Alternative Solutions for Beating Bronchitis in Dogs

Over this past weekend, I spoke to a lovely young woman who had a problem with her Beagle named Jack.  Jack is a pug with bronchitis.  Jack is 14 and also suffers from severe arthritis.  She asked what holistic alternatives there were for Jack.

In answer to her question, I needed to ask a few questions.  They were:

Is Jack overweight?
If Jack is overweight it could very well be contributing to the bronchitis problem. Controlling the weight of your dog will have a major impact on his breathing and coughing.

Does Jack get any exercise?
Exercise can help with weight control.  However, if the dog has not been exercised regularly, it will be difficult to get the exercise program started and it will need to be done gradually and with supervision.  If he is not used to it, it can irritate the airways. Over time, more active is usually better than less active.

Does Jack wear a standard collar?
Using a standard collar can be a strain on his throat and cause coughing. Using a harness when walking can surely help.

Then I offered the following suggestions:

1. 
   
   Reduce environmental contaminants like cigarette smoke and keep your dog away from intense smells such as perfumes and strong room deodorizers.
2. 
   
   Keep it humid. Consider using a humidifier or vaporizer. Place the humidifier or vaporizer near where the dog usually stays during the day or night to help with breathing. Make sure to clean the humidifier or vaporizer as directed by the manufacturer since they can emit bacteria when they get dirty.
3. Yerba Santa also known as the sacred herb in Spanish is a sticky-leafed evergreen that is native to the American Southwest. It is often used for the treatment of the common cold, as well as chronic respiratory problems such as bronchitis and asthma. As I always say, please, please, please do not dispense without professional guidance.  Check with a holistic vet or a pet homeopath.
4. Marshmallow root is said to relieve digestive and respiratory problems, such as dry coughs, colds, sore throats, inflammation of the mouth and pharynx and asthma.  Side effects are minor if at all.  Check out http://www.dickcontino.com/marshmallow-root-herb-remedies-side-effects.htm

5. Slippery Elm, like marshmallow, is traditionally used as a treatment for sore throat, coughs, dryness of the lungs, inflammation of the skin, wounds, and irritation of the digestive tract.  It has no known serious side effects as it coats the digestive tract and may slow down the absorption of other drugs or herbs.

I recently met with Jack and his guardian Samantha and Jack is now on Slippery Elm, uses and harness and has had a revamping of his diet.  We have high hopes that his bronchitis will improve over time and we will keep you posted.

Please remember that you should consult a professional before any herbal remedies mentioned are used.

The Scoop on Indoor Poop! Urban Dog Help

If you have a dog and live in a high rise condo or apartment in the big city, this blog is for you! If you have a senior dog who just doesn’t have the control he used to have but you still keep those same long hours at work, this blog is for you too!

I’ve had many clients ask me if I thought it was okay for their dog to be trained to eliminate in the house as opposed to taking them out every time they needed to go do their business. Although I am an outdoor advocate for dogs since it is a dog’s natural element to be outdoors, I do have a soft spot in my heart for those poor little dogs that get so cold in winter months or that senior dog who has such a hard time making it up and down those stairs every day. We also have to consider those dogs that just don’t get to go outside as often as they should. Not everyone can afford dog walkers and doggy daycare. That can get expensive.

If you fit into any of these categories, there is a solution.

The Purina Secondnature housetraining solution provides highly absorbent, non-toxic, paper-based pellets which controlas odor and is made of a non-tracking material. Check out their link at http://bit.ly/9qgi2c
I know of many people who use newspapers but those tend to get smelly and messy very quickly. I had one client who told me of an instance where the urine trailed from the bathroom into the hallway seeping under the carpeting. They were unaware of it as when they came back home it had already dried up; but the smell just wouldn’t go away. Well, you guessed it…the carpet was eventually ripped up and that was an expense they could have done without.

Apparently, in the U.S., this product is amazingly popular, especially with the small breed dog guardians living in apartments and high-rise condominiums.

I’ve read of a minor complication with the pellets in that puppies like to chew and eat them at times. Purina has claimed that ingestion of the pellets itself is not harmful to the dogs since they are just compressed papers. This will apparently result in more feces production until the dogs can stop this habit and since the doggy litter is non-clumping, it won’t get stuck inside the dog’s digestive system unlike clumping cat litter.

Please note! It is considered unsafe to use clumping cat litter as a substitute for the Purina dog litter.

If you are considering using this for a senior dog or a larger dog, please note that they do not have pans that currently accommodate larger sizes. I would try a large under the bed type of container that can be purchased at The Container Store or similar such as: http://bit.ly/bo3C3M

Purina Second Nature has been launched in the U.S. only but that may change in the near future.

If you’d like some training tips on how to potty train your dog for indoor elimination, you can check out: http://bit.ly/9goG9F

Can Dogs Suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?

To answer this question simply, ABSOLUTELY YES!

According to the National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH), "Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD, is an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened. Traumatic events that may trigger PTSD include violent personal assaults, natural or human-caused disasters, accidents, or military combat."

I firmly believe that all shelter dogs, not just some, experience PTSD whether mild or severe in nature. Let's think about this for a minute. A shelter dog's story can vary greatly. We've all heard the stories and a lot of us have experienced the aftermath of the abuse first hand. Shelter dogs can be sent there from a puppy mill, from an elderly guardian who can no longer care for them, as a stray someone found on the street, from an abusive situation; the scenarios are endless. In any case, the dog has become a victim. Cast away on some level to be placed in a foreign location with other highly stressed dogs and put in a cage.

Most shelters do an amazing job of working with these dogs to promote socialization skills, correct unhealthy behaviours and work diligently to get these dogs adopted, however their funds, time and abilities are limited. The psychological stress for some dogs, can just be too much.

Often times the dog will be given a physical exam by a veterinarian. At some point someone will spend some time with the dog to assess the dog's ability to be adopted. If that dog doesn't pass the test, the dog could possibly be euthanized. All I can say, is Google the stats on that one!

The poor dogs that we give up on, abandon or otherwise fail by not meeting their needs are ripe for developing PTSD.

Many of my clients seek me out because they realize that the traditional therapies may not be working or they seek other non-invasive ways of treating stress. After a bit of probing about the dog’s history, if they know any of it at all, it most often reveals emotional issues which have caused the stress and anxiety and in most cases PTSD.

By understanding temperament, known history, behaviour problems and the dynamic in the home (all of which can only be seen IN THE HOME), we can prescribe an effective treatment plan to help with the problem.

Even the dogs that suffer from severe PTSD can be helped. With a combination of therapies that is specifically prescribed for the dog, you can alleviate and sometimes remove all signs of PTSD. Doing this requires patience, love, understanding and the realization that it’s most often 1 step forward and 2 steps back for a while until you connect with what works. Even dogs have those “Aha Moments” and when they have them then it’s full steam ahead.

If you think your dog is suffering from PTSD, here are some common symptoms to watch for:

* increased stress and anxiety which manifests itself by breaking the house training barrier
* whining
* barking
* howling
* hiding for no known reason.

These dogs may also show signs of unmerited aggression such as snapping for no reason or a low guttural growl when being approached.

I firmly believe that it most cases, anti-anxiety medications can be avoided if patience, persistence and the right therapies are used. Check out my blog for more holistic therapies which are a great fit for PTSD. These include massage, music therapy, Reiki, Bach Flower Remedies and Relaxation Therapy.

If you think your dog is suffering from PTSD symptoms, there are things you can do immediately until you can seek professional help, such as:

• Create a safe and quite place for your dog so he can just be alone.
• Place a favourite toy or a piece of your clothing in his safe place to soothe his anxiety
• Play gentle classical or harp music is best for a soothing environment

Then, get your dog the help he deserves!

Get Nosey with Your Dog

The old saying that a healthy dog has a cold nose is partly true.  It's pretty normal that a dogs nose feels cooler than the rest of his body and is generally moist.  However there are some times that a dog can have a dry nose and that's ok too.  If you find discharge coming from your dogs nose, then something may not be right.  A puss like discharge can indicate an infection.  This can be a bacterial infection or he may just have something stuck in his nasal passage.  It's not uncommon for dogs to inhale grass that can get stuck and cause an infection.

A bloody discharge from the nose could be a blunt trauma or may, in a worse case, be a sign of cancer.  Dogs that sneeze often may get nosebleeds just like us humans.

In any case, it is strongly suggested that you see your vet.  Don't clean the discharge as the vet will need to see it to determine what's wrong. 

Herbal Remedies for Dogs - With Supervision Please!

Herbal remedies can be used to correct body functions in dogs.  If you are using herbal remedies for your dog you need to be extremely cautious as dogs do not have good natural systems to detoxify a range of natural substances.  Having said this, there are a number of safe herbs you can use on your dog. 

Further, you can actually create a Herbal Home Care Kit to be used for minor accidents and illnesses.  These herbs I will give you have been used with safety on dogs and will become an essential part of your kit.  They can be found at many pharmacies and herbal stores.  Please be sure to check that they are noted as safe for dogs, preferably prepared for veterinary use.

Your toolkit can include:

Comfrey - used to help heal wounds, burns, bruises and strains.  It is a soothing and healing herb.

Lavender - used to help relieve reactions to insect bites and for burns.  It is claimed to be antiseptic and salving.

Pot Marigold (Calendula) - used to help with digestive disorders.  It is known to soothe inflamed skin.

Garlic - used to help with mild infections, upper respiratory conditions and digestive disorders. 

Echinacea - used to stimulate the immune system and may act as an antibiotic.

Herbs can be very effective if used correctly and under the right conditions.  Used incorrectly, they can cause negative results including poisoning and even death.

I strongly suggest that you consult a professional if you are interested in herbal remedies for your dog.  If not used correctly, herbal substances can be just as dangerous as wrongly prescribed modern drugs.  Do not make your own diagnoses or use any of these herbs without professional assistance.  Consult a professional for your dog's sake.

Go Green with Your Dog on Earth Day

You're probably wondering why Earth Day would be relevant to your dog, well, it can be!

A company called Raise a Green Dog has some great ideas on how to get your dog green.  They also give you a Green Dog Pledge that you can download and print out and mail it back to them with a picture of your own Green Dog. 

Raise a Green Dog has some tips that you can use on how you and your dog can "go green".

Some of them include:

• Consider adopting a dog from a shelter or animal rescue group
• Spay or neuter your dog to reduce overpopulation
• Buy dog products made with organic or recycled materials
• Purchase products made closer to home which will help lower the energy costs of shipping goods
• Buy sustainable and durable products so they don't have to be replaced often
• Feed your dog treats and food that has organic or all natural ingredients
• Buy products for your dog made from natural materials, i.e.hemp dog collars
• For a healthier dog and a healthier environment, cook for your dog using natural and organic ingredients

Check out their site at http://www.raiseagreendog.com/ for more cool tips on going green with your dog. 

5 Ways to Meditate with your Dog - REALLY!

If you're in the market for some good meditation guidelines for you and your dog, please check out  the link below.  It's actually a good basic guide on how to start your meditation journey with your doggy.  Remember that when you meditate with your dog, your dog is a natural at it.  You are the one who needs to work harder at achieving the peaceful state of mind.  I highly recommend meditation for you and your dog.  It creates a strong bond and focuses on positive energy.  Exactly what you and your dog need.  So, give it a try. 

Remember, for those of you in the Toronto area.  I currently run 3 meditation sessions a week.  The focus is to create a bond between you and your dog and to promote positive inner energy.

Give me a call if you're interested in giving it a try. 

http://www.holisticonline.com/Pets/pets_5-ways-to-meditate-with-your-dog.htm

Alfalfa: The helpful Little Rascal!

Alfalfa when it's literally translated means "the father of all foods".  To be quite honest, when I was a kid I really thought it was just the name of a Little Rascal.  Truth be told, I wasn't all that "holistic" growing up so Alfalfa remained a mystery to me until my 20 somethings, well ok...30 somethings...

This green food is reported to contain all of the vitamins, minerals and trace elements known to be needed for humans and animals.

Chinese herbalists use Alfalfa to treat fluid retention, swelling and kidney stones.  It's great for urinary tract infections and has great detoxyifying properties. 

It has a high Vitamin K content and is good for helping with bleeding disorders that can result from long-term use of antibiotics.

As with any supplement I blog about, dispense with caution.  Vitamin K has been linked to cases of  Heinz-body anemia if it is taken in large quantities.


I feed Alfalfa sprouts to my dog, but intermittently. 

You can grow your own Alfalfa sprouts at home.  Here's a link of instructions:
http://www.backyardnature.net/simple/alf-spr.htm

What's in a Neem?

Well, today I'd like to share the story of "nature\s drugstore". The Neem tree.

The Neem tree which is native to India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and a few other countries is an amazing natural remedy.  The entire tree from the bark to the leaves is used to make remedies.  These remedies are used to cleanse the body of internal and external parasites. 


It is used in curing and preventing many diseases not only in humans but also in animals. Neem can also be used to protect plants from pests and insects and can also stimulate the growth of plants as it is considered to be a natural manure without any toxic effects.

Neem has and continues to be used for curing a large number of animal diseases. The Neem leaves are mixed with other natural ingredients to help treat eye diseasesand cough among other ailments.
I personally use a few drops of Neem oil with my dog shampoo to keep away fleas. I've also used it for hot spots and eczema.   You can also use it on your dog if they have callused elbows.  Just rub a drop or two in your hand then apply. 

Give your dog some Kelp Help

Kelp is considered a sea vegetable. Kelp is actually algae which makes them different from other food sources such as plants and animals. They have exotic names like Nori, Hijiki, Kombu, Wakame, Arame also known as Seaweed and Kelp.

Kelp can help your dog.  Kelp will provide iodine to the body and help the functioning of he thyroid gland, which influences overall health, metabolism, skin and coat.  It can also help with pigmentation.  It contains protein, is rich in iodine, calcium, mangesium, iron, copper, phosphorus and potassium as well as vitamins A, B, E and D.

Because kelp contains so many of the critical components for dog nutrition it promotes good health and long life in many ways including: better digestion, control and relief of skin and coat disorders, relief and prevention of allergic reactions, healing from injuries, higher resistance to infection, cell rejuvenation, detoxifying, and joint repair.


There are many reasons for using kelp as a dog supplement, some of which are maintaining a healthy thyroid gland, healthy joints, and healthy coat and skin.

So please consider adding kelp to your dog's diet and give your dog some kelp help.

Is your dog Employed?

Bottom line is, if you don't give your dog a job to do, they will become self-employed.  This means they will come up with their own "jobs" to do around the house.  They can become your self appointed host or hostess; jumping on and licking everyone who comes through the door.  They can become great gardeners and replant all your flowers and vegetables in the yard.  They can even become an interior decorator and rearrange the stuffing in your couch.  When you don't give your dog a job to do, you create an improper balance of the mental, physical and emotional stimulants your dog needs.  In short, they become bored!  Boredom then leads to other mental and physical symptoms such as stress and anxiety.

Employment is so important because not only will you provide stimulation but also promote and develop a sense of purpose and pride.  Having a dog "work" for a living eliminates boredom and engages them in life.

Jobs can include retrieving toys, doing tricks and playing games.  My dog's job is to find and bring me my keys when it's time to "go for a ride" and bring me my cell phone when it rings.

Give your dog a job to do and work to create the balance they so deserve.

Warm up and Cool down your dog Before Playtime

Please remember that anytime you exercise your dog and this means playtime too, warm him up first and cool him down afterwards.  This is the best way to prevent injuries to your dog.  In this, age doesn't matter.  All dogs need a good warm up and cool down, even younger dogs.  The warm-up stimulates the delivery of increased oxygen and nutrients to the muscles.

Don't forget to stretch your dog too.  Stretches will limber up the tendons and ligaments.  You should encourage your dog to do some play bows - you can think downward facing dog if you're a yoga buff.  You can also encourage some spins and waves.  You should teach your dgo to do bends by having him face you and then reach to either side to get a treat.  This is a great stretch for loosening the neck and body muscles.  Give a quick 2-3 minute all-over massage to loosen stiff muscles and joints and you're ready to go!

Have fun Safely!

Clematis isn't just a pretty flower! It's Flower Power for dogs!

If you have a dog who just seems to live in their own little world, in a state of dreaminess, so to speak and doesn't really listen.  They seem to be able to focus, has training issues, frequent accidents or will avoid confrontation at any cost, you may consider using the Bach Flower Essence Clematis.  This deals with an inability to focus and may also aid in recovery after surgery or birth.  Clematis is sometimes used in conjunctoin with Chestnut Bud.

Remember Bach Flower Essences do not interfere with traditional medicines and treats the mental rather than the physical.

Run Doggy Run!

A happy and healthy dog needs to be satisfied both mentally and physically. Running can work to the physical aspect and challenging commands can stimulate your dog mentally. Most importantly you need to know that a dog really needs to run free. A long walk with your dog, say lasting about one and a half hours is of... much less value to your dog than ten minutes of running free. Not allowing your dog to run free can lead to frustration, stress and anxiety.

So give your dog some room to roam and keep them happy and healthy.

Is Your Dog Dehydrated?

Your dog is made up of about 75 percent water.  If your dog was out in the wild, eating prey such as a bird or a mouse or even a rabbit, they would be feeding on other animals whose bodies are also about 75 percent water.  Well, since the average house dog doesn't feed in the wild and is often restricted to kibble, it might surprise you to know that those dogs are only getting about 10 percent moisture into their systems.  Dry foods couldn't be any more Un-natural! 

In order for your dog to compensate for the lack of water it isn't getting from it's kibble diet, your dog would have to drink an exceeding amount of water just to flush out the toxins, hydrate their organs and aid in their normal elimination.

Considering a more holistic diet for your dog is something to think about. 

I will be posting a separate section on holistic cooked foods for your dog including tips and delicious recipes. 

Learn why we should Thump the Thymus

In the early years of a dog's life, the thymus is an active organ supplying the immune system. Over time, it seems to become less active although some studies indicate this is due to toxins or vaccines. Stimulating the thymus gland helps animals and people respond to stress and illness. When petting your dog you can feel gently down the front of the throat until you reach a bony area (in humans, this is just below the notch in the clavicle). Tap gently. In a person or big dog, you can use a fist gently; for cats, use one finger.  (In this picture the Thymus is indicated by Number 11)

Holistic Hint for Dog Vaccines

Thuja is considered to be an "anti-vaccine" remedy as it can sometimes help with the after-effects of vaccination. Some homeopathic vets advocate administering a dose of Thuja 30C after a vaccination. Although, others sometimes disagree stating that reactions can be so varied and sometimes complex that Thuja may not be the remedy of choice. In all cases, please consult you vet.

The "H" Factor - Understanding the Differences in Holistic Medicine

Very often people confuse herbalism and homeopathy, but they are quite different.  The confusion may stem frm the fact that many homeopathic remedies are based on plants that are also often used by herbalists.  An example is the herb Arnica.  Arnica is available as a topical cream as well as a homeopathic remedy.  You can use either preparation to achieve a similar goal, such as treating a strained pastern on a limping dog.  However, the way the herb and the homeopathic remedy work to achieve the same effect is very different.  Herbs work on a biochemical level while the homeopathic remedy works on a deeper, more energetic level.