IVC SUMMER 2018
Innovative VETERINARY CARE
INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR PRACTICE
VOLUME 8 ISSUE 3
CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE IN FELINES WHY THIS COMMON CONDITION IN CATS RESPONDS WELL TO AN INTEGRATIVE APPROACH. – P. 38
OPTIMIZING MOBILITY IN OLDER ANIMALS
HOW ELECTRO-POLLUTION AFFECTS ANIMAL HEALTH
OSTEOPATHY FOR THE EQUINE THORAX
OMEGA FATTY ACIDS FOR DOGS AND CATS
THE IMPORTANCE OF PROBIOTICS
Alternative therapies, on their own or as part of a conventional approach, are showing success in treating megaesophagus. – P. 18
www.IVCJournal.com
SUMMER ISSUE 2018
INTEGRATIVE VETERINARY CARE JOURNAL
MEGAESOPHAGUS – IS IT A DEATH SENTENCE?
Electromagnetic radiation can have a profoundly negative impact on your patients. Here’s what you need to know. – P. 28
Omegas 3 and 6 come from both plant- and animal-based foods -- understand which ones offer optimal benefits to dogs and cats. – P. 34
Addressing the causes of mobility impairment helps us find suitable treatment options for each patient. – P. 12
Learn how this healing modality can alleviate restrictions and immobility in a horse’s thorax and beyond. – P. 44
Find out how probiotics help balance the microbiome to achieve better overall health – P. 24
IVC Summer 2018
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contents
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FEATURES
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OPTIMIZING MOBILITY IN OLDER ANIMALS
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ALTERNATIVE APPROACHES TO MEGAESOPHAGUS
By Narda G. Robinson, DO, DVM, MS, FAAMA
Integrative medicine has earned a place as firstline treatment for veterinary patients, especially older animals with pain, neurologic compromise or debilitating arthritis.
By Judith Saik, DVM, DACVP, CVA, CVCH, CVFT
Several alternative therapies are attracting attention for successfully treating megaesophagus, either as a sole therapy or part of a larger treatment approach.
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NUTRITION NOOK
PROBIOTICS, THE MISSING NUTRIENTS – PART 2 By Doug Knueven, DVM
A balanced intestinal microbiome is crucial to good health in small animals as well as humans. Probiotics can play an important role in maintaining this balance.
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ELECTRO-POLLUTION AND ANIMAL HEALTH
By Katie B. Kangas, DVM, CVA, CVCP
Studies reveal that the homeostasis within all living bodies is dramatically affected by increasing electromagnetic radiation levels, with negative consequences on health.
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OMEGA FATTY ACIDS FOR DOGS AND CATS By Jean Hofve, DVM
A comprehensive look at Omega fatty acid sources for canine and feline patients, and the pros and cons of each.
AN INTEGRATIVE APPROACH TO CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE IN CATS
By Barbara Fougere, BSc, BVMS(Hons), BHSc(Comp Med), MHSc(Herb Med), Grad Dip Vet Acup, Grad Dip VWHM, Grad Dip VCHM, CVA, CVBM, CVCP, GD Bus Mgt, Morg D&T, CMAVA, MNHAA CKD is a common but manageable condition in feline patients, and responds well to integrative medicine. Herbs and acupuncture are key therapies.
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OSTEOPATHIC APPROACH TO THE EQUINE THORAX
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GOLDEN YELLOW POWDER FOR WOUND HEALING
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HOSPICE HOME CARE PRODUCTS FOR PETS
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HERBAL SUPPORT FOR GERIATRIC ANIMALS
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INNOVATIVE PRACTICE
By Ann-Marie Hancock, MS, DVM, EDO
There are many reasons why a horse may have restrictions in his thorax. As osteopaths, we know that immobility in one area can certainly influence other regions of the body.
By Michael D. Bartholomew, DVM, MS
How Golden Yellow Powder, an herbal medicine descended from a classical Chinese formula, helped heal a traumatic degloving wound in an Australian Shepherd.
By Sara Render Hopkins, DVM, CVA, CHPV
From mobility support to hygiene to pain management, these products help improve quality of life for palliative patients at home.
By Nancy Brandt, DVM
Health issues often arise as our animal patients age. Herbs offer beneficial effects to a variety of body systems to help prevent these problems.
A SUCCESSFUL VETERINARY PRACTICE USING AN INDIGENOUS HEALER’ S APPROACH By Jaime Gonzalez, DVM, CVA and Susan Blake Gonzalez
How integrating the idea of Shamanism into veterinary practice addresses the emotional and spiritual aspects of healing.
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editorial
THEY’RE ONLY AS
OLD
AS THEY FEEL!
M
uch of this issue of IVC Journal addresses the older
For end-of-life patients, Dr. Sara Hopkins’s article focuses on the
end of the aging spectrum. It’s been my experience
growing niche of hospice and palliative care within a home-based
that incorporating an appropriate diet, supplements
setting. She introduces us to many products designed to improve
and various therapies into an animal’s daily regimen can make
a hospice pet’s quality of life, and that have proved useful with
a world of difference. Supplements such as healthy fatty acids,
her own patients.
which Dr. Jean Hofve addresses in her article, and the use of probiotics, covered by Dr. Doug Knueven, can help prevent or
Of course, this issue features other articles related to animals of
delay many discomforts of old age.
all ages. One challenge to health that greatly concerns me is the increasing level of electromagnetic radiation that our bodies, and
Although integrative practices may see fewer cats with renal
our animals’, are exposed to. Dr. Katie Kangas presents research
disease, it’s always helpful to have a variety of approaches for early
on how EMR affects cellular DNA, and how information-carrying
detection and prevention, as well as multiple treatment options, at
radio waves (ICRW) negatively affect cell membrane functions.
your fingertips. Dr. Barbara Fougere covers many of the herbs that, along with acupuncture and a good diet, have greatly extended
Dr. Judy Saik discusses the challenges of megaesophagus, and
the lives of cats and dogs. Dr. Nancy Brandt shows how herbs can
her success in treating it, while Dr. Michael Bartholomew talks
address aging problems in other body systems; more importantly,
about a unique approach to degloving injuries. Finally, Dr. Jaime
she discusses the top ten herbs for longevity and prevention of
Gonzalez and his wife take a look at Shamanism and how these
aging symptoms.
ancient worldwide healing practices may help address emotional and spiritual health in our own clinics. I firmly believe that finding
Since clients of older animals often ask for help with mobility,
joy in our day-to-day lives is important not only to us, but to our
Dr. Narda Robinson’s article looks at how acupuncture, massage,
clients, patients, and the world we live in. My wish for you this
photomedicine (i.e. therapy with laser or light-emitting diodes)
summer is that you find something new that brings joy to your life!
and botanical agents can address some of these concerns. She also reminds us to look at the whole animal; problems with mobility may actually stem from issues related to vision, hearing, obesity,
Yours in health,
poor digestion or neurology. Mobility in equines, as in other species, is related to the interconnecting fascia. Dr. Ann-Marie Hancock focuses on how restrictions in the equine thorax can create mobility problems throughout the body; and how osteopathic techniques can both diagnose and resolve apparently unrelated issues.
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IVC Summer 2018
Christina Chambreau, DVM, CVH Associate Editor, drtina@ivcjournal.com