O’ peppermint tea -
two delights per sip
as steamy hot as passion
cool as a wintry lake dip
~Astrid Alauda

One of my favorite spots to nap is on the balcony among the peppermint. It smells so good. And i think it must keep those pesky bugs away. I simply adore it. Of course i am from the South where this plant is revered by proper old ladies who drink tea and mint juleps!

Peppermint has been used medicinally for ages to treat tummy aches, indigestion, breathing and respiratory problems, headache, nausea, fever, stomach and bowel spasms. It is also great for stinky dog breath. My pet human aka Beta-chic chops up a small leaf of peppermint everyday and adds it to my food…. not that i would ever have stinky breath.

The latin name for Peppermint is Herba Mentae Haplocalycis and in Chinese it is called Bo He. It is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine in several herbal formulas. In the Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica by Bensky & Gamble, it is listed in the category of Cool, Acrid Herbs That Release the Exterior. (And for all those herb geeks it’s properties are acrid, aromatic and cooling.) Please note that the Materia Medica is the herbal bible memorized by all acupuncture students preparing for licensing boards.

Bo He has several uses such as:
* Treating Wind Heat with symptoms of fever, headache and cough.

* Clears wind heat in the head, eyes and throat. Vents rashes and can even be used in early stages of measles. This of course is for people with measles!

* And it ….. allows constrained Liver qi to flow freely. Something of course only those trained in TCM would understand. But it does sound powerful. Beta-chic seems to think most of those people living in the state of Massachusetts suffer from some strange ailment called liver qi stagnation. I have no idea what she means. Perhaps it is the way they drive? Or the way they are always in a hurry? Maybe the snappishness – is that a word? This is probably why she treats dogs and not people. Liver qi stagnation seems to be an epidemic here in New England according to her. ( And sometimes after a long day of driving she even seems to suffer from it. But of course i would never say that out loud!) Fortunately most dogs do not suffer from this affliction.

So, i am wondering if everyone took the time to enjoy a nice cup of peppermint tea, might they be nicer during this horridly hot weather? Or perhaps they could just add a sprig of peppermint to their ice tea? I am not sure if it would help their driving but we can only hope it does!

Until next blog ….Be nice. Stay cool. And have some peppermint!
Quan Yin

Whew! We are still having a horrid heat wave in New England. Here are a few tips to keep your dogs cool. Remember.. we are wearing fur so it is way hotter for us than you!
Stay Cool!
Quan Yin

Seven Tips to Cool off a Hot Dog

1. PLEASE! Never, ever leave your pets in a parked car in the summer, even if you crack the windows or park in the shade. A car temperature can rise to 150F or more in just a few minutes. This is the number one cause of canine heat stroke.

2. Always have plenty of fresh water handy for your pets. Carry a bottle of water and a bowl for your dog when walking him or her on a hot day. Add SmartWater to your dog’s bowl which has electrolytes and can help prevent dehydration.

3. Be on the look-out for signs of heatstroke. Symptoms include rapid breathing, a dazed look, very hot skin and twitching muscles. Wrap your pet in a cool, but NOT cold, wet towel. Get them to the vet as soon as possible as heatstroke can be fatal.

4. Be careful not to exercise dogs during the hottest part of the day. Also don’t worry if they are eating less on hot days as it is a normal canine reaction to heat.

5. Put a kiddie pool for dogs to cool off and play in on those hot summer days. They are inexpensive and can be found at most stores like Target.

6. Try to keep your pets indoors during the hottest part of the day, in a room with air conditioning or circulating fans if possible.

7. Short haired dogs or those who have just been shaved are prone to sunburn just like us. Especially early in the summer, try to limit your dog’s exposure to the sun.

We never know the worth of water till the well is dry. ~Thomas Fuller, Gnomologia, 1732

It’s the hot dog days of summer. It has been horribly hot here in Salem these past few days. Taking long walks without water can be dangerous for dogs, especially while wearing a black fur coat. So the pet humans bought me this oh so cool water bottle called the Gulpy Pet Water Dispenser. It is easy to carry. Beta-chic carries it in her purse and it has a cool little bowl attached so its easy to sip from. You can find them at most local pet stores.

Oh and please use filtered water not the tap water for your dogs!

Who wants to go for a walk…….
Happy Tails
Quan Yin

Happy first day of summer! My pet humans bought me a kiddie pool. I am not sure if i love it yet. I think they are more excited about it than i am… especially the woman. (She also bought a thing called a frisbee which confuses me.)

Today it is really hot out, so i may consider amusing them and just sit in the pool. Maybe it will feel good. …then again i am certian i heard the word B-a-t-h. I think those cats could use a bath. Now that would be fun to watch.

It is terribly hot so i may give in…and i just love when they say “Awwwwwwwwww..isn’t she so cute” Humans are so funny.

Here are some tips to keep your dog cool this summer.

1. PLEASE! Never, ever leave your pets in a parked car in the summer, even if you crack the windows or park in the shade. A car temperature can rise to 150F or more in just a few minutes. This is the number one cause of canine heat stroke.

2. Always have plenty of fresh water handy for your pets. Carry a bottle of water and a bowl for your dog when walking him or her on a hot day.

3. Be on the look-out for signs of heatstroke. Symptoms include rapid breathing, a dazed look, very hot skin and twitching muscles. Wrap your pet in a cool, but NOT cold, wet towel. Get them to the vet as soon as possible as heatstroke can be fatal.

4. Be careful not to exercise dogs during the hottest part of the day. Also don’t worry if they are eating less on hot days as it is a normal canine reaction to heat.

5. Putting out a kiddie pool for dogs to cool off and play in on those hot summer days. They are inexpensive and can be found at places like Target, K-Mart, etc.

6. Try to keep your pets indoors during the hottest part of the day, in a room with air conditioning or circulating fans if possible.

7. Short haired dogs or those who have just been shaved are prone to sunburn just like us. Especially early in the summer, try to limit your dog’s exposure to the sun.

Enjoy the summer
Quan Yin
PR Dog of Four Paws Acupuncture

Just like humans, many dogs suffer from arthritis pain and inflammation as they age. Joints and bones naturally degenerate over time. Fortunately, arthritis can often be managed with the help of acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine, supplements and nutrition. Natural and alternative therapies are generally safe, effective and can be used in conjunction with western medicine.

This Squidoo lens provides tips for those who have dogs suffering from arthritis. Ancient Solutions for Canine Arthritis.

If you are an acupuncturist interested in learning more about treating arthritis in dogs with TCM please read about our new book and NCCAOM approved class

Earth Day is around the corner. How can you and your dogs help the environment? Biodegradable poop bags!

“Picking up after your pet is part of being a responsible pet owner. In many communities, it’s also the law. We are constantly amazed when pet owners put 100% biodegradable dog waste into plastic bags that can take over 100 years to decompose. Now owners have a logical solution.”

There are several eco-friendly poop bags now on the market. Save fossil fuel and burn calories by walking your dog to your local pet supply store for a box!

Aromatherapy to the Rescue

April showers bring May flowers with fleas, ticks and other bugs that attack our pets.

Ticks carry the dreaded Lyme disease as well as yellow-spotted fever disease and others. Fleas are annoying to both humans and animals as well as dangerous.

Many people have asked me about recommendations for natural pest repellents for their dogs. There are a few essential oils that can help combat ticks and fleas, however there is no guarantee that these aromatherapy mixtures will completely protect your dog. Always err on the side of caution when bringing your dog into an area that is known to have ticks.

Please note that certain aromatherapy oils are toxic for cats. The following essential oils are for human or dog use only.

Here are a few essential oils to make your own Pest Away Repellent.

* Geranium oil is said to be one of the best oils to repel ticks and fleas. It can also be used as a hair and skin conditioner.
* Lavender oil is soothing, calming and repels most bugs, ticks and even scorpions.
* Lemongrass repels ticks, fleas and mosquitos.
* Sage and thyme are also used with other oils to repel ticks.

To make your own essential oil repellent, take about 4 drops of one or more of the above oils mixed into 8 ounces of pure water in a dark glass spray bottle.

You can use this mixture on your dog, the dog’s bedding and even yourself! Please be careful not to spray near eyes or any orifices.

Too busy to make your own bug repellent? Visit our friends at Bella’s Oils to find natural sprays, shampoos and other green products for you and your pets.

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 Do the Math

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

This came from a forwarded email. Thought i would post it for all. I have met so many dog owners who feed their dogs grapes as treats. Please pass on this info to other dog owners. (and if you email this please use the Bcc and not the Cc to add your email addresses!)

Written by:
Laurinda Morris, DVM
Danville Veterinary Clinic Danville , OH

This week I had the first case in history of
raisin toxicity ever seen at MedVet. My patientwas a 56-pound, 5 yr old male neutered lab mix that ate half a canister of raisins sometime
between 7:30 AM and 4:30 PM on Tuesday.

He started with vomiting, diarrhea andshaking about 1 AM on Wednesday but the owner didn’t call my emergency service until 7 AM.

I had heard somewhere about raisins AND grapes causing acute Renal failure but hadn’t seen any formal paper on the subject. We had her bring the dog in immediately. In the meantime, I called the ER service at MedVet, and the doctor there was like me – had heard something about it, but… Anyway, we contacted the ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center and they said to give IV fluids at 1 & 1/2 times maintenance and watch the kidney values for the next 48-72 hours.
The dog’s BUN (blood urea nitrogen level) was already at 32 (normal less than 27) and Creatine over 5 (1.9 is the high end of normal).
Both are monitors of kidney function in the bloodstream. We placed an IV catheter and started the fluids. Rechecked the renal values
at 5 PM and the BUN was over 40 and Creatine over 7 with no urine production after a liter of fluids. At that point I felt the dog was in acute renal failure and sent him on to MedVet for a
urinary catheter to monitor urine output overnight as well as overnight care.

He started vomiting again overnight at MedVet and his renal values continued to increase daily. He produced urine when given Lasix as a
diuretic. He was on 3 different anti-vomiting medications and they still couldn’t control his vomiting. Today his urine output decreased
again, his BUN was over 120, his Creatine was at 10, his phosphorus was very elevated and his blood pressure, which had been staying around 150, skyrocketed to 220 … He continued to vomit
and the owners elected to Euthanize.

This is a very sad case – great dog, great owners who had no idea raisins could be a toxin. Please alert everyone you know who has a dog of this very serious risk.

Poison control said as few as 7 raisins or grapes could be toxic. Many people I know give their dogs grapes or raisins as treats including our
ex-handler’s. Any exposure should give rise to immediate concern.

Onions, chocolate, cocoa, avocados and macadamia nuts can
be fatal, too

It is shocking that the FDA still allows the pet food industry to add harmful and disgusting ingredients in their products after all the recalls in the industry. These are the same brands that have the wonderful commercials on TV, sponsor ACK Dog Shows, and have full page ads in most dog magazines. Advertising at its best.

These are just a few of the ingredients found in some well known brands of pet foods. A warning to those with weak stomachs please read with caution!

*Animal meat meal and animal by-products: this is what is left of the slaughtered animal after the meat is removed. It can include things like beaks, feet, blood, intestines, bones, and tissue.

*Beef and bone meal: another by product of beef which can include hair, hooves,horn,manure, entrails and blood.

*Chicken Byproduct Meal: Consists of the dry, ground, rendered, clean parts of the carcass of slaughtered chicken, such as necks, feet, undeveloped eggs, and intestines — exclusive of feathers except in such amounts as might occur unavoidably in good processing practices.

*Corn bran: which is the outer layer of the corn kernel. It has no nutritional value.

*Corn Gluten: is the residue from corn which can be used as a protein but can cause allergies in many dogs just like wheat gluten.

*Wheat Gluten: The tough, viscid nitrogenous substance remaining when wheat is washed to remove the starch. An inexpensive byproduct of human food processing with almost no nutritional value left, serves mostly as a binder.

Wheat also exacerbates pain in dogs and humans.

Take the time to research your pet’s food before buying a pretty package. Most of the smaller pet supply shops carry the healthy brands. It is difficult to find those in most grocery chains unless it is a natural health food store.

If you would like to learn more about the best commercial dog foods on the market please visit the link below. Your dog will thank you!
www.dogaware.com