Food & Health Archives - Page 17 of 17

Diets for pets with medical disorders

by Dr. Faith Whitehead | Nov 11, 2022 | Food & Health, Medicines & Therapies, Research and News

Allergic (atopic) dermatitis is the most typical skin condition observed in many veterinary facilities. This syndrome causes itching following exposure to environmental allergens (often airborne ones) (foreign proteins which induce allergies.) True food allergies in dogs are rather uncommon. Pets may have food intolerances, which are allergic reactions to non-nutrients in the diet (such additives), however it can be difficult to determine how common these reactions are. While giving your pet the healthiest, most natural, and holistic food you can is advised, dietary therapy is not a cornerstone in the treatment of itching dogs.

With a little adjustment, diets designed for animals with digestive difficulties may be helpful for animals with skin conditions. These customized meals are used to diagnose and manage food allergies in addition to monitoring any improvements in pets that suffer from skin conditions like atopic dermatitis. Remember that feeding your itching dogs the diet used to test and treat food allergies may result in improvement even if they don’t have a real food allergy.

A food trial is a specific, scientific approach to testing for food allergy. This can be done using either a homemade diet or a commercial diet that has been designed specifically for food trials. All other food sources, such as treats, snacks, table scraps, and flavored medications, must be removed during the trial. Your pet should be eating the trial diet exclusively for at least 8 weeks, although 12 weeks is currently recommended, because initial improvement may not be seen until week 8. After 8 weeks, it is usually safe to slowly introduce other foods back into the diet in a controlled manner. If you are unsure how to do this, please speak with your veterinarian or a veterinary nutritionist. If your pet has a food allergy, once the allergenic ingredients are removed, symptoms should resolve. If your pet does not improve, then food allergies are likely not the cause of the skin problems. The food trial may not be successful in some cases, and a food allergy may still be present. In this case, the skin symptoms may not respond to the trial diet because your pet may have an allergy to one or more of the ingredients in the trial diet.

When testing for food allergies, a hypoallergenic diet must be used. The most common varieties of hypoallergenic diets are hydrolyzed protein diets, where the protein has been broken down into smaller units that are less likely to cause an allergic reaction. Other diets may use novel proteins, such as venison or rabbit that are not commonly used in pet foods. After food allergies have been ruled out, a novel protein or hydrolyzed protein diet may be used to treat pets with food allergies and atopic dermatitis. A diet may be used for several months to years, or for the lifetime of the pet, depending on the severity of the food allergies. A diet may be used as a sole therapy or as a component of a more comprehensive plan to control allergies and skin disease. If a diet is used in combination with other therapies, it may be necessary to feed the diet for a longer period of time to see clinical improvement.

Dental care for pets

by Dr. Faith Whitehead | Nov 11, 2022 | Food & Health, Research and News

Dental care for pets is similar to dental care for humans. Pets need to have their teeth brushed, their gums massaged, and their teeth cleaned on a regular basis to prevent gum disease and tooth decay. Dental care is important for pets, just as it is for humans. Pets need regular teeth cleanings and dental checkups to prevent gum disease and other dental problems. Dental disease is caused by a build-up of plaque and tartar on the teeth. Plaque is a sticky film of food, bacteria, and saliva. Tartar is hardened plaque that has been left on the teeth for too long. Dental disease can cause pain and infection in the mouth, which can lead to other health problems such as heart disease and kidney disease. If a pet has a dental disease, you may notice that he or she has bad breath, drools excessively, has trouble eating, or is pawing at the mouth. Dental disease can also cause pain and infection in your pet’s mouth, which can lead to other health problems.

Poor hygiene may have an impact on everything. It may lead to several more illnesses throughout the body in addition to oral ones. The health of the animal depends greatly on its oral hygiene. It has an impact on every element relating to the animal. Good oral hygiene is a must for animals. Bad oral hygiene can lead to a number of oral problems. The most common oral problems include tartar buildup, plaque, gum disease and tooth decay. Each of these problems should be treated to ensure the animal’s health and well-being. Bad oral hygiene can cause a number of other health problems. These include infections in the sinuses and the respiratory system. These can cause infections in the lungs, digestion issues and other issues. Cavities are one of the most serious oral problems that can occur. Cavities are a hole in the tooth. They can cause pain, bleeding and can also lead to tooth loss. If a cavity is left untreated, it can lead to an infection in the gum line.

Age, general health, food, chewing activities, heredity, tooth alignment, grooming practices, and dental hygiene are a few factors that might cause gum disease in pets. Periodontal disease is a common condition that affects not only dogs, cats, and other animals, but also humans. A bacterial infection of the gums, periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in both humans and pets. A recent study from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research estimates that 47% of all dogs and 42% of all cats over the age of three are affected by some form of periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is a progressive condition that starts with gingivitis, a mild inflammation of the gums. If left untreated, gingivitis can lead to a more severe form of periodontal disease called periodontitis. Periodontitis is characterized by severe inflammation, bone loss, and eventually tooth loss. The most common sign of periodontal disease is bad breath. Other signs include red and tender gums, bleeding gums, and difficulty chewing.