Old dog wisdom: how to help yours live a longer, healthier life

Better Nutrition, June, 2005 by Allen M. Schoen

All of us would like to share as happy and as healthy a life--as long as we possibly can--with our kindred spirits. We can do much through preventive nutrition and appropriate supplements--along with exercise and love--to help keep our animal friends as healthy as they can be in their senior years, while treating many of their geriatric' issues.

Healthy Aging

In human health care, there is much interest in anti-aging medicine--the application of scientific and medical technologies for the detection, prevention, treatment and reversal of age-related conditions. These concepts are beginning to be explored in veterinary medicine as well.

Aging has traditionally been considered a natural, genetically programmed process, which--combined with the long-term effects of free radical damage and environmental toxins--involves all cells in the body. Decreased absorption of nutrients and decreased functioning of bodily processes also lead to age-related diseases. Recent research by a number of pet food companies documents what has long been known by natural health care professionals: Higher dosages of antioxidants and other nutrients are beneficial in preventing many diseases.

Then there are diseases that show hereditary predispositions in certain breeds of dogs. We see breeds that tend to live longer than others and certain cancers that predominate in particular breeds. One question is whether these conditions can be prevented for an extended period of time with nutritional supplementation. This has opened up a new area in human medicine--known as nutritional genomics--although it hasn't been extensively studied in veterinary medicine yet.

Preventive Care

In my experience, however, natural health care can be beneficial in the treatment and prevention of various conditions. A preventive health pro gram that includes proper nutrition, exercise and condition-specific nutrients may help prevent certain conditions and help our animals live longer with quality and dignity. And regular examinations and blood tests may be able to pick up problems before they manifest--while we still have time to slow down the progression or even reverse the condition.

The foundation of health, whatever the age, is a good diet. See Spot Live Longer (Creekobear Press, 2004), a new book by Steve Brown and Beth Taylor, offers excellent nutritional suggestions for helping your dog live longer. There is great debate at the moment over raw food diets. The risks include food poisoning, parasites and certain infectious diseases that may be transmitted to people. My compromise is to lightly steam or boil foods enough to prevent diseases. (For more about raw foods for pets, see PetCare on p. 41.)

Supportive Supplements

Nutritional supplements that I find beneficial for treatment and disease prevention include antioxidants such as vitamins A, C and E, plus flesh, high-quality sources of essential fatty acids such as flaxseed and fish oils. Glucosamine supplements may be beneficial in the treatment and prevention of certain types of arthritis. For heart conditions, supplements may include coenzyme Q10, L-carnitine, taurine and other amino acids. Certain herbs, such as milk thistle, have been beneficial in the treatment of liver diseases.

Additionally, there are nutraceutical formulas that help support the connective tissue and joints. These contain glycosaminoglycans, minerals such as zinc, magnesium and calcium, and digestive enzymes.

Decreased digestive ability is also a significant factor in aging. Supplements appropriate to this condition are digestive enzymes, probiotics and amino acids, including glutamine. Likewise, flat acids and amino acids can promote healthy hence function in cases of senility and cognitive dysfunction.

Acupuncture can be beneficial in the treatment of geriatric issues such as arthritis, physical weakness, and kidney and liver diseases. Physical therapy--swimming, electrical stimulation, acupressure and massage--can also support our aging friends. Chiropractic care may also help certain conditions.

And the one last ingredient to a long happy life is love! The more we give, the more we receive, and our kindred spirits are excellent teachers of that.

Allen Schoen, DVM, MS, is a world-renowned pioneer in complementary and integrative veterinary medicine, practicing his approach since 1982. He is a graduate of Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine and also holds a master's degree in animal behavior and neurophysiology. A lecturer at veterinary schools and conferences worldwide, Schoen is the author of numerous articles and books, including Kindred Spirits: How the Remarkable Bond Between Humans & Animals Can Change the Way We Live (Broadway/Random House, 2001). His goal is to assist in making the world a happier and healthier place for all kindred spirits.

visit holistic veterinarian Dr. Allen Schoen online at www.drschoen.com