alternative treatment for pets

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Leaky Gut Syndrome

Leaky gut syndrome (intestinal permeability) can affect animals in a similar manner as it does people.  When the intestinal lining develops spaces between cells, food, toxins and bacteria are able to get through the intestines and into the bloodstream.  This can then result in digestive issues, bacterial overgrowth, and inflammation.  Since the body is not fully absorbing all the nutrients being supplied, the immune system is weakened and a vicious cycle within the body takes place.  This is often the root cause of many diseases such as itchy skin, ear infections, irritable bowel syndrome, diabetes, and autoimmune disorders.

Causes of leaky gut syndrome are many and include a diet of highly processed and grain based foods, vaccinations, steroids, chlorine, chemical dewormers, chemical flea & tick treatments, antibiotics, and stress.

This can be a challenge but, the good news is with time, the gut can be repaired.  First you must stop causing further damage so replace the processed, grain based foods with a fresh, preferably raw food diet that does not include any grains at all.  Remove all sugars and dairy from the diet.  Reduce vaccinations and stop or at least limit the use of chemicals and pesticides.

Once you have stopped causing damage, these foods should be added into the diet to help repair the gut and replenish the good bacteria;  kefir (goat’s milk or coconut), fermented foods, bone broth, and coconut oil.  Also add a good probiotic and digestive enzymes to the animal’s food prior to feeding.  Healing herbs such as slippery elm, marshmallow, and turmeric can also be added to help reduce discomfort and help heal the body.

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Disease Causing Agents

There are many causes of disease and each individual is vulnerable to different things.  Toxins that negatively affect one person or animal may affect another completely different or not at all.  Also, the threshold of the accumulative effects of toxins and other stressors on the body also varies by individual.

A few of the most significant disease causing agents that are harmful to humans as well as our dogs and cats are listed below:

Vaccines – these can damage the immune system by overstimulating and weakening the body.  All too often pets have reactions shortly after receiving vaccinations, such as rashes, swellings, allergies, auto-immune diseases, and cancer.

Toxic Chemicals – these can be released into the air and absorbed into the body.  The list is many, but some common ones include household cleaners, yard chemicals such as fertilizers, weed killers and pest repellents and certain plastics used in bowls, toys, and beds.  As well as additives and coloring agents often found in processed foods.

Heavy Metals – these are found in the environment, our foods, and used in vaccinations and have been proven to damage the nervous system.

The following is just some of the ways in which we can help our pets and reduce our exposure to these disease causing agents which have been proven to cause harm:

•   Reduce the use of vaccinations in your dog or cat.  Evaluate your risks based on your exposure and give only the core vaccinations needed.  When you do vaccinate, never do more than one at a time and wait at least two weeks between vaccinations to give the body a chance to recover.  Run titers annually thereafter to verify immunity.  Additional booster shots will not protect your pet any further.

•   Eliminate chemical insecticides and replace with nontoxic alternatives.  There are many natural insect repellents for home use and for topical use on humans as well as dogs and cats.

•   Stop using herbicides altogether, not only are you putting your own family at risk, you are also putting everyone around you at risk.  There are natural alternatives to help eliminate weeds and turn your grass green.

•   Avoid products that contain BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin, GMOs and others.  Start eating and providing your pets with fresh foods instead of processed.  Use organic and locally sourced products whenever possible.

As general good practice you should increase your intake and provide your pets with detoxifying foods (appropriate amounts based on species, size, age, health condition,… of course) such as raw leafy greens, apples, garlic, and fresh herbs.

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Why do we need to supplement the diet?

Most commercial pet foods provide the minimum amount of nutrition to maintain adequate health.  Factor in the contamination of our environment along with the chemical additives in many commercial products and it is clear that excellent health cannot be sustained with minimal nutrition.  Many home prepared diets are not well-balanced and the amount of nutrition the body requires is hard to get through food alone.  In addition, our soils are not as fertile as they once were.  Thanks to commercial farming and agrochemicals the soils have degraded over time.

Many recent studies show that individual nutrients at supplemental dosages (higher than those found through diet alone) have significant effects on the prevention and treatment of a number of diseases and even serious illnesses such as cancer and heart disease.

A supplemental program should be based on the individual needs of the animal and it’s always best to get input from a qualified practitioner because it is possible to create health problems due to over supplementation.  The breed, overall health, age, activity level, diet, stress and other factors must be considered when designing the program.  Supplements come in powders, capsules, and tablets.  The easiest way to give supplements to animals is to mix it into the food at the time of feeding.  Powders are mixed directly into the food at the time of feeding.  Capsules can be opened and mixed into the food, and tablets can be crushed and mixed into the food.  In addition, if the animal will take it, they can be given directly by mouth.

Remember, when thinking about making changes to improve health, the first step is to improve the diet because high quality, wholesome foods are the basis of nutrition and overall health.  A healthy, balanced diet is the foundation which will be supported by everything else.

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Acupressure for animals

Acupressure is similar to acupuncture except instead of using needles the fingers are used to apply pressure to specific points along the meridian lines.  It has been used for thousands of years on both people and animals with great success.  As with acupuncture it can be used on dogs, cats, horses, and other animals to reduce pain, inflammation and to address many other health conditions.  It is gentle, noninvasive, and most animals tolerate it well.  It can be used alone as a proactive part of your wellness plan or as a complement to other modalities to address specific health concerns.

Acupressure is also a good choice for addressing behavioral issues in animals such as aggression, fear, and anxiety.  When done properly, it has a calming effect and when used regularly it can resolve many problems that otherwise do not have a cure.

Complementary or alternative medicine is a good choice for those who prefer to use natural means instead of medicines when applicable.

 

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Holistic care for pets

Holistic or alternative medicine is primarily based on common sense and has been used safely and effectively for thousands of years.  A holistic approach to animal wellness is a more natural, basic, and simpler approach than many conventional treatments.  We start by looking at all aspects of health (mind, body, spirit, and environment).  We use nutrition as a foundation (preferably a biologically appropriate diet for cats and dogs) and develop a health plan that works to bring the whole patient back in balance. This unleashes the body’s own healing power and the path to wellness begins because the body knows what to do from here.  When all aspects of health remain in balance an individual will thrive, they have the ability to resist disease, and they respond well to the challenges of life.

Proper nutrition, working with foods for healing and immune strength, herbal treatments, massage, homeopathy, chiropractic, and acupuncture are just some of the various holistic modalities available to both animals and humans.