More information on Holistic Remedies

Natural Home Remedies For Cats & Dogs

There are many cases when expert veterinary attention is absolutely vital for your pet’s health and well being – but there are also some situations when a natural or home remedy can provide an excellent compliment to more conventional care. Of course the correct diagnosis is a must, and any time there is doubt, a consultation with your vet is the only responsible way forward. Once a diagnosis has made, however, a holistic or integrative approach may be appropriate. Discussed here, is a selection of common home remedies that may be useful tools in a holistic approach to total health.


Skin & Coat

The condition of the skin reflects underlying conditions within the body. A skin condition may be an indicator that another organ system is out of balance or in a diseased state.

The cause of skin and coat problems may also range from a food intolerance, to contact allergies (sensitivity to floor cleaners or laundry detergents or upholstery protectors for example) or some other underlying cause such as a thyroid condition.

A change to a simple diet, and the elimination of grain, can be a great first step in combating hot spots, constant itching, dryness, dry hair and associated problems. In addition, using natural home cleaning products and fragrance free detergents, as well as refraining from spraying anything in your yard for a month or two can help if the problem is a contact allergy.

Supplementation with essential fatty acids is excellent for the skin and coat. Flax, Coconut, Olive and Safflower oils, as well as fish (body, not liver) oils, contain a wealth of fats that support healthy, supply skin and a shiny, lustrous coat.

Herbs that promote normal skin function include nettle, dandelion and burdock which cleanse and replenish this important organ. Seaweed is also rich is many trace minerals, vitamins, amino acids and other compounds that are essential for the skin.

Zinc, magnesium, and the antioxidant vitamins A, C & E are also vital for skin function.


Bumps, Bruises & Strains

Arnica is the top homeopathic remedy for these ailments. It helps to alleviate pain and promote healing. Hypericum is useful for nerve pain.

Vitamins E & C have natural anti-inflammatory properties, and can be added directly to the food.

A gentle massage with lavender essential oil diluted in a carrier oil such as grape seed, can be very soothing for sprains and spasms.


Digestive Upset

A digestive disturbance is often caused by food, or other consumed substances (dirty water, household objects or substances not intended for digestion often take their toll, especially on younger pups who like to taste everything as they investigate their worlds!) A bland, simple diet can assist in determining the cause of chronic problems. Eliminating grains is very helpful in cases of IBS or other ‘mystery’ disturbances such as intermittent diarrhea and vomiting.

Slippery Elm is one of the most valuable herbs for GI upset; it soothes and protects and helps to regulate the system. Plantain and fennel are useful herbs to try.

Supplementation with a digestive enzyme can help with numerous chronic digestive disturbances. For acute conditions such as sudden diarrhea, the homeopathic remedy Arsenicum can work wonders. For loss of appetite, a teaspoon of honey, offered alone, may be all that is needed to return things to normal.

Ipecacuanha, a homeopathic remedy, is useful for vomiting and nausea.


Ear Infections

A chronic buildup of wax and debris in the ears, combined with incessant head shaking, scratching and other signs of discomfort, may be the result of a food allergy. Eating grains is one of the most common contributors to long term ear infections.

A topical solution made from apple cider vinegar mixed half and half with warm water can be used on a cotton ball to gently wipe the ears. This solution will help to acidify the ear, inhibiting bacterial growth. Never pour anything into the ears; do not push the cotton in too far and never use a Q-tip or other object that can cause severe long term damage to the delicate, sensitive ear canal.

Once cleaned a natural grain-free diet can help to keep the ears healthy long term, and a monthly ‘maintenance cleaning’ may be all that is required.


Cuts, Scrapes and other Minor Wounds

Never attempt to treat very deep wounds or bites at home, these can become seriously infected. Beware of using rubbing alcohol (which can sting) or peroxide (which can damage cells further) on cuts. Bathing with dilute epsom-salt water may be helpful. Applying topical calendula cream can have very potent healing benefits. Homeopathic phosphorus and arnica can help to stop bleeding.


Anxiety

Bach’s Rescue Remedy is a wonderful natural solution to stress, anxiety and general emotional upset. A few drops can be applied directly to the tongue or to drinking water, to help revive and restore calm.

A tea made from chamomile is also very soothing for nervous, irritable or upset animals. It can be added directly to the food.


Insect Bites & Stings

The homeopathic remedy Apis is the number one substance to reach for in cases of a bee sting or similar problem. Beware of extreme reactions to stings, such as severe swelling and hives as these can be a warming of anaphylactic shock – in which case emergency veterinary care is vital. Benadryl may be helpful for less sever reactions.







The information in this article is for informational purposes only and does not replace the expert care and advice provided by your veterinarian or other health care provider. Dietary and other healthcare changes should be made under the guidance of your vet, particularly when underlying health conditions exist.

Advice - Holistic Approach to Itchy Skin

I don't know about you but the dogs that I take care of sure do have a lot of itchy skin problems this time of the year. Actually I'll add cats to that statement, because now that I think about it, Kineivel has been itching a bit more and also Tiger, the kitty who I'm also staying with (my current job) also has super itchy skin. Every night around dinner time, he waits for me upstairs and when I come up, he really wants me to brush him. I discovered that he loves it when I brush quickly, with lots of short strokes - which also causes large amounts of static electricity that comes off the cat and myself and we both start to shock each other more and more until either one can't take it anymore! Then I stop. But he is super super itchy. So I started and recommend you to start your dog or cat or other on a supplement of Fish Oil. Most pet stores sell the pump bottles plus you can also choose to feed them fish oil for humans, which makes more sense than paying extra just because it's for your pet!

Here is some more information I found on a holistic approach to itchy skin and reasons for it plus what you can do about it. Enjoy!

A Holistic Approach to Itchy Skin

There are many possible causes of the chronic itchy skin, hot-spots, dandruff and oily coat that plague many dogs. In the summer months, fleas or environmental / contact allergies may be the culprit – many pets are sensitive to certain types of grass and weeds. Other possible irritants in the home include detergents used to wash blankets and bedding, household cleaners, or sprays used in the yard.

One common cause that’s often overlooked, is diet. Food sensitivities are abundant in almost every breed, possibly due to genetics or that fact that many animals are fed the same food for months or even years on end, with no variety in ingredients or alternative sources of nutrition, such as fresh real food.

One of the most common causes of food sensitivity in pets, is grain. Lots of pets are sensitive to gluten, which can cause an inflammatory response that manifests itself as itchy skin or red and inflamed feet, GI Upset or persistent ear infections.

Feeding a no-grain diet to itchy pets, is a great first step in helping them to overcome this problem that can be uncomfortable for the pet - and frustrating and upsetting for the whole family.

If it is not possible to feed a completely no-grain diet, then one with only organic, whole-grains would be the next best choice. Grain fractions (gluten, husks, hulls etc) can be more problematic than the whole grain, and organic food, by definition, cannot be genetically modified. One school of thought is that GM grains are more likely to cause an adverse reaction in a sensitive pet; Studies show that when butterflies and other species come in contact with pollen from genetically modified crops, they suffer a number of health problems and genetic mutations eventually occur. It is possible that a similar thing happens when other species consume GM grains – especially species whose systems aren’t designed to cope with a grain overload in the first place.

Some pets are sensitive to ingredients other than grain, such as certain meats, vegetables or herbs. These sensitivities are generally less common, and in fact a pet who seems to be allergic to a certain meat, say chicken, because she gets itchy every time she eats her chicken flavored kibble, may actually be just fine when eating real, home-prepared raw or lightly cooked chicken. The problem is high heat processing that alters the amino acid structure, making the protein problematic in its processed form.

A natural, no-grain, minimally processed diet that’s also free of chemical preservatives and fillers, can go a long way to combating the problem of itchy skin, from the inside out. Customers are usually delighted with the results and under veterinary supervision , they may even be able to start reducing the long-term steroids and antibiotics they’ve had to administer to their pets. Many cats and dogs show a noticeable improvement in just a few days after starting a no-grain diet.

While a grain-free diet can be super-important part of the solution to chronic itchy skin in pets, a truly holistic approach looks at the big-picture. So other factors to consider are the chemical cleaners and other substances you use around your home and yard, including the substances used to treat most new carpets, the detergent used to wash your companion’s bedding, how high you run your central heat or A/C (both can be drying to the air) and of course – the shampoo and conditioner you use to bathe your pet. One of our favorite lines of pet shampoos is from Happy Tails Spa www.happytailsspa.com This California company’s products are free of parabens and other harmful chemicals such as Sodium Laureth Sulfate found in many shampoos, and we love ‘em! Itchin’ For Relief is an especially nice product to tackle irritations from the outside!

The Honest Kitchen produces a line of dehydrated foods that are guaranteed human grade because they’re actually produced in a human-grade plant. Our company offers several completely grain free diets as well as a gluten free option made with the ancient grain, Quinoa.

Recommeded link: 2 Dogs 2000 Miiles

I was just playing around on Dogster.com and Catster.com. I may be sending some cool stuff out! So I just found this amazing blog about a guy who is walking with his two dogs across the country in support of finding a cure/treatment for Canine Cancer. Canine Cancer unfortunately made it's way into my life this past year. I am still saddened, especially with the loss of a very special furry friend of mine back in August. Tango was such an amazing dog and I had the pleasure of taking care of him over early summer, while his owner went back east to visit her parents. I took care of him and stayed overnight with him as his pet sitter for a bit over 2 weeks. I had an amazing time with him + he and I bonded very quickly! Special times together included a fun visit to the ocean beach off of Hwy 1 in Pescadero, along with a friend of mine and Blue, a friend's dog, who came with us as well. And watching Tango, who is a Corgi, chase Blue around and nip at her heals as if she's a sheep, was just so exciting and I was laughing most of the time! He loved riding in the car with me, he got to meet several of my other doggie buddies, because I was almost overbooked with pet sitting jobs between July and September, so I always had another job or two to do besides the overnight job that I happened to be doing at the same time. He was so incredibly good with other dogs and even kids - very protective as well. It was so refreshing to be around. I even got to bring him home (this never happens!!!) for a dinner my parents were having for my Gramma who was down to visit for 2 weeks; he was allowed inside, and to lie down underneath my chair while I ate dinner and then the rest of the time, he was content to just walk around and say hi to other people. I was quite impressed. I loved taking care of a dog who trully loved life, as I do as a human being. So when I got a weird phone call from his owner after she got back, saying he was acting weird and two days later wasn't able to walk around, let alone stand up. I was upset and his owner was upset & I thought maybe I had given him too much exercise or he ate something weird that I didn't see or.....he was taken to the vet 3 days later and the vet found 5 swollen lymph nodes, most in his armpits and near his elbow joint. One was biopsied and a couple days later I get an email from his owner saying that he has very far gone advanced lymphoma, I was very upset. I remember crying my eyes out for hours after I got that email; no one was even at home, I think my parents were in Tahoe at the time; wow, it took me a while to try to get over that and even to get a hold of his owner so that I could visit him and say goodbye. 3 weeks came and went before I was able to find out if I could see him but he was put down because it was obvious he was suddenly very sick and in a lot of pain and just wasn't himself. T (his owner), decided to just give him some peace instead of putting him on hardcore chemo just to help him live a bit longer.

I'm still very sad when I hear something about Canine Cancer. I will always miss Tango greatly and wish that I was given more time to get to know him and love him before he was put to sleep. Shortly after all of that happened, I was at a Pet Fair of some kind up in San Rafael and one of the tables was CanineCancer.org - the leading organization doing research along with the UK Vet Research people to try to make a test for canine cancer that can be done super early, even before showing symptoms of any kind and will be cheap/affordable & allow owners more information about exactly what is wrong with their dog, if it's treatable, how long you have if it isn't. So they are amazing and I got some really good information from them at that fair plus I donated some money and got a bracelet - one of those rubbery bracelets that are different colors and usually say something on them depending on what they stand for - I love it - it's Glow-in-the-Dark and says Cure CanineCancer.org. I recommend checking that out.

So when I just found the link to 2 Dogs 2000 Miles, I was amazed by what this dog owner is doing in the name of raising awarence and educating people about the reallities of Canine Cancer.

The link for the website is: http://www.2dogs2000miles.org/Home_Page.html. He also writes a blog and it can be found here: http://www.2dogs2000miles.org/Remember.html

If you want to put a dog you know who died of cancer on their memoriam wall on their site, you can email them the name at: memwall@2dogs2000miles.org

Owls on the Ground

Owls on the Ground

Burrowing Owls, if present, can be easier to see than most owls because they are active during the day (diurnal) and do not hide out in trees. They nest and roost on the ground and are often found standing outside a burrow, which they defend vigorously from intruders. Unlike other owls, this owl will actually use odoriferous nest materials, including mammal scat (feces), to create a deterrent for other mammal predators that might want to enter the nesting burrow.

These owls do not dig their own burrows, but use those created by other creatures such as Ground Squirrels. So the suppression of Ground Squirrels also hurts Burrowing Owls. In places like Point Reyes, they also have used badger burrows, but the badger is a mammal that also may be declining in numbers. Fewer squirrels and badgers = fewer burrows for burrowing owls.

Burrowing Owls are approximately 9" tall, most of which is accounted for by their long legs.These long legs aid these owls in plucking rodents and other creatures out of tall grasses.

Burrowing Owls are very vocal, and have a wide range of different calls. Click here to listen: http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/audio/Burrowing_Owl.html The main call is given only by adult males, usually when near the burrow to attract a female. A two-syllable "who-who" is given at the entrance of a promising burrow. This call is also associated with breeding, and territory defence. Other sounds called the "rasp", "chuck", "chatter", and "scream" have been described. Juveniles give a rattlesnake-like buzz when threatened in the burrow, and adults give a short, low-level "chuck" call to warn of approaching predators. This is usually accompanied by bobbing the head up and down.
Species of Special Concern

Burrowing Owls have been declining in California for years and are classified as a California Species of Special Concern in our state. In 2003 attempts to get stronger protection for the owls as a state endangered species were denied by the California Department of Fish & Game.

These owls have many natural enemies, including larger owls, hawks, falcons, badgers, skunks, ferrets, armadillos, snakes, and domestic cats and dogs, and are often killed by vehicles when crossing roads, but the primary reason for this owl's decline is human development and agriculture that results in loss of habitat for the owl.

Additionally, the poisoning of ground squirrels and other smaller rodents also results in the poisoning of their predators. Burrowing Owls include insects as a large part of their diet, so insecticides also play a role in their decline. These owls are getting hit from all sides!

Badgers, Ground Squirrels, Burrowing Owls, rodents and insects are connected in a tenuous web. When a single strand is broken the consequences are far-reaching. John Muir said it best: "When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world."

To learn more about these efforts, visit the website of the Marin-based Institute for Bird Populations http://www.birdpop.org/

Turkey Talk

This is fascinating, as I have always wondered the history of the wild turkeys we see out and about around town if you live in a country setting or near hills and wilder areas. This might answer your questions too!

Talking Turkey

by Susanne Cooper, Former Terwilliger Van Naturalist

They're showing up in the best neighborhoods and they're becoming bolder. But the Wild Turkeys you are seeing didn't invite themselves. They were here before, and we invited them back -- now they're here to stay.

The original West Coast Wild Turkey became extinct around 10,000 years ago, probably because of climate change at the end of the last ice age. No wild turkeys gobbled again in California until the late nineteenth century.

Wild turkeys of various subspecies were first reintroduced to California in 1877, and the Department of Fish and Game started releasing turkeys in California for hunting purposes in 1910. Preferring oak woodlands like those of Marin and Sonoma to any other habitat, the population exploded and quickly spread. Wild turkeys can now be found in almost every open space preserve (and in many residential areas!) in the Bay Area. The Bay Area is a veritable turkey's delight!

The domestic turkey of today came to farms in California after several hundred years of globe trotting. In the early sixteenth century Spanish explorers brought the Aztec's turkey, domesticated from the wild Mexican subspecies, to Europe. Europeans confused this new bird with an African guinea fowl imported through Turkey, and voilà: the name "turkey" was born. When the Pilgrims came to the Americas they brought their gobbling pheasant with them, having no idea that its wild counterparts were already in residence.

Bearded gobblers

The turkey hen is smaller and plainer than the male, only three feet tall and averaging eight pounds. As much as four feet high and weighing up to 25 pounds, a male turkey, aka "tom" or "gobbler," is impressive. And what a sight he is! The fleshy bumps on the turkey's head are called "caruncles." "Wattles" refer to the skin hanging from throat and neck. A "snood" is a flap of skin that hangs over the beak. Turkeys have "beards" or specialized feathers that stick out from the breast, up to nine inches in some males! Even more amusing than these turkey terms are the names given to the sounds turkeys emit-- they gobble, cluck, putt, purr, yelp, cutt, cackle and even kee-kee!

A National Symbol

Benjamin Franklin preferred the turkey over the bald eagle as our national symbol. In a letter to his daughter he stated "For the Truth the Turkey is in Comparison a much more respectable Bird... though a little vain & silly, a Bird of Courage, and would not hesitate to attack a Grenadier of the British Guards who should presume to invade his Farm Yard with a red Coat on."

4th Annual Fur Ball Fundraiser

Hopalong Animal Rescue - 4th Annual Fur Ball (Join us - and save animals' lives!)
Reply to: comm-902480550@craigslist.org [?]
Date: 2008-11-01, 11:08PM PDT


Hopalong Animal Rescue adopts out 1000 cats and dogs annually, and provide education, spay/neuter and information and referral services to the greater Bay Area community.

On November 8, we will hold our 4th Annual Fur Ball fundraiser, to be held at the Clark Kerr Conference Center in Berkeley. We count on this fundraiser to help us replenish our medical fund (more is always needed - 1000 animals a year are expensive!).
LOL! The name is very cute!

The Details:

4th Annual Fur Ball Fundraiser
Clark Kerr Conference Center
2601 Warring St, Berkeley, CA

November 8, 2008 from 6 pm to 10 pm

$50/ticket when purchased or reserved by Nov 7

Raffle! -- VIVA LAS VEGAS!

4 night stay at a 29th Floor, luxury condominium at Turnberry Place, located one block off the Las Vegas Strip. 2 bedrooms, 3 full baths, sleeps four comfortably (and two additional on sofas). Limo transfer to and from the airport, access to a European style spa on the property (includes 5 pools, dry and wet saunas, gorgoues gym, yoga and pilates classes, etc). Stunning condo.

Raffle tickets are $10 each, or 6 for $50

To purchase tickets, please contact christina@hopalong.org, or mail a check to:

Hopalong Animal Rescue
PO Box 27507
Oakland, CA 94602

Hope to see you there!!!

http://hopalong.org/news_events/events.shtml

Best Cat Video Ever!

http://video.stumbleupon.com/#p=fq55ieixwd