Q: What is the role of protein in a weight loss diet?
A: While calories, or lack of them, are the key to weight loss, dietary protein provides a number of benefits that are especially important during weight management. Increased protein intake stimulates endogenous protein turnover, which is linked to increased energy metabolism. This results in a significant increase in the postprandial heat increment and a slight overall increase in energy expenditure. Increased metabolic rate contributes to a negative energy balance and is associated with an increased satiety effect, which can help reduce food intake. The best-documented benefit from increased dietary protein during weight loss is that it results in greater loss of body fat and reduced loss of lean body mass. Since lean body mass is the primary driver of basal energy metablolism, preserving lean body mass helps with long term weight control by maintaining a higher energy requirement and reducing the risk for weight rebound (Nestle Purina Pet Care Company).
Q: How do I prevent and/or eliminate fleas and ticks?
A: To do a thorough job of eliminating fleas and ticks from a household, the house, yard and pet must be treated simultaneously on a regular basis. Some of the products available for pets include Capstar, a pill that kills only fleas within 30 minutes and last 3 days,; Program, an injection for cats that inhibits the flea egg from hatching, effectively sterilizing a flea and that lasts 6 months; Sentinel, a monthly heartworm preventive that also has Program in it; Nexgard, the latest tool in a great arsenal. This monthly pill for dogs effectively kills fleas and ticks. It can be given together with Sentinel providing a good broad spectrum attack against fleas.
Q: What are the signs of separation anxiety?
A: Dogs with this disorder are often well behaved when people are around, but when left alone they panic, showing one or more of these signs: destruction (urinating, defecating), excessive salivation or vocalization (barking,whining). Some dogs exhibit signs when separated from the person or people to whom they are most attached-even if other people are around.
Q: What is a CBC and Blood Chemistry?
A: CBC stands for complete blood count. This is the most common blood test performed on pets and people. A CBC gives information on hydration status, anemia, infection, the blood’s clotting ability, and the ability of the immune system to respond. This test is essential for pets with fevers, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, pale gums, or loss of appetite. If your pet needs surgery, a CBC can detect bleeding disorders or other unseen abnormalities.
Blood chemistries are common blood serum tests used to evaluate organ function, electrolyte status, hormone levels and more. They are important in evaluating older pets, pets with vomiting and diarrhea or toxin exposure, pets receiving long-term medications, and health before anesthesia.