animal
wellness
Stockard Channing shares her heartwarming adoption story
educating�your�passion
An Wellnesimal s EXPO Rose Bowl, Discoun June 5 & 6 t coupo n INSIDE!
Puppies & Kittens Natural rearing and training tips from the experts
Planting Herbs
for you and your pets Protecting your animals from
WEST NILE VIRUS $4.95 USA/$5.95 Canada
VOLUME 6 ISSUE 3
animal wellness 1 www.AnimalWellnessMagazine.com
contents 16
features 16 Bringing up baby
Photo by: Amrit Hansmeyer
Feeding and training your puppy or kitten
22 Having a (yellow) spot of trouble?
Dogs and green lawns can go together
28
24 Making contact
How to choose and work with an animal communicator
32 Bovine Colostrum Why it’s a super supplement for all species
34 Planting an
herb garden? Don’t forget Fido, Fluffy and Polly!
40
Photo: Merry Pet House
pad of his own 28 APicking the right
Stockard Channing Heartwarming adoption stories from Stockard and others
46 Putting your horse’s best foot forward
The benefits of natural hoof care
60 West Nile virus
Is the prevention worse than the disease?
64 Does your dog
need heartworm medication? Assess his risk
69 We’ve got the power! Embracing cruelty-free products
dog house for your best friend
columns 40
10 Yakkity yak
55 Breed-specific diet
65 Book reviews
14 Talking with
56 Legal beagle
66 Animal passages
Dr. Martin Goldstein
82 The tail end
departments 6
Editorial
8
Pony express
50 What’s gnu? 51 Holistic
resource guide
63 Product picks 73 Ad spots 81 Classifieds
4
Animal Wellness Magazine (ISSN 1710-1190) is published six times a year by Redstone Media Group Inc. Publications Mail Agreement #40884047. Entire contents copyright© 2004. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted by any means, without prior written permission of the publisher. Publication date: May, 2004
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Having a (yellow)
SPOT
of trouble? by Wendy Zak Few things are more unsightly than the brown patches dog urine leaves on your lawn. You might assume that dogs and pristine carpets of grass just don’t go together, but that isn’t necessarily so. There are ways to deal with the problem. While garden centers stock many products to repair lawn damage, preventative help is sparse. An understanding of what causes those distinctive dead spots surrounded by unusually lush grass can help minimize the damage. Conventional wisdom maintains it’s the urine’s acidity that kills the grass, while more scientific thinking blames the nitrogen in
L
Nationally Recognized Veterinarian Shares His Personal Cancer Story Harry Quick, DVM
Inventor of the “90 day flea tag”
It is with great enthusiasm that I see veterinary practitioners taking great strides to accomplish what billions of dollars and years of research have failed to perfect for human medicine. Poly MVA FOR PETS is A SIMPLE TREATMENT FOR CANCER that really works and is within the reach financially for most pet owners. In the spring of 2002, I was diagnosed with terminal metastic adeno carcinoma. I am alive today as living proof that Poly MVA destroys lethal cancer cells in every organ of the body by a process called “electronic specific frequency” which changes the DNA of the anaerobic cancer cells.
NOW AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC! ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Harry L. Quick DVM practiced veterinary medicine in Suburban Chicago for thirty years. His other accomplishments were the invention of and research for the “90 day flea tag”. He was also instrumental in the development of Cycle Dog Food.
Ask your vet about Poly-MVA
www.Polymva4Pets.com
888-547-8020
22
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the urine. This explains why the die back occurs in the center of the spot, where high concentrations of nitrogen burn the grass, while around the edges of the patch, where the urine is less concentrated, the nitrogen has a fertilizing effect. Contrary to popular belief, a female dog’s urine is no worse than a male’s. The difference lies in the fact that males lift their legs and spray small amounts at a time, while females squat and empty their bladders completely. Larger quantities of urine in one place do the most damage.
Here are some ways to cut back on die back: •
Reducing your dog’s protein intake may help, but discuss any dietary changes with your vet first, to ensure you won’t be compromising her health.
•
Make sure she always has access to fresh, pure water. Drinking plenty of water is essential to her health as well as that of your lawn. You can also try adding a little extra water or veggie (not tomato) juice to her food.
•
Dietary supplements that neutralize the pH in the urine may be helpful. Be sure to choose a natural product.
•
The most effective solution is to keep your dog from eliminating on the lawn altogether. With constant supervision and some patience, it is possible to train your dog where she may or may not go. First, designate an acceptable area, ideally with a surface other than grass, such as gravel. Use a command like “go pee” to indicate the correct place and a firm “no” if she starts to go on the lawn. During the training process, always give her a treat or enthusiastic praise every time she goes in the right place. Once the habit is established, she should be able to maintain it without supervision.
•
A dog taken for regular walks will urinate less frequently at home.
•
Pour water on the grass after your dog urinates. The water will dilute the urine and eliminate the burning effect. This is especially important in the morning when your dog’s urine is most concentrated. To make the job easier, keep a hose or watering can handy so the whole family can get involved in the ‘pee patrol’!
Helping your pet enjoy a longer, healthier life
New Health Screen! Protect your loved one with a new health screen that promotes disease prevention, peak performance and optimal health. Helps pinpoint causes of some diseases. • Guide to optimal nutrition tailored to the uniqueness of your dog • Reports toxic and essential minerals • Affordable and easy-to-use Learn more about PetTest Health Screens at www.pettest.net
Serving pet lovers, breeders and veterinarians with quality Health Screens exclusively for dogs and cats
After a long night of chasing tail and heavy petting,it’s time to hit the spa
Happy Tails introduces a brand new canine spa line that is perfect for the dog-about-town. With better-than-human quality ingredients, these grooming and wellness products not only soothe and rejuvenate but also smell sinfully irresistible.
Some grass damage is inevitable if your canine friend has freedom to express herself on the lawn. However, taking these simple steps to help minimize brown spots will allow your inner gardener to live in peace with your inner dog lover! WENDY ZAK
IS A MASTER WRITER LIVING IN CALGARY,
GARDENER ALBERTA.
AND FREELANCE
To order visit us at www.HappytailsSpa.com or call 24/7 1-866-HAPPY-20 SAVE 1O% on your first internet order. Just enter code GFTSMPL2 Limit one per customer (Applies to first internet order only)
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