Health Coaching for Pets
Have you ever just wanted a second opinion, either about your own health or the health care of your pets? Books and the internet are great for general information, background, and education but usually don’t address the specific situation going on in the owner’s...
Why has my Black Cat’s Coat Turned Red?
Black coat color is produced by a pigment called melanin. Melanin is the same pigment in human skin that turns our skin brown(er) when we are exposed to sunshine. Melanin is found in higher concentration in black coated animals than other color coats. Melanin is made...
What Are the Ingredients of Vaccines?
The list of ingredients for most vaccines is proprietary information - this means vaccine companies are not required to disclose their ingredients to the consumer. Therefore, even if the consumer, or the consumer’s pet, has a reaction to a vaccine, the vaccine the...
My Dog Bit Me. Do I Need to Get a Tetanus Booster?
Tetanus comes from bacterial infection caused by a bacterium called Clostridium tetani. C tetani lives in the soil. This bacterium produces a toxin that causes the typical signs of tetanus when the environment is right. C tetani enters the body through a break in the...
Cancer: What to Do When Your Dog is Diagnosed
Statistics presented by veterinary insurance companies report that 25% of dogs will develop cancer before they die. For some reason, the cancer rate in cats is not as high as that in dogs. Therefore, this discussion will focus on dogs. However, much of what applies to...
The Origin of Current Omega Fatty Acid Standards in Pet Food
In 2015, AAFCO approved specific fatty acids ratios for pet foods. Omega fatty acids are used by the body to reduce inflammation and are building blocks for many biochemical pathways. Some of these fatty acids are essential, meaning the body cannot make its own. Diet...
Do I Need to Brush my Dog’s Teeth More Often or Should I Even Start?
The goal is always for our dog’s teeth to be pearly white. But when it’s one tooth, the canine, that builds up tartar, the question becomes what’s the best thing to do? Animals don’t really chew with their fangs, the canines. The canine teeth are meant for holding...
An Inconsistency in the Practice of Veterinary Medicine (At Least in the United States)
When most people go to the veterinarian it is assumed the veterinarian is trained in the skills that are needed. Graduation from a veterinary curriculum means “trained and ready to serve your pets.” Any veterinarian can provide any service. There are specialty...
Curing an Older Cat Who Prowls All Night
I was recently speaking to a pet owner about her elderly cat, Edmond. Edmond seemed to have his nights and days confused. He would walk around the house all night, yowling, and sleep all day. His behavior made it very hard for his owners to sleep. Edmond’s owner tried...
What is Reiki & How it Might Help my Pet?
It’s a form of energy therapy formalized in 1922 by a Japanese Buddhist monk named Mikao Usui. Since 1922, his original 2000 students-turned-Reiki Masters have taught other practitioners all around the world in Usui’s energy healing methods. Based on a...