The two biggest factors in our pets' population fitness 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 illness by only suppressing symptoms with antibiotics, cortison and related drugs, so the disorder progresses
and goes deeper. Homeopathy offers a viable
alternative in truly curing pets and making their bodies healthier." - Michael Dym D.V.M.
Healing From Within - Drug Treatment and Suppression
Dr. Jeffrey Levy DVM - "The greatest harm of drug treatment
is usually not so much the toxicity or side effects as it is the effects of
suppression. Allopathic (conventional Western) medical thinking generally seeks
immediate gratification: just make the symptom go away. So the patient may be
better in the short term, but is usually worse in the longer term. Homeopathy
is just the opposite: sometimes the symptoms are worse in the short term (such
as with aggravation or the reversal of a previous suppression), but the real
benefit is in the longer term. A symptom, say itchy skin, is the body's response
to a deeper problem. When a symptom is suppressed, it is only the outward manifestation
of the problem that goes away. Since the deeper problem is still there, the
body may, in time, produce the same symptom again. Another possibility is that,
as a result of the suppression, the deeper problem progresses to the point that
a deeper, more serious symptom is produced. So the itchy skin may go away, but
then chronic diarrhea develops. If the diarrhea is then suppressed as well,
it may lead to, say, liver disease. But hey, at least the skin is cleared up!
I see this pattern, or variations on it, very frequently in reviewing the medical
records of new patients. It is the unrecognized, and often high, price that
we pay for the quick fix, for immediate gratification, for the shot or pill
that seems to make the problem go away."
Dr. Bernstein DVM - "Modern medicine feels, in most cases,
that the elimination of the symptom is the same as elimination of the ailment.
In allopathic medicine a symptom is usually thought of as the patient's real
disease and the goal is to hold back, decrease or eliminate this symptom. This
is often done without addressing the underlying cause. If your tooth hurts and
we inject a local anesthetic, the pain goes away but that does not mean the
problem is gone! If we use medications to suppress these symptoms then the vital
force tries to create new symptoms to compensate for the imbalance that is still
there. If the vital force is strong then the original symptom may return. Otherwise,
it may be unable to express on the same level and create a symptom that is more
interior and could be much worse per Herring's Law.
One example is a skin rash that is treated with cortisone. The rash and itching
will probably go away quickly. Later the patient begins to exhibit liver problems
that "were caused by the cortisone". The liver symptoms are actually an expression
of this suppressed imbalance on a deeper more interior level. Many things can
be suppressive. Vaccines and allopathic medications are a major source of suppression
where homeopathy is concerned, but herbs, acupuncture and incorrect homeopathic
remedies can also be suppressive." - Dr. Bernstein DVM
Dr. Pat Bradley, DVM, Conway, USA - "The most common problems
I see that are directly related to vaccines on a day
to day basis are ear or skin conditions, such as chronic discharges and itching.
I also see behaviour problems such as fearfulness or aggression. Often guardians
will report that these begin shortly after vaccination, and are exacerbated
with every vaccine. In a more general and frightening context, I see the overall
health and longevity of pets deteriorating. The bodies of most animals have
a tremendous capacity to detoxify poisons, but they do have a limit. I think
we often exceed that limit and over-whelm the body's immune system function
with toxins from vaccines, poor quality foods, insecticides, environmental
toxins, etc. This is why we've seen such a dramatic increase in allergies,
organ failures, and behaviour problems."
Russell Swift, DVM "Although many symptoms can be very difficult
to tolerate, especially skin and ear problems, one must bear in mind the very
high cost (in terms of future wellness) one pays for simply suppressing them.
"Would I rather my dog itch or have liver problems?" is the type of question
an animal guardian needs to bear in mind whenever the temptation to suppress
a symptom arises.
- A puppy has a skin rash. The rash is treated with medicine. After the
rash is gone, the puppy has diarrhea. This is a move from level one to level
two. This is going in the WRONG direction. The symptom has been suppressed
and the animal's immunity has been further weakened. The diarrhea is treated
with another medicine. The stools normalize but the pet begins to limp.
It has been suppressed to level three.
- A cat has ringworm. The ringworm is treated with a medicine which makes
it disappear. However, the cat develops a urinary tract problem. Again,
this is movement from level one to level two meaning suppression. This is
treated with medicine and the cat has cardiomyopathy one year later. This
is suppression from level two to level four.
Sick of drugging your pet?
There is a better way to bring your pet to vitality!
Dr Charles E Loops DVM -
"After 10 years of traditional veterinary practice I became tired of having
no treatment for chronic disease, incurable conditions, and a plethora of allergic
maladies which seem to plague all veterinary practices. I was frustrated with
giving animals cortisone because I had no other solutions, or using antibiotics
for infections which I knew were of viral origin. There is so much that can
be done for an animal, bird, or reptile that is ailing by utilizing homeopathic medicine."
For years dog supplements have included toxic materials to artificially
maintain dog fitness as a temporary measure. The time has come to change to a
holistic approach toward pet well-being. Native remedies have been shown
to achieve more immediate, more complete and longer lasting fitness, vitality,
quality and longevity of animal lives. Learn about herbal remedies and other
safe alternatives to drugs, chemo, radiation and surgery
Michael Dym, VMD - "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 illnesses
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 suppressing symptoms with antibiotics,cortisone and related drugs, so the condition progresses
and goes deeper. Homeopathy offers a viable alternative in truly curing pets
and making their bodies healthier."
The State of Veterinary "Vaccinosis" - Animal Diseases Caused by Vaccines
by Dr. Michael E Dym, VMD
Vaccination is often thought of by the conventional veterinary community
as a benign procedure intended to prevent certain acute sickness, with side
effects only occurring rarely. Unfortunately vaccination can result in certain
sensitive individuals a chronic disease state that
is long lasting, and indeed in some cases a life-long condition. In human children
there is increasing evidence between vaccination and chronic diseases such as autism,
juvenile diabetes and asthma.
The state of "vaccinosis" is understood as the disturbance of the life force
or chi of the patient that results in mental, emotional and physical changes
induced by laboratory modification of a viral disease to make a vaccination.
In other words, instead of seeing acute expressions of viral disease, we are
instead seeing symptoms of chronic illness over years or a lifetime. For example,
symptoms of acute distemper viral infection in dogs include:
eye and nose discharge, conjunctivitis, vomiting/diarrhea and loss of
appetite, watery feces with blood, mucous and often a foul odor; spasms/seizures
and paralysis; eruptions around the mouth; swelling of feet with often red foot
pads; pneumonia, skin eruptions and in chronic cases emaciation. This
list of symptoms show the typical symptoms of acute distemper illness in dogs.
However some of these symptoms are often seen in chronic illness in
dogs. Examples include chronic runny eyes/conjunctivitis (conditions
seen as chronic tear stains in dogs, dry eye, chronic eye allergies), chronic
vomiting/diarrhea/appetite issues/emaciation (conditons seen as pancreatitis, inflammatory
bowel disease, GI lymphoma), chronic spasms and seizures(disease seen epilepsy,
brain tumors) skin eruptions/swelling of feet/red feet pads (chronic conditions
seen as itching life long skin allergies), eruptions aroundmouth(chronic conditions
seen as lip fold dermatitis). What I have seen in private practice is
that vaccines like distemper for acute illness can contribute to symptoms seen
in chronic conditions and pathologies.
Symptoms of rabies include restlessness, viciousness, avoidance of company.
unusual affection; desire to travel, inability to be restrained; self biting;
strange cries and course howls; inability to swallow resulting in gagging when
eating/drinking; staring eyes; swallows wood, stones, in-edibles; destruction
of blankets, clothing; convulsive seizures; throat spasms; increased sexual
desire; disturbed heart function; excited and jerky breathing; My biggest concern with pets are the changes in behavior
after being vaccinated with either distemper or rabies. This is usually
along the lines of aggression, suspicion, unusual fears, etc.
The essential aspect in rabies vaccinosis is loss of control of impulses.
Many pets may exhibit any or many of the above behaviors indefinitely such
as "reverse sneezing" and increased mounting seen in neutered pets. Conventional
medicine does not explain these odd symptoms, but
homeopathically these pets may be exhibiting
symptoms of rabies vaccinosis, and occur fairly commonly in my opinion.
Other vaccinations also contribute in their own way to chronic illness
in our pets i.e bordatella/kennel cough vaccination often leads to
chronic coughing in dogs (i.e diagnosed as collapsing trachea, COPD, or possibly
eventually heart disease); leptospirosis vaccination often leads to chronic
liver or a kidney condition down the road, as well as chronic skin allergies in
You certainly need to follow the law with regards to rabies vaccination,
however most other vaccinations are optional and not necessary particularly
in adult pets.. Like other vaccinations, rabies vaccination often gives several
years if not life long immunity(see www.rabieschallengefund.org ) A homeopathic
remedy given at the time of some immunizations can help reduce side effects.
If your pet is suffering from chronic illness or cancer, then some states
will allow a rabies exemption letter, or possibly a rabies titer blood test
instead of vaccination. If your pet is suffering from the above chronic
illness symptoms, especially in the days to months following a vaccination,
then he/she should be evaluated by a homeopathic veterinarian
to try and cure this syndrome over time. Your pet also should
never be vaccinated if your pet is not well and/or chronically ill.
Transfer Factors can balance the Immune System
Will Falconer, DVM - "Most of the chronic illnesses we commonly
see in animals (and humans) have an immune basis, e.g. diabetes, allergies,
asthma, thyroid disease, inflammatory bowel conditions, repeated ear infections,
cancer, etc. While they can be cured through the careful use of homeopathy,
the road to cure can be a long one -- often years if the animal has had years
of a particular condition. Transfer factors can significantly shorten the course, by giving
a much needed balancing effect to the immune system. If the immune system is
overactive as in allergies, ear infections, asthma, diabetes, or hypothyroidism,
Transfer Factor can balance this overactivity so the system is not attacking
its own organs, overreacting to things that shouldn’t be perceived as a threat.
If, conversely, the immune system is under-active as in mange, parasites, viral infections, or cancer,
transfer factors can clearly stimulate it to better meet the challenges it needs to
be alert to." Prevaccination Protection Dr.
Falconer D.V.M. explains how to protect your animal from vaccines damage
Sam Jones, DVM - "Two cats, both about 8 years old, had
severe diabetes. It was impossible to get the insulin requirements adjusted.
They had lost weight to a point that they were skin and bones. Both cats had
no quality of life left. The cats were given transfer factors
along with nutritious diet to help support their immune system. A week later,
we were able to get their insulin requirements adjusted. It is now 6 months
and they have regained their weight and have a great quality of life."
Just like humans, domesticated pets like dogs and cats are affected by
the environmental hazards of modern living. Pollution, poor nutrition, stress and feeble
lifestyles can lead to a variety of illnesses and conditions that are very similar
to those experienced by humans. These days, emotional and psychological problems
like depression, anxiety, ADHD and behavioral problems
are just as prevalent in pets as they are in their owners. Similarly, physical ailments such as
diabetes, arthritis, chronic fatigue, digestive disorders, cystitis, kidney
and liver disease, skin disorders, obesity, thyroid dysfunction and other
problems are becoming more and more common in domesticated animals. Many, if
not most of these conditions can be prevented by helping your pets to live a
whole lifestyle. For pets already suffering from existing conditions, a
combination of lifestyle changes and native medicine can work wonders!
Dr. Jerry Tennant, M.D. says that marine phytoplankton contains
almost everything one needs to sustain life and to restore vitality by providing
the raw materials to make new cells that function normally.
Learn how phytoplankton saved a dog's Life
The Importance of a Balanced Immune System
The key to self-healing is a strong defense system, which protects dogs and cats from everything from the flu germs
to cancer cells. More than their mainstream counterparts, holistic veterinarians
believe that a weak immune system plays a key role in causing illness and associated syndromes. Antibiotics
fight infection, but they don't affect whatever weakened the immune system in
the first place. This is why holistic veterinarians focus less on things that
cause diseases and more on those that affect the body's defenses.
Do you have a question or need assistance?
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Animal Epilepsy/Seizure - Causes, Predisposing Factors and Treatment
Carm's puppy began to experience severe seizures as a result being exposed to organic pyrethrum. The veterinarian was helpless. The dog was dying.
In her detailed testimonial, Carm explain what she did cure her dog of seizures and how she saved his life.
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.
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 uri nary 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." Health
Hazard of Routine Vaccination: placing our animals at risk
Some dogs are sensitive to chemicals and if you feed and water them
from a plastic bowl, they ingest some of the chemicals and it can help
induce the seizures. There has been reports of a reduction of seizures
when the immune system was modulated and the inflammation reduced with
Magnesium Deficiency and Your Animal's Health
Holistic veterinarian Roger DeHaan, DVM states that some forms of epilepsy
respond to supplementation of vitamin B6, magnesium, and manganese.
more about magnesium deficiency in people and animals
William Pollak D.V.M. - "The most common direct cause of seizures
seen in clinical practice in our pets is parasitic infection combined with
nutritional deficiencies based on 100% commercial pet food feeding." Animal
Epilepsy/Seizure - Causes, Predisposing Factors and Treatment (PDF
2 testimonials of animals who recovered
"Feeding a natural raw food diet is vital
to not only maintaining the health of your pet, but also keeping ideal
immune function alive and well. Many times after eliminating seizures through
improving the diet, seizures return after commercial pet food is re-instituted."
"Today's modern approach to dealing with these problems is the administration
of more chemicals, injectable or otherwise and even greater processed "prescription"
diets. Seizures are masked by giving chemicals that profoundly dull the
CNS, slowing it down and confusing it so as to reduce the likelihood of
another seizure. These chemicals oftentimes do not work and further confuse
the biological system as already described earlier. The underlying imbalance
is not directly addressed. Deranged metabolic disorders due to chemical
shortages or imbalances are superficially addressed by further limitations
in the diet; i.e.even more severely processed foods."
Treating many Dogs with Heartworm
by Jeffrey Levy. DVM
This parasite is a source of great anxiety among dog caretakers. Thanks
in large part to the scare tactics of many veterinarians in promoting preventive
drugs, many people believe that contracting heartworms is the equivalent
of a death sentence for their dogs. This is not true.
I practiced for seven years in the Santa Cruz,
California area, and treated many dogs with heartworms. The only dogs that
developed symptoms of heart failure were those that were being vaccinated
yearly, eating commercial dog food, and getting suppressive drug treatment
for other symptoms, such as skin problems. My treatment, at that time,
consisted of switching to a natural (that is, homemade) diet, stopping
drug treatment whenever possible, and eliminating any chemical exposure,
such as flea and tick poisons. I would usually prescribe hawthorn tincture
as well. None of these dogs ever developed any symptoms of heart failure.
I concluded from this that it was not the heartworms
that caused disease, but the other factors that damaged the dogs' health
to the point that they could no longer compensate for an otherwise tolerable
parasite load. It is not really that different from the common intestinal
roundworms, in that most dogs do not show any symptoms. Only a dog whose
health is compromised is unable to tolerate a few worms. Furthermore, a
truly healthy dog would not be susceptible to either type of worm in the first place.
It seems to me that the real problem is that
allopathic attitudes have instilled in many of us a fear of disease, fear
of pathogens and parasites, fear of rabies, as if these are evil and malicious
entities just waiting to lay waste to a naive and unprotected public. Disease
is not caused by viruses or by bacteria or by heartworm-bearing mosquitoes.
comes from within, and one aspect of disease can be the susceptibility
to various pathogens. So the best thing to do is to address those susceptibilities
on the deepest possible level, so that the pathogens will no longer be
a threat. Most importantly, don't buy into the fear.
That having been said, there are practical
considerations of risk versus benefit in considering heartworm prevention.
The risk of a dog contracting heartworms is directly related to geographic
location. In heavily infested areas the risk is higher, and the prospect
of using a preventive drug more justifiable. Whatever you choose to do,
a yearly blood test for heartworm microfilaria is important.
There are basically three choices with regard
to heartworm prevention: drugs, nosodes, or nothing.
There are currently a variety of heartworm preventive drugs, most of which
are given monthly. I don't like any of them due to their toxicity, the
frequency of side effects, and their tendency to antidote homeopathic remedies.
Incidentally, the once-a-month preventives should be given only every 6 weeks.
The next option is the heartworm nosode.
It has the advantage of at least not being a toxic
drug. It has been in use it for over 10 years now, and I am reasonably
confident that it is effective. It is certainly very safe. The biggest
problem with the nosode is integrating it with homeopathic treatment. But
at least it's less of a problem than with the drugs.
The last option, and in my opinion the best,
is to do nothing. That is to say, do nothing to specifically prevent heartworm,
but rather to minimize the chances of infestation by helping your dog to
be healthier, and thereby less susceptible. This means avoiding those things
that are detrimental to health, feeding a high quality
homemade diet, regular exercise, a healthy emotional environment, and,
most of all, constitutional homeopathic treatment.
Of course, this will not guarantee that your dog will not get heartworms,
but, under these conditions, even the worst-case scenario isn't so terrible.
If your dog were to get heartworms, they shouldn't develop any symptoms
as a result. For what it's worth, I never gave my dog any type of heartworm
preventive, even when we lived in the Santa Cruz area where heartworms
were very prevalent. I tested him yearly, and he never had a problem.
animal with a healthy immune system will be less likely to become infected with dog worms,
including heartworm. Mosquitoes are less likely to bite healthy dogs. In
addition, the healthy animals own defense
system is able to kill off the larvae of any heartworm that may enter the
bloodstream, thus preventing them from reaching maturity and causing harm.
Factors that will weaken your dog's immune system include
vaccination, commercial pet foods, incorrect
diet, stress and even conventional
heartworm and other synthetic medication
Do you have a question or need assistance?
Dr. Goldstein DVM - "Holistic pet care essentially revolves
around the notion that the best way to cure an animal who is ill is to help
the animal cure itself. We are not the true healers of our pets--they are. By
treating the root of the problem instead of its symptoms, holistic medicine
enables our pets to regain and maintain their own well-being." In his practice,
Dr. Goldstein has had extraordinary success
treating cancer and leukemia.
Dr. Falconer D.V.M. explains how to protect your animal from vaccines damage
Vaccinations may even contribute to premature death in animals some veterinarians
believe. "I had two situations where we had spent a long time building up two
older, severely immunocompromised dogs, and then their owners had them vaccinated
for just about everything known to man," recalled Dr. Carvel Tiekert, executive
director and founder of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association
headquartered in Bel Air, Maryland. "Both of those dogs died within about a
month of vaccination. Can we prove a cause and effect? No. Do I think there
was a cause and effect? Yes."
Canine Hypothyroidism Diagnoses are on the Rise
Hypothyroidism, or low thyroid function, is one of the most common canine
hormone imbalances. This was not always the case. In recent decades, hypothyroidism
diagnoses are on the rise. In mammals, the endocrine system is a system of glands,
each of which secretes a type of hormone directly into the bloodstream, that
regulate the body. The thyroid gland, one of the largest endocrine glands, controls
how quickly the body uses energy, makes proteins, regulates calcium and controls
the body’s sensitivity to other hormones.
Research shows that in most dogs, hypothyroidism is caused by problems in
the dogs' own immune systems. In most cases, it is caused by an inherited autoimmune condition
called autoimmune thyroiditis (also known as lymphocytic thyroiditis). This
autoimmune disease results in the atrophy and destruction of the thyroid gland
tissue. Very often, several different areas in the body will be affected as
a result, e.g. the skin, the thyroid, and the digestive system.
The thyroid is critical to metabolic processes and affects the functionality
of almost every other organ in the body. The endocrine system is highly sensitive,
and its delicate dance of hormones can be disrupted, potentially resulting in
illness condition. In dogs, the most common hormonal disorder diagnosed is hypothyroidism.
Typically, hypothyroidism occurs in dogs from 4-10 years of age, though in rare
instances dogs can actually be born with it. Because the thyroid hormone affects
the metabolism of the whole body, the clinical signs can be non-specific. That
being said, dogs with hypothyroidism often exhibit low energy levels, weight
gain, hair loss, a dull hair coat and concurrent skin infections.
Hypothyroidism can be mistaken for other endocrine disorders, and is best
diagnosed by a complete thyroid panel blood test. The tricky thing about the
thyroid gland is that the level of hormone release can be influenced by other
physical factors, making true hypothyroidism difficult to diagnose. For example,
stress caused by other illnesses can reduce thyroid function. Often, when these
issues are addressed, thyroid levels normalize without additional treatment.
Studies have shown that dogs treated with topical steroids or phenobarbital
(to control seizures) can artificially lower thyroid hormone. If your dog takes
a long-term medication with thyroid-related side effects, treatment may be necessary
to minimize the impact.
Almost 80% of all canine hypothyroidism cases are caused by an autoimmune inflammatory
disorder, called lymphocytic thyroiditis. Just like humans, domesticated
pets like dogs and cats are affected by the environmental hazards of modern living.
Pollution, poor nutrition, and stressed lifestyles can lead to a variety
of illnesses and conditions that are very similar to those experienced by humans.
Identify and Treat the Causes of Disease
Toxic environment and your pet's well being
Illness does not occur without cause. Causes may originate in many areas.
Underlying causes of illness 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.
Your animal's illness may be caused by prolonged exposure toxic environmental
factors, including pesticides, antibiotics, chemical pollution of food, water
and air, lack of exercise and chronic stress. Modern veterinary medicine often
fails to to recognize them as agents of dis-"ease" Learn how to protect your animal
Beware of irradiated pet food
Alert! Do not defrost or warm up your animal's food in the microware oven!
The Hidden Hazards of Microwave
Recent research shows that microwave oven-cooked food suffers severe molecular damage. When eaten, it causes
changes in human blood and immune systems. Not surprisingly, the public has
been denied details on these significant dangers.
food endangering and, 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. 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. Marine
phytoplankton has been called "the most nutritionally dense foods on the planet".
Patients receiving a cancer drug together with phytoplankton exhibited response
rates up to 250 percent better than those obtained by the drug alone. These
advanced cancer patients experienced regressions of malignant melanoma, renal
cell carcinoma, colorectal carcinoma, lung cancer, and other types of cancer.
Its antioxidants and unique polysaccharides
(glyconutrients) can halt the genetic mutations that can lead to cancer.
Both high levels of saccharides and adaptogens increase energy and stamina by
improving our animal's ability to consume and use oxygen. Adaptogens also improve
cardiovascular health by strengthening the heart and circulation, and continue
to work overtime while your pet is resting by supporting muscle growth and repair.
Feeding marine phytoplankton and other sea plant algae to your pet helps promote:
shiny hair coat and supple skin - Healthier and stronger newborns - Improved
milk production in lactating bitches and queens - Improved reproductive performance
both for male and female - Aids in the healing process by offering the vitamins
and minerals necessary for tissue repair - Better utilization and absorption
of nutrients from foods ingested.
Animals Stop Eating When Sick or Injured
A powerful animal healing practice
Dr. Felix Oswald says: "Serious sickness prompts all animals to fast.
Wounded deer will retire to some secluded den and starve for weeks together." Dr. Erwin
Liek, endorses fasting and observes that "small children and animals, guided
by an infallible instinct, limit to the utmost their intake of food if they
are sick or injured."
A dog or cat, if sick or wounded, will crawl under the wood shed or retire
to some other secluded spot and rest and fast until well. Occasionally he will
come out for water. These animals will, when wounded or sick, persistently refuse
the most tempting food when offered to them. Physical and physiological rest
and water are their remedies. A sick cow or horse will also refuse food. The
author has seen this in many hundreds of cases. In fact, all nature obeys this
instinct. Thus does nature teach us that the way to feed in acute illness
is not to do it.
Domestic cattle may often be found suffering from some chronic "disease." Such
cattle invariably consume less food than the normal cow. Every stockman
knows that when a cow, or horse, or hog, or sheep, etc., persistently refuses
food, or day after day consumes much less than normally, there is something
wrong with that animal.
Dr. Oswald tells of a dog that had been put into the loft of a barn by the
sergeant of a cavalry regiment. Losing its balance, while in the door of the
loft and barking, it fell, turning a few somersaults as it came down, and landed
on the hard pavement, "with a crack that seemed to have broken every bone in
his body." He says "blood was trickling from his mouth and nose when we picked
him up, and the troopers advised me to 'put him out of his misery,' but he was
my little brother's pet, and, after some hesitation, I decided to take him home
in a basket and give the problem of his care the benefit of a fractional chance.
Investigation proved that he had broken two legs and three ribs, and judging
by the way he raised his head and gasped for air, every now and then, it seemed
probable that his lungs had been injured."
For twenty days and twenty nights the little terrier stuck to life in its
cotton-lined basket without touching a crumb of solid food, but ever ready to
take a few drops of water, in preference even to milk or soup. At the end of
the third week it broke its fast with a saucerful of sweet milk, but only on
the evening of the twenty-sixth day did it begin to betray any interest in a
plateful of meat scraps.
Irwin Liek, noted German physician and surgeon, tells of instinctive fasting
in three of his dogs. One of these had been run over by a truck which had broken
several bones and injured it internally. The other had "devoured a considerable
quantity of rat poison. It became very, very ill, suffered from diarrhea containing
blood and pus" and "collapsed completely." The third lost an eye while "mixing
it" with a cat. All three of these dogs fasted and recovered.
William Winter DVM on fasting:"To this day I do not believe
that I have ever discovered a healing technique (fasting) quite as powerful.
I have recommended fasting for 10,000 to 20,000 animals and have seen true miracles
over these years of practice.
In her marvelous book,
'Wild Health: How Animals Keep Themselves Well and What We Can Learn From Them'
Cindy Engles, Ph.D documents how injured and sick animals retreat in an isolated
place to rest and fast until healed.
"Often the first indication of sickness is that an animal goes off its food
- an observation that has led many traditional herbalists to conclude that fasting
is a normal and beneficial response to sickness... This lack of appetite can
be an effective way of speeding recovery. Bacteria need iron, and the body makes
many adjustments to reduce the availability of iron during an infection. If
an animal keeps eating, any iron in its food also feeds the pathogens, so force-feeding
a sick animal or patient can be counterproductive. Fever reduces appetite, so
if a fever is artificially suppressed with drugs and appetite returns, not only
do we lower temperature but the increased iron intake can keep the infection
going longer. The traditional dictum 'Starve a fever' is medically sound advice." Cindy Engel
William Pollak D.V.M - "Occasional fasting by cats and
dogs is a normal phenomenon, especially when nutritious raw, fresh foods
are fed. As long as your pet appears strong with good energy and clear responsiveness,
self imposed fasting oftentimes ends by itself with a renewed gusto for life.
The system requires periodic rest and purification and so it is taken a native time.
Occasional fasting is natural in the cat and dog; it is the behavior of rest
and purification. Cleaning the bowl of all the commercial food every day, day
in and day out is unnatural and is the harbinger of most chronic disease seen
in our pet population. When nutritional depletions have been satiated on the
holistic raw food diet, overeating does not take place. Overeating is a behavior
encouraged by feeding commercial food, overeating does not occur in the natural
setting. Overeating deprives the system of rest and purification, for in a nutritionally
deficient state the body continues to crave; making the mind confused. The mind
then can only satiate itself through the dullness of further overeating. This
is not living; it is survival mode."
Systemic Yeast Infections - Candida Albicans
In the past years we have seen the overuse of antibiotics in humans and animals,
with little regard for the ramifications of this overuse on the environment
of the beneficial bacteria of the gut (intestinal flora). Antibiotics are necessary
at times, but need to be use judiciously, and at the same time as we are using
antibiotics, we need to supplement...
"The main cause of yeast infections, such as Candida Albicans, is from grain-based
foods. Dogs were never meant to eat grains. Their main diet in the wild is
raw meat and vegetation. The only
grains they ever get are already predigested in the stomach or the bowels of
their prey. Cooked foods—anything in a can or a bag, vaccines—which
compromise and destroy the immune system, and
antibiotics—which kill the friendly
bacteria which would ordinarily fight and overwhelm the yeast, any other
drugs are all additional reasons for seeing such a preponderance of yeast infections.
Symptoms include: chronic ear infections; incessant licking of the genitals
or the paws or both; lick granulomas; habitual scratching, usually the ears,
sides of the torso and underbelly; rashes, most often on the underbelly; and
when the yeast begins to move into the head; loss of hearing; loss of eyesight;
loss of intelligence, memory and comprehension. Yeast infections always start
somewhere in the digestive system; then move to the genital area or to the ears;
then finally to the brain, taking over the entire body. It is insidious. Very
often these problems are treated with antibiotics or steroids, which only make
matters worse." Pat McKay Yeast Infection
- An Insidious Disease -
Candida albicans is a yeast-like fungus that normally lives in balance
within the body, found mostly in the intestines, genital tract, mouth, and throat.
When the balance is upset, infection results. This is known as Candidiasis and
the fungus travels to all parts of the body through the bloodstream.
Diarrhea Usually not Disease - Just Cleaning House
William Pollak D.V.M. - "Short periods of diarrhea are very
helpful in removing the impurities reflective of a normal active immune system
doing its job effectively in enhancing Wellness. These short lived bouts of
purification are nothing to be concerned about as long as the animal is bright
eyed and bushy tailed. To allow for quick return to normal stool the best thing
for the colon is to rest, and this can only be done through
fasting. Clean water (free of fluoride
and chlorine) should always be available as long as the dog or cat is not
vomiting. Vomiting AND diarrhea together can present a serious situation, and
professional Veterinary advice and/or care should be sought. A fast for a day
or two after some diarrhea is usually all that is necessary to rest the bowels.
Break the fast by feeding raw meat, ? cup to 2 cups depending on the size of
the dog or a ? cup or 1/8 cup to a cat . Feeding raw meat is like tea and toast
for humans when we’re not feeling quite right."
Chronic Intermitten Diarrhea and Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth
"The condition is usually seen in young dogs, who develop chronic intermittent
diarrhea which gradually gets worse, and lose weight or fail to gain weight
normally. Some dogs may only show weight loss and in others there may be vomiting.
In this condition, there is a dramatic increase in the number of bacteria in
the small intestine, and this interferes with normal absorption of nutrients.
The result is chronic intermittent diarrhea, and weight loss or failure to gain weight."
Inflamatory Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
"After six years of escalating misery, all of my cat’s inflammatory
bowel disease (IBD) symptoms disappeared—quite literally—within 24
hours of making the complete transition to a
raw, grainless diet. That was nearly three years ago and the symptoms have
not returned. Ultimately, I came to the realization that I was putting my IBD
cat at much greater risk by feeding species-inappropriate commercial foods than
by feeding him a carefully-prepared, balanced, grain-free, raw meat based diet.
Interestingly, plenty of other folks I know with cats that have digestive troubles
report this same experience. A grain-free diet “does the trick” for these IBD
cats, but a raw diet with grains does not. Why is that? They’re carnivores."
- Paunch manure
has done wonders to firm up my dog's soft stool by improving his digestiong
- Slippery elm
can be useful in treating digestive conditions with inflamed mucous membrane linings such as gastritis, gastric or
duodenal ulcer, enteritis, and colitis, where it has a soothing demulcent action.
- Antibiotics, which are commonly used by conventional veterianrians in an attempt to treat small intestinal
bacterial overgrowth and chronic diarrhoeal
can cause serious side effects.
Learn about herbal antibiotics for your animal
- Clay not only cures minor problems, such as diarrhea
and constipation through local application; it acts on all the organs—on
the whole organism. Everything unhealthy, that emits negative radiations
is irresistibly attracted to clay and becomes subject to immediate elimination.- Dr. Cohen
- (Note: I mixed a couple of teaspoons of clay into my dog's
food and within days his stools were firm again. I continue to mix clay
into his food everyday to provide him with important nutrients. Shirley)
Inflamatory Bowel Disease (IBD) or Inflamatory Bowel
Syndrome (IBS) is an autoimmune condition. Christie
Keith writes that she has known at least three dogs diagnosed with IBD who
responded to a switch to a grain-free
homemade diet (raw OR cooked, it didn't matter) with the addition of the
herbs peppermint and alfalfa. One of these dogs also was given the herb slippery elm.
They all three came off of flagyl and prednisone and lived
(or are still living) perfectly normal lives. Only if their owners
gave them grains again did they regress. I agree with Christie.
Shirley's Dog Shasta
At age 2, when our German Shepherd Dog,
Shasta, came to our home, she had chronic
loose, smelly stools and was severely underweight A gradual change from her
diet of kibble and canned food to an all raw food resolved the problem. For
the past 10 years her stools have been consistently firm and she gained weight.
Dr. Michael E Dym DVM - "The
research is likely alarmingly occurring with the epidemic levels of inflammatory
bowel disease in our pets seen over the past few decades that was rare 30 years
ago. Just think how many POLYVALENTLY vaccinated dogs with distemper (a measles
virus) are suffering such chronic infections and pathology in their intestines.
I wish that someone would do the research in pets, but of course we all know
that this will never happen. But I wonder how many academically-oriented veterinary
gastroenterologists would be interested in reading Dr. Wakefield's research,
and examining this issue in our dogs and cats, who are the true victims here.
At least it would open up for academic discussion potential origins of this
"new" disease of the past few decades.
Don Hamilton, DVM - "The panleukopenia virus of cats induces
an intense, rapidly progressive malfunction in the digestive tract, leading
to vomiting and/or diarrhea. In adult vaccinated animals this translates into
a chronic state of diarrhea and sometimes vomiting. This condition is known as
inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), an autoimmune condition of
the intestines. IBD has been occurring at near epidemic levels over the past
several years; no other reasonable explanation has been proposed for the proliferation of cases of the disease."
Some veterinarians believe that inflammatory bowel disease occurs when the
pancreas is working harder than it should to produce
Giving your dog or cat digestive enzymes made for pets allows the
pancreas to work more efficiently. Another excellent product is Immunocal which helps support the immune system.
Do you have a question or need assistance?
Call 323-522-4521 or 323-989-3372
Antibiotics and your pet
Are Conventional Antibiotics Making Your Pet Sick?
"Diarrhea, abdominal pain, severe inflammation of the colon (colitis),
irritable bowel syndrome, skin problems, fever, elevated white blood cell
count, weak immune system, vomiting, dehydration, potassium deficiencies,
allergies, colon perforation, bad breath, excess stomach gas, yeast problems,
nutritional deficiencies and constipation are just some of the many side
effects and problems linked to antibiotics." - Jesse Dallas
German Shepherd dog was attacked by a Pitbull and sustained a horrible 3"
to 4" gaping wound on his leg, exposing his bone. I never took him to the
vet. I treated him with native remedies at home and allowed him to lick
his wound as much as he wanted to. He never had an infection or a fever
and within two weeks his wound was completely healed. Shirley
Clay is renowned to have many uses in promoting health in plants, animals
and humans. Bentonite, Pascalite, as well as other types of healing clays,
have been used by indigenous cultures since before recorded history. According
to Knishinsky, benefits reported by people using liquid clay for a period
of two to four weeks include: improved intestinal regularity; relief from
chronic constipation, diarrhea, indigestion, and ulcers; a surge in physical
energy; clearer complexion; brighter, whiter eyes; enhanced alertness; emotional
uplift; improved tissue and gum repair; and increased resistance to infections.
Clay works on the entire organism. No part of the body is left untouched
by its healing energies, he notes.
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 ill conditions. 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 ill 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.
William Pollak D.V.M. "The commercial food we are feeding'
is the disease we are treating---so treat on and on, curing one disease
after another, again and again. A narrow definition of disease makes for
multiple cures. The multiple illnesses are in reality the same disease rearing
it's different heads. The disease; not an entity in itself, but a combination
of symptoms produced by the body in trying to remove something it no longer
wants. What it wants is to remove an abstract sense of dis-ease, some feeling
of discomfort, but it can't quite do it. A weakened system short of appropriate
building blocks just pushes the same dis-ease throughout the body and mind.
As this happens the symptoms change as would the food we eat and the things
we see as we travel the world around. There are different forms in different
places, even in the body and mind. All the body is trying to do is get rid
of what it no longer wants; but just can't quite do it on its own."
William Winter DVM - "Following my great success recommending
raw natural diets, I began to explore other aspects of Ms. Levy's Natural
Rearing. I explored fasting. To this day
I do not believe that I have ever discovered a healing technique quite as
powerful. I have recommended fasting for 10,000 to 20,000 animals and have
seen true miracles over these years of practice. Ms. Levy says it is one
of the TWO MOST IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF NATURAL REARING. The other being a
raw diet. It can be said that
I will start every chronic patient on a fast and begin recommending fasting
for all animals beginning at about one yearof age."
Our soil, plants, and especially commercial foods are woefully deficient
in key nutrients. Scientists theorize that mineral deficiency subjects us,
and our animals, to more illnesses, aging, sickness and destruction of our
physical well-being than any other factor. Preventing
and healing animal cancer, arthritis, and other disease; improving temperament
and behavioural problems, digestive disorders, skin disorders, bone and
joint disorders and more with naturally occuring nutritional supplements.
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 nutrients for optimum wellness and vitality. The
food your animal eats should provide all of the nutritional components which
are necessary for all organs and systems of a fit body to perform in
harmonious unison. A properly functioning body does an amazing job at preventing
disease and healing itself, and to do this it requires the energies and
nutrients of a well-balanced diet. In terms of finding the proper diet for
our companions, this means learning to look beyond our own needs, opinions,
and agendas to address the holistic needs of the animals that we care about.
Do you have a question or need assistance?
Call 323-522-4521 or 323-989-3372