Q: Hi, I am looking for some names of doctors that treat both pets and people with obesity. Any information that you have on this subject would be amazing.

A: Your best bet is a university-based nutritionist that deals with both human and pet obesity. Most universities have comparative medicine departments and nutrition departments and an on-line search can get you the contact number for these departments. I have recently met the following individual that specializes in this field:

Roschelle Heuberger, Ph.D., R.D., Associate Professor of Foods and Nutrition, Graduate Program Director, Department of Human Environmental Studies, Central Michigan University. 117 Wright Hall, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859, Office (989) 774-3571, Fax (989) 774-2434, heube1ra@cmich.edu.

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Count your dog in this summer when you make your travel plans! Pet friendly hotels, campgrounds and other summer vacation facilities recognize that “family vacation” just wouldn’t be the same without Fido!

Being prepared will ensure your summer trip is a fabulous dog vacation as well! Things to keep in mind:

1. What type of trip are you taking? If you plan on spending most of your time outdoors: on the beach, hiking in the woods, taking long leisurely bike rides and having dinner on the grill….your dog will have a great time. If you are planning on touring buildings (museums, etc), taking guided tours, visiting the spa, and dining out on the town….your dog may be bored to tears….or worse, destroy the hotel room. Even well-behaved dogs can exhibit unsavory behavior in strange places.

2. Inquire about local leash and dog laws. Can your dog be on the beach? In the woods? On or off leash? Is he allowed at outdoor cafes and restaurants?

3. Have you inquired about pet friendly hotels or facilities in your vacation area? Facilities run the gamut from being “no pets allowed” to “pet tolerant” to “pet friendly.” Pet tolerant facilities often require a deposit and there is usually no special treatment for your dog. Pet friendly hotels and facilities usually go out of their way—offering special treats at check-in, play programs, day care and sometimes even special spa treats and turndown service for your pet. Call ahead to get details and to reserve a space for your dog.

4. Is there a local doggy day care in the places you are going? This may be fun for your dog while you are out to dinner or getting that massage!

5. If you are flying, call the airline and reserve a space for your dog. There is a fee and there are a limited number of pets on each flight. Depending on your pet’s size, they may be unable to fly in the cabin and this will require further information from the airline.

6. Visit your veterinarian. Make sure your dog is current on his vaccinations, as well as flea, tick, parasite and heartworm prevention. Make sure your dog has been micro-chipped. This will enable identification if he ever gets lost. Get a health certificate and all of his vaccination tags. If your pet has a medical condition, take a copy of pertinent medical records in the event of an emergency. If possible, identify a veterinarian in the area where you will be vacationing.

Checklist of pet travel gear:

1. Food and water bowls
2. Portable (collapsible) bowls for day excursions
3. Food in airtight containers—it is important to keep your dog’s diet the same while on vacation to prevent stomach upset
4. Poop scooper and bags—to properly clean up after your dog
5. Extra collar and leash—in case the original gets wet, torn or lost
6. Identification tags—make sure there is a cell phone number on the tags in the event your dog gets lost
7. Medication—bring any prescription or non-prescription medication your dog is taking
8. Pet First Aid Kit—You can ask your veterinarian what to include for your particular pet. Good things to include are benadryl (diphenhydramine), triple antibiotic ointment, general antiseptic (nolvasan or betadine), bandage material (sterile gauze and a wrapping material), tweezers (for tick removal from dogs or people if needed!), emergency veterinary contact information
9. Dog bed or something comfy to sleep on
10. Dog life jacket (if you are taking any aquatic excursions)

Traveling with pets can be fun and enjoyable for all! Happy Trails!

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Q: When Maggie came to us, she had already been in two other homes. Both homes returned her to the breeder because she could not be house broken. When we got her, we noticed that she would go right where she stood, no matter where that was. I took her to my vet and he diagnosed her with a bladder infection. She was about three months old when we got her. So, looking back I can see where she has had bladder problems from a very early age. (I wonder had the first people who owned her taken her to the vet and found out what was wrong and had it treated….would it have ended up a minor infection, whereas, now, she will be forever likely to have a recurrence of the infection and more stones.) After treatment the first time she seemed better. She became house broken and we were all happy. When she again began to go where she stood, I knew the problem was back. I had never heard of dog bladder stones. She probably suffered for a long time before we began to see the symptoms.

I hope this never happens to her again. We are trying to be diligent in what she eats now. It is hard for me to withhold the treats and “people food” she loves so much. I realize now that I was literally killing her with kindness when I would give in to her pleading brown eyes and give her just about anything she wanted. If you come up with something that would be safe for her, please let me know.

A: Maggie is a lucky little girl to have found you! Thanks for sharing your story. Some treat ideas for Maggie:

Try giving her ice cubes…many dogs love them, especially in the warm weather. It is my dog’s favorite treat and she waits at the freezer door! Try making baked treats from her dog food. Put a small (dime-sized) amount of canned dog food (patted out flat) on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes (depending on the food). This way she is getting a treat that is good for her. Small bits of unflavored rice cakes can also serve as a little crunchy treat.

Bon appétit, Maggie!

Do you need vet advice? Post a comment with your veterinary questions and we will send them to Dr. Donna Spector to be answered in a future column.

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Q: My 13 year old beagle/terrier mix (34lbs) has diabetes and was also diagnosed six months ago with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. I struggle every single day when trying to feed him in order for him to get his proper dosage of insulin on time. He LOVES chicken, but my vet believes that he is now allergic to that protein source. He turns his nose up at almost everything I put down for him unless it’s junk dog food or human food. I was watching ELLEN and decided to try the Spot’s Stew. Well, Mickey ate the whole 13 oz can and I was able to administer his medication (Metranidazole and Pepcid), along with this insulin on time (YEAH!)

My question: Is Spot’s Stew appropriate to feed Mickey? I keep calling Mickey’s Internist, but even they have run out of options. It’s such a delicate balance!!! Any help or suggestions with food and treats would be so welcome.

A: I appreciate how difficult it can be to manage both of Mickey’s conditions. Now the good news: Spot’s Stew can be fed successfully to a diabetic dog with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Halo natural dog food products have low numbers of grains which means they have limited amounts of carbohydrates. The whole grains we use in our natural dog food are also “low glycemic index” and are not highly processed. What this means for Mickey is lower blood sugars throughout the day. Commercial dog foods (even premium brands) often contain large amounts of rice and corn and these are “high glycemic-index” foods; meaning that they often create large blood sugar spikes.

Diabetic dogs often benefit from a slightly higher fiber diet to help keep their blood sugar levels controlled throughout the day. Dogs with IBD frequently have improved intestinal functions with the addition of fiber to their diet. You should consider a fiber supplement in addition to Halo natural dog food for Mickey. There are many types of fiber available (e.g. psyllium, pumpkin, Metamucil, etc) and you should ask your veterinarian what would be the best supplement for Mickey. If Mickey may be allergic to chicken, the Salmon, Lamb or Turkey based Spot’s Stew would be a better choice to help manage his Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).

Hope this helps….good luck with Mickey!

Do you need vet advice? Post a comment with your veterinary questions and we will send them to Dr. Donna Spector to be answered in a future column.

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It is no secret that pet obesity has become a problem for many of our fat cats and dogs. While the situation can be greatly helped by making sure our furry friends eat a healthy natural pet food diet, it is just as important to exercise our pets. For dogs, there are a number of easy options: daily walks, strolls in the park, and friendly games of fetch are all activities likely to be enjoyed by dogs and their human companions alike.

But what about our feline friends? They need exercise too, but it’s often a bit more difficult to entice Fluffy to come out and play. The key may be finding a game that interests your favorite kitty. A few suggestions for feline playtime:

Laser Tag: Remember when pocket size laser pointers were all the rage? You’ve probably still got one lurking around the house. Dust it off and aim the light at the wall for your cat to chase. Many cats enjoy pouncing on the darting beam of light. Just be careful to keep the light away from your kitty’s eyes.

Catnip Craziness: It’s an old standard, but most kitties do love catnip. Halo Liv-a-Littles Catnip comes with a cotton sack toy that you can fill up for your cat’s delight. Sit back and watch your kitty entertain himself batting around his new toy.

Toy Hunting: There are any number of toy mice and such that can be purchased in pet stores. The trouble is, many cats will simply take one look at these items and decide to ignore them. That’s where you come in – interaction is the secret to getting many cats to play. It’s up to you to make your cat’s toys come to life; by sitting with your cat and varying the speed and movement of his toys, you can often entice even the most lethargic felines to play.

It’s in the Bag: Many cats just can’t resist playing with a paper grocery bag. Placing a paper bag on its side for your kitty to explore is often an easy way to encourage activity. You can even cut some holes in the sides for your cat to dart in and out of. Make sure not to leave your cat alone with the bag though – for his or her safety, this should be a monitored game.

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