Sunday - July 04, 2010

Acupuncture for Pets?

I’d heard about people utilizing alternative healing methods to help their pets — doggy massages, doggy yoga — but doggy acupuncture? It wasn’t something I’d ever considered for my dogs.

Friday - May 28, 2010

Vitamin E and Antioxidants

As a holistic veterinarian, I feel it is incredibly important to take the whole animal into consideration when it comes to nutrition. And, whenever practical, my preference is to provide nutrients, minerals and vitamins in their natural forms. In this post, I’d like to talk to you specifically about vitamin E, to review both the strengths and weaknesses of natural and synthetic forms.

Thursday - May 27, 2010

All-Around Non-Toxic Flea Control

Let’s face it. Fleas are the WORST, but applying pesticides to our pampered pooches doesn’t make us howl with excitement either. In an attempt to find non-toxic flea control remedies, Care2 staff stumbled upon this amazing technique that kills fleas fast without toxic chemicals. While citrus peel extract (d-limonene) works well for dogs, cats can’t tolerate it, so this is an especially great choice.

Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a powder comprised of microskeletons of deceased diatoms, which are a type of algae (both fresh water and sea water varieties occur). You sprinkle the powder on your pets and your carpets, and the fleas die from dehydration. As a foster care provider for hundreds of dogs, this stuff has been a miracle. You can use it on dogs, puppies, kittens, and cats.

Wednesday - May 26, 2010

Flax Seed Benefits for Dogs

According to Andi Brown, author of The Whole Pet Diet, huskies used as sled dogs get flax seed oil to strengthen their bones, heal their paws, and maintain their energy. Flax seed also plays a significant role in canine cardiovascular health and skin and coat health. Flax seed is an important source of fiber and antioxidants, and it may have anti-tumor properties as well.

Friday - March 26, 2010

Digestive Health

A review of how probiotics work and why they are so important to good health.

Probiotics have received a great deal of attention lately, and this focus is absolutely justified. An increasing number of products, from yogurts to pet foods, contain probiotics. Often referred to as “healthy” and/or “friendly” bacteria (or microorganisms) in the media, their proper notation is “direct fed microbials” when used in pet foods. Basically, probiotics are helpful bacteria that reside in the intestinal tract. In fact, every digestive system contains millions of bacteria, both those with a healthful purpose (like probiotics) and some that are not so beneficial. While some kinds of bacteria can be harmful, many (like direct fed microbials) actually help the immune system adapt to internal changes within the body and thus naturally support good health.

Sunday - March 07, 2010

Studies Detail Possible Benefits Of Omega-3 Fatty Acids For Dogs With Arthritis

A series of studies published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA) offers new insights into the possible benefits derived from feeding foods containing high omega-3 fatty acid concentrations to dogs with osteoarthritis.

The results of the three studies, according to contributing author Dr. Kevin Hahn, director of research and chief medical officer at Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc., show that the dogs that were fed the foods experienced less pain associated with the disease and greater mobility.

Friday - February 05, 2010

Ear Mite Remedies

Ear Mites can be a horribly irritating and painful problem for our pets to be affected by and can lead to a serious infection; so the sooner they are dealt with, the better.  An ear mite is a tiny little creature that lives in the surface of your pet's ear.  The condition is highly transmittable and can be passed from pet to pet either via direct contact or by way of humans who carry the mite from an infected pet to those uninfected ones.

If your pet is suffering from ear mites they will likely be constantly shaking their heads and scratching at their ears to rid themselves of the nasty pests and endless irritation.  Telltale signs of the problem can be seen if you actually look into the ear itself.  The ear may appear red and inflamed from all the scratching and although you will not see the mite culprit, there will be indications that it exists.  You may notice a build up of wax within the ear as well as numerous black specks (likely spots of dried blood).  In those cases where the ear mites have not been treated immediately or effectively, the mites will actually move down into the ear canal and cause an infection of the middle ear.  This means that the animal may appear to be off balance and might be unable to hold its head up straight.

Wednesday - September 24, 2008

 Your Pet and your health

Your Pet and Your Health

Many of us agree that we should do everything within our power to make sure that our companion animals enjoy the best possible health.  But did you know that simply by being a part of your life, your dog or cat could actually help you to be not only happier but healthier, too?

Of course you did.  It’s all part of the privilege (and fun!) of being a pet parent.  What you may not know is that there’s plenty of science to back it up.  A wealth of knowledge regarding the health benefits associated with having companion animals has been accumulated over the last two decades, including numerous research studies in the U.S. and abroad.

Sunday - March 16, 2008

Homemade Goat Milk Yogurt is Healthy for You AND your Animal Companions

There is a lot of talk in the media and amongst health conscious consumers about probiotics and the benefits of cultured foods. The beneficial flora found in cultured foods help to improve digestion and strengthen the immune system and even contribute to the manufacturing of essential vitamins. Our bodies are naturally filled with trillions of these flora microorganisms but they are constantly being diminished and put off balance in battle with fungi, bacteria, viruses and protozoans leading to a wide array of diseases ranging from skin disorders and digestive problems to allergies and asthma and even more acute and chronic debilitating diseases like cancer. Daily supplementing with probiotic products and probiotic containing foods can help to ensure that you and your animal family can live a long healthy life. One sure fire way to ensure that you and your animals are getting the beneficial bacteria required for a healthy digestive system is with freshly made Yogurt right from your own kitchen. 

Sunday - January 20, 2008

Enjoy fresh produce and a healthy glow with apple cider vinegar 

Sunday - January 20, 2008

Ten Good Reasons to Give Your Pet Apple Cider Vinegar

Sunday - January 20, 2008

The Wonders of Apple Cider Vinegar

"Vinegar" comes from the French "Vinaigre" - "Vin" for wine and "Aigre" for sour, therefore vinegar stands for "the wine that has gone sour." Vinegar was accidentally discovered by French. The fermented wine was exposed to air by accident and vinegar appeared! 

Where does the vinegar actually come from, you ask? The sweet apple juice is allowed to age, sealed tightly away from the air. Until all the natural sugar has been converted to alcohol, mother-of-vinegar is then added to start the second fermentation. Meanwhile, it is left open to the air, and, the alcohol changes to apple cider vinegar. Amazing!  

Sunday - January 20, 2008

 Apple Cider Vinegar for Dogs

"...If your dog has itchy skin, the beginnings of a hot spot, incessantly washes its feet, has smelly ears, or is picky about his food, the application of ACV may change things around. For poor appetite, use it in the food - 1 tablespoon, two times a day for a 50 lb. dog. For itchy skin or beginning hot spots, put ACV into a spray bottle, part the hair and spray on. Any skin eruption will dry up in 24 hours and will save you having to shave the dog. If the skin is already broken, dilute ACV with an equal amount of water and spray on. 

Sunday - December 31, 2006

NATURAL cortisone and oestrogen.