Special Ingredient Saturday – Asparagus
One of my favorite summer treats at family cookouts is grilled asparagus. Research has shown that asparagus contains saponins that have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. Saponins in food are also associated with improved blood pressure and better control...
Help for the Dog or Cat with Chronic Urinary Tract Infections
The common way to diagnose a urinary tract infection is to look for blood in the urine. Sometimes the blood isn’t so obvious that the pet owner sees it, but a veterinarian can detect the presence of blood with a urinalysis strip. The assumption is if blood is present...
Special Ingredient Saturday – Peas
These small green additions pack an impressive nutritional punch for your pet. Peas contain an assortment of health-protective phytonutrients that have high anti-inflammatory properties and help to prevent cancer, according to studies. One phytonutrient — saponin — is...
How to Avoid Atopy Early – Start When Your Dog is a Pup
A colleague made a fascinating correlation: within 3 to 6 weeks of puppies receiving a distemper vaccine, many puppies break out with a rash on their belly. This rash is usually called “puppy pyoderma.” “Pyo ” means pus or infection, “derma” means skin. For many...
Special Ingredient Saturday – Parsley
Do you think that adding a bit of beautiful parsley to your pooch’s dinner plate is going a bit overboard? Maybe not. Parsley doesn’t just look good on a plate; it has valuable health benefits as well. Parsley contains ‘volatile oil’ which animal studies have shown...
Interesting Experiences in International Travel
I recently returned from a 10 day trip to China – combination business trip and pleasure. Climbing the Great Wall of China is an incomparable experience – pictures only partially express the wonder! As a developing country, many of the experiences I’ve witnessed in...
Special Ingredient Saturday – Apples
Can an apple a day keep the veterinarian away? Maybe. Apples provide quality fiber to your pets’ diet as well as many phytonutrients that provide anti-inflammatory protection and disease prevention. Recent studies also show anti-cancer benefits in apples. Not bad for...
When to Seek a Second (3rd or 4th) Opinion
Many of the phone consults I perform as a — now retired — veterinarian who no longer diagnoses or prescribes, center around helping pet owners make the most of their pet’s condition or circumstances. The purpose of a phone consultation is not to diagnose or treat a...
Special Ingredient Saturday – Tea Tree Oil
Tea Tree WHAT?!? Tea tree oil has been used for centuries with the Aboriginal peoples to clean wounds and prevent infections. It has steadily grown in popularity and now many all around the world recognize this powerful shrub and appreciate its cleansing...
Canine Fitness: A New Therapy to Improve How Dogs Move
There are many modalities that help the arthritic patient: acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, laser, and herbal therapy. (Most of these have been discussed in other blogs.) A great new trend to help arthritic patients– and even dogs who suddenly can’t walk or stand...