Cut the Crap! (Toxins, that is)

Your pet deserves to live a life of comfort and happiness with you like you do with her or him.  Please give up the idea that chronic disease is inevitable and that, oh well, you can’t do anything if your pet is genetically programmed to develop allergies, arthritis, cancer, or any other malady.  This is the old way of thinking.  Haven’t you heard of “epigenetics?”  Modify your pet’s environment and lifestyle to overcome its negative genetic potential.

There are 3 factors that contribute to your pets getting disease, that you can help fix – excess toxins, poor nutrition, and poor communication within the body.  I will concentrate this article on the first – toxins.

Toxins are any substances (usually man-made chemicals) that adversely affect the body’s normal biological functions.  Your pet may have subtle reactions such as a little coughing, sneezing, vomiting, loose stools, or diarrhea; or there may be frank illness with weakness and loss of appetite and weight with any of these signs.  The trick is to limit the toxins that your pets are exposed to - or at least limit what gets into their bodies - plus try to remove what toxins are already inside, by “detox-ing.”

To limit their exposure and what gets into their bodies:

1.  Walk your dog or cat in areas that are less chemical treated.  Avoid areas where there are warning flags.  And certainly wipe their paws with a damp cloth (dry cloth if it is wet outside) when re-entering your house, because they also pick up chemicals for the sidewalks and streets.  Remember, when they settle down, pets will lick their paws.

2.  Avoid over-vaccinating.  Consider vaccinal titer blood tests instead.

3.  Avoid chemical insecticides on or in your pet.  Use essential oils to repel fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and flies.

4.  Avoid chemicals in food.  Feed fresh, frozen, or freeze-dried raw food.

Detox-ing your pet.

1. Brush the coat every day.  Massages release toxins.

2. Feed raw diet.

3.  Serious detox-ing for health.  This requires a conversation with your veterinarian, but always includes supplements to cleanse the liver.

Here’s to your pets’ health!

--Dr Gerald Buchoff, Holistic Pet Care (973) 256-3899 or drbuchoff@gmail.com

Holistic Pet Care Little Falls NJ

Pet-owners will be pleased to find a wide range of alternative treatments in Pet Care Little Falls NJ available through many providers in the region. These holistic approaches to health and wellness provide owners with options beyond medications and surgery, and that may be effective in treating many chronic conditions effectively.

Some treatment approaches for pet-owners seeking alternatives to conventional veterinary practice include the following:

Holistic homeopathy 

Consumers and pet-owners are fortunate to find homeopathic and Holistic Pet Care Little Falls NJ, and the benchmarks of homeopathy are quite distinct. Homeopathy surrounds balancing the energy within the person or animal in order to treat and heal the condition. This medical model embraces diet and relies of less vaccines and preventative immunizations than conventional medical treatment generally commands. The underlying foundation of homeopathic medicine is that the body can and will heal itself, if it is allowed to do so.

Massage therapy

Massage encourages natural healing by stimulating blood flow and nerve endings, relieving tension, and loosening up tight muscles- all of which contribute to faster recovery and healing. Massage can be an integral part of your pet's treatment when going holistic Little Falls, NJ. Massage is lauded for lowering blood pressure and improving immunity, which can help prevent illness and disease. Massage can also provide great relief for overworked and strained muscle groups. The important thing to remember when providing massage therapy for animals is that it should be pleasurable for the pet, and if they do not appear to be comfortable or enjoying the treatment, stop immediately and notify your vet.

Animal Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese treatment that has been used for centuries and that strives to stimulate blood flow in particular areas of the body to facilitate healing. These same principles are extended to services provided by your veterinarian Little Falls, NJ for your pets. The provider attempts to channel the ch'i, or positive energy, to specific pressure points of the body with needles, lasers, and electrical stimulation tactics. Acupuncture has been found to be effective in treating pain, digestion issues, epilepsy, and hip dysplasia in animals. The relief granted by Acupuncture may also contribute to improved mood and disposition in some animals.

Herbal remedies

Ask your provider and Animal Clinic Little Falls NJ for herbal recommendations to treat your animals' chronic or acute conditions. Likewise, let your veterinary provider know when you are giving medications, supplements, and herbal remedies to your pets. These could present an interaction or interference with absorption and metabolism of one-another. There is also a risk of toxicity or adverse reaction when used inappropriately, even though they are considered all-natural.

Chiropractic care

You may not think of chiropractic care when considering Veterinary Little Falls NJ practice, however chiropractic manipulations have been used effectively as a treatment for pain and nerve damage in animals, which can impact overall health of the organs due to realignment of the vertebrae. This includes chronic issues with the gastrointestinal system and heart of many species.

There are tools often used on animals to provide rigorous manipulation during chiropractic treatment, but that could potentially scare dogs and cats, with the noise and stimulation. Many pets may do better with classic, hands-on chiropractic techniques.

Talk with your veterinary provider to determine which alternative methods might be best suited for your pets' distinct issues or conditions. 

Veterinarian Little Falls NJ

Holistic pet care is different from conventional veterinary medicine. Holistic pet care is a more natural approach. We have the passion for helping animals. We treat each pet as if it were our own. Each animal is unique and should be treated as such. They all have their own issues and we are trained to handle them.

Why Is The Holistic Approach Better?

The holistic approach is better than the traditional approach for many reasons. The veterinarian in Little Falls NJ avoids overusing artificial chemicals, antibiotics, vaccinations, as well as various other treatments. We provide natural nutrition, as well as regular daily care. We know that the body can heal on its own. Sometimes, the pet does need help with that process, but for the most part, we do things naturally. It’s better for the pet and their body to go through a natural treatment plan.

Many veterinary treatments in Little Falls NJ:

We can assist with a variety of treatments for your beloved pet. We offer a variety of options:

• Proper Diet

• Herbal Dietary Supplements

• Natural Whole Foods

• Formula From Ancient Cheese

• Nutraceuticals

• Western Herbal Tradition

• Ayurvedic

• Essential Oils

• Bach Flower Emotional Remedy

• Homeopathic Remedy

• VOM Chiropractor Adjustment

• Ozone Therapy

• Acupuncture Therapy

• Reiki

• Cold Laser

• Regular Check ups

• Blood Tests

• And Many More

We will care for cats, dogs, birds, reptiles, and mammals in our clinic. We take holistic Little Falls NJ house calls for those who can’t make it to the clinic.

Allergy in Pets – what you need to know

by Dr. Gerald Buchoff

Allergy is one of the most common yet misunderstood diseases in pets. I consider it one of the most basic autoimmune diseases. Signs of allergies typically manifest at 2 years of age. The classic sign in dogs is itchiness of the ears, axillae (armpits), flanks and ears. Cats typically present with respiratory distress such as labored breathing or coughing.

A little background. Probably all autoimmune diseases involve and begin in the intestines. That is where there are large collections of immune cells (Peyer’s patches). Starting with puppyhood or kittenhood, if we can keep the intestines healthy, we are likely to fend off autoimmune diseases. [Autoimmune diseases can range to systemic lupus erythematosus, pemphigus, autoimmune hemolytic anemia or thrombocytopenia, and even cancer.]

However, if things – such as antibiotics, steroids, vaccines, chlorinated water, and environmental toxins – unbalance the intestines and kill off the beneficial (or “friendly”) bacterial population, it allows overgrowth of harmful yeast, especially Candida, resulting in dysbiosis. This yeast can make chemicals that literally bore holes (ultramicroscopic holes) in the intestinal walls that allow larger than normal molecules to enter the bloodstream. Normally, food has to be broken down into extremely tiny fundamental units. If larger molecules get into the blood, the body does not recognize them and treats them as foreign invaders or germs, and produces antibodies against them. These molecules somehow associate and link to normal tissues in the body. Then the body may attack those tissues (skin, blood cells, gums, thyroid gland, etc.) thinking that they are foreign invaders. Now you have autoimmunity – the immune system attacking its own body.

The dysbiosis in the intestines also leads to the liver suffering from the onslaught of large molecules and toxins that should not be getting into the system.

So, when I treat allergy, I want to (1) treat the dysbiosis (sometimes using supplements that will reduce the yeast and supplements that will increase the bacteria), (2) improve the health of the intestinal lining, (3) support the liver health and function, (4) support the immunity (“immune system”), (5) decrease the allergens and toxins in the body, and (6) deal with the symptoms of itchiness or respiratory problems.

Supporting the immunity can mean “thumping the thymus gland;” using your fingertips or fist to tap the sternum between your pet’s axillae (underarms) or giving nutritional supplements such as medicinal mushrooms and colostrum. Decreasing and avoiding environmental toxins can include giving supplements to clear toxins and wiping paws when coming in from walks. We can decrease allergens by adding digestive enzymes and/or giving a far more digestible (raw) diet to decrease allergens in the diet. We can help the skin and respiratory comfort through many holistic modalities. Aloe Vera added to the diet may help support the skin, the intestines, and the immune system all at the same time.

But, remember that allergies are very complex and treatment has to be tailored to the needs of the individual patient, based on physical examination and blood tests.

Feeding raw while saving money

By guest blogger Shell Huber  

You can stretch your raw feeding dollars by supplementing your pet's diet with the uncooked trimmings of your family's dinner. For example, when trimming beef, grizzle and fat can be mixed into whatever variety of Dr. B's you are feeding your pet. And the same is also true for chicken.  Parts that you might not normally eat, such as the gizzard pack, tail and back rib portions can be fed to your pet. Just remember, any bones should be uncooked. Vegetable trimmings can also be added, make sure that they are pet friendly - no onions, leeks, avocados or grapes. When you add vegetables, you are also adding fiber, which will result in more frequent stools. Here is a link to list of vegetables that are good for both dogs and cats: Veggies!
 
If you have an questions, thoughts or concerns, please email me at naturalrawpetfood@gmail.com
 
Think past the bag!
Go Raw!

Shell Huber attended Rutgers University majoring in Biology. After college he worked for, and owned several small start-up companies throughout the years; the most recent being Dr. B's Holistic Pet Products. He has been feeding his dogs a raw diet since the mid 80's, long before it even heard of in the United States. He has studied virtually all aspects of diet and health as it relates to dogs and cats. He also holds a U.S. Merchant Marine Captain's License and is an avid motorcycle enthusiast.

Dental Disease: From the Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective

Pet Dental Month continues with this post from my colleague Dr. Vanessa K. Moore, DVM

Traditional Chinese Medicine is one of the most ancient forms of medicine.  It continues to have a huge relevance in the way we practice medicine today.  The Five Element theory was based on observation of the cycles of nature and life in 16-221 BC.  It was later applied to the body and medical practice.   It is the basis of Traditional Chinese Medicine.  The Five Elements are Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water.  Each element governs specific organs and systems within the body.

For example, the Water Element is directly related to dental health therefore when this element is weakened or imbalanced in the body dental disease is one of the manifestations.  The Water Element is also associated with older age, therefore other ailments such as osteoarthritis, kidney disease, bladder and urinary disease, hind end weakness and lameness, intervertebral disc disease, dental disease, and hearing or eyesight loss are often seen as symptoms of this imbalance.

In Veterinary Medicine we most commonly see kidney disease, dental disease, intervertebral disc disease and osteoarthritis and lameness either as single diseases, or often combined.  Conventional veterinarians see these illnesses as separate diseases but in fact they are all related and stem from the same deficiency within the Water Element.  Treating each of these diseases independently will result in some success but does not get to the root of the problem.  Traditional Chinese Medicine detects and works to correct the underlying deficiency to result in improvement in all associated ailments.

Dental health is extremely important and feeding a raw diet, brushing your pet's teeth, and routine dental cleanings by your veterinarian are tantamount to maintaining good oral health.  Because dental disease is often not an isolated problem, it is important to look at the animal as a whole and to determine where the imbalance is and how to correct it.  In addition using Traditional Chinese medicine to diagnose the deficiency or imbalance it is also used to correct it using acupuncture, Chinese herbs, and food therapy. It is an excellent way to extend your pet's life span and quality of life.

February is National Pet Dental Health Month!

Animal Dentistry: Keeping your pet healthy and kissable

Dental disease includes gingivitis, calculus/tartar, gum recession, root exposure and loose teeth.

The process starts out as plaque, the invisible or pale yellow gritty material that collects on the teeth. If it is not brushed away, it becomes mineralized and forms calculus/tartar. Calculus/tartar encourages and shelters bacteria which inflames the gums and can form small abscesses/pyorrhea.

The bacteria breaks down the gums and can weaken the jaw bone holding the teeth.  This provides a pathway into the bloodstream, causing serious health problems. For example, bacteria in the bloodstream can cause small abscesses to form on the heart valves, in the kidneys, and in the liver, causing disease of those organs.

Dental disease can ultimately be life-threatening and is totally preventable. Start your dog or cat or ferret off young with daily brushing, using enzyme toothpaste, such as CET®. If there is already some development of calculus, use a tooth gel that contains grapefruit seed extract such as Vetzlife®, that can dissolve away mild calculus plus remove bacteria, allowing the gums to heal.

If there is more than mild gingivitis and slight calculus on the teeth, it is necessary to have them cleaned and polished under anesthesia. Any procedure requiring anesthesia poses its risks and associated costs.

It's in the best interest of your pet and your wallet to brush daily to avoid the need for dentistry. A little prevention goes a long way.

February Specials: 

10% off all dental products

Toothbrushes, pastes, gels and sprays by Vetzlife, Virbac CET, Durafresh and Hope Science Vet make caring for your pet's oral health easy.

**A free gift bag full of dental products will be given to the first 25 clients who bring their pet in for dentistry during the month of February. Call today to schedule an appointment. While supplies last.**