 |
Daniel
C. Richardson is the Director of Research for
Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. at their Science and
Technology Center in Topeka, Kansas. In 1975,
he received his BS from Kansas State University,
where he went on to obtain his D.V.M. degree in
1977. He completed a surgery/medicine internship
at Auburn University the following year and did
his surgical residency at the University of Tennessee
from 1978 to 1981.
His current research interests include developmental
and acquired orthopedic disorders- such as hip
dysplasia, and fracture healing- and clinical
nutrition. Dr. Richardson has received numerous
awards for clinical and teaching excellence at
three different institutions. He served as Assistant
Professor of Surgery at Purdue University and
was both an Assistant and Associate Professor
of Surgery at North Carolina State University.
Dr. Richardson is a Diplomate of the American
College of Veterinary Surgeons. He is an adjunct
full professor at North Carolina State University
and Kansas State University. He has published
over 75 scholarly articles on various topics,
focusing primarily on developmental orthopedics.
Dr.
Richardson has a black lab named Shadow and a
domestic short-hair cat named Sushi.
|
|
| |
|
|
For
links to this scientist's home page and other related
infomation please see our resources
page.
Richardson
responds :
 10.26.01
Eric G asks:
How can I purchase the "edible toothbrush" kibble?
My black lab inhales her food and has dirty teeth
which she does not like to have brushed. |
Richardson's
response:
For
healthy pets, Science Diet® Oral Care® is available
through veterinarians and pet specialty retailers
carrying the Science Diet product line. It is an
appropriate choice to maintain a clean, healthy
mouth in adult pets with no current health issues.
If a pet suffers from gingivitis or is at risk of
more serious dental disease, Prescription Diet®
t/d®, which is available only through your veterinarian,
may be a better choice. |
10.23.01
Sue M. asks:
What type of ingredients, vitamins, etc. do you
look for in pet foods to be good for dogs and cats?
Simple but important. Thank you. |
Richardson's
response:
Reading
a pet food ingredient list isn't a reliable way
to evaluate if the food contains adequate nutrition
for your pet. The best information to read on the
pet food label is that the food has been tested
in AAFCO feeding trials for the appropriate lifestage
of your pet. Approved feeding trials are the best
way to evaluate the nutritional adequacy of a pet
food. Recent evidence in nutrition research would
indicate the need for higher levels of antioxidants
in food. Oxidation is a common process occurring
in most living organisms. All body systems are affected
by the ravages of oxidative stress and all would
benefit from the everyday protection afforded by
increased levels of antioxidants like vitamin E,
vitamin C and beta carotene. If your pet has health
or other concerns, your veterinarian can recommend
a specific food to best meet the needs of your pet. |
10.26.01
Eric asks:
Does tooth decay in cats and dogs lead to other
serious illnesses such as heart disease? |
Richardson's
response:
Tooth
decay, or cavities, occurs infrequently in dogs
and cats. However, dogs and cats are commonly affected
with periodontal disease, which is an infection
of the gums and structures that surround and support
the teeth. In periodontal disease, germs (bacteria)
accumulate around the teeth and under the gums.
These bacteria can spread, resulting in increased
risk of infection of other organ systems such as
the heart and kidneys. In dogs, the severity of
periodontal disease has been correlated with pathological
changes in the heart, liver and kidney (DeBowes,
Mosier, Logan, et.al., 1996) and in people, periodontal
disease is a risk factor for the development of
heart and lung disease. While a direct causal relationship
has not been established, pet owners frequently
report on the dramatic improvement in energy level
and quality of life in their pets following appropriate
periodontal therapy. |
10.26.01
Karen Bartels asks:
"I am interested in this "high-tech" kibble for
dogs. I have two 6-yr. old boxers with awful breath.
One of them has allergies to beef, lamb and dairy
products according to blood allergy test done a
few years ago. Is this food available anywhere,
and if so, could Diva eat it with her allergies?
My vet. carries a dental/tarter control food from
Science diet. Is this the same? I hope not, since
this food had beef in it. Lastly, would you recommend
that I have my boxer rechecked for allergy causes.
She also has environmental allergies. Thank you!
" |
|
Richardson's
response:
Science
Diet® Oral Care® Adult Dog food is available at
veterinary practices as well as pet specialty
retailers carrying the Science Diet product line.
It is an appropriate choice to maintain a clean,
healthy mouth in adult pets with no current health
issues. If a pet suffers from gingivitis or is
at risk of more serious dental disease, Prescription
Diet® t/d® may be a better choice. Your veterinarian
can provide this food if he/she feels it is appropriate
for your pet. Neither Science Diet® Oral Care
Adult Dog nor Prescription Diet® canine t/d® contain
beef, lamb or dairy products. Blood tests for
food allergies have not proven reliable in dogs.
Blood
tests for food often result in false positive
reactions; i.e., the test will be positive when
the animal is not allergic to the food ingredient.
The only reliable method of diagnosing food allergy
is with an elimination food trial and challenge
with individual food ingredients. There are products
such as Prescription Diet® z/d and Prescription
Diet® z/d ultra that are specially formulated
for pets with adverse reactions to food (food
allergy or intolerance) and are available through
your veterinarian. As noted in one of your Boxers,
it is common for dogs to have more than one form
of allergy. Allergic reactions to both food and
environmental allergens (house dust mite, weeds,
grasses, etc.) can occur. Your veterinarian would
be best able to advise you when and how it would
be appropriate to retest your dogs for allergies.
|
|
