Clean Run - August 2013 - 11

mans. The beneficial bacteria are important for digestion and gut health but also
play a vital role in immune system function. A study of stress levels in fighter pilots
preparing for battle resulted in reductions of the “good” gut bacteria and an increase in numbers of the “bad” bacteria like E. coli. Eventually, many of these pilots
had compromised immune systems and gastrointestinal disorders.
Stress, toxins (this includes food preservatives, additives, and colorings), drugs, and
inflammation produce free radicals (reactive oxygen species=ROS). Free radicals
are unstable electrons which can damage and destroy cell walls, proteins, and alter DNA. They can also activate the inflammatory cascade in the body which leads
to a plethora of problems like mutations, cancers, loss of cellular function and cell
death. ROS are readily developed in an aerobic environment or as a result of metabolic processes and form from normal cellular metabolism and natural tissue degeneration. They are plentiful when exercise increases oxygen metabolism as in
endurance activities (like with field hunting for example), and the metabolic rate
increases, and the breakdown of fats occur.
However, free radicals actually are not all that bad. The immune system produces
them to fight off infections of yeast, bacteria, viruses, parasites, etc. So, oxidants
(ROS) need to stay in balance to minimize damage to cells and DNA but available to
combat the unwanted invaders.
Aging and degeneration is accelerated in stressed people and animals because of
the destructive free radicals. Also, chronic high levels of cortisol leads to a catabolic
state and degradation of hyaluronic acid, destruction of collagen, decreased production of proteoglycans, and early osteoarthritis with pain in the joints. We want
our companions (and ourselves) to have a great quality of life and to stay healthy
and live long.

Signs of Stress
There are physical and behavioral symptoms and signs of stress. Paying close attention to your dog’s body language and behavior patterns is crucial to recognize
stress early on. You want to be able to make changes (if you can) as soon as possible
so the stress does not become chronic and then the side effects ensue.
deplete muscle glycogen [fuel]
• Body language: Heavy panting (if excessive mayroached body posture, shallow
stores and energy), flattened ears, lowered or

breathing, hair loss, hyper salivation, licking lips, extended tongue and spatula
shape, braced legs, tail down, ridges around eyes, dilated pupils.

Aggression, scratching, itching, avoiding eye contact, yawning, re• Behavior:repeat the task, refusing to participate, overgrooming, loss of interest
fusing to
in surroundings, confusion, subdued behavior, coprophagy (eating feces), pica
(eating out-of-the-ordinary items like grass and dirt).

• Physical ailments: Psychological
issues (anxiety, phobias, etc.), dehydration, vomiting, diarrhea, infections, fatigue, mental exhaustion,
musculoskeletal issues, pain, shedding, dander.

Counteracting the Side
Effects of Stress
Now that we know what stress is, how
to recognize it, and understand the repercussions of it we can explore how
to treat it. Of course, you want to try
to eliminate as much stress in your
dog’s life as possible. Proper training
can improve the relationship between
you and your dog and can help to ease
phobias and behavior disorders (emotional stress). You can manipulate the
environment to be more stress free and
eliminate toxins. You should feed good
foods without preservatives and other
additives. You can give appropriate nutrients and supplements, like antioxidants and adaptogens, to eliminate the
free radicals and to counteract the side
effects of stress.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants are molecules that prevent the oxidation (electron transfer
processes and formation of free radicals) of other molecules. In other words,
their purpose is to neutralize the free
radicals and reactive oxidative species
in the body. Other uses of antioxidants
are as an additive to foods to prevent
spoilage and as an additive to stabilize gasoline and prevent degradation
of rubber. They are acquired through
foods (plant and animal sources) and
need to be in abundance in the body,

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Clean Run - August 2013

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