sweaters for cats: 2011

Jazz, Mini Australian Shepherd for adoption

This is Jazz, my foster dog. (Bradley got adopted into the best family ever!)

Jazz is a 3-4 year old Miniature Australian Shepherd. I think she looks both sad and shell shocked.

Jazz is from MARS, Mini Aussie Rescue Society. It is believed that she was kenneled for so long she has lost her faith that she can have a loving family. Jazz doesn't bite or bark, but has a difficult time looking humans in the eye. She reacts equally well, which is shyly, to men & women. She is great with other dogs.

Jazz'll be with me until a retired family or someone working at home can give her the stability she needs. As her foster mom, I love her dearly, but recognize that it's hard for her to enjoy spending her days at the clinic. When I am treating a difficult or aggressive dog, Jazz can't stay in the treatment room; she thinks she's being punished when she is asked to stay in the massage room.

Let's find her a home where she'll never be alone. She'd be fine in a home with another dog or with cats. Not sure how she'd be with children. She's not an ideal dog for anyone who is not nimble because she weaves in front of her person when she walks and could easily trip them.

Jazz weighs about 35 lb and is spayed. She has a happy time swimming at WaterWorkz. She loves hiking in the woods and rolling on the ground like a little tumbleweed.

Let me (vetpollen at yahoo.com) or MARS know if you're interested in this delightful little girl.

Urinary Retention Treated with Acupuncture, Help for Cauda Equina Syndrome

What's Cauda Equina Syndrome?
The last few nerves from the spine spread like a horses tail, and are called Cauda Equina. When the caudal equina is damaged, the bladder can be lose the ability to contract so that it’s not possible to urinate voluntarily. To prevent the bladder from exploding, a catheter is inserted or the bladder is manually expressed several times a day.

Pets that can't pass urine are often euthanized
In pets, cauda equina damage that leads to inability to void often drives the pet’s family to request euthanasia. Fortunately there’s hope with acupuncture. Research published in Acupunct Medicine this September. The article is: Electro-AP improves voiding function in patients with neurogenic urinary retention secondary to cauda equina injury.

The Chinese scientists showed that acupuncture helped humans with difficulty voiding due to cauda equine. For these patients, who had not responded to medication, acupuncture was given 5 times a week for the first month then 3 times a week for 2 weeks. Researchers used electroacupuncture at BL32, BL33 and BL35. When the patients were rechecked in 6 months, and 8 of the 15 in the study had regained the ability to void and maintained it.

Would your pet benefit?
If your pet develops urinary retention due to damaged cauda equina, request acupuncture. Be willing to go for multiple treatments and perhaps you will offer your pet a 50-50 chance for improvement. When euthanasia is the alternative, try acupuncture first.

This research is available on Pub Med: PMID: 21984981.

Acupuncture Increases Glutathione

We all die one cell at a time.
Usually we think whole organs die, like the kidney, liver or brain, but what actually happens is that enough cells within an organ die that the organ cannot function so the entire organ dies. Unless there is a transplant, we mortals, and our pets, experience cell death, organ death, then whole organism death.

The fact that single cells can live or die is good
Every little thing we do to benefit a cell benefits the whole organ. The best way to benefit a cell is to prevent its DNA from being damaged by oxidation. Oxidation inexorably leads to complete cell destruction, cell malfunction or cancer. This is why eating deeply pigmented fruits & veggies that are full of anti-oxidants is important. The antioxidants naturally present in food support glutathione, which is one cellular system that prevents oxidative damage.

Acupuncture increases glutathione levels
Recent research from doctors in Brazil has shown that acupuncture also increases glutathione activity. Thirty minutes of electroacupuncture to ST 36 and CV 12 significantly increases glutathione levels within the liver & kidney. So, if your dog won’t eat its broccoli, bring it in for acupuncture support of its organs.

Would your pet benefit from increased glutathione
You bet! Glutathione is the primary intracellular antioxidant. Any pet with chronic disease is working its antioxidant system overtime to prevent free radical damage that leads to cell death. This includes pets with kidney and liver disease, as well as those with osteoarthritis. Glutatione is not available as a supplement, but some supplements such as SAMe increase glutathione levels. The difficulty with giving SAMe is that it must be done on an empty stomach. I have so much respect for folks that can get up and give their pet a pill an hour before breakfast or remember to give one late at night several hours after supper. If, like me, you can`t, then use acupuncture periodically to support your dog & cat`s glutathione levels. They will live longer for it.

More details on the research are in Pub Med: PMID: 21971660.

Acupuncture Can Help Diabetic Cats & Dogs by Clearing Lactate

According to research published by scientists from the Dept of Surgery UFC, in Brazil acupuncture at ST 36 and CV 12 improved clearing of lactate in hyperglycemic rats.

Like rats, humans, dogs, and cats also have increased lactate when they have diabetes and high blood sugar. In addition, lactate levels are increased post exercise. Elevated lactate levels can be reduced using needles inserted in CV12, which is on the tummy, and ST 36, which is below the knee. Stimulation of these points was shown to clear lactate from both the kidney and liver.

The researchers hypothetized that acupuncture stimulated liver & kidney cells to convert lactate to pyruvate more quickly than normal. Rats that did not receive acupuncture had high blood lactate levels, but treated rats showed marked decrease with 30 minutes of treatment.

In clinical practice with dogs and cats, it appears that cells often function more efficiently following acupuncture because pets have more pep. For the first day following treatment, pets often sleep very deeply, then they are full of piss & vinegar.

How can this help your pet?
If you have a diabetic cat or dog, just using two acupuncture points, we can improve the way kidney & liver cells clear waste lactate.

If you have a working dog or a pet who exercises hard, acupuncture can help clear the waste lactate that accumumulates and leads to delayed recovery. These two points, ST 36 and CV 12 have additional benefits, too, especially for the stomach and digestion. Let me or your local holistic veterinarian show you how to massage these points for your pet. You'll be able to get some of the benefit achieved with needles and you can treat your pet easily at home.

More details about the study are in Pub Med: PMID 21971657.
.

Surgery, How Acupuncture Can Help Dogs & Cats

Many families are afraid that their dogs and cats experience negative effects from anesthesia & surgery. While anesthetics and surgical procedures can be hard on pets, there is a lot we can do to help pets breeze through procedure, including acupuncture.

Recently, researchers from the Dept of Surgery UFC in Ceara, Brazil, showed that electroacupuncture of two points, ST 36 and CV 12, reduced oxidative stress in the liver & kidney of anesthetized rats. Dogs & cats are likely to have the same benefit as the rats showed.

How Acupuncture Helped Reduce Harm of Anesthesia
During surgery, the liver and kidney work very hard to change the anesthetic drugs. First, the liver metabolizes the drugs into less harmful products, then the kidneys excrete the drug metabolites in the urine. As the liver and kidney work, they build up free radicals, and the free radicals can harm the liver and kidneys. In addition to being harmed by free radicals, low blood flow through the organs of hypotensive anesthetized dogs & cats pets also increases free radicals.

What Are Free Radicals?
Free radicals are tiny electron swords that tear holes in DNA and molecules within the cell. With enough damage, the cell can no longer work, and cell by cell, the organ dies.

Controlling Free Radical Damage
The body has several mechanisms for controlling free radicals including glutathione (GSH). In this study, researchers were able to measure the activity of GSH, and of other enzymes (G6PDH). They found that the liver and kidneys of rats receiving acupuncture had reduced oxidative stress and free radical formation than rats not receiving acupuncture.

How Can You Help Your Pet?
If your pet is scheduled for anesthesia or surgery, request electroacupuncture of CV 12 & ST 36 at 10 Hz and 10 mA for 30 minutes during the surgery. Acupuncture is safe and won’t interfere with any drugs your pet is taking. The use of other acupuncture points can also help your pet experience less pain.

Research Publication
This research was published in Acta Cir Bras. 2011;26 Suppl 1:47-52. Electro-AP stimulation using different frequencies (10 and 100 Hz) changes the energy metabolism in induced hyperglycemic rats. Figueiredo LM, Silva AH, Prado Neto AX, Hissa MN, Vasconcelos PR, Guimarães SB. Dept of Surgery, UFC, Ceara, Brazil.

Diabetes, How Acupuncture Can Help Dogs & Cats

Diabetes in Dogs
Diabetes in dogs is common in the following breeds:
• Beagle
• Cairn Terrier
• Chow Chow
• Dachshund
• Doberman Pinscher
• Golden Retriever
• Keeshond
• Labrador Retriever
• Malamute
• Miniature Pinscher
• Miniature Schnauzer
• Poodle
• Rhodesian Ridgeback
• Samoyed
• Schipperke
• West Highland White (Westie)

Diabetes is most likely in middle-aged and senior dogs, especially in females that have not been spayed.

Diabetes in Cats
Diabetes is also common in cats, especially middle-aged and older cats. There is a higher incidence in neutered males, and in Burmese cats.

Acupuncture Helps Lower High Blood Sugar
Researchers in Brazil looked at whether electroacupuncture could lower high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). Electroacupuncture at St 36 and CV 12 lowers high blood sugar and lowers lactate levels. The researchers believed the decrease in lactate occurred because electroacupuncture increases rate at which lactate is converted to pyruvate. Low frequency (10 HZ) stimulation was more effective than higher frequency stimulation.

Researchers used rats for the study, but stimulation of these points is likely to cause similar response in small animals, including dogs & cats. Diabetic pets may benefit, and pets recovering from exercise or work that produces high lactate levels.

Research Publication
The research can be found in PubMed or Acta Cir Bras. 2011;26 Suppl 1:47-52. Electro-AP stimulation using different frequencies (10 and 100 Hz) changes the energy metabolism in induced hyperglycemic rats. Figueiredo LM, Silva AH, Prado Neto AX, Hissa MN, Vasconcelos PR, Guimarães SB. Dept of Surgery, UFC, Ceara, Brazil.

Holistic Help with ACL Tears, Hip Dysplasia, Arthritis, Anxiety & Aging

October Saturday Series at WaterWorkz
What are the most common pet problems? We see:
• ACL tear & knee injury
• Disc disease and back problems
• Hip dysplasia
• Arthritis
• Anxiety and
• Aging Issues

So, for our Saturday Series, we’re going to cover these topics. Come, bring your questions and let’s discuss how acupuncture, herbs, warm water therapy & massage can help dogs & cats.

We’re meeting in the WaterWorkz lobby, 3831 Still Creek Ave in Burnaby, BC.
Discussion is from 12-1 on the next three Saturdays, October 15, 22, and 29.
Everyone is welcome. Peaceful dogs always welcome; rambunctious spouses on leashes.

Helping Overweight Pets With Herbal Formulas

How to tell if your pet is overweight
One way to tell if your pet is overweight is to run your hands along its sides. If it is difficult to feel your pet’s ribs under the skin, it’s too chubby.

Reasons for being overweight
Some chubby pets have poor metabolism and others have endocrine problems such as hypothyroid disease or Cushing’s disease. Choosing the right herbal formulas can help these pets be healthier and to lose weight.

Herbal Formulas to Help Chubby Pets with Hypothyroid Disease
To help pets with hypothyroid disease, I prescribe Ba Wei Di Huang Wan, which is also called Rehmannia Eight. This wonderful formula is a basic kidney tonic that helps boost the endocrine system, relieve back pain, and treat neurologic problems due to deficiency. It is an ideal formula for a tubby older cat or dog, especially if they have arthritis and are stiff when they get up in the morning. Rehmannia Eight, along with thyroid hormone supplement helps pets lose weight and become more energetic.

Herbal Formulas to Help Chubby Pets with Cushing’s Disease
To help overweight pets with Cushing’s disease, I may prescribe Rehmannia Six (Liu Wei Di Huang Wan) or Four Marvels (Si Miao San). Rehmannia Six is ideal for older pets with dry skin, for pets who are easily chilled, or have back pain. Rehmannia Six helps pets who are restless and have trouble settling down at night, are incontinent because they drink so much water, have dry eye or dry stools (constipation).

Four Marvels (Si Miao San)
Four Marvels helps with many of the same problems that Rehmannia Six helps, but Four Marvels is more ideal for hot pets or those with inflammatory diseases. Inflammatory disease can range from one end of the pet to the other: anal sac inflammation, yeast ear infections, gut infections or inflammation ( colitis) and bladder infections (cystitis).

Herbal Formulas to Help Chubby Pets with Poor Metabolism
To help pets that are overweight because they have poor metabolism, I may prescribe Spleen Support Formula (Wei Ling Tang) or Subdue Internal Wind, which is also called Pinellia Atractylodes & Gastrodia Decoction or Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tian Ma Tang.

Spleen Support (Wei Ling Tang)
Spleen Support (Wei Ling Tang) is ideal for pets with Metabolic Syndrome, which is the tendency to gain weight and become diabetic. Spleen Support Formula also decreases spasm and helps relieve pain. It helps treat greasy or clumping hair coat and dander. It helps pets who eat grass, vomit slimy material or tend to bloat. It improves blood flow to the skin. It can help with calcium oxylates, but is not for general bladder inflammation (cystitis). Spleen Support is very warming so it is not used in animals that tend to be hot. For chubby dogs & cats who are hot and have cystitis, For Marvels (Si Miao San) is a better formula.

Subdue Internal Wind
Subdue Internal Wind (Ban Xia Bai Zhu Tiang Ma Tang) is based on herbal formulas first published in 1085 AD. It has been augmented with the addition of other herbs and is excellent for dogs with epilepsy, especially those that respond well to diet change that eliminates starches. Subdue Internal Wind also helps pets that are dizzy, sleepy, chubby, and tend to have benign growths.

Work with your holistic veterinarian to choose the right herbal formula to help your chubby cat or dog become healthy and lose weight.

Helping Pets Lose Weight

The closer our pets are to their ideal weight, the longer they live. It’s that simple.

So how do I help clients who want their pets to live longer?

1. Prescribe ideal nutrition for each pet because each breed is genetically predisposed to do best with a particular diet. A whippet shouldn’t eat what a Labrador Retriever eats; a Chihuahua shouldn’t eat what the Golden Retriever or Maltese eat.

2. Move away from kibble and toward home-cooked or raw diets. Serve foods warmed to body temperature. Increase the darkly pigmented fruits & veggies.

3. Increase the enzymes in the food and decrease the amount fed. The pet will get more nutrient in each bite, but will not have excess that packs on pounds. I prescribe RxEzymes for pets that need help with enzymes.

4. Treat pain with herbal medication to increase mobility. Nothing is better than the right herbal formula to allow a pet increased mobility. Among the herbal medications we can use for pain are Supple Spine (Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang), Benefit Hips & Knees (Xiao Chai Hu Jia Qin Jiao Tang) and Four Marvels (Si Miao San).

5. Treat arthritis that prevents pets from walking and exercising with Adequan injections. Adequan lubricates the joints. Adequan is the kiss of Yin to dry, creaking cartilage. Adequan injections don’t sting and can be done with a tiny needle so that pets aren’t painfully poked. I want them running because they feel good not because they’re afraid of the needle. Adequan is done as a series, twice a week for 3 weeks, then once a week for 4 weeks, then as needed.

6. Use Acupuncture to boost metabolism. When we want fat to melt off, we stimulate energy to flow through the body and not get stuck in the middle. Among the acupuncture points we use for tubby pets are Stomach 40 and Stomach 36.

7. Use herbal formulas to treat stagnation in the gut and tendency to develop fatty tumors (lipomas). Among the herbal formulas I prescribe for obesity due to stagnation are Wei Ling Tang and San Ren Tang.

If your pet is over weight, ask for help. Weight loss is not only possible, it can be fun for our furred family members.

Herbs Help Pets Lose Weight

I love to help pets lose weight. Dogs & Cats & Birds who are the right weight live longer, have less arthritis and joint pain, and have fewer infections than pets who are overweight.

Every chubby pet deserves a holistic veterinary consult to put them on the right path, including diet and the right Traditional Chinese herbal formula. Because obesity is such an overwhelming problem for so many pet families, let’s spend time discussing all the ways we have of helping pets lose weight. Let’s include a discussion of the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) herbal formulas that help with obesity.

We’ll cover herbal formulas that treat
• poor digestion (Spleen & Stomach disharmony),
• over eating (Stomach heat)
• poor liver and gallbladder function ( Liver qi disharmony),
• weak metabolism (Kidney Yang deficiency).

To choose the right formula, I take the whole pet into consideration so that the herbal formula that helps with weight loss addresses the pet’s underlying nature. Among the herbal formulas I prescribe for tubby pets are Miao San, San Ren Tang, Bu Gan Tang, Ba Wei Di Huang Wan.

In addition to herbs, many obese pets benefit from
• Adequan or Cartrophen injections and to relieve the pain that prevents exercising.
• Acupuncture to relieve pain and boost metabolism.
• Enymes (Rx Zyme) so that pets can be fed less and get more nutrient from the food.
• Swimming in warm salt water where the muscles can relax and work at the same time.

Disc Disease, Acupuncture Is As Effective As Surgery

When discs are suddenly herniated most dogs experience intense pain. A study published Aug 31, 2011, by doctors from the Orthopaedic Department, East Chamber, Beijing Military General Hospital, Beijing 100026, China showed that effects of acupuncture treatment were comparable to the effects of surgery.

Which Dog Breeds Are Predisposed to Develop Disc Disease?
There is a high incidence of ruptured discs in dogs with chondrodystrophy or those with long backs and short legs:
• Beagle,
• Bichon Frise,
• Chihuahua,
• Cocker Spaniel,
• Corgi,
• Dachshunds,
• Lhasa Apso,
• Miniature Poodle,
• Pembroke Welsh Corgi,
• Pekingese,
• Pomeranian,
• Pug,
• Tibetan Spaniel.

Disc Disease also occurs in large breed dogs, but is more often a slow compression of the disc than a rapid injury. Large-breed dogs prone to develop disc disease are the:
• Dalmatian,
• Doberman Pinscher,
• German Shepherd,
• Great Dane,
• Labrador Retriever,
• Rottweiler,
• Siberian Husky.

If your pet is one of these dog breeds, take steps to prevent disc disease. If disc disease occurs and you cannot afford surgery, have your holistic veterinarian treat your pet with acupuncture.

Senior Dogs & Arthritis, Roscoe the Rescued Rottie Shepherd

Roscoe has a great story. He is a geriatric 120-lb Rottie-Shepherd rescued through PAWS in Point Roberts, WA, two years ago. These last two years may have been the best in Roscoe's life; he is no longer tied up in a yardand he receives delicious food and love. But, like many seniors, he has developed mobility issues.

Proprioceptive Placing
When Roscoe first came to us, he did not know where his feet were in space. This is called proprioceptive placing (PP). With dogs like Roscoe, we can flip the feet over and they will stand on the back of the foot.

Pain Causes Stiffness
Roscoe also had pain over his hips and had stiff legs. When dogs have stiff legs, it’s because they have stopped bending their knees and ankles and elbows and wrists. Arthritic joints don't hurt when they aren’t moved, so dogs like Roscoe walk stiffly.

Metacam
To help with stiffness & pain, Roscoe's vet put him on the most commonly prescribed Canadian pain medication for arthritis, Metacam. Because Metacam doesn't improve the joints, Roscoe wasn't getting better. Fortunately, his family brought him in for holistic veterinary treatment. And, the fun started.

Holistic Vet Help for Arthritis
For dogs with severe musculoskeletal pain, there are plenty of changes we can make in diet, medications, supplements and therapy. First, we changed Roscoe’s diet to best reflect the natural German Shepherd diet, increasing the vegetables, fruit, and meat he received. We recommended increased fiber, such as cabbage. We recommended increased Omega 3 fatty acids, such as Missing Link, and recommended weight loss.

Acupuncture and Soft Laser Therapy for Arthritis
At his first visit, Roscoe received acupuncture. His back was very sensitive and only a few needles were tolerated. We used the soft laser to stimulate points that were too sensitive to needle. By the second acupuncture treatment, Roscoe was very comfortable receiving needles and soft laser therapy. We began electroacupuncture. By this time, Roscoe's proprioceptive placing had returned and he knew where his feet were in space. He was swimming with delight in the warm salt water pool.

Adequan and TCM Herbs for Arthritis and Pain
We started a series of Adequan injections. Adequan is given twice a week for 3 weeks then once a week for 4 weeks. We recommended a Traditional Chinese Herbal formula called Invigorate the Collaterals (Xiao Huo Luo Dan Wan). Invigorate the Collaterals reduces severe, persistent pain, reduces muscle spasm and helps with nerve compression and osteoarthritis, especially of the hin dlimbs. It moves, tonifies and transforms "phlegm."

Moxa for Arthritis & Pain
The family began using moxa to warm acupuncture points and extend the benefit of his treatments in clinic. Moxa is an herb rolled into a cigar shape. The herbal cigar is lit with a match and held near acupuncture points to warm them. It is also used along the back to relax the epaxial muscles.

Happy Dog
Using acupuncture, soft laser, herbs, Adequan, moxa, and therapeutic swimming, we're able to bring the joie de vivre back to Roscoe. You can see by the expression on his face that he is happy. I believe that like all rescued dogs, he is truly grateful for everything his family has done for him.

We cannot make Roscoe live forever, but we can give him an excellent quality of life for as long as he is with us.

Pain in Dogs & Cats, Knee and Back Pain

Knee and back pain are the two most common problems I see in practice. Knee pain is caused by patella luxation, ruptured cruciate ligaments, partial ACL tears, osteoarthritis. Back pain is caused by any limb injury that throws the back out of alignment, hip dysplasia, lumbosacral stenosis, and disc disease. Dogs & cats also have back and knee pain if they have bone infection, Lyme’s Disease, or joint infections.

Among the pain-relieving approaches we provide these dogs & cats are conventional medications, warm, salt water swimming, massage, herbs, and acupuncture.

Just this month, another study showing the effectiveness of electroacupuncture in relieving back and knee pain was published in Brain Research by doctors & scientists from the Center for Integrative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Maryland in the US and the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200001, P.R. China.

I use electroacupuncture (EA) on many of the painful dogs & cats. Like most acupuncturists, I’ve found that pets with chronic pain often respond best to low frequency EA (10 Hz). The benefit of low frequency electroacupuncture is what Meng, Li, Xin, et al showed in their research. They found that electroacupuncture of 10 Hz is even better than electroacupuncture at 100 Hz at producing opoids that relieve pain.

When we use electroacupuncture, we generate opoids within the dog & cat. The opoids bind receptors in the pet’s body and provide a natural pain relief. Thus, pets that cannot use NSAIDs such as Meloxicam or Rimadyl because of poor kidney function, bleeding ulcers, or because they have elevated liver enzymes can receive significant pain relief.

For details on this study, which was electronically published ahead of print publication, check Pub Med, PMID: 21872220, or go to the Aug 7, 2011, issue of Brain Research for the article:The effects of opioid receptor antagonists on electroacupuncture-produced anti-allodynia/hyperalgesia in rats with paclitaxel-evoked peripheral neuropathy. Meng X, Zhang Y, Li A, et al.

Acupuncture Treats Pain--Decrease in Neuropathic Pain with Acupuncture

There is research showing many different types of pain are helped by acupuncture, including pain that’s aching, piercing, sharp &; stingy, and deep and slow. There is also a type of irritating numbness & tingling pain called neuropathic pain that is helped by acupuncture.

A study just published by a British group suggested that neuropathic pain is improved by acupuncture. In this study, patients with neuropathic pain caused by chemotherapy were treated with acupuncture. An amazing 82% of the patients treated by acupuncture improved. Patients were treated for 6 weeks using PC 6, ST 36 or LV 3.

How is this information helpful for pet families? We can assume that pets have pain as often as humans, even though they are often better at disguising their suffering than we are. We can assume that just as humans have neuropathic pain, pets have neuropathic pain. For example, dogs &; cats with the following conditions may experience neuropathic pain:

nerve impingement,
lumbosacral stenosis,
dislocations,
diabetic neuropathy,
chronic B vitamin depletion,
small bowel intestinal overgrowth,
inflammatory bowel disease
chemotherapy
diabetes.

Because dogs and cats usually respond to acupuncture in the same way that humans do, we can hope that a high percentage of dogs and cats with neuropathic pain to benefit from acupuncture.

The study will be published this month in Acupunct Med. 2011 Sep;29(3):230-3. Evaluation of acupuncture in the management of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Donald GK, Tobin I, Stringer J. Complementary Therapy Service, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Wilmslow Road,
Manchester M20 4BX, UK; graeme.donald@christie.nhs.uk.

ACL Injury in Dogs, Treatment includes Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formula Benefit Hips & Knees

Anterior Cruciate Ligament ACL) injuries are the most common sports injury in dogs. The ligament can become weakened over time until it is completely shredded, or the ACL can have one gut-wrenching tear.
When the ACL is completely torn, dogs are toe-touching lame. The knee isn’t stable when the ACL is damaged and dogs don’t want to put their weight on the injured leg, so they just touch the foot lightly to the floor.

Because the anterior cruciate holds the upper leg bone (femur) squarely over the two lower leg bones (tibia and fibula), when the ACL is torn, the upper and lower bones slide back and forth damaging knee cartilage. White blood cells (WBCs) rush to the knee and it becomes swollen and warm. The tiny enzyme packets released by WBCs pit the cartilage and over time, the inside of the knee looks like a fireworks test kitchen.

If the ACL injury is minor, the treatment is rest and quad and biceps muscle strengthening. Swimming these dogs and slowly building muscles is ideal.

If the ACL injury is major and the ligament is completely torn, the best treatment is surgery. When the family chooses not to have surgery, some pets will also benefit from slowly swimming to build muscles around the knee and increase stability provided by external structures.

Dogs with ACL injury also benefit from a series of Adequan injections and from the herbal formula Benefit Hips & Knees( Xiao Chai Hu Jia Qin Jiao Tang). Benefit Hips & Knees has been used since the time of Christ, that is 2000 years because it is so effective.

In addition to helping dogs with ACL injury, Benefit Hips & Knees helps dogs with
• Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD)
• Hip dysplasia
• Hind limb paralysis due to disc disease.

Benefit Hips & Knees contains bupleurum root, Chinese red ginseng, gentian root, skullcap root, pinellia, licorice root, dried ginger and red jujube fruit. This combination of herbs expels pathogens, stops nausea and vomiting, generate Chi to give the limbs more strength.

If your pet has an ACL injury, bring it into WaterWorkz for swimming, Adequan, and Benefit Hips & Knees. When your dog is so sore it walks with toe-touch lameness, it will appreciate everything you do for it.

Dogs & Cats Get Herbal Help with Four Marvels

In a previous Caring for Pets discussion, we looked at all the bone & joint & muscle conditions that benefit from Four Marvels, from arthritis to gout, and now, let’s consider all the other pet illness that Four Marvels will help.

Four Marvels helps pets with
• anal sac infection
• bladder problems & cystitis
• chronic ear infections (fungal otitis externa)
• chronic skin infections from allergic dermatitis to pyoderma
• Cushing’s disease due to pituitary tumor (not adrenal)
• degenerative myelopathy
• epilepsy
• foot infections or pododermatitis
• IBD and colitis
• immune thrombocytopenia
• lymphoma
• pancreatitis
• vestibular syndrome
• vomiting
• weakness

The brain can benefit from Four Marvels just as the body can. Pets with behavorial problems that benefit from Four Marvels are
• aggressive when confined
• characteristically bullies

Pets benefit from Four Marvels whenever the illness or mental problem is characterized by heat and moisture. In TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), moisture can range from tissues in the body being too wet and sticky (damp) to tissues having been thick and sticky for so long that they solidify (phlegm). Thus in TCM, a pet has a problem with moisture (damp or phlegm) if it has lipomas, round abdomen, masses, bladder crystals or stones,

Pets also benefit from Four Marvels whenever the illness is characterized by heat: red, warm swollen, hot, or stinky.

Some pets have only heat conditions; some, only damp conditions, but when pets have both heat and damp conditions is when they really benefit from Four Marvels.

Where in the body your pet develops heat & damp depends upon genetics, diet, & environmental exposures. For esample, if your dog or cat doesn’t drink enough water, the heat & damp is seen in bladder infections or bladder stones. If your pet has a genetic tendency to develop skin disease, such as Schnauzers & Spaniels do, we see seborrhea. In the bully breeds, including Old English Bulldogs and Staffys, we see skin fold infections (pyodermatitis) and feet infections (pododermatitis).

Ask your holistic veterinarian for herbal help if your pet has any heat/damp condition and it will be able to benefit from thousands of years of research and experimentation in herbal medicine.

Dog Lameness, Herbal Help with Four Marvels

Four Marvels is the most commonly prescribed herbal formula for pets with all sorts of health problems, including lameness. Four Marvels has been around for over a thousand years because it treats so many conditions.

Examples of pain and lameness conditions benefiting from Four Marvels:
• arthritis
• gout
• infected joints
• knee pain
• leg pain
• low back pain
• muscle spasm
• numbness
• swollen feet
• weak limbs with muscle atrophy

Although Four Marvels is available from many sources, I use only Chinese medications that have met North American good manufacturing practice standards. Two trusted companies providing Four Marvels are Kan Herb in California and Natural Path in Edmonton. The herb is available as tablet, liquid and powder. What a blessing.

In a future Caring for Pets blog, we’ll discuss many other pet conditions that can be helped with Four Marvels.

Lameness in Dogs due to Lyme Disease

What signs of illness in your dog suggest Lyme disease? LAMENESS, and fatigue, fever, and swollen lymph nodes. Humans report headaches, dizziness, numbness, muscle and joint pain, and it’s likely that dogs also have these symptoms. If your dog has nonspecific lameness that doesn’t improve with rest, ask your holistic veterinarian for doxycycline and herbs to boost the immune system.

Lyme disease is carried by ticks and is spread when the ticks’ mouth parts penetrate the dog’s skin. Ticks attach to dogs to suck their blood and obtain the nourishment they need to mature to nymphs and adults.

After attaching to the dog’s skin, ticks release anticoagulant secretions from their mouths that keep the dog’s blood flowing. Along with these secretions come tiny little bacteria, Borrelia burgdorferi, that cause the disease we call Lyme’s disease.

We can prevent the spread of Lyme disease by removing ticks before they have time to attach strongly to our dogs, that is within 12 hours. We can use topical medications, such as Frontline or Advantix, to repel or kill ticks and prevent disease transmission.

If the tick attaches and transmits Lyme bacteria during its feeding period, some dogs have effective immune system that attack and eliminate the bacteria, but many dog’s have immune systems that are easily fooled by the bacteria. Borrelia has a sneaky method of evading the immune system—it hides within white blood cells, the very cells that the immune system uses to kill the bacteria. The unsuspecting white blood cells transport the bacteria throughout the body, and the bacteria flourish when they are transported to joints or to the brain and nervous system.

Fortunately, there is a treatment for Lyme disease, the antibiotic doxycycline. Doxy is given twice a day for up to 3 weeks. Pets taking an antibiotic like Doxy should also take a probiotic to replace the good bacteria in the gut that are inadvertently killed. The beneficial gut bacteria help make vitamins and fatty acids; if they’re wiped out by the nonspecific killing action of the antibiotic, pets are at risk for developing chronic diarrhoea and malnutrition.

How do we know if a pet has Lyme disease, because dogs can be lame for many reasons--get a blood test. Recently, improved tests to identify Lyme infection were developed by Cornell University Animal Health Diagnostic Center (AHDC) at the College of Vet Medicine. The new test helps clarify whether an animal is infected, and if so, for how long it has been infected. The test can also distinguish between an infected animal and an animal that has antibodies to Lyme disease because it was vaccinated. Veterinarians can send serum or cerebral spinal fluid for testing to AHDC. http://ahdc.vet.cornell.edu or phone, 607 253 3900.

When I treat dogs with Lyme disease, I use Benefit Hips & Knees (Xiao Chai Hu Tang) from Kan Herbs or Open the Liver Channels, which is Xiao Chai Hu Tang with Turmeric. These herbal formulas help the immune system, give the pet more energy, and strengthen the liver & adrenals. Pets with deep-seated pathogens like Lyme disease strongly benefit from Xiao Chai Hu Tang in either formula.

Our pets have the best opportunity for healing when we combine both conventional medicine’s antibiotic and holistic medicine’s herbal formulas. Why have a pet needs that is lame, has headaches, and feels poorly when there are effective antibiotics and herbs available.

Dog Breeds With Lower Than Normal Cancer Rates

Each dog breed has its own rewards and the following dogs have something special, less cancer than the average breed. If you've been heartbroken by having dogs die of lymphoma, sarcomas, or other cancers, consider having one of the following as your next pet.

Even with one of these dogs, you’ll want to feed your dog as close to the genetically natural diet as possible, avoid toxins, limit vaccines, maintain a good weight, and have fun every day.

Akitas

Bichon Frise

Bloodhounds

Bullmastiffs

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels

Chesapeake Bay Retriever

Chihuahua

Great Pyrenees

Mastiffs

Miniature Pinschers

Newfoundlands

Papillions

Pekingese

Pomeranians

Saint Bernards

Dog Breeds with Higher than Normal Cancer Rates

It's heartbreaking when our dogs develop cancer, and for pet families with one of the following breeds the incidence of cancer is higher than normal. If you have a dog that is genetically predisposed to develop cancer, work with your holistic veterinarian to decrease the liklihood cancer will develop.

Beagles

Boxers

Cocker Spaniels

Doberman Pinschers

German Shepherds

Golden Retrievers

Miniature Schnauzers

Poodles

Rottweilers

Shetland Sheepdogs

Shih Tzus

Saving Money at the Vets

I love rescue associations.
From the Burnaby Humane Society to RAPS in Richmond, PAWS in Point Roberts, and Turtle Creek, we are blessed with organizations that provide care for unwanted pets. Unfortunately, many rescues are overflowing. This occurs more often when the economy is not robust and for many Canadian and American families, that’s the case.

What we’re going to do this Saturday at WaterWorkz is discuss saving money on veterinary bills. We want to help pet families be able to provide great care for their dogs and cats without busting the bank.

Saving money on vet bills is the last presentation in our Summer Saturday Series. Come have this discussion with us so that you never need to relinquish your pet for financial reasons. Everyone is welcome.

We meet from 12 am – 1 pm
Waterworkz facility
3831 Still Creek Ave
Burnaby, BC
Call for more info: 604 435 0002

How to Save Money at Veterinary Clinics

You love your pet; it's part of your family, and you want to provide it with good medical care but you have a limited amount of money. How can you spend that money wisely. That's what we're going to discuss in the last of our WaterWorkz Summer Saturday Series, How to Save Money at the Vets.

Join us and discuss saving money on vaccines, blood tests, titers, special diets, prescription medication, and dental care. Learn what’s necessary now and what you can put off for the future. There are times you'll want to spend money to avoid bigger costs in the future, and other times when your money should stay in your wallet.

Pets always cost money, but lets discuss spending money on the things that matter and avoiding unnecessary expenses. Everyone is welcome!

We meet from 12 am – 1 pm
Waterworkz facility
3831 Still Creek Ave
Burnaby, BC
604 435 0002

Signs of Pain in Dogs & Cats

When dogs and cats are painful, their behaviour changes. If you see any of the following ten signs, get help for your pet:

1. Loss of appetite. Any pet that won’t eat has a problem.

2. Inability to sleep. Any pet that won’t sleep has a problem.

3. Circling many times before lying down. A joint that does not move doesn’t hurt. In order to lie down, the joint must bend and this flexion is painful for pets with arthritis. Often, pets with severe arthritis choose to fall down rather than squat before lying down. These pets need help.

4. Unusual posture, such as sitting with legs extended. You’ll see dogs sit with their hind legs straight out when they have knee problems, such as patella luxation or ruptured ACL. Cats can sit like this, too. Pets that sit with their rear legs extended often limp. They need help.

5. Licking or rubbing an area. Pets that are anxious or in pain often lick or rub an area, in the same way a baby sucks its thumb. Pets lick because repetitive licking releases endorphins, which will ease both pain and anxiety. If your pet is anxious, use DAP pheromone for dogs and Feliway pheromone for cats. If your pet is in pain, get help from your holistic veterinarian.

6. Limping or not bearing full weight on a limb. Easy to see if your pet walks in the sand. Also easy to see if the body lists to one side or the other.

7. Won’t play with toys. Pets in pain lose interest in even their favourite toys. If you have to beg your pet to play, look for a problem.

8. Gaining weight due to inactivity. Pets that hurt don’t enjoy exercise. Nothing’s worse than being a pet and not wanting to move. For many dogs & cats so painful they don’t want to move, floating in warm salt water and treating with Adequan can help restore activity.

9. Ratty appearance. Pets with sore backs can’t bend and groom themselves. If your pet’s coat is unkempt, it may have back pain.

10. Change in temperament. Pets that become grumpy or asocial are may be in pain. We often see this in senior pets that have always been good with kids but now snap at them when the kids bump into them or try to pet them.

Dog Food, Which Dogs Naturally Eat Fish?

Omega 3 Fatty Acids are essential for dogs and cats to develop normally. Omega 3s promote smarter, healthier pets, with shiny coats, healthy stools, good joints. The two common sources of Omega 3 fatty acids are fish and flax.

For all those dogs that evolved eating fish, it’s ideal for them to have fish. Feed these dogs sardines, salmon, and sea food when possible. Or, supplement with Nordic Natural’s Omega 3 Pet or Cod Liver Oil. If you want the best fish oil for your pet, hands down, it’s Nordic Naturals.

Dog breeds that evolved eating fish:
Akita
Alaskan Malamute
American Eskimo
American Staffordshire Terrier
American Pit Bull Terrier
American Water Spaniel
Bedlington Terrier
Belgian Malinois
Bichon
Bloodhound
Border Collie
Boston Terrier
Bouvier
Briard
Brittany Spaniel TROUT
Cairn Terrier
Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Chinese Crested
Coton de Tulear
Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Flat-coated Retriever
German Shorthaired Pointer
German Wirehaired Pointer FRESH
Glen of Imaal Terrier
Ibizian Hound
Irish Terrier
Irish Water Spaniel FRESH
Irish Greyhound
Japanese Chin
Keeshond
Kerry Blue terrier
Labrador Retriever
Lakeland Terrier
Lhasa Apso
Maltese
Newfoundland
Norwegian Elkhound
Norwich Terrier
Nova Scotia Duck Toller
Otterhound
Pekingese
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Pharaoh Hound
Pointer
Pomeranian
Miniature Poodle
Standard Poodle
Toy Poodle
Portuguese Water Dog
Samoyed
Schipperke
Shetland Sheepdog
Shiba Inu
Siberian Husky
Silky Terrier
Skye Terrier
Swedish Vallhund
Welsh Terrier
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

Dog Food, Which Dogs Don't Naturally Eat Fish?

It’s common for us to have fruits, veggies, meat, and fish from all different corners of the world. We get kangaroo in Canada, ostrich in Ontario, avocados to the Artic Circle, but we did not evolve eating such a wide variety of foods.

For thousands of years, hundreds of generations, we and our canine and feline companions have only eaten what was available locally. We evolved and thrived on local cuisine. Thus, some of us and our dogs & cats evolved eating fish and some did not.

The following is a list of dogs that evolved in regions where they would not have been routinely fed fish. If your dog’s breed is on this list, it may be more natural for your pet to have flax as a source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids than to eat fish. If so, Missing Link is an excellent source of flax for cats and dogs. If your dog is on this list and you'd like Missing Link, come see us at WaterWorkz. We carry both the Puppy and the Missing Link Plus Professional Strength with 1000 mg glucosamine per tablespoon.

Dogs that did not evolve eating fish:
Affenpinscher
American Cocker Spaniel
American Foxhound
Australian Cattle Dog
Australian Terrier
Basenji
Basset Hound
Beagle
Bearded Collie
Belgian Sheepdog
Belgian Tervuren
Bernese Mountain Dog
Black and Tan Coonhound
Border Terrier
Borzoi
Boxer
Bull Terrier
Bull Mastiff
Chinese Shar-Pei
Chow Chow
Clumber Spaniel
Collie
Dachshund?
Doberman
English Cocker Spaniel
English Foxhound
English Setter
English Toy Spaniel
Fox Terrier
German Shepherd
Golden Retriever
Great Dane
Greater Swiss Mountain
Harrier
Irish Setter
Irish Wolfhound
Komondor
Kuvasz
Miniature Pinscher
Miniature Schnauzer
Norfolk Terrier
Old English Sheep Dog
Papillon
Pug
Rottweiler
Sealyham Terrier
Sussex Spaniel
Tibetan Spaniel
Tibetan Mastiff
Tibetan Terrier
Weimaraner
Vizsla??
Welsh Springer Spaniel
Whippet
Yorkshire Terrier

Dog Nutrition. What should your dog eat? Consider its genetics!

We’ve all got special ways of spoiling our pets--toys, treats, going to the park, splurging for the raincoat or kitty stroller. Most of us have got the love & play corners covered. But, are we also gving our pets the best nutrition they could have? Nutrition is important not just because it’s a pet’s first interest but because food strongly influences health. Here are my recommendations for providing excellent dog nutrition.

Consider genetics
Not all dogs should eat fish. Not all dogs should eat beef. Not all dogs can eat grains. How do you know what’s best for our dog? Start answering that question by considering what your pet’s ancestors ate. Our pets’ ancestors didn’t have foods shipped in from around the world, they thrived by eating what was available locally. For the hundreds of years over which they developed, our pets’ ancestors ate locally. This type of food is what our pets should still be consuming.

Let’s have some examples:
Tibetan Spaniels
Tibbies evolved eating rice, barley, sweet potatoes, soy, and tubers. They had little beef or fish, and no tomatoes.

Chihuahuas
Chihuahuas evolved eating tomatoes, avocadoes, pork & poultry.

Border Collies
The Border Collie evolved eating wheat, corn, lamb, fish & poultry, but no avocadoes or tomatoes.

Australian Shepherds
Aussies evolved in Western US from Spanish herding stock. They ate beef & lamb, but not much fish.

Staffordshire Terrier
The Staffy or Bit Pull, which was bred in Florida ate a high fiber diet of corn, beef, poultry and some fish. They usually tolerate citrus fruits better than Samoyeds and Northern breeds.

Yorkshire Terriers
Yorkies evolved eating beef, wheat, rye & barley. No salmon, corn or soy.

Golden Retrievers
Goldens evolved eating, you guessed it, fish. They also ate wheat, corn, poultry, but only small amounts of beef.

Labrador Retrievers
Labs evolved eating fish, poultry, lamb and vegetables, but only a little beef.

After considering what a pet’s ancestors ate, consider your pet’s medical needs. For example, if your pet has arthritis, it shouldn’t eat potatoes, egg plant or tomatoes. That’s because these vegetables are in the Solinaceae family which predispose pets (and humans) to arthritis. Thus a Chihuahua with arthritis should not be given tomatoes even if that was a common food for its ancestors. Labs with arthritis shouldn’t have duck & potato diets. The Golden, Border Collie, and Aussie with arthritis shouldn’t have potatoes.

Want to learn more?
We’re discussing nutrition in depth this week at the WaterWorkz Summer Series. Every Saturday we cover different topics, and we’ve been asked to repeat the discussion on nutrition, so that’s what we’ll do this week. Come and discuss what food and supplements your pet should have. Bring what you’re feeding and we’ll evaluate it for the ability to nourish your particular pet.

Everyone welcome!
Saturday August 13 from noon to 1 pm
WaterWorkz
3831 Still Creek Ave, Burnaby, BC
Call for more information: 604 435 0022

Pet Euthanasia, When it’s time to let go

I am so sorry when pets are suffering. It is heartbreaking to realize that a situation develops over which we are powerless. We may be powerless because the pet’s illness is untreatable; other times, we’re powerless because we do not have the money to pay for treatment. Yes, there are times when money makes a significant difference in a pet’s health, but often no amount of money will change the outcome.

Whenever we’re feeling powerless it helps to remember that our pets have chosen to belong to us. They would rather belong us and have us love them than to belong to the richest person in the world.

As a holistic vet, I often get letters from folks whose pets are critically ill. The pet’s family finds it difficult to think clearly and make the right decisions. The same thing happens to me when my pets are critically ill. What helps me is to view the pet’s circumstances as nature would view it. In nature, pets that are not mobile, or cannot feed themselves, cannot defecate, cannot clear waste from their blood, or cannot interact with other creatures, are quickly eliminated. Because creatures with chronic illness did not survive, our pets have not evolved with skills to help them cope with chronic illness.

As I`ve watched dogs & cats & birds, most of them have been anxious and ill at ease when chronically ill. This is unlike humans, and perhaps elephants and whales, who have developed strategies for chronic illness. We have evolved to care for and to be cared for when chronically ill. Pets have not evolved with this approach and are often distraught when they cannot move about or care for themselves. Nature would not have allowed them to get to the point where they experience long periods of distraught helplessness. They would have been eaten or would have died quickly from their illness.

Fortunately, we can be kinder to our pets than nature would be by choosing to euthanize in a humane manner. From my experience with euthanasia, pets feel immense relief at being allowed to pass from this earth when they are ill. Euthanasia is often the kindest step we can take for the chronically ill pet that is in pain and there is no significant, enduring method of relieving their pain.

All holistic veterinarians are saddened by pain & suffering, but we are comforted by the ability we have to end a dog or cat’s suffering in a manner that honors them.

Cat Vital Signs, What’s the normal feline heart beat, respiration & temperature?

Normal Vital Signs for Cats
• Cat respiration: 20-30 breaths per minute
• Cat heart rate:130-240 beats per minute
• Normal cat body temperature Fahrenheit: 99.5-102.5
• Normal cat body temperature Celsius: 37–39.2
• Skin turgor: skin springs back from a pinch in less than 2 seconds
• Capillary refill time: Press on the gums and they turn white. Normal color returns to the gums in less than 2 seconds.

Cats are smaller than dogs and have faster metabolism than dogs so the cat’s vital signs will always be faster than a dog’s. That’s because smaller creatures have higher metabolic rate and burn energy faster than larger creatures. The smaller the creature, the more surface area it has and the more heat it loses through the skin. So, the smaller the creature, the faster it loses heat and the faster its cells work to burn fuel. Thus, the faster heart beat and faster respiration in cats than dogs.

Kittens have faster metabolism than adults; thus, kittens’ hearts beat faster and they breathe faster than adult cats do.

Even though cats have hearts that beat more often than those of dogs, and cats take more breaths per minute than dogs do, cats bodies don’t wear out as fast as dogs’ bodies do. Cats live many years longer than dogs do, and housecats can live into their twenties. Feral cats don’t fare as well, and most die before they are 10 years old.

Dog Normal Vital Signs, What’s the normal canine heart beat, respiration & temperature?

Ever wonder what's a normal heart beat for your dog or how fast it should breathe? Well, there's a wide range of normals so it's best if you get familiar with how your dog's heart usually beats, and how your dog usually breathes. Then, you'll know if there is a problem. Below is a list of normals. If your dog isn't in the normal range, let your veterinarian know.

Normal Canine Vital Signs
• Large dog respiration: 10-34 breaths per minute
• Small dog respiration: 20-30 breaths per minute
• Large dog heart rate: 60-110 beats per minute
• Small dog heart rate 100-140 beats per minute
• Normal dog body temperature Celsius: 37–39.2
• Normal dog body temperature Fahrenheit: 99.5-102.5
• Skin turgor: skin springs back from a pinch in less than 2 seconds
• Capillary refill time: Press on the gums and they turn white. Normal color returns to the gums in less than 2 seconds.

There is variability in how fast a normal heart will beat and how fast a normal dog will breathe. The smaller the dog, the faster it will breathe and the faster its heart will normally beat. So, Yorkshire Terriers and Maltese have hearts that normally beat faster than the hearts of Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers.

The same is true for respirations: Yorkies and Maltese normally take more breaths per minute that Labs and Goldens.

Puppies have faster metabolism than adults; thus, puppies’ hearts beat faster and they breathe faster than adult dogs do.

Even though little dogs take more breaths and have hearts that beat more often than large dogs, the little dogs live years longer. Amazing.

Pet Emergencies, When Do You Need To Go To the Vet Immediately?

Emergency or Not?
When do you need to take your pet to the veterinarian immediately for emergency care, and when can you treat your pet at home? Our discussion this Saturday, April 13, at noon, covers this vital topic.

We'll discuss what’s an emergency, and what isn’t. We’ll review normal vital signs for dogs & cats and how to tell if your pet’s heart is circulating blood efficiently.

There is a handout listing medications to have on hand for emergencies. The handout also contains suggestions for meds to use to prevent problems from becoming emergencies. Many of the medications are non-prescription items you can pick up without a prescription.

Everyone is welcome. We meet in the comfortable WaterWorkz lobby at 3831 Still Creek Avenue, Burnaby, BC from 12 – 1 pm. Phone if you’d like more information: 604 435 0002.

Last week, WaterWorkz was full to bursting with folks interested in the presentation on TTouch. We look forward to having you all for this vital information.

Allergic Dogs, Diets for Dogs, Tomatoes & Pork

This Pork & Tomatoes diet was formulated by Dr. Ihor Basko and is taken from his book, Fresh Food & Ancient Wisdom.
Don’t use the Pork & Tomatoes diet if your pet is allergic to tomatoes, pork or milk. It is not a complete diet and should be used for 6 weeks max.

Pork & Tomatoes
• 3 cups cubed pork , rump or shoulder roast
• 1 cup canned tomatoes, (drained & rinsed)
• ½ cup celery
• 3 cups cooked barley or millet
• 4 tab olive oil
• 1 tab parmesan cheese

Stir fry the pork in olive oil for a few minutes then add celery and broccoli for another 10 minutes. Add tomatoes and simmer for 10 minutes. Mix in grain, sprinkle with cheese, cover and cool to body temperature (98 F or 37 C) and enjoy. This provides 4-6 meals for a 10 kg dog.

Dr. Basko's book contains dozens of recipes that are so good it makes us want to eat what our dogs eat. He also writes about Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and how we can use herbs and food to help dogs with allergies and other chronic health problems.

If your pet is allergic or has chronic health problems, use Dr. Basko’s book, Fresh Food & Ancient Wisdom for guidance. Then, work with your holistic veterinarian to fine tune your pet’s diet.

Dog Allergies, Diets for Dogs, Sardines & Tofu

Allergic dogs need special diets, and here's one to consider:
Tofu & Sardine Diet
This diet was formulated by Dr. Ihor Basko and is taken from his book, Fresh Food & Ancient Wisdom.

Don’t use this Tofu & Sardine Diet if your pet is allergic to soy or fish. It is not a complete diet and should be used for 6 weeks max.
• ½ cup firm tofu (minced)
• ½ cup zucchini (cubed)
• 1/2c cup cooked barley or white rice
• 1 tsp sesame seed oil
• 2 tab ripe avocado
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1 tsp parmesan cheese
• ½ cup sardines (in olive oil or water)

Stir fry the zucchini in sesame and olive oil for few minutes. Add tofu and continue stir fry for 5 minutes. Add rice, barley, avocado and parmesian cheese. Continue cooking for 5 min. Remove from heat and cool. When body temperature (40 C), stir in sardines and serve. Makes two meals for 10 kg (25 lb) dog.

Dr. Basko's book is full of useful recipes and information on using Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to help dogs with allergies and other chronic health problems.

If your pet is allergic, ask your holistic veterinarian for help with diet and herb recommendations.

Behaviour Problems in Dogs & Cats, Changing Behaviour with Diet & Training

Behaviour problems ruin more good human-pet interactions than any other problem. Among the most common problems are barking, separation anxiety, jumping up, challenging other dogs, & biting. Fortunately, we can take steps that change our pet’s behaviour.

1. Feed appropriately. When pets are aggressive, cut back on the carnitine and chromium in their diet. I find carnitine and chromium make pets “hotter” and more reactive. Carnitine and chromium are often included in supplements. Fruit (cubes of watermelon, a blueberry) are often better than supplement pack full of proteins and minerals that are not given in the way nature intended.

2. Decrease protein and increase complex carbohydrates such as pumpkin and sweet potatoes. There’s a craze now about high protein diets. For some dogs, proteins at 25-33% are ideal.

3. Feed a natural diet for your pet’s genetics. For example, Yorkshire Terriers, German Shepherds and Rottweilers did not evolve eating ocean fish and should be given meat based rather than salmon-based diets. In contrast, Labrador Retrievers evolved eating fish and a natural diet for Labs should include fish. Supplements for the Lab could include fish oil, but use ground flax supplements for Rotties, Shepherds and Yorkies.

4. Train pets with a quiet, calm (almost a whispering) voice so they strain to hear your words. This is very difficult to do when we’re upset with something a pet has done and want to explode, but the reason we have the pets we have is to learn something. When a pet is driving us nuts, one of things we’re to learn is how to remain calm. When we can talk to our pets with a whisper and they strain to listen, they’ll stop engaging in rambunctious behaviour just so they don’t miss what we’re trying to communicate.

5. Reward desired as though there is no tomorrow. Give great treats, great praise, great play sessions.

6. Ignore unwanted behaviour. If we don’t like what just happened (jumping, barking), that’s the time to turn and walk away.

7. Exercise even more than you ever thought necessary. Make sure your pet is always one step in front, though, rather than dragging behind. Stop and reassess whenever your dog is not walking alongside or a little in front. Dogs that walk behind often have lameness issues. Please do not ask lame dogs to run behind a bike or jog down the street until you put a rock in your shoe and become as lame as the dog. Then, you’ll walk at the right pace for the dog.

8. Keep pets busy with mind games. Cats & dogs love thinking, so challenge them.

9. Treat any medical problems that prevent our pets from expressing the joie de vive that comes so naturally to them.

10. Use Tellington TTouch techniques to create an aura of good energy between pets & humans. To catch up on the latest in TTouch, come to the Saturday Session at WaterWorkz, July 30. There will be an in-depth discussion by Catherine Stewart of the ways to massage, exercise and work with your pet so that it behaves to its full potential. Everyone’s welcome.

Tellington Touch TTouch at WaterWorkz Saturday Summer Series

The WaterWorkz Summer Series has Catherine Stewart discussing Tellington Touch (TTouch) this Saturday at noon.

Catherine has done amazing work on rescue dogs and pets, so you'll want to hear her stories. She'll cover TTouch bodywork, groundwork and special tools for your dog!

Everyone is welcome noon, July 30 at WaterWorkz.
3831 Still Creek Ave, Burnaby, BC
Call if you've any questions: 604 435 0002.

Dr. Pollen & Tanya are looking forward to welcoming you all!

WaterWorkz Saturday Summer Series, Benefits of Warm Water Swimmng

The WaterWorkz Saturday Summer Series has Tanya on board this Saturday, July 23. She'll discuss all the benefits dogs experience floating and swimming in warm salt water. You'll learn why she takes pet families up to the pool and says, "This is where the magic happens."

Dr. Pollen will be available to answer questions of a technical nature, such as "Can a dog with a torn ACL benefit from swimming?" and "How is swimming good for dogs with degenerative myelopathy and disc disease?"

Everyone is welcome. The time: noon. That's 12 - 1 pm.
Place: 3831 Still Creek Ave, Burnaby, BC.
Phone: 604 435 0002.

Acupuncturing Cats

Cats are good candidates for acupuncture and it is surprising how well many of them accept needles. Here, you can see it even surprised the cat’s mistress who took photos of how well she did with needles in.

Summer Saturday Series at WaterWorkz this Saturday on July 16 with George Halpern

Everyone's welcome to enjoy practical advice on how to interact with your dog from George Halpern. George is offering behavior advice, so bring your questions. George is part of the Summer Saturday Series at Waterworkz and he’ll be there to help Saturday July 12 from 12 to 1 pm.
What's coming next in the Saturday Series at WaterWorkz?
July 23, it’s all about therapeutic swimming. Tanya will discuss the benefits and joys dogs & cats experience from playing in warm salt water. Nothing better than salt water therapy that feels like fun.

Then, July 30 it’s Tellington Touch with Catherine Stewart. TTouch helps us calm dogs and helps them get beyond unwanted behaviors.

Where are the sessions?
Waterworkz, 3831 Still Creek Ave, Burnaby, BC

Call if you’d like more information: 604 435 0002

Check the website for details about what’s coming on the Saturday Summer Series: www.WaterWorkzPawSpa.com

A great group of people came last week to discuss Pet Nutrition & Supplements for Dogs & Cats. I'm sure we'll have a great group again, so come enjoy being with other dog families who want help with their pets.

Medications for Dogs on Boats or Cruising

Here we are loaded in the car ready to go to the boat and sail up the sunshine coast. Might just look like a car load of dogs, but there is also a ton of home-made dog food, toys, Kongs to slowly release food, a harness for each of us so we can be pulled out of the water safely, and our medicine kit.

When packing medications and supplies for travelling on your boat, take the following:

PROBIOTIC
Prevent or treat diarrhea
RX Biotic is excellent and doesn't need refrigeration.

CLAY
Treat diarrhea
RX Clay helps whatever the cause of diarrhea, bacteria like Salmonella or protozoa like Giardai.

FLAX for BULK
Prevent constipation. Constipation and hard stools are a problem in pets that aren't eating well or pets that have gotten hot and dehydrated.
Missing Link is the best source of flax because it's sealed in nitrogen and has not formed harmful free radicals that are created whenever oils are exposed to oxygen.

MOTION SICKNESS
Prevent or treat nausea, vomiting, dizziness
Meclizine tablets or scopolamine patches

ANTIBIOTIC CREAM
Skin infections, scrapes, flea bites, wounds, burns
Silver Sulfadiazine

ANTIBIOTIC ORAL
Infections from ticks, such as Lyme disease, Anaplasma; respiratory infections, especially those that hang on and are difficult to shake; food-borne infection such as Listeria
Doxycycline

ANTIBIOTIC ORAL
Gut infection that doesn't clear up following clay and probiotics, such as reoccurring giardia
Metronidazole

ANTIBIOTIC EYE OINTMENT
Dogs that travel with their heads out the window often have eye irriations, If an infection develops, use an antibiotic effective against many different bacteria
Terramycin ophthalmic or Polymyxin B

INJURY TRAUMA
If your dog falls, gets a leg shut in the car door, gets rolled down a hill, give a homeopathic medication because it's safe no matter what other meds your pet is taking. Homeopathics come in liquids, pills, and injectable forms.
Traumeel

BLEEDING BRUISING & PAIN
For severe bleeding or deep bruises, this can be applied onto the injury or can be swallowed
Yunnan Baiyao

ARTHRITIS OR BONE & JOINT PAIN
If your pet outdoes itself and is so sore it cannot walk, rest, ice & elevation. Also use a good pet medication that is rather like aspirin. Take care not to give more than the recommended dose. More has the potential to be harmful.And, even the right amount has been known to cause kidney & liver problems.
Meloxicam, Piroxicam, Etogesic, Rimadyl

SPASM PAIN
With muscle spasm, use a homeopathic. The spasm can be muscle traction injury, an internal spasm such as when a kidney or urethral stone; colic, abdominal pain with diverticulitis, constipation or diarrhea. This is med helpful as you're waiting for treatment.
Spascuprel

CHRONIC PAIN
Nagging arthritis, chronic sciatica, try this homeopathic.
Zeel

STOMACH ULCERS
Stomach ulcer pain especially if taking Aspirin or Meloxicam
Sucralfate

SKIN WOUND ANTISEPTIC
Skin injuries with grit or embedded dirt. This can sting.
Hydrogen Peroxide

DISINFECTANT
To pour over the embedded fish hook before cutting the end off and pulling back through the skin. This also kills bacteria on skin, but it kills healthy skin cells, too, so don't use it if you can use soap & water.
Rubbing Alcohol Isopropyl

WHAT ELSE TO PACK IN PET MEDICAL KIT?
Take along:

Gauze
Q-tips
Cotton balls
Vet Wrap
Scissors

My hope is that you'll pack a great medical kit for your dog or cat and never need a single thing. Enjoy the world without worry.

Dogs on Boats

Six important things to help you keep your dog safe & happy on board your travels with boat.
1. Single most useful word to have on your dog’s tag if it travels on your boat?
Not the dog’s name, it’s the name of the boat.

2. Single most useful piece of safety equipment on your dog?
Not a collar; it’s a harness. Easier to grip a harness with a boat hook if your dog a over, and you’ll never break your dog’s neck in rough seas hauling it out with its harness.

3. Single most important decision to make before you leave shore?
Decide not tot take a dog if you can’t pull it out of the water and get it onto the boat deck.

4. Safest way to feed on board?
Canned food. The kibble will mold, and the freezer might stop working and you’d lose the fresh frozen food.

5. Best way to teach your dog to go to the bathroom on board your boat? Train it on land. Use a large sweater box with low sides into which you’ve put a piece of artificial turf. Place soil that has been urinated on in the box until your dog realizes, where its new toilet is.

6. How to keep your dog from driving you nuts on the boat?
Play mind games. Hide it’s toys or treats. Play tug of war. Play hide and seek. Offer the slowly releasing food dish and treat ball. Don’t throw the ball from deck into the cabin and have it run up and down the stairs to the cabin as this is hard on the knees.

Fostering Dogs

Everyone with a border collie knows how extraordinary they are, but like any pet parent, I always knew I had the best dog in the world, Star, the brown & white border collie. Three weeks ago Star died in my arms.

Not only was she the best when she was living, Star continues to be the best now that she’s gone by herding me with her spirit: “Give more treats; play more; and share the house with another dog lickety-split.”

So, I'm looking dog to come into my life—with the help of some wonderful border collie rescue folks. I almost fostered a dog from Richmond Animal Protection Society, a Newfie/border collie cross, but the dog was too large for me to lift into the car, and too stiff-legged to jump into the car and climb the steps to the house. We're going to work on lameness with medication and acupuncture so the dog can move comfortably and be pain free.

Summer Saturday Series at WaterWorkz with Dr. Pollen

Two wonderful topics this week at the Summer Saturday Series,
Nutrition and Supplements, and
Dogs on Board.

So, what, in addition to your questions, will we discuss?

Pet Nutrition & Supplements
• Single most important factor with food
• Quality, quantity, ingredients
• Different breeds need different foods
• Why some supplements cause harm
• Which supplement companies to trust

Dogs on Board
To increase the joy & safety of taking our dogs camping or yachting with us, we’ll discuss
• which 2 medications to pack
• safety afloat, single most important word on the microchip
• toilet training
• mental stimulation
• danger of too much raw fish
• danger of kibble in the bilge

Our Summer Saturday Series is
at WaterWorkz facility
3831 Still Creek Ave
Burnaby, BC
604 435 0002

See you from 12 am – 1 pm.