Another product I received a sample of was the XtremeFuel Booster Bar. This product contains 11 percent protein, six percent fat and 32 percent moisture, and it comes in a nice resealable bag.

I hope this information helps. Remember, water is still the most important nutrient for a hunting dog!

(Comment) You were thoughtful enough about six years ago to publish my letter about my 15-month-old Lab, who collapsed and died of suspected EIC [exercise-induced collapse].

 

 

The attached is from a friend of mine at the University of Minnesota. See the second item in UNEWS about their research findings of EIC. I am sure your Gun Dog readers will be well-served. --AH

(Answer) Thanks for the reference article. I'm sure every Lab owner will appreciate the information contained in it. I got to it by going to www1.umn.edu/news/ then from the left column selecting Features, then at the bottom of the Features page select More Feature Stories, then scroll down to "Vet School finds gene for exercise-induced collapse."

Here are some things I extracted from the article: Until recently there was no test for EIC, and while veterinarians, Labrador retriever breeders, and owners of field trial dogs suspected the syndrome was becoming more common, no one knew just how prevalent it had become.

A recent discovery at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine has changed that. Genetic researchers have pinpointed the mutant gene that causes EIC. The findings have vast implications, not only for the Labrador retriever population, but also for molecular research in both veterinary and human medicine.

"EIC involves a mutation in a gene critically involved in the communication between nerves within the central nervous system. Communication between neurons occurs at synaptic junctions," says James R. Mickelson, professor of veterinary biosciences at the University of Minnesota and one of the lead researchers.

"This synaptic communication requires structures called 'synaptic vesicles' to contain necessary neurotransmitters. The gene involved with EIC is responsible for making new synaptic vesicles and enabling nerve communication to continue. A naturally occurring mutation in this gene has not been identified (in any mammal, including humans) until now."

Not only did the researchers identify the gene involved in EIC, they also developed and submitted a patent application for a genetic test that can identify affected dogs and carriers of the disease. The $65 test is available exclusively through the University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.

The group's estimate is that 3 to 5 percent of all Labrador retrievers are affected and carry two copies of the mutant dynamin 1 gene. Another 30 percent are carriers with just one bad gene.

This is very good news for the dog world--not just the fact that these researchers have found this gene and a test for it, but that they now have the tools to investigate the genome, find defects in it and then do something about the defect.

I remain at htholcombdvm@qwest.net, playing with my GSP pup and awaiting your question.