Warming Recipe for your Dog

We all know there is nothing like a nice warm home cooked meal on a cold damp winter night. Here is a recipe for those dogs who suffer from arthritis, hip dysplasia and other ailments made worse by the cold damp.

This is the recipe I used for my dog Merlin, a German Shepherd who suffered from hip dysplasia. He received regular acupuncture treatments, took Chinese herbs and had home-cooked congee for his meals. Merlin lived to be almost 15 years old.

Recipe for Merlin’s Magic Congee

Grains should be thoroughly cooked for animals, as they don’t really chew their food. Congee is a Chinese dish made from rice, meat and vegetables that is slow cooked and easy to digest

In a crock pot or heavy pot with lid add:

* 5 cups of spring or filtered (not tap) water or free-range chicken broth.
* 1 cup of grain.
* Several pieces of frozen or fresh organic chicken or turkey.
* 1 cup or more of chopped or frozen veggies such as carrots, celery, sweet potato, yams, parsley,string beans.

Use brown rice during the cold winter months. Use white basmati rice for spring or summer.

If cooking in a crock pot, set on low and cook for 4-6 hours. If using a heavy pot on the stove, set the flame or electric burner on the lowest setting, and cook for 4-6 hours.

New York Times
By MICHELLE SLATALLA
Published: March 13, 2008

WHEN my dog Otto was a puppy he behaved like an idiot, even for a Labrador retriever.

We haven’t been invited back to the Hamptons since the time he stole a cheeseburger from the hand of a child. Then he jumped into the pool, climbed out and shook himself off on the guests. That was probably forgivable. What came next — joyfully vomiting pool water, grass and ground beef at the host’s feet — was not.

I would like to say this behavior was atypical. But Otto was a spirited dog. He once toppled an elderly neighbor after he snouted her crotch too enthusiastically.

How I miss those days.

Now Otto is a slow-moving 9: X-rays show that he is arthritic, with swollen elbows. His orthopedist recently said he had a bulging disk. Despite every treatment known to modern veterinary science — from glucosamine tablets to prednisone to monthly injections designed to protect the cartilage in his joints — the only thing Otto throws himself into these days is our other dog’s food bowl.

Nobody is happy about Otto. A few weeks ago, he watched dejectedly as my husband and I set off on a hike without him.

Then, at the very place on the trail where Otto once rolled happily on the carcass of a dead mouse, we suddenly heard a rhino crashing through the bushes.

A crazy-eyed, burr-covered retriever emerged. We would have mistaken the dog for the ghost of Otto’s youth if not for its white, old man’s muzzle.

The dog’s owner appeared on the trail a few seconds later.

“How old is he?” my husband asked, absently picking a burr from behind the dog’s ear.

“Twelve,” the owner said.

“He’s in great shape,” my husband said.

“He used to be barely able to walk,” the owner said.

What helped relieve the dog’s arthritis and joint pain? Acupuncture, the owner said.

We were skeptical. “Otto would pull out the needles with his teeth,” my husband replied.

“No, it doesn’t bother them,” the owner insisted.

We watched his dog grab a 10-foot branch at the side of the trail and wave it dangerously, like a scimitar. Just like Otto used to.

“Any minute now, he’ll put out someone’s eye with that sharp tip,” I said wistfully.

The next morning, I Googled “veterinary acupuncture.” That is how I learned that this version of the ancient Chinese therapy that calls for inserting needles into specific locations on pets is gaining steam, even outside Northern California.
To read the rest of this article click on newyorktimes.com

Please do not give your pets tap water!

AP Probe Finds Drugs in Drinking Water

By JEFF DONN, MARTHA MENDOZA and JUSTIN PRITCHARD – 4 hours ago

A vast array of pharmaceuticals — including antibiotics, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers and sex hormones — have been found in the drinking water supplies of at least 41 million Americans, an Associated Press investigation shows.

To be sure, the concentrations of these pharmaceuticals are tiny, measured in quantities of parts per billion or trillion, far below the levels of a medical dose. Also, utilities insist their water is safe.

But the presence of so many prescription drugs — and over-the-counter medicines like acetaminophen and ibuprofen — in so much of our drinking water is heightening worries among scientists of long-term consequences to human health.

In the course of a five-month inquiry, the AP discovered that drugs have been detected in the drinking water supplies of 24 major metropolitan areas — from Southern California to Northern New Jersey, from Detroit to Louisville, Ky.

Water providers rarely disclose results of pharmaceutical screenings, unless pressed, the AP found. For example, the head of a group representing major California suppliers said the public “doesn’t know how to interpret the information” and might be unduly alarmed.

How do the drugs get into the water?

People take pills. Their bodies absorb some of the medication, but the rest of it passes through and is flushed down the toilet. The wastewater is treated before it is discharged into reservoirs, rivers or lakes. Then, some of the water is cleansed again at drinking water treatment plants and piped to consumers. But most treatments do not remove all drug residue.

And while researchers do not yet understand the exact risks from decades of persistent exposure to random combinations of low levels of pharmaceuticals, recent studies — which have gone virtually unnoticed by the general public — have found alarming effects on human cells and wildlife.

“We recognize it is a growing concern and we’re taking it very seriously,” said Benjamin H. Grumbles, assistant administrator for water at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Members of the AP National Investigative Team reviewed hundreds of scientific reports, analyzed federal drinking water databases, visited environmental study sites and treatment plants and interviewed more than 230 officials, academics and scientists. They also surveyed the nation’s 50 largest cities and
A vast array of pharmaceuticals — including antibiotics, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers and sex hormones — have been found in the drinking water supplies of at least 41 million Americans, an Associated Press investigation shows.

To be sure, the concentrations of these pharmaceuticals are tiny, measured in quantities of parts per billion or trillion, far below the levels of a medical dose. Also, utilities insist their water is safe.

But the presence of so many prescription drugs — and over-the-counter medicines like acetaminophen and ibuprofen — in so much of our drinking water is heightening worries among scientists of long-term consequences to human health.

In the course of a five-month inquiry, the AP discovered that drugs have been detected in the drinking water supplies of 24 major metropolitan areas — from Southern California to Northern New Jersey, from Detroit to Louisville, Ky.

Water providers rarely disclose results of pharmaceutical screenings, unless pressed, the AP found. For example, the head of a group representing major California suppliers said the public “doesn’t know how to interpret the information” and might be unduly alarmed.

How do the drugs get into the water?

People take pills. Their bodies absorb some of the medication, but the rest of it passes through and is flushed down the toilet. The wastewater is treated before it is discharged into reservoirs, rivers or lakes. Then, some of the water is cleansed again at drinking water treatment plants and piped to consumers. But most treatments do not remove all drug residue.

And while researchers do not yet understand the exact risks from decades of persistent exposure to random combinations of low levels of pharmaceuticals, recent studies — which have gone virtually unnoticed by the general public — have found alarming effects on human cells and wildlife.

“We recognize it is a growing concern and we’re taking it very seriously,” said Benjamin H. Grumbles, assistant administrator for water at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

To read the rest of this article click on ap.google.com

If your dog is elderly or sick you may want to make sure he wears a coat while outside in extreme weather.

Make sure your dog’s bed is away from any drafty areas in the house.

Clean your dog’s feet after a walk to remove salt, ice particles and road chemicals. They are not any easier on your dog’s feet than they would be on yours.

Hypothermia and Frostbite

Hypothermia is the drastic drop in body temperature which can result from prolonged exposure in extremely low temperatures. Leaving your pets out unprotected for several hours in freezing weather can be fatal. Hypothermia may cause heart problems, kidney failure and neurological problems.

Signs of hypothermia are:
• Shivering
• Dilated pupils
• Pale or blue mucous membranes
• Unconsciousness
• Coma
First Aid for hypothermia:
• Immediately remove the animal from the cold.
• Check for shock.
• Administer CPR if needed.
• Wrap animal in blanket.
• Place warm water bottles next to him.
• Go to the nearest veterinary hospital.

Frostbite is caused by the freezing of exposed skin or a body part. Body parts of dogs and cats are most susceptible to the tips of their ears, their tails and the pads of their feet.

Signs of frostbite are:
• Skin discoloration.
• Skin may turn pale or black.
• Lack of sensation or pain at the affected
First Aid for frostbite:
• Get the animal out of the cold.
• Gently apply a warm compress to the area.
• Spray the affected area with warm (not hot) water.
• Go to the nearest veterinary hospital.

By Joan Gralla
NEW YORK (Reuters Life!) -

Captain gets it to ease his arthritis and it helps Mishaka’s bad back, but with fangs and claws they are not your typical acupuncture patients — they’re dogs.

The ancient Chinese system of therapy that has helped to soothe the aches, pains and ailments of people for thousands of years is now doing the same for canines.

“She is so happy, she relaxes, her tail wags and she just plops herself down to get her treatment. She likes it,” said New York resident Sissy Stamm, about 12-year-old Mishaka.

The Caucasian Ovcharka, who tips the scales at about 120 pounds and was bred to guard sheep, doesn’t seem to mind having needles inserted into her limbs during her weekly acupuncture sessions in Stamm’s apartment.

The traditional medicine treats a wide range of illnesses, from skin problems to heart conditions, according to Vikki Weber, the executive director of the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society in Fort Collins, Colorado.

At least 2,000 vets in the United States practice acupuncture, although no official statistics exist on how many animals undergo the procedure. Prices for the average visit for a cat or dog run around $50 to $85, added Weber, whose group runs courses for vets around the world.

The treatment, which vets can study at schools such as Colorado State University and the Chi Institute in Gainesville, Florida, is also very popular in the horse racing industry.

Captain, a high-strung 10-year-old Dalmatian, enthusiastically greeted Dr. Jeffrey Levy, the New York vet who treats him for arthritis.

“He gets all excited, he runs out in the hall and then tries to stick his face in the bag Dr. Levy brings and pull all the treats out,” said his owner, Elizabeth Kumin, a Manhattan professional.

She turned to acupuncture for her pet after two anti-inflammatory drugs and a cortisone shot failed to help. When scheduling problems halted his acupuncture treatment Captain grew worse, she said.

To read the rest of this article click here.

Dogs Treated With Acupuncture For Wobblers Syndrome and Cancer
Dog News

DogExplorer.com News - Dog and horse owners in Birmingham, Alabama, are finding that alternative health care therapies like acupuncture, massage and herbal remedies yield real improvements in their pet’s quality of life.

One owner of a ten-year-old Doberman Pinscher with Wobblers Syndrome says her dog has done well with the services of a licensed Veterinary Acupuncturist. Another 13-year-old dog with cancer has been treated for two years with straight acupuncture and electrical impulses through the needles instead of chemotherapy and radiation (after first having a tumor removed). To read more of this article and to watch a video go to
www.dogexployer.com

Jeanie Marie Kraft, Lic.Ac. is keeping tails wagging on the North Shore of MA with K9 acupuncture house-calls. FourPawsAcupuncture.com for more information.

From: The Herald Tribune

ANIMAL ACUPUNCTURE FACTS

Was practiced on animals in China for about 4,000 years.

Can be combined with homeopathy, herbal and traditional medicine, including vitamin B-12 injections.

Can increase blood circulation or decrease lymphatic drainage or inflammation.

Patients can feel effects in as little as 10 seconds or not for more than an hour.

Can also be used to treat musculoskeletal, urinary and respiratory problems.

Is one of the safest therapies available.

Can include needles, electro-acupuncture, aquapuncture (injecting solutions), applying heat or laser acupuncture.

For veterinarians it takes about 130 hours of training for veterinarian certification.

Please note that licensed acupuncturists are required a minimum of 3,500 hours of training, receive a Master Degree in Traditional Oriental Medicine and take national and often state boards to become licensed.

As a licensed acupuncturist I feel it is impossible to learn acupuncture and Oriental Medicine with only 130 hours of training. Even hairdressers are required at least a minimum of 1,000 hours!

Acupuncture is much more than knowing just where the points are located and how to needle. It involves a complete medical theory, diagnostic procedure and considerable training in needle technique. It is not simply an add-on to another medical practice.

Transitioning a human acupuncture practice to animals is easier than transitioning a western veterinary practice to acupuncture. From the standpoint of oriental medicine, animals have essentially the same organs, channels and diagnostic process as people.

Certainly there are veterinarians who take it upon themselves to study and become proficient in acupuncture and oriental medicine, but these very low state required hours of training are woefully inadequate.

jeanie marie kraft, L.Ac.

Acupuncture can be a significant treatment for ailing pets
SouthCoastToday.com
By Brian J. Lowney
Fur, fins and feathers
November 10, 2007 6:00 AM

Have you noticed that your dog is having difficulty climbing up the stairs?

Maybe you’ve tried conventional medication, but that doesn’t seem to be working and the poor creature is obviously in pain.

Have you ever thought of acupuncture?

Dr. Tim Donovan of Kindred Spirits Mobile Veterinary Hospital in Mattapoisett says that this ancient form of Chinese medicine is often used to help pets suffering from chronic conditions such as hip dysplasia, degenerative arthritis and pinched nerves, as well as inflammatory bowel disease, asthma and allergies.

Chinese medical philosophy believes that diseases result from an imbalance of the life force, called “Qi.” Acupuncture works to restore that balance, stimulating the nerves, increasing circulation, aiding in the release of hormones and relieving muscle spasms.

While needles are often used during treatment, other techniques include infrared stimulation, electric current and lasers.

“Acupuncture is very successful for the treatment of chronic conditions that medication frequently doesn’t have a cure for,” Dr. Donovan says.

He adds that acupuncture has been used to treat animals for 4,000 years, and as people learn more about the restorative benefits of this form of healing, it is becoming more popular in the treatment of household pets.
To read more of this article go to
www.southcoasttoday.com

Once upon a time, pets were “put down” when they became incontinent, injured, lame or because they were a burden.

Fortunately there are several therapies for disabled pets such as acupuncture, chiropractic, magnets, laser, physical therapy, herbs and proper nutrition. All have been proven to be very effective in helping disabled pets and their owners deal with the day to day challenges of life.

For more information on canine acupuncture please visit www.FourPawsAcupuncture.com.

For more information on canine physical therapy visit gooddogaquatic.com.

A wonderful website filled with information and products for ailing pets is www.handicappedPets.com.
This site is filled with information and stories about handicapped pets and their owners. They offer a variety of products such as dog ramps, wheelchairs, harnesses, diapers, books and dvds. A simple product like a dog harness can help your elderly dog walk up stairs with ease and save your back. I highly recommend checking out this website for more information.

When it comes to osteoarthritis in dogs, natural and alternative therapies are safe and can be used in conjunction with western medicine.

Here are a few natural remedies to help both dogs and humans suffering from arthritis:

Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate will help protect and lubricate joints. Please note that it may take four to six weeks before your dog feels the results.

An Omega 3 essential fatty acid supplement from fish oil or flaxseed oil works as an anti-inflammatory. These help to lubricate the joints and help with inflammation.

A wonderful product for both humans and dogs suffering from arthritis is Wobenzym.
Wobenzym is clinically proven to normalize inflammation, promote healthy joints, encourage robust circulation, support immune function and promote healthy aging. It contains the proteolytic enzymes, bromelain, papain, and a powerful antioxidant called rutin.

Safe for both humans and dogs. It can be found at most natural food stores or online. Please reduce the dosage to half or less (based on weight) of the suggested human dosage if you give it to your dog.

www.wobenzym.com