Fatty tumors - Lumps, Bumps
Often soft and squishy to the touch, benign fatty tumors are not a threat
to your dog’s health. (The exception is infiltrative lipomas, which can
invade muscle tissue, but these are relatively rare.) While lipomas can
be unsightly, many vets opt not to remove them unless they are in
a location where their growth impedes a dog’s mobility.
This middle-aged Lab has at least one lipoma (behind his elbow, on the
chest wall). Unless it grows until it impedes the free movement of his
leg or the ability of his chest to expand to breathe, veterinarians will
likely decline to remove it. But many holistic veterinarians see lipomas
as far from innocuous. Instead, they stress, lipomas are symptoms of a
bigger problem.
Holistic view
“For conventional veterinarians, lipomas are just something that happens,
just like cancer happens,” says Marty Goldstein, DVM, of Smith Ridge Veterinary
Center in South Salem, New York, author of The Nature of Animal Healing:
The Definitive Holistic Medicine Guide to Caring for Your Dog and Cat.
“What they don’t get is that lipomas are a result of what we’ve done to
depress the metabolic functions and immune system of the animal.”
Dr. Goldstein believes that lipomas are a sign of improper fat digestion
and a haywire metabolism, and that they often result from the unnatural
commercial dog food diets that have become the norm today. “We’ve laden
dog food with 50 to 65 percent carbohydrates, even though in nature wolves
eat perhaps 1 to 3 percent grains.”
While few (if any) conventional veterinary practitioners would agree
with this assessment (see “Conventional Medical Opinion,” next page), consider
the case of Tembo, a Rhodesian Ridgeback who had his first lipoma before
the tender age of one. Fed kibble and then a homemade diet heavy in grains
and carbs, Tembo had constant allergies – corn gave him hives, and wheat
summoned forth blistering yeast infections on his feet and in his ears.
“For the first seven years, the lipomas popped up like mushrooms,” remembers
his owner, Elizabeth Akers of Concord, California, who had about 20 lipomas
surgically removed from Tembo’s rib cage, legs, and chest. Some of the
growths were small, others were tangerine-sized. “One on his groin was
growing faster than the speed of light.”
Then, at age 7, Akers switched Tembo to a raw
diet – and the lipomas responded as if she had flipped an “off” switch.
“By the time he died at age 12, the only lipomas he had were in four places
where they had been removed and had grown back again,” she remembers. “He
had no new ones.”
Holistic veterinarians are quick to note that diet changes are not miracle
cures: As in Tembo’s case, they may slow or even stop the growth of existing
lipomas, or cause them to “organize,” or shrink. But expecting a wholesale
disappearance of them is likely unrealistic. Success is relative, Dr. Goldstein
says. “If a lump is growing three inches every six months,” and after you
make modifications in your dog’s diet and lifestyle, “it still gets bigger
but it’s only growing one inch in that time frame, then you’re moving in
the right direction.”
Holistic medicine doesn’t see diseases as unrelated entities that swoop
in to disrupt health like so many flying monkeys at Oz. Instead, disease
– or any disruption of the body’s functioning, no matter how seemingly
mild, like lipomas – is a manifestation of a weakness with the body itself.
In other words, there’s a Wicked Witch of the West lurking in the backdrop
acting as dispatcher. Simply put, lipomas are a sign that there are deeper
issues behind the scenes.
Many systems of healing have a name for the life energy that flows through
the body and maintains good health. In homeopathy, for example, it is called
the vital force. But no matter what you label it, what’s clear to holistic
vets is that lipomas are evidence of the fact that the vital force is weakened
and perhaps blocked – and likely has been for some time.
“One sign of vitality is the expression of symptoms, because that’s
the body’s attempt to bring itself into balance,” explains classically
trained homeopathic vet Michael Dym, VMD, of Morristown, New Jersey. By
contrast, “lipoma patients have very weak symptoms,” as the body struggles
to externalize its internal conflict in a kind of slow boil. In this scenario,
“the patient has been ill on a deeper level for some time – it’s just that
they don’t have adequate reactions, and have a very weak development of
symptoms.”
For that reason, lipomas are not easy to treat, because making changes
on that deep and profound a level doesn’t happen overnight. “From a homeopathic
perspective, any sort of lump or growth is generally thought to be an outcome
of vaccinosis,” or the adverse effects of vaccination on the body, Dr.
Dym continues. “Animals that are ill from prior vaccinations can have chronic
warts, skin tags – and fatty tumors and lipomas.”
That’s not to say that you will be able to draw a direct line from last
month’s rabies vaccine to your dog’s new growths. Instead, “we look at
them as an outcome of weakness in a patient who’s not in the best health,”
Dr. Dym says, because the life force has been affected by vaccines
or toxins such as pesticides. Lipomas can be
unsightly, and some owners might be tempted to remove them for pure aesthetics.
But because surgery only treats the symptom of the problem, not its root,
most holistic veterinarians avoid it, except for lipomas that are so large
or awkwardly placed that they impede a dog’s quality of life.
“The risk of removing the growth surgically is that it leaves the uncured
disease to manifest at a deeper level, in a different form,” Dr. Dym warns.
And from a homeopathic perspective, “when you remove a growth, you stimulate
the vital force to greater activity. You can’t cure an apple tree of growing
apples by cutting off its branches.” In fact, you might spur it to blossom
even more profusely. And most lipomas tend to recur anyway.
While Dr. Goldstein agrees, he has had to remove lipomas that were in
a compromising position, such as behind the nasal cavity, where they could
obstruct breathing. “Lipomas have their own finite capsule – you just scoop
them out,” he says. A technique he employs during such surgeries is to
roughen the tissue area around the lipoma, creating an inflammatory response.
“This creates scar tissue that prevents the lipoma from growing back” –
on that spot, at least.
Individualistic treatment
The classic homeopathic remedy used to treat tumors – and, while they
are benign, lipomas are tumors – is Thuja, which is also often used
for vaccine reactions. But Dr.
Dym cautions against such a paint-by-number approach: Because lipomas
are a symptom of a deep-seated imbalance in the body, he suggests a consultation
with a homeopath to find the proper constitutional remedy – one that takes
into account your dog’s own individuality – and treat the dog over time.
Taking the wrong remedy – even one that might seem to fit the picture –
“might stimulate a reaction that could highlight or activate” the very
things you are trying to resolve, he warns. Traditional Chinese medicine
has a different name for this life force that animates us all: chi. But
that ancient modality also interprets lipomas as symptoms of a deeper imbalance.
“In Traditional Chinese veterinary medicine, lipomas are a type of ‘dampness’
called ‘phlegm’ that has stagnated in a particular area, usually an acupuncture
channel such as the Gallbladder channel,” explains veterinarian Bruce Ferguson,
DVM, MS, a practitioner and instructor in traditional Chinese veterinary
medicine based in Perth, Australia. “Issues of ‘damp’ are usually, in the
case of lipomas, caused by improper diet leading to a damage to the gastrointestinal
system,” which is governed by the Spleen/Stomach meridian.
In traditional Chinese medicine, this channel “is responsible for moving
a type of post-ingestive fluid around the body,” Ferguson continues. When
a dog is fed a grain-based diet high in refined carbohydrates – as opposed
to a more natural, meat-based diet – the channel gets clogged, and “gooey.”
In addition to dietary change, Dr. Ferguson says lipomas can be addressed
with herbal formulas that tonify the spleen and resolve phlegm and dampness;
acupuncture to help restore the movement of chi through the body, particularly
the Spleen, and reverse stagnation; and occasionally gentle, non-traumatic
massage such as Tui Na. For his part, Goldstein sometimes prescribes
Chi- Ko/Curcuma, a Chinese-herb formula indicated for resolving masses,
specifically lipomas. He also considers nutritional supplements such as
L-carnitine and chromium picolinate, which assist in fat metabolism, as
well as a product called Mega Lipo-Tropic, which helps digest and burn
fat. Ditto for digestives enzymes that contain ox bile, a powerful fat
emulsifier.
Improve basic health
No matter what modality you choose to deal with the underlying imbalances
that might cause your dog’s lipomas, all dogs will benefit from these commonsense
basics: good nutrition in the form of a biologically appropriate diet;
good mental health, with a lifestyle that provides stimulating play, problem-solving,
and social interaction; and no exposure to unnecessary vaccinations or
toxins such as pesticides. And don’t forget exercise, Goldstein adds. “The
only way to burn fat is to get your body – and your dog’s – up to its aerobic
potential,” he says. In the end, then, the good news about lipomas is that
they aren’t life-threatening. But they are a signal that something is askew
in your dog’s body.
“When I was in veterinary college, lipomas were described as benign
masses that merely had a statistical rate of occurrence and did not ‘mean
anything,’ ” Dr. Ferguson says. By contrast, traditional Chinese medicine
teaches that “anything out of the ordinary has meaning, and usually indicates
some type of imbalance.” The task of the practitioner – and the observant,
committed owner – is to discover and correct it. Denise Flaim is the companion-animal
columnist at Newsday on Long Island, New York. She owns four raw-fed Rhode-sian
Ridgebacks and is the author of The Holistic Dog Book: Canine Care for
the 21st Century. See “Resources,” page 24.
Homeopathic remedies, including one often used for lipomas, are available
in health food stores – but don’t buy and administer them without the guidance
of a veterinary homeopath. your dog needs to
be properly diagnosed, treated for the totality of his symptoms as an individual,
and evaluated on an ongoing basis.
Holistic Animal Cancer
Treatments - Preventing and Healing Cancer in Dogs, Cats, Horses and Other
Animals
Cancer is now the number one killer of most domestic animals. This
fact raises a fearsome specter for those who know how confusing and painful
it can be to endure the course of this disease in their pets. Cancer
does not occur without cause - various environmental, dietetic, and vaccine-related
culprits that may cause cancer in pets. The holistic approach treats the
whole animal, ignites the body's internal healing force and stimulates
the body's natural abilities to heal itself.
Dr. Dee
Blanco, D.V.M - "You take healthy animals and often very quickly after
you vaccinate, you can see simple things like itching
of the skin or excessive licking of the paws,
sometimes even with no eruptions and licking of the
air. We see a lot of epilepsy/seizure, often
after a rabies vaccination. Or dogs or cats
can become aggressive for several days. Frequently, you'll see urinary
tract infections in cats, often within three months after their [annual]
vaccination. If you step back, open your mind and heart, you'll start to
see patterns of illness post-vaccination." learn
more
A Personal Story of a Cat, a Bat and Rabies Vaccination
by Kimberly Roush kroush@xmission.com
I had 4 cats prior to my current cat. I learned early on about cutting
back on vaccines - I think I stopped the vaccines around age 3 on my previous
cats, and I followed Dr.
Pitcairn's homemade meat/grain diets when I could (see
also sample raw cat food recipes). With my new cat, I wanted to do
give him even more of a healthy life. One of the toughest decisions was
the rabies vaccine. I got my male from a humane shelter that had only given
him 1 5-in-1. I signed a contract to give him a rabies vaccine. Yea, I
was off to a good start.
We have a very low incidence of rabies in Utah, only in bats, except
one fox this year showed up. Rabies vaccines is required by law for cats
in Utah. I did not vaccinate largely at the strong advice of Dr.
Dym, Falconer, Swift and a few others mentioned on your website,
and others not mentioned but who are well known alternative vets. I walk
my cat on a leash, he is 1/2 ocicat, and still a great hunter even on lead.
(I do not let him catch birds) I have to admit I was nervous - what if
he grabbed a bat in the grasses before I could see what he was after?
(Rabies
and bats)
This summer Sundance was with me in the living room. He then walked
into the kitchen, jumped up on the kitchen counter to eat, and I heard
him jump down. But, this time he kept jumping. I ran into the kitchen after
about 3 jumps and to my horror there was bat lying around. I grabbed Sundance,
I had no evidence he had touched the bat or vice versa, but could not prove
it. I ran into the bathroom hugging Sundance, "What am I going to do now?"
My entire concern was saving Sundance. I locked him in the bathroom
while I tried to find the bat. I could not find the bat. I kept Sundance
by my side or in my arms constantly when I moved him to the bedroom. He
was then locked in my bedroom, making sure the bat was not in the bedroom,
and we slept with the door closed the entire night. In the morning I found
the bat in the kitchen sink, as predicted by the bat websites, who
said they will frequently be found near water sources. I also learned from
my biologist friends that bats will die of starvation in 3 days if not
enough food in your house. As instructed by the bat international website,
I put on heavy gloves, and heavy sweater and took a large yogurt container,
put it over the bat which was conveniently resting on the rubbermaid mat.
I lifted the mat and dumped the poor bat out the window. I did not want
to save the bat as I could not in my panic figure out how to have the bat
tested and not have the state know about Sundance not being vaccinated.
Having had the bat tested may have saved me from going through the vaccine
series but I was only thinking of saving Sundance.
The bat did not immediately fly off. Some guessed this indicated
the bat was sick. Others said bats need to launch from a vertical surface
and I later saw it trying to climb the side of the house. I did not see
it after that. At the urging of a friend, I made the mistake of telling
my mainstream vet who said she was going to turn Sundance in to the state.
That would mean 6 months of quarantine which I am told costs about $2000.00
a month. I talked her out it, telling her I had listened to Dr. Dym's advice
not hers and she was not responsible. If she did try to turn him in I was
going to disappear to another country with him. I also told her she was
no longer my vet, relieving her of all responsibility.
Dr. Dym said we had no evidence that Sundance and the bat had contact
and no reason for a quarantine. I had to go through the rabies vaccine
series myself because, after thinking all this through, a day or two prior
to finding the bat I had awoken with an unexplained, bloody scratch on
my forehead. Sundance does not sleep with me in heat of summer, so the
bat could have been upstairs and Sundance, the hunter, would not have known.
There have been incidences of people contracting rabies from bats without
evidence of bite or barely a scratch. All the doctors I spoke with decided
it was safest for me to go through the rabies series. I was quite sick
all summer from the vaccine. The shots are not painful, I was sick sick.
I seem fine now.
Dr. Dym thought all of this was a mainstream, over-reaction. Thanks
to the woman at Brighthaven I found Dr. Diana Bochenski. Dr. Diana is a
wonderful homeopathic vet; very kind and wise. We determined how we would
handle a 6 month at home quarantine to be very safe. Sundance made it through
the quarantine just fine. I on the other hand was extremely stressed and
afraid until we got a few months past the bat in the house incidence, when
it was less and less likely he would have actually contracted rabies.
After getting started on my own vaccine program, I then quickly researched
rabies vaccines for Sundance. Almost all of the highly concerned cat friends,
breeders and vets I know recommended the Merial Purevax. The trick was
then to find a vet that had the vaccine and, most importantly, I could
not mention that he had never been vaccinated for rabies. I did make the
mistake of trusting Dr. Hanneman, a well known "alternative" vet who Dym
recommended. Henneman's office told me on the phone that they did not vaccinate
cats. So I felt safe telling the story. Their response was then that they
would have to turn Sundance in. I told them they misled me as they said
right up front they do not vaccinate cats, that Sundance did not have contact
with the bat, only I possibly did, and I quickly hung up.
I found a vet with the Merial Purevax vaccine, he never asked about
the vaccine history, as I walked in with this gorgeous, healthy, highly
loved cat that I am sure no one would question if I had "neglected" vaccines.
I never felt so happy to have my cat vaccinated. One additional note: my
mainstream vet had researched the rabies vaccines once a potential exposure
had occurred. She said there had never been an incidence of an animal contracting
rabies if they had had at least one rabies vaccine. And, she said there
was some evidence that a series of shots after an exposure for an unvaccinated
animal may prevent rabies. Dr. Diana and I decided, or betted on our hunch,
that the bat and Sundance did not have contact and we stuck to the one
vaccine.
I hope this story is helpful to those trying to make decisions on vaccines.
The risk of side effects from the vaccines is frightening, but nothing
is a scary as the state coming to confiscate your cat and possibly chop
off his head. This summer, in Utah, there were at least 3 stories in the
news of cats having had some contact with bats that were only overdue for
a rabies vaccines. All of the cats were put to sleep as no one was willing
to pay for the costof a 6 month quarantine. I believe over 300 animals
in Utah were put to sleep in 2007 because of bat encounters and lack of
or late vaccines.
The vets listed on your website are nonchalantly
recommending not to vaccinate but one needs to know the cost of a 6 month
quarantine in comparison to the risk of vaccinating. And, you know, bats
can have rabies, and the horror of contracting rabies could be the
worst scenario of all. The guilt I felt for not having protected him from
something I could have protected him from (both rabies and the law) so
easily was hard to live with. I never would have imagined a bat would have
come into my house. During my decision process prior to this incidence,
a friend tried to tell me a bat could get into my house. My response, "Yea,
sure." We rarely even see bats outside of our house.
I do not know the laws and they vary from state to state. I do not know
if some states will accept titers. I know my mainstream vet will accept
titers after the first vaccine. But, the law may not. If your animal reacts
to a vaccine, a vet can write a letter, and exempt your animal from requiring
further vaccination, I believe. I also think it is important to find the
safest form of the vaccine. When doing my research it seemed the Pfieffer"
sp? vaccine caused the most reactions. Sundance was a bit sleepy the morning
after his Merial Purevax vaccine, and that was it. Dr. Diana said that
was okay and maybe a good sign. Oh, he did get the sneezes for a week shortly
after the shot, but there were many stress factors at the time, I cannot
prove a relation to the vaccine.
On a side note, I had a tetanus titer done since I had been so sick
from the tetanus shot I had 17 years ago. My titer was high at 12.4 after
17 years!!. You are considered covered with a titer over 3. While it was
hard convincing my doctor to do the test, or even finding someone that
knew what a titer was, it was well worth it. I also know a breeder that
vaccinates with the Merial Purevax every year (I believe it is being licensed
as a 3 year vaccine) and she had not had any problems. She will not use
certain other vaccine which have caused death in some of her cats. But
she is confident with the Merial Purevax rabies vaccine. It was important
to note that when I made the decision to vaccinate for rabies the homeopathic
vets could not guide me on the safest vaccine to use. One local alternative
vets actually claimed there was not difference between the vaccines and
she used that Pfieser - what ever the name of the company is - the one
I heard is one of the worst for causing problems. Whereas, the mainstream
vets doing the vaccines regularly were able to verify they saw a lot fewer
problems with that Merial product.The
Rabies Challenge Study --- Dr.
Falconer DVM prevaccination Protection
Kimberly Roush kroush@xmission.com
Prevaccination Protection
Dr.
Falconer DVM
I get this question more often than I
used to: “If I’m not vaccinating my animal against parvo and distemper
(or ----) do I need to avoid contact with other animals?” The norm has
been for my patients to come to me already vaccinated, so the easy answer,
based on duration of immunity, was no, the immunity should persist for
“years if not the life of the animal.” Now that people have thought
more about the dangers of vaccination, it may be that some are choosing
not to vaccinate until later in life (pups at 12-16 weeks old, for example),
to be sure the minimum number of vaccines will give long-lived immunity.
They may be using homeopathic nosodes before
that, or may be opting to not vaccinate at all. What to do for these guys?
Keep them in a bubble, away from all exposure to possible disease causing
germs? No. That’s impractical, and, unless you have a strictly indoor cat,
not much fun.
The goal is to have an immune system that can
defend the animal against exposure to parvo, canine or feline distemper,
kennel cough, FeLV, strangles, flu, Rhino, etc. If you opt to have the
strongest immune system possible without the risks that vaccines confer,
use the preventative program that keeps the immune system strong safely
and efficaciously, and without risk to the animal. That, in my opinion,
is daily dosing with the Animal Health supplements utilizing Transfer
factors products coupled with excellent nutrition,
should be adequate protection to get your animal out in the real world,
benefitting from natural exposure to viruses and bacteria that can make
the immune system stronger. Follow label doses and boost this base level
as I explain below if exposure is likely.
Question
to Dr. Falconer: does vaccination (or over-vaccination) causes overactive
immune reaction (autoimmune disorder) or does it cause suppression of the
immune system?
Dr.
Will Falconer D.V.M: "The answer is YES. Probably both.
Vaccination *confuses* the immune system, as I point out in my heartworm
eBook. So, it could go either way, or alternate over time between the
two. Transfer Factor is a natural nutritional product
that help support the animal's immune system. A healthy immune system is
capable of helping the body heal itself. Transfer Factor should be given
before and immediately after vaccination for at least a few weeks to help
ameliorate the confusion (when someone is faced with a mandatory vaccination,
or has decided they want to give one). By giving the immune system
with Transfer Factor, the immune intelligence should be able to better
sort through the confusion, though I'm not sure that's measurable."
Testimonials
about a dog and a horse's full recovery from severe adverse effects from
vaccination with Transfer Factor
Homeopathy
is also renowned for its success to antidote or remove the toxic effects
of vaccines and to re-establish balance in health. Certain homeopathic
remedies such as thuja, sulphur and silica taken before and after vaccination
can protect from vaccine damage. Please consult a professional homeopath
for more information. (see list of holistic and homeopathic
veterinarians) Many families are now also using homeopathy 'nosodes'
as an alternative to vaccines for their children and their pets. Nosodes
are available from Dr.
Charles Loops
|
 "Many
people are very concerned about vaccinating their animals and the adverse
reactions are often referred to as vaccinosis and miasms which is said
to be difficult or impossible to cure. Most wonder why "annual boosters"
are given to our animals when vaccinations for humans last for our lifetime.
Also asked is why isn't the dose adjusted for the size of the animal? The
many serious adverse reactions may be grossly under-reported to the vet
(insist on telling the vet), to the manufacturer, and to the USDA Biologics
Hotline (report the reaction, manufacturer, and lot  number
) at 800/ 752-6255. The experts are now addressing these concerns and the
First International Veterinary Vaccines and Diagnostic Conference was held
in July 1997 regarding this important health issue.
Dr. Christina Chambreau, DVM - "Routine
vaccinations are probably the worst thing that we do for our animals. They
cause all types of illnesses but not directly to where we would relate
them definitely to be caused by the vaccine. Repeating vaccinations on
a yearly basis undermines the whole energetic well-being of our animals.
Animals do not seem to be decimated by one or two vaccines when they are
young and veterinary immunologists tell us that viral vaccines need only
be given once or twice in an animal's life. First, there is no need for
annual vaccinations and, second, they definitely cause chronic disease.
As a homoeopath, it is almost impossible to cure an animal without first
addressing the problems that vaccines have caused to the animal, no matter
what the species." learn more
Holistic animal health articles by Dr. Christina
Chambreau D.V.M.
THE HEALTHY PATH - FOR EVERY ANIMAL - HOW TO HELP YOUR
ANIMAL LIVE LONGER AND HEALTHIER
by Christina Chambreau,
DVM
Following are excerpts from Dr. Chambreau's lecture to a homeopathic/holistic-health
minded audiance
"INTEGRATING HOMEOPATHY
AND
HOLISTIC
MEDICINE INTO YOUR VETERINARY PRACTICE" Part 1 of 4 - part
2 - part 3 - part
4
"Many of us, even alternative health care practitioners, take our animals
to a good veterinarian and follow implicitly their directions, even if
they contradict our personal philosophies. We do not
vaccinate our children at all, yet we vaccinate our animals for 8 diseases
yearly. We feed canned or dry food to our animals when we eat the freshest,
most organically prepared food we can afford. We treat whatever symptoms
the animal exhibits with whatever the veterinarian recommends, yet look
carefully at which approach would be the best for the particular problem
we are experiencing." Dr. Chambreau
NUTRITION
FEED THE BEST DIET This is really critical - common, commercial foods
are not adequate (see What's in Pet Food?). A
great diet will help restore health to ill pets and often prevent health
problems.
For the health of your animal and for the health of the planet, the
ingredients should be the most consciously raised - organic vegetables,
free ranging holistically treated animals. Briefly, the
best diet is raw meat including raw bones for dogs and cats, grated
raw vegetables as well as cooked vegetables, maybe some grains, seeds and
nuts, and supplements. If bones are not eaten, then a calcium supplement
is needed. There are now at least 5 good books
on
home preparing food for your animals to coach you and I offer courses to
help you transition to fresh food. Every animal needs and wants a different
combination at different times in their lives, just as we do. If you also
feed some commercial food, buy it from the health food stores. With any
food, observe each of your animals for the effect that food has on them.
You decide what is best. Experiment. Have fun. All animals need the least
processed foods. Horses need oats and other grains, fresh hay - not pelleted
food or pre-made molasses feeds. Tiny herbivores (guinea pigs, hamsters,
rabbits, etc) should have fresh vegetables and raw grains appropriate to
them rather than pellets. The best is to let them graze for themselves
when possible. Avoid chemicals and processing just like you do for yourself.
The same basic principles that guide our food selections will need to applied
to animals in our lives, adapting to the indivual physiological differences.
STEP ONE: Use the freshest, purest ingredients you can afford.
STEP TWO: Read different books about the holistic approach to animal nutrition.
As with books written for human diets, there are differences in opinion.
There are differences not yet written in books that you will find by going
to lectures, reading holistic animal magazines or consulting with a holistic
animal practitioner.
STEP THREE: Start using one nutritional approach with your animals. Evaluate
their health. You may want to start a journal that describes their current
health condition, so you can re-evaluate in the future. YOU are the one
to decide if the diet you are feeding is a good one. WARNING: Do not stray
too far from the basic guidelines you read in the books. Cats CANNOT be
vegetarians. They need at least 60% meat in their diet, and maybe 90%.
There are some healthy dogs being fed a vegetarian diet, but most of the
healthy ones self-selected a vegetarian diet rather that having their owners
impose one. Most dogs need at least 25% meat and some need up to 60% or
maybe even more. Wait, you say, what about canned and dry animal foods,
or pelleted feeds? That is the only diet my veterinarian recommends. Think
people. Would you be your best eating instant breakfasts and military K
rations as your total diet? They meet the MDRs. Dogs and cats need raw
meat to be really healthy and even the best processed foods cook their
good ingredients, and most commercially available foods, even the expensive
ones, use the cheapest ingredients (that means dead, diseased and decaying
meat and by-products).
WHAT ABOUT THE QUALITY OF THE INGREDIENTS?
Organic or not organic? As noted on the scale above, organic is certainly
best, but when not available or affordable, fresh is key. You can compile
a list of where is purchase meats(the most expensive item) at what prices
and quality. Remember that wild game is hormone and steroid free even when
they eat pesticide reared corn and crops. Look into meat lockers and reselling
wild meat, or finding butchers who will keep the scraps from game, or hunters
willing to bring in the organ meat they clean out in the field, and the
stores who discount their almost ready to expire meat. The more research
you can do to find inexpensive, healthy meat sources, the more likely your
patients will get to eat healthy meat. I remind people that paying extra
for organic is like making a charitable contribution to the health of our
planet, and sometimes people can afford better food if they decrease their
tithing and put some of that money into organic ingredients.
GENERAL GUIDELINES
Every animal is an individual and has different requirements - you need
to find out what will satisfy their personal nutrition needs. Dogs need
25% - 50% (even up to 90%)protein, and a few can be healthy with a vegetarian
diet. I have seen dogs die who did not do well on vegetarian diets. Cats
need at least 60% protein, mostly meat, and therefore cannot be vegetarian.
(Some cats do best with up to 90% meat, even ones with kidney problems.)
Carbohydrates need to be overcooked/soggy and raw vegetables ground finely
since dogs and cats have very short digestive tracts. In the wild, the
intestinal contents of the prey are seeds, which are high fat and protein,
not our modern grains which are high carbohydrate. While many animals will
tolerate carbohydrates, others can not be fully healthy and need few ,
if any, grains. (Do dogs or cats require
grains in their diet?).
Meat should be raw. Cooking destroys enzymes
and denatures the proteins rendering them less digestible to cats and dogs.
Feeding chunks of meat lets your pet exercise jaw muscles, form saliva
and enzymes in the stomach (most animals swallow their
food relatively whole) needed to digest food properly. Ground meat is passable
for most animals, occasionally, but Juliette de Bairacli Levy said that
"minced meat is lethal to animals" and we find in practice that some animals
just do not seem to be healthy until on chunks of raw meat. You can buy
in quantity and freeze in portions. (Freezing
only slightly decreases the nutritional value). An excellent meat is heart
meat (good price, too). Other organ meats are great.
Liver must be organic since it processes toxins. A must to read on the
topic of raw meat is Pottinger's Cats.
An M.D. in the 1930's kept 3 groups of cats in large outdoor enclosures.
He found that feeding raw meat, raw milk and cod liver oil produced great
health, including reproductive and off-spring health. When either the milk
or the meat was cooked, health deteriorated rapidly. We rarely see Salmonella,
E. coli, and toxoplasmosis due to the intestinal flora and short transit
time of dogs and cats. Raw bones, yes bones, are great on a regular basis.
If the animal is eating the bones, you need not
supplement with
calcium. Raw fruit and vegetables are great, but must be grated so their
short intestinal tracts can fully digest them. Milk products are fine.
Only a few animals get diarrhea from milk. As with people, some animals
do not thrive on specific food items, so individually adjust your companion's
diet.
Digestive enzymes
are useful while the animals are healing, and may or may not be needed
once they are really healthy. A "whole food" or "super food" supplement
is essential since soils are poor. (Blue green algae, colloidal minerals,
wheat grass, spirulena, Missing Link, etc.). Rotate these every few months
or less rather than just using one. Have a "meal-time" - don't leave food
out. Do not feed dry food to cats. A normal, healthy cat is NOT THIRSTY!!!
(You may see them drink rarely.) Feeding dry food will make them thirsty
and may stress the kidneys, so I do not suggest dry food for cats. This
should be fun for both you and your companion. BE PATIENT while switching
to the new diet. If there are appetite problems - finicky or ravenous -
these are signs of energy imbalance and the animal needs treatment. A healthy
animal will eat any good food presented. Overfeeding causes pickiness,
too.
SUPPLEMENTS
No one knows exactly which animals need which supplements, just as each
person needs different supplements. There are a basic few that follow,
and many owners give 10 to 20 different supplements they have heard of.
If an animal needs more than just a few supplements to stay healthy, more
holistic treatment is needed, as healthy animals will get the nutrients,
vitamins and minerals, from a good diet. Keep experimenting to see which
supplements are really needed for each individual. Juliette de Bairacli
Levy recommends letting animals graze and select their own herbal supplements.
Vitamins and minerals are needed, especially calcium, phosphorus, magnesium,
A, D, and E, so please follow the books' guidelines or use a commercial
source. VITAMIN C is good: 500-2,000 mg per day, especially when pets are
stressed. Ester-C is the most absorbable(C-flex is good for animals). Helpful
when the body needs acidifying is sodium ascorbate powder (or ascorbic
acid), which comes very concentrated. For young (under 12 mos.) very large
breed dogs, use calcium ascorbate. Many other supplements are available
- see the catalogs and read your mail.
I DO NOT EVEN COOK FOR MYSELF, HOW CAN I COOK FOR THEM?
This is a common response. My interaction often starts with: Do you
eat? Meals can be prepared weekly, and/or entrees and salad bars purchased
for your animals. Next best, for busy or traveling owners, or while switching
over, you can use a combination of good quality commercial food and home
prepared food. Buy Pet Guard, or Wysong, (usually available at pet food
stores or health food stores.) Then supplement with raw meat, vegetables,
starches, fruits and specific supplements. I do not recommend most foods
available in your supermarket, pet store, veterinarian's, or even health
food store. Yes, even Science diet. They usually are full of chemicals
and poor ingredients. Different animals need different foods: you will
be the judge of what foods are best for your friend by watching the effect
of the diet. Pet Guard, Wysong, PHD, and Precise are good foods
The following books are the classics and the appendix lists more books.
Dr. Pitcairn's Natural Health for Dogs and Cats, The New Natural Cat by
Anitra Frazier, Cat Care, Naturally by Celeste Yarnell, 'It's
For The Animals!Natural Care and Resources by Helen L. McKinnon and
Reigning
Cats and Dogs by Pat McKay. Some books suggest soaking the ingredients
to help purify them, others and myself feel its not needed. some suggest
grains, others do not. Find the path for each animal.
(additional links to books and video about
holisitic Animal Health - shirley)
VACCINATION
WHY DO WE VACCINATE, AND FOR WHAT? We have a fear of getting sick, and
if someone can tell us that by getting an injection we and our loved ones
will not get that disease, we want that injection. Unfortunately, we would
rather prevent one problem than take the time to slowly build up such good
health that we do not need specific disease prevention - and are much healthier
overall. Stop for a moment, and reflect on the number of vaccinations many
veterinarians now recommend for dogs and cats: Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis,
Parainfluenza, Parvovirus, Bordetella, Corona, and Lyme disease vaccines
for dogs, and Panleukopenia, Calici, Rhino, Chlamydia, Feline Leukemia,
Feline Infectious Peritonitis and now ringworm vaccine for cats. Every
year (or more frequently) animals are being injected with 4-8 viruses,
in addition to Rabies. Would you rebel if your doctor told you to now get
MMR and DPT (Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Diptheria, Pertussis, Tetnus), Hib,
Hepatitis, and Rabies every year of your life until you died, instead of
only a few doses as a child? The leaders in conventional veterinary medicine
are now questioning the whole vaccination protocol, but private practitioners
may be slow to respond. RABIES is required by law and because of the public
health significance, must be done with an approved vaccine by a veterinarian.
We can attempt to avoid the possible negative effects of the Rabies vaccine
by using homeopathy and good timing.
harmful to the health of susceptible animals.
The AVMA has just recommended (1/98) that cats and dogs only be vaccinated
every 3 years. They acknowledge that they do really know how long vaccines
last. Holistically, we find vaccinations one of the most harmful thing
we do to animals. I recommend no vaccines at all (except the legally required
Rabies, which is a viral vaccine and so probably protects for a lifetime).
I do not recommend using homeopathic nosodes
for protection. Experience has demonstrated that building up the overall
health of your animal and treating any illnesses holistically is the best
protection and the best way for a long, healthy life. The insert on vaccine
packages say "Give only to healthy animals", so if your animal is ill in
any way, they should not be vaccinated at that time per the manufacturers.
Poor nutrition or vaccination, of course, does not bother some animals.
WHAT IS THE HOLISTIC PERSPECTIVE? A healthy animal or person is unlikely
to get sick (or very sick) even if exposed to infectious agents. Ideally
we would never vaccinate, feed wonderful fresh food and treat the early
symptoms that indicate the body is out of balance. If they do develop an
infectious disease, it can usually be treated successfully with homeopathy.
Even vaccinated animals get those diseases for which they are vaccinated,
and may or may not be cured. The unvaccinated seem to respond better to
holistic treatment.
More on vaccination:ARE
VACCINATIONS POTENTIALLY HARMFUL? - CAN
MY ANIMALS REALLY BE SAFE AND HEALTHY AND NOT VACCINATED? - VACCINATION
GUIDELINES - HOMEOPATHIC PREVENTION SCHEDULE
vaccine controversy books/library
ENVIRONMENT
What is the best environment for an animal? Again, each animal is different,
just like each child is different. Some children can go to any school and
do well, others must try out several schools before finding their ideal
learning situation. There is no right answer, only the search for the best
answer. Some horses love to race. Others, while appearing to enjoy racing,
are sick frequently. (more about environmental
toxins affecting your animal's health)
Some dogs, even when very healthy, are basically couch potatoes and
like a moderate walk or a short spell of ball chasing. To require this
dog to go on 20 mile hikes every week- end may cause physical problems,
even if mentally the dog goes to please you. A cat who really wants to
be an outside cat may need you to play for longer times and more actively
than one who is content with the indoor, more sedentary life. Maybe you
will need to build a screened in porch in your 12th floor condominium to
have a healthy cat. Even when we do not have the perfect environment for
our animals, we can try to do our best by stopping and thinking about what
they need.
The shift you have made in your own health that now has you seeking
ways to overall improve your health rather than merely getting
rid of each symptom or illness is the same philosophy you need to apply
to your animal friends. Again, there is no one right method of treatment.
Some (although very few) animals just do not like acupuncture needles,
some animals do not exhibit the characteristic idiosyncrasies we need to
best prescribed homeopathically, some need the energy support of Reike
or therapeutic touch or Zero balancing to be the most healthy. Most will
improve with any well-done treatment. You are the one responsible to decide
if your animal is being cured, palliated or suppressed by the treatment
given. A cure is when all the symptoms disappear, never to return , and
the animal is glowing with health. Healthy animals can, and should, get
sick occasionally with acute illnesses that resolve quickly with minimal
treatment. Clues that you are progressing towards a cure are that emotionally
your animal is happier and more expressive, and you sense that there is
more resilience, more health even though the symptoms may be continuing.
There will often be a brief return of old symptoms (this is good) or a
short worsening of the current symptoms (see
healing crisis). Improvement should be quick if the animal has been
sick a short time, and should take longer if the illness is longstanding.
If your cat has been itching for 5 years, it may take 5 months to completely
resolve the itching. If the itching goes away in a day, palliation or suppression
have probably occurred and that is not good in the long run. When there
is severe diarrhea for one day, you could expect it to disappear in a few
hours.
If you find you are having to re-treat frequently to keep the symptoms
in check, or your animal feels worse overall even though the main problem
is still gone, you need to talk with your practitioner or consult with
someone else. Keeping a journal is important
so you can look back and see what has gotten better and are problems getting
less frequent and less severe, which is your goal.
This journal will help you patiently wait for problems resolve because
you can see the pattern of the whole being changing for the better. Patience
is definitely an unsung virtue on the road to health. Even if the modality
you choose turns out not to be curative, your animal will be healthier
for using this approach. Finally, as you already realize, you are responsible
for your animal's health, not just your practitioner. If you feel the practitioner
you are using is palliating or suppressing, not curing, talk to them of
your concerns and suggest a referral or simply choose another one yourself.
Read, talk to other people, talk with your animal health care providers,
take courses. Pay attention to what works and what does not work (here's
that useful journal helping you keep track).
You may have a wonderful veterinary accupuncturist who thinks you should
vaccinate and feed canned food. You certainly can use her for accupuncture,
but follow your heart and feed raw meat and do not vaccinate. You stand
firm with what you feel is working. You need to be flexible enough to realize
you (or your practitioner) has made a mistake and
it is time for a change. The path to health for your animals can be fun
and challenging. Your animals will love your experimentation with all the
different forms of healing. You will learn how to be more healthy yourself.
You will eat better because you are feeding your animal better. You will
meet some other wonderful people committed to their animal's health. Have
fun. All holistic modalities treat the entire animal (or person) rather
than just trying to get rid of one symptom at the cost of weakening the
overall life force, but not every practitioner practices that way.
CHRONIC ILLNESS
Why do so many animals suffer from autoimmune diseases, cancer, short
life spans, thyroid problems, diabetes, chronic allergies and bowel problems,
behavior problems?
Diets that are lacking essential nutrients; are not prepared with
love; food raised in soils that are very nutrient deficient; over processed
and chemically preserved canned and dry foods that sap the vitality.
Drugs that are very effective at quickly making symptoms disappear
(this is often suppressive, and worsens the overall imbalance.)
Drugs that are prescribed in case a problem might occur. Drugs taken
regularly for "prevention" of heartworms, parasites, etc. "Don't" let the
body have mild symptoms to allow the vital force to re-balance and strengthen.
Overreaction by owners to symptoms - "I want the itch to stop now!"
Over treatment by drugs and pesticides.
Vaccinations. This is probably the main cause of the chronic conditions
in our animals today, and their inability to regain their health easily.
See later lectures by me, and read from bibliography.
Environmental toxins and stressors - noise, hectic pace, electric
wires, pollution of all sorts. Eradication of superficial symptoms, such
as surgical removal of tumors and warts, topical treatment to eliminate
eruptions and discharges.
SIGNS OFTEN ACCEPTED AS "NORMAL" IN DOGS AND/OR CATS
SKIN: doggy smell; attracts fleas a lot; dry, oily, lack-luster coat;
excessive shedding; not grooming, ear problems - waxy, oily, itchy, recurrent
mites; eye discharge, tearing, or matter in corner of eyes; raised third
eyelid; spots appearing on iris; "freckles" appearing on face; whiskers
falling out; fragile, thickened, distorted claws that are painful or sensitive
to trim.
BEHAVIOR: Fears(of loud noises, thunder, wind, people, animals, life);
too timid; too rough or aggressive (even at play); too hard to train; barks
too much and too long; suspicious nature; biting when petted too long;
hysteria when restrained; clumsy; indolent; licking or sucking things or
people too much; not using litter box , not covering.
DIGESTIVE: Bad breath; tarter accumulation; loss of teeth; poor appetite;
craving weird things(rubber bands, plastic, dirt, cat litter, paper, dogs
eating dog or cat stools, rocks, sticks..); sensitivity to milk; thirst
- a super healthy cat on non dry food will drink at most once a week; red
gum line; vomiting often, even hairballs more than a few times a year;
mucus on stools; tendency to diarrhea with least change of diet; obesity;
anal gland problems; recurrent parasites.
STIFFNESS when getting up, early hip dysplasia; tires easily in hot or
cold weather; can no longer jump up on counters, or go up or down steps.
TEMPERATURE: Low grade fevers - Normal for healthy cats and dogs is 100-101.5.
AGE and REPRODUCTION: Should live a long life (Shepherds 17 years, Danes
12, cats 24); should be able to conceive easily, deliver normally, and
not pass on "genetic breed" traits.
Overview of the homeopathic approach to veterinary medicine:
For Pet Care Takers:
-
Do you ant your dog or cat to live longer, healthier lives?
-
Ready to be in charge of health options for your animals?
-
Ready to build up health rather than spend lots on treating problems?
For Veterinarians:
-
Clients asking for other options?
-
Want new approaches to help your patients?
-
Ready to add another income stream to your practice?
Dr. Christina Chambreau (a founder of the AVH) and Dr. Jill Elliot (Homeopathic
practice in NYC) will cover the basic principles of homeopathy that can
be applied to any modality. Learn how the homeopathic approach to veterinary
medicine can prevent many immune related diseases, quickly cure frustrating
cases and involve owners in the treatment process to improve compliance
and client satisfaction. Learn the basic principles of homeopathy that
can help even your conventional treatments be more effective and help owners
improve health and longevity for their pets. Learn keys to know if an animal
is deeply healing or merely superficially improving. Learn how to identify
which cases respond best to homeopathy – case taking. Become familiar with
the different tools of the homeopathic practitioner – Repertories, Materia
Medicas, computer programs. Understand the process of finding the similimum,
that substance that matches the current energetic state of the animal and
therefore will help the most. Walk away with treatments you can use tomorrow
for specific problems. Understand enough to decide if homeopathic medicine
is a modality for you to pursue. This class is open to veterinarians, veterinary
technicians and the public.
Introduction to Homeopathy for Animals
-
History and principles of homeopathy, how remedies are made,
-
Obstacles to cure including feeding the best diet, limiting the number
of vaccines and toxins.
-
Intermediate Homeopathy for Animals - Prerequisite: Introduction to Homeopathy
or Instructor permission
-
Learn: how to take a case, use the repertory to look up the symptoms,
-
Select the best remedy, give the right strength, and evaluate the response
to the treatment. This is invaluable even if you never use the remedies
as you will be able to tell what modalities are the best for your specific
animal and for yourself
-
Homeopathic Treatment of Behavior Problems - Prerequisite: Desire to learn
new approaches to animal health.
-
Learn: Homeopathic and other methods to approach behavior problems.
-
Case Studies in Animal Homeopathy - Prerequisite: Be treating animals using
a repertory and single remedies.
-
Learn: How to better prescribe, new trends in homeopathy, have your questions
answered, form strong partnerships to help your prescribing, thorough
working with your own cases.
To register for the day long conference, go to http://www.theAVH.org.
For questions, email Dr. Chambreau at HealthyAnimals@aol.com
Holistic animal health articles by Dr. Christina Chambreau
D.V.M.
The fasted and easiest way to
secure a phone consultation with Dr. Chambreau is through the Veterinarian
Advice Line's toll free number: 866-483-8669. (make sure to say that
you were referred by Shirley's Wellness Cafe) Dr. Chambreau offers phone
consultations and classes on: Homeopathy, Nutrition Flower essenses,
Overall Holistic Health
Dr. Christina Chambreau D.V.M. is the founder of the Academy of Veterinary
Homeopathy and and is on the faculty of the National Center for Homeopathy
Summer School. She teaches and lectures at conventions, schools, clubs
and to anyone who is concerned about improving the health of animals. She
graduated from the University of Georgia Veterinary College in 1980 and
has practiced veterinary homeopathy since 1983.
Improving Your Animal's
Immune System and Overall Health with Nutritional Support
A groundswell of nutrition conscious veterinarians are beginning to
recommend to their clients that they supplement their animals diet with
a daily dose of flaxseed oil and other important nutrients.When the diets
of animals were fortified with flax, within three weeks their coats developed
a beautiful sheen, and dandruff was greatly diminished. There are amazing
testimonials about animals recovering from cancer, diabetes and other severe
degenerative illnesses with a nutritional product called Transfer Factor.
"My
colleagues and I have found this product (transfer factor) to be very effective
in modulating the immune system. Transfer factor is a "soup" of immune-modulating
factors, which contains a leukocyte-type molecule that can passively transfer
immunity from one mammal to another by stimulating cell-mediated immunity
and is antigen specific. Richard Bennett, Ph.D., an Infectious Disease
Microbiologist and Immunologist from the University of California, Davis
School of Veterinary Medicine, believes this could be the most significant
development in animal health care in decades. We have a great number of
veterinarians and clients who are experiencing very positive results in
a broad area of disorders, including periodontal. "Charles
W. Brown, DVM more
If you'd like to copy, print or send to a friend a summary of the information
about holistic animal health click here
 Holistic
veterinary: testimonials of amazing cures
Read other people's testimonials of amazing animal health improvements
and cures of cancer and other chronic disease with natural, alternative
health care and optimum nutrition. This is a collection of emails I received
over the years and for which I received the permission to publish on my
site. With each testimonial you will find an email address to facilitate
correspondance, feedback and support.
Alternative Therapy for Our Animals
Read about FDA's alledged abuse of power toward pet store owner who
supplied litterature claiming that vitamins would keep pets healthy. The
article, written by James DeMeo, Ph.D. can be found at The
FDA - Who Do They Really Protect? Anti-Constitutional Activities and
Abuse of Police Power by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other
Federal Agencies.
Animal
Diseases and their Natural Care
"Over the past 40 years and 17 generations of dogs and, cats we are
seeing tremendous increases in chronic ill health in our pets that was
rare back in the early 1960's. Most of these illnesses revolve around breakdown
in our pets' immune systems, and include chronic skin/ear allergies, digestive
upset, thyroid/adrenal/pancreatic disorders, seizures, gum/ teeth problems,
degenerative arthritis, kidney/liver failure, and cancer across all ages
and breeds. We are also seeing a record number of behavioral and emotional
disorders including alarming and unexplained fears/aggression., as well
as difficulty focusing/training and paying attention. The analogy of these
compared with escalating immune/behavioral diseases in children is quite
disturbing. The two biggest factors in our pets' population health decline
over these generations has been the severe overuse
of multiple vaccines and nutrient poor and toxin
filled commercial pet foods. We have also failed to address the underlying
cause of disease by only sup pressing symptoms with
antibiotics,
cortisone
and related drugs, so the disease progresses and goes deeper. Homeopathy
offers a viable alternative in truly curing pets and making their bodies
healthier." Michael Dym, VMDYou
cannot
poisonyour animal into health with drugs, chemo
or radiation. The holistic approach treats the whole animal, ignites the
body's internal healing force and stimulates the body's natural abilities
to heal itself "Health can only be achieved with healthful living"
T.C.Fry
Holistic Animal Health and Optimum
Pet Nutrition
A growing number of veterinarians state that processed pet food is
the main cause of illness and premature death in the modern dog and cat.
In December 1995, the British Journal of Small Animal Practice published
a paper contending that processed pet food supresses the immune system
and leads to liver, kidney, heart and other diseases. Dr. Kollath, of the
Karolinska Hospital in Stockholm, headed a study done on animals. When
young animals were fed cooked and processed foods they initially appeared
to be healthy. However, as the animals reached adulthood, they began to
age more quickly than normal and also developed chronic degenerative disease
symptoms. A control group of animals raised on raw foods aged less quickly
and were free of degenerative disease. For a return to health, pets require
a diet which strengthens the immune system and most closely resembles that
which they would get in the wild. It's really easy to do. Click
here to learn
 Chemicals
in Your Home and Your Pet's Health: testimonials
Countless pets are poisoned each year, either suffering a sudden illness
or death or encountering toxins on a daily basis that erode their health
slowly and shorten their lifespan. Illness does not occur without cause.
Causes may originate in many areas. Underlying causes of illness and disease
must be identified and removed before complete recovery can occur. Symptoms
can be expressions of the body's attempt to defend itself, to adapt and
recover, to heal itself, or may be results of the causes of disease.
Managing flea bites, allergies
and hotspots: the natural, drugless approach
"Does your dog have allergies? Does he itch all of the time? Has your
veterinarian diagnosed "allergies" and sentenced your beloved canine companion
to years of steroid therapy? I wrote The Allergy Solution for Dogs to provide
owners with honest and objective information they can use to help plan
a holistic treatment approach to dealing with their pets' allergies. Nothing
bizarre or strange, simply proven treatments that I have used on thousands
of pets in my years in private practice. Each day I help pets with allergies
get off of steroids and help them live longer, itch-free lives. I have
shared my secrets with the readers of Dog Fancy in my monthly column, and
now I happily share them with you. Get ready to learn how to improve your
dog's life the holistic way!" Shawn
Messonnier DVM
 Routine
Animal Vaccination: Is it really safe and effective?
Most recently, an article appeared in the Journal of the American Veterinary
Medical Association entitled "Are We Vaccinating Too Much?"
Dr. Richard Pitcairn D.V.M. Ph.D:"In
this article we begin to address the subject of vaccinosis, the general
name for chronic dis-ease caused by vaccines. For some readers the very
idea that vaccines are anything but wonderful and life-saving may come
as a surprise, and it's not a very pleasant one. After all, the general
population pictures vaccines as one of modern medicine's best and brightest
moments, saving literally millions from the scourge of diseases like poliomyelitis
and smallpox. " Dr. Richard Pitcairn
D.V.M. Ph.D
Dr. McCluggage DVM,
- "...we must stop advocating yearly vaccines because of the harm we are
doing to the animals we vaccinate. He covered the homeopathic concept of
"vaccinosis". Vaccinosis is a disease entity that may be introduced through
vaccinating animals or people. Once vaccinosis develops, there is a disturbance
in the bodies vital forces that leads to symptoms of chronic disease that
can be very difficult (and often impossible) to cure. Dr. McCluggage also
stated that there are no good reasons to recommend annual vaccinations
for our companion animals. " Dr. McCluggage
DVM
Donna Starita Mehan DVM:"Routine"
vaccination has adverse side-effects, either short or long term. With vaccines
that are repeated year after year, the frequency and severity of these
side-effects in our pets has increased dramatically. Most of the problems
involve the immune system. After all, the immune system is what vaccines
are designed to stimulate. But they do so in a very unnatural way that
can overwhelm and confuse the immune system and can result in increased
susceptibility to acute infections (such as ear infections in dogs, bladder
infections in cats), chronic tapeworm problems, or in more degenerative
cases, cancer." Donna Starita Mehan
DVM
Read about the comments of other
vets
who believe that vaccines are damaging our pets. Read
the above quotes in their entirety Please get informed!
Correctly
prescribed homeopathic remedies can often undue the damage caused by vaccines.
Homeopathy
is
noted for its success to antidote or remove the toxic effects of vaccines
and to re-establish balance in the organism and restore health. Certain
homeopathic remedies taken after vaccination can minimize
vaccine damage. A professional homeopathic vet should
be consulted for more information.
Animals aren't the only ones at risk! What Every Parent Should Know
BEFORE Their Childen Are Vaccinated!
  Vaccines:
are they really safe and effective? Why
are a growing number of parents and health care professionals around the
world questioning vaccination? The controversy stems from the thousands
of deaths and permanent disabilities attributed to vaccination annually,
as well as the many published medical studies, government statistics, congressional
testimonies, and other credible sources that directly contradict commonly
held assumptions about vaccine safety and effectiveness.
More pictures of vaccine damage available
to view at the
CDC
website
"Bart Classen, a
Maryland physician, published data showing that diabetes rates rose significantly
in New Zealand following a massive hepatitis B vaccine campaign in young
children, and that diabetes rates also went up sharply in Finland after
three new childhood vaccines were introduced." Nicholas Regush ABCNEWS.com
 In
fall 1997, two influential professional magazines featured articles asking
the question: Has the decrease of infectious diseases in childhood through
the mass use of vaccines been replaced with an increase in chronic diseases
such as diabetes and asthma? The Economist, a prestigious international
magazine read by world leaders in government, business and public policy,
and Science News, a magazine read by both health care professionals and
the general public, explored the reported links between vaccines and chronic
diseases in their November 22, 1997 issues. Learn
more about vaccine and diabetes connection --- asthma and
vaccine connection --- SIDS and autism and vaccine connection
--- "Shaken Baby Syndrome": the vaccination link
|
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ShirleysWellnessCafe.com (aka: MyWellnessHouse.com) is a free educational
site site dedicated to help promote holistic health for you, your family,
and your animals.
 Do
you have a question about holistic animal health or need assistance?
or use this contact
form or call 206-984-3009 or 323-389-0560
 Natural
Animal Health Overview of Natural, Holistic Veterinary
Medicine
Deadly,
Contagious Dog Flu Virus - Dr. Cynda Crawford, an immunologist
at the University of Florida's College of Veterinary Medicine who is studying
the virus, said that it spread most easily where dogs were housed together
but that it could also be passed on the street, in dog runs or even by
a human transferring it from one dog to another. Kennel workers have carried
the virus home with them. Read
what Dr. Falconer D.V.M. recommends to protect your pet from
the Canine Flu disease
 Dangerous
Side Effects or Flu Vaccine, H1N1, and Tamiflu Drug NFL cheerleader
suffers brain damage after getting flu shot (watch the video). Medical
doctors warning about dangerous side effects of flu vaccine and flu drug.
more...
 Pet
deaths prompt recall of pet food The
number of cases of kidney failure among dogs and cats  that
ate poisoned pet food could total in the tens
of thousands says Dr. Paul Pion, president
of the Veterinary Information Network. More accounts of stricken pets had
been coming in since the numbers were tallied over the weekend. He said
the final number for pets suffering from kidney failure could be in the
tens of thousands. more on the recall
Shop
for Safe, All Natural Human Ingredients Healthy Pet Food
Natural
Treatment of Pet Kidney Disease
 Dr.
Jones DVM - "The Truth Behind The Pet Food Recall"
Class
Action Lawsuit Filed Against Pet Food Companies
 Irradiated
pet food endangering pets health, killing pets The
Australian government in late May ordered an immediate stop to sterilizing
cat food via irradiation after reviewing scientific studies pointing
to food irradiation as the culprit behind illnesses characterized by ataxia
or paralysis of the limbs The U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) also allows animal feed, including pet food and treats, to be irradiated.
 Dr.
Blanco D.V.M "You take healthy animals and often very quickly
after
you vaccinate, you can see simple things like itching of the skin or
excessive licking of the paws, sometimes even with no eruptions and licking
of the air. We see a lot of epilepsy, often after a rabies vaccination.
Or dogs or cats can become aggressive for several days. Frequently you'll
see urinary tract infections in cats, often within three months after their
[annual] vaccination. If you step back, open your mind and heart, you'll
start to see patterns of illness post-vaccination."
learn more
Veterinary Secrets
Revealed!
E-book
 Veterinary
Secrets Revealed is the bible for solving your pet health problems
with natural, at home remedies. Dr. Jones shows you more ways to treat
your pet at home than I knew existed.
"These are all practical
remedies that really work. No pet owner should be without this e-book."
Dr. Jeff Serfas, Forestburg Animal Hospital
 Natural
Methods For Equine Health Horses, just like any other animal
benefit from natural veterinary care and prevention.
100%
all natural and organic flea and tick control products
New safe
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product is now available for full prevention and eradication of flea, tick,
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Warning:
Spot-On Pesticides such as Frontline, Zodiac, Defend, Bio Spot, Adams and
Advantage trigger adverse reactions in dogs
and cats, shorten life spans, cause terminal illness, and
premature death. more...
Dr. Steven Slagle, DVM
- "Transfer
factors have turned out to be the most effective and versatile
products I have ever used in my 32-year veterinary practice. A cat with
leukemia, an oral tumor, and posterior paralysis due to a spinal tumor,
was very ill and emaciated. One month after transfer factors there was
some regression of the oral tumor, restored appetite with some weight gain,
and increased sociability. Five months later, she continues to improve,
regaining normal weight, 80% regression of her oral tumor, and regaining
use of hind legs and tail." more
Dogs
love Dr. Miller's Detox Tea too!
 Dogs
enjoy drinking Dr. Miller's Detox Tea because it helps improve their
digestion, thus eliminate bad breath and body odors. The tea also helps
flush toxins and assists in cleansing waste and compacted fecal matter
from the colon.
learn
more.
Natural Herbal Digestive Aids for Dogs
and Cats
Digestive
Support Herbal digestive tonic supports healthy digestion in pets
Flatulence
Preventer Promote digestive health and reduce common gas and unpleasant
smells
LiverAid
Effective natural tonic for the liver and pancreas
Natural
Moves for Pets For regular bowels and digestive system
Parasite
Dr. Natural remedy to promote digestive health and integrity
RunniPoo
Relief Maintain healthy digestion and bowel functioning
Parvo-K
Promote digestive harmony and fluid balance
 Dr.
Jerry Tennant, M.D.
says that marine phytoplankton contains almost
everything one needs to sustain life and to restore health by providing
the raw materials to make new cells that function normally. Learn
how phytoplankton saved a dog's Life
More at Shirley's Wellness
Cafe:
Holistic
Animal Health
Natural
Health for Children
Natural
Health for Women
Natural
Health for Men
Steroids'
Side Effects - Anti-Inflammatory Diet and Natural Remedies
Eyesight
Conditions - Natural Solutions
Arthritis
Conditions - Natural Treatment
Diabetes
Alternative Medicine
Health
Issues: Consumer Alert!
Alternative
Cancer Therapies
Gulf
War Syndrome Causes and Illnesses
Chia
Seeds: The Wonder Food with Healing Power
Antibiotic
Resitance Crisis - The Prebiotics and Probiotic Revolution
The
New Healing Science of Glyconutrients
What
is Homeopathy?
Urine
therapy:
medically proven natural cure
Thyroid
Disorder and the fluoride connection
Toxic
Environment - Toxic Cosmetics
Detoxification
for Optimum Health:
Chemicals and toxins are the primary cause of disease
and obesity
Glutathione's
role in health, aging and cancer
Tonic
Herbs for Longevity, Rejuvenation, Immunity
Raw
Food and Juice Therapy
Therapeutic
Fasting
Healing
with Herbs and Other Natural Remedies
Water:
the great healer
The
acid-alkaline balance's impact on health
Clay
Therapy - Our Earth, Our Cure
Bee Pollen:
healing from the hives
Magnesium
Medical Miracles
Marine
plants to enhance health
Profound
Life-Giving Properties of Marine Phytoplankton
Guide
to natural treatments for Fibromyalgia
Immune
system: the body's defense department
Sunlight
to restore health
Cayenne
Pepper: the great healer
The
acid-alkaline balance's impact on health
Allicin,
The Heart of Garlic - Mother Nature's Defender
Wheatgrass
juice: nectar of health and rejuvenation
Healing
Earth: Fulvic Acid and Shilajit
Stem
Cell Physiology - Supporting Bone Marrow Adult Stem Cell Release
Naturally
A healing
crisis: what is it?
Transfer
Factor for people and animals
Overcoming
stress naturally
Overcoming
The Sugar Blues and Getting Off Prozac
Healing
shingles/herpes zoster naturally and rapidly
Flaxseed
Oil The Wonder Healer
Cholesterol
Myth - Fats that Heal, Fats that Kill!
Salt
Deficiency:
the cause of many serious disease
Radiant,
healthy skin: the natural way
Words
Of Wisdom Follow Your Dreams!
Dangers
of Modern Medicine: Iatrogenic Diseases
Healing
asthma: a drugless approach
Alzheimer's
Disease: There is Hope!
Healing
eczema: a drugless approach
Healing
psoriasis: a drugless approach
Parasites
Infections: Symptoms and Natural Treatment (humans and pets)
Basic
Healing Principles
AIDS/HIV/AZT:
truth behind the propaganda
The
bitter truth about nutrasweet
Canola
oil: how toxic is it?
Bovine
Growth Hormones in your milk
Beware
of Genetically Engeneered Foods
Radiation
Emergencies: Protecting The Thyroid Gland
Weight
Loss: natural and healthy solutions
West
Nile Virus - what the media won't tell you
Most
Popular Natural Health Products Safe and Effective Remedies for
People and Pets
About
the author of this website
 
Doctors and parents expose how
vaccines are crippling our children.
Dr.
David Ayoub, M.D. lectures on Vaccines, Mercury, Autism and other disease
Vaccines:
deception and tragedy
Vaccines
and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
Shaken
Baby Syndrome or Vaccine-Induced Encephalitis?
Misdiagnosed
Shaken Baby Syndrome: A Criminal Consequence of Vaccine Injury
AUTISM:
is there a vaccine connection?
Criminal
Consequence of Vaccine Injury
Anthrax
Vaccine Facts and Gulf War Syndrome
Government
Enforced Vaccinations: Vaccination Tracking Registry
How
To Legally Avoid Unwanted Immunizations Of All Kinds
Tamiflu,
Flu Vaccine: Shocking Discovery
Animals:
chronic dis-ease caused by vaccines
Nosodes:
alternative to conventional vaccines
Library:
Vaccine Controversy books
Holistic
Children's Health :
Holistic
Pediatrics (general)
Nutrition
for Babies and Children
Attachment
Parenting
Ear
infections: alternative to tubes and antibiotics
Pshychiatry
- betraying and drugging children for profit
Childhood
vaccinations: are they really safe and effective?
Sudden
Infant Death Syndrome: astonishing facts
Autism:
is there a vaccine connection?
The
Circumcision Decision: what I wish I had known...
Understanding
your baby's needs
Natural
Birth and Home Birth
Ritalin
Free Kids: Helping Children, Not Drugging Them
Homeopathy
for Children and Infants
Forced
Drugging of Children Parents facing jail over compulsory drug
orders.
No
longer blind: the story of Shirley's baby born blind and brain-injured
Holistic
Animal health :
Do
You Really Know What's In Your Pet's Food? by Dr. Jane Bicks DVM
Why
RAW food?
Food
Unfit For Pets
All
Natural Healthy Pet Food
Animal
Nutritional Therapy
Natural
Animal Health
Homeopathy
for animals
Renal
Failure - Urinary Tract condition
Animals
Messengers of Love and Wisdom
Pet
Allergies: non toxic natural solutions
Rearing
healthy pups and kittens
Saving
Shasta's life: a holistic approach
Sample
RAW pet food recipes
Toxic
environment and your pet's illness
Alternative
to antibiotics
Testimonials
of amazing animal healing.
Preventing
and Healing Animal Cancer without drugs or surgery
Holistic
Health for Horses
Feline
Holistic Health
Natural
diet for pet birds
Ferret
Natural Health Care and Optimum Diet
Vaccinosis:
chronic dis-ease caused by vaccines
Nosodes:
alternative to conventional vaccines
List
of holisitic veterinarians
Managing
flea bites and hotspots naturally
Improving
your animal's health with kelp
Library:
holistic animal health
Animal
training and behavior library
Training
Shasta for personal protection
 Shop
for all natural, non-toxic, safe products for your pet's health and well
being.
Hilarious 30 seconds videos.
They will make your day!
Dog
protecting his bone
Dog
being massaged by cat
Cat
will not share meal with dog
Great
Escapes - dogs are so smart!
Dog
born with no front legs walks like a human...you have to see it to believe
it!
 
Natural
Remedies for Stressed Pets
Animals respond
just as well to non-toxic anti-stress natural remedies. Animals too, have
an active mental and emotional life. and can manifest behavioral and physical
problems that have their roots in emotional trauma.
 
Natural
Animal Health category
 WHAT
VETS DON'T TELL YOU ABOUT VACCINES Read the comments of veterinarians
who believe that vaccines are damaging our pets. This information will
make you cry and aware of the scam that is the mainstay of the veterinary
field. Learn the truth about the terrible suffering of pets and their
owners and what can be done to protect your animals from the drug companies
and ignorant vets. 'Shock
to the System' covers the latest information on the vaccine issue,
and puts the other pieces of the puzzle into the picture. Diet, environmental
toxins, pharmaceuticals and stress all play a part in the health of companion
animals.
 Do
You Really Know What's In Your Pet's Food?
Listen to Dr. Jane Bicks D.V.M. twelve-minute FREE audio or video
presentation to learn more about how you can improve the health, well-being,
and longevity of your cherished pet. more
Ready-To-Eat
Raw Pet Food
  
Natural
dog and cat food Quality pet food with only natural, wholesome
ingredients and nutrient dense with vitamins, minerals, fats and fatty
acids which are essential for the optimal health of your dog or cat. learn
more
Want
to learn how to prepare raw homemade food for your pets? Sample
Raw Homemade Petfood Recipes
Heart
warming testimonials People share their success of healing their animals
without drugs, surgery or radiation.
 Agility
with Glucosamine and MSM A holistic multi-action formula that
contains glucosamine, MSM, sea mussels, special herbs and fish oils, which
support the biochemical functions necessary for healthy bones and joints.
Agility is a safe alternative to Rimadyl, steroids, or NSAID, with no side
effects.
 Advanced
Daily Supplement with Phytonutrient Power for Dogs
and Puppies or Cats
and Kittens. Why should you give your animal a nutritional supplement?
A deficiency in one vitamin or mineral may leave your dog vulnerable to
disease. This daily nutritional supplement provides your dog with
the essential nutrients ? the defense system support it needs to live a
long ? healthy life. Most of us take supplements and eat right to get all
the nutrients necessary to avoid disease and ensure good health. The same
is true for the four-legged member of your family … your precious pup or
kitten.
Home-base
Income opportunity
Share with others nature's
gifts that assists us on our journey to optimal health and wellness.
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HOW TO HELP YOUR ANIMAL LIVE LONGER AND HEALTHIER
Natural
Health for Women:
