Quercetin for you and your dog

Quercetin is a wonderful supplement for dogs or humans suffering from allergies or asthma. Quercetin is a bioflavonoid (or flavonoid), which is a type pigment found in almost all herbs, fruits, and vegetables. It is also an antioxidant. a natural anti-histamine, and anti-inflammatory supplement

Research has shown that Quercetin’s antihistamine action may help to relieve allergy symptoms and asthma symptoms. Quercetin helps treat allergies by blocking the secretion of histamine in the body. Histamine is what causes inflammation and swelling. The symptoms of a histamine reaction can be stuffy nose, itchy eyes, sneezing, itchy or red skin, runny eyes and more. The anti-inflammatory properties may help to reduce pain from disorders such as arthritis.

Quercetin supplements are also available in concentrated powders and tablet or capsule form. It is often packaged with bromelain (an enzyme found in pineapple), another substance that has been found useful for treatment of allergies and inflammation, which is thought to increase the absorption of Quercetin.

I personally use the Solaray Brand since it has bromelain in the formula. The Solaray formula comes in capsules, which makes it is easy to break one apart and sprinkle on your dog’s food. For more information on dosages for dogs please read the post:Do the Math

You can find it at most natural food stores or online.

Treating Allergies Naturally… for you & your dog

Allergies effect both humans and dogs. Here are a few tips to help relieve the sneezing, itching and snorting!

Allergies can be seasonal or year round, depending on the culprit. The usual triggers include pollen, mold, yeast, pet dander, dust mite particles, and foods. The top 5 trigger foods that cause allergies in dogs and people are:
• wheat (and wheat gluten)
• corn
• soy
• eggs
• dairy

In my canine acupuncture practice, I have found that it takes a combination of herbs and/or supplements, a change in diet and a round of acupuncture sessions to help relieve the symptoms of allergies and boost the immune system. I strongly recommend that the dog takes herbs unless it is on drugs that would cause a negative reaction.

Here are a few tips for dogs with allergies.
• Feed him only foods that are free of wheat, corn or soy.
• Use a glass or stainless steel water and food bowl to prevent mold growth.
• Give him the supplement, Quercetin. (tomorrow’s blog post will cover Quercetin.)
• Do a round of acupuncture with Chinese herbal formulas
• Use an air filter in your home.

PLEASE NOTE that the following information below is for people suffering from allergies NOT dogs!

Allergy season is almost here. If you suffer from springtime allergies try adding a little raw, unfiltered local honey to your tea every morning. Try to find honey that is made within 20 miles of your home.

The theory behind this remedy is that daily exposure to a small amount of an allergen can desensitize the body. This helps the body to resist the allergen in the long run.

Other ways to boost your immune system during this allergy season:
• Get more sleep.
• Take your vitamins.
• Soak in a warm bath infused with apple cider vinegar.
• Add garlic to your meals.
• Breath. Relax. Laugh!
• Add an air filter to your bedroom.
• Get a massage.
• Add Quercetin to your daily supplements.
• Get an Acupuncture Tune-Up.

Do the Math: Supplement Dosages for Dogs

When you purchase nutritional supplements for your dog, you may only be able to find human versions of the products. That’s okay, but be careful about using recommended dosages. Dosage information for most supplements is based on the needs of an average person of about 125 pounds in weight. To calculate your dog’s needs, consult with your pet health practitioner, or do the math yourself:

Divide your dog’s weight by 125. For example: 40/125 = .32

Multiply the recommended dosage by this number: For example: 3
tablets, twice per day. 3 X .32 = .96.

So, rounding the final number a bit, the dosage of this supplement for
a 40 pound dog would be 1 tablet, twice per day.

Four Paws Acupuncture is reminding everyone to turn off their lights tonight at 8:30pm-9:30pm for Earth Hour. We can all make positive effort to save this planet together.

Thank you!

The Salem News
By Cate Lecuyer
staff writer

BEVERLY — People will always come first, but when disaster strikes, pets run a very close second.

Now, the Beverly and Salem fire departments will be equipped with oxygen masks for cats and dogs, thanks to a $1,500 donation from a Beverly Rotary Club holiday fundraiser.

Each of the five firetrucks in Beverly and the six in Salem will have on board a small, medium and large oxygen mask specifically designed to help animals — from search dogs on the scene to a kitten pulled from a fire.

“One of the simplest yet most effective things you can do is give them oxygen,” said Lori Gordon, a veterinarian for FEMA Urban Search and Rescue. “If you can provide them with oxygen, you may be able to get to a vet.”

She demonstrated the device on Coriander, her shepherd mix, during yesterday’s Rotary meeting at the Danversport Yacht Club.

“It used to be it was very looked down upon to do anything for animals,” she said. “It was humans only. That has changed.”

When Hurricane Katrina devastated Louisiana in 2005, it was a turning point, Gordon said.

“Some people wouldn’t leave their animals and died there,” she said. Since then, those involved in rescue and disaster relief efforts have paid more attention to pets, and Gordon is no exception.

“Anything I can do to promote helping animals, I say ‘absolutely,’” she said. Gordon helped secure the sets of oxygen masks from VetAmerica and agreed to give both fire departments free training in the masks’ use and how to perform CPR on pets.”

PLEASE NOTE: This information is for humans with allergies not dogs with allergies. I will be posting more information soon for dogs suffering with allergies.

Allergy season is almost here. If you suffer from springtime allergies try adding a little raw, unfiltered local honey to your tea every morning. Try to find honey that is made within 20 miles of your home.

The theory behind this remedy is that daily exposure to a small amount of an allergen can desensitize the body. This helps the body to resist the allergen in the long run.

Other ways to boost your immune system during this allergy season:

* Get more sleep.
* Take your vitamins.
* Soak in a warm bath infused with apple cider vinegar.
* Add garlic to your meals.
* Breath….Relax… Laugh!
* Get a massage.
* Get an Acupuncture Tune-Up
Visit the The Acupuncture Center of Salem for more information on acupuncture for people.

A Pawsitive Break

Four Paws Acupuncture will be closed from Wednesday March 25th through Monday March 30th. I will not be making any house-calls, returning emails or phone calls during this time.

If you would like to schedule a house-call, order herbs or have any concerns please contact me by Tuesday 3/24/09. I apologize for any inconvenience.

Regular acupuncture house-call hours will resume on Tuesday March 31, 2009.

Four Paws Acupuncture House-call Appointment Hours:

* Tuesday: 11:00am – 7:00pm
* Wednesday: 10:30am – 7:00pm
* Thursday: 12:00pm – 7:00pm
* Friday: 10:30am – 6:00pm
* Saturday: Emergency appointments only.
* Closed Sundays and Holidays.

Thank you,
jeanie marie

“Hip dysplasia is an abnormal formation of the hip socket that, in its more severe form, can eventually cause crippling lameness and painful arthritis of the joints. It is a polygenic trait, that is affected by environmental factors in the production of the final phenotype. It can be found in many animals and occasionally in humans, but is most commonly associated with dogs, and is common in many dog breeds, particularly the larger breeds.” to read more about canine hip dysplasia click on wikipedia

Acupuncture and Chinese herbs are very effective in treating canine hip dysplasia. Here are a few more tips on how to ease your dog’s pain:

Cold and damp weather makes the pain and discomfort of hip dysplasia worse. Keep your dog in a warm place away from drafts. Make sure there is a bed or rug to lay on and keep him off the damp cold ground. Cover when possible.

Use a ThermaCare lumbar heat wrap. Wrap it around the waist close to the hips and attach underneath with the velcro. Make sure it is not too tight. Or you can order a flax wrap for your dog from http://www.k9flaxwrap.com.

Give your dog a wheat-free diet. Wheat has been proven to exacerbate the pain of arthritis and hip dysplasia. Cook for your dog if possible. A few dog food brands that do not contain wheat are Solid Gold, California Naturals, Blue, Wellness, Halo.

Give your dog an Omega 3 oil supplement. It will help lubricate the joints, help the coat and ease stress.

Hip & Joint Supplement by HALO is a wonderful supplement for any dog or cat with hip problems and arthritis.

Treats that are wheat-free and great for arthritis made worse with cold are Solid Gold Cinnabones.

For more information on veterinary acupuncture and Chinese herbs please visit www.fourpawsacupuncture.com

This is one of my patients, Nikki a feisty nine year old Schnauzer who just recently celebrated her ninth birthday. During the summer of 2005, Nikki somehow man-aged to injure her rear cruciate ligament.

You can read all about how traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, a change of diet and a whole lot of love helped Nikki on www.squidoo.com/canine-cruciate-ligament

To read about more dogs who had positive results with acupuncture and TCM please visit the Four Paws Acupuncture Happy Dogs page.

Max, is a 7 year old Briard who was injured last year during an agility training session. Working with Max was so much fun. He is full of personality and is larger than life. Although his owners claim he is a full bred Braird, I am certain he is part Wookie (from Star Wars).

The Briard is a large breed of dog, one of many herding breeds. They are very intelligent and quite stunning to see in person. For more information on Briards visit wikepedia.com

Traditional Chinese Medicine includes incorporating good nutrition, acupuncture, herbs and change of lifestyle. Fortunately Max’s owners feed him a well balanced and healthy diet. I was very happy that I did not have to give them my usual lecture on the importance of good nutrition for dogs. Max was treated by using a combination of acupuncture, tui na ( a form of Chinese massage), laser acupuncture and Chinese herbal liniments. His owners made sure he was completely recovered before allowing him to resume agility training.

After several treatments and lots of extra love from his owners, Max is now able to jump and attend classes again.

Below is his story told by his owner.

“About 4 months ago our 7-year-old Briard Max slipped off a 4-foot high dog walk during an agility training session. The next morning he could not walk on his front left leg. The verdict from the vet was ‘this might require surgery.’

Fortunately we heard about the possibility treat the torn ligaments using the Chinese Medicine. After consulting with Jeanie Marie Kraft of Four Paws Acupuncture we started Max on a regimen of acupuncture and massages with a Chinese liniment. Needless to say there wouldn’t be any jumping in the foreseeable future for Max, a tough task for the highest titled obedience performance Briard in North America
(11 US and Canadian titles).
Now it is 3 1/2 months later and CH Glendrovers Sir Maxwell UDX, CanOTCH is back to doing what he likes best – obedience and agility performance.

Thank you Jeanie Marie for getting our baby back in the performance competition arena!”
Marion and Team Briard