Vol. 4, No. 11, November 2007
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Frequently Asked
Answers to some of my most frequently asked questions about your pet
What type of food is best for my pet?
While that’s a long and complicated answer, let’s assume your pet is one with no health issues. First and foremost is the requirement for meat in the food. As carnivores, dogs and cats need meat in their diet, and this should be listed as the number-one ingredient in the food. Second, no “byproducts.” This is a catch-all phrase for, well, you name it. Could be anything.
Good choices are Innova, California Natural, Wysong, Life’s Abundance and Pet Gard, to name a few.
Can I give aspirin or Tylenol to my dog for pain?
Assuming the dog has no history of bleeding disorders or ulcers, the short answer for aspirin is yes—preferably, the buffered brands. Enteric-coated pills will not digest, so do not use those. Tylenol (acetaminophen) has a different mechanism of action, and is useful in combination pain therapy. However, long-term use of these drugs (as well as any other pain drug) is not advised without the supervision of a veterinarian.
For long-term use, the veterinary brands have been tested and approved by the FDA for use in pets. Rimadyl, Deramaxx, Zubrin and Previcox are a few of the ones available.
One other caution: Cats are not small dogs! Cats cannot take many of the medicines that dogs can. In fact, Tylenol is fatal to cats, and the dose for aspirin is one baby aspirin every three days. Again, please consult your veterinarian.
What is all the controversy about vaccinating pets about?
Good question, and again, long and involved. Basically, the concern now is that we over-vaccinate pets, and that it may be causing health issues. Each pet owner and a veterinarian should discuss the need for vaccine, and which ones are appropriate for each pet.
Something to ask your veterinarian about is vaccine titer testing. This is a blood test that measures the immune status of your pet to the viral diseases. If the titer is high (i.e. protective), then the pet is immune and does not need the vaccine. If the titer goes low after a few years, then the pet is not immune and the vaccine is given. These are only available for the viral diseases, such as distemper and parvo in the dog and distemper and leukemia in the cat. Vaccines for spirochetes, such as lyme and leptospirosis, do not create protective, long-lasting titers, and thus should be repeated yearly, if your dog is at risk.
There is a titer test available for rabies, but the result for pets is not considered “legal” in New Jersey.
My dog has bad arthritis in his hips. What could you do for him?
First, read the other three answers. Diet, proper pain meds and not over-vaccinating are all keys to improving health. In addition, here we would add nutritional supplements, such as glucosamine and chondroitin, which protect the cartilage and repair damage. Adding omega 3 fatty acids such as fish or flax oil will help decrease inflammation.
Chiropractics work wonders. And, the addition of acupuncture and prolotherapy often is helpful. Controlled exercise in an underwater treadmill rehabilitates weak muscles and helps range of motion of joints. Class IV laser therapy has made the jump from human to veterinary medicine.
Unlike “cold laser,” this therapy penetrates deeper into the tissues, stimulating healing and decreasing pain and swelling. Homeopathic remedies for pain and spasm are also available. These can be taken orally and/or injected into acupuncture points or around the joints themselves. These therapies should only be done by a trained veterinarian.
