Showsight - August 2021

SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

To Whom It May Concern,

I enjoyed reading the article about canine dentition in the recent issue of Showsight Magazine (July 2021, Vol. 29, No. 7), written by Stephanie Hedgepath, and as a holistic doctor and chiropractor, I appreciate that these topics are being covered. I would like to comment on a small, but important, point that was not discussed in this article. On page 82, towards the end of the article, the author recommends the usage of kelp to help reduce tartar accumulation from the reaction that occurs when these supplements are ingested. While this can be helpful for some dogs with no noticeable side effects, for other dogs, this extra supplement to their diet can be a problem. Kelp is high in iodine, and for dogs that already have an excellent diet with high levels of minerals being supplied, additional iodine through these kelp or similar seaweed-based supplements may lead to potential thyroid problems. This could potentially be the case for dogs that are fed organ meats such as liver on a regular basis, since liver is a good source of iodine along with many other nutrients. Also, any owner with a dog or breed with a tendency for thyroid problems should be very careful when considering these products. One can easily read the reviews on the Internet of similar products to find this issue being mentioned by customers who learned of the problem firsthand with their dogs. I feel that when health advice is being offered, it is important to recommend caution and seek the support of a veterinarian or similar qualified healthcare professional.

I appreciate your consideration of my thoughts. If there are any questions or if additional information is needed, please feel free to contact me by email at drtimfleming@yahoo.com or by phone at 303-444-3833. Sincerely,

Timothy Fleming, D.C.

A RESPONSE

In my recent article in the July 2021 issue of Showsight on canine dentition, I mentioned that I used Organic Norwe- gian Kelp as a supplement in my own dogs’ diets for several years and that it has been a great help in keeping the tartar buildup on my Corgis’ teeth to a minimum. Showsight received a thoughtful letter to the editor concerning this state- ment from Timothy Fleming, D.C., a holistic doctor and chiropractor, who made a very good point with which I totally agree: “ While this can be helpful for some dogs with no noticeable side effects, for other dogs, this extra supplement to their diet can be a problem. Kelp is high in iodine, and for dogs that already have an excellent diet with high levels of minerals being supplied, additional iodine through these kelp or similar seaweed-based supplements may lead to potential thyroid problems. This could potentially be the case for dogs that are fed organ meats such as liver on a regular basis, since liver is a good source of iodine along with many other nutrients. Also, any owner with a dog or breed with a tendency for thyroid problems should be very careful when considering these products. One can easily read the reviews on the Internet of similar products to find this issue being mentioned by customers who learned of the problem firsthand with their dogs. I feel that when health advice is being offered, it is important to recommend caution and seek the support of a veterinarian or similar qualified healthcare professional. ” It is always a good idea to discuss things with your veterinarian when you make a change in your dog’s diet, especially if you feed as Dr. Fleming describes above. It is always better to be safe than sorry! My thanks for Dr. Fleming from reminding me of this.

Stephanie Hedgepath

42 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, AUGUST 2021

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