TOP 4 HEALTH PROBLEMS IN DOGS

Coming home to a happy dog with his tail wagging is the highlight of my day, and for my dog I'm sure it's his favourite time of the day too. Our dogs rely on their humans to care for them and nourish them with good nutrition, exercise and mental stimulation. To support your dog to live a long and healthy life, it's important to know some of the most common health ailments facing todays dogs; 

 

Anal Glands 

Anal glands are about the size of a pea and sit on either side of your dogs anus. The anal glands contain a thick fluid with a pungent, fishy smell. Related to the scent glands of skunks, they have a smell that is unique for each dog. The fluid appears to be used to communicate. The glands are emptied as faeces passes out the anus, expressing them and leaving the dogs scent on their poo. Sometimes anal glands expand from too much fluid, which causes the dogs anus to feel irritated, and dogs exhibit butt licking and/ or rubbing their butts on the ground. Gland issues are more common with dogs who have allergies. If your dog has full anal glands, these need to be emptied. As a prevention add a teaspoon of psyllium husk or all bran to each meal. Frontier foods will likely aid in the prevention of anal gland issues because of the anti-inflammatory nature of the diet. Adding Insoluble fibre or bone to the diet which bulks out and gives a bigger poo also helps prevent gland issues in dog prone to this problem.

Skin Allergies 

If your dog has an allergy, it’s likely to be to grains or the environment. If it’s environment there’s not a lot you can do (except maybe move), but if it’s a grain allergy then we recommend opting for a dog food that is grain free, gluten free and GMO free, like Frontier. Frontier dog food has been developed for healthy dogs. However, because it is made using exceptional, biologically appropriate ingredients, with no grains or gluten, it is likely that it will assist to lessen common allergies.

Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis means inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is an organ which assists with digestion, through providing enzymes (eg lipase) and hormones (eg insulin). Symptoms include vomiting, pain, fever and loss of appetite. Your dog may experience recurrent bouts, usually brought on by eating fatty foods. For acute episodes, you must see your vet as generally hospitalization is required. In the short term, for dogs who have experienced pancreatitis It is preferable to avoid fatty foods. Frontier Pets, due to the high fat content, may not be an appropriate choice.
The best long-term treatment is to improve your dog’s digestive health so they can handle healthy fats again, as long-term fat restriction leads to other health issues. You must avoid feeding very high fat meals randomly. We believe Frontier Pets is a great preventative option and gives healthy dog in the long run. If you are interested in transitioning your dog onto Frontier food and they have a history of pancreatitis, we suggest you book a consultation with our resident vet Dr Kathy who can assist you. 

Dermatitis 

Dermatitis is the Inflammation of the skin causing itchiness, hot spots and redness. The skin is the barrier or edge between the interior body and the outside environment. The causes of dermatitis are complex but it is believed to have a genetic basis in part. Dogs prone to dermatitis often have skin that is lacking or low in healthy fatty acids, making the skin vulnerable to react. Frontier Pets creates a good skin barrier and reduces inflammation due to lots of protein and plenty of healthy fats. Feeding your dog Frontier Pets should help to improve the condition, but is not a magic bullet.

If you are worried about the health of your dog, we recommend making a visit to a holistic vet. Holistic care focuses on treating the whole patient rather than just one medical issue. The American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (AHVMA) says holistic vet care means "taking in the whole picture of the patient—the environment, the disease pattern, the relationship of pet with owner—and developing a treatment protocol using a wide range of therapies for healing the patient." compared with traditional medicine typically focuses on the specific illness or injury and relies on conventional treatments (like pharmaceutical medicines), which are FDA-approved and proven to be effective but may have side effects.