Veterinary Malpractice - "Of the tens of thousands of veterinarians practicing in the United States, many are incompetent, careless or both. Others fail to deliver adequate care because their singular focus on profits makes them unwilling to pay for qualified employees, equipment, supplies, etc. I have even known of one vet who diluted her euthanasia drugs and another who re-used single-use surgery supplies. Unnecessary deaths and suffering have become commonplace." more

Warning: Deramaxx-maker Novartis - canine osteo-arthritis drug

Chris Sweeney, who used to own a 9-year-old cocker spaniel named Ari, said she never would have used the drugs if she had been aware of the possible side effects. "I went from having a healthy dog to having a dog that had to be rushed to the hospital and they said he might die on the way," Sweeney said, adding that she believes Metacam is responsible for Ari's death.

Boston veterinarian Dr. Margo Roman said she feels cases such as Ari's are the tip of the iceberg. "There's liver issues, there can be kidney issues, there can be gastrointestinal irritation issues," Roman said, adding that she would never prescribe these NSAIDs to her patients or use them on her own dog. Pet owners do not have to turn to potentially harmful prescription drugs for their pets' health, however. Natural options are available. Health advocate Mike Adams says that pet health, like human health, mostly comes down to proper nutrition, although he noted a pet's dietary needs were specific.

"It is tragic, although not surprising, that so many beloved pets are falling victim to these side effects," said Adams, co-author of the "Real Safety Guide to Pet Health" with Dawn Prate. "These drug companies are just interested in making a buck, and the FDA is just interested in protecting their financial interests, so of course they are going to say the medicine is safe if used properly. What they don't mention is that these drugs should only be used as an absolute last resort or if your pet sustains an injury, not as part of a lifestyle."The bottom line is: The healthiest thing you can do for your pet is love it, feed it properly, and keep prescription drugs as far away from it as possible," he said. 

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Dr. Pat Bradley, DVM, Conway, USA -  "The most common problems I see that are directly related to vaccines on a day to day basis are ear or skinconditions, such as chronic discharges and itching. I also see behaviour problems such as fearfulness or aggression. Often guardians will report that these begin shortly after vaccination, and are exacerbated with every vaccine. In a more general and frightening context, I see the overall health and longevity of animals deteriorating. The bodies of most animals have a tremendous capacity to detoxify poisons, but they do have a limit. I think we often exceed that limit and over-whelm the body's immune system function with toxins from vaccines, poor quality foods, insecticides, environmental toxins, etc. This is why we've seen such a dramatic increase in allergies, organ failures, and behaviour problems." (NOTE: a growing number of holistic veterinarians use  Transfer Factor before and after vaccination to minimize the side effects and help the animal recover)

Dr. Blanco, D.V.M - "You take healthy animals and often very quickly after you vaccinate, you can see simple things like itching of the skin or excessive licking of the paws, sometimes even with no eruptions. We see a lot of epilepsy, 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."  more about vaccinosis

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Alert !  Frontline,  Sergeant's Pet Care, Zodiac flea control and Hartz products

"I found your site through a search for ill-effects from Advantage cat treatment.  My cat shook herself when I treated her earlier today, and I didn’t think anything of it until I sat down at my computer later.  You can see from the photo I enclosed what the Advantage did to my computer monitor; I cannot get it off, it etched the plastic like acid.  This set off alarms in my head; if this is what it did to PLASTIC, what was it doing to my precious KITTIES?!?  Thank you for the information on your site about other owners whose pets have suffered thyroid and skin tumors.  Whether it’s true, whether it’s really dangerous, I’ll never know, but I’m not taking a chance.  I immediately cleaned them both up after reading your article.  I just assumed if the product was on the market, it was safe for my pets.  I will not make that assumption in the future." Shelley B. Jacksonville, FL

I am writing in alarm and concern about the Sergeant's Pet Care products for cats that are being sold on the market. I recently used a brand new bottle of Sergeant's® Skip-Flea® & Tick Shampoo for Cats. Within about 11 hours of using it, my cat was having seizures, and then went into some sort of coma. Her pupils were so big that her eyes were completely black. I took her to the vet hospital where I learned that the shampoo contained this chemical called Permethrin. This is a known PESTICIDE that is lethal and toxic to cats. This isn't the first case the hospital has had of cats coming in affected by this. Nine hours after getting her to the hospital she died. My cat was perfectly healthy until this moment. I have contacted the company and they are not quite willing to cooperate. I am looking for help in bringing awareness to other pet owners about these harmful products. I've done a lot of research and I found out that these following products are also hurting and killing pets (cats and dogs). To read each story of what each animal went through is heartbreaking: Bio Spot, Advantage, Frontline, Sergeant’s Nature’s Guardian flea and tick products. I have emailed several people whose pets have died and become injured. There an amazing amount of people that need help. I've contacted the Department of Consumer Affairs and Department of Pesticide Regulation so far and have not gotten very far.  Sara  Paredesscr@aol.com   Sacramento, CA:

Frontline:
"The day that ur 8 year old Tibetan Spaniel received the frontline plus on his back, he seem very unhappy, like he knew he had received something bad for him. The following days he refused to walk - he had to be carried to his favorite tree. He was extremely lethargic. He only moved to eat and drink. He seemed depressed - he did not wag his tail, or show any affection as he usually does. IT was as if his personality was changed - he became a depressed, sad dog. In the last two weeks (after 3 weeks of this) he started to 'improve' and while he started scratching a bit more as the flea poison wore off, he started seeming to feeel better, to walk, to 'smile', to be happy to see his dog friends on the street. He now seems just about fine - although still not walking quite as much as he was 5 weeks ago before the frontline" Lily  lily0278@gmail.com

Alert!  "Farnam's Bio Spot  Flea and Tick Almost Killed our Dog."
One day while shopping, we cameacross an over-the-counter product, called Bio Spot Flea and Tick Control (by Farnam Pet Products).  It looked similar to the Frontline product, but it was much cheaper, so we decided to try it.  The Bio Spot seemed to work just as well as Frontline, so we used it again six weeks later.  An hour after applying the Bio Spot, we found Hamish thrashing about on the ground.  His body was completely stiff.  His head was raised in the air, and his jaws were opened wide.  A thick foamy saliva was spewing from his mouth.  Horrified, I tried to determine if something was stuck in his throat.  His windpipe was clear, but he was not breathing.  His eyes began to roll back in his head.  He was dying and we did not know what to do to save him!  We made a desperate call to our veterinarian .... more   ---   Here are some of the e-mail messages that I have received from others whose dogs and cats have experienced adverse reactions to flea control products. (after clicking on a date message board, scroll down a little to view the message) 

Alert Zodiac flea control killed 2 cats
" We have just lost 2 cats because of Zodiac flea trol drops. They died one after another , 2 healthy pets, we used this Zodiac drops for about 2 moths as instructed on the package. The vet said it went through the skin and damaged the liver. We will e-mail the company as well." Andrei in Canada : andreikraev@yahoo.ca

Alert! "Hartz Mountain Company is currently manufacturing and distributing a pet product specifically intended for cats that is highly toxic and dangerous.  Following is a detailed explanation of events that have prompted my recommendation that this product (Hartz Advanced Care Brand Flea and Tick Drops for Cats Weighing Over 10 Lbs.) be recalled immediately, and extensively investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)."  learn more

Advantage Flea product: how safe or how toxic is it?

• Here is a testimonial from a distraught cat owner "Used Advantage on my cat and shes sick" 

•  Mary Ann  lost her beloved bearded collie 'Kaimen' as a result of using Advantage Flea Drops. "Advantage flea drops were recomended by my veteranarian to control Kaimens flea problems. The drops were placed on the back of his head in the nape of the neck. After using Advantage for 13 months a growth the size of a golf ball emerged in that very same spot where the Advantage flea drop were placed.  The growth was made of a grey colored flesh with a putrid odor. A purulent putrid liquid oozed out of it. Kaimen was taking to the vet,  where I learned more about the growth and just how deadly Advantage is to our pets. The pesticide that is used in Advantage is called lmidacloprid and should NOT be absorbed through the skin. I learned that dogs and rats who were used to test this pesticide developped thyroid cancer and it affected their appetite. My dog Kaimen died at the age of two as a resuslt of using Advantage which caused  a tumerous cancer to develop in his neck and which metastasized in his brain. I sent Bayer, the maker of Advantage, a letter with a return receipt but they never bothered to reply to my letter."

• A friend used Advantage on his dog who got sick from it. He stopped using it and the dog recovered.

Natural treatment for flea bites, allergies and hotspots: a drugless approach

Shawn Messonnier DVM - "The Allergy Solution for Dogs provides 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" 

Learn about safe and effecive flea control and prevention 

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Hidden Danger in Your Animal's Drinking Water
Chlorinated water can cause serious animal health problems 

"Chlorine is a halogen that damages enzymes. It does not belong in our bodies as part of our water needs!!  For starters, chlorine potentiates magnesium deficiency, which can cause almost any symptom you can think of from high blood pressure, to chemical sensitivity or even sudden death. Furthermore it also decreases the absorption while increasing the excretion of calcium and phosphorus. The increased loss of calcium into the urine, promotes osteoporosis. It is known that it not only contributes to hypertension, but also cancers of the pancreas, colon, bladder and has been linked to heart attacks, diabetes, kidney stones and much more. " 

"To make matters worse for pets, some people still use plastic water bowls. Most, if not all, of these absorb and retain numerous toxic materials. Dr. Christopher Day (England) reports..."I once had an epileptic dog I had been treating unsuccessfully for eighteen months. One day its plastic feeding bowl was accidentally broken and replaced with a ceramic one. The fits stopped immediately." more on Epilepsy/Seizures-Causes, Predisposing Factors and Treatment

Although many breeders are aware of the chlorine problem in drinking water, a common mistake is to overlook the fact that bathing in it can have the same effect !! Please remember that because of dermal absorption, anything on the skin is like drinking it !!"  Marina Zacharias 
Cancer fighting nutrients become deadly when combined with chlorinated tap water
Some of nature’s most valuable and essential anti-cancer and anti-disease phytochemical nutrients which are commonly found in food have been discovered to form deadly cancer causing substances when consumed or combined with chlorinated tap water. This discovery includes familiar foods including soy, fruits, vegetables, tea, many health products, and even some vitamins. Research has proven that these essential nutrients are the exact same families of compounds, that even in infinitesimal amounts have been tormenting the water treatment and chlorine industries for years. 

Fluoride in Water: Wide Range of Serious Health Problems
"In 1990 a 10 year study was completed by the federal government National Toxicology Program (a part of the Department of Health and Human Services) to rule out any possibility that fluoride causes cancer. Much to their surprise, bone tumors found in laboratory animals were found to be the direct result of fluoride ingestion. Even before the study was complete, the NTP contacted the Environmental Protection Agency to inform them that fluoride was carcinogenic." 

Dr. Hidemitsu Hayashi, M.D.  - " Water has the ability to attract and accumulate bio-energy. It also stores an energy memory of harmful or helpful vibrations to which it was exposed in the past.  Chlorinated tap water is polluted with non-biological chemicals and negative energy imprints. It is also devoid of bio-energy and so may be regarded as being badly polluted as well as 'dead'. Alkaline living water is regarded by a growing number of health care professionals as the best water to drink and is listed as a medical device in Japan for the treatment of degenerative diseases." Benefits of Alkaline, Ionized Water. 

Safe, toxin-free, Ionized, Energized, Drinking Water helps to naturally flush toxins and acidic waste from the body and is a powerful antioxidant. Ionized Water makes more oxygen available to our cells than distilled, reverse osmosis, filtered only, bottled or tap water and is the best possible drinking water. "Disease and early death is more likely to be seen with the long term drinking of purified water. Avoid it except in special circumstances." Zoltan P. Rona M.D

Matthew Silver, MD  - "An associate in her early fifties who had suffered for many years from the toxic effects of chlorine poisoning from inhaling vapors from an over-chlorinated swimming pool. This had resulted in many severe health challenges including extreme chronic fatigue and breathing difficulty that kept her housebound and dependent on oxygen. Even minimal exertion led to extreme shortness of breath. After just three days of drinking juice rich in glyconutrients  she reported that all of her symptoms improved dramatically and that she was able to leave her house without oxygen and work in her garden, which she had not been able to do in years."  The sugars found on all glyconutrients/saccharides also address the workings of the brain and nervous system – from memory and sleep to anxiety and depression.

F. Batmanghelidj, M.D. - "Every function inside the body is regulated by and depends on water. Water must be available to carry vital elements, oxygen, hormones, and chemical messengers to all parts of the body. Without sufficient water to wet all parts equally, some more remote parts of the body will not receive the vital elements that water supplies. Water is also needed to carry toxic waste away from the cells. In fact, there are at least 50 reasons why the body needs sufficient water on a regular, everyday basis. Without sufficient water to constantly wet all parts, your body's drought-management system kicks into action. The histamine-directed chemical messenger systems are activated to arrange a new, lower quota of water for the drought-stricken areas. When histamine and its subordinate "drought managers" come across pain-sensing nerves, they cause pain. This is what I discovered in my research that I mentioned earlier." More on hydrotherapy  (water therapy)  more

Popular sweetener is toxic for dogs
A sugar substitute found in a variety of sugar-free and dietetic cookies, mints and chewing gum is proving highly toxic, even fatal, to snack-snatching dogs. Xylitol, popular in Europe for decades but a relative newcomer to the U.S. alternative-sweeteners market, can be "very, very serious" to dogs when ingested, says Dana Farbman, spokeswoman for the Animal Poison Control Center of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. "It doesn't take a whole lot (of xylitol), and the effects are so rapid that the window of opportunity to treat the dog is extremely small," Farbman says.  learn more

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Diamond Dog Food Recall   Veterinarians across the country are warning pet owners about a pet food recall...after dozens of animals became very ill or died. Diamond Pet Foods, has recalled 3 brands of dog and cat foods after finding Aflatoxin at their production plant. Learn about natural, healthy pet food

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- Death after Proheart 6 shot - testimonials
Official takes risks warning on pet drug - ABCNews article

• Myra lost a perfectly healthy 6 yr old Shih tzu after Proheart 6 shot (heartworm prevention).  He started diarrhea and vomiting within 5 days of the Proheart 6, and over weeks continued digestive problems. Her dog died.
• Trouble received the ProHeart 6 shot on 8/20/02 in conjunction with other vaccinations.  He died on 10/17/02 (58 days) after the shot. He was VERY healthy prior to the shot being given. 
• Danny was a perfectly healthy five-year-old part Golden Retriever mix who was energetic and happy. He died after receiving Proheart 6. Read the full testimonials  -  Read other testimonials (memorials)

Manufacturer's Letter to Veterinarians Warns of Side Effects   A letter was sent to veterinarians by Fort Dodge, the manufacturer of ProHeart 6. Amongst other issues, you will see just some of the known side effects of the medication. This is an excerpt of the letter.  (I highlighted some sentences to emphasize the adverse reactions) Symptoms of Reactions

• ProHeart 6 recall - Fort Dodge to Comply with FDA's Request to Recall ProHeart 6 Injectable Heartworm Product from the Market Due to Serious Health Concerns.
• ProHeart petition
• Lawsuit Filed against Manufacturer of ProHeart®6 Heartworm Medication
• ProHeart Complaint Form
• Memorials
• Report An Adverse Drug Experience Veterinarians and animal owners are encouraged to report adverse experiences and product failures to the government Agency that regulates the product in question.
• From cbsnewyork.com WBZ's I-Team investigation found that in the past two and a half years the FDA has received more than 4,000 reports of dogs getting sick after getting a shot of ProHeart 6. And more than 400 dogs have died nationwide. 
• A new heartworm medication called ProHeart 6 has been linked to a number of dog deaths, an NBC 5 investigation finds.

Lawsuit Filed against Manufacturer of ProHeart®6 Heartworm Medication

Testimonial from a victim of Proheart6

Subject: Dog's recover from Auto Immune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA)
Date: Sunday, October 12, 2003 
From: Dave Burrows in Eastbourne, United Kingdom slartibartfast@2cuk.co.uk

My dog Arnie had been given up on by the vet. He had acute anaemia caused by his white blood cells killing his red ones and quite honestly we were making arrangements for his funeral. After one week on Transfer Factor we noticed a dramatic improvement. Three months later,  after finishing the entire course, Arnie is doing so well that he no longer needs Transfer Factor . He now has so much energy on his new diet (James welbeloved) that we have to restrict his intake or we could be pulling him off the ceiling. He is putting on weight steadily as is his partner Heidi, She has been on Transfer Factor also and it has cured her scaly flaky skin condition on her back. 
Note: AIHA Canine autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) is a disease characterized by increased destruction of red blood cells (erythrocytes) by the dog's own immune system.

Dr. Rob Robertson, M.D writes "Nearly everything that goes wrong with us and our pets, with the exception of trauma - i.e. broken bones, etc., can be traced directly to an immune system failure".  Pollution, drug overload and nutrient-poor diets compromise our immune health. The key to self-healing is a strong defense system, which protects dogs and cats from everything from the flu germs to cancer cells.  More than their mainstream counterparts, holistic veterinarians believe that a weak immune system plays a key role in causing disease.  Drugs aren't the answer for immune enhancement. The immune system is not responsive to drugs for healing. Antibiotics fight infection, but they don't affect whatever weakened the immune system in the first place.  This is why holistic veterinarians focus less on things that cause diseases and more on those that affect the body's defenses" 

Learn how to boost your pets' immune system naturally

Dr. Jeffrey Levy. DVM - Heartworm parasite is a source of great anxiety among dog caretakers. Thanks in large part to the scare tactics of many veterinarians in promoting preventive drugs, many people believe that contracting heartworms is the equivalent of a death sentence for their dogs. This is not true. learn why

Learn about natural approach to worms and parasites
Warning on ProHeart 6 website

Lawsuit Filed against Manufacturer of ProHeart®6 Heartworm Medication
Complaint Alleges Fort Dodge Animal Health, a Division of Wyeth, Failed to Warn Consumers of Possible Serious Adverse Reactions, including Death, to Dogs from Sustained-Release Preventative Shot. On September 3, 2004, the FDA recalled ProHeart®6. This recall received extensive media coverage. Fort Dodge, at the request of the FDA, is also ceasing production while continuing to conduct research to determine the cause of related adverse reactions. Dennis Dill, an attorney with Chris Harper, Inc., a multi-practice law firm in Edmond, Oklahoma filed a lawsuit against American Home Products, Wyeth and Fort Dodge Animal Health in Tulsa, Oklahoma District Court on September 22, 2004. more

Do you have a question about holistic animal health or need assistance?       or use this contact form
or call 206-984-3009 or 323-389-0560

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Reports of some of the most widely used canine drugs by veterinarians listing the known symptoms/conditions caused by and/or associated with the administration of same as reported to the FDA/CVM on the ADE [adverse drug event] reports.  Each drug symptom/condition listing is in alphabetical order with medical terminology definitions provided. 

NSAIDs [non steroid anti inflammatory drugs]: widely given for pain, arthritis, surgery, etc.:
DERAMAXX: (deracoxib)
ETOGESIC: (etodolac)
METACAM: (meloxicam)
RIMADYL: (carprofen)
ZUBRIN (tepoxalin)
NSAIDS/LAB TESTS
ProHEART 6 (heart worm)

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Pet Products May Harm Both Pets and Humans
Products intended to kill fleas and ticks can also poison pets and the people who handle them. 

Each year, Americans purchase and apply to their pets a vast array of toxic chemicals intended to kill fleas and ticks. These include collars, sprays, dusts and more. Other pet owners take their pets to veterinarians to be dipped in chemicals. Many consumers probably assume that the products they and their vets use have been subjected to rigorous testing, and must, by virtue of their very ubiquity, be safe. After all, how could the government let deadly poisons be sold on grocery store shelves without applying stringent standards?

The simple truth, however, is that the poisons in many of these products are not safe, either for pets or humans. Government regulation of these products has been sketchy, and testing of their impact in the home has been inadequate. The result is that many of the products sold by the millions in grocery, drug and pet supply stores, even when applied as instructed on the box, can cause serious health consequences to pets and humans. more

Insecticides Associated with Bladder Cancer in Dogs - A statistically significant association between exposure to topical flea and tick dips, and the occurrence of bladder cancer in dogs has been found. The risk of bladder cancer was increased further in dogs living in proximity to areas sprayed regularly with insecticides for mosquitoes. An increased rate of bladder cancer in humans has recently been reported (Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, 1989(28): 407-414).  more

Insecticides and Felinehyperthyroidism - Since the early 1980s, increasing numbers of cats have been found with hyperthyroidism, enlarged thyroid glands and high levels of thyroid hormone in the blood. Cats which were regularly treated with flea powders and sprays, and were also exposed to lawn pesticides, have been found more likely to have hyperthyroidism.  A higher level of canned cat food in the diet was also an increased risk factor (Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 1988(6): 295-309). Thyroid enlargement has been seen in Great Lakes fish and in rodents fed on these fish. This has been attributed to pesticides and other contaminants in the lake water (Advances in Modern Toxicology, 1992(XXl): 129-145). more

Chemical Flea Control Product WARNING for Cat and Dog Households! 
Learn about safe and effecive flea control and prevention 

Pets as Sentinels of Pesticide Toxicity
Rachel Carson described the detrimental effects of pesticides on animals including robins, caddis fly larvae, quail, salmon, and cats. Silent Spring shows clearly how deeply caring and fiercely protective Rachel Carson was of wildlife. Her concern extended to pet animals as well. Pesticide residues in our food and in the environment reflect years of chemical production and use. We face the continuing problems of the toxic by-products of manufacturing, runoff from outdoor applications, ground water contamination, and finally disposal of unused material as hazardous waste. Pesticides are used in virtually all public buildings, golf courses, schools, restaurants, hotels, hospitals and private homes as well as in agriculture and forestry. Rachel Carson's Silent Spring warned us of the threats to life attending widespread use of chemical pesticides. As a result of her effort the EPA was founded in 1970 and DDT was banned in 1972. 

Feline hyperthyroidism Frequently Asked Questions, Information About Overactive Thyroid Conditions in Cats. Some practitioners use alternative therapies for cats with mild hyperthyroidism. Because of the potential seriousness of hyperthyroidism, it's recommended that you work with a good holistic veterinarian or naturopath who specializes in pets to determine an effective treatment regimen for your cat.

Brandon Brooks, DVM  - "Many (if not most) Over The Counter (OTC) or non-prescription  flea control products are very toxic to cats and kittens- especially the ones only approved for use in dogs. Many people mistakenly buy these for their pet (it's not always their fault, the companies that make them want you to buy it, they don't really care about the dangers involved) so it pays to be extra careful when buying flea control products." Brandon Brooks, DVM is the former Staff Veterinarian, AsktheVet News Forum 

According to Dr. Brooks, even though the cat or kitten does not have the OTC flea control product directly applied to it, the cat or kitten may still become ill through indirect exposure if it is applied to a dog in the household, household furnishings, bedding, etc.. Also, many OTC dog flea control products are not only toxic to cats, but dogs as well.

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Rimadyl Risk-Be Aware  Miracle Cure Can Be Deadly 
From the Doris Day Animal League Foundation

The best-selling drug known as Rimadyl, an anti-inflammatory medicine for pets, has been found to be deadly for many animals, as witnessed by the FDA receiving more than 6,000 bad reaction reports about the drug manufactured by Pfizer. As a result, the FDA requested that Pfizer advise consumers in their advertising that death was a possible side effect. Pfizer refused and pulled their advertising, however they have included "death" as a possible side effect on the drug label. Plans call for a "Dear Doctor" letter to be issued to veterinarians and a safety sheet will be attached to pill packages.

Pfizer acknowledges a problem with some dog owners, especially the consumer group which mounted a campaign dubbed BARKS, for Be Aware of Rimadyl's Known Side-effects (including loss of appetite, wobbling, vomiting, seizures and severe liver malfunction). The drug company is reported to be contacting pet owners who have told their stories on the Internet, and is offering to pay medical and diagnostic expenses for some dogs who may have been harmed by Rimadyl. learn more

FDA CVM - Cumulative Adverse Drug Effect Report for the drug CARPROFEN (Rimadyl): Introduced to the U. S. Market January 1997 

How my beloved dog was killed by rimadyl - As a Senior Citizen, Romi was my sole friend and companion dog ... my partner died a horrific and cruel death - she was KILLED due to the greed of the drug industry and the lack of ethics in the veterinarian communitClass Action lawsuit against Pfizer

CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST MAKERS OF RIMADYL Case No. 99-CP-25-353 
Jean Townsend of Johns Island, South Carolina announced today that a settlement has been reached with Pfizer, Inc. in what appears to be the first lawsuit of its kind in this country – a lawsuit over injuries that led to the death of Ms. Townsend's chocolate lab, George. more

Rimadyl ~ the drug that killed my Angel

Natural Solutions to toxic Rimadyl 

An excellent natural alternative to Rimadyl is a product called Agility, which is formulated by prominent holistic veterinarian, Dr. Jane Bicks.  Agility is safer than steroids and NSAID’s because it is an ALL NATURAL supplement that delivers special nutrients and herbs to the joint, bones and surrounding tissue. Agility is a safe alternative with no side effects. 

A message from Carolyn (email:shdaliox@inreach.com)  "I give my 13-year old dog lots of glucosamine/condroitinand she's comfortable, can now get into the car on her own, enjoys walking, running and swimming.  She's happy, active, able for her age (60 Lbs.) and easily walks 3 miles per day with me.  No chemicals, no prescriptions."

A message from Ruby Ricciardi  (email:ruby@danebytes.com) "Please folks ! Try this before you do Rimadyl ! I was presented with serious pain when my girl had her spleen removed ( benign ) ..... I was a basket case with her on Rimadyl. I KNEW the consequences...but felt there was no other choice. We got away with it.....she had no problem .....BUT .... after 10 days on it...I just quit it when a friend asked if she was on MSM.I said yes....2000mg daily. The friend laughed and said she was on 6000mg daily and my girl out weighed her by 50 lbs - Put her on 4000mg ! See what happens.

Well .... I did....and from the very first day .... my girls pain was non-existent .... and her comfort level was incredibly perfect. Just as good or better than the Rimadyl ! As a matter of fact ( she also has Spondylosis ) after 1 week ....she was peeing IN THE GRASS again as opposed to peeing above it previously because of not being able to hunch down.

It has been 2.5 months now, and she is up to 6000mg daily, runs through the house, swims, walks 2 miles a day, gets up and down WITH EASE from the floor, and is more mobile and flexible than she has been in 3 years ! MSM is natural .... aside from literally getting rid of inflammation, it also heals at the cellular level.

I have been advised that if I get her up to 12,000mg daily and keep her there for 6 months .... we will likely SEE a reversal of the Spondylosis on xrays ...... if that happens ..... I will spread the word on the internet with the news ! !  I have also been advised that it will NOT dissolve the calcium deposits. 1 teaspoon = 4000mg I sprinkle it on her food. You can tell if your MSM is PURE by putting a 1/2 teaspoon in water....if the water stays perfectly clear...it is pure.  She is a 9yo Great Dane. 37'' , 120 lbs (used to be 178) "  Learn more about the miracles of MSM

Available MSM products and and more information

All natural formula. Dogs suffering with joint diseases such as arthritis, bursitis, OCD, hip dysplasia and other degenerative problems with the shoulders, elbows  and hocks can now experience immediate and long-term relief without drugs. No side-effects because it's all just good whole food. 

CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST MAKERS OF RIMADYL

Do you have a question about holistic animal health or need assistance?       or use this contact form
or call 206-984-3009 or 323-389-0560

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SICK OF DRUGGING YOUR PET? 

Dr Charles E Loops DVM - "After 10 years of traditional veterinary practice I became tired of having no treatment for chronic disease, incurable conditions, and a plethora of allergic maladies which seem to plague all veterinary practices. I was frustrated with giving animals cortisone because I had no other solutions, or using antibiotics for infections which I knew were of viral origin. There is so much that can be done for an animal, bird, or reptile that is ailing by utilizing homeopathic medicine." 

For years dog health supplies have included toxic materials to artificially maintain dog health as a temporary measure. The time has come to change to a more natural approach toward animal health. Natural remedies have been shown to achieve more immediate, more complete and longer lasting health, vitality, quality and longevity of animal lives. Learn about herbal remedies and other safe alternatives to drugs, chemo, radiation and surgery 

Michael Dym, VMD - "Over the past 40 years and 17 generations of dogs and, cats we are seeing tremendous increases in chronic ill health in our pets that was rare back in the early 1960's. Most of these illnesses revolve around breakdown in our pets' immune systems, and include chronic skin/ear allergies, digestive upset, thyroid/adrenal/pancreatic disorders, seizures, gum/ teeth problems, degenerative arthritis, kidney/liver failure, and cancer across all ages and breeds. We are also seeing a record number of behavioral and emotional disorders including alarming and unexplained fears/aggression., as well as difficulty focusing/training and paying attention. The analogy of these compared with escalating immune/behavioral 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." 

Will Falconer, DVM - "Most of the chronic diseases we commonly see in animals (and humans) have an immune basis, e.g. diabetes, allergies, asthma, thyroid disease, inflammatory bowel diseases, repeated ear infections, cancer, etc. While they can be cured through the careful use of homeopathy, the road to cure can be a long one -- often years if the animal has had years of disease. Transfer factors can significantly shorten the course, by giving a much needed balancing effect to the immune system. If the immune system is overactive as in allergies, ear infections, asthma, diabetes, or hypothyroidism, Transfer Factor can balance this overactivity so the system is not attacking its own organs, overreacting to things that shouldn’t be perceived as a threat. If, conversely, the immune system is under-active as in mange, parasites, viral infections, or cancer, Transfer Factor Plus can clearly stimulate it to better meet the challenges it needs to be alert to."  Prevaccination Protection  Dr. Falconer D.V.M. explains how to protect your animal from vaccines damage

Sam Jones, DVM - "Two cats, both about 8 years old, had severe diabetes. It was impossible to get the insulin requirements adjusted. They had lost weight to a point that they were skin and bones. Both cats had no quality of life left. After one week of being on transfer factors; we were able to get their insulin requirements adjusted. It is now 6 months and they have regained their weight and have a great quality of life and health."

Our pets are prone to suffer from minerals and trace mineral deficiency. For optimum health, I supplement my animal's diet (and my diet too) with the following: fulvic minerals , marine phytoplankton (consist of an immense arsenal and array of naturally occuring powerful phytochemicals, biochemicals, supercharged antioxidants, free-radical scavengers, super oxide dismutases, nutrients, enzymes, hormones, amino acids, antibiotics, antivirals, and antifungals), bee pollen (rich in naturally occuring vitamins), kelp (marine plants), the right kind of salt (not common table salt) and therapeutic clay  (to promote healing and to detoxify) and with omega 3 oils. Shasta does not drink tap water. I give her only energized, alkaline microwater which is free from toxic chlorine and fluoride. I never cook or warm up food in a microwave oven. Please read about the Hidden Hazards of Microwave Cooking.   Shirley

Just like humans, domesticated animals like dogs and cats are affected by the health hazards of modern living. Pollution, poor nutrition, stress and unhealthy lifestyles can lead to a variety of illnesses and conditions that are very similar to those experienced by humans. These days, emotional and psychological problems like depression, anxiety, ADHD and behavioral problems are just as prevalent in pets as they are in their owners. Similarly, physical ailments such as diabetes, arthritis, chronic fatigue, digestive disorders, cystitis, kidney and liver disease, skin disorders, obesity, thyroid dysfunction and other problems are becoming more and more common in domesticated animals. Many, if not most of these conditions can be prevented by helping your pets to live a healthier lifestyle. For pets already suffering from existing conditions, a combination of lifestyle changes and natural medicine can work wonders! 

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...

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 

F. Batmanghelidj, M.D. - "Every function inside the body is regulated by and depends on water. Water must be available to carry vital elements, oxygen, hormones, and chemical messengers to all parts of the body. Without sufficient water to wet all parts equally, some more remote parts of the body will not receive the vital elements that water supplies. Water is also needed to carry toxic waste away from the cells. In fact, there are at least 50 reasons why the body needs sufficient water on a regular, everyday basis. Without sufficient water to constantly wet all parts, your body's drought-management system kicks into action. The histamine-directed chemical messenger systems are activated to arrange a new, lower quota of water for the drought-stricken areas. When histamine and its subordinate "drought managers" come across pain-sensing nerves, they cause pain. This is what I discovered in my research that I mentioned earlier." More on hydrotherapy  (water therapy) 

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"Greenies" Danger!

Consumer Investigation exposes a potentially deadly problem involving one of the most popular dog treats on the market. Millions of dogs chew on the treats every day, and there's a good chance your pooch is one of them. Consumer Investigator Wayne Havrelly discovered the danger. These dog treats are called "Greenies." They're sold in stores everywhere.

Mike Eastwood and his wife, Jenny Reiff, recently filed a $5 million lawsuit in New York, blaming Greenies for the intestinal blockage that caused the death of their dog Burt.  Burt did not die because he bit off a big piece in his throat and choked, but because the treats are NOT 100% digestable as they are advertised to be. They can swell in the intestine and cause a blockage like the one that resulted in Burt's death. Supervising a dog while they eat any greenie type treats is not an assurance of safety. more

Watch a vet retrieve a two-day old, undigested Greenie from a dog (link in the CNN article)

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Food Additive Potentially Deadly To Pets - Vets Warn Owners To Keep Sugar-Free Away From Pets
JAVMA - September 1, 2004

Sugar-free treats could be harmful to dogs - The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' Animal Poison Control Center is warning veterinarians, their staff, and pet owners that the xylitol—a sweetener found in some sugar-free chewing gums, candies, and other products can cause serious—possibly life-threatening problems for dogs.

The American Society for the Prevention of Dogs ingesting large amounts of products sweetened with xylitol may have a sudden drop in blood sugar, resulting depression, loss of coordination, and seizures, according to Dr. Eric K. Dunayer, a consulting veterinarian in clinical toxicology for the poison control center. The center is most concerned about products in which xylitol is the primary ingredient. The American Society for the Prevention of "These signs can develop quite rapidly, at times less than 30 minutes after ingestion of the product," Dr. Dunayer said in a statement. "Therefore, it is important that pet owners seek veterinary treatment immediately." Some data suggest a link between xylitol ingestion and liver failure in dogs, he said, though those data are insufficient to draw firm conclusions.  Dr. Dunayer published a case study on xylitol toxicosis in April 2004 issue of the journal Veterinary and Human Toxicology.

The Bitter Truth About NutraSweet (Aspartame) and Sucralose (Splenda) 
Ralph Walton, M.D. - "Aspartame (NutraSweet) appears to cause slow, silent damage in those unfortunate enough to not have immediate reactions and a reason to avoid it. It may take one year, five years, 10 years, or 40 years, but it seems to cause some reversible and some irreversible changes in health over long-term use. "Aspartame has a profound effect on mood and cognition....depressed mood, anxiety, dizziness, panic attacks, nausea, irritability, impairment of memory and concentration."

Dr. Janet Starr Hull  - "The testing of sucralose reveals that it can cause up to 40 percent shrinkage of the thymus: a gland that is the very foundation of our immune system. Sucralose also causes swelling of the liver and kidneys, and CALCIFICATION of the kidney. Note: if you experience kidney pain, cramping, or an irritated bladder after using sucralose in Splenda, stop use immediately." more

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Dedicated Organization for our pets General Safety (DOGS) 
dogsadversereactions.com 

DOGS is a not for profit organization committed to educating the general public and professionals about adverse reactions and/or safety of drugs given to our canine companions. They  areconsumers committed to providing documented information regarding drugs and the well being of our companions. They  provide an open forum for sharing stories, for support and comfort of each other and other Guardians and Caregivers, increasing emotional well being, promoting healing, improving the quality of life, by knowing that in spite of illness or lost.

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Steroids The sleaziest of drugs (cortisone, prednisone etc) 
"You take your dog to the vet with a skin infection. Your vet gives your dog a steroid injection. The skin infection clears up. Later, you discover your dog has kidney disease. Is there a clear connection between the steroid injection and your dog's diseased kidneys? You don't know. But we do know that steroids are known to damage kidneys. We also know, from the drug manufacturers' own data sheets, that steroids can cause liver damage, brittle bones, diabetes, adrenal insufficiency, an inability to deal with stress, and damage to the immune system."Catherine O'Driscoll

Doctors tell you that steroids only cause side effects after many years. But new research shows that permanent damage is immediate and devastating. Studies show that steroids cause permanent, debilitating effects after a single dosage. 'Steroids are probably the most sleazy of modern day medications,' says John Mills, former professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco and chief of infectious diseases at San Francisco General Hospital. FAQ:  Heartbreaking testimonial of a cat on long term steroids --- Animals on Steroids: are there alternatives? more

Are Antibiotics Making Your Pet Sick?
Diarrhea, abdominal pain, severe inflammation of the colon (colitis), irritable bowel syndrome, skin problems, fever, elevated white blood cell count, weak immune system, vomiting, dehydration, potassium deficiencies, allergies, colon perforation, bad breath, excess stomach gas, yeast problems, nutritional deficiencies and constipation are just some of the many side effects and problems linked to antibiotics. 

Testimonials: saving pets from toxic nightmare

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A growing number of veterinarians are recommending Transfer Factor to improve animal's health and boost their immune system, including in cancer cases, toxic conditions, diabetes, and neurological conditions. There are amazing testimonials about animals recovering from cancer, diabetes and other severe degenerative illnesses with a nutritional product called Transfer Factor.

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The Veterinary Abuse Network  is a watchcat organization designed as a cyber-clearinghouse to disseminate consumer information, original articles, case studies, resources, and links to third-party media coverage on the very real, very serious problem of unethical, incompetent, and negligent vets.

Veterinary Malpractice - Protecting Your Pet from Veterinarian Negligence
Veterinary incompetence, negligence, and abuse are alive and well in the United States and all over the world. Every day, untold numbers of defenseless animals are left in the hands of some negligent, incompetent doctors who inflict cruelty, injury, and death on our pets -- and get away with it.  Millions of people take their pets to vets every year. Although skilled, competent veterinary care certainly outweighs  the incidences of negligence and abuse, the damage that those veterinarians do is incalculable in terms of animal suffering, public health and safety, consumer fraud, and the emotional devastation caused by knowing that our beloved pets were harmed or destroyed by the very person entrusted with their care.  If you believe that no veterinarian anywhere would ever deliberately harm an animal...never abuse client or public trust...never abuse their positions as doctors...or would never violate the laws of their profession...you will learn that public record, disciplinary actions by vet boards, and increasing media coverage on this ugly and disturbing subject say otherwise. And if you think that it can't happen to you and your pet...think again. more

The (Delaware) News Journal reported that over the last few years there has been a growing national trend to give animals more legal protection: New legislation and lawsuits have been filed across the country on behalf of animals. Several lawsuits against veterinarians aim to change laws that treat pets as property and leave vets unaccountable for malpractice. New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Rhode Island have considered legislation granting pet owners the right to sue for pain and suffering damages, including punitive damages for neglect or abuse. Tennessee enacted such a law in 2000, and Illinois passed a version of it two years ago. more

WHEN YOUR FAMILY PET GETS SICK YOU TRUST YOUR VETERINARIAN TO MAKE HIM WELL. EVERY YEAR IN THE BAY AREA, VETS SAVE THOUSANDS OF LIVES. BUT DO YOU REALLY KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT YOUR ANIMAL'S DOCTOR? CHANNEL 5 INVESTIGATOR CHRISTI O'CONNOR HAS AN EYE-OPENING INVESTIGATION

• FDA surveillance - Emerging issues regarding informed consent. Consumers calling hotline with concerns "The staff at the Food and Drug Administration's Center for Veterinary Medicine has conducted a two-year review of consumer messages to our adverse drug experience hotline. The review indicates increasing concern by consumers about risk and benefit of commonly prescribed, approved animal drugs. The CVM established the hotline, (888) FDA-VETS, in 1996 to receive calls about adverse experiences to approved animal drugs. We expected many of these reports to come from practicing veterinarians, but our review indicates that a majority of the calls in the past few years have come from consumers, particularly dog owners." 
• Veterinary Malpractice and Grooming Accidents The difficulty in coping when a companion animal suffers from an injury—or death—is compounded when you suspect that negligence or abuse by your veterinarian may be to blame. You can help protect your animal before tragedy strikes by seeking out a skilled and caring veterinarian (ask for references from trusted friends and humane organizations and call the local Better Business Bureau, Chamber of Commerce, and State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners to check for complaints); seeking a second or third opinion about your animal’s diagnosis before proceeding with surgery or treatment; and carefully monitoring your animal’s stay and treatment at the veterinary clinic. Never hesitate to ask questions about your animal’s treatment and never leave your animal overnight at a veterinary hospital unless you are convinced you must. If your animal companion does become sick or injured while at a veterinary clinic, immediately take your animal to another veterinarian for a second opinion and treatment. Ask for copies of your animal’s medical records from the original veterinarian and show these to the second veterinarian. If your animal dies, have the body necropsied to determine the cause of death. There are several steps you can take when you suspect that veterinary malpractice has led to your companion animal’s injury, sickness, or death. learn more
• Veterinary Malpractice FAQ - With the ever increasing concern over our loved companion animals and the need to give them proper medical attention, this means most of us will be taking our companion animals to a Veterinary Professional once, twice or several times a year. Most of us unconditionally trust these professionals and everything they tell us concerning our companion animals. We do not stop and think that sometimes these professionals could be dangerously wrong and even endanger or not care about our loved ones as much as they indicate, some even just see our loved ones as dollars going into their pockets. Some of us at sometime will fall victim to these professionals neglect, mistreatment, and sometimes even abuse!! Sometimes our loved companions will suffer physically from injury or even die at the hands of these professionals we trust, and when this happens it helps to know where to turn! If you experience or suspect that your loved companion has fallen victim to a professionals neglect, malpractice or abuse: learn more - FAQ
• Animal Rights Legal Foundation's Attorney Referral Network ("ARN") The ARN is designed to connect individuals with animal law questions or potential cases with attorneys who practice animal law. In this website you will find a list of attorneys by state, currently in the ARN. Before contacting any of these attorneys, please note their areas of practice so as to ensure that you are contacting an attorney who practices in the area of law in which you are seeking assistance. 
• Animal Legal Center Damages in Pet (Companion Animal) CasesDog Bite Law - Veterinarian Malpractice - A veterinarian who fails to treat an animal pursuant to the applicable standard of care may be liable for malpractice. However, there is little that can be done through formal legal channels. If confronted with a possible veterinary malpractice, therefore, it normally is best for a pet owner to try to work something out with the vet.
• Attorney General files Accusation This site is a compilation of factual information and no unsubstantiated information will be posted on this site. 
• Animal Law

State legislatures are starting to reform their animal-protection laws. New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, and Rhode Island are considering legislation granting pet owners the right to sue for pain and suffering damages, including punitive damages for neglect or abuse. Tennessee enacted such a law in 2000 and Illinois passed a version of the law last year. West Virginia has removed caps that once limited damages to the assessed value of a pet. The trend is part of a growing push to recast pet owners as "guardians" in the eyes of the law, a shift that has some legal scholars worried. Some warn that these specific changes in tort law could bring a wave of frivolous litigation and increases in the price of veterinary care. Others question the move to classify animals as something more than property. Animal-rights activists, on the other hand, welcome such legislation, claiming it might help owners recover substantial damages. more

TOASTY's VETERINARY MALPRACTICE GUIDE

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Why I won't use the Elizabethan collar on my animals - The Elizabethan collar is a type of plastic collar that is effective in preventing pets from licking or biting themselves. The only time I will use such collar is to prevent my dog from tearing up surgical sutures, until healing is complete. I will never use such collar to prevent my dog from licking skin eruptions, hot spots, or infected area anywhere on her body. The dog's skin has an amazing ability to heal very quickly. Minor cuts, tears or abrasion heal with great ease thanks in part to a healing aid found in the dog's saliva. This built in germicide found in the saliva of a dog amazingly heals wounds in record time.

An important part of hygiene and cleanliness is the tiger's rasping tongue. In a typical grooming action  the tiger will lick its paws and use them to wipe over the face, ears and forehead. This is identical to the actions used by the domestic cat. Any injuries are carefully licked and coated with antiseptic saliva from the tongue. This aids in preventing infection entering into a wound. More on cleanlisness and tongue of the cat.  I find that  preventing a dog from licking its skin or wounds is sad and cruel. Shirley

The Facts About Declawing - What You Really Need To Know
Contrary to most people's understanding, declawing consists of amputating not just the claws, but the whole phalanx (up to the joint), including bones, ligaments, and tendons! To remove the claw, the bone, nerve, joint capsule, collateral ligaments, and the extensor and flexor tendons must all be amputated. Thus declawing is not a “simple”, single surgery but 10 separate, painful amputations of the third phalanx up to the last joint of each toe. A graphic comparison in human terms would be the cutting off of a person's finger at the last joint of each finger. Declawing is not without complication. The rate of complication is relatively high compared with other so-called routine procedures. Complications of this amputation can be excruciating pain, damage to the radial nerve, hemorrhage, bone chips that prevent healing, painful regrowth of deformed claw inside of the paw which is not visible to the eye, and chronic back and joint pain as shoulder, leg and back muscles weaken. 

More information: STOPDECLAW.COM - NEWS: Legislation to ban declawing in California

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Beware of  malfunctioning "contain and train" dog collar 
These are correctional "collars that works by sending a varying shock to correct behavior. 

"Rufus had this sickly green color around his neck, under the training collar. There was this nasty wet/burnt hair and flesh smell. Something was obviously wrong. I carefully removed the collar to find a huge gaping hole in Rufus' neck, right under one training collar prongs. For those with morbid curiosity, here are some pictures of the injury." 

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Routine Vaccination: Is it really safe and effective?

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." 

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. 

Nosodes: alternative to conventional vaccines

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Danger of rawhide and pig ears

Some veterinarians warn against feeding rawhide and pig ears because they can contain chemical residues (from chemicals used to remove the fur) that can be harmful to your dog’s health. Also, larger pieces can break off and be swallowed, getting stuck in the intestines and causing blockages. When the rawhide gets wet from the stomach juices, it swells to twice its normal size causing serious stomach blockage.Soft and slick rawhide can also become a choking hazard. 

A safe and healthy chemical free alternative to rawhide and pig ears. 
MACHO STIX is an all natural nutritious bully stick that dog go crazy for. It contains no smoked flavorings, no additives, preservatives, chemicals or flavors. It is dried in the oven, thus retains all of  its healthy, fresh, clean, and wholesome goodness. Just good old fashioned US beef bully sticks from USDA inspected beef. These are the only dog chews that use an authentic, all-natural process that assures every quality treat is more flavorful and easily digestible. 100% Pure and Natural - Chemical and Hormone Free. Some pet owner call the Macho Stix "Puppy Pacifier" because it keeps the pup occupied for hours or "Doggy Cocaine" because dogs always want more.learn more

additional all natural treat for pets

Mylabone Danger
Numerous reports of purported injuries and deaths; one law suit settled, a class action in the works. Nylabone has just announced they're pulling the product.

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Newest Research On Why You Should Avoid Soy (and avoid feeding it to your animals) 
by Sally Fallon and Mary G. Enig, PhD 

"...the soybean contains large quantities of natural toxins or "antinutrients". First among them are potent enzyme inhibitors that block the action of trypsin and other enzymes needed for protein digestion. These inhibitors are large, tightly folded proteins that are not completely deactivated during ordinary cooking. They can produce serious gastric distress, reduced protein digestion and chronic deficiencies in amino acid uptake. In test animals, diets high in trypsin inhibitors cause enlargement and pathological conditions of the pancreas, including cancer. Soybeans also contain haemagglutinin, a clot-promoting substance that causes red blood cells to clump together. Trypsin inhibitors and haemagglutinin are growth inhibitors." 

Recently there has been a tremendous increase in disorders like systemic lupus, multiple sclerosis,  cerebral palsy, "myelinoma", pulmonary hypertension and neuropathy. Soy and canola oils are players in the outbreak of these disease conditions. So are the organophosphates, insecticides such as malathion used in food production in the name of efficiency. more

Chocolate is toxic to dogs, specifically semisweet baking chocolate, which contains much higher levels of caffeine and theobromine (the principle alkaloid used in the synthesis of caffeine) than does milk chocolate. That's not to say milk chocolate isn't dangerous. With its high fat content, it can lead to pancreatitis in pets. 

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PET HEALTH ALERT: BREAD DOUGH A NO-NO!
As the holidays descend upon us, there'll be many cooks in the kitchen--but don't spoil your pet by giving him bread dough. According to Jill A. Richardson, DVM, of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC), when bread dough is ingested, an animal's body heat causes the dough to rise in the stomach. As alcohol is produced during the rising process, the dough expands. Pets who've eaten bread dough may experience abdominal pain, bloat, vomiting, disorientation and depression. 

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A Pet's Owner Guide to Common Small Animal Poisons
Plants - Drugs - Household Products - Environmental Toxins

Are You Poisoning Your Pets?: A Guidebook to How Our Lifestyles Affect the Health of Our Pets by Nina Anderson 

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. This helpful guide tells how to guard against both kinds of poisoning and explains how to identify and remove such causes as cleaning products, paint and varnish, fumes, certain houseplants, and more . 

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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Canine Malignant Lymphoma and the use of chemicals in and about the home
A hospital-based case-control study of companion dogs examined the risk of developing canine malignant lymphoma associated with the use of chemicals in and about the home. The study indicated that owners in households with dogs that developed malignant lymphoma applied 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) herbicides to their lawn and/or employed commercial lawn care companies to treat their yard significantly more frequently than control owners (odds ratio = 1.3).  In addition, the risk of canine malignant lymphoma rose to a twofold excess with four or more yearly owner applications of 2,4-D. The findings in this study are consistent with occupational studies in humans, which have reported modest associations between agricultural exposure to 2,4-D and increased risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, the history and epidemiology of which are similar to those of canine malignant lymphoma. 

Asbestos, Cancer & Your Pets
Not only can dogs inhale asbestos brought in by their owners, but dogs can also drag asbestos dust into the home on their fur or feet if they've been in a location where asbestos is present, such as near an older building that's being demolished. That's why it's always necessary to keep tabs on the whereabouts of your dog, as it may impact his health and that of your family. Veterinarians who've studied dogs with mesothelioma have also come to the conclusion that exposure to other toxic materials may also increase the risk of the animal developing mesothelioma. Those substances include pentachlorophenol, often used as an herbicide, algaecide, defoliant, wood preservative, germicide, or fungicide. Studies have shown that Bouvier des Flandres, Irish Setters, and German Shepherds are at greatest risk for tumor development and the disease is more common in male than in female dogs. more.

Home Safe Home : Protecting Yourself and Your Family from Everyday Toxics and Harmful Household Products in the Home 

Home Safe Home is the ultimate reference of its kind, written by the leading authority on eliminating toxics in the home. It offers more than four hundred tips, including do-it-yourself formulas for inexpensive, safe products to replace the harmful substances we are exposed to in our own households. If you suffer from unexplained headaches, fatigue, or depression, or if you worry about the link between increased use of toxic chemicals and the rising rate of cancer, the many suggestions in this book can make your life virtually toxic-free! This bok offers more than 400 tips, including do-it-yourself formulas for inexpensive, safe products to replace harmful substances we are exposed to in our own homes. Whether you suffer from unexplained headaches, fatigue, or depression, or if you worry about the link between increased use of toxics and the rising rate of cancer, the many suggestions in this book can make your life virtually toxic-free! 

Better Basics for the Home : Simple Solutions for Less Toxic Living by Annie Berthold-Bond 
Natural living has reached the mainstream: we are now far more concerned about the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the chemicals that surround us, and recognize that government regulations all too often fall short of safeguarding our health. Enter Annie Berthold-Bond, whose Better Basics for the Home is a compendium of practical information -- recipes, tips, and guidelines -- for creating a simpler, cheaper and environmentally safer lifestyle.

Do you have a question about holistic animal health or need assistance?       or use this contact form
or call 206-984-3009 or 323-389-0560

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Rimadyl ~ the drug that killed my Angel. 
A warning from the heart 

Pfizer marketed it for people, first, and they were dropping like flies, so they quickly and quietly pulled the plug on it and...began marketing it for dogs. 

They say it's safe.  There's a warning on the label, of course, and a directive to vets to do bloodwork before the drug is dispensed and to tell people about the possible side effects that Rimadyl can have.  Most of them don't.  They say it's effective.  It may be, for some dogs.  But the dogs who shouldn't have it...the dogs who are old or have some condition that precludes their having it, the dogs who are sensitive to it...they die from it.  The ones who do well may keep on doing well;  then again, they may suddenly begin showing signs that they should be taken off the drug right away.  Of course, if you haven't been warned, you don't recognize them. more
 

 The Safe Shopper's Bible : A Consumer's Guide to Nontoxic Household Products, Cosmetics, and Food by David Steinman 

Anyone concerned about the health effects of ingredients in the items they buy every day -- from soup to flea powder, mascara, or car wax -- will find The Safe Shopper’s Bible indispensable. Finally, here’s a complete guide to settle such questions as: Can your hair coloring cause breast cancer? Is this brand of apple juice safe for babies? Will the additives in this salad dressing harm you? Which shampoo won’t sting your eyes?“The Safe Shopper’s Bible” rates thousands of household products, personal care products, foods, and beverages. Its extensive charts list products by brand name and rate them each for short-term and long-term health hazards. Readers can find out at a glance which products are more or less likely to provoke allergies or irritation, cause birth defects or cancer, trigger neurological problems, or pose other health hazards. In addition, the charts provide recommendations for the safest foods, toiletries, and everyday household purchases. 

A rating chart by the authors of Diet for a Poisoned Planet and The Politics of Cancer includes thousands of brand-name listings for their flammable, allergen, irritant, carcinogenic, and other toxic properties. 

Excerpt from:
Healthy Pets: Natural Alternatives to Flea Control
Healthy pets, no fleas! 

You can control fleas without resorting to chemical warfare! 
by Sylvie Farrell of Mothers and Others  Lighthouse@aci.on.ca 

The Poison Necklace A Pesticide collar is nothing but a poison necklace around your pet’s head. It emits a constant toxic cloud that your pet inhales, and so do you, every time you hug your pet. What about those insecticidal flea and tick shampoos and powders, sprays and dips? Labels warn you not to get any on your skin, use rubber gloves and wash your hands! Yet, they are rubbed into your pet’s skin and then are licked by your pet! Signs of pesticide overdose in your pet can include vomiting, diarrhea, trembling, seizures and respiratory problems. Flea Collars: The Cancer Prevention Coalition (CPC), which informs the public about preventable exposures to carcinogens, list many brand-name products as containing either carcinogens or neurotoxins, or both. Avoid flea collars by Longlife, Hartz, Pet Agree, Sergeant’s and Zodiac. Flea and tick dips, sprays, powders, foggers and bombs: click the headline and scroll down the new page to learn more about how to control fleas without resorting to chemicals

Clean and Green : The Complete Guide to Non-Toxic and Environmentally Safe Housekeeping offers easy to understand and implement alternatives for those who want to use enviromentally-friendly alternatives for their home. Also offers a large resource guide for where to find what you need. 

Drugs aren't the only thing that can hurt a cat... 
Essential oils (aromatherapy) and tea tree oil are a good thing for humans and canine, but can be dangerous for cats 
Cats cannot tolerate or metabolize essential oils. Their use can lead to symptoms of toxicity or even death. If you want to use aromatherapy for your cat, hydrosols are your only safe option. more info

Easter Lilies can be deadly for your cat!!!
The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, in partnership with the Cat Fanciers' Association, is leading a nationwide campaign to warn cat owners about the dangers of Easter lilies and certain other types of lilies. "Easter lily, tiger lily, rubrum, Japanese show lily, some species of day lily, and certain other members of the Liliaceae family can cause kidney failure in cats," says Dr. Sharon Gwaltney-Brant, Veterinary Toxicologist at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, "All parts of these lilies are considered toxic to cats and consuming even tiny amounts can be life threatening to your cat." Cat owners are encouraged to consider safer alternatives to Easter lilies such as Easter Orchids, Easter Lily Cactus, Easter Daisy or violets. 

Pesticides in our animal's food
Eating organic food and drinking pure water can have profoundly beneficial effects on the health and longevity of our animals 

According to Consumer Reports, January 1998, there are 9,700 pesticides in existence, and in 1995, U.S. farmers applied 566 million pounds of pesticides to major fiber and food crops. Last summer, the U.S. Geological Survey announced the first results of a massive study of pesticides in 5,000 water samples from wells and rivers. Half the wells--and nearly all streams--contained at least one pesticide." Carolyn Swicegood has excellent articles on the adverse effect of pesticides on parrots and the incredible health benefits of feeding organically grown food. While she writes about parrot's sensitivity and suceptibility to being poisoned, the information also applies to our dogs, cats, and any animal on earth, including us, humans. Shirley

Testimonials: saving pets from toxic nightmare

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PARROTS, PRODUCE and PESTICIDES 

"Eating organic food and drinking pure water can have profoundly beneficial effects on the health and longevity of parrots. If your parrot became ill due to the ingestion of pesticide residues, how much money would you spend to restore it to health? The cost of feeding organic foods is minimal in comparison to the cost of illness, and there are several favorite foods of parrots that are safe to buy even when not grown organically.

 

Do you have a question about holistic animal health or need assistance?       or use this contact form
or call 206-984-3009 or 323-389-0560
 

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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. 
 
 
 

Critter Advocacy.org
Responsibility
Ethics
Science
 
 
 
 

Natural Animal Health  Overview of Natural,  Holistic Veterinary Medicine
 

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Poisonous Substances to Cats  List of poisonous substances to watch out for and take into consideration when kitty proofing your home
 
 
 

Common Substances Toxic To Dogs  Since toxic chemicals are found in all areas of the animal's environment, exposure may occur through a variety of routes. 
 

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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
 

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Report An Adverse Drug Experience Veterinarians and animal owners are encouraged to report adverse experiences and product failures to the government Agency that regulates the product in question.

The FDA, Drugs and Your Dog

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

How did chemical toxins  invade YOUR body?

Detoxification for Optimum Health

Pollution Rankings American citizens have a right to know what toxic chemicals are being released into their communities. Scorecard ranks geographic areas or pollution sources by health risks, pollutant exposures or toxic chemical releases

 

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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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CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT
 

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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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forNatural Immune Booster
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 enhanced transfer factors (1 cap daily), 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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Gallery of Factory Farming Photos and Videos Witness first-hand what farm animals endure. (scroll down that page to view ALL videos)

Please sign the petition to help Enact the Protected Animal Law 
 

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