complementary healthcare 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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Clinical Pet Nutrition

Nutrition for Our pets, LLC offers clinical pet nutrition consultations for dog and cat caregivers.  We are well versed in homemade diets, herbs, vitamins, homeopathy, and complimentary care for companion animals.

Clinical pet nutritionists are trained in the use of food as medicine.  We help pet parents select an optimal diet for their dog or cat based on the animal’s individual needs.  We start with a biologically appropriate diet to help build and maintain health.  We can select from commercially available foods or teach you how to make a homemade, balanced diet for your animal.  When needed nutritional supplements can be used to nourish the body and/or correct nutritional deficiencies.

Whole foods, herbal supplements, vitamins, and many holistic modalities have been used successfully for thousands of years to support both humans and animals maintain health.  Although we are becoming more advanced in our society, we are continuously reminded that nature has provided us many of the tools needed to deal with our everyday environment.  As we move further away from nature we see a greater decline in health and an increase in the development of disease and discomfort.

There are many alternatives and we can help you to choose what is right for your animal, while supporting your lifestyle and budget.  Knowing that we are all vulnerable to different things, a holistic approach is taken to ensure all aspects of health are considered and a custom, written plan is provided to each client.  Your holistic health assessment includes our continued support.  We work with you until the defined objectives are met and improvement is achieved.

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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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Acupuncture for dogs and cats

Acupuncture is based on the concept of qi which loosely translates to “energy”.  In both humans and animals, the qi or energy affects how well the body functions overall.

Acupuncture needles are inserted into the body at specific locations along the meridians of energy.  The needles stimulate the sensory nerve endings and send impulses up through the spinal cord to various parts of the brain.  By stimulating these points, normal energy flow is restored and the body’s natural ability to heal itself is restored over time.

Acupuncture can put an animal’s energy back in balance regardless of the medical condition.  It can reduce pain, enhance the quality of life, and even extend life for cases where other treatments have failed.  Acupuncture can improve the function of the kidneys, restore hearing loss, treat acute as well as chronic disorders, treat anterior crucial problems, and also be used as preventative healthcare and maintenance.

  • Pain relief – many veterinarians say it provides the best pain relief, especially for chronic conditions.
  • Relief of musculoskeletal problems such as arthritis, disc disorders, lameness, and back problems.
  • Neurological problems such as hindquarter weakness, partial paralysis, and epilepsy.
  • Gastrointestinal disorders such as chronic vomiting and diarrhea.
  • Enhances the immune system.
  • Postponement of surgery in high risk cases by helping the body to gain strength.
  • Postsurgical healing such as pain relief and restoration of motion.

For more information or to locate a veterinary acupuncturist in your area, see below:

American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association:  http://www.ahvma.org/

International Veterinary Acupuncture Society:  https://www.ivas.org/