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Linda Arndt ~ Canine Nutritional Consultant
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Puppy Feed Program for Knuckling Over

WARNING:

YOUR PUPPY SHOULD NOT BE KEPT ON CONCRETE, TILE OR WOOD FLOORS WHERE THERE IS NO SURFACE FOR THEM TO GRIP WITH THEIR TOES AND USE THEIR MUSCLES, LIGAMENTS AND TENDONS PROPERLY.

SLICK SURFACES CONTRIBUTE TO BOWING IN AND KNUCKLING OVER. PUT DOWN RUBBER BACKED THROW RUGS (NO FRINGE AND NO CONTINUOUS LOOP CARPETING!!) SO YOU CAN WASH THEM, YET THE DOGS HAVE A SURFACE TO WALK ON FOR PROPER DEVELOPMENT!


Can We Fix This? ....YES, We Can


Nadya Before (left)
(middle) - Nadya after 2 weeks on program
(right) Nadya at 2 years old - beautiful straight legs!

This program is for a puppy that has problems with bowing or knucking-over (carpel flexural deformity) causing to uneven growth patterns between the bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments.

To correct this problem we correct the diet, control the amount fed, keep them off slick surfaces and use the Blackwatch Feed Program - HOD Help Kit#5 which includes supplements for malabsorption and for diets lacking in usable nutrition. Nadya above is a typical example of this problem and if caught early can be corrected with no surgery necessary.

Start with switching the dog's food (info below) Your dogs may need to be wrapped with vet wrap or ace bandages (do not use the little metal clip or saftey pins, use only a piece of duct tape to secure it in case the dog chews it off. You vet can help you wrap the legs. Here are some examples of puppies before and after of how to wrap - Support Wrap and Knuckling and Bowing Examples 2.

Here is a resource for leg wraps and supports for serious problems on dogs over 12 weeks that can not be taken care of with normal vet wrap www.orthovet.com or http://www.dogleggs.com

Note: All photographs sent to me will become the property of Blackwatch Nutritional Consulting LLC and can be used for educational purposes; website, seminars, publications, videos, books. All names will be changed and photos cropped so as not to compromise the integrity of the owner or breeder.


What to Feed and What Supplements to Correct This?

1). To correct this problem switch to
Precise Plus Large Giant Breed Adult - (Eagle food used to be my first choice to correct problems, but the company was sold so I can't recommend it now for puppies or adults. )

Precise Large Breed ADULT formula 24% protein/12% fat with trace minearls (not the Puppy food).

There website is www.precisepet.com OR Call for a distributor near you 1-800-392-3116 or you can purchase online at www.dogfooddirect.co m (Midwest) or www.heartypet.com or www.petfooddirect.com

When switching foods do so quickly - use 50/50 the first feeding then 100% of the new food. It's important to use probiotics (see kit below) when switching food so they do not get a loose stool. In the meantime, what ever food you are on, cut back the amount you are feeding!

What If I Can't Find Precise Foods?

If you can't locate Precise products you can use Pure Vita brand - (any of the 3 formulas will work) - Duck, Salmon or Chicken. They are a 24% protein 13% fat with 1.3% calcium and have micro-minerals in the food which are needed to correct problems. They are 365 calories per cup which are a good range. Call for a dealer near you: 800-525-9155 or do a search on the web for PureVita Dog Food.

Another option is found at Petsmart, yes you heard me right, there is only one food that will work that fits the criteria for proper growth. Blue Buffalo - ADULT Chicken and Rice (none of their other formulas work for reversing growth problems. This is a 21% protein 11% fat with a 1.5% calcium. This food is very high in calories 511 per cup so you have to use the low end amounts when you feed it based on my AMOUNT TO FEED CHART. (print this out)

NOW YOU NEED TO ORDER THIS KIT.......

2). Order the HOD/Knuckling Over Supplement Kit#5

You can order online through this link or call go to www.firstchoicenaturals.com OR
contact them directly at:
1-877-343-0724


Let's Take A Look

Here are some other images of different breeds where Knuckling Over/Bowing is a problem, this is not genetic, this is a nutritional/managment problem and caught early enough it can be repaired.

Most vets do not understand this issue because they have minimal or no training in small animal nutrition and little experience in large/giant breed growth patterns. If you see no improvement within a 2-3 days of being on this total nutritional program, or the dog is worse, then you need to discuss wrapping the joints for support.

In most cases we have to support the legs with wrapping or supports. I have listed two commercially made braces below, but before you purchase, look at the taping examples in this article Knuckling/Bowing and Taping Examples.

Please take photos daily of the dog's legs and send them to me and we can discuss the options you have to take back and discuss with your vet. If you do not hear from me within 2 days, they you will have to make the decision along with your vet.

Send in a JPG format to: GrDaneLady@aol.com


Here is a resource for leg wraps and supports for serious problems that can not be taken care of with normal vet wrap http://www.dogleggs.com/or www.orthovet.com

Note: All photographs sent to me will become the property of Blackwatch Nutritional Consulting LLC and can be used for educational purposes; website, seminars, publications, videos, books. All names will be changed and photos cropped so as not to compromise the integrity of the owner or breeder.

Amount to Feed of Dog Food:

Giant Breed Puppies medium range - for Large Breeds Puppies
use the low end on the chart - the numbers marked in Green

2 months - 2-4 cups per day - (divided into 3 meals daily)
3 months - 3-5 cups per day - (divided into 2 meals daily)
4 months - 4-6 cups per day - (divided into 2 meals daily)
5 months - 5-7 cups per day - (divided into 2 meals daily
6 months - 6-8 cups per day - (divided into 2 meals daily)

Chart In Detail : Amount To Feed Chart

 

How To Introduce HOD Kit #5


Day 1 - Start with the MSM and the Spark of Life in the Morning and Evening

Day 2 - Continue the MSM and Spark of Life and add the 4 in 1 Probiotic - Morning

Day 3 - Continue the MSM and Spark of Life and add the 4 in 1 Probiotic - Morning
Day 3 - Introduce the Level 5000 joint supplement - Evening

Day 4 - Continue the MSM and Spark of Life and add the 4 in 1 Probiotic - Morning
Day 4 - Introduce the Level 5000 joint supplement - Evening

Day 5 - Continue the MSM and Spark of Life and add the 4 in 1 Probiotic - Morning
Day 5 - Introduce the Level 5000 joint support and Nzymes granular -- Evening

Day 6 and there after: MSM and Spark of Life and 4 in 1 Probiotic - Morning
Day 6 and there after: Level 5000 joint spport and Nzymes granular -- Evening

Continue with this routine until Kit#5 is used up. Then you can switch over to the Puppy Kit#3 until 12 months of age.

After 12 month move to the Adult Kit#4 or the CORE 4 Wellness Kit #28 or #38 - these are the Blackwatch Programs for life long wellness!

www.firstchoicenaturals.com

What The Supplements in the Kit#5 Do:

1) MSM-nutritional sulfur - dosage is on the container. .It is my understanding from reading the patent info and discussing this with Vita-Flex the oldest distributor of MSM, that this is the recommended dosage and it is my experience that this helps to level out the uneven growth spurts the dog has gone through. Vita-Flex MSM corrects malabsorption of other nutrients such as minerals whose imbalance relate to problems such as osteochondrosis (HOD, OCD, Pano). It also helps with pain and inflammation. www.firstchoicenaturals.com

2) 4 in 1 Probiotics - (multiple cultures/digestive enzymes/Ester C and Barley Grass) order from -800-937-1104 - www.firstchoicenaturals.com

3). Spark of Life Trace Minerals - all commercial diets on the market are missing critical micro-minerals necessary to make proper bone and run the body's electrical system. Often unusable or lacking micro-minerals are at the core of many developmental orthopedic problems. www.firstchoicenaturals.com

4). Liquid joint support supplement - Level 5000 Joint Support

5).Nzymes - these dietary enzymes that are natural anti-inflammatory - and important in you not having to use risky medicine like Rimydal. Nzymes are part of every one of my comprehensive feed programs so you will need these anyway, when you switch to the whole program for the life of your dog. Nzymes come in pet treats or granular. If you have more than one dog, the granular goes further.

Once your dog is through the HOD Kit#5, you can move to the CORE 4 Kit #28 or 38 for a life long maintanence program.



Dietary Options for Variety:

To make a gravy you can use a variety of holistic canned meats; Precise, Merick, Fromms, Wellness and Eagle. Use a little and mix with water for a gravy. If your canned meat causes excessive gas discontinue and do NOT use grocery store brand of canned food they are full of preservatives and 4D meats (dead, diseased dying and disabled) NO homemade concoctions of meat/rice combinations that you make up at home, they are very unbalanced in their calcium and phosphorus levels and can cause growth problems.

Another option I use is Honest Kitchen dehydrated raw dog food is what I use to provide a 10% raw component to my dogs Precise kibble. It is balanced in calcium and phosphorus ratios which are very important in growing and elderly dogs!

I use the EMBARK, FORCE,VIGOR, KEEN ect. which has a raw organic turkey or chicken, fruits and veggies and sometimes I will use PREFERENCE, which is strictly fruits/veggies and herbs.

EMBARK 29% protein - 16% fat - Organic Turkey, Flaxseed, Potatoes, Celery, Spinach, Carrots, Coconut, Apples, Kelp, Eggs, Sesame Seeds, Bananas, Cranberries, Rosemary.

PREFERENCE
: 12% protein 5 % fat - Alfalfa, sweet potatoes, cabbage, celery, apples, spinach, organic kelp, coconut, bananas, zucchini, and honey.

One- 4 lb bag will make up to 17 lbs of moist meat/fruits and veggies and if used to top dress your kibble you can see it goes a long way. The Honest Kitchen dog food and Eagle Pet Foods are endorsed by the Whole Dog Journal.

To order call go to www.firstchoicenaturals.com

Amounts I use of Honest Kitchen :

8-10- weeks - 1 Tablespoon each meal
11-16 weeks - 4-Tablespoons divided AM and PM meal
5 - 6 mo - 1/4 cup AM and PM
7 - 8 mo 1/4 - 1/2 cup l AM and PM meal
9 mo - Adults - 1/2 daily - 1 cup Divided AM and PM

IF you want to do your own fruits and veggies here are some suggestions
FRUITS &VEGETABLE: This is a list of recommended foods to use in moderation:

yogurt, buttermilk berries melons, apples, banana, tomatoes, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, oranges, squash, sweet potato, green beans, zucchini - minced/diced/raw/cooked - they love frozen berries and melon balls!! Pulverized fresh veggies are best for digestion. NO raw onions, grapes or raisins, macadamia nuts.
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Linda's Very Veggie Soup - 2 large cans of chicken or beef broth - (low sodium for heart or elderly dogs- or homemade). Add LOTS of veggies - carrots, green beans, wax beans, zucchini, squash, tomatoes, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and couple cloves of garlic. The idea is to use this as the filler so you want it to be hearty and filling.

DO NOT SOAK KIBBLE AND LET SET, OR USE HOT WATER ON YOUR KIBBLE IT WILL DESTROY THE INTEGRITY OF THE NUTRIENTS AND PROBIOTICS - YOGURT LIKE CULTURES ON THE FOOD.

For the best balanced raw diet for a raw component to your kibble use Northwest Naturals.


 

Drinking Water:

WATER ON KIBBLE - on little puppies you want to use about 1/8 cup and older puppies 1/4 cup water + 3-4 tablespoons canned meat. 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.

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.

Additional Support Information:

Go here for Spay and Neuter information

Go here for anal gland problems

Puppy Guidelines - what toys, bowls and crates to use

Go here: For other articles that pertain to Puppy Handbook


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