This diet has 7 major components and this is it in summary form. I know this is a lot of information, but with this check list you can see what is involved, then go down and read the
detailed information about amounts to use, WHY to use them and where to purchase products.

• Super premium brand of kibble - list below
  
• Nzymes - Dietary enzymes which are missing in all kibbles
  
• Probiotics and digestive enzymes - a combination product
  
• Vitamin C
  
• Oxydrops
  
• Canned meats or raw/cooked meats
  
• Fruits and Veggies
  
  And other Nutritional suggestions for specific health problem

Eagle Natural

All these Eagle dog food products have human grade and organic ingredients, with multiple proteins sources for building muscle, friendly yogurt- like cultures (probiotics), digestive enzymes, prebiotics, glucosamine HCL for joint support (Natural & Senior), sequestered minerals, naturally preserved, with NO ethoxiquin BHA, BHT, and ester vitamin C, yucca and balanced Omega 6:3 fatty acids.

This is the ONLY dog food ever feed trial tested on growing Great Dane puppies over a long period of development, and done with several litters before it became available to the public many years ago. Eagle has the longest track record of any food being successfully fed to giant breeds.

To purchase Eagle Dog Foods:

1.Go to their website http://www.eaglepack.com
2. Find a distributor in your state/area on the "find us" button OR
3. Call them and ask the where is the closest place to purchase Eagle Dog Food.
If you must purchase Eagle over the Internet, these two companies do a great job. I cannot recommend any other services.

PetPals - California based but will ship - http://www.epetpals.com/
Waggin' Tails Pet Essentials - http://www.waggintails.com/
VIP-PETS -California based but will ship - http://www.petfooddirect.com/store/

Nzymes - Dietary enzymes in a chewable healthy pet treat or granular form

Enzymes are heat sensitive and lost in processing/cooking of all commercial foods or making home cooked diets.As owners we must put dietary enzymes back into the diet, in order to maintain proper wellness and not deplete the body of this important resource. This can be done by the addition to your diet with a product called Nzymes, a chewable pet treat, or granular form which can be sprinkled on the food to replace what is lost.In other words, Nzymes provide the body with the right nutrients to allow the body to make the chemicals necessary to detoxify (clean out) the body and repair itself.

Nzymes helps with the following:

• Allergic reactions
  
• Natural anti-inflammatory ~ so you can avoid risky medicines like Rimaydl
  
• Arthritis
  
• Orthopedic problems ~ HOD, OCO, Pano, Wobblers, Hip Dysplasia, ACL
  
• Epilepsy and Seizures - due to vaccine reactions
  
• Vaccine reactions
  
• Cleanses residual toxins from medicines, flea and parasite preparations.
  
• Boosting the immune system
  
• Reduces shedding
  
• Itchy ears
  
• Yeast infections
  
• Bladder infections
  
• Hotspots
  
• Reduces healing time from injury, surgery (cropping/bloat/c-sections)
• Reduces recovery time from anesthesia.
  

Nzymes are from sprouts (food) so they do not conflict with diet or any medications. I have used the Nzymes for 17 years for my animals and I take the human product and have seen remarkable changes our health. By incorporating Nzymes into the diet, you are putting back the "living component" into the modern processed and cooked diets. This gives the body the tools it needs for repair and good health.

Website: http://www.nzymes.comCall and talk to Stan at Nzymes, he is a wonderful and caring man, and he will provide you with assistance for your particular problem. 877- 816- 6500 - 8:00-6:00 PST

First Choice Naturals 4 in 1 Probiotics - First Choice Naturals -4 in 1 - Probiotics (formerly Daily Greens Plus)

This product fills the wholes in every diet, processed or raw. It contains your daily dose of:

• Friendly bacteria or yogurt cultures/ probiotics in the form of Lactobacillus / Acidophillus and other cultures.
  
• Vitamin C in the form Ester C (fruits)
  
• Barley Grass - (veggies) your daily salad.
  
• Digestive enzymes - needed when using process and raw diet.
  
  Note: This product contains digestive enzymes which does a different job than the antioxidant enzymes in the Nzymes product listed above.
  To order: 800-937-1104 Website: ~ http://www.firstchoicenaturals.com

OR

For dogs prone to chronic digestive upset, Bloat or Giardia use this Probiotic product.

BacPakPlus Fortified /w Yucca - is 6 beneficial bacteria, digestive enzymes and yucca. These are good yogurt type bacteria which are microencapsulated to be released in the lower intestine for tough to handle intestinal problems such as IBD, Giardia protozoa, bacterial infection, stress or bloat recovery, loose stool, Parvo etc.

When a dog is on antibiotics, they MUST be on Probiotics at the same time and continue after, to replenish the intestinal flora of the gut. Otherwise you will get loose stools and opportunistic bad bacteria, such as staph, or yeast/fungus can start to flourish in the gut. (see article Suggestions for Controlling Yeast/Fungus Infections)

One pound lasts for many months and it is not cost prohibitive and the benefits are well worth the use. Breeds that are prone to Bloat/Torsion need probiotic cultures in their diet to help keep the pH balance where it should be as well as help boost the immune system. To Order: 800 - 872-0073
Website: http://www.nzymes.com

The canine Orthopedic Foundation Association recommends Vitamin C supplementation to help in the prevention of certain orthopedic diseases.

250mg of Vitamin C for puppies 8 wks - 10 wks daily
500mg of Vitamin C for puppies 10 wks - 12 wks daily
1000 mg of Vitamin C for puppies 12 wks - adults.

If they get a loose stool, try a lower dose or a different brand.
If you use Ester C - use a lesser dose, 500 mg of Ester C = 1000 mg of activity.
If you are using the First Choice Naturals 4 in 1 Probiotics (listed above) DO NOT use any Vitamin C supplementation. For more information on Vitamin C - www.belfield.com

OR

If you want to use raw meats, I recommend Country Pet Dog Food. Country Pet makes a variety of flavors of "no grain" rolls that are (blanched) by a process of raising the temperature of the product to just above 100 degrees C for a short period of time for the final packing process, this is done to ensure product safety during distribution from manufacture to your dogs bowl. This is good to use along with your kibble. www.countrypet.com

Raw/Cooked: Yogurt,Fruits/Veggies

These include fruits and veggies, not necessarily in large amounts, a little is better than none. Berries melons, apples, banana, tomatoes, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, oranges, squash, sweet potato, green beans, zucchini, garlic.

NO raw onions, avocado, spinach, kale or chocolate which of course is not a fruit, even though I do think of it as a food group!

Water On Food:

Commercial foods need to be fed with moisture so dogs don't over consume water after a meal, and so the kibble does not pull moisture from the dogs system in order to break down properly. Use "tepid" temperature water never hot or warm and never soak your food as it breaks down and destroys nutrients. Mix up and feed immediately. I use approximately 1 to 1-1/2 cups of water for adults per each meal. Adjust accordingly for puppies. If they have loose stools, you may be using too much meat or water than necessary. Adjust that before you panic and think they are sick.

Drinking Water:

It is very important to NEVER withhold water from your dog. This can lead to over consumption and bladder infections. Use common sense, do not let them drink excessively after exercise or dinner. Like a horse, let them cool down and then drink. I have found if I have water available in several places, they never overdo it since they know it is available to them when they need it. That way they drink less amounts of water, but more frequently.

Withholding water for fear of bloat is a myth. Stress is the cause and bloat/torsion is the response. It is much more complicated that simply saying water is the cause of bloat.

Do not microwave, soak or use hot or very warm water on your kibble. It will destroy the integrity of the friendly yogurt type cultures and the fragile vitamins/minerals and amino acids on the food.

Oxy-Drops are a safe, liquid compound that has demonstrated efficacy as a bactericidal, fungicidal and virucidal agent. Oxy-Drops are important for animals that are on diets that include raw meat. This will help to keep the pathogenic bacteria from being a problem. Also breeds that are prone to bloat need Oxy- Drops because it helps to keep an overgrowth of bad bacteria supressed in the gut. If the bloating is caused by systemic fungus (Leaky Gut Syndrome) or pathogenic bacteria (Toxic Gut Syndrome), Oxy-Drops along with Probiotics may help keep these in check, as well as help maintain the correct pH of the gut.

Oxy-Drops enhances the immune system and second it releases slowly and oxidizes, cleaning toxins from the body. Oxy-Drops acts on the organism at cellular level with no unwanted side effects. The best use of Oxydrops is to mix according to instructions and pour over the dogs food daily. Oxy-Drops have many other applications, in a diluted form. For other uses see the websites below.

For more information on Oxy-Drops - http://www.nzymes.com/product-oxydrops.htm

For suggested dosages and uses for Oxy-Drops http://www.nzymes.com/guidelines-Oxy-Drops.htm

To order online or call Stan - 877- 816-6500 http://www.nzymes.com/

BARF - RAW FOODS BASICS - Understanding their Usage

There are 4 types of raw diets that can be purchased so it is CRITICAL people call the company and ask HOW to use these diets to make sure they are balanced and complete.

Types of Diets:

• Complete diets, with vitamins minerals and balanced calcium/phosphorus ratio.
  
• Straight raw meats (incomplete diets) and they need to be balanced in their calcium and phosphorus ratio before you use them. This is done with a companion product the company will instruct you to purchase. (These must be used with a variety of other foods in order to bring them up to a complete diet)
  
• Grain/veggie/fruit diets and you have to add the raw meat.
  
• Commercial kibble that is calculated to use up to 20% raw meat with the kibble

All these listed below are are meat, veggie, fruit "balanced" diets and can be use by alone or mixed with a quality kibble.

Raw Meats:

If you "insist on feeding raw meat, grind up chicken necks, wings so they get the meat AND the bone in a meal form, and use with kibble. Meat and bone are balanced in calcium and phosphorus ratio and MUST be fed together, or you can cause growth problems.

Do not feed straight raw or cooked meat only without the bone, and do not use a meat/rice mixture as this unbalances your calcium / phosphorus levels of your dog food. If you need a balanced bland diet I can provide one for you.

These foods are a preparation of whole grains, fruits and veggies. You must supply the meat protein and follow their directions exactly or you can unbalance the diet.

Commercial Kibble - You Can Add 20% raw meat

1. EAGLE PACK
2. PHD
3. WYSONG

Oxy-Drops are important for animals that are on diets that include raw meat. This will help to keep the pathogenic bacteria from being a problem. Also breeds that are prone to bloat need Oxy- Drops because it helps to keep an overgrowth of bad bacteria supressed in the gut. If the bloating is caused by systemic fungus (Leaky Gut Syndrome) or pathogenic bacteria (Toxic Gut Syndrome), Oxy-Drops along with Probiotics may help keep these in check, as well as help maintain the correct pH of the gut. For other uses see the websites below.

For more information on Oxy-Drops - http://www.nzymes.com/product-oxydrops.htm

For suggested dosages and uses for Oxy-Drops http://www.nzymes.com/guidelines-Oxy-Drops.htm

To order online or call Stan - 877- 816-6500 http://www.nzymes.com/

Co-Q-10:

This enzyme is a necessary part of every cell in the body and it is involved in each cells respiratory chain and supplies energy to the organs. The older we get the less our body has of this enzyme, which protects the heart, lungs and the gum tissues. It is an important part of the nutritional support for an animal/human with cardiovascular problems. (Along with 500 mg taurine and 1000 mg L-carnitine). 180 mg is recommend for an animal with heart problems. I use 60-90 mg for normal maintenance dose. To order, call 1-800-937-1104

Green Foods:

Cereal Grass, Seaweed and Algae are excellent organic sources for micronutrients. These products are a series of blue-green algae or land grasses, which provide micronutrients often missing in all foods. Because they are from a food source they body can use them and what is not needed is excreted, unlike mined minerals such as oxides.

Because I use First Choice 4 in 1 Daily Probiotics, my dogs get thier component of grasses through the Pines Wheat Grass incorporated into that product.

Eagle Natural Pack (23% protein / 12% fat)
I use this product from weaning through adulthood. If I have an animal that we are starting to show (dog shows) and they need more weight, I can safely switch to the Eagle Original Pack which is a higher caloric food. However, I do not switch to a higher calorie food until 10 months of age, as I want them to grow slow and even during the drastic growth stages. Note: When not showing or after showing I use the Eagle Natural Pack as my basic food for most adults unless they need more weight (Eagle Original or Holistic) or less weight (Eagle Senior)

Eagle Kennel Pack (25% protein / 15% fat)
I use this product from 10 months if showing especially on the males that may need a little bulk. I also use it for bitches that are pregnant and I start them on the higher protein half way through their pregnancy and continue until the puppies are 3-4 months old so her body is repaired from the stress of the litter. I use this food if a dog is on the road showing so they consume less quantity yet still get enough calories to keep on the needed weight for showing.

Eagle Senior (26% protein - 12% Fat)
This is a remarkable food for older dogs (5 yrs +). We are told older dogs need less when in fact they need more protein, usable protein to hold muscle mass to support the bones. Nutrients need to be higher to replace greater needs for the elderly. Everyone reports higher energy levels with this food and that has been my experience. It also has joint support nutrition, which is very important for the geriatric animal. (See Senior Feed Program)

In addition to Eagle:

I always use Nzymes and Daily Greens Plus as well as fresh fruits and veggies.Young adult males may eat as much as 12 to 14 cups per day until mature which means you may want to switch them up to a higher protein/fat/calorie food to reduce the amount they are having to process in the course of a day.

• Mature bitches approximately 6 cups per day
• Mature males approximately 7-10 cups per day
• Older dogs and bitches approximately 5-6 cups per day:

Remember this is based on a moderate protein food and in my case, the Eagle Natural Pack 23% protein / 12% fat. If using a higher calorie food, of course this amount would be less.

Puppies and older dogs should NEVER be placed on a lite or low-protein diet. Cut back the amount you feed rather than switching to a lower protein and lower fat. They need the nutrients for their organs and brain cells and their coats will suffer drastically.

Suggestions for Common Problems like Arthritis and Orthopedic problems:

1. Nzymes Antioxidant Treats - Used to flush toxins from joints and as an anti-inflammatory - (877-816-6500)
2. Cardivet Plus or Syn-Flex - Glucosamine plus product for joint repair (see Orthopedic Feed Program)
3. MSM (Vita-Flex) - nutritional sulfur - (800-937-1104)

Note: These products can be used together with no problem.

Vaccine Reactions:
To help prevent this problem in adults, make sure they are on Vitamin C and Nzymes. I use the Nzymes Product to support the immune system, and prevent vaccine reactions.

Nothing is a guarantee but this is a step in the right direction. (877-816-6500)

Anesthethesia / Surgery:

Any kind of elective surgery, i.e., cropping, spay, neuter or emergency surgery such as bloat/torsion. I use Nzymes to detoxify 877-816-6500.

Heart Problems:

Co-Enzyme Q-10 - an antioxidant for gums, heart, lung support (800-937-1104), Taurine and L-Carnitine - Amino Acids which support heart (800-368-5057). Dosages are listed on the container. These are nutritional substances from food sources and do not conflict with medications.

Sulfonamide Antibiotics

Based on information gained from the National Bone Survey, I do not recommend using Sulfonamide* antibiotics to my puppy buyers because these drugs can cause serious side-effects like sloughing of skin and internal bleeding and HOD-like symptoms including;fever, aching joints, swollen joints, lack of mobility, depression and anorexia. The following antibiotics are sulfonamides.

• Ditrim
• Primor
• Tribrissin
• Bactrim
• TMZ
• TMP/SDZ

Another commonly used, potentially troublesome antibiotics is Cephalexin (Keflex, Cefa-Tabs). This can also produces the same symptoms as HOD (fever,swollen/hot joints, immobility, anorexia) even in adult dogs. I will use Chephalexin, but with a watchful eye and if the dog starts acting lethargic and achy, we stop the antibiotic, since they are sensitive to it. Call the vet for an alternative antibiotic and make sure you are using a good Probiotic product to keep the digestive tract functioning properly.

I will not use Sulfonamides drugs on my dogs. A reaction can happen from 24 hours - 2 weeks of being on an antibiotic. If there is a reaction, my vet recommends Dexamethsone/Azium and discontinue use or antibiotic.

* Research references on Sulfonamides on request.

I hope that you find this program helpful. This is a life long program and one that is used by the top breeders in this country with many years of success. This program is not to be use instead of veterinarian care, diagnosis or treatment


GREATDANELADY.COM

Linda Arndt ~ Canine Nutritional Consultant