Blackwatch Feed Program for Canine IBD and IBS

Editorial Comment:

I can't provide a Feed Program for IBD and IBS without mentioning the vast majority of cases of IBD and IBS that come to me for help, are actually Giardia Protozoa that goes undiagnosed. So it is important you understand what Giardia is, and that it is a national problem due to contaminated water; lakes, ponds, streams, standing water, birdbaths and human drinking water. We all have heard the term Montezuma's Revenge, well, this is one of the parasites that causes this unpleasant condition. The bad part of Giardia is that it is VERY difficult to find, so I always suggest treating for it and using Panacur - vets are now reporting only 40% success using Flagyll or Metronidazol. Probitoics and MSM are critical to keeping this problem in check throughout the life of the dog. All info below.

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This feed program is used by many of the top breeders in the USA and overseas. This program has 20 years of success and you must follow this program exactly because each component has a job to do - deleting one of these components compromises the integrity of this program. Do not add other foods or supplements to the program without discussing it with me first. Do NOT add your own raw meats, calcium supplements, I will provide raw options that are safe from pathogenic bacteria and parasites and balanced in their calcium and phosphorus ratio.

This program will be divided into 3 parts:

Section A. - supplements, and where to purchase

Section B. - description of supplements - what they do

Section C. - support information - for your puppy

Please print out for future reference and provide a copy for your veterinarian, if they have any questions they can contact me personally for assistance. Please note, I am not a distributor nor a retailer of any of the products used in this feed program. I have used them for years and test fed on my own pets and in some instances, I have done laboratory tests to check quality and analysis and also done my own long term feed trials on many litters. I do not recommend companies that are unethical in their business practices so that is why some of the foods you see on the market are not on my list of better foods. Just because it is listed in Whole Dog Journal, does not mean it is a good product. They ONLY read labels and a label only gives you 50% of the true picture when it comes to pet foods. This information is not to be used in lieu of veterinarian advice, diagnoses or treatment.

If you have a senior adult with no health problems -go to the Senior Feed Program.

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Section A.

This program is a comprehensive and consists of 6 major components and this is it in summary form. Detailed info to follow below.

1. Dog Food - Natural/Holistic Super Premium - kibble and canned

2. BacPacPlus Probiotics & Digestive Enzymes - beneficial bacteria - Digestive enzymes to reestablish the environment of the gut after worming

3. MSM- Nutritional Sulfur

4. Nzymes - Dietary enzymes - missing in all commercial foods - antioxidants

5. Ox-E-Drops - help keep proper pH in the gut

6. Flexicose - joint support supplement

Variety Options - canned meats, fruits/veggies, dehydrated raw options

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1. DOG FOOD - Eagle Holistic Line or Eagle Super Premium Line of Pet Foods - locate retailer at this website www.eaglepack.com

2. BakPakPlus - PROBIOTICS & DIGESTIVE ENZYMES - beneficial bacteria, digestive enzymes, www.nzymes.com

3. MSM- Nutritional Sulfur - Patent research shows Giardia protozoa does not like to live in the presence of a system that has adequate amounts of MSM present. www.firstchoicenaturals.com

4. NZYMES - dietary enzymes - in chewable Pet Treat or Granular (goes further) www.nzymes.com

5. OX-E-DROPS - antibacterial, antiviral, antifungus - keeps pH of the gut healthy www.nzymes.com

6. FLEXICOSE - joint support supplement (glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM and herbs). www.Flexicose com

7. OPTIONAL: VARIETY ADD - fruits & veggies & Eagle Holistic canned meats www.eaglepack.com For a safe, balanced raw option use Honest Kitchen dehydrated raw - info below.

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Section B.

My preference is the Natural/Holistic Eagle Pack line of Pet Foods which I have used for 20 years. Choose one of the following or you can rotate flavors on adults. Do not mix any foods or brands of food 50/50 for any length of time, other than transitioning over to a new diet which should only take 3 days on Eagle.. Mixing foods can cause nutritional imbalance. Here are Eagle choices:

• Eagle Holistic Duck/Oatmeal - 23% protein 13% fat - allergies
• Eagle Holistic Lamb/Rice 22% protein 15% fat - sensitive digestion (will work for a growth food, including for large/giant breeds)
  

  I choose Eagle because all products are made with human grade/organic ingredients,a multi-protein source, not grain based, yogurt cultures (probiotics) digestive enzymes, prebiotics, glucosamine HCL for joint support, high quality sequestered minerals which are critical for proper growth and no bone diseases, no ethoxiquin, no BHA,BHT, only naturally preservative, vitamin C and yucca and balanced Omega 6:3 fatty acids. This is the ONLY dog foods ever tested on giant breeds and it was done on several litters before it became available to the public. It has the longest track record for giant breeds of any food on the market. I directed the feed trials on this food 18 years ago as well as the Large and Giant Puppy food feed trials in 2002 so I know these foods work. Eagle owns their own USDA/Aphis approved plant.

  To purchase Eagle Dog Foods:

  • Go to their website http://www.eaglepack.com
  • On the Eagle Home page click on Retailers or Purchase Online or International sales
  • Call Eagle - 800-255-5959 - they ship directly to you as well

  DO NOT SOAK KIBBLE AND LET SET, OR USE HOT WATER ON YOUR KIBBLE IT WILL DESTROY THE INTEGRITY OF THE NUTRIENTS AND PROBIOTICS - YOGURT LIKE CULTURES ON THE FOOD.

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  2. Probiotics and Digestive Enzymes

  Most dog/cats/people who have been infested with Giardia Protozoa or treated for IBD/IBS have been treated with numerous antibiotics, drugs or wormers to rid the intestines of this parasite or pathgens.

  These drugs also strip the gut of the critical beneficial bacteria necessary for digestion and ravage the intestinal mucus lining that prevents food sensitivites and toxic and leaky gut syndrome and the pet has constant loose stools, sometimes bloody due to irratation. It is so important to provide BakPaKPlus on a daily basis for digestive health and while on any medicines or wormers you double dose AM and PM to protect the lining of the gut.

  BakPakPlus- This is a combination 6 friendly yogurt like good bacteria in highly concentrated forms, plus 4 digestive enzymes, to help keep the mucosal lining of the gut in tact which provides proper digestive health. Their is not enough concentrated microorganisms in yogurt to even begin to support the gut if they are on antibiotics or wormers, it is literally like trying to hold back a dam with a cork. You have to use concentrated forms of probiotics like the BakPakPlus.

  
  To order: 877-816-6500 Website: ~ http://www.nzymes.com

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  3. MSM- Nutritional Sulfur - Methylsulfonylmethane

  Not all brands of MSM are equal. The one that has been around the longest, with the most research and use, long before it was even available for human consumption, is the Vita-Flex brand. It is the ONLY brand I will suggest for Giardia or growth cases, because I know it is manufactured in this country and 99% human grade.

  In the patent (#4,616,039) and research information on MSM, it states "the dosage for treating Giardia to be 500 mg - 3 times a day for two weeks, then continue with 1000 mg a day to help prevent Giardia re-infestation. MSM makes the gut an uninviting place for Giardia to proliferate." I purchase mine from Dr. Wagner at www.firstchoicenaturals.com or 800-937-1104.

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  4. Dietary Enzymes - in pet treats or granular (multiple pets)

  

  Nzymes - is Dietary Enzyme in a chewable healthy pet treat or in granular form. Nzymes put the "living component" back into a cooked, processed, stored dog food. Enzymes are heat sensitive and lost in processing/cooking of all commercial foods or making home cooked diets. As owners we must put dietary enzymes back into the diet, in order to maintain proper wellness and not deplete the body of this important resource. This can be done by the addition to your diet with a product called Nzymes, a chewable pet treat, or granular form which can be sprinkled on the food to replace what is lost. In other words, Nzymes provide the body with the right nutrients to allow the body to make the chemicals necessary to detoxify (clean out) the body and repair itself.

  Nzymes helps with the following:

  • Allergic reactions
  • Natural anti-inflammatory ~ so you can avoid risky medicines like Rimadyl
  • Arthritis
  • Orthopedic problems ~ HOD, OCO, Pano, Wobblers, Hip Dysplasia, ACL
  • Epilepsy and Seizures - due to vaccine reactions
  • Vaccine reaction prevention
  • Cleanses residual toxins from medicines, flea and parasite preparations.
  • Boosting the immune system
  • Reduces shedding
  • Itchy ears
  • Yeast infections
  • Bladder infections
  • Hotspots
  • Reduces healing time from injury, surgery (cropping/bloat/c-sections)
  • Reduces recovery time from anesthesia.

  Nzymes are from sprouts (food) so they do not conflict with diet or any medications. I have used the Nzymes for 20 years for my animals and I take the human product and have seen remarkable changes our health. By incorporating Nzymes into the diet, you are putting back the "living component" into the modern processed and cooked diets. This gives the body the tools it needs for repair and good health.

  Website to order : http://www.nzymes.com/ - 877- 816- 6500 - 8:00-6:00 PST

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  5. Ox-E-Drops

  Ox-E-Drops is clear a safe liquid that will kill pathogens: bacteria, fungus and virus. When feeding raw meat it is particularly important to use Ox-E-Drops to help prevent problems with the pathogens in raw foods. An added benefit is that Ox-E-Drops Drops does not kill the good bacteria of the gut and helps to encourage the growth of friendly bacteria. I believe Ox-E-Drops is very important component to a diet in the possible prevention of bloat and systemic fungus infections, toxic and leaky gut syndrome, because if it's ability to help keep the proper pH balance in the gut which is important in breeds that have a tendency to bloat.

  Dosage - 1 drop per 20 lbs of body weight. Use daily on food, mix with a little water and your canned Eagle meat and use as a gravy. During times of illness - double this dosage.

  To order: www.Nzymes.com or 877-816-6500

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  6. Joint Supplementation - Optional until the IBD or IBS issues are resolved

  

  I have used Flexicose joint supplementation with great success on my dogs. It is particularly noticeable when you introduce it to an elderly dog diet - they respond very well to joint nutritional supplementation. The amount of glucosamine in better dog foods is barely a maintenance level dosage, which is why I supplement my dogs. Whereby it is beneficial for all breeds ages and sizes, the large and giant breeds are particularly vulnerable due to their size, rapid development as a puppy and later tendencies toward bone cancer - normally of the long bone or growth plate.

  I start my puppies on joint supplementation at 10 - 12 weeks of age and continue throughout their adult life. With the large/giant breeds their joints have added stressed, so any thing that can help support them as they age, is a positive step in the right direction.

  SHIPPING OVERSEAS - Canada, Mexico, France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom - more added daily so check with the company to see if they ship to your country.

  For more complete information and ordering go to this website: Flexicose

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  7. For Variety - Meats - Fruits - Vegetables

  MEATS: I use Eagle Holistic canned dog foods for variety (beef, chicken, liver, lamb, duck, fish, puppy).I mix a couple of tablespoons of canned meat with tepid temperature water and make a gravy.

  Do NOT use grocery store brands they are full of preservatives and 4D meats (dead, diseased dying and disabled) and they give the dogs stinky gas and are full of unhealthy fillers. NO homemade concoctions of meat/rice combinations that you make up at home, they are very unbalanced in their calcium and phosphorus levels and can cause growth problems.

  

  FRUITS &VEGETABLES:

  I think it is important to incorporate some real foods into you dogs diet on a daily basis. Not only is this done for nutritional purposes, but because the dog gets bored eating the same thing day in, day out!! This is a list of recommended foods to use in moderation:

  yogurt, buttermilk berries melons, apples, banana, tomatoes, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, oranges, squash, sweet potato, green beans, zucchini - minced/diced/raw/cooked - they love frozen berries and melon balls!! Pulverized fresh veggies are best for digestion.

  NO raw onions, grapes or raisins, macadamia nuts.

  Water On Food:
  Commercial foods need to be fed with moisture so dogs don't over consume water after a meal, and so the kibble does not pull moisture from the dogs system in order to break down properly. Use "tepid" temperature water never hot or warm and never soak your food as it breaks down and destroys nutrients. Mix up and feed immediately. I use approximately 1 to 1-1/2 cups of water for adults per each meal. Adjust accordingly for puppies. If they have loose stools, you may be using too much meat or water than necessary. Adjust that before you panic and think they are sick.

  Drinking Water:
  It is very important to NEVER withhold water from your dog. This can lead to over consumption and bladder infections. Use common sense, do not let them drink excessively after exercise or dinner. Like a horse, let them cool down and then drink. I have found if I have water available in several places, they never overdo it since they know it is available to them when they need it. That way they drink less amounts of water, but more frequently.

  Withholding water for fear of bloat is a myth. Stress is the cause and bloat/torsion is the response. It is much more complicated that simply saying water is the cause of bloat.

  (See my article on Bloat and Torsion for details) (See On My Soapbox)

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  Something else to consider using with IBD and IBS

  Colostrum - is the first "pre-milk" fluid produced in the first few hours from the mammary gland of mammals, and it carries all the antibodies to protect the young when the immune system is new and underdeveloped. Bovine Colostrum is often used due to it's rich source of antibodies, growth factors and nutrients and may provide passive immunity to the newborn against various infectious microorganisms, particularly those that affect the gastrointestinal tract. Children who were not breast-fed do not receive the natural antibodies from their mother milk, and often have a lifetime of allergy problems. Likewise young puppies/kittens who do not nurse, are often not protected by the antibodies from mother's colostrum.

  Hyperimmune bovine colostrum is rich in immunoglobulins of the IgG type, which are protective against such infectious microorganisms as Cryptosporidium parvum (a major cause of AIDS-associated diarrhea), diarrheogenic Escherichia coli strains, Shigella flexneri, Clostridium difficile, and rotavirus, the most common cause of severe diarrhea in young children.

  Research shows Colostrum will regenerate and rejuvenate the immune function, as well as heart muscle. It is highly recommended for pets (humans) with cardiomyopathy and other heart disease or diabetes issues.
  

  I use Dr. Wagner's bovine colostrum for myself and my elderly dogs, it is guaranteed "first milking". www.firstchoicenaturals.com