In a study involving 48 Beagle puppies Zicker at al ¹  confirmed the benefits of administering Omega 3 DHA to improve their cognitive, memory, psychomotor and retinal functions. They also showed for the first time that dogs receiving a high dose of Omega-3 DHA  had a significantly higher antibody titers during the first 2 weeks post vaccination than the controls. A faster response to vaccine is critical to control many diseases and could make the difference between life and death.

Another study conducted by Gurzell et al ² shed some light on the mechanism of action of Omega-3 DHA. DHA enhanced B cell activation  and select antibody production in vitro and vivo. B cell are responsible for antibody production. This could benefit all animals especially puppies and kittens, older dogs and cats as well as immunocompromised patients and animals suffering from infectious diseases.

In conclusion Omega-3 DHA can not only lower inflammation and stimulate brain development and function but also has immunostimulatory properties critical to improve vaccine effectiveness.

¹ Zicker  et al 2012.  J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc. 241:583–594.

²  Gurzell et al 2013.  J. Leukocyte Biology  93: 463-470.

There are similarities between the pathophysiology of CCD in  older dogs and cats and Alzheimer’s disease in humans.  The deposition of amyloid β peptide (Aβ) in extracellular plaque and perivascular infiltrate is observed in both species. Inflammation is a key contributing factor to Alzheimer’s disease and CCD and is probably both a cause and a consequence of the disease.  The deposition of amyloid β protein is associated with a local inflammatory response involving activation of cells like microglial cells and astrocytes and the recruitment of macrophages. 

Recently researchers from the School of Medicine at UCLA in Los Angeles made an interesting discovery¹. They found that both  vitamin D3 and omega 3 DHA improved the ability of the macrophages from the Alzheimer’s patients’ blood samples to absorb amyloid beta. They also noticed there was less of the cell-death that is normally triggered by amyloid beta. They also suggest that low vitamin D3 and docosahexaenoic acid intake and/or poor anabolic production of resolvin D1 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells could contribute to AD onset/pathology.

More studies are needed but the best you can do for your older dog is to supply him or her with a food supplement providing a non oxidized form of Omega 3 DHA. 

¹ Mizwicki et al  Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease; 2013, Vol. 34 Issue 1, p155-170.

A study about dogs and wolves was conducted by researchers from the University of UPPSALA in Sweden. It sheds some light on what could have been the next step.  A study comparing the genomes of 12 wolves from around the world and 60 dogs from 14 breeds suggests that a key step in the dog domestication was their ability to digest efficiently starch-based foods in contrast with poor starch digestion ability by the wolves.¹  Starches are first broken down into sugars by an enzyme called amylase in order to be usable by the body.  In humans, digestion of starches begins in the mouth with saliva.  Salivary amylase is not found in carnivores.  Dogs digest starches only in the small intestine where they use amylase provided by the pancreas.  Dogs produce three times more amylase than cats.

So, dogs have adapted to digest diets rich in starch in contrast to carnivorous wolves.  Scavenging starch-rich leftovers near early human settlements could have been an important step in dog domestication.  It is probably a case of co-evolution as dogs evolving from wolves found new food sources. The domestication of dogs may be linked to the emergence of farming 10,000 years ago that has contributed to an increase in starch-based foods like roots and cereals.  Changes in three specific genes resulted in dogs being capable of digesting starch more efficiently than wolves.

Researchers also found genetic differences in brain function and particularly in brain development but it is too early to draw any conclusions on that finding.

¹Axelsson E. et al 2013, Nature, accessed online at doi: 10.1038/Nature 11837.

Cats like the warmth of car hoods so be careful before starting your engine.

Salt and ice melts are irritants for cat paws.  Furthermore, cats tend to lick their paws so they are very exposed to those toxic chemicals.  You can purchase pet safe ice melt products but be aware that not everybody in the neighborhood use those products.  Wash your cat’s feet with a warm wet cloth when they come inside.

Cats are attracted to the sweet smell and taste of antifreeze containing ethylene glycol.  Acute kidney failure can happen within 12 to 24 hours after ingestion.  If you suspect that your cat has drunk even a small amount of antifreeze contact your veterinarian immediately at it is a true emergency. 

The good news for the future is that antifreeze and engine coolant manufacturers in the USA have agreed to add a bitter-tasting agent to make these products unpalatable to animals.

The holiday season is behind us but some toxic plants like lilies may still be around.  Lilies are very toxic to cats and you should contact your veterinarian if you think that your cat has eaten any part of a lily plant.

You may also have additional dangling electric cords for heaters or humidifiers that your cat may use for toys and chew with dramatic consequences.

For further information on winter hazards for cats, you may visit www.aspca.org.

1.  Holiday Season:

Although the holiday festivities are almost behind us, special attention is still necessary regarding the following issues:

• Human holiday food such as chocolate, coffee, yeast dough or alcohol can be dangerous for your dog.
• Ornaments should be kept out of reach of your dog as he or she may confuse them for toys.
• Dogs sometimes chew on electric wires causing severe burns to the mouth and brain injuries.

2.  Indoor Hazards:

As it gets colder outside, your dog may spend more time indoors:

• Many types of houseplants can be poisonous for your dog.
• Wood burning stove, space heaters and burning candles are all fire hazards with the potential for burns or smoke inhalation.  Carbon monoxide is always a threat for you and your dog.  It can occur in the house or in the garage if you leave your engine running.  Do not leave your dog alone in a room with open flames or hot electric devices and appliances.

3.  Outdoor Hazards:

Dogs are susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia.  Therefore, in cold weather they should be kept inside or in a well protected shelter.  Fresh and unfrozen water should be available at all times.

Chemicals such as ice melt and salts, antifreeze and windshield wiper fluids are all toxic and should be kept out of reach of dogs at all times.  The good news is that the antifreeze and engine coolant manufacturers in the US have just agreed to add a bitter-tasting agent to make their products unpalatable to animals.  Ice melts and salts can stick to the dog’s paws so be sure to wipe or wash their paws after they have been outdoors.

With a few precautions, your dog can safely enjoy the winter season.  For more information, you may visit www.aspca.org .

 In an experiment¹ conducted by researchers from the University of Sydney and Massey University in New Zealand, cats were presented with a variety of wet and dry food.  The cats were able to select and combine wet and dry foods by themselves to maintain an ideal daily diet of 52% protein, 36% fat and 12% carbohydrate.  This is actually very close to the diet of feral cats meaning that house cats have retained some instinct from their wild ancestors.  The results indicate that cats are able to regulate food selection and intake to balance macronutrient diet despite differences in physical characteristics of the foods provided such as moisture content and texture.

 But cats, especially the older cat, can benefit from supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids like DHA to prevent chronic inflammation problems associated with age like osteoarthritis, chronic renal failure or cognitive dysfunction.

¹Hewson-Hughes et al 2012, J. Comp. Physiol. B accessed at DOI 10.1007/s00360-012-0727-y.

The life expectancy for small dogs is 12 years (less than 10 kg or 22 lbs.), 10 years for medium sized dogs (10-25 kg or 22-55 lbs.), 8 years for large dogs (25 to 45 kg or 55 to 99 lbs.), and 15-20 years for cats.  Genetics, nutrition, the environment, owner care, lifestyle and disease influence the aging process. 

Aging is accompanied by a low-grade inflammation called inflammaging that plays a very significant role in chronic diseases like arthritis, chronic renal failure, cognitive dysfunction in the older dog or even cancer.

Besides good nutrition and regular exercise, the best way to control inflammaging is to provide the older dog or older cat with the unsaturated fatty acid omega-3 DHA.  There are evidences that DHA can help in controlling many chronic diseases in senior pets and improve their quality of life. 

Here is what we know:

• Dogs can understand simple calculations like 1 + 1 = 2.  Research conducted by scientists in the UK suggest that dogs have a rudimentary ability to count.¹
• Dogs can understand language — the average dog can learn 165 words but some dogs can have a vocabulary of 250 words.²   This is more than non-human primates can learn, like the chimpanzee.  A dog can remember the name of an object for weeks.
• Dogs can learn to solve spatial problems like figuring out the fastest route to a target.
• Dogs can learn to operate simple mechanisms like door latches.
• Dogs can use touch screen computers.³
• Dogs can communicate with humans:  They respond to our gestures and body language.  One study even demonstrated that human yawns are contagious to dogs.⁴   Dog’s unique social skills interpreting with humans is the result of thousands of years of living with us.

You can improve the intelligence, trainability and visual acuity of your puppy (and kitten) by providing him with a supplement containing omega 3 DHA.  Feeding the mother during gestation and lactation and the puppy (or kitten) after weaning with 8-10 mg/kg of omega 3 DHA daily results in accumulation of DHA – one of the building blocks of the brain – in the plasma and brain and in improvement of neurologic development. The older dog and the older cat often experience a decrease in brain DHA, frequently resulting in disorientation, lack of responsiveness, uneasiness with visitors, disturbance in sleep-wake cycles and house soiling. Mounting evidence supports that supplementation with DHA may be effective in combating such problems through several mechanisms including anti-inflammatory properties, anti-oxidative stress and neuroprotective properties.

For more information you may want to read Annie Murphy Paul’s article in Time.com.

¹West and Young 2002 Animal Cognition 5: 183-186.

²Bloom, P. 2004 Science 304: 1605-1606.

³Pongracz-Rossi and Ades 2008 Animal Cognition 11:329-338.

⁴Joly-Mascheroni et al 2008 Biology Letters 4: 446-448.

Gum disease and dental plaques are very common in dogs.  Several bacteria are responsible for the initial formation of plaque.  The process is then exacerbated by accumulation of calculus, tartar and inflammation causing periodontitis.

A group of Japanese researchers¹ found that the same bacteria responsible for plaque formation are found both in dogs and their owners.  They also suggest that those bacteria can be transmitted between humans and their companion dogs even with low contact.

This is one more reason to control gum disease and oral hygiene in your dog.  Treatment includes elimination of plaque and calculus formation by scaling conducted by your veterinarian, control of bacterial infection by rinsing with antiseptic solutions, tooth brushing and the use of anti-inflammatory control measure.  There is evidence that omega-3 DHA has biological properties critical for the control of periodontitis and therefore a supplementation with omega-3 DHA is recommended for the treatment and prevention of gum disease.

Not only your dog but also you will benefit from a good oral and dental hygiene prevention and treatment plan prescribed by your veterinarian.

¹Yamasaki et al 2012 Archives of Oral Biology 57(9): 1183-1188.

 Two recent scientific articles described such cases.  In 2009 the first case of transmission of human to cat of the flu (influenza virus H1N1) was described in Oregon¹.  A pet owner was very sick and had to be hospitalized with the flu.  During that time her cat died of pneumonia caused by the H1N1 virus.  Since then researchers have identified 13 cats, one dog and many ferrets with the flu that they believe were transmitted by humans.

 Disease caused by influenza virus can be quite severe in humans and in pets.  So next time you have the flu stay away from all members of your family! 

Even wildlife can be contaminated by humans.  Studies from Colorado State University² showed that urban bobcats can be contaminated from humans by giardia, a parasite causing diarrhea and other gastro-intestinal problems.  The contamination likely occurred through the water supply around cities. 

¹ Lohr, C.V. et al 2010 Veterinary Pathology 47(3) 378-386.

² Carver, S. et al  2012 J. Clin. Microbiology 50 (9) 3080-3083.

Scientists from the University of Hiroshima in Japan¹ examined the effect of animal cuteness on human behavior.  After a series of three different experiments, they concluded that people who viewed pictures of cute baby animals before performing a task outperformed those who did not — in terms of cognition, dexterity and focus.  They also outperformed people looking at pictures of older animals.  And, pictures of pleasant foods were ineffective in improving performance. 

These results confirmed those obtained earlier by researchers from the University of Virginia in 2009²:  viewing cute images of young animals has a positive effect on behavioral performance in tasks that require carefulness, possibly by narrowing attentional focus.

So, now you know what to do to improve your performance at work!

¹Nittono et al 2012 Plos One 7 (9) accessed on line at doi: 10.1371/journal.pone 0046362

²Sherman et al 2009 Emotion 9(2): 282-286.

Scientists for the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta used high speed videography to study the way wet dogs dry themselves¹.  Dogs can shake 70% of the water off their fur in 4 seconds by using a mechanism called the “wet-dog shake.”

For many terrestrial animals, remaining dry in cold wet weather is actually a matter of survival.  Evaporation of the entrapped water in the fur would use a substantial portion of the animal’s energy reserve.  For example, a 60 pound wet dog would use 20% of its daily caloric intake simply to air dry.

Not all animals use the dog-shake.  The sheep secrete oil substances such as lanolin to increase hydrophobicity of hair and avoid fluid-fur contact.  Hairless animals simply shiver.  Other animals like the kangaroo cannot shake their entire bodies because of their anatomy but they do not really need to as they live in hot climates.

It is the loose skin of the dog that actually allows him or her to dry very efficiently by increasing the speed, force and efficiency of the shake.  The backbone can only go 30 degrees in either direction but the loose skin can swing a full 90 degrees resulting in 3-times the amplitude, 3-times the velocity and 9-times the centrifugal force.  This could help engineers to design new techniques to use in washing and drying devices. 

If you do not want to get soaked after your dog’s bath, place a towel on its back like a saddle blanket so the towel will absorb the water during the shaking. 

Combined with omega-3 food supplement, bathing dogs with a natural anti-allergy shampoo is one of the most efficient and safe therapies to control itching and scratching in atopic dogs.  You do the washing and your dog will do the drying!

(1) Dickerson et al 2012 J.R. Soc, Interface.  Accessed online at doi:10.1098/rsif.2012.0429.

Transporting your pet can be a stressful experience for both you and your beloved companion.  Make sure to check your airline’s policies and destination country rules and regulations well in advance of any trip regarding your traveling pet(s).  It is always a good idea to consult with your pet’s veterinarian when planning a flight.
First was the airline dedicated to our pets, and now, an airport terminal:  This is good news for our pets and pet owners!

Depression or Boredom: 

When the kids go back to school the family dynamic/routine changes and dogs and cats can suffer from depression or anxiety.  Do not forget to take them out for walks and activities.

In the Yard:

• Ticks and Fleas:  In climates with 4 seasons, the deer tick that transmits Lyme Disease has two active periods:  spring/early summer and fall.  In many parts of the country, the peak flea infestation is late summer and fall.  Remove leaf litter, tall grasses and bushes in the backyard.  Keep the lawn mowed and separate lawn from wooded areas to avoid tick migration.  Always remove any ticks from your pets.
• Mushrooms:  Fall is mushroom season.  Most of them are non-toxic but a few like Amanita phalloides that is found throughout the country are dangerous.  Check your yard for mushrooms.  If you see your dog eating mushrooms, call your veterinarian.
• Pollen and Allergies.  Some plants like ragweed release pollen in the fall and molds can thrive in wet areas.  Dogs can be allergic to those pollens and molds.  Do not hesitate to wash your dog often to remove the allergens from the fur and prevent allergic dermatitis, which typically is characterized by itching and scratching.
• Snakes:  As snakes get ready for hibernation, they can be aggressive increasing the probability of bites to pets.

 In the Home:

• Anti-freeze:  As we prepare our cars, boats, swimming pool and cabins for winter, many people will use antifreeze containing ethylene glycol.  Ethylene glycol is extremely toxic to pets (and humans) and the sweet taste attracts them.  Kidney failure resulting from antifreeze ingestion is often lethal.  Clean up as directed any spills immediately and make sure your pets cannot gain access to this product. 
• Rodenticides (rat and mouse poison):  During the fall season, rats and mice find their way inside the house to seek shelter from cold weather.  Be extremely careful if you use rodenticides in or around the home, as it is extremely toxic to pets (and humans).  Some products contain blood thinners causing hemorrhaging.  Dogs and cats can also experience secondary effects by eating mice poisoned by rodenticides.  If you must use them, make certain to place it in areas where your pet cannot reach (high-up on shelves, hidden behind work spaces…).  It is imperative to keep your pets away from these poisons.
• Mothballs:  Mothballs contain naphtalene or paradichlorobenzene and can be deadly to your pets.
• Halloween Candies and Wrappers:  Candies, which seem to become abundant during the holidays, are not for pets.  Chocolate is very toxic to dogs, cats and even birds.  As little as one ounce of baking chocolate can kill a small dog or cat.  Some treats and candies contain the sweetener xylitol, which is also toxic to pets. 
• Grapes:  Grapes can trigger some gastro-intestinal problems like vomiting and diarrhea and more commonly kidney failure.

Poisonings require emergency medical treatment.  Contact your veterinarian or the Pet Poison Help-Line 800-213-6680 with any questions.

Autumn is not doom and gloom if you’re aware of everyday dangers for your pet(s).  This season provides a good time for walks with your dog(s) and make/bake fall recipes for you and your pet(s) from your harvested pumpkins!   

Also this summer a Coloradan reportedly contracted the Plague from fleabites she received while camping.  Nearly 2,000 people across the U.S. fell ill with West Nile Virus that is carried by mosquitoes.  This virus is spread when a mosquito bites an infected bird and then bites a human.  The West Nile virus was first identified in Uganda in Eastern Africa in 1937 and again as it emerged in New York City in 1999.  Scientists reported this summer the case of 2 Missouri men hospitalized with fever, fatigue, low-blood cell counts and elevated liver enzymes.  A newly identified virus named the Heartland virus, probably transmitted by ticks, caused this disease.  Ticks also transmit Lyme Disease and Babesiosis, two diseases that originated in wildlife.

According to experts, the number of new diseases crossing from animals to people has indeed increased.  New technologies and better detection of disease could explain that increase.  But researchers also think that global changes including movement of people, deforestation and climate change could also contribute to the rise of new animal borne diseases.

Educating people about ways to avoid exposure to wild animal-borne disease and avoiding close interaction between wild animals and people are the best options to reduce the risk of disease.  Vaccination of animals and/or people can also help with some specific diseases.