Edie MacKenzie

Edie MacKenzie is a published author, traveler, dog lover, and tortoise enthusiast. Passionate about what she does, her books provide peopel a firm grounding in the dog breed and their unique characteristics with a nice touch of humor.

The Right Food For Your Dalmatian: Part 2

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Compared to other types of breeds, the Dalmatian possesses a very unique metabolism.  They handles purines, the parent substance for the uric acid compounds found in certain meat and vegetable proteins, more like humans and apes than like other dogs.  Dalmatians will not thrive on diets high in purines, and some will develop serious, life-threatening health problems or die prematurely as a result of such diets.  Dalmatians are not capable of breaking down purines beyond the level of uric acid, whereas other breeds go a step further, converting uric acid to allantoin before excretion.

This trait creates the potential for Dalmatians to form uratic kidney or bladder stones and other diet-related health problems under certain circumstances.  However, this breed- specific potential for trouble is not a disease; after all, humans have the same potential.  Dalmatians simply have an unusual characteristic that must be taken into account by owners who want their pets to live a long and healthy life.

Few people knew which foods were high in purines, and many Dalmatian owners thought overall protein levels were the problem, rather than the levels of specific proteins that are high in purines.  Professionals of all categories, including well-respected breeders, veterinarians, and pet food representatives, routinely recommended (and some still do!) products that are very harmful to a Dalmatian’s health. It is no wonder that Dalmatians were not regarded highly by veterinarians.  Many dogs had health and temperament problems because they were being systematically and innocently poisoned by their well-meaning but misguided owners.

Over the years, studies have been done with all kinds of dog foods, supplements and combinations of ingredients.  Researchers have found that several commercially manufactured dry dog foods work well for Dalmatians.  For the last several years they have successfully fed dry foods with no supplements.  Although it may be hard to find a food that meets the requirements appropriate for a Dalmatian, it can be done as long as you know what you are looking for.

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Dog Food Secrets You Need To Know!

“In This Shocking FREE Video Report You Discover Why 87% of Dogs Die Too Early & 3 Easy Things You Can Do Today To Stop It Happening to Your Dog”

Dog Food Secrets

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Researchers have concluded that they get excellent results with their adult Dalmatians from a dry kibble which is 19% protein, corn-based and contains a meat component provided by chicken.  They offer it twice per day, preparing it by soaking it in warm water for fifteen minutes before feeding.  Their dogs have not had diet-related problems of any kind.  Also keep in mind that in addition to feeding an appropriate food, they made sure that their Dalmatian always has fresh water available and get plenty of exercise daily.

The Right Food For Your Dalmatian: Part 1

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Having the proper nutrition is one of the most important aspects of raising a healthy Dalmatian and yet it is often the source of controversy among breeders, veterinarians, pet owners and dog food manufacturers.

All Dalmatians are susceptible to forming life-threatening urinary tract “stones”  though these can be effectively managed with diet.  Although susceptibility to forming these “stones” is present in almost all Dalmatians, keep in mind that not all Dalmatians will necessarily form “stones” in their lifetime.

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Dog Food Secrets You Need To Know!

“In This Shocking FREE Video Report You Discover Why 87% of Dogs Die Too Early & 3 Easy Things You Can Do Today To Stop It Happening to Your Dog”

Dog Food Secrets

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Most dog foods are sold based on how to make a product appealing to owners instead of what would meet the needs of dogs, like a Dalmatian.  Some foods are marketed on the basis of their protein content, others based on a “special” ingredient and some are sold because they do not contain certain ingredients such as preservatives.  We want a dog food that specifically meets our dog’s needs, economical and causes few, if any, problems.

Most foods come in dry, semi-moist and canned forms, and some can now be purchased frozen.  The dry food is the most economical, contain the least fat and the most preservatives. The canned food is the most expensive, contain 75% water, usually contain the most fat, and have the least preservatives. Semi-moist foods are also expensive and high in sugar content.  In feeding the Dalmatian, the critical part of the diet is not the amount of protein but rather the type of protein.

Purines are a form of protein known to promote urinary “stones” in Dalmatians.  We need to provide our Dalmatian with a diet that is low in purine, not necessarily a low-protein diet.  Vegetable-based diets are not always satisfactory. While broccoli, kale, tomatoes, and carrots  are low in purines, asparagus, cauliflower, beans, peas, mushrooms, spinach and whole grains are high in purines. The same is true for meats and dairy. Cheese, milk and eggs are low in purines, but most fish such as herring, mackerel, or sardines, organ meats such as  liver, kidney, sweetbreads, poultry such as chicken, duck, or turkey,  and meats such as beef, lamb, pork, and veal, are high in purines.  The worst offenders are organ meats, and fish. In most commercial diets suitable for Dalmatians, poultry, lamb and eggs are usually the preferred sources for protein while rice is considered as the main source for carbohydrate.

There are commercial low purine diets available from veterinarians.  You can also select other diets by paying close attention to their ingredients.  In addition, it is also important to pay attention to treats that you give to your Dalmatian. The best treats for this breed includes fruits and cottage cheese.  Last but not least, Dalmatians should be encouraged to drink large amounts of fresh, clean water. This not only keeps a Dalmatian hydrated, but it helps flush out their urinary tracts to keep large “stones” from forming.

How To Use Your Power In Finding The Right Veterinarian (4)

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The Right Veterinarian -Part 4

A Veterinarian cares only about the money, right? Sure they have to, but you’d be surprised at how they really feel.

Money matters have a lot to do with feelings and ego. In general, a veterinarian doesn’t want to talk about money, though if you want to work effectively with your veterinarian, having the dollar discussion may be inevitable.

The unfortunate truth is that veterinary medicine is expensive. But it is not overpriced. “Expensive” means numerous dollars are required, while “overpriced” is a label that requires placing a value judgement on something that is essentially a value-free, market-determined issue.

If you think that your veterinarian is overpriced, don’t punish him or your pet with resentment. Take the market solution and look for a new veterinarian instead.

Because most people, veterinarians included, don’t want to talk about money, increasingly doctors discuss only medical matters and let practice managers or others in the office deal with the issue of money and costs. Most veterinarians feel the same way about the issue: They feel bad when clients cannot afford what needs to be done to fix the pet in question.

And although most vets prefer not to talk about money, I am not sure that a blanket policy of avoiding money talk is feasible, or wise, for the doctors. Unless there is no shortage of money, it is impossible to make medical decisions without putting a price tag on them.

What is important, especially now that compensation schemes – particularly in large and corporate practices – are often “production-based,” is that veterinarians disclose their financial interest in the case.

It has been well established that doctors are often unable to completely divorce their financial interests from their medical recommendations. This is not because doctors are evil, this is because they are human. Skepticism is always a healthy thing, especially when it is about oneself. Veterinarians should make a practice of questioning their motivations, and welcome the help they can get from their clients.

As the person paying the bill, it’s your responsibility to ask for an estimate. Be aware, however, that an estimate is a dual-edged sword. On the one hand, it tells you what to expect. On the other hand, dogs – like any other biological system – have a way of defying the odds on occasion.

The goal of your veterinarian is not to have the treatment come in at exactly the price on the estimate (though that would be pleasant); rather to use the precise treatment necessary to ensure that your dog is fixed up and is out of  harm’s way with whatever disease, ailment, or problem that is happening at the time.

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Here’s Dog Trainer Chet Womach On How To Save Money By Handling
Basic Vet Issues At Home

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To discover how to treat your dog at home with over 1000 at-home veterinarian health remedies, Click Here.

How To Use Your Power In Finding The Right Veterinarian (3)

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The Right Veterinarian – Part 3

You may have heard that finding the best veterinarian means you may have to work a little. I’m not talking about hard work, rather, I mean putting in a little effort to get to know the doctor and to start asking the right questions, both for the veterinarian and yourself.

You can, of course, pick the closest veterinarian that has an office in your area, do whatever he or she tells you to do after taking your dog or puppy for visits, and just hope for the best (which is the case with most dog owners who fail to realize the importance of changing their roles with the typical doctor/patient expectations).

Part of this partnership-building process requires you to be clear about what matters most to you. Let’s look at a hypothetical self-analysis, which might go something like this (ask yourself the following questions):

1) Is my dog an important companion and an essential part of my life, or does he occupy a different role (wedged somewhere in between raising the children, working hard to pay the mortgage, and the other animals that are running around the house)?

2) Do I have a negative opinion about annual vaccinations for my dog, that they are a waste of time and money? Do I feel the same about yearly heartworm testing? Veterinarians differ in their degree of “belief” regarding matters of necessary and appropriate care – be sure that your own beliefs and your veterinarian are in perfect harmony.

3) Do I need lots of time with my veterinarian? Does the clinic have 15-minute appointments or 20-minute appointments? Will I be able to see the same vet each time I bring my pet in?Does the office staff schedule the veterinarian to spend all of that time with me, or will a technician conduct the bulk of the visit?

(Cultivating a relationship with a good technician is a great idea. Technicians can be better communicators and educators than veterinarians, and clients are more often comfortable voicing their concerns to the technician than the veterinarian.

4) If and when I have an old or infirm dog, will I feel that any suggestion to diagnose or treat is guilt-inducing pressure to do so? What do I consider “heroic” medicine, and how do I feel about it?

All of these questions are designed to help you really start thinking about what you need to consider when forming a relationship with the right veterinarian. They are just guides, and more can be added to the list, but all are important so that you can better understand how to communicate with your veterinarian while at the same time helping the vet communicate better with you as well.

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Here’s Dog Trainer Chet Womach On How To Save Money By Handling
Basic Vet Issues At Home

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To discover how to treat your dog at home with over 1000 at-home veterinarian health remedies, Click Here.

How To Use Your Power In Finding The Right Veterinarian (2)

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 The Right Veterinarian -Part 2

Knowing your veterinarian, trusting him or her, and having a deeper knowledge from their point of view and work ethic can really make taking your dog to the doctor more meaningful (and hopefully more often for the check-ups that so desperately go undone for pets most homes today because there is a lack of trust on the dog owner’s part).

To help you better understand the core of a licensed veterinarian out there, take a look at the following ideas. For starters, there is a good chance that your veterinarian feels exactly the following in their practice:

1) Cares about your animals, cares about you – whether for the sake of your dog, you or the business – wants to see successful outcomes, healthy pets and satisfied clients. The only way business can be continued and clients be made happy is for the well-being of everyone involved.

2) Worries about getting sued, or being brought before the state regulatory board. This worry is disproportionate to the actual chance that this will happen, but that doesn’t change your veterinarian’s awareness of the possibility, which may make some vets better doctors, and in other cases, more paranoid and less willing to take chances.

3) Feels that he or she doesn’t have an income commensurate with the amount of time and education that it took to become a veterinarian. And paradoxically, it is also true that many (although certainly far from all) veterinarians suspect they charge too much, and feel guilty about it.

4) Fails at mind reading. In other words, the doctor has no way of knowing any information, feelings, or opinions you may have on an issue unless voiced. And without your willingness to share, a relationship can fail to bond, which may have negative repercussions for your dog down the road.

5) Harbors a zero tolerance for mistakes (and most likely, you do too). And guess what? All doctors make mistakes.

Your veterinarian tries to do his or her best under the circumstances that present themselves, but what must be kept in mind (by both parties) is that it is your dog. If that concept is too difficult for your veterinarian, find a new one.

And on the flip-side, if you can look deep inside your own attitude, perhaps you are not giving your veterinarian enough trust, communication and open-mindedness.

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Here’s Dog Trainer Chet Womach On How To Save Money By  Handling
Basic Veterinarian Issues At Home

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To discover how to treat your dog at home with over 1000 at-home
health remedies, Click Here.

How To Use Your Power In Finding The Right Veterinarian (1)

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Finding The Right Veterinarian

There is only one person responsible for your dog’s health: You. And a major part of this responsibility is getting the appropriate veterinary care and attention, which can only be accomplished by forming an honest, open relationship with the vet of your choice.

However most dog owners (of which you may also be guilty of doing) only look to the veterinarian as a solution to a health problem, never for prevention. But your responsibility is to take things one step further and understand your vet’s role with your role, and to form a successful relationship.

What Then Is The Job Of A Veterinarian?

It is to be your partner, to assist you in keeping your dog as healthy as possible for as long as possible. And your job is to remind the veterinarian of what you need and to be the best partner you can.

Ideally, you and your veterinarian will see to it that you are educated, that you seek assistance when and where needed, that you help your dog be a good patient, and that you are given all the information you need to make wise decisions. In the end, however, the final responsibility rests with you, and you have the more difficult task.

Keep in mind that this is a change from the way doctors, be they physicians or a veterinarian, have traditionally viewed their role. The old ways had veterinarians stand on authority, but a pedestal is a very narrow base on which to build a partnership.

What veterinary schools should now be most interested in teaching their future veterinarians is in actually teaching us dog owners, the real caretakers, to do the best with what we have in order to achieve the goal of maximum health for our companion animals.

There are still a lot of doctors who, despite being kind and sympathetic people, believe that what they think about your dog is more important than what you think. These sage are relics of the old model, one in which doctors reigned supreme. However, led by human medicine, things are changing.

Clients are increasingly less accepting of that old model, and a veterinarias can come along willingly or be dragged into the new world. It is in both parties’ interests that the change goes smoothly. As in any relationship, being understanding and sympathetic of the other party’s strengths and failings enhances the possibility of forging and maintaining a strong relationship with your veterinarian.

————————————————————–

Here’s Dog Trainer Chet Womach On How To Save Money By  Handling
Basic Vet Issues At Home

————————————————————–

To discover how to treat your dog at home with over 1000 at-home
health remedies, Click Here.

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