Treating Pet Allergies Naturally

As pet owners, watching our furry friends suffer from allergies can be heart-wrenching. Whether it’s from seasonal changes, food sensitivities, or environmental factors, allergies can lead to persistent itching, digestive issues, and overall discomfort!

While conventional veterinary medicine often relies on medications (like Apoquel or the infamous Cytopoint injections) and steroid treatments (like prednisone and dexamethasone injections), holistic veterinary medicine offers a comprehensive approach to managing allergies by addressing the root causes and treating the body as a whole.

Understanding Allergies in Pets

Allergies in pets typically manifest in several ways:

1. REPEATED Skin irritations or infections or hot spots or rashes – this is seen in pets who are SUPER ITCHY and constantly scratching or licking themselves.
2. REPEATED Ear infections
3. Gastrointestinal upset. – Think about it – 90% of our immune system IS in our gut! So it makes sense that any type of immune response could result in diarrhea or any other GI sign!
4. Much, much more!

The Holistic Approach to Pet Allergies

Holistic veterinary medicine integrates various practices that aim to treat the whole animal rather than just the symptoms.

Here is a brief list of the holistic practices that we currently utilize:

1. Diet and Nutrition

Nutrition plays a crucial role in managing allergies!  We often recommend a holistic diet tailored to a pet’s specific needs. This might include:

• SPECIFIC PROTEINS: Identifying and removing allergenic ingredients from the diet to pinpoint food sensitivities.
• HIGH-QUALITY INGREDIENTS: Ensuring the diet is free from fillers, artificial additives, and preservatives that might exacerbate allergies.
• ANTI-INFLAMMATORY FOODS : Incorporating ingredients with anti-inflammatory properties!

2. Supplements

Supplements can support the immune system and reduce inflammation. Some commonly recommended supplements used in holistic medicine include:

• Probiotics: To support gut health, which is linked to immune function and allergic responses.
• Herbal Remedies: These can naturally soothe skin irritations and support overall wellness.
• Fish Oils: To reduce inflammation and improve skin health.

3. Veterinary Acupuncture

Acupuncture involves inserting fine needles into specific points on the body to promote healing and balance.

For pets with allergies, acupuncture can:

• Reduce Inflammation: By improving circulation and promoting the body’s natural healing processes.
• Enhance Immune Function: By stimulating the body’s regulatory systems.

4. Homeopathy

Homeopathic remedies are based on the principle of “like cures like,” using highly diluted substances to trigger the body’s healing responses. A holistic vet might use remedies to:

• Address Specific Allergy Symptoms: Such as itching or diarrhea.
• Support Overall Health: By boosting the pet’s resilience and reducing sensitivity to allergens.

5. Environmental Modifications

Holistic care often includes recommendations for reducing environmental allergens.   Individual recommendations always depend on the environment that the pet is exposed to on a daily basis – from daycare, to carpet, to grassy areas! 

6. Veterinary Ozone Therapy

Ozone therapy involves administering ozone (O₃), a molecule made up of three oxygen atoms, into the body. The therapy utilizes the unique properties of ozone to promote healing and boost overall health.  

Ozone therapy:

• Targeting underlying inflammation: A BIG component of ANY allergies is the immune system in overdrive!
• Boosting the immune system: Ozone therapy stimulates the immune system to reduce the severity of allergic reactions. Ozone therapy could be administered subcutaneously, rectally, or topically depending on what is going on with the pet.
• Enhancing Skin Health: Ozone has anti-microbial properties that can eliminate infections and promote healthy skin recovery.

Conclusion

Managing pet allergies doesn’t have to be a one-dimensional process. Holistic veterinary medicine offers a rich array of tools and strategies to support your pet’s health in a comprehensive way. By focusing on diet, supplements, acupuncture, homeopathy, environmental changes, and ozone therapy, you can help your furry friend find relief and improve their overall quality of life.

If allergies are causing your pet distress, call us! We can help!

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You can Treat Kidney Disease in Dogs and Cats Naturally

What is Kidney Disease?

Kidney disease and kidney failure in dogs and cats are extremely common diseases in dogs and cats. The kidneys in pets function to help to filter water as well as other nutrients in the body.

How do you know if your dog or cat has kidney disease?

Tests that your veterinarian can utilize to evaluate your dog’s kidneys are bloodwork (specifically looking at the Creatinine and the Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), urinalysis (analysis of the urine and how it concentrates), urine culture (culture of the urine to check for bacterial growth), and belly X-rays/ ultrasound.

Kidney disease appears in pets once at least 25% of the kidneys are no longer functioning.

Signs of kidney disease include but are not limited to:

• Increased drinking and urination
• Weight loss
• Decreased energy
• Decreased appetite
• Vomiting and nausea
• Clear urine
• And more . . . .

What are some ways to treat dog and cat kidney disease naturally?

Holistic treatments for kidney disease in dogs can include:

1. Veterinary acupuncture and acupressure

Veterinary acupuncture for treatment of kidney disease in dogs can increase blood flow to the kidney to promote healing, increase appetite and energy, and decrease nausea. Renal disease in dogs and cats can make them feel terrible – which makes them not want to eat.

The goal of acupuncture for the dog is always to encourage the body to heal itself.

Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) theory of kidney disease involves the idea of moving Qi (energy) to the area of damaged or stagnated Qi. Your holistic veterinarian will be able to select acupuncture points such as BL-23 (Bladder-23), BL-39 (Bladder-39), KID-3 (Kidney-3), and ST-36 (Stomach-36).

2. Subcutaneous ozone therapy

Subcutaneous ozone therapy involves hyper-saturation of saline with ozone. Ozone rapidly breaks down into oxygen within the body. Thus, subcutaneous ozone therapy allows your holistic veterinarian to increase the level of oxygen with your dog’s body. Increased oxygen levels allow for improved mitochondrial function, and improved cell growth within the body.

3. Herbal therapy

Herbal therapy for treatment of kidney disease in dogs utilizes specific Chinese herbal blends to support the kidney’s functions. These herbs could included Rehmannia blends, Hindquarter Weakness, and much, much more.

4. Food therapy.

Food therapy for treatment of kidney disease in dogs allows the body to utilize foods that are naturally nutritious for the damaged kidneys. Particular foods can include kidney beans, brown rice, and more!

Your holistic veterinarian will select these foods based on the underlying Traditional Chinese Veterinary Pattern.

These holistic therapies for dogs can be combined with Western medications and more. At Healing Paws Center, we have treated many cases with integrative care (combining Western and Eastern therapies) to obtain the optimal results.

We recommend starting acupuncture, and all of these holistic methods as soon as possible!

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Watch our awesome Dr. Jessie discuss COVID-19 and your pet . . .

COVID-19 downloadable document

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Did you know that gut health of your pet affects your pet’s mental and physical health?  You are what you eat as they say!

Just like humans, pets benefit from nutritional supplements and a balanced, healthy diet.  For example, fish oils are beneficial for your pet’s coat, cognitive function, kidney, heart, and joint health.  They also help to reduce overall inflammation in the body.  A balanced diet made for your pet’s individual needs may help your pet that has a sensitive stomach or to meet the needs of your pet athlete.

OK, so what great nutritional supplements should my pet be on, and where do I find them?

As a veterinarian trained in holistic animal medicine, I select products that are specifically formulated according to the highest research-based standards, AND held to strict quality control standards.  It is very important that ANY supplement you give your pet follows strict quality control and go through rigorous testing to make sure what they say on the label is true to what is in the bottle!  We should hold our pet’s supplements to the same standard as our own supplements!

Additionally, I create an individualized pet supplement based on the pet’s health requirements and overall physical examination.  Here at Healing Paws Center, I recommend investing in the research-based products we select – each product is specially vetted, and chosen with your pet in mind.

Products we recommend include:

• Nordic Naturals Omega-3 fatty acids (fish based Omega-3-fatty acids with high dose of EPA and DHA)
• Yunnan Baiyo (Chinese Herbal Therapy)

Concentrated fish oil is a GREAT source of omega-3-fatty acids for pets. These lower inflammation in the body.

Yunnan Baiyo is a powerful anti-cancer herb.

How do I make a balanced diet?  I’m interested in home-cooking for my dog or cat, or creating a top dressing but I don’t know where to start. 

Home-cooking for your pet is an opportunity to improve your pet’s overall health!  However, I strongly recommend consulting with us before starting your pet’s diet.  We work with a Board-certified Veterinary Nutritionist to create an individualized, BALANCED home-cooked recipe.  This means that the diet is balanced for micronutrients and vitamins – including Vitamin D, phosphorus, and calcium.

Your 10-month old Golden retriever puppy has different vitamin and micronutrient needs than your 10-year-old Boxer!  A lack of the appropriate micronutrients and vitamins can result in serious health conditions and problems.

If you are interested in making a balanced homemade diet and/or interested in beneficial nutritional supplements for your pet, call Healing Paws Center today to book an appointment with one of our holistic veterinarians!

Works Cited

EPA and DHA for Dogs: What are they and what are the benefits? (2012, December 20). Retrieved from https://petsci.co.uk/nutrition/epa-and-dha-for-dogs/

Linder, D. E., Linder, D. E., & Dacvn. (2018, October 25). Should I give fish oil to my pet? Retrieved from http://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2018/06/should-i-give-fish-oil-to-my-pet/

Heinze, C. R., Heinze, C. R., & Dacvn. (2018, October 26). Should you make your own pet food at home? Retrieved from http://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2016/07/should-you-make-your-own-pet-food-at-home/

Images

https://www.vetrxdirect.com/product/view/nordic-naturals-omega-3-pet-for-dogs-and-cats-otc

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Written By Dr. Jessie Dreyfuss, DVM, CVA, CCRT

If you have ever owned a pet, you have come to realize the typical signs of aging – slow to get into and out of the car, more reluctant to get up off that comfy bed or sofa in the morning, sleeping more often and for longer, etc.  But did you know that these changes could be a sign of painful pet arthritis?

In some animals, the signs can be more …. directly informative.  You may receive a quick bite or snap if you try to touch your pet’s backs or go near their hips.  Your pet may start to urinate or defecate in the house because making it to that back door or front door is just too far for them with their painful condition.   Your pet is in pain.

Do you know the signs of arthritis in your pet?

Did you know even cats can display signs of arthritic pain?

What is arthritis?

Arthritis is defined as an inflammation of a joint or multiple joints.  This tends to accumulate over time.  Therefore, as the cartilage of the joint starts to degrade, the joint endures pain, inflammation, and even restricted motion.  This means it hurts to get up, walk, or even move.

How can pet arthritis be diagnosed?

Arthritis can be definitively diagnosed by X-rays.  Your veterinarian can identify the suspicion of arthritis via thorough orthopedic and neurological examinations.

What options exist for treating pet arthritis?

Typically, your veterinarian will prescribe an anti-inflammatory medication (such as Carprofen, Rimadyl, Rovera, Previcox, etc.) .  This medication does not stop the advancement of pet arthritis – rather it will take away the inflammation associated with the constant bone-on-bone contact.  Unfortunately, studies have demonstrated that anti-inflammatory medications can damage the liver and the kidney significantly.

Fortunately, there are now holistic options for your pet – including acupuncture, laser therapy, herbal therapy and supplements, and physical therapy.

Fortunately, there are now holistic options for your pet – including acupuncture, laser therapy, herbal therapy and supplements, and physical therapy.

Why acupuncture for arthritis?

Acupuncture has been utilized extensively in the human field for managing pain and more.  Extremely thin needles are placed in precise locations on the body where there are bundles of nerves, arteries, and more.  By stimulating these areas, we are encouraging the body to release healing mast cells, bring in ‘feel good’ neurotransmitters like endorphins and dopamine, and call for the avalanche of reparative cytokines.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, pet acupuncture comes with minimal to no side effects.  You can learn more about acupuncture by clicking here.

Why laser therapy?

Laser therapy utilizes low-level light therapy to encourage ATP (the fuel of our cells) release from the cells.  So with this extra energy present, the cells can get to work healing the parts of the body that need it most – especially the arthritic joints.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, laser therapy comes with minimal to no side effects.  You can learn more about laser therapy by clicking here.

Why rehabilitation?

Physical therapy for pets is a new and growing field.  If you have a chronic injury or painful joint, where do most doctors send you?  They send you to physical therapy and physical therapists!

It makes sense that we should offer the same level and standard of care to our pets.  Physical therapy for dogs and cats can help improve that restricted motion, decrease pain through various modalities, and more.  Modalities such as TENS unit and underwater treadmill can help humans and animals alike!

You can learn more about rehabilitation therapy by clicking here.

Why herbal therapy and supplements?

In China, herbal therapies are utilized every day to help with daily ailments.  Ginger – the key element of ginger ale – is an herbal therapy that is recommended with any tummy upset.  Aspirin is made from the bark of the willow tree.  In truth, we utilize herbal therapies a lot more than we realize.

Herbal therapies can help decrease your pet’s pain naturally.  I strongly recommend several herbal therapies even when a pet is on an oral anti-inflammatory.

Herbal therapies can help decrease your pet’s pain naturally.

How can you help your pet with arthritis at home?

1. Sturdy footing – Get some yoga mats from YogaDirect.com or from TJ Maxx.  If your pet can’t grip the floor, then they certainly will not want to even try to get up.
2. Great harness – Protect your back and their back! You need a good, strong, washable harness that doesn’t require you to bend all the way down to pick up your pet.  We love the Help Em’ Up Harness and sell this product in our clinic.  It’s important to make sure that this harness fits appropriately – so be sure to bring your pet in for a free fitting.
3. Orthopedic beds – Check back to future blogs about the best orthopedic bed you can buy your pet!

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Just like humans, animals start to become more stiff and less flexible as they age.  As a result, most older animals tend to move more slowly (and with less enthusiasm) than when they were young.  Pet physical therapy (rehabilitation) for dogs, cats, and more (even bunnies!) allows us as human guardians to help keep our pets mobile and physically fit.

Be Alert To The Warning Signs

You don’t need to be a trained vet to see the signs.  In fact, the pet owner is the best person to spot the tell-tale signs.

Many owners believe their pet is not in pain – but then note that the pet will no longer jump into the car or onto the couch, walk as far as they used to on their daily leashed treks, jump up to greet them when they arrive home, and more.

These changes in behavior may be a hint from your pet that they are in pain and, thus, are avoiding certain activities that may increase their level of pain.

Pet Rehabilitation Goals

Goals for physical rehab can include increasing strength, improving range of motion and flexibility, pain control, weight loss, and more.

Additionally, there are a number of home exercises that you can do with your pet to maintain the benefits of every treatment session!

Studies have documented that physically fit animals live longer overall and develop signs of chronic disease much LATER in their lifetime than their counterparts – this means more healthy, active years with your pet! (1)

So What Happens During Pet Rehab Sessions?

There are a number of treatments and techniques that a trained practitioner can use.  Each treatment plan is tailored to meet the individual goals and needs of the patient.  Some common treatments include:

• Massage
• Thermo and Cryotherapy
• Passive Range of Motion (flexing and extending a joint to its limits)
• Balance Exercises (balance boards, wobble boards, physio balls)
• Coordination Exercises (walking over and around obstacles)
• Strengthening Exercises (inclined walking, stairs, ramps)
• Hydrotherapy (swimming, underwater treadmill)
• Electrical Stimulation (stimulate muscles and/or nerves with mild electrical currents)
• Acupuncture

How To Get Started

As in human medicine, it is always essential to have general wellness screening (bloodwork, X-rays, etc.) to rule out other potential causes of musculoskeletal pain and stiffness before starting physical therapy.

The ultimate focus of any therapy should always be to improve your pet’s quality of life.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about pet rehabilitation.  We are here to help you and your pet!

Works cited:

1. Kealy et al. Effects of diet restriction on life span and age-related changes in dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 1; 220 (9): 1315 – 20.

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