GREATDANELADY.COM
Linda Arndt ~ Canine Nutritional Consultant
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Blackwatch Feed Program for Orthopedic Support

Introduction

This program offers suggestions for nutritional support and assistance for all breeds with any lameness, OCD, Wobblers, Hip/Elbow Dysplasia, Arthritis and ACL and TPLO problems etc. For all orthopedic/joint issues you can use the supplements in Kit#9 for Orthopedic Support.

For assistance for HOD , Pano Knuckling Over/ Bowing use this
Feed Program and Kit# 5



I always recommend acupuncture and chiropractic work for orthopedic cases. I have used it on my dogs with very good results. To locate a vet practitioner in your area click here for a directory.

American Holistic Veterinary Site

http://www.ahvma.org/referral/index.html


Click Here: New Help for Paralysis and Wobblers Syndrome


For a phone consultation with the Great Dane Lady, you must set up an appointment 24 hours in advance by calling: 1-765-284-8288 and setting up an appointment in advance.
Fill out this HELP FORM and mail to: 1stchoicenaturals@comcast.net


The Blackwatch Feed Program Concept

The Blackwatch Feed Programs for all breeds, ages and sizes have been used by top breeders and owners here and abroad for over 40 years. The basis for these programs revolves around my CORE 4 Philosophy of Wellness, which I have written and lectured about for many years.

Time has shown us that this idea of feeding our pets works because it promotes
wellness and longevity in all breeds.
The products I use or suggest are either of my
own nutritional design, or products I use for my own animals and in feed trials over time. I try not to recommend companies that are unethical in their business practices and support the privatly owned retailers and manufacturers over the large conglomerate companies.
This information is not to be used in lieu of veterinarian advice, diagnoses or treatment
.


Blackwatch Feed Program Basics - All Breeds

1.DOG FOODS - I will provide you with a list of approved foods in the following catagories: holistic dry, holistic grain free, dehydrated and raw foods, so you have options. I do not recommend any grain free or raw diets for large breed growth until they are 8 months old or 3/4 of their normal size, just to be on the safe side. No feed trials have been done on large/giant breeds on the grain free or raw diets to date, so I will not recommend them. We KNOW we can raise them on a quality holistic kibble with a 10% raw component, if you wish, and have no problems, but not a totally raw or grain free diet, please!!

You can locate a retailer by going to the Precise website www.precisepet.com

2. BLACKWATCH CORE 4 SUPPLEMENT KITS - All Ages & Breeds

There are several CORE 4 Supplement Kits to choose from depending on your pet's needs, be it for a simple wellness program or to assist when your dog has a specific health challenge, such this program which supports orthopedic health.

Regardless of which BLACKWATCH CORE 4 Kit you choose, and there are several that are suitable, all kits contain 4 important nutrients missing in today's diets or are not viable in most commercial foods. Since 75-80% the immune system is located in the gut, it is critical to keep the digestive tract of the dog working properly by giving additional beneficial bacteria
(probiotics) on a daily basis. It is also important to use a food that has PRE-biotics in it and PRO-biotics on it as well, it shows the company is trying to do the very best. That said, I have never trusted the probiotics used on dog food completely because of heat or cold storage so I have always and still do recommend using it daily on your pet's food.

The next component to my feed programs is digestive enzymes which takes the load off the pancreas, helping to prevent diabetes later in life. Digestive enzymes are normally made by the body, provided the dog/cat/human has accesss to fresh whole real foods. But most do not, so this is why supplementing them is so important to wellness and hopefully to extending longevity. Many probiotics products also contain digestive enzymes in a combination. The products I suggest always are a combination of the two nutrients.

Next we must add real sprouted whole foods in the form of dietary enzymes (not digestive enzymes) which provides "living food" to your pet in a simple granular powder or chewable pet treat. The results is a reduction in inflammation and a cleansing of any toxins down to a cellular level, plus I have found it helps to prevent vaccine reactions because it detoxifies the body so well. Is your pet on heartworm or flea preparation? As long as they are on dietary Enzymes, their body will be detoxified from toxins, drugs and medications.
So it is important that we add these dietary enzymes back into our pets and our own diets. They are anti-aging and very helpful when going through stress or serious disease like cancer.

3.FOOD OPTIONS FOR VARIETY - To add some variety to your dogs life, use a holistic canned food or a dehydrated RAW meat diet, because it is balanced in calcium and phosphorus. It is also tested for pathogens and parasites, unlike what you get from the grocery store. I like to use Honest Kitchen Dehydrated Raw Foods, this allows me to use a component of raw along with my Precise kibble and it includes fruits, veggies and botanicals. I simply rehydrate the food in some water and use as a gravy. I like the Embark, but they have several others that work (Force, Thrive, Keen, etc). so you can rotate for variety and sounder nutritional practices. If you are into feeding a totally raw diet or raw with your kibble the brand I use and recommend is Darwins - and the ship it right to your door.
Again, Please do not feed growing large and giant breeds a totally raw diet until they are past their drastic growth stages - 10 months.
4 lbs of dehydrated raw makes up to 17# of wet food!

Other options, use wholesome human foods such as yogurt, buttermilk, kefir, cottage (not daily), scrambled eggs, berries, melons, peaches, apples, banana, tomato, broccoli, cauliflower, squash, sweet potato (not for dogs with yeast issues), green beans, peas, zucchini are all things your dogs can have with their daily food. Pulverizing veggies helps them to digest it better or lightly steam them is an option. Mine love homemade veggie soup and it's great as a filler for dogs with weight issues. Garlic is ok to use as well as avacado meat (not the skin or pit!!)

Linda's Very Veggie Soup For Variety or Weight Loss - 2 large cans of Organic chicken or beef broth - (low sodium for heart or elderly dogs- or homemade). Add LOTS of veggies - carrots, green beans, wax beans, peas, carrots, kale, zucchini, squash, tomatoes, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and couple cloves of garlic and Celtic Sea Salt (only this type). The idea is to use this as the filler so you want it to be hearty and filling.

Warning: NO raw onions, grapes, raisins, chocolate or macadamia nuts. Keep sugar free gum and candy out of access to your pets because they have Xylotil sweetner in them which can kill your pet.


WHERE TO BUY OTHER CORE 4 KITS.

First Choice Naturals Inc. (www.firstchoicenaturals.com)

FCN was founded by Dr. Eugene Wagner over 20+ years ago and the only store where you can get all the supplements and Kits the Great Dane Lady has developed or products she uses herself. Now many of the top breeders here and abroad use her supplements and feed programs with tremendous success. Now her feed programs are used world wide so it is important to provide "one stop shopping" breeders, pet owners and her puppy buyers. Her Blackwatch Feed Programs are now are used world wide and FCN ships all all over the world. Call for info if you live overseas and want products shipped or you can email as well.
phone: 1-765-284-8288
email: 1stchoicenaturals@comcast.net

CORE 4 Kits for - Puppys and Adults

CORE 4 Kits for Specific Health Issues:
Yeast Infection, Giardia, Seizures, allergies, HOD, OCD, Pano, Wobblers, Dysplasia, Bowing/Knuckling, Cancer, etc.



LINKS TO HELP YOU LOCATE FOOD:

Precise Pet Foods - What I feed my dogs.

NutriSource - PurVita - Planet Organics Pet Foods - my back up diets

Honest Kitchen Dehydrated Raw

My List of Better Foods

Darwins Raw Diet

Raw Food Options

Diets for Dogs With Specific Health Needs



Let's Talk MORE about Dog Foods .....


Dog Foods - I like to give pet owners a variety of foods on my list of better foods (see above) so you have options to pick from for your pets. I only support the holistically minded "family owned" pet food companies and independant retailers. I do not support the large corporate pet food companies or large corporate retailers due to a "difference in philosophy". I have concerns over the unknown quality of ingredients, qualitiy of premix supplementation (types/levels), manufacturing, consistancy in of sourcing ingredients and unknowns in quality control and safe testing of the foods before market.

I do not recommend homemade diets due to the potential of imbalance, however, I do provide raw options (see above) if one wants to make a balanced homemade diet. There is so much misinformation out there in books and on websites, many of which promote diets that are not balanced, lacking in adequate forms of calcium, and far too time consuming for large or multiple dog owners to attempt to do as a program. There are many good food options today for you to pick from, that it is not necessary to make a totally homemade diet for your pet.

I feed 80% kibble 20 % Honest Kitchen Dehydrated Raw to my adults. Puppies I ease them into the Honest Kitchen as a mixer or gravy for their kibble.

TYPES OF DIETS I APPROVE FOR MY PUPPY BUYERS:

> Holistic Dry Kibble - Meat based w/ quality grains OR Grain Free
> Holistic Dehydrated Diets - Meat based/w quality grain or Grain Free
> Raw Diets - Frozen, Fresh or Flash Frozen, Freeze Dried
> Canned Dog Food - Meat based w/grains OR Grain Free canned meat

I do not have a problem with a meat based diet that uses quality whole grains for their carbohydrate componennt, as long as it is low or no gluten and with fiber intact such as whole brown rice and oats. NO wheat, corn or soy!!

My first recommendation is one of the foods from the Precise or Precise Holistic Complete lineup of foods. All their foods are meat based, with quality, low gluten grains such as oats and brown rice OR their new PHC Grain Free with meat and chickpea which is no gluten, low glycemic index - perfect for dogs with allergies, yeast issues, cancer, diabetes...as well as healthy dogs.

NOTE: As a professional Pet Nutritional Consultant, I have had considerable design input into the design of the Precise Pet Foods and have designed thePrecise Holistic Complete (PHC) Large/Giant Puppy and Adult formulas, the Senior formula and input into the rest in the PHC Wild At Heart - Flight Line Duck/Turkey and Wild at Heart River Line - Salmon. I also managed the year long feed trials on the PHC foods. The Precise Holistic Complete lineup was Awarded Top Pet food for 2010 by Pet Industry Magazine.


For Large & Giant Breed Puppies Use: dogs that weigh over 50 lbs at maturity

Precise Holistic Complete Large/Giant Breed Puppy - 23% protein/12% fat
This food is designed specifically for slow even growth in large and giant breeds. Calcium levels are right at 1.3% (1.2-1.5% best range).
Puppies can stay on this food until 8-12 months of age or longer unless they need more calories to fill out for showing. After 8 months you can move to the PHC Large/Giant Breed Adult formulaand even rotate within the Precise Wild at Heart Line - Duck/Turkey or Salmon.

The Amount to Feed "Chart" For Large/Giant Breeds (print out)

Puppy Guidelines - How to Raise A Puppy - (print out)

Puppy- Demodectic Mange, Vaginitis, Puppy Acne, Bladder Infections

Puppy Hiccups

Importance of a Crate and Crate Training

How To Tape Cropped Ears AND Should I Crop My Puppy

When to Spay and Neuter

Surgery and Anesthesia Info for Giant Breeds


HOD Growth Problems

Knuckling Over/Bowing


For Large & Giant Breed Adults Foods - and a CORE 4 Kit

You have several options:

Precise Holistic Complete Large/Giant Breed Adult -25% protein/15% fat
Precise Holistic Complete - Adult Chicken - 24% protein/15% fat
Precise Holistic Complete - Wild At Heart - Salmon --24% protein 14% fat
Precise Holistic Complete - Wild at Heart - Duck/Turkey -24% protein 14% fat

Precise Foundation Formula
24% protein 12% fat- an all life stage formula, which supports growth. This is often used by large kennels or multiple pet family.

Precise Endurence Formula 30% protein 20% fat - real working or training also good for repair and getting ready for showing after a bitch has been in season.

Precise Competition Formula 27% protein 17% fat - great for pregnancy, showing, agility, rally, obedience etc.

Precise Holistic Complete - Senior - All Breeds -26% protein 11% fat - they maintain muscle mass, feel good, want to play and exercise yet the fat content is lower so they can loose weight but not coat.

These are all life stage formulas so they will support growth and elderly dogs with adequate calcium levels. They also support pregnancy and lactation.
See Feed Program for Pregnant bitches


For Small/Medium Breeds Foods and a CORE 4 Kit:

Precise Holistic Complete Sm/Med Puppy - 32% protein - 20% fat
Precise Holistic Complete Sm/Med Adult -
27% protein - 17% fat
Precise Holistic Complete - Wild At Heart - Salmon --24% protein 14% fat
Precise Holistic Complete - Wild at Heart - Duck/Turkey -24% protein 14% fat

Precise Endurence Formula 30% protein 20% fat - real working or training also good for repair and getting ready for showing after a bitch has been in season.

Precise Competition Formula 27% protein 17% fat - great for pregnancy, showing, agility, rally, obedience etc.

Precise Holistic Complete - Grain Free Pork/Chickpea 26% proetin 16% fat
Precise Holistic Complete - Grain Free Lamb/Turkey/Chickpea 27 % protein 17% fat - both these foods are "all life stages foods".

tThese are all life stage formulas so they will support growth and elderly dogs with adequate calcium levels. They also support pregnancy and lactation

Precise Holistic Complete - Senior - All Breeds -26% protein 10% fat - they maintain muscle mass, feel good, want to play and exercise yet the fat content is lower so they can loose weight but not coat.

A Word About Toy Breeds

Toy breeds are like hummingbirds in the way in which they burn energy. Unlike the big dogs that should not be feed a high protein/high fat, calorie dense diet, most Toy breeds burn up energy very quickly. In order to keep their blood glucose regulated properly, they need a calorie dense diet, and they generally need to have food available all the time - if they are prone to a drop in blood glucose levels.

Seizures Help


Common Sense Feeding Information

Do not add hot water and soak your kibble, or let it set to soften, or put into microwave. This will destroy the integrity of the nutrients and probiotics that are sprayed on the outside of the dog food. If you are weaning, feeding sick or elderly dogs or dogs with no teeth, you are best to put the kibble in a blender and get a powder, then mix liquid water with it for a porriage consistancy then serve.

I feed my adults 2 times a day, puppies 3-4 times depending on age and by 16 weeks they should be on 2 times a day feedings.

I use filtered water on each dogs food, for large dogs 1/3- 1/2 cup of water with 3-4 tablespoons of holistic Precise canned meat or Honest Kitchen Dehydrated raw. You want the food moist, but not floating and sloppy (this is for large/giant breeds, reduce amount for smaller breeds accordingly). Do not microwave, soak or use hot or very warm water on your kibble. It will destroy the integrity of the friendly yogurt type cultures and the fragile vitamins/minerals and amino acids on the food.

    Commercial foods need to be fed with moisture so dogs don't over consume water after a meal, and so the kibble does not pull moisture from the dogs system in order to break down properly. Use "tepid" temperature water never hot or warm and never soak your food as it breaks down and destroys nutrients. Mix up and feed immediately. If they have loose stools, you may be using too much meat or water than necessary. Adjust that before you panic and think they are sick.

Drinking Water:
It is very important to NEVER withhold water from your dog. This can lead to over consumption and bladder infections. Use common sense, do not let them drink excessively after exercise or dinner. Like a horse, let them cool down and then drink. I have found if I have water available in several places, they never overdo it since they know it is available to them when they need it. That way they drink less amounts of water, but more frequently.

Withholding water for fear of bloat is a myth. Stress is the cause and bloat/torsion is the response. It is much more complicated that simply saying water is the cause of bloat.

Dogs with special dietary needs can use one of the Special CORE 4 Kits or have a program specifically designed for your pets.

(See my article on Bloat and Torsion for details)
(See On My Soapbox)

 


Heart Problems:
If you own a giant breed or one prone to heart problems it is recommended that you use the highest quality protein food and supplement with these components. These are nutritional substances from food sources and do not conflict with medications or each other and are good to use for heart disease.
FeedProgram for Heart Support

 


Support Information - Required Reading

Read this: Does My Vet Understand Nutrition?

Vaccines

There are several articles and photos of vaccine reactions at this website. You need to know how to prevent vaccine reactions, because vaccine reactions in some breeds will kill your dog in a slow agonizing death known as Immune Mediated Response, which is always misdiagnosed as HOD. So, here is info:

Prevention of Vaccine Reactions

The AAHA recommended schedule for vaccination

Dr. Jean Dodd's Vaccine Protocols

Vaccine Reaction Photographs


Special Alert - Antibiotic Reactions in Great Danes and Other Breeds.

Sulfonamide Antibiotics
Based on information gained from the National Bone Survey, I do not recommend using Sulfonamide* antibiotics to my puppy buyers because these drugs can cause serious side-effects like sloughing of skin and internal bleeding and HOD-like symptoms including;fever, aching joints, swollen joints, lack of mobility, depression and anorexia. The following antibiotics are sulfonamides.

  • Ditrim
  • Primor
  • Tribrissin
  • Bactrim
  • TMZ
  • TMP/SDZ

Another commonly used, potentially troublesome antibiotics is Cephalexin (Keflex, Cefa-Tabs). This can also produces the same symptoms as HOD (fever,swollen/hot joints, immobility, anorexia) even in adult dogs. I will use Chephalexin, but with a watchful eye and if the dog starts acting lethargic and achy, we stop the antibiotic, since they are sensitive to it. Call the vet for an alternative antibiotic and make sure you are using a good Probiotic product to keep the digestive tract functioning properly.

I will not use Sulfonamides drugs on my dogs. A reaction can happen from 24 hours - 2 weeks of being on an antibiotic. If there is a reaction, my vet recommends Dexamethsone/Azium and discontinue use or antibiotic.

* Research references on Sulfonamides


Special Alert - Other Breeds:

For Collie/Sheltie/Aussie and Sighthound Owners (could effect some Great Danes)

For those people who own Collies, Shelties, Sighthounds, Aussies, Border Collies, any breeds with Collie background or mixed breeds with any of these dogs in them, it is critical that you know there are certain medications your dogs CAN'T take. Do not leave it up to your vet to know this..YOU must print this out and know it - it is a matter of life or death.

These dogs have a sensitivity to Ivermectin (Heartguard Heartworm medication. Only use Interceptor heart worm preventative. Other related drugs you can not use on these breeds or there will be neurological damage.
Other related drugs you can NOT use:

Metronidazole (which is used for diarrhea and giardia)
Flagyl

Torbutol
Butorphanol
Morphine
Acepromazine
Ivermectin - Heart Guard

There are many different types of drugs that have been reported to cause problems in Collies, ranging from over-the-counter antidiarrheal agents like Imodium® to antiparasitic and chemotherapy agents. It is likely this list will grow to include more drugs as our research progresses.

Drugs that have been documented, or are strongly suspected to cause problems in dogs with the MDR1 mutation:

Ivermectin (antiparasitic agent)
Loperamide (Imodium®; over-the-counter antidiarrheal agent)
Doxorubicin (anticancer agent)
Vincristine (anticancer agent)
Vinblastine (anticancer agent)
Cyclosporin (immunosuppressive agent)
Digoxin (heart drug)
Acepromazine (tranquilizer)
Butorphanol (pain control)
Potential Problem Drugs

The following drugs may potentially cause problems when given to dogs that have the mutation. Biochemical studies have shown that this gene has the potential to act on over 50 different drugs.

Ondansetron
Domperidone
Paclitaxel
Mitoxantrone
Etoposide
Rifampicin
Quinidine

Morphine

Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine
Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology Laboratory
PO Box 2280
Pullman, WA 99165-2280
(Phone/FAX 509-335-3745)
VCPL@vetmed.wsu.edu

http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/depts-VCPL/

Additional Support For The Adult Dog:

Go here for Spay and Neuter information
Go here for leaky bladder information
Go here for anal gland problems

 

Natural Ways To Manage Pain:

Remember pain is natures way of saying slow down, rest and relax. Most dogs are very stoic and even in pain will try to do what you want them to do even if it means it will hurt them, so use common sense. I do not like to completely mask the pain because they may over do it, yet I want them comfortable. I do not suggest crate rest as often suggested, I simply do not let the dogs out together, or with kids or when I know the neighborhood is active so they do not feel the need to be "the watch dog". I am very concerned about loss of muscle mass - atrophy - if a dog is crated too long during Pano (developmental stages). So common sense is the key.

This is my preference for handling pain through the use of a natural product like the two listed below. I would start with the Microlactin, which is included in the Orthopedic/Joint Support Kit#9 then if that does not do the trick, you can purchase online the Recovery SA for more serious pain issues. Use common sense when it comes to exercise - use free exercise alone in your back yard - no kids no dogs - and not during the time of the day when there might be traffic, kids returing from school or delivers where the dog goes into a barking frenzy. Normal house rest, if you are home and crate rest if you are away, is for me, a more reasonable way to handle it. If the dog lives in a crate all the time they will become anxious, depressed and slow the healing process. Imagine you hurt your leg and then someone locked you in the bathroom all day long - no fun = no heal fast.

Microlactin is a natural anti-inflammatory and I had great success with this only for my older female that had a lame shoulder from playing too rough. It takes 1-2 weeks to load the system, double dose, before you see much help but in was a great help to my female and totally corrected her problem(bruise/inflammation), and because she is 6 I leave her on a normal maintanence dose daily for added insurence. If you see no results from the Microlactin within 30 days, then try the Recovery SA product.


RecoverySA - For more pain I would use this product -http://www.recoverysa.com/

If your pet is not in great pain, you do not have to use this part of the program, it is an option to use instead of drugs like Deramaxx or Rimadyl which compromise the liver or can kill in short order! If they have a reaction to these drugs (which were pulled from the human market and their names were change for the pet industry) the reaction can be swift and deadly.




 

Fleas - Heartworm

I use Interceptor as a heartworm preventative - I will not use Ivemection/Heart Guard on Great Danes as they are genetically a sighthound.

For flea and tick problems I use a topical product- either Frontline Plus or Advantage, Advantix or Frontline products. I do rotate a different one each year. If you want to use all natural products, I like the Liquid Net® for Pets, fleas and ticks spray.

ALL NATURAL - No harmful chemicals like pyrethrins and pyrethoids which can cause neurological problems, seizures and death in many dogs and cats. Great sprayer too!


I feel a bit better about using them and because the dogs/cats and myself are also on Nzymes, which detoxifies the body.


Special Alert - Other Breeds:

For Collie/Sheltie/Aussie and Sighthound Owners (can effect some Great Danes)

For those people who own Collies, Shelties, Sighthounds, Aussies, Border Collies, any breeds with Collie background or mixed breeds with any of these dogs in them, it is critical that you know there are certain medications your dogs CAN'T take. Do not leave it up to your vet to know this..YOU must print this out and know it - it is a matter of life or death.

These dogs have a sensitivity to Ivermectin (Heartguard Heartworm medication. Only use Interceptor heart worm preventative. Other related drugs you can not use on these breeds or there will be neurological damage.

Other related drugs you can NOT use:

Metronidazole (which is used for diarrhea and giardia)
Flagyl

Torbutol
Butorphanol
Morphine
Acepromazine
Ivermectin - Heart Guard

There are many different types of drugs that have been reported to cause problems in Collies, ranging from over-the-counter antidiarrheal agents like Imodium® to antiparasitic and chemotherapy agents. It is likely this list will grow to include more drugs as our research progresses.

Drugs that have been documented, or are strongly suspected to cause problems in dogs with the MDR1 mutation:
Ivermectin (antiparasitic agent)
Loperamide (Imodium®; over-the-counter antidiarrheal agent)
Doxorubicin (anticancer agent)
Vincristine (anticancer agent)
Vinblastine (anticancer agent)
Cyclosporin (immunosuppressive agent)
Digoxin (heart drug)
Acepromazine (tranquilizer)
Butorphanol (pain control)
Potential Problem Drugs
The following drugs may potentially cause problems when given to dogs that have the mutation. Biochemical studies have shown that this gene has the potential to act on over 50 different drugs.
Ondansetron
Domperidone
Paclitaxel
Mitoxantrone
Etoposide
Rifampicin
Quinidine

Morphine
Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine
Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology Laboratory
PO Box 2280
Pullman, WA 99165-2280
(Phone/FAX 509-335-3745)
VCPL@vetmed.wsu.edu

Additional Support For The Adult Dog:
Go here for Spay and Neuter information
Go here for leaky bladder information
Go here for anal gland problems
Go here: For other articles that pertain to Adult Dog Care


 

     

       

       

       

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