Vitamin E: Necessary to horses, but there's a lot to learnFebruary 5, 2019Vitamin E seems to be at the forefront of many discussions about horse nutrition these days. Contrary to appearances, vitamin E is not a vitamin in and of itself. Rather, it's a group of eight compounds—four tocopherols and four tocotrienols—that are fat soluble. This vitamin is important for myriad functions in the horse's body, including but not limited to, and in no particular order, the eyes, the reproductive tract, and the neuromuscular system. The most important function of vitamin E seems to be as a biological antioxidant. In this way, and probably by other ways that haven't been determined yet, vitamin E serves to maintain many normal body functions of the horse. Vitamin E-related problems generally manifest in the horse's neuromuscular system. In young horses, these include nutritional myodegeneration, neuroaxonal dystrophy, and equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy; in older horses, a lack of vitamin E is associated with vitamin E-deficient muscle problems or equine motor neuron disease. The grass is greener and packed with vitamin E Happily, for most horses, there is ample vitamin E provided in the diet. Green grass is a great source of vitamin E—most things that are green have a good bit of it. Those horses lucky …
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Mars Petcare named WSAVA diamond partnerJanuary 24, 2019Mars Petcare has entered into a partnership with the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA).
Lystn fires back at FDA's Salmonella warning against its dog foodJanuary 18, 2019Lystn has issued a response to the U.S. Food Drug and Administration’s (FDA’s) warning notice against its dog food products.
Salmonella found in dog food products sold in NebraskaJanuary 17, 2019The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is alerting pet owners that A+ Answers Straight Beef Formula for Dogs, lot 2018 20/08 20, has tested positive for the bacteria.
Pet obesity rates continue to rise in the U.S.January 3, 2019Pet obesity has increased in the U.S. for the eighth consecutive year, according to pet insurance provider Nationwide.
Debating raw dietsJanuary 2, 2019In spite of resistance from most veterinarians and from public health authorities, the popularity of raw meat-based diets for dogs and cats continues to grow.
Current and emerging approaches to managing acute pancreatitisDecember 27, 2018Fasting a dog or cat used to be step one in treating acute pancreatitis, but that’s no longer the case. It was thought feeding would stimulate pancreatic activity in an already inflamed organ, but increasingly, early intervention with nutritional support is seen as critical in cats and important in dogs.
Probiotics may help dogs with AHDS, according to studyDecember 13, 2018Dogs administered with a high-potency, eight-strain probiotic may recover faster from acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome (AHDS), according to a study.
"Nutrition Essentials" e-book available for free downloadDecember 6, 2018Nutrition Essentials is a four-part e-book exploring the role of nutrition in keeping dogs and cats healthy in the areas of chronic kidney disease, dermatology, obesity, and oncology.
Petco banning artificial ingredients in the food it sellsNovember 13, 2018Petco will become the first major pet food retailer to stop selling food and treats containing artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives for dogs and cats starting in January.