Lately it seems that dog owners everywhere have a ton of healthy, natural, and organic commercial food options for their pets. With such a huge increase in the availability of pre-made “healthy” food for pets, you may be thinking that there’s no need for fresh home-cooked and home-prepared meals anymore. I don’t necessarily believe that to be the case though.

Here’s a list of the most common reasons people give for not wanting to prepare fresh cooked meals for their dogs. I’ve also included some questions and comments from a recent conversation I had with a curious dog owner who inquired about commercially-made “natural” pet foods, easy cooking options, and the challenges of preparing fresh food.

This pup shows his owners where the best ingredients are kept - the fridge!

Reason #1: There are already many “good” pre-made pet foods on the market.

“Is there any brand of dry dog food that you think is better than the rest? I know you’re all about cooking food, but some people are not willing to do that, but are willing to buy the best brand of food possible.”

There are a handful of brands that I recommend, but I find myself constantly having to reassess that list over time. It seems that many pet food companies become susceptible to product recalls once the “brand” becomes popular and established. As the business grows and increases, the expenses to produce the foods increase, and all too often, the ingredients or the production process are the first areas to be compromised in terms of quality. So although these companies claim to be healthier options, you’ll still see pets having dietary issues as a result of these foods.

It’s also important to note that each animal has different needs, and pre-made diets don’t always meet those needs. Commercially made dog or cat food supplies nutrition for the “generic” pet…not necessarily your own. And don’t forget, you will not find Love in a bag or can of pet food. Love begins in your kitchen, with meals prepared with good intentions and an understanding of the individual needs of each animal.

The bottom line is that preparing your own dog food for your pet is the most reliable way to ensure that your pet is getting a healthy and nutritious diet.

“I can see how true that would be if people were feeding dogs the same low-quality kibble day after day, but it seems like now there are some pretty good human-grade dog food brands. For instance, I found this brand from New Zealand that uses free range meats and and great fresh ingredients – all ingredients from NZ, though it is expensive.”

Yes and no. Imagine eating a nutritional bar three times a day, every day for years. You really wouldn’t be very healthy (even though the nutritional bars claim to be a good source of vitamins and minerals and a good substitute for a meal).

Here’s what you need to consider with commercially prepared foods:

• Where is the fresh food? Fresh vegetables?
• Who formulated the ingredients? What was their education?  What is their experience with nutrition?
• How long has the food been sitting in the can or sitting on the shelf?
• How many miles of fossil fuels were wasted shipping the food (for example, from New Zealand to Los Angeles, USA)?
• Is it produced by people who love the people or pets they are cooking for? (If not, the food lacks “mana” or Qi … energy)

The sad truth is that for every $30 spent on dog food, only about 10 percent (roughly three dollars) goes towards the expenses for the ingredients. The rest of the price mark-up goes towards expenses like shipping, distribution, packaging, wages, and then also includes a margin for profits.

“Do you believe that high-quality human-grade pre-made food also makes dogs sick over time?”

Absolutely. Just try it yourself, by only eating processed foods (meals from a box, can, or bag) and see what problems develop. (Okay, of course, I don’t actually encourage you to try this, but I do want you to think about what it would be like to eat this way).

Another problem in the industry is that food labels and descriptors aren’t regulated or defined. “High-quality” or “human-grade” could mean anything. The same goes for the label “natural.” It just doesn’t have any meaning without an industry standard to back it up. Marketers rely on buzz words like those to create assumptions in the minds of pet owners who will then purchase these foods under false pretenses. Scary, right?!

Reason #2: I don’t have time to cook.

“Most people I know don’t have time to cook for themselves, much less cook for their dogs. How can anyone manage cooking for their pets while maintaining a busy life?”

Wouldn't you rather have fresh meals like this instead of a nutrition bar?

It’s a mind set that is contagious. There is always time to prepare food and enjoy a healthy meal – it really depends on priorities. As I’ve mentioned before, many of the recipes I’ve created over the years can be shared with people too (for example, Stuffed Kabocha Squash with Lamb, Rice, and Veggies…roasted in the oven). So cooking for your pets doesn’t have to mean double the work each day. You can easily cook a single meal that will be healthy and nutritious for both people and pets to eat.

It seems like a cultural shift – we spend many hours in front of a computer each day (often doing leisurely activities like checking out Facebook and Twitter, reading blogs, or watching videos), yet claim to have no time to do the activities that support a healthy body and a healthy life. People who claim to have no time to cook are usually the same people who claim to have no time to exercise, meditate, be active outdoors, eat regular meals daily, or sleep for 8 hours a day.

“Well, what about folks with big dogs? Feeding large dogs would require more time, money and effort.”

Exactly right. But it is a necessary commitment. People who own big dogs need to remember that it is like having to feed another human member of the family. Large dogs will consume much more food than smaller dogs, and that is something pet owners need to consider before adopting a large dog into their family. It’s just not fair to compromise a large dog’s health because you can’t afford to feed them the kind of food they really need (which includes lots of fresh meat).

Reason #3: I’m afraid I’ll mess it up, or the food won’t be nutritionally balanced.

“Isn’t home cooking pet food unsafe? Home-cooked meals don’t contain all the nutrients and vitamins like my dog’s bag of scientifically-formulated kibble. Aren’t there risks of food poisoning and contamination?”

This is another common misconception perpetuated by “experts” who want to dis-empower pet owners and force them to rely solely on commercially available diets. If you’ve read my book or had a consultation with me, you know that I teach people how to ensure that each and every meal is balanced and healthy. Part of this balance relies on the idea of feeding a variety of recipes, foods, and meals. In regards to food poisoning or contamination – preparing food for your pets is as easy as preparing a meal for yourself. Cook things thoroughly (unless instructed otherwise), keep the kitchen clean, and buy the same quality of meats and vegetables that you’d buy for your own meals (but you don’t need to buy expensive cuts of meat).

Reason #4: I want an easier option.

“In my opinion, people want to do the best for their dogs and need an easy option that makes feeding them healthy food simple to do. Unfortunately, it’s just not obvious how to go about that.”

As with many things in life, the “easy” option isn’t always the best option, and the obvious answer is often right in front of us.

As many of you know, I am fortunate to live on the island of Kauai in Hawaii. Over the last several decades, my community has seen an increase in the interest of young people (20 – 40 year olds) living here that want to live more sustainably, reduce their environmental footprint, and learn more about sustainable agriculture and growing their own food. These amazing individuals have jobs and families, and yet balance their lives with also having the time to cultivate seed exchanges between farmers and produce sharing so that excess food doesn’t go to waste. They are very inspiring, and serve as a good reminder that it is possible to live healthy, contribute to your community, and maintain an active life in the 21st century.

Again with regards to time and the sense of “busy-ness,” one has to look at where his or her energy is being directed daily. On a deeper level:

1. How much of your day or daily activities actually contribute to the health and welfare of your family?
2. Are there ways to simplify your life and create more time for yourself to do things like cook healthy meals?

Our society tends to spend a lot of time doing things that may not be very constructive (like watching hours of TV each night). A great majority of us are also working long hours in unfulfilling jobs, or driving long hours to get to jobs / grocery stores / etc. It takes a new mindset to make it all work. It is possible to make things work, but only if you have a supportive environment that allows you to do so (this includes having an open mind as well, and not falling back on old thought patterns that create limitations or excuses).

Who knew the concept of fresh food could be so thought-provoking, eh?

Just remember to consider how much better your life could be by eating healthier food, and taking the time to prepare it. Food is sacred, and in our culture of abundance, it is a gift. Appreciate it accordingly. Live food enlivens.

Photos via Christina Welsh and B*2

“Pet Food: A Dog’s Breakfast” by Yap Films

[Update: This video has been pulled from YouTube. We found an alternate link to the full video here:
Pet Food: A Dog's Breakfast]
This film covers many interesting topics such as:

• Pet food marketing and how it has changed over the years
• The difference between “premium” and “discount” pet foods
• How pet food is actually made

You’ll also meet Dr. Elizabeth Hodgkins, another veterinarian who shares my passion in advocating for healthy food options for pets.

Take Home Points

Remember, just as with people, there are no shortcuts to good health in pets. Commercial pet food was designed as a convenience, but that doesn’t make it the best choice for your pet, no matter how “balanced” or “vitamin-fortified” the packaging claims the food to be. The safest option is to learn how to formulate your own diets for your pets. It’s not as complicated or time-consuming as you think!

Film created by Yap Films

Featured image provided by JnL

What Are the Different Types of “Food Poisoning?”

1. “Spoiled” food – Can be caused by toxic molds, or bacteria such as E. coli  and Salmonella. This occurs when food is contaminated by unwashed hands and sits at room temperature for too long. Leftovers that have been sitting in the refrigerator for longer than 3 days should be tossed out.
2. Eating high-fat rich foods – These foods may upset the gall bladder or pancreas and cause vomiting or bloody diarrhea.
3. An allergic reaction to types of food or preservatives (MSG, nitrates)  – This will result in diarrhea, rashes, or hives.
4. Eating when stressed or excited.
5. Over-eating of table scraps during a party.

Contrary to popular belief, crackers are not part of a balanced diet.

How To Avoid Problems During the Holidays

1. Avoid feeding any of the following “leftovers” from a party:

• Processed meats – Ham, spam, sausage, jerky, dried fish or meat
• Sweets – Cake, ice cream, cream pies
• Rich Foods with gravy and/or sauce (including mayonnaise)
• Seafood that has been sitting out at room temperature for longer than 6 hours (especially shell fish, clams, and oysters)

2. Don’t feed food that has been sitting in the fridge for longer than 3 days

3. Don’t over feed meats and treats.  Employ the 1:2:1 rule, and mix table scraps in this way:

4. No strenuous exercise or playing with your pets right after a meal. Wait at least 45 minutes for the food to digest.

Were you gone too long while Christmas shopping? Looks like someone stayed busy.

Solutions For Addressing Problems

Uh oh. So it happened. Someone got into the garbage, or ate something they shouldn’t have. Now what? Well, there are a few things you can do at home to help with food poisoning, vomiting, diarrhea, or dehydration in your pets. Note: If your pet’s condition seems really bad (i.e. if you see blood in their vomit or diarrhea), take them to your local emergency veterinary clinic immediately.

How To Induce Vomiting

If your pet got into something non-edible or something very toxic (like dark chocolate), induce vomiting by giving 1 teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide. This will result in a foamy vomit (so do this outdoors, or have some newspaper handy for cleanup). After the vomiting stops, wait 2 hours and administer the following mixture with a syringe:

• 1 capsule of probiotics (acidophilus)
• 1 teaspoon of baking soda
• 1/2 cup of warm water

 Note: If chocolate was ingested longer than 1 hour ago, and symptoms such as drooling, shaking, or trembling occur, see your emergency veterinarian ASAP.

Home Remedies for Vomiting in Cats & Dogs

1. Refrain from feeding more food. If your pet is vomiting, you’ll want to remove the rest of their food and follow the instructions below to help stop the vomiting.

2. Baking soda water – Add 1 teaspoon of baking soda to ½ cup of water. Give a little bit (tiny sips) of this mixture every 2 hours. When the vomiting stops, follow this up with a little bit of ginger tea (listed below).

3. Ginger tea – Grate 1 tablespoon of fresh ginger root or use 1 teaspoon of ginger powder and gently simmer it with ½ cup of coconut milk (found in the Asian section or canned milk section of your grocery store) for about 10 minutes.  Store this in a glass or mug for easy use.  Give 1 to 3 teaspoons every 1-2 hours.

4. Acidophilus – Give your dog or cat acidophilus capsules mixed with water, or a small amount of live cultured yogurt or kefir (see dose instructions below). Give yogurt once every hour (up to three times) after the vomiting has ceased.

• 1 -2 teaspoons for a cat or small dog
• 1 -2 tablespoons for medium sized dogs
• 2-4 tablespoons for large dogs

5. Pepto-Bismol – For dogs only. This is toxic to cats! Give the following dosages after vomiting subsides, every 8 hours for one day only. If vomiting or diarrhea persists, see your vet.

• ¼ tab for small dogs
• ½ tab for medium size dogs
• 1 tab for large dogs

 Home Remedies For Dehydration

If your pet becomes dehydrated, and the vet clinics are not open, you can try hydrating your pet by giving them coconut water or coconut juice (found at most grocery stores or health food stores).

• Give 5 cc every 2 hours for small dogs and cats
• Give 10cc every 2 hours for medium size dogs
• Give 20 cc every 2 hours for larger dogs
• Give 40 cc every 2 hours for giant breeds

Home Remedies for Diarrhea in Dogs

To stop diarrhea in dogs, mix and feed the following every 3-4 hours:

• 1 cup of cooked white rice
• 1/4 cup of canned coconut milk

Feeding Instructions:

• Give 1 -2 tablespoons every 3-4 hours for small dogs (10 to 20 lbs.)
• Give ½ cup every 3-4 hours for medium size dogs (25 to 40 lbs.)
• Give 1 cup every 3-4 hours for large dogs (above 40 lbs.)

When the diarrhea seems to be getting better (after 1-3 days diarrhea should be less frequent, and stools should have hardened) add boiled chicken or beef  to the diet. Give ¼ cup of boiled meat per 1 cup of white rice. Feed three times a day in small portions.

Emergency Kit Supplies

Lastly, the following is a list of items that are helpful to have to prepare for a pet emergency.

• Dose syringes to administer fluids and medications  3 cc small dogs and cats5 cc syringe for medium size dogs, 10cc syringe for larger dogs.
• Coconut milk
• Coconut juice
• White rice
• Ginger powder or fresh ginger root
• Thermometer
• Paper towels, pee pads
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Probiotics (Kefir yogurt, Lactobaccilus acidophilus supplements in capsule form)
• Baking soda

If you have any questions, feel free to leave us a comment or send us an email. Again, if you see any blood in your pet’s vomiting or diarrhea, or, if symptoms don’t improve after 2-3 days, contact your local veterinarian immediately.

 Happy Holidays Everyone! Have A Safe & Fun Season!

Fun photos via antaean, Rob!, and sonyaseattle

Christmas Cat is ready! Are you?

Preparing for Guests

Are you hosting your friends and family this year? Lucky you! Keep in mind that if your pets aren’t used to large gatherings in your home, they may be a little stressed by all of the activity, noise, and new faces in your home this week. Here are some strategies to employ both before and during your festivities.

• Bathe your dog (and maybe your cat)! No one likes to cuddle up close to a stinky dog. And people especially don’t like to eat near a stinky dog either. Make sure your dog is extra lovable by giving him or her a bath. Bonus – A bath on the day of your event, or the night before will cut down on pet dander and reduce likelihood of your pet triggering allergies in your guests.

• Have an area where your pet(s) can take breaks away from your guests and the household activity. Set up a quiet space in another room with a crate or cozy pet bed and give your dog or cat breaks every couple of hours (or as needed). Set up the space with their favorite toys and make sure they remain undisturbed by guests. You can always bring them back out after they’ve had some time to relax and de-stress.

• Keep pets away while people are eating. If you plan on having a formal dinner where everyone gathers at a table to eat at the time same, this is a prime time to move your pets to the other room for their breaks. To prevent dog fights and dog bites, ask your friends to keep their dogs at home instead of bringing them to your party.

• Make sure your pets are well-fed prior to your guests arriving. Your house will be full of good smells and food, and a satiated pet is easier to manage than a hungry one.

• Introduce guests to your dogs outside if possible. Meeting strangers is usually easiest and least stressful on neutral space, outdoors (especially if your dog is shy or territorial). So, bring your dogs outside to your front porch or driveway (well away from your front door) to greet your guests before they enter your home.

• Be sure to inform your guests about any sensitivities your pets have. For example, ensure that the adults know that children shouldn’t be allowed to tug or sit on the dog. Let them know if your cat hates being pet on his back or tummy. Remember to be your pets’ advocate! They can’t vocalize to your guests what is and isn’t appropriate, so you have to remember to speak on their behalf.

• Use supervision with pets and kids. Always have an adult in the room with the children if there is a dog present.  When adults get to drinking alcohol and chatting away with each other, they begin to lose perspective of potential accidents and dangerous situations with dogs.

How can you resist this face?

Thanksgiving and Holiday Meals

Now, let’s not kid ourselves – your guests will want to feed your pets yummy bits of food from your Thanksgiving feast. You can politely ask them not to, but all in likelihood, your dog or cat will give them the “orphan child” look of hunger, and they will be unable to resist. After all, they haven’t had years of practice to build up a resistance to that signature look. So, set your guests up for success by preparing a small batch of pet-friendly treats.

Make some healthy treats and/or provide snacks like carrots or sweet potatoes so that your guests will have something to reach for to feed your pets when they start looking cute.

Provide ways for your guests to engage with your pets in a safe and healthy way, and you’ll be able to avoid accidents and ingestion of the wrong kinds of snacks.

Here’s a recipe you can try.

What about snacks for cats? Try chopped bits of steamed or boiled chicken. Or, you can get really fancy with this recipe:

Have Fun

Lastly, remember that pets pick up on our own stress, so try not to be stressed about what needs to get cleaned, cooked, or picked up. The holidays are a time of fun and enjoyment with friends and family, and to honor the special relationships we have in our lives.

Here are some final thoughts to consider as you go about your day. Happy Thanksgiving!

A Prayer for the Holidays

May we bestow blessings on the people who prepared and cooked this meal using healthy food to nourish our bodies and souls.

This food we are about to eat is the gift of God and comes from the whole universe—the earth, the sky, and much hard work from the people who grew, prepared and cared for it. We thank every living being plant or animal that was sacrificed to give nourishment to our selves, family and pets.

May we use this food to live life in such a way that promotes good works and contributes harmony to the people in our lives and the community.

With this food, may we transform our unskillful states of mind: greed, anger, ignorance, and transform them into generosity, compassion and wisdom.

We accept this food so that we may realize our Spiritual path and practice.

-Inspired by Thich Nhat Hanh

Fun photos via AZAdam and kiewic.

It’s Q & A time! This is a new feature I’d like to start, so if you have a question, leave it in the comments section below, or on our Facebook page and you may see it in an upcoming blog article!

"So many to choose from...Which of these vitamins are best?"

Today’s question:

I know supplements are recommended, but how exactly do you choose? My question is, I find it extremely difficult to stay positive about certain supplements sold by the pet industry, and marketed as great (with such and such….blah blah blah). How do you decide which ones you recommend? How can one look at the ethics of the company, and where do I find suggestions for dosages? Signed, “Overwhelmed Vet”

Hi “Overwhelmed Vet,”

These are good questions to consider whenever choosing or endorsing a product. With all of the hype online, on TV, in magazines, and via infomercials on the radio, most people chose the ones that sound good and those that grab them visually or emotionally. Most veterinarians do not study this issue enough, nor know much about herbs and nutraceuticals (outside of “Nutra Max”), and so their clients tend to seek advice elsewhere. It can be embarrassing when the clients know more than the veterinarian.

Conversely, many pet owners are afraid to mention using supplements out of fear of being ridiculed by their veterinarian, so they stay silent, and trust that the supplement they’re using does all of the things it claims to do without any adverse effects. Of course, we all know things don’t always work out that way.

Always look for this seal on your pet's supplements

Before the NASC (National Animal Supplements Council) was established, the animal supplement market was a basic free-for-all. There were no regulations in place, and unscrupulous companies could make any claim they wanted without consequence. Subsequently, many of the initial supplements on the market were junk – ineffective at best, and harmful at worst (due to adverse side effects).

A need for a regulatory body was evident, and thus the NASC was formed.

Supplement companies that earn the NASC seal of approval must adhere to some pretty high standards of manufacturing, and use of labels and advertising. So, I would recommend looking for the NASC label on a product.

Besides having high standards, the NASC has been able to negotiate the issue of using “non-approved drugs” (i.e. herbs) by veterinarians. Prior to this, the DSHEA law that allows humans to pick and choose herbs and health food stores to sell them, did not include animals, and so, much of what vets used was “illegal” in the eyes of the FDA. Because NASC has been working openly with the FDA/CVM, they were able to establish parameters of labeling products carefully, and create an “adverse events” system to keep track of products that have caused problems.

However, there are some reputable supplement companies that aren’t members of NASC (i.e. supplement companies that sell human-grade herbs and products, which are then used by veterinarians and given to animals). And there are also a few smaller companies that perhaps have no interest in being a part of NASC (but still produce high quality products and follow ethical guidelines of manufacturing). The trick is to know how to identify these companies.

Here’s what you should keep in mind when considering a supplement company or product:

1. Who formulated the products? A veterinarian? An herbalist? What is their experience with animals?
2. Do the product claims seem “too good to be true?”
3. Where do the products come from (i.e. country of origin) and do they have a “certificate of purity” for each ingredient?
4. Does the company “give back” to holistic veterinary organizations?
5. What is the reputation of the company?
6. Who created the company and what is their mission statement?
7. Do they comply with GMPC standards? Do they have an FDA-approved facility?
8. Have they done any clinical trials, or can they provide information on how the product works based upon other scientific human or animal trials?

In my own practice, I stick with companies and products that I have a good rapport and communication with, and the products that give my clients good results. Also, it’s good to consult with your friends and colleagues to see if they have insight or experiences with a particular product.

The bottom line, and what we should remember is that with so many commercial products on the market, we as vets must take the time to educate ourselves on the “business” of pet nutraceuticals and herbals, just as many of us have “inspected and dissected” the commercial pet food companies. We owe it to our clients and our furry patients to be a valuable guide in a sea of advertising and misinformation.

One company I stand by is the Genesis animal supplements company. I believed in the quality of their products so much so that I took on a position with them as their Medical Director, and consult with the company regularly to create all of the formulas. But, this isn’t the only reputable company out there. What are your experiences? Share them in the comments below.

Great images via Andrew Morrell Photography, and NASC.

People often tell me there are advantages to living next door to a vet. Being the aforementioned vet, I don’t always reap the same benefits! So the next time I relocate, I think I’ll look for another vet to live next door to, and perhaps then I’ll understand what it’s like to have a vet so close to home! :)

A few nights ago, I settled in to watch prime time TV (Dancing With The Stars?!), when I heard a knock at the door. It was one of my neighbors, with an emergency situation with her little dog. I usually don’t take emergencies because my clinic / home isn’t equipped to accommodate that kind of service, nor do I have the trained staff to assist me in those situations. Since it was late at night, and this was my long-time friend and neighbor, I decided to look over her dog to see what kind of trouble she was in.

The Trouble With Little Bianca

A small black and white rescued dog, named Bianca, was waiting at the door. She looked similar to a papillon, and her owner told me she is deaf, despite being only 5 years old. She’s normally very healthy and free of issues (other than her hearing loss). Poor Bianca has been vomiting food and water all day, and has been lethargic from bouts of straining and multiple attempts to pass an obstruction through her system. I wondered if she had something like a small fragment of bone stuck in her system. The prognosis does not look good – Bianca has been passing bloody and mucous-covered stools, which means that this is very serious.

Her owner informs me that Bianca was feeling fine the night before, but Bianca has free-run of their large property during the day. They live on an acre of jungle/forest land, which means lots of adventures for Bianca, but sometimes little pups tend to get into things they shouldn’t during the course of the day.

As I have said, my clinic is not equipped for emergency situations, so I immediately referred them to a couple of other vets who are able to take on emergency cases. The first vet did not answer the call and the second required that the pet already be a registered client before emergency after hour care was offered. They recommended that the owner wait until morning to bring the dog in. Unfortunately, there were no other options, as Kauai has no official 24-hour emergency clinics.

What’s The Culprit? Bones? Poison?

I thought Bianca needed an x-ray because she might have eaten a bone. Her owner told me that she had given Bianca a small soup bone that was boiled for 3 days in a pot of soup. The x-ray could help us see if there was an obstruction and where it might be located, but again, I don’t have that kind of equipment at my clinic so the x-ray would have to wait.

The next concern was that little Bianca could have gotten into some rat poison. The landlord of the property had treated the areas around their house a couple of years ago, and we were concerned that there were some residual toxins present. But sudden onset of these kinds of symptoms is usually not the case when dogs get into rat poison.

Perforation of the intestines is a very serious situation in these cases, so I then palpated her body to check for pain spots. The good news was that she didn’t seem to be in pain, and she also had no fever present. So it was safe to conclude that Bianca did not have a perforation or peritonitis. Whew!

Initial Attempts To Help Bianca

I instructed Bianca’s owner to make some tea at home to see if she could stop the vomiting. She tried chamomile tea and coconut milk… but little Bianca immediately threw it up.

I asked them to come back and let me check their dog further.

Bianca seemed pretty spirited, but would have periods of regression and become listless and trembling. I examined her. Her tongue was a dark red. In TCM that means “blood stagnation,” which is a blockage related to Blood. This can indicate perforation of the intestines, intussusception, peritonitis, or an obstruction by a foreign body causing bruising and bleeding.

Poor Bianca was trembling, but the spirit in her eyes was bright. She continued to strain and try to poop but only mucous and blood were coming out.

I knew I had to stop the bleeding. So, how to you stop bleeding with a pill, especially when the dog continues to vomit?

I gave her some Cimetidine, hoping to quell the vomiting but she of course threw that right back up.

A New Strategy

It was time to try a new strategy. I decided to use Yunnan Paiyao to stop the bleeding. Yunnan is great because it works both internally and topically. So I mixed some yunnan with some coconut milk, added some enzymes and acidophilus, and gave the little dog a high enema with the solution, about 2 oz (60 cc) using a 60ml syringe attached to a lubricated infant feeding tube.

I then held the fluids in by clamping her tail down over her butt for a short period. Afterwards, I sent them home with more Cimetidine to use before bedtime.

Back To Normal

The next morning the owner called me to report that the dog is 80% better, no bleeding!  The Yunnan Paiyao really works! Bianca even ate some chicken, and was able to keep it down. Her behavior was also back to normal. We scheduled a follow-up visit for that Saturday, and by Saturday, Bianca was doing much better.

Yunnan Paiyao is a great herb to have in your first aid kit. It can be found in pill (capsule) or powder form and is great for stopping bleeding until you can bring your dog into a veterinary clinic. You can apply directly to the wound, then wrap, and bring your pet into a clinic.

Again, in the case of a serious medical emergency like the one described above, I highly recommend contacting your nearest emergency veterinary clinic. Please do not attempt this techniques at home as you can seriously injure your pet if you give an enema incorrectly.

The Retreat

Before the week of day-long conferences began, the Council of Elders (of which I am part of) organized a three-and-a-half day retreat in the High Desert Mountains near the town of Julian. The purpose and title of the retreat was:  “Healer, Heal Thyself!”

It may come as no surprise to you that veterinarians lead stressful lives. Animals hold a very special place in peoples’ hearts, and caring for them necessitates the additional challenge of learning to communicate with animals that cannot speak English. They can’t tell us where they hurt, or give reasons why, or tell us how long the pain has continued. Veterinarians are responsible for helping bridge that gap, and we are the last line of defense for saving someone’s best friend. As a result of all of this pressure, we veterinarians have the highest suicide rate of any profession!

The annual and semiannual retreats help veterinarians take time for their own spiritual and emotional healing, and enable us to become better healers for all of our clients and patients back home.

Thirty-three veterinarians attended and shared the wonderful space at Stevens Ranch retreat center. Veterinarians from Canada, Japan, Hungary, and the US were in attendance. We saw lots of wildlife there: deer, bobcats, squirrels, wild turkeys, a peregrine falcon, vultures, hawks, nuthatches, thrushes, ravens, crows, and woodpeckers. It was the most woodpeckers I have ever seen so close up!

The days spent at the retreat were peaceful and sweet. Under the trees in an open space with desert aromas of sage, chaparral, and pine, we met and shared our stories.

The Mind & the Heart, and Ho’oponopono

My wife and psychologist Jane Winter, MFCC, M.A., produced a one day workshop on “The Mind & The Heart,” and introduced everyone to the Hawaiian process of forgiveness and reconciliation called Ho’oponopono.

In her workshop she describes the Mind as an instrument or tool. We need it to drive a car, formulate sentences, figure out mathematics, study a foreign language, interpret lab results and x-rays, and plan a surgery, etc. But, when the Mind is used for finding one’s own identity, for explaining spirituality, or when used in our loving relationships…our Mind can get us into trouble.

The Mind and our negative thought patterns can become the single most stressful input in our lives causing depression, fear, and chronic anxiety. Do you feel stressed often in your daily life? Have you stopped to consider how much of your stressors are legitimate concerns, and how many are just your own fears and anxieties repeating themselves? What can you let go of today?

As veterinarians, we are trained to rely on our minds more, and give less weight and credence to our instincts and the power of Love. We as a profession have become the “animal mechanics,” and not the healers we really want to be. How about yourself? You may not be in the veterinary industry, or in the field of medicine, but do you feel like your profession pushes you to rely less on your instincts and more on theories and arbitrary rules? 

Jane’s advice was that living from the Heart will lead one to the Truth of one’s purpose in life and will create deeper and more meaningful relationships in life.

The Ho’oponopono process was included in the workshop to help the attendees to heal their personal relationships, and to forgive themselves. As a side note, what haven’t you forgiven yourself for? Missing a deadline? Not finishing all of the tasks on your to-do list? Take a deep breath, and release. Now take another deep breath, and exhale.

Forgiving ourselves is one of the biggest challenges people face, because we might be having guilt issues from some perceived failure in our professional or personal lives. Ho’oponopono encourages one to forgive and reconcile – to free yourself from the judgements of your Mind. Using a process modified from the Hawaiian Ho’oponopono, Jane led a series of meditations that helped the veterinarians free themselves from guilt, blame, and revenge. If you’d like to learn more about the Ho’oponopono process, please contact us via email, and we’ll put you in touch with Jane Winter, or another qualified healer to help guide you through the process.

The Conference

After the spiritual retreat, it was time to move on and return to the city and the heart of the San Diego, where I led an herb walk for the Veterinary Botanical Medical Association.

We had a great group of about 65 very interesting people from all over the world. Vets traveled from Germany, Australia, the East Coast of the US, Canada, and even the Rocky Mountains. It was a good representation of the interest that seems to be worldwide: The Power of Plants.

My goal was to guide and lead these veterinarians on a journey that would be more engaging than just rote memorization of plants and their healing qualities. I didn’t want my guests to quickly forget what they had learned. So, I encouraged everyone to touch and interact with the plants. We opened up our minds and our senses of perception (according to ecopsychologist Michael J. Cohen and his course “Connecting with Nature,” we have a total of 53 senses). I asked everyone to find a plant that they were especially attracted to, and then ask themselves, “What does the plant tell you about itself?” We used our senses of sight, smell, taste, and texture to identify clues about each plant and figure out what each might be useful for.

For many people, the concept of interaction with plants seems a bit hokey. We’d much rather interact with machines on a minute by minute basis (ever try having a conversation with a teenager that isn’t via text message?!). It takes opening up our Heart, and our senses, and shutting down or quieting our mind to accomplish this sense of “oneness” with our natural environment. You don’t always need Google to find the answers! If you pay attention to the environment, Nature gives lots of clues about how things work, and what they should be used for. It’s fascinating, really!

Altogether, there were about 350 holistic veterinarians in attendance. Eighty-five percent were women, ten percent were old men like me (ha ha), and the remaining five percent were recent graduates. I was very glad to see new veterinarians with such a strong interest in holistic therapies! And unlike most veterinary conferences, this wasn’t strictly business – we greeted each other with warm hugs and kisses. There were lots of “warm and fuzzy” feelings amongst the participants and the speakers.

Medicinal Mushrooms

In addition to the herb walk, I also gave a lecture on Asian Medicinal Mushrooms and their use and application for a variety of ailments.

Medicinal mushrooms can really make a difference in an animal’s life by improving health and longevity. Ganoderma lucidum, Maitake, Shiitake, and Cordyceps varieties can help treat serious heart and kidney diseases, (like those commonly seen in geriatric animals) and will help prolong life by tonifying the blood, energy, and vital circulation so that repair of these organs is possible. Over the years, mushrooms have had a negative stigma and reputation (i.e. poisonous or magic), but what is often forgotten is that medicinal mushrooms have been used for thousands of years by healers and medicine men and women. There are many documented cases of the positive health effects of consumption of these mushrooms.

One of my popular pet supplement formulas, Genesis/Resources brand CAS Options, includes medicinal mushrooms and antioxidants that support detoxification, improve energy, and help the immune system modulate against toxins that might cause DNA damage and subsequent tissue necrosis and tumor formation. I’ve used this formula with great success in many of my geriatric patients.

I also lectured on the concept of food therapy and TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) principles. You may be familiar with this concept – I wrote about it in my latest book: Fresh Food and Ancient Wisdom. We completely sold out of paperback copies of the book, but you can pick up the digital version of my book, here.

Here are some of the questions I posed to the vets. Give it some thought, and try to come up with your own answers.

• How does the Western world relate to food?
• Where do veterinarians get their information about nutrition?
• Where do most people get their information about nutrition?
• How the general public relate to food and cooking?

Got your answers? Great! What did you come up? I encourage you to leave your comments below. 

What I try to emphasize during my lectures about food and nutrition is that we often overlook several things in our relationship to food. (Perhaps you remember some of this from my other blog article: Things We Forget About Our Food). Here’s what I think most of us forget, or take for granted:

1. The living conditions for most of the feed animals in our food system. Acknowledgement for the suffering of the animals (CAFO= confined animal feeding operations = factory farming) that were raised and sacrificed for our survival and the survival of our pets.
2. The people who work for low wages, under harsh conditions harvesting our food in the field, or working in slaughter houses and rendering plants
3. The love in a lovingly prepared meal, and the lack thereof in commercially-made diets or fast food.
4. Acknowledgement in the environmental cost of food harvesting, processing, and delivery. Fossil fuels are used every time we buy a steak or a piece of fish.
5. That food consumption and preparation is a crucial element of life. Your food is your fuel, and caring about what you put into your body or what you feed your pets is a big part of health and wellness. I encourage you to cook and prepare meals in your own home.
6. Your Intention (Yi) is important not only when performing acupuncture, but also when you cook.  The “Yi follows the Qi.”
7. Making food and preparing meals should always include Intention and Love. Here is one of my favorite quotes with regard to how one should regard food ingredients that will be turned into a meal: “He handles them with Loving Kindness, with Intimacy, with Joy and with profound Respect” – Abbot John Daido Loori
8. Food can be healing! You may not always need to rely on man-made medications for healing. You can use TCM principles: formulating diets for the specific needs of an individual, balancing the energetic and physiologic properties of food, creating food that supports healing and synergy. Eat with purpose!
9. The Japanese principle of Washoku (Food in Harmony) – specifically, the 5 Roads To Enlightenment Principle

The Five Roads to Enlightenment (Gokan no mon)

The Five Roads are part of Washoku – the five important principles of making and preparing traditional Japanese food, and food in harmony. Meeting all of the principles of washoku ensures that the meal is healthful and balanced, and has aesthetic harmony. “Wa” means peace, harmony, and softness, and “Shoku” represents cooking.

The “5 roads” to me is the “essence” of food and eating:

1. Gratitude and acknowledgement of the people who prepared the meal
2. Use the energy Qi of the food…to do good works in the community
3. Eat food with an open heart
4. Acknowledge feeding the “soul” as well as the body
5. Engage in your own spiritual path

The other components of washoku are:

• 5 tastes (gomi) – Salty, sour, bitter, sweet, spicy
• 5 ways of cooking (goho) – simmer, steam, fry, boil, raw
• 5 colors (goshiki) – red, yellow, green, black, white
• 5 senses used in cooking (gokan) – balancing the senses of sight, smell, taste, texture, and hearing

In theory, a good meal includes each of these components.

Old & New Connections

The meetings gave me the chance to reconnect with many old friends. I even had the chance to meet with an old vet friend from my Santa Cruz, California days living in the mountains: Dr. Lynda Wells. Dr. Wells operates a house call practice in California, and specializes in acupuncture and herbal medicine. She shared with me that she had just bought a 25-acre ranch to begin farming, and she’s going to focus on medicinal herbs, vegetables, and raise sheep for wool. Pretty cool stuff!

You can find more info on Dr. Wells here.

I was also delighted to meet the incredible Dr. Beth Hirschfield of Florida. She works with cats…but not the usual kind! She treats big cats and exotic animals at sanctuaries and shelters. She explained some of the challenges of working with such large predators. She first must tranquilize them, then rely on anesthesia for surgical work, blood draws for lab tests, or to perform acupuncture treatments.

She recently performed a “C section” on a Bengal tiger, a hysterectomy on a black panther, and did dentistry on an old cougar with bad teeth. At the end of the meeting she was going to check a patient (a peregrine falcon)  after jumping off a cliff to paraglide with the bird in flight.Wow!

Unfortunately, Dr. Hirschfield does not have a website, but if you’re ever in need of a wildlife vet, do look her up here!

All in all, it was a time of great learning, teaching, and meeting new and old veterinary friends.

Beautiful airline photo via rharrison

One of the common issues I treat in my practice is musculoskeletal problems. These can range from mild limping, to arthritis, to full blown paralysis. These problems can be caused by injuries, lack of proper exercise, and a deficiency in joint cartilage,but are often just the result of age. Most treatment plans for these ailments focus on alleviating pain using medications, but do not seem to address the root cause of pain and immobility.

In this post, I’d like to present to you a multi-pronged action plan for treating these ailments in a safe and natural way. Using these strategies, I’ve seen my patients develop stronger muscles, show increased mobility, and show fewer signs of pain.

What’s the first step?

Making the correct diagnosis! With my own clients, I like to start with a phone consultation. This gets us started in the right direction with treatments that can be applied at home, and allows us to make faster progress and improvements than if we were to wait for an in-person appointment.

To gauge the severity of the issue,  I like to review recent x-rays, and other relevant prior veterinary records. If you plan to consult a holistic veterinarian about your pet’s mobility issues, be sure to have some good x-rays taken first.

Typical Treatment Plan

1. Improve nutrition through home-cooked diets made with fresh food ingredients

I encourage my clients to feed their dogs high-antioxidant diets with vegetables like kale, broccoli, red cabbage, and small amounts of fruits like blueberries. These help decrease free radical accumulation in the joints. I also like to add supplements to the diet and may suggest things like glucosamine and chondroitin (which are chondroprotective agents) along with green perna mussel or sea cucumber supplements.

2. Improve blood flow to joints and muscles

4. Improve function and mobility

To improve function and mobility, I suggest daily massage, liniments, and herbal formulas as mentioned above. Gentle swimming is also a great treatment strategy! If you have a pool, you can swim your dog for short periods of 10-20 minutes. Swim sessions in calm ocean water is okay too. After each session, be sure to rinse your dog off using fresh and clean water so as not to cause skin irritation.

A managed exercise plan will support blood flow, and the strengthening of muscles and joints. Remember that as with people, pets need to build up to being able to do exercise. Start gradually with very short sessions (2-4 minutes), then increase the duration and frequency of your swim sessions. You should also allow for recovery days (days off from swimming). I also recommend that all pets be outfitted with a pet life jacket. This reduces stress on your dog and enables him or her to relax while in the water. They can then focus more on moving the joints and less on trying to stay afloat. Always use supervision with these hydrotherapy sessions.

5. Improve flexibility

The final component of a holistic treatment plan for musculoskeletal problems is to do stretching, hydrotherapy, massage, and acupuncture.

As you can see, many of the treatment modalities I’ve suggested overlap in their benefits – for example, daily massage improves flexibility, function, mobility and blood flow, and acupuncture treatments can improve blood flow, decrease inflammation, and improve function and mobility. If your pet is having trouble recovering from an injury, or is having arthritic issues, I suggest incorporating these strategies into your pet’s treatment plan with the help of your local holistic veterinarian.

I am also available via phone consultations to help you formulate a treatment plan tailored to your pet’s needs. Get in touch by sending us an email: info (at) drbasko (dot) com, or by calling my clinic at (808) 822-4229. 

 Beautiful photo of a happy old golden having fun via RickC