Pet Herbal Info Blog

posted by Tess on Dec 28

You needn’t be too concerned with exact amounts when giving your pet fresh or dried herbs, according to Randy Kidd, PhD, DVM, and author of Dr. Kidd’s Guide to Herbal Dog Care (Storey Books, 2000) and Dr. Kidd’s Guide to Herbal Cat Care (Storey Books, 2000).

Absorption is limited with whole herbs compared with extracts. Plus, pets normally won’t chow down on herbs like they do on kibble. Kidd recommends giving pets anywhere from a pinch to a teaspoon of fresh or dried herbs daily, depending on their size. To increase an herb’s effectiveness, Kidd also advises taking breaks—for example, he suggests adding an herb to a pet’s Diet for three weeks and then skipping it for three days.

Echinacea - (Echinacea angustifolia, E. purpurea) - small animals: 1 pinch large animals: 1 teaspoon

* Echinacea balances the immune system.
* Sprinkle the fresh or dried herb over food.

Eyebright - (Euphrasia spp) - 1 capsule 2x/day orally

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posted by Tess on Dec 26

by Jean Hofve, DVM

In 1993, in my senior year of veterinary school, I went to the annual conference of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association. Among the many great speakers, one in particular stood out: Dr. Richard Pitcairn, the world-renowned veterinary homeopath who has trained hundreds of veterinarians in classical homeopathy. Dr. Pitcairn gave two lectures on vaccines and vaccine-related disease that forever changed the way I would practice veterinary medicine.

Many people don’t realize this, but in addition to being a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Pitcairn has a doctorate in Veterinary Microbiology; his studies emphasized viruses, immunology, and biochemistry. His credentials are impeccable, so his words had great impact. He has had a huge influence on educating both veterinarians and the public on the concept of “vaccinosis. ”

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posted by Tess on Dec 19

Question:

My one year old Jack Russell has just overnight developed multiple bumps under her skin that are very itchy. They are all over her back and legs. They are making her hair raised and she is scraching and can’t seem to stop. They are all under the skin. Please help.

Chris

Answer:

Hi Chris,

Thank you for your query. You are to be commended for researching the use of natural alternatives.

It must be very distressing to see your pet so sick. Since we are unable to examine your pet, we cannot make a diagnosis. Thus we recommend that you take your pet to your vet, where a correct diagnosis can be made and any underlying conditions may be ruled out. Thereafter, we will be happy to help determine, if need be, which of our remedies would best suit your pet.

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posted by Tess on Dec 14

Adapted from The Puppy Owner’s Manual, by Diana Delmar (Storey Books, 2001). http://www.carϴ.com/

How many times have we heard or said, “I love cats (or dogs), but I’m allergic to them!” Or, even worse, “I just got the cutest puppy (or kitten), but it turns out I’m allergic to it. I’ll have to get rid of it!“

Here are ten great ideas for helping you or someone you love control allergies, so you can get a companion animal, or keep the one you have.

People who are allergic to pets usually are reacting to dander (pieces of skin that have been shed) and saliva.

Keep in mind that people who have allergies usually react to more than one allergen. Allergy to dust mites, for instance, is even more common than allergy to dogs and cats. Sometimes pets take all the blame, when in fact there are other things in the house contributing to allergic symptoms.

Some of these tips are primarily for dogs, while others will apply to either dogs or cats.

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posted by Tess on Dec 11

Question:

My schnauzer has tumors (a schnauzer trait) she has one on each side of her neck and has a hard time breathing. the vet says not operable. .. do you think prednisone would relieve some of the inflammation and give her relief? She weighs 40 pounds, so what size does do you think she should have? prednisone? depomedrol? solumedrol? orapred? This dog is 13 years old and a huge part of my family so I will do anything to make her comfortable.

Leslie

Answer:

Hi Leslie,

Thank you for your query. You are to be commended for researching the use of natural alternatives. We are so sorry to hear about your pet.

Prednisone is a glucocorticoid steroid used to treat anorexia and cachexia and some cancers. It is similar to a steroid hormone made by the adrenal glands in the body. Prednisone decreases inflammation by preventing white blood cells from completing an inflammatory reaction. This drug can cause lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, to break apart and die. Thus it is an important drug used in combination with other chemotherapy agents to treat many different cancers. This drug is FDA approved for cancer treatment.

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posted by Tess on Dec 5

This shampoo will be safe for both cats and dogs. Besides the pleasant smell that permeates the air, Christmas Blend will help to kill & repel fleas, control the growth of bacteria and yeast on the skin, and keep your pets smelling clean.

Ingredients:

* 12 oz of Baby Shampoo or Dr. Bronner’s Magic Liquid Soap
* 4 oz Aloe Vera Juice
* 2 oz Witch Hazel
* 1 oz Glycerin
* ½ teaspoon Cinnamon bark oil
* ½ teaspoon Orange oil
* ½ teaspoon Peppermint oil
* 1 oz Canned Coconut milk (see Asian Food section of your Supermarket)
* 2 Tablespoons of fresh Lemon Juice.

Directions:

Mix all the essential oils with your coconut milk, and add this mixture to the shampoo. Mix aloe, witch hazel, lemon juice, and glycerin all together and add to the rest of the shampoo. Shake well and use. Always make sure you rinse the shampoo off completely, since the oils can cause irritation if left on too long. IF you are a person sensitive to essential oils, you may need to wear gloves when bathing your pets. Always wash off any residual suds off from your hands with running water.

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posted by Tess on Dec 4

Ingredients:

* 1 cup raw hamburger
* ½ cup of ground pork or turkey
* 1 raw egg
* 2 Tablespoons of water
* 1 Tablespoon Brewer’s Yeast
* 1 Tablespoon Parmesan Cheese
* ¼ cup of Bread Crumbs

Directions:

Mix Brewer’s Yeast and Parmesan cheese with the Bread crumbs and set aside. Scramble the egg with the water, and add to the bread crumb mixture and mix well. Mix and blend the raw ground meats together and add to bread crumb mixture. Make into Bite-size meat balls, place them on a cooking sheet, and Heat them at 425° F for 15 minutes. Turn off heat and let them cool in the oven.

by Holistic Veterinarian Services - Dr. Ihor Basko, DVM - http://www.drbasko.com/

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posted by Tess on Dec 3

Inspired by Home Enlightenment by Annie B. Bond (Rodale Press, 2005).

Many birds start to migrate in mid-August, and the demand for nourishment increases at this time. Not only are birds hungrier at this time of year, but as fall draws near, both migrant and nonmigrant birds will establish their winter feeding territory. There is no better time than now to establish your yard as a bird banquet for the winter!

Here is simple, easy recipe for a basic bird seed mix, to get you started.

Basic Bird Mix

* 50 percent sunflower seed
* 35 percent white proso millet
* 15 percent cracked corn

Combine the seed, millet, and corn in a large container. Store in a dry trash can or storage can with a tight-fitting lid. This mixture can be offered in a tube, hopper, or platform feeder.

Black oil sunflower seed is a great choice because it is higher in calories.

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