Fatty tumors - Lumps, Bumps

Often soft and squishy to the touch, benign fatty tumors are not a threat to your dog’s health. (The exception is infiltrative lipomas, which can invade muscle tissue, but these are relatively rare.) While lipomas can be unsightly, many vets opt not to remove  them unless they are in a location where their growth impedes a dog’s mobility. 
 
This middle-aged Lab has at least one lipoma (behind his elbow, on the chest wall). Unless it grows until it impedes the free movement of his leg or the ability of his chest to expand to breathe, veterinarians will likely decline to remove it. But many holistic veterinarians see lipomas as far from innocuous. Instead, they stress, lipomas are symptoms of a bigger problem. 

Holistic view
“For conventional veterinarians, lipomas are just something that happens, just like cancer happens,” says Marty Goldstein, DVM, of Smith Ridge Veterinary Center in South Salem, New York, author of The Nature of Animal Healing: The Definitive Holistic Medicine Guide to Caring for Your Dog and Cat. “What they don’t get is that lipomas are a result of what we’ve done to depress the metabolic functions and immune system of the animal.” 

Dr. Goldstein believes that lipomas are a sign of improper fat digestion and a haywire metabolism, and that they often result from the unnatural commercial dog food diets that have become the norm today. “We’ve laden dog food with 50 to 65 percent carbohydrates, even though in nature wolves eat perhaps 1 to 3 percent grains.” 

While few (if any) conventional veterinary practitioners would agree with this assessment (see “Conventional Medical Opinion,” next page), consider the case of Tembo, a Rhodesian Ridgeback who had his first lipoma before the tender age of one. Fed kibble and then a homemade diet heavy in grains and carbs, Tembo had constant allergies – corn gave him hives, and wheat summoned forth blistering yeast infections on his feet and in his ears. 

“For the first seven years, the lipomas popped up like mushrooms,” remembers his owner, Elizabeth Akers of Concord, California, who had about 20 lipomas surgically removed from Tembo’s rib cage, legs, and chest. Some of the growths were small, others were tangerine-sized. “One on his groin was growing faster than the speed of light.” 

Then, at age 7, Akers switched Tembo to a raw diet – and the lipomas responded as if she had flipped an “off” switch. “By the time he died at age 12, the only lipomas he had were in four places where they had been removed and had grown back again,” she remembers. “He had no new ones.” 

Holistic veterinarians are quick to note that diet changes are not miracle cures: As in Tembo’s case, they may slow or even stop the growth of existing lipomas, or cause them to “organize,” or shrink. But expecting a wholesale disappearance of them is likely unrealistic. Success is relative, Dr. Goldstein says. “If a lump is growing three inches every six months,” and after you make modifications in your dog’s diet and lifestyle, “it still gets bigger but it’s only growing one inch in that time frame, then you’re moving in the right direction.” 

Holistic medicine doesn’t see diseases as unrelated entities that swoop in to disrupt health like so many flying monkeys at Oz. Instead, disease – or any disruption of the body’s functioning, no matter how seemingly mild, like lipomas – is a manifestation of a weakness with the body itself. In other words, there’s a Wicked Witch of the West lurking in the backdrop acting as dispatcher. Simply put, lipomas are a sign that there are deeper issues behind the scenes. 

Many systems of healing have a name for the life energy that flows through the body and maintains good health. In homeopathy, for example, it is called the vital force. But no matter what you label it, what’s clear to holistic vets is that lipomas are evidence of the fact that the vital force is weakened and perhaps blocked – and likely has been for some time. 

“One sign of vitality is the expression of symptoms, because that’s the body’s attempt to bring itself into balance,” explains classically trained homeopathic vet Michael Dym, VMD, of Morristown, New Jersey. By contrast, “lipoma patients have very weak symptoms,” as the body struggles to externalize its internal conflict in a kind of slow boil. In this scenario, “the patient has been ill on a deeper level for some time – it’s just that they don’t have adequate reactions, and have a very weak development of symptoms.” 

For that reason, lipomas are not easy to treat, because making changes on that deep and profound a level doesn’t happen overnight. “From a homeopathic perspective, any sort of lump or growth is generally thought to be an outcome of vaccinosis,” or the adverse effects of vaccination on the body, Dr. Dym continues. “Animals that are ill from prior vaccinations can have chronic warts, skin tags – and fatty tumors and lipomas.” 

That’s not to say that you will be able to draw a direct line from last month’s rabies vaccine to your dog’s new growths. Instead, “we look at them as an outcome of weakness in a patient who’s not in the best health,” Dr. Dym says, because the life force has been affected by vaccines or toxins such as pesticides. Lipomas can be unsightly, and some owners might be tempted to remove them for pure aesthetics. But because surgery only treats the symptom of the problem, not its root, most holistic veterinarians avoid it, except for lipomas that are so large or awkwardly placed that they impede a dog’s quality of life. 

“The risk of removing the growth surgically is that it leaves the uncured disease to manifest at a deeper level, in a different form,” Dr. Dym warns. And from a homeopathic perspective, “when you remove a growth, you stimulate the vital force to greater activity. You can’t cure an apple tree of growing apples by cutting off its branches.” In fact, you might spur it to blossom even more profusely. And most lipomas tend to recur anyway. 

While Dr. Goldstein agrees, he has had to remove lipomas that were in a compromising position, such as behind the nasal cavity, where they could obstruct breathing. “Lipomas have their own finite capsule – you just scoop them out,” he says. A technique he employs during such surgeries is to roughen the tissue area around the lipoma, creating an inflammatory response. “This creates scar tissue that prevents the lipoma from growing back” – on that spot, at least. 

Individualistic treatment
The classic homeopathic remedy used to treat tumors – and, while they are benign, lipomas are tumors – is Thuja, which is also often used for vaccine reactions. But Dr. Dym cautions against such a paint-by-number approach: Because lipomas are a symptom of a deep-seated imbalance in the body, he suggests a consultation with a homeopath to find the proper constitutional remedy – one that takes into account your dog’s own individuality – and treat the dog over time. Taking the wrong remedy – even one that might seem to fit the picture – “might stimulate a reaction that could highlight or activate” the very things you are trying to resolve, he warns. Traditional Chinese medicine has a different name for this life force that animates us all: chi. But that ancient modality also interprets lipomas as symptoms of a deeper imbalance. 

“In Traditional Chinese veterinary medicine, lipomas are a type of ‘dampness’ called ‘phlegm’ that has stagnated in a particular area, usually an acupuncture channel such as the Gallbladder channel,” explains veterinarian Bruce Ferguson, DVM, MS, a practitioner and instructor in traditional Chinese veterinary medicine based in Perth, Australia. “Issues of ‘damp’ are usually, in the case of lipomas, caused by improper diet leading to a damage to the gastrointestinal system,” which is governed by the Spleen/Stomach meridian. 

In traditional Chinese medicine, this channel “is responsible for moving a type of post-ingestive fluid around the body,” Ferguson continues. When a dog is fed a grain-based diet high in refined carbohydrates – as opposed to a more natural, meat-based diet – the channel gets clogged, and “gooey.” In addition to dietary change, Dr. Ferguson says lipomas can be addressed with herbal formulas that tonify the spleen and resolve phlegm and dampness; acupuncture to help restore the movement of chi through the body, particularly the Spleen, and reverse stagnation; and occasionally gentle, non-traumatic massage such as Tui Na.  For his part, Goldstein sometimes prescribes Chi- Ko/Curcuma, a Chinese-herb formula indicated for resolving masses, specifically lipomas. He also considers nutritional supplements such as L-carnitine and chromium picolinate, which assist in fat metabolism, as well as a product called Mega Lipo-Tropic, which helps digest and burn fat. Ditto for digestives enzymes that contain ox bile, a powerful fat emulsifier. 

Improve basic health
No matter what modality you choose to deal with the underlying imbalances that might cause your dog’s lipomas, all dogs will benefit from these commonsense basics: good nutrition in the form of a biologically appropriate diet; good mental health, with a lifestyle that provides stimulating play, problem-solving, and social interaction; and no exposure to unnecessary vaccinations or toxins such as pesticides. And don’t forget exercise, Goldstein adds. “The only way to burn fat is to get your body – and your dog’s – up to its aerobic potential,” he says. In the end, then, the good news about lipomas is that they aren’t life-threatening. But they are a signal that something is askew in your dog’s body. 

“When I was in veterinary college, lipomas were described as benign masses that merely had a statistical rate of occurrence and did not ‘mean anything,’ ” Dr. Ferguson says. By contrast, traditional Chinese medicine teaches that “anything out of the ordinary has meaning, and usually indicates some type of imbalance.” The task of the practitioner – and the observant, committed owner – is to discover and correct it. Denise Flaim is the companion-animal columnist at Newsday on Long Island, New York. She owns four raw-fed Rhode-sian Ridgebacks and is the author of The Holistic Dog Book: Canine Care for the 21st Century. See “Resources,” page 24.

Homeopathic remedies, including one often used for lipomas, are available in health food stores – but don’t buy and administer them without the guidance of a veterinary homeopath. your dog needs to be properly diagnosed, treated for the totality of his symptoms as an individual, and evaluated on an ongoing basis.

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Holistic Animal Cancer Treatments - Preventing and Healing Cancer in Dogs, Cats, Horses and Other Animals
Cancer is now the number one killer of most domestic animals. This fact raises a fearsome specter for those who know how confusing and painful it can be to endure the course of this disease in their pets.  Cancer does not occur without cause - various environmental, dietetic, and vaccine-related culprits that may cause cancer in pets. The holistic approach treats the whole animal, ignites the body's internal healing force and stimulates the body's natural abilities to heal itself.

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Dr. 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 and licking of the air. 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 urinary 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." learn more

A Personal Story of a Cat, a Bat and Rabies Vaccination
by Kimberly Roush kroush@xmission.com

I had 4 cats prior to my current cat. I learned early on about cutting back on vaccines - I think I stopped the vaccines around age 3 on my previous cats, and I followed Dr. Pitcairn's homemade meat/grain diets  when I could (see also sample raw cat food recipes). With my new cat, I wanted to do give him even more of a healthy life. One of the toughest decisions was the rabies vaccine. I got my male from a humane shelter that had only given him 1 5-in-1. I signed a contract to give him a rabies vaccine. Yea, I was off to a good start.

We have a very low incidence of rabies in Utah, only in bats, except one fox this year showed up. Rabies vaccines is required by law for cats in Utah. I did not vaccinate largely at the strong advice of Dr. Dym, Falconer, Swift  and a few others mentioned on your website, and others not mentioned but who are well known alternative vets. I walk my cat on a leash, he is 1/2 ocicat, and still a great hunter even on lead. (I do not let him catch birds) I have to admit I was nervous - what if he grabbed a bat in the grasses before I could see what he was after?   (Rabies and bats)

This summer Sundance was with me in the living room. He then walked into the kitchen, jumped up on the kitchen counter to eat, and I heard him jump down. But, this time he kept jumping. I ran into the kitchen after about 3 jumps and to my horror there was bat lying around. I grabbed Sundance, I had no evidence he had touched the bat or vice versa, but could not prove it. I ran into the bathroom hugging Sundance, "What am I going to do now?"

My entire concern was saving Sundance. I locked him in the bathroom while I tried to find the bat. I could not find the bat. I kept Sundance by my side or in my arms constantly when I moved him to the bedroom. He was then locked in my bedroom, making sure the bat was not in the bedroom, and we slept with the door closed the entire night. In the morning I found the bat in the kitchen sink, as predicted by  the bat websites, who said they will frequently be found near water sources. I also learned from my biologist friends that bats will die of starvation in 3 days if not enough food in your house. As instructed by the bat international website, I put on heavy gloves, and heavy sweater and took a large yogurt container, put it over the bat which was conveniently resting on the rubbermaid mat. I lifted the mat and dumped the poor bat out the window. I did not want to save the bat as I could not in my panic figure out how to have the bat tested and not have the state know about Sundance not being vaccinated. Having had the bat tested may have saved me from going through the vaccine series but I was only thinking of saving Sundance.

The bat did not immediately fly off. Some guessed this indicated the bat was sick. Others said bats need to launch from a vertical surface and I later saw it trying to climb the side of the house. I did not see it after that. At the urging of a friend, I made the mistake of telling my mainstream vet who said she was going to turn Sundance in to the state. That would mean 6 months of quarantine which I am told costs about $2000.00 a month. I talked her out it, telling her I had listened to Dr. Dym's advice not hers and she was not responsible. If she did try to turn him in I was going to disappear to another country with him. I also told her she was no longer my vet, relieving her of all responsibility.

Dr. Dym said we had no evidence that Sundance and the bat had contact and no reason for a quarantine. I had to go through the rabies vaccine series myself because, after thinking all this through, a day or two prior to finding the bat I had awoken with an unexplained, bloody scratch on my forehead. Sundance does not sleep with me in heat of summer, so the bat could have been upstairs and Sundance, the hunter, would not have known. There have been incidences of people contracting rabies from bats without evidence of bite or barely a scratch. All the doctors I spoke with decided it was safest for me to go through the rabies series. I was quite sick all summer from the vaccine. The shots are not painful, I was sick sick. I seem fine now.

Dr. Dym thought all of this was a mainstream, over-reaction. Thanks to the woman at Brighthaven I found Dr. Diana Bochenski. Dr. Diana is a wonderful homeopathic vet; very kind and wise. We determined how we would handle a 6 month at home quarantine to be very safe. Sundance made it through the quarantine just fine. I on the other hand was extremely stressed and afraid until we got a few months past the bat in the house incidence, when it was less and less likely he would have actually contracted rabies.

After getting started on my own vaccine program, I then quickly researched rabies vaccines for Sundance. Almost all of the highly concerned cat friends, breeders and vets I know recommended the Merial Purevax. The trick was then to find a vet that had the vaccine and, most importantly, I could not mention that he had never been vaccinated for rabies. I did make the mistake of trusting Dr. Hanneman, a well known "alternative" vet who Dym recommended. Henneman's office told me on the phone that they did not vaccinate cats. So I felt safe telling the story. Their response was then that they would have to turn Sundance in. I told them they misled me as they said right up front they do not vaccinate cats, that Sundance did not have contact with the bat, only I possibly did, and I quickly hung up.

I found a vet with the Merial Purevax vaccine, he never asked about the vaccine history, as I walked in with this gorgeous, healthy, highly loved cat that I am sure no one would question if I had "neglected" vaccines. I never felt so happy to have my cat vaccinated. One additional note: my mainstream vet had researched the rabies vaccines once a potential exposure had occurred. She said there had never been an incidence of an animal contracting rabies if they had had at least one rabies vaccine. And, she said there was some evidence that a series of shots after an exposure for an unvaccinated animal may prevent rabies. Dr. Diana and I decided, or betted on our hunch, that the bat and Sundance did not have contact and we stuck to the one vaccine.

I hope this story is helpful to those trying to make decisions on vaccines. The risk of side effects from the vaccines is frightening, but nothing is a scary as the state coming to confiscate your cat and possibly chop off his head. This summer, in Utah, there were at least 3 stories in the news of cats having had some contact with bats that were only overdue for a rabies vaccines. All of the cats were put to sleep as no one was willing to pay for the costof a 6 month quarantine. I believe over 300 animals in Utah were put to sleep in 2007 because of bat encounters and lack of or late vaccines.

The vets listed on your website are nonchalantly recommending not to vaccinate but one needs to know the cost of a 6 month quarantine in comparison to the risk of vaccinating. And, you know, bats can have rabies, and the horror of contracting rabies could be the worst scenario of all. The guilt I felt for not having protected him from something I could have protected him from (both rabies and the law) so easily was hard to live with. I never would have imagined a bat would have come into my house. During my decision process prior to this incidence, a friend tried to tell me a bat could get into my house. My response, "Yea, sure." We rarely even see bats outside of our house.

I do not know the laws and they vary from state to state. I do not know if some states will accept titers. I know my mainstream vet will accept titers after the first vaccine. But, the law may not. If your animal reacts to a vaccine, a vet can write a letter, and exempt your animal from requiring further vaccination, I believe. I also think it is important to find the safest form of the vaccine. When doing my research it seemed the Pfieffer" sp? vaccine caused the most reactions. Sundance was a bit sleepy the morning after his Merial Purevax vaccine, and that was it. Dr. Diana said that was okay and maybe a good sign. Oh, he did get the sneezes for a week shortly after the shot, but there were many stress factors at the time, I cannot prove a relation to the vaccine.

On a side note, I had a tetanus titer done since I had been so sick from the tetanus shot I had 17 years ago. My titer was high at 12.4 after 17 years!!. You are considered covered with a titer over 3. While it was hard convincing my doctor to do the test, or even finding someone that knew what a titer was, it was well worth it. I also know a breeder that vaccinates with the Merial Purevax every year (I believe it is being licensed as a 3 year vaccine) and she had not had any problems. She will not use certain other vaccine which have caused death in some of her cats. But she is confident with the Merial Purevax rabies vaccine. It was important to note that when I made the decision to vaccinate for rabies the homeopathic vets could not guide me on the safest vaccine to use. One local alternative vets actually claimed there was not difference between the vaccines and she used that Pfieser - what ever the name of the company is - the one I heard is one of the worst for causing problems. Whereas, the mainstream vets doing the vaccines regularly were able to verify they saw a lot fewer problems with that Merial product.The Rabies Challenge Study   ---   Dr. Falconer DVM prevaccination Protection

Kimberly Roush  kroush@xmission.com

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Prevaccination Protection
Dr. Falconer DVM

I get this question more often than I used to: “If I’m not vaccinating my animal against parvo and distemper (or ----) do I need to avoid contact with other animals?” The norm has been for my patients to come to me already vaccinated, so the easy answer, based on duration of immunity, was no, the immunity should persist for “years if not the life of the animal.”  Now that people have thought more about the dangers of vaccination, it may be that some are choosing not to vaccinate until later in life (pups at 12-16 weeks old, for example), to be sure the minimum number of vaccines will give long-lived immunity. They may be using homeopathic nosodes before that, or may be opting to not vaccinate at all. What to do for these guys? Keep them in a bubble, away from all exposure to possible disease causing germs? No. That’s impractical, and, unless you have a strictly indoor cat, not much fun.

The goal is to have an immune system that can defend the animal against exposure to parvo, canine or feline distemper, kennel cough, FeLV, strangles, flu, Rhino, etc. If you opt to have the strongest immune system possible without the risks that vaccines confer, use the preventative program that keeps the immune system strong safely and efficaciously, and without risk to the animal. That, in my opinion, is daily dosing with the Animal Health supplements utilizing Transfer factors products coupled with excellent nutrition, should be adequate protection to get your animal out in the real world, benefitting from natural exposure to viruses and bacteria that can make the immune system stronger. Follow label doses and boost this base level as I explain below if exposure is likely.

"Many people are very concerned about vaccinating their animals and the adverse reactions are often referred to as vaccinosis and miasms which is said to be difficult or impossible to cure. Most wonder why "annual boosters" are given to our animals when vaccinations for humans last for our lifetime. Also asked is why isn't the dose adjusted for the size of the animal? The many serious adverse reactions may be grossly under-reported to the vet (insist on telling the vet), to the manufacturer, and to the USDA Biologics Hotline (report the reaction, manufacturer, and lot number ) at 800/ 752-6255. The experts are now addressing these concerns and the First International Veterinary Vaccines and Diagnostic Conference was held in July 1997 regarding this important health issue.

Dr. Christina Chambreau, DVM - "Routine vaccinations are probably the worst thing that we do for our animals. They cause all types of illnesses but not directly to where we would relate them definitely to be caused by the vaccine. Repeating vaccinations on a yearly basis undermines the whole energetic well-being of our animals. Animals do not seem to be decimated by one or two vaccines when they are young and veterinary immunologists tell us that viral vaccines need only be given once or twice in an animal's life. First, there is no need for annual vaccinations and, second, they definitely cause chronic disease. As a homoeopath, it is almost impossible to cure an animal without first addressing the problems that vaccines have caused to the animal, no matter what the species."  learn more

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Holistic animal health articles by Dr. Christina Chambreau D.V.M.

THE HEALTHY PATH - FOR EVERY ANIMAL - HOW TO HELP YOUR ANIMAL  LIVE LONGER AND HEALTHIER
by Christina Chambreau, DVM

Following are excerpts from Dr. Chambreau's lecture to a homeopathic/holistic-health minded audiance
"INTEGRATING HOMEOPATHY AND HOLISTIC MEDICINE INTO YOUR VETERINARY PRACTICE" Part 1 of 4 -  part 2 - part 3 - part 4

"Many of us, even alternative health care practitioners, take our animals to a good veterinarian and follow implicitly their directions, even if they contradict our personal philosophies. We do not vaccinate our children at all, yet we vaccinate our animals for 8 diseases yearly. We feed canned or dry food to our animals when we eat the freshest, most organically prepared food we can afford. We treat whatever symptoms the animal exhibits with whatever the veterinarian recommends, yet look carefully at which approach would be the best for the particular problem we are experiencing." Dr.  Chambreau

NUTRITION

FEED THE BEST DIET This is really critical - common, commercial foods are not adequate (see What's in Pet Food?). A great diet will help restore health to ill pets and often prevent health problems.

For the health of your animal and for the health of the planet, the ingredients should be the most consciously raised - organic vegetables, free ranging holistically treated animals. Briefly, the best diet is raw meat including raw bones for dogs and cats, grated raw vegetables as well as cooked vegetables, maybe some grains, seeds and nuts, and supplements. If bones are not eaten, then a calcium supplement is needed. There are now at least 5 good books on home preparing food for your animals to coach you and I offer courses to help you transition to fresh food. Every animal needs and wants a different combination at different times in their lives, just as we do. If you also feed some commercial food, buy it from the health food stores. With any food, observe each of your animals for the effect that food has on them. You decide what is best. Experiment. Have fun. All animals need the least processed foods. Horses need oats and other grains, fresh hay - not pelleted food or pre-made molasses feeds. Tiny herbivores (guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, etc) should have fresh vegetables and raw grains appropriate to them rather than pellets. The best is to let them graze for themselves when possible. Avoid chemicals and processing just like you do for yourself. The same basic principles that guide our food selections will need to applied to animals in our lives, adapting to the indivual physiological differences.

STEP ONE: Use the freshest, purest ingredients you can afford.

STEP TWO: Read different books about the holistic approach to animal nutrition. As with books written for human diets, there are differences in opinion. There are differences not yet written in books that you will find by going to lectures, reading holistic animal magazines or consulting with a holistic animal practitioner.

STEP THREE: Start using one nutritional approach with your animals. Evaluate their health. You may want to start a journal that describes their current health condition, so you can re-evaluate in the future. YOU are the one to decide if the diet you are feeding is a good one. WARNING: Do not stray too far from the basic guidelines you read in the books. Cats CANNOT be vegetarians. They need at least 60% meat in their diet, and maybe 90%. There are some healthy dogs being fed a vegetarian diet, but most of the healthy ones self-selected a vegetarian diet rather that having their owners impose one. Most dogs need at least 25% meat and some need up to 60% or maybe even more. Wait, you say, what about canned and dry animal foods, or pelleted feeds? That is the only diet my veterinarian recommends. Think people. Would you be your best eating instant breakfasts and military K rations as your total diet? They meet the MDRs. Dogs and cats need raw meat to be really healthy and even the best processed foods cook their good ingredients, and most commercially available foods, even the expensive ones, use the cheapest ingredients (that means dead, diseased and decaying meat and by-products).

WHAT ABOUT THE QUALITY OF THE INGREDIENTS?

Organic or not organic? As noted on the scale above, organic is certainly best, but when not available or affordable, fresh is key. You can compile a list of where is purchase meats(the most expensive item) at what prices and quality. Remember that wild game is hormone and steroid free even when they eat pesticide reared corn and crops. Look into meat lockers and reselling wild meat, or finding butchers who will keep the scraps from game, or hunters willing to bring in the organ meat they clean out in the field, and the stores who discount their almost ready to expire meat. The more research you can do to find inexpensive, healthy meat sources, the more likely your patients will get to eat healthy meat. I remind people that paying extra for organic is like making a charitable contribution to the health of our planet, and sometimes people can afford better food if they decrease their tithing and put some of that money into organic ingredients.

GENERAL GUIDELINES

Every animal is an individual and has different requirements - you need to find out what will satisfy their personal nutrition needs. Dogs need 25% - 50% (even up to 90%)protein, and a few can be healthy with a vegetarian diet. I have seen dogs die who did not do well on vegetarian diets. Cats need at least 60% protein, mostly meat, and therefore cannot be vegetarian. (Some cats do best with up to 90% meat, even ones with kidney problems.) Carbohydrates need to be overcooked/soggy and raw vegetables ground finely since dogs and cats have very short digestive tracts. In the wild, the intestinal contents of the prey are seeds, which are high fat and protein, not our modern grains which are high carbohydrate. While many animals will tolerate carbohydrates, others can not be fully healthy and need few , if any, grains. (Do dogs or cats require grains in their diet?). 

Meat should be raw. Cooking destroys enzymes and denatures the proteins rendering them less digestible to cats and dogs. Feeding chunks of meat lets your pet exercise jaw muscles, form saliva and enzymes in the stomach (most animals swallow their food relatively whole) needed to digest food properly. Ground meat is passable for most animals, occasionally, but Juliette de Bairacli Levy said that "minced meat is lethal to animals" and we find in practice that some animals just do not seem to be healthy until on chunks of raw meat. You can buy in quantity and freeze in portions. (Freezing only slightly decreases the nutritional value). An excellent meat is heart meat (good price, too). Other organ meats are great. 

Liver must be organic since it processes toxins. A must to read on the topic of raw meat is Pottinger's Cats. An M.D. in the 1930's kept 3 groups of cats in large outdoor enclosures. He found that feeding raw meat, raw milk and cod liver oil produced great health, including reproductive and off-spring health. When either the milk or the meat was cooked, health deteriorated rapidly. We rarely see Salmonella, E. coli, and toxoplasmosis due to the intestinal flora and short transit time of dogs and cats. Raw bones, yes bones, are great on a regular basis. If the animal is eating the bones, you need not supplement with calcium. Raw fruit and vegetables are great, but must be grated so their short intestinal tracts can fully digest them. Milk products are fine. Only a few animals get diarrhea from milk. As with people, some animals do not thrive on specific food items, so individually adjust your companion's diet. 

Digestive enzymes are useful while the animals are healing, and may or may not be needed once they are really healthy. A "whole food" or "super food" supplement is essential since soils are poor. (Blue green algae, colloidal minerals, wheat grass, spirulena, Missing Link, etc.). Rotate these every few months or less rather than just using one. Have a "meal-time" - don't leave food out. Do not feed dry food to cats. A normal, healthy cat is NOT THIRSTY!!! (You may see them drink rarely.) Feeding dry food will make them thirsty and may stress the kidneys, so I do not suggest dry food for cats. This should be fun for both you and your companion. BE PATIENT while switching to the new diet. If there are appetite problems - finicky or ravenous - these are signs of energy imbalance and the animal needs treatment. A healthy animal will eat any good food presented. Overfeeding causes pickiness, too.

SUPPLEMENTS

No one knows exactly which animals need which supplements, just as each person needs different supplements. There are a basic few that follow, and many owners give 10 to 20 different supplements they have heard of. If an animal needs more than just a few supplements to stay healthy, more holistic treatment is needed, as healthy animals will get the nutrients, vitamins and minerals, from a good diet. Keep experimenting to see which supplements are really needed for each individual. Juliette de Bairacli Levy recommends letting animals graze and select their own herbal supplements. Vitamins and minerals are needed, especially calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, A, D, and E, so please follow the books' guidelines or use a commercial source. VITAMIN C is good: 500-2,000 mg per day, especially when pets are stressed. Ester-C is the most absorbable(C-flex is good for animals). Helpful when the body needs acidifying is sodium ascorbate powder (or ascorbic acid), which comes very concentrated. For young (under 12 mos.) very large breed dogs, use calcium ascorbate. Many other supplements are available - see the catalogs and read your mail.

I DO NOT EVEN COOK FOR MYSELF, HOW CAN I COOK FOR THEM?

This is a common response. My interaction often starts with: Do you eat? Meals can be prepared weekly, and/or entrees and salad bars purchased for your animals. Next best, for busy or traveling owners, or while switching over, you can use a combination of good quality commercial food and home prepared food. Buy Pet Guard, or Wysong, (usually available at pet food stores or health food stores.) Then supplement with raw meat, vegetables, starches, fruits and specific supplements. I do not recommend most foods available in your supermarket, pet store, veterinarian's, or even health food store. Yes, even Science diet. They usually are full of chemicals and poor ingredients. Different animals need different foods: you will be the judge of what foods are best for your friend by watching the effect of the diet. Pet Guard, Wysong, PHD, and Precise are good foods 

The following books are the classics and the appendix lists more books. Dr. Pitcairn's Natural Health for Dogs and Cats, The New Natural Cat by Anitra Frazier, Cat Care, Naturally by Celeste Yarnell, 'It's For The Animals!Natural Care and Resources by Helen L. McKinnon and Reigning Cats and Dogs by Pat McKay. Some books suggest soaking the ingredients to help purify them, others and myself feel its not needed. some suggest grains, others do not. Find the path for each animal.

(additional links to books and video about holisitic Animal Health - shirley)

VACCINATION

WHY DO WE VACCINATE, AND FOR WHAT? We have a fear of getting sick, and if someone can tell us that by getting an injection we and our loved ones will not get that disease, we want that injection. Unfortunately, we would rather prevent one problem than take the time to slowly build up such good health that we do not need specific disease prevention - and are much healthier overall. Stop for a moment, and reflect on the number of vaccinations many veterinarians now recommend for dogs and cats: Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus, Bordetella, Corona, and Lyme disease vaccines for dogs, and Panleukopenia, Calici, Rhino, Chlamydia, Feline Leukemia, Feline Infectious Peritonitis and now ringworm vaccine for cats. Every year (or more frequently) animals are being injected with 4-8 viruses, in addition to Rabies. Would you rebel if your doctor told you to now get MMR and DPT (Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Diptheria, Pertussis, Tetnus), Hib, Hepatitis, and Rabies every year of your life until you died, instead of only a few doses as a child? The leaders in conventional veterinary medicine are now questioning the whole vaccination protocol, but private practitioners may be slow to respond. RABIES is required by law and because of the public health significance, must be done with an approved vaccine by a veterinarian. We can attempt to avoid the possible negative effects of the Rabies vaccine by using homeopathy and good timing.

harmful to the health of susceptible animals. The AVMA has just recommended (1/98) that cats and dogs only be vaccinated every 3 years. They acknowledge that they do really know how long vaccines last. Holistically, we find vaccinations one of the most harmful thing we do to animals. I recommend no vaccines at all (except the legally required Rabies, which is a viral vaccine and so probably protects for a lifetime). I do not recommend using homeopathic nosodes for protection. Experience has demonstrated that building up the overall health of your animal and treating any illnesses holistically is the best protection and the best way for a long, healthy life. The insert on vaccine packages say "Give only to healthy animals", so if your animal is ill in any way, they should not be vaccinated at that time per the manufacturers. Poor nutrition or vaccination, of course, does not bother some animals.

WHAT IS THE HOLISTIC PERSPECTIVE? A healthy animal or person is unlikely to get sick (or very sick) even if exposed to infectious agents. Ideally we would never vaccinate, feed wonderful fresh food and treat the early symptoms that indicate the body is out of balance. If they do develop an infectious disease, it can usually be treated successfully with homeopathy. Even vaccinated animals get those diseases for which they are vaccinated, and may or may not be cured. The unvaccinated seem to respond better to holistic treatment.

More on vaccination:ARE VACCINATIONS POTENTIALLY HARMFUL? - CAN MY ANIMALS REALLY BE SAFE AND HEALTHY AND NOT VACCINATED? - VACCINATION GUIDELINES - HOMEOPATHIC PREVENTION SCHEDULE

vaccine controversy books/library

ENVIRONMENT

What is the best environment for an animal? Again, each animal is different, just like each child is different. Some children can go to any school and do well, others must try out several schools before finding their ideal learning situation. There is no right answer, only the search for the best answer. Some horses love to race. Others, while appearing to enjoy racing, are sick frequently. (more about environmental toxins affecting your animal's health)

Some dogs, even when very healthy, are basically couch potatoes and like a moderate walk or a short spell of ball chasing. To require this dog to go on 20 mile hikes every week- end may cause physical problems, even if mentally the dog goes to please you. A cat who really wants to be an outside cat may need you to play for longer times and more actively than one who is content with the indoor, more sedentary life. Maybe you will need to build a screened in porch in your 12th floor condominium to have a healthy cat. Even when we do not have the perfect environment for our animals, we can try to do our best by stopping and thinking about what they need.

The shift you have made in your own health that now has you seeking ways to overall improve your health rather than merely getting rid of each symptom or illness is the same philosophy you need to apply to your animal friends. Again, there is no one right method of treatment. Some (although very few) animals just do not like acupuncture needles, some animals do not exhibit the characteristic idiosyncrasies we need to best prescribed homeopathically, some need the energy support of Reike or therapeutic touch or Zero balancing to be the most healthy. Most will improve with any well-done treatment. You are the one responsible to decide if your animal is being cured, palliated or suppressed by the treatment given. A cure is when all the symptoms disappear, never to return , and the animal is glowing with health. Healthy animals can, and should, get sick occasionally with acute illnesses that resolve quickly with minimal treatment. Clues that you are progressing towards a cure are that emotionally your animal is happier and more expressive, and you sense that there is more resilience, more health even though the symptoms may be continuing. There will often be a brief return of old symptoms (this is good) or a short worsening of the current symptoms (see healing crisis). Improvement should be quick if the animal has been sick a short time, and should take longer if the illness is longstanding. If your cat has been itching for 5 years, it may take 5 months to completely resolve the itching. If the itching goes away in a day, palliation or suppression have probably occurred and that is not good in the long run. When there is severe diarrhea for one day, you could expect it to disappear in a few hours.

If you find you are having to re-treat frequently to keep the symptoms in check, or your animal feels worse overall even though the main problem is still gone, you need to talk with your practitioner or consult with someone else. Keeping a journal is important so you can look back and see what has gotten better and are problems getting less frequent and less severe, which is your goal.

This journal will help you patiently wait for problems resolve because you can see the pattern of the whole being changing for the better. Patience is definitely an unsung virtue on the road to health. Even if the modality you choose turns out not to be curative, your animal will be healthier for using this approach. Finally, as you already realize, you are responsible for your animal's health, not just your practitioner. If you feel the practitioner you are using is palliating or suppressing, not curing, talk to them of your concerns and suggest a referral or simply choose another one yourself. Read, talk to other people, talk with your animal health care providers, take courses. Pay attention to what works and what does not work (here's that useful journal helping you keep track).

You may have a wonderful veterinary accupuncturist who thinks you should vaccinate and feed canned food. You certainly can use her for accupuncture, but follow your heart and feed raw meat and do not vaccinate. You stand firm with what you feel is working. You need to be flexible enough to realize you (or your practitioner) has made a mistake and it is time for a change. The path to health for your animals can be fun and challenging. Your animals will love your experimentation with all the different forms of healing. You will learn how to be more healthy yourself. You will eat better because you are feeding your animal better. You will meet some other wonderful people committed to their animal's health. Have fun. All holistic modalities treat the entire animal (or person) rather than just trying to get rid of one symptom at the cost of weakening the overall life force, but not every practitioner practices that way.

CHRONIC ILLNESS

Why do so many animals suffer from autoimmune diseases, cancer, short life spans, thyroid problems, diabetes, chronic allergies and bowel problems, behavior problems?

Diets that are lacking essential nutrients; are not prepared with love; food raised in soils that are very nutrient deficient; over processed and chemically preserved canned and dry foods that sap the vitality.

Drugs that are very effective at quickly making symptoms disappear (this is often suppressive, and worsens the overall imbalance.)

Drugs that are prescribed in case a problem might occur. Drugs taken regularly for "prevention" of heartworms, parasites, etc. "Don't" let the body have mild symptoms to allow the vital force to re-balance and strengthen.

Overreaction by owners to symptoms - "I want the itch to stop now!" Over treatment by drugs and pesticides.

Vaccinations. This is probably the main cause of the chronic conditions in our animals today, and their inability to regain their health easily. See later lectures by me, and read from bibliography.

Environmental toxins and stressors - noise, hectic pace, electric wires, pollution of all sorts. Eradication of superficial symptoms, such as surgical removal of tumors and warts, topical treatment to eliminate eruptions and discharges.

SIGNS OFTEN ACCEPTED AS "NORMAL" IN DOGS AND/OR CATS
SKIN: doggy smell; attracts fleas a lot; dry, oily, lack-luster coat; excessive shedding; not grooming, ear problems - waxy, oily, itchy, recurrent mites; eye discharge, tearing, or matter in corner of eyes; raised third eyelid; spots appearing on iris; "freckles" appearing on face; whiskers falling out; fragile, thickened, distorted claws that are painful or sensitive to trim.

BEHAVIOR: Fears(of loud noises, thunder, wind, people, animals, life); too timid; too rough or aggressive (even at play); too hard to train; barks too much and too long; suspicious nature; biting when petted too long; hysteria when restrained; clumsy; indolent; licking or sucking things or people too much; not using litter box , not covering.

DIGESTIVE: Bad breath; tarter accumulation; loss of teeth; poor appetite; craving weird things(rubber bands, plastic, dirt, cat litter, paper, dogs eating dog or cat stools, rocks, sticks..); sensitivity to milk; thirst - a super healthy cat on non dry food will drink at most once a week; red gum line; vomiting often, even hairballs more than a few times a year; mucus on stools; tendency to diarrhea with least change of diet; obesity; anal gland problems; recurrent parasites.

STIFFNESS when getting up, early hip dysplasia; tires easily in hot or cold weather; can no longer jump up on counters, or go up or down steps.

TEMPERATURE: Low grade fevers - Normal for healthy cats and dogs is 100-101.5.

AGE and REPRODUCTION: Should live a long life (Shepherds 17 years, Danes 12, cats 24); should be able to conceive easily, deliver normally, and not pass on "genetic breed" traits.

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Overview of the homeopathic approach to veterinary medicine:

For Pet Care Takers: 

• Do you ant your dog or cat to live longer, healthier lives? 
• Ready to be in charge of health options for your animals?
• Ready to build up health rather than spend lots on treating problems? 

For Veterinarians: 

• Clients asking for other options?
• Want new approaches to help your patients?
• Ready to add another income stream to your practice? 

Dr. Christina Chambreau (a founder of the AVH) and Dr. Jill Elliot (Homeopathic practice in NYC) will cover the basic principles of homeopathy that can be applied to any modality. Learn how the homeopathic approach to veterinary medicine can prevent many immune related diseases, quickly cure frustrating cases and involve owners in the treatment process to improve compliance and client satisfaction. Learn the basic principles of homeopathy that can help even your conventional treatments be more effective and help owners improve health and longevity for their pets. Learn keys to know if an animal is deeply healing or merely superficially improving. Learn how to identify which cases respond best to homeopathy – case taking. Become familiar with the different tools of the homeopathic practitioner – Repertories, Materia Medicas, computer programs. Understand the process of finding the similimum, that substance that matches the current energetic state of the animal and therefore will help the most. Walk away with treatments you can use tomorrow for specific problems. Understand enough to decide if homeopathic medicine is a modality for you to pursue. This class is open to veterinarians, veterinary technicians and the public. 

Introduction to Homeopathy for Animals 

• History and principles of homeopathy, how remedies are made,
• Obstacles to cure including feeding the best diet, limiting the number of vaccines and toxins.
• Intermediate Homeopathy for Animals - Prerequisite: Introduction to Homeopathy or Instructor permission
• Learn: how to take a case, use the repertory to look up the symptoms,
• Select the best remedy, give the right strength, and evaluate the response to the treatment. This is invaluable even if you never use the remedies as you will be able to tell what modalities are the best for your specific animal and for yourself
• Homeopathic Treatment of Behavior Problems - Prerequisite: Desire to learn new approaches to animal health.
• Learn: Homeopathic and other methods to approach behavior problems.
• Case Studies in Animal Homeopathy - Prerequisite: Be treating animals using a repertory and single remedies.
• Learn: How to better prescribe, new trends in homeopathy, have your questions answered, form strong partnerships to help your prescribing, thorough    working with your own cases. 

To register for the day long conference, go to http://www.theAVH.org.  For questions, email Dr. Chambreau at HealthyAnimals@aol.com

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Holistic animal health articles by Dr. Christina Chambreau D.V.M.

• FLOWER ESSENCE Flower essences are a good first choice for you to try with your animals, especially when you think there may be an emotional part to the illness.
• KEEPING A JOURNAL ON YOUR ANIMALS
• INTEGRATING HOMEOPATHY AND HOLISTIC MEDICINE INTO YOUR VETERINARY PRACTICE
• SELECTING AND WORKING WITH A HOLISTIC VETERINARIAN
• ANNUAL VACCINATIONS ARE THEY NECESSARY? ARE VACCINATIONS POTENTIALLY HARMFUL? Dr. Chambreau explains why vaccines are hamful and how animals can be safe and healthy without vaccination. She also offers guidelines and gives homeopathic prevention schedule.
• BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR VACCINATION RESOURCES
• THE HEALTHY ANIMAL NEWSLETTER

The fasted and easiest way to secure a phone consultation with Dr. Chambreau is through the Veterinarian Advice Line's toll free number:  866-483-8669. (make sure to say that you were referred by Shirley's Wellness Cafe) Dr. Chambreau offers phone consultations and classes on: Homeopathy, Nutrition Flower essenses, Overall Holistic Health

Dr. Christina Chambreau D.V.M. is the founder of the Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy and and is on the faculty of the National Center for Homeopathy Summer School. She teaches and lectures at conventions, schools, clubs and to anyone who is concerned about improving the health of animals. She graduated from the University of Georgia Veterinary College in 1980 and has practiced veterinary homeopathy since 1983. 

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Improving Your Animal's Immune System and Overall Health with Nutritional Support
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 important nutrients.When the diets of animals were fortified with flax, within three weeks their coats developed a beautiful sheen, and dandruff was greatly diminished. There are amazing testimonials about animals recovering from cancer, diabetes and other severe degenerative illnesses with a nutritional product called Transfer Factor. "My colleagues and I have found this product (transfer factor) to be very effective in modulating the immune system. Transfer factor is a "soup" of immune-modulating factors, which contains a leukocyte-type molecule that can passively transfer immunity from one mammal to another by stimulating cell-mediated immunity and is antigen specific.  Richard Bennett, Ph.D., an Infectious Disease Microbiologist and Immunologist from the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, believes this could be the most significant development in animal health care in decades. We have a great number of veterinarians and clients who are experiencing very positive results in a broad area of disorders, including periodontal. "Charles W. Brown, DVM      more
 

If you'd like to copy, print or send to a friend a summary of the information about holistic animal health click here

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Holistic veterinary: testimonials of amazing cures
Read other people's testimonials of amazing animal health improvements and cures of cancer and other chronic disease with natural, alternative health care and optimum nutrition. This is a collection of emails I received over the years and for which I received the permission to publish on my site. With each testimonial you will find an email address to facilitate correspondance, feedback and support.

Alternative Therapy for Our Animals 
Read about FDA's alledged abuse of power toward pet store owner who supplied litterature claiming that vitamins would keep pets healthy. The article, written by James DeMeo, Ph.D. can be found at The FDA - Who Do They Really Protect? Anti-Constitutional Activities and Abuse of Police Power by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other Federal Agencies.

Animal Diseases and their Natural Care
"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 diseases 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 sup pressing symptoms with antibiotics, cortisone and related drugs, so the disease progresses and goes deeper. Homeopathy offers a viable alternative in truly curing pets and making their bodies healthier." Michael Dym, VMDYou cannot poisonyour animal into health with drugs, chemo or radiation. The holistic approach treats the whole animal, ignites the body's internal healing force and stimulates the body's natural abilities to heal itself "Health can only be achieved with healthful living" T.C.Fry
 

Holistic Animal Health and Optimum Pet Nutrition 
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 diseases. 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 disease 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. Click here to learn 
 

Chemicals in Your Home and Your Pet's Health: testimonials
Countless pets are poisoned each year, either suffering a sudden illness or death or encountering toxins on a daily basis that erode their health slowly and shorten their lifespan. Illness does not occur without cause. Causes may originate in many areas. Underlying causes of illness and disease 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.

Managing flea bites, allergies and hotspots: the natural, drugless approach
"Does your dog have allergies? Does he itch all of the time? Has your veterinarian diagnosed "allergies" and sentenced your beloved canine companion to years of steroid therapy? I wrote The Allergy Solution for Dogs to provide owners with honest and objective information they can use to help plan a holistic treatment approach to dealing with their pets' allergies. Nothing bizarre or strange, simply proven treatments that I have used on thousands of pets in my years in private practice. Each day I help pets with allergies get off of steroids and help them live longer, itch-free lives. I have shared my secrets with the readers of Dog Fancy in my monthly column, and now I happily share them with you. Get ready to learn how to improve your dog's life the holistic way!"  Shawn Messonnier DVM

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Routine Animal Vaccination: Is it really safe and effective?
Most recently, an article appeared in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association entitled "Are We Vaccinating Too Much?" 

Dr. Richard Pitcairn D.V.M. Ph.D:"In this article we begin to address the subject of vaccinosis, the general name for chronic dis-ease caused by vaccines. For some readers the very idea that vaccines are anything but wonderful and life-saving may come as a surprise, and it's not a very pleasant one. After all, the general population pictures vaccines as one of modern medicine's best and brightest moments, saving literally millions from the scourge of diseases like poliomyelitis and smallpox. " Dr. Richard Pitcairn D.V.M. Ph.D

Dr. McCluggage DVM, - "...we must stop advocating yearly vaccines because of the harm we are doing to the animals we vaccinate. He covered the homeopathic concept of "vaccinosis". Vaccinosis is a disease entity that may be introduced through vaccinating animals or people. Once vaccinosis develops, there is a disturbance in the bodies vital forces that leads to symptoms of chronic disease that can be very difficult (and often impossible) to cure. Dr. McCluggage also stated that there are no good reasons to recommend annual vaccinations for our companion animals. " Dr. McCluggage DVM

Donna Starita Mehan DVM:"Routine" vaccination has adverse side-effects, either short or long term. With vaccines that are repeated year after year, the frequency and severity of these side-effects in our pets has increased dramatically. Most of the problems involve the immune system. After all, the immune system is what vaccines are designed to stimulate. But they do so in a very unnatural way that can overwhelm and confuse the immune system and can result in increased susceptibility to acute infections (such as ear infections in dogs, bladder infections in cats), chronic tapeworm problems, or in more degenerative cases, cancer." Donna Starita Mehan DVM

Read about the comments of other vets who believe that vaccines are damaging our pets. Read the above quotes in their entirety Please get informed!

Correctly prescribed homeopathic remedies can often undue the damage caused by vaccines. Homeopathy is noted for its success to antidote or remove the toxic effects of vaccines and to re-establish balance in the organism and restore health. Certain homeopathic remedies taken after vaccination can minimize  vaccine damage. A professional homeopathic vet should be consulted for more information.

Animals aren't the only ones at risk! What Every Parent Should Know BEFORE Their Childen Are Vaccinated!

Vaccines: are they really safe and effective? Why are a growing number of parents and health care professionals around the world questioning vaccination? The controversy stems from the thousands of deaths and permanent disabilities attributed to vaccination annually, as well as the many published medical studies, government statistics, congressional testimonies, and other credible sources that directly contradict commonly held assumptions about vaccine safety and effectiveness.

More pictures of vaccine damage available to view at the CDC website

"Bart Classen, a Maryland physician, published data showing that diabetes rates rose significantly in New Zealand following a massive hepatitis B vaccine campaign in young children, and that diabetes rates also went up sharply in Finland after three new childhood vaccines were introduced." Nicholas Regush ABCNEWS.com 

In fall 1997, two influential professional magazines featured articles asking the question: Has the decrease of infectious diseases in childhood through the mass use of vaccines been replaced with an increase in chronic diseases such as diabetes and asthma? The Economist, a prestigious international magazine read by world leaders in government, business and public policy, and Science News, a magazine read by both health care professionals and the general public, explored the reported links between vaccines and chronic diseases in their November 22, 1997 issues. Learn more about vaccine and diabetes connection --- asthma and vaccine connection --- SIDS and autism and vaccine connection --- "Shaken Baby Syndrome": the vaccination link

This child died as a result of vaccines

Please get informed! Enter the vaccine information site

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Special Free Report:  "How to Improve Your Dog's Health Within 30 Days - Maybe Even Lengthen Your Dog's Life!" together with weekly holistic dog health tips, information, strategies and resources for a healthier happier dog. Click here for your FREE Dog Health Report and newsletter.

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Search ShirleysWellnessCafe.com

Site map
 
 

Home: ShirleysWellnessCafe.com (aka: MyWellnessHouse.com) is a free educational site site dedicated to help promote holistic health for you, your family, and your animals. 
 
 
 
 
 

Natural Animal Health  Overview of Natural,  Holistic Veterinary Medicine
 
 
 
 
 

 Deadly, Contagious Dog Flu Virus - Dr. Cynda Crawford, an immunologist at the University of Florida's College of Veterinary Medicine who is studying the virus, said that it spread most easily where dogs were housed together but that it could also be passed on the street, in dog runs or even by a human transferring it from one dog to another. Kennel workers have carried the virus home with them. Read what Dr. Falconer D.V.M.  recommends to protect your pet  from the  Canine Flu disease
 
 
 
 
 

Pet deaths prompt recall of pet food   The number of cases of kidney failure among dogs and cats that ate poisoned pet food could total in the tens of thousands says Dr. Paul Pion, president of the Veterinary Information Network. More accounts of stricken pets had been coming in since the numbers were tallied over the weekend. He said the final number for pets suffering from kidney failure could be in the tens of thousands. more on the recall
 

Shop for Safe, All Natural Human Ingredients Healthy Pet Food

Natural Treatment of Pet Kidney Disease

Dr. Jones DVM - "The Truth Behind The Pet Food Recall"

Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against Pet Food Companies

 

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Veterinary Secrets Revealed!

E-book
Veterinary Secrets Revealed is the bible for solving your pet health problems with natural, at home remedies. Dr. Jones shows you more ways to treat your pet at home than I knew existed.

"These are all practical remedies that really work. No pet owner should be without this e-book." Dr. Jeff Serfas, Forestburg Animal Hospital

Natural Methods For Equine Health  Horses, just like any other animal benefit from natural veterinary care and prevention.
 

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Do you have a question about holistic animal health or need help with your animal? Barbara Raggio is an expert in animal natural health and volunteers her time to help visitors of ShirleysWellnessCafe.com  She can be reached at 206-338-6285 or 970 264 0882 or 323-389-0560 
 

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Hilarious 30 seconds videos. They will make your day! 
Dog protecting his bone
Dog being massaged by cat
Cat will not share meal with dog
Great Escapes - dogs are so smart! 
Dog born with no front legs walks like a human...you have to see it to believe it!
 
 

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Dr. Steven Slagle, DVM - "Transfer factors have turned out to be the most effective and versatile products I have ever used in my 32-year veterinary practice. A cat with leukemia, an oral tumor, and posterior paralysis due to a spinal tumor, was very ill and emaciated. One month after transfer factors there was some regression of the oral tumor, restored appetite with some weight gain, and increased sociability. Five months later, she continues to improve, regaining normal weight, 80% regression of her oral tumor, and regaining use of hind legs and tail."  more
 

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Dogs love Dr. Miller's Holy Tea too!
Dogs enjoy drinking Dr. Miller's Holy Tea because it helps improve their digestion, thus eliminate bad breath and body odors. The tea also helps flush toxins and assists in cleansing waste and compacted fecal matter from the colon. learn more. 
 

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More at Shirley's Wellness Cafe:

Holistic Animal Health and Optimum Pet NutritionNatural Health for Children
Natural Health for Women
Natural Health for Men
Steroids' Side Effects - Anti-Inflammatory Diet and Natural Remedies 
The acid-alkaline balance's impact on health
Eyesight Conditions - Natural Solutions
Arthritis Conditions - Natural Treatment
Diabetes Alternative Medicine 
Health Issues: Consumer Alert!
Alternative Cancer Therapies
Chia Seeds: The Wonder Food with Healing Power
Antibiotic Resistance and Side Effects
Natural Herbal antibiotics
The New Healing Science of Glyconutrients 
What is Homeopathy?
Urine therapy: medically proven natural cure
Toxic Environment - Toxic Cosmetics
Detoxification for Optimum Health: Chemicals and toxins are the primary cause of disease and obesity 
Tonic Herbs for Longevity, Rejuvenation, Immunity
Raw Food and Juice Therapy
Therapeutic Fasting
Healing with Herbs and Other Natural Remedies
Water: the great healer
Clay Therapy - Our Earth, Our Cure
Bee Pollen: healing from the hives
Magnesium Medical Miracles
Marine plants to enhance health
Profound Life-Giving Properties of Marine Phytoplankton 
Guide to natural treatments for Fibromyalgia
Immune system: the body's defense department
Sunlight to restore health
Cayenne Pepper: the great healer
Wheatgrass juice: nectar of health and rejuvenation
Healing Earth: Fulvic Acid and Shilajit
Stem Cell Physiology -  Supporting Bone Marrow Adult Stem Cell Release Naturally 
A healing crisis: what is it?
Transfer Factor for people and animals
Emotional Freedom: overcoming stress naturally
Overcoming The Sugar Blues and Getting Off Prozac
Healing shingles/herpes zoster naturally and rapidly
Flaxseed Oil The Wonder Healer
Cholesterol Myth - Fats that Heal, Fats that Kill!
Salt Deficiency: the cause of many serious disease
Radiant, healthy skin: the natural way
Words Of Wisdom Follow Your Dreams!
Dangers of Modern Medicine: Iatrogenic Diseases 
Healing asthma: a drugless approach
Alzheimer's Disease: There is Hope! 
Healing eczema: a drugless approach
Healing psoriasis: a drugless approach
Parasites Infections: Symptoms and Natural Treatment (humans and  pets)
Basic Healing Principles
AIDS/HIV/AZT: truth behind the propaganda
The bitter truth about nutrasweet
Canola oil: how toxic is it?
Bovine Growth Hormones in your milk
Beware of Genetically Engeneered Foods
Radiation Emergencies: Protecting The Thyroid Gland
Weight Loss: natural and healthy solutions 
West Nile Virus - what the media won't tell you
Most Popular Natural Health Products Safe and Effective Remedies  for People and Pets
About the author of this website
 
 

Free Google Videos. Doctors and parents expose how vaccines are crippling our children. 
Dr. David Ayoub, M.D. lectures on Vaccines, Mercury, Autism and other disease

Vaccines: deception and tragedy
Vaccines and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
Shaken Baby Syndrome or Vaccine-Induced Encephalitis?
Misdiagnosed Shaken Baby Syndrome: A Criminal Consequence of Vaccine Injury
AUTISM: is there a vaccine connection?
Criminal Consequence of Vaccine Injury
Anthrax Vaccine Facts and Gulf War Syndrome
Government Enforced Vaccinations: Vaccination Tracking Registry
How To Legally Avoid Unwanted Immunizations Of All Kinds
Vaccine Support Groups and Organizations
Animals: chronic dis-ease caused by vaccines
Nosodes: alternative to conventional vaccines
Library: Vaccine Controversy books
Holistic Children's Health :

Holistic Pediatrics (general)
Nutrition for Babies and Children
Attachment Parenting
Ear infections: alternative to tubes and antibiotics
Pshychiatry - betraying and drugging children for profit
Childhood vaccinations: are they really safe and effective?
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: astonishing facts
Autism: is there a vaccine connection?
The Circumcision Decision: what I wish I had known...
Understanding your baby's needs
Natural Birth and Home Birth
Ritalin Free Kids: Helping Children, Not Drugging Them
Homeopathy for Children and Infants
Forced Drugging of Children Parents  facing jail over compulsory drug orders.
No longer blind: the story of Shirley's baby born blind and brain-injured
Holistic Animal health :

Do You Really Know What's In Your Pet's Food? by Dr. Jane Bicks DVM
Why RAW food?
Food Unfit For Pets
All Natural Healthy Pet Food 
Animal Nutritional Therapy
Natural Animal  Health
Homeopathy for animals
Pet Allergies: non toxic natural solutions
Rearing healthy pups and kittens
Saving Shasta's life: a holistic approach
Sample RAW pet food recipes
Toxic environment and your pet's illness
Alternative to antibiotics
Testimonials of amazing animal healing.
Preventing and Healing Animal Cancer without drugs or surgery
Holistic Health for Horses
Feline Holistic Health
Natural diet for pet birds
Ferret Natural Health Care and Optimum Diet
Vaccinosis: chronic dis-ease caused by vaccines
Nosodes: alternative to conventional vaccines
List of holisitic veterinarians
Managing flea bites and hotspots naturally
Improving your animal's health with kelp
Library: holistic animal health
Animal training and behavior library
Training Shasta for personal protection
 

Shop for all natural, non-toxic, safe products for your pet's health and well being.
 
 

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Dr. John Hanover, DVM - "Young puppies and kittens with respiratory infections are given Shipibo Treasure Tea which they will lap up even when they will not drink water. I frequently recommend Amazon Herbs for my patients, especially geriatric animals and our Search and Rescue dogs.” More...
 
 

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Watch these Free Videos: 

‘We Become Silent" A must see documentary about the threat to medical freedom of choice. The Last Days of Health Freedom' details the ongoing attempts by multinational pharmaceutical interests and giant food companies  to limit the public’s access to herbs, vitamins and other therapies. 
Prescription for Disaster  in-depth investigation into the relationships between the pharmaceutical industry, the FDA, lobbyists, lawmakers, medical schools, and researchers, and the impact this has on consumers and their health care.
Video library   (whistleblower doctors)
 

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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. Learn how phytoplankton saved a dog's Life
 

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Possible Causes of Mysterious, Massive Death of Bees

Albert Einstein said:  "If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe, then man would only have four years left to live."
 
 

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Ayurvedic Remedy for Dogs
Natural herbal supplement geared towards optimizing your dog's overall health, appearance, and longevity
 
 
 
 
 

Natural Animal Health category
Animal Diet and Nutrition category
 
 
 

 

WHAT VETS DON'T TELL YOU ABOUT VACCINES Read the comments of veterinarians who believe that vaccines are damaging our pets. This information will make you cry and aware of the scam that is the mainstay of the veterinary field. Learn the truth  about the terrible suffering of pets and their owners and what can be done to protect your animals from the drug companies and ignorant vets. 'Shock to the System' covers the latest information on the vaccine issue, and puts the other pieces of the puzzle into the picture. Diet, environmental toxins, pharmaceuticals and stress all play a part in the health of companion animals.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Do You Really Know What's In Your Pet's Food?    Listen to Dr. Jane Bicks D.V.M. twelve-minute FREE audio or video presentation to learn more about how you can improve the health, well-being, and longevity of your cherished pet. more
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Ready-To-Eat Raw Pet Food

Natural dog and cat food  Quality pet food with only natural, wholesome ingredients and nutrient dense with vitamins, minerals, fats and fatty acids which are essential for the optimal health of your dog or cat. learn more

Home cleaning products safe for the family, pets and environment!. Hundreds of toxic chemicals are used common household products.You may have safety latches on your kitchen cabinets to protect young children from swallowing the cleansers. Your pets may run on your freshly mopped floor and then lick their paws. Learn about safe cleaning products

Heart warming testimonials People share their success of healing their animals without drugs, surgery or radiation. 

Natural Pet Treats  Pure and Natural
No Hormones
No Chemicals
No Artificial Color or Flavors
No Additives,  No Preservatives, 
No Fillers. Only The Freshest Human Quality Ingredients.

Agility with Glucosamine and MSM  A holistic multi-action formula that contains glucosamine, MSM, sea mussels, special herbs and fish oils, which support the biochemical functions necessary for healthy bones and joints. Agility is a safe alternative to Rimadyl, steroids, or NSAID, with no side effects.
 
 
 
 

Advanced Daily Supplement with Phytonutrient Power for Dogs and Puppies or Cats and Kittens. Why should you give your animal a nutritional supplement? A deficiency in one vitamin or mineral may leave your dog vulnerable to disease.  This daily nutritional supplement provides your dog with the essential nutrients and the defense system support it needs to live a long and healthy life. Most of us take supplements and eat right to get all the nutrients necessary to avoid disease and ensure good health. The same is true for the four-legged member of your family … your precious pup or kitten.
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

Do you have a question about holistic animal health or need help with your animal? Barbara Raggio is an expert in animal natural health and volunteers her time to help visitors of ShirleysWellnessCafe.com  She can be reached at 206-338-6285 or 970 264 0882 or 323-389-0560 
 
 
 
 

Home-base Income opportunity
Share with others nature's gifts that assists us on our journey to optimal health and wellness.

 

• Optimum Animal Nutrition - raw food, no grains 
• Do You Really Know What's In Your Pet's Food? by Dr. Jane Bicks DVM
• Animal  Nutritional Therapy(flaxseed oil, bee pollen, minerals, seaweed/kelp, Transfer Factor)
• Sample Recipes of Optimum Rawfood Diet for Animals 
• Ready-to-Eat Health Food (raw or kibbles) for dogs, cats and ferrets.
• Treating Animal Diseases Naturally: part 1 - part 2
• Toxic shampoos, toxic drugs, toxic environment affecting pet's health
• Testimonials: saving pets from toxic nightmare
• Testimonials of amazing cures  with holistic veterinary treatments
• Homeopathy for Animals: safe and effective alternative to conventional veterinary practice.
• Library: Books and video on Natural Health Care for Animals - Obedience DogTraining (and behavior problem solving) and Solving Cat Behavior Problems
• Herbs for Pets: Veterinarians Dr. John Hanover and Dr. Debra Rykoff's quick reference guide for using herbs for pets

• Preventing and Healing Animal Cancer: without chemo, radiation or drugs
• Overweight Pet: Weight Management for Dogs and Cats
• Juliette de Bairacli Levy: natural rearing
• Routine Vaccination: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association:"Are We Vaccinating Too Much?"
• Saving Shasta's life: the holistic approach: how I restored my dog's health and vitality- Shirley
• Managing allergies, flea bites and hot-spots naturally: a drugless approach 
• Rearing Healthy Pups and Kittens
• Holistic Health for Horses
• Holistic Health For Your Pet Bird
• Holistic Health for Cats
• Need Assistance or Support?: Join the free support groups and mailing lists.
• Holistic Veterinarians: listing 
• Animal Health Products   natural, safe, non-toxic 

Natural Health for Children:

• Alternatives to steroids, antibiotics, and ear tubes
• Homeopathy for children and infants
• Do you know what happens during circumcision?
• Health hazard and adverse effects of vaccines 
• Forced drugging of children: parents may face jail over compulsory drug orders
• Attachement parenting
• Resources for Children With Special Needs: the Holistic approach ADD/ADHD Helping Children, Not Drugging Them: In 1996 the World Health Organization warned that Ritalin over-use has reached dangerous proportions. Learn about alternatives to ritalin and other drugs 

Natural Health for Women:

• Candida: Conquering Yeast Infections: The Non-Drug Solution
• Infertility and Miscarriage
• Treating Menopause Naturally.
• Autoimmune low-thyroid can cause fatigue, depression, excess weight.
• Estrogen's Deadly Truth: a story of deception, betrayal, hidden agendas, propaganda and misinformation.
• Lifting the Curse of PMS
• Beating Breast Cancer with Nutrition

Enter Holistic Health for Women

Natural Health: Men's Sexual Functions:

• Optimal Prostate Health and Prevention Measure to prostate enlargement.
• Prostate Cancer: a drugless approach
• Homeopathic approach to impotence, bladder infections, prostate problems etc.
• The Male Andropause (like menopause)
• Male Herbs for Impotence

and more...

Enter Holistic Health for Men

Peter R. Breggin, M.D - "The drugging of children has gotten so out of hand that America is waking up to this. This is a national catastrophe." more

Julian Whitaker M.D - "Class action lawsuits have been filed in Texas, California and New Jersey charging Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis, maker of Ritalin, with conspiracy to create the psychiatric disorder known as ADHD in order to fuel the market for their product."