Homeopathic & Alternative Remedies

Patellar Luxation

Carolyn Clement — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:21:07 GMT

My wonderful golden, Maggie, was just diagnosed with patellar luxation. She is 2 1/2 years old and recovered from OCD when she was a puppy from holistic treatment-diet, homeopathic remedies , acupuncture and lazer treatments. I was told that surgery was the only answer!! I wonder if anyone has had any experience in treating this condition holistically?

Yesterday, I mentioned this to my acupuncturist and he said that connective tissue was treated on the spleen pathway and he suspected that this condition was a miasm.

For my own personal health, medical intervention is always the last resort and I choose the same philosophy with my pets. I would greatly appreciate any input.

Supplement recommendation

islandtime — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:09:49 GMT

Hey there,

I have two senior citizens--a newfie/lab and beagle/english setter. Currently I have them on Drs. Foster Smith joint care. They both have back problems--disc--and my newf has always had hip problems. They are both classified as mild/moderate moving toward moderate.

Thinking about switching it up as they've been on this for some time. At first I was looking into synovi and then saw they've been recalled--yikes! So many products out there so I thought I'd come here to the experts.

Thanks for your help!

Cheers~

Liver and kidney support

Thalie — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:24:02 GMT

Spip will have to be on NSAIDs for a good while (Deramaxx).

I would like to give her something to help her liver and kidneys during that time. What would you all recommand ? I was thinking milk thistle for the liver but am not sure of the form (gelcaps, liquid, etc.) or of the dosage. I have no idea what to give her to help with the kidneys ? Spip is 70 lbs.

A related question... How often would you draw blood to monitor the kidneys and liver values ? Once a month ? More ? Less ?

My black Doby has allergies - my red Doby doesn't

SAP — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 00:47:50 GMT

Hi --- My black Doberman is fine all summer, but from Sept to May, he scratches constantly and rubs the sides of his snout against furniture (this makes him gum area quite red afterwards). My original vet recommended Benedryl, but I don't like the idea of giving him this type of drug. I'm looking for something in a more natural form (i.e. herb or oil). Any ideas?

Alternative protection against ticks

Doggysbest — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 09:09:22 GMT

Hi all,

Instead of using sprays or whatever to prevent your dog - or cat - from getting ticks, there's a much easier way - put an amberdog collar on your dog or cat. It contains amber stones and amber is something ticks do not like. I tried it out on my dog - of course it has to be THE original with unpolished stones - and it really worked! I was absolutely amazed! I hope to get some positive feedback from you all out there, who are willing to try it out, too.

Proin replacement

goatman68 — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 17:21:44 GMT

Pella is on Proin, recently they switched her to Phenylpro Cstolamine 75mg.

Is there a natural treatment for incontinence, that work?

I have now added Benadryl for fall allergies and I think it is causing a slight leakage problem. Any suggestions?

Critter Oil ?

loretta — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 21:25:37 GMT

Has anyone tried Critter Oil for fleas and ticks? I am taking my dog to West Virginia in a few weeks and she is on Vectra. Because she is also on Proin, I can not put a tick collar on her. I feel I need more than just Vectra. I was thinking about putting Crittter Oil on her paws and around her neck. My Vet suggested Frontline spray along with Vectra, but I feel that is too much.

Joint help with NO shellfish (Emma)

jennie_c_d — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 00:08:23 GMT

So, Emma Nems went to the doctor, yesterday. She's gotten very un-playful, snappy, and generally unpleasant, lately. Also, I've had to drastically reduce her food (and she hasn't lost an ounce!). He took lots of blood, and she was awesome! She had blood sent to Michigan, for a thyroid panel, and to Antech, for a senior comprehensive. Anyhow, on exam, he said her arthritis is becoming quite bad. He did a laser treatment, and wants her back in a week, for another laser treatment. He also prescribed a hypoallergenic glucosamine supplement. I gave her the supplement, last night, with dinner, and she broke out in hives. She is allergic to dust mites, and cockroaches, so we knew it was likely.

So far, I looked up Dog Gone Pain, and she can't really have bromelain. It tears up her tummy. Does anybody use a joint supplement/antiinflammatory that doesn't have shellfish? Or bromelain? I know. She's special. Thought it was worth a shot, though. I may end up, if her bloodwork is good, putting her on a low dose of Metacam, since she tolerates it. I'm ok with that.

Callie - Remedies for Spayed Female Leaking?

brookcove — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:38:14 GMT

Almost sixteen year old Maggie shows her age in just one respect, and that's a return of the "leaking" that troubled her many years ago, that went away when I switched her off grains (going to raw and home prepared).

I'd like to avoid another course of Proin. I actually have no idea how safe it is or the effect it has or even what it does. We did a brief course when this came up before, and I really wasn't happy with the result, as it only reduced the incidents, but she still had enough accidents to be uncomfortable.

Poor Maggie is about the last dog that I would want to have to live with this. This is the dog who one time got left loose in the house for more than 24 hours, and did not pee anywhere, much less poop. By the way, that happened when our car broke down 100 miles away on a Sunday, and it took that long to find someone who could travel up to the farm and let her out. Just so you know I don't make habit of that.

Anyway, Maggie is as intensely obsessed with cleanliness as a cat. She is visibly horrified when she gets up wet (I have never, ever scolded her for her leaks - quite the opposite).

I'd like to help her out with natural remedies if possible. Anyone? Callie especially?

Bug Off?

sillysally — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 14:15:37 GMT

I have heard a lot about "Bug Off Garlic" supplement for dogs as an alternative to chemical flea/tick/insect treatments, especially since the waring about such products come out.

Has anyone used this before?

how to find a canine chiropractor?

kpwlee — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:25:26 GMT

I think I B needs to see a chiropractor how do I find a good one?

Traditional chinese medicine for dogs

babelfish — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 05:54:37 GMT

Anybody has positive experience with TCM for dogs? Particularly for diagnostic of mysterious conditions?

Supplements for Lab Cross with Hip Dysplasia

Dally — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 17:04:09 GMT

Hi,

I have a 6 1/2 year old female Lab/German Shepherd cross (she's around 42 kg). She started showing symptoms of hip dysplasia around this time last year and was diagnosed with it in May of last year. She is on Dr. Maggie "Extra Strength Joint Formula" (500 mg glucosamine, 500 mg chondroitin and 50 mg Vitamin C per capsule, she gets 2 daily). However I've been doing some research on here as to what else would be good to give her. I've put together a list of supplements and was just wondering if anyone had any input as to other supplements, the required doses, negative effects of these, or if they knew of any harmful interactions between them if she was to get them all.

Dr. Maggie's (for gluc. and chond.) - 1000 mg each of chond. and gluc. and 100 mg vitamin C

Apple Cider Vinegar - 1 tablespoon

Hawthorne - 100 mg/ 25-50 lbs twice daily

Vitamin C (in Ester C form) - 500 mg twice daily

Vitamin E - ~400 IU

Fish Oil - 1000 mg / 10 lbs body weight

Traumeel (liquid form) - not really sure about the dosage on this one (we have it for my horses and us but not sure for dogs)

Dandelion or Alfalfa - once again not really sure of the dosage

...I read with Alfalfa that it is an anticoagulant, she roams around our property a lot (we have 15 acres), so I'm afraid to give this to her in case she cuts herself at some point.

Thanks in advance for any advice you can lend!

Quick Advice Needed - Valeran for calming a stressed Bruder

CoBuHe — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 19:58:22 GMT

Bruder has unfortunately learned from Buddy to be frightened of thunder. And, we are having thunder storms now.

I have some Valeran tincture that can be given for stress and calming. But, I don't know how much to give him. He weighs between 55 and 60 pounds.

I will work with this behavior going forward, but need help now.

using lavender oil

the_gopher — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 22:02:39 GMT

I have some grade A (theraputic/organic) lavender essential oil that I would like to use on Ari, however I am not sure if that's OK. Ari is a licker and I'm not sure if it's overly safe for dogs if she ingests any. I'd like to rub some on her feet during a foot massage (I've been working more with her on calming behaviors and thought it would be nice to incorporate some lavender oil).

Keeping foster pup healthy - questions about immune support

stardog85 — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 16:15:56 GMT

I'm going to be taking a new foster pup home tonight and he's had a rough time: currently has coccidia (gets second treatment today) and got neutered and his 3rd vaccine today, all on top of switching homes.

My holistic vet has suggested DMG for the prevention of kennel cough since that shows up so easily in stressed dogs and I also have her blessing to try coconut oil as well per an article in Whole Dog Journal, but I figured I'd see if you all have any other thoughts on immune boosters I should consider to keep him healthy after all the stress on his system.

In case it helps, I already have the following in my supply cabinet:

Tinctures of Echinacea, Blue Vervain, Catnip, Skullcap, Valerian, and Lemon Balm.

Dried herbs (capsules or loose) of Blue Vervain, Catnip, Skullcap, Lemon Balm, and Astragalus.

L-Lysine

Traumeel

Rescue Remedy

Oscillococcinum

Quick ??? about Cancer diet

denise m — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 18:20:33 GMT

I am about to make this recipe up. My dog is on a med called Gabapentin, which according to the fact sheet

"Antacids containing aluminum or magnesium may interfere with absorption".

I'm sure that rules out Tums. Is Calcium carbonate from a health food store the way to go?

This could be really helpful

calliecritturs — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 04:40:59 GMT

Great place for book recommendations and general questions and discussions about what different modalities your holistic vet may offer. David gave me a new book on homeopathics (not just dog, but homeopathy in general) that I can't wait to dive into.