The Pet Lovers Guide January - February 2014

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JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014 | FREE

guide

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Pets can

COEXIST PEACEFULLY Is a

GRAIN-FREE right DIET for your pet?

Dogs and Diabetes

How to recognize if your dog has diabetes

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dogs & diabetes

How to recognize if your dog has diabetes

T

he family pet is typically a beloved and cherished member of the family, one whom no one wants to see succumb to sickness or illness. But just like their

human counterparts, pets can get sick, and it might surprise some pet owners to learn their pets aren’t immune to diseases most commonly associated with human beings.

One such disease is diabetes, which is a common disease in dogs regardless of breed. Just like with human beings, diabetes in dogs does not discriminate. However, females with the disease outnumber males by three to one, and Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Miniature Schnauzers, Keeshonden and Poodles have the highest incidence of diabetes.

When a dog gets diabetes, it’s because of inadequate insulin production by the islet cells in the pancreas. For some dogs, this inadequate insulin production is due to a genetic predisposition. Insulin is essential for dogs, as it allows glucose to pass into the cells, which metabolize the glucose for energy. When a dog is insulin deficient, it will develop high blood sugar,

Early Symptoms ✓ Frequent urination ✓ Urge to consume large amounts of water ✓ Weight loss ✓ Increased appetite ✓ Recurrent infections ✓ Intolerance of exercise

known as hyperglycemia, as well as a high urine sugar, a condition also known as glycosuria. When glucose is present in its urine, a dog will urinate more frequently, which sets off a chain reaction that includes dehydration

The Pet Lovers Guide | January/February 2013

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and an urge to consume large amounts of water.

In addition to those symptoms, some additional signs a dog might have diabetes include:  Weight loss  Increased appetite  Recurrent infections  Intolerance of exercise While any of the aforementioned symptoms can be indicative of diabetes, their presence does not necessarily mean a dog is diabetic. For example, a dog that cannot hold its urine might be suffering from a bladder or kidney infection instead of diabetes. When a dog is exhibiting issues with regards to urination, the best thing an owner can do is consult a veterinarian immediately.

Even man’s best friend is not immune from diabetes.

If diabetes is not diagnosed early on, then a dog might exhibit different symptoms once the disease has begun to advance. Cataracts, for instance, are common in diabetic dogs, so if a veterinarian determines a dog has cataracts, then he or she might want to test a dog for diabetes if no such

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test has been conducted already. Symptoms of advanced diabetes include:  Lethargy

 Dehydration

 Loss of appetite

 Weakness

 Vomiting

 Coma

If left untreated, diabetes in dogs can be devastating to the animal. Diabetes affects all organs, and dogs who aren’t receiving treatment for diabetes are more susceptible to infections and are likely to develop neurological problems as well. Enlarged livers are also common in dogs who have diabetes  but aren’t receiving treatment.

More information about canine diabetes is available at www.caninediabetes.org.

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The Pet Lovers Guide | January/February 2013

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Pets can coexist D

Peacefully

espite cartoon caricatures of dogs preying on unsuspecting cats, and cats hunting down birds and small rodents, these stereotypical adversaries can, and often do, live quite peacefully together.

Many different types of animals can live together in one household, but it is up to the pet owner to ensure each animal gets his or her share of attention and proper care.

In 2009, a shelter dog named Lily made headlines in Iowa when she accepted a litter of orphaned kittens and began nursing them and mothering them as if they were her pups. There have been tales of a baby horse raised by a goat, and even a leopard caring for a baby baboon after having fed on the baboon’s mother. Although few might advocate welcoming a baboon and a leopard into a family residence, this tale does illustrate that the misconception of survival of the fittest, or animosity among species, may be somewhat unfounded.

With this in mind, individuals who are worried about commingling pets in the house may not need to fret so much. This is especially true if they pay attention to some pointers about making the household peaceful for all.

The unifying force in peaceful coexistence is the establishment of boundaries among animals. In the wild, certain species accept a dominant or submissive place within the social order. In the household, things may get out of hand if two animals are trying to exert their dominance over territory. It is

important to establish yourself as the pack alpha or leader. If pets view you as the one in charge, they may be less likely to fight for position with another pet.

Establish your dominance early on and reinforce it from time to time.

Although all animals have the potential to be territorial, males, particularly those intact, are more likely to exhibit territorial aggression. Therefore, for the health and safety of your pets, consider neutering. You may also want to consider females of the breed, particularly because females tend to be less territorial than males.

Ensure each animal has his or her own sleeping and living areas so that they will feel safe.

Always supervise animals that are commingling. Even if they are getting along at one point, they may not always be so friendly.

Wash your hands in between handling one pet or another. Sometimes the scent of another animal can trigger aggression.

Keep your pets in separate rooms when you are out of the house, unless they have a proven track record of behaving among one another. Remember the adage ... “While the cat’s away, the mice will play.” 

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I want YOU

to Volunteer

Is a

grain-free

diet right for your pet?

T

he potential benefits of grain and gluten-free diets are a trendy topic of discussion in the grocery aisle today. But pet owners often have similar questions about whether these diets are right for their cats or dogs.

Interested in becoming a volunteer at the Humane Society of the North Bay? Sign up to attend a Volunteer Orientation session - click the link below to see the upcoming dates for September. Orientations are held at the Humane Society of the North Bay.

Michele Dixon, a health and nutrition specialist with Petcurean, gives us some important facts before removing grains from your pet’s diet.

Petcurean is a Canadian company with expertise in premium quality recipes for dogs and cats. Consider the following:

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 If you suspect your pet has a specific grain allergy, immediate elimination of all grains from your pet’s diet is not necessary.

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To sign up or to get more information, call Coordinator of Volunteer Outreach Jasnique Body at 707-645-7905, ext. 114 email at volunteer@hsnb.org 1121 Sonoma Boulevard Vallejo, CA 94590 Tel. 707.645.7905 Fax 707.645.7909 www.bvhumane.org Tues - Sat, 11am - 5pm

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The Pet Lovers Guide | January/February 2013

 While food allergies can sometimes be related to a grainbased protein, such as corn or wheat, it is often a source of meat protein that causes the allergic reaction.

 When they are ground and moderately cooked, grains can be a quick and excellent source of highly digestible energy for your pet. Dogs and cats do not digest raw starches or whole grains very well.  Pet owners who are looking to eliminate grains from their pet’s food as part of a low-carb diet should be aware that a grain-free diet doesn’t necessarily mean it is low in carbohydrates. Other types of carbohydrates, such as potatoes, tapioca, or peas, might be included in the recipe.

So knowing what to look for is very important. 

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| Medical | Boarding Cat Care | Kitten Wellness | Senior Cat Care | Vaccination The Pet Lovers Guide | January/February 2013

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PETCO’S PLEDGE t� PREMIUM NUTRITION

At PETCO, we believe in wagging tails and passionate purrs. We believe healthy is the way to happy. And we understand that just like human food, all pet foods are not created equal. As leaders in Premium Nutrition, we pledge to provide premium food choices that increase energy, improve wellness and ensure high quality ingredients. We promise to deliver great taste that costs just pennies more per day. And we dedicate ourselves to promoting the better nutrition that all pets deserve.

To find the best premium food for your pal, just ask one of our Premium Food Specialists at a Petco store near you or visit PETCO.com/foodfinder today.

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