Winter time should be a time to slow down, eat less, sleep more, keep warm, perhaps quietly reflect on the year that has past and the year to come and to prepare for the blossoming of Spring. It is natural for plants and animals in the wild and should be natural for our own animal companions as well. But as I write this on the very day of the Winter Solstice and the season turns from Autumn to Winter there is a flurry of activity in my household as there is every year and no doubt in many other households as well!
I know that on this cold Sunday morning our dogs would be more than happy to curl up on top of my husband feeling the warmth of his body and snuggled in blankets. Instead, there is chaos, excitement, anticipation at my house that our dogs feel, experience and react to. The dogs are up and out of bed early with me today so that I can bake, clean, make my twentieth last minute shopping list, wrap gifts, and make preparations to build a gingerbread house. This year we are hosting 14 of my husband's wonderful relatives for Christmas dinner. So I am not quietly reflective - I am quietly anxious instead.
The kids are on their winter break, awake early and have been playing excitedly, talking non-stop (almost squealing) about all the gifts under the tree and plans for Christmas day. And our four wonderful and sensitive dogs reflect their excited, anxious, active humans by running in and out of the dog door barking at nonexistent noises, wrestling each other in the middle of the living room knocking over plants and furniture, and de-stuffing two pillows in the last week. Oh yeah, my husband found my rolling pin for baking on the grass outside yesterday. . . .
Poor dogs. And this is where I want to suggest the gift of acupuncture for your animal companions (and mine) this year. Stress is tough on the immune system and sickness can be the result. Acupuncture causes the release of neuro-chemicals that calm and relax a patient and release the stress of an active December. Tight muscles from tension and activity are eased with acupuncture. The pain and stiffness of osteoarthritis which has a tendency to flare up when the weather cools down and the rain falls can be relieved with acupuncture. Acupuncture is wonderful for aiding the body's natural response to re-balance with the seasonal change.
Funny- I have settled down myself as I write this and quietly reflect on how my life and mood affect our dogs and would you believe it - all four of the dogs are now curled up in bed together.
Kindest wishes,
Dr. Jacquie
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Christmas Pet Tips
We are in a new house for the holiday this year, but have found the perfect place of honor for the tree to sit and be admired until the new year. And while we found the perfect spot for the Christmas tree in the house we are still working on finding the perfect spot for all the ornaments to sit. So far we have had to move the glass and ceramic ornaments hanging from the bottom of the tree to above "dog-tail height"! Their happy swinging tails have broken two ornaments already and broken glass or ceramic can cut their paws and our feet. So this year we have learned the importance of taking the wagging tail into consideration when placing ornaments.
Last year we learned about the importance of "food" ornament placement on the tree. My daughter's girl scout troop hand-made and decorated ornaments using dough that was then hardened by baking. She proudly showed off the six ornaments she had made and decorated the tree with them. But after a few days we began to notice that her ornaments were disappearing. We moved them higher up the tree, but five of the six dough ornaments were eaten up despite our moving them higher up the tree. I think our cat, Martin, might have helped out his favorite dog buddy by knocking the higher placed edible ornaments off the tree! We discovered the guilty dog - and it was indeed Martin's best dog buddy - when we saw Rex vomit contents that looked similar to dough! This year the last remaining "dough ornament" has a place of honor near the very tip of the tree - so far it still remains there!
Lastly, drinking pine tree water can cause tummy upset as well. To avoid that potential hazard I do not trim away the limbs of tree that are close to the ground so the dogs cannot reach the tree stand full of water. Tree limbs close to the ground also keeps the gifts farther away from the tree and in plain sight which is important so that not only is the tree stand water less accessible, but presents that can be eaten are easily kept track of. It is my 9 year old son's job to keep the daily present count as I cannot be certain that one of our wonderful but mischievous dogs would not steal a present to unwrap and play with outside. Ingesting legos, matchbox cars, stuffed animals are just a few gift items that could lead to an intestinal blockage.
Kindest wishes and keep the pets safe,
Dr. Jacquie
Last year we learned about the importance of "food" ornament placement on the tree. My daughter's girl scout troop hand-made and decorated ornaments using dough that was then hardened by baking. She proudly showed off the six ornaments she had made and decorated the tree with them. But after a few days we began to notice that her ornaments were disappearing. We moved them higher up the tree, but five of the six dough ornaments were eaten up despite our moving them higher up the tree. I think our cat, Martin, might have helped out his favorite dog buddy by knocking the higher placed edible ornaments off the tree! We discovered the guilty dog - and it was indeed Martin's best dog buddy - when we saw Rex vomit contents that looked similar to dough! This year the last remaining "dough ornament" has a place of honor near the very tip of the tree - so far it still remains there!
Lastly, drinking pine tree water can cause tummy upset as well. To avoid that potential hazard I do not trim away the limbs of tree that are close to the ground so the dogs cannot reach the tree stand full of water. Tree limbs close to the ground also keeps the gifts farther away from the tree and in plain sight which is important so that not only is the tree stand water less accessible, but presents that can be eaten are easily kept track of. It is my 9 year old son's job to keep the daily present count as I cannot be certain that one of our wonderful but mischievous dogs would not steal a present to unwrap and play with outside. Ingesting legos, matchbox cars, stuffed animals are just a few gift items that could lead to an intestinal blockage.
Kindest wishes and keep the pets safe,
Dr. Jacquie
Friday, December 12, 2008
Christmas with the Pets
My husband, two kids and I spent the other night picking out the perfect Christmas tree. It was serious business looking at each and every tree - twice - and to finally come to a consensus on the perfect tree to adorn with sparkling lights and sentimental ornaments. As we walked toward the Christmas tree lot we passed under a canopy filled with the most beautiful poinsettias I had ever seen. The lovely, velvety red flowers add so nicely to the season's festive feel.
But as much as I appreciate poinsettias - I never buy the plant because two of our four dogs, Dyna and Mac, are super extraordinary canine plant eaters. And even though the flowers and leaves are bitter and should be distasteful to animals and small kids alike, I cannot be certain that my two cattle dogs won't graze away anyhow! The plant is not fatally poisonous, but chewing on the plant will cause tummy upset. Vomiting and diarrhea could lead to a mess in the house and possibly dehydration. So enjoy the plant for the holiday, but if you have plant loving canines like I do or plant loving felines, then avoid the tummy upset by appreciating the poinsettia somewhere other than your house!
Have a happy and safe holiday - Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Assalamu Alaikum.
Kindest wishes,
Dr. Jacquie
But as much as I appreciate poinsettias - I never buy the plant because two of our four dogs, Dyna and Mac, are super extraordinary canine plant eaters. And even though the flowers and leaves are bitter and should be distasteful to animals and small kids alike, I cannot be certain that my two cattle dogs won't graze away anyhow! The plant is not fatally poisonous, but chewing on the plant will cause tummy upset. Vomiting and diarrhea could lead to a mess in the house and possibly dehydration. So enjoy the plant for the holiday, but if you have plant loving canines like I do or plant loving felines, then avoid the tummy upset by appreciating the poinsettia somewhere other than your house!
Have a happy and safe holiday - Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, Assalamu Alaikum.
Kindest wishes,
Dr. Jacquie
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Animal Herbal and Nutritional Supplements
Animal herbal and nutritional supplements are easily obtained on the internet complete with testimonials from pet owners enthusiastic about endorsing the effectiveness of the product. Animal supplements can be found to treat cancer, arthritis, kidney failure, heart disease, anxiety, seizures, diabetes and many more ailments.
This "cottage industry" has flourished in the last several years as more and more pet owners seek gentle and effective medicine to use instead of pharmaceuticals. However, the variety of animal supplements available are staggering and with little to no oversight on the production, quality, and labeling of these products the potential danger to animals in using herbal and nutritional supplement increases.
Where are the herbs grown? Are pesticides used? Is what is listed on the label truly what is to be found in the product? What is the actual amount of the herb, vitamin, or mineral in the product? A label listing percentages does not provide the information needed to assess the product's safe use on animals.
In 2001 the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) was formed for companies producing animal supplements to join so that a clear set of guidelines could be followed. With a product labeled with the NASC seal, veterinarians and consumers could be assured that the highest current standards of supplement quality were being followed in order to protect the health of horses and small animals. Listed below is taken directly from the NASC website:
NASC members must agree to adhere to NASC’s quality standards which include submitting to an independent audit to ensure conformance with quality system requirements.
Kindest wishes,
Dr. Jacquie
This "cottage industry" has flourished in the last several years as more and more pet owners seek gentle and effective medicine to use instead of pharmaceuticals. However, the variety of animal supplements available are staggering and with little to no oversight on the production, quality, and labeling of these products the potential danger to animals in using herbal and nutritional supplement increases.
Where are the herbs grown? Are pesticides used? Is what is listed on the label truly what is to be found in the product? What is the actual amount of the herb, vitamin, or mineral in the product? A label listing percentages does not provide the information needed to assess the product's safe use on animals.
In 2001 the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) was formed for companies producing animal supplements to join so that a clear set of guidelines could be followed. With a product labeled with the NASC seal, veterinarians and consumers could be assured that the highest current standards of supplement quality were being followed in order to protect the health of horses and small animals. Listed below is taken directly from the NASC website:
NASC members must agree to adhere to NASC’s quality standards which include submitting to an independent audit to ensure conformance with quality system requirements.
NASC member companies are required to demonstrate compliance with the following criteria before they are granted permission to display the Seal on their products, websites, product literature and advertisements:
- The company must have a Quality Control Manual in place that provides written Standard Operating Procedures for production process control. This helps ensure the company is providing a consistent and quality product.
- The company must have an Adverse Event Reporting/Complaint System in place to continually monitor and evaluate products and ingredients.
- The company must follow proper Label Guidelines for all products and all forms of labeling.
- The company's product labels must include any specific Warning and Caution Statements recommended by the Food & Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine and the NASC Scientific Advisory Committee for particular ingredients.
Kindest wishes,
Dr. Jacquie
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Homeless Animals
Today my 13 year old daughter and I spent the day helping New Hope Cattle Dog Rescue at an adoption event sponsored by HALO Animal Rescue in Phoenix. Labradors, Greyhounds, Cattle Dogs, Chihuahuas, Papillons, Beagles, and countless adorable mixed breed dogs of all ages and sizes were represented by animal rescue groups from all over the valley. Most of the dogs at today's event live temporarily with foster families until a permanent home can be found. It can take months for that perfect home to be found by the loving volunteers of rescue groups and shelters.
These volunteers do not get paid; and this unpaid work is not easy. It takes a special kind of person to give the tremendous amount of time it takes to foster a dog. These volunteers make every effort to help rehabilitate and socialize abused dogs, or raise and socialize orphaned, rambunctious puppies or makes certain that an injured dog receive medical attention. Rescue group and shelter volunteers are dedicated, selfless and have an unwavering belief that the greatest reward for this thankless job is the honor of finding a permanent and loving home for these precious, innocent animals.
As a veterinarian I don't know any other group of people who are so wholly dedicated and compassionate to the plight, safety and care of homeless animals. It is nothing short of inspirational.
PLEASE consider adopting your first or next pet from a rescue group or shelter. There are plenty of pure-bred dogs and adorable mixed breed dogs needing a home without making a purchase from a pet store or backyard breeder.
Kindest wishes,
Dr. Jacquie
These volunteers do not get paid; and this unpaid work is not easy. It takes a special kind of person to give the tremendous amount of time it takes to foster a dog. These volunteers make every effort to help rehabilitate and socialize abused dogs, or raise and socialize orphaned, rambunctious puppies or makes certain that an injured dog receive medical attention. Rescue group and shelter volunteers are dedicated, selfless and have an unwavering belief that the greatest reward for this thankless job is the honor of finding a permanent and loving home for these precious, innocent animals.
As a veterinarian I don't know any other group of people who are so wholly dedicated and compassionate to the plight, safety and care of homeless animals. It is nothing short of inspirational.
PLEASE consider adopting your first or next pet from a rescue group or shelter. There are plenty of pure-bred dogs and adorable mixed breed dogs needing a home without making a purchase from a pet store or backyard breeder.
Kindest wishes,
Dr. Jacquie
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Food As Medicine
Science Diet and Hills Prescription diets, Iams, Eukanuba, Purina and OM prescription diets are recommended by at least 90% of my veterinary colleagues. These diets are considered the top of the line in pet foods and many caring pet owners, following the advice of their veterinarian, feed their pets these diets. And really it is a shame that this is our gold standard in veterinary healthcare. For it is a standard of nutrition that is dictated by companies whose ultimate aim may not be in our pets' best interests. Millions of dollars are spent every year on researching, developing, educating veterinarians and marketing to pet owners to maintain this gold standard. But are our pets really thriving from the standard these companies have created for pet owners and veterinarians to follow? Are grains the best source of protein? Certainly they are the cheapest source of protein. Which is good for the all important profit margin, but perhaps not so good for our pets. Fortunately, there is a small but growing number of pet owners and veterinarians who are beginning to question the actual ingredients used to make these pet foods. And with good reason.
All veterinarians know the importance that diet plays in the health of a patient. Essential nutrients play a vital role in keeping our pets healthy. Veterinarians know the importance of maintaining a pet on a balanced diet of vitamins, minerals, and essential amino acids and that a properly formulated diet should never be the cause of illness. Food should be good medicine. And pet foods are developed to address the basic and essential nutrients required including the necessary percentage of protein, fat, and carbohydrate that our pets need. But with the focus on research aimed at quantity of protein, vitamins etc. where does the quality of ingredients come into play? And herein lies the problem to this standard of veterinary healthcare.
Pet food ingredients in these top of the line diets are not based on quality. Pick up any bag and read the first 5 ingredients and I guarantee that you will see corn, wheat, soy, gluten, and a meat by-product. Read further down the list and you will see flavorings, and preservatives such as BHA, BHT, and ethoxyquin. Preservatives banned in Great Britain and Europe. While research seems to suggest that corn and wheat are perfectly acceptable sources of protein for our pets, isn't meat better? Could corn, wheat, soy and gluten actually be causing some chronic ailments in our beloved pets? I believe that they do. It is time that veterinarians and pet owners demand a better standard of pet food and realize that using food as medicine means using quality ingredients.
Start reading the ingredient labels of pet food and treats. Just read the first 5 ingredients and avoid anything that has corn, wheat, soy, and /or gluten. Look for a diet that has meat listed as the first 1-3 ingredients. This is especially important with cat food. Cats are "obligate carnivores" In other words, their anatomy and physiology is designed for digesting meat only and yet most processed cat food is corn based. Why? It's cheap I suppose. But if a feral cat lived in the middle of an Iowa cornfield and there were no mice, voles or birds to be eaten, that cat would not turn to an ear of corn to survive, she would starve to death. A dog would eat most anything to survive if there was no meat, but would that dog thrive? No
Independently owned pet specialty retailers provide diets with high quality ingredients and the cost is no more than a bag of corn based Science Diet. I have listed retailers below and for additional information check out www.naturapet.com.
The Stock Shop - Glendale, AZ (623) 487-9277
Bark Avenue Pet Supply- Mesa, AZ (480) 832-2510
Bone Appetit Bakery - Phoenix, AZ (480) 785-9499
Kodi's Natural Pet Food - Phoenix, AZ (602) 265-0462
Pet Food Depot - Phoenix, AZ (602) 493-7639
Noble Beast Natural Market for Pets - Phoenix, AZ (602) 265-4223
Choice Pet Market - Scottsdale, AZ (480) 575-9292
www.gooberpetdirect.com - for home delivery of premium pet foods.
Kindest wishes,
Dr. Jacquie
All veterinarians know the importance that diet plays in the health of a patient. Essential nutrients play a vital role in keeping our pets healthy. Veterinarians know the importance of maintaining a pet on a balanced diet of vitamins, minerals, and essential amino acids and that a properly formulated diet should never be the cause of illness. Food should be good medicine. And pet foods are developed to address the basic and essential nutrients required including the necessary percentage of protein, fat, and carbohydrate that our pets need. But with the focus on research aimed at quantity of protein, vitamins etc. where does the quality of ingredients come into play? And herein lies the problem to this standard of veterinary healthcare.
Pet food ingredients in these top of the line diets are not based on quality. Pick up any bag and read the first 5 ingredients and I guarantee that you will see corn, wheat, soy, gluten, and a meat by-product. Read further down the list and you will see flavorings, and preservatives such as BHA, BHT, and ethoxyquin. Preservatives banned in Great Britain and Europe. While research seems to suggest that corn and wheat are perfectly acceptable sources of protein for our pets, isn't meat better? Could corn, wheat, soy and gluten actually be causing some chronic ailments in our beloved pets? I believe that they do. It is time that veterinarians and pet owners demand a better standard of pet food and realize that using food as medicine means using quality ingredients.
Start reading the ingredient labels of pet food and treats. Just read the first 5 ingredients and avoid anything that has corn, wheat, soy, and /or gluten. Look for a diet that has meat listed as the first 1-3 ingredients. This is especially important with cat food. Cats are "obligate carnivores" In other words, their anatomy and physiology is designed for digesting meat only and yet most processed cat food is corn based. Why? It's cheap I suppose. But if a feral cat lived in the middle of an Iowa cornfield and there were no mice, voles or birds to be eaten, that cat would not turn to an ear of corn to survive, she would starve to death. A dog would eat most anything to survive if there was no meat, but would that dog thrive? No
Independently owned pet specialty retailers provide diets with high quality ingredients and the cost is no more than a bag of corn based Science Diet. I have listed retailers below and for additional information check out www.naturapet.com.
The Stock Shop - Glendale, AZ (623) 487-9277
Bark Avenue Pet Supply- Mesa, AZ (480) 832-2510
Bone Appetit Bakery - Phoenix, AZ (480) 785-9499
Kodi's Natural Pet Food - Phoenix, AZ (602) 265-0462
Pet Food Depot - Phoenix, AZ (602) 493-7639
Noble Beast Natural Market for Pets - Phoenix, AZ (602) 265-4223
Choice Pet Market - Scottsdale, AZ (480) 575-9292
www.gooberpetdirect.com - for home delivery of premium pet foods.
Kindest wishes,
Dr. Jacquie
Monday, December 1, 2008
Alta Vista Veterinary Hospital
I am now practicing at a multi doctor small animal practice in central Phoenix where I am the "resident" holistic veterinarian. It feels so good to be treating patients with acupuncture and herbs and discussing the consequences of feeding corn, wheat, soy and gluten again!
I look forward to meeting many wonderful animals and their caretakers and now I have a lovely place to see patients.
Call me directly at (602) 881-8083 or call Alta Vista Veterinary Hospital at (602) 277-1464. Check out www.altavistavet.com
Kindest wishes,
Dr. Jacquie
I look forward to meeting many wonderful animals and their caretakers and now I have a lovely place to see patients.
Call me directly at (602) 881-8083 or call Alta Vista Veterinary Hospital at (602) 277-1464. Check out www.altavistavet.com
Kindest wishes,
Dr. Jacquie
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