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Physical
Ailments
· Skin problems
· Digestive complaints
· Arthritis and Joint problems
· Organ imbalances: heart/kidney/liver
· Urinary tract and kidney problems
· Respiratory conditions
· Surgery/convalescence
· Immune system deficiencies
Behavioural/emotional
issues
· Territorial spraying
· Anxiety and timidity
· Aggression
· Pining/Grief
· Destructive Behaviour
and
more ...
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Surgery/Convalescence
Surgery places a great deal of stress on
our animal friends. However, with preparation
and a little extra care, we can minimize
this stress, and ensure our pets return
to a healthy state.
Sometimes, we cannot know when our pets
will need to undergo surgery, so pre-surgery
care is not possible. However, even in a
medical emergency, it can be beneficial
to apply flower essences or other remedies
to help the animal cope with the shock of
injury and/or trauma. Flower essences such
as Bach Rescue Remedy, and special homoeopathic
first aid remedies, can help the animal
stabilize until he is able to obtain medical
treatment.
For operations that can be planned, such
as spaying and castrating, it is possible
to commence preparation for your pets' surgery,
prior to the event.
Nutritional requirements increase when a
body undergoes anaesthetic and surgery.
This is due to the stress the body is subjected
to; not only the physical stress of the
operation and anaesthetic, but also the
mental and emotional stress your pet may
experience due to pain, strange surroundings,
being confined at the vet's, etc. The body
uses many more nutrients to cope with these
additional stresses.
Supplementation of vitamins and minerals
is especially important - beginning if possible,
a few weeks before surgery, and continuing
as part of post-surgery care. It is important
to consult your animal practitioner for
a personalized assessment of your pet's
requirements; but generally such vitamins
as the B-complex, A & C can all be of
benefit, and also probiotics.
In particular, the immune system must be
maintained and strengthened if possible.
This will help your pet's body cope with
the stresses of surgery and also the possible
risk of infection.
Supplements and herbs can support the body's
organs and help recovery to be swift and
complete.
Homeopathic remedies shine for post -operative
care. Arnica before and immediately following
surgery will assist general recovery, however,
there are specific remedies for such problems
that can be encountered as: reaction to
anaesthetic, post-operative bleeding and/or
bruising, pain, restlessness, slow wound
healing, mental reactions etc. Of course,
your pet will be sore and perhaps anxious
and disoriented, so a quiet, warm, safe
place for him to rest and recuperate is
essential.
Diet is also very important; check with
your vet re: special diet requirements,
but if there are none, please feed your
animal good quality (preferably fresh) food,
and make sure they have access to filtered
water. Once again, judicious use of supplements
may assist your pet's speedy recovery.
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 Your
Older Dog
As our dogs age,
they require a little more consideration to ensure
they spend their days as happy and healthy as
possible.
Please consider the following suggestions that
may make your old friend's life a little more
comfortable:
· Adequate exercise. It is important for all dogs,
including older ones, to receive exercise, as
this keeps the joints, muscles and ligaments mobile,
and the organs (especially the heart) healthy
and functioning. It also alleviates boredom, particularly
for dogs confined to a small yard or indoors.
A daily walk allows dogs to interact with their
species, even if just vicariously via scents left
behind! However, your older dog may not be as
agile or as athletic as she once was; make sure
you keep the level of exercise within his range
of ability. Be on the look out for slowing of
pace, excessive panting, reluctance to walk, extreme
post-exercise fatigue - these can be signs of
too much exertion (nb - if the above symptoms
occur after mild exercise, or persist, seek veterinary
advice).
· Adequate rest.
Your aging dog may need to rest between bouts
of play, and may take more snoozes during the
day. Allow for him to be able to rest when he
needs to.
· Smaller, regular meals. As a dog ages, his
digestive functions may not be as efficient.
Two or three smaller meals throughout the day,
rather than one large meal, will help with food
digestion and nutrient utilization. Contact
our animal naturopath for specific food requirements,
but generally; fresh is best - human grade meat
(chicken, lean beef, fish) with pureed green
and orange veggies; and/or a little good quality
protein such as cottage cheese, eggs, yoghurt
and the occasional large raw bone if his teeth
can manage it . Herbs such as garlic (good for
the immune system and parasite repellant) can
be added to the meal. Supplements that provide
additional nutrients can be added to the meal.
Age can bring diminished ability to absorb and
utilize nutrients - adding digestive enzymes
to the meal will help with this.
· Access to fresh, clean water is important.
· Maintain good dental hygiene. Gum and teeth
inflammation can spead systemically and cause
major health problems.
· Review the need for vaccinations - particularly
annual boosters. Most vaccinations are for diseases
that affect mainly younger dogs. Vaccinosis
is a growing concern; the effects of years of
vaccination may compromise the older dog's health.
Consider homoeopathic or herbal alternatives
(especially for heartworm)
· Comfort and security. Your older dog requires
a safe haven from boisterous younger family
members (whether human or four-legged variety);
somewhere he can watch the world go by and still
feel a part of his 'pack'. This should include
a comfy sleeping area, which keeps him warm
in winter & cool in summer.
· Lots of love & attention - is of course,
only the natural due of someone who has devoted
their life to you, and provided unconditional
love and acceptance throughout their time with
you. Don't isolate him away from his own family
- he can & will suffer from this cruelty.
· Observe his behaviour for signs of discomfort
or pain. Don’t just accept symptoms such as
stiffness or reluctance to move as 'old age'.
Ailments such as arthritis, heart, bladder problems
etc can be alleviated or palliated by judicious
use of medications and/or natural therapies
- see your health professional for assessment.
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 Health
Monitoring
Being close to your friend, you can often have
a ‘feeling’ when something is not quite right.
Look for:
· lack of enthusiasm, depression, lethargy
· poor appetite
· changes in personality – eg becoming snappy,
or anxious. Also be aware of your friend’s behaviour,
moods etc. Like us, pets feel the range of emotions
that being alive brings. Mood changes can also
have a physical cause.
· changes in sleeping patterns; pet staying close
to your side or wanting to be nursed/petted more
than usual
When
grooming/patting; get used to the feeling of your
pet; so that any unusual things will be noticed
early; for example:
· skin condition (lumps and bumps etc)
· mucous membranes; eg discharge from nose, ·
eyes genitals
· whether they are moving freely
Early treatment
of illnesses or disease often yields the best
results, so if is important to be observant
of your pet's general health, and seek professional
advice if necessary.
As mentioned previously, the natural inclination
of the body is to heal itself, and with the
use of natural therapies and loving care and
attention, your friend should live a long, happy
and healthy life with you and your family.
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CARING
FOR YOUR DOG
There
are many things a carer can do to ensure dog
lives a happy, healthy and natural life. The
holistic view of animal health maintains that
good health is the body’s natural state, and
with a little help from good diet, fresh air
and exercise, and judicious use of supplements,
our pet, if off-track, can be gently lead back
to the natural state of optimum health.
Here are a few tips to help you help your friend:
Diet
In the wild, dogs did not consume canned or
cooked food! They fed mainly on animals, and
fruit and vegetable matter on the jungle floor.
So where possible, feed your dog on human
grade raw meat – such as chicken (necks and/or
wings are excellent for smaller dogs), fish,
or beef chunks. In addition, pulped or pureed
vegetables can be added to the meal. Vegetables
such as cauliflower, zucchini, broccoli, pumpkin,
carrot, beets etc are very nutritious. Vegie
leftovers from the family meal can be mashed
and fed to the dog. A raw, meaty bone once
or twice a week will help keep your dog’s
teeth free from tartar and decay.
Good quality nutrient supplements such as
can be added to your dog’s food daily. These
provide a full range of nutrients for your
dog’s good health. See your animal naturopath
for further details.
Home made biscuits can provide snacks for
your dog, and will also help with dental hygiene.
Try to avoid feeding your dog too many grains
– eg pasta, bread, and rice. These are not
natural foods for dogs, although in small
quantities they are ok.
Make sure your dog has access to plenty of
FRESH water – filtered is best
Many dogs enjoy fruit such as apples, or bananas.
In small quantities, these can make a nice
treat. Go easy on the high sugar fruits –
too much sugar is not good for your dog (or
you, for that matter!)
For more detailed dietary advice, speak to
our animal naturopath.
Exercise
In the wild, your dog was
a wide-ranging scavenger, who would hunt prey
over large distances. Now, he is often confined
in a small, fenced off area in suburbia. Try
crouching on all fours in your back yard,
to get a dogs-eye view of the world! Often,
it is just four fences he sees; the interesting
outside world is beyond reach. ‘Bad’ behaviour
is often perfectly natural behaviour as a
result of boredom and/or loneliness. Most
of us humans lead busy lives, but studies
have shown that optimum health for not only
dogs but humans, includes adequate exercise
and recreation. Taking your dog out for a
run each night/morning is good for both of
you!
Companionship
It is easy to take your dog’s
unconditional love and acceptance for granted.
He is always there, in the morning when you
wake up, and when you return home from work
in the evening, you are assured of an enthusiastic
welcome.
Taking time out to pet and talk to your dog,
is, once again beneficial for the well being
of both dog and human carer. Your dog needs
to feel he is a part of his human family.
He is a pack animal, and sees you as leader
of the pack. Playing with your pet releases
endorphins, the feel good hormone that helps
maintain good health.
Shelter
Your canine friend needs a
place to call his own, where he can sleep
and rest feeling safe and secure, and where
he can retire to if he has had enough of children’s
play, or gets into trouble! An enclosed area
with adequate ventilation is important, as
is clean, comfortable bedding. If an animal
is to be left alone for long periods, toys
and access to water should be made available,
nearby his bed.
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