Setting Heartworms Straight

Every dog owner knows that their pet should be on monthly heartworm prevention. Heartworms sure sound like a bad thing - I mean worms that live in the heart - not cool, right? Right!
I have discovered lately that some thoughts and general knowledge vary among my dog-owning friends and clients and felt it was time to comment on a few facts.

Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS)

Did you know that dogs and cats can develop behaviors in their old age that are the same as dementia in humans?  We know that we (humans) are prone to cognitive impairment as we age and that it affects our memory, attention, problem solving, and language.  We also can suffer from disorientation as the condition progresses.  Alzheimer’s disease is one form of dementia in people and some of the brain lesions that are found in human Alzheimer’s patients are the same type as we see in our pets.

The Benefits of Fatty Acids

image courtesy of vcahospitals.com

Many of us have heard of the benefits of fatty acids for some time now.  In fact, there is a great deal of good research into these products and their uses.  I will attempt to write a synopsis to help you as a possible consumer of fatty acid supplements - either for yourself or for your pet(s).  This information is largely based on a recent lecture I attended by Dr. Kenneth Kwochka.
Fatty acids are important sources of energy, but I will focus on their benefits to cells and management of inflammation.  Neither Omega 3 or 6 fatty acids can be synthesized in the body.  We (and our pets) get fatty acids from our diets.