Animal Clinic of Kalispell - July 2021

SUPPLEMENTS AND YOUR PET

ULENT-

WHY ‘ALL NATURAL’ DOESN’T ALWAYS MEAN SAFE Though all pet owners are different, they tend to have one thing in common: They want their pets to be healthy. Sometimes that leads to people giving their pets supplements that they’ve heard about from friends or read about on the internet. These supplements are often marketed as “all natural” products, which then leads people to believe they are safe and healthy. However, the market for pet supplements isn’t regulated, and there isn’t data about the safety and/or efficacy of these products. What does that mean for your pet? One major concern we have is that supplements can negatively interact with medications that we’ve prescribed for your pet. This can be very complicated even for us as trained veterinarians to research and fully understand (especially because of the lack of data as noted above).

she started getting her hopes up that she might be able to adopt me. I got my hopes up too! It was love at first sight.

Eventually, my cat family and the human family that owned them were found. Mom was devastated to think she’d have to send me back. Not that they aren’t nice people … it’s just that she and I had really bonded. But fate meant for us to be together. My human family said they were thinking of adopting out some of the kitties in my litter. They saw how in love Mom was and told her she could have me. We were both ecstatic!

On top of that, just like in human bodies, these supplements are usually metabolized by your pet’s liver, so if you’re giving your pet several supplements (or supplements with several ingredients), that can overwhelm their system. This is especially true because, without regulation, there’s no dosage information, so it’s nearly impossible to know how much of a given supplement is the right amount for your pet. We recently saw a dog whose pre-op blood work showed liver enzyme numbers that were literally off the charts — higher than our machines could read. She walked in looking perfectly healthy, and her owners didn’t think to tell us they’d been supplementing her because the supplements were said to be “all natural.” We know that you want what’s best for your animal, and so do we! To help us provide the best possible care for your pet, always let us know any medications or supplements they’ve been taking. And we always recommend discussing any supplements you’re considering giving your animal with us before you start them on a routine. We’re happy to help you figure out how to keep your pet healthy while also ensuring that we keep them safe.

I was a little shy at first, but I warmed up quickly. I love roaming around the house and sitting in the window to watch for birds and squirrels (and chirping at them to let them know who’s boss). Mom is still thinking of adding a dog to our family one day, so she’s taken me to work and let me interact with her friends’ pups. I was a little intimidated at first, but then I realized how fun it is to hide under the furniture and swat at their tails! Those big, helpless creatures. I’m a very spunky and social girl. I like to mix and mingle when people are around, and I’m a talker. I chirp a lot, and Mom knows that she has to chirp back, even though she says it makes her feel like a crazy cat lady. I also love playing fetch. Oh, did I tell you that my name is Cindy Lou and that I’m a calico? I know the human convention is to give these details when you first introduce yourself, but I was so excited to tell my story that I forgot! Thanks for listening!

upsicles

Inspired by DaisyTheFrenchBulldog.blogspot.com

1. In a blender, combine pumpkin, bacon, and water, blending until smooth. 2. Drop 3–4 blueberries in each popsicle mold, then pour in the pumpkin mixture, leaving about an inch of space. 3. Insert a rawhide into the middle of each mold to serve as an edible popsicle stick. 4. Freeze for 4 hours or until solid, then let your pup enjoy the taste of summer. Directions

406.755.6886

3

Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs