A Systemic Yeast Infection is a condition that occurs when yeast builds up in a dog’s body.  This condition starts in the digestive system and is caused by a pH imbalance. During this imbalance harmful yeast that is normally present multiplies rapidly and systemically invades the body.  During periods of pH imbalance and yeast invasion, more toxins are excreted from a dog’s lymph nodes causing excessive itchiness. The dogs will then lick or itch these “hot spots”. Although some dogs with systemic yeast infections may not exhibit any outward signs at all, most dogs will exhibit one or more of these symptoms:

•    Yeasty ears (redness and/or dark gunk)
•    Abnormal body odor
•    Licking or chewing of feet, legs, groin, tail-head
•    Excessive Itchiness
•    Pustules on the body (hives/pimples)
•    Redness, staining between toes
•    Oily yet flaky skin

The Yeast genus has over 1500 species and new strains are discovered every day. Some of these species are beneficial and some are detrimental to Canines. Unfortunately, when testing for a yeast infection, those with limited microbiological backgrounds quickly assume these infections are all caused by the Candida albicans species of yeast. When Candida albicans is not found, they disregard Yeast Invasion as a cause for the symptoms and blame these symptoms on non-existent allergies or fleas. In most cases they simply use antibiotics. Antibiotics will kill all beneficial bacteria in the gut prolonging the pH imbalance and the yeast infection.

At Nature’s Farmacy we have been assisting breeders and owners with animals suffering from systemic yeast infections for over 25 years. Our approach is simple: Start at the source and work from the inside out. Most systemic yeast infections start from feeding grain based dog foods. Grain ferments in a dog’s stomach causing pH levels to change and create an environment that is more hospitable to negative yeast and bacteria than beneficial yeast and bacteria. Aside from the pH level, a healthy Canine digestive system is a perfect environment for negative yeast.  Once the fermentation process causes pH imbalance, negative yeast will quickly begin to thrive and cause a rapid, systemic yeast infection. Simple diet changes, such as switching to a raw diet (link to diet) or feeding a grain free dog food and grain free treats, will eliminate the cause of the infection and allow recovery to begin. Remaining on a grain based dog food or feeding grain based treats will allow bad yeast to continue to thrive and can hinder or halt recovery. Most pathogenic yeast species thrive on carbohydrates and sugars. It is a common misconception that dogs use carbohydrates for energy so most dog foods contain them.  Dogs actually will naturally use high quality fats, like those found in meat, for energy. A carbohydrate/sugar free diet is a must for dogs recovering from systemic yeast infections. Removing carbohydrates and sugars from the dog’s diet will make the food supply of most pathogenic species of yeast more scarce which will help to discourage new colonies and weaken existing ones so they can be more easily purged. Unfortunately, very few commercially available processed dog foods meet these requirements. There are no standards for the quality of dog food (as dogs are not food producing animals) and they can contain very poor quality ingredients. It is much easier and usually cheaper to feed a modified raw diet that consists of meat and vegetables. Feeding a homemade diet isn’t nearly as difficult as you might think and you will have peace of mind of knowing that your dog’s food meets human quality standards. You can learn how to feed your dog a diet of fresh, real food by reading Nature’s Farmacy’s free User Friendly Diet For Dogs With Yeast Infections. Please feel free to contact one of our qualified dieticians for assistance.

The seconds step is to crowd out the negative bacteria. A dog’s body has a limited amount of space for colonizing yeast and bacteria. Bombarding the animal’s body with beneficial bacteria and yeast cultures will crowd out the negative ones and in many cases, even consume them. Crowding out the negative bacteria and yeast with positive species will also help to speed the correcting of the pH levels as more digestion-friendly species begin to colonize and start competing for food physical room. To jump-start purging of systemic yeast pathogens and pH correction you will need a microbial product with high counts colony forming units of beneficial species of both bacteria and yeast, such as Nature’s Farmacy DOGZYMES Digestive Enhancer or Liquid Dispersible Digestive Enhancer. Initially, we recommend feeding double the usual suggested feeding rate to ensure colonization during this critical jump-start period. After the systemic yeast infection has been purged you may return to the normal suggested rate.

A useful third step is to kill the yeast in the skin. The medium chain fatty acids in our Organic Hawaiian Coconut Oil (Caprylic, Capric, and Lauric Acid) all work together to kill most common types of systemic yeast. In fact, many common prescription treatments for yeast infections are derived from coconut oil. The medium chain fatty acids travel throughout the skin killing systemic yeast that the Digestive Enhancer has pushed out of the inner body leaving nowhere for the yeast to thrive.

The fourth step is to treat the external outbreaks of systemic yeast infections. In standard veterinary practice, most of the time this is the first or only part treated. Treating external symptoms without treating the underlying cause rarely works and symptoms quickly return when topical treatment is stopped. Please understand that topical treatments are only intended to provide relief for the animal’s symptoms. For topical outbreaks of most species systemic yeast, bacteria, or other fungi, we have found success using our topical bacteriocin, Clora-Care. The active ingredient in Clora-Care, Ambicin N, discriminates between harmful bacteria and healthy skin which allows the product to be gentle on the dog and aggressive on negative bacteria, yeast, and fungi.  Clora-Care can kill negative pathogens and provide relief in as little as 15 seconds and can hold its killing power for up to 12 hours. Please note that Clora-Care will leave a harmless, temporary blue hue to the skin and hair.  When treating “yeasty ears” it is important to clean them before applying Clora-Care.  Use Nature’s Farmacy Easy Ear (An all Natural Essential Oil Blend) to thoroughly clean all debris from the ear. Easy Ear is formulated to gently lift the debris from the inner and outer ear. It removes the earwax while nurturing the ear skin to promote faster healing.

It is important to understand that there are no shortcuts when dealing with a systemic yeast infection. Failure to remove the source of the infection can prolong it indefinitely. Many dogs may never be able to return to a typical commercial diet of grain/carbohydrate based dog food without experiencing a recurrence of yeast invasion.

Nature’s Farmacy Inc.

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Pancreatic Enzyme Replacement Formula

DOGZYMES Pancreas Support is a cream-colored, amorphous powder, having a faint, characteristic, but not offensive odor. Pancreas Support converts not less than 150 times it’s weight in of USP Potato Starch Reference Standard into soluble carbohydrates and not less than 150 times its weight of casein into proteoses. Pancreas Support hydrolyzes fats into glycerol and fatty acids, changes protein into proteoses and derived substances, and converts starch into dextrins and sugar. It is more active in neutral or faintly alkaline media.

Uses: Pancreas Support is used supplementary with animals with pancreatic insufficiency.

Per Gram Guaranteed analysis: 

• Lipase:  Not less than 6,750 µg fatty acids liberated/min/gm
• Protease:  Not less than 22,575 µg protein hydrolyzed/min/gm
• Amylase:  Not less than 168,075 µg Starch hydrolyzed/min/gm
• Colony forming units:  2 Billion CFU /gm

Ingredients: Pancreatin 6X USP, Saccharomyces cerevisae, Yucca Schidigera, Dried Aspergillus niger Fermentation Extract, Dried Aspergillus oryzae Fermentation Extract, and Dried Fermentation Products of: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium thermophilum, Enterococcus faecium and Bacillus subtillus.

Feeding Instructions:  Feed dogs 2 teaspoons of Pancreas Support with each meal. Feed cats 1 teaspoon of Pancreas Support with each meal.

Nature’s Farmacy, Inc. 

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During this decade Canine breeders, handlers, veterinarians and nutritionists will gain more exposure to NGP’s (Natural Growth Promoters). In this bulletin, we will point out new terminologies and their application to Canine nutrition.

Nutritional Strategies

In recent years, the importance of gut health associated with a well-balanced gut microflora has been recognized as a fundamental precondition for optimizing Canine nutrition and overall health. Especially in periods of stress – such as weaning, change of diet, antibiotic therapy, going to shows, new homes, natural disasters, etc. – a stable gut microflora is vital to protect the host against pathogenic invasions.

In view of the educated opposition of Dog owners and their desire to eliminate, antibiotic overuse in Canine, intensive research has been focused on the development of alternative strategies to maintain health and performance status in modern Canine husbandry.

Different substances, referred to as natural growth promoters (NGP’s), have been identified as effective alternatives to antibiotics. At present, there is a large number of NGP’s available and marketed by Nature’s Farmacy, including organic acids, immune modulators, probiotics, prebiotics, enzymes, and phytobiotics.

All of these products have the potential to beneficially affect gut health and growth performance by establishing and maintaining a well-balanced gut microflora that protects the host against pathogenic invasion.

(more…)

I have read many articles on this subject and find the conflicting causal agents ludicrous. As a nutritionist for over 35 years, I have dedicated much time, effort, and resources to uncovering these ailments ineptly called syndromes by money hungry veterinarians. So much has been blamed on the inbreeding issue but no reference has been made to the onslaught of unnecessary vaccinations, toxic pollution, and antibiotic therapy that has reduced the number of beneficial species of fungi and bacteria. When compromised, the animals negative pathogen population can then take over and multiply. It can be easily prevented.

Many people now take credit for solving this dilemma. The answer has been always there and many people who now claim credit actually were dealers for Nature’s Farmacy and purchased probiotic blends. Many still do. It matters not the name of a formula but rather the population of beneficial bacteria, beneficial fungi, availability of digestive enzymes and antibodies. As usual these so called miracle cures are a complete one of kind package available from only their source.

The truth is in correct nutrition, not limited to beneficial species of bacteria, live cell yeast and other fungi as the only key to prevention. The sad reality of probiotics is that if they are not encapsulated they are rendered useless. They often are dead and cannot multiply before you even open the package. Insist on open labels, full ingredient guarantees and micro-encapsulation. After all, you are buying it and have the right to insist they supply the information. It’s your money and more important your dog!

In summary, this like many of Canine nutritionally induced issues can be and is prevented every day thru the use of Digestive Enhancing probiotics and sound nutrient supplementation.

This discussion will begin with the following statement: “You are an omnivore your dog is not! Your dog is a carnivore!” As an omnivore, we can eat and utilize almost anything that we can swallow. The Canine cannot. In fact many of the foods we consume can actually be harmful and/or not utilized by the species canine. In nature the Canine would consume its plant needs as digestive contents of the prey it caught and consumed, utilizing the bacteria and enzymes of the herbivore or omnivore it ate. This is where we as nutritionists have let the Canine species and their caretakers down. We have recognized the need for limited plant food sources, but failed to supply the needed beneficial bacteria and enzymes to breakdown the plant particles.

Unlike we humans who chew and taste our food, the Canine rarely chews or tastes its food. Dogs actually gulp down their foodstuffs. Unlike animals that chew their food the Canine actually has little time to add saliva, which contains digestive enzymes and buffering properties to the diet. 

The esophagus moves the foodstuffs toward the stomach via peristaltic motion. These waves as they are commonly referred to push and squeeze the food downward. Minimal digestive activity takes place in the esophagus in the species Canine.

Contrary to belief, the stomach serves mainly as a storage container and only initiates the beginning of the digestive process. It is here where we can begin to enhance the ability of the Canine to increase feed efficiency and absorption with the addition of digestive enzymes and beneficial bacteria. Therefore by adding microbial blends we can better prepare the foodstuff for it’s digestive journey to the small intestine.

The small intestine consists of three parts. They are the duodenum, the jejunum, and the ileum. It is these three sections of the small intestine that digestive enhancement can be maximized. By the microencapsulation of probiotic blends, their release can be timed and therefore deliver them unharmed, to the most opportune location to breakdown and stimulate maximum nutritional absorption. Stated simply, the digestive enzymes added allow the Canine to breakdown feed stuffs better than it can on its own. The additional bacteria serve us as more actual consumers of what was just broken down. Thus, we have naturally increased the intake of vitamins, minerals, fiber, energy, protein, and amino acids. It does merit mentioning here that the duodenum in addition to its digestive and absorption capabilities this organ also stimulates the secretion of pancreatic enzymes as well. It is these enzymes that in turn stimulate the gall bladder to release bile needed to digest and emulsify fats. As clearly indicated this organ is an ideal position to release probiotics from encapsulation.

At the junction of the small intestine and large intestine is found the caecum. Until recently the caecum was thought to be a problematic area. Known for its gastrointestinal difficulties and the host organ for whipworms. Little was previously known of this organs fermentation capability. Not generally accepted as a necessary function for the Canine species. However the large percentages of grain and grain by products found in some commercial dog food formulas can actually turn the Canine caecum into a “hindgut fermentation vat”. This situation being most unnatural, and categorically very dangerous to the overall health of any member of the canine species. In other words no breed is exempt from these problematic manmade dangers. 

It has long been thought that the large intestine served as a holding area for waste material. With the concept of adding encapsulated probiotics to the Canine diet, enzymes and beneficial bacteria can be released in the organ as well. The technology that allows science to protect and deliver bacteria and digestive enzymes to this organ is considered revolutionary. Finally this organ can be utilized to further extract valuable nutrients that otherwise would simply be excreted. Even as the remaining nutrients pass though the colon we can continue to extract and institute further absorption.

Even in an abbreviated discussion of Canine digestion like this one, the pancreas and liver must be mentioned. The pancreas has an endocrine function, secreting insulin and glucagons, both hormones. The pancreas also has exocrine functions, manufacturing and releasing digestive enzymes and bicarbonate into the small intestine. The Canine liver is this species largest organ, which incidentally has six lobes. Yours has only three. As well as producing bile, the liver is responsible for detoxifying the by-products of digestion. The liver has the demanding task of metabolize and degrade any drugs, chemicals, or poisons that find their way into the canine body. Last but not least the liver also manufactures the major blood-clotting factors.  It is the author’s opinion therefore, that knowing what we know about the livers of animals, that this organ should never be used as a feed stuff used for Canine diets.

A useful microbial blend should contain all of the following microorganisms: Lactobacillus acidolphillus, Bacillus subtillus, Aspergillus oryzae, Aspergillus niger, Enterococcus faecium, Bifidobacterium thermophilum, Bifidobacterium longum, and Saccharomyces cerevisae. These are the necessary enzymes that need to be added to the blend: Lipase, Protease, Hemicellulase, Phytase, Cellulase, Amylase, Pectinase, and Beta Glucanase.

In summary, to meet the needs of your dogs diet, don’t change the rules of the game. Instead enhance the utilization and absorption of your selected diet by adding microbial blends to the diet. We all recognize that raw diets are best for the species Canine. Make every attempt to stay as close to the raw diet as possible.

It has been observed that health is the result of what the dog assimilates, not what it necessarily eats. Canine accept lots of food into their bodies, but only that which has been properly assimilated can be utilized for rebuilding and repairing cells and malfunction areas. 

This is an old and true axiom. They should thoroughly chew the solid foods, mixing saliva with them until the food becomes a liquid, then they should drink it.  The saliva thoroughly mixed with the foods is the key that opens up the doors of digestion. Without mixing saliva with the food, the balances of the digestive juices are not activated for good assimilation. By “inhaling”, gulping, or bolting the food down without properly mixing saliva with it, your dog only gets eight to ten percent of its value. If your dog thoroughly chewed it’s food, the value would change this to forty or forty-five percent. The remaining balance is generally cellulose or indigestible fiber.

I have yet to witness a dog that took time to chew it’s solid food or swish the liquids it consumes. How do you make up for these shortcomings? Simply add Nature’s Farmacy Digestive Enhancer to their diet on a daily basis. By adding this one supplement, you can increase the assimilation and utilization four to six fold. You not only receive far better health for your dog, but also save money. Dog food (Raw food or dry kibble) is one of your largest canine expenditures, and if you can get four to six times better assimilation, this promises superior health and a happier life. With less of the food you have been used to feeding, your dog can receive much more power and energy. 

Pasty cereal grains such as corn, wheat, and barley are decidedly constipating in their influence, because of their pasty consistency and the little chewing, which they receive. New bread, hot biscuits, “noodles,” and doughy foods of all sorts are likewise objectionable. If the above principles are not applied, constipation and/or indigestion can result. Premature old age and death, miseries originate from canine constipation more than from any other bodily disorder. Constipation is not in itself a disease, but is a symptom, the cause of which may be disease or simply neglect.

Indigestion is poor assimilation or difficulty in processing food. The use of aluminum-based digestive tablets sold on the market give only temporary relief and aluminum poisoning is a side effect or after-effect. However, by feeding a canine nutritiously and supplementing your dog’s diet with a good quality stabilized probiotic such as Digestive Enhancer, you can set your dogs on a much healthier path.

Ultrasonic and X-ray technological research shows that in eight to fourteen hours from the beginning of a meal the process of digestion has been completed in dogs consuming dry kibble. Interestingly, it only takes two to four hours for a raw diet for complete digestion. At this time and point in digestion (both instances), the digested food has been absorbed, and the unusable residue has been pushed half way through the colon. In eight hours, the food has traveled more than twenty-five feet, with only two and a half feet to go.

Optimally, when the work of digestion is finished and the useful part of the food has been absorbed, there remains nothing to be done but to dispose of the indigestible and useless residue by pushing it along two or three feet further. A healthy canine should have a minimum of two to three bowel movements a day. Too often, the owner trains the animal to just have one bowel movement per day. I would prefer at least three times a day or after each meal. When toxic waste matter is left to stagnate in the lower bowel tract, the system becomes polluted with poisonous gases, which congest and irritate the surrounding organs, causing adhesions and other ailments. 

The canine putrefaction is the source of the foul odor and gases that originate in the colon. These foul smells, which are not only most offensive to the sense of smell, are also highly poisonous. They may give rise to nausea, loss of appetite, foul tongue, bad “doggie” breath, itchy skin, headache, and a host of other grave canine disorders. Digestive Enhancer to the rescue!  Used daily it increases assimilation and does not allow these gases to form.

Nature’s Farmacy Inc. 

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Beneficial bacteria contribute to overall health by counteracting pathogens through competitive exclusion, modulation of the immune system and vitamin synthesis.

Due to the significance of a healthy gut microflora for health and performance, modern pet nutrition focuses on the manipulation of gut microbes through nutritional means.

Digestive Enhancer® and Liquid Dispersible Digestive Enhancer® are unique blends of beneficial microflora, digestive enzymes and Strategic Proteins (antibodies).

A periodic cleanse of gut microflora is imperative to re-establish beneficial populations. To accomplish this microflora cleanse, simply feed ¼ teaspoon per 10 lbs of bodyweight daily of Digestive Enhancer® or Liquid Dispersible® for a period of two weeks.

Nature’s Farmacy Inc. 

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Nature’s Farmacy Inc. 

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There are virtually millions of bacteria and fungi moving across your face as you read this. There are over a trillion in your mouth. These microbes multiply extremely fast, so fast in fact that you swallow trillions daily.  All healthy mammal bodies have 10 times more living, feeding microbes than they do of there own body cells.

Professor Gary Hufffnagle, from the University of Michigan’s Health System states ”It’s been estimated that there are 100 trillion microbes in the human body and 10 trillion cells, so we like to say we are a minority in our own body.”

These are our normal microflora.  Included in this normal microflora are the good microbes (beneficial bacteria and fungi) as well as other microbes (negative pathogens), which can harm us or harm our animals. The population of good microflora, assist in the control of the negative pathogens that are within us, as well as those attempting to invade. The contribution of these good microflora cannot be overstated. In fact, it is well documented that the good microflora contribute in many ways including but not limited to the manufacture of vitamins needed by the body to prevent cell mutation and even cancer.

Those of us that have been working with these beneficial species for over 30 years are finally getting overdue confirmation from the rest of the scientific and medical world. Recently Huffnagle published a book entitled “The Probiotic Revolution” Hardly a revolution to some of us who have been strenuously educating the masses on the inclusion of beneficial species for so long. Much recognition to the mass of microbes in the animal body as an independent functioning organ has recently been recognized. It thus has been labeled the forgotten organ.

It has been verified that the average Great Dane for example has about 2 ½ pounds of microbes, more mass than that of the heart, kidneys and pancreas combined. This forgotten organ is thus labeled an organ because all those microbes have DNA and make enzymes and other chemical compounds. As an animal eats, it is therefore feeding all those microbes. (100 trillion) Because these microbes live right next to cells, they affect how the cells in the body respond.

Probiotics can include any live microorganism, which delivers a beneficial health effect when ingested. Microbes prefer acidic living conditions. This is why we refer to them as lactic acid utilizing bacteria. It is no wonder then that we find large populations of microbes in the stomach and intestines, an environment of harsh acidic conditions.

Scientists have long known the use of microbial cultures in the manufacturing of dairy products and certain pharmaceuticals. Through research and technological advances, we have learned that specific strains of microbes, when eaten, deliver specific Health benefits.

Recent research has clearly shown animals (including humans) eating specific strains of probiotics:
• Have fewer gastrointestinal (GI) and respiratory illnesses.
• Are less susceptible to and recover faster from infectious diseases.
• Are more resistant to and recover more rapidly from ulcerations.
• Maintain white blood cell counts in time of stress.
• Gain resistance to the viral gastroenteritis commonly referred to as “stomach flu”.
• Experience less severe colds.
• Reduced negative oral bacteria that cause bad breath and initiate tooth decay and gum disease.

Published microbial research in the past 10 years has been exponential. From only 60 plus studies from the 60’s thru the 90’s to over 1000 studies from 2002 to the present.

When choosing probiotic(microbial cultures) supplements it is imperative that you insist on products that not only list the genus but the species as well. For example, the genus Lactobacillus has over 20 species and many of them are simply of now benefit to the animal or human. Some species of Lactobacillus are necessary to make cheese or yogurt but have no measurable value in the mammals digestive system where as Lactobacillus Acidophilus is held in high regard as to it’s importance in the utilization of nutrients. If the product lists, the genus but not the species just walk away.

In addition, they should clearly state and guarantee the number of colony forming units (one CFU is 1 billion microbes) – and the buyer be suspicious If the label just gives weight of bacteria in grams or milligrams. That information is irrelevant; you need to know how many are alive.

To maximize health in all animals we must insist on open labeling of the probioticswe consume. A minimal volume of 5 billion CFU per 20 pounds of bodyweight should be consumed daily by all animals including we humans. Labeling is still very uneven and those probiotics that don’t walk the walk should be avoided. Knowing that research and development have still a long way to go, as scientists are daily learning more about the care and feeding of the “forgotten organ”.

“The largest proportion of the nervous system outside the brain is found in the gut,” Huffnagle says, which gives added meaning to the word “stomach ache.” “There are more transmitters made there than any other place in the body, and we’re realizing that bacteria can respond to these neurotransmitters. The gut may be a central sensor for the whole for the whole immune system.”

Huffangle’s lab found out, for example, that changing the type of microbes that live in the gut actually changes the way that the lungs respond to allergens.

In addition, they discovered that microbes are involved in the all important anti-inflammatory process.

Inflammation has been described by Robert Ebisch as “the immune system’s (often excessive) response to all kinds of biological and chemical triggers”. He adds, “ And can underline problems ranging from allergic reactions to heart disease, from digestive disorders to cancer”.

Scientists have uncovered that when microbe eat and digest different foodstuffs, They produce waste products, and these waste products are anti-inflammatory signals for the immune system to be more tolerant.

Research has further shown a direct correlation between undigested foodstuffs and the formation of carcinogens. Microbes are unsurpassed in their ability to breakdown and utilize these foodstuffs eliminating the formation of carcinogens.

There is also direct correlation between the changing of our eating habits and the diets of our animals and the rise of chronic illness. One reason is our unnecessary and often overuse of antibiotics that kill both beneficial species as well as the negative pathogens. Secondly, the diet of human’s and animals alike has added to chronic illness. We have stepped away from fiber rich and spice enriched diets. (Spices are rich in antioxidants.) Instead, we eat diets that are prepared, preserved and excessively refined foodstuffs. Remember it takes an animal 2 hours to digest raw food and 14 hours to digest many commercially prepared foods. (This is also true for dog and cat food.)

Beginning in the 1980’s, we have witnessed an alarming increase in chronic diseases – asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, as well as autoimmune diseases.

If we repopulate, and nourish these Miracles Within Us, we can improve our health and the health of the animals we care for tremendously.

Nature’s Farmacy Inc.

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Since the early 1980’s, Nature’s Farmacy, Inc. has literally pioneered the search to understand how PROBIOTICS work in canines, felines and carnivores. We have been accompanied on this journey by the greatest customers any business could hope to have. Thru the years, our customers have been willing to give us their trust and help us go down the path to find better and safer ways to feed dogs and cats. They were willing to give us the feedback we needed to determine effective ways to use probiotics in our animals. Our mission began in an effort to find a way to reduce bloat and gastric dilatation volvulus in dogs. Having owned, shown and bred Great Danes for the last 41 years, we have a vested interest in finding safer ways to manage our dogs in regards to gastric problems or emergencies. This was our initial goal. It became obvious from the beginning of our business in working with these products, that probiotics and enzymes had great potential to improve the health in our animals in so many ways. We have worked all these years to bring recognition to the benefits of probiotics to dogs and cats, and even humans. Only in recent years have others begun to acknowledge the overwhelming evidence that has accumulated.

The DogZymes® brand name covers a line of very unique and one-of-a-kind products based on our experience and expertise in using probiotics and enzymes in blending nutritional products. DogZymes® products are produced from organic and human grade ingredients. We not only use the best ingredients we can find world wide, but we can make those ingredients do their job better than other products. We guarantee their performance to your satisfaction. For those of you dealing with an unusual situation who need special product formulas, we can formulate custom blends on an individual basis.

Bloat is only one issue where probiotics and enzymes have important value. Whether your concern is bloat, allergies, chronic itching, poor coats, chronic ear and urinary tract infections, irritable bowel syndrome, pancreatitis, fading puppies, gas and digestion difficulties, poor appetites, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, excessive grass eating, post surgical problems, skeletal problems, acutely or chronically, most all the things we deal with in dogs or cats, we can confidently say that a basic foundation for recovery starts with probiotic and enzyme supplementation. The feedback from our customers has been invaluable to help connect the dots in figuring out how to supplement and alter feeding methods to end problems, not just medicate to manage symptoms. If you feed kibble with probiotics “added”, you are NOT adequately protected with sufficient probiotics, especially with higher risk animals. Grass, dirt, stone and stool eating are all symptoms of a dog that is trying to correct gut abnormalities and needs probiotics and enzymes to do so.

What are “probiotics”? The word PRO-biotics was “coined” to mean FOR LIFE, in contrast to ANTI-biotics, which means AGAINST life. It is indeed a good term; because without the microbes we call probiotics, there would not BE life in people, animals and all breathing things. Without these good bacteria known also as microbes, the body can not digest food, fight bad microbes, yeast, fungi or maintain the pH that allows the body to function in a healthy range.

Seven years ago we joined hands with a company that could understand our ideas and put them in practice to make specialized probiotics for canines and felines. They understood what we needed these products to do and could help produce the formulas we envisioned. A new probiotic product was developed that is the culmination of all our years of work in canine probiotic research. More powerful, more compatible to the canine and feline and more stable in storage, this product has features that are special to protect the GI tract from the danger of bloat or any other health problem related to incorrect diet or abnormal gut function. DOGZYMES DIGESTIVE ENHANCER is the most powerful protection you can buy for your animal, bar none. These products now can better manage bloat, gas, negative pathogens such as Ecoli, Salmonella, fungi, and help strengthen the immune system, allow superior absorption of nutrients, and have a guaranteed 2 year shelf life. We also wanted the people behind the formulas to be available to our customers for consultation and to heed our customers’ needs. We are delighted to say we have accomplished this.

For the sake of time and space, this will not be a “microbiology class”. I will, however list some FACTS. If you have never used or investigated probiotic/enzyme products before, you need to know that the foundation of your dog’s health is nutrition and absorption. Even the immune system is dependant on nutrition. We are finally getting around to admitting this in human health. What you feed yourself or your dog WILL determine the quality of health and life. When the gut works correctly, every other part of the body benefits. You can not trick or cheat the body. If you have to use medications or drugs, and you have bad nutrition, even the medications can’t do their best work. If the good bacteria and working enzymes are not in high supply in the gut, then food cannot be well used or even tolerated: The dog eats, but nothing is broken down or absorbed! The result is time and money spent on feed and supplements that can not be used by the body.

When at a dog show or other stressful event or situation, thousands of you have seen how dramatically dogs improve from “show diarrhea” after using DOGZYMES Canine Paste. You have seen a dog with no appetite be given DOGZYMES Canine Paste and start eating again. There are so many positive ways the dog responds to the addition of correct levels of probiotics and enzymes in the gut. DOGZYMES Probiotic formulas are made to disrupt gas production and bring it under control fast. Please understand there is very limited research to prove or disprove the benefit of using probiotics in controlling bloat cases. In other species there is direct, definitive research to show that probiotics are unquestionably valuable in bloat management. We have tried for years to get funding for dog bloat studies relating to using probiotics, but without success. We keep trying. We can tell you this: There is definitely a relationship between decreased digestive problems (including bloat) when using our probiotics daily in feeding programs.

One of the important facts we have learned about probiotics is that they are beneficial and necessary for every stage of life from birth to old age. Probiotics are certainly necessary during times of COMPROMISED health, but our customers have learned that the best time to use our probiotics is during OPTIMUM health. DOGZYMES fed as a maintenance product is the best way to PREVENT a health crisis. We learned quickly years ago that dogs fed any commercial feeds, even the SUPER premium brands, need probiotic support, especially one with the powerful enzyme activity of DOGZYMES. This insures correct digestion of highly processed grain/carbohydrate/fiber loaded diets and prevents poorly digested ingredients from becoming allergens. If you feed a NATURAL, RAW or home made diet, you might assume that adding a probiotic is unnecessary. This is not the case. Unless the dog is actually eating the intestinal tract of the prey or living in the wild, there is no source of beneficial bacteria or enzymes in any way. Optimum health exists when the body and its systems operate in harmony. The body needs Probiotics to do this. The body can stand great demands for long periods, but not forever; something has to give. If the nutrition that fuels the system is wrong and the ability to break down the fuel is compromised, the body breaks down. Probiotics, enzymes and optimum natural fuel are essential to make all species flourish.

Dogs eating super premium foods or raw diets need probiotics. Raw diets do not provide adequate species or numbers of probiotics and enzymes. A lot of people think that adding a little yogurt will do the job. This is far from the truth, as one teaspoon of our DOGZYMES Digestive Enhancer is equivalent to 70 eight ounce containers of yogurt. So adding yogurt sprays on kibble, adding a little yogurt to your dog’s raw diet or supplementing with Lactobacillus acidophilus alone is not sufficient protection. Lactobacillus is only one of many of the important species of bacteria needed in the gut.

We are committed to better understanding the NATURAL ways to feed our pet carnivores. They are still carnivores, regardless of what anybody tells you. Their brains might be domesticated, but their digestive systems are still able to go out and hunt and survive just like they did thousands of years ago. You cannot make the digestive system of the carnivore bend to fit the processed, grain inclusive diets of today. We MUST MAKE THE DIET FIT THE NEEDS OF THE CARNIVORE. There is simply no other way to reduce health problems. Much is written by many “experts” and many self-proclaimed experts, and many books on the subject are conflicting. We offer a program with a simple, common sense approach to use whole and/or raw food. It is not rocket science! It is approved by our professional PhD Animal Nutritionist. It is easy to do, easy to get the ingredients and often costs less than “holistic” and “premium” grade dog food products. If you want to know more, ask for our User Friendly Home Made Diet. Try it for 30 days and you will see improvement or recovery in that short time frame. Our consultants will work with you, make suggestions, evaluate the results or even suggest alternatives. We are pleased to report our customers see high rates of success. People are relieved to see happy, healthy dogs again. It is definitely worth trying a more natural program with real whole food, top quality probiotics and natural food based supplements from the DOGZYMES line. In human nutritional research there is overwhelming proof that raw fruits and vegetables are now known to antioxidant pills do not work. WHOLE FOOD IS NECESSARY. Just adding vitamins and minerals in processed food is not the answer. Antioxidants are best provided in raw, fresh food, primarily from raw plants. You will see new developments in our products in the future that will bring this concept to your dog and cat. There is new research in dogs that is finally investigating the importance of antioxidants in these animals. It is exciting to see this, but as in the human research, keep in mind that man cannot “make” these antioxidants …. They come only from natural protect us from chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, arterial disease. Raw fruits and vegetables correct our immune systems, allow our DNA to repair, and slow down aging. Simply increasing raw fruit and vegetable intake does all this for people because it dramatically increases antioxidants that protect cells from free radical damage. If you slow down the damage, you slow down disease. No question about it. Just plain vitamin pills or raw food. We’d love to help you keep your animals healthy and living long, comfortable lives.

Authored by Jeanette Pickett exclusively for Nature’s Farmacy Inc. 

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