| Question: What is your recommended treatment for canine Lick Granuloma? |
| Answer: Dear Tanya, Lick Granulomas can be very difficult to treat—they often have a medical and a behavioral component to them. Often the granuloma is caused by an injury and then the dog continues to lick it (due to pain, irritation, etc) and they get a “high” so to speak from the licking process. So even if the underlying problem is gone, they continue to lick—essentially because it feels good. The most important thing is to make sure there is not a deep infection or an underlying problem causing the lick granuloma—a deep culture and even xrays are sometimes necessary to assess for draining tracts and bony changes. Most dogs require 4 to 6 weeks of oral antibiotics, the diligent use of an Elizabethan collar (head cone!) and possibly even topical creams. Even if your dog appears to not be licking the area—they must wear a cone—most dogs secretly lick the area (at night, when you aren’t home, etc). Often there is no medical problem causing a lick granuloma—it can be just a behavior issue. Many of these dogs are very anxious and often there are environmental triggers that can be identified—such as separation anxiety, new children or people in the home, social conflicts with other animals in the home, lack of appropriate outlets for normal "doggy" stuff. It helps to identify and address any possible stressors. A gentle leader head-collar with a drag line should also be used to allow you to redirect your dog when he licks without punishing him and then rewarding him for the right behavior. Hope these things help…keep us posted. Dr. Donna Spector |
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Dr. Donna Spector Responds to our Readers
| Question: How can I encourage my cat to eat the Halo cat food? |
| Answer: You can try adding our fatty acid supplement (Dream Coat) or some of the Halo Dinner Party protein sprinkle on top of his food to spark his interest. Also adding a small amount of warmed canned food on top of the dry can entice even the pickiest eater. Good Luck. Dr. Donna Spector |
| Question: I have a question about the Spot's Stew. I hear you put garlic in it? Is this true? |
| Answer: Dear Jennifer, Halo does include garlic in the canned chicken Spot's Stew formulas. Garlic is an antioxidant which helps support immune function. It is also good for maintaining cardiovascular health and has some natural antibacterial-type properties. It is an excellent natural flavoring and is safe in very small quantities. Hope that helps. - Dr. Donna Spector |
| Question: What is Halo’s philosophy on grains for dogs and cats? |
| Answer: What grains does Halo use? Are certain grains better than others? Halo uses only the whole grains of oats and barley in their natural cat and dog foods. Whole grains are preferential to refined grains (e.g. white rice) because they provide a rich source of vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, oils and proteins. When a grain is refined by the removal of the bran and germ, the remaining grain is mostly carbohydrate and lacks the majority of other nutrients. Refined grains are cheaper and thus are commonly used in the pet food industry, however, are not nearly as healthy as whole grains. Whole grains are found in Halo canine dry and canned formulas and the feline dry formulas. Halo feline canned formulas are grain-free. Are "grain-free" diets always low in carbohydrates or "carbohydrate-free"? Many owners assume incorrectly that "grain-free" means "carbohydrate-free". A grain-free diet is simply one that does not contain any cereal grains (either whole or refined grains). Grain-free diets may actually be quite high in carbohydrates as carbohydrates are not only found in grains. They are also found in a number of other vegetables and foodstuffs. Carbohydrates are classified as either simple or complex. The simple carbohydrates (also called simple sugars) supply the body with a quick jolt of glucose for energy. The more complex fiber-rich carbohydrates are not broken down to glucose for energy, but instead play an important role in gastrointestinal health by supporting digestion and absorption and helping the body eliminate toxins and waste products. Halo's feline canned food is a grain-free formula, however, contains fiber-rich complex carbohydrates in the form of vegetables. Halo always avoids simple carbohydrates which spike blood sugar and only uses vegetables and whole grains as a source of complex carbohydrates. What are "grain-free" diets and are they better than pet foods with grains? A grain-free diet is simply one that does not contain any cereal grains (either whole or refined grains). Refined grains (e.g. white rice) should be avoided in pet food. These grains are over-processed and have lost most of their nutritional value. These same grains often lead to blood sugar spikes and hormonal signals that have long-term detrimental effects on metabolism. Many feel the use of excess amounts of refined grains have contributed to the pet obesity epidemic in the United States. Pets may also have food allergies to cheaper grains used commonly, such as wheat and corn, and these grain sources are best avoided. Gluten sensitivity or intolerance (also called celiac disease) is exceedingly rare in dogs and cats, so gluten-free diets are rarely necessary in pets. However, most pets do not require a completely "grain-free" diet. Grains should not be the primary ingredient, but the inclusion of alternative whole grains (like oats and barley) provide a nutritionally rich source of fiber which is beneficial for digestive health without the detrimental effects on metabolism and weight gain. My veterinarian says cats shouldn't eat carbohydrates and should be on grain-free foods. Why does Halo have grains in their cat food? Low carbohydrate foods are best suited to the natural biology of cats as carnivores. Cats reach optimal health levels and can avoid many food-related problems (such as obesity, diabetes, etc) by eating high-protein, low-carbohydrate foods. Protein, not carbohydrates, should comprise the majority of every cat's diet, however, many cats appear to benefit from a small to moderate amount of carbohydrates in their diet. It is important to remember biology and evolution when it comes to cat nutrition. When cats hunted for their food, they were exposed to whole grains and carbohydrates within the digestive system of their prey. The domesticated indoor cat appears to benefit from the digestive health that complex carbohydrates (in the form of fiber-rich vegetables or whole grains) provide. Carbohydrates as simple sugars should always be avoided. Only these complex carbohydrates (that are not broken down to sugar) should be used in cat foods to impart digestive benefits. Are Halo foods gluten-free? Gluten is a protein found in many grass-related grains, most notably in wheat, barley and rye and is problematic in the small percentage of people who have gluten-intolerance (celiac disease). In individuals affected by this condition, gluten causes the intestine to become severely inflamed and there is interference with nutrient absorption. Affected patients have syndromes of chronic maldigestion and diarrhea. The only treatment is a diet completely free of ingredients derived from gluten containing grains. This condition is exceedingly rare in dogs and cats and providing gluten-free foods offer no other health benefit to pets. All Halo natural dog food products (canned and dry) and the dry natural cat food contain gluten in the form of barley and/or oats. Halo does make several gluten-free products including: canned cat food formulas, Liv-a-Littles Protein Treats, Liv-a-Littles Healthsome Vegetarian, Skin and Coat and Well Being treats for dogs and Liv-a-Littles Healthsome treats for cats. ~Dr. Donna Spector |
| Question: does Halo make a lower-protein food for senior cats? Vet rec'd I take oldest off Spot's Stew due to kidney issues |
| Answer: Halo does not specifically make a low protein or prescription food appropriate for more advanced stages of feline kidney disease. Our canned lamb formula is significantly lower in protein (24% DM) that our other varieties and is comparable to a low protein diet commonly prescribed for feline kidney problems (Hills K/D, 28.8% DM protein). Ask your veterinarian if this might be an acceptable option for your cat. ~Dr. Donna Spector |
| Question: @halopets - confused about DreamCoat - it has garlic oil but I thought garlic was bad for felines? |
| Answer: Exposure to large amounts of fresh whole garlic has been reported to cause stomach upset and possible damage to feline red blood cells (which may result in anemia). Halo uses only garlic OIL in small quantities that have not been associated with adverse effects. Halo includes garlic oil in the Dream Coat recipe as it is an excellent antioxidant which helps support immune function and is good for maintaining cardiovascular health. It also has natural anti-bacterial type properties and is an excellent flavoring for pets. ~Dr. Donna Spector |
| Question: @chocopup-@halopets Why is there liver in Halo? Liver cleans toxins out of the body so y do you want 2 then give the liver to dogs? It ruins |
| Answer: Dear Chocopup, Thanks for your question. We are of a very different opinion regarding the butcher-quality liver that is included in Halo food. Liver is known to be an exceptionally nutrient-dense food. It provides high levels of many vitamins, and is an excellent source of protein and essential fatty acids that contribute to excellent overall health. We feel it is a great benefit to our foods as it is a natural meat that helps us provide pets with their many requirements. ~Dr. Donna Spector |
| Question: @gin200168-@halopets Do kittens usually lose teeth& at what age? What behaviors will they exhibit when they are loose? |
| Answer: Kittens do lose their baby teeth (called deciduous teeth)! They are replaced with adult teeth usually between 11 and 16 weeks of age (although it may take up to 24 weeks). Usually by 24 weeks of age, all teeth will be permanent adult teeth. Some kittens exhibit no signs of "teething", while others become very "mouthy" and try to chew and pull on everything. They may also exhibit "testy" or slightly aggressive behavior during this time. Hope that helps! ~Dr. Donna Spector |
| Question: @cynstarlight- @halopets ~ Are mouth tumors in cats ever curable? I don't know if the tumor is benign or cancerous. Don't have much info yet |
| Answer: Unfortunately, the majority of mouth tumors in cats are malignant cancers and not curable. However, not ALL masses in the mouth are cancer--we see a lot of inflammation and other gum issues--so make sure your vet gets a sample (biopsy) for a definitive diagnosis. If it is documented cancer, there are a number of procedures which can be done with these tumors (surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, etc), however, most of these treatments have significant side effects and you must weigh the pros and cons of each with your veterinarian. Keep us posted. ~Dr. Donna Spector |
| Question: What do you think of testing my dog every six months for heartworm instead of giving monthly heartworm pills? |
| Answer: This practice is not advised. To understand better, read the following scenarios. If you get a positive test result on your dog, this means your dog has already been infected for 5-7 months and by definition, has adult worms living in their heart and/or lungs. A positive test result means you and your dog must face treatment of a potentially fatal disease. The treatment is expensive and dogs can have severe side effects from the medications used or from the dying heartworms. If you get a negative test result, most likely your dog is not currently infected, but remember—no test is 100% and although uncommon, false negative heartworm test results can occur. This most often happens if dogs are infected with very few worms, the worms are still immature (common if you miss the right date for testing), only male worms are present (the test is only accurate for female worms), or the test was done incorrectly. This may mean that your dog goes incorrectly diagnosed as "heartworm negative", increasing his risk for fatal complications from heartworm disease and serving as a source to infect other dogs. No one likes to give medication unnecessarily, however, heartworm disease is prevalent in every U.S. state (except Alaska ) and kills dogs and cats every year. The best news is it is completely preventable. There are many options for heartworm prevention and many of the available medications also include routine dewormers for other common parasites affecting dogs and cats. Ask your veterinarian what prevention plan is best for your dog or cat. ~Dr. Donna Spector |
Donna Spector, DVM, DACVIM, is a board-certified veterinary internist who has practiced at several leading institutions, including the Animal Medical Center and Fifth Avenue Veterinary Specialists in New York City and the University of California, Davis.
Dr. Spector completed her bachelor’s and doctoral degrees in Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University. A member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (AHVMA), Dr. Spector has written and lectured extensively on topics including nutrition, diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, kidney failure and respiratory disease.
Dr. Spector is widely recognized for her role as consulting veterinarian to HALO, Purely for Pets, her TV appearance with Ellen DeGeneres, and her widely-quoted advice in print and on radio. She currently works in Chicago, IL performing independent, clinical, internal medicine consultations.
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