Page 40 - Chow Life - Summer 2016 Issue
P. 40
Health Update
CHF Health Conference
by Deb Spence, CCCI Health Chair
The CHF celebrated its 20th have shown that mental stimulation stressed the one species theme.
anniversary this past year in St. such as training, play exercise and Dr. Laura Nelson and Dr.
Louis, Mo . Presentations were feeding-toys can help to maintain
done on cognition, gastrointestinal quality of life as well as cognitive Elizabeth Rozanski continued the
disorders, atopic dermatitis, stem function. From a nutritional with topic of gastrointestinal disease
cell research, joint disease, cardiac perspective an integrated approach in their combined presentations on
disease, cancer and neurological of increased fatty acids and GDV and bloat. The air product of
disease with the emphasis on "one antioxidants that is also combined bacterial fermentation that causes
species" stressing that testing done with environmental enrichment bloat is high in CO2 and some H2.
on a specific breed can translate to would likely be most effective at The mortality rate is 33 to 68%
advances for cures in other breeds reducing risk factors that contribute with reoccurring events due to
and other species, particularly to decline. It's been shown that dogs medical treatment alone at 75%,
humans, and that our focus as are a good model for Alzheimer’s with derotation alone at 80% and
breeders should be about the breed, and developing therapies that may with gastropexy at 0%. The use of a
not ourselves. help humans. smart pill is assisting in evaluation
and finding that changes in pH
Several studies have been done Just as diet may play a role in cause changes to the microbial
regarding cognitive function and improving cognitive function, environment in the gut. Early
were presented as an important along with other factors it may detection and aggressive treatment
area of study stressing that the also be involved in diseases such continue to provide the best
human animal bond is not only as IBD. The study done by Dr. prognosis, as this disease continues
a luxury but is considered a Kenneth Simpson, also focused to be particularly challenging.
necessity. The presentation given on the genetic, immunological
by Gary Pan from Purina revealed and microbial features of this The subjects of microbial balance
that once a dog reaches the age disorder. Dietary intolerance and and the microbiome continued to
of seven years old their glucose allergies, host genetic defects be found in the two presentations
metabolism changes and they’re in cell signaling, and immune on atopic dermatitis by Dr. Jan
no longer efficient at using glucose imbalance can all be contributors to Suchodolski and Dr. Charles
as an energy source for the brain. inflammation, which once triggered, Bradley. In the presentation on
Using fat as an energy source is becomes chronic. Inflammatory Fungal Microbiome of Healthy and
a viable option as medium chain Bowel Disease or Granulomatous Allergic Canine Skin given by Dr.
triglycerides are metabolized into Colitis was considered immune Jan Suchodolski, he discussed fungi
Keytones and energy for the brain. mediated and dogs were treated as a known cause of disease in dogs
This may help to increase cognitive with steroids. After 40 years of including cutaneous and systemic
function in the older dogs, and suppressing the immune system infections as well as inflammatory
in humans. Dr. Gary Landsberg it was found that it responded and allergic diseases such as atopic
did a presentation outlining to antibiotics, particularly dermatitis. A healthy microbiome
the symptoms of physiological enrofloxacin and appears to be stimulates the immune system,
changes, diagnosis and treatment bacteria related; pathogenetic with provides nutritional benefits,
of cognitive dysfunction syndrome, an adhesive adherent to E.coli. It and protects against pathogenic
a, neurodegenerative disorder was concluded that IBD is bacteria bacteria. Intestinal microbiota
of senior dogs characterized driven, in a genetically susceptible is influenced by the host and the
by gradual cognitive decline host, exposed to an environmental environment, is generally stable
documented in laboratory trigger. Tailored treatments will and resilient to change and though
environments as early as 6 to 8 help overcome this disease along it can be modulated by antibiotics
years of age. Diet, supplements with eliminating affected dogs from or probiotics, over time it returns
and drugs might all be useful in breeding programs. The potential to its previous state. Dysbiosis is
value of the dog as a model for a change in the normal balance of
improving signs and slowing studying IBD in humans again flora; normal flora is a protective
the progress of CDS. Studies
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