Avian Natural Health Care and Natural Medicine - Optimum Health and Wellness for Birds
Holisitic Avian Health
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
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Optimum Avian Nutrition - Commercial pelleted diet v/s fresh, wholesome diet
Dangerous, Toxic Drugs Risk-Be Aware 
Safe and Effective Alternative to Toxic Drugs
Testimonials: healing birds naturally
Parrots and Pesticides - Feeding Organic Foods Affordably
From the Bee Hive for your Bird's Health
Medical Causes of Feather Plucking, Picking & Mutilation in Pet Birds
Amazing healing clay
Psychological and Hormonal Disorders
Eagle story - the power of heaing
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

Safe and Effective Alternative to Toxic Drugs

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."

Transfer Factor in veterinary medicine
Transfer Factor in general and pediatrics medicine


Testimonials

"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.


Amazing Healing Clay

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. 

Where to purchase the clay

More information about healing clays


From the Bee Hive for your Bird's Health

The Health Wonders of  Bee Pollen
by Steve Schecter, N.D. 

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

Psychological and Hormonal Disorders  by  Christopher Day MA VetMB CertIAVH VetFFHom MRCVS

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

Homeopathy for animals


WHY DOES MY BIRD PICK ITS FEATHERS?   Medical Causes of Feather Plucking, Picking & Mutilation in Pet Birds
Julie Burge, DVM

Some causes, not related to any disease, include:

·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 Picking Homeopathics 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. 
The Poultry Doctor covers in depth information about homeopathy for poultry diseases: Apoplexy, Asthma, Bone-wen, Black-rot, Broken Bones, Bumble Foot, Chicken-pox, Chip, and much more, all the way to Kriebel. 

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. 

More information about homeopathy for animals


Nature's Pharmacy
by Carolyn Swicegood

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


The Rosco Diet

 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


PARROTS, PRODUCE and PESTICIDES
by Carolyn Swicegood

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?

Feeding Organic Foods Affordably
by Carolyn Swicegood 

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

Why Feed Organic?

If you have dog, cats or other pets, learn how toxic environment can affect their health too

Soy in parrot's diets results in  bone and beak disorders
Excerpt from Soy Online Service

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." . 
Healthy and Delicious 7-Day Diet
Avian Nutrition with Dr Alicia McWatters 

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. 
 

Nuts Are For The Birds
by Carolyn Swicegood 

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

Learn more about the incredible healing power of flaxoil and other healthy oils and fats

Carolyn Swicegood has a collection of other wonderful articles: Greening of the Parrot Diet Green foods are an important and often neglected component of a healthy, varied diet for parrots -  Juicing for Parrots - Sprouting for Healthier Birds - Edible Flowers For Parrots and much 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. 

Organic Himalayan Crystal Salt, Solar Dried, 100% Natural, - fine or coarse.

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. 



Animals are not the only creatures on earth who can benefit from raw/living food. Learn about the The incredible Healing Powers of Living (Raw) Foods and Juices (Including personal accounts of cancer cures) 


Eagle Story  -  The Power of Healing

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


Parrots Die From... 
by Debbie Stahre 

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



Herbal and other natural remedies

Herbal Remedies For Parrots
by Carolyn Swicegood 

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. 

Holistic Care for Birds by David McCluggage

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: Cure and Disinfectant
by Carolyn Swicegood

"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.



Natural Safe and Effective Herbal Antibiotics
 

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 : How To  Put Some Fun Into Your Parrot's Life by Carol S. D'Arezzo 

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.

Feeding Your Pet Bird by Petra M. Burgmann


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 

Excerpted from Spectrum Magazine

Subject: Healthier Bird 
Date: Wed, 12 Jul 2000 
From: "Connie Penner" <ronp@citycent.com>

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 

Guide to Pet Birds, Pet Parrots and Exotic Birds


EARTH STOP ONE: A PERMANENT HOME FOR ALL THE BIRDS
It is Earth Stop One's belief, that it's efforts will help educate and inform the pubic about the care and responsibility of pet birds.


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

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

SICK OF DRUGGING YOUR PET? There is a better way to bring your pet to health and keep it healthy.

Natural Herbal Remedies for Dogs and Cats (and other animals too) 

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."

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 

CHLORINATED and FLUORIDATED WATER.... A BIG NO-NO !!!  There is a perception among many people that bottled water is somehow more healthy or pure than water from their tap. This is simply an illusion of marketing. A four-year study by the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC), released in 1999, found that one-fifth of the sampled bottled waters contained known neurotoxins and carcinogens such as styrene, toluene and xylene. Another NRDC study found that, out of 103 brands of bottled water, one-third contained traces of arsenic and E. coli. This means that out of a sample of 1,000 bottles sold in the U.S., at least 300 would have some level of chemical contamination. It is well known that the average city water today contains over 500 chemicals that do not belong in it. Part of this is due to the fact that most delivery systems in the U.S. include cement, asbestos pipes, cast iron, PVC (porous to certain solvents, herbicides and pesticides) and that lead, cadmium and other toxic metals leach out of valves and couplings of pipes between a water treatment plant and a faucet in the home. Why Purified and Distilled Bottled Water are Bad For You and Your Animals

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

Complementary and Alternative Therapies in Veterinary Medicine
 

Holistic Animal Health and Optimum Pet Nutrition 
A growing number of veterinarians state that processed pet food is the main cause of illness and premature death in the modern dog and cat. In December 1995, the British Journal of Small Animal Practice published a paper contending that processed pet food supresses the immune system and leads to liver, kidney, heart and other diseases. Dr. Kollath, of the Karolinska Hospital in Stockholm, headed a study done on animals. When young animals were fed cooked and processed foods they initially appeared to be healthy. However, as the animals reached adulthood, they began to age more quickly than normal and also developed chronic degenerative disease symptoms. A control group of animals raised on raw foods aged less quickly and were free of degenerative disease. For a return to health, pets require a diet which strengthens the immune system and most closely resembles that which they would get in the wild. It's really easy to do. Click here to learn 


Vaccines: Are They Really Safe And Effective?What Every Parent Should Know BEFORE Their Childen Are Vaccinated - pictures from the CDC about the side effects of vaccinesWhat 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 

This child died as a result of vaccines - pictures from the CDC about the side effects of vaccines
In fall 1997, two influential professional magazines featured articles asking the question: Has the decrease of infectious diseases in childhood through the mass use of vaccines been replaced with an increase in chronic diseases such as diabetes and asthma? The Economist, a prestigious international magazine read by world leaders in government, business and public policy, and Science News, a magazine read by both health care professionals and the general public, explored the reported links between vaccines and chronic diseases in their November 22, 1997 issues. Learn more about vaccine and diabetes connection --- asthma and vaccine connection --- SIDS and autism and vaccine connection --- "Shaken Baby Syndrome": the vaccination link Law suit One hundred years ago, children received 1 vaccine (the smallpox vaccine). Forty years ago, children received 5 vaccines routinely (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, and smallpox vaccines) and as many as 8 shots by 2 years of age. Children now receive 52 vaccines, in the form of 15 shots, by the time they are 6 months of age if they receive all the recommend shots, including the Prevnar pediatric pneumonia shot. 

Congressman is calling for criminal penalties for any government agency that knew about the dangers of thimerosal in vaccines and did nothing to protect American children. Congressman Dan Burton (R-Indiana) during Congressional Hearing: "You mean to tell me that since 1929, we've been using Thimerosal, and the only  test that you know of is from 1929, and every one of those people had mennigitis, and they all died?" For nearly an hour, Burton repeatedly asked FDA and CDC officials what they knew and when they knew it. (Thimerosal contains a related mercury compound called ethyl mercury. Mercury is a toxic metal that can cause immune, sensory, neurological, motor, and behavioral dysfunctions.) 

Please get informed!Enter the vaccine information site

Homeopathy can be used successfully to prevent and treat smallpox, measles, whooping cough, chickenpox, and other ailments.

Would you allow big brother to enforce vaccinations on your kids? Government Enforced Vaccinations Vaccination Tracking Registry - Government programs that limit your choices -and your rights- in health care when it comes to mandatory vaccination. These mandates last for 40 or so years and they're impossible to repeal. Also, learn about Legal Requirements and Exemptions 

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?"


Search ShirleysWellnessCafe.com

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

Natural Animal Health  Overview of Natural,  Holistic Veterinary Medicine
 
 
 

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


 



 


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



 

Veterinary Secrets Revealed!

E-book
xxxVeterinary 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.
 



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!
 
 
 



Transfer Factor: natural immune boosterforNatural 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
 


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.
 
 



 

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 
 
 
 
 


More at Shirley's Wellness Cafe:

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

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

Vaccines: deception and tragedy
Vaccines and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
Shaken Baby Syndrome or Vaccine-Induced Encephalitis?
Misdiagnosed Shaken Baby Syndrome: A Criminal Consequence of Vaccine Injury
AUTISM: is there a vaccine connection?
Criminal Consequence of Vaccine Injury
Anthrax Vaccine Facts and Gulf War Syndrome
Government Enforced Vaccinations: Vaccination Tracking Registry
How To Legally Avoid Unwanted Immunizations Of All Kinds
Vaccine Support Groups and Organizations
Animals: chronic dis-ease caused by vaccines
Nosodes: alternative to conventional vaccines
Library: Vaccine Controversy books
Holistic Children's Health :
Holistic Pediatrics (general)
Nutrition for Babies and Children
Attachment Parenting
Ear infections: alternative to tubes and antibiotics
Pshychiatry - betraying and drugging children for profit
Childhood vaccinations: are they really safe and effective?
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: astonishing facts
Autism: is there a vaccine connection?
The Circumcision Decision: what I wish I had known...
Understanding your baby's needs
Natural Birth and Home Birth
Ritalin Free Kids: Helping Children, Not Drugging Them
Homeopathy for Children and Infants
Forced Drugging of Children Parents  facing jail over compulsory drug orders.
No longer blind: the story of Shirley's baby born blind and brain-injured
Holistic Animal health :
Do You Really Know What's In Your Pet's Food? by Dr. Jane Bicks DVM
Why RAW food?
Food Unfit For Pets
All Natural Healthy Pet Food 
Animal Nutritional Therapy
Natural Animal  Health
Homeopathy for animals
Pet Allergies: non toxic natural solutions
Rearing healthy pups and kittens
Saving Shasta's life: a holistic approach
Sample RAW pet food recipes
Toxic environment and your pet's illness
Alternative to antibiotics
Testimonials of amazing animal healing.
Preventing and Healing Animal Cancer without drugs or surgery
Holistic Health for Horses
Feline Holistic Health
Natural diet for pet birds
Ferret Natural Health Care and Optimum Diet
Vaccinosis: chronic dis-ease caused by vaccines
Nosodes: alternative to conventional vaccines
List of holisitic veterinarians
Managing flea bites and hotspots naturally
Improving your animal's health with kelp
Library: holistic animal health
Animal training and behavior library
Training Shasta for personal protection


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



 


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...
 
 




 
 

Watch these Free Videos: 

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


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 
 


Search ShirleysWellnessCafe.com

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Possible Causes of Mysterious, Massive Death of Bees

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




Medicinal and Nutritional Rainforest Herbs for Pets  Dr. John Hanover, DVM - "The Amazon Herb formulas are convenient, easy to use and safe.  After every surgery, Recovazon and Sangre de Drago are applied to the incision prior to the animal waking. Recovazon™ is very effective to facilitate healing.  Sangre de Drago helps stop bleeding and seals the wound. 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.” 
 
 
 

Bird Education Website
 
 
 
 
 


Natural Animal Health category
Animal Diet and Nutrition category
 
 
 
 
 
 

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

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

Life's Abundance from Healthy Pet Net and Flint River Ranch offer quality pet food with only natural, wholesome ingredients and nutrient dense with vitamins, minerals, which are essential for the optimal health of your dog or cat.
Natural dog and cat food  Quality pet food with only natural, wholesome ingredients and nutrient dense with vitamins, minerals, fats and fatty acids which are essential for the optimal health of your dog or cat. learn more

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

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

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

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


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 animal  from tearing up surgical sutures, until healing is complete. I will never use such collar to prevent my dog or cat from licking skin eruptions, hot spots, or inflammed and  infected area on their bodies. The built in germicide found in the saliva of a dog or a cat amazingly heals wounds in record time. Any injuries are carefully licked and coated with antiseptic saliva from the tongue. This aids in preventing infection entering into a wound. Learn more
 
 
 
 

Marine Phytoplankton is great for pets too!  Marine Phytoplankton contains all the essential components of life. The percentage of rejuvenating elements in plankton remarkably exceeds those present in brewer's yeast and wheat germ. Plankton corrects the deficient or unbalanced nutrition, common in the customs of our present-day civilization of consuming incomplete foods, often with added chemical ingredients, which expose us to physiological problems as various as they are numerous. - Learn about Marine Phytoplankton Medical Miracles
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Share with others nature's gifts that assists us on our journey to optimal health and wellness.