Blackwatch Adult Feed Program | = GREATDANELADY.COM

About this program - This is a = comprehensive=20 program and in order for it to work you need to do exactly as I = state in=20 each of my feed programs. You can not just feed Eagle Dog Food and = think=20 you are on the Blackwatch feed program and expect to get the = results you=20 need to for your dog.

Guidelines - Before=20 moving over to the Blackwatch Feed Program please read my article=20 on switching=20 your dogs diets.

This diet has 8 major components and = this is it=20 in summary form. I know this is a lot of information, but with = this check=20 list you can see what is involved, then go down and read the = detailed=20 information about amounts to use, WHY to use them and where to = purchase=20 products.

Super premium brand of kibble - list below=20
Nzymes - Dietary enzymes which are missing in all kibbles=20
Probiotics and digestive enzymes - a combination product=20
Vitamin C=20
Oxydrops=20
Joint Support Product (arthritis/arthritis prevention).=20
Canned meats or raw/cooked meats=20
Fruits and Veggies

And other Nutritional suggestions for specific health=20 problems

The Blackwatch Adult Feeding = Program

Basic Food - Kibbble:
Use a high quality, multiple-protein based = food of=20 moderate protein and fat content and naturally preserved. My list=20 of quality foods listed at this site are based on my = laboratory tests,=20 feed trials and ethics of the company.

My Kibble Preferences Are:

Eagle Natural - = 23%=20 protein - 12% fat - for puppy and most adults
Eagle Holistic - 24% protein - 14% fat = - puppies=20 over 6 months and adults
Eagle = Original=20 - 25% protein - 15% fat - for adults that need more=20 calories/weight
Eagle Senior = - 26%=20 protein - 10% fat - over 5 years of age.

All these Eagle dog food products have human grade and = organic=20 ingredients, with multiple proteins sources for building = muscle,=20 friendly yogurt- like cultures (probiotics), digestive = enzymes,=20 prebiotics, glucosamine HCL for joint support (Natural & = Senior), sequestered minerals, naturally preserved, with = NO ethoxiquin BHA, BHT, and = ester vitamin=20 C, yucca and balanced Omega 6:3 fatty acids.

This is the ONLY dog food ever feed trial tested on = growing Great=20 Dane puppies over a long period of development, and done = with=20 several litters before it became available to the public = many years=20 ago. Eagle has the longest track record of any food being=20 successfully fed to giant = breeds.

To purchase Eagle Dog=20 Foods:
1. Go to their = website: http://www.eaglepack.com/2.=20 Find a distributor in your state/area on the "find us" button = OR
3.=20 Call them and ask the where is the closest place to purchase = Eagle Dog=20 Food.=20
If you must purchase Eagle over the = Internet,=20 these two companies do a great job. I cannot recommend any other = services.

PetPals - California based but will ship - http://www.epetpals.com/
= Waggin' Tails Pet Essentials - http://www.waggintails.com/
VIP-PETS -California based but will = ship - http://www.petfooddirect.com= /store/

Do not microwave, soak or use hot = or very=20 warm water on your kibble. It will destroy the integrity of the = friendly=20 yogurt type cultures and the fragile vitamins/minerals and amino = acids=20 on the food.

REQUIRED FEEDING - Dietary Enzymes

Nzymes Product- Dietary enzymes in a = chewable=20 healthy pet treat or granular form

Enzymes are heat sensitive and lost in = storage,=20 processing/cooking of all commercial foods or making home cooked = diets.=20 As owners we must put dietary enzymes back into the diet, in = order to=20 maintain proper wellness and not deplete the body of this = important=20 resource. The absence of this dietary enzyme has long term = effects on=20 the body resulting in premature aging, skin problems, food=20 sensitivities, hotspots, seizures, orthopedic problems like = arthritis=20 and suppressed immune system.

Replentishing these missing dietary enzymes = that=20 detoxify the body can be done by adding them back to your diet = with a=20 product called Nzymes, a = chewable=20 pet treat, or granular form which can be sprinkled on the food = to=20 replace what is lost.

In other words, Nzymes provide the body = with the=20 right nutrients to allow the body to make the chemicals = necessary to=20 detoxify (clean out) the body and repair itself.

Nzymes helps with the following: =

Allergic reactions=20
Natural anti-inflammatory ~ so you can avoid risky = medicines=20
Arthritis=20
Orthopedic problems ~ HOD, OCO, Pano, Wobblers, Hip = Dysplasia, ACL=20
Epilepsy and Seizures=20
Vaccine reactions=20
Cleanses residual toxins from medicines, flea and parasite = preparations.=20
Boosting the immune system=20
Reduces shedding=20
Itchy ears=20
Yeast infections=20
Bladder infections=20
Hotspots=20
Reduces healing time from injury, surgery=20 (cropping/bloat/c-sections)=20
Reduces recovery time from anesthesia.

Nzymes are from sprouts (food) so they do = not conflict=20 with diet or any medications. I have used the Nzymes for 17 = years for my=20 animals and I take the human product and have seen remarkable = changes=20 our health. By incorporating Nzymes into the diet, you are = putting back=20 the "living component" into the modern processed and cooked = diets. This=20 gives the body the tools it needs for repair and good = health.

Website: http://www.nzymes.com/Call = and talk to=20 Stan at Nzymes, he is a wonderful and caring man, and he will = provide=20 you with assistance for your particular problem. 877- 816- 6500 = -=20 8:00-6:00 PST

REQUIRED FEEDING - Probiotics and Digestive Enzymes =

First Choice Naturals -4=20 in 1 - Probiotics (formerly = Daily=20 Greens Plus)

This product fills the wholes in every diet, = processed=20 or raw. It contains your daily dose of:

Friendly bacteria or yogurt cultures/ = probiotics in=20 the form of Lactobacillus / Acidophillus and other cultures.=20
Vitamin C in the form Ester C (fruits)=20
Barley Grass - (veggies) your daily = salad.=20
Digestive enzymes - needed when using = process and=20 raw diet.

To order contact Dr. Wagner at 800-937-1104

Note: This product contains = digestive=20 enzymes which does a different job than the antioxidant = enzymes in=20 the Nzymes product listed above.

OR

For dogs prone to chronic digestive upset, = Bloat or=20 Giardia use this Probiotic product.

BacPakPlus = Fortified /w=20 Yucca - is 6 beneficial bacteria, digestive enzymes and = yucca.=20 These are good yogurt type bacteria which are microencapsulated = to be=20 released in the lower intestine for tough to handle intestinal = problems=20 such as IBD, Giardia protozoa, bacterial infection, stress or = bloat=20 recovery, loose stool, Parvo etc.

One pound lasts for many months and it is = not cost=20 prohibitive and the benefits are well worth the use. Breeds that = are=20 prone to Bloat/Torsion need probiotic cultures in their diet to = help=20 keep the pH balance where it should be as well as help boost the = immune=20 system. To order BacPakPlus you can go to http://www.nzymes.com/ or = call them=20 877-816-6500.

RECOMMENDED FEEDING - = Vitamin C

If you=20 are using the 4 in 1 Probiotics (formally Daily Greens Plus) = or = Flexicose=20 joint support product (listed below), do = not use any=20 Vitamin C supplementation because it is in the productS already. =

If using BakPakPlus you must = supplement with=20 Vitamin C and here is the dosage.

The canine Orthopedic Foundation Association = recommends Vitamin C supplementation to help in the prevention = of=20 certain orthopedic diseases.

250mg of Vitamin C for puppies 8 wks - 10 wks daily=20
500mg of Vitamin C for puppies 10 wks - 12 wks daily=20
1000 mg of Vitamin C for puppies 12 wks - = adults.

If they=20 get a loose stool, try a lower dose or a different brand. =
If you=20 use Ester C - use a lesser dose, 500 mg of Ester C =3D 1000 mg = of=20 activity.

For more information on Vitamin C - http://www.belfield.com/

REQUIRED FEEDING - Whole Real Foods

Raw/Cooked:=20 Yogurt,Fruits/Veggies
These include fruits and veggies, not = necessarily in=20 large amounts, a little is better than none. Berries melons, = apples,=20 banana, tomatoes, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, oranges, = squash, sweet=20 potato, green beans, zucchini, garlic.

NO raw onions, grapes, raisins, kale or=20 chocolate.

SUGGESTED FEEDING - Meat

Canned Dog Meat:
3 Tbs. to 1/3 of a can of quality meat I = choose to=20 use a little Eagle = Holistic=20 canned dog food with tepid temp water for variety use Eagle = canned=20 meats, but Nutro, Nature's Recipe are brands that work well. = Just make=20 sure you do not use a grocery store brand of canned food, your = this can=20 cause loose stools and gas. Homemade soups work well too for=20 variety.

If you want to use raw meats, I recommend = Country Pet Dog Food. Country Pet = makes a=20 variety of flavors of "no grain" rolls that are (blanched) by a = process=20 of raising the temperature of the product to just above 100 = degrees C=20 for a short period of time for the final packing process, this = is done=20 to ensure product safety during distribution from manufacture to = your=20 dogs bowl. This is good to use along with your kibble. http://www.countrypet.com/

Required Feeding - Joint Support - = Flexicose=20
The joint support product that I have used and think is the = best on=20 the market, as well as affordable when you have these large = breeds, is a=20 liquid product called Flexicose. I have used it with = great=20 success and the real proof is in how your elderly dogs respond = to joint=20 supplementation. The amount that is in better dog foods is = minimal,=20 helpful nonetheless, but minimal, so a good joint supplement is=20 necessary especially for these large breeds, and I start them = when they=20 are 10 weeks old.

For more complete information and ordering go to this = website: Flexicose<= /B>

Required Feeding
Oxydrops = - Internal and topical uses for Systemic = Yeast/Fungus=20 Overgrowth

Oxy-Drops are a=20 safe, liquid compound that has demonstrated efficacy as a = bactericidal,=20 fungicidal and virucidal agent. Oxy-Drops are important for = animals that=20 are on diets that include raw meat. This will help to keep the=20 pathogenic bacteria from being a problem. Also=20 breeds that are prone to bloat need Oxy- Drops because it helps = to keep=20 an overgrowth of bad bacteria supressed in the gut. = If the=20 bloating is caused by systemic fungus (Leaky Gut Syndrome) or = pathogenic=20 bacteria (Toxic Gut Syndrome), Oxy-Drops along with Probiotics = may help=20 keep these in check, as well as help maintain the correct pH of = the gut.=20

Oxy-Drops enhances the immune system and = second it=20 releases slowly and oxidizes, cleaning toxins from the body. = Oxy-Drops=20 acts on the organism at cellular level with no unwanted side = effects.=20 The best use of Oxydrops is to mix according to instructions and = pour=20 over the dogs food daily. Oxy-Drops have many other = applications, in a=20 diluted form. For other uses see the websites below.

For more information on Oxy-Drops - http://www.nzymes.com= /product-oxydrops.htm

For suggested dosages and uses for Oxy-Drops = http://www.nzymes= .com/guidelines-Oxy-Drops.htm

To order online or call Stan - 877- 816-6500 = http://www.nzymes.com/

W hat I = feed my Great=20 Danes (Pug, Sheltie).
Eagle Natural Pack (23%=20 protein / 12% fat)
I = use this=20 product from weaning through adulthood. If I have an animal that = we are=20 starting to show (dog shows) and they need more weight, I can = safely=20 switch to the Eagle Original Pack which is a higher = caloric food.=20 However, I do not switch to a higher calorie food = until 10=20 months of age, as I want = them to grow=20 slow and even during the drastic growth stages.

Note: = When not=20 showing or after showing I use the Eagle Natural Pack as my = basic food=20 for most adults unless they need more weight (Eagle Original or Holistic) = or=20 less weight (Eagle=20 Senior)

Eagle Kennel Pack (25%=20 protein / 15% fat) or
Eagle Holistic = Chicken (24% protein 15% fat)
I use this product from 10 months if = showing=20 especially on the males that may need a little bulk. I also use = it for=20 bitches that are pregnant and I start them on the higher protein = half=20 way through their pregnancy and continue until the puppies are = 3-4=20 months old so her body is repaired from the stress of the = litter. I use=20 this food if a dog is on the road showing so they consume less = quantity=20 yet still get enough calories to keep on the needed weight for = showing.=20

Eagle Senior=20 (26% protein - 12% Fat)
This is = a=20 remarkable food for older dogs (5 yrs +). We are told older dogs = need=20 less when in fact they need more protein, usable protein to hold = muscle=20 mass to support the bones. Nutrients need to be higher to = replace=20 greater needs for the elderly. Everyone reports higher energy = levels=20 with this food and that has been my experience. It also has = joint=20 support nutrition, which is very important for the geriatric = animal. (S= ee=20 Senior Feed Program)

In addition to Eagle:

I always = use Nzymes, Flexicose=20 Joint Support and BakPakPlus as=20 well as fresh fruits and veggies.Young adult males may eat as = much as 12=20 to 14 cups per day until mature which means you may want to = switch them=20 up to a higher protein/fat/calorie food to reduce the amount = they are=20 having to process in the course of a day.

Mature bitches approximately 6 cups per day=20
Mature males approximately 7-10 cups per day=20
Older dogs and bitches approximately 5-6 cups per day: =

Remember this is based on a moderate protein food and in my = case, the=20 Eagle Natural Pack 23% protein / 12% fat. If using a higher = calorie=20 food, of course this amount would be less.

Puppies and older dogs should NEVER be placed on a lite or=20 low-protein diet. Cut back the amount you feed rather than = switching to=20 a lower protein and lower fat. They need the nutrients for their = organs=20 and brain cells and their coats will suffer drastically.

Nutritional Support For Special = Needs=20
Vaccine Reactions:
To help prevent this problem in adults, = make sure=20 they are on Vitamin = C and Nzymes.=20 I use the Nzymes Product to support the immune system, and = prevent=20 vaccine reactions.

Nothing is a guarantee but this is = a step in=20 the right direction. (877-816-6500)

Anesthethesia /=20 Surgery:
Any kind of = elective=20 surgery, i.e., cropping, spay, neuter or emergency surgery such = as=20 bloat/torsion. I use Nzymes = to=20 detoxify 877-816-6500.

Heart Problems:

These are nutritional substances from food = sources and=20 do not conflict with medications or each other and are good to = use for=20 heart disease.

1) Co-enzyme-Q-10 150 - 300 mg a day.That is the = dose for=20 humans with cardiomyopathy. I get mine from Dr. Eugene Wagner at = First=20 Choice Naturals because Gene, who is the Director for the Center = for=20 Medical Education at BSU for the IU Med Center, has done years = of=20 research on Co-q-10 with human heart patients. He will tell you = not all=20 sources of Co-Q-10 are viable, which is why I use his product = since he=20 knows where the good CoQ-10 comes from due to his research. His = number=20 800-937-1104

2) Two amino Acids are critical to strengthen the heart - = Taurine=20 and L-Carnitine
You can get these from the health food = store.=20 Make sure you select a very good brand so they are usable by the = body.=20

Taurine doses 500 - 1000mg - 3 times a day
L-Carnitine = doses 2=20 grams - 3 times a day.

These dosages are taken from the newest textbook Small Animal = Clinical Nutrition
pg 546. It does go on to say on a large = breed, the=20 L-Carnitine alone can cost from $100-200 per month. I would = check it out=20 first, before I decide it was cost prohibitive.

3) Fish Oil or Salmon Oil - 1000 mg per day

4) Vitamin E 400 - 800 mg - use a Natuarl Vit = E

Fleas/Ticks/Heartworm

People ask me what I use for these problems. I use = Interceptor=20 as a heartworm preventative and for flea and tick problems I use = a=20 topical product- either Advantage,=20 Advantix or Frontline products. I do rotate a = different one=20 each year. Because these are not systemic products, I feel a bit = better=20 about using them and because the dogs/cats and my self are also = on Nzymes, which detoxifies = the body,=20 I am comfortable with using these products.

Special Alert
Sulfonamide = Antibiotics
Based on information gained from the = National Bone=20 Survey, I do not recommend using Sulfonamide* antibiotics to my = puppy=20 buyers because these drugs can cause serious side-effects like = sloughing=20 of skin and internal bleeding and HOD-like symptoms=20 including;fever, aching joints, = swollen=20 joints, lack of mobility, depression and anorexia. The following = antibiotics are sulfonamides.

Ditrim=20
Primor=20
Tribrissin=20
Bactrim=20
TMZ=20
TMP/SDZ=20

Another commonly used, potentially troublesome antibiotics is = Cephalexin (Keflex, Cefa-Tabs). This can also produces the same = symptoms=20 as HOD (fever,swollen/hot joints, immobility, anorexia) even in = adult=20 dogs. I will use Chephalexin, but with a watchful eye and if the = dog=20 starts acting lethargic and achy, we stop the antibiotic, since = they are=20 sensitive to it. Call the vet for an alternative antibiotic and = make=20 sure you are using a good Probiotic product to keep the = digestive tract=20 functioning properly.

I will not use Sulfonamides drugs on my dogs. A reaction can = happen=20 from 24 hours - 2 weeks of being on an antibiotic. If there is a = reaction, my vet recommends Dexamethsone/Azium and discontinue = use or=20 antibiotic.

* Research references on Sulfonamides on request.

Water On Food:=20
Commercial foods need to be fed with moisture so dogs don't = over=20 consume water after a meal, and so the kibble does not pull = moisture=20 from the dogs system in order to break down properly. Use = "tepid" = temperature water=20 never hot or warm and never soak your food as it breaks down and = destroys nutrients. Mix up and feed immediately. I use = approximately 1=20 to 1-1/2 cups of water for adults per each meal. Adjust = accordingly for=20 puppies. If they have loose stools, you may be using too much = meat or=20 water than necessary. Adjust that before you panic and think = they are=20 sick.

Drinking Water:
It is very important to NEVER = withhold water from=20 your dog. This can lead to over consumption and bladder = infections. Use=20 common sense, do not let them drink excessively after exercise = or=20 dinner. Like a horse, let them cool down and then drink. I have = found if=20 I have water available in several places, they never overdo it = since=20 they know it is available to them when they need it. That way = they drink=20 less amounts of water, but more frequently.

Withholding water for fear of bloat is a = myth.=20 Stress is the cause and bloat/torsion is the response. It is = much more=20 complicated that simply saying water is the cause of bloat.

(S= ee=20 my article on Bloat and Torsion for details) (See=20 On My Soapbox)