Animal wellness
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HOW ACUPUNCTURE
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CAN HELP YOUR DOG
Introducing
“WHAT DOES IT MEAN?”
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ater’s wLOVELY
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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
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VOLUME 13 ISSUE 3
AnimalWellnessMagazine.com
feline wellness
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Contents June/July 2011
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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.
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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.
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Keeping your pets healthier, naturally
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52 Warm & fuzzy
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74 Talking with Dr. Marcia Martin
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80 Case study 94 Passages
Departments
96 Book reviews
8 Editorial
105 Tail end
12 Mail bag 46 Product picks
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55 Animal Wellness resource guide
78 The scoop 98 Ad spots
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102 Classifieds 104 Events calendar
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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