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FoxNest.info
Nutrition As Therapy
Nutrition As Preventive Medicine
About our Recommendations
And The Nutritional Products, Diets, and Supplements We Offer To Help Make & Keep Pets Really Healthy
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Many diseases and problems are related to nutrition. On the one hand, what we eat or don't eat can be the cause of problems and disease. On the other hand, what we eat can greatly improve or cure health problems.
This page is about the many nutritional supplements used in veterinary medicine to reduce inflammation, manage allergies, control weight, slow aging, aid in digestive problems, aid in oral hygiene, improve general health, and to make the whole experience of having a pet even more satisfying.
Omega 3, 6, and 9 Fatty Acid Supplements:
Omega fatty acids play an important role in the health, healing and flexibility of blood vessels, skin, and the mucosal layers or surfaces of the bladder and urethra. Omega fatty acids of the right type and ratio are important to the health and repair of the brain, the eyes, the kidney, and heart.
In addition to the special diets and supplements like Feline Duralactin that already contain therapeutic levels of high quality Omega Fatty Acids, we also offer several choices of Omega Fatty Acid supplements containing different combinations of cold water fish oils, sunflower oil, olive oils, and other oils known to contain healthy ratios of poly-unsaturated Omega 3, Omega 6, and Omega 9 fatty acids.
We offer several choices of Omega Fatty Acid Products. Most of them are marketed for shedding, skin allergies, and other skin problems but they are also excellent for internal health in middle aged and older pets.
Virbac OmegaDerm for Cats or Dogs: Packaged in premeasured daily doses of oils you squirt on your pet's food every day. Our highest quality, most successful Omega Fatty Acid product for shedding, skin disease, or skin allergies.
Vibrac Omegaderm is a potent nutritional supplement providing the best essential fatty acids (EFA) from the omega 6 and omega 3 families. Omegaderm is formulated in an ideal 5:1 ratio of omega 6 to omega 3. Omega derm helps in the control of various dermatological conditions in dogs particularly in allergies. Ingredients: Sunflower seed oil, cold sea fish oils, and evening primrose oil.
Optima 365 for Cats or Dogs: A less expensive competitor to OmegaDerm with a different ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3 claiming to be better for inflammation and shedding. I can't really tell which one works better but some pets prefer the taste of one over the other so we offer both.
Optima 365 has 33% less calories than other brands. Provides the essential 10:1 ratio of omega 6 and 3 fatty acids ideal for skin and coat conditioning. Highly palatable. Contains Antioxidants Vitamins A and E and other essential vitamins and minerals. Fortified with serine and proline for healthy skin and shiny coat.
Ingredients include Canola Oil, Corn Oil, Non-Fat Dry Milk Solids, Olive Pomace Oil, Sunflower Oil, Vitamin E, Evening Primrose Oil, and Borage Oil
Derm Caps for dogs: This was the first Omega fatty acid product I used in practice and it still works well and is least expensive. But it comes in large gelatin capsules that you either make your pet swallow or puncture and squeeze over your pet's food once a day ... so a little less convenient than OmegaDerm or Optima 365.
Ingredients are just Cold water Fish Oil, Safflower Oil, Borage Seed Oil, and vitamin E.
MultiVitamins with added Omega Fatty Acids: We have chewable multi-vitamins with added Omega Fatty Acids. Very appropriate for general use in middle aged and older pets as a supplement. The only negative about any dry pet food or chewable tablet, is that only a modest amount of fatty acid containing oils can be added without making the product too oily. That's why the most effective products are liquid supplements. But often the modest amounts added in the dry diets and tablets are enough to make a positive difference. Especially if you give both.
Omega Rawhide Chews: We now have rawhide Chews saturated in Omega Fatty Acids for those of you that don't mind a little extra expense in exchange for the joy of giving your pet the immense pleasure that most dogs get from gnawing on rawhide. These rawhides are just a convenient way of giving healthy Omega fatty acids to your dog, but there's nothing wrong with that.
Duralactin for Cats and Dogs with pain or inflammation:
Duralactin contains MicroLactin®, a patented dried milk protein from the milk of hyperimmunized cows. MicroLactin® contains factors that appear to block cytokines to inhibit neutrophil participation in the inflammatory response. This reduces inflammation and makes dogs and cats feel good. I recommend it for pets with arthritis, chronic illness, cancer, ear infections, bladder infections, and after surgery or trauma. I also use this product mixed with lysine for young cats with colds. This new medication is super safe, flavored, inexpensive, and very effective in a lot of pets. I love it. Safe and appropriate to use in combination with Dasuquin and/or Rimadyl if needed. The Cat version of Duralactin ... which we also recommend for small breed dogs ... has added omega fatty acids.
For both cats and dogs, using Duralactin in combination with either Dasuquin, Synoviflex, or ChondroFlex is both safe and appropriate and the results are often awesome.
Dasuquin and SynoviFlex: Glucosamine with Low Molecular Weight chondroitin and MSM for Dogs with arthritis and other joint diseases:
Glucosamine and chondroitin have been proven to help lubricate and heal damaged cartilage. MSM helps strengthen tendons, ligaments, and other connective tissue. Certain extracts from Green Tea, Avocados, and soy beans are good anti-inflammatories and anti-oxidants.
But the production and marketing of glucosamine, chondroitin, and other neutriceutical or herbal products are unregulated and quality and effectiveness varies tremendously among brands.
Two brands that I trust for the good reason that they are independently tested, are made from top quality ingredients, and have proven to be effective in pet after pet are Glyco-Flex and Dasuquin. They are also made by very reputable veterinary companies.
Dasuquin contains unique anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidants made from avocado, green tea, and soybean extracts. It contains MSM, which strengthens connective tissue, pharmaceutical grade glucosamine, and low molecular weight chondroitin sulfate which is the only kind that is well absorbed. Dasuquin is the very best and most effective glucosamine product on the market.
The only reason to use the second best product available ... which is SynoviFlex is because Dasuquin causes diarrhea in some dogs due to the avocado extract. We recommend that you try the Dasuquin and if you have any problems, just return it without any hassle or paperwork and trade it in for SynoviFlex which is pretty much the same product without the avocado. We recommend either of these products for any dog in late middle age or older as a preventive or treatment for degenerative joint disease or arthritis.
Either of these excellent products, while marketed for dogs, are also great for cats. Just use less. But for old, arthritic cats, the SynoviFlex people offer a top grade glucosamine product flavored for cats:
ChondroFlex for Older Cats that are less active:
The makers of SynoviFlex make a high quality glucosamine product. tuna flavored for cats called ChondroFlex. Arthritis in cats is not nearly as obvious as it is in dogs, but if you're observant you will notice older cats being much less active and reluctant to jump up on couches and so forth like they used to. ChondroFlex helps lubricate and heal damaged joints and helps your cat stay mobile.
Ultra Anti-Oxidants:Chewable Anti-Ox Ultra: Excellent for brain function, recovery from illness, and to slow aging. Ingredients include beta Carotene, Vit. C, Zinc Ascorbate, Vitamin E , Selenium , Alpha Lipoic Acid, Cysteine, Mixed Carotenoids, Grape Seed Extract (Proanthocyanidins), Green Tea Extract
S Adenosyl or SAMe: Enteric coated supplement for older pets with liver disease, depression, poor appetite, low energy, and senility. This is "brain food". S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine and L-Cysteine are amino acids crucial of proper brain and liver function. Other ingredients include milk thistle, taurine, vitamin E, Zinc, and B vitamins.
FoxNest Chewable Multi Vitamins: Most diets have more than adequate amounts of vitamins for normal, healthy pets. But for military and working dogs, pets that are nursing, sick pets, and older pets, giving additional vitamins can help a lot and maximize performance and vitality. We have inexpensive, high quality, chewable multi-vitamin tablets for cats and dogs.
Pet Tinic Liquid Vitamins for dogs and cats: Pet Tinic is a very palatable liquid vitamin and mineral tonic supplement. Pet Tinic is an excellent source of IRON and COPPER, also contains Niacinamide, B1, B2, B6, B12 and Liver Fraction 1 and vitamins to aid in the treatment of deficiencies found in young or anemic, debilitated, or convalescent pets.
Dr Ross' Bull, Stud, & Rooster Tonic: My secret off label recipe of liver extract, geritol, vitamins, and viagra. This is for pets that are very anemic, weak, debilitated, or very old. Just $6 a bottle, but watch out.
DigestRite digestive Enzymes and Probiotics: an effective all purpose flavored powder containing enzymes that break down starches, proteins, and fats to aid in digestion for older animals combined with Probiotic "good" bacteria cultures that keep the gut healthy and functioning. Good for cats and dogs. Digest-Rite is a source of live, viable,
microorganisms and digestive enzymes, beneficial amino acids and Yucca.
It helps to re-establish natural digestive balance, controls gas, stool-eating, weight problems and other digestive disorders.
FortiFlora Probiotics made by Purina: Flavored cultures of "good" bacteria help keep the gut healthy and functioning well. Designed for pets that get frequent diarrhea associated with stress, antibiotic therapy, or are being treated with medications like Rimadyl that sometimes irritate the bowel. Available in either feline or canine flavors that you add to the diet.
GastriCalm Chewable Tablets: These fairly expensive tablets contain Chelated Zinc-Carnosine with Vitamin E, that helps protect the stomach lining of dogs taking medications that cause gut irritation such as phenobarbital, Rimadyl, or antibiotics.
It speeds the repair of the stomach and bowel when it has been irritated or damaged from vomiting, diarrhea, cancer, or medications. Basically, the chelated zinc makes a protective coating along the gut wall allowing it to heal and protecting it from further damage.
FoxNest Hair Ball Treats: Hairball Treats are an intestinal lubricant that helps eliminate hairballs and their symptoms, including constipation, straining during a bowel movement, dry cough and vomiting associated with hairballs. It is also a gentle laxative against the formation of hairballs.
Cats really, really like these treats.
Most brands of hairball treats for cats are mild laxative lubricants and can be quite helpful for those cats with hard stools, uncomfortable straining, frequent gagging or coughing. or frequent upchuckers of hairballs. Other hairball treats of diets claiming to aid in the prevention of hairballs contain either extra fiber and/or enzymes helpful in the digestion and passage along the intestinal tract of hair. All these products seem to work in a lot of cats and not in others. It's appropriate to simply try the treats or the diet to see if this is effective in your cat.
Note: a lot of cats ... and dogs ... that pass excessive amounts of hair have skin conditions that need attention.
For the actual treatment of cats and dogs clogged up with hair, nothing seems to work better than any of the many brands of flavored petroleum jelly available at every vet's office and pet store. But the trick for success is giving a lot more than the directions say. For cats that are feeling blah or gagging and hairballs are suspected, I recommend giving 1/2 tube daily for 2 days in a row. If your cat doesn't poop a lot and feel much better after giving this much laxative; it's time to see your vet.
Lean Treats: A low calorie healthy treat made from skinless chicken and chicken livers. The perfect treat for weight control, pancreatitis, and sensitive stomach pets. Available for both cats and dogs.
Slentrol for dogs: the new weight loss medication approved by the FDA as safe and effective. The only FDA approved, prescription medication for weight loss in America. And it works in about 90+ % of canine patients. Not safe or effective in cats or humans. Not a replacement for special diets or exercise. And sometimes causes diarrhea or other side effects so not for every fat dog.
But very successful in a lot of dogs.
Not expensive.
It helps dogs lose about 1% of weight a week !
Dental Chews: We have several types of delicious chews designed to remove plaque and tarter and keep gums healthy.
Hill's T/D Tarter Control Diet used as a treat:
Hill's Tarter Control is designed to be fed as the pet's main diet. It's a low calorie, high quality diet with a unique kibble containing floss like fibers that clean teeth and gums. Another unique thing about this food is that the fat portion of the diet is sprayed on the surface of the kibble. The upshot of this trick is that pets love the taste of what is otherwise a high fiber, low calorie pet food. This diet is so good tasting, that we also recommend it as a very low cost, low calorie treat for both cats and dogs
Milk Replacer: Nutritionally complete milk replacer to be fed as a nutritional supplement or replacement diet for baby puppies and kittens when needed. We have several brands that closely matches mothers milk composition in fat, protein, energy & other nutrients. Vet Solutions; my favorite brand has protein supplied entirely from milk sources. Contains colostrum & DHA. Is not heat processed. Available in kitten and puppy formulas. We also have several sizes of baby bottles and nipples.
Vetasyl Flavored Fiber Supplements: The right amount and right type of fiber in the diet can be very helpful in treating pets prone to diarrhea as well as pets prone to constipation. This is because fiber regulates the amount of moisture in the bowel... Not too much and not too little.
Fiber supplements often help with hair ball problems, irritable bowel syndrome, colon cramps, and gas pains.
Fiber supplements designed to ferment slowly can aid in weight loss programs helping to make your pet feel full
Fiber supplements are also used in the treatment of dogs with diabetes helping to control the "swings" in blood sugar. Click here to go to our page about the nutritional treatment of diabetes.
Vetasyl is the brand of fiber we recommend.
It encourages natural elimination without the aid of chemicals, while providing gentle, effective relief from constipation. Often works wonders for pets troubled by hair balls. Good for both cats and dogs.
Benefits:
• A natural remedy for digestive issues
• Returns normalcy to your pet’s elimination
• Convenient, and easy to administer
• Contains 100% natural fiber sources
• Formulated without preservatives, artificial flavors or colors
• No reported side effects
How it works:
Vetasyl is sprinkled over food every day to aid in better digestion. The natural fiber source, which includes psyllium and barley, encourages natural elimination without the aid of chemicals.
On this page we will discuss:
The Nutritional Supplements we Recommend:
What, When, & Why
On Other Pages wediscuss the pet foods we recommend for pets in different stages of life and for pets with different nutritional needs and problems:
And On Other Pages we discuss prescription or therapeutic diets we recommend for pets
I am a firm believer that the nutritional products that we sell are the real deal and the best in their class. I mention this because there are many, many nutritional supplements being sold to pets and people by
infomerical, by multi-level sales people, and "back to nature" enthusists without any real basis for the claims that are made. Everything from blue green algae, wild yam, to colloidal minerals to pyramids, crystals, copper bracelets and magnets are being sold as cures for everything from arthritis to mental illness.
It may turn out that the claims being made will turn out to be true or somewhat true. Glucosamine, for example, was originally thought by the serious medical people to be yet another bogus neutriceutical. It turned out to be very helpful.
Which brings me to Probiotics. I sell a couple of probiotic products, and I do so with the belief that they are quite useful for several digestive disorders and maybe for general health. But I and other professionals are not yet certain. The medical evidence is still iffy. I just thought I should let you know.
What are Probiotics?
A probiotic, sometimes referred to as good or friendly bacteria, is a mixture of microorganisms necessary for a healthy and balanced intestinal tract.
The prevailing theory for using probiotics is that there are two types of bacteria found in the intestinal tract, good and harmful bacteria.
Good bacteria, or probiotics, ensure good health as they supposedly:
1. Produce natural antibiotics, which can fight harmful bacteria.
2. Regulate and increase hormone levels.
3. Manufacture B group vitamins, biotin and folic acid.
4. Stimulate the immune system.
5. Reduce food intolerance.
6. Increase energy levels.
7. Inhibit the growth of some yeast.
8. Absorb nutrients, antioxidants and iron from food that is eaten.
9. Reduce inflammation.
10. Increase digestibility of food.
Several things can destroy the intestinal bacterial balance in a pet’s gut. Antibiotic and other prescription medications may destroy good bacteria as well as bad. Stress, poor diet, pollutants in the air, water, and environment may also deplete beneficial bacteria.
VetriCalm: chewable, herbal anti-anxiety tabs: For pets that are stressed out, anxious about travel, guests, thunderstorms, and so forth. A gentle mix of herbals that help calm pets. Chamomile, Passion Flower, Valerian Root Powder, Thiamine (Vitamin B-1), Ginger, and L-Tryptophan
CaniCalm:
CaniCalm Canine Calming Formula is used to help aid in the calming of animals when under stress such as boarding, grooming, traveling, separation anxiety and shows. It's also good for getting an anxious puppy used to a new home.
Contains Chamomile, St. John's Wort and Valerian, in a palatable vitamin and mineral gel.
Directions:
Start dosing animal 1 hour prior to expected stressful event. Dose twice daily for up to two weeks. If product is needed for more than two weeks, consult your veterinarian. Squeeze a ribbon of CaniCalm on your finger (or feed from a dish). Dogs accept CaniCalm immediately, licking up their tasty dose without urging.
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