AboutCatherine Lane, Dip. CFN Expertise I offer qualified and comprehensive expertise, based on both extensive experience as a professional canine nutrition consultant to local veterinary clinics, breeders, natural food stores and individual dog lovers, as well as formal training (I currently hold a diploma in canine nutrition and am pursuing a Master's degree at this time). My background in dogs spans fifty years and my approach to nutrition emphasizes a reasonable balance between cutting-edge, holistic science, and conventional research and wisdom. I'm happy to discuss anything related to canine nutrition, including commercial diet, formulating a home prepared raw or cooked diet, diet for health conditions and life stages, pros and cons of raw feeding, performance nutrition, behaviour, supplementation,using herbs safely/ effectively, nutrient requirements, food sources and safety. Please check my website www.thepossiblecanine.com for a full biography and much more information on my training, experience, and results.
Experience I've worked with dogs in various capacities since the 1970's, when I was a veterinary assistant for my father's practise and involved in conformation with various breeds. Since then I have studied nutrition informally and formally with an emphasis on canine studies.I have been working as a canine nutrition consultant for eight years professionally; I take referrals from several local veterinary clinics, working mainly with health conditions such as IBD, cancer, kidney disease and uroliths. I also present seminars,have guested on a local radio show, appeared on local television,and I teach certificate programmes in nutrition, dietary formulation and herbalism.
Organizations Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of Eastern Canada
Publications The Bark, September 2007
forthcoming DogFancy, March 2008
Regular columnist for local periodicals The Ridgeback Roster and Ottawa Natural Pets newsletter
Education/Credentials Recently completed a three year Diploma in Canine Nutrition from a local online college.
Currently enrolled in prerequisite program for Masters in Human Nutrition at an accredited university, and completing a two year program in Herbalism at Dominion College.
Certificate in Herbalism from Australasian College of Natural Health
Past/Present Clients caseload is in the high hundreds, far too numerous to list
My 2 year old, female ShihTzu just had a decent sized Struvite bladder stone removed. My vet suggested I permanently place her on Science Diet c/d. I don't like the ingredients in this food and was looking for a better alternataive. I definitely don't want her to go through another surgery, so I am willing to compromise if I have to. My main goal would be to get a good quality food that will keep future stones and/or bladder issues from happening. I know a little bit about what to look for in a food: low protein, low magnesuim, low phosphorous. It looks to me like the Innova Evo brands have much lower levels in these areas than the science diet - so I must be missing something. Can you please recommend a canned dog food for long term use and/or homemade recipes? I wouldn't mind alternating the two, if possible.
Thank you!
Karen
Answer Hi Karen,
Unfortunately I can't recommend a home made recipe, although I offer that service professionally, because there are multiple factors to be taken into account when formulating a diet for a specific condition like struvite. Hill's isn't an ideal food in terms of ingredients, but they are developed to address the nutrient unique needs of various conditions. It's important that while a diet should restrict, say, magnesium, there is also an absolute requirement for it and so the diet needs to provide at least the minimum level. I would suggest either a consultation with either myself or someone like myself (trained and experienced) who can formulate an appropriate diet for your individual - or stick with the Hill's for now. EVO is actually very high protein. I'd look at a food like Burns or Wellness Simple Solutions, and check with your vet of course.
