Embark health results

[RuthK]

In January, I offered to foster a little beagle who was found in a rural area about 3 hours from me. The rescue, (Hart90.org) where I am a long time volunteer, transported her once her hold time was up and I offered to foster.
And, of course, she became a foster fail. Knowing that I was going to adopt her I did her DNA through embark as well as the health assessment. The results came back the day that I picked her up from her mandated spay(this past Tuesday. 2/25). And I’m wondering if there’s anything I can do to mitigate the possibility of these conditions expressing in the future.
1) Poppy
Female 1 to 2 years old
2) spayed 2/25/25–required by VA when adopting
3) Beagle (100%)
4) 11.6 lbs (very petite)
5) BEAM—excellent overall although she is becoming a Velcro dog
6) fed mostly recipe for Dr. Judy’s pup loaf (use her recipe—very lightly cooked)
Chicken wingtips
Beef, pork or chicken freeze-dried liver (now wonder if I should avoid—copper)
Raw chicken hearts
Sauerkraut-a tsp or two occasionally (she loves it but then she loves any food)
Additional foods: eggs, sardines, labne, etc.
7) Since she was not chipped and had no identifying information, the rural animal control facility gave her rabies, distemper and bordetella all on the same day as her transport (1/14/25). Her SNAP test was negative. They sent a heartworm preventative to be given on 1/15. At that time, I was not intending to adopt, but I refused to give that particular heartworm preventative and was able to have our medical person give me interceptor (not the plus)as it seemed to be the least harmful. Hart gave her a 2nd distemper on 2/08/25. Not knowing her previous history probably means that she has had more vaccinations than we know.
Now that she has been spayed, I did the paperwork last night and she is officially part of my family.
My question regarding her health assessment revolves around the fact that I dealt with IVDD with a previous dog. In fact when she (Willow) started to exhibit the symptoms and had an MRI to confirm her spinal issues,I did the Embark health assessment and discovered that she had 2copies.
She was not a surgical candidate and I did a lot of acupuncture with her. Got her a PEMF mat, the Assisi loop, back brace, went for acupuncture, laser and shock wave therapy for months. And had I known the dangers of allowing a dog to jump perhaps the onset could have been delayed. It was three years of seeing hercondition worsen and yet she was still so sweet. Now ihave the possibility of dealing with another case with Poppy plus she has a small likelihood of copper being an issue.
Reading what embark had to say about nearly all beagles having the IVDD gene maybe I am being overly concerned.
I would appreciate your input as to whether there’s anything I can do proactively to prevent the onset of any of these issues. In fact, I’m wondering if I should contact Willow’s former rehab vet to maybe set up some ongoing proactive care.
Thanks in advance
Ruth

 

[Dr. Jeff]

Thank you Ruth for adopting Poppy!

anything I can do proactively to prevent the onset of any of these issues

Sure. Since we know that epigenetics and individuality (exposomics) is much more important than genetics, there's lots that you can do (most of which you're already doing).

Minimal drugs, vaccine great fresh diet, mindful management (minimal jumping)and homeopathy.

This supplement may also be helpful:

Hip & Joint - Natural Joint Support

Hip & Joint Natural Joint Care is a blend of natural anti-inflammatories backed by science. Improve pain and mobility without the unwanted side effects of prescription drugs.

fourleafrover.com

 

[NancyK]

I definitely understand your concerns about copper toxicity as well as IVDD.

My dog had a supposed IVDD episode at age 7 that was cured by strict crate rest and steroids. I am not a fan of steroids but in this case they were needed. She is now 16.5 and has never had another disc episode. She also has never jumped on and off furniture since that day. It is my opinion that small dogs should not be jumping on and off furniture. I wonder how many dogs with the supposed IVDD genes would never actually develop IVDD if they are fed a healthy diet and were not permitted to jump on and off furniture. I believe early spay and neuter could also raise the risk of IVDD. Anyway, I guess my point is that just because they have the genes for IVDD they may never have a problem and how we raise them could help. Of course there are no guarantees but many dogs carry these genes and never develop IVDD.

As far as copper toxicity, some breeds are definitely more at risk but copper toxicity is becoming more common these days across all breeds. I believe much of this is due to the fact that AAFCO has not established maximum levels for copper and many commercial foods have excessive amounts of synthetic copper supplements or liver, especially beef liver. Unfortunately some of the raw food options have excessive amounts of organ meats and also add a synthetic copper supplement on top of it. For example, why would a recipe containing beef liver which is extremely high in copper also need a copper supplement? It is because these companies add the same vitamin mineral mix to all formulas regardless of what nutrients are found in the food. Organs are some of the most nutritious foods we can feed but become problematic when fed in excess day in and day out. This is one of many reasons why I make my own dog food. I try to vary the organs, even have some days without organs. Rotating beef liver with lower copper livers could help too. Anyway, I guess I am trying to say that feeding a diet with common sense amounts of copper vs what we see in the commercial foods could go a long way in preventing copper toxicity and perhaps it would not be necessary to go to the extreme of not feeding liver at all, even for a dog more prone to copper toxicity.

Nancy

 

[RuthK]

Thank you Ruth for adopting Poppy!

Sure. Since we know that epigenetics and individuality (exposomics) is much more important than genetics, there's lots that you can do (most of which you're already doing).

Minimal drugs, vaccine great fresh diet, mindful management (minimal jumping)and homeopathy.

This supplement may also be helpful:

Hip & Joint - Natural Joint Support

Hip & Joint Natural Joint Care is a blend of natural anti-inflammatories backed by science. Improve pain and mobility without the unwanted side effects of prescription drugs.

fourleafrover.com

Thanks Dr. Jeff
Will order and attempt to keep this very agile girl from jumping— at least for the next week she will be created most of the time so that my other two rambunctious dogs don’t interfere with her healing from the spay.

 

[RuthK]

I definitely understand your concerns about copper toxicity as well as IVDD.

My dog had a supposed IVDD episode at age 7 that was cured by strict crate rest and steroids. I am not a fan of steroids but in this case they were needed. She is now 16.5 and has never had another disc episode. She also has never jumped on and off furniture since that day. It is my opinion that small dogs should not be jumping on and off furniture. I wonder how many dogs with the supposed IVDD genes would never actually develop IVDD if they are fed a healthy diet and were not permitted to jump on and off furniture. I believe early spay and neuter could also raise the risk of IVDD. Anyway, I guess my point is that just because they have the genes for IVDD they may never have a problem and how we raise them could help. Of course there are no guarantees but many dogs carry these genes and never develop IVDD.

As far as copper toxicity, some breeds are definitely more at risk but copper toxicity is becoming more common these days across all breeds. I believe much of this is due to the fact that AAFCO has not established maximum levels for copper and many commercial foods have excessive amounts of synthetic copper supplements or liver, especially beef liver. Unfortunately some of the raw food options have excessive amounts of organ meats and also add a synthetic copper supplement on top of it. For example, why would a recipe containing beef liver which is extremely high in copper also need a copper supplement? It is because these companies add the same vitamin mineral mix to all formulas regardless of what nutrients are found in the food. Organs are some of the most nutritious foods we can feed but become problematic when fed in excess day in and day out. This is one of many reasons why I make my own dog food. I try to vary the organs, even have some days without organs. Rotating beef liver with lower copper livers could help too. Anyway, I guess I am trying to say that feeding a diet with common sense amounts of copper vs what we see in the commercial foods could go a long way in preventing copper toxicity and perhaps it would not be necessary to go to the extreme of not feeding liver at all, even for a dog more prone to copper toxicity.

Nancy

Thanks Nancy—I make Dr. Judy’s pup loaf as the main recipe that I use—there are no added vitamins or supplements as everything comes from the food itself. I will have to investigate switching out the beef liver or as you suggest leaving it out altogether occasionally.
As I noted in my reply to Dr. Jeff, this dog is extremely agile and she, in the one month plus that she’s been with me, has jumped on a chair to get up on a table —at least she’s never jumped directly down from the table. And I know this is going to be my main source of preventive care for her. Thank you for your advice.

 

[RuthK]

Thanks Dr. Jeff
Will order and attempt to keep this very agile girl from jumping— at least for the next week she will be created most of the time so that my other two rambunctious dogs don’t interfere with her healing from the spay.