Whelp ‘n’ Grow

Q&A

Q&A

Q. Whelp ’n’ Grow contains a concentrated source of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium. Why?

A. These are the primary minerals which have a role in the growth and development of bones and joints in unborn puppies and growing pups. An adequate intake of these minerals is also necessary to help maintain bone strength in brood bitches during whelp and lactation where the outflow of calcium into milk can demineralise bone. As a brood bitch or stud dog ages, the uptake of bone minerals from the bowel can reduce and common diets based on meat, dry food and table food may not provide an adequate intake of bone minerals to maintain bone strength. This can lead to weakening of the bone structure and even osteoporosis in aging greyhounds, particularly bitches which are kennelled indoors. Whelp ’n ’Grow also contains Vitamin A and Vitamin D to assist in the uptake and regulation of calcium, especially for brood bitches largely kept out of sunlight in a whelping area with her young puppies or young pups being raised in outside yards during the winter months when UV light is reduced even on sunny winter days.

Q. Why is the Whelp ’n’ Grow formulation acidified? A. The absorption of calcium and magnesium from the small intestine is relative to the amount of acid passed on from the highly acid stomach with the food mass the being digested. Although meat based diets produce acids during digestion in the small intestine, diets high in kibble, bread, milk and dry food contribute more alkaline which can reduce the essential acidity of the small intestine during digestion and may hamper optimum uptake of calcium and bone minerals. Whelp ‘n ‘Grow contains dicalcium phosphate and other acidified minerals which have roles in ensuring an optimum environment in the small intestine for uptake of calcium and magnesium.

Q. What other important nutrients are contributed by Whelp ’n’ Grow?

A. Besides copper, zinc, manganese and iron, which may all be low in the diet of brood bitches and growing pups, especially those fed on a raw meat based diet with minimum kibble, Whelp ’n’ Grow contributes extra iodine to help maintain optimum growth and metabolism, organic selenium to help muscle function and the full range of vitamins which have roles in metabolism, vitality and maintaining liver function.

Q. Whelp ’n’ Grow provides high supplementary level of Vitamin E and Vitamin C. Is there any justifica- tion for including additional amounts of these important vitamins?

A. Yes. Vitamin E, which is included in the biologically active form of natural source of RRR vitamin E, along with the trace-mineral selenium, which is included in an organic form as selenium yeast, as well as Vitamin A and Vitamin C, are all important antioxidants which have roles in nerve and muscle development and function, maintaining the immune system and fertility in brood bitches and working stud dogs.

Q. Biotin is also a nutrient not commonly added to greyhound foods. What does it do? A. Biotin is a type of B group vitamin-it used to be called Vitamin H for this reason. It has a role in contributing to the hardness of the toe nails, as well as the health and structure of the skin.

Q. What is choline and why is it included?

A. Choline is a form of B vitamin which provides organic methyl compounds when digested have a role in maintaining tissue growth and liver function in brood bitches in whelp and during lactation. Choline assists in detoxifying harmful nutrients in food and its metabolites following digestion.

Q. Whelp ’n’ Grow is less dusty than many other powdered supplements. Why?

A. This is achieved by the addition of small amounts of GM-Free canola oil, which is very stable during storage, but helps to bind up dust. The palatability and acceptance of Whelp ’n’ Grow is assured by the inclusion of a synthetic human food safe roast chicken flavouring oil which brood bitches heavy in whelp and growing puppies find appetising and tempting, even by the fussiest of eaters. Because of the high content of calcium compounds to provide adequate amounts to supplement meat and kibble based diets, as well as the oil added to reduce dust, Whelp ‘n ‘ Grow is not recommended to be fed by mixing it in milk. It is best added to the main meal each day.

Q. Are there any other Sprinter Gold greyhound products which may be of benefit to growing pups after weaning?

A. Yes. Whelp ‘n ‘Grow has been formulated as a complete supplement with specific nutrients in higher amounts which have roles in bone and joint development, muscle and nerve development and function, the immune system and overall well-being. There are 2 products which may also be beneficial to young greyhounds during their formative first year. A short 7-14 day course of Sprinter Gold Muscle-Pro is recommended to provide highly digestible amino acids which have roles in muscle development, particularly in young greyhounds which are’ slabby sided’, or have had a set- back in growth due to sickness or injury. Full directions are included on the label of Muscle-Pro. The other product is Sprinter Gold Energy-E. A growing pup’s diet may be low, even if it is good condition, in essential Omega-3 and Omega-6 to fatty acids which have roles in maintaining natural anti-inflammatory and hormone compound synthesis, as well as skin health and coat condition. A 5 mL dose per 10kg bodyweight daily added to the main meal of a growing greyhound will help provide essential Omega-3/Omega-6 oils to assist coat condition and promote a shiny coat within 14-21 days.

Q. What pack sizes are available?

A. A 500 gram tin is a suitable size for young growing greyhound being raised after weaning and 1.5kg, 4kg & now a 9kg bulk buy bucket.