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Page 24 | Abby's Magazine - www.AbbysMag.com Many inflammatory diseases end with "itis", such as arthritis (spondylosis, hip dysplasia, degenerative disc disease, osteoarthritis). Organ diseases include pancreatitis (pancreas), nephritis (kidneys), cystitis (bladder) myocarditis (heart), bronchitis (bronchi in the lungs), uveitis (eyes), vasculitis (blood vessels) and cancers. Autoimmune diseases occur when the body's defense system (immune system) triggers an inflammatory response when there are no foreign substances to fight off. The body's normally protective immune system causes damage to its own tissues. The immune system responds as if normal tissues are infected or abnormal. Though there are many things that trigger inflammation in dogs and cats, diet is by far the biggest (and most controllable) factor. Consuming a diet they were not biologically designed to eat is one of the biggest triggers. Dogs are carnivores, cats are obligate carnivores (they have no dietary requirement for carbohydrates). Neither were designed to eat diets high in sugars and carbs and devoid of enzymes. Processed diets (kibble foods and canned foods) are high in omega-6 fatty acids, low in omega-3 fatty acids, very high in carbohydrates and sugars, are devoid of digestive enzymes and unless they specify they are organic, they are loaded with genetically modified ingredients, contain bad fats, chemicals, pesticides and hormones. All of the above factors trigger the immune system to respond with inflammation. Environmental pollutants (toxic house cleaners and air fresheners) are another common cause of chronic inflammation, constantly bombarding the body with harmful substances that may send the immune system into overdrive. These are particularly harmful to indoor pets who are in direct contact 24/7. Inflammation creates "leaky gut" syndrome, a condition where the tight junctions of the gut become "leaky", allowing molecules that shouldn't enter the body to come in. These invaders then travel to the liver where the liver sees these molecules as foreign invaders and mounts an inflammatory response to "kill" the invaders and protect the body. In a situation where the invasion is temporary, the immune system response is appropriate, the problem is resolved and the body goes back to normal. When the insults are chronic (such as every bite, every meal, every day…) the result is disease that manifests as conditions like allergies, arthritis or cancer. Inflammation is a treatable disease. The key is in identifying and removing the cause(s), and restoring the body to balance. My simple 6 phase approach to managing inflammation 1. Identify the disease. At minimum we use blood panels, digital X-ray, ultrasound if warranted and energy scans to arrive at a diagnosis. 2. Eliminate exposure to toxins in the environment if possible or reduce significantly exposure to those environmental conditions that contributed to the disease to begin with. Stop the pollution! Provide a clean non- toxic environment by using only organic and natural cleaners, soaps and air fresheners (pets are in the environment 24/7 absorbing and breathing what's there). 3. Diet/Digestion/Gut Flora: The body is capable of This dogs spine has layer of bone fusing all the vertebra together. The condition is called Spondylosis and it is an advanced form of arthritis