Canine Health Coach

04/24/2026

A new peer reviewed study published in the journal Environmental Research found that commercial dry dog and cat foods contain tiny pieces of plastic (microplastics), and they were detected in every brand tested. Dog food had more than double the levels found in cat food, with dogs exposed to about 9 particles per 5 grams, compared to about 4 per 5 grams in cat food. The plastics included common materials such as PET, polyethylene, and polypropylene, likely originating from raw ingredients, processing equipment, and packaging. Researchers suggest dogs may face greater whole body exposure due to higher intake, while cats may be more prone to chronic gut irritation.

If you are looking to support gut health, certain probiotic strains like Saccharomyces boulardii and Lactobacillus rhamnosus are among the most studied. They have been shown to support the gut barrier, help balance the microbiome, and reduce inflammation, especially in cases like acute diarrhea. For more information on how to help limit your pet’s microplastic exposure, visit www.ProactivePaws.com

03/19/2026

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=122186338646876215&id=61576286453921

Study: What you feed your dog can change their health in just 14 days.

Processing matters. Just like in humans, ultra-processed diets are linked to health concerns and similar patterns are being seen in dogs. How much a dog’s food is processed can affect digestion, nutrient absorption, gut bacteria, and overall metabolic and immune health.

A new peer-reviewed study found dogs eating a gently cooked diet (Lyka Pet Food) had better digestion, healthier gut bacteria, and smaller blood sugar spikes than dogs on kibble (Hill’s Pet Nutrition).

Lower spikes = less stress on the body and inflammation, supporting heart health, immune balance, and healthier aging.

10/19/2025

https://www.facebook.com/100057681233719/posts/1404120181520676/?

Last month, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) issued a somewhat vague notice about an ongoing outbreak investigation of Salmonella infections

09/07/2025

The work begins now on Book 3: The Repair Manual.

Over the next year, we’ll be gathering cutting-edge insights from the world’s leading specialists on the diseases most commonly affecting our dogs, along with the most effective prevention strategies from top functional medicine veterinarians around the globe.

This is the book you’ve been asking for:
Exclusive insights from 100+ of the world’s foremost doctors, tackling the toughest conditions so our beloved animals gain access to the newest, most effective treatment and prevention protocols for the worst diseases.

Over the next year, we will do our best to bring you with us on our Repair Manual Journey. Have a request for a leading edge doctor or scientist you would like to interview, leave a comment!

07/20/2025

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=122124955022876215&id=61576286453921

Preventing unwanted litters is a goal we all share—but it's time to rethink the surgical approach. Hysterectomies and vasectomies, which preserve hormonal balance, can safely be performed as early as 8 weeks of age, making dogs sterile without disrupting their natural hormones.

In this study, researchers looked at whether the age at which dogs were spayed or neutered, meaning how long they were exposed to their natural s*x hormones, affected how healthy they were in old age. They studied a group of long-lived pet dogs to learn what helps dogs live longer, healthier lives. Dogs with the fewest age-related health problems were considered the most “robust.”

The results showed that both male and female dogs who kept their hormones longer (i.e., were spayed or neutered later) were 3 to 10 times more likely to be healthy in old age compared to those altered earlier. Once hormone exposure and age were taken into account, there was no difference in old-age health between males and females.

This study highlights how important s*x hormones may be for staying healthy later in life and shows that early-life decisions—like when to spay or neuter—can have long-term effects on health.

06/04/2025

05/26/2025

https://www.facebook.com/100001232685986/posts/23946693504955071/?

05/15/2025

Before automatically jabbing your pet, ask if additional immunization is needed by titre testing

Let’s talk about yearly vaccines — because not enough people are questioning them.

We titre test. Every year. Because we want data, not assumptions. And what we’ve found? Most dogs still have strong immunity years after their last vaccine. So why are we still jabbing them annually? Habit? Policy? Profit?

The truth is, over-vaccination is still happening — not because it’s backed by science, but because it’s easier than updating protocols. And too many clinics are afraid to challenge the status quo. That’s not healthcare, that’s lazy medicine.

Titre testing isn’t “alternative” or fringe. It’s evidence-based. It protects immunity and avoids unnecessary immune stress. But try bringing it up in the wrong vet clinic and watch the conversation get awkward real quick.

It’s time more vets started explaining the actual options — not just printing reminders for outdated vaccine schedules.

You don’t need to be anti-vax to be pro-informed choice.

Agree? Disagree? Drop your thoughts. This one needs a proper discussion.

03/24/2025

Better care, fewer barriers. At the Parsemus Foundation, we’re advocating for low-cost, non-surgical veterinary treatments to improve the lives of pets everywhere. Learn more about our pet health programs: https://www.parsemus.org/pethealth/

03/23/2025

https://fb.watch/yvW9gwl5V4/?