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.

The gut mucosa is the largest contact surface between the host and the environment, representing a potential entrance gate for pathogens to invade the body.

Healthy dogs are protected by against pathogenic invasion by a highly efficient immune system. In puppies, however the acquired immune system starts to develop quite slowly after birth, thus making the puppy susceptible to gastrointestinal infections.

Recently, it has been recognized that the gut-associated immune system can be can be modulated by nutritional means (Adams, 2001). Among others, bacterial cell wall fragments and algae extracts have been shown to assist in stimulating the immune system by activating macrophages and lymphocytes. In addition, strategic/targeted proteins, specific probiotic bacteria and phytogenic compounds originating from herbs and spices exert beneficial effects on the host immune system.

Immuno Guard™ has been seven years in development and research. Although the FDA does not recognize the terminology edible vaccines, or edible antibodies they do exist. 

Immuno Guard™ through anecdotal evidence supports the immune system of mammalian species by assisting nutritionally to thwart the invasion of casual agents.

Immuno Guard™

• Causes faster phagocytosis
• Support NK cell activation
• Protects cells from apoptosis
• Protect live cells from oxidative damage

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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Cushing’s disease (hyperadrenocorticism) and or Addison’s disease (hypocortisolism) are common conditions in older dogs. These conditions are often mistaken for the natural aging process itself and results it in unnecessary death of our canine companions.

Our dogs get Cushing’s/Addison’s disease for any one or multiples of the following reasons:

1. A pituitary tumor (the most common cause)
2. An adrenal tumor
3. Veterinary interference (usually prednisone)

The average canine patient is 10 years of age so if you find these symptoms early get it checked out. The most common symptoms are listed below:

1. Increased/excessive water consumption
2. Increased/excessive urination
3. Urinary accidents in house trained dogs
4. Increased/excessive appetite
5. Appearance of food stealing/guarding
6. Sagging, bloated, pot bellied appearance
7. Bony, skull like appearance of the head
8. General or hind leg weakness
9. Symmetrically thinning of hair on torso
10. Diabetes, pancreatitis, seizures

The purpose of this bulletin is to educate the Canine owner/breeder about the negative impact of fish oils in the Canine Diet. There has been an increasing number of owner/breeders experiencing negative health effects with the common denominator being fish and/or fish oil in their dog’s diets. This paper clearly shows the negative side effects of fish and/or fish oil use in Canine diets.

Sadly eating most fresh fish, whether from the ocean, lakes and streams, or farm-raised, is no longer recommended. 

Fish oil supplements are dietary supplements that contain oil from fresh water fish such as Mackerel, Salmon, Black Cod, Albacore Tuna, Sardines, and Herring.

Mercury levels in almost all fish and fish oils have now hit dangerously high levels across the world, and the risk of this mercury to your dog’s health now outweighs the fish’s omega-3 benefits.

Read the rest of this post »

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.

Read the rest of this post »

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.

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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. 

All rights reserved.

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