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Sammy is a handsome 15-year-old, neutered, standard poodle who presented with seizures, mild/moderate ataxia/balance issues, laryngeal paralysis, AU yeast otitis, multiple skin masses and lipomas, generalized muscle weakness and decreased muscle mass, dry haircoat, 4/4 dental tartar, halitosis and gingivitis. He had a history of benign splenic tumors (splenectomy), liver cancer (suspect hepatic carcinoma), neurological issues, decreased stamina, and a “sensitive stomach” with daily diarrhea episodes. His owner was interested in dietary and nutrition recommendations to improve overall health.
Sammy was eating an ultra-processed dry extruded kibble food. The macronutrient content of the kibble food included nearly 50% carbohydrates, 26% protein (much from non-meat legume sources) and 15% fat. Ingredients included garbanzo beans, lentils, beet pulp, pea proteins, and pea flour. We encouraged Sammy’s family to transition Sammy to a species appropriate, fresh, balanced, commercial raw diet. We also recommended well-sourced supplements including anti-inflammatory herbs, probiotic/prebiotic support, and Omega 3 fatty acids. Further, we recommended feeding Sammy once a day and at random times.
Sammy was also diagnosed with significant dental tartar and gingivitis. We recommended offering fresh, raw meaty bones to improve dental health, oral health, and jaw/head/ears/neck musculoskeletal condition.
Treatment Goals
- To introduce a species appropriate diet and nutritional supplements that improve:
- Overall health, skin/ear condition, biome
- The oral biome and decrease dental tartar
- Laryngeal function
- Neurological function
- Seizure prevention
- Neuromuscular function and stability
- Immune system functions in preventing further tumors/skin growths
Treatments
- Discontinue dry/kibble food and transition over to a commercially prepared, balanced fresh, frozen/raw diet
- Fresh, raw meaty bones
- Acupuncture
- Supplements:
- CBD Oil for anti-inflammation and seizure control
- Omega 3 for overall health, inflammation control, seizure support, free radical scavenging
- Gastrointestinal supplements/probiotics to support overall microbiome health, absorption and improve GI function, decrease diarrhea
- Anti-inflammatory herbal combination – musculoskeletal support –turmeric, Boswellia, corydalis, marine extract, hyaluronic acid, glucosamine, MSM
Discussion
Geriatric dogs have been shown to need more protein than younger dogs to avoid sarcopenia (muscle loss/atrophy) typically associated with age. They can require up to three times as much protein to maintain proper muscle mass. Providing a nutritious balanced and complete diet with protein and fats as the highest macronutrient percentages rather than carbs can improve muscle mass in a geriatric dog with sarcopenia. The protein from excellent meat sources will provide a digestible and complete amino acid profile, unlike protein from legumes like garbanzo beans, lentils or peas which will be deficient in amino acids like taurine or methionine.
Feeding once a day helps the body maintain condition and health by allowing more time for mitochondrial cleanup mode. While the body processes food, it shuts down its mitochondrial cleanup mode as it needs to instead assimilate nutrients into cells. When digestion is finished, it will then turn to “cleanup mode” and start repairing and healing body areas with inflammation, unusual cells, cancer cells, or damaged cells. This is the idea behind “intermittent fasting” as a helpful tool to improve health and longevity. More time “cleaning up” will mean healthier bodies. Feeding once a day provides this “clean up time.” In addition, a dog’s stomach is 70% of their GI tract (humans’ are 30%) and ancestrally they should really only expect one large meal per day. Feeding them half portions or even feeding smaller amounts more frequently can be unsatisfying to a dog. Once they get used to eating once a day again, their GI functionality improves, overall health improves, and they are very satisfied by their meals.
Feeding at random times prevented Sammy from developing a hyper acidic response from anticipating a meal. Feeding at random times will mean that the dog will not know when mealtime is. We understand that would be unusual for a dog/canine in the wild to know exactly when they might catch and eat a rabbit every day. Being on a schedule is relatively unnatural for them although they get used to it and certainly can tell time. When a dog is used to a fixed schedule of eating, there are other health concerns. They will start anticipatory bile production in the stomach sometimes 30-60 minutes before a meal. A random amount of bile and saliva and enzymes will be produced and is waiting in the stomach for the food. The food amount will not be necessarily what the canine expects (especially if the meals are being split and fed two times a day or more) and the acid may be too much for that meal, creating possible vomiting, diarrhea and at best a strange over-acidic pH for the GI tract to deal with. Sometimes if an animal that expects a meal at a certain time is not fed on time, they will vomit the bile that has been waiting in the stomach for the meal. The best way to avoid this bilious vomiting syndrome is not to feed acid reducing medication, or feed earlier. It is best to simply avoid feeding at a specific time. Then the dog can return to a more natural state of not knowing when mealtime is, not overproducing acids/bile, and the GI tract can function more normally.
Bone Chewing
Fresh, raw bones provide the shearing force on the teeth to remove tartar, and provided him with an additional healthy fat source, mental stimulation and a naturally relaxing activity. While chewing on a bone, animals use muscles meant for this action in the head and neck. Without this satisfying activity, dogs lose those muscles and don’t have the benefit of an activity that is ancestrally practical and beneficial. Most animals in the wild do not require dental tartar removal under anesthesia.
Outcome
Since transitioning to a species appropriate diet and targeted supplements, Sammy is a healthy, happy dog. Sammy’s seizures have subsided, and his stamina has drastically improved as evidenced by daily two plus mile walks (a distance he was previously unable to accomplish – he would barely go around the block). Sammy’s tartar and gingivitis were resolved with fresh raw bones. We have loved watching Sammy rediscover his vitality!
Words from Sammy’s Owner
“It’s unreal. Sometimes we look at him and wonder how he is 15 years old with liver cancer and a history of seizures. His stamina is great. He’s even jumping on the bed again! That was the most notable change when switching to raw food. Feeding him one big meal a day really helped with his digestion; we were able to discontinue medications such as famotidine. The low keto diet helped him neurologically too. Sammy’s absolute best prognosis in October 2021 was that he would get seven months. We’re thrilled and amazed to have such quality of life for him after twice that many months – and counting!”
