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German
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German
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The Vitamins we use... All of our dogs and
puppies are on NuVet Plus
The Ingredients in the NuVet Plus Supplements ALFALFA Alfalfa is known as the "King of Plants", and its roots have been used for centuries in many cultures. The herb belongs to the legume family, closely related to beans and peas. Alfalfa is an excellent source of vitamins D, E and K, beta-carotene, minerals, fiber, chlorophyll, calcium, proteins and fats. It is especially rich in the amino acid trypophane. It is considered to be a very nutritious herb, and is used to increase appetite, alleviate certain allergic reactions and help poor digestion. It may also reduce the inflammation due to arthritis and rheumatism. (Canine formula) ALPHA
AMYLASE AMINO
ACIDS Pet foods high in protein may or may not contain all the necessary amino acids to maintain proper health of a pet. This deficiency could cause a host of problems ranging from indigestion, stunted growth, nervous disorders, or worse. NuVet Plus™, with its specifically blended natural ingredients, contains all the critical amino acids that must be introduced through the diet for proper health. BETA-CAROTENE BLUE
GREEN ALGAE BREWER’S
YEAST CAT’S
CLAW (UNA DE GATO) CHICKEN
LIVER COPPER EVENING
PRIMROSE OIL IRON L
METHIONINE Recent studies show L Methionine supplementation may help delay the development of age-related cataracts. Deficiencies in L Methionine can slow growth and cause low levels of essential proteins in the blood. Lack of it can result in edema, liver damage, loss of muscle and fat, skin lesions and weakness. (Canine formula) MAGNESIUM MANGANESE OYSTER
SHELL Over time, if not enough calcium is consumed, the body takes calcium from the bones to keep the heart and muscles working properly. This process will gradually weaken the bones until they break easily. (All oyster shell used in our product is farm-raised and tested for lead content.) PAPAIN PHOSPHORUS PINE
BARK Pine Bark’s remarkable ability to “seek and destroy” free radicals is a tremendous benefit to the health of our animals. By reducing oxidative damage to cells and vital tissues, what we recognize as aging (stiff joints, wrinkled skin, degenerative disease problems like arthritis, circulatory disorders, diabetes, heart disease, etc.) is held to a subdued rate. In addition, unlike virtually all other dietary antioxidants, proanthocyanidids readily cross the blood-brain barrier to protect vital brain and nerve tissue from oxidation. POTASSIUM
(CITRATE) SELENIUM SHARK
CARTILAGE There have been numerous studies demonstrating the ability of shark cartilage to shrink some cancerous tumors, including those unaffected by standard treatments. In order to grow, a tumor must establish its own blood vessel network for nourishment. Like all other living things, if the tumor is denied nourishment, it will die. Studies performed at the Massachussetts Institute for Technology have shown that shark cartilage contains a protein that impedes the formation of blood vessels to tumors. TAURINE Taurine therapy is used in the treatment of ischemic heart disease. Low Taurine and magnesium levels have been found after heart attacks. Supplements decrease the tendency to develop potentially lethal abnormal arrhythmia after heart attacks. Another role played by Taurine is maintaining the correct composition of bile and solubility of cholesterol. It helps stabilize cell membranes and seems to have some antioxidant and detoxifying activity. It also helps the movement of potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium in and out of cells, which helps generate nerve impulses. Taurine is necessary for chemical reactions that produce normal vision. Deficiencies are associated with retinal degeneration and age-related cataracts. (Feline formula only; canines produce their own Taurine.) VITAMIN
A VITAMIN
B COMPLEX VITAMIN
B1 (THIAMINE) VITAMIN
B2 (RIBOFLAVIN) VITAMIN
B3 (NIACIN) VITAMIN
B5 (PANTOTHENIC ACID) VITAMIN
B6 (PYRIDOXINE) VITAMIN
B12 VITAMIN
C (ESTER C™) VITAMIN
E Deficiencies in Vitamin E may lead to reproductive failure, nutritional “muscular dystrophy,” hemolytic anemia, and neurological and immunological abnormalities. WHEY
PROTEIN ZINC
NuJoint
Plus™ is a natural anti-inflammatory hip and joint therapy, formulated
with the finest pharmaceutical, human grade ingredients. NuVet Labs™ has designed a cutting edge formula that we believe will help increase your pets longevity and quality of life. Our scientists performed extensive research and experiments with the ingredients in NuJoint Plus™, finding the most powerful synergistic defense against the harm caused by osteoarthritis. Ingredients in the NuJoint Plus..... *MSM supplies biologically active sulfer to animals joints. Use of MSM has been shown to reduce the rigidity of cells in the soft tissues of the body. By reducing this rigidity, fluids are able to pass more freely from the cell and this helps to reduce cell pressure, thereby reducing inflammation and pain. *Glucosamine provides the joints with the building blocks needed to repair the damage caused by osteoarthritis . Acting as a catalyst, glucosamine helps animals synthesize new cartilage needed to replace damaged cartilage caused by wear and tear. Hip dysplasia occurs when normal wear and tear break down cartilage. *Chondroitin attracts and holds fluid within cartilage tissue helping to lubricate joints, increase mobility and reduce discomfort caused by hip dysplasia. Chondroitin neutralizes the destructive enzymes that are known to damage and destroy cartilage. Chondroitin aids the entry of glucosamine into inflamed joints. Vitamin C promotes cartilage growth and tissue repair. *Vitamin C is a key factor in the immune system, helping white blood cells function. Prolonged vitamin c deficiency will cause existing tissues to deteriorate.
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From the book, "Food Pets Die For: Shocking Facts About Pet Food." By Ann N. Martin. NewSage Press (1997). This book is on sale at Dr. Jeff's Homevet/Amazon.Com bookstore .
Television commercials and magazine advertisements for pet food would have us believe that the meats, grains, and fats used in these foods could grace our dining tables. Chicken, beef, lamb, whole grains, and quality fats are supposedly the composition of dog and cat food.
In my opinion, when we purchase these bags and cans of commercial food, we are in most cases purchasing garbage. Unequivocally, I cannot state that all pet food falls into this category, but I have yet to find one that I could, in all good conscience, feed my dog or cats.
Pet food labels can be deceiving. They only provide half the story. The other half of the story is hidden behind obscure ingredients listed on the labels. Bit by bit, over seven years, I have been able to unearth information about what is contained in most commercial pet food. At first I was shocked, but my shock turned to anger when I realized how little the consumer is told about the actual contents of the pet food.
As discussed in Chapter Two, companion animals from clinics, pounds, and shelters can and are being rendered and used as sources of protein in pet food. Dead-stock removal operations play a major role in the pet food industry. Dead animals, road kill that cannot be buried at roadside, and in some cases, zoo animals, are picked up by these dead stock operations. When an animal dies in the field or is killed due to illness or disability, the dead stock operators pick them up and truck them to the receiving plant. There the dead animal is salvaged for meat or, depending on the state of decomposition, delivered to a rendering plant. At the receiving plants, the animals of value are skinned and viscera removed. Hides of cattle and calves are sold for tanning. The usable meat is removed from the carcass, and covered in charcoal to prevent it from being used for human consumption. Then the meat is frozen, and sold as animal food, which includes pet food.
The packages of this frozen meat must be clearly marked as "unfit for human consumption." The rest of the carcass and poorer quality products including viscera, fat, etcetera, are sent to the rendering facilities. Rendering plants are melting pots for all types of refuse. Restaurant grease and garbage; meats and baked goods long past the expiration dates from supermarkets (Styrofoam trays and shrink-wrap included); the entrails from dead stock removal operations, and the condemned and contaminated material from slaughterhouses. All of these are rendered.
The slaughterhouses where cattle, pigs, goats, calves, sheep, poultry, and rabbits meet their fate, provide more fuel for rendering. After slaughter, heads, feet, skin, toenails, hair, feathers, carpal and tarsal joints, and mammary glands are removed. This material is sent to rendering. Animals who have died on their way to slaughter are rendered. Cancerous tissue or tumors and worm-infested organs are rendered. Injection sites, blood clots, bone splinters, or extraneous matter are rendered. Contaminated blood is rendered. Stomach and bowels are rendered. Contaminated material containing or having been treated with a substance not permitted by, or in any amount in excess of limits prescribed under the Food and Drug Act or the Environmental Protection Act. In other words, if a carcass contains high levels of drugs or pesticides this material is rendered.
Before rendering, this material from the slaughterhouse is "denatured," which means that the material from the slaughterhouse is covered with a particular substance to prevent it from getting back into the human food chain. In the United States the substances used for denaturing include: crude carbolic acid, fuel oil, or citronella. In Canada the denaturing agent is Birkolene B. When I asked, the Ministry of Agriculture would not divulge the composition of Birkolene B, stating its ingredients are a trade secret.
At the rendering plant, slaughterhouse material, restaurant and supermarket refuse, dead stock, road kill, and euthanized companion animals are dumped into huge containers. A machine slowly grinds the entire mess. After it is chipped or shredded, it is cooked at temperatures of between 220 degrees F. and 270 degrees F. (104.4 to 132.2 degrees C.) for twenty minutes to one hour. The grease or tallow rises to the top, where it is removed from the mixture. This is the source of animal fat in most pet foods. The remaining material, the raw, is then put into a press where the moisture is squeezed out. We now have meat and bone meal.
The Association of American Feed Control Officials in its "Ingredient Definitions," describe meat meal as the rendered product from mammal tissue exclusive of blood, hair, hoof, hide, trimmings, manure, stomach, and rumen (the first stomach or the cud of a cud chewing animal) contents except in such amounts as may occur unavoidably in good processing practices. In an article written by David C. Cooke, "Animal Disposal: Fact and Fiction," Cooke noted, "Can you imagine trying to remove the hair and stomach contents from 600,000 tons of dog and cats prior to cooking them?" It would seem that either the Association of American Feed Control Officials definition of meat meal or meat and bone meal should be redefined or it needs to include a better description of "good factory practices."
When 4-D animals are picked up and sent to these rendering facilities, you can be assured that the stomach contents are not removed. The blood is not drained nor are the horns and hooves removed. The only portion of the animal that might be removed is the hide and any meat that may be salvageable and not too diseased to be sold as raw pet food or livestock feed. The Minister of Agriculture in Quebec made it clear that companion animals are rendered completely.
Pet Food Industry magazine states that a pet food manufacturer might reject rendered material for various reasons, including the presence of foreign material (metals, hair, plastic, rubber, glass), off odor, excessive feathers, hair or hog bristles, bone chunks, mold, chemical analysis out of specification, added blood, leather, or calcium carbonate, heavy metals, pesticide contamination, improper grind or bulk density, and insect infestation.
Please note that this article states that the manufacturer might reject this material, not that it does reject this material.
If the label on the pet food you purchase states that the product contains meat meal, or meat and bone meal, it is possible that it is comprised of all the materials listed above.
Meat, as defined by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), is the clean flesh derived from slaughtered mammals and is limited to that part of the striate muscle that is skeletal or that which is found in the tongue, diaphragm, heart, or esophagus; with or without the accompanying and overlying fat and the portions of the skin, sinew, nerve, and blood vessels that normally accompany the flesh. When you read on a pet food label that the product contains "real meat," you are getting blood vessels, sinew and so on-hardly the tasty meat that the industry would have us believe it is putting in the food.
Meat by-products are the non rendered, clean parts other than meat derived from slaughtered mammals. It includes, but is not limited to, lungs, spleen, kidneys, brain, livers, blood, bone, partially defatted low temperature fatty tissue, and stomachs and intestines freed of their contents. Again, be assured that if it could be used for human consumption, such as kidneys and livers, it would not be going into pet food. If a liver is found to be infested with worms (liver flukes), if lungs are filled with pneumonia, these can become pet food. However, in Canada, disease-free intestines can still be used for sausage casing for humans instead of pet food.
What about other sources of protein that can be used in pet food? Poultry-by-product meal consists of ground, rendered, clean parts of the carcasses of slaughtered poultry, such as necks, feet, undeveloped eggs, and intestines, exclusive of feathers, except in such amounts as might occur unavoidably in good processing practice.
Poultry-hatchery by-products are a mixture of egg shells, infertile and unhatched eggs and culled chicks that have been cooked, dried and ground, with or without removal of part of the fat.
Poultry by-products include non rendered clean parts of carcasses of slaughtered poultry such as heads, feet, and viscera, free of fecal content and foreign matter except in such trace amounts as might occur unavoidably in good factory practice. These are all definitions as listed in the AAFCO "Ingredient Definitions."
Hydrolyzed poultry feather is another source of protein - not digestible protein, but protein nonetheless. This product results from the treatment under pressure of clean, intact feathers from slaughtered poultry free of additives, and/or accelerators.
We have covered the meat and poultry that can be used in commercial pet foods but according to the AAFCO there are a number of other sources that can make up the protein in these foods. As we venture down the road of these other sources, please be advised to proceed at your own risk if you have a weak stomach.
Hydrolysed hair is a product prepared from clean hair treated by heat and pressure to produce a product suitable for animal feeding.
Spray-dried animal blood is produced from clean, fresh animal blood, exclusive of all extraneous material such as hair, stomach belching (contents of stomach), and urine, except in such traces as might occur unavoidably in good factory practices.
Dehydrated food-waste is any and all animal and vegetable produce picked up from basic food processing sources or institutions where food is processed. The produce shall be picked up daily or sufficiently often so that no decomposition is evident. With this ingredient, it seems that what you don't see won't hurt you.
Dehydrated garbage is composed of artificially dried animal and vegetable waste collected sufficiently often that harmful decomposition has not set in and from which have been separated crockery, glass, metal, string, and similar materials.
Dehydrated paunch products are composed of the contents of the rumen of slaughtered cattle, dehydrated at temperatures over 212 degrees F. (100 degrees C.) to a moisture content of 12 percent or less, such dehydration is designed to destroy any pathogenic bacteria.
Dried poultry waste is a processed animal waste product composed primarily of processed ruminant excreta that has been artificially dehydrated to a moisture content not in excess of 15 percent. It shall contain not less than 12 percent crude protein, not more than 40 percent crude fiber, including straw, wood shavings and so on, and not more than 30 percent ash.
Dried swine waste is a processed animal-waste product composed primarily of swine excreta that has been artificially dehydrated to a moisture content not in excess of 15 percent. It shall contain not less than 20 percent crude protein, not more than 35 percent crude fiber, including other material such as straw, woodshavings, or acceptable bedding materials, and not more than 20 percent ash.
Undried processed animal waste product is composed of excreta, with or without the litter, from poultry, ruminants, or any other animal except humans, which may or may not include other feed ingredients, and which contains in excess of 15 percent feed ingredients, and which contains in excess of 15 percent moisture. It shall contain no more than 30 percent combined wood, woodshavings, litter, dirt, sand, rocks, and similar extraneous materials.
After reading this list of ingredients for the first time and not really believing that such ingredients could be used in pet food, I sent a fax to the chair of the AAFCO to inquire. "Would the 'Feed Ingredient Definitions' apply to pet food as well as livestock feed?" The reply was as follows, "The feed ingredient definitions approved by the AAFCO apply to all animal feeds, including pet foods, unless specific animal species restrictions are noted."
If a pet food lists "meat by-products" on the label, remember that this is the material that usually comes from the slaughterhouse industry or dead stock removal operations, classified as condemned or contaminated, unfit for human consumption. Meat meal, meat and bone meal, digests, and tankage (specifically animal tissue including bones and exclusive of hair, hoofs, horns, and contents of digestive tract) are composed of rendered material. The label need not state what the composition of this material is, as each batch rendered would consist of a different material. These are the sources of protein that we are feeding our companion animals.
In 1996 I decided to find out the cost of this "quality" material that the pet food companies purchase from the rendering facilities. Aware that a phone call from an ordinary citizen would not elicit the information I required, I set about forming my own independent pet food company. Stating that my company was about to begin producing quality pet food, I asked for a price quote on meat by-products and meat meal from a Canadian rendering company and from a U.S. rendering company. Both facilities I contacted were more than pleased to provide this information. As I was just a small company and did not require that much material to begin production, the cost was higher than it would have been for one of the large multinationals. Meat and bone meal, with a content of a minimum of 50 percent protein, 12 percent fat, 8 percent moisture, 8 percent calcium, 4 percent phosphorus, and 30 percent ash, could be purchased by me, a small independent company for less than 12¢ (Canadian) a pound. As for the meat by-products the prices varied:. liver sold at 21¢ per pound, veal at 22¢ per pound, and lungs for only 12¢ per pound.
The main ingredient in dry food for dogs and cats is corn. However, on further investigation, I found that according to the AAFCO, the list is lengthy as to the corn products that can be used in pet food. These include, but are not limited to the following ingredients.
Corn four is the fine-size hard flinty portions of ground corn containing little or none of the bran or germ.
Corn bran is the outer coating of the corn kernel, with little or none of the starchy part of the germ.
Corn gluten meal is the dried residue from corn after the removal of the larger part of the starch and germ, and the separation of the bran by the process employed in the wet milling manufacture of corn starch or syrup, or by enzymatic treatment of the endosperm.
Wheat is a constituent found in many pet foods. Again the AAFCO gives descriptive terms for wheat products.
Wheat flour consists principally of wheat flour together with fine particles of wheat bran, wheat germ, and the offal from the "tail of the mill." Tail of the mill is nothing more then the sweepings of leftovers after everything has been processed from the week.
Wheat germ meal consists chiefly of wheat germ together with some bran and middlings or shorts.
Wheat middlings and shorts are also categorized as the fine particles of wheat germ, bran, flour and offal from the "tail of the mill."
Both corn and wheat are usually the first ingredients listed on both dry dog and cat food labels. If they are not the first ingredients, they are the second and third that together make up most of the sources of protein in that particular product. Perhaps the pet food industry is not aware that cats are carnivores and therefore should derive their protein from meat, not grains?
In 1995 one large pet food company, located in California, recalled $20 million worth of its dog food. This food was found to contain vomitoxin. Vomitoxin is formed when grains become wet and moldy. This toxin was found in "wheat screenings" used in the pet food. The FDA did investigate but not out of concern for the more than 250 dogs that became ill after ingesting this food. It investigated because of concerns for human health. The contaminated wheat screenings were the end product of wheat flour that would be used in the making of pasta. Wheat for baking flour requires a higher quality of wheat. Wheat screenings, which are not used for human consumption, can include broken grains, crop and weed seeds, hulls, chaff, joints, straw, elevator or mill dust, sand, and dirt.
Fat is usually the second ingredient listed on the pet food labels. Fats can be sprayed directly on the food or mixed with the other ingredients. Fats give off a pungent odor that entices your pet to eat the garbage. These fats are sourced from restaurant grease. This oil is rancid and unfit for human consumption. One of the main sources of fat comes from the rendering plant. This is obtained from the tissues of mammals and/or poultry in the commercial process of rendering or extracting.
An article in Petted Industry magazine does not indicate concern about the impurities in this rendered material as it relates to pet food. Dr. Tim Phillips writes, "Impurities could be small particles of fiber, hair, hide, bone, soil or polyethylene. Or they could be dirt or metal particles picked up after processing (during storage and/or transport). Impurities can cause clogging problems in fat handling screens, nozzles, etc. and contribute to the build-up of sludge in storage tanks."
Other tasty ingredients that can be added to commercial pet food include:
Beet pulp is the dried residue from sugar beet, added for fiber, but primarily sugar.
Soybean meal is the product obtained by grinding the flakes that remain after the removal of most of the oil from soybeans by a solvent extraction process.
Powdered cellulose is purified, mechanically disintegrated cellulose prepared by processing alpha cellulose obtained as a pulp from fibrous plant material. In other words, sawdust.
Sugar foods by-products result from the grinding and mixing of inedible portions derived from the preparation and packaging of sugar-based food products such as candy, dry packaged drinks, dried gelatin mixes, and similar food products that are largely composed of sugar.
Ground almond and peanut shells are used as another source of fiber.
Fish is a source of protein. If you own a cat, just open a can of food that contains fish and watch kitty come running. The parts used are fish heads, tails, fins, bones, and viscera. R.L. Wysong, DVM, states that because the entire fish is not used it does not contain many of the fat soluble vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids. If, however, the entire fish is used for pet food, oftentimes it is because the fish contains a high level of mercury or other toxin making it unfit for human consumption. Even fish that was canned for human consumption and that has sat on the shelf past the expiration date will be included. Tuna is used in many cat foods because of its strong odor, which cats find irresistible.
In her book The Natural Cat, Anitra Frazier describes the "tuna junkie" as an expression used by veterinarians to describe a cat hooked on tuna. According to Frazier, "The vegetable oil which it is packed in robs the cat's body of vitamin E which can result in a condition called steatitis.'' Symptoms of steatitis include extreme nervousness and severe pain when touched. The lack of vitamin E in the diet causes the nerve endings to become sensitive, and can also induce anemia and heart disease. However, excess levels of vitamin E can be toxic. A veterinarian with an understanding of nutrition should be consulted.
One commercial food that most cats and dogs seem to love are the semi-moist foods. These kibble and burger-shaped concoctions are made to resemble real hamburger. However, according to Wendell O. Belfield and Martin Zucker in their book, How to Have a Healthier Dog, these are one of the most dangerous of all commercial pet foods. They are high in sugar, laced with dyes, additives, and preservatives, and have a shelf life that spans eternity. One pet owner wrote to me explaining that she had fed her cat some of these semi-moist tidbits. The cat became ill shortly after eating them, and even professional carpet cleaners could not remove the red dye from the carpet where her cat had been ill. In his book, Pet Allergies: Remedies for an Epidemic, Alfred Plechner, DVM., writes, "In my opinion, semi-moist foods should be placed in a time capsule to serve as a record of modern technology gone mad."
The pet food industry corrals this material, then mixes, cooks, dries and extrudes the stuff. (Extruding simply means it is pushed through a mold to form the different shapes and to make us think that these so called "chunks" are actually pieces of meat.) Dyes, additives, preservatives are routinely added and they can accumulate in the pet's body. According to the Animal Protection Institute of America newsletter, "Investigative Report on Pet Food, "Ethoxyquin (an antioxidant preservative), was found in dogs' livers and tissue months after it had been removed from their diet."
After processing, the food is practically devoid of any nutritional value. To make up for what is lacking, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and supplements are dumped into the mix. If the minerals added are unchelated (chelated means minerals will more readily combine with proteins for better absorption), they will pass through the body virtually unused. Most are added as a premix, and if there is a mistake made in the premix, it can throw off the entire balance. Veterinarians Marty Goldstein and Robert Goldstein have stated that the wrong calcium/magnesium ratio can cause neuromuscular problems. As an example, when I had the commercial pet food tested by Mann Laboratories for my court case, most of the minerals showed excess levels.
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Spud Before |
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Age: 5 yrs |
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Received LEBA III daily, 4 drops in 1 cc of tap water, given with syringe. |
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Spud After |
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After 28 days on LEBA III. |
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TONGUE TALK
By
T. J. Dunn, Jr. DVM
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On a recent photo shoot with one of my dog trainer/hunter friends, I exposed
four rolls of film while he put this three black labs through some off-season
training. When I placed the slides on the viewer I was curiously struck by
how many action shots captured the charging subjects with their long, flexible
tongues literally flopping out there in the breeze. (I'm talking about the
dogs here, not the trainer!)
Almost
every photo displayed the dog's tongue completely extended with mouth open wide,
fully exposing the airway to the onrushing breeze. After seeing these
photos, I was amazed that in my busy small animal practice I wasn't seeing more
than just occasional tongue injuries. With that fleshy, vascular
flag waving around, frequent injuries
should be expected - but in 25 years of practice in an area pleasantly infested
with hunting dogs, tongue problems are just not very common.
Nevertheless, it has happened more than a few times that I would get a frantic
call at home from a hunter wanting to rush his gun dog in because "she's
bleeding from the mouth like a stuck pig!" So I'd rush in to the
animal hospital expecting to perform some heroic surgery only to find the
bleeding had stopped and the owner apologetic about all the fuss. Upon
examining the mouth, I'd find one or more lacerations - sometimes not very
substantial at all - that had clotted and nicely sealed.
"Keep her quiet today - turn her loose again tomorrow," I'd say to the
relieved owner.
What has happened in this situation is that at the time of the injury, whether
the tongue was traumatized by thorns or accidentally pierced by a tooth, barbed
wire or other sharp object, the tongue was expanded and engorged with blood.
A major source of heat loss for the exercising dog, the tongue's rich supply of
blood vessels all dilate, causing the tongue to swell and extend. Even a
tiny puncture at this time will reward the insult with a flow of crimson.
And a deep cut can produce some truly scary amounts of blood. When the
owner sees blood "all over the place" the hunt stops, the dog cools
off, the blood vessels constrict turning down the flow to normal and the tongue
shrinks back to a resting state. . . perfect condition for clotting to occur.
So, if you find yourself out in the field or marsh and your canine companion
cuts his tongue - stop the activity, cool the dog down with a short swim and
allow a few seconds of a cool drink of water; and consider a trip to the vet if
your judgment tells you the bleeding is pretty significant. And don't
allow the dog to continue to drink! All that tongue activity required to
lap up the water will only delay the clotting. Plus, if some anesthesia
and suturing is required, it is preferable to operate on a patient that has an
empty stomach rather than to risk anesthesia-induced vomiting in an unconscious
patient.
Let's examine the tongue's anatomy...
Essentially the tongue is an elongated muscular organ with the top surface
covered with specialized epithelium. Its responsibilities include
responding to taste, touch, pain and aiding in heat 
dissipation.
When I began researching this article, I quizzed myself and was able to recall
only three muscle groups interacting with the tongue. Well, the faithful
Miller's Anatomy of the Dog describes no less than eight pairs of muscles whose
job it is to control the tongue's activities; they have intimidating Latin names
such as genioglossus vertical and oblique, hyoepiglottis, and sternohyoideus.
That band of tissue directly under the tongue holding it down. . . that's called
the frenulum; you've got a frenulum too, only not quite so well developed.
And something you don't have that the dog does. . . feel just under the tip of
the dog's tongue running from front to back along the midline, you'll find a
firm cartilaginous, almost bony structure. . . that's called a lyssa. This
little device was considered in ancient times to be a cure for various ailments
including rabies! Gosh, medicine has come a long way, hasn't it?
Modern medicine has progressed to the point where we at this time don't even
have a clue as to what the lyssa is for!
TASTE: In addition to directing the dog to eat rotten
garbage and to be repulsed at the taste of woodcock, the canine tongue is
capable of discerning sensations of salt, sweet and sour. The sensation
of sour is dispersed somewhat evenly over the top of the tongue, salt along the
lateral edges and rear of the tongue and sweet along the edges and front of the
tongue. Dogs have a finely tuned ability to taste water, and that trick is
performed only by the tip of the tongue.
PAPILLAE: These odd projections from the surface of the
tongue are of five different types. The slightly shredded look to the
front and side of the dog's tongue (especially noticeable in newborn pups) are
called marginal papillae and those funny bumpy things on the back of the tongue
are vallate. . . Well, I'll tell you what. . . the next time you see your buddy
curiously peering into his dog's mouth and he suddenly exclaims, "Hey, what
the heck are these weird doofangles on Cinder's tongue?", just tell him
they're called papillae and there are five kinds of ?em and casually walk away.
WHAT MAKES THE TONGUE WET? Every dog has four pairs of
salivary glands with tiny drainage tubes transporting the saliva into the mouth.
One salivary gland is located just beneath and lateral to the eye underneath the
"cheekbone". One gland is situated at the base of the ear-canal
cartilage, one just behind the angle of the jaw and the smallest in front of the
angle of the jaw. These glands produce the preponderance of moisture in
the mouth, secreting a thick (mucoid) saliva and a watery-thin (serous) saliva.
Plus, the surface of the tongue itself harbors numerous tiny salivary glands
secreting both serous
and mucoid fluid. So the dog's tongue doesn't really sweat, but the net
effect of the salivary glands of the tongue amounts to the same thing. . .
cooling by evaporation.
TONGUE COLORS: Have you ever heard some "dog expert"
say, "See that black coloring in there on the dog's tongue? Means
he's got some wolf blood in 'em." Duh! All dogs, from
Chihuahua's to Bernese Mountain Dogs have, through selective breeding over eons,
evolved from a wolf-like common ancestor.
Black pigments (technically a result of microscopic melanin granules) in patches
on a dog's tongue, gums and inner lips are common and have no medical
significance. That is as long as the dark patches are not raised up higher
than the surrounding non-pigmented tissue. If you ever see dark, pigmented
tissue anywhere on your dog that actually looks like a bump or is raised up
above the neighboring tissue, have your veterinarian examine it. It may be
a dangerous form of cancer called melanoma. Another nasty form of cancer
accounting for about half of all types found in the tongue is called squamous
cell carcinoma. Two other types of cancer of the tongue are granular cell
tumor and mast cell tumor. If found early, these may be treatable and
complete cures are possible, however, plan on surgery and possible radiation
therapy.
INFECTIONS: Because it is so richly supplied by nourishing blood
vessels, infections of the tongue are not common. Generally, when they do
occur, a foreign body such as a fox tail awn, porky quill, thorn or wood
splinter is the culprit and can be removed under anesthesia. (Anyone who
lets their dog chew on lumber, please stand up. . . uh huh. Okay,
everybody can sit down now.) Split firewood and 2x4's sure can make a dog
proud and happy, but those woody splinters can wreak havoc in the dog's mouth
and gastrointestinal tract. Wood is indigestible, you know. Throw ?em
a tennis ball and forget the timber!
It's a good idea to really examine your dog's mouth routinely. . . say every
Saturday morning just before you start on those chores you've been putting off.
Maybe if you're lucky, you'll find something suspicious requiring an immediate
trip to the animal hospital and thereby a legitimate postponement of the chores
until the following Saturday!
WIRING: The canine tongue. . . uniquely constructed to do
so many things. And to perform all these diverse and intricate functions
the tongue requires five separate pairs of nerves coming directly from the brain
through tiny openings in the dog's skull. These are called Cranial Nerves
since they do not arise from the spinal cord, but directly from the base of the
brain itself. In many an idle moment I've pondered what effect on my
shooting success there would be if I had a fancy cranial nerve connected to my
right forefinger rather than an ordinary spinal nerve. . . hmmm.
Remember, the tongue is king. Everything else in the mouth is an
assistant. Keep a close watch, though, for ulcers, bruises or bleeding
from the tongue, gums or palate. Check for broken teeth that can irritate
the tongue or bumps arising anywhere within the oral cavity. Work your
finger under each side of the tongue and force it upward so you can inspect the
underside of the tongue. I've found some pretty odd things wedged or
otherwise hiding beneath the tongue.
You really should reward that tongue once in while by allowing it a full, wet
slap on your face just before its owner bounds off on a walk with you - just for
fun - no dummies, no whistles, no check cords or leashes. Odds are that
the tongue will reward you at the end of your playful excursion.
PETS AND POISONS
Please note!
Information on this page may change
without notice.
Therefore update your own information regarding emergency numbers and contact
personnel
such as your veterinarian, local physician and emergency care offices.
TIPS ABOUT HOUSEHOLD POISONS
Presented by ThePetCenter
With permission from Dana Farbman, Senior
Manager of Client & Professional Relations
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
If your pet has come into
contact with a potential toxin...
leave your computer and call your veterinarian immediately!
Or call the ANIMAL POISON
CONTROL CENTER
888-4ANI-HELP (888-426-4435)
$50 fee may be
applied to credit card
Pet
Poison Safety Tips
Please
follow these guidelines to protect your
·
Be aware of the plants you have in your home and yard. The ingestion of
azalea, oleander, sago palm, or yew plant material by an animal can be fatal.
Easter lily, day lily, tiger lily, and some other lily species can cause kidney
failure in cats.
·
Never allow your pets to have access to the areas in which cleaning
agents are being used or stored. Cleaning agents have a variety of properties;
some may only cause mild stomach upset, but others can cause severe burns of the
tongue, mouth and stomach.
·
When using rat, mouse, snail or slug baits, or ant or roach traps, place
the products in areas that are inaccessible to your companion animals. Some bait
contains sweet smelling inert ingredients, such as jelly, peanut butter or sugar
that can attract your pets.
·
Never give your pet medication unless you are directed to do so by a
veterinarian. Many medications that are safe for humans can be deadly for
animals.
·
Keep all prescription and over-the-counter drugs out of your pet's reach,
preferably in closed cabinets. Pain killers, cold medicines, anti-cancer drugs,
antidepressants, vitamins and diet pills are all examples of human medications
that can be lethal to animals, even in small doses.
·
Many common household items can be hazardous to pets. Mothballs,
potpourri oils, coffee grounds, homemade play dough, fabric softener sheets,
dishwashing detergent, batteries, cigarettes, alcoholic drinks, pennies, and
hand and foot warmers could be dangerous for your pet.
·
Automotive products such as gasoline, oil and antifreeze should be stored
in areas that are inaccessible to your pets. As little as one teaspoon of
antifreeze can be deadly to a cat weighing seven pounds.
·
Before buying a flea product for use on your pet, ask your veterinarian
for a recommendation.
·
Read all of the information on the label before using a product on your
pet or in your home. Always follow the directions.
·
If a product is for use only on dogs, it should never be used on cats; if
a product is for use only on cats, it should never be used on dogs.
·
Make sure your pets do not enter areas in which foggers or house sprays
have been used for the period of time indicated on the label. Birds are
more sensitive to inhalants. Always check with your veterinarian before
using any spray product in your home if you own pet birds.
·
Make sure your pets do not go on lawns or in gardens treated with
fertilizers, herbicides or insecticides until they have dried completely. Always
store such products in areas that are inaccessible to your pets.
· If you are uncertain about the usage of any product, ask the manufacturer and/or your veterinarian for instructions.
ASPCA
Animal Poison Control Center
The
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, an operating division of the American
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals (ASPCA) is a unique, emergency hotline providing 24-hour-a-day,
7-day-a-week telephone assistance to veterinarians and pet owners. The Center's
hotline veterinarians can quickly answer questions about toxic substances found
in our everyday surroundings that can be dangerous to animals. The Center
maintains a wide collection of reference materials and computer databases that
help provide toxicological information for various species. Veterinary
professionals provide around-the-clock, on-site coverage of the Center. The
licensed staff members share over one hundred and ten years of combined call
center experience and over seventy-five years of combined toxicology, clinical,
and diagnostic experience. The phone number of the Center is
1-888-4-ANI-HELP (217-337-5030 outside of US and Canada).
Vaccination Reaction!
Vaccine
reactions! Vaccination induced reactions in dogs and cats appear
unexpectedly and create anxious moments for the veterinarian, pet owner and the 
patient.
This page displays one example of a dog with a vaccine reaction to a Rabies
vaccine, manufactured by a reputable and professional veterinary pharmaceutical
company and administered subcutaneously as recommended. Twelve
months prior to the Rabies vaccine given in this example the dog, a three year
old Dachshund, was vaccinated with a multivalent vaccine containing Distemper,
Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Corona and Parvo virus antigens. A mild reaction
occurred to that vaccine administration. It is unknown to which fraction
of that vaccine the dog reacted.
Prior to the Rabies vaccination given in the example here, the owners were fully informed about potential vaccine reactions and what to do if another one occurred. They requested a Rabies vaccine only (they decided against giving further multi-valent vaccinations) in order to conform to local ordinances and to ensure against possible infection from Rabies due to the abundant wildlife present in the dog's environment. The vaccine was administered after a discussion of potential good and undesirable effects of a vaccine.
Two hours after
the Rabies vaccine was administered the dog was readmitted for itching and
head-shaking, and the presence of "hives" on the dog's face and head.
These 
eruptions
on the skin, called a urticarial reaction, are rounded swollen raised areas of
skin tissue that have responded locally to the administration of a substance to
which the dog is allergic. Hives are caused when the body releases
histamine from a cell called a Mast Cell. The Histamine then causes leaking of
fluid into the surrounding body tissues from the small blood vessels and
stimulates the nearby nerve endings producing the itching sensation. The dog was
breathing normally but was uncomfortable. Fortunately the vast majority of
vaccine reactions in the dog are similar to this case where the targeted tissue
is the skin. It is very rare, but can happen, that the tracheal, laryngeal
and bronchial tissues will swell causing a constricted and spastic airway.
Breathing difficulty results that can be very swift in onset and have
life-threatening consequences.
Click on an image below to see a full sized view.
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TREATMENT
FOR VACCINE REACTIONS:
For non life-threatening reactions such as
are confined to the skin, anti-histamines and cortisone are generally completely
and rapidly helpful. In severe cases where immediate relief from
life-threatening distress is appropriate, epinephrine may be administered by a
veterinarian.
Shock is also seen with some vaccine induced reactions where the patient's heart rate is slowed, blood pressure drops and the patient weakens and will collapse. Pale mucus membranes and grayish appearing tongue also are evident. These cases of vaccine induced shock can be very dangerous and often require immediate medical assistance. These shock reactions usually occur immediately after a vaccine is administered and the patient becomes distressed while still in the veterinarian's office. Trained personnel will administer appropriate intravenous fluids and medications to restore vital signs and assist with the patient's recovery. Shock reactions often are reversed in a brief period of time. Epinephrine and cortisone generally are administered.
REVACCINATION:
Revaccination with the same substances after
any post-vaccine episode may result in one of the following three situations:
1.) No evidence of any inappropriate reaction or adverse effects and the
animal will increase its immunity to the disease(s) for which it is being
protected.
2.) A similar vaccine induced reaction will occur, just like the original
reaction.
3.) A more severe and potentially fatal vaccine induce reaction will
occur.
As you can see it is extremely important to consider the RISKS VERSUS BENEFITS topic with your veterinarian whenever a vaccine is administered. When a reaction does occur, to revaccinate for the same diseases anytime later in the patient's life may be hazardous. Where legally mandated vacc
