V13I3 (Jun/Jul 2011)

Animal wellness

Animalwellness For a long, healthy life!

SPECIAL ISSUE:

HOW ACUPUNCTURE

Living pawsitive!

CAN HELP YOUR DOG

Introducing

“WHAT DOES IT MEAN?”

Visit our facebook page for free stuff. See page 13

ater’s wLOVELY

THE

How to decipher veterinary lab tests

CHINESE HERBS 101

Swimming pool fun & safety for you & your canine

Acupressure

ENERGY HEALING

for Cushing’s

THE scoop ON POOP Eco-friendly ways to dispose of dog waste

DOES HE HAVE

hypothyroidism?

Don’t mistake this common disease for behavioral problems

FELINE WELLNESS

Check out five popular modalities that can bring Bowser back to balance

feline WELLNESS Hip, cool and healthy!

ARE ESSENTIAL OILS SAFE FOR

FELINES? Separating fact from fiction

HEALTH

massage

TALK

FOR CATS CA

GROWING UP

HEALTHY

june/july Display until July 26, 2011

Holistic kitten care

VISIT A

$5.95 USA/Canada

sanctuary FOR BLIND C ATS FELINE SECTION

BONUS NOW INSIDE!

FelineWellness.com

VOLUME 13 ISSUE 3

AnimalWellnessMagazine.com

feline wellness

AWM V13I3.indd 59

59

5/10/11 2:35:29 PM

animal wellness

1

The real wild stuff...

TM

Get your own... at natural and other ďŹ ne pet stores www.grizzlypetproducts.com 2

animal wellness

animal wellness

3

Contents June/July 2011

22 38

features 18 Chinese herbs 101

You’ve heard about them, but how do they differ from “ordinary” herbs?

Here we bust the myths while helping you understand how these unique formulations can help your animal companion.

22 Comfort from nature Animals experience grief just as we do.

These flower essences can gently and safely ease the pain and lift their spirits (and yours).

26 6 steps to a greener “pawprint”

We assume humans put more environmental stress on the planet than any other species, but our pampered pooches also play a part.

Here are some simple ways to make your canine more eco-friendly.

30 5 ways to good energy

Energy healing can have a profound effect on a dog’s well being. Check out some modalities that are growing in popularity.

34 Think thyroid Is your dog behaving strangely? Has he developed unusual symptoms and acting apathetic or aggressive? It could be hypothyroidism.

4

animal wellness

38 The water’s lovely!

Have a pool? Why not invite your pooch to enjoy the water with you? Swimming is great fun and exercise for dogs, as long as you keep their safety in mind.

42 Eye of the needle

Acupuncture can help treat a wide range of canine conditions, from osteoarthritis and epilepsy to incontinence and asthma.

48 Acupressure for Cushing’s

This common malady can easily be mistaken for aging. Here’s how a simple but effective healing modality can help your dog feel better.

51 Crusade against cancer

How the loss of a beloved dog inspired a successful fund to raise money for companion animal cancer research.

83 Deserving the best

This holistic vet’s desire to enhance nutritional wellness for companion animals led her to create a unique line of vitamins for dogs and cats.

84 The scoop on poop

Dogs produce millions of tons of waste each year. Hygienic environmentallyresponsible disposal is no longer an option. Here’s why, and how you can be part of the solution.

86 Tap into healing

Meridian Tapping Techniques address the energetic imbalances caused by any emotional, mental or physical problem.

88 What does it mean?

Regular blood and urine tests are vital to your dog’s well being. But what do all the numbers and notes on the lab results actually mean? Here’s how to make sense of the “squiggles”.

92 Chain reaction What started as a project to honor a friend has grown into an organization that is freeing chained dogs in Oregon and beyond.

SUBSCRIBE TODAY! Only Natural Pet Store t 0O -JOF /FXTMFUUFS BOE XFFLMZ TQFDJBMT t $BUBMPH %0(48&-- t /"563"- #"-"/$& t $"/*%"& t /&8."/ 4 08/ 03("/*$4 t 7&53* 4$*&/$& t 8&--/&44 t )"-0 t /"563& 4 7"3*&5: t .&33*$, t "3, /"563"-4 t ;6,&4 t /&850/ t $"4503 10--69

Keeping your pets healthier, naturally

18

SAVE 20%

20% SAVINGS ON DOZENS OF ITEMS!

See Page 17

Look inside for: Holiday Gift Ideas – Treats, Toys, Food and More!

t XXX POMZOBUVSBMQFU DPN

Columns 14 Yakkity yak

15% OFF

52 Warm & fuzzy

ORDER! YOUR FIRST

74 Talking with Dr. Marcia Martin

30

80 Case study 94 Passages

Departments

96 Book reviews

8 Editorial

105 Tail end

12 Mail bag 46 Product picks

5IF MBSHFTU TFMFDUJPO BOZXIFSF PG "-- /"563"- t 'PPE SBX EFIZESBUFE DBOOFE BOE LJCCMF

t 7JUBNJOT 4VQQMFNFOUT t 5SFBUT t (SPPNJOH "JET t 'MFB 5JDL $POUSPM t %PH $IFXT BOE #POFT t 5SBJOJOH -JUUFS BOE $MFBOJOH 4VQQMJFT t )FSCBM )PNFPQBUIJD 3FNFEJFT

55 Animal Wellness resource guide

78 The scoop 98 Ad spots

88

102 Classifieds 104 Events calendar

To sign up go to onlynaturalpet.com/signup or call 888-937-6677 animal wellness

5

Get your 3rd year for $1!

Buy a 2-year subscription to Animal Wellness Magazine for $34 US ($48 CAN) and get the 3rd year for only $1!

1

$

for the 3rd year

Topics include: disease prevention natural diets and nutrition natural health care

product recommendations integrative Vet Q & A gentle training, and so much more!

Call or go online today – your animals will thank you!

1-866-764-1212

9am– 5pm E.S.T.

www.AnimalWellnessMagazine.com

On the cover photograph by:

Lobke Peers

Relaxing after some summer fun, this panting pooch looks like he loves having the opportunity to flake out in the grass and sunshine. This is a favorite time of year for people and dogs because you can spend so much time outdoors together, playing, hiking and swimming. Just be sure your canine stays hydrated, and avoid exertion on extremely hot or humid days.

6

animal wellness

Volume 13 Issue 3

Editorial Department Editor-in-Chief: Dana Cox Managing Editor: Ann Brightman Senior Graphic Designer: Meaghan McGowan Cover Photography: Lobke Peers Tail End Illustration: Leanne Rosborough Columnists & Contributing Writers Judy Aizuss Pam Holt, RVT Janice Huntingford, DVM Sara Jackson Nikki Jardin Tessa Kimmel Diana Laverdure Bobbi Leder Judith Levy, M.Ed, CEHP, RMT Lisa Mackinder Anabelle L. Macri Patrick Mahaney, VMD, CVA Marcia Martin, DVM Shawn Messonnier, DVM Sandra Murphy Saralee Perel Kathleen Prasad Lisa Ricciotti Amy Snow Vicki Rae Thorne Robert Tisserand Marta Zaraska Nancy Zidonis

Administration & Sales President/C.E.O.: Tim Hockley Office Manager: Lesia Wright Circulation & Communications Manager: Jamie Conroy Operations Director: John Allan IT Manager: Rick McMaster Administrative Assistant: Libby Sinden Submissions: Please send all editorial material, advertising material, photos and correspondence to: Animal Wellness Magazine, 202-160 Charlotte St. Peterborough, ON, Canada K9J 2T8.

We welcome previously unpublished articles and color pictures either in transparency or disc form at 300 dpi. We cannot guarantee that either articles or pictures will be used or that they will be returned.

We reserve the right to publish all letters received.

Email your articles to: jamie@redstonemediagroup.com.

Advertising Sales National Sales Manager: Ann Beacom, (866) 764-1212 ext. 222 annbeacom@redstonemediagroup.com Western Regional Manager: Becky Starr, (866) 764-1212 ext. 221 becky@redstonemediagroup.com Classified Advertising: Lesia Wright classifiedads@animalwellnessmagazine.com To subscribe: Subscription price at time of this issue is $19.00 in the U.S. and $26.00 in Canada, including taxes for six issues shipped via surface mail. Subscriptions can be processed by: Website: www.animalwellnessmagazine.com Phone: 1-866-764-1212 US Mail: Animal Wellness Magazine, PMB 168, 8174 S. Holly St., Centennial, CO 80122 CDN Mail: Animal Wellness Magazine, 107 Hunter St. E., Unit 201. Peterborough, Ontario, Canada K9H 1G7 Subscriptions are payable by VISA, MasterCard, American Express, check or money order. The material in this magazine is not intended to replace the care of veterinary practitioners. The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the editor, and different views may appear in other issues. Redstone Media Group Inc., publisher of Animal Wellness, does not promote any of the products or services advertised by a third party advertiser in this publication, nor does Redstone Media Group Inc. verify the accuracy of any claims made in connection with such advertisers.

Refund policy: call or write our customer service department and we will refund unmailed issues.

Dealer Inquiries Welcome: Animal Wellness Magazine is available at a discount for resale in retail shops and through various organizations. Call 1-866-764-1212 and ask for dealer magazine sales, fax us at 705-742-4596 or e-mail at sales@animalwellnessmagazine.com.

AnimalWellnessMagazine.com

Animal Wellness Magazine (ISSN 1710-1190) is published six times a year by Redstone Media Group Inc. Publications Mail Agreement #40884047. Entire contents copyright© 2011. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted by any means, without prior written permission of the publisher. Publication date: May 2011.

Improving the lives of animals... one reader at a time.

animal wellness

7

editorial

healing

The many faces of

O

ver the last several years, I’ve been studying Reiki and crystal healing and using these modalities with my two cats. Robin especially loves Reiki – he’ll lie in the crook of my arm while I give him healing energy. I know it’s working because my hands quickly become a lot warmer than they usually do when I’m just petting him. Robin soaks it in, purring and kneading, eyes closed in bliss. When he decides he’s had enough, usually after five or ten minutes, he withdraws and goes on his way.

Renny isn’t as open to Reiki. He’ll accept it for perhaps a minute, then gets up and walks away. Maybe he just doesn’t need it, or finds the energy a bit too strong. He’s a lot more interested in my crystals. His favorite place in the house is my bedroom, where I keep my crystal collection. He spends a lot of time in there snoozing on the bed, perhaps sensing the energy of the crystals all around him, or exploring the surface of my dresser and chest of drawers where many of the stones are displayed.

Of course, this sometimes means a few crystals end up on the floor and batted under the furniture, but it’s a small price to pay. I’m just happy to share the healing energy of my crystals with my little soulmate.

Like Renny and Robin, most animals greatly benefit from energy work and other alternative healing modalities.

They seem especially sensitive to this type of healing, and also appear to instinctively know what they need, and

8

animal wellness

how long they need it for. This issue of Animal Wellness is devoted to an exploration of alternative modalities that can help maintain and enhance your companion’s health and well being, on all levels.

Along with articles that focus on acupuncture and acupressure, we feature a detailed look at energy healing for dogs – including homeopathy, Qigong, flower essences and Healing Touch – written by animal Reiki teacher Kathleen Prasad. You’ll also find articles on Chinese herbs and on Meridian Tapping, a unique healing system created by energy practitioner Judith Levy.

With summer on the way, we offer you tips on swimming pool fun and safety for your canine companion, and talk about the latest in environmentally-friendly animal waste disposal and how to reduce your dog’s carbon pawprint.

And Dr. Shawn Messonnier’s article on how to interpret your animal’s lab tests will make your next trip to the vet that much easier. Happy reading – and have a summer full of healing!

Ann Brightman Managing Editor

animal wellness

9

contributors

1

2

3

4

5

6

1. Veterinarian Dr. Janice Huntingford practices integrative medicine in Essex, Ontario.

She is certified in animal chiropractic, acupuncture and rehabilitation therapy. Her clinic features a state of the art underwater treadmill and fitness pool for dogs. Dr. Huntingford is married and lives on a farm/ winery complete with horses, cattle, chickens, cats, dogs and three children. Learn about animal acupuncture in her article on page 42.

2. Katheleen Prasad is an animal Reiki teacher and president of the Shelter Animal Reiki Association (shelteranimalreikiassociation.org). She has been practicing energy healing since 1998. In this issue (page 30) she discusses the benefits of energy healing for dogs.

3. Amy Snow and Nancy Zidonis are authors of The Well-Connected Dog: A Guide To Canine Acupressure and Acu-Cat: A Guide to Feline Acupressure. Their company Tallgrass Publishing offers Meridian Charts for dogs, cats and horses. Tallgrass Animal Acupressure Institute (animalacupressure.com) provides training courses and a certificate program worldwide. Turn to page 48 to learn how acupressure can help dogs with Cushing’s.

10

animal wellness

4. Veterinarian Dr. Shawn Messonnier authored the Natural Health Bible for Dogs and Cats, The Natural Vet’s Guide to Preventing and Treating Cancer in Dogs, and 8 Weeks to a Healthy Dog. He’s the pet care expert for Martha Stewart Living’s “Dr. Shawn – The Natural Vet” on Sirius Satellite Radio, and creator of Dr. Shawn’s Pet Organics. His practice, Paws & Claws Animal Hospital (petcarenaturally.com), is in Plano, Texas. For his inside look at how to interpret your animal’s lab tests, check out page 88.

5. Judy Aizuss, MS, is a flower essence practitioner known for her success using flower essences for animal behavior and emotional issues (essentialhealingbyjudy. com). Her talent for identifying and treating the cause of problems comes from her psychotherapy background, her ability to energetically attune to animals and essences, and her personal journey of healing and transformation. See page 22 for Judy’s advice on flower essences for grieving animals.

6. Sara Jackson lives on a 12-acre farm in American Canyon, just outside the Napa Valley. She is a graduate of the Academy of Art University in San Francisco and has a BFA in Screenwriting. She is a freelance

writer and has written a number of short stories, two scripts and a book called Jack’s Dreams Come To Life (sarajacksonwriter. com). Turn to page 38 for her article on swimming pool safety for dogs.

7. Judith Levy M.Ed., CEHP, RMT, principal of Wellness for People and Pets, is an acclaimed animal behavior consultant and helps families and their animals achieve positive relationships.

She specializes in helping animals across the country who have a history of abuse or neglect and suffer from anxiety and trauma. She combines traditional canine and feline behavior modification methods with energy practices such as Reiki and Meridian Tapping – see page 86 for her article on the latter.

8. Lisa Ricciotti is an award-winning writer from Edmonton, Alberta. Her passions are simple: chasing a good story, and chasing her four French bulldogs. Sometimes she happily combines the two, as in her recent book A Breed Lover’s Guide to French Bulldogs. For Lisa’s article on Chinese herbs, see page 18.

9. Marta Zaraska is a full time freelance writer. She is a Canadian of Polish origin, and has written for major Polish magazines and newspapers, as well as English language publications including the Globe and Mail. She lives in France with her hus-

7

10

band and two hyperactive English cocker spaniels, who work hard at impeding her attempts to finish her fourth novel. Check out Marta’s article on how to reduce your dog’s carbon footprint (page 26).

10. Nikki Jardin is an Oregon-based freelance writer who loves writing about people dedicated to making the world a better place for all beings. Her work has been seen regionally in several publications.

When not writing, traveling or exploring the natural world in her own backyard, Nikki

8

9

11

volunteers for local organizations, including Fences For Fido, and has yet to tire of seeing dogs running free for the first time in their lives – turn to page 92 for her article.

11. Bobbi Leder is a freelance writer based in Houston, Texas. She is a columnist for a Houston newspaper and has been published with many websites, print publications and anthologies, including Dogs and the Women Who Love Them. Bobbi’s most important role is that of mom to her English cocker spaniel, Euri. See page 84 for her article on

12

eco-friendly pet waste disposal.

12. Diana Laverdure writes on a variety of dog care topics and is the creator of The Happy Dog Spot (the-happy-dog-spot.com), a website devoted to helping dog lovers take better care of their canine companions. She is also the co-author (with W. Jean Dodds, DVM) of the upcoming book The Canine Thyroid Epidemic: Answers You Need for Your Dog. She lives with her rescued Belgian shepherd mix, Chase. For Diana’s article on hypothyroidism in dogs, see page 34.

animal wellness

11

mail bag Ironically,our wonderful dog, Muttsy, who pulled muscles in his leg and groin, had his first laser treatment two days before your magazine arrived with the article about laser treatment (Feb/Mar 2011). He improved dramatically after the first treatment and has continued to improve after three more treatments. We are delighted to see him walk normally once again. We’re sold on laser therapy. Last Saturday, our vet in Ruckersville, Virginia delivered a four-hour presentation on laser treatment at a veterinarian seminar.

Eleanor Montgomery, via email

Editor’s note: We’re glad your dog benefited so amazingly!

Laser therapy is becoming a widely used and accepted treatment option for a variety of issues. It’ll be interesting to see what the future holds for this form of therapy.

I was pleased to see your article on safety tips for jogging and biking with dogs (Apr-May 2011). I really hate it when I see kids (and adults) racing along on their bikes on a hot summer day, with their dogs trailing along behind them looking like they’re ready to keel over at any moment. People don’t seem to realize that dogs get tired too, and can’t run indefinitely, especially in hot weather. I hope some of these people will see your article and learn something.

Heike Webster, via email

Editor’s note: This is something we’ve all witnessed at one time or another, which is what prompted us to do an article on it. Many dogs love running with their people when biking or jogging – it’s just important they don’t overdo it, especially in warm weather, and that their well being is carefully monitored.

12

animal wellness

With respect to Dale Spencer’s email to you about why some of us use the endearment term of “fur kids” (Feb-Mar 2011). Besides your very good answer (which I agree with wholeheartedly), if he is any indication of what humankind is, then I prefer my “fur kids”. Mr. Spencer, get a life.

Marion, via email

ANIMAL WELLNESS

Editor’s note: Well said!

From our Facebook page: Duke, my Jack Russell terrier, keeps us busy all the time, but when he does finally get tired he loves to cuddle and give slobbery kisses.

Dice was my American pitty; she heatbreakingly passed away a few years ago. She was patient, kind, playful and very, very loving. Duke and I miss her so much, but we know she is with us as she has visited us after her passing. It fills our hearts with love and joy that she is still with us in spirit, our beautiful Angel Dice.

Mary Desanto

Our three Amigos, JoJo, Barbie and Caleb are all adopted Shiba Inus!

They are on a raw meat diet with supplements and are healthy, happy and full of fun!

Wendy Steele My Kobe Bear is a nine-year-old Keeshond and is one of the puffiest dogs ever. His two favorite activities are eating and sniffing.

Cathy Malkin Currea

We’re excited to introduce our new Facebook

It’s your chance to get FREE stuff for your animal buddy.

Go to our Animal Wellness Magazine Facebook page for more information. And don’t forget to tell your friends!

animal wellness

13

yakkity yak FOCUS ON JAPAN The horrific earthquake, tsunami and ongoing nuclear crisis in Japan have left tens of thousands of animals as well as people displaced and in distress. Animal rescue groups were quick to mobilize in the wake of the disaster.

On March 25, the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) committed $150,000 to help Japan’s Animal Disaster Response Team provide relief to animals affected by the tragedy. The work has included setting up 30 temporary shelters near human evacuation centers – the shelters provide tents, feeding bowls, pet food and veterinary services, but their main function is to enable evacuees to continue to feed, walk, clean and care for their own animals.

Humane Society International has also provided a relief package for the purchase and shipment of emergency supplies, and the creation of temporary animal sheltering facilities in the disaster zone. Their team has been working with Japanese animal welfare groups on the ground, and with other international animal welfare organizations, such as World Vets, to determine and meet the most urgent and immediate needs.

Additional groups such as Kinship Circle, a US non-profit organization that specializes in animal advocacy and disaster rescue, are also in Japan to aid its stricken animal victims.

To learn how you can help, visit wspa.ca/japan, humanesociety.org or kinshipcircle.org.

Veterinarian Dr. Damian Woodberry, part of WSPA’s response team in Japan, visits a clinic that’s taking in dogs caught up in the disaster.

Genesis winners respect for all living creatures. And the honors for Outstanding Feature Documentary went to The Elephant in the Living Room for its fascinating and disturbing look at exotic animal ownership.

Photo: © Tony Chang/Chang Photography

It was a star-studded event! The 25th Genesis Awards on March 19 honored a wide variety of television and movie productions for their part in raising awareness of animal welfare issues. The prestigious Wyler Award went to Sex and the City star Kristin Davis in recognition of the media attention she has brought to the plight of African elephants orphaned by ivory poaching.

The Colbert Report won the Sid Caesar Comedy Award for satirizing bullfighters, while True Blood picked up Outstanding Dramatic Series for a unique storyline about a shape-shifter abused through dog-fighting. The Oprah Winfrey Show took the Outstanding Talk Show award for two animal-themed shows spotlighting Japan’s dolphin slaughter, elephant poaching for ivory, and pet overpopulation.

How To Train Your Dragon received Outstanding Feature Film for its inspiring message about tolerance and

14

animal wellness

Simon Helberg (The Big Bang Theory) and Olivia Munn (far right, The Daily Show) present the Morning News Show Award to Robin Singer, producer of The Early Show.

Animals rule!

The economy may still be weak, but it doesn’t seem to be seriously affecting the number of people who have companion animals. According to the American Pet Products Association’s (APPA) 2011-2012 National Pet Owners Survey, the number of American households with companion animals has increased to an all-time high of 72.9 million. According to the Survey, there are more than 78 million dogs and 86.4 million cats living in U.S. households.

Lavender oil may be used to repel mosquitoes from your dog.

Helping shelter cats Most shelters are overflowing with cats and kittens, especially this time of year. The Morris Animal Foundation has launched two new studies aimed at shelter cats. One will evaluate new treatments for FHV-1 and FCV – infectious diseases that affect millions of shelter cats – while the other will help determine genetic factors for disease.

The foundation’s Helping Shelters Help Cats program is also funding five feline health research studies aimed at reducing stress and increasing adoption rates in shelter cats. research4cats.org

animal wellness

15

yakkity yak Bonding hormone

Promoting pitties

Research teams at last year’s People & Animals: For Life conference in Stockholm presented an explanation as to why we bond so closely with companion animals. The answer lies in our hormone physiology – specifically oxytocin and cortisol. Oxytocin is a bonding hormone released by closeness and touch, while cortisol is released in response to stress.

Pit Bulls have a bad reputation, usually undeserved.

HugABull Advocacy and Rescue Society presents the following facts everyone should know about the breed:

One study involved ten female dog guardians who evaluated the quality of their relationship with their dogs. They then interacted with their dogs for an hour.

Each woman’s oxytocin levels correlated significantly with questionnaire items indicating positive feelings and closeness to her dog, while her cortisol levels correlated with items regarding negative feelings towards the dog.

The dogs’ own oxytocin and cortisol levels correlated significantly with the women’s answers to questions associated with positive attitudes.

Pit bulls and kids often make a great combination.

Pit bulls routinely pass the American Temperament Test (ATT) with flying colours. The ATT measures friendliness, confidence and sociability.

Pit bulls are known for their intelligence, loyalty and work ethic.

Find out more at hugabull.com.

Dog boots help protect sensitive paws from hot asphalt.

Bella is tops What’s your favorite dog name? Veterinary Pet Insurance has released its list of the top ten most popular canine handles, derived from its database of insured pooches:

“A short-term sensory interaction between a dog and his owner influences hormonal levels in both species,” says scientist Kerstin Uvnäs-Moberg. “The dogs’ oxytocin levels displayed a significant rise just three minutes after the start of the interaction. There was also a significant positive correlation between the dogs’ and owners’ oxytocin levels after 15 minutes.”

16

animal wellness

1. Bella 2. Bailey 3. Max 4. Lucy 5. Molly 6. Buddy 7. Maggie 8. Daisy 9. Charlie 10. Sophie

Fixing it right!

Over 12,000 animals are euthanized in American shelters every day.

The FiXiT Foundation is devoted to eliminating euthanasia due to overpopulation. The new organization recently initiated a case study in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands to test out various incentive programs to entice people to spay or neuter their animals.

“We are determining what works best in reaching different populations, such as low-cost services, gift incentives or free services,” says Dr. Kellie Heckman, executive director of FiXiT. “We will

then implement the program in the U.S. to reduce the dependence on euthanasia in our animal shelters.” fixit-foundation.org

animal wellness

17

Chinese herbs101

You’ve heard about them, but how do they differ from “ordinary” herbs? Here we bust the myths while helping you understand how these unique formulations can help your animal companion.

by Lisa Ricciotti

W

hat exactly are Chinese herbs? What’s so special about them? You’ve probably heard plenty of treatment stories that sound nearly miraculous – chronic skin problems clear up, an arthritic animal recovers his step, an aggressive dog regains his equilibrium. But if something sounds too good to be true, is it? How can you decide if Chinese herbs are the latest greatest thing, or just another passing fad?

To separate myth from fact, we turned to Dr. Christine Bessent, a veterinarian with a wealth of training and knowledge in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM). At her thriving practice in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, she uses an integrative approach that combines the best of both conventional and alternative medicine. After ten years of success with Chinese herbs, Dr. Bessent founded Herbsmith Inc. in 2000 so she could share these unique herbal solutions with others.

18

in North America, there’s nothing new about them.

They’re part of an ancient approach to wellness called Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that originated in China thousands of years ago. As a whole, TCM’s overall philosophy encompasses a broad range of approaches, including acupuncture, massage and dietary therapy as well as Chinese herbs. When its principles are applied to animal wellness, the discipline is called Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM).

“We’ve become so reliant on pharmaceuticals that many think herbs are folklore,” says Dr. Bessent. “But TCVM is more than that. It’s a medical system that looks beyond symptoms to address the root causes of illness, while supporting good health. Using Chinese herbs proactively pays off since people can deal with an animal’s issues before they become severe.”

Myth #1: Chinese herbs are a “New Age” fad

Myth #2: You must choose between Chinese herbal treatment or veterinary care

Although the use of Chinese herbs is relatively recent

There’s no need for an either/or decision. “Both have

animal wellness

their place,� says Dr. Bessent. “We’re now fortunate that we can add TCVM and Chinese herbal use to conventional veterinary medicine. Using Chinese herbs often lets a vet decrease the amount and/or frequency of stronger pharmaceutical drugs that have harsh side effects.�

This is especially important when an animal needs long term support, as is often the case with arthritis. A dog can enjoy the benefits of Chinese herbs for years, without the negative side effects that come from drugs like Metacam, which can be held in reserve for times when pain is most severe. “Chinese herbs let you save ‘the big guns’ for when you need them,� Dr. Bessent notes.

Generally, Chinese herbal treatments are used for chronic, long-standing problems and work more slowly than drugs. “If your dog or cat is hit by a car, go straight to emergency!� says Dr. Bessent. “Any life-threatening, sudden onset or acute illness or injury is very suited to Western veterinary medicine. Once the immediate threat is over, Chinese herbs may then be used as part of the healing process.�

Myth #3: Veterinarians are against the use of Chinese herbs Again, it’s not a black-or-white situation. “TCVM techniques like herbs or acupuncture aren’t included in a vet’s regular training,� explains Dr. Bessent. “So unless vets take additional training, they’re not familiar with it. If you go to regular vets and ask for Chinese herbs, most can’t give you an informed answer and are too busy to find out more for you.�

herbal solutions animal you love for the

+HUEVPLWK RIIHUV KHUEDO IRUPXODV EDVHG RQ WUDGLWLRQDO &KLQHVH WKHRULHV RI KHDOWK DQG ZHOOQHVV 'U &KULV %HVVHQW SUDFWLFLQJ KROLVWLF YHWHULQDULDQ DQG IRXQGHU RI +HUEVPLWK GHYHORSHG WKHVH IRUPXODV DV D QDWXUDO RSWLRQ WR VXSSRUW KHDOWK IRU HYHU\WKLQJ IURP DOOHUJLHV DQG DFKHV WR FDOPLQJ DQG MRLQW VXSSRUW

Finding a vet with a holistic approach can be challenging, but numbers are growing. “It’s due in large part to a grassroots demand from animal owners over the past two decades,� says Dr. Bessent. A good place to start is the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (AHVMA). Their website ahvma.org offers a directory for holistic vets in the U.S. and Canada.

Myth #4: Chinese herbs aren’t drugs, so anyone can put together a treatment plan for their animal When it comes to official health regulatory bodies, herbs often fall into a gray area between food and drugs, running the gamut from common seasonings like cinnamon and turmeric to more powerful prescription herbs.

Using Chinese herbs properly isn’t a straight line between an herb and its effect, as is often the approach in Western herbology. “A treatment doesn’t necessarily consist of just one herb; it could be many formulated together,� says Dr. Bessent. Knowing the right combinations comes with understanding the principles behind TCVM, and isn’t learned overnight. Dabbling without real knowledge can do more harm than good.

Herbs for Animals “The ideal is always to have a knowledgeable professional guiding you,� advises Dr. Bessent. “It could be a TCVM-trained vet, or an individual with TCM training willing to work with your vet.� It’s also important to make your current vet aware of any Chinese herbal treatments your animal is taking, since some could react with prescribed drugs.

$YDLODEOH RQOLQH DW ZZZ +ROLVWLF$QLPDO6XSSO\ FRP DQG DW ÀQH UHWDLO VWRUHV QDWLRQZLGH 9LVLW RXU ZHEVLWH IRU ORFDWLRQV KHUEVPLWKLQF FRP _ animal wellness

19

Myth #5: All Chinese herbs come from China Originally, all herbs used in Traditional Chinese Medicine were native to China since that’s where the practice originated. Even today, most of the over 6,000 species of plants used in TCVM continue to come from China or other Asian countries. But it’s also possible that your animal’s “Chinese” herbal mixture could contain plants grown in North America or other countries.

“Today the phrase ‘Chinese herbs’ is used more to describe the philosophy behind their use rather than the country of origin,” says Dr. Bessent.

Purists maintain that China is still the best source of “Chinese” herbs, but given the right soil, climate and cultivation methods, it’s now possible to obtain equally potent results beyond China’s borders. What’s most important is that an herbal supplier has good quality control procedures to back up their claims about product potency.

Because Chinese herbs include thousands of different plants, most of which work best in various combinations, it’s important to ally yourself with a vet who is well-versed in TCVM. Used by someone with knowledge and experience, Chinese herbs can be profoundly healing.

Healing applications Chinese herbs can be used for a multitude of problems, including allergies, arthritis, anxiety, immune system support and many others.

1. Quelling anxiety After standing close to an electrical pole that loudly short-circuited, a male Australian shepherd developed a severe fear of noise. His people worried as his anxiety levels grew and he began to fear-bite. Two months on a mixture of Chinese herbs returned this boy to his happy self.

2. Supporting immunity When veterinary experts said nothing more could be done for their 11-yearold Rottweiler, his family turned to Dr. Bessent. The dog had contracted an often-fatal fungal infection after plunging into tainted water to escape another dog that bit him. He received anti-fungal drugs, but wasn’t responding. With the help of Chinese herbs, his immune system rallied enough to beat the blastomycosis.

3. Making IBD bearable Abby, a five-year-old golden retriever, was skin and bones. A chronic irritable bowel disease (IBD) sufferer, she had constant diarrhea and gas and could only tolerate broth and rice. As a last resort, her people tried a Chinese herbal treatment. Now Abby’s a new dog. She can eat whatever she likes as long as she keeps taking her herbs.

20

animal wellness

animal wellness

21

Animals experience grief just as we do. These flower essences can gently and safely ease the pain and lift their spirits (and yours).

by Judy Aizuss

K

atie was a puppy mill dog who spent the first four months of her life in a cage. She was adopted into a home with another Yorkshire terrier named Abbey.

Katie was very timid and dependent on Abbey, who was confident and outgoing. When Abbey died suddenly, Katie stopped playing, became afraid of all animals and people, and would suddenly bolt in terror out of sleep whenever her person turned over in bed.

We know how heart-wrenching it is to lose an animal companion. Whether sudden or expected, the loss is always followed by a period of grief. The same thing is true for animals. When they lose a family member they care about – person or other animal friend – they too may grieve deeply. Signs that your animal is grieving may include moping, disinterest in playing or going for walks, whining or yowling (in cats) and loss of appetite.

adversely affect your animal’s health. This is where flower essences can make an enormous difference.

They can quickly restore your companion to normal functioning and reawaken his interest in life and living.

If your animal is suffering from acute grief, the flower essences on page 24 can help.

You can try any one of these essences or combine several into one formula, since they all address the same theme of grief and loss. If you are also grieving, the essences will help you as well.

Administering essences

Gentle consolation

When giving essences to an animal, I recommend putting a couple of drops on your finger and stroking him with it (ears or paw pads are good places). By placing the essences on your finger, you’ll benefit from them too, plus your animal won’t be stressed by having to take something orally.

Though grief is a normal and natural response to loss, prolonged or intense grief can be debilitating and

For best results, give the essence formula at least twice

22

animal wellness

a day (three to four times a day is even better) and/or place several drops in your animal’s drinking water.

There is no possibility of overdosing, and there are no side effects.

Additional considerations If your companion was emotionally healthy and confident prior to the loss, these essences will likely help him recover normal functioning within a few days. If the symptoms persist longer than that, do not assume the essences don’t work. Each flower essence has a very specific energetic pattern, and it could be that the ones you used don’t match your animal’s energetic imbalance. Seeking out the services of an experienced flower essence practitioner who has a wide range of essence options and is able to “tune in” to your animal could solve the problem. Also, if your companion is off his food for more than a couple of days, consult your veterinarian, as he could be physically ill.

If your animal is a rescue, like Katie, chances are he has a history of abuse, neglect or other losses. While some animals are constitutionally resilient and show no ill effects once in a loving home, many others are deeply scarred by their past experiences. They may be fearful, defensive, lack confidence, or have other emotional deficits. In these cases, another loss can be devastating and even life-threatening. These cases are more complicated and best handled by an experienced practitioner who can accurately assess and address the various issues with a variety of flower essences.

Katie’s was a complex case requiring several rounds of essences to address many issues – traumatic loss, lack of confidence, lack of courage, hypersensitivity, fear and nervous system depletion from not having slept well for a year. It took a few months, but with each round of essence formulas, Katie’s person was ecstatic at the changes in her little dog. Katie began to sleep deeply, play, wag her tail (which she had never done before), enjoy walks outside (again, a first for Katie), enjoy meeting new people and even other dogs, and generally explore new opportunities. She not only recovered from the grief, but became braver and more outgoing than she had ever been before.

The right flower essences given at the right time can shorten both the length and intensity of the grieving process. You can safely try these essences to help you and your companion feel better after any loss.

E f o H T T U O

B OX

DOG TRAINING

The Pawsitive Training Solution for You & Your Dog! ACTIVITIES IDEAL FOR: • Dogs of all ages–puppy to adult • Training new behaviors • Refining skills • Resolving behavior problems • Creating a stronger bond • The perfect gift for yourself or others • A new way to have fun with your dog!

The Out of the Box Dog Training Game is an effective, practical and affordable way to help dog lovers raise a healthy and happy pet.

Playing the game makes learning fun– so you’re training your dog and you don’t even know it!

Fun, rewarding & interactive.

Get in the game today!

CONTACT: lll#

^cfj^h^i^kZXVc^cZ#Xdb

info@theinquisitivecanine.com

-%*#+*%#-*%%

DEVELOPED BY CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL DOG TRAINER JOAN MAYER

animal wellness

23

Flower essences for grief Tall White Lettuce

Honeysuckle

Brings strength to bear grief and helps turn attention to hope and joy for the future.

For melancholy and/or focusing on the past.

Onion

Montana Rhodochrosite

Good for all stages of grief, helps expedite movement through the various stages of grief.

(Not to be mistaken for actual onions, which are toxic to dogs. Onion flower essence is made from the plant’s flower, not the bulb).

his is a gem elixir, not a flower essence T It’s for those who are broken-hearted after a loss, but unable to fully process those feelings, remaining stuck in the grief.

River Beauty Can help when the loss has been sudden and traumatic.

Warratah If your animal is endlessly pacing or otherwise restless, he may need Warratah.

It addresses a level of despair in which one cannot accept the loss.

24

animal wellness

Companies Alaskan Essences, alaskanessences.com Delta Gardens, deltagardens.com Hummingbird Remedies, druidlabs.com Bach Flower, bachflower.com South African Flower Essences, available from Healing Waters, essencesonline.com

BRING YOUR DOG

Woofstock

®

A FESTIVAL FOR DOGS!

The St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood (Front St. & Church St.) Toronto Over 200 Vendors & Exhibitors Fashion Show V.I.P. Lounge Stupid Dog Tricks & Other Contests For Your Dog Ms. & Mr. K9 Canada Pageant

DON’T MISS NORTH AMERICA’S LARGEST FESTIVAL FOR DOGS! thestar.com

Saturday June 11th & Sunday June 12th, 2011 10am 10am to to 6pm 6pm )NFO 7//& s WWW WOOFSTOCK CA s EMAIL INFO WOOFSTOCK CA s 6ISIT US WOOFSTOCK animal wellness 25

ven if your dog can’t or won’t eat an all-vegetarian diet, E you can replace some of the meat in his meals with fresh vegetables, healthy whole grains, lentils and a bit of cottage cheese or yogurt.

2

Look for organic and local ingredients

steps to a Greener

“pawprint” R

ecently, I read about a study done by researchers at Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand.

They calculated that owning a medium-sized dog is as unfriendly to the climate as driving 10,000 kilometers a year in an SUV! I was devastated when I read this. I try hard to reduce my carbon footprint – I recycle, avoid flying and have replaced my SUV with a smaller car. But what about my dogs? How could I make them “greener”?

Happily, there are several simple ways to help reduce your canine’s carbon “pawprint”!

1 Give him more veggies

Meat is less sustainable to raise than vegetables and grains. And many dogs can fare well without meat.

Bramble, a border collie from Great Britain, lived past 20 eating nothing but rice, lentils and vegetables. A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition confirms that even very active canines such as racing sled dogs can maintain excellent physical condition on a meat-free diet Having said this, I have to admit that my own attempts at turning my dogs vegetarian ended in a hunger strike. They wanted meat, and that’s all there was to it. And some dogs need meat for health reasons, so be sure to check with your vet before going this route.

26

animal wellness

Free of preservatives, hormones and antibiotics, organic pet foods are gaining in popularity. Just be sure to look for products that are certified organic – the word “organic” on a product doesn’t necessarily mean it is organic. uying pet foods that source their ingredients from local B or regional farms is also an earth-friendly move. And try buying food in bulk if you can – it limits packaging and trips to the store.

3

Buy eco-friendly pet products

Almost every pet product can now be purchased in an “eco” version – from recycled plastic collars to organic hemp toys colored with natural dyes to fleece coats made of recycled water bottles. You can also opt for natural ear cleansers, shampoos and other products that don’t contain artificial fragrances or sodium lauryl sulfate (toxic to aquatic organisms).

4 Use biodegradable poop bags Plastic bags can take over 100 years to decompose – biodegradable ones, just a few weeks. Some are even flushable. (Turn to page 80 for more on environmentally-responsible pet waste disposal.)

5

Spay/neuter your dog

The Humane Society of Canada calculated that in six years, two dogs and their offspring can theoretically produce 67,000 puppies. You get the picture! Spaying and neutering keeps dog populations down and help lightens the environmental load.

6 Adopt rather than buy

Rather than buy from a breeder or pet store, adopt a dog from a shelter or rescue. There are millions of pooches of all shapes, sizes, ages and colors in need of loving homes. Check out petfinder.com or adoptapet.com for your next best friend!

animal wellness

27

alternative modaliti The Honest Kitchen Two new products from The Honest Kitchen, bring herbal tea to life for dogs and cats. Quiet, a calming formula and Easy Peesy for urinary tract health, join Lithe (for mobility), the company’s original herbal tea.

The herbs are steeped in a brew of hot water and added directly to meals as needed.

Thehonestkitchen.com 866-437-9729

HEALING WITH HEART

Re-marking have YOU Barking? GET SERiOUS!®

Caly Lehrer, Your Spiritual Guardian for Animal Wellness, shares Reiki, Cellular Healing and Pet Loss Support Groups with people and their beloved animals around the world. She is a Reiki Master Teacher, Accredited Journey™ Practitioner, Empathic Intuitive, Animal Communicator and Certified Visionary Leadership Coach.

It’s frustrating to repeatedly clean up potty accidents! Make it stop ‘NATURALLY’! GET SERIOUS!® Odor, Stain & PHEROMONE Extractor, ONLY cleaner achieving “COMPLETE” cleaning -removing ALL 3 attractions! Pets ‘naturally’ STOP soiling, keeping homes CLEAN, pretty-fresh! Nontoxic-BiodegradableNonflammable-Noncaustic!

DOG + CAT SERiOUS!® formulas: PetSmart, www.carealotpets.com, retailers nationwide, Canada!

Learn more about Caly at PeaceByPeace.net

GetSeriousProducts.net

SMOOCHY POOCHY Don’t get caught unleashed!

The most versatile optional handsfree leash in the market designed by Smoochy Poochy. Made from an array of colorful nylon webbing or ‘leather look alike’ materials. The perfect lead that targets your dog’s lifestyle activities: walking, training, jogging, hiking, shopping, & visiting. Endless possibilities!

Canadian connection: info@smoochypoochy.com 416.407.8898 U.S. connection: info@barkz.com 425.822.0292 / Kaitlyn

28

animal wellness

DawggieGoPak The ultimate hands free leash accessory, designed with the Doggie Walker in mind.

All of your needs fit into this fabulous pack: ( keys, phones, poop bags and more) Variety of colors & designs with fashion in mind.

dawggiegopak.com or 727-452-0416

odalities

Special advertising feature

Dental Care Just Got Easy!

TropiClean® fresh breath made easy!™ is a safe, natural oral care line designed to give your pet healthy teeth and fresh breath without brushing.

93% of users saw cleaner teeth in less than 2 weeks. Then get creative and enter your pet in the TropiClean Best Smile Contest.

For contest rules, visit tropicleanbestsmile.com

Pet’em Pad There is no better love for your four- legged friend than freedom from chronic pain. The Pet’em Pad enhances and promotes a natural healing process to bones and tissue, and musculoskeletal issues like arthritis and hip dysplasia through increased circulation, oxygenation and nutrient assimilation to the area being treated. (Can be used by pet parents too!)

Robert@petempad.com PetemPad.com 623-399-0361

I LOVE DOGS Veterinarian-formulated i Love Dogs Green Tea supplement contains EGCG, a powerful antioxidant that stimulates the immune system and prevents cellular damage. Green tea can also help protect your dog’s dental health by destroying the harmful bacteria that causes plaque and tartar build-up, and promoting your dog’s ability to fight infection. Available in tailored-dose sizes for small, medium and large dogs.

store.ilovedogs.com or 888-456-8966

The Barfer Shoppe Connectin combines Glucosamine, Chondroitin, & Hyaluronic Acid, with nine natural herbs to support joint health: Yucca, Nettle, Celery Seed, Alfalfa, Turmeric, Black Cohosh, Devil’s Claw, Ginger Root, Cayenne Pepper.

In clinical trials, dogs taking Connectin showed significant improvement in range of motion, flexibility & weight bearing within 15 days.

barfershoppe.com

The Litter-Robot™ The automated self-cleaning litter box that saves time and money. Clean up is as easy as changing a garbage bag! Minimize odor and give yourself freedom from scooping the litter box. Try it risk free for 90 days.

Litter-Robot.com animal wellness

29

5 ways to

good energy

Qigong directs and moves energy through the body.

Shelley Wallen performs HTA on a canine client.

Energy healing can have a profound effect on a dog’s well being. Check out some modalities that are growing in popularity.

by Kathleen Prasad

I

f you practice Reiki on your dog, or turn to homeopathy when he’s under the weather, you’re in good company.

More than half of US households have at least one companion animal, and 40% of Americans have tried holistic therapies. So it’s no surprise that many people are turning to energy healing and other holistic modalities to help their furry friends.

The goal of energy healing is to rebalance the dog’s life force or biofield. As a holistic modality, energy healing sees the dog’s health from the perspective of his “whole being” – physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.

The following energetic therapies use different methods to help shift the dog’s “whole being” back into a state of energetic balance. As you’ll discover, this often results in an improvement or resolution of the problem.

1

Homeopathy

“Homeopathy seeks to stimulate the body’s ability to heal itself by giving very small doses of highly diluted substances,” according to the National Institutes of Health. In most cases, these substances are so dilute that only their “energy” remains, affecting and

30

animal wellness

acting upon the energetic level of healing for the client.

“When JD was three, he developed an acute high fever,” says integrative veterinarian Dr. Cynthia Juday of her pit bull-boxer mix. “Blood tests confirmed a diagnosis of autoimmune disease, which threatened to cause severe anemia and uncontrolled bleeding. His values were alarmingly low. The PCV (percentage of red cells in serum – the optimum is 36% to 60%) was just 17.8%.

His platelets were at 73,000 (the optimum is 150,000 to 300,000) and later dropped to less than 10,000. He was too lethargic to stand or play. Eating was an effort. A cortisone injection, often used for this condition, caused severe pancreatitis and gastroenteritis.

“Homeopathic remedies to reduce inflammation and support the immune system were chosen and injected intravenously in liquid form. Within a few hours, JD was asking for a chew toy. Repeat testing three days later revealed a PCV of 34% and platelets at 174,000. JD was much more active.”

Although homeopathy jumpstarted the process, JD’s complete recovery took two years. “A combination of

a home-prepared diet, nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies and Chinese herb was used to support this longer process of total recovery,” says. Dr. Juday.

2

Acupuncture

The American Veterinary Medical Association describes veterinary acupuncture and acutherapy as “examination and stimulation of specific points on the body of nonhuman animals by use of acupuncture needles… and a variety of other techniques for the diagnosis and treatment of numerous conditions in animals.”

Veterinarian Dr. Laura Adams describes the results of acupuncture in her dog patients as “amazing”.

One such case involved a three-yearold beagle named Betty, who had a swollen disc that resulted in partial paralysis in her hind legs.

“When I first saw Betty, she could only take a couple of steps before falling over,” says Dr. Adams. “I did two treatments, one week apart, then continued treating once every two weeks. Within a month-and-a-half, Betty was walking normally. She is still doing well today, and her owner brings her back for support whenever he sees the first signs of back pain.”

Acupuncture has many applications for canine health.

For more about acupuncture, turn to page 42 in this issue.

3

Qigong

“A Qigong practitioner directs and moves Qi (energy or life force) through the body to eliminate or minimize health problems, increase resilience and flexibility, and reduce the effects of aging and stress,” says Krista Cantrell, MA, who has been a Qigong instructor for 18 years. According to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, “preliminary studies [in humans] suggest that Qigong can improve certain aspects of the immune system, and can increase functioning of the human body.”

Krista is often called in to help dogs when traditional therapies aren’t working. Recently, she was asked to assist Max, a six-year-old Dachshund.

Max was in pain when touched, his stomach was extremely bloated, and he had been diagnosed with spinal problems and a neurological deficit in his right hind leg. Traditional veterinary medicine didn’t seem to be helping.

“When I saw Max, his Qi was stagnant and not flowing smoothly throughout his body, especially in his stomach and bladder meridians,” explains Krista. “The first physical signal that Max’s Qi was not flowing smoothly was his bloated stomach, which often indicates a stomach and spleen imbalance. The second physical signal was that his back right paw did not lift up and roll over quickly. Rear leg lameness is another sign that can appear when the stomach meridian needs rebalancing. During the Qigong session, I rebalanced Max’s meridians (especially the stomach and bladder meridians) and guided the Qi to flow through his bones. I also shared with his person, Marie, a Qi exercise she could do every day with him. animal wellness

31

“The next day Marie sent me an e-mail that Max was doing ‘fabulous.’ One month later, Max is ‘problem-free’– still getting his scratches, going for walks and having a lot of fun.”

4

Healing Touch

For Dogs and Cats

National Leaders in Pet First Aid • Earn a certificate • Practice on live pets • Courses offered nationally

Pet First Aid participants will learn: • Early signs of illness • Prevention of injury • Emergency response skills • Choking, airway, and CPR skills • And much, much more!

DISTANCE LEARNING AVAILABLE

www.walksnwags.com 1-800-298-1152 • 604-809-9247

Soggy Dog Seat Covers

No more tangled, filthy blankets that won’t stay in place!

• water, sand & hair repellent • sand & hair shakes off • durable • light weight • machine washable • quick dry • easy to install!

• works in cargo areas

Healing Touch for Animals (HTA) was founded by a former veterinary technician named Carol Kormitor. Shelley Wallen, one of Carol’s students, has been a HTA practitioner for three years. She describes the modality as using energy and intention to “encourage a natural healing process [that] can enhance response to traditional interventions.” Because Healing Touch is relatively new, clinical research is limited, but many case studies are showing positive results.

Shelley recalls how a six-year-old Newfoundland named Oslo responded to HTA. “Oslo received an advanced arthritis diagnosis, and had severe pain in numerous joints. For two months, a veterinary pain specialist, veterinary acupuncturist and canine massage therapist closely monitored his care. Oslo’s pain escalated to the point he could no longer tolerate touch.”

After his first HTA treatment, Oslo was a different dog. After examination the following day, his veterinarian reduced his pain medication by 50%.

After the third week of adding HTA treatments and acupuncture, Oslo’s medication levels dropped from nine Tramadol per day to one, and even that was fully eliminated by the fourth week.

5

Reiki and flower essences

Although they are two different modalities and commonly used separately, Reiki and flower essences can work together in a variety of conditions and situations, including the end-of-life transition. In the following case, veterinarian Bernie Fischer shares how the energetic modalities of Reiki and flower essences assisted the transition of a 13-year-old dog with hip pain who collapsed one day.

“When I first saw Duffy, he was lying on a blanket and could hardly move,” says Dr. Fischer. “It was clear he was extremely uncomfortable. I applied three drops of Old Blush China Rose flower essence to the skin on the inside of one of Duffy’s rear legs. This flower essence is helpful for providing a sense of safety for animals.

“I then sat next to Duffy and put one hand on his back. I closed my eyes and began the meditation and breathing I often use to start a Reiki session. Duffy accepted the Reiki. During the session, the owner noted that Duffy’s breathing seemed to get easier, and he stopped shaking and shivering. After about 30 minutes, Duffy wanted to get up. We helped him up and he proceeded to go outside into the backyard and walked around sniffing – something he had not done in over a week. Later that night, while sleeping comfortably, Duffy made his transition quietly and peacefully.”

Ask for Soggy Dog at your local pet store 604-833-4907

www.soggydog.ca 32

animal wellness

As you can see, energy healing shines in a variety of situations!

animal wellness

33

Think thyroid

Is your dog behaving strangely? Has he developed unusual symptoms and acting apathetic or aggressive? It could be hypothyroidism.

by Diana R. Laverdure

K

odak, a young bearded collie, was a regular at the park. He loved to play with children and other dogs. Then something odd happened. This outgoing dog became withdrawn and began hiding under the park bench. He refused to play. Worried, his human mom took him to the veterinarian, who could find nothing wrong and suggested that Kodak was simply “bored”.

Kodak’s mom wasn’t convinced. Determined to find answers, she took him to three different veterinary specialists, none of whom could find anything wrong.

Friends suggested Kodak might have a thyroid disorder and referred her to veterinarian Dr. Jean Dodds.

“We confirmed that Kodak suffered from hypothyroidism, and we recommended that he immediately begin thyroid hormone replacement therapy to manage his condition,” Dr. Dodds says. Kodak regained his normal energy and behavior almost immediately, and has remained well ever since.

Canine thyroid disorder has reached epidemic proportions.

Since many veterinarians do not understand how to properly diagnose and treat it, a lot of dogs are suffering needlessly from a variety of physical and behavioral

34

animal wellness

symptoms. Often, they’re surrendered to shelters – and even euthanized – due to abnormal behavior. Sadly, many of these falsely labeled “bad dogs” suffer from a simple medical condition that could be easily treated.

What is the thyroid gland and why is it important?

The thyroid gland is part of the endocrine system, a collection of glands that produces all the body’s hormones.

The thyroid gland is located in the upper third of the neck. It is shaped roughly like a butterfly and is about the size of a Lima bean (this varies depending on the size of the dog). The thyroid gland produces thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), hormones that control virtually every metabolic and cellular function, including body temperature, resting metabolic rate, heart and respiratory rate, and organ and tissue functions.

What is canine thyroid disorder?

About 90% of the time, thyroid disorder in dogs manifests as hypothyroidism (low thyroid function) as opposed to hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland becomes diseased or destroyed and cannot secret enough thyroxine (T4).

Symptoms of hypothyroidism can also occur when the liver does not properly convert T4 into T3, creating a hormone deficiency in the tissues.

Causes of hypothyroidism About 80% of canine hypothyroidism cases result from an inherited condition known as autoimmune (lymphocytic) thyroiditis, in which the body’s disease-fighting T-lymphocytes are genetically programmed to destroy the thyroid gland. This mechanism of autoimmunity is called the “failure of self-tolerance.”

A strong immune system is vital to a dog’s health. Genetic factors, breeding practices, and environmental stressors all tax our dogs’ immune systems, leaving them susceptible to a variety of conditions ranging from autoimmune diseases to cancers.

“Since the 1800s, people have been inbreeding and linebreeding dogs for certain physical and behavioral attributes,” says Dr. Dodds. “At the same time, this selective breeding may also pass along a variety of undesirable inherited conditions, including autoimmune thyroiditis. This makes it even more important to accurately diagnose canine hypothyroidism in its early stages, so that afflicted dogs can be removed from the breeding pool and neutered.”

While some breeds have lower instances of canine thyroid disorder than others, no breed is immune. Even mixed breeds are in jeopardy, since most are a combination of two or three inbred or line-bred breeds that are independently at risk.

Rescue ... is only the beginning.

Sometimes it seems they rescue us as much as we rescue them.

And then they destroy the house when you’re gone.

It’s not that they want to be bad, their actions are their words. You have to listen.

Flower Remedies

But when you don't know what's going on or how to make it stop, there is help!

R & R Essence Abandonment Jealousy Aggression Fear Obsessiveness Neediness Spraying

Got Questions?

We've Got Answers!!

Can't decide which is right for your pet? call (520) 886-1727 or (520) 293-6639 to ask!

According to ‘Gospel’...

Canine Light Therapy

Environmental influences, including household chemicals and pesticides, over-vaccination, chemical flea, tick and heartworm preventives, prescription and non-prescription medications, and poor nutrition further stress a dog’s immune system.

Symptoms to look for Since thyroid function affects just about every aspect of a dog’s health (see sidebar on next page), clinical symptoms can mimic those of other disorders and illnesses. “All too often, this throws veterinarians ‘off the trail’, causing them to overlook or miss the correct diagnosis,” Dr. Dodds says. “People who understand the symptoms of canine hypothyroidism will be empowered to speak out as their dog’s advocate, rather than just automatically following the diagnosis – or even misdiagnosis – of their veterinarian.”

The most classic signs associated with canine hypothyroidism – significant weight gain, lethargy, cold intolerance, and poor skin and hair coat – typically occur only after 70% or more of

2 SIZES DO IT ALL! Helps to:

•reduce recovery time •reduce pain •heal soft tissue injury •treat sore muscles •reduce arthritis pain •increase circulation

Illuminating the future of animal care

615.293.3025 EquineLightTherapy.com animal wellness

35

the thyroid tissue has been destroyed or damaged. Other changes, such as lack of focus, aggression, passivity and phobias, subtle weight gain and food hypersensitivity or intolerance, can present themselves during the earlier phases of the disease.

Diagnosis must be thorough “Effectively treating canine thyroid disorder begins with proper diagnosis,” says Dr. Dodds. “This is where many veterinarians miss the mark, often only testing T4 (thyroxine) blood levels, which alone are unreliable indicators of thyroid function.”

According to Dr. Dodds, a complete baseline thyroid profile should minimally include: • Total T4 • Total T3 • Free T4

• Free T3 • TgAA (thyroglobulin autoantibody)

“Dog guardians must insist on a full thyroid panel – and accurate interpretation by a skilled professional – before ruling out a diagnosis of hypothyroidism,” Dr. Dodds advises.

Conventional treatment Canine thyroid disorder can be easily managed with thyroxine hormone replacement, which is given twice daily apart from meals (since some foods such as soy and calcium bind thyroxine and impair its absorption).

Dosage is based on the dog’s age, optimal weight and lifestyle. Continuing this therapy for the rest of the dog’s life is critical; hypothyroidism is easily managed, but never truly cured.

Alternatives to thyroxine

Symptoms of hypothyroidism Metabolic changes:

lethargy, weight gain, mental dullness, cold intolerance, exercise intolerance, mood swings, chronic infections, seizures

Neuromuscular (nerve/muscle) problems: weakness, stiffness, facial paralysis, head tilt, incontinence, drooping eyelids

Skin diseases:

dry, scaly skin and dandruff, chronic offensive skin odor, hyperpigmentation, “rat tail”, “puppy coat”, pyoderma

Reproductive disorders:

infertility, absence of heat cycles, silent heats, testicular atrophy

Cardiac abnormalities:

slow heart rate, cardiac arrhythmia, cardiomyopathy

Gastrointestinal and liver problems: constipation, diarrhea, vomiting

Blood disorders:

bleeding, anemia, bone marrow failure

Eye conditions:

corneal lipid deposits, corneal ulceration, “dry eye”

Behavioral disorders: fear, aggression, anxiety

36

animal wellness

If you’re looking for a more holistic solution, you can substitute natural thyroid extracts made from bovine or porcine thyroid glands. Some of these products contain both T4 and T3 thyroid hormones, so the dosage needs to be adjusted with this in mind. Also, since dosages of natural thyroid extracts are measured in grains (1 grain = 60 mg), they need to be adjusted to match the equivalent synthetic thyroxine dosage. Dessicated thyroid extracts cost more, since relatively large amounts must be given to equate to the higher therapeutic needs of dogs, but they’re a good alternative for those who want a more holistic approach.

As an adjunct to thyroid replacement therapy, whether synthetic or natural, you can also use supplements that help thyroid gland function. The most commonly used are products made by Standard Process, including Thytrophin PMG and Thyroid Support. Although they usually cannot replace the need for thyroid hormone replacement in true cases of hypothyroidism, they can lower the dose of thyroxine or natural thyroid extract needed.

A hypothyroid dog can live a long, healthy happy life if his condition is properly treated. If you feel your own companion might have a thyroid disorder, insist on proper testing by an experienced lab. He’ll thank you for it!

1FU GPPE NBEF right TP ZPV DBO feed UIFN SJHIU

8IBU HPFT JOUP QFU GPPE DBO NBLF BMM UIF EJòFSFODF *OOPWB¥ JT NBEF XJUI OBUVSBM JOHSFEJFOUT JODMVEJOH IJHI RVBMJUZ QSPUFJOT XIPMF HSBJOT BOE SFBM GSVJUT BOE WFHFUBCMFT MJLF GBSN GSFTI BQQMFT BOE DBSSPUT UIBU HJWF ZPVS QFU NPSF PVU PG FWFSZ JOHSFEJFOU *U T UJNF UP SFUIJOL QFU GPPE

"WBJMBCMF BU ZPVS GBWPSJUF MPDBM QFU TQFDJBMUZ SFUBJMFS

JOOPWBQFU DPN animal wellness

37

The

water’s lovely!

Have a pool? Why not invite your pooch to enjoy the water with you? Swimming is great fun and exercise for dogs, as long as you keep their safety in mind.

by Sara Jackson

O

n warm summer days, there’s no better way to cool off than jumping into a sparkling swimming pool.

It’s even better when you can share the fun with your canine companion. Swimming is excellent exercise for dogs, and many love diving after floating toys or taking part in water races with people or other canines.

“Dogs of all shapes, sizes, breeds and ages can enjoy the fun and health benefits that swimming offers,” says Alex Graham, RVT, who runs the Hydrotherapy Program at Forever Friends Pet Care Center and Hospital in Grafton, Ohio. “Swimming can be very beneficial to an older dog that suffers from arthritis, hip dysplasia and other joint conditions.”

Start slowly Take your time introducing your dog to the swimming pool, and keep water safety in mind, just as you would

38

animal wellness

with children. If your dog has never been in the pool before, do not throw or push him into the water. It could cause him to panic, or traumatize him to the point where he’ll refuse to go near water again. Make your dog’s first introduction to the pool a pleasant, non-threatening one.

“Puppies can be introduced to the water starting between four to six months,” says Alex “The sooner you expose your dog to the water, the sooner he will become comfortable in the pool.”

To help him learn how to swim properly, hold up his hind end so he will begin treading water with all four legs.

Before beginning swimming lessons, Alex adds, it is a good idea to have your dog checked out by a veterinarian to make sure he has no underlying health concerns that should keep him out of the water.

• Even physically fit dogs can overexert themselves and become fatigued. If the dog’s rear end drops lower in the water, this means that he is growing too tired to swim and needs to be called out of the water.

The best way to introduce your dog to the pool is to place him on the top step so he can get used to the water around his legs.

Gradually coax him into the pool, either with a treat or a gentle tug on the leash. If your dog is a little guy, try carrying him slowly into the pool with you, stopping frequently to let him get used to his watery surroundings.

• The old adage about waiting an hour after you eat before going in the water also holds true for your furry swim buddy.

Never let him in the pool right after a big meal.

• With all that swimming and playing, your pooch is bound to work up a mighty thirst and will naturally turn to the

Doggy paddle Once you feel your dog is fully comfortable with being in the water, let him swim short distances to the steps, gradually increasing the distance each time.

Just don’t assume your dog will instinctively know how to swim. What he will know how to do is doggy paddle, but this can very easily tire him out and lead to a dangerous situation if he is not near an exit.

To help him learn how to swim properly, hold up his hind end so he will begin treading water with all four legs. Swimming lessons should not last any longer than ten or 15 minutes, and each session should end with lots of praise and treats.

Swim safely • Just as you would with a child, keep a close eye on your dog when he’s in the pool. Unless he’s a seasoned water baby, consider having him wear a life vest. “Dogs with shorter legs can have a more difficult time keeping their balance in the water, so it is extra important for these breeds to wear a life vest and always be closely monitored,” says Alex.

The author’s dog demonstrates her swimming form. animal wellness

39

Make your dog’s first introduction to the pool a pleasant, non-threatening one.

biggest bowl (i.e. the pool) to hydrate himself. Don’t let him – pool water has been treated with chlorine and other chemicals that can make him sick. “It may cause the dog to vomit water after swimming,” says Alex. “If you are concerned that your dog has taken in too much water or he is vomiting, has diarrhea, trouble breathing or coughing, notify your veterinarian immediately.” Always keep a supply of pure drinking water available near the pool.

• Put up a fence around the pool’s perimeter with a gate that automatically shuts. This will prevent your dog from deciding to take a solitary dip when he’s out for a potty break and you’re in the house. For an added security measure, you can place alarms around the pool perimeter that will sound when your dog passes by.

• Make sure your pool has steps, a ramp or ladder and that your dog knows how to use them to safely exit the water should he fall in by accident.

Once your pool pooch becomes a confident swimmer and you’ve factored in safety, there’s no end to the amount of summer fun you can both have!

A life vest is a good idea if he’s not used to swimming much.

joint aid A unique, natural alternative joint maintenance product for dogs with sensitive tummies

jointaid4dogs.com

40

animal wellness

8

Chondroitin Curcumin Glucosamine Glutamine MSM Beta Glucan Vitamin C TM Oatinol TM No Corn, Wheat or Soy

active ingredients

No stool problems... guaranteed!

G RIZZLY PE

4

dogs

TM

ª ª ª ª ª ª ª ª

TP

RO D U C TS

animal wellness

41

Eye of the needle Acupuncture can help treat a wide range of canine conditions, from osteoarthritis and epilepsy to incontinence and asthma.

by Janice Huntingford, DVM

Prince receives electroacupuncture, which involves passing a gentle current through the acupoints.

C

oco is a five-year-old poodle cross who had a prolapsed intervertebral disc. Even after surgery, her prognosis was poor, and her family was told it was unlikely she would ever walk again. Coco came to our clinic for acupuncture and rehabilitation.

She received dry needle acupuncture, laser acupuncture and electroacupuncture. After seven treatments, Coco was able to walk with help. She has since totally recovered.

Increasing numbers of people are embracing acupuncture as the treatment of choice for their own aches, pains and illnesses, so it’s not surprising that it’s the fastest growing complementary therapy practiced on animals.

An ancient modality Acupuncture helped relieve Boots’ pain and constipation after he ate a hambone.

42

animal wellness

Acupuncture was developed about 5,000 years ago by the Chinese.

By inserting needles into certain parts of the body, these early

doctors learned they could cause physiological changes, control pain and stimulate organs or body parts.

Needles are inserted into acupoints. The Chinese mapped these acupoints on humans and horses along with the effects produced by their stimulation. The first acupuncture text book, Nei Jing, was written by the Yellow Emperor around 4,700 years ago. This was the oldest medical textbook in the world and included references to treating horses as well as people.

The practice of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) in the Western world differs from its ancient Chinese origins. The points that veterinary acupuncturists use in dogs today are called transpositional points. Very few ancient acupuncture texts have survived showing the exact anatomical location of acupoints in non-human species. The few that have survived focus on acupuncture for agricultural animals. For this reason, modern acupuncturists have had to transpose the location of canine acupoints from their human counterparts.

This can present a challenge, considering the anatomy of the dog in many ways differs from that of a human being.

Although often practiced as such in the West, acupuncture is not a stand-alone procedure, but rather part of a framework that

Although a response may be seen after only one treatment, usually four to six are needed. encompasses Chinese medical massage (Tui-na), food therapy, herbal medicine and Qigong. Disease results when the Qi (or life force energy) is out of balance. TCVM uses all the above methods to rebalance the body and create harmony of Qi. Acupuncture points are not random but run along channels or meridians. These meridians connect the entire body and are the pathways through which the Qi circulates. Although the meridians run deep in the body, they surface at certain points on the skin.

These acupoints are where the meridians can be accessed in order to create change in the associated organs or structures.

How does it work?

Acupuncture stimulates the nervous system to help the body heal itself. When acupoints are stimulated by tiny needles, chemicals are released. These chemicals act centrally on the nervous system to release natural pain-killing substances called

animal wellness

43

endorphins. The body’s defense system is stimulated and white blood cells and natural anti-inflammatory cells are released. Circulation is also increased by the release of these chemicals. Because the nervous system goes all over the body, chemicals released from one spot may affect an organ or muscle farther away.

What does a treatment involve?

Acupuncture is usually performed with small, very thin needles. Most dogs do not even feel the needles being inserted and many relax and fall asleep during treatment.

The treatment may be given while the dog is lying on the floor or a table, or in any other comfortable position.

Sometimes the dog will be fed treats by an assistant or given something to chew on to redirect his attention and help him stay still.

Each treatment is individualized to each patient. The points selected, the number of needles and length of treatment all depend on the dog’s condition. Generally, most cases are seen once or twice a week at first, then the number of treatments is tapered off. Although a response may be seen after only one treatment, usually four to six are needed. The treatments last for ten to 20 minutes.

• Aquapuncture may be performed with some patients.

This involves injecting the acupoints with a solution of vitamin B12 and saline. It stimulates the point for a longer period and is a technique that may be used if the patient does not wish to lie still for 20 minutes.

• Electroacupuncture is another technique that may be used to stimulate the acupoints. Electrodes from a small battery-operated unit are connected to needles in different acupoints. A gentle current is passed through

the points and down the meridians. Electroacupuncture encourages the flow of nervous energy, blood and lymph along the meridians, thereby speeding healing.

What conditions does acupuncture treat?

Most of the conditions I treat with acupuncture are musculoskeletal and neurological. Osteoarthritis, disc disease and tendon/ligament problems are the top three I have treated, but there are many more.

• Musculoskeletal disorders: chronic degenerative joint disease, intervertebral disc disease, hip dysplasia, tendonitis, sprains and muscle spasms • Neurological disorders: epilepsy, stroke, deafness, coma, paralysis from disc disease • Urinary disorders: incontinence, cystitis, urine retention.

• Reproductive and metabolic disorders: uterine prolapse, mastitis • Gastrointestinal disorders: gastroenteritis, colitis, rectal prolapse, chronic idiopathic diarrhea or vomiting.

• Respiratory problems: rhinitis, sinusitis, laryngitis epistaxis, bronchial asthma, chronic coughing, pneumonia Acupuncture is also effective for immunosuppressive and allergic disorders and can be used in hospice care following chemotherapy or for cancer support.

Case study A 13-year old shepherd/collie mix named Boots ate a hambone two days before presentation at our hospital.

Conventional treatment was not successful in resolving the constipation. The dog had quite a bit of pain and conventional pain medication was contraindicated. Boots’ person thought she might have to euthanize him.

Acupuncture was done using a combination of dry needle, electroacupuncture and aquapuncture with vitamin B12.

Boots immediately became more comfortable and within 24 hours was passing stool. With stool softeners, enemas and more acupuncture, the constipation was resolved.

Acupuncture stimulates the nervous system to help the body heal itself.

44

animal wellness

Those ancient doctors knew what they were doing when they developed acupuncture. Thousands of years later, it remains an effective treatment for a variety of problems, sometimes even in cases when other forms of therapy don’t work.

animal wellness

45

Product picks It’s all gravy

First aid savvy

Is he a picky eater? SuperGravy from Clear Conscience Pet is a new product that turns your companion’s dinner into a supermeal. This natural dry mix combines with any pet food to dramatically enhance palatability and add a host of nutritional perks, including humanely sourced organ meats, Organic SuperVeggies concentrated from spinach, pumpkin and carrots, and Aztec Omegas made from Chia seed, a rich plant-based source of Omega 3s.

You never know when your dog or cat might need emergency help. Knowing first aid techniques could save his life. Walks ‘N’ Wags Pet First Aid offers a recognized National Pet First Aid Certificate for dog and cat guardians and professionals. The ten-hour class teaches you valuable skills like CPR and artificial respiration, and what to do in case of choking, bleeding, wounds and bone injuries.

The manual has comprehensive instructions and easy-to-understand illustrations on how to deal with any emergency situation. Courses offered across Canada.

4.5 oz – $9.95 clearconsciencepet.com

Prices vary according to region walksnwags.com

Crystal collars Crystals have a gentle healing energy. Emerald Halo Crystal Collars feature carefully selected crystals and stones that correspond to the energy centers of your animal’s body for overall balancing and energizing. The Chakra Collar includes crystals for each of your animal’s chakras, while the Grounding Collar uses grounding crystals to help him feel more connected to the Earth. Custom collars are also available.

Chakra or Grounding Collar – $39.99 Custom Collars – $69.99 emeraldhalo.com

46

animal wellness

Pure and simple Bath time can be stressful, but when you use a gentle, natural shampoo, the experience becomes more soothing. Pure Pooch All Natural Shampoo for Dogs is made from natural coconut-based cleansers, plant-derived conditioners, provitamin B5, organic enzyme deodorizers and natural neem and citronella oils to help repel pests.

The shampoos safely and effectively clean and soften your dog’s coat without tangling, and are gentle enough for regular use.

10 oz bottle – $12.99 purepooch.com

Natural mobility Velvet antler offers powerful health benefits to animals with arthritis, hip dysplasia and other degenerative joint diseases. Wapiti Labs’ Natural Mobility, a supplement made from humanely harvested elk velvet antler and traditional herbs, is specially formulated to strengthen and maintain positive joint function, increase mobility in dogs and cats, and replenish joint fluids and structure.

120 day supply – $22.98 wapitilabsinc.com

Dogs on the go If you like to take your pooch places, you’ll know that keeping his treats, poop bags and other accessories organized and convenient can be challenging. The DawggieGoPak from Dawgs on the Go attaches to any leash and is compact yet roomy enough to carry everything you and your canine need. The multi-pocket design means you can also add your keys, credit cards and mobile phone so everything is in one place, while another specially designed pocket acts as a poop bag dispenser. $9.95 dawggiegopak.com

Refreshing treats

Have a bite

Popsicles aren’t just for people. On hot days, why not treat your dog to Freezy Pups? These organic frozen treats are easy to make at home – just mix a recipe packet with water and freeze in the bone-shaped tray. They make a cool treat by themselves, or melt a few cubes and pour over your dog’s meal for extra taste and nutrition. Choose from four delicious flavors – White Cheddar Cheese, Banana Honey, Sweet Potato ‘n Maple, or Chicken Soup.

A good quality vitamin and mineral supplement makes a smart addition to your dog’s diet. New from i Love Dogs, TJ’s Health Bites is a new line of canine multivitamins. Fortified with decaffeinated green tea, these supplements offer a blend of essential nutrients, antioxidants, herbs, enzymes and amino acids. They’re also flavored with peanut butter, so your dog is sure to enjoy them!

Kit: $19.99 Refill packets: $8.99 freezypups.com

90 tablets: $29.99 ilovedogs.com

animal wellness

47

Acupressure

for Cushing’s

This common malady can easily be mistaken for simple aging. Here’s how an effective healing modality can help your dog feel better.

by Amy Snow and Nancy Zidonis

“T

itan seems to be getting old right before my eyes,” says Katrina. “He’s turning ten and just a year ago he was still his feisty terrier self with plenty of vim and vigor. Now he drinks lots of water, lies around and only gets up to go out to do his business. He doesn’t even look like the same dog.”

It would be wise for Katrina to take Titan to a holistic veterinarian for some tests. He’s showing the classic clinical signs of canine Cushing’s disease, also known as hyperadrenocorticism. Because it afflicts middle-aged to older dogs, it can easily be mistaken for the gradual aging process. Even when a dog begins to show obvious and sometimes annoying indicators of the disease, like hair loss or involuntary urination, we tend to assume “he’s just getting older.”

What Cushing’s disease is Cushing’s disease is a dysfunction of the complex system of interactions between the pituitary gland, located at the base of the brain, and the adrenal glands near the kidneys.

This dysfunction is characterized by a disruption in the natural cyclic process of the hypothalamus. Normally, the hypothalamus triggers the pituitary gland to produce adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) which then flows into the dog’s bloodstream, prompting the adrenal glands to secrete glucocorticoid or cortisol hormones. When the cortisol level in the body is high enough, the pituitary gland does not produce ACTH and the adrenal glands don’t continue secreting glucocorticoid or cortisol hormones.

When a dog has Cushing’s disease, however, the feedback loop between the pituitary and the adrenal glands is not functioning properly. The pituitary gland produces an excess of ACTH, causing the adrenals to secrete an

48

animal wellness

excess of cortisol. The excess of cortisol impacts most body systems, including the cardiovascular system, nervous system, immune system, skeletal muscles, kidney function, blood sugar levels, fat metabolism and skeletal muscles. Cortisol also plays an important role in contending with any type of stress such as infections, trauma, pain, surgery and fright. It is an essential hormone – but an over-abundance is devastating to the body.

Cushing’s can be caused by a minute tumor on the pituitary or adrenal gland. The most common cause is a benign microscopic pituitary tumor. The diseases may also result from a response to an overdose of certain medications. Tests will provide a definitive diagnosis leading to the best way to deal with the disease.

The role of acupressure The good news is that dogs can live for many years and in relative comfort with Cushing’s. There are medications, that when monitored carefully, can help mediate symptoms.

Canine acupressure has been clinically observed to enhance the health and well being of dogs with Cushing’s disease. Acupressure is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and has been used to improve animals’ lives for thousands of years. By applying gentle pressure to specific acupressure points on your dog’s body, you help support his immune system and enhance his body’s ability to balance his endocrine system. The idea behind using acupressure is to restore as much balance and nourishment to the animal’s body as possible so that he feels well and the indicators of his illness are minimized.

Try this session All dogs want to feel good and have a happy life. An

Acupressure has been clinically observed to enhance the health and well being of dogs with Cushing’s disease. acupressure session every three to five days for a dog with Cushing’s disease can help enhance his natural desire to be well. Usually, the acupressure points are specifically selected for the particular indicators a dog is presenting. However, some acupressure points can have a general effect in helping balance a dog’s body with endocrine issues while also supporting the immune system.

Kidney 3 (Ki 3), Great Stream: An acupoint that works with the essence of the body. It helps stabilize all the systems by balancing energy and nourishing the tissues. Ki 3 can also have a positive effect on urinary incontinence and infections. This point is a good support for any elderly dog and particularly one with Cushing’s.

Stomach 36 (St 36), Leg Three Miles: A powerful point used to facilitate the flow of energy and blood through the dog’s body. St 36 is known to balance the digestive system while also supporting the immune system. It is probably one of the most commonly used points in all of acupressure.

Points

Location

St 36

Located just lateral to the tibial crest on the outside of the hindleg Found 3 inches above the tip of the medial malleolus on inside of hindleg Found on inside of hindleg, at thinnest part of the hock Located on top midline, at the lumbosacral space

Sp 6 Ki 3 Bai Hui

animal wellness

49

Place the soft tip of your thumb gently on the acupressure points indicated in the chart.

Spleen 6 (Sp 6), Three Yin Meeting: Another commonly used acupoint, used to strengthen the immune system, help move blood and energy, and benefit skin problems, urinary tract issues and digestion. Sp 6 can have a positive effect on the endocrine system as well.

Bai Hui, Point of 100 Meetings: An acupoint most dogs love to have you scratch. It is a canine “feel-good” point. It affects the energy flow of the hindquarters and the spine.

It’s a good point to offer your dog at the end of the session because it will leave him happy.

1 2 3 4 5

Find a quiet place where you can focus your healing intention and where the dog will feel safe and calm.

Place the soft tip of your thumb gently on the acupressure point indicated in the chart on the previous page.

Count to 30 very slowly before moving to the next point.

Your other hand can rest comfortably somewhere on the dog to maintain a connection and to feel for any reactions.

While performing point work, watch your dog’s reactions. He will indicate a release of energy by yawning, stretching, rolling over, passing air, licking and even falling asleep. These are good releases, telling you that energy is moving.

6

Repeat the point work on the opposite side of the dog, since all the acupressure points are bilateral except for the Bai Hui point, which is a single point. End the session with this one.

7

Older dogs seem to enjoy having you vigorously scratch the Bai Hui point. It brings up the energy along the spine and just feels good. Many of our senior canines “dance” while having this point stimulated – and it’s always good to leave dogs dancing and smiling!

50

animal wellness

Common indicators of Cushing’s • Excessive water consumption • Excessive or involuntary urination • Voracious appetite • Potbellied appearance • Hair loss • Dry coat • Fragile skin • Hard lumps in the skin • Loss of muscle tone • Hindquarter weakness • Exercise intolerance • Lethargy • Excessive panting • Seeking cool places • Prone to diabetes, pancreatitis or seizures • Reduced immunity

Crusade AGAINST CANCER How the loss of a beloved dog inspired a successful fund to raise money for companion animal cancer research.

by Ann Brightman

S

ometimes, wonderful things arise from unhappy circumstances. When Suzi Beber lost her six-yearold golden retriever, Blues, to lymphoma in 2001, she wanted to do something that would help protect more people from the heartbreak of losing a pet to cancer. She founded The Smiling Blue Skies Cancer Fund.

Suzi with Blues’ son, BB King.

“Smiling Blue Skies is part of the University of Guelph’s Veterinary College and Teaching Hospital Pet Trust, a fund that provides financial assistance for the advancement of healthcare and quality of life for companion animals,” explains Suzi. “All the funds raised for Smiling Blue Skies go directly to cancer treatment and research, and towards the building of Canada’s first cancer center for companion animals and people.”

Smiling Blue Skies has helped fund a variety of research studies. “The goal of the Hemangiosarcoma Validation Study, as an example, was to determine whether a recently identified blood protein found at high levels in dogs with hemangiosarcoma is useful as a diagnostic tool for the presence of this cancer,” explains Suzi. “While follow-up work for the test validation is still underway, the researchers are very excited about their findings so far, and it is only a matter of time before a commercial diagnostic test is available.”

Smiling Blues Skies has also been instrumental in establishing North America’s first cancer registry for dogs and cats. “The Guelph Companion Animal Cancer Epidemiologic Registry is population-based and allows for special studies about the occurrence of cancer among dogs and cats in select areas.”

Smiling Blue Skies started out with just $1,000 a decade ago; as of today, it has raised more than $1 million to fight

cancer – an amazing achievement. “From what I have been told, it is very rare for a grassroots organization to have raised so much money,” says Suzi. “And it isn’t about big donors; it is about $1 here and $20 there – so many people have made Smiling Blue Skies their charity of choice.”

The organization holds a variety of fundraising events across Canada, including walks, special agility events, and even obedience training weekends. Most important of all, Smiling Blue Skies offers 24/7 support to anyone whose life has been touched by cancer, and the website (smilingblueskies.com) is a valuable source of information.

“Smiling Blue Skies is the only two-time recipient of the Golden Retriever Club of Canada’s Silmaril Kennel Trophy for the Human/Animal Bond,” adds Suzi, who also uses her artistic talents to help support the fund. Her work includes one-of-a-kind jewellery and her “Cancer Breaks” collection of paintings. “Proceeds support the fund and the building of the Institute for Comparative Cancer Research at the University of Guelph.”

Blues was the sun and moon and stars to Suzi and her partner Tommy. “Thanks to the support of so many, we are going places we never could have dreamed possible back in 2001. Together, we are taking a big bite out of cancer.” animal wellness

51

warm & Fuzzy

amazingGracie

by Saralee Perel

52

animal wellness

G

racie was a year old when she was found abandoned on the streets of Fall River, Massachusetts. When my husband, Bob, and I brought her home, she was terrified of us.

PURE POWERFUL PROTECTION

Clearly she had been abused. She wouldn’t even let us hug her. One day, she was next to me while I was making soup. As I often do when I cook, I was singing.

When I belted out “Oklahoma, where the wind comes sweepin’ down the plain,” I raised my large spoon toward the ceiling for emphasis. Petrified, Gracie hit the ground on all fours and scooted away as if I was going to hit her.

by Deserving Pets

Learning to trust Finally, one glorious day, Gracie made a decision. While cooking spaghetti, I told Bob, “Pasta is done when you fling a piece to the ceiling and it sticks.” I balanced a gigantic clump of spaghetti on a huge spoon. “Dare me?”

“I want my best friend with me always”

Preventive Supplement

“No!”

GIVE THEM EVERYTHING THEY NEED FOR A LONG AND HEALTHY LIFE

I whipped the spaghetti straight up.

Delicious, preventive formula with human-grade phytonutrients, super-foods, vitamins and minerals for dogs and cats. So powerfully healthy you’ll see a difference in just a few weeks.

We watched the glob of pasta dangle from the ceiling before it plopped to the floor in one big heap. Bob said, “I guess it’s not done.”

Had I seen Gracie watching us, I’d never have swung the spoon. But there she stood, smiling, as dog lovers can attest dogs actually do. Then she planted happy sloppy kisses all over my face.

“Oh Gracie.” For the first time, she let me hug her.

“Welcome to your home, my golden dog.”

Designed by respected holistic Veterinarian

Deva Khalsa, VMD

Author of best-seller

Dr.Khalsa’s Natural Dog

Vitamins | Minerals | Alfalfa Extract Apple | Beet | Blueberry | Broccoli Carrot | Cranberry | Dandelion | Kale Pumpkin | Grape Seed Extract | Milk Thistle

Though it may seem silly, lately I’ve been singing my own version of “Amazing Grace” to her.

“Amazing Gracie, how sweet the sound That saved and strengthened me.

You once were lost, but now you’re found.”

Roles reversed When Gracie was in her middle years, I had spinal cord surgery that left me barely able to walk. Instead of spending her time doing fun dog stuff, all Gracie wanted to do was protect me.

She always worried about me. I scrunched her cheeks:

For Free Shipping for the month of June/July Enter Code: SHIPFREE

Fill in all the gaps in your pets nutrition. Order Now! Leader of the Pack in Preventive Supplements www.DeservingPets.com | 1.877.318.4825 animal wellness

53

“No more worrying. I want you to play, have fun. Be a dog!” But she would not leave my side, even for her breakfast or dinner. She was my keeper. Instead of playing in our fenced-in backyard, she’d sit outside the glass slider, looking in and watching me.

I told Bob how sad this made me.

“Gracie has never been happier, Saralee.”

“But she’s always on full alert. She never has fun.”

“This is her purpose. She was born for this. She is a lifeguard in every sense. The fact that she is your lifeguard is the biggest gift you could give her. She is honored. She is noble. And she is happiest when she is serving her higher purpose.”

Preparing to walk alone Those glory years sped by all too soon. Now, nearly 15 years old, Gracie is feeble and in rapid decline.

Though her eyes are cloudy, she sees shapes and knows which one is me. Though she’s stiff and achy, she always walks by my side. Though she can no longer hear, she feels me getting out of bed, and slowly pulls her body up from her heated dog bed to resume sentry duty.

Sometimes I wonder if she is hanging on because she believes I can’t make it without her.

It is because of Gracie that I re-learned to walk, though I was scared. But with her assistance, I did it.

Last week, out of my love for my beautiful dog, I told her something very hard to say. I believe she heard me.

“Twas Gracie that taught my heart no fear, And Gracie all fear relieved.

How precious was that Gracie was here The hour I first believed.”

“Gracie, my golden dog.” I ran my fingers through her hair. “I could never have walked without your help. But I can walk by myself now.” I kissed her forehead. “If you’re too tired, you can let go now, and rest in peace.”

I lay down next to her with my head on her shoulders.

“Thank you!”

Gracie, on my left, wore a harness. I had my grip of the leather as well as her strong body next to me for balance. With no training, Gracie knew to take one step, then waited while I took one step. After we repeated this process four more times, I shouted in triumph.

Gracie gave me a billion kisses while we hugged.

54

“Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come; ‘Tis Gracie that brought me safe thus far And Gracie will lead me home.”

animal wellness

“When her flesh and heart shall fail, And mortal life shall cease.

I shall possess, within my veil Her loyal and eternal peace.”

ALTERNATIVE THERAPY

CALIFORNIA

COMMUNICATORS NEW YORK

Janice DeFonda Can We Talk Fayetteville, NY USA Phone: (315) 329-0116 Email: angelwhispurr@gmail.com Website: www.ark-angels.org

HOLISTIC HEALTHCARE CALIFORNIA

Compassionate Consultations and Reiki Energy Healings with Love.

ONTARIO

!

Sue Becker Kitchener, ON Canada Phone: (519) 896-2600 Email: suebecker@cyg.net Website: www.suebecker.net

Communication, Counselling, Back Flower Remedies, Tellington TTouch.

BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION VIRGINIA & ENERGY PRACTICES

www.AnimalParadiseCommunication.com • 703-648-1866

WASHINGTON

INTEGRATIVE VETS ALBERTA

Steven Marsden, DVM Edmonton Holistic Veterinary Clinic Edmonton, AB Canada Phone: 780-436-4944

ARIZONA

PENNSYLVANIA

' "$ !# & " ' ! #" ' " ' " # "

%%% !

Communications With Love Amboy , WA USA Phone: (360) 247-7284 Email: morgine@tds.net Website: www.theanimaltranslator.com

Judy Stolz DVM ND Arizona City, AZ USA Phone: (520) 494-9571 Website: www.drstolz.com

BRITISH COLUMBIA

Tree of Life Veterinary Care Courtenay , BC Canada Phone: (250) 338-2316 Website: www.animalhealingchoices.com Gail Jewell, DVM Kelowna, BC Canada Phone: (888) 622-8300 Website: www.holisticvet.ca

CALIFORNIA

Caroline Goulard DVM CVA (949) 813-4107 Aliso Viejo, CA USA Phone: (949) 813-4107 Email: c.goulard@cox.net Website: www.carolinegoularddvm.com Acupuncture, Chinese herbals, Tui-na

Advertise your business in the Wellness Resource Guide 1-866-764-1212

animal wellness

55

integrative vets - natural product manufacturers/distributors - natural product retailers -

Holistic Veterinary Center Calabasas, CA USA Phone: (818) 880-0838 Website: www.holistic-vet-center.com

IOWA

EverGlo-Naturals Gloria Dodd, DVM Gualala, CA USA Phone: 707-785-9171 Email: everglo@mcn.org Website: www.holisticvetpetcare.net

ONTARIO

Janet Knowlton, DVM Almonte, ON Canada Phone: 613-253-7473 Burgess Veterinary Mobile Services Dundas, ON Canada Phone: 905-379-3824 Website: www.burgessvet.com

Creature Comfort Oakland, CA USA Phone: (510) 530-1373 Integrated Veterinary Clinic Sacramento, CA USA Phone: 916-454-1825 Coddingtown Vet Clinic Santa Rosa, CA USA Phone: (707) 546-4646 Holistic Animal Care Stephanie Chalmers, DVM, CVH Santa Rosa, CA USA Phone: (707) 538-4643

Homeopathy and nutrition for dogs, cats & horses.

Phone consultations available.

Shingle Springs Vet Clinic Shingle Springs, CA USA Phone: 530-677-0390 Email: drb@deanbaderdvm.com Website: www.deanbaderdvm.com

Specializing in Holistic Analysis for pathogens, allergies, chronic degenerative diseases, etc.

Affordable Holistic Animal Therapies West Hollywood, CA USA Phone: 323-304-2984

CONNECTICUT

Home Vet Weston , CT USA Phone: (203) 222-7979 Website: www.homevet.com

ILLINOIS

Ness Exotic Wellness Center Lisle, IL USA Phone: 630-737-1281 Email: nessexotic@aol.com

Acupuncture, Animal communication, Flower essences, QXCI Biofeedback therapy,Reiki Nutritional Counselling

KENTUCKY

Horizon Veterinary Services Susan Maier, DVM Simpsonville, KY USA Phone: (502) 722-8231 Email: horizonvetserv@yahoo.com Website: www.horizonvetserv.com

MASSACHUSETTS

Family Veterinary Center Haydenville, MA USA Phone: (413) 268-8387 Website: www.famvets.com Canterbury Tails Vet Clinic Ware, MA USA Phone: 413-967-4545 Parkway Veterinary Hospital West Roxbury, MA USA Phone: (617) 469-8400

NEW JERSEY

Mark Newkirk, VMD Margate Animal Hospital & Alternative Care Center Margate City, NJ USA Toll Free: (609) 645-2120 Phone: (609) 823-3031 Website: www.alternativevet.com

Aquapuncture, Cancer Therapies, Chiropractic, Herbal Medicine, Homeopathic, Nutritional Balancing, Phone Consultations

NEW YORK

Advertise your business in the Wellness Resource Guide 1-866-764-1212

56

animal wellness

SmithRidge Veterinary Services Dr. Marty Goldstein South Salem, NY USA Phone: (914) 533-6066 Website: www.smithridge.com

Animal Holistic Care Mark Haimann, DVM Floral Park, NY USA Phone: 718-631-1396

�Û:`ajghjY[la[ �Û8imY¤K`]jYhqÛ �Û8[mhmf[lmj] �Û:`af]k]Û?]jZkÛ �Û8dl]jfYlan]ÛD]\a[af]Û �Û?gdakla[Û[gfkmdlk �ÛG`qka[YdÛI]`YZ + (% ! .(-%(#")+

& )- - ,,!0

1 /// !,,!0 (%' &$),*%- &

Guelph Animal Hospital Guelph, ON Canada Phone: (519) 836-2782 Email: info@guelphvet.com Website: www.guelphvet.com

Acupuncture, Chiropractic, Massage, Therapeutic Nutrition, Traditional Chinese Medicine

North-East Newmarket Veterinary Service

Sasan Haghighat (Hyatt), D.V.M., C.V.A. Autumn Drouin, D.V.M., N.D.

Acupuncture, Bach Remedies, Chiropractic, Clinical Nutrition, Herbs (western and chinese), Homeopathy, Homotoxicology, Integrative Medicine, TCVM.

905-830-1030

holisticveterinarian@gmail.com

www.holistic-vet.ca

Cynthia Harcourt, DVM Queensville, ON Canada Phone: (905) 478-1995

Homeopathy, Nutrition, Food Sensitivity Testing, Flower Essences, Herbalism, TTouch

Ballantrae Animal Hospital Margaret Hacking, DVM Stouffville, ON Canada Phone: (905) 640-6809 Website: www.AnimalWellnessCentre.com

Conventional & Alternative Medicine, Homeopathy

integrative vets - natural product manufacturers/distributors - natural product retailers

$ ' '& "! $ ! * ! "! $ !* '% ! " % & "'$ ) % &

* " %& # &( & "

Secord Animal Hospital Toronto, ON Canada Phone: (416) 486-1700 Email: secordanimalhospital@yahoo.ca

UTAH

Shannon Hines DVM Orchard Animal Clinc Centerville, UT USA Phone: (801) 296-1230 Website: www.outskirtspress.com/ holisticpetcare

Providing holistic pet care with Acupuncture, Chiropractic, CranioSacral, Homeopathy, Herbs, Traditional Chinese

VIRGINIA

Waterloo North Chiropractic Massage Jennifer Heik, DVM Waterloo, ON Canada Phone: (519) 746-3838

TEXAS

Jody Kincaid, DVM, ND Anthony Animal Clinic Anthony, TX USA Phone: 915-886-4558 Website: www.anthonyanimalclinic.com

NATURAL PRODUCT

MANUFACTURERS & DISTRIBUTORS

ARIZONA

Azmira Holistic Animal Care Tuscon, AZ USA Toll Free: (800) 497-5665 Phone: (520) 886-8548 Email: info@azmira.com Website: www.azmira.com

19-25 Ditmars Blvd., Astoria, NY 11105 • 718-626-8590

WWW.1800WHISKERS.COM

UTAH

Cranimal aka I & W Research West Vancouver, BC Canada Phone: (360) 326-6446 Email: info@cranimal.com Website: www.i-and-w.com/ www.cranimal.com

CALIFORNIA

Pet Kiss Inc. Palmdale, CA USA Phone: (661) 949-7374 Email: petkissproducts.com Website: www.petkiss.com

P.O.R.G.I.E.

CONNECTICUT

Pet Ownership Requires Getting Informed and Educated A HEALTH STORE FOR PETS Natural & Organic & THEIR PEOPLE Products 951-784-9070 www.porgienaturalhealth.com

Harwood Oaks Animal Clinic Bedford, TX USA Phone: 817-354-7676 Website: www.harwoodoaksanimalclinic.com Acupuncture, Bowen, Essential oils, Nutritional support

Integrative health care for pets.

OPEN NOW TORIA, IN AS ENS! QUE

BRITISH COLUMBIA

Holistic Healing Center - Holistic Consultations

Dr. Shawn Messonnier Paws and Claws Vet Clinic Plano, TX USA Phone: (972) 712-0893 Email: shawnvet@sbcglobal.net Website: www.pettogethers.net/healthypet

BY WHISKERS

1-800-WHISKERS • 212-979-2532

NATURAL PRODUCT RETAILERS

Beaver Animal Clinic Beaver, PA USA Phone: 724-774-8047 Website: www.beaveranimalclinic.com

Sharon R. Doolittle DVM SmithsďŹ eld, RI USA Phone: (401) 349-2668 Website: www.holisticanimalvet.com

for all your pets Nutrition & Supplies

www.ambertech.com

PENNSYLVANIA

RHODE ISLAND

Holistic Petcare

Amber Technology LLC Lake Point, UT USA Toll Free: (877) 727-8243 Phone: 801-966-8895 Email: customerservice@ambertech.com Website: www.ambertech.com

Acupuncture, TCM, Homeopathy, Herbal Medicine, Nutrition and Flower Remedies

Rockledge Veterinary Clinic Rockledge, PA USA Phone: (215) 379-1677 Email: rockledgevet@aol.com Website: www.rockledgevet.com

NEW YORK

ILLINOIS

Oscar Newman aka CoCo Therapy Geneva, IL USA Phone: (630) 697-5566 Website: www.cocotherapy.com

Animal Lovers Pet Shop Torrance, CA USA Toll Free: (888) 544-0490 Phone: (310) 378-3052 Email: animallovers.petshop@bizla.rr.com Website: www.animalloverspetshop.com

COLORADO

Holistic Pet Inc. Arvada, CO USA Phone: (303) 888-5101 Email: service@holisticpetinfo.com Website: www.holisticpetinfo.com

animal wellness

57

reiki therapy - schools & wellness education - supplements - trainers & behaviorists

Only Natural Pet Store

Visit our online store for a huge selection of natural products for your pets!

1-888-937-6677 www.onlynaturalpet.com

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

WASHINGTON

DERMagci Skin Care for Animals, Inc. Bellevue, WA USA Phone: (425) 637-4643 Email: info@DERMagic.com Website: www.DERMagic.net

REIKI THERAPY CALIFORNIA

SCHOOLS & WELLNESS EDUCATION COLORADO

Well Animal Institute Brighton, CO USA Phone: (303) 514-0076 Email: info@wellanimalinstitute.com Website: www.wellanimalinstitute.com

OHIO

SHELTERS & RESCUES MASSACHUSSETTS COLORADO

TEXAS

SUPPLEMENTS Caly Lehrer, RMT

Raw diets • Supplements • Grain-free treats

Pick up & delivery available in Houston, TX

58

animal wellness

Grey2K USA Somerville, MA USA Toll Free: 866-2GREY2K Phone: (617) 666-3526 Email: christine@grey2kusa.org Website: www.grey2kusa.org

Your Spiritual Guardian for Animal Wellness ~ LONG DISTANCE ~ Journeyâ„¢ Processes and Reiki Sessions For Animals and Practitioners

303.862.5424 www.PeaceByPeace.net P.O. Box 630632, Littleton, CO 80163-0632

Promote your

holistic business Inexpensively to

a targeted market!

Our readers are looking for quality natural services and turn to Animal Wellness Magazine as the leading source for wellness information. If you provide a holistic service or product you are eligible to advertise in the WRG.

For advertising information: email wrg@animalwellnessmagazine.com or call 866-764-1212

MINNESOTA

Wapiti Labs Inc. Ham Lake, MN USA Phone: (763) 951-7754 Email: info@wapitilabsinc.com Website: www.wapitilabsinc.com/animal

TRAINERS & BEHAVIORISTS CALIFORNIA

The Inquisitive Canine Ventura, CA USA Phone: (805) 650-8500 Email: joan@theinquisitivecanine.com Website: www.inquisitivecanine.com

Advertise your business in the Wellness Resource Guide 1-866-764-1212

Feline wellness

feline wellness Hip, cool and healthy!

Are essential oils safe for

FELINES? Separating fact from fiction

HEALTH

massage

TALK

FOR CATS

GROWING UP

HEALTHY Holistic kitten care

Visit a

sanctuary for blind c ats FelineWellness.com

feline wellness

59

60

feline wellness

Rubdown forKitty

Massage isn’t just for people and dogs. Cats also benefit – and they love the attention!

by Pam Holt, RVT

I

often get strange looks from people when I reveal that I’m an animal massage therapist. When I add that my clientele includes cats, they usually express disbelief.

But as cat lovers know, most kitties relish attention and adoration – and they also love massage!

Cats are natural healers. The frequency of a cat’s purr has been scientifically proven to have therapeutic effects – it can relax muscles, strengthen bone and has a positive effect on our moods. And we’ve all experienced the bliss of loving kitty paws gently kneading us. Shouldn’t we return the favor?

“Massage aids the activity of pain-killing biochemicals such as endorphins, and regulates immune system cells at specific sites in the body,” explains veterinarian Dr. Annie Harvilicz of Animal Wellness Centers in California. “Many of our feline patients tend to be anxious and untrusting at first. We often use massage therapy to ease cats into acupuncture treatment.” Dr. Annie adds that massage “is great for treating arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease and many others.

We are strong believers in therapeutic massage, given its sound basis in science and our first hand, real life experience with our own feline friends.”

Massaging your cat provides him with various health benefits; it also positively affects your own immune system while lowering your blood pressure and deepening your bond with your precious companion. Regular massage also teaches you what your cat feels like normally, so you’ll notice any lumps, bumps or other health changes early on.

Massage enhances toxin elimination as well as the circulation of blood, lymph, nutrients and oxygen to the body’s tissues, encouraging healing and preventing injury.

Massage also stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, allowing relaxation. It has been shown to safely increase brain levels of the “feel good” transmitters dopamine and serotonin, while reducing the stress feline wellness

61

hormones, cortisol and adrenaline. Massage is great for calming scaredy cats!

Massage should not be used if a cat has a fever, or is in shock or vomiting. Sores, rashes, skin infections, tumors and lumps should be avoided during a massage session.

And keep in mind that massage never takes the place of proper veterinary care.

Try this at home

1 2

First, offer your cat fresh water. Drinking before and after the session helps flush out toxins.

Wash your hands, dim the lights, play calming music and get yourself and your cat comfortable. Close your eyes, take a deep breath and exhale slowly, letting go of all your worries. Enjoy this quiet relaxation time. Keep your breathing slow and relaxed.

3

Begin with effleurage from head to tail. Effleurage involves slow, long, gliding, continuous, soothing strokes with a flat, relaxed palm, alternating hands and slowly increasing pressure. Effleurage warms and flushes the tissues, stretches muscle fibers and relaxes them for deeper work, helps identify spasms, swelling, and knots, and clears areas of lactic acid.

4

Try to keep both hands on your cat to maintain a constant connection. Always operate on the cat’s feedback and adjust your intuitive touch accordingly.

Massage both sides of the body for balance.

5

Ears contain many nerve endings and acupressure points around the base to the tips. Massage them around the base and use thumb strokes out to the tips for a calming effect.

6

Once the tissues are warmed up, use friction massage to break up adhesions and scar tissue (which limit range of motion). Use your fingers or thumbs across muscle fibers, following down the fur line on both sides of the spine, and on other muscled areas.

7

Pam Holt works on her appreciative feline clients.

62

feline wellness

Deeper massage, called petrissage, begins with gentle kneading and loose skin rolling, then moves to wringing, which involves picking up and squeezing relaxed, warmed muscles. Start superficially at the loose skin of the neck and back, and slowly work deeper with a gentle, intuitive touch. Intersperse plenty of effleurage strokes to drain toxins.

8

Stretching realigns muscle fibers, speeds up the muscle recovery process necessary after exercise (massage is a passive form of exercise), and opens up joint spaces to allow more fluid to be produced. Slow, fluid, gentle stretches are done only after the muscles are warmed up, supporting both sides of the joint, and never with force or past the point of resistance. Tenderly flex and extend the cat’s toes, wrists, elbows, ankles and knees. With your cat on his side, slowly bring one front leg forward for a shoulder stretch and back to its resting place. Do this four times, holding the position for eight seconds each time. Then slowly bring the leg back for a biceps/deltoid stretch – again, four times at eight seconds each. Gently bring the back leg forward for a buttocks stretch, then stretch the knee and pelvis by gently bringing the leg back. Gently shake out the limbs with vibrating hands, and do light percussion with relaxed hands and wrists – this is called tapotement.

9

Close the session by slowing your effleurage strokes and decreasing pressure. Use passive touch by briefly placing your hands all over the cat’s body, without movement or pressure but with a loving intent.

Be an alley cat ally.

Join the hundreds of thousands of Americans who advocate on behalf of stray and feral cats.

Learn how at www.alleycat.org.

10

After the massage, your cat should drink and may need to urinate. Next, enjoy a catnap together, and you’ve given yourselves a perfect afternoon!

During the first few times you massage your cat, he may be unsure and even give you love bites. Try short sessions on a regular basis, and he’ll soon be plopping in front of you expecting a rubdown!

STAINLESS STEEL DRINKING BIG MAX Quality materials and modern design make a great compliment to any home!

Pam Holt of Buddha Dog Animal Massage (buddhadog.com) is a Registered Veterinary Technician and Certified Animal Massage Therapist in Los Angeles.

She is also the volunteer coordinator, newsletter editor and on the marketing committee for

NBCAAM (National Board of Certification for Animal Acupressure & Massage).

Pioneer Pet Products, LLC (866) 317-6278 pioneerpet.com

feline wellness

63

HEALTH TALK with Dr. Patrick Mahaney

Veterinarian Dr. Patrick Mahaney graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 1999. He is a certified veterinary acupuncturist (CVA) from the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society. He started California Pet Acupuncture and Wellness, Inc. to offer house call based integrative veterinary medicine to dogs and cats in

Los Angeles.

Dr Mahaney writes a veterinary blog for patrickmahaney.com His first book, The Uncomfortable Vet, will be available by the end of 2011. and contributes to pet media sites, radio and television.

Q

A stray cat was brought to me last year. I didn’t think she would last the night because she was so emaciated and weak. She fought hard to live and won, but about two months later we learned she has vaccine-induced cancer. She is currently receiving treatment at Michigan State University’s Veterinarian Teaching Hospital. I would be very grateful for any holistic advice you can offer that might also help.

A

You are giving your feline friend the best opportunity for recovery by pursuing treatment with a veterinary oncologist. Besides traditional treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, your cat can also benefit from nutritional support, supplements, acupuncture and other treatments.

Because your cat is suffering from vaccine-induced cancer (fibrosarcoma?), I would first focus on food. Cancer, and the barrage of treatments used to fight the disease, can potentially compromise your feline’s appetite, and the most important thing is that she keeps eating. Having a variety of wholesome foods available can cater to her potentially finicky palate.

64

feline wellness

As cats are obligate carnivores (their bodies metabolically require meat protein to thrive), offer premium or homeprepared foods that include real meat (whole chicken, turkey, beef, fish or other protein sources) as the primary ingredient. Moist foods tend to be more appealing, closer

A

to the way nature intended them to be consumed, and require minimal additional hydration to break down in the digestive tract.

Avoid any foods that contain processed carbohydrates (sugar, fructose, etc.), by-products (corn, soy, and other by-products and meals), preservatives (sodium nitrite, sulfur, propylene glycol, etc.), or artificial colors.

Additionally, talk to your veterinary oncologist about feline-specific dietary supplements that can enhance her immune system, which may be weakened from the cancer or the treatments she is receiving.

Q

I really want to switch my cat to a healthier diet, but he refuses to eat anything except a particular brand of lowquality dry food that is full of color, grain fillers and other bad ingredients. I have tried all kinds of quality premium canned and dry foods, but he turns his nose up at all of them. Or else he’ll eat them for a little while, and then get bored with them and refuse to touch them anymore.

He really doesn’t like wet food at all, and never has.

He won’t even eat things like tinned salmon, cooked chicken or beef, although he does love raw venison. I don’t know what to do to get him eating a better diet.

Any suggestions?

Your cat is not alone in his preference for lower quality food over more wholesome options. Commercially available foods are inexpensive and readily accessible in grocery stores, so consumers fall back on them out of convenience or a lack of awareness of the foods’ potential health consequences.

If your cat has a taste for raw venison, consider a premium feline food that is packed with real ingredients, including whole venison pieces. Venison is often used as a “novel” protein source for animals that have digestive or dermatologic allergic diseases, and is less commonly used in lower quality commercial pet foods.

Have your cat examined by a veterinarian so that underlying illnesses potentially contributing to his dietary predilections can be ruled out. Metabolic conditions such as hyperthyroidism, renal failure or liver diseases, as well as infection, inflammation or other problems can affect a cat’s desire to eat a particular food or consume water in appropriate amounts.

feline wellness

65

Unique VISION

These cats may be sightless, but they enjoy happy active lives at this loving sanctuary just for blind felines.

by Barbara Nefer

T

he idea of a sightless cat evokes pity in many people.

But Alana Miller doesn’t see it that way. “They don’t know they’re blind,” she says. “All they know is that they’re cats!” Alana firmly believes blind cats can have the same quality of life as their sighted counterparts if they are treated normally and given a chance.

Alana lives that belief every day, as she shares her home with more than 40 sightless felines. Her non-profit organization, Blind Cat Rescue and Sanctuary near Raleigh, North Carolina (blindcatrescue.com), provides lifetime care for its residents.

“Blind cats do everything other cats do, and we have plenty of videos on YouTube to show it,” Alana says.

“They play, use scratching posts, climb cat trees and do just about every other normal type of feline behavior.

They know where the litter box is and how to use it.

They can even chase a ball or toy and bat a fly out of the air. They develop an amazing sense of hearing.”

“They are happy and safe here, and I don’t want to put them at risk again.”

Snicker was rescued from a high kill animal control centre.

loss, but there are many others. Abigail and Oreo, for example, were neglected in two separate cases of animal hoarding, while an energetic kitty named Max was brought to animal control because oxygen deprivation during surgery blinded him and caused neurological problems. Other cats, like Audrey, were simply dropped off at shelters when their former families no longer found them convenient.

Many of the cats at Alana’s sanctuary came from out of state. Ray and Sylvester traveled all the way from Kuwait when a US contractor who was working there found them and flew them back with her. Every one of Blind Cat Sanctuary’s residents has a photo and personal story posted on the rescue’s website.

Alana began rescuing blind cats in 2005, when she adopted a sightless kitten while working at a shelter. At the time, she had no plans to add more to her household, but then she took in another blind cat...and then a third. By the time number four came along, she decided to become an official rescuer. “Insanity was my inspiration!” she jokes.

Alana says her property is a lifetime sanctuary for all the cats. They have a forever home in a 1,600-square-foot facility that offers a spacious cage-free environment.

“So many come from abusive or neglectful situations,” she explains. “They are happy and safe here, and I don’t want to put them at risk again. I do adopt them out occasionally, but the people must convince me they are beyond fabulous and that they will take care of the cat’s best interests.”

Some of the cats are sightless from birth, but most of Alana’s rescues lost their vision later in life. Untreated eye infections are one of the most common reasons for vision

“People aren’t exactly standing in line to adopt blind cats,” Alana adds. Many shelters label sightless felines as unadoptable and automatically euthanize them. Alana

66

feline wellness

she hopes to develop a volunteer network to assist with cat care, mailings, membership drives and other day-to-day needs.

Alana also seeks sponsors to help finance the needs of individual cats for $30 a month. “We have sponsors from all over,” she explains. “They get photos and updates about ‘their’ cats. They’re always welcome to come and visit too. We’ve had people come from California and New York to meet their sponsored cats.”

It may seem amazing to see Blind Cat Rescue’s feline residents playing with toys, climbing and jumping, but to them it’s just another normal day. They don’t know they’re handicapped, and they’ll never find out as long as they’re enjoying Alana’s loving care.

Volunteers of all ages help with the cats.

says that’s a pity because they are no more challenging than any other cat. Once they learn where everything is in a home, they navigate remarkably well

Barbara Nefer is an animal lover and freelance writer living in Celebration, Florida. She shares her life with three cats, two horses, and a Quaker parrot.

“You don’t have to bubble wrap your house,” she explains.

“The cat will spend a few days walking around, mapping everything out and memorizing every inch. He’ll run into things, but only once. Pretty soon he’ll be jumping up on the furniture and acting like any other cat.”

“You don’t have to bubble wrap your house.”

Alana’s rescue facility is currently at capacity. But she’s working on a building fund to construct a new facility that will serve more blind cats and also provide a permanent home for FeLV and FIV positive felines. “There is even less help available for FeLV and FIV positive cats than for blind ones,” she notes. In addition to her hands-on work, Alana helps find homes for sightless cats through Facebook postings and other networking.

Blind Cat Rescue and Sanctuary depends completely on donations. One of Alana’s biggest challenges is getting volunteers to assist with cat care. She juggles the sanctuary with a full time job, and the shelter is in a very rural area, with other homes 25 to 30 miles away.

Her daughter, Stephanie, helps care for the brood, but feline wellness

67

AromatherapyFOR CATS Are essential oils safe for felines? Not all experts have the same answer, but there are ways your kitty can enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy without risk.

by Vicki Rae Thorne with Robert Tisserand

C

an essential oils be used safely with cats? Some experts sound a definite “no” while others offer suggestions for limited use. Veterinarians have safely and successfully used essential oils with cats in specific clinical situations, although lay use is typically discouraged due to risk factors such as the chemical composition and/or quality of the oils. But there are other options.

What makes them toxic to cats?

Whether topically applied, ingested or inhaled, essential oils are absorbed into the bloodstream and metabolized in the liver. Hepatic glucuronidation is an important detoxification mechanism present in most mammals – but not cats. According to Kristin Leigh Bell in Holistic Aromatherapy for Animals (Findhorn Press, 2002), cats are not well-equipped to metabolize essential oil components because they lack the liver enzyme glucuronyl transferase.

In Veterinary Herbal Medicine (Elsevier Health Sciences, 2007), authors Susan G. Wynn and Barbara Fougère list the following essential oils potentially toxic to cats: basil, birch, clove, hyssop, oregano, pennyroyal, savory, tansy, tarragon, tea tree, thuja and wintergreen. They note that tea tree toxicosis has been found in some cats, while the salicylates found in birch and wintergreen are one of the substances that cats metabolize slowly, making them more susceptible to toxicity. Citrus oil extracts

68

feline wellness

such as d-limonene can also be harmful to cats. Used in shampoos, insect repellents, food additives and cleaning products, these substances can cause feline liver damage.

The case for hydrosols Hydrosols, also called hydrolats or hydrolates, contain the water-soluble parts of steam-distilled plants as well as minute amounts of essential oil components. Because toxicology studies have found certain components, such as monoterpene alcohols and their metabolites, in the urine of cats exposed to these substances, it appears they can tolerate hydrosols better than essential oils.

“The hydrophilic molecules [readily attracted to water] that are found primarily in hydrosols are more easily metabolized by mammals than lipophilic molecules [readily attracted to fat], since they do not have to be changed into water-soluble form for urinary excretion,” says aromatherapist Robert Tisserand.

Hydrosols contain the watersoluble parts of steam-distilled plants as well as minute amounts of essential oil components.

Lia Whitmore, a certified clinical aromatherapist and national certified master groomer with over 20 years of

Veterinary aromatherapy is not new.

By the mid-1800s, scientific studies in Germany and France regarding the medical effects of essential oils on animals and humans were quite advanced. Thanks to positive clinical results, the practice of veterinary aromatherapy was not uncommon in these countries by the middle of the 20th century.

Registered aromatherapist Lisa Davis is extremely cautious when using essential oils with her cats. “I never apply them directly to the cat, generally offering them from a distance through diffusion only.” When diffusing, maintain good ventilation and fresh air circulation. Make sure your cat can leave the area that is being diffused.

And reduce your cat’s exposure by diffusing for specific reasons, and only when necessary. “Diffusing for 15 minutes just three to four times a day can be adequate essential oil therapy,” says Bev Day, president of Rocky Mountain Aromatherapy Institute.

While not all cats may react negatively to all essential oils, exercise caution and watch your kitty for subtle changes in behavior and/or a lack of energy. Using essential oils around cats can be managed – and it’s generally believed that limited exposure to pure quality essential oils is better than using synthetic or adulterated fragrances.

If you’re in any doubt, consult with a professional aromatherapist, or opt for hydrosols.

Vicki Rae Thorne is a certified aromatherapist, master herbalist and the founder of Earth Heart Inc. (earthheartinc.com) Robert Tisserand is an aromatherapist, author and consultant (roberttisserand.com).

experience, believes hydrosols are considerably safer for cats, but does not advise their oral use unless under the close supervision of a qualified veterinarian.

Conversely, clinical aromatherapist Suzanne Catty says she has never had a problem with using hydrosols orally.

“After 15 years of using hydrosols on felines both topically and internally in cases like dental problems, I have seen no negative effects.” Suzanne’s extensive research has shown that it is safe to use authentic, properly stored, fresh hydrosols that are free of preservatives, alcohol and stabilizers. Using certified organic and sustainably wildcrafted hydrosols insures no fertilizer or pesticide contamination. “Cats have been known to ‘ask’ their owners for a hydrosol,” says Suzanne.

“When it comes to hydrosols with functions such as flea repellent blends, cats seem to recognize their benefits.”

Staying on the safe side As a general guideline, Robert believes that essential oils making up no more than 1% of the product are generally safe for cats as long as they are used only occasionally.

feline wellness

69

GROWING UP HEALTHY Getting your kitten off to a good start in life helps ensure he’ll mature into a happy, healthy cat. A holistic approach is the key.

by Tessa Kimmel

I

t was love at first sight when the small bundle of white fluff in Sue’s lap gazed up at her with big blue eyes.

The eight-week-old kitten seemed to know he was in the arms of his forever “mom”.

Sue was committed to providing the best care for her new friend. She didn’t want to feed him foods full of by-products and preservatives. She wanted him to thrive on a natural, meat-based diet. She knew he would require some vaccines, but was concerned about overvaccinating. And she wanted to make sure he was happy and mentally stimulated.

Get him eating healthy Kittens have specific nutritional requirements that promote proper development and growth. They need foods high in energy and protein, yet lower in fats and carbohydrates. All felines are obligate carnivores and need a meat-based diet. A kitten fed a premium diet free of meat by-products, additives, preservatives, and with minimal to no grains, is off to a great start.

Exercise and play are essential for a kitten’s emotional, mental and physical stimulation.

Veterinarian Dr. Mark Newkirk suggests rotating meat proteins to see if a kitten does better eating turkey versus lamb or chicken versus beef. “Individualize your kitten and see how he does and what he likes,” he advises.

“What are his bowels like? How is his coat?”

Dr. Newkirk says it’s best not to free-feed your kitten.

Measured amounts of food fed at established mealtimes lessen the potential for weight gain. “We see a lot of fat cats – don’t leave food down all day. The kitten will not starve between breakfast and dinner. Set mealtimes will also alert you much faster if your cat is not eating well.”

70

feline wellness

Veterinarian Dr. Cindy Kneebone adds that it’s best to feed kittens a variety of foods and to avoid low quality dry food. Kittens can also be fed fresh meat and fish that’s lightly cooked, and they do well with fats that come from egg yolk and fish oils. According to Dr. Kneebone, mixing a variety of probiotic strains into the food helps improve the kitten’s gut biofilm. This prevents leaky gut and stops the invasion or adherence of pathogens to the gut lining – an important consideration in a young kitten whose immunity is just developing.

Although home-prepared diets are an option, Dr. Kneebone cautions that kittens require specific nutrients they can’t physiologically create in their own bodies. “It’s important to consult a veterinarian knowledgeable in feline nutrition to help formulate the diet,” she advises.

Taking care with vaccines Young kittens obtain immunities from their mothers through colostrum (first milk). When these immunities fade, the kitten is then at risk for disease and needs to be vaccinated. However, determining just when to vaccinate a kitten can be difficult. Dr. Kneebone explains that vaccinating a kitten with high maternal antibodies will interfere with his ability to respond to the vaccine. She recommends using probiotics to help improve immunity.

Kittens usually only need four core vaccines – feline panleukopenia virus (FPV), feline calicivirus (FCV), feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1) and rabies (required by law) – although there is no “one size fits all” regime. Each kitten should be assessed individually in order to determine what his vaccine requirements should be. “If I have a

kitten whose home is a high rise apartment on the beach and who will never leave the apartment, his core vaccines might just be for the respiratory viruses and rabies,” says Dr. Newkirk.

MAINTAINING WELL BEING Exercise and play are essential for a kitten’s emotional, mental and physical stimulation. Just 15 minutes of interactive play a day with your kitten promotes his overall health and strengthens the bond between you. Play hide and seek with natural treats.

Have him chase paper balls and feathers. Dr. Newkirk suggests training your kitten to walk on a harness and leash, and to provide multi-level posts or stairs for additional exercise. A sedentary kitten will become an obese cat; Dr. Newkirk warns that obesity leads to diabetes, heart disease and arthritis.

Regular check-ups are a must, especially for the first four to six months.

Treats & Chews. The Healthy Choice.

If Your Kitty Could Make 3 Wishes, What Would They Be?

NEW Bravo! All-Natural Treats

Mixing a variety of probiotic strains into the food helps improve the kitten’s gut biofilm.

Many kittens eat litter, which means a clumping or clay-based © Bravo! Raw Diet 2011 litter can be dangerous. A kitten that ingests clumping litter may develop a life-threatening intestinal blockage. There are many natural and biodegradable litters available. Wheat, corn, pine or recycled newspaper are non-clumping and lower in dust.

Brush your kitten’s coat daily. Even shorthaired breeds benefit from daily brushing as it optimizes coat and skin health. Your kitten will love the feel of the brush, and grooming him is another great way to enhance your mutual bond.

Bravo!’s new line of all-natural treats are on every cat’s wish list. You can choose from a wide variety of protein types. They are all single ingredient products loaded with cat appeal and healthy ingredients. But chose wisely, there are many good choices. To find a Bravo! retailer near you, go to www.bravorawdiet.com.

The family dog? Pick up a few wishes for him too!

Thanks to her commitment to a optimal lifestyle, Sue is making sure her new companion will grow up to be healthy, happy and well-balanced. You can do the same for your kitten!

Tessa Kimmel has over 20 years’ experience in animal care and was employed as a veterinary technician for nearly ten years. She owns MedPet & Cozy Critters Pet Care Services, a Toronto-based business specializing in care for animals with medical conditions and special needs. She recently opened a division of the business in London, Ontario where she now resides with her three rescue kitties.

feline wellness

71

health products & services/communication

Finally, A ‘Complete’ Cleaner!

This one’s a GAME CHANGER! cat serious!® extracts all the odor, stain, and most importantly your feline’s pheromone. Other cleaners only remove 1 or 2 of these ‘serious’ clean-up issues.

Your pet ‘naturally’ stops re-soiling, keeping your home CLEAN, Pretty & Fresh longer!

‘OLD’ YELLOW OR HAiRBALL STAiNS? EXTRACTS iN MiNUTES!

SLICKER

Pamper your kitty in style

grooming tool discovered by kitties for kitties • Unique grooming tool that emulates the sand papery, sticky feeling of a kitty’s tongue • Works on every type of skin & coat • Gently removes loose hair • Light weight & easy to hold • Never leaves brush or comb marks • No rubber parts to snag or pull hairs

Order online: www.kittyslicker.com or call 310.538.0322

CAT SERiOUS!®

is available in Pet Stores in the US and Canada and on many pet websites!

Coupons + lots more info at www.GetSeriousProducts.NET

Get Serioustoday !

1.800.844.7967

Animal Paradise

Communication & Healing LLC

Janet Dobbs

Animal communication • Reiki Consultations • Classes

www.AnimalParadiseCommunication.com • 703-648-1866

ANIMAL WELLNES

S

y life!

For a long, health

Living pawsitive!

Toothsome

Sr ITstronge DBr teeth, TI Tips for cleane gums and fresher

WHO WON?

breath

Check out our als Amazing Anim st Photo Conte

Menopausal Mutts deficiencies

WINNERS!

How hormonal d and can affect spaye neutered dogs

Y’S HENR g powers healin

Animal-friendly remodeling

Shedding extra pounds

N

Top SEVE ng tips dog par&enti happiness

SIMPLE SOLUTIONS

Why training go hand-in-hand

$5.95 USA/Cana

VOLUME

72

DISTRIBUTE MAGAZINES • SUBMIT STORIES

om

lnessMagazine.c

www.AnimalWel

feline wellness

ESS

Hip, cool and healthy!

SPECIAL DENTAL ISSU E

THERAPY CA TS

CL AWS OUT! The latest on declawing

1-866-764-1212 •AnimalWellnessMagazine.com

legislation

Brushless

DENTAL PRODUC Keep her TS teeth clean the

How to help him teeth “brush” his own

da

1 11 ISSUE

ADVERTISE

feline WELLNESS

FELINE WELLN

Animal WELLNESS

easy way

THE BEST RA W BONES FOR KITTIE S

FelineWellness .com

animal wellness

73

I

nspired by the heartache of losing her beloved dog Mercy after a routine dental procedure in 1992, Lise Guerin was determined to find another way to maintain the dental health of dogs and cats. After numerous consultations and rigorous testing with medical professionals on different continents, Leba III was created from a combination of safe and effective herbs, including mint (Lamiaceae) and Rose (Rosaceae) stabilized in 25% ethyl alcohol (human, food grade) and distilled water.

The herbs are the active ingredients, changing the chemistry in the mouth, stimulating the enzymes and causing the tartar to soften and fall off. “It works with the saliva by stimulating the good flora,” Lise explains. “You hear a lot about probiotics now, because we know that to maintain health in a live system, you fight bad bacteria with good bacteria.” When you use a product with an antiseptic, it kills both the good and bad bacteria and puts the chemistry in the mouth even more off balance. Leba III has a different action.”

By 1994, veterinarians all across Canada were buying Leba III to use in their practices. Soon, the product was available in the U.S. and was being distributed to pet stores and sold directly to consumers.

Helping other animals and protecting them from what happened to Mercy means the world to Lise. “We received an email recently from a customer in New York whose dog had terrible teeth and breath. She wrote, “It has been life changing as we now allow her to sit with us for hours instead of minutes! Thank you for making such an easy to use and effective product.” Testimonials won’t bring Mercy back, but they celebrate her memory.

For more information on Leba III visit www.lebalab.com or call 1-866-532-2522.

animal wellness

73

Holistic Veterinary advice

Talking with

Dr. Marcia Martin

Veterinarian Dr. Marcia Martin is a holistic veterinarian practicing at The Holistic Medicine Center in Mobile, Alabama. Her new clinic offers state of the art diagnostics and 24-hour care as well as acupuncture, chiropractic and classical homeopathy. Dr. Martin is also the author of Quit Your Belly Aching, a homeopathic guide to colic treatment in horses.

For more information on holistic healthcare for cats and other animals, read her blog at drmarcia.wordpress.com

I have a miniature Schnauzer who was diagnosed with a microvascular dysplasia shunt when she was seven months old. She is now four and I was wondering if it is safe for her to eat fresh raspberries. She takes milk thistle, vitamin E and pepcid and metronidazole. Thanks for your help.

When microscopic vessels are abnormal as seen on a liver biopsy, the condition is called hepatic microvascular dysplasia (HMD or MVD) or portal atresia. The liver performs an incredible number of functions to maintain health, including filtering out toxins, storing sugar and making proteins. When the vasculature of the liver is abnormal, as in microvascular dysplasia, the liver cannot perform its job properly and toxins build up in the bloodstream, causing neurologic signs and seizures.

Nutrients are not properly converted into a form useable by the body, resulting in poor development and stunted growth.

The cornerstone of treatment is a low protein diet to decrease the production of toxins, and conventional medications such as metronidazole and lactulose to decrease the amount of toxin-producing bacteria in the intestinal tract.

I see no reason why your pup can’t have a few fresh raspberries. They are very high in antioxidants that

74

animal wellness

decrease oxidative stress and inflammation in the body.

And that would actually help protect your dog against cellular damage caused by toxins in the bloodstream.

Keep in mind that raspberries are also high in fiber and that too many can lead to diarrhea and gastric upset.

I would try and find a source for locally grown, organic raspberries since these are one of the fruits known to be contaminated with high levels of pesticides.

We have a German shepherd who is now 11 months old.

At about eight weeks of age, she started having health problems -- not gaining weight, diarrhea, light colored stools. We had her thoroughly checked, but the only thing they found was that her left kidney was 30% larger than the right one. Megasophagus and EPI were ruled out and her liver was fine. We were sent home with enzymes to give her with food, but this didn’t really help until we added Tylan powder. Her stool seemed to improve but she was still not gaining weight very quickly.

A few months later, we decided to wean her off the enzymes to see what happened. She seemed fine for several months, though only weighed about 28 pounds.

Then she became ill. We took her in and her CBC showed a white blood count of 27,000. The urine showed casts that were full of bacteria. An ultrasound still showed the

enlarged kidney. Yet bloodwork showed kidney and liver functions were within normal limits. She had high fevers and we put her on Clavamox for ten days.

Everything seemed fine for about two months, and she even gained quite a bit of weight. Now we are having the same issue. Her white blood count is at 28,000, yet the bloodwork shows normal kidney and liver function. The ultrasound still shows the enlarged kidney. What is your opinion? What other tests might we do? Are there any supplements we could use to help keep these infections at bay?

Without all the facts, I can’t be sure if the left kidney is enlarged due to disease – or the right kidney is small due to a congenital malformation. But I think you have two different issues here. One is the original diarrhea and weight loss. In such a young dog, I would be thinking parasites, maldigestion/malabsorption or irritable bowel syndrome.

The second issue is the kidney problem. An enlarged kidney in a young dog would put kidney diseases characterized by expansion of the renal pelvis on the top of the list: these could include pylenephritis, an infection in the kidney, or hydronephrosis, an expansion of the renal pelvis with urine secondary to a blockage of urine outflow, either from a kidney stone, accidental ligation at the time of spay, or neoplasia.

From what I can gather from the history you have given, more diagnostics need to be performed. In the case of the intestinal issue, a maldigestion panel should be done to check for a B12 deficiency and intestinal bacterial overgrowth. I would also have the lab check for parasites other than the common ones found on fecal flotation: campylobacter, clostridium, cryptosporidium and giardia. If these are negative, consider endoscopy and intestinal biopsy to determine if there is inflammatory bowel disease.

Your pup was diagnosed with an enlarged kidney at eight weeks of age, making a kidney stone or accidental ligation of a ureter during spay unlikely. The elevated white blood count along with the enlarged kidney makes pyelonephritis a strong candidate. Once off antibiotics for a week, a sterile urine sample should be obtained and the sample sent to the lab for a urinalysis and a urine culture. The fact that your dog’s kidney enzymes are still within the normal range really isn’t all that comforting, animal wellness

75

since you have to lose 75% of kidney function before enzyme changes are detectable.

If the urine culture is positive, your pup will require long term antibiotic therapy and repeated cultures.

We have to ask ourselves why in the world such a young dog is so sick. If addressed from the Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) viewpoint, a kidney jing deficiency may be involved. Kidney jing can be roughly translated as inherited susceptibility – in other words, your dog’s specific inherited constitutional makeup.

A kidney jing deficiency results in slow or stunted growth and mal-development. By strengthening the kidney jing through acupuncture and herbal therapy, the immune system can be enhanced and repeat infections can be avoided.

in the hope the condition would clear up.

Lucan was given a two-week course of Clavamox and improved significantly, but the condition didn’t clear up entirely. Follow-up x-rays showed no significant improvement in his lungs. Blood tests followed. The overall blood panel was normal with a slightly low platelet count and slightly low sodium and potassium levels. He also had a fungal culture taken of his blood that came back negative.

A bronchoscopy is next on the list. The specialists think it could be some form of chronic bronchitis or allergic bronchitis. They have put Lucan on Butrill for the time being, but said that if it’s allergic bronchitis he may have to take steroids. I am very reluctant about giving him steroids.

Classical homeopathy is another good choice. When properly selected, the remedies can address underlying constitutional weaknesses along with current symptoms.

The proper remedy can help your dog develop more normally as well as treat the bowel and kidney issues.

Can such a condition be treated solely with more natural methods such as herbs? Lucan is on a raw food diet and receives zinc supplements, a kelp-based vitamin and mineral supplement, cod liver oil, bovine colostrums, probiotics and plant enzymes.

I would seek out a good veterinary internal medicine specialist, and a well trained holistic veterinary medicine specialist, and ask them to work together to improve your dog’s condition.

Zinc responsive dermatosis is an inherited condition in which zinc is not properly absorbed from the intestinal tract. It is often seen in Siberian huskies. Congenital conditions are always a bit more challenging because they represent deeply seated, chronic disease at the level of the DNA. This is a good opportunity to discuss the actions medications can have on the body, whether holistic or conventional. There are three things a medication can do in the body: suppress, palliate or cure.

I have a Siberian husky named Lucan. Since the day I got him he has had problems -- giardia, yeast infections (ears), eye infections and rashes on his stomach. He has also been diagnosed with zinc responsive dermatitis.

About three months ago, he began coughing. My vet recommended antihistamines and cough suppressants which did not help. Next he did chest x-rays that showed a large amount of fluid surrounding the airways. The radiologist report indicated it could be heartworm, severe allergic bronchitis or fungal pneumonia. A bronchoscopy was suggested, but the vet decided to try antibiotics first 76

animal wellness

1 Cure is of course the permanent removal of symptoms and a restoration of health. Cure rarely happens with the use of conventional medication when treating chronic disease. The term “manage” is more often used.

2

Palliation is defined as the resolution of symptoms, but only as long as the medication is continued. Most conventional drug therapy is palliative. When the medication is discontinued the symptoms return, often with an increase in severity.

3 Suppression is the removal of symptoms and is characterized by a worsening of the patient’s overall health.

What you are describing in your dog is classical

suppression. Constantine Hering was a homeopath who practiced in the mid to late 1800s. He is most famous for discovering Hering’s Law of Cure. The basic premise is that the body’s defense mechanisms will hold the disease on the outside of the body – those areas where physical changes won’t be life threatening, such as the skin and ears. As the body weakens, the disease is allowed to go deeper – into the GI tract and respiratory tract where the defense mechanisms will attempt to discharge it through coughing, sneezing, diarrhea and/ or vomiting. Left unchecked, the disease will eventually reach a vital internal organ (heart, kidneys or liver) and life-threatening illness will ensue. Healing takes place in exactly the opposite direction.

In an attempt to treat the skin and ears of your dog, a medication or supplement was given that proved to be suppressive, and the illness has been driven inward. Even in human medicine, the connection between suppressed skin eruptions in children and the development of asthma is well recognized.

Steroids are inherently suppressive.

I would be a bit fearful of using them in this case as a further suppression of the underlying illness may result in a severe exacerbation.

You really need to work with a very well trained homeopathic or Traditional Chinese Medicine veterinarian who has the knowledge and skills to start moving the disease outward. You will need to be prepared to have the skin lesions return for awhile in order for a curative action to take place.

CANINE LIFE

®

we’ve got you covered

VERSATILE NUTRITIOUS CONVENIEN T DELICIOUS

from coast to coast!

Creating a Fresh Whole Foods Diet for Your Dog’s Optimum Health!

Special Cancer Formulation available

www.theskyesthelimit.com • www.westcoastcaninelife.com

A percentage of the proceeds from all Canine Life products is donated to The Smiling Blue Skies ® Cancer Fund. www.smilingblueskies.com

animal wellness

77

the scoop Barbecued flavor Now your dog can enjoy summer BBQs too!

Chasing Our Tails presents a line of naturally smoked products that will have your dog licking his lips instead of your fingers. The company uses fresh ingredients and charcuterie to prepare its products, without added chemicals or preservatives. This ensures safe treats that won’t splinter or upset sensitive tummies.

The line includes pig ears, smoked beef marrow bones, bison bones and venison knuckles, all sourced from New England. chasingourtails.com

A million meals One in eight Americans takes advantage of food bank programs and many of those families have animals. Since cats outnumber all other animals in shelters, The Nutro Company has donated more than one million meals of their Natural Choice Cat Food to the PETCO Foundation Pet Food Bank Program. “We’re ensuring cats in need are receiving a natural food that meets their unique nutritional requirements one dish at a time,” say Kent Cunningham, Nutro’s vice president of Marketing. thenutrocompany.com

Sporting health

A second career Dwindling pension funds and a soft economy are prompting many people to embark on second careers after retirement. Trends show an increasing number of retirees are becoming pet sitters, combining a love of animals with their business skills from a lifetime of work. The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters is helping these folks make their dreams a reality by providing the business tools, marketability and education needed to successfully promote their services. petsitters.org

78

animal wellness

Active and sporting dogs have extra nutritional requirements. Cranimals SPORT contains a powerful antioxidant carotenoid called astaxanthin, which binds directly to muscle tissue and helps increase muscle strength and endurance. Astaxanthin has anti-inflammatory properties and is beneficial for joint, eye and brain health. Cranimals VIBE, meanwhile, contains cranberry extract, algal DHA Omega 3 and spirulina, a blue green algal. cranimal.com

Good vibrations Animals are prone to many of the same ailments we are, including arthritis and other joint problems. The Pet’em Pad is a safe, non-invasive, therapeutic way to soothe your companion’s aches and pains. It uses Soft Wave Technology to send healing vibrations through tissues and cells. The waves relax cells and improve blood flow and oxygen in injured areas, stimulating the body’s natural healing process.

Improved blood flow and fluid exchange help remove toxins and reduce pain and inflammation. petempad.com

Now that’s quality!

Imagine eating dog food for a month. Hanna Mandelbaum and Alison Wiener, owners of Evermore Pet Food, have done just that. During their Evermore Me campaign, the two women ate nothing but their company’s dog food throughout the month of March. “We want to stand behind our claims by demonstrating the integrity of our products,” says Alison. Evermore sources only high quality ingredients, including USDA-certified meats free of antibiotics and hormones, fresh produce (local in season), and organic grains. evermorepetfood.com

New canine stamp One day in the 1880s, a dog turned up at the post office in Albany, New York. Clerks took a liking to him and named him Owney. Fond of riding in postal wagons, Owney followed mailbags onto trains and soon became the unofficial mascot of the Railway Mail Service. On July 27, the U.S. Postal Service commemorates Owney on a first class 44 cent forever stamp. The stamp features an illustration of Owney by artist Bill Bond of Arlington, Virginia.

Look, no grains If your dog has grain allergies, don’t worry.

Evanger’s Pet Food Company has launched a new grain free dry food for dogs. The Grain Free Chicken Formula boasts fresh de-boned chicken as its first ingredient, and uses nutrientrich fruits and vegetables instead of grains for optimal canine health. It also contains probiotics to support healthy immune and digestive systems, as well as flaxseed and Omegas 3 and 6 for healthy joints, skin and coat. evangersdogfood.com animal wellness

79

CASE STUDY

breathes easy Baxter

A dog with a chronic choking problem prompts his guardian to learn life-saving techniques.

by Anabelle L. Macri

Learning how to deal with Baxter’s chronic choking problem involved understanding and research.

N

ot long ago, I was pet sitting for a friend, and had three large dogs in my home instead of the usual two. My German shepherd, Baxter, was spooked by the newcomer, gulped his food during dinner – and started to choke. Before I knew it, he was gasping for air.

In a panic, I dropped to my knees, pried Baxter’s jaws apart, and stuck my whole hand and a third of my arm down his throat. I couldn’t pull out the source of the problem, so I pushed it down instead. Baxter swallowed hard, and aside from a sore throat, was fine.

We were lucky. Instinct took over, and I was able to save his life. But the incident left me uneasy, and for good

80

animal wellness

reason. This wasn’t the first time Baxter had choked, even though it was by far the worst.

Because Baxter lived in a wilderness retreat before being rescued, he has a survival mentality, and is overly protective of his food. He still lives according to what he learned in the forest, which is to guard and gulp his food. From what I understand, it can be a common phenomenon among rescue dogs that had to fight for survival in their earlier years.

I was concerned that Baxter would choke again, and in a situation like that, there just isn’t time to get the dog to the vet before he suffocates. I needed a way to deal

with it at home. My mom suggested purchasing a turkey baster so I could quickly fill it with water, tilt Baxter’s head, and dribble the water down his throat to dislodge the food. Every precaution you take has merit, so I did as she suggested. I keep the turkey baster where it is readily available to be used as a lifesaving instrument.

Given the seriousness of Baxter’s chronic problem, however, I also sought help from my veterinarian, Dr. Lisa King. “Besides gulping while eating, many household items can cause your pet to choke, like string, needles and thread, hosiery, garbage, balls, yarn, socks, bones, gristle, small toys and balls,” she told me. Dr. King recommends keeping all these items away from animals, since ingesting them may cause blockages or injuries to the esophagus, stomach or small intestine. It’s important to make sure any balls your dog plays with are larger than can easily be swallowed, and that torn or broken toys are either repaired or thrown out. And it is always a good practice to monitor animals with chew toys.

The vet told me that signs of choking or airway obstruction include drooling, gagging, difficulty swallowing and breathing, pawing at the face, regurgitation, anxiety and distress. Baxter displayed all these symptoms during his choking attack.

When a dog starts choking, Dr. King recommends removing his collar, examining the inside of his mouth and removing any foreign objects you can see. She warns against blindly grabbing and pulling on the mouth’s structures. Small dogs should be lifted with the head tilted down; for large dogs, lift the rear legs higher than the head.

No Artificial Fillers No Artificial Flavors No Artificial Preservatives No Sorbitol No Brewers yeast

If this doesn’t help, the vet advises giving a few sharp firm hits between the shoulder blades. She indicates that a modified Heimlich maneuver can also be tried by

• 7,000,000 dogs are overweight in the USA • Skin allergy & Senior immune supplements now available!

• Created using windmill power

Fortunately, Baxter did not suffer any complications from his choking, but having talked to my vet…I feel more confident about my course of action should it happen again.

• Only 25 calories per treat • Heart and intestional healthy for all dogs • This product is safe for

diabetic and overweight dogs.

NATURAL INGREDIENTS MADE IN THE USA

Treats for special dogs with special needs www.justbecausefordogs.com animal wellness

81

grabbing the dog around the waist with his back towards your abdomen, placing a fist just beneath the ribs, and compressing quickly three to five times. Then, check the mouth again to see if the obstruction is dislodged. If you don’t know these techniques, taking a first aid class for animals is a good idea.

Dr. King also told me that it’s important to have dogs checked after any choking incident to make sure there is no internal trauma to the mouth, trachea or esophagus requiring medical attention. Choking can also cause fluid to build up in the lungs, so this should be checked out too.

Fortunately, Baxter did not suffer any complications from his choking, but having talked to my vet and knowing he has a chronic problem, I feel more confident about my course of action should it happen again. That alone will eliminate some of the panic I felt when he started choking the last time.

Any dog can choke, especially if he has a tendency to gulp his food like Baxter does. Luckily, life-saving techniques can be applied. I know the importance of being trained in case I ever need to save a family member or friend’s life, so why wouldn’t I be prepared to do the same thing for Baxter? After all, he’s my best friend and a member of the family.

Buy a 2-year subscription to Animal Wellness Magazine for

$34 US ($48 CAN)

For the best dog and cat info, we’re a

82

natural!

animal wellness

and get the 3rd year for only $1!

Call or go online today – your animals will thank you!

1-866-764-1212

9am– 5pm E.S.T.

www.AnimalWellnessMagazine.com

Deserving THE BEST This holistic vet’s desire to enhance nutritional wellness for companion animals led her to create a unique line of vitamins for dogs and cats.

by Ann Brightman

G

ood nutrition helps prevent a host of health issues in animals. It’s a fact that Dr. Deva Khalsa lives by. Her 30 years of experience as a holistic veterinarian have brought her into contact with hundreds of dogs and cats, many with health problems that could have been prevented. “It broke my heart to see all the illness, and watch people worry over their dogs and cats and the money needed to diagnose and fix diseases that were avoidable with proper nutrition,” she says.

attach to and eliminate bacteria in the body. Beets clean the liver and tone the heart. I put in lots of vitamin D3 as I firmly believe many dogs and cats are deficient.”

Helping animal guardians understand the importance of quality nutrition is another of Dr. Khalsa’s aims. “I educate because it’s vital that pet owners have the tools to keep their best friends healthy.” The Deserving Pets website offers informative FAQs on dog and cat health, and Dr. Khalsa has also written a book about holistic canine wellnes entitled Dr. Khalsa’s Natural Dog. “I am also going to be teaching a course in nutrition for disabled veterans who train search and rescue and working dogs,” she adds. “And last year for Thanksgiving and Christmas I donated 50 cases of Vital Vities to rescue groups and shelters.”

Dr. Khalsa is passionate about what she does. “I wanted to be a veterinarian ever since I was a tiny tot and I would

Dr. Khalsa determined to do something to change things.

“I love being a veterinarian because I love making dogs and cats well again,” she says. “I saw the capacity for their bodies to heal and understood that if they had the proper support, this capacity would prevent disease.

It became my quest to research a true preventive supplement geared toward all the common problems I was seeing so often.”

The result was Deserving Pets, a line of holistic natural vitamins for dogs and cats. “I specialize in preventive supplements because they are so needed,” says Dr. Khalsa. “I carefully researched phytonutrients and their prevention of disease. I created a tapestry of phytonutrients aimed at specific common problems along with a totally balanced bioavailable vitamin and mineral supplement.” Her Vital Vitamins for Dogs and Cats contain an array of powerful natural ingredients. “Dandelion heals the liver, tones the gall bladder, flushes the urinary tract, assists digestion and is a prebiotic. Kale and broccoli have phytonutrients that dump carcinogens out of cells.

Cranberries acidify the urine – the mannose they contain

never want to be anything else. The trust and love that our dogs and cats have for us, and that my patients have for me, is a truly special thing. I just love them all so much I don’t want them to get sick.” animal wellness

83

The scoop

on poop

Dogs produce millions of tons of waste each year. Hygienic environmentally-responsible disposal is no longer an option. Here’s why, and how you can be part of the solution.

by Bobbi Leder

W

e’ve all stepped in dog poop at one time or another, whether it’s on the street, in a park or even on our own lawns. As we scrape it off our shoes, we mutter a few choice words about people who are too lazy or irresponsible to pick up after their animals.

Dog waste that’s improperly disposed of is more than just a disgusting nuisance. It’s unhealthy for people and other dogs, and it’s also bad for the environment. Curbing your dog (aka picking up his poop) is an ordinance in most cities now, although a lot of people still don’t do it – and that makes all dog lovers look bad.

from the waste. Pooper scoopers come in portable sizes that are perfect for walks, or opt for a scooper with a long handle for your yard.

• Instead of using plastic bags, which don’t break down in landfill, you can purchase biodegradable poop bags such as BioBag (biobag.ca) in which to dispose of the waste.

These are eco-friendly and easy to use. Biodegradable waste bags are made from renewable sources like corn, contain no chemical additives, and decompose naturally when exposed to the earth.

• The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classified pet waste as a dangerous pollutant. And this doesn’t come from folks jumping on the “green” bandwagon; this classification was made nearly 20 years ago.

• Another option is to hire a company that will come to your house and pick up the poop in your yard. Poop scooping companies are a safe alternative because they disinfect all their equipment, shoes and tools after each visit. That way your lawn will be clean and ready for outdoor activities.

• The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed that pet waste can spread parasites - including salmonella, tapeworms, roundworms and hookworms.

• Once picked up, the bagged waste can be placed in the garbage, or you can separate the waste from the bag, flush it down the toilet, then dispose of the biodegradable bag.

Or, believe it or not, you can compost it.

• Un-scooped poop can be washed into storm drains and wind up in distant rivers and streams.

Composting dog poop?

Reasons to scoop poop

• Dog poop is a team player and likes to get together with harmful bacteria like E. coli and fecal coliform bacteria.

These can cause intestinal illness including cramps and diarrhea, and even kidney disorders.

Safe and clean pickup • Always pick up your dog’s waste, even if it’s in your own yard or in a wild area where people don’t often walk. Use a scoop, as it keeps your hands safely away

84

animal wellness

When I first started researching this topic, I assumed like

Garbage in, garbage out Dogs that eat poor quality diets full of synthetic additives, and/or that take a lot of medications, will produce waste containing chemical toxins, thereby adding to environmental pollution. One way to help the planet (and your dog!) is to feed him a natural whole-foods diet and keep his immune system healthy enough that he doesn’t need drugs.

most people that composting dog waste was a dangerous idea. However, after digging further and speaking with people in other countries (I lived abroad for many years where composting and recycling is taken more seriously than it is here), I found there are many sources, including the Department of Agriculture, that confirm composting dog poop is a realistic option – if it’s done properly.

Do not just start dumping your dog’s waste into your compost bin – you need to use a method that will safely and reliably destroy all the pathogens in the feces. It takes time: the finished compost needs to cure for up to a year before you use it. Even then, to stay on the safe side, compost that includes dog waste should not be put on gardens growing vegetables, fruits or herbs. However, it makes an effective and safe fertilizer for lawns and flower gardens.

• If you use biodegradable bags to pick up your dog’s waste, these may also be added to the compost because they will break down naturally. BioBag states that microorganisms will eat the dog waste in the biodegradable bag when in compost and exposed to air.

Picking up your dog’s waste and disposing of it in a safe and eco-responsible way plays several important roles.

It keeps your yard and neighborhood healthy, it lightens the load on landfills, and it helps people look more kindly on dog lovers everywhere.

• The United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service offers an extensive do-it-yourself guide to safely composting dog poop. Visit ftp-fc.sc.egov.usda.gov/AK/Publications/ dogwastecomposting2.pdf to access it.

• Cityfarmer.org (Canada’s Office of Urban Agriculture) also provides step-by-step instructions on how you can compost your dog’s poop.

• Doggie Dooley (doggiedooley.com) is an in-ground animal waste toilet that allows you to dispose of dog poop safely. It basically uses an ecofriendly non-toxic powder (full of bacteria and enzymes) that turns the waste into a liquid that the ground can absorb.

• Some worm farms sell worms specifically for the purpose of eating dog poop in a yard composter. The waste must be mixed with other compostable materials like dried leaves in order to make it more attractive to the worms, and to add carbon that helps the waste break down.

www.leispet.com 1-800-665-2139 animal wellness

85

healing

Tap into Meridian Tapping Techniques address the energetic imbalances caused by any emotional, mental or physical problem.

by Judith Levy, M.Ed, CEHP, RMT

P

eople, dogs and all other living beings on the planet are animated by a flow of energy through their bodies. It allows their hearts to beat and is central to living and healing. Different cultures have different names for this life energy. The Japanese refer to it as Ki; in China, it’s called Chi; in ancient India it was called Prana; and in Hawaii, it’s referred to as Mana.

Energy pathways Meridians are energy pathways in the body along which this Ki or life energy flows. They are the same energy pathways used in acupuncture. There are many major meridian pathways and they are all connected, so life force energy influences all activities within the body. In other words, by utilizing the meridians, we can impact internal organs as well as the emotions, mind and spirit.

When there’s an interruption in the flow of life energy resulting from a negative experience, repetitive habit, physical illness or negative emotional state, disturbances develop in the meridians. Think of this disruption as a rock that interferes with the flow of water in a stream.

When the rock is removed, the stream can once more flow smoothly.

Any perturbation in the meridian pathways can impede good health, cause an animal to appear frightened, sick or unhappy, and even interfere with his ability to respond appropriately to traditional training methods. This is particularly true in the case of a traumatized animal that has been abused or neglected. When an animal experiences trauma, the brain will not process information correctly.

This change in information processing is often described as being stuck or frozen in the past. Because the brain impacts the body, these energetic disruptions become embedded in particular meridians.

86

animal wellness

Judith practices hands-on MTT for an elderly dog.

When an event reminds the animal of the original traumatizing event, he will re-experience the original reaction to the trauma (fear and anxiety). For example, a dog who was physically abused as a young dog or pup will cower and feel afraid when you raise your hand over his head, even though no harm is intended.

A disruption in life energy flow causing disturbance in the meridians can also originate from lesser emotional and mental upsets, such as poor socialization resulting in anxiety around people or other animals, or when exposed to noise. Physical illness also causes an imbalance in the energy flow through the meridians. When an energetic disturbance originates from physical illness, that disturbance can ultimately cause an imbalanced emotional or mental state. This is often seen in older animals that are arthritic or losing their hearing or sight

Introducing MTT Meridian Tapping Techniques (MTT) is a term used for a variety of interventions that influence the meridian pathways. MTT works to release or calm that freezing effect in the brain by reducing or eliminating the disturbances lodged in the meridians from the original trauma.

During an MTT session, blocks are removed by tapping on certain points along the meridians. In acupuncture, these are referred to as acupoints. But instead of applying needles, the points are tapped.

Each case is different and is addressed by using a particular tapping algorithm that is determined during my initial assessment/history-taking process. For animals, the tapping can be done directly on the body, or a handsoff approach can be used. Where fear or aggression is an issue, hands-off is preferred; in these cases, myself or the animal guardian can act as a surrogate for the patient.

MTT is non invasive and not painful.

When is MTT a good choice?

This modality can be used to help with a wide range of issues: • Aids in correcting behaviorial problems, including separation anxiety and phobias, or issues stemming from poor socialization • Decreases effects of trauma from abuse or severe neglect that cannot be corrected with standard training methods • Changes ritualistic behaviors such as spinning and licking paws • Restores optimism in an animal that has lost interest in life • Reduces physical discomfort or depression caused by illness or old age • Decreases embedded behavioral patterns that lead to aggression • Alleviates energetic blocks that contribute to eating disorders in animals

How many sessions are needed?

The number of MTT sessions required depends on the severity and complexity of the problem. Although it is impossible to guarantee a particular outcome, a single session may be enough. I may advise more sessions and often recommend scheduling four. When using any alternative modality, it is often advisable to do additional sessions for a short while to help the animal’s body “hold” the new level of adjustment and support a balanced state.

MTT may sound simple, but it’s a profoundly effective modality that can have an amazing impact on your animal companion’s physical and emotional well being. animal wellness

87

What does it MEAN? Regular blood and urine tests are vital to your dog’s well being. But what do all the numbers and notes on the lab results actually mean? Here’s how to make sense of the “squiggles”.

by Shawn Messonnier, DVM

W

henever you take your dog to the vet for a routine checkup, he’s usually given blood work, a urinalysis and other tests. Most of the time, you don’t see a copy of the lab results. When you do, you probably find all those numbers and notations more than a little confusing.

Defining “normal”

appears to be an abnormal lab result, yet be totally healthy.

Why? Because normal values are determined using a bellshaped curve. Approximately 90% of “normal” patients will fall under the bell of the curve. This means 5% of normal patients will fall outside the low end of the normal range and 5% will fall outside the high end.

As an example, let’s look at the BUN test (blood urea nitrogen), commonly used to determine kidney disease.

Normal values for most labs are 10 to 30. This means 90% of normal dogs will have a BUN value anywhere from 10 to 30. However, 5% of normal dogs will have a lab value less than 10 and 5% a value greater than 30.

First, it’s imperative you understand what “normal” means.

Every lab develops its own set of normal values based on its patient population. Additionally, patients can have what

Let’s suppose your dog has a BUN value of 40, which is outside the normal range on the high end. How do you

While it’s beyond the scope of this article to discuss every lab test ever done, it is my hope that I can help you interpret the results of some of the most commonly performed blood tests.

88

animal wellness

determine if this is normal, or a sign of potentially serious kidney disease? This is where the vet’s medical training and experience comes in. If I saw this value in a lab report, there are several things I would do to determine if it was normal for your dog (in which case it’s nothing to worry about) or abnormal (in which case I would be concerned about the possibility of kidney disease).

First, I would want to look at BUN values from prior tests, if available. If your dog has always had BUN values close to 40, it’s probably safe to say this is another normal test.

If he has never had this test done before, I would repeat it in one to two weeks and compare the value to the current one. I would also look at other tests of kidney function (creatinine, phosphorus, complete urinalysis, etc.) and see if those were abnormal. If they weren’t, it’s likely your dog’s BUN value of 40 is nothing to worry about.

However, I would re-do the test every few months, especially if you have an older dog since kidney disease is more common in senior animals.

Patients can have what appears to be an abnormal lab result, yet be totally healthy.

Because “normal” dogs can have “abnormal” tests, I encourage people not to worry until more testing is done to determine if there are any potential problems.

With this background, let’s take a look at some commonly performed tests and what they mean.

Kidney function BUN is a common test of kidney function. Unfortunately, it’s also affected by other factors such as intestinal bleeding and dietary protein levels. With kidney disease, the BUN begins to slowly elevate. As mentioned above, mild elevations on a scale of 10 to 20 units can be normal for your dog if other testing of kidney function is also normal. Therefore, an elevated BUN by itself may not be clinically meaningful. However, when combined with other tests of kidney function, an elevated BUN can alert the doctor to a potential problem with the kidneys.

Creatinine is a much more sensitive test of kidney dysfunction. Even small elevations of this enzyme can

indicate significant kidney problems. Because it is not affected by dietary protein, any elevation in creatinine levels should alert you to the strong possibility of underlying kidney disease.

Urinalysis Many different pieces of information can be derived from a urinalysis. One of the most important deals with kidney function – it’s called the urine specific gravity. If the kidneys are functioning properly, they either dilute or concentrate water presented to them by the bloodstream in the production of urine. If kidney function deteriorates, they are less able to produce dilute or concentrated urine, resulting in an abnormal specific gravity. As is true with blood testing, one abnormal specific gravity may be meaningless. Repeated abnormal values, combined with abnormal blood kidney testing, potentially signals a problem with the kidneys.

Diabetes While much rarer in dogs than in people, diabetes can still be a serious disease. Fortunately, it is usually easy to diagnose based on laboratory testing and clinical signs.

Two tests are commonly used to diagnose diabetes in dogs. The first is the blood glucose test. While levels of blood glucose can become elevated due to other conditions such as stress, they usually indicate a strong possibility of diabetes.

A urinalysis can also be used to diagnose diabetes. Normally, glucose does not appear in a dog’s urine. However, as the blood glucose level elevates, some of it spills into the urine.

In serious diabetic conditions (called ketoacidosis), glucose levels are very high. So are the levels of a fatty acid called ketones. Combining the results from a blood profile and urinalysis can help the doctor diagnose diabetes.

In rare cases where the results are in a gray area, another blood test measuring fructosamine can be performed.

Elevated fructosamine levels may indicate that elevated blood glucose levels are really due to diabetes, and not to any stress experienced by the dog during the office visit.

Liver function Even though many doctors incorrectly misdiagnose adrenal disease as liver disease (see next section), true liver disease is thankfully rare in most dogs. The best test for diagnosing liver disease is the ALT (alanine transaminase) test (formerly called SGPT). animal wellness

89

Many different pieces of information can be derived from a urinalysis.

When there’s any sort of trauma/infection/inflammation/ cancer in the liver, cell damage occurs and ALT leaks from the cells, causing elevated ALT levels in the blood. Small degrees of elevation can be normal, especially in older dogs (and those taking medications such as corticosteroids or phenobarbital). As is often the case with most blood tests, elevated levels do not tell us the cause of the disease, only that something is traumatizing the liver (infection, inflammation, benign or cancerous lesions, medications, etc.)

Adrenal function Overproduction of adrenal gland hormones (particularly cortisol) is one of the most common problems in older dogs. An elevated ALP (alkaline phosphatase) value commonly indicates excess cortisol in the dog’s body,

90

animal wellness

either from overactive adrenal glands or from prescription steroid medications. While ALP values can also be elevated in dogs with liver disease, it is most commonly elevated in those with adrenal disease, especially if other liver tests are normal. Unfortunately, many doctors misdiagnose dogs as having liver disease based on an elevated ALP level, when in fact they actually have adrenal disease.

This is one of the most common diagnostic mistakes I see in clinical practice, and it often results in dogs receiving unnecessary liver biopsies.

There are no conventional medications to help dogs with elevated ALP values, but many herbs and homeopathics can be used to try and slow down the development of Cushing’s disease, a condition that occurs if the adrenal glands continue to produce too much cortisol.

Regular laboratory testing is important for your dog, both to determine his normal values as well as allow early diagnosis and treatment of potentially life-threatening diseases. Keep in mind that even “abnormal” blood and urine tests can be totally “normal” for your dog. If there’s any doubt, simply repeating the test in a week or two, or getting a second opinion, can allay any concerns.

animal wellness

91

Title photo: © David Childs | www.DavidChildsPhotography.com

Maya runs free in her new fenced yard.

Chain reaction

What started as a project to honor a friend has grown into an organization that is freeing chained dogs in Oregon and beyond.

K

elly Peterson belonged to a group of eight women who met every month to catch up over dinner and wine. One rainy Memorial Day weekend, one of the group, Lynda Pilger, was tragically killed while walking her dog. Lynda was a staunch animal rights activist and had befriended Kelly years earlier at a fundraising event.

“Lynda was simply an angel on earth,” Kelly recalls. “We wanted a way to honor her.”

Kelly is Vice President of Field Services for the Humane Society of the United States. One day, she interviewed a woman who told her about a North Carolina group called The Coalition to Unchain Dogs. Its purpose is to build fences to relieve the suffering of chained dogs. “Her story literally moved me to tears,” Kelly says. “I was shocked

92

animal wellness

by Nikki Jardin

that a group of people could make so much of a change in a dog’s life.”

Along with her friends, Kelly decided to start a similar project in Portland, Oregon to honor Lynda. They called it Fences For Fido (fencesforfido.org) and chose the Memorial Day weekend in 2009 to build their first fence. Another woman in the group, Andrea Kozil, had heard about a chained dog in a nearby neighborhood, and she and Kelly decided to approach the family as their first case.

“We were just two women knocking on a door,” says Kelly. “We had no literature or anything. When Keith opened the door, we just said, ‘We know you love your dog and we’re going to build you a fence for free over

“What I really love is seeing the dog’s joy when he or she is released from the chain.”

Memorial Day weekend.’ Thankfully, he gave us a chance to prove what we could do.” Kelly contacted the North Carolina group, who sent four of their members to help build a fence for Chopper, a six-year-old Lab mix who had spent all his life on a chain. “Once that happened, everything fell into place,” says Kelly.

What started as a city-based project to honor a friend quickly became an interstate organization. Kelly and her friends initially envisioned Fences For Fido as a once-a-month project in Portland, but it quickly escalated to its current workload of four to six “builds” a month, reaching from southwest Washington to points throughout northwest Oregon. “I’m not sure we would’ve continued had we not met some of the hearts of gold that we have,” Kelly explains. “They had a higher vision and it just became unacceptable to build only one fence a month. I would have never thought we could build six fences a month without sacrificing our relationship with clients and volunteers.”

But the individuals associated with Fences For Fido turned out to be extremely dedicated. The original group of women expanded to become a devoted band of core volunteers who perform outreach to new clients, organize builds and act as crew leaders during fence construction days. Hundreds of volunteers in four chapters now build fences, free of charge, for families with dogs living on chains. To date, the group’s efforts have relieved more than 130 dogs of isolation and despair, and Fences For Fido is inspiring interest in other parts of the country as well.

Volunteers perform site visits at least twice a year to ensure fences are intact and the dogs are still unchained. Neighbors who have an interest in the welfare of a dog may check up more regularly and report to the group if there are any problems. At least one volunteer has become a “fairy godmother” to a dog in her area, stopping by regularly to bring treats. She even hired a mobile groomer for an afternoon of pampering.

Fences For Fido is 100% volunteer-driven, and monies are raised through online donations, local fundraisers and grants. Each fence costs about $850, which includes the cost of materials and a custom-built dog shelter with a shingled roof and cedar-chip bed. Spaying and neutering are also offered free of charge. In some cases, additional medical care is provided for dogs that may have never been to a vet in their lives. Each fence takes around three hours to build, with a dozen or more volunteers pounding in fence posts, tying wire and tending to the dog throughout the morning’s activity.

The rapid growth of Fences For Fido has been very gratifying for Kelly. “What I really love is seeing the dog’s joy when he or she is released from the chain. I see that dog dancing around the yard, free, and that’s how I feel inside. There is no other place I’d rather be at that moment.”

ancient wisdom modern solutions Dr. Rose’s Remedies Skin Treatment is an all-natural herbal salve that promotes rapid and complete healing of skin ailments. It can be used on a wide variety of animals including dogs, cats, and horses. ÝÛ?]YdkÛogmf\k ÛZmjfk ÛZjmak]kÛ and lacerations ÝÛ?]dhkÛkh]]\Û`]Ydaf_Ûg^Û surgical wounds ÝÛI]da]n]kÛafyÛYeeYlagfÛYf\ÛajjalYlagfÛ associated with inter-digital infection ÝI]da]n]kÛal[`qÛkcaf ÝDgaklmjar]kÛkcaf ÝKj]YlkÛjYafÛjgl ÝKj]YlkÛ`glÛkhglkÛÛ 610-558-4610 | drrosesremedies.com tony@drrosesremedies.com

Online courses for the dog owner, trainer, breeder and enthusiast.

100% ONLINE COURSES! Ý;g_ÛKjYafaf_ ÝÛÛ?gdakla[ÛD]l`g\kÛ Ý:Yfaf]ÛDYkkY_] ¬ÛI]e]\a]k ÝJ]jna[]Û;g_ ÝÛG]j^gjeYf[]Û;g_Û ÝG]lÛCgkkÛ:gmfk]ddgj :gf\alagfaf_Û¬Û Ý=alf]kkÛ¬ÛEmljalagf I]`YZadalYlagf

Certification Provided in Some Programs Many More Courses Available!

Learn from the comfort of your own home www.E-TrainingForDogs.com 970-231-9965 animal wellness

93

passages

A funeral for Fido

by Sandra Murphy

The service for Bo, a police dog killed in the line of duty, included tributes, flowers and a eulogy.

“Y

ou had him 17 years. What more do you want?”

These are the words Penny Mitchell heard when her elderly cat, Quickie, passed away.

What Penny wanted were people who understood the role Quickie played in her life, and who respected her feelings of loss and grief.

When we lose a human loved one, a funeral or memorial service gives us a chance to express and share our emotions with others. But animal lovers can be wary of sharing their feelings about the death of a dog or cat.

As Penny discovered, even friends and family can make insensitive remarks.

Even some human funeral homes are beginning to understand that animals are part of the family, and are expanding their services to include dogs and cats. They’re few and far between as yet, but it seems to be catching on in some areas. Separate rooms are set aside for animal memorial services or even full funerals. The death of a dog or cat is stressful; dealing with professionals can ease the pain and help achieve the kind of service and memories you want.

“Grief is what we feel on the inside,” Colleen says.

“Mourning is grief shown. A cemetery marker often tells only the name, date of birth and date of death. A funeral is for talking about the life lived between those dates.”

The American Pet Products Association estimates that 62% of American households have animal companions.

“The other 38% can’t relate or empathize with your loss; they just don’t get it,” says Colleen Ellis, owner of Two Hearts Pet Loss Center in Greenwood, Indiana.

So how do you invite friends and family to a funeral for a dog or cat without them thinking you’re odd? Just say something like the following: “This has been a hard time for me. It would be a big help if you could be with me when I say goodbye to Sparky. Remind me of some of the stories I told you about him.”

A new trend

Pre-planning is important

While many people create their own memorials for deceased companion animals, you now have the option of actually using the services of a funeral home for your dog or cat.

Colleen opened the first stand-alone animal funeral home in 2004. “A funeral brings closure, gives permission to grieve and offers an opportunity to remember a life well-lived,” she says. “Why not do the same for your dog or cat?”

Pre-planning eliminates the pressure to make decisions during an emotional time. Consider the following four questions.

94

animal wellness

1. Burial or cremation?

If burial is your choice, check local ordinances – some communities forbid backyard burials for health reasons.

Also keep in mind that you may move.

A pet cemetery is another option. You can choose a casket that will protect the body, or go green and select a biodegradable casket made from recycled paper products, cardboard, wicker or sea grass. “A green burial can take place without the use of formaldehyde-based embalming and concrete vaults,” says Elizabeth Fournier, owner of Cornerstone Funeral Services and Cremation in Boring, Oregon. “It’s the way funerals used to be.”

With cremation, you can choose between private (your animal only with ashes returned to you) or communal (more than one animal, no ashes returned). Consider a decorative and fashionable urn for storage.

“I have placed urns with a dog or cat’s ashes in the caskets of their human loved ones,” adds Elizabeth. “The person making the funeral arrangements for the deceased will sheepishly ask if I can do this. They’re always so surprised that it’s quite common.”

2. Viewing or memorial service?

If an animal has been euthanized at the vet’s office, or died in an accident, children may not understand. A viewing, after the dog has been bathed and groomed, may help ease the pain. “At the funeral for a Pomeranian named Miss Thing, she was in a white knit dress and looked like she was asleep,” says Elizabeth.

When an animal has been cremated, a memorial service can fulfill the same purpose as a funeral. Adults and children alike can choose photos, favorite toys or treats for the tribute table.

What happens at a funeral or memorial service is up to you. “I helped organize a tribute for a cat named Brutus,” says Elizabeth. “It included

readings from the owner’s journal and all the grandchildren sang ‘What’s New, Pussycat?’.”

3. Formal or relaxed setting?

Full honors were given to Bo, a narcotics/patrol dog with the Indianapolis Police Department killed in the line of duty. Floral arrangements, an honor guard and a eulogy made for a formal setting.

The Chief of Police spoke of Bo’s contributions to the community.

“About 100 officers and 50 people from the community attended the memorial service,” says Commander Lt. Diggs. “While losing a dog is not the same as losing a human officer, it still has an impact on the whole department. We’ve spent time training, living with and counting on these dogs. They deserve a service.”

Mike The Dog, meanwhile, had a more casual service – photos and a bowl of his favorite treats were placed alongside his urn to remind friends and family of their favorite Mike stories.

4. What about remembrances?

A plaster cast was taken of Mike The Dog’s paw print. A clipping of hair for a scrapbook or locket can also keep memories of your dog or cat close. Take photos of the tribute table. Have a guest book for visitors to sign.

Dog and cat funerals may not be for everyone. And chances are, your local funeral home doesn’t yet offer this service – but it’s worth a call and it may get the directors thinking. A funeral or memorial service is an outward sign of respect, both for your feelings and the life your friend lived. Who doesn’t deserve that, whether human or animal? animal wellness

95

Book reviews Title: Fat

Cats & Lucky Dogs

Author: Barry

Seltzer and Gerry W. Beyer

If you’ve never really thought about what would happen to your animal if you died or became seriously ill or injured, now’s the time to start. Written by lawyer Barry Seltzer and law professor Gerry W. Beyer, Fat Cats & Lucky Dogs covers everything you need to know about leaving some of your estate to your animal companion, should you die before he does.

The book opens with a discussion of the current laws that relate to providing for an animal in the event of the guardian’s illness or death. The authors tell you how to create an interim plan that will start protecting your animal now; they also provide advice on how to choose a permanent caretaker, allocate money to care for your companion, and ensure he actually receives that care. You’ll also discover how to set up a long-term care plan or a statutory pet trust, and what you need to know about pet retirement homes and sanctuaries.

Numerous appendices cover topics from pound seizure to powers of attorney, and provide you with sample pet trusts and will provisions. No matter what your age, this book is an important read if you have animal companions.

Publisher: Prism Publishing Inc.

96

animal wellness

SKIN & COAT ANTIOXIDANT JOINT & BONE PET KELP- NUTRITION BOOSTERS FOR DOGS AND CATS ÝComplete their diet ÝSupport mobility and with these minerals joint health and vitamins ÝImproved skin & coat health

Title: PetMassage

for the

Family Dog

Author: Jonathan

www.petkelp.com 707-955-5357

Rudinger

Canine massage is a wonderful way to bond with your dog and help him heal. In PetMassage for the Family Dog, the founder and director of the PetMassage Training and Research Institute, Jonathan Rudinger, shares his knowledge of canine massage so you can learn to help your own pooch at home.

The book teaches you the importance of massage and gives you the basic skills along with a complete demonstration. Jonathan tells you how massage benefits dogs and provides you with specific applications for various conditions, including spine and hip problems as well as respiratory and age-related issues. Learn various massage techniques and hand positions and try your hand at a massage session on your own dog.

Photographs featuring Jonathan’s poodle help you see the various hand positions and movements that will ensure your own canine also enjoys a healing and relaxing massage.

Publisher: PetMassage Books

animal wellness

97

If you would like to advertise in Ad Spots, please call:1-866-764-1212

UÊ ÊÌ iÊ i iwÊV > Ê*À Ìi Ã]Ê âÞ iÃÊ vÊ>Ê,>ÜÊ i>ÌÊ iÌ]ÊLÕÌÊ >`iÊvÀ Ê

i> iÀÊ* > ÌÊ*À Ìi ÃtÊÊ UÊ ii`ÊÎä¯Ê iÃÃ]Ê* V Ê1«ÊÎä¯Ê iÃÃÊ (Since 1989) 7>ÃÌi]Ê1«Ê/ ÊÎä {ä¯Ê VÀi>Ãi`Ê viÊ NATIONALLY AWARDED & ACCREDITED > `Ê i> Ì Ê Ý«iVÌ> VÞIÊÊÜ Ì Ê1«Ê/ Ê PET FOOD, SUPPLEMENTS & HEALTH nä¯Ê iÃÃÊ iV> Ê"` ÀtÊ- ÕÀViIÓääÓÊ CONSULTING SERVICE FOR CANCERS, ARTHRITIC, INFECTIOUS AND ORGAN Ê-ÌÕ`Þ°Ê Ì½ÃÊ iÊ}iÌÌ }Ê>ÊÎä¯Ê FAILURE DISEASES `Ê> `Ê6iÌÊ Ê ÃV Õ Ìt “VETERINARIAN APPROVED” UÊ Là ÕÌi ÞÊ}Õ>À> Ìii`\ÊÊ www.petfoodshop.com Ê Ì L Ì VÃ]Ê-ÌiÀ `Ê À ÜÌ Ê Healthcare: weismannutrition.com À iÃ]Ê Ãi>Ãi`Ê > ÃÊ ÀÊ NATIONAL1-800-651-0104 - >Õ} ÌiÀ ÕÃiÊ7>ÃÌiÊ>ÃÊv Õ `Ê Ê DANA PT. CA 1-949-484-4230 6 ÀÌÕ> ÞÊ Ê i>ÌÊ*iÌÊ `ð

TORN CRUCIATE

WELLNESS

ARTHRITIS HYDROTHERAPY AGING

Discover DIET CANCER T H E U LT I M AT E I N

DOG CARE

To ensure a long and happy life

www.health-for-dogs.com

Eddie’s Wheels for Pets – The Gift of Mobility is the Gift of Life • Setting a new standard in mobility carts for disabled animals.

• House-friendly, easy to use, custom built to match your pet’s disabilities.

• Warranteed for the life of the animal.

www.eddieswheels.com • 888-211-2700 The Miracle Pet Pad A Life Changing Experience!

Robert (623) 571-3865 98

animal wellness

e d Tim g e t i Lim hippin S Free

www.miraclepetpad.com

The Smiling Blue Skies ® Cancer Information Centre Home of Smiling Blue Skies® Jewelry, Ceramics, and Limited Edition Gifts We support precious pets and people!

www.smilingblueskies.com ALL proceeds to cancer treatment and research, and the building of Canada’s first cancer centre for animals, University of Guelph Pet Trust.

Two time re of the Golde cipient n Club of Can Retriever ada Kennel Trop Silmaril hy Human/Ani for the mal Bond, Recipient of the GRC BC Christopher Burton Memorial Trophy

™

Colour your pet's world with the brightest and best fruits and vegetables! ™

We support The Smiling Blue Skies® Cancer Fund

www.endlesspawsibilities.ca 250-881-5135

Mention Code: BFFAW-11 to Receive 10% OFF Entire order of $500.00 or more!

HeavenlyOrganic

TM

100% CHEMICAL FREE SHAMPOOS

PURE FOOD r PURE HEALTH r PURE LOVE

TM

CERTIFIED ORGANIC DOG TREATS

www.animalsensepetproducts.com 1 (877) 587-PETS (7387) GOBBLES_Animal Wellness Ad.indd 1

animal wellness

99

6/11/09 6:53:29 PM

Forever... your pet’s paw print discover how...

Visit our website today! Discount code: AW0909

www.PawprintsJewelry.com I]Z jai^bViZ aZVh] VXXZhhdgn [dg 9Vl\h dc i]Z <d# 9Zh^\cZY id ]daY edde WV\h!XZaa e]dcZ! `Znh VcY bdgZ#

• Traction for all dogs on

EQUINE WELLNESS

,',#)*'#%)&+

Equine

Your natural resource!

WELLNESS

IMMUNE INVASION

How to review your vaccine protocols

DATING

Getting a “FEEL” for it

GAME

Learning the native language of horses

Tips on choosing the right stallion for your mare

FACE TIME

EAPD

What do swirls tell you about your horse’s personality?

Using horse sense to help you learn about yourself

PASTURES OF PLENTY

LAUREL’S STORY

How to boost your hay-eating horse’s immune system

What you can do in the face of serious injury

KNOW YOUR

BUDDING HEALTH

H2O

Discover the healing power of plant and tree buds

September/October 2009 Display until October 13, 2009 $5.95 USA/Canada

VOLUME 4 ISSUE 5

BVYZ ^c i]Z JH6

slick surfaces • Fashionable

• Keeps paws warm • Added protection for injuries • Indoor and outdoor uses

Subscribe Today!

1-866-764-1212

EquineWellnessMagazine.com

www.EquineWellnessMagazine.com

DogtorX

™

BEFORE DOGtorX ™

DOGtor X™ helps and supports the following for dogs: 3 WEEKS AFTER DOGtorX™

BEFORE DOGtorX ™

10 DAYS AFTER DOGtorX™

100

animal wellness

• Reduces arthritis inflammation • Strengthens Tendons • Regulates Cortisol production • Regulates Insulin production • Reduces Depression and Anxiety • Soothes Hot Spots • Helps restore thinning fur • Helps boost overall immune function

www.petequinox.com 650-637-9594

ANESTHESIA

Teeth cleaning for dogs.

Also offering anesthesia-free teeth cleaning clinics in Colorado.

Vet Supervised!

Dr.Turie Norman, DVM

The Director of Well Animal Institute

303-514-0076 | www.wellanimalinstitute.com

Pets add years to our lives.

Now it’s time we add years to theirs. raw food diets • all natural dry & canned foods • natural health books supplements • organic treats • toys & much more!

For a list of all our locations and contact information visit

www.tailblazerspets.com

Franchise opportunities in Canada. Call 1-800-567-9389 or visit web page

FREE Pet Protection Charm with reading or available for purchase

Animal Communicator/Medical Intuitive • Find lost Pets • Just have a chat

520-749-4182 | Rosezellasway.com

ANIMAL WELLNES

S

y life!

For a long, health

Living pawsitive!

Toothsome

Sr ITstronge DBr teeth, TI Tips for cleane gums and fresher

WHO WON?

breath

Check out our als Amazing Anim st Photo Conte

Menopausal Mutts ncies

WINNERS!

deficie How hormonal d and can affect spaye neutered dogs

Y’S HENR g powers healin

Animal-friendly remodeling

Shedding extra pounds

N

Top SEVE ng tips dog par&enti happiness

SIMPLE SOLUTIONS

Why training go hand-in-hand

$5.95 USA/Cana

VOLUME

ADVERTISE

DISTRIBUTE MAGAZINES • SUBMIT STORIES

om

lnessMagazine.c

www.AnimalWel

feline WELLNESS

Hip, cool and healthy!

SPECIAL DENTAL ISSU E

THERAPY CA TS

CL AWS OUT! The latest on declawing

1-866-764-1212 •AnimalWellnessMagazine.com

legislation

Brushless

DENTAL PRODUC Keep her TS teeth clean the

How to help him teeth “brush” his own

da

1 11 ISSUE

A beautiful way to remember

www.mycrystalcompanion.com 732-458-8700

ESS

Enjoy knowing your Animal Completely

Animal WELLNESS

Cremains of the life you love, captured in crystal

FELINE WELLN

• Resolve behavior issues • Help with end of life decisions

My Crystal Companion

easy way

THE BEST RA W BONES FOR KITTIE S

FelineWellness .com

animal wellness

animal wellness

73

101

Classifieds Animal Communicators CAN WE TALK? Animal and Soul Communicator, Janice DeFonda says, “Yes! Bless your Hearts and Souls through the communion this connection can provide. Share your Love, laugh, cry, grow and expand the depth of your understanding with your Animal Friends.

Extend your connection with those who are in spirit and Restore Harmony and Balance through energy healing.”

Phone Consults (315) 329-0116 angelwhispurr@gmail.com www.ark-angels.org LOVING ANIMAL COACHING & CONVERSATIONS through End of Life situations, Missing Animals, Training & Unique Personal Messages just for you. Inspiring your Brilliance to Connect & Understand your animals too.

Priceless Wisdom.

Contact: Morgine morgine@tds.net (360) 247-7284 www.CommunicationsWithLove.com SUE BECKER – Interspecies Communication, Registered Practitioner of Tellington TTouch and Bach Flower Remedies.

Resolve problems and stress, improve behaviour, deepen understanding and your relationship.

Emotional healing, animals in spirit.

Consultations by phone/in person, lectures, workshops.

Call (519) 896-2600 suebecker@cyg.net www.suebecker.net JANET DOBBS – WORKSHOPS AND CONSULTATIONS. Animal communication, Animal/human Reiki. Deepening the bond between animals and humans.

For information about hosting a workshop in your area. janet@animalparadisecommunication.com, (703) 648-1866 or www.animalparadisecommunication.com SHIRLEY SCOTT - Internationally known Animal Communicator & Clairvoyant connects with your pets here or in spirit. She reads emotional/behavior/health problems, provides classes & workshops in animal communication & training. www.animaltalkhealing.com (509) 526-5020 INGRID BRAMMER – On-line classes, on-site workshops, and home study programs available that will teach you how to intuitively communicate with animals with explanation of how it is possible.

Contact Ingrid (705) 742-3297 or ibrammer@sympatico.ca or www.animalillumination.com

102

animal wellness

CAROL SCHULTZ - Animal Communicator/Interspecies Life Coach. Interactive, compassionate and insightful Consultations and Healing for all animal species.

(815) 531-2850 www.carolschultz.com Founder/Director of www.AnimalSpiritNetwork.com online learning institute, Animal Healing Arts Education and Professional Development.

BARBARA ELLIS – Would you like to enhance the harmony and understanding in your interspecies family? Questions for Nature?

Consultations are provided with – and promote – respect, wisdom, appreciation and integrity. www.interspecies-inspirations.com (541) 773-5175 ANIMAL HEALINGS – Animal communication/animal Reiki healing: all species. Thom and Jonquil help resolve behavior problems, learn about healthcare/enrichment needs, find lost pets, end of life/ grief issues.

Email & interactive sessions: (941) 321-8484, www.AnimalHealings.com

Animal Health GENEFLORA FOR PETS – Naturally Building Your Pet’s Health With Every Scoop. Recommended by Veterinarians, Groomers, Breeders and Animal Lovers Just Like You! www.Cycles-of-Life.com or call: (800) 498-6640.

CRANIMALS.COM - The benefits of cranberry and other dark berries are the antioxidant-boosting key to unlocking the full potential of your dog, cat or puppy.

Buy online www.cranimal.com/buyNow.html AZMIRA HOLISTIC ANIMAL CARE The award winning leader in Natural Foods, Supplements, Herbs, Homeopathy, Flower Essences and Organic Topicals. Since 1982.

800-497-5665 www.azmira.com WAPITI LABS INC. - offers naturally shed Elk Antler Chews and supplements containing Elk Velvet Antler.

Find us at www.wapitilabsinc.com or call 763.746.0980. Mention this ad for 10% off your order.

DR. ROSE’S REMEDIES- 100% all natural skin treatment salve and spray. Anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal; can be used for most skin conditions including hot spots. www.drrosesremedies.com (610) 558-4610

PET KELP- Nutrition Boosters for pets. Ocean kelp-based minerals and vitamins with vet recommended levels of mobility, antioxidant, or skin/ coat supplements. Nutrients they need, extras they deserve!

(707) 955-5357 info@petkelp.com

Associations CANADIAN ANIMAL MASSAGE & BODYWORKERS ASSOCIATION www.c-amba.org A growing group of qualified, complementary practitioners working to maintain the highest Standard of Ethical Practice for the benefit of and respect for the lives we impact.

INTERNATIONAL ASSN OF ANIMAL MASSAGE & BODYWORK/ ASSN OF CANINE WATER THERAPYWelcome trained practitioners of Animal Massage and Bodywork.

The IAAMB/ACWT supports and promotes the practitioners of complementary care for animals through networking, continuing education, website, online referrals, newsletters, insurance, annual educational conferences, lobbying and credentialing of schools. www.IAAMB.org

Books & Publications 1000s OF DOG BOOKS, DVDs AND TRAINING TOOLS IN STOCK - Ready to ship. Dogwise has what you want!

(800) 776-2665; www.dogwise.com

Distributors/Retailers Wanted JUST BECAUSE FOR DOGS Treats for dogs with special needs!

Overweight, Diabetic, Allergic to Wheat. All treats are made using “Human Grade” all natural ingredients. Inquiries @ www.

JustbecauseforDogs.com or call (866) 974-DOGS SOJOURNER FARMS PET PRODUCTS - Our foods offer the superior nutrition of naturally-occurring vitamins, minerals and enzymes that you can’t get from a cooked, processed pellet. No preservatives.

Nothing artificial. Just all-natural, human-quality ingredients Natural food and treats since 1985. Inquiries @ www.sojos.com or (612) 343-7262 CRANIMALS PET PRODUCTS IS EXPANDING WORLDWIDE - We need distributors and retailers (USA, Canada, UK, Japan, Australia, NZ). We offer superb sales support and generous starting specials.

Email: distributors@cranimal.com, phone: (360) 326-6446 ext 1, www.cranimal.com

BUDDY BEDS - Orthopedic Memory Foam Dog Beds. Voted “Best Pet Bed” by Pet Age Magazine. Eliminates all painful pressure points. Waterproof liner protects the memory foam. Vet Recommended. www.buddybeds.com (303) 744-0424 NORTHWEST NATURALS - #1 frozen RAW pet food – Best valaue in RAW frozen pet food – Most convenient – IW Bars and Nuggets – USDA raw materials – USDA facilities – Become a Distributor/Retailer today! www.rawnaturalpetfood.com (503) 517-9800 LEARN CANINE MASSAGEPetMassage for the Family Dog, PetMassage Art and Essence of Canine Massage, PetMassage Energy Work for Dogs, Transitions (for the aging and dying dog), Dogs Kids PetMassage (for children), Creating and Marketing Your Animal Massage Business, plus instructional DVDs by Jonathan Rudinger. www.petmassage.com, US (800) 779-1001, Canada (419) 475-3539

Flower Essence Therapy ALDARON ANIMAL ESSENCES - Bach Flower remedies for behavioral wellness. Our behavior support formulas gently, safely reduce fears and reactivity, improve stress thresholds, facilitate recovery from emotional trauma, and more.

Formula line and custom blends available. Free US shipping. www.aldaronessences.com

Healing Essences PETS HAVE EMOTIONS TOO! Canadian Forest Tree Essences offers Vibrational Tree Essences for cats, dogs, horses, alpacas and other animals… Available for vets, animal communicators, retailers and individuals.

Web: www.essences.ca, Email: cfte@essences.ca, Tel. (888) 410-4325.

Holistic Veterinarians EAST YORK ANIMAL CLINIC HOLISTIC CENTRE - Dr. Paul McCutcheon & Dr. Cindy Kneebone.

We provide a wide variety of integrative diagnostic and therapeutic methods. Please visit our website to explore our services. www.holisticpetvet.com eyac@holisticpetvet.com 416-757-3569, 805 O’Connor Drive, Toronto, ON, M4B 2S7

ESSEX ANIMAL HOSPITAL, REHAB & K9 FITNESS CENTRE – Dr. Janice Huntingford practices integrative medicine for optimal pet health.

Acupuncture, Chiropractic, Physical Rehab, Therapy pool and underwater treadmill, Alternative Medicine, Chinese Herbs, Holistic Consults.

Please visit our website and facebook page.

(519) 776-7325 Essex ON. essexanimalclinic@cogeco.net www.essexanimalhospital.ca GUELPH ANIMAL HOSPITAL Offers a full range of conventional veterinary services as well as acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, herbal and nutritional. Dr. Rob Butler is certified in veterinary acupuncture and is also trained in Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine. By integrating conventional and complementary therapies, treatments can be tailored to the individual needs and preferences of the animal and client.

Guelph Animal Hospital (519) 836-2782 www.guelphvet.com NEWKIRK FAMILY VETERINARIANS AND ALTERNATIVE CARE CENTER - Dr. Mark Newkirk, Alternative Cancer Therapies, Nutritional Supplement programs based on your own pets’ blood tests, Chiropractic, Aquapuncture, Herbal, Homeopathic, Ozone Treatments, Laser Pain Therapy, Bach Flower therapy, Applied Kinesiology, NAET (allergy elimination),. Phone consultations. www.alternativevet.com email: mnewk@aol.com phone: (609) 823-3031

Paw Protection TAMMY AND TEDDY’S BOOTIES AND MORE - Custom made boots for healthy and special needs dogs.

Highest quality available. Fit guaranteed. Hand crafted in the USA. www.tammyandteddys.com Phone number (860) 749-6552.

Pet Stores ANIMAL LOVERS PET SHOP - We provide an extensive assortment of organic, natural and holistic foods and supplements for dogs, cats, reptiles and birds as well as toys. www.animalloverspetshop.com (310) 378-3052

Pet Portraits ANNIEO’S PET PORTRAITS Specializing in oil painting for 31 years. Nationwide clientele.

Portraits of any pet of your choice.

Credit card, personal check or money order.

44 Church St., Tilton, NH 03276.

(603) 524-3778 Website: www.petportraitsbyannieo.com

Reiki HEALING WITH LOVE - NOT DRUGS - Gentle Reiki treatments for animals and their people by an Usui Master. “Amazing!”--RR, NYC. “Purrcival hasn’t been this lively in ages.”--DKA, NJ BernieLibster@ optonline.net (201) 288-8617 Distant treatments available.

REIKI FUR BABIES - One price two Reiki practitioners! Exponential healing energy! Candy hears what your animal is saying. Ming pinpoints disease and sends healing angels. Animals named it Warrior Reiki! Clients in over 20 countries. http://www.reikifurbabies.com/ testimonials

Rescues & Shelters GREY2K USA - National greyhound protection group working to end dog racing nationwide. Join our team, support us and buy fun dogthemed gifts at GREY2KUSA.org

Schools & Training COMPANION ANIMAL TOUCH & THERAPIES - Hands-on training for small animal massage therapy providers at locations in IL, WI, VA, and NC. Learn to work with animals safely, effectively, and professionally from an experienced instructor. info@companionanimaltouchandtherapies.com (847) 782-1963 (voice) www.companionanimaltouchandtherapies.com (847) 782-5725 (fax)

ANIMAL HEALING ARTS TRAINING & CERTIFICATE STUDY PROGRAMS - Animal Spirit Healing & Education® Network provides distance learning and on-site courses in Animal Communication, Shamanic Animal Healing, Animal Reiki, Grief Support Skills, Flower Essences, Aromatherapy, Species Behavior, and Holistic Animal Health.

Learn more at www.AnimalSpiritNetwork.com or contact Founder, Carol Schultz, (815) 531-2850, info@animalspiritnetwork.com THE INQUISITIVE CANINE - Fun, rewarding, interactive, training resources dedicated to empowering dog guardians with a rewarding education that will help them further develop and enhance their everyday relationships with their dogs.

Contact us http://www.inquisitivecanine.com/ or call: 805-650-8500 WALKS ‘N’ WAGS PET FIRST AID - National Leaders in Pet First Aid Certification Courses for dogs and cats. Learn preventative skills and practice emergency bandaging with live wiggly pets.

Distance Learning also available. www.walksnwags.com or 1-800-298-1152 INTEGRATED TOUCH THERAPY, INC.— Has taught animal massage to thousands of students from all over the world for over 17 years. Offering intensive, hands-on workshops.

Free brochure: 1-800-251-0007 wshaw1@bright.net www.integratedtouchtherapy.com

PETMASSAGE (FOR DOGS) TRAINING AND RESEARCH INSTITUTE- Toledo, OH USA. Learn the PetMassage Method of Canine Massage. Hands-on Foundation, Advanced and WaterWork (canine water massage) workshops, online modules for anatomy and marketing. Resource books and DVDs. Complete children’s K9 massage program for families and educators.

FREE Online newsletter. www.petmassage.com info@petmassage.com

ORDER YOUR CLASSIFIED AD

1-866-764-1212 or classified@animalwellnessmagazine.com

Animal Wellness Magazine reserves the right to refuse any advertising submitted, make stylistic changes or cancel any advertising accepted upon refund of payment made.

animal wellness

103

Events Animal Communication: The Basic Course June 11-12, 2011 Vienna, VA & Traveller’s Rest Equine Elders Sanctuary Beginning Animal Communication You will be lead through the basic steps of animal communication with guided meditations, enlightening discussions and telepathic exercises. You will build and form a foundation as you learn various ways to receive communication from animals. This 2-day workshop will give you an overview of what animal communication is and how you already communicate with your animal companions, animal friends and even wild animals.

For more information: Janet Dobbs 703-648-1866 janet@animalparadisecommunication.com www.animalparadisecommunication.com PetMassage Foundation Workshop June 12-18, 2011 Toledo, OH Foundation level workshops are professional level training.

PetMassage™ is a hands-on skill that is best learned one on one in a workshop or classroom setting. It is in workshops that students learn the specifics of animal body language, safe body mechanics, correct

application of massage techniques, benefits, contraindications,specific condition applications, legal issues, marketing, specifics of canine body language, and safe body mechanics.

Our students get the opportunity to totally immerse themselves in the world of PetMassage™ for a seven full days.

For more information: Beth Farkas 1-800-779-1001 info@petmassage.com www.petmassage.com The 2011 IAAMB/ACWT 8th Annual Conference June 24-25, 2011 Toledo, OH International Association of Animal Massage & Bodywork/ Association of Canine Water Therapy 8th Annual Educational Conference

discussion, exercises and practice, you will be led through the basic steps. Students will experience Reiki energy and learn different ways that Reiki can be used as a healing tool for both humans and animals.

Upon completion of the two-day course you will be able to do a Reiki self treatment, hands on healing for friends and family and be able to offer Reiki to your own animal companion(s), other animals and even wild animals.

For more information: Janet Dobbs 703-648-1866 janet@animalparadisecommunication.com www.animalparadisecommunication.com

For more information: Beth Farkas 1-800-903-9350 info@iaamb.org www.iaamb.org Human & Animal Reiki level One July 9-10, 2011 vienna, VA & Traveller’s Rest Equine Elders Sanctuary Animal Reiki Level One Workshop Through lecture, enlightening

Post your event online at: animalwellnessmagazine.com/events 104

animal wellness

Tail end

Bring your dog to work daY

by Lisa Mackinder

Y

ears ago, my husband worked as an account executive at an upscale advertising agency. For those who haven’t worked for or with one of these high-stressed centers of brain activity, many grant certain privileges. To see employees roller-skating down halls or partaking in ping pong tournaments raises no eyebrows.

So when a co-worker at my husband’s workplace devised “Bring Your Dog to Work Day”, it seemed run-of-the-mill.

Perhaps the originator envisioned cuddly golden retrievers and doe-eyed dachshunds visiting the office and basking in adoration.

She likely didn’t imagine a 169-pound Komondor scared out of his wits in an elevator. And, for the record, neither did we.

With the exception of pigs (another amusing tale), our dog Marley wasn’t scared of anything. He epitomized courage, approaching anyone and frequently resembling a Wal-Mart greeter. In other situations, however, Marley became a patrolman, successfully dissuading uninvited guests – like sales folks peddling knives and whatnot – from a return visit. So, considering his outgoing nature, my husband included our fellow in the office festivities.

The event began at noon. It ended at five. But the duo returned well before expected.

“What happened?” I asked, eyeing the miserable pair.

The doors slid open. There stood a graphic designer.

Considering the scenario’s irony – potential bigwig clients from New York had flown in that day – he instantly burst into laughter. And dressed to the nines, along with the company owners, the big wheels were schmoozing and rolling towards the compromised location.

“Just get him out of here,” chuckled the graphic designer.

“I’ll take care of it.”

The culprits slipped down the side stairs. From a distance, my husband saw the agency helmsman steer horrified guests from the anything-but-VIP transport.

Needless to say, “Bring Your Dog to Work Day” didn’t get a second go-round. Even if it did, Marley wouldn’t have had an opportunity to redeem himself. Because, even more ironically, just two weeks before the elevator fiasco, my husband had accepted another job and given the agency notice. The next day was his last.

Marley’s “gift” could be viewed as a parting shot. Or perhaps a satire on pomp and circumstance. I think it demonstrates life’s blessed, naturally occurring humor – often a bestowal from our furry friends. And, of course, it just makes for a comical tale.

My husband’s face conveyed a mixture of incredulity, amusement and embarrassment. With downcast eyes and droopy tail, Marley revealed only one emotion – humiliation.

The ride to work went off without a hitch, my husband explained. Nothing unusual in the parking lot either, just an abundance of people saying hello before walking into the retro brick building.

Then they proceeded into the elevator. That’s when the you-know-what hit the fan. Literally. After the doors closed, Marley came unglued. Spontaneous combustion occurred, and firing stem to stern, in the few seconds it took to ride from ground level to the third floor, our dog transformed the swanky elevator into a virtual poop deck. animal wellness

105

Take A Bite Out Of Cat And Dog Dental Troubles by: Bud Groth

Here’s an idea to chew over: You are now able to prolong your pet’s life while improving its health and breath. How? By protecting your cat or dog from oral disease.

According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show signs of oral disease by age 3. Besides causing receding gums and tooth loss, the infection may enter the bloodstream, potentially infecting the heart, liver and kidneys. “Oral disease is the most frequently diagnosed health problem for pets,” agreed Dr. Henry Childers, DVM, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

What are the symptoms indicating potential problems? Bad breath, pain around the mouth, swelling or irritation of the gums, bleeding, swelling around the jaw or nose, fever, lethargy, pain when eating, or refusal to eat.

A solution: Until recently, the only way to remove plaque and tartar has been a visit to the vet for a dental cleaning. This usually involves the use of a general anesthetic, and that can be a problem. Anesthetic reactions can cause injury and even death. Statistics indicate that over 50,000 dogs and cats die every year, and 1.3 million are injured (some permanently), just from anesthesia!

“Fortunately, we now have an additional tool in our dental tool chest,” states Dr. Joann Baldwin, DVM for 30 years at Cardinal Animal Hospital.

“Now there’s a safe and efficient way to control plaque and tartar without your pet undergoing anesthesia.”

Bud Groth is getting a licking from “Lucas,” Michael Vick’s former champion fighting dog rescued by Best Friends Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah. Lucas is licking away Groth’s tears, shed at the sight of the dog’s fighting scars. Groth loves pets and says, “Pet owners should be concerned if any pet product uses the statement ‘Not for human consumption.”’

“Safe and efective dental health products, like PetzLife Oral Care, are part of the missing link in holistic pet health care,” states Animal Doctor syndicated columnist Dr. Michael Fox. Used daily, PetzLife Oral Care spray or gel can help remove plaque and tartar, control bacteria and eliminate bad breath, and you don’t have to brush. The active ingredients are a blend of herbs and oils including grapefruit seed extract, a natural compound known for killing bacteria.

The ingredients are 100 percent natural and “human grade,” so they’re perfectly safe for dogs and cats. Over 1.5 million bottles have been sold without one injury or death, and are now available in over 10,000 retail stores and all PetSmarts and over 6,000 vet clinics.

PetzLIfe also produces @-Eaze Calming Support for Pets. When applied directly or mixed with foods or treats, @-Eaze works within minutes to help promote a restful relaxed state without causing reduced alertness. It helps relieve stress and anxiety in pets. In addition, the company also offers a complete line of shampoos, conditioners, aromatherapy mists, flea and tick repellent, de-wormer and low fat treats.

Made in USA

106

animal wellness

enter 20% code: â&#x20AC;&#x153;WELLNESSâ&#x20AC;? on the first page of the checkout or call and mention code.

100% Natural, uniquely formulated with L-Theanin a natural occurring amino acid in green tea, that helps promote a restful relaxed state without causing reduced alertness.

Relieves stress and anxiety in pets.

Made in USA

Specially formulated to peak the senses without alcohol or detergents. One spray will convince you this is the finest combination fo your special pet. Great for daily refreshing, between washings and for bedding

The Miraculous healing power of Cranberry seed oil has been added to a pet shampoo combining Honey Quat, Karate & Soy into the most luxurious Shampoo available on the market.

The Healthy, low-fat Rewards for in-between meals or training. Free of unwanted additives that strain the body.

PetzLife FIT-TREATZ Fresh Chicken Snacks, contains only high-quality ingredients that are approved for human consumtion.

Flea and Tick Repellent Protectz is an herbal product that repels fleas and other biting insects, including ticks.

Does not contain any chemicals.

This combination contains herbs that aid the body to cleanse, and demulcents to help soothe the mucous membranes, thus causing no discomfort.

animal wellness

107

108

animal wellness