misc | ask the petxpert BY Bill Piechocki and Dr. Diane Sudduth, DVM Is Inflammation the Cause of an Unhealthy Pet? Our goal as pet parents is to provide our companion pets with as happy and healthy lifestyle as possible. This is a major challenge in that they cannot always convey the conditions they are having. To make it more difficult, both the pharmaceutically dominated medical community and big food manufacturers are not promoting preventive measures but rather symptom mediation. Arthritis, colitis, hepatitis, pancreatitis and all the “itis” conditions are inflammatory conditions, not a disease. We listen to the experts giving us “health” advice and yet our pets are suffering from these common conditions and leading a shorter life. Inflammation is actually the body’s response to heal the body. It floods those areas with the proper cells, nutrition, hormones and other natural tools of the body in order to create healing, not temporary relief. Does prescribing anti-inflammatory drugs make sense in stopping that healing process? We are advised that our pets can only consume a man-made “science-based” artificial diet. Let’s look at these types of foods and understand where and why the problems start. The majority of commercial and veterinary pet foods start with corn as a base. First and foremost, carnivores don’t hunt, kill and consume corn in nature. Often, it is listed in several forms which makes it the majority ingredient. Today, most corn is genetically modified (GMO). Is that a safe ingredient? The modification is used to allow the corn plant to make an insecticidal product from within. These are poisons that affect the cells of the animals that consume them. In addition to the GMO plant, the crops are treated with a plethora of fungicides, pesticides, herbicides and other “cides” that are designed to kill something. Yes, those are all poisons too. As if this isn’t bad enough, these crops are sprayed with chemicals like glyphosate (Roundup and others) that we know also have high toxicity effects. Once transported to storage facilities, they are treated with more of “cides” to prevent damage to the integrity of the crop. Another form of corn commonly used as an ingredient is corn gluten meal. That is corn often combined with wheat gluten meal. We hear a lot about the intolerance of gluten in foods. Now these same corn products are fed to our food supply sources such as cattle, dairy, poultry and fish, thus contaminating those sources that are part of the pet foods. In addition to the these contaminated but “deemed safe” components, that are subsequently treated with chemical additives, preservatives, nutrients, flavors and other synthetics during processing. You can see that this is a recipe rich in oxidative stress and inflammation that feeds disease. So where is the science and the health in the foods with these ingredients? Where is the speciesspecific natural approach to food for our pets? Would it be better to eliminate and avoid the foods that cause these health challenges and instead feed a fresh, real species-specific rotational diet? It’s time that we look past the slick marketing of these major industries and educate ourselves to help our pets live an optimal life. Bill Piechocki, animal nutritionist and CEO at My Paleo Pet in Pompano Beach, FL hosts The Pet Health Cafe web radio show. For over 50 years in the animal industry Bill has provided unparalleled vision and information that is passed on to his clients and animal lovers daily. Visit the radio show to listen to LIVE broadcasts with his special guests and esteemed colleagues at www.PetHealthCafe.com or tune-in to the show’s archives at iHeart.com. Call for a free consultation or stop by My Paleo Pet in Pompano Beach, FL 954-971-2500, where Bill and the staff would be more than happy to help. SEND YOUR Questions OR COMMents for OUR PETXPERT TO: Pets@ATLANTICAVEMAGAZINE.COM COPYRIGHTED THESE pets are available for adoption 21287 Boca Rio Road, Boca Raton, FL 561-482-8110 www.tricountyhumane.org ED seventh grace PUPS GALORE! Pictured is Ed, and guess what? We have lotsssss more puppies in need of loving homes. Let’s do this! Stop in, choose a pup, save a life by making room for another to join our no-kill shelter! HELP, We’re over capacity with Hurricane Ian rescue dogs. Like this sweetie, “Seventh”, they’re all adorable and want your love. Ian rescues come with special adoption rates, a comfy bed, and a goodie bag! Stop in and say HI! Amazing GracE is such a love and can’t understand why she’s been here over 445 days! Come in and stroll through our cat room today. We just know you’ll love Grace and all her many kitty friends. Every cat deserves their person! A NO-KILL animal shelter. Open Tues - Sun 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. All animals are up-to-date on vaccinations and heartworm tested. Adoption fees $110 and up. 106 | <strong>December</strong> <strong>2022</strong> | www.<strong>Atlantic</strong><strong>Ave</strong><strong>Magazine</strong>.com
misc | pet spotlight pet pix Bella Channeling Iris Aphel ! Luca Happy Thanksgiving from Enzo Luna Luna COPYRIGHTED Phoebe Mae and best friend Coco ask Santa for their favorite bones this year You can now give your pets the fame they deserve! Make your pet a celebrity. Email your favorite photo along with their name to: pets@atlanticavemagazine.com Photos must be 300 dpi (high quality) www.<strong>Atlantic</strong><strong>Ave</strong><strong>Magazine</strong>.com | <strong>December</strong> <strong>2022</strong> | 107
Change language