Blackwatch Senior Canine Feed Program - ALL BREEDS

Pickles 3yrs with her buddy Grandma Liza - 12 1/2 yrs and our Sheltie, Confetti 12 yrs

HOW TO USE THIS ALL BREED "SENIOR PROGRAM"

This feed program is used by many of the top breeders in large and giant breeds 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, since most are unfamiliar with how to feed large and giant breed dogs. 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. This information is not to be used in lieu of veterinarian advice, diagnoses or treatment.

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SPECIAL NEEDS FOR SENIORS: Teeth, Eyes, Ears, Bladder Control.....

Seniors have special needs when it comes to day to day care. One of the problems is the need to keep their teeth clean and tarter free. Research shows that tarter free gums can extend their life by 3 - 5 years. There is a direct correlation between gingivitis, infected gum line and heart problems. This has to do with different pathogenic bacterias that can infect the muscle and lining of the heart. The good news - no, the great news is - we no longer have to put a dog under risky anesthesia to clean their teeth. We now have other methods - safe holistic methods of removing plaque and tarter from our seniors and young dog's teeth. For more information on how to handle this go to: Day to Day Care For Your Pet.

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Section A.

This program is a comprehensive and consists of several major components to support the needs of the Senior dog...all breeds and sizes. These can be purchased in a "one stop shopping" comprehensive kit offered by Dr. Wagner's FirstChoiceNaturals.com . For more information go to Senior Support Kit#7. This kit also includes additional immune support with Colostrum and DMG, and Co-Q-10 for heart, and much more.

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

2. Filling N The Wholes - beneficial bacteria - Digestive enzymes & more

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

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

5. Flexicose - joint support supplement or Level 5000 in the kit#7

Optional Variety - canned meats - raw options - fruits and vegetable

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1. DOG FOOD - Eagle Senior - locate retailer at this website www.eaglepack.com

2. Filling N The Wholes - beneficial bacteria, digestive enzymes, and more!

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

4. OX-E-DROPS - antibacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungus - keeps pH of the gut healthy www.nzymes.com

5. FLEXICOSE - joint support supplement (glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM and herbs). www.Flexicose com or if you purchase the kit he will have Level 5000 joint supplement which works great!

6. FOR 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 the best choice for your senior, regardless of breed.

Eagle Senior Dog Food - 26% Protein 10% Fat

Why Eagle Senior?......this is a "visionary" concept for senior dog nutrition. After watching the deterioration of many senior dogs, due to reduced fat and reduced protein senior diets, which in turn means wasting muscle mass and dull, thinning, dry coats, Eagle Senior is an answer to a prayer.

Remember if you have a low protein senior food, that means it is a high carbohydrate based food, which in turn = weight gain or weight retention. You want a higher digestible protein food, a 10% fat so your dog loses weight over time, but replaces it with muscle mass. The energy level will pick up shortly after starting on Eagle Senior - why? because they feel so darned good! Note: senior dogs with diabetes should never be fed a high carbohydrate diets so Eagle Senior is an ideal food for that as well, due to the levels of protein/fats in relation to whole grain carbohydrates (which have a lower glycemic index).

Five specific things are needed for older dogs:

• Digestible protein - which exchanges muscle mass for fat
• Higher protein - for muscle mass to support the bones
• Multiple quality proteins - to hold muscle - the heart is the biggest muscle in the body.
• No less than 10% fat so they still have good coats, but controlled for weight issues.
• Joint support nutrition - Glucosamine HCL and Yucca
  

We have found a high quality multiple "usable" protein source, maintains muscle mass and energy levels so the geriatric dog will exercise and improve their joint flexibility. Their energy level increases and a feeling of overall wellness is evident on this food, and they do not act as if they are staving all of the time, because they are being provided with the proper nutrients for the aging dog.

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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I have provided a list of better food and my criteria for selection, located at this website - if you live somewhere where you can not locate Eagle.

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2. 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
• Anti-aging - detoxification of the body
• 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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3. 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.

Ox-E-Drops can be use diluted (1 cup of distilled water + 1 teaspoon of Oxy-Drops) for a solution to clean out ears, eyes, to spray on skin or use as a colonic. It is very beneficial in systemic yeast infections as well.

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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4. Probiotics and Digestive Enzymes

4 in 1 Probiotics - This is a combination 4 friendly yogurt like good bacteria, 4 digestive enzymes, Vitamin C - in and Ester C form and Barley Grass. It fills the "holes in every diet", processed or raw. Do NOT add more Vitamin C to your dogs diet it is already this product.

First Choice Naturals 4 in 1 Probiotics contains:

• Yogurt Cultures - friendly bacteria in the form of Acidophillus and other cultures

• Fruits - Vitamin C in the form Ester C-50 - 500 mg per dose based on weight

• Digestive enzymes, needed when using processed or raw diet.

• Veggies - Barley Grass -your daily salad.

To order: 800-937-1104 or purchase online at ~ http://www.firstchoicenaturals.com

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5. Joint Supplementation

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 believe most of these cancers can be prevented with a comprehensive diet and joint support during development. If a dog has had HOD, OCD or Pano as a young dog, I feel it is very important to use the Nzymes product and other "functional foods" with anticancer properties as part of the daily diet, in the hopes of preventing bone cancer as they age.

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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Options: For Variety - Meats - Fruits - Vegetable

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. Then I top dress with one of the HONEST KITCHEN - an organic dehydrated raw meat /fruit/veggie mixe. I use about 10% of this in combination with my Eagle kibble.

*Do NOT use grocery store brand of canned food 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.

The Honest Kitchen dehydrated raw dog food is what I use to provide a 10% raw component to my dogs Eagle kibble. It is balanced in calcium and phosphorus ratios which are very important in growing and elderly dogs!

I use the EMBARK which has a raw organic turkey, fruits and veggies and sometimes I will use PREFERENCE, which is strictly fruits/veggies and herbs.

EMBARK 29% protein - 16% fat - Organic Turkey, Flaxseed, Potatoes, Celery, Spinach, Carrots, Coconut, Apples, Kelp, Eggs, Sesame Seeds, Bananas, Cranberries, Rosemary.

PREFERENCE: 12% protein 5 % fat - Alfalfa, sweet potatoes, cabbage, celery, apples, spinach, organic kelp, coconut, bananas, zucchini, and honey.

One- 4 lb bag will make up to 17 lbs of moist meat/fruits and veggies and if used to top dress your kibble you can see it goes a long way. The Honest Kitchen dog food and Eagle Pet Foods are endorsed by the Whole Dog Journal.

To order call 800-937-1104 ~ and to order online go to www.firstchoicenaturals.com

Amounts I use of Honest Kitchen to top dress:

8-10- weeks - 1 Tablespoon each meal
11-16 weeks - 4-Tablespoons divided AM and PM meal
5 - 6 mo - 1/4 cup AM and PM
7 - 8 mo 1/4 - 1/3 cup l AM and PM meal
9 mo - Adults - 1/2 daily - 1 cup Divided AM and PM

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HOW I MIX MY DOG FOOD

• Put Eagle kibble in a bowl - AM
• add Nzymes (dietary enzyme) - AM
  
• add 4 in 1 Probiotic/Digestive enzyme - AM
• add Flexicose AM

  I add my supplements in the AM just because it is easier to do it all at once. I make gravy of tepid temp water and Eagle canned meat and add the Ox-E-Drops to this mixture.Top dress with a little fruit or veggie or the Honest Kitchen mixture at least with one meal a day. I tend to use my evening meal for the Honest Kitchen - just for variety.

  WATER ON KIBBLE - Puppies 8-10 weeks use 1/4 - cup water + 1-2 tablespoons canned meat. You want the food moist but not floating and sloppy. For older puppies and adults I will use 1/2 - 3/4 cup of water per meal along with my Eagle canned meat.

  Do not microwave, soak or use hot or very warm water on your kibble. It will destroy the integrity of the friendly yogurt type cultures and the fragile vitamins/minerals and amino acids on the food.

  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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Section C - Support Information - Required Reading

Read this: Does My Vet Understand Nutrition?

Antibiotic Reactions in Great Danes and Other Breeds.

Sulfonamide Antibiotics
Based on information gained from the National Bone Survey, I do not recommend using Sulfonamide* antibiotics to my puppy buyers because these drugs can cause serious side-effects like sloughing of skin and internal bleeding and HOD-like symptoms including;fever, aching joints, swollen joints, lack of mobility, depression and anorexia. The following antibiotics are sulfonamides.

• Ditrim
• Primor
• Tribrissin
• Bactrim
• TMZ
• TMP/SDZ

Another commonly used, potentially troublesome antibiotics is Cephalexin (Keflex, Cefa-Tabs). This can also produces the same symptoms as HOD (fever,swollen/hot joints, immobility, anorexia) even in adult dogs. I will use Chephalexin, but with a watchful eye and if the dog starts acting lethargic and achy, we stop the antibiotic, since they are sensitive to it. Call the vet for an alternative antibiotic and make sure you are using a good Probiotic product to keep the digestive tract functioning properly.

I will not use Sulfonamides drugs on my dogs. A reaction can happen from 24 hours - 2 weeks of being on an antibiotic. If there is a reaction, my vet recommends Dexamethsone/Azium and discontinue use or antibiotic.

* Research references on Sulfonamides

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Fleas - Heartworm

People ask me what I use for these problems. I use Interceptor as a heartworm preventative and for flea and tick problems I use a topical product- either Frontline Plus or Advantage, Advantix products. I do rotate a different ones each year. Because these are not systemic products taken internally, I feel a bit better about using them and because the dogs/cats and my self are also on Nzymes, which detoxifies the body, I am comfortable with using these products.

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Special Alert - Other Breeds:

For Collie/Sheltie/Aussie and Sighthound Owners (could effect some Great Danes)

For those people who own Collies, Shelties, Sighthounds, Aussies, Border Collies, any breeds with Collie background or mixed breeds with any of these dogs in them, it is critical that you know there are certain medications your dogs CAN'T take. Do not leave it up to your vet to know this..YOU must print this out and know it - it is a matter of life or death.

These dogs have a sensitivity to Ivermectin (Heartguard Heartworm medication. Only use Interceptor heart worm preventative. Other related drugs you can not use on these breeds or there will be neurological damage.

Other related drugs you can NOT use:

Metronidazole (which is used for diarrhea and giardia)
Flagyl
Torbutol
Butorphanol
Morphine
Acepromazine
Ivermectin - Heart Guard

There are many different types of drugs that have been reported to cause problems in Collies, ranging from over-the-counter antidiarrheal agents like Imodium® to antiparasitic and chemotherapy agents. It is likely this list will grow to include more drugs as our research progresses.

Drugs that have been documented, or are strongly suspected to cause problems in dogs with the MDR1 mutation:

Ivermectin (antiparasitic agent)
Loperamide (Imodium®; over-the-counter antidiarrheal agent)
Doxorubicin (anticancer agent)
Vincristine (anticancer agent)
Vinblastine (anticancer agent)
Cyclosporin (immunosuppressive agent)
Digoxin (heart drug)
Acepromazine (tranquilizer)
Butorphanol (pain control)
Potential Problem Drugs

The following drugs may potentially cause problems when given to dogs that have the mutation. Biochemical studies have shown that this gene has the potential to act on over 50 different drugs.

Ondansetron
Domperidone
Paclitaxel
Mitoxantrone
Etoposide
Rifampicin
Quinidine
Morphine


Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine
Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology Laboratory
PO Box 2280
Pullman, WA 99165-2280
(Phone/FAX 509-335-3745)
VCPL@vetmed.wsu.edu

http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/depts-VCPL/

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Additional Support For The Senior Dog:

Click here for leaky bladder and panties

Click here for anal gland problems

Click Here: For other articles that pertain to Adult Dog Care
Click Here: For Senior's website - http://www.srdogs.com/

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Preparing For The Future:

• Grief and Loss -Starting Over
• Saying Good-bye
• List of Great Dane Breeders
  
• List of Breeders - Other Breeds

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Ch. Lore's Bravado of Blackwatch - 10 years young
Breeder - Lorraine Matherly - Lore Danes
Owners - Janie Bennett, Linda Arndt, Lorraine Matherly

Raised on the Blackwatch Senior Program
"Bear" expired at 12 years of age - natural causes