KIDNEY FAILURE - DON'T GIVE UP HOPE

Meet Bodie. Bodie is a middle-aged Cavachon (Cavalier/Bichon). Bodie was diagnosed with kidney failure on July 10, 2015. His veterinarian said he only had a few days to live, he was suffering, and the family should euthanize him. His BUN and Creatinine levels were very high (200 and 10, normal 31 and 1.5). He had not responded to fluid therapy, was vomiting, and not eating. Luckily, his "mom" wouldn't accept that recommendation and decided to try alternative care.

This picture was taken January 15, 2016. As you can see, Bodie is alive and well, happy, and loves life. He races around with his sister and loves to play. His blood values are still pretty awful (in the same range), but he's not letting on that he has a problem. Sure, he has some not-so-good days, but the family takes them in stride, hoping he will continue to bounce back.

Bodie receives subcutaneous fluids with B vitamins at home (he is not a fan, but his dad gets the job done), along with supplements to keep him feeling well. He gets acupuncture every two weeks. He is NOT fed a prescription diet. We didn't like the ingredients and he didn't like the food (smart boy). Mom cooks for him and when he's having a really bad couple of days she's been know to stoop so low as to get him a McDonald's burger - really bad, but he bounces back!

His family has learned to go with the flow. Accept that not all days will be perfect. Some days he turns his nose up at food. Sometimes he vomits, but not often. When he has a bad tummy day, mom reaches for the pepcid, but it's not often.

I have treated many dogs with kidney failure and many have had this kind of response. As long as the good days outnumber the bad, you don't have to give up. By using alternative therapies combined with traditional medicine, Bodie has the benefits of both worlds and he is thriving.

SENIOR PETS CAN STRUGGLE IN WINTER

Eggplant on the heat vent, her favorite spot

Some pets have "Yin Deficiency" and show signs of excess heat in their body by panting, drinking excessively, and having a dry coat, nose and pads. But other pets may have the opposite problem - they are cold. Since "Yang" means warm, pets who are cold have a "Yang Deficiency". This is seen commonly in older animals, animals with short gray coats (they usually have a "Metal" personality, which is a winter personality - cold weather, likes order and routine), and in thin animals.

Yang supplies warmth and energy, so many times these animals have difficulty getting going. They may lie down a lot, have weak hindquarters (with or without arthritis), and move slowly with the hind end lower, almost crouched. These pets rarely pant (unless stressed) and have a pale, wet tongue. They may have a drippy nose.

Eggplant is one of our kitties. She is middle aged and her favorite place to sit or sleep is on the heat vent. She finds every sunny spot in the house and loves to lie on the lounge chairs by the pool on 90-degree summer days in full sun. Our older dog Freckles wears a coat all year long. She has weak hindquarters and leaks urine. When fed meals that are warm (temperature) and warming from the interior (Yang tonics), her urine leakage is much less. If we feed her "Yin tonics", or cooling foods, she leaks huge puddles of urine and has more hind end weakness.

Sleeping on a blanket in her coat

Foods that can help warm pets (and us) from within include venison, lamb, chicken, goat, pheasant, kangaroo, kidney, oats, white rice, ginger, cinnamon, pumpkin, garlic, hawthorn, sweet potato, and turmeric. By feeding a diet using a warming protein base, we can contribute more energy to these pets by warming from within.

TREATING INFLAMMATORY DISEASES WITH FOOD THERAPY

In traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, Yin and Yang are the basis of all life. Yin equates to the female characteristics while Yang equates to the male characteristics. Yin traits include moisture, coolness, softness, darkness, and sluggishness. Yang traits include dryness, heat, light, and high energy. Young pets with more energy are considered to be more Yang, while older pets may have more Yin characteristics if they are very sluggish or obese.

Some older pets pant a lot, have dry brittle coats, and dry cracked noses and foot pads. Those pets are lacking moisture and are considered "Yin deficient". We also see diseases that cause pets to be "Yin deficient" - think of diseases that cause increased thirst and urination: diabetes, Cushing's disease, hypothyroidism, lymphoma, and nephritis (kidney disease). By drinking more, the pets are trying to increase the moisture in their bodies. By panting, they are trying to cool the body (they can't sweat, so panting is their cooling mechanism). Pets with Yin deficiency will usually have a dark reddish tongue that is fairly dry.

A simple way to treat pets that are "Yin deficient" (hot, dry, panting, dry brittle coat, nails, nose, and pads, drinking more) is to manipulate their diet. Everything that is eaten has specific effects on the body. Certain foods are considered to be "Yin Tonics" and will help cool and moisturize the body. These include pork, crab, clam, duck, rabbit, sardines, eggs, barley, millet, quinoa, black beans, asparagus, pears, watermelon, bananas, and squash. By selecting or making diets that contain some of these ingredients you can help correct a Yin deficiency in your pet.

Dry processed kibble contributes to Yin deficiency, as this form of food is practically devoid of moisture. Simply "floating" the kibble by adding water does not solve the problem. Dry kibble has also been robbed of many nutrients during processing. Yin deficient animals will show rapid improvement by eliminating processed kibble from the diet and incorporating fresh, high moisture, Yin tonic foods into the diet. Raw food may work for many, but even switching to a high quality canned food can make a world of difference.

THE SUPERPOWERS OF GINGER

Ginger is one of the healthiest and tastiest spices known. It is closely related to turmeric; the root or rhizome is the part of the plant eaten. The bioactive ingredient gingerol  provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. Ginger can be fed fresh, ground, dried, or added to meals. In Chinese Medicine, ginger is considered to be a Qi tonic (energy) and is warming, helping the body to warm from within. Personally, I've been gulping ginger tea all winter.

Ginger is highly effective for treating nausea and upset stomach. It warms and soothes the bowel and is often used to combat motion sickness and nausea associated with chemotherapy. Ginger is a "Qi Tonic", which means it provides energy, or Qi, to the body. One effect is improved gastric emptying, which moves the food through the bowels and decreases discomfort and bloating after eating. This effect reduces acid reflux and the associated discomfort. Ginger stimulates production of saliva and bile, helping digest food more efficiently.

Ginger extract can inhibit the growth of bacteria and has proven to be very beneficial for treating cases of stomatitis and gingivitis. There are some indications of antiviral activity as well.

Studies have shown ginger to be effective in decreasing muscle and joint pain associated with exercise and osteoarthritis, allowing patients to decrease the amount of medication needed. The anti-inflammatory effects can help with any inflammatory disease process in the body.

Ginger can help lower and stabilize blood sugar in diabetes, which may help decrease insulin requirements.

High cholesterol and triglycerides are often seen in certain breeds, like Schnauzers, and can also be associated with low thyroid function or hypothyroid disease. Studies have shown significant reductions in cholesterol and triglycerides in animals and humans fed ginger.

Early studies have indicated that gingerol may help prevent or combat some forms of cancer, specifically pancreatic, mammary, colon, prostate, and ovarian cancer. Additional studies are needed to confirm mechanisms of action.

For older pets with cognitive dysfunction (dementia), ginger has been shown to improve reaction time and working memory in people and helps protect against age-related decline in brain function. The same could hold true for senior pets.

Ginger is soothing and helps decrease mucous production, which is great for treating coughs, colds, and sinus infections. Animals can be given ginger tea, which most of them enjoy.

Ginger also contains beta-carotene, capsaicin, caffeic acid, curcumin, and salicylate, all of which contribute to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant functions.

I add ginger to every home-made meal I make for my pets. I also grate fresh ginger for them daily. 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon for my 15 to 25 pound dogs keeps them fit and healthy, along with fresh, wholesome foods.

Don't overlook the superpowers of ginger!

OVARY SPARING SPAY - GOOD OR BAD?

Studies have shown that large breed dogs that are spayed and neutered have a much higher incidence of cancer and joint problems. A 2013 study at U.C.Davis looked at two joint disorders and three cancers in Rottweillers - hip dysplasia, ACL tears, lymphosarcoma, hemangiosarcoma, and mast cell tumor. The results showed that rates of occurrence were significantly higher in both males and females that were neutered either early or late, compared to intact dogs. In response to this study, and others, veterinarians have started offering "ovary sparing spay" surgery instead of traditional spay and vasectomy instead of neuter. The spay procedure takes a little longer to perform and requires a longer incision to expose the entire uterus, as it must be removed completely, all the way to the cervix, to reduce chances of a stump pyometra. As long as all of the uterus is removed, there will be no bleeding during heats and no risk of uterine infection (pyometra).

Early spay has long been advocated as a way to avoid mammary cancer and pyometra (uterine infection). Mammary cancer is still a risk when the ovaries are left intact, but mammary cancer has only about a fifty percent risk of malignancy in dogs. Owners can do breast exams to feel for any early lumps or thickenings in the mammary glands and ultrasound can be performed to detect early nodules.

No good studies have been performed on smaller breeds of dog, but I have to believe the hormones are in the system for a reason. Presumably, estrogen related incontinence problems would not occur if the ovaries were left intact. ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tears and degenerative joint disease, along with cancers might have decreased incidence.

The decision you make regarding the type of surgery performed should be discussed with your veterinarian. Obviously, waiting to spay requires vigilance so your young dog does not get bred on the first or second heat. I will only discuss waiting for maturity with responsible pet parents in my office.

Studies have not been performed in this regard for cats, but mammary cancer in cats has closer to 95% malignancy rate, so I would not recommend this procedure at this time. Cats are much more resistant to bone cancer and hemangiosarcoma and rarely have urinary incontinence issues.

CARPET POWDERS MIGHT BE MAKING YOUR PET SICK

Do you have a dog with allergies? Do your pets break out in hives or scratch a lot? Do you use carpet powders? Many pets will react fairly violently to carpet powders and sprays. Remember that your pets are in close contact with the chemicals in these powders and their skin is in direct contact.

Ingredients for Febreze (most of which we can't pronounce) include:
Ingredient Purpose Purified Water- Processing Aid, Alcohol- Drying Aid, Cyclodextrin- Odor Eliminator: Derived from Corn Starch and eliminates malodors, Emulsifiers & Spreading Agent : Modified polydimethicone Diethylene glycol-  Helps Febreze spread easily and penetrate into your fabrics to target the source of odor. Hydrogenated Castor Oil- Helps keep Febreze Stable over time, Acrylic Copolymer Agglomerating Agent: Helps prevent allergens from re-entering the air, Polyacrylate- pH Neutralizers: Sodium Hydroxide- Used to maintain safe pH for your fabrics, Benzisothiazolinone Preservatives: Methyl and Chloromethyl isothiazolinone- Protects product from microbial contamination. Various Perfumes Fragrance: Leaves your fabric with a light fresh scent.

Interestingly, I had to go to the product website to find the ingredients, as they are not listed on the containers. (Is that legal?)

Just as many people cannot tolerate perfumes and fragrances, many pets have similar issues. Respiratory irritation can occur when you are sprinkling the powders, so put your pets outside when you use these. My recommendation is to NOT use these powders, as I have seen too many pets react to them. Professional steam cleaning of carpets is a preferred route to keep your carpets clean and odor-free.  

ANOTHER PET FOOD SOLD TO A BIG CORPORATION

Another pet food merger was just announced.  Wellpet LLC, has acquired Sojos, a family-owned company offering a line of raw, freeze-dried pet food for dogs and cats.

While WellPet is based in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, USA, the company says Sojos will continue to be based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

WellPet says there will be no changes in the day-to-day operations of either company and that Sojos co-owners will assist with the transition.

Wellpet LLC makes five brands of pet food, including Wellness, Holistic Select, Eagle Pack, Old Mother Hubbard and Sojos.

Wellpet LLC is owned by Berwind Corporation, which is an investment management company. The biggest question we need to ask: is this investment management company truly interested in the well being of our pets, or are they more interested in the bottom line? If present company management at Sojo's maintains autonomy in decision making, there should be no change in quality. But with any buy-out, there are guaranteed to be changes coming. We will have to wait and see.

This information (which is just good business sense) came from the Berwind Corporation website:

Berwind Corporation ACQUISITION CRITERIA

Market position
Acquisition targets should be leaders within their niche market.

Profitability
We measure value at the gross margin level. Berwind only considers companies that consistently deliver high gross margins.

Ownership
We insist on 100% ownership. We are a cash buyer.