6 minute read
ASK THE VET
QQ: Hi Dr Travis, I’m curious to know your opinion on whether it’s safer to feed my dog commercial treats or fruit, since commercial treats don’t have a calorie breakdown on them the same way human food does. Can you assist?
A: When it comes to giving our pets treats, we don’t want the treats to be making up more than 10% of the animal’s daily calorie A&requirement. So, yes, when the caloric content of the treat is unknown, it can be very difficult to know how much to give. Fruit and vegetables can make good treats, while also giving additional nutrients such as vitamins and fibre. Remember, most dogs don’t chew their food and tend to swallow it whole, so raw vegetables should be cut or grated so they don’t get stuck. If you are feeding fruit, be careful of feeding large pips or apple cores as these can cause obstructions, too. Peach pips and mielie cobs are common causes of intestinal obstruction that need surgery to remove. Not all dogs will appreciate fruit or vegetables. For these, you can offer protein sources such as meat or cheese. Just remember that these food groups can be calorie dense and high in fat, so be sure that you are mindful of how much you are giving. High fat foods are also risky in patients with diseases like pancreatitis. Be careful of sodium content in patients with heart disease. Many dogs also like peanut butter, which can be given in moderation, bearing in mind its high salt, high fat content. If your dog does enjoy peanut butter, be sure to check if it contains xylitol. This is an artificial sweetener that is highly toxic to dogs. Q: Dear Doctor Travis, I have two budgies who have been getting along for more than two years and, all of a sudden, have started fighting. Do you think I should take them to the vet? I’m not sure Budgies can be territorial animals, and one budgie may be defending a favourite perch or toy. They can also become jealous, fighting each other for your attention. This might become prevalent if you have been spending less time with them recently, or if one budgie is getting more attention than another. A third reason for fighting could be hormonal changes. As the days grow longer, the budgies may be entering their breeding season where they could become more territorial or have “shorter fuses” than normal. I don’t think it is necessary to take them to the vet just yet, but I would encourage you to look out for any weight loss, reduced energy level or reduced appetite. If the fighting results in any wounds, these will require veterinary attention to prevent infection.
what the cause could be for this. They are a male and a female.
A:There are several reasons why two budgies may start fighting. Constant fighting can affect the budgie’s health and wellbeing in the long term, and if the fighting continues, then they will need to be separated. Some bird enthusiasts recommend separating them for a few days (up to a week) and then putting them back together again. If the fighting persists, or if it’s to the extent that they are drawing blood from each other, then permanent separation may be the only option. If they are separated, the cages can still be kept next to one another so that they can still keep each other company, and they can be put together while under supervision.
Q: Hi Dr Travis, I’m trying to feed my dog more organic type foods. What fruit and vegetables would you recommend feeding my dog? He is about 7 years old and a cross breed. Does age play a role in what we feed our dogs?
A: The dietary requirements of our pets do change with age. An aging animal’s digestive tract may not be as efficient as a younger dog, which makes it less capable of breaking down and absorbing nutrients from food. For this reason, the diet of an older animal should have highly digestible protein and higher amounts of certain trace elements. According to the Royal Canin
website, a dog is considered to be ‘aging’ when they have reached three quarters of their lifespan. These dogs also tend to have lower activity levels than younger dogs, which reduces their daily energy requirements. Overfeeding will cause weight gain that will exacerbate conditions such as arthritis, which older dogs may already be battling with.
All dogs should be fed a well-balanced diet to maintain health, but vegetables can be added as treats as many dogs really enjoy them. Good examples of vegetables to use include carrots, broccoli, sweet potato and cooked pumpkin. Bear in mind that feeding too many vegetables may cause stomach upsets and flatulence. Avoid onion and garlic, as they can cause anaemia in high quantities. Most fruit is safe for dogs, but not all dogs enjoy it. Fruit should also be fed in moderation due to the high sugar content. Also remember to always remove the pips to avoid the risk of causing an obstruction. Grapes and raisins are toxic to dogs and can cause kidney injury, so avoid feeding them.
Q: Dear Doctor Travis, I’m not sure how to start this letter. My cat recently passed away from a tumour on her spleen. She was always happy to see us and ate well. The only thing I noticed before her vet visit was that she got thinner, I was under the assumption that it was just muscle loss due to her getting older. She was 15. I feel so guilty. Now I’m worried about my other cats, but I can’t afford to take them to the vet for a lot of tests to make sure they are not ill. We’ve always just taken them once a year and if they seem off. How do I know if weight loss isn’t just my cats getting older?
A: Splenic tumours are, unfortunately, silent killers most of the time. They are also very rare in cats, so I really hope you are not blaming yourself for the passing of your cat. There is no way that you would have been able to pick it up. Vets can sometimes pick them up when palpating a patient’s abdomen but can also miss them if the patient is wriggly or tense.
While it is common for cats to lose muscle mass as they get older, there are other signs of disease to look out for in older cats. Unfortunately, cats can be great pretenders, and a lot of their symptoms may be vague or obscure. Weight loss with an increased appetite is a cause for concern. Conversely, a drop in appetite would also indicate that something is wrong. Since older cats are prone to kidney disease, owners should also keep an eye out for increased water consumption or increased urination. These would also be something to worry about.
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Dr Travis Gray
