The idea that CECS is a Gluten Sensitivity has been presented by contempo research.

They were actually quite confident with the link between the ii, saying in the enquiry,

Canine epileptic cramping syndrome in [border terriers]south is a gluten-sensitive movement disorder triggered and perpetuated past gluten and thus responsive to a gluten-free nutrition.

This is pretty exciting stuff! CECS (short for Canine Epileptoid Cramping Syndrome, or sometimes called 'Fasten's Disease')  is an unusual status found nigh exclusively in border terriers. These dogs are normal dogs except for when they have an 'episode' or a seizure. During an episode, the domestic dog will 'cramp up'. Typically, they remain conscious, but can't walk, and sometimes appear worried following an episode.

Chip, a border terrier that does not have CECS

Chip, a border terrier that does not have CECS

And then far, at that place has been no real diagnostic examination or caption for the condition. In December 2013, a study looked at CECS, but it was an possessor-survey, information-gaining exercise. Which is important, but doesn't give us answers!

Information technology was and so important that it actually spurred this inquiry. In the December 2013 report, 50% of dogs were found to 'respond' (i.e. have less episodes) on a gluten-gratis or hypoallergenic nutrition.

So now let'due south welcome this lovely pocket-sized written report titled 'The Clinical and Serological Result of a Gluten Free Diet in Border Terriers with Canine Epileptoid Cramping Syndrome', which begins to look at how we can bothdiagnose andtreat CECS. Exciting stuff!

The aim of the written report was to work out if a gluten-free nutrition would outcome dogs with CECS. Not only did the researchers want to know if the dogs stopped having episodes, but if their blood looked unlike with and without gluten. Naturally, they wanted to know if these things were correlated.

The dogs involved were six border terriers (an equal mix of male and female). Each dog:

  • Had had CECS for at least six months
  • Had been diagnosed with CECS via veterinary observation (including video)
  • Had had at to the lowest degree 2 CECS episodes
  • Had not tried gluten-costless diets before

For involvement sake, the average age of onset for CECS in this pocket-size sample was 2.half dozen years.

Winnie, another border terrier who does not have CECS

Winnie, another border terrier who does not take CECS

Once recruited, the dogshad claret taken and the owners were given instructions for the domestic dog going on afull gluten-gratis diet(Hypoallergenic Canine Dry from Royal Canin). The canis familiaris underwent a general physical examine (and some dogs went through more intensive procedures, owners consenting) and all were determined to be salubrious, beyond the presentation of CECS.

The blood was over again taken at 3, half-dozen, and 9 calendar month periods.

The blood was tested for antibodies which are considered of import in diagnosing gluten sensitivity in humans.

The blood of non-CECS border terriers was besides taken and tested.

The owner was asked to keep a record of the incidents of CECS in their borders.

Are you ready for the results? They're pretty compelling.

Then all that inverse in these border terriers' lives was that they were put on a completely gluten complimentary diet. With this one modify, all of the borders terriers, when they adhered to the gluten costless nutrition, stopped having seizures within 4 weeks . Iii dogs did non have seizures at all once they started the diet.

Two domestic dog owners, upon completion of the trial, accidentally fed their dogs treats with gluten… And the dogshad seizures again. Then not only did a gluten free dietcease seizures, the reintroduction of gluten caused seizures.

Now allow'south talk well-nigh"Domestic dog 6″. Dog half-dozen′southward owner is the prototype of why these kind of studies, where dogs are left with their owners, are hard piece of work! Throughout the study, Dog half-dozen was a dog that continued to accept seizures. Domestic dog vi′southward owner presumably fed the dog the gluten complimentary diet, but then immune the dog to keep to graze on horse poo when out and about.  This issue wasn't identified until late in the study then Dog half-dozen was excluded from the serum results listed in this article. However, when Canis familiaris 6′s owner actually did was they were told and stopped the equus caballus poo eating, Dog 6 stopped having seizures also! When Dog 6′due south blood was tested 3 months after the study ended (but 3 months into the possessor actually doing information technology right), that dog's claret results was consequent with the other dogs, and information technology too had ceased having episodes.

Why is this study such a large deal?

Up until now, we have had no manner todiagnose norcare for CECS. (In fact, one of the criteria established in the 2013 study of CECS indicated that if a domestic dog fails to respond to epilepsy medication then it probablyis CECS. Overnice to know, merely non a great deal of help.)

The blood results from these dogs showed high levels of relevant antibodies in affected dogs while they consumed a diet with gluten.The presence of gluten-associated antibodies could be used to diagnose CECS.

Conspicuously, a treatment has been identified too:avoid gluten!

Other areas that are of involvement:

  • Signs of gastrointestinal upsets could be a sign of gluten bug, or of futurity CECS. Airsickness, soft stools, or belly grumbling was reported in ii of the dogs featured in this study. The presentation of belly problems and CECS together tin be an indication of just 1 problem – gluten sensitivity!
  • The story of 'Canis familiaris 6′, to me, really shows the importance of owners in being vigilant. I feel that many canis familiaris owners accept a rather lazy approach to nutrient elimination diets, but elimination ways to completely remove. If you don't completely remove, yous can't say that information technology'southward been tried!
  • In humans, celiac illness has sometimes been associated with a rash… Which makes me think dorsum to the correlation betwixt CECS and peel-conditions in borders identified in the 2013 study.

Another quote from the study:

These investigations back up the hypothesis that CECS is a manifestation of gluten sensitivity, making this the first [sudden onset] move disorder in veterinary medicine with a serological link to gluten.

What research from hither?

This is a very small study, and it'due south of import that nosotros practise more inquiry before making solid conclusions. This study itself suggests further research:

  • With a larger sample size
  • More inquiry into the correlation of gastrointestinal upsets and CECS
  • A double-bullheaded randomised placebo-controlled trial

But in the meantime, while we're waiting to know more, these researchers (and I!) recommend that, if you have a border terrier with CECS, you switch the dog to a diet that eliminates all gluten foods.

Reference:

Lowrie M, Garden OA, Hadjivassiliou M, Harvey RJ, Sanders DS, Powell R, & Garosi L (2015). The Clinical and Serological Effect of a Gluten-Gratis Diet in Border Terriers with Epileptoid Cramping Syndrome. Journal of veterinary internal medicine / American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 29 (6), 1564-eight PMID: 26500168

Further reading:

Gluten Sensitivity Triggers Epileptoid Cramping Syndrome in Border Terriers

CECS is a Gluten Sensitivity

Pet Obesity
Pet obesity graphic produced past Matt Beswick for Pet365. Click hither to view the full post.

I am a long time advocate of raw nutrient diets, and was excited when approached past Maggie Rhines' regarding her new book Going Rawr! Dog Lover'south Compendium.

In his book, Maggie explains how some picky eaters may struggle to make the alter to a raw food diet.  But you know you demand to persevere because it'southward for the good of your domestic dog. Fortunately, there are some tips out at that place that will help you help your canis familiaris adjust to this new and healthier diet.

Here are 7 tips from Maggie's book to help you encourage your picky eater onto raw nutrient:

1. Accommodate your feeding schedule.

Having a ready feeding fourth dimension tin can encourage dogs to consume, setting them up for the habit of eating at a prepare time.  This means that their digestive juices get flowing (in a Pavlovian, classical conditioning way) and y'all will also know that your canis familiaris is definitely hungry past this fourth dimension.  Dogs have also developed to practice earlier a meal (i.e. 'chase commencement' and so eat), then a jog or run earlier a meal tin sometimes help a dog to build up their appetite.

2. Regulate how much food your dog is getting.

If your dog is regularly leaving some of their meal in their bowl, so you may be feeding them too much. You may need to reconsider how much you are feeding. The dog might likewise be in a habit of leaving food. One manner to help your dog terminate his food and finish it chop-chop is to set up a certain amount of time for them to swallow. Say you merely requite them 20 minutes to finish their food. After that, take away his food basin. That way, he'll be encouraged to eat his food and to terminate information technology quickly. You could also accept a wait at Sue Ailsby's educational activity a dog to eat guide, to break any bad-eating habits your domestic dog may take.  Removing food after 20 minutes or and then also prevents the raw food going off – evidently not desirable!

3. Lay off on the treats.

If your dog is often disinterested in their meals, perhaps they are getting too many treats and snacks in between meals. If you cut out these treats, it may increase the dog's appetite and make them more keen to eat raw. If y'all are the type to do a lot of training with your dog, make your raw meal into the grooming treats, or switch to play-based rewards for a week or 2, could help encourage your dog's appetite.

4. Variety is the spice of life.

Some dogs reply well to variety. The joy of raw food is that information technology is quite varied naturally! Planning a varied meal doesn't have to be complicated. You tin can rotate his meals every 3 days. Serve different kinds of meat or different kinds of fruits and vegetables to keep him excited during meal times.

5. Make it fun.

Sometimes dogs savour the packaging of a repast more than than the meal itself!  Dogs that are used to using food toys, similar Kongs, may be inclined to extract raw food from these toys too.  Some dogs may be inclined to get stuck into a raw bone or carcass if you were to elevate it effectually or utilize it every bit a lure or tug toy first.  If your dog is used to receiving food treats in training, start using raw nutrient as training treats.  These are all fun-based strategies that could work to getting your dog to effort the new food.

6. Mayhap he's not feeling well.

When you've tried different methods and your domestic dog is still not eating, it could exist a sign that your dog is not feeling well.  If his lack of appetite is accompanied past a general lack of involvement in any action, a vet cheque may be in order.

seven. Do the slow switch method.

Some dogs just demand more than time to accommodate to raw food diet especially afterward beingness and so used to a unlike type of food for a long time. To assistance a smooth transisition, you lot may like to mix some of the old diet in with the new nutrition, and gradually increase the proportion of the new nutrition, until the new diet is fed exclusively. This method has the extra benefit of reducing the incidence of upset tummies every bit a result of a diet change.

Introducing the raw nutrient nutrition to your dog isn't e'er as easy equally just giving him raw meaty bones to munch on. At that place are a lot of things to consider, especially if your dog is the sensitive/picky eater blazon.

To learn more well-nigh switching raw, be sure to check out Maggie Rhines'Rawr! Dog Lover's Compendium.

(Thank-y'all, Maggie, for your article 'Why is it of import for a domestic dog to undergo detoxification before switching to raw?', in which a reciprocal link was provided. Thanks!)

A canis familiaris in ideal condition volition take a thin layer of fat on their ribs. Dogs that are a good for you weight should have their ribs easily felt with minimal pressure on their sides, only not seen. When viewed from the side, these dogs accept a 'tuck up', and when viewed from above, they have an obvious waist.

Staffordshire Bull Terrier crossbreed on scales

Photos © Ruthless Photos

Overweight dogs volition have a thicker layer of fat over their ribs. To feel an overweight domestic dog's ribs, the dog's sides must be pressed. When viewed from the side and in a higher place, these dogs look more like a 'cake', with no tuck or waist.

Some breeds may have characteristics that make information technology difficult to judge the condition of the dog, but these general guidelines are applicable for about breeds. For purebreds, there are specifications for the correct weight, but these likewise are simply guidelines, and some individuals dogs may be small or large for the breed, and and then may have different platonic weights.

Canine obesity is a serious wellness concern. Overweight dogs, in general, die earlier than dogs of appropriate weights. This is considering being overweight puts more stress on an animal'southward internal systems and organs (such as their middle, lungs, liver and kidneys). This leaves overweight animals more likely to develop cardiac affliction, congestive heart failure, lung disease, and respiratory problems.

Obese animals are also at a greater risk of cancer, anal gland problems, constipation, diabetes, intestinal gas, stroke, skin issues, and an impaired immune arrangement in general. Additional weight can cause and exacerbate health issues, such as arthritis and joint problems, including spinal disc problems. Overweight animals more often than not tolerate the heat less, have difficulty exercising, and are more probable to hurt themselves when they do practice.

If you believe your dog is overweight, it is of import to cheque with your vet before making considerable changes to your dog's diet or exercise government.  There are some medical problems that may crusade your dog to be overweight.

If y'all want to reduce your dog'southward weight, there are a number of strategies that could be utilised. Go on reading