Immune Mediated Thrombocytopenia

Posted on November 14, 2012 by hpiadmin

My dog is 3 years old and when she received her one year set of immunization she became very ill. She had internal bleeding and a very high white blood cell count. She was diagnosed with Immune Mediated Thrombocytopenia. Presently she is on 25mg of azathioprine daily. I get a CBC done monthly to monitor her cell count. If the level of white cells increase she gets put on a low dose of Prednisone. I feed her a diet of Go dry food and supplement it with Natures Variey frozen chunks. She also gets Urban Wolf wild salmon oil. Is there any natural supplement that I could be giving her to help with this condition? I would like to get her off the steroid and the Azathioprine. Any information you can provide will be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time.

Hello,
Thank you for your inquiry to Holistic Pet Info. Immune mediated responses to vaccines unfortunately happen frequently enough to rethink yearly protocols. Azathioprine is an anti-inflammatory that is also considered an immunosuppressant. Prednisone is also an immunosuppressant, both of which will take some time to wean your dog off if and when she is healthy enough to do so.

Cell Advance by Vetri-Science is a high-quality anti-oxidant for total body support.

Natures Variety and Go! Natural dog foods are both well balanced diets that should help keep her at the highest level of nutrition. Once you start her on the supplement and continue to monitor her progress work closely with your vet to discuss when she is able to be weaned from the immunosuppressant’s. Best of luck.
Sincerely,
Colleen Smith DVM, CVA

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Heartworm Disease and Parasite Dr.

Posted on November 13, 2012 by hpiadmin

My yorkie dog is three years old and is not heartworm positive. He is on the conventional treatment (montly pill). Can I give to him Parasite Dr just for prevention instead of the montly pill?

Thank you very much for your answer.

Response:

Hello,

Thank you for your inquiry to Holistic Pet Info. Parasite Dr. is an excellent supplement that contains herbs that support the immune and digestive system during and after a parasite related problem. This supplement cannot kill the adult heartworm, so I would highly recommend continuing his conventional preventative.

Heartworms are a serious disease that is by far healthier for an animal prevented than treating after infection. Best of luck.
Sincerely,
Colleen Smith DVM, CVA

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RDA of Vitamins for Dogs

Posted on November 12, 2012 by hpiadmin

We are trying to find out the recommended daily intakes of all nutrients for dogs but can’t find any conclusive figures. Can you tell us the RDA of all vitamins and minerals – particularly A, D, B2, B5 and copper as we are concerned that these levels are too low for our dog. Please note our pets are between 25 – 30kg.

Thank you very much.
B. H. and L. G.

Answer:

The book, “Home prepared Dog and Cat Diets – The Healthful Alternative” by Dr. Donald Strombeck, has ALL the vitamin, mineral, protein, fat and carbohydrate recommendations established by the National Research Council. It also contains information on balancing a diet, food quality, food safety and recommended home cooked diets for management of diseases. It is my number one diet and nutrition reference.

How are you determining these particular vitamin deficiencies? Vitamin A and D can easily be over dosed and therefore toxic to the animal if supplemented incorrectly. What are their signs of deficiency? I highly recommend you see a holistic veterinarian who specializes in nutrition.

You may want to try a multi-vitamin for dogs, which are a well-balanced combination of nutrients that can supplement your dogs while also on a high quality, natural diet. It is much easier and less stressful for pets when you can limit the number pills and supplements given on a daily basis.

Sincerely,
Colleen Smith DVM, CVA

Another source for information on vitamin dosage amounts for animals is www.peteducation.com. Search on “Vitamins.”

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Allergic to Pets? Reduce Pet Dander

Posted on November 9, 2012 by hpiadmin

Years ago I read in a health book that you can give a supplement to animals to make them less allergic to humans. I would appreciate any information.
Thank you.

Hello,
Thank you for your inquiry to Holistic Pet Info. I highly recommend weekly shampoos to decrease the saliva and dander on the fur. Using tea tree oil and aloe vera are soothing and healthy for the skin.
There are also homeopathic remedies for humans that are specific for the reactions the person has to an allergen. The web site http://www.everydayhealth.com/allergies/index.aspx has a list of homeopathic remedies that fit the individuals imbalances.

Also adding a supplement to support your pet’s hair coat may reduce the amount of dander. I recommend Ultimate Skin and Coat by NaturVet to maintain the health of your pet’s coat and overall health. Hope this gives you a good place to start.

Sincerely,
Colleen Smith DVM, CVA

Holistic Pet Info now carries several new products to help promote a healthy coat and reduce shedding in pets.  See Dr. Harvey’s Health and Shine.

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Dog Vomiting Bile

Posted on November 8, 2012 by hpiadmin

My dog is having a problem with vomiting bile 2-3 times a week. Had all kinds of tests that are negative. I believe he has some type of gastritis from eating grass, etc. outside. Can I use Digestive Support and Gastiplex together? Which would you suggest to use?

Thank you.

Hello,
Thank you for your inquiry to Holistic Pet Info. Many gastrointestinal issues stem from autoimmune diseases, food allergies or Inflammatory Bowel Disease. An ideal starting place to balance intestinal irritation and healthy bacteria would be supplements such as Gastriplex and Vetri-Probiotics BD.

I specifically recommend a holistic well balanced diet that contains whole proteins and grains with no preservatives or food dyes. There are many new high quality foods available that are much healthier for pets than commercial dog foods. Well-balanced home-prepared diets have excellent results with food allergies with decreasing or even eliminating gastrointestinal issues. Best of luck.
Sincerely,
Colleen Smith DVM, CVA

Learn more about Food Allergies in Pets.

Learn more about Probiotics for Dogs and Cats.

 

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Gastriplex for Soft Stools and Food Allergies

Posted on November 5, 2012 by hpiadmin

My sisters dog, (beagle-bulldog mix) has had soft stools since it was born. It is now ten months old and has been to four veterinarians and still has the same problem. She was check for parasites, worms, etc., and was given a clean bill of health yet she still has the same problem. She has been on several different types of dog foods for “sensitive intestines” and still no effect at all. She is losing weight and is down to about twelve pounds. Is there something holistically that can be done for her. We’ll try just about anything. Please help!

Hello,
Thank you for your inquiry to Holistic Pet Info. Since the dog was checked for parasites and declared parasite free was she still treated for Giardia and Coccidia? They are commonly not found on fecal tests but often treated for therapeutically to rule out those parasites.

It appears the dog may have a food allergy. Commercial dog foods for sensitive intestines can still have proteins and carbohydrates that are allergenic. I would highly suggest a holistic food with a “novel” protein and carbohydrate, such as venison or bison and sweet potato or brown rice. The best results may come from a home cooked diet. I highly suggest Home Prepared Dog and Cat Diets by Donald Strombeck, DVM, PhD. It has numerous well-balanced high quality diets to offer with the nutrition content and requirements for all size dogs.

I also recommend Gastriplex by Thorne to decrease inflammation in the GI tract and digestive enzymes to aid the breakdown of nutrients. Secondary advice from a holistic veterinarian should also give you additional alternatives to conventional diagnostics and treatments. Best of luck.
Sincerely,
Colleen Smith DVM, CVA

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Support for Kidney Disease in Dogs

Posted on November 2, 2012 by hpiadmin

My mini dashchund has been diagnosed as being in the beginning stages of kidney disease. The vet has suggested she be on a strict diet of Science Diet Kidney Disease formula only. She is 14 yrs old. I have had two other mini dashchunds in the past who were fed Science Diet their whole lives and in their 14th yr of age the vet stated they had kidney disease and prescribed Science Diet KD for them. The end result was euthanization. I do not wish to repeat the process with my current dog and I am looking for a holistic means to assist her to have a quality life as long as possible with natural medicine. What holistic therapy do you suggest? Thank you for your kind assistance in this matter. N. H.

Hello,
Thank you for your inquiry to Holistic Pet Info. There are three major reasons for kidney disease and failure – poor quality nutrition, chronic disease and toxic insult. Commercial foods primarily have inadequate and improper proteins, toxic preservatives/dyes, too many carbohydrates and low moisture content. Environmental toxins, overvaccinating and stress are also incredible burdens placed on kidneys as well as the liver and heart.

Proper nutrition, hydration and supplementation are important in lessening the decline and failure of the kidneys. Several supplements I recommend are Small Animal Antioxidant by Thorne to decrease oxidative stress, Cell Advance 440 by Vetri-Science with B and C vitamins to help replenish the vitamins lost due to the inability of the kidneys to recycle and retain these nutrients in the body. B vitamins also improve the appetite and attitude. Super EPA by Thorne is also an excellent supplement to help reduce inflammation and improve blood flow to the kidneys.

I highly advise changing your dog’s diet from his commercial food to a fresh home cooked diet. You can improve the quality of his protein, increase the water content, and maintain a balanced diet free of preservatives and by products. An excellent resource for kidney diets is Home-Prepared Dog and Cat Diets: The Healthful Alternative by Donald Strombeck, DVM, PhD. Acupuncture is also a great tool to stimulate kidney and immune function. Working in conjunction with a holistic veterinarian should greatly help you with balanced and alternative choices for your dog. Best of luck.
Sincerely,
Colleen Smith DVM, CVA

Holistic Pet Info also suggests Renal Essentials by Vetri-Science, a supplement that supports kidney functions by improving renal blood flow and strengthening the immune response to foreign substances in the urinary tract.

 

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Feline Asthma

Posted on November 1, 2012 by hpiadmin

My cat was recently treated for asthma with a steroid. His attacks stopped, but it was followed with an upper respiratory problem which was then treated with antibiotics. He’s fine now but I still notice his nose wet most of the time, and since I’ve heard that Persians are susceptible to respiratory problems, I would like to get your suggestion on a natural remedy I can purchase from your website to assist in preventing respiratory problems for him.
Thanks so much in advance for your assistance.

Hello,
Thank you for your inquiry to Holistic Pet Info. There are several excellent supplements you may offer specifically for respiratory infections and to support the immune system.
Respo-K by PetAlive helps reduce the symptoms of respiratory tract infections, decreases the length the clinical signs and strengthens the immune system. Immugen by Thorne is also exceptional for our pets prone to immune disorders. Due to the anatomy of Persian faces, they are called brachycephalic breeds, their extremely short noses can cause chronic respiratory issues.

Also to help reduce your cat’s Asthma attacks, you may want to consider AmazaPet by PetAlive. It can aid in reducing the severity and length of asthma attacks if administered at the first sign of problems. Best of luck.
Sincerely,
Colleen Smith DVM, CVA

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Cat with Iris Melanoma

Posted on October 29, 2012 by hpiadmin

My 10 yr old male cat (Milo) has recently been diagnosed with secondary glaucoma and it is thought to be the result of iris melanoma. The initial pressure in his eye was 69, but has come down to the 36-39 range after using the medication Cosopt. During a recent visit, intraocular hemorrhage was noted. The ophthalmologist has recommended enucleation due to the continuous high pressure and to prevent the possible spread of the possible melanoma. My concern with surgery in addition to his age is the fact that he has a heart murmur. I do not know the degree of his cardiac condition or if the cancer has by chance spread already.

I’m sure his vision is permanently gone, his eye remains black, and has recently showed signes of edema. We have started him on Neopolydex again for the inflammation.  Milo also has a history of struvite crystals, which recently has caused him some trouble. Cosequin was prescribed and has seemed to help.

Have you had experience with this type of condition? I am hoping to come up with an alternative to enucleation due to Milo’s age, his cardiac condition, and due to the fact that he seems comfortable most days. Do you have any suggestions for products that I should use? It would be so wonderful to get Milo’s pressure down further by natural means. Also, I would like to make sure I am giving Milo what he needs so his body will be able to fight cancer if he indeed has melanoma.
Hello,

Thank you for your inquiry to Holistic Pet Info. Milo does have some complex issues. It’s good that his ocular pressure has gone down but with the melanoma will most likely not return to normal. I agree with the ophthalmologist that the eye should be removed. Since he has already lost vision, this procedure would be to decrease pain, minimize the spread of the melanoma and any further complications in the eye. I highly recommend having a cardiology workup to evaluate his cardiac status. It should give you a more definitive answer to make a decision with the eye.

Support for the healthy eye and his heart is important. I recommend Ocu-Clear for vision protection and Heart and Circulation Tonic for his cardiac condition. A critical issue for Milo’s health is his diet. I also recommend changing his diet to a high protein, moderate fat and low carbohydrate. This will help to keep him in good body condition and the low carbohydrate diet reduces the energy source for cancer cells. Immugen and PetAlive C-Caps are excellent formulas with antitumor herbs and nutrients that inhibit the growth of tumors. Best of luck.
Sincerely,
Colleen Smith DVM, CVA

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Puppy with Loose Stools

Posted on October 26, 2012 by hpiadmin

I have a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel that is 5 months old and has had loose stools since we got him. He was treated with an antibiotic and once that was done the stools became loose again. He was on the diet of hamburger & rice for two weeks. I have tried pectin and that has helped get him to a pudding state. I am looking for some more help.

Hello,
Thank you for your inquiry to Holistic Pet Info. A few questions, what was the antibiotic he was treated with and for how long? If he was being treated for coccidia he may need to be on a longer duration of treatment since the diarrhea returned after finishing. I’m concerned he was on hamburger and rice for so long as a puppy since that is not a balanced and nutritious diet.

I highly recommend a holistic natural whole meat and grain diet for puppies. Some dogs with chronic diarrhea respond to a well-balanced home cooked diet, which includes vegetables, vitamins and healthy fats.  You might consider Gastriplex by Thorne – it has probiotics which may have greater effect on the GI.  RuniPoo Relief by PetAlive may also aid is relieving the diarrhea, but I advise to make sure the dog has been tested for internal parasites.

Food allergies may also cause chronic GI problems, and I highly advise speaking with a holistic veterinarian to find the root of this issue and bring your dog back to a stable state of health. Best of luck.
Sincerely,
Colleen Smith DVM, CVA

Follow up question:

Hi!
The pup was on the antibiotic for two sessions. He is cleared of parasites. I did have him on a food supplement with vitamins in addition to the ham/rice diet. Do you have a specific recipe for the home cooked meat, vegetable, vitamin & oil regimen? I will try the Gastriplex. Could you help me with the diet plan?
Thank you!

Hello,
I’m delighted you are interested in a home cooked diet and I have a suggestion in lieu of me writing a novels worth of diet information. An excellent reference to help you with the food, vitamins and proper caloric intake for your dog is Home-Prepared Dog and Cat Diets the Healthful Alternative, by Donald Stombeck, DVM, PhD. You can find it on the web, and it’s my first source for diets. It has a large and varied selection of diets for most health issues. It would be much simpler for you to use this book as it also has information on food quality, safety, energy requirements and dietary management of diseases. This reference can answer most of all your questions. Best of luck.
Sincerely,
Colleen Smith DVM, CVA

 

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