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Newsletter - July 2013

In Gratitude

Dawn Martin DVM, DVSc,Diplomate ACVIM has been Tori's savior. This is the brilliant (no, I'm not exaggerating), and kind internal medicine specialist who's pulled Tori out of the IMHA fire three times. I have to admit that being without Dr. Martin scares me, but we're going to have to get used to it because she's about to leave Toronto and be part of a veterinary practice in Sarasota FL. It almost makes us want to move with her!

I'll let everyone know the name of the practice once Dr. Martin has settled in because if you're anywhere near Sarasota, I guarantee this lady is worth the drive. Heck, if it's doable, she's worth the flight! In the meantime, Morley and I want to take this opportunity to wish her every success and happiness as we wave good bye and hold Tori tight with very grateful hearts. You're one in a million, Dr. Martin.

Improve Digestive Health

Digestive enzymes may be beneficial to your dog even when digestion itself seems to be fine. Young, healthy dogs aren't the ones I'm talking about here, but adult dogs, and especially older ones have taught me that the benefits of supplementing with digestive enzymes can often be visible. More energy, less excessive shedding, and easier joint movement are the benefits my clients report most often. In theory, it shouldn't be that way. Healthy dogs are very capable of producing their own digestive enzymes, so supplements were reserved for those animals that had gastrointestinal trouble of some sort. The same can be said about people, but whereas people can explain if they feel any difference after taking digestive enzymes, dogs can only show us - and they've shown it to me very clearly.

We offer exceptional quality and purity in regular digestive enzymes and plant digestive enzymes. The former includes pork-derived protease (helps to break down and digest protein) and has a stronger action with a smaller dose than plant-derived enzymes. That said, the latter is useful for those dogs that react negatively to pork-derived products. Other than protease, the basic digestive enzymes are lipase (helps to break down and digest fat), amylase (helps to break down carbohydrates and starches) and cellulase which helps to break down fiber.

Raw foods contain enzymes which leads some dog owners to question whether a raw fed dog needs or can benefit from an enzyme supplement. From all I've seen over the years, the answer is yes. There are dogs that seemed to be just fine, but it wasn't until enzyme supplementation was started that the owner realized what a positive difference it made. You don't need to overdo it. More is not necessarily better in the case of digestive enzymes, but a little help can go a long way.

What about people? Can we use digestive enzymes? I began taking 2 capsules (yes, the ones on my site because they're human grade, after all) before a meal a couple of years ago when I started having some GI trouble, and I continue taking them to this day. Not only did they help dramatically, but now that I feel so much better, I forget to take them once in a while (no pain = no reminder to take my enzymes) and I pay the price for it. Sometimes I feel it right away and sometimes it takes a day or two, but my GI tract never fails to remind me that I need to get back to doing the right thing.

Personally Speaking

Learn more on my Blog

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Monica

"You can tell by the kindness of a dog how a human should be" ~ Don Van Vliet