The truth about cats & dogs; they can benefit from holistic health care too - includes sources for finding a holistic vet

We All Know a whole-foods diet and natural medicine can help us lead healthier lives. But they can also benefit some family members you may not have thought of: your dog or cat.

Just like humans, our animal companions must contend with factors that tax their health, including dietary deficiencies, environmental pollution and emotional and physical stress, says Richard Pitcairn, D.V.M., Ph.D., director of the Academy of Veterinary Homeopathy in Eugene, Ore., and co-author of Dr. Pitceirn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cots (Rodale, 1995). Since entering veterinary practice in 1965, Pitcairn says he has seen a general deterioration in pet health. Wendy Volhard, author of The Holistic Guide for a Healthy Dog (Howell Book House, 1995), agrees, pointing out the life span for purebred dogs has been drastically reduced. A Newfoundland Club of America survey found the average life span of this breed has been halved over the past 25 years, from 14 years to seven.

Both Volhard and Pitcairn blame this decline in health on inbreeding, multiple vaccinations, allopathic drug treatments and the widespread use of nutritionally deficient commercial pet food. All of these stress the immune system, which can lead to chronic disease. And while quick-fix drug therapies can temporarily alleviate symptoms, they fail to get to the root of the disease, don't strengthen the body's defenses and may even cause undesirable side effects. Holistic medicine for pets is a gentler form of healing that encourages the body to restore itself, usually without side effects. As with humans, an important part of holistic care for animals is preventing illness. The best place to start? A healthful diet.

WHOLE FOODS FOR HEALTH

Although Most of us rely on commercial pet foods, that's not the ideal choice for animals. Pitcairn points out the average brand is both deficient in essential nutrients and abundant in undesirable additives. The amount of protein, for example, is often inadequate, either because it's indigestible or unbalanced in amino acids. Furthermore, animal protein in pet food usually comes from by products that may include diseased and damaged meat, hooves, hair, feathers, feces and road kill. It also may be contaminated with antibiotics, pesticides, hormones, heavy metals and other toxins. Artificial colorings and preservatives are widely used.

A better option is to use a good-quality natural pet food. Read the label. Volhard says to pick a pet food that contains two animal proteins in the first three ingredients and is naturally preserved with vitamins C and E. Avoid products that contain artificial colorings; preservatives such as BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin, propylene glycol, propyl gallate and sodium nitrate/nitrite; and animal by products, unless the company identifies them as organ meats. The drawback with even high-quality packaged foods is they must be cooked, which destroys enzymes, amino acids, vitamins and minerals. For this reason, experts recommend you at least supplement these pet foods with raw foods, as well as vitamins and minerals.

The best diet for cats and dogs is the one on which they have evolved naturally: a whole-foods diet emphasizing raw foods. Although it may take a bit of effort, most holistic practitioners recommend you make your own pet food. Several books provide recipes for preparing cat and dog meals, using dairy products, high-protein grains, legumes and other vegetables, fruits--and, yes, meat.

If you're a vegetarian, you may feel uncomfortable feeding your pet meat, whether you prepare it yourself or buy it as packaged pet food. "I think there are global, ethical and social reasons to feed our dogs and cats a vegetarian diet," says Rob Silver, D.V.M., a holistic veterinarian in Boulder, Colo. However, "from a biological standpoint, there's a need for dogs, and certainly much more so for cats, to have meat."

The fact is, you've chosen to live with an animal with pointed teeth, sharp claws and a relatively short intestinal tract--an animal designed to catch, eat and digest meat. "We have to accept nature the way it is," Volhard says. Or, as Michael W. Fox, D.V.M., and vice president of the Humane Society of the United States, puts it, "It's rather anthropomorphic to try to make our pets vegetarian."

Strictly speaking, dogs are omnivores, and Pitcairn says they can survive on a meatless diet, if you're careful about what you feed them. However, because dogs require more protein and calcium than people, you can't simply share your vegetarian meals with Fido. Pitcairn urges his clients to follow recipes designed specifically for dogs and to provide a lacto-ovo, rather than vegan, diet.

Meeting a cat's nutritional needs with a vegetarian diet is much more difficult. As true carnivores, they require a high-protein, high-fat diet and don't assimilate plant foods very well. In the wild, their primary source of vegetable matter comes predigested in the intestines of their prey.

They also need arachidonic acid and the amino acid taurine, both found almost exclusively in animal sources; taurine deficiency can lead to blindness and heart disease.

Although some vets say clients have had success raising cats on a vegetarian diet, Fox notes there are no objective studies demonstrating it's safe to do so. "I'm very concerned," he says, "about these vegan cat foods that read like a chemical soup with all these synthetic additives [to provide missing nutrients]. It's getting so far away from fresh, whole foods that I think it's ethically questionable and scientifically dubious."

WHEN ILLNESS STRIKES

Natural Medicine can be an effective way to care for an ailing animal, using the same modalities you would use yourself: homeopathy, herbs, even acupuncture. When following the suggestions for home care, keep in mind that if your animal worsens or fails to improve after two or three days, you should call your veterinarian. If she is very sick or severely injured, take her to the veterinarian immediately. Here are six of the more common animal maladies and tips for treating them holistically.

Abscesses. Abscesses are, for lack of a more eloquent definition, pockets of pus. They commonly complicate puncture wounds, especially from cat fights, where needlelike teeth create deep wounds with a narrow exit that quickly heals over, sealing in bacteria. Abscesses also can occur when foreign bodies such as porcupine quills or splinters become embedded in the skin.

Remove any foreign bodies that protrude from the skin and wash the wound with soap and plenty of water. If you're aware a fight occurred, Pitcairn says you often can prevent abscesses from forming by giving your cat the homeopathic remedy Ledum. Look for a potency of 3 0C (this will be on the label) and give one pellet or tablet every 4 hours for a total of three treatments. As a general rule of thumb, Pitcairn prefers homeopathic remedies over herbs because the remedies taste good, work rapidly, are without side effects arid, except in acute illness, aren't given frequently. Also, if you choose the wrong remedy, the worst that happens is nothing.

If infection sets in, you'll notice a localized swelling that is hot to the touch and tender. To improve immune function and help fight the infection, you can give your pet three daily doses of echinacea and vitamin C (250 milligrams [mg.] for cats and small dogs, 500 ma. for medium dogs, 1,000 ma. for large dogs). Another immune booster and potent antimicrobial agent is garlic. You can mix raw minced garlic 1/2 to 3 cloves a day, depending upon the size of your animal) into the daily food ration. If your animal refuses raw garlic, says Anitra Frazier, a long-time vegetarian and author of The New Natural Cat (Plume, 1990), mix the minced clove with a small amount of equal parts water and soy sauce, let it stand for a few minutes, then strain out the garlic and mix the liquid with food. Other alternatives include "deodorized" garlic in capsules or liquid form.

To increase blood flow, which brings more infection-fighting white blood cells to the area and carries away waste products, alternate applications of hot and cold, wet washcloths. (Check the hot washcloth on yourself first; it should be as hot as you can stand without burning yourself.) You also can soak the washcloth in a tea of echinacea or oregon grape root. Pitcairn recommends the homeopathic remedies Lachesis muta or Hepar sulph calcareum, both in the 3 0C potency, 1 pellet every four hours for three treatments. Volhard finds the homeopathic remedy Silicea useful for expelling foreign bodies.

Once drainage begins, keep the exit open by cleaning away the scab and discharge twice a day with hydrogen perox pocket with a solution made from I cup warm water, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 10 drops oregon grape root in a glycerin-based extract. To expel the solution, press the abscess pocket flat. After the discharge stops completely, apply an ointment of the herb calendula. Don't apply ointment any earlier or it will prematurely close the wound.

If your animal becomes ill, particularly if she develops a fever, immediately take her to your veterinarian. If the discharge doesn't clear after several days, your pet may have an embedded foreign body requiring surgical removal.

Arthritis. Arthritis and other joint problems are more common in dogs than cats. Pitcairn says most cases could be prevented if female dogs were fed optimally during pregnancy, a critical time in the formation of the puppy's skeletal system.

Because an animal's needs can change, any long-term nutritional program should be formulated in partnership with a holistic vet, says Silver. In general though, vitamin C is a mainstay in both prevention in non-pregnant dogs (from 125 ma. for a puppy or small dog to 1,000 ma. for a large dog, given twice a day) and treatment (250 to 1,000 ma. twice a day, depending upon size). In addition to vitamin C, H.C. Gurrrey, D.V.M., a holistic vet in Conifer, Colo., treats his arthritic patients with daily doses of 5 to 15 ma. of zinc and 100 to 400 IU vitamin E; to this regimen, Silver adds 50 micrograms of selenium a day. Maintenance vitamin therapy of C, E, zinc and selenium continues for the rest of the animal's life.

Silver also supplements the diet with essential fatty acids, which have anti-inflammatory effects. Mix equal parts flaxseed, borage and fish oils and blend with food For small dogs, give 1/2 teaspoon twice a day; for medium dogs, 1 teaspoon twice a day; for large dogs, 1 teaspoon three times a day. In addition, Silver uses glucosamine sulfate (250 to 500 mg., 2 to 3 times a day), which is found naturally in the joints.

Herbs to explore include feverfew, garlic, alfalfa, yucca, turmeric and devil's claw. Silver and Gurney both find that acupuncture often alleviates arthritis symptoms, provided the pet's guardian is willing to commit to a series of treatments. Although it may be hard to imagine an animal submitting to acupuncture, both vets say they don't seem to mind the needles; in fact, the treatment often calms them. Chiropractic manipulations and homeopathic remedies may also help.

Diarrhea and vomiting. Many agents can cause gastrointestinal upset: viruses, bacteria, parasites, toxins, spoiled food, food sensinvities and overeating. Diarrhea and vomiting are of particular concern with kittens and puppies, who can quickly become dehydrated. If diarrhea persists more than half a day or vomiting occurs more than once or twice, take your young animal to the veterinarian. If you suspect your animal has eaten poison, in which case he may exhibit signs such as drooling, twitching muscles, trembling or convulsions, call your veterinarian or the National Animal Poison Control Center at (300) 548-2423 immediately.

For vomiting, withhold food for three or four hours, then introduce easy-to-digest foods such as cooked carrots and rice. You can feed your pet small amounts of yogurt or mix acidophilus with food to recolonize his intestines with "friendly" bacteria.

Silver's protocol for home care of diarrhea starts with a 24 to 48 hour fast, providing plenty of pure water, tepid broths or rice water. (To make rice water, parboil the rice 10 to 15 minutes, cool and strain off the liquid.) Note: If your animal is very old or very young or has diabetes, hyperthyroidism, cancer or other serious disease, do not put her on a fast without the supervision of a veterinarian.

During the fast, Silver recommends giving your animal powdered kudzu root mixed with equal parts ground psyllium seed. Both are available at natural food stores. Depending on your pet's size, blend 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of this mixture with a small amount of yogurt or chicken baby food and feed it to your animal 2 to 3 times a day.

Kaopectate solution--the same one humans use absorbs irritating substances and soothes the intestines. Pitcairn recommends giving I teaspoon to 3 tablespoons every 4 hours. The powdered bark of slippery elm soothes inflamed mucous membranes and helps control diarrhea. Pitcairn suggests mixing 1 rounded teaspoon of the powdered herb with 1 cup cold water. Stirring constantly, bring to a boil, then simmer 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat and add 1 tablespoon honey. Cool to room temperature. Four times a day, give cats and small dogs 1 teaspoon; medium dogs, 2 teaspoons to 2 tablespoons; and large dogs 3 to 4 tablespoons.

If you suspect your pet ate .spoiled food or something toxic, Gurney recommends that you first check with your veterinarian, then give your animal I tablet of activated charcoal for every 10 pounds of weight every 3 waking hours.

Intestinal parasites. Regular vet exams should include a check for microscopic worms. Worms often can be prevented with a nutritious diet seasoned with plenty of garlic. If your dog or cat has worms, the goal of treatment is to provide an internal environment healthful for your pet but inhospitable to the worm. Roughage helps propel the worms out of the intestines. Silver recommends grated carrot, turnip or beets and 1/2 to 2 teaspoons oat or wheat bran mixed into every meal for one month.

Several other nutritional supplements help expel worms: diatomaceous earth (a fine white powder made from the fossilized remains of one-celled algae), 1/4 to 1 teaspoon added to each meal; raw minced garlic, 1/2 to 2 cloves a day; finely ground pumpkin seeds, 1/4 to 1 teaspoon added to each meal.

Fleas. If your pet has fleas, a few simple changes in diet and hygiene often can clear up the problem without resorting to toxic flea collars, dips and sprays. These products contain insecticides that can poison companion animals (and humans) when they are absorbed through the skin, inhaled or licked off the coat, causing skin irritation, vomiting, diarrhea, nervous system toxichy and, in large enough doses, death.

In terms of nontoxic treatments, Frazier says, "The most important step is to treat the premises. If you do that, you've got the problem licked." This entails ridding your house and yard of adult fleas, larvae and eggs. Once or twice a year, try dusting your house with diatomaceous earth; it kills fleas and other insects by removing their waxy outer coating. (Do not use the type of diatomaceous earth sold for swimming pool filters, because its extra-fine particles may be breathed in, causing chronic lung inflammation.) Some companies sell an anti-flea mineral salt that you apply to your carpets. Then vacuum and discard the bag. Steam clean carpets and draperies and wash your floors. If you must use a fogger or carpet spray, look for products that use natural pyrethrins from chrysanthemums as the active ingredient, because they are the least toxic.

Thoroughly clean your dog or cat too. Using a fine-toothed flea comb, regularly go through your pet's coat and discard any fleas or ticks into a container of hot soapy water. Bathe your pet with a nontoxic flea shampoo or a teaspoon of dishwashing detergent in a cup of water. This mixture will get the animal wet down to the skin and drown the fleas. "Have your comb ready," Frazier advises, "because the fleas are going to run up to the head." She also recommends a rinse made from a thinly sliced lemon (including the rind) soaked for 24 hours in a pint of boiled water; lemon contains d-limonene, which actually kills fleas, and other substances that help heal irritated skin.

Supplement your pet's diet with daily doses of 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon brewer's yeast and 1 to 2 cloves minced garlic. You also can dust your animal's coat with brewer's yeast or diatomaceous earth.

Several brands of natural sprays, shampoos and collars contain herbs that naturally repel fleas, such as pine, cedar, citronella, wormwood, pennyroyal, rue, rosemary and eucalyptus. Tea tree oil and the botanical extract d-limonene kill fleas on contact. Alternatively, you can rub essential oils into your animal's collar and coat or sprinkle her with powdered herbs. If you have a cat, keep in mind they are said to abhor rue and pennyroyal.

Mange. This condition is caused by mites and is rare in cats but common in dogs. Typically, mild cases clear up without treatment, but in more severe cases, mange can spread over the body, resulting in hair loss and irritated, thickened skin. Because the mites are microscopic, it's best to have your veterinarian confirm the diagnosis.

Holistic practitioners agree the disease can be cured without resorting to the conventional treatment of painting the skin with a strong insecticide. Volhard attributes mange to a breakdown in the immune system caused by dietary deficiencies and allergies. "Ninety-nine percent of the time," she says, "mange and other skin diseases in dogs will clear up on a natural diet."

Pitcairn recommends the following supplements: vitamin C (250 to 1,000 ma. Of ascorbate twice a day), vitamin E ( 100 to 400 IU a day), zinc (as ground pumpkin seeds or a 10 to 30mg. tablet a day) and lecithin 1/2 to 3 teaspoons a day).

You can make Frazier's lemon rinse for fleas, adding plantain, lavender or Oregon grape root herbs.

By this point, you may wish you had adopted a low-maintenance pet, perhaps a goldfish. Actually, once you get the hang of natural pet care, it's not so difficult. It does require less time, energy and money than caring for a chronically ill pet. And the other rewards are great too: the satisfaction of conscientious stewardship and the grace of returning the love given to you so freely by your animal companion.

RELATED ARTICLE: The Right Amount of Herb

Start with a small amount of an herb, to get your pet used to the taste. According to Rob Silver, D.V.M., a holistic veterinarian, lecturer and author in Boulder, Colo., the herbs recommended below are extremely unlikely to cause any adverse reaction. However, because cats' bodies lack certain detoxification enzymes, they are more susceptible to toxins than dogs. When treating with herbs, use caution and low doses.

The major drawbacks to herbs are digestibility and palatability, especially for cats. Mixing a small amount of hot water can help with digestion. For taste, Silver suggests mixing the herb with small amounts of food, honey (for dogs), clam juice, tuna juice or molasses.

 Body Weight     Tablets   Drops     Teaspoons
(approx. lbs.)                       of loose herb
Under 10         1/2       5 to 15   1/2 to 1 1/2
10 to 30         1 to 2    10 to 25  1 1/2 to 2 1/2
30 to 50         2 to 3    20 to 30  2 to 3
50 to 70         3 to 4    25 to 35  2 1/2 to 3 1/2
70 plus          3 to 5    30 to 40  3 to 4

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