Natural Health 
For Your Best Friends

Did you know?

- That feeding pets a natural diet rather than commerical foods filled with   low-end ingredients, chemicals, and additives will improve their health and can prolong their life span?

- That vaccinations can sometimes harm an animal, and there are vaccinations available from holistic vets that are kinder and gentler on your pet's immune system?

- There are a growing number of veterinarians (DVMs) who are also Naturopathic, offering holistic services like acupuncture, herbal and homeopathic remedies, and nutritional counseling?

*Remember that no home remedy or treatment takes the place of health checkups    and advice from a licensed veterinarian. I have included links to licensed holistic veterinarians and caregivers

HOW CAN MY DOG BENEFIT FROM CHIROPRACTIC CARE?

Chiropractic care offers a natural, drug-free adjunct to your dog's total health care. In conjunction with regular veterinary care, chiropractic care can decrease pain, and add quality to your dog's performance, movement, and well being. Chiropractic care addresses problems stemming from imbalances in the following three systems:

THE SKELETAL SYSTEM AND JOINTS OF THE BODY: Bones and joints form a flexible structure and capable of pain free movement when in normal health and alignment.

THE MUSCULAR SYSTEM: Healthy muscles allow the joints to move freely. Healthy muscles are free of spasm, weakness, pain, knots, or degeneration.

THE NERVOUS SYSTEM: Nerves "direct" the functions of the body controlling the flow of communication between the brain and all areas of the body. When nerves are pinched, reduced performance levels and pain may result. This can eventually lead to a state of poor health.

WHAT KINDS OF PROBLEMS RESPOND TO CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENT, HOW MANY ADJUSTMENTS WILL BE NEEDED, 
AND WILL IT HURT MY DOG?

Chiropractic care is extremely helpful for animals having problems involving the joints, muscles and nerves. This is because chiropractic addresses the mechanical causes of disease where the nerves are pinched by a stuck or rotated joint or by a tight muscle. This is called " A SUBLUXATION OR MISALIGNMENT".

Two adjustments are usually performed initially. The dog is then monitored for changes to see if there is any measurable improvement. If none is present, your veterinarian is called in to perform further diagnostic work. If your dog has noticeably improved, a future adjustment schedule is determined based on the type and severity of your dog's condition. This range is usually 4 to 6 weeks between adjustments unless the condition is chronic or severe and requires more frequent visits.

Chiropractors treat subluxations by gently adjusting the misaligned area into alignment. In most cases this restores proper skeletal movement, muscle and nerve function. My adjustments are LOW FORCE and GENTLE, the equivalent of an adjustment for a human infant. Most dogs noticeably enjoy their adjustment.

SOME CONDITIONS WHICH MAY RESPOND TO CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENT:

• BACK, NECK , LEG, OR TAIL PAIN.
• INJURIES RESULTING FROM SLIPS, FALLS OR ACCIDENTS.
• PERFORMANCE OR MOVEMENT PROBLEMS.
• SUDDEN CHANGES IN BEHAVIOR OR PERSONALITY SUCH AS CRABBINESS, LETHARGY, JUST NOT HIM -OR HERSELF.
• HOLDING TAIL DOWN OR OFF TO ONE SIDE.
• PAIN SYNDROMES.
• CHANGES IN POSTURE SUCH AS: HANGING THE HEAD, OR SITTING OFF TO ONE SIDE.
• UNEVEN MUSCLE DEVELOPMENT.
• JAW OR TMJ PROBLEMS, DIFFICULTY CHEWING.
• WEIGHT LOSS DUE TO PAIN.
• HEAD TILT.
• CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME.
• UNEVEN PELVIS OR HIPS.
• A LOOK OF APPREHENSION OR PAIN IN THE FACIAL EXPRESSION.
• NECK PAIN FROM SUDDEN COLLAR OR CHOKE CHAIN PULLS.
• DISC PROBLEMS.
• JUMPING PROBLEMS OR INJURIES.
• SHORTENING OF A STRIDE.
• DEGENERATIVE ARTHRITIS.
• SCIATIC NEURALGIA.
• SPORTS INJURIES.
• ROACHING TOPLINE.
• SENSITIVITY TO TOUCH.
• PAIN ASSOCIATED WITH HIP DYSPLASIA.
• REAR END WEAKNESS.
• DIFFICULTY GOING UP OR DOWN STAIRS.
• WOBBLERS SYNDROME.
• GENERAL PREVENTIVE AND MAINTENANCE CARE.
• SOME LAMENESS SYNDROMES.

Chiro For Cats

SOME CONDITIONS WHICH MAY 
RESPOND TO CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENT

• BACK, NECK , LEG, OR TAIL PAIN.
• INJURIES RESULTING FROM SLIPS, FALLS OR ACCIDENTS.
• SUDDEN CHANGES IN BEHAVIOR OR PERSONALITY SUCH AS CRABBINESS; JUST NOT HIM- OR HERSELF.
• TAIL TO ONE SIDE OR HANGING DOWN ABNORMALLY.
• UNEVEN MUSCLE DEVELOPMENT.
• JAW OR TMJ PROBLEMS, DIFFICULTY CHEWING.
• WEIGHT LOSS DUE TO PAIN.
• HEAD TILT.
• CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME.
• UNEVEN PELVIS OR HIPS.
• A LOOK OF APPREHENSION OR PAIN IN THE FACIAL EXPRESSION.
• MUSCLE ATROPHY, (LOSS), SPASM, KNOTS OR IMBALANCE.
• DIFFICULTY GOING UP OR DOWN STAIRS.
• MOVEMENT PROBLEMS OR PAIN CAUSED BY JUMPING OFF OF HIGH PLACES. INCORRECT LANDINGS.
• WEAKNESS IN A LEG. JUMPING PROBLEMS.
• DEGENERATIVE ARTHRITIS.
• SCIATIC NEURALGIA. STIFFNESS.
• SENSITIVITY TO TOUCH. WEAKNESS IN THE BACK LEGS.
• LOSS OF FLEXIBILITY.
• PAIN SYNDROMES.
• GENERAL PREVENTIVE AND MAINTENANCE CARE, ESPECIALLY FOR THE GERIATRIC CAT.
• PAINFUL RESPONSE DURING ROUTINE GROOMING.
• KNEE, HIP AND OTHER TYPES OF JOINT PAIN.
• SOME LAMENESS SYNDROMES.

Please contact your vet to determine the need for diagnostic work and the appropriateness of a referral if you suspect that chiropractic care may be beneficial for your dog. The AVCA has a list of all certified animal chiropractors in the world.

Article by Kaufman Chiropractic

Chicory
For the extremely affectionate territorial, clinging, cat that tends to be possessive and jealous, always staying near you wanting to be held, petted and fussed after.

Beech
For the cat that has no tolerance for another animal or certain people.

Mimulus
The Flower Remedy for known fears, including but not limited to: thunderstorms, vacuum cleaners, trips to the vet, and visits by small children. When fear turns to terror use in combination with the flower remedy Rock Rose, or use the stress-relieving formula. Good used in combination with the Flower Remedy Aspen.

Aspen
For the fraidy cat that is always slinking from safe place to safe place, never being quite at ease. Startles easily at any sound, even non-threatening sounds it has heard before. In instances where this problem is due to past or present abuse or trauma, Aspen can be combined with Star of Bethlehem.

Water Violet
This flower remedy can be given to most cats. It can help in modifying a cat's instinct for aloofness and solitude, thus opening his/her capacity for interaction with people or other animals.

Walnut
Helpful in easing stress and assisting emotional adjustment during periods of transition and change. This includes but is not limited to: the arrival of new human or animal babies, new pets in the house, moving, weaning, heat cycles, or the arrival of house guests.

Larch
This Flower Remedy is for the low cat in the pecking order, perhaps the runt. For the cat with little or no self-confidence. Self-esteem is an important part of feline well-being and is usually radiated by an emotionally balanced cat.

Star of Bethlehem
Can help ease stress associated with, past and present trauma, both physical and psychological. When recuperating from surgery, queening, car trips, injury, weaning, boarding and other traumas that affect your cat's dignity, freedom, health or security. For cats adopted from shelters, or found in the street.

Hornbeam
For fatigue. Can be helpful in assisting runts, along with the Flower Remedy Olive to help comfort and build strength in sickly animals.

Honeysuckle
For the cat who has lost a person or other animal they've been close to. The Flower Remedy Star of Bethlehem can also be used in combination with this remedy as an adjunct.

Vine
For the territorial Boss Cat, who tends to dominate and bully the other animals.

Stress-Relieving Formula: This combination flower remedy formula can be used to ease stress, providing a natural calming effect following accidents, illness or any injury your cat may experience. Always seek the services of a veterinarian in all serious cases ! It can also be used to calm, and ease stress, in cases of pregnancy and queening, at cat shows, on car trips, while boarding, during long absence, before or after surgery, or whenever a cat seems to be experiencing difficulty and stress.

Some behavior problems are a sign of physical illness. It is essential that any animal, particularly one that shows a sudden change in behavior, be given a complete examination by a veterinarian. Only after pathology has been ruled out, should one proceed on the behavioral path.

The use of flower preparations are not intended to remove, eliminate, or negate veterinary care , but, rather, to be included in a total holistic approach to health and well-being. The Flower Remedies are not intended for treatment of illness. Conditions requiring medical attention should be referred to a veterinarian or other professional animal care provider.

© copyright 1996, Leslie J. Kaslof

Your first aid kit should contain at least a three-day supply 
of any medications your pet normally takes. Also include:

Pet first aid manual
Names/addresses/tel. numbers of local vet offices, 
including 24-hour clinics
First Aid Tape
Ipecac - for accidental poisoning
Scissors
Antibacterial soap
Cotton balls/gauze
Hydrogen Peroxide

Natural Remedies

These natural remedies are available at
 most health/natural food stores:

It is very important that your pets can be identified in case you are separated from them. Make sure cats and dogs have a collar with identification tag, even if they have had a chip implant. (In an emergency, scanning devices may not be available.)

Also be sure to put an ID tag on your pet carriers. Include emergency contact numbers as well as your own.

Another good idea is to place pet emergency stickers on your windows at home, to notify emergency crews that you have pets inside that should be recused. These are available at many pet stores.

Travels With Fido and Kitty

Always place your dogs and cats in a carrier when traveling, even short distances.  You can give them a few drops of Rescue Remedy (a natural herbal combination that calms nerves) before you leave.

Be sure your pets are wearing their collars and ID tags and that their carriers have ID tags as well with emergency contact numbers.

If your pets will travel in a carrier, it is a good idea to have a water container inside the container with a small amount of water (to prevent spillage). Many carriers come with plastic dishes that attach to the door.

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