The ecosystem that lives in your gut is complex, dynamic, amazonian in scale and poorly understood. It’s affected by genes and what we put in our mouths: food, bacteria, probiotics and antibiotics…. Read more
Archive for the ‘Diet and Nutrition’ Category
Effects of Bowel Flora on Wellbeing
Saturday, March 12th, 2011Mange: Demodex in the Dog
Thursday, December 9th, 2010This is a story of a common skin complaint in young dogs, that often spontaneously resolves without treatment. The more chronic, severe form can leave a dog looking like something off the streets of… Read more
Nutraceutical and Supplement Claims: Man
Monday, October 11th, 2010Here’s a graphic representation of the popularity (size of bubble), and strength of scientific evidence (colour) in support of nutraceuticals and dietary supplements. While many are not relevant in… Read more
When the Oxidant is Onion, and Effect is Anaemia
Thursday, July 1st, 2010The humble onion has always seemed the most unlikely of toxins but, it’s true, they can kill both dog and cat. Yet many pet owners have long fed onion-bearing leftovers to dogs with no apparent… Read more
When Protein Turns Toxic: Jesse’s Story
Wednesday, April 14th, 2010Jesse’s story is one of poor genes, devoted pet-owners, and high-end veterinary intervention. It offers insight into the clinical decision-making surrounding management of a rare disease that makes… Read more
DIY Elimination Diet for Dog and Cat
Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010Dogs and cats with long-standing skin or gastrointestinal troubles may be suffering food allergy. Once you’ve dispelled the myths surrounding food allergy, you’re ready to test. If you’re… Read more
The 5 Myths of Food Allergies
Tuesday, March 16th, 2010In cats and dogs, like us humans, food allergies are on the rise. Discovery a pet’s long-standing skin, ear, or gastrointestinal problem is due to a single dietary factor, rather than invisible… Read more
Tummy Troubles? What to do…
Saturday, March 6th, 2010Given the secret lives of pets, and their propensity to vacuum up and swallow anything, digestible or inedible, natural or man-made, palatable or not, it’s not unusual for vets to see pets off-colour… Read more
The secret lives of pets: forensic medicine
Thursday, October 29th, 2009Without any direct verbal input from the patient, diagnosis of complex disease in animals may demand a forensic approach. Pets, both indoors and out, are quietly trying to kill themselves, or hide… Read more
Bones of contention
Monday, September 21st, 2009A natural part of the diet of carnivores in the wild, bones fell off the metropolitan menu over the last century due to perceptions of risk. They are a digestive hurdle on which pets rarely come to… Read more