 |
GREATDANELADY.COM Linda Arndt ~ Canine Nutritional Consultant Email:  |
 |
Feed Program For Pregnant and Lactating Bitches |
|
It is important not to vaccinate your bitch during her heat cycle. Read more about this problem in Avoiding Vaccinations During Heat Cycles. How Do I Know She is Pregnant?I don't know if she is pregnant or not, but we choose not to use xrays or sonagrams to tell if she is pregnant. We save the xrays for when she is delivering, and if she runs into trouble. We do not xray just to go off and xray the bitch. We absolutely do not do a sonagram because it is our experience this ofen shows several puppies, then when they are due to whelp, there is only one or two or they have been reasorbed. We feel the sonagram often causes the puppies to detach and bitch to reabsorb the litter. We just choose to wait it out and only xray at the end of the whelping. Ususally we can tell by the 5th week if she is pregnant. In the old days we used an EPT test which you can get from the pharmacy - don't know if they are the same or work the same anymore but check with your vet there are other ways to test now that are more accurate. To get a urine sample tape a container to a yardstick and take out to potty, when she squats get a urine sample and test it with the EPT test. Wait until she is at least 3 weeks along in her pregnancy. If you are breeding a bitch purchase the book Dog Owners Home Veterinary Handbook by Carlson and Giffin. They have the best chapter on pregnancy, weaning and problems associated with this proccess. ABOUT THIS PROGRAM The Blackwatch Feed
Program has been used by us an other breeder friends for the past
25 years. As new information comes along I try to include it and
provide options for people who use this program, whether they want
to feed kibble, homemade or a raw diet. This program will work for
all breeds/ages and sizes. This
information is not to be used in lieu of veterinarian advice, diagnoses
or treatment.
THE BLACKWATCH CORE 4
is based in the philosophy that
no diet is 100% complete as stated on the bag, and regardless
of the method of feeding; kibble, homemade or raw, we do much better
in the long run when the CORE 4
supplements are included into a daily routine (dog, cats
and humans). These supplements support immune and digestive function,
help to keep a healthy pH and help to prevent vaccine reactions.
1. Probiotics
- a blend
of beneficial bacteria which protects the lining of the gut, helping
to prevent overgrowth of (bad bacteria/fungus/yeasts) which compromises
the protective lining of the gut. When this happens there is the
potential for Leaky Gut Syndrome and Toxic Gut which can lead to
bloat, compromised health, systemic yeast infections and suppressed
immune systems.This is true in humans too. Probiotics are very important
to help resolve difficult digestive issues and compromised immune
function as well as dealing with Candida, Coccidia, Giardia, parasite
infestation, E coli, Salmonella and Herpes Virus. 2.
Digestive Enzymes-help
to break down the food for better digestion. The three that are
of most importance are amylase (carbohydrates) protease (protein),
Lipase (fats) and they are often found in combination Probiotic
products. 4. Ox-E-Drops
- The primary reason for this
liquid concentrate is because it helps to keep a healthy the pH
in the gut so pathogenic bacteria and fungus does not over growth
and make the dogs more prone to bloat and systemic yeast infections.
I use it in my pets drinking water and diluted drops in their
daily meals (1-2 drops per 20 lbs body weight. It can be used in
a 2% solution (1 cup distilled water + 1 teaspoon
of Ox-E-Drops) and used to clean
ears, spray on wounds, as an eye wash, colonics or douches for Pyometra
in bitches. Ox-E-Drops decontaminates
water, 20 drops to a gallon and it can be used internally and in
a vaporizer (30 drops to 1 gallon)
for respiratory problems in dogs and cats. Many rescues keep their
cattery free from respiratory problems with the use of vaporizers
and Ox-E-Drops.
1. My Adult Dog - Kit #4 -Probiotcs, Digestive Enzymes w/ Vitamin C and Barley Grass (fruits/veggies) Dietary Enzymes and Ox-E-Drops, Co-Q-10 (heart), Level 5000 joint supplement. 2.
My Tiny Pet Kit#24 - (toy and mini-breeds)
OR
Pick one method of
feeding that you think fits your lifestyle and your pet's needs. click here for method #1 (Print out)
click
here for method #2 (Print out)
click here
for method #3 (Print Out)
click here for method #4 (Print Out)
click here
for method #5 (Print Out)
click here for method #6 - (Print Out) If Precise
and Precise Plus is not available in your area, here is
a list of better
foods. If HOW I MIX MY DOG FOOD Introduce all your supplements 2-3 days apart so the system in not overwhelmed. If they get a loose stool stop and reintroduce slower. WATER ON KIBBLE - Puppies 8-10 weeks use 1/8 - 1/4 cup water + 1 tablespoon canned meat. You want the food moist but not floating and sloppy. For older puppies and adults I will use 1/2 cup of water per meal along with my Precise canned meat. 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. Drinking Water: 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.
Can I Feed The BARF Diet ? I do not promote totally
raw diets or grainless
diets on growing large and giant breeds (Dogs that mature
at 50+ lbs - includes any dogs of the "bulldog type" those
broad body, massive fronts, because the nutrients and caloric intake
are very difficult for a new pet owner to calculate, and they inevitably
end up contacting me to try to "fix" their dogs growth
problem. There reasons are far too many to discuss in this
brief commentary, but you will notice I do have a safe and balanced
raw option in all my feed programs. You can increase the
amount of raw used as the puppy get older and past the drastic growth
stages at 10 months of age. Editorial comment: There is some talk of feeding raw at a different meal than with kibble. Personally I used to recommend this but over they years of observing my own dogs and, well let's face it....here we feed them better than we feed ourselves -- and if given the chance, right after that holistic dinner of the best raw, kibble and holistic supplements - they will drink out of the toilet, scour for fresh cat doodies, then go outside and toss around frozen poopsicles and scrounge for dead stinky things to roll in and chew on. So I am not so darned sure it makes any difference whether you fed the raw with kibble, I think if they are healthy and on the program, they adapt - they are after all, nature's trash cans. FOR
DAILY CARE: ears, eyes, teeth, skin,
healthy treats, fleas Fleas - HeartwormALL 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, (in supplement kits), which detoxifies the body. Support Information - Required Reading Where to Buy and How to Use a Crate Read this: Does My Vet Understand Nutrition? Common Puppy Problems hiccups- demodectic mange - puppy acne - vaginitis - picky eaters etc. When do I spay or neuter? Cropped Ears Or Natural Ears? If you have a puppy and intend to have have it cropped, make sure you read these articles. Should I Crop My Dane Puppy? and Anesthesia Guidelines For Cropping. If your dog is already cropped, here is info for taping and aftercare. 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 misdiagnose as HOD. So, here is info: Prevention of Vaccine Reactions The AAHA recommended schedule for vaccination Dr. Jean Dodd's Vaccine Protocols-2006 OTHER TOPICS: Allergies
or Systemic Yeast? Special
Alert - Antibiotic
Reactions in Great Danes and Other Breeds.
Sulfonamide Antibiotics
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. 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 Why
do they go off feed?
For a couple of reasons - Hormones play a big role in
your dog backing off their food - coming into season,
the false pregnancy, teething around 5-7 months of age,
and inactivity all have a hand in them backing off eating.
Food consumption can be directly related to the amount
of free exercise your dog gets on a daily basis. I
have 2 Great Danes at home right now, 3 and 4 yrs of age
- intact male and spayed female. A pet owner writes:
"If we try to offer more food, it
just gets left behind and they don't eat all of it."
As long as your dog is not running a fever,
lethargic, vomiting, distressed or has diarrhea and you
KNOW they are not sick, then it is normal for them to back
off on their feed regardless of weather. This is natures
way of telling you they do not need it - regardless of their
weight, they are eating a nutrient dense diet and they need
to take a break from it. Remember, in the wild, dogs would
never eat on a daily basis, so they are telling you.."Mom,
I don't need it - take it away!". They are not
usually food driven like people who eat for a variety of
other reasons; celebrations, misery, nervousness, pleasure
etc. ...well, that is most dogs aren't. My Pug on the other
hand, well that is another story!
How I Handle This: Every week on one day I cut back on the
amount by 1/2 cup each meal or 1 cup per day total - IF
THIS IS A DOG THAT SELF REGULATES INTAKE and starts walking
away from their food you may have to do this more frequently.
My male is like clockwork...once a week he turns his up
his nose and I would have to throw out half his food, if
I didn't cut back once a week...then the next day he is
ready to eat again.
Weather is a Factor:
Right now is July and we are in the heat
of the summer (Indiana) which means humidity and horseflies,
so my dogs are only out long enough to do their "business"
a few times a day, then they come right back in the house
until the sun sets.
Although they live in an in air-conditioned
environment my male will drop down from 7 cups a day total
to eating only 5 cups a day total --- and female
will normally eat 6 cups a day total, will drop down to
only 4 cups a day total consumption. This is because they
do not get the free exercise they would normally get in
good weather, so their intake is directly related to the
enegy they expend. Less exercise means they need less food
intake.
The only real exercise they get in the dead
of summer is at night when the sun goes down, out the go
to play. Their actual expenditure of calories is not as
great in the heat or the dead of winter for that matter
because of the decrease in exercise - so if you just remember
that their intake is directly related to how much exercise
they get you will realize you need to cut back at certain
times.
If you don't remember they will let you
know..they will walk away from their food. During this kind
of weather it is not at all unusual for my males to eat
half rations, by his own choice, for about 3 days, then
back on full rations. This tells me he did not need the
calories due to the fact that he is not expending much energy
in extreme weather.
Lite or Low Protein
Diets Older dogs and growing
puppies should NEVER be placed on Low Protein or a lite or restricted
protein/fat diet. The only time an animal should be fed a restricted
protein or fat diet is due to a specific disease. Cut back the
amount you feed rather than switch to a lower protein and lower
fat. They need the nutrients and their brains, organ functions
and coats will suffer dramatically.
Special
Alert:
For Collie/Sheltie/Aussie and Sighthound
Owners
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. 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 diarreah
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 Here is the link for more drug information
|
|
|
|
|About Us | Album
| Interview | Articles
| Links | Breeders
Showcase | GREAT Great Danes
| Linda's Artwork
| Email: Copyright © 2002-2003 GREATDANELADY.COM |