A few weeks ago I was in an area where runners were assembling to “Run for the Cure” of some problem. It suddenly hit me how messed up our priorities are. Of course we all want to help those who are sick. It is great that researchers are working on cures for cancer and other […]
A recent study found that children who were given antibiotics were more likely to be overweight. The more antibiotics the kids got, the fatter they got. If this is true for people then it is most likely true for pets as well. But what’s the connection between taking antibiotics and weight gain? I can answer […]
Acupuncture is the oldest medical system on earth. It is still used today because it works. Stimulating an acupuncture point triggers nerves to send signals to the brain. In response, the brain releases bioactive substances, such as endorphins, into the system affecting the whole body. The body’s response to acupuncture depends on which point(s) are […]
Here’s how the conversation goes. “Doc, do you know what’s wrong with my dog? Do you know what’s causing his problem?” “Yes.” “Tell me doc, what’s my dog have? What’s wrong with him?” “Your dog has Idiopathic disease.” “He does? He has Idiopathic disease? That sounds serious. What does it mean?” “It means we don’t […]
Homeopathy is a much maligned and misunderstood alternative therapy. A few years ago there was a movement among a small group of conventional veterinarians to have homeopathy labeled as ineffective by the American Veterinary Medical Association. While that attempt failed, homeopathy is generally looked down upon be conventional veterinarians. To understand why, we need to […]
Most veterinarians are out of touch. That’s the conclusion of a new study. Recently, a consumer research company looked at over 2 million conversations about pet care that appeared in online forums, on blogs, and on Facebook in 2014. They found that for veterinarians, “preventive care” was all about vaccines, spay/neuter, and parasite control. Meanwhile, […]
Who doesn’t? This study found that, for people, the consumption of fermented foods helped to reduce neuroticism and social anxiety. It seems reasonable to think that the same could be true for pets. (And, believe me, there are a lot of pets with anxiety issues). The researchers relate that the most likely reason for the […]
I’m excited to announce that my fist book, Stand by Me: A Holistic Handbook for Animals, Their People and the Lives They Share Together, has been translated into Swedish! Yes, apparently the people of Sweden were excited by what they read and wanted to make the book more accessible to their countrymen and women. (Somehow […]
If your pet has been diagnosed with kidney failure, there are natural treatments that can help. The first thing to be aware of is that monitoring will help you know what is needed. Many veterinarians will do blood work periodically to see how things are progressing. The BUN and Creatinine are the most commonly monitored […]
In my last blog I gave the background for chronic kidney disease (CKD). Now let’s look at possible causes and treatments. Studies show an association between the feline distemper vaccine and CKD. It turns out that the viruses used in the vaccine are grown on feline kidney tissue cultures. While the vaccinated cat’s immune system […]