Educate
Occassionaly we'll post information to help educate dog owners on a variety of topics. Please review available topics below:
Canine CPR | Dog Nutrition | Vaccinations
Canine CPR
Dog safety expert Melanie Monteiro demonstrates how to perform CPR on a dog:
Dog Nutrition
We know it can be a daunting task to weed through all the information out there on dog nutrition. There are now hundreds of different dog foods all claiming to be complete and nutritious. Without going into too much detail the basic things that a good quality food should not contain are corn, wheat, artificial coloring or preservatives (BHA, BHT, Ethoxyquin, etc.) and any kind of by-products or gluten. These ingredients can be harmful to their health and cause allergic reactions and/or digestive problems. Some of these ingredients are not even digestible by a dog so they serve no purpose and therefore go right through the dog causing more waste. This will also require your dog to eat more in order to feel full which makes foods with these ingredients more expensive than originally thought. More on what to avoid.
Today you will see alot of foods that are grain free or low on carbohydrates. Not because either are bad for your dog but because they are not necessary. Since dog kibble was first created carbs were something that was added becaused they are plentiful and inexpensive not because it is needed by a dog. It is one way to keep the cost of a quality food down for those on a budget. Over time, many dogs have developed problems with eating grains and even potatoes. If your dog has no problems with these and you chose to feed a food with more carbs try to stick with brown rice instead of white and sweet potatoes instead of white potatoes.
Always pay close attention to the main ingredients in your pet's food (the ones listed prior to the fat ingredient (such as animal fat, chicken fat, etc.)). If more than one or two of the main ingredients of the food is a grain or potato then your food is carb based and not meat based. Good quality dog food is expensive, why spend all that money on carbs when you can spend a little more and get your dog the protein and good quality meat he needs. We do not claim to be experts so we advise you to go to the Dog Food Advisor to check on the quality of your food.
A little vegetables, fruit, eggs and oils are a nice, nutritious addition to whatever food you chose.
Suggested Snacks/Mix Ins:
Broccoli, brussel sprouts, celery, green beans, raw or lightly cooked eggs, apple, banana, spinach, sardines (in water with bones), canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix), plain (unsweetened) fat-free yogurt or kefir, canned salmon (never raw), cottage cheese, organic unrefined coconut oil and/or salmon oil. No nightshade vegetables (peppers, tomatos, potatoes, eggplant, etc.) for dogs with arthritis or other inflammatory conditions.
Top 10 Fruits & Vegetables. Please note, many vegetables will need to be slightly cooked or pureed in the food processor for your dog to be able to digest them.
Always Use Filtered Water (free of chlorine or fluoride).
Supplementing your pet's food.
For skin problems, digestive issues, immune boosting probiotics and digestive enzymes are a must.
Try Nzymes Bac-Pak....A little goes a long way.
Whole Dog Journal article regarding benefits of coconut oil for skin/yeast issues. No grains (rice, rye, barley, wheat) for dogs with yeast infection problems (dirty ears, hotspots, etc).
Dog Food Watch Groups - The Dog Food Project Truth About Pet Food
Check on the synthetic supplements you feed your pets - National Animal Supplement Council
Vaccinations
Weimaraners puppies suffer from an auto-immune issue that prevents them from being able to receive vaccinations prior to 8 weeks old. It is very important that you discuss this issue with your vet prior to your puppy receiving any vaccinations.
Vaccination Schedule for Weimaraner Puppies
Do Dogs Really Need Yearly Vaccinations?
Understanding Blood Test Results
For more accuracy, fast your dog 12 hours prior to blood tests.
Health Issues
Weimaraners do not have many illnesses or disorders that are exclusive to the breed. Many health issues experienced by Weimaraners are those illnesses that strike most large breed dogs.
Bloat (The #1 cause of death in weimaraners)
Glucosamine is a common supplement recommended for joint pain. PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT GLUCOSAMINE SHOULD NEVER BE GIVEN TO A DOG WITH DIABETES.
Entropion - turned in eyelashes.
HOD (growth plate deformity in joints)
Thyroid Issues Behavioral Changes and the Thyroid Symptoms of Thyroid Problems
We strongly recommend having your vet send your dog's blood sample out to Dr. Jean Dodds for a complete thyroid panel as opposed to relying on their normal laboratory. Dr. Dodds is an expert in her field and has discovered that not all dog's thyroid results can be read the same. A normal test result may not be "normal" for your particular dog. Use the links above on more information regarding testing for thyroid problems, symptoms and contact information for Dr. Dodds at Hemopet in California.
We often see weims that the vet has diagnosed with skin allergies when in fact its really an overgrowth of yeast. Please see the link above on how to reduce the amount of yeast by simply switching foods. Adding probiotics to your dog's food is another great way to help boost their immune system and keep yeast at bay....great for dogs with chronic ear infections.
