News

Select Food as Medicine for Canines – Part 2: Balancing Essential Nutrients

June 5th, 2024 by Ima Admin

In part one of this series, we examined research conducted by the Dog Aging Project that shows promise to extend the lifespan and quality of life of our beloved companion animals. Many pet parents are eager for definitive research on what to feed their pets to maintain optimum health.

Evidence is mounting that whole, plant-based diets offer extended “healthspans” thanks to polyamines such as spermidine, which has been shown to improve cellular function. Spermidine’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties protect against oxidative DNA damage.

While there has been controversy around the safety of feeding pets plant-based diets, some recent research has shown that dogs fed vegan diets were in ideal body condition, with normal behavior and good skin/coat condition, with no echocardiographic differences between vegan and the control group.

However, concerns have been raised around deficiencies in certain amino acids such as taurine, and vitamins such as B12 (cobalamin) and B9 (folate) when pet parents stray from veterinary-approved, pre-formulated diets. In addition, cases of DCM – dilated cardiomyopathy (enlarged hearts) – from boutique grain-free foods and the taurine connection has never been fully resolved. So how can a pet parent safely incorporate wellness nutrition into their pet’s meal plan? Read the rest of this entry »

New Ways to Give the Gift of Pain Relief: LDN Therapy

December 1st, 2022 by Ima Admin

Winter weather can be tough on senior pets suffering arthritis or other inflammatory conditions. Pain mitigation strategies include traditional medication, supplementation and environmental enhancements such as warming beds, cold-weather apparel, and paw-protection. One area of increasing interest to pet parents is LDN therapy for pain and inflammation management.

“While we can’t turn back time, there are many ways you can give your cat or dog the gift of a more comfortable winter, and LDN is a promising part of that strategy,” said Dr. Laurie Brush, founder of Heaven at Home Pet Hospice.

Read the rest of this entry »

The Ingredients For a “Good Death” in Pet Euthanasia

August 1st, 2022 by Ima Admin

No one wants to think about saying goodbye to a beloved animal companion. Yet thinking about it in advance can make the difference in whether or not a pet has a “good death” – passing peacefully, in the loving presence of his or her family, without fear, restraint, or unnecessary pain.

Dr. Kathleen Cooney, DVM, CHPV, CCFP has led the ‘good death revolution’ within the veterinary community throughout her 18-year-career. As founder of the Companion Animal Euthanasia Training Academy (CAETA), she has authored numerous publications on euthanasia-related topics, and is an internationally recognized expert in animal euthanasia. Read the rest of this entry »

Survival of the Friendliest: How Dogs Make Us Love Them

February 1st, 2022 by Ima Admin

Does your dog “grin” when he or she pulls a fast one, like trotting out a pair of your dirty underwear? Do you wonder what they’re thinking when they gaze into your soul, rub their head on you or bring you the sock they destroyed?

Dog cognition research paints an emerging picture of something more complex than a manipulative and conditioned quest for food. But is it love?

In his latest book, “Survival of the Friendliest – from Dogs to Democracy,” Dr. Brian Hare suggests that not only are dogs the closest to humans in their capacity for what he calls “cooperative communication,” but that they’ve become wired that way through natural selection, not human intervention. Read the rest of this entry »

How to Help The Pet Left Behind

January 3rd, 2022 by Ima Admin

Pet parents who’ve had to make the difficult decision to euthanize a beloved animal companion are especially vulnerable to grief during the darker days of winter. What may complicate the situation further is witnessing the grief of companion animals left behind.

“Research suggests dogs and cats do experience behavior changes after the death of a fellow companion animal,” said Dr. Laurie Brush, founder of Heaven at Home Pet Hospice and Aftercare Center.

“A great advantage of home euthanasia is that it gives companion animals left behind a chance to process and understand what’s happened.”

In dogs, which are highly social animals, studies have shown that grief can last two to six months if they were closely bonded with their fellow pup. While less social generally, some cats do also grieve – and vocalize loudly – typically if they’ve lost a relative in particular. Read the rest of this entry »

Coping With Pet Loss Grief During the Holidays

December 1st, 2021 by Ima Admin

The holiday season can be bittersweet for people who’ve lost – or are getting ready to say goodbye – to a loyal companion animal. Coping with pet loss grief during a season that’s purportedly “jolly” can be especially challenging.

“Pet loss grief is especially difficult during the holidays because it’s “disenfranchised grief” – grief that cannot be easily publicly mourned – and households generally become busier with holiday prep stress and guests. At the same time, people often face making the difficult euthanasia decision during the holidays because they’re home to see the decline in their pet’s quality of life,” said Dr. Laurie Brush, founder of Heaven at Home Pet Hospice.

If you have a pet with a life-limiting disease or who is in rapid decline, there are things you can do in preparation for euthanasia to promote healthy grief and healing. Read the rest of this entry »

Thanks Be To Dog (And Cats Too)

November 1st, 2021 by Ima Admin

The season of gratitude is just around the corner and the Heaven at Home team would just like to remind everyone of the wonderful dimension that companion animals add to our lives. According to the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), research shows that pet ownership improves mental health and wellbeing in a number of ways. Read the rest of this entry »

How Can You Tell Your Pet’s Quality of Life?

October 1st, 2021 by Ima Admin

Owners of companion animals the world over know the joy, loyalty and love their fur friends can bring. They also know the heartbreak of watching their beloved pets decline in old age or through life-limiting disease. Caring for an aging pet can involve pain management, potty problems, and a host of things now made difficult – like getting up onto the bed. But the real angst people wrestle with is knowing when, and whether, to ease their pet’s suffering through euthanasia.

Enter the best free tool for pet parents with aging companion animals: the Quality of Life Scale. Read the rest of this entry »

Kitty Grimace? Your Feline May Be In Pain!

September 1st, 2021 by Ima Admin

Internet sensation “Grumpy Cat” is legendary for his grimace. Who knew that pulling a face is actually a clue for pet parents who are trying to assess their kitty’s comfort level? A team of researchers at the University of Montreal’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital has developed a pain assessment tool called the Feline Grimace Scale (FGS). It’s a good topic to explore in September, which is IVAPM’s Pet Pain Awareness month.

Pain management is often overlooked in cats and they are prescribed fewer analgesic drugs compared to dogs, according to the study. Read the rest of this entry »

Telemedicine for Aging Pets

May 13th, 2020 by Laurie Brush

In the era of COVID19 social distancing and stay at home orders, many pet parents have had the added stress of managing disease in their aging pets.

The crisis has ushered in a new era of veterinary consultation via telemedicine. This area of service has experienced exponential growth among routine care veterinarians as well as specialists. However, there are a few important things to consider when using veterinary telemedicine. Learn more in our blog post. Read the rest of this entry »