PAAWS, but I know what it’s been with them…wonderful!

Thank you so much!

Lori P.
Las Vegas, NV

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
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I wanted to share this note I received from a client I have been working with over the phone for the last couple months, trying to help her resolve chronic diarrhea in her cat, Maggie.

After several months of costly veterinary visits, x-rays, ultrasound and blood tests, Maggies diarrhea had become an expensive night mere for her owner, who was at the end of the road and was contemplating euthanasia as a last resort. This shows how effective a simple diet change along with a comprehensive natural pet vitamin supplement can be for your pet’s health, even with a diagnosis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).

Hi Dr. Carol…

So far so good…Maggie (the “IBD” cat) is getting about 1/2 of each of your Paaws AM/PM vitamin capsule and it does not yet seem to be bothering her. My other two cats, as you know, are doing really well with Paaws.

I am happy to keep our cat Maggie on 1/2 dose for a little longer just to be super careful…I have a question for you regarding her diet.

Maggie is still getting home cooked chicken breast. The other two cats have grain free canned chicken formula and/or Chicken canned. They do great on these diets. When they were getting home-cooked, they practically never had bowel movements, even with pumpkin added. So I put them back on the high quality natural canned food and kept Margie’s diet home cooked using your recipe.

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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.
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Heartworm disease cases in dogs increase; owners blame preventives for failing pets!

Every month, lots of dog owners, give their pets some form of heartworm prevention. But recent studies are showing increasing numbers of heartworm positive pets across the country. Some people believe the worms now have the upper hand. Has our trusted protection failed us?

Dog owners understand that once -a-month heartworm preventives keep their pets safe from a very serious disease affecting the heart and lungs of dogs. Heartworm disease is caused by a parasite carried by mosquito’s and is transmitted to pets by a mosquito bite. Despite consistent use of preventive medications, a significant number of dogs are testing positive for heartworms, especially in the mosquito heavy Southeastern US. Are we seeing the beginnings of a resistance movement?

In some cases, careful questioning of the clients reveals some monthly doses of medication were not given, opening the door for potential infection. In other cases, medical records and client compliance appear to be complete, yet the pet is positive on the annual heartworm blood test.

Heartworm preventives works by killing immature heartworm larvae that are spread by mosquitoes. In theory, a pet who receives medication each month should be protected and never have a positive heartworm test. Why then, do some dogs test positive?
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Dear Dr. Carol,

I am writing you this letter to express my gratitude. You are an amazing professional, empathetic human being, and truly a pleasure to know. Here is some background on my story. I have a long haired Chihuahua named Senor Paco. Paco is 13 years young and has always been healthy as can be. I had purchased Dr. Carol’s senior pet vitamins for my dog in March 2008 after seeing the pet vitamins on an infomercial. I began giving him half a pill in the AM and half in the PM.

In June 2008, Paco and I left for a summer vacation for 8 weeks in Florida.

I figured that I would need some type of treat for Paco when he was behaving extra well.

I purchased them at a local pet store and began giving them to Paco in July. He ate them daily as well as half of his vitamin in the AM and half in the PM.

Everything was going fine until August 15, 2008. My dog had a minor seizure. It may have been minor but to me it was a major life changing event. I am 30 years old with no children as of yet. Senor Paco is my child and the love of my life. To see him go through this was beyond devastating. I spoke to my personal vet and she told me to get him to a vet for blood work. I did. In no time we were heading back home to NJ.

During this time I continued to give Paco the treats but not the vitamins. I figured since he had the seizure I should stop the pet store vitamins. I continued to live in fear thinking if he would every have another seizure. Then on September 28, 2008 Paco had another minor seizure. I was beside myself. I spoke to my personal vet and she said we would probably have to put Paco on medication. She scheduled him for blood work that Thursday. I did not know what to think anymore or where to turn.

I am a very religious woman and prayed non stop for my baby. I even asked for a sign from up above to lead me in the right direction with this situation. On October 1, 2008 (Wednesday) something clicked inside me and told me to call Dr. Carol and ask her if we put Paco on meds would he still be able to take the vitamins. When I called Dr. Carol she was so helpful, optimistic, and honest.

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As summer time and warmer weather approaches, Ticks often become an issue for many pets and their people. Ticks can infect your dog with Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and other tick-borne diseases. Learning to identify ticks is also wise; the brightly colored tick on the left carries Lyme Disease.

If your pet loves the great outdoors — particularly for those that enjoy roaming the woods and trails — be sure to check your pet’s skin and hair coat thoroughly especially the area around their ears and neck. If you spot the pesky, little blood suckers, try to remove them as soon as possible!

Ticks that has burrow into your dog’s skin can be tricky to remove. Dr. Carol offers a few tips to safely remove ticks, such as the harmful tick, pictured to the right that transmits Lyme Disease.

1. First put on a pair of rubber gloves to avoid direct contact with the tick.

2. Use tweezers to grasp the tick by its head at the point where it’s attached to your pet’s body.

3. Gently pull the tick away from the skin, but do not twist. Make sure you remove the entire tick, because leaving tick body parts behind, under your pets skin can cause an infection.

4. Clean the bite area with an antiseptic, such as alcohol and wipe your tweezers well with rubbing alcohol. Place the tick in a glass jar with a couple inches of rubbing alcohol and close the lid.

Be sure to ask your vet identify the tick so you know whether or not you and/or your pet are at risk or if it’s harmless, like the wood tick in this photo.

Contact your vet if the skin around the tick bite remains irritated. To protect your pet during tick season (usually April through September), use a tick-preventive product and consider vaccinating your pets for Lyme disease. There is also a Lyme Disease Vaccine available for people, which is a valid consideration for those living in and/or traveling through endemic areas of the country.

Bookmark www.carolonpets.com for the latest pet health news and longevity updates for your dog and cat. Veterinarian and author, Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM is available for personal pet health consultations for dogs and cats toll free at 1-866-372-2765.

Cleaning your pet’s teeth is a great way to save yourself from smelling horrendous pet breath. But, dental cleanings also save some pets from serious heart disease and occasionally, you might hear how dental procedures saved a pet’s life!

Smokey did not feel well. The young Golden Retriever mix missed her family and was completely confused by her surroundings. Smokey had never been confined in a cage, nor had she ever been somewhere with such strange smells and noisy neighbors. On top of everything, her mouth hurt terribly!

At this city shelter, the staff realized Smokey’s attitude was not normal for her breed. Investigating, they found the crowns of her four canine teeth had been literally cut off at the gum line! Known as crown amputation, some people have used this practice as a means to disarm a dog’s primary defense mechanism of biting. Without large canine teeth, the severity of bite wounds is supposedly reduced. But, the use of bolt cutters or wire snips to cut the teeth at the gum line and the lack of anesthetics or sterile technique often leads to major complications. Veterinary organizations, including the American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC) have expressed serious concern with this painful practice.

These dogs are so painful and prone to nipping (as a compensation mechanism) that shelters will often euthanize these dogs without seeking medical care. For Smokey, her condition became a life or death situation!

Fortunately, a Golden Retriever Rescue heard of Smokey’s plight and sought to find a solution that would not only save her life, but free her from pain as well.

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