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Pet Food Recall Have your pet checked! We often change the brand of foods we feed our pets (2 cats, 2 dogs, 1 rabbit and 2 birds). I'm concerned that one of us may have given them one of the pet food brands that have been recalled. What should I do? First, let me state that this is a national pet food recall and it involves only dog and cat pet foods. Rabbit and bird food are not involved at all. If you have any suspicion that your dogs or cats MAY have eaten any of the brands on the recall list, I would absolutely have them checked by your veterinarian as soon as possible. I recommend having all of your dogs and cats examined as well, not just the ones you think have been exposed. The information regarding this massive recall is rapidly changing from day to day. As of the writing of this article the information to follow is current. On March 1, 2007, Menu Foods, Inc. recalled pet food that was produced at two of its facilities between December 3, 2006 and March 6, 2007. Presently, over 90 brands of pet food are involved in the recall. For a complete list of dog and cat foods affected by the recall go to www.MenuFoods/recall.com. The initial recall list involved only canned or pouched foods. To date, only one brand of dry food has been recalled (Hills Prescription Diet m/d). Treats have also begun to be on the list of suspicious items. Continued up-to-date information can be obtained at the American Veterinary Medical Association's home page at www.AVMA.org. The Food & Drug Administration (the FDA) laboratories have found a substance called melamine in some of he samples of recalled pet food and in the wheat gluten. Melamine has many industrial uses including use as a fertilizer. Melamine should not be found in pet food at all. Wheat gluten is a mixture of proteins that is often used to thicken pet food gravy. The source of the wheat gluten has been traced to a single supplier from China. The distributor of the wheat gluten in the United States is a company called ChemNutra, Inc. of Las Vegas, Nevada. Currently, the FDA is testing 100% of wheat gluten imported from China. Pets that have eaten recalled food may show signs of illness. It is thought that symptoms will show up within two days. Some pets show symptoms such as decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, sluggishness, blood in the urine, mouth ulcers or a change of behavior. In any case, these dogs and cats need to be examined by a veterinarian and have a complete blood count, biochemistry profile and urinalysis performed. Some may need additional testing if kidney disease is present. The long-term effects on the kidneys are unknown at this time. Treatment is geared toward promoting hydration and diuresis to dissolve and flush out any crystals that may have developed in the kidney tubules. This condition can be life-threatening if not addressed quickly. The sooner aggressive therapy is started, the greater the chance of recovery. Reports from veterinarians currently treating affected pets show that at least partial kidney recovery is possible if the problem is addressed quickly. The point is that if your pet has ingested any of the brands on the recall list then take them to your veterinarian to be examined and tested. Speaking to pet owners since this recall began has lead me to believe that the best thing to do is to stay updated via the news and the internet. New information is coming to light each day. Many of my clients have resorted to home cooking for their pets until this situation is cleared up. This concept is not as difficult as it may seem. A meat protein source such as chicken, beef, turkey or fish, plus vegetable is a good beginning. The addition of a multi-vitamin and a calcium source such as bone meal makes the mixture almost complete...probably more complete that most human diets that are consumed everyday.
GOLD BEAD IMPLANTATIONS IN VETERINARY ACUPUNCTURE The 1970's were an exciting decade in medicine in the United States. The introduction of acupuncture from the East opened up many avenues of healing. The public became more aware of alternate methods of healing, both for themselves and their pets. Individuals that had a positive response to non-conventional treatment modalities, such as acupuncture, homeopathy, Chinese herbs or chiropractic adjustments, began to question whether these same treatments would be beneficial for their companion animals. Fortunately, after more than 3 decades, the public has become more aware of the benefits of alternative healing methods. The internet has greatly contributed to the public's awareness of other treatment options. Veterinary acupuncture has been practiced in China for over 4,000 years. Thousands of publications have come out of China, Japan, Korea and Europe demonstrating the benefits of acupuncture in both animals and humans. Acupuncture is the stimulation of specific points on the body utilizing thin, flexible needles for the purpose of healing. Stimulating acupuncture points causes effects that alter physiological and biochemical conditions within the body. Acupuncture releases neurochemicals, neurotransmitters and neurohormones into the bloodstream and cerebral spinal fluid. Acupuncture can stimulate nerves, relieve muscle spasms, stimulate the body's immune system, relieve pain and help to maintain the body's homeostasis. Dry needles, liquid, heat, electricity, laser or implantation of gold or other metals can stimulate acupuncture points. Dr. Grady Young of Georgia first attempted gold bead implantation in veterinary medicine. His techniques were modified and researched by Dr. Terry Durkes in the mid-seventies. I had the good fortune to learn from this great master a number of years ago. Gold bead implantation is an extension of the acupuncture procedure. Correctly placed, the beads provide long-term stimulation to the acupuncture points. The procedure is done under general anesthesia. The treatment area is clipped and surgically scrubbed. Placement of the gold beads is very precise. Misplacement by even 4-5 mm greatly reduces clinical results. The beads are less then 1/16 of an inch in diameter. The gold bead I use are Magrain beads. These beads are slightly magnetized to impart a positive electric charge. Areas that require treatment and respond to implants are areas that have excessive negative charge. Typically, a 14 gauge, 1 ½ inch needle on a modified 3 cc syringe is utilized. Three or four beads are injected into each area to be treated. Most beads are placed into acupuncture points. This is usually in the subcutaneous tissue, between or into muscle bellies. It is essential that this procedure be performed by a certified veterinary acupuncturist with advanced training and experience in gold bead implantation. Specialists in veterinary acupuncture can be obtained from www.IVAS.org. This website will provide names of veterinarians in your state that are qualified by the standards set forth by the International Acupuncture Society. Original cases of gold bead implantation were performed on German Shepherds with hip displasia and in dogs with seizure disorders. At that time, two beads were placed per site and an approximate 75% success rate was achieved. Today those statistics continue to improve as more clinical case research is accumulated. We have since realized that weight and age are determining factors in success rate, as well as the number of beads per site. Medical conditions that benefit from gold bead implantation include: hip displasia, elbow displasia, wobblers, degenerative joint diseases, intervertebral disc disease, epilepsy/seizures, carpal and tarsal problems, lick granulomas, traumatic nerve injury, chronic cruciate injury, brachial plexus injury, fecal and urinary incontinence, asthma, allergic dermatitis, and long-term injuries. The list continues to expand as further research is conducted. In my hospital, pets that undergo this procedure are sent home the same day. Follow-up examinations are generally on a weekly basis depending on the condition being treated.
My dog, a 5-year old male, Golden Retriever, stopped eating and started to lose weight rapidly earlier this year. My veterinarian suggested an abdominal ultrasound. Much to my surprise and disappointment he was diagnosed with liver cancer. I don't want to put him through chemotherapy. Are there any holistic treatments available for us to pursue? First, let me explain very simply just what "cancer" is. Cancer is the uncontrollable growth of cells in one or more locations in the body. Under normal, healthy conditions the cells of the immune system would attack and eliminate any abnormal or foreign cells that develop or gain access into the body. When the body's immune system is weak or compromised by illness, stress, poor diet, or environmental toxins, it may not be able to kill all the cells that should not be there. Consequently, an abnormal rate of cell growth occurs. These abnormal cells are then considered a cancer. The name the cancer gets is generally based on the cell type or origin of the cells. For example, mast cell tumors are made primarily of mast cells. Squamous cell carcinoma is made up primarily of squamous cells. Osteosarcoma (bone cancer) is made up primarily of osteocytes, and so on. Presently, cancer is the number one "natural" cause of death in dogs. in 20-years of practice I have seen cancer go from a fairly low and even rare incidence to a very high incidence. Cancer is by far the most common condition that I treat in pets, particularly dogs. It is more common in pure breed than mixed breed dogs. Treatment plans are individualized to each particular patient and their needs. Immune system support is always a part of my treatment. Acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine, Chinese herbal supplements, antioxidant therapy, chiropractic adjustments, Reiki and intravenous Vitamin C are some of the treatment possibilities at my Animal Wellness Center in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. Chinese herbal protocols for specific types of cancer are instituted and combined with one or more additional treatments. Herbal tinctures are formulated on site for each pet at the time of their initial consultation. Herbs from China, India, Australia, the Amazon and North America are used. The pet's diet is evaluated and recommendations for improvement are given. Comfort level and quality of life are of utmost importance. Side effects are rare to non-existent to date. Clients are also instructed in the practice of visualization and positive thought with respect to their pet's cancer. Presently, we are in the process of compiling and documenting the various cancers we see and the treatments used. A case in point is "Cleo Ann," a 10-year old, female Bischon. She was diagnosed with liver cancer and liver cirrhosis. Cleo was given a very grave prognosis and two months to live. Her owner was devastated and very upset by the news. She came to see me shortly after the diagnosis. Cleo's liver enzymes were all elevated and some off the charts. I started her off with a combination of acupuncture and Chinese herbs for the cancer and to strengthen her immune system. Within four weeks of treatment her liver values improved, her appetite returned and she was wagging her tail again. We started to increase the intervals between her acupuncture treatments and continued to monitor her liver blood values. If you were to look at her you would never imagine she had cancer. She was the picture of health. Obviously, her two-month death sentence passed without consequence. Cleo's owner was committed to her treatment protocol and adhered to it as one year, two years, three years, four years and more passed. Her liver values came back into the normal range for much of that time. Sometimes only one of the three liver values we monitored was abnormally elevated. Adjustments were made to her treatment protocol as determined by me. On the occasions when the values were elevated she had no clinical signs of illness at all. Both her owner and I were extremely pleased with her progress. Then, one day a month ago I received a call from her owner saying that Cleo had stopped eating. Upon physical examination, Cleo was thinner, with yellowish colored gums, skin and sclera (the white part of the eye). Her skin had a yellowish tint to it. Blood analysis and x-rays verified what I suspected. Cleo was in liver failure and the cancer started, once again, to drain the body's defense system, only this time it won. Cleo was euthanized peacefully. It was a sad day for all of us that knew her. Cleo lived 5 years past the time conventional veterinary medicine said she would live and she had a good quality of live the entire time. She was 15 years old. ARTHTITIS My 9 year old Springer Spaniel was just diagnosed with arthritis. The veterinarian called it "spondylosis" of her spine. Can acupuncture help her? Spondylosis can be a very painful condition for dogs, cats and even small pocket pets such as rabbits, ferrets and hamsters. Generally, spondylosis refers to a condition that affects the bones (vertebrae) protecting the spinal cord. Anatomically, it is the backbone. The individual vertebrae protect the spinal cord. There is a sponge-like material, the disc material that cushions the area between the vertebrae. When a condition such as spondylosis occurs it is because extra boney material starts for form at the front end and the back end of the vertebra. Frequently, this is due to misalignment, trauma, infection and general wear and tear of the bones as a result of aging. Simply stated spondylosis is a "form of arthritis." I have seen arthritis develop as a result of bacterial infections, viral infections and fungal infections. In our part of the country, the Northeast, Lyme disease is endemic. This means that there are more cases of Lyme disease diagnosed in this location than there is in other parts of the country. This is generally due to the large population of white-tailed deer and the fact that the deer tick carries the organism. This makes it easier for the human and pet population to be exposed. It is not necessary to walk through the woods to get infected. These ticks are very adaptable. They can be found on the tips of grass, on shrubs, and in ground cover. Your pet can pick up and infected tick very easily; get bitten and manifest signs fairly quickly. The organism that causes Lyme disease is called a spirochete. Spirochetes tend to migrate through the muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints of the body. If they settle n your pet's joints a serious case of degenerative arthritis can develop. Lyme disease can be the cause in most cases. Can acupuncture help? Yes, you bet it can! Frequently, arthritic type conditions occur as an animal or person gets older. Spondylosis causes the nerves coming out of the spinal cord, which are protected by the vertebrae, to get irritated. This irritation of the nerves causes pain. Acupuncture can ease the irritation to the nerves and make the pet feel much better. In my experience, acupuncture improves the quality of life in pets that have an arthritic condition such as spondylosis. Acupuncture combined with the appropriate Chinese herbal formula(s) has been more beneficial than just acupuncture alone. The pharmaceutical industry provides us with a multitude of synthetic medications to treat "the pain of arthritis." The problem is that they come with a multitude of side effects as well. Some of the more common side effects with this particular class of medications are vomiting, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal infection, inflammation or ulceration. Additionally, many of these medications affect the liver and kidneys adversely causing and elevation of liver and kidney enzymes. An experienced and properly educated veterinarian can recommend alternatives to some of these conventional medications. Acupuncture essentially has no serious side effects in companion animals. Given the choice, I know which option I would take. |