Special Report:
Heart Disease: Prevention & What you can do (The first part of a 3 part series)

A healthy heart can be maintained with a healthy diet, exercise, minerals and vitamins, and botanicals that support cardiac function and alleviate oxidative stress. Animals with a genetic predisposition to cardiac problems can also be assured greater longevity.

Certain types of heart disease are common to specific types of dogs such as the Doberman pincher, Portuguese Water Dog, Great Dane, Irish Wolfhound, and to American Cocker Spaniels. (Before you buy a pure bred dog or cat, check with your veterinarian. Ask him/her if they know the breeder, and are aware of any genetic heart defects in this line). Monitoring susceptible dogs with ECG, ultrasound, stress tests, and physical exams several times a year may be indicated to insure continued health. Most of these problems, especially cardiomyopathy, are specific to a particular breed and are due to inherited traits, which seem to be exacerbated by low amounts of either taurine or l-carnitine in their diets.

Since most commercial diets are low in these amino acids, supplementation is highly recommended. Feeding your animals organ meats such as beef heart or liver, chicken hearts, gizzards and liver, pork liver, and fresh tuna. These could be extra food given as a reward for training purposes.
Avocados, eggs, and other cold water fish (cod, salmon, anchovies, & sardines) contain lots of minerals for the heart.

Cardiomyopathy is a disease that results in a "flabby" heart muscle that cannot maintain a healthy pumping action of blood to the rest of the body. Many times nothing significant will happen until the heart is very much struggling. Panting or restlessness at night maybe the first symptoms, then lack of stamina and weakness. As the disease progresses, the animal may start to cough usually at night or upon awakening from sleep.

EXERCISE
Lack of appropriate exercise seems to accelerate the disease….especially, in large breed dogs. It is just as important for both humans and animals, especially dogs….. to spend about 30-45 minutes every day.
Designing an individualized exercise plan that keeps the pet in good cardiovascular condition is key to long term heart health. Dogs (and cats!) must exercise regularly. Activities such as running, swimming, hiking, and walking hills support the strength and stamina of the heart muscle. Cats can be encouraged to hunt, play, climb, and chase balls for exercise.
Unfortunately, most people have a sedentary life-style and do not have the time, nor the commitment to exercise their pets properly. By encouraging both owner and dog to walk together frequently and regularly (aerobic exercise at least 3 times per week for about 30 to 40 minutes duration), the veterinarian can influence improved communication between the dog and owner with the added benefit to cardiovascular health.

DESIGNER DIETS?
In humans, cats and dogs, processed refined carbohydrates in the diet can contribute to obesity, diabetes and affect heart disease directly and indirectly. In cats, which are true carnivores, and in dogs which depending upon the breed can be more omnivorous than carnivorous, refined carbohydrates contribute to obesity, thyroid disease, inactivity, and poor cardiovascular function. Unfortunately, most commercial dry and wet foods contain many fillers that may not be useful for healthy lives: milled rice hulls, by-products of corn and wheat from feed for cows, recycled soybeans, and peanut shells.

Although cats and dogs do not per se acquire arteriosclerosis from eating fats, heavily processed fats and oils present in most commercially prepared foods can contribute to other diseases such as pancreatitis, gall bladder disease, skin diseases and cancer. Designing a diet for the pets' individual needs is also crucial for heart disease prevention. The AMA (American Medical Association) acknowledged that 80% of the heart problems in the USA could be prevented with moderate exercise, and a good healthy diet.
Finding a veterinarian well versed in Heart nutrition is essential for the best guidance. The so called "prescription diets" that the veterinarian's offer are not well made to sustain an ailing heart. Food to assist the heart in healing is essential for success.

WILL SUPPLEMENTS HELP?
Because we cannot totally rely on food for all the nutrients necessary to assist in treating heart disease, or the prevention of it, most animals will need to be supplemented. Amino Acids (carnitine & taurine) are essential for repair and regeneration of normal heart muscle tissue. Antioxidants
(Vitamin E, grape seed extract, Selenium and Coenzyme Q 10) are necessary to reduce oxidative stress and to "slow-down" the aging process of the heart.

Minerals such as Potassium and Magnesium are essential to relax the heart muscle when under stress and improve it's ability to "bounce back" after strenuous exercise. Herbal plants (hawthorne, red salvia, Siberian Ginseng) can help the heart better adapt to stress, and decrease damage to heart muscle cells.

This may seem like a lot of pills and powders to give, and ……since most people will buy all these supplements, most people will have a difficult time giving them to their pets. For this reason I created the Cardiovascular Support formula which contains all the above nutrients into one pill. See the Herbs and supplements page OR order direct from www.genesispets.com

Next month: Heart Disease PART II. Diagnosis and Symptoms

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Big Island Benefit Music Festival September 24th for the Rainbow Friends Sanctuary.

Rainbow Friends Animal Sanctuary is a non-profit organization whose mission is to help, heal, and find good homes for abused, neglected and homeless animals.

The sanctuary provides health care, spay and neuter surgery and lots of love to the animals. Currently, the sanctuary has 65 dogs, and puppies, and 160 cats and kittens looking for new families.

The festival will be held at the Mooheau Park Bandstand in downtown Hilo on Sunday, September 24th from 11am to 5pm

Local businesses, organizations and individuals are invited to contribute items (or money) for the silent auction and lucky- number drawing to take place during the fund raiser.

To make a donation call the Event coordinator: Camille at 1-808-967-7572

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Recipes of the Month:

Shampoo for Irritated Skin : Beer-Baby-Tea

Baby Shampoo 8oz
Glycerine 2oz
Stale beer 4oz
Green tea 2 bags
Chamomile tea 2 bags
Lemon juice from one lemon
Vitamin E capsule 400units

Steep green & chamomile tea bags in ½ cup of Hot water
For 20 minutes

While waiting for the tea, mix the glycerine with the vitamin E
And,the lemon juice with the stale beer
And then add to the Baby Shampoo………
Shake well
Then add the Tea brew ( ½ cup)
And the glycerine………shake well and you have a great shampoo.

IF YOU WANT FLEA CONTROL:
Add: 1 part of your standard flea shampoo to 3 parts of homemade shampoo.

IF YOU WANT ANTIFUNGAL OR ANTIBACTERIAL ACTION:
Add 1 part of your veterinary brand and mix with 2 pars of home made shampoo.

YOU CAN ALSO ADD FLOWER ESSENCES:
Use one or all three into the mix.

LAVENDER 1 TSP
To help the skin heal

LEMON GRASS 1 TSP
To repel fleas & tick, and control molds & yeast

ROSEMARY 1 TSP
To repel fleas & tick, kill germs

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Quick Snack

· Cream Cheese 4oz

· Canned (human brands) chicken or tuna fish (drain the water or oil from the fish) 6oz can

· ¼ tsp garlic powder

· Instant Oatmeal ¼ cup

Mix garlic with cream cheese
Mix oatmeal with meat or fish
Then mix everything together and make quarter size balls.

Freeze and store…..use as a treat anytime

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Main Meal Recipe

In a frying pan put the following:
- 1 crushed clove of garlic +
- 1 tablespoon olive oil +
- 2 cups of either: liver, ground turkey, ground pork or chicken hearts and gizzard or combination of these
Cook until meat is almost done then drain fat….then add:
- 2 cups cooked white rice, or baked sweet potato (chopped into small pieces) +
- 2 cups of steamed mixed veggies: peas, diakon, carrots, bok choy or broccoli (chopped up)
Stir fry until vegetables are done

This should make many meals.FEED 1 cup 3x daily or 2 cups twice daily. Change the meat each time you make this dish

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Editorial by Dr. Ihor Basko:
Rhesus Monkeys in Short Supply / The Military and Vaccine companies need them for experiments.

US research companies contracted by pharmaceutical companies, and our military….are seeking to increase experimentation efforts in the creation of a vaccine for SARS, West Nile Virus, and against biological weapons that may be used in Global terrorism.

Unfortunately, this kind of experimentation requires animals to become infected on purpose by these terrible diseases. While the animals suffer….they try different vaccines on the poor creatures. The creature of choice for these experiments is the Rhesus Monkey from Africa, which is close to extinction. Breeding colonies of these monkeys have not kept up with the increasing demand for monkeys…..of course most of the monkeys die during these experiments.

It is estimated by PETA that between 50 and 200 million animals are killed in research today in the USA. Yes…..50 - 200 MILLION. That includes cats, dogs, mice, rats, cows, horses, sheep, pigs, chimpanzees, gorillas, and monkeys.
Research is a big business. Lots of money can be made. But I think, as well as other groups of veterinarians, and animal lovers that there are better ways of experimentation than using endangered monkeys….which are very family oriented, loving, intelligent creatures. We have no right to steal them from their environments, often killing the adults in the process for one baby monkey that will be sold to the highest bidder. These monkeys are stolen, and sold from one middle man to another……35% of them die in transit.

So the next time you buy a drug or support a Charity….before you donate money to their cause….find out if they experiment on monkeys. We can't just rule out these poor animals, and forget about them. It's bad enough subjecting a mouse or a rat to this torture…..a monkey is going beyond what is Humane.

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NEWS FROM THE RESEARCH WORLD - Not a happy CAT report

In my practice, I see more and more skin cancer (Squamous Cell Carcinoma) in cats every year. White, orange, grey, and light calico cats, as well as red point Siamese are coming down with cancer on their lips, nose, ears, and face.

Although I have discovered treatments to slow-down and in some cases cause the cancer to go into remission completely, this still remains a troublesome disease to cure. Many people op for surgical removal, but months, or even weeks later, the cancer comes back.

Radiation from the sun and carcinogens in the food and drinking water contribute to this disease in my opinion. Now the study below has shown a direct connection with the incidence of this cancer in cats with the ingestion of canned foods

Cats eating canned commercial foods are 3X more likely to get this terrible cancer than other cats eating other kinds of diets. (In a previous report an association was made between feeding cats canned food and hyperthyroidism in cats).

I recommend to feed raw meat and organs when ever possible, supplemented with cook meats, sprouts, cooked vegetables high in antioxidants: broccoli, green beans, carrots. 75% meat to 25% veggies, grasses, and grains.

Environmental and Lifestyle Risk Factors for Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Domestic Cats

J Vet Intern Med 17[4]:557-562 Jul-Aug'03 Retrospective Study 38 Refs
* Elizabeth R. Bertone, Laura A. Snyder, Antony S. Moore
* Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, 409 Arnold House,
University of Massachusetts, 715 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA
01003-9304; e-mail: ebertone@schoolph.umass.edu

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a common malignancy in cats, but
little currently is known about its etiology. We examined the
relationship between risk of oral SCC and factors such as environmental
tobacco smoke, flea control products, and diet in 36 domestic cats with
histologically confirmed oral SCC and 112 renal disease control cats
presented to a large veterinary referral hospital between 1994 and 2000.
Questionnaires were mailed to owners of all study and control cats to
assess demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, and level of
chemical exposures 2 years before diagnosis. Multivariate relative risks
(RR) were used to estimate the relationships between the various factors
and the risk of oral SCC. Flea control product use and diet were
significantly associated with risk of oral SCC. Cats that wore a flea
collar had 5 times the risk of oral SCC as nonusers, after adjustment
for other factors (RR = 5.3; P = .002). In contrast, use of flea shampoo
substantially reduced risk. Compared to cats eating mostly dry food,
those with high canned food intake had a 3-fold increase in risk (RR =
3.6; P = .014); canned tuna fish intake was independently associated
with risk (RR = 4.7; P = .004). Exposure to household environmental
tobacco smoke was associated with a nonsignificant 2-fold increase in
risk (P = .11). Results of this study suggest that flea control
products, diet, and perhaps environmental tobacco smoke might be
associated with risk of oral SCC and indicate that further investigation
into these relationships is warranted. [Abstract]

This is a letter from a veterinarian that used to work for dog food companies:

Dear Ihor,

This is all true. I have copies of the studies. The body count from just
this set of experiments: 56 cats, 174 dogs. Most common lethal experiment: nephrectomies (from half to 7/8 of total kidney mass surgically removed) to test renal diets. For merely invasive/painful/stressful experiments (anything from spaying to skin wounds to starvation): 39 cats, 155 dogs. Some experiments that I classified as invasive may have also been lethal, but that could not always be determined from the reports. For instance, 24 cats were used in a study on hepatic lipidosis; I contacted the investigator and ascertained that all the sick cats were treated, but 3 of them died anyway.

Iams is, of course, not alone in this -- Hill's, Purina and Waltham have all done similar deeds. All of them claim that they no longer do this type of invasive research. But there is no way of knowing.

I worked for over 2 years with both IDA and PETA to try to get Iams to agree to *not* do any invasive tests on animals for pet food. We (the animal rights faction) agreed that feeding tests and blood tests (as per AAFCO feeding protocols) would be acceptable, but that wasn't good enough, Iams wanted to call peritoneal dialysis a non-invasive procedure! They waffled and squirmed and delayed and cancelled meetings and didn't return calls--they never would agree to anything, and last I heard (as of a couple months ago), that's how it stands.

You may also recall that earlier this year, PETA released video of the
horrid conditions in an Iams contract lab. Iams immediately (well, several months later) said they would not use that lab any more. But clearly, they don't check, so who knows what is going on in other facilities?

So, if Iams being a crappy food -- and owned by unrepentant animal testers Procter & Gamble to boot -- is not enough reason to avoid their products, this is the frosting on the cake.

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