Understanding Pet Food Labels

Did you know there is very little regulation for what is required for a company to make pet food in Canada?!?!

Determining quality can be tricky as there is no way to determine this by reading the ingredient list or guaranteed analysis.  The quality of a food is based on the blend of ingredients that work together to provide the proper nutritional balance for your pet based on his/her age and stage.

Let us help you understand pet food labels so you can feel more confident when choosing the right pet food for your pet.

We’ll start at the beginning with…

Ingredients: 

Ingredients are the delivery method of nutrients to your pets body and are listed on every bag of pet food but the interesting part of this is they are listed by weight from heaviest ingredient to lightest and this is done prior to processing.  What this means is that the protein (let’s say chicken) is weighed when it is still intact with water, bone and fat.  This makes this ingredient far heavier than the rice or corn or wheat that is in the diet.  Also, the chicken we talked about has to be processed meaning rendered , dried and ground becoming chicken meal before it is used in pet food so if we weighed it in this state it would be more comparable to the other ingredients. 

By-product is a word that carries a connotation that it is an inferior product, however, by –products are common in both the human and pet food.  A by-product is simply “something produced in the making of something else” so to give an example of this oils are extracted from seeds making oil a by-product.

Grains are another great ingredient providing our pets with both energy and nutrition.  There are a lot of myths surrounding grains, particularly corn.  Despite the misconception that it is filler, corn is actually a great source of nutrients.  Corn once cooked is highly digestible carbohydrate which provides great energy as well as its protein promotes muscle and tissue growth.  It contains essential fatty acids for healthy skin and coats and antioxidants.

Guaranteed Analysis:

The guaranteed analysis (GA) provides nutrient information.  It indicates the minimum and maximum levels of nutrients such as protein, fat and fiber. If the diet makes a nutritional claim based on the nutrients (for example a diet to aid in mobility it must then list those nutrients that support that claim in the GA).    The GA can be tricky to interpret as it only provides the minimum or maximum NOT the actual amount.  For example, a product with a maximum guarantee of 5% may only contain 1% and a product containing a minimum guarantee of 15% could contain 30%.

More information on nutrient and caloric content can be obtained from calling the manufacturer and is advised.

The Nutritional Adequacy Statement:

This is where the pet food indicates that it is balanced for growing animals, pregnant or nursing mother, adults or seniors.  Caution if the product indicates it is for “all lifestages” as this indicates the diet is formulated to meet the needs of the most demanding stage which would be a growing animal and hence could contain excess levels of nutrients for adult and senior pets.

AAFCO Statement:

AAFCO is the Association of American Feed Control Officials and they set the standards for pet foods sold in the United States.  Canada recognizes these standards.  You should look for an AAFCO statement on the bag.  AAFCO does not have any bias and does not speak to the quality of ingredients; however, it does confirm that it is a balance diet.  There are two different methods they use to determine the nutritional adequacy

·       Feeding Trial Method

On the bag (we’ll say it is a bag of Adult Cat Food) this would read as “Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that Brand X Adult cat food provides complete and balanced nutrition for maintenance of adult cats.

This means is that the manufacturer of the food performed an AAFCO protocol feeding trial using the food as the sole source of nutrition to determine how the pet will perform on the diet and its nutritional adequacy.  This method is the “Gold Standard”.

·       Formulation Method

On the bag (we’ll say it is a bag of Adult Cat Food) this would read as “Brand X Cat Formula is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials Cat Food Nutrient Profiles for Maintenance.

This method is less expensive as actual feeding trials are not required.

Please feel free to reach out to us for nutritional recommendations!

Understanding the Spay/Neuter Surgery

Understanding the Spay/Neuter Surgery

Spaying (ovariohysterectomy) and neutering (orchidectomy) is the surgical removal of reproductive organs.  Choosing to spay or neuter your pet will ensure that they live a healthier, happier and longer life. It is important to understand what is included in your pet’s care when comparing the cost of the surgery among other veterinary clinics or at the Humane Society.

At Davis Drive Animal Clinic we believe strongly in providing high quality care with an emphasis on anesthetic safety and patient comfort. Here are just some of the features and benefits we are able to include in the cost of your pet’s surgery.

Surgical Procedure

• We schedule a maximum of 3 surgeries per day to ensure our Veterinarians and Registered Veterinary Technicians have the appropriate time to care for your pet's needs

Preanesthetic Blood Tests

• We complete preanesthetic blood tests to ensure your pet's organs are functioning properly prior to anesthetic
•  If there are any abnormalities in these tests we can change the anesthetic protocol to meet your pet’s specific needs or even delay the surgery to address other health concerns first
• This bloodwork will also act as a baseline reference for your pet in the future     

Premedication

• We provide an injection of medication to your pet before the anesthetic to help with their comfort
• This reduces the amount of anesthesia needed to keep your pet asleep during surgery and lowers the risk of anesthesia

Intravenous Catheterization

• We place an intravenous catheter which provides us with instant access to your pet’s circulatory system (blood) while they anesthetized
• This saves time if medications need to be administered in an emergency situation

Intravenous Fluids (I.V. Fluids)

• Maintains your pet’s blood pressure while they are anesthetized and keeps your pet hydrated and their organs functioning
• Your pet recovers faster so they can come home to you sooner

Anesthetic Monitoring

• We have equipment that monitors your pet’s heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation as well as a Registered Veterinary Technician monitoring your pet while under anesthetic
• This keeps your pet safe

Inhalant Anesthetic

• This allows for a more controlled anesthesia which in turn is safer and more comfortable for your pet
• Very safe and allows us to keep your pet under anesthetic to the right depth so they are not feeling any pain

Suture Material

• We use suture material that supports proper healing as opposed to tissue glue which can lead to complications
• This allows your pet to heal faster

Analgesia

• We include pain medications to ensure that your pet is comfortable and not suffering from any pain or discomfort
• We also use local anesthetics (nerve blocks or freezing) to improve pain relief
• Pain relief medications are dispensed to keep your pet comfortable at home

Please call the clinic anytime with any questions or concerns regarding your pet’s surgery or to schedule a tour of the clinic.

The Team at Davis Drive Animal Clinic

The Importance of the Annual Health Exam

The Importance of the Annual Health Exam

Once a year we notify you when it is time for your furry family member’s annual health exam. This is a valuable opportunity for us to thoroughly assess the health status of your pet.

The first step is taking a complete medical history. We want to know if there have been any changes with your pet. Has there been any coughing, vomiting, or diarrhea? Have you changed the diet or feeding routine and if so why? Has there been changes in eating, drinking or bathroom habits? Are you noticing any stiffness when your pet gets up in the morning? Any changes in behaviour or unexplained weight loss or gain?

From this conversation we can gain insight into how your pet is doing at home and this can alert us as to what we can do to help. Do we need to run some tests to further investigate a concern? Can we prescribe a supplement to help with mobility? Has your pet’s lifestyle changed to include socializing at a doggy daycare where we should revisit their individual vaccine protocol?

The next step involves weighing your pet and taking their vital signs (temperature, heart rate and respiratory rate) and grading your pet’s body condition. From there, the veterinarian performs a thorough physical examination from the tip of the nose to the tip of tail. This involves auscultation of the heart and lungs, palpation of the abdomen and lymph nodes, examination of the ears, eyes nose, and joints, assessment of the coat and skin, examining the nervous system and the pet’s mobility. An oral health assessment is also done to determine the degree of periodontal disease present.

And that’s a thorough physical exam! Finally, we need to review your pet’s individualized vaccine schedule and whether or not your pet’s lifestyle has changed enough to warrant the inclusion or discontinuation of any particular vaccine. At the annual visit, we will also take a blood sample to screen for heartworm and tick borne diseases as well a panel of tests to check your pet’s overall organ function (something you can’t assess on physical exam). A stool sample is also required so it can be tested at the lab for any intestinal parasites. Finally, we review your pet’s medication requirements in order to ensure they are properly protected from fleas, heartworms, ticks and other parasites for another year.

All of us at Davis Drive Animal Clinic love keeping pets happy and healthy and can’t wait to see you and your pet soon !

Thinking of adopting a cat?

A Furry Feline Addition

Thinking of growing your family by adding a furry feline companion to the mix?  Here are some things to consider before adopting to ensure the right match for your family and for the feline you are bringing home.

You need to consider your home environment and lifestyle

It’s always important to consider these factors as you want to set yourself up for success from the beginning. If you already have pets at home you will want to consider their age, stage and personality as it might be harder to bring in an active kitten if you’ve got a house full of seniors. Perhaps adopting an adult cat might be a better fit.  Also, consider your lifestyle as any new addition is going to require your time. A new kitten can be especially mischievous and will require more of your time to help it burn off all that extra energy. 

You need to consider breed, hair coat and gender

Is there a specific breed of cat that you are partial too?  If so, is it a breed you have personal experience with to know their personality traits and medical predispositions?  If not, take some time to research the breed to determine whether or not they would be a suitable match in your home and be aware of any medical issues known to the breed. Being aware of any medical predispositions allows you to plan financially (time to consider pet insurance), catch on to signs and symptoms early and even to reconsider your choice if it is something you are not able to handle.

Hair coat considerations really come down to how you feel about brushing and cleaning.  Long haired cats require brushing and often shed in clumps versus a short haired cat which typically does not require as much brushing but when they shed it often goes everywhere so there will be a lot more vacuuming in your future!

Gender is really a personal preference. Males are less expensive to surgically alter (neuter) than females but beyond that there is little difference in the medical care or personalities between the genders. It always comes down to the individual personality of the cat you are looking to adopt.

Consider where you will choose to adopt this new member from

Do you wish to adopt from a breeder, shelter, rescue or a private adoption?  All of these options have pro’s and con’s but the biggest pro of all is that you are coming home with a new family member! 

Purchasing a kitten or adult cat from a breeder will provide you with a specific breed (if that is what you are looking for) as well as being able to provide you with some health history of their lines and some initial veterinary care. 

Adopting from a shelter or rescue provides a cat in need with a loving home.  More often than not these cats come without much background so it’s a learn as you go with respect to their personalities or medical history. Shelters and rescue groups often do personality tests with their cats to help match them to the right home.  These cats often come with some initial veterinary care.

If adopting privately, you are again providing a cat in need with a loving home and helping out another family re home their cat.  In this situation, you should be able to gain some valuable insight into the cat’s personality and be able to access their health history. These cats may come with regular veterinary care or may not.

No matter where you adopt, we always recommend a visit with the veterinarian for a complete physical exam. Please bring any history you were provided with so we can guide you through a preventative health care program.

Bringing your new addition home

After you’ve made your decision, it’s is time to bring the new addition home.  We recommend setting the cat up in one room with their food, water, litter and toys.  Providing the cat with their own space minimizes stress while adjusting to the new environment and allows them to adjust to sounds and scents of other pets in the household before they meet.  After some time to settle in, we recommend a gradual introduction by swapping bedding to exchange scents, allowing short meet and greets with existing pets, and a gradual introduction to the larger spaces.

Should you have any questions about adding a furry feline to your family, we would be happy to guide you through the process. Our hospital manager Kelly would love to help you find your next kitty!

The Team at Davis Drive Animal Clinic

Summer Safety Tips For You And Your Canine Companion

Traveling with your pet

If you are traveling with your dog in the car this summer, whether it be a short or long ride, never leave them alone, not even for a short errand! Temperatures within a car can sky rocket within minutes and this can become a life-threatening situation.

 Identification

Always ensure that your dog has a proper form of identification, especially when traveling. If your dog goes missing for any reason, proper identification will help the process of getting them back home to you! Options include collars that are embroidered with names and telephone numbers, collars with identification tags and microchips.

Check In with your Veterinarian

Before summer vacation begins, it is always a good idea to check in with your veterinarian regarding what type of parasite protection your dog requires. Here in Ontario, dogs routinely take a monthly preventative medication against fleas, ticks and heartworm. Is your dog going to a boarding kennel? Make sure your dog is up to date on all necessary vaccinations. We would also recommend that if you are traveling a distance with your dog, to research the local emergency clinic in the area so that if you ever do encounter a problem you know where to seek out help. Here at Davis Drive Animal Clinic we have a list of veterinarians across Ontario so if you let us know where you are traveling to we would be happy to help.

Having Fun in the Sun

When you take your dog out for a fun day in the sun, please remember that pets can get heat exhaustion just like people, so remember these helpful tips:

· provide access to water at all times
· provide access to shade
· limit your dog’s time outdoors
· do not let your dog overexert themselves (especially seniors and those breeds with flat faces as the shorter nose makes it hard for them to breath!)
· if you see signs of heat exhaustion seek out veterinary care immediately

Time to hit the Water 

Lots of dogs enjoy a day on the water just like we do. However, dogs are just like children and should never be left unattended near bodies of water. Here are some other safety tips:

- be aware of the body of water they are swimming in! Is it a pool, pond, river or lake? does it have an undertow? are there sharp objects (ie. Zebra mussels) they could injure themselves on? Any wildlife to be careful of? boats?
- know your dog’s ability to swim and always keep an eye on them
- keep lifejackets on hand, especially if taking your dog out on a boat!


The team at Davis Drive Animal Clinic wishes you a safe and happy summer

Clinic Renovations

We have recently completed some renovations here at the clinic. However, unless you take a behind the scenes tour you will miss out on all the improvements. We have installed new cabinets, flooring, plumbing, electrical, ventilation, added extra storage space and a beautiful tiled dog run complete with a glass door. It certainly has made a huge difference in our work space and the animals seem to like it too !

Dr Fussell

Pet Insurance

Everyone is aware of the importance of insurance when it comes to their life, vehicle, house and property. When disaster strikes, having an insurance policy protects us from potential financial ruin. No one likes to pay a monthly premium for a product that we likely will never need but if the house burns to the ground, an insurance policy allows us to rebuild.
In Ontario, most of our health care is covered by OHIP. Our taxes pay for our medical care and we never get to see that bill. Additionally, some employees are fortunate enough to have their company provide group insurance plans to cover dental, vision and prescriptions.
When it comes to our pets, most people are prepared for the costs for food, grooming, toys, and taking the dog or cat to the vet once a year for a check up. Approximately half of the appointments we see are for healthy animals that are in for a routine physical examination and perhaps updating their vaccinations. However, the other half of our day is dealing with sick or injured animals. We see it all - diabetes, kidney failure, liver disease, bladder stones, cancer, ruptured ligaments or fractured bones, osteoarthritis, immune mediated diseases, dental problems, seizures, blindness and the list goes on and on. Some of these problems are expensive to diagnose and treat and may also involve a referral to a specialist. There is so much help available for animals but the costs involved can be an unexpected financial burden.
There are a number of pet insurance companies in the marketplace that sell policies that cover illness and accidents. There are a number of factors that will affect the monthly premium but most companies allow you to generate this directly from their website.
I am a huge fan of pet insurance. When an insured pet comes in with a medical problem, we are able to provide the required care without the owner worrying about how they will pay for it. Every owner who has insurance is glad they purchased it when their pet becomes very acutely ill or lives with a chronic disease condition and virtually everyone who has an uninsured pet wishes they had it when things go badly. Pet insurance is not for everybody but it is something that is gaining popularity and is worth investigating.

Dr Fussell