The pros and cons of food allergy testingDecember 12, 2022Cutaneous adverse food reactions (CAFR), also known as food allergies, are an immunological reaction to food allergens. CAFR is thought to affect about 20 percent of dogs, and up to 13 percent of cats with allergic skin disease.
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Getting to the root of nutritional allergiesSeptember 27, 2022It is very common for pet owners to believe their itchy pet has a "food allergy." While cutaneous adverse food reactions (cAFR) are certainly not rare, when it comes to pruritic pets, atopic dermatitis (AD) is actually more prevalent than cAFR. Sadly, however, a physical exam is insufficient to distinguish atopic disease from a food-associated dermatopathy.
Nutrition's role in dental healthAugust 3, 2022Nutrition can play a role in proper formation of the immature teeth. During amelogenesis (development of the organic enamel matrix and its subsequent mineralization), lack of proper nutrition can result in enamel hypoplasia or hypomineralization.
Meet the National Zoo's dietary Dr. DoolittleAugust 2, 2022As senior nutritionist and head of the department of nutrition science at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in Washington, D.C., Mike Maslanka has a lot of hungry mouths to feed each day: nearly 1,800 across 360 species ranging from Asian elephants to black pacus, a fruit-eating relative of the piranha.
Learn the truth about carbs and catsMay 26, 2022Some owners feed their cats canned food instead of kibble to keep carbohydrates down, but is that really true?
Revisiting the world of canine raw dietsMarch 1, 2022Proponents of raw diets offer varied theoretical arguments for why they should be healthier than commercial cooked foods.
How do fresh food diets compare to their commercial cousins?November 4, 2021Nutrition is one of the most frequent subjects clients want to discuss, and often one of the most controversial.
Cats love a free meal, study showsAugust 31, 2021When given the choice between a readily available meal and one that requires a bit of effort, cats tend to take the easy route.
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveNutrition: Why treading lightly is often the best approachAugust 12, 2021By Patty Khuly, VMD, MBANutrition has evolved into the one area I’ve learned to tread lightly. It’s the third rail of all exam room topics of conversation, second only to politics and religion for the fervor it inspires — especially should you accidentally trip on a stray word in the minefield of unmentionable ingredients or excesses.
Nutritional influences in dermatological disordersAugust 10, 2021The skin is an important immune organ with functions including a barrier against foreign antigens, immunoregulation, vitamin D production, thermoregulation, nutrient storage, sensory perception, reproduction, and antimicrobial action.
