Canine atopic dermatitis and the importance of barrier health with Dr Sharon Bryden

On this episode, we are welcoming pureANIMAL's new ambassador, Dr Matthew Muir who shares his knowledge and experience on microbiome restoration therapy.

Topics discussed include:

• Dr Matthew explains what microbiome restoration therapy (MRT) entails.
• The impact of antibiotics on the microbiome.
• The benefits of faecal microbiome transplant (FMT) - more than just bacteria.
• Dr Muir explains how to screen donors for MRT. What to look for and what to avoid.
• How effective is MRT and how does it compare to supplementing with probiotics?
• Oral vs rectal microbiome therapy approaches - Matthew explains the difference and benefits of both methods.
• How to prepare the recipient to optimise the effects of FMT.
• Dr Matthew explains the indications for faecal microbiome transplant beyond dysbiosis.
• How to gauge if the MRT was successful?
• Which dogs are not good candidates for an FMT, and which cases should vets be cautious about?
• How to approach cases of MRT that require antibiotics?

Resources:

https://vetmed.tamu.edu/gilab/service/assays/canine-microbiota-dysbiosis-index/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9534534/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9413255/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10017995/

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Topics discussed include:

• Liver cases Professor Caroline sees as an internal medicine specialist.
• How an altered liver function can impact overall health.
• Subclinical liver disease - are there any symptoms?
• Symptoms of clinical liver disease - what to look out for in cats and dogs.
• Gut-liver axis - how the liver can impact the gut and consequently the brain.
• Professor Mansfield shares her how she decides which diagnostic tool to use first in her liver cases.
• Elevated liver enzymes with subclinical liver disease - how to approach these in cats vs dogs.
• Caroline talks about prescription liver diets and what she recommends with regards to changes in diets.
• Antioxidants that can be helpful in managing liver disease.
• Professor Mansfield discusses which pharmaceutical drugs she prefers to use as an anti-inflammatory and as an antibiotic in her liver cases.
• Managing the gut during liver disease.

To register for pureANIMAL's free webinar on liver health with Dr Nicole Rous and Dr Matthew Muir, follow this link https://my.demio.com/ref/80rRbTdG8AKd7BjT.

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Prior to being a veterinarian, Nicole completed a Bachelor of Science from Melbourne University followed by an honours year in Vision Sciences. She then got accepted into Sydney University and completed a Bachelor of Veterinary Science with Honours in 2008.

After a brief stint working in the UK, she returned to small animal practice in Melbourne working at Monash Vets. Nicole followed her interest in reproduction and gained her Membership with the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in Animal Reproduction. Alon the way she also developed an interest in complementary therapies specially in essential oils.

In 2020 she started her own business called Shy Tiger Natural Animal which provides vet approved, all-natural plant-based health support for dogs through a range of serum and sprays. Nicole currently also works and owns Mont Albert Veterinary Surgery in Victoria and is also a member of the College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies.

Topics discussed include:

• Common liver diseases that Dr Rous sees in her practice.
• Increases in liver enzymes – when to investigate further.
• Nicole explains how she manages asymptomatic cases with mild increases in liver enzymes before re-testing in 4-6 weeks.
• How do certain medications impact the liver in a negative way?
• The importance of all the different liver functions.
• Dr Nicole discusses specific signs seen in relation to liver disease.
• Nicole’s talks about her approach to managing liver health.
• How can nutrition optimise liver function?
• The main antioxidants Nicole reaches for in her liver cases.
• Top differences between conventional and integrative approaches in liver health.

You can learn more about Nicole's on https://shytiger.com.au/ and https://www.montalbertvet.com.au/. 

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Dr Wendy Baltzer is a board certified veterinary surgeon and certified canine rehabilitation practitioner. She has worked around the world, and is currently the Associate Professor and head of surgery at the University of Sydney Veterinary School.

Dr Baltzer is passionate about teaching veterinary students, borne from an inspiring mentor she connected with in the third year of her DVM.

Topics discussed include:

• The main things a pet parent should consider when thinking about their pet’s joint health.
• Dr Wendy reveals the best time to start setting a puppy’s joint up for success.
• What impact does the improving their environment have on genetic predisposition?
• The best steps to help predict if your puppy is likely to develop join issues.
• Dr Baltzer talks about the latest research on the best nutrition for puppies at risk of joint disease.
• The recommended calcium to phosphorus ratio in food and the appropriate caloric intake to control growth rate.
• What supplements to use and not to use especially for large breed dogs.
• Wendy discusses the effect that early desexing can have on joints.
• The best way to exercise at risk breeds and what to avoid.
• Dr Wendy's top 3 tips to keep joints healthy.

References:

• Smith GK, Paster ER, Powers MY, Lawler DF, Biery DN, Shofer FS, et al. Lifelong diet restriction and radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis of the hip joint in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2006;229(5):690-3.
• Schoenmakers I, Hazewinkel HA, Voorhout G, Carlson CS, Richardson D. Effects of diets with different calcium and phosphorus contents on the skeletal development and blood chemistry of growing great danes. Vet Rec. 2000;147(23):652-60
• Fries CL, Remedios AM. The pathogenesis and diagnosis of canine hip dysplasia: a review. Can Vet J. 1995;36(8):494-502

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Dr Meng Siak is a board-certified veterinary dermatologist with the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists. He studied at Murdoch University in Perth, Western Australia, then did an internship in veterinary dermatology, before completing his residency at Murdoch.

Meng has extensive experience in the diagnosis and treatment of complicated skin and ear diseases including allergies, immune mediated skin diseases and chronic ear disease.

Topics discussed included:

• Dr Meng Siak explains what the skin barrier and its microbiome are and their important roles.
• The link between microorganisms in the skin and the gut.
• What happens when the skin barrier becomes compromised and what can cause this to occur?
• Meng discusses the roles that genetic and external factors play in skin disease.
• What non-allergic conditions can lead to a compromised skin barrier?
• How can a healthy skin barrier help with skin disease?
• Dr Siak talks about what he recommends to his clients to improve the gut and skin microbiome and what the latest research is showing.
• Meng's approach to the itchy dog - controlling infections and inflammation.
• Supplements and ingredients to support the skin barrier.
• Comparing dog and cat skin disease and its management for each.

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Professor Caroline Mansfield is a registered specialist in small animal medicine and she is recognized as an international leader in veterinary internal medicine. She graduated from Murdoch University and worked in mixed animal and small animal practice in Australia and the UK before completing a residency in small animal medicine at University College, Dublin.

Professor Mansfield has joined our Pure Animal team as an educator and ambassador in the field of small animal internal medicine.

Topics discussed include:

• Common digestive disorders in cats and  their symptoms.
• What is normal for cats when it comes to clinical signs?
• Diagnostic work up for feline digestive cases.
• When to decide to start a diet trial.
• Types of diet trials and when to use them.
• Differentiating between Small Cell Lymphoma and Chronic Enteropathy.
• Management and prognosis for digestive disorders.
• How feline digestive conditions affect the microbiome.
• Dr Caroline shares her opinion on antibiotic use.

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We welcome back Dr Nicole Rous who previously recorded episode 40 with Pure Animal on Supporting Your Pet's Health with Essential Oils. 

Topics discussed in this podcast include:

• How can disease affect the gut microbiome?
• How to know if there’s dysbiosis present.
• Dr Nicole shares what she considers when selecting an appropriate probiotic.
• The importance of prebiotics alongside probiotics.
• When does Nicole use supplements vs food-based sources.
• Is it safe to give garlic to your pet?
• Latest research on antibiotics use for gastrointestinal conditions.
• Common gastrointestinal symptoms in cats.
• Effects of probiotics and prebiotics on feline gut health.

You can find Dr Nicole Rous at Mont Albert Vet Clinic (www.montalbertvet) or through Shy Tiger (www.shytiger.com.au). Dr Rous in also on Insta @shytigerhealth and @drnicolerous

Studies mentioned by Dr Nicole:

D'Angelo S et al. Effect of Saccharomyces boulardii in dogs with chronic enteropathies: double-blinded, placebo-controlled study Veterinary Record Dec 2017;10.1136/vr 6 

Schmidt M., Unterer S, Suchodolski J. S. et al. The fecal microbiome and metalbome differs between dogs fed Bones and Raw Food (BARF) biets and dogs fed commercial diets.PLOS ONE August 15, 2018

Kwong T. C., Chau E. C. T., Mak M. C. H. et al. Characterization of the Gut Microbiome in Healthy Dogs and Dogs with Diabetes Mellitus. Animals 2023, 13, 2479

Grzeskowiak L., Endo A., Beasley S., Salminen S., Microbiota and probiotics in canine and feline welfare. Elsevier 2015

Aktas M. S., Borku M. K., Ozkanlar Y., Efficacy of Saccharomyces Boulardii as a probiotic in dogs with Lincomycin induced diarrhoea. Bull Vet Inst Pulawy, 365-369, 2007

Li Y., Lei Z., Li Y., Yang M., Yang C., Li L. Effect of a Multistrain Probiotic on Feline Gut Health through the Fecal Microbiota and Its Metabolite SCFAs. Metabolites 2023, 13, 228

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Sue qualified from Cambridge Veterinary School, England in 1984 and worked first in Oxford and then in a partnership in Leeds for 12 years. In 2003 she set up Balanced Being, an alternative veterinary and human medicine practice and in 2016 she established a new human clinic in Boroughbridge.  Sue was a founding member of the British Holistic Veterinary Medicine Association and has written and published many papers, contributed to several books, and lectured and consulted internationally.

Topics include:

• What made Sue turn to Veterinary Science and alternative therapies.
• Why cancer and auto-immune diseases are of particular interest to Dr Armstrong and what treatment modalities she uses for them.
• The role and importance of a healthy microbiome.
• What are we eating that upsets the balance of the microbiome?
• Can a microbiome evolve to require different types of food?
• Do dogs need to be omnivorous?
• Dr Sue explains the difference between microbiomes in different species.
• The importance of prebiotics and probiotics.
• How probiotics can help with respiratory and bladder problems among other conditions.
• Sue’s insights in the use of probiotics in behavioural conditions.
• Can probiotic strains found in human products be useful for other species?

You can reach Dr Sue or find out more about her on www.thetrueanimalplan.com and www.individualis.co.uk

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Sam Sherrington graduated from Western Sydney University in 2003 with a Master of Osteopathy. Sam has been providing osteopathic care to humans since 2004. After deciding she wanted to also treat four-legged patients, Sam pursued a Graduate Diploma of Animal Chiropractic at RMIT, graduating in 2009.

Sam has worked in both Ireland and Australia, and currently runs her own business, “Centaurus Osteopathy”, helping to relieve pain and maximise performance for horses, riders, dogs & the occasional exotic critter (for some variety).

Topics discussed include:

• How Sam became interested and involved in animal osteopathy.
• The difference between osteopathy and chiropractics.
• Sam discusses the main conditions that osteopathy can benefit.
• Recommendations that Sam makes with regards to nutrition.
• How supplements can also be beneficial.
• Sam talks about how pet parents can manage the household to help their pets.
• The importance of exercise and a healthy weight to avoid injury and help with case management.

You can learn more on abmprof.com.au. You can reach Sam Sherrington at ourosteo.com or on Facebook - Sam Sherrington - Osteopath

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Dr Edward Bassingthwaighte graduated as a veterinarian from the University of Queensland in 1995. He is known globally as the Healing Vet and is passionately devoted to do the best in holistic pet health care.

Through his own recovery from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Lyme disease, Dr Edward explored holistic medicine and energy healing. After realising that animals also responded well to this approach, he created the Whole Energy Body Balance (WEBB) Method.

Dr Edward now practices integrative medicine in Vet hospitals while empowering pet parents and professionals all over the world to find and heal pets’ silent pain, anxiety and trauma with his WEBB online practitioner training. 

Topics discussed include:

• What lead Dr Ed to become a veterinarian and focus on integrative medicine.
• How chronic fatigue syndrome affected Dr Ed's professional life.
• The 'Whole Energy Body Balance' method and what it entails.
• Dr Bassingthwaighte explains silent pain and how to assess it. 
• The most common causes of soft tissue pain.
• The ways that pet parents can prevent  tissue pain in their pets.
• How the WEBB method can assist with behavioural concerns such as anxiety.
• Dr Ed discusses setting boundaries with your pet.
• The importance of nutrition and supplements to reduce inflammation in the body.

You can reach Dr Ed on https://www.thehealingvet.com/ and access his masterclasses on https://www.wholeenergybodybalance.com.

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