Avian
Natural Veterinary Care and Optimum Nutrition
Stress, pollution, prescription drugs, the overuse of antibiotics and
a poor diet all contribute to the ill health of our birds. Good nutrition
is the single most important factor in determining the health, vitality
and longevity of our parrots. Because we have taken them from their natural
environment, and because they are unable to forage and choose their own
foods, it is imperative that we provide them a nutritionally complete diet.
more.
Holisitic Avian Health - Birds: Natural Care
and Diet
Holistic comes from the word 'whole'. When we look at a pet
bird holistically, we consider the bird's whole being, which includes mental,
emotional, and spiritual aspects. Each of these factors affects health
and is taken into consideration when evaluating our bird holistically.
Some of these factors include:
diet and nutrition
housing and surrounding environment
social interaction and companionship
physical stimulation, exercise and play
When a bird is not well, the healer and owner work together to find
the underlying cause and 'cure' it, rather than just eliminating symptoms.
Addressing symptoms alone often makes the cause of disease manifest itself
in other ways.
Alicia
McWatters, Ph.D., C.N.C. -
"For a little over a decade, many
bird owners have relied upon what is called a 'complete' and 'nutritionally-balanced'
manufactured pelleted diet. Feeding a synthetic commercial feed has been
touted as the 'best' or 'better' way to feed your bird and as a result
has convinced the public at large that it is true. Sadly, our birds are
the victims of these pretenses. Bird owners are now beginning to question
the true value of these commercial diets, realizing that they are a far
cry from resembling anything our birds are accustomed to eating in the
wild."
Alicia McWatters, Ph.D., C.N.C. -
"For
a little over a decade, many bird owners have relied upon what is called
a 'complete' and 'nutritionally-balanced' manufactured pelleted diet. Feeding
a synthetic commercial feed has been touted as the 'best' or 'better' way
to feed your bird and as a result has convinced the public at large that
it is true. Sadly, our birds are the victims of these pretenses. Bird owners
are now beginning to question the true value of these commercial diets,
realizing that they are a far cry from resembling anything our birds are
accustomed to eating in the wild."
Optimum Avian Nutrition - Commercial Pelleted Diet
v/s Fresh, Wholesome Diet
Excerpts from Avian
Nutrition by Alicia McWatters, Ph.D., C.N.C.
"Bird need a diet consisting of as great a variety of fresh
vegetables and fruits as possible, with the addition of grains, beans and
nuts. A dish of high quality pellets in the cage provides a valuable nutritionally
balanced supplement to these fresh foods. They have evolved to survive
best on a diet of primarily live, fresh foods and to be able to make wise
food choices if allowed the privilege. Our job is to give them the opportunity
and the privilege and then walk away, allowing them to do their part and
eat the foods they are drawn to on a given day.
Some birds are experiencing symptoms of vitamin deficiencies/excesses,
recurring infections, digestive disturbances, stress-related disorders,
or have developed organ damage and subsequently a shorter life-span." Our
birds' bodies are adapted to fresh raw foods, such as fruits, vegetable
matter, nuts, seeds, sprouts, berries, leaf buds, pollen,
nectar, insects, larvae, and small vertebrae. When it comes to manufactured
diets, not only are these products primarily made-up of fragmented substances
and isolated, synthetic vitamins and inorganic minerals, most do not contain
important elements like enzymes, chlorophyll, and other natural beneficial
substances which are found in natural foods. There isn't a commercial food
product or nutritional supplement available that can provide our birds
with the outstanding goodness that is to be found in Mother Nature's garden.
Eating foods, which are naturally produced can offer our birds, and ourselves,
the ultimate opportunity to achieve vibrant and long- lasting health.Please
click the headline to learn more...there is much more to read.
Bio:
Alicia McWatters resides in a mountainous region of NM with her family
and many animal and bird friends. A former breeder of Pionus parrots and
African Greys, she holds her doctorate's degree in nutrition and is a certified
nutritional consultant. McWatters runs a private
holistic avian healthcare practice and is a pioneer in her field. She
provides long-distance telephone consultations and in-home consultation
visits to local bird owners. She teaches her clients about natural avian
nutrition, feeding, and natural healing methods. Herbal medicine, homeopathy,
and vitamin and mineral therapy are a few of the natural modalities she
incorporates into her nutritional healing programs. McWatters is a contributing
writer for many avicultural
publications. She has written a book on natural bird care entitled "A
Guide to a Naturally Healthy Bird: Nutrition, Feeding, and Natural
Healing Methods for Parrots " and is a co-author of the book "Super
Nutrition For Animals! Birds Too!". In addition, she has a Nutritional
Q/A column on-line where she answers questions on avian nutrition and natural
health.
Leslie Moran, author of The
Complete Guide to Successful Sprouting for Parrots: and Everyone Else in
the Family writes: "Providing a variety of foods
is an important aspect of avian nutrition. Obtaining organic
foods and ingredients can have such a positive impact on the health
and well-being of your feathered companions. For a more detailed explanation
please see "Why
Feed Organic?" on the Articles page of this Web site. I have seen the
best results are achieved when a bird's diet is centered around a mixture
of organic sprouts. Sprouts contain a power house of nutrients. During
the sprouting process amino acids are altered creating a higher quality
of usable protein. Vitamin levels increase dramatically and the minerals
present become chelated. This means they combine with protein in a way
that amkes them easier to assimilate. Sprouts are easily grown at home
in your kitchen. Shortly, we will have an informative booklet and PDF available
for sale on this topic.
In addition to sprouts, I suggest also offering an organic bird pellet
diet, along with species appropriate nuts, fresh fruits, and raw or steamed
vegetables. I blend an organic mixture of whole legumes and beans that
after being cooked my parrots truly enjoy. You can also experiment with adding
cooked brown rice, or cooked whole grain or vegetable pastas to their meals
for variety. Ensure that the water you have
access to is free of chemicals and contaminants. Public water supplies
are flooded with chemicals and pesticides that can tax the liver and can
be stored in the fatty tissues of the body. Use filtered water or bottled
spring water for all cooking and drinking. Do not use distilled water for
drinking and food preparation. Parrots
and Pesticides - Feeding Organic Foods Affordably
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
Dangerous,
Toxic Drugs Risk-Be Aware 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.
Christine
Chisholm wrote: "We lost our Lesser Sulphur Crested Cockatoo to
Rimadyl last year - and it's not even licensed for avian species and certainly
not for suspected enteritis in any species. We are still fighting
our battle against the vet." read
the entire story
Class Action lawsuit against
Pfizer The Michelfelders have joined
a class action lawsuit against Pfizer. Also participating in the lawsuit
is Michelle Walsh. Walsh says she was one of the first to lose a dog.
She then helped found a national organization called B.A.R.K.S.
-- Be Aware of Rimadyl's Known Side Affects.
A growing number of holistic doctors and veterinarians use Transfer
Factor as an alternative to, or in conjunction with conventional medicine,
for all types of acute or chronic illness, including cancer. Anyone can
order and use these products to improve their health or that of their
family or pets.
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." Veterinary
Success Using Transfer Factors
"I have two pigeons. I just returned from Germany where
there was an international show for pigeons. One of my birds became very
ill. Its droppings became very watery and green. I decided to try to Transfer
Factor. WOW! The pigeon was up and running around like a spring chic."
— Layne Bowles
Caged Birds -- (as suggested by Dr. Falconer
DVM ) "Use Transfer
Factor Stress Pack Mix 1 level tsp./ 2 oz. (5T.) water. Give
as drinking water. For larger amounts (pigeons, poultry, etc.) mix 1 to
2 oz. (1/2 to 1 packet) Stress Pack with 1 gallon of drinking water. Change
water daily and give 7-14 days. This would be useful in any infectious
diseases and is intended for use in short term (max 14 days) only. I also
use the animal stress pack when I want to get high levels of the TF in
someone right away. It's very soluble and tasty in this form. For longer
term use, say in liver disease or tumors, I'd graduate to the Transfer
Factor Plus (human formula), guestimating the dosage based on bodyweight
from the cat dose. This is a powdered form with a very good balance of
added nutrients that cats readily accept. I'd guess it could be top dressed
on some moist bird food like fruit."
Dr. Steven Slagle, DVM says that he has used these products
as stand-alone and in conjunction with allopathic therapies in the following
cases with excellent results: "CANCER: Canine lipomas, Canine/feline hepatic
tumors, Equine squamous cell carcinoma, Equine melanomas; Feline leukemia,
oral tumors. VIRAL/BACTERIAL: Upper and lower respiratory infections,
Canine/feline dermatoses, Equine/bovine scours, Equine septic arthritis,
Feline abscesses. PARASITIC/FUNGAL/AUTOIMMUNE: E.P.M., Feline and equine
fungal dermatitis, and Feline autoimmune gingivitis."
"I'm a long-time bird owner
with 4 birds: parrot, lovebirds, cockatiel. I never had a sick bird in
27 years. I bought the cockatiel, who had a respiratory infection I wasn't
aware of till last month. I took him to the vet who treated him with Baytril
(orally) and Tobramycin (drops in nostrils & eye). He's gotten better
but hasn't recovered completely, and has been on the medicine for 3 weeks
now. He still has nasal discharge and his left eye is clouded. He was tested
for Parrot fever and it came out negative. He is 5 months old and 79 grams.
I learned about the Transfer
Factor natural immune booster that holistic veterinarians use in their
practice. I ordered it and gave it to my
cockatiel. Within days, he was over his infection!" Jan Shima -
janshima @ pixi.com
Bird´s
testimony - Shimoda "My ten-year old Caique, Shimoda, was
a very beautiful, colorful bird: bright green, orange, yellow, white and
black. When he was about three and one-half years old, just beginning his
sexual maturity, I came home one day to find my beautiful bird had pulled
out all his colorful feathers. He was now down to his all gray down feathers,
and looked like he was wearing gray flannel underwear. I panicked. Then
I found out that, allopathically speaking, this is common behavior for
birds when they reach sexual maturity. Solutions could include making environmental
changes, so I changed his cage, moved it, changed his toys, etc. However,
on and off for the last six and one-half years he has plucked at his feathers.
No matter what I did this didn't change much. I decided to feed Shimoda
Blue
Green Algae. I started feeding him a mixture of about 1/16 of a teaspoon
of the algae and one teaspoon
of water. He liked the taste, so he would take dropper after dropper full.
His feathers started to grow back and he has been taking it ever since.
He now looks beautiful. He seems happy; he is not pulling his feathers
and they’ve grown in beautifully. And he enjoys getting his algae." Carin
Segal
Hummingbirds testimonial
- "Last year I decided to feed the hummingbirds since I had spotted a few
around my flowers.All summer I couldn't tell if the hommingbirds were feeding
or if the solution I had purchased had just evaporated due to the heat.
I barely glimpsed a bird or two, but by the end of the week the feeder
was usually almost empty. It was a mystery. This year, I decided to continue
with the "feeding", but this time( at the suggestion of my daughter) I
added a few drops of FrequenSea
to the nectar. To my delight, the birds love it so much they are working
me to a frazzle trying to keep it filled. I have no trouble seeing the
hummingbirds now, because at any given time they are gathered at the feeder
taking turns. They seeem to be having a great time feasting! I attribute
the difference from last year to the addition of the FrequenSea."
Barbara Taylor brbtylr999@earthlink.net
Photos
above: This lady lives in a Hummingbird fly zone. As they migrated,
about 20 of them were in her yard. She took the little red dish, filled
it with sugar water and this is the result. The Woman is Abagail
Alfano of Pine, Louisiana - she has been studying them daily and one morning
put the cup from the feeder, with water in it, in her hand; as they had
gotten used to her standing by the feeder they came over to her hand. She
says in touching they are as light as a feather.
Clay is renowned to have many uses in promoting health in plants, animals
and humans. Bentonite, Pascalite, as well as other types of healing clays,
have been used by indigenous cultures since before recorded history. According
to Knishinsky, benefits reported by people using liquid clay for a period
of two to four weeks include: improved intestinal regularity; relief from
chronic constipation, diarrhea, indigestion, and ulcers; a surge in physical
energy; clearer complexion; brighter, whiter eyes; enhanced alertness;
emotional uplift; improved tissue and gum repair; and increased resistance
to infections. Clay works on the entire organism. No part of the body is
left untouched by its healing energies, he notes. (Pascalite clay is renowned
for its natural antibiotic properties)
All these birds, once they landed in the nearby trees, descended to
the ground and-to our astonishment-ate the bare dirt exposed by the landslide.
This was evidently a prized location and a rare opportunity for the birds,
as we could see them approaching from a distance of at least a mile away.
Since most of New Guinea is covered with jungle, and herbs and fallen leaves
blanket the ground, the rare landslide or cut riverbed affords birds their
only exposure to large areas of soil.
But why did the birds want to eat soil in the first place? What good
does it do them? If it's somehow advantageous, why don't more species seek
the same benefits? Of the 140 bird species that we recorded near our camp,
we observed only eight eating soil, all of them plant eaters (consumers
of fruit, seeds, and flowers). Why isn't soil also good for New Guinea's
carnivores, or for the region's dozens of other species of plant-eating
birds, such as berry peckers, flower peckers, and honeyeaters?
Actually,
eating soil is widespread among animals of many families on all continents.
It's also widespread among people, especially traditional tribal societies.
Scientists term the practice geophagy (from the Greek roots geo for "earth"
and phagein for "eat"). The more I learned about geophagy, the more I realized
that it is often used as a potent weapon in an escalating war waged by
plants and animals. more
The
Macaw lick in which hundreds of brightly colored macaws and other parrots
congregate to eat the clay which is essential to their digestion making
it certainly one of the world's great wildlife spectacles and the worlds
only known Tapir lick where in the comfort of mattresses and mosquito nets
you may watch the largest of all South American Land Mammals visit a mineral
lick.
This is truly one of the world’s great
wildlife spectacles as hundreds of Parrots and their larger relatives,
the Macaws, congregate at this traditional locality to eat the mineral
rich clay that is essential to their digestion. We'll use a floating blind
to get close to the birds. The noise alone is incredible and the sight
of these brightly colored birds at the lick is a sight not to be forgotten.
As the lick slows down in midmorning we'll head for Cocha Blanco, an old
ox-bow lake, in search of a family of Giant Otters that canoe around the
lake on our floating looking for other wildlife.
more
Virtually all species of wild North American hoofed animals, such as
bison and moose, visit licks, as do bears and some small animals, such
as rabbits, squirrels, and woodchucks. Just as in New Guinea, North American
licks also attract parrots and pigeons. Once these included the now-extinct
Carolina parakeet, and today licks are frequented by the still-extant mourning
dove and band-tailed pigeon. Animals have been visiting our licks for tens
of thousands of years, as attested by bones of mammoths, mastodons, ground
sloths, and other big extinct mammals. Wild animals on all other continents
also engage in geophagy. Predominantly, the soil-eating species are herbivores:
antelopes, apes, giraffes, and zebras in Africa; monkeys, peccaries, and
tapir in South America; deer in Europe and Asia; parrots in South America;
and butterflies in many places.
Licks are even more familiar to our domestic livestock. Ranchers find
that feeding selected soils to cows, sheep, goats, and pigs results in
improved health, weight gain, and food intake, plus enhanced food conversion
into meat, by 20 percent or more.
Bee pollen is often referred to as nature's most complete food. Human
consumption of bee pollen is praised in the Bible, other religious books,
and ancient Chinese and Egyptian texts. It has long been prescribed by
traditional health practitioners-including the fathers of Western medicine
Hippocrates, Pliny the Elder, and Pythagoras-for its healing properties.
Bee pollen rejuvenates your body, stimulates organs and glands, enhances vitality,
and brings about a longer life span. Bee pollen's ability to consistently
and noticeably increase energy levels makes it a favorite substance among
many world class athletes and those interested in sustaining and enhancing
quality performance.
Note from Shirley: A friend had a sickly cockapoo. He was rapidly
cured with the following which was added to his food:
Wheatgrass
for Birds Companion birds use their beaks to squeeze the delicious,
nutritious juice from each blade, then discard the indigestible part. Pet
Grass may help distract birds that have a feather-picking problem. Be sure
to remove the tag before placing Pet Grass in your bird's cage. They love
to chew on the tag, and some will even chew on the container. You may want
to remove the grass from the container if this is a problem, or clip a
small amount of grass to the side of the cage. Pet Grass can also be chopped
up and added to their food. learn about
the health properties of wheatgrass
Arthur
Young DVM, a Certified Homeopathic Veterinarian, uses glyconutrients
in his practice on all animals from birds to horses. He always advises
his clients to add glyconutrients to their pets diet. Decades of consuming
nutritionally questionable commercial pet food products, the proven harmful
effects of over vaccination, combined with the unfortunate dependency on
steroids and antibiotics have, according to many reliable sources greatly
contributed to a national decline in animal health. The innate ability
of the body to heal itself has been seriously compromised in many animals,
particularly dogs, cats, and horses. Glyconutrients are compatible with
any type of treatment prescribed by both conventional and alternative practitioners.
These essential carbohydrates strengthen the body’s inner environment which,
in turn, enhances the energy that stimulates the immune system, as well
as a process called “cell communication”. This communication network results
in all of the organs working with one another in an orderly sequence of
body reactions. Without these activities, good health is impossible to
attain. Although the formulation is produced for human consumption, holistic
veterinarians have also recognized the importance of glyconutrients in
supporting the handling of health challenges in animals. Credit goes to
Günter Blobel, M.D., Ph.D. (Rockefeller University), winner of the
1999 Nobel Prize for Medicine "for the discovery that (glyco) proteins
have intrinsic signals that govern their transport and localization in
the cell." Learn more: Glyconutrients
/ Glyconutritionals / Saccharides - It's Role in People and Animals' Health
and Wellness Dr. Murphy - "Did you know that one day of illness
for a bird is like seven days of illness for a human? So when you first
recognize that your bird is ill, it's important to seek veterinary help
quickly. Buying a general purpose antibiotic at your local pet shop in
order to medicate your bird, first allows your bird to become even more
ill and will seriously compromise the results of any diagnostic tests performed
by your veterinarian when you do get to see him." Danger
of antibiotics
Birds are very prone to psychological and hormonal disorders, there
often being a combination of these factors present in disease. For examples,
Aconitum will prove invaluable in cases of panic or shock,
Ignatia could be used where a bird is excitable and suffering from lack
of or loss of a mate or from being moved or separated,
Staphisagria can be given if the bird is morose and unable to cope with
the conditions in which it is being kept and may start feather-pecking,
Glonoinium should be considered if the bird has been overheated or if its
cage has been left in an exposed sunny position in a window for too long,
Sulphur is indicated where the bird may be suffering feather damage from
general overheating in the room or aviary.
These few examples are but a guide to the usefulness and scope of homeopathy,
in so many of the common and troublesome problems in birds. Homeopathy
may also, interestingly, prove of immense value in flocks of chickens,
turkeys, ducks or geese, which are intensively reared. However, this is
a specialist subject, requiring help from an experienced veterinarian,
and is not the main subject of this article. learn
more
·Boredom in the very intelligent larger parrot species
·Insecurity, Stress, or Nervousness (can be caused by a change
in daily routine, a new environment, remodeling, other pets, or a new owner)
·Overcrowded housing: Finches in particular
·Sexual frustration in a mature bird
·Overenthusiastic plucking of a brood patch by an egg laying
female
·Excessive courtship behavior: one bird plucks the other
·Parents picking their chicks to drive them from the nest so
they can breed again
·Inadequate bathing facilities and low humidity
·Breed predisposition, as in Quaker Mutilation Syndrome
learn more
Avian Health Problems and Their Natural Treatments Gloria
Dodd DVM
Psychological Feather
PickingHomeopathics are primarily used in cases of psychological
feather picking in the practice of Dr. Joel Murphy* of Clearwater, FL
Regurgitation and diarrhea can be due to pesticide
and herbicide contamination of the seeds and greens used during growing.
I'd assume probable pesticide poisoning and treat accordingly along with
possible bacterial (Salmonella) infection, because I have seen this so
frequently in birds.
Respiratory conditions are very common, and
can be due to infections, parasites, allergies and stress. It takes a specially
trained veterinarian in avian medicine to help. Relief can be afforded
with some homeopathic remedies
Egg-Bound problems of female birds. Egg-bound
(caged female, unsteady on perch, ruffled feathers, wagging or straining
movements with tail, back and forth from nest, or standing on floor of
cage, even resting on the tail with legs apart.) This condition can cause
acute death due to compression of large blood vessels or intestinal and
ureteral (tubes carrying urine from the kidneys) blockage. Inspection of
the cloacal opening (common opening for the urine and feces) is evident.
Ecto-parasites
(mites, etc.) can be controlled
by good sanitation, cleaning feathers and other debris daily from the cage
and replacing with fresh newspaper linings. A light dusting of the bird’s
feathers with non-toxic diatomaceous earth weekly will kill what adult
parasites are there as well as their immature forms without
poisoning your pet with the more toxic commercial products.
Wounds can be cleaned externally with warm
soapy water, and then dressed with Calendula ointment on a Q- tip daily
as needed.
DANGERS OF CHEMICALLY
POLLUTED FOOD AND WATER Other than trauma, almost 90 percent
of the emergencies that befall birds are related to nutrition. Malnutrition,
and contaminated, polluted feed and water with pesticides, and heavy metals.
Natural
Health Care for Your Bird: Quick Self-Help Using Homeopathy and Bach Flowers
For those who keep or raise birds, this guide tells you what you need to
know about your bird's health. Although the book focuses on natural health
care, suggestions are given for both standard and homeopathic medications.
Other helpful features include an extensive table of symptoms and diseases,
checklist for care and health maintenance, index of recommended home remedies,
and a glossary of natural health care terms.
Good nutrition is the single most important factor in determining the
health, vitality and longevity of our parrots. Because we have taken them
from their natural environment, and because they are unable to forage and
choose their own foods, it is imperative that we provide them a nutritionally
complete diet. It is my belief that we also owe them an interesting and
varied selection of foods from which to choose. I could not in good conscience
offer such a curious and intelligent creature only one food, such as pellets,
day after day. Another very good reason to feed a variety of foods is that
we can use foods as a natural preventative to health problems and many
foods can be used as natural remedies once health problems have developed.
The following are only a few of the many foods that can be used as natural
medicine for our birds. more.
This diet was developed for a chronically malnourished and ill,
45 year old Congo African Gray Parrot, named Rosco, who came to Whitewings
Farm on September 10, 2001.
After some extensive tests, it was concurred that neither bird had any
viral or bacterial problems. Rosco's problems were, however, severe, having
been long in developing, and would take some special knowledge and care
and implementation in the curing; if they could be cured. Following his
original person's death, Rosco was relegated to 8 years in a garage, in
primarily either darkness or dusky light, and a diet of nothing but wild
bird seed, As a result, Rosco had suffered from chronic malnutrition and
had permanent physical damage. A twist to his torso from atrophied muscles,
totally blind in one eye, and a large cataract with a small tail ending
in another dot in the other. Due to a SEVERE calcium deficiency, resulting
in weakened muscle strength, he was unable to climb much, and spent a LOT
of time on the floor of his house. He was also in suspected Chronic Kidney
Failure. Our Avian Vet, Dr. Pam let us know, that the ONLY recourse was
good diet, and constant care. There were no guarantees; the damage was
extensive.
Learn has worked
for Rosco
It is a well-known fact that parrots are especially sensitive to environmental
toxins. Chemicals that normally are only irritating to humans and other
animals can be acutely toxic to parrots. The inhalation of carbon monoxide
exhaust or fumes from overheated Teflon products, which would cause no
apparent damage to humans or other animals, can be fatal to parrots. Their
immune systems constantly are challenged by air pollution, exposure to heavy
metals, water contamination and the adulteration of their foods by pesticides.
A shocking four million tons of pesticides, numbering 20,000 different
products, are fogged into the air in the United States each year! We must
control additional exposure of our birds to these products by not using
any fumigants in their presence. Similarly we must educate ourselves as
to the level of contamination of the foods that they consume.more
In the mid-1990s, American biologists used satellite tracking to follow
Swainson’s hawks to their wintering grounds in Argentina, where thousands
of them were found dead from monocrotophos poisoning. Migratory songbirds
like bobolinks, barn swallows and Eastern kingbirds are suffering mysterious
population declines, and pesticides may well be to blame. A single application
of a highly toxic pesticide to a field can kill seven to 25 songbirds per
acre. About half the birds that researchers capture after such spraying
are found to suffer from severely depressed neurological function.
Migratory birds, modern-day canaries in the coal mine, reveal an environmental
problem hidden to consumers. Testing by the United States Food and Drug
Administration shows that fruits and vegetables imported from Latin America
are three times as likely to violate Environmental Protection Agency standards
for pesticide residues as the same foods grown in the United States. Some
but not all pesticide residues can be removed by washing or peeling produce,
but tests by the Centers for Disease Control show that most Americans carry
traces of pesticides in their blood. American consumers can discourage
this poisoning by avoiding foods that are bad for the environment, bad
for farmers in Latin America and, in the worst cases, bad for their own
families.
What should you put on your bird-friendly grocery list? Organic coffee,
for one thing. Most mass-produced coffee is grown in open fields heavily
treated with fertilizers, herbicides, fungicides and insecticides. In contrast,
traditional small coffee farmers grow their beans under a canopy of tropical
trees, which provide shade and essential nitrogen, and fertilize their
soil naturally with leaf litter. Their organic, fair-trade coffee is now
available in many coffee shops and supermarkets, and it is recommended
by the Audubon Society, the American Bird Conservancy and the Smithsonian
Migratory Bird Center. Organic bananas should also be on your list. Bananas
are typically grown with one of the highest pesticide loads of any tropical
crop. Although bananas present little risk of pesticide ingestion to the
consumer, the environment where they are grown is heavily contaminated.
Read
more: Did Your Shopping List Kill a Songbird?
You may be surprised at how affordably we can feed pesticide-free foods
to our parrots. It is much easier now to select foods that promote health
and longevity by minimizing the exposure of our birds to toxic pesticide
residues, thanks to a report by the Environmental Working Group on the toxicity
of produce. 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.
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. more
The health claims of the soy industry
have one purpose and one purpose alone - to sell more soy! That's
why you'll only hear about the benefits of soy from the industry, but Soy
Online Services thinks all consumers deserve the right to make an
informed choice about what they are eating and feeding to their children,
their household pets and their livestock.
Soy
Online Services found a wealth of evidence that the soy toxins cause
both acute and chronic effects in both animals and humans. The industry
refers to the soy toxins as 'anti-nutrients' but, in fact, they are classed
with environmental toxins and they are present in every food product that
contains soy. As often occurs in cases of environmental poisoning, Soy
Online Services first became aware of the toxicity of soy because of its
effects on animals. The harm that soy causes animals has been known
for decades, but this fact currently appears to be ignored by manufacturers
of animal feeds who are ever eager to utilise cheap sources of protein
in their products. The use of new generation bird feeds that contained
soy coincided with thousands of bird deaths and disorders. These
effects were widespread and were reported by many of New Zealand's leading
parrot breeders:
beak and bone deformities
goitre.
immune system disorders.
infertility.
premature maturation.
Bird breeders noted that a common factor
in the diets of affected parrots was soy protein. But could the effects
seen in parrots be explained by the presence of the soy toxins? Soy is
high in phytate, which reduces mineral bioavailability. Upset the
delicate mineral balance in a parrot's diets and bone and beak disorders
are the result. Soybeans contain high levels of phytoestrogens. Although
investigators didn't know it at the time, the compounds are powerful immune-suppressants,
potent goitrogens (the goitrogenic effects of soy products are even discussed
at length in the text 'Diseases of Caged Birds' - TFH Publications, 1988)
and as the name suggests, able to elicit estrogenic effects. Strong
candidates then as the cause of the infertility and premature maturation.
(see
pictures of premature maturation of Juvenile (green) and adult (red) Crimson
Rosellas)
Early investigators were familiar
with the writings of Rachel Carson who penned 'our fate is connected with
the animals'. If the fate of birds fed soy protein was growth disorders,
thyroid problems, infertility and tumour growth, they asked 'what
about infants fed soy formulas and adults consuming large amounts of soy?'
Newest Research On Why You Should Avoid Soy by
Sally Fallon and Mary G. Enig, PhD"...the soybean contains large quantities
of natural toxins or "antinutrients" "Dr Fitzpatrick's literature review
uncovered evidence that soy consumption has been linked to numerous disorders,
including infertility, increased cancer and infantile leukemia; and, in
studies dating back to the 1950s, that genistein in soy causes endocrine
disruption in animals." .
All bird owners who have their birds' best interests at heart are seeking
ways to optimize their health. Stress, pollution, prescription drugs, the
overuse of antibiotics and a poor diet all contribute to the ill health
of our birds. These adverse factors also apply to our health. For each
day of the week Dr. McWatters has included a meal for you and your bird
friends to share. In addition, she will teach you why each meal is healthy
and how it can benefit you and your birds for long-term health.
WHY BIRDS NEED FATS
Birds need the three essential unsaturated fatty acids (linolenic,
linoleic, and arachidonic acids) or EFAs, to keep their skin and feathers
healthy, among other benefits. Essential fatty acids require Vitamin E
for absorption and nuts provide it in the proper balance. Every living
cell in a bird's body needs essential fatty acids for rebuilding and producing
new cells. EFAs are used to produce prostaglandins, hormone-like substances
that act as chemical messengers and regulators of various body processes.
The two basic categories of EFAs are Omega-3 and Omega-6 which contain
linoleic and linolenic acids. These are found primarily in raw nuts, seeds
and legumes. more
Real salt is a vital nutrient for birds Farmers place salt-blocks on their pasture so that their livestock
and all other animals can lick the salt to their heart's content.
An
abundance of the ingredients in unrefined real salt are as synonymous with
life today as they were a billion years ago before single cells appeared
here. Lack of them is synonymous with birth defects, organ failure, decay,
diseases, premature aging and death at a young age. Long before the earth
knew pollutants of any kind, a huge, ancient sea covered what is now North
America. Pure, natural salt was the main ingredient of this sea, and over
millions of years, the water in the sea evaporated, leaving the salt in
undisturbed deposits.
The
best way to provide salt to your birds is to provide two separate
bowls. One bowl with real-unrefined-unheated-natural-sea-salt
and one bowl without salt, so that the animals can consume as much salt
as they require. They will drink from the bowl that contains salted water,
however once they have had enough salt, they will drink from the bowl that
has plain water.
Freedom and I have been together 10 years this summer. She came in as
a baby in 1998 with two broken wings. Her left wing doesn't open all the
way even after surgery, it was broken in 4 places. She's my baby. When
Freedom came in she could not stand. Both wings were broken, her left wing
in 4 places. She was emaciated and covered in lice. We made the decision
to give her a chance at life, so I took her to the vets office. From then
on, I was always around her. We had her in a huge dog carrier with the
top off, and it was loaded up with shredded newspaper for her to lay in.
I used to sit and talk to her, urging her to live, to fight; and she would
lay there looking at me with those big brown eyes. We also had to tube
feed her for weeks.
This went on for 4-6 weeks, and by then she still couldn't stand. It
got to the point where the decision was made to euthanize her if she couldn't
stand in a week. You know you don't want to cross that line between torture
and rehab, and it looked like death was winning. She was going to be put
down that Friday, and I was supposed to come in on that Thursday afternoon.
I didn't want to go to the center that Thursday, because I couldn't bear
the thought of her being euthanized; but I went anyway, and when I walked
in everyone was grinning from ear to ear. I went immediately back to her
dowl cage; and there she was, standing on her own, a big beautiful eagle.
She was ready to live. I was just about in tears by then. That was a very
good day.
We knew she could never fly, so the director asked me to glove train
her. I got her used to the glove, and then to jesses, and we started doing
education programs for schools in western Washington. We wound up in the
newspapers, radio (believe it or not) and some TV. Miracle Pets even did
a show about us. In the spring of 2000, I was diagnosed with non-hodgkins
lymphoma. I had stage 3, which is not good (one major organ plus everywhere),
so I wound up doing 8 months of chemo. Lost the hair - the whole bit. I
missed a lot of work. When I felt good enough, I would go to Sarvey and
take Freedom out for walks. Freedom would also come to me in my dreams
and help me fight the cancer. This happened time and time again.
Fast forward to November 2000, the day after Thanksgiving, I went in
for my last checkup. I was told that if the cancer was not all gone after
8 rounds of chemo, then my last option was a stem cell transplant. Anyway,
they did the tests; and I had to come back Monday for the results. I went
in Monday, and I was told that all the cancer was gone. So the first thing
I did was get up to Sarvey and take the big girl out for a walk. It was
misty and cold.
I went to her flight and jessed her up, and we went out front to the top
of the hill. I hadn't said a word to Freedom, but somehow she knew. She
looked at me and wrapped both her wings around me to where I could feel
them pressing in on my back (I was engulfed in eagle wings), and she touched
my nose with her beak and stared into my eyes, and we just stood there
like that for I don't know how long. That was a magic moment. We have been
soul mates ever since she came in. This is a very special bird.
On a side note: I have had people who were sick come up to us when we
are out, and Freedom has some kind of hold on them. I once had a guy who
was terminal come up to us and I let him hold her. His knees just about
buckled and he swore he could feel her power coarse through his body. I
have so many stories like that. I never forget the honor I have of being
so close to such a magnificent spirit as Freedoms.
Jeff Guidry and Freedom are
at Sarvey Wildlife Center
E-Mail Jeff: jeff @ sarveywildlife.org or eaglewalker @ comcast.net
Holistic
Bird Newsletter The mission of The HolisticBird Newsletter is to provide accurate and
reliable information about holistic health for birds. Holistic, which derives
from the word whole, embraces the combination of lifestyles and methods
to maintain and heal the bird's whole being. Their understanding of the
bird goes beyond the physical and includes mental, emotional, social, environmental,
spiritual, and energetic aspects. Although the goal of holistic health
is disease prevention, it also includes a wide array of healing modalities
that have long traditions of use and success. The HolisticBird Newsletter
is dedicated to providing interesting and educational articles to aid and
empower those who wish to grow in knowledge, understanding, and appreciation
for all birds living in captivity and in nature. This site has fabulous
articles about avian nutrition, healing herbs, rescue stories, and much
more
Overheated non-stick cookware
Air fresheners (especially plug-ins)
Aerosol sprays (many types can kill a parrot including hairspray, paint,
shoe dyes, water repellants, household cleaners, insect sprays[killers,
repellants,flea spray, etc.])
Finger nail polish and remover more
Ancient humans learned from the observation of animals, including birds,
how to use leaves, earth, mud and water to make soothing applications.
Years ago, only the most experimental-minded of birdkeepers used herbs,
because there were no guidelines for their use, nor had dosages for them
been determined. As we realized that the potential for harm to our birds
by herbal remedies was somewhat less than that of pharmaceuticals, we began
to establish dosages by starting with minute amounts and increasing gradually
to the optimal level. When using the milder herbs, one might use the method
of establishing the correct dosage for a human infant of about ten pounds,
and use one tenth the amount for a parrot weighing approximately one pound.
Healing
Clays (mud)
Holistic
Treatments For Parrots Alternative therapies such as acupuncture, homeopathy, and flower essences
being used on birds successfully.
Birds are ideal subjects for holistic care. They are especially sensitive
to emotional and physical stresses. Based on what we have learned from
wild birds and studies completed in the last 10-20 years, this book will
help you provide your bird with a longer, healthier life. Each beautifully
illustrated chapter is written from two viewpoints, one from the leading
holistic avian veterinarian and the other from a bird owner's viewpoint.
Holistic care is defined and the value of this type of care in relation
to conventional western medicine is discussed. Other interesting topics
include the physical bird, the emotional bird, nutrition and special holistic
therapies. In the past decade, many people have turned to alternative care
for themselves and their human family members. Recently, more pet owners
have asked themselves if there are similar care methods available for their
birds. The answer is yes, holistic care.In this book Dr. McCluggage, who
is well-known nationally and internationally for his expertise on the subject
of holistic care for animals, and I explain what holistic care is--and
what it is not.
Interview
With a Holistic Vet (Nov./December 1998)
Dr. David McCluggage of Boulder, Colorado, is
a pioneer in the field of alternative treatment methods for parrots.
For Birds: Grapefruit Seed Extract, the natural Cure and Disinfectant
"Citricidal is the active ingredient in NUTRIBIOTIC grapefruit seed
extract. It is referred to by several different names, such as Citricidal,
Nutribiotic, Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE), and by the name of a similar
product named Agrisept. It is a liquid concentrate that can be purchased
at health food stores, and it has been used for bird-related purposes
for several years by aviculturists. In the years since its discovery,
grapefruit seed extract has been tested and validated by the FDA, USDA,
the Pasteur Institute in France, and numerous physicians. "
"One of the uses for which I like Nutribiotic most is cleaning up babies
after syringe feedings. It gets their feathers and down squeaky clean and
kills the bacteria caused by formula that might soil their feathers during
feeding. I adda few drops to a bowl of warm water to
wet the cleaning cloth. " Read
about additional uses for Nutribiotic Citricidal for birds
Safe Cleaning
and Pest Control Bird safe ways to clean and control pests such as ants, flies, seed
moths, mosquitoes, cockroaches, etc. Also a variety of natural cleaners.
Bird Lovers Only Rescue
Service is a not for profit donation-based bird rescue which takes
in unwanted, neglected, abused, and special needs birds. We find
the most suitable and loving permanent homes for our rescues. Bird
Lovers Only Rescue Service relies on your charitable support so that we
may continue to adopt birds to families such as yours without charging
adoption fees.
What
Your Bird Needs This convenient little package contains comprehensive
advice for pet owners written by well-known pet experts. Illustrated with
over 75 photographs and charts, What Your Bird Needs details the equipment
you need, as well as advice on diet, training and care. Your bird will
thrive with this handy guide.
Parrot-Toys
and Play Areas covers all aspects of play and encourages owners to "put
some fun" into their parrot's life. Whether they choose to purchase or
make their own parrot toys or play areas, bird owners will find this book
loaded with practical advice, safety tips, and loads of ideas for both
toys and play areas.
Bird
Lovers, you need to know about
The Realities of Hen Hell
Many people are now aware of the deplorable conditions in which livestock
are forced to live and die in our nation's factory farms. For example,
chickens are forced to live in such crowded conditions that they must be
de-beaked to prevent them from pecking each other to death. Now, another
torture inflicted on farm animals is undergoing scrutiny. According to
the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), at any given time more than
6 million hens in the U.S. are being systematically starved in their cages.
The motive, of course, is money.
Farmers starve hens in a practice called forced molting in order to
increase egg production and raise profits. A 1997 survey of 15 major egg
farms revealed that all routinely withheld or reduced their hens' feed
from an average of seven to ten days. During the process the starving hens
are so desperate for nutrition that they pluck and eat each other's feathers
in a desperate attempt to quell their gnawing hunger. Up to 10% of birds
die during forced molting.
Forced molting may have human health consequences. Prolonged food deprivation
weakens the hens' immune systems, increasing the likelihood of salmonella
infection. The pathogens may then be passed to humans eating contaminated
eggs or meat.
England banned forced molting in 1987, but the practice continues in
the U.S., supported by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Based
on information in: The Animals' Agenda, Jul-Aug 1998
I have part of my own personal experience with our cockatiel that taught
me a lesson. Our bird, Star, was laying eggs too frequently and getting
worn out. We took her to a vet who claimed he knew what he was doing and
I believed him! He gave her a birdie birth control shot! She became miserable!
She gained almost twice her weight and became very depressed. She was so
heavy that she could not fly!! So I put her on bird seed from a health
food store which does not contain any additives. She ate from our fresh
organic salads as she chose. And I insisted to my husband that she only
be given distilled water--not tap! She rested a lot and ate. She lost her
weight on her own accord. She started flying and was a happy bird again.
And she looked a lot younger! Now she is more healthy and is not having
so many problems with laying eggs too often! Her cycle seems well adjusted.
Hmh. Humans need these same health rules! ;-) I learned something from
my bird. Connie Penner, Dianeticist
and Scientologist, Pasadena, California
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
Holistic
veterinary: testimonials of amazing cures Read other people's testimonialsof 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 atThe
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.
What
Every Parent Should Know BEFORE Their Childen Are Vaccinated! 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
Are Vaccines Damaging Our Pets?
Routine 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?"
Bird
Lovers Only Rescue Service is a not for profit donation-based bird
rescue which takes in unwanted, neglected, abused, and special needs birds.
We find the most suitable and loving permanent homes for our rescues.
Bird Lovers Only Rescue Service relies on your charitable support so that
we may continue to adopt birds to families such as yours without charging
adoption fees.
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
Irradiated
pet food endangering pets health, killing pets The
Australian government in late May ordered an immediate stop to sterilizing
cat food via irradiation after reviewing scientific studies pointing
to food irradiation as the culprit behind illnesses characterized by ataxia
or paralysis of the limbs The U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) also allows animal feed, including pet food and treats, to be irradiated.
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
Warning:
Spot-On Pesticides such as Frontline, Zodiac, Defend, Bio Spot, Adams and
Advantage trigger adverse reactions in dogs
and cats, shorten life spans, cause terminal illness, and
premature death. more...
Dogs
love Dr. Miller's Detox Tea too! Dogs
enjoy drinking Dr. Miller's Detox 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.
Do
you have a question about holistic animal health or need assistance? contact
Shirley or call 206-984-3009 or 323-389-0560
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 and licking
of the air. 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."
learn more
Do
you have a question about holistic animal health or need assistance? Kashmyra
is a Pet Wellness Consultant who volunteers her time to help visitors of
Shirley's Wellness Cafe website. She'll be happy to answer your question
and offers guidance at no charge. The best time to reach her is after 3
PM ET 1 828 891 1602 You may also contact
Shirley or call 206-984-3009 or 323-389-0560
"Clinical evidence links low glutathione
levels to the most common illnesses of our time as well as newly emerging
diseases. Glutathione levels diminish as we age and many diseases normally
associated with aging have been linked to glutathione deficiency." Dr.
Jimmy Gutman, M.D
"To raise glutathione levels
is to reduce premature oxidation, to quench destructive free radicals and
help detoxify the poisons inside each cell when it needs to. Only Immunocal
is clinically proven to do that in a safe, effective and convenient way."
Dr.
Allan Somersall M.D - Learn more...
Cancer
in our pet population, why is it on the rise?
Lyme
disease and Lyme Vaccine Disease.
Vaccinations
and How They Disrupt the Immune System.
Stem
cell nutrition in pets and horse The
first natural plant-based stem cell enhancers have shown
to trigger the release of millions of adult stem cells from the bone marrow
very quickly. These stem cells can then migrate and attach to any cells,
tissue, bone, muscle, cartilage, organ anywhere in the body needing repair.
Learn
more
Natural
Remedies for Stressed Pets Animals respond
just as well to non-toxic anti-stress natural remedies. Animals too, have
an active mental and emotional life. and can manifest behavioral and physical
problems that have their roots in emotional trauma.
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
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.
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
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.
More at Shirley's Wellness Cafe: holistic
animal health section
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
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."
Return to the main of Holistic Health Care for People and Animals ShirleysWellnessCafe.com (aka: MyWellnessHouse.com)
Most
Popular Life-Giving Supplements for AnimalsAvian Natural Veterinary Care and Optimum Nutrition
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.
Bio:
Alicia McWatters resides in a mountainous region of NM with her family
and many animal and bird friends. A former breeder of Pionus parrots and
African Greys, she holds her doctorate's degree in nutrition and is a certified
nutritional consultant. McWatters runs a private
teaspoon
of water. He liked the taste, so he would take dropper after dropper full.
His feathers started to grow back and he has been taking it ever since.
He now looks beautiful. He seems happy; he is not pulling his feathers
and they’ve grown in beautifully. And he enjoys getting his algae." Carin
Segal
continents
also engage in geophagy. Predominantly, the soil-eating species are herbivores:
antelopes, apes, giraffes, and zebras in Africa; monkeys, peccaries, and
tapir in South America; deer in Europe and Asia; parrots in South America;
and butterflies in many places.
Wheatgrass
for Birds Companion birds use their beaks to squeeze the delicious,
nutritious juice from each blade, then discard the indigestible part. Pet
Grass may help distract birds that have a feather-picking problem. Be sure
to remove the tag before placing Pet Grass in your bird's cage. They love
to chew on the tag, and some will even chew on the container. You may want
to remove the grass from the container if this is a problem, or clip a
small amount of grass to the side of the cage. Pet Grass can also be chopped
up and added to their food. 
Arthur
Young DVM, a Certified Homeopathic Veterinarian, uses 
The
best way to provide salt to your birds is to provide two separate
bowls. One bowl with 
Bird
Lovers, you need to know about
Do
you have a question about holistic animal health or need assistance? 
Natural
Health for Women:
