No More Homeless Pets Forum May 10, 2004 Holistic Treatment for Rescued Pets

A growing number of people are trying alternative health care for themselves. Can homeopathy, acupuncture, flower essences, and other holistic methods benefit shelter animals? Dr. Randy Kidd, author and past president of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association, and Dr. Rose DiLeva of the Animal Wellness Center in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, will answer your questions and share their experiences with using alternative medical treatments for rescued animals.

Introduction from Dr. Randy Kidd:

My overlying philosophy is that we should do everything we can to reunite the human spirit with the soul of nature. Our animals are (or should be) an intimate connection, allowing us the ability to visualize the possibilities that can come from this union of our Selves with the spirit and soul of nature. I see alternative medicines as another way to link back to a more natural way of dealing with health and disease.

Unfortunately, many of us have taken the wrong path and have assumed our pets are nothing more than short-term extensions of our own egos, that the animals have no spirit, and that without a spirit, we can do anything we want to them -- anything that is convenient for us. It is this attitude that has fostered the "Bic Pen," use-and-throw-away attitude some people have toward pets. Unfortunately, today the number one killer of our pets is euthanasia, and oftentimes we are killing animals that would fit perfectly in another, more caring environment.

I am not an expert on "homeless" pets, on the best way to rescue animals, on the problem of overpopulation, nor on how to create solutions for any of these. I know a little about alternative/holistic medicines and how I think they can be used to help the health and healing of rescued animals. I am also convinced that when we once again allow the spirit of the animals, the spirit of medicine, and the human spirit to reunite with nature (and the alternative medicines can help here), we will have far fewer problems with "throw-away" pets.

Introduction from Dr. Rose DiLeva:

The use of holistic health care for shelter animals can be very rewarding. Acupuncture, for example, can be used to help the animals adapt to their new environment and relieve the stress from transport and handling. Herbal and homeopathic remedies can also help.

Older and special needs pets can benefit from holistic care with little or no worry of the side effects that are common with many of the conventional medications presently on the market.

Join us in a discussion about holistic veterinary medicine. I look forward to answering your most impressive questions!

Questions

What do you recommend for a cat's arthritis?
Feeding FIV and FeLV cats a raw diet
Treating mammary cancer
What common conditions can or cannot be treated exclusively with a holistic approach?
Demodectic mange
Treating URI in cats (upper respiratory infections)
Spreading the world about holistic options to rescue groups and vets
Can non-vets get licensed in acupunture?
Flower essences
Flea treatment
Calming shelter and rescue animals while in your care
Treating rabbits
Chronic renal failure
Olive leaf extract

Arthritis in animals

Question from Chris:

What do you recommend for a cat's arthritis?

Dr. Randy Kidd's response:

I always start with the recommendation to try acupuncture - and I always combined acupuncture with chiropractic adjustments and massage at home - to get the joints moving. Just too many successes here to try anything else first. I've also had some success with classical homeopathy, but for me these would only be for the patients where acupuncture was difficult - a cat that couldn't travel, for example.

The downside to acupuncture is that it generally takes 4-6 treatments before we see results, and we may need to repeat treatments (anywhere from 1-6 times per year) to continue the effects. Treatments may cost $75-100.

Interesting that this is a CAT with arthritis. When I was practicing, I saw many arthritic cats - oftentimes brought in for some other problem. I think it's a disease we often miss because we think the cat that wants to lie around is just being a cat (which I guess it really is), and so we don't notice that it is sore when it moves.

I combine the acupuncture treatments with chondroprotective agents such as glucosamine, antioxidants, and arthritis-specific herbs such as turmeric, Boswellia, alfalfa, licorice root, and burdock. For pain I might add willow bark, wild yam, feverfew, or St John's wort. Check with your holistic vet or my book "Dr. Kidd's Guide to Herbal Cat Care (Storey publishing) for more information on correct usage and dosages.

Dr. Rose DiLeva's response:

Thanks for the question. It's a good one. Questions about arthritis, osteoarthritis, and joint problems are by far the most frequently asked in my practice. It's a condition that you are likely to encounter as your pet gets up in years. Cats with arthritis are likely to appear stiff, and, as the pain increases, become lame. Arthritis is a painful condition. Cats very rarely cry when they are in this kind of discomfort. They are more likely to be quiet, not move around much, and hide. Conditions involving the musculoskeletal system can be helped by a number of holistic treatments. Acupuncture, Western and Eastern Herbs, Homeopathy, Chiropractic, Microcurrent Therapy and Massage Therapy can be of benefit alone, and in combination. Regular acupuncture treatments can give profound relief in cats. There are Chinese herbs that can be fine tuned to help the cat whose arthritis is worse in the cold weather or the hot, humid weather. Antioxidants are helpful. Solid Gold puts out a product called Sorbate, which is a Vitamin C supplement that can be sprinkled on food. They also put out a powdered form of Yucca, which is a very potent anti-inflammatory. Cosequin, a glucosamine/chondroitin combination, and Glycoflex, containing perna mussel, are other products that may help your pet. Omega 3 fatty acids should be added to the diet. Other herbs such as Tumeric and Bromelain have been used in cats. Best of luck.

Feeding FIV and FeLV cats a raw diet

Question from Carole:

First, I have FIV and FeLV positive cats and my homeopathic veterinarian has recommended changing them to a raw diet. I've been trying, but the cats are not interested in the food. Would I unduly stress them by essentially forcing them to eat the food by giving them absolutely nothing else to eat?

Secondly, what are your opinions on glyconutrients and supplements such as Transfer Factor for FIV and FeLV positive cats?

Dr. Randy Kidd's response:

To my way of thinking, nutrition is an area with the least black and white of any area of health. So, with that in mind, here are some thoughts. (Contrariwise, many of my colleagues feel strongly that they have nutrition all figured out, and that their nutritional suggestions are the only ones that clients should use.)

FeLV and FIV cats can benefit tremendously from ANYTHING that enhances their immune system - raw food diets are certainly helpful in supporting whatever major therapy you've chosen (e.g., homeopathy) ... as are some herbs including Echinacea, etc. Also helpful is lack of stress, a more natural environment (including less toxins, etc.).

Now, how we go about the raw food diet can become problematic. Trying to REQUIRE some cats to do ANYTHING, including eating what we want them to, may not work. There are plenty of meats that can be the major component of the diet - beef, chicken, bison, deer, duck, venison, etc. and etc. Sometimes a simple change is enough to stimulate the eating. Or an addition of a culinary herb - interestingly, although many cats reject any herbal taste, some actually relish herbs. I've even had some who would kill for cayenne (red pepper), which is a decent herb to consider for any sick animal for its overall effects.

For very sick animals I like to see them eating, and I'll often try almost anything to keep them at the dinner table. On the other hand, there is always a question of who is training whom. Healthy cats in the wild can and do go for several days without eating - in fact these several-day-long fasts may be their natural way, and the fasting may provide some support to a healthy and balanced lifestyle.

Finally, I see many practitioners who are exceedingly dogmatic in their approach - demanding "client compliance" at all costs. "Lack of client compliance" is often cited as the cause of non-healing ... when in my mind we could as easily blame any number of other things.

So, short answer is that it all depends. Longer answer is: It all depends, and what you feel, deep inside, is right for you and your cats is most probably the right answer for your situation.

I've not had any personal experience with glyconutrients or Transfer Factor, so can't help you with these. Sorry.

Dr. Rose DiLeva's response:

I would not force any animal to eat food by offering them nothing else to eat, especially ones that are compromised with FIV or FeLV. Getting a pet to switch to a new food, be it raw or otherwise, should be a slow process. It may take 3 or 4 weeks in some cases. Offering a piece at a time along with the pet's regular food is a start. Not every cat wants to eat raw meat immediately. They have been used to a different food type their entire lives.

Another option is to offer some raw food with good quality canned food. Make sure the meat is organic or frozen and then thawed out. I have found that some clients feel better if they freeze the meat first to kill any Salmonella that may exist.

I have 7 of my own cats. When I tried to switch them to raw chicken half of them looked at me like I was crazy and walked away. The others were curious and tried it. Today they all enjoy the treat.

I use Transfer Factor very often in my practice. I think its use in the above cats could be very beneficial. I take the human form myself. It works well in keeping the immune system healthy and strong.

Treating mammary cancer

Question from Lynn:

I rescued a stray cat last July who had two kittens. The kittens found a home with the neighbor and I have the mother. I noticed a large growth on her side and had three opinions from different vets. They all said mammary cancer. Her one tumor has become very enlarged and she is getting more in her groin area.

My current vet suggested not doing any surgery due to the increased pain and risk to the cat, as well as the good possibility that the surgery would not cure her problem, and I agree with her. I have not had a biopsy done, as I don't want to cause her any undue stress or pain if I don't have to.

Is there anything I can give her to try to reduce the tumor or make her feel better? She does not seem to be in any pain, is eating and being her usual self. I have read that mammary cancer is a devastating illness and usually tumors grow back, even with surgery.

In the next few months, she may go down hill, and I want to try to ease her end stage as much as possible. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Dr. Randy Kidd's response:

I view tumors as the ultimate expression of an unbalanced system. As such, trying to get the system (in this case, the mammary gland) back into balance with the body can be a real challenge. The rare cases I have had success with (sometimes miraculous success!!) have almost always used classical homeopathy - a method that attempts to match the totality of the symptoms (NOT just the tumor, but all the other body/mind/spirit symptoms of the cat) with a remedy. To do a good job, a practitioner will need to take at least an hour or two to determine the cat's overall symptoms, and then some time (and oftentimes several attempts) to determine the correct remedy.

I read into your question that you also want to ease her end stage as much as possible. Three considerations here:

1. Tumors can be a tremendous drain on the body and often require that we supply considerable extra nutrients. Your regular/normal vet should be able to help you here with kinds and amounts of foods.

2. Emotional help can be most helpful - for you and Cat. I like the flower essences (Bach Flowers) - practitioners are generally easy to find, or the health food store can show you how to select the remedy that fits for Cat's (and your) current emotional condition, and how to use it.

3. Although I don't sense that pain is a common component with most mammary tumors, if you sense that it is with your cat, herbal pain remedies - willow bark, wild yam, feverfew - might be helpful ... and if pain is a real component of the condition, don't hesitate to "up the ante" with more potent drugs if necessary. Check with your holistic vet or my book, Dr. Kidd's Herbal Cat Care, for more information and dosages of the herbals. (Animals in pain are restless, up and down, up and down, can't sleep, may constantly cry, etc. Many of my clients say that they have a "hollow" look to the eyes - a look that "clears up" when the pain is gone.

Dr. Rose DiLeva's response:

I commend you on rescuing the stray cat. One of my concerns is the age of the female cat. My thoughts would be slightly different if she was relatively young, say 6 years old or less. Statistics would suggest that the mass has a high probability of being mammary cancer, but that does not always have to be the case. I would get radiographs first to evaluate the possibility of metastasis (spread) to other parts of her body, including her uterus and ovaries.

In my experience, these cases do better with holistic treatment if the mass is excised first. The fact that the mass is present is already placing undue stress on her body. There is a homeopathic product called, Traumeel, that is very safe and provides temporary relief of inflammation, muscular pain and bruising. It can be beneficial when used pre and post-surgically. The Bach Flower Essence, Rescue Remedy, can also be used to reduce stress.

I use acupuncture to support the immune system, keep the body's energy flowing smoothly and relieve clinical signs that may be associated with the cancer. Traditional Chinese Medicine allows the qualified practitioner to utilize Chinese herbs that possess antineoplastic activity.

There are many other herbs, vitamins, minerals and supplements that are being studied, and some of these have been shown to have anticancer effects. These include Curcuma longa, Reishi, Shiitake and Maitake mushrooms, Pau d'Arco, Panax ginseng, and Flor Essence (Essiac Tea). Supporting the body's immune system in cancer cases is very important.

A product I recommend is called Transfer Factor Feline Complete. It comes in a powder form and contains a variety of vitamins, amino acids, minerals, essential fatty acids, probiotics, MSM and glucosamine. It is one of my favorites because of ease of delivery and palatability. I would also stress an organic diet for your cat, perhaps even a raw diet that is low in carbohydrates and moderately high in protein.

I do not recommend just haphazardly mixing and matching herbs or supplements yourself. Find a qualified and experienced veterinarian that has completed the additional education and training necessary to put a treatment plan together for your pet. The following web sites will give you some direction: www.AAVA.org (American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture), www.IVAS.org (International Veterinary Acupuncture Society), www.AHVMA.org (American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association). The best of luck to you and your pet.

What common conditions can or cannot be treated exclusively with a holistic approach?

Question from Celeste:

Could you please discuss what common conditions can or cannot be treated exclusively with a holistic approach? For example, I've heard that some types of cancer and allergy conditions can be very responsive to alternative methods used as the sole treatment, but that diabetes and hyperthyroidism are best dealt with conventionally. What have your experiences been with common ailments, such as those mentioned above as well as kidney failure in dogs or cats, liver disease, etc?

Dr. Randy Kidd's response:

This is a good question to start with because my answer will (hopefully) help explain some of the major differences and similarities) between western medicine and holistic/alternative methods.

The short answer is: A holistic approach (using one or more of the alternative medicines) can be used and may be helpful when treating almost any disease problem...or it may not work at all. It all depends on the individual case (and, God forbid, on the skill of the practitioner).

For example: I have had extremely good luck treating both diabetes and hyperthyroidism - in both cases I've used either homeopathy or acupuncture on different animals; I know many of my holistic colleagues report poor or no success treating either of these diseases with whatever alternative medicines they have tried. On the other hand, many of my holistic colleagues report considerable success when treating cancers and allergies with alternative methods; my overall successes with these, while occasionally spectacular, have been few and far between.

So, what's going on here?

First, holistic medicines work with the whole of the patient, including his body/mind/spirit. Most forms of alternative medicine work by balancing body/mind/spirit - the key word here is balance, and each individual patient will require his own highly individual and perhaps highly specific holistic "formula" to achieve this balance. Acupuncture, for example, works by balancing the body's "Chi" (energy); homeopathy by enhancing the patient's "vital force"; herbal medicines, used traditionally, offer a balanced conglomerate of bioactive substances that operate bi-directionally and synergistically to help balance body biochemistry, mental emotions, and (when used traditionally) spirit and soul.

By contrast, western medicine functions by confronting disease directly - by zapping some "entity" (bacteria, etc.) that is considered an invader, or by supplying a biochemical deemed insufficient.

Here's how this works with the hyperthyroid example mentioned in the question: Western medicine views this disease as an excess of the thyroid hormone, thyroxin (which can be measured in the blood), and considers the symptoms to be related to the thyroxin excess. A western medicine man will thus try to, in one way or another, zap the thyroid gland to make it produce less thyroxin - or he will totally "nuke" or surgically remove the thyroid gland so it will produce none of its hormones.

A holistic vet, on the other hand, thinks in terms of body balance, and at the outset, her focus will be to try to determine how to bring the whole body back into balance. As I've said, both homeopathy and acupuncture have been effective for me, and which of these two I selected at the onset depended more on human-animal/relationship factors than it did on the disease as it was diagnosed by western medicine. That is, in some cases the owner could bring the cat in for the several necessary acupuncture treatments; in other cases the cat hated to travel and homeopathy seemed a better approach.

Western medicine has reasonable confidence it will eventually get rid of the excess thyroxin - ever-higher doses of medicines toxic to the thyroid assure this, and if this doesn't work, simply remove the gland entirely. What western medicine doesn't know are what adverse side effects the treatment will cause - i.e., will the symptoms (and the cat!!) be better or worse after the "cure"?

Since it can be a challenge to achieve a whole-body balance no matter what medicine we might use, trying to select the correct alternative protocol to create a balance can be difficult. I find that the alternative medicines often take a longer time to work, but when they do work, they typically create a long-term and whole-body healing.

And... they require that the practitioner take a longer time to get to the real, underlying cause of the disease. In the case of the hyperthyroid cat, we may need to look at the household environment for excess stress, excess vaccinations, environmental toxins, allergies, food toxins, etc. - all of which can adversely affect the thyroid's ability to function normally in its job to create a body/mind/spirit balance.

An interesting personal observation: Western medicine defines hyperthyroidism by associating the symptoms (ravenous hunger with loss of weight, random roaming about the house and perhaps loud crying, increased heart rate, etc.) with an increased level of thyroxin (T-4) in the blood. Again, western medicine treats this disease by trying to lower the thyroxin levels. Alternative medicines approach the disease by trying to determine how to best bring the body/mind/spirit back into balance... at which point the symptoms should disappear.

With acupuncture, for example, I'd be trying to bring the animal's Yin back into balance with the excess Yang of hyperthyroidism. With homeopathy I'm looking at the totality of the animal's symptoms, trying to match these with a remedy that best fits. Notice that I am not focusing my attention solely on the thyroid, but rather on the whole of the animal.

Now, I judge my alternative medicine as successful when the animal no longer has the symptoms of hyperthyroidism and when she returns to a normally functioning organism. The tendency of western medicine, on the other hand, is to judge success by a return of the T-4 levels to normal - and oftentimes, the animal's new symptoms (from the loss of its thyroid) are worse than were the original ones. Additionally, I've seen western trained practitioners watch as the animal became symptom free with alternative medicines, but because the animal still had an elevated T-4, they would insist on removing the thyroid gland. Go figure.

Unfortunately, statistics don't help us much either. First: ALL statistics can be questionable with regards to their accuracy, validity, and relevance. Secondly, statistics for alternative medicines are not as prevalent as they are for some of the western medicine approaches (there are several reasons for this) - but, salt this with the spice that most of the statistics bandied about in western medicine came from data generated by the drug companies themselves or from trials sponsored by the drug companies. Hmmm.

But finally, I'm not so sure statistics are really relevant for any sick animal, but especially for an animal we will be treating with holistic methods. Given the fact that each holistically-treated animal is an individual that will require specific needs to bring its whole system (body/mind/spirit) back into balance, a statistic based on a population of animals (all statistics are based on data gleaned from populations) doesn't make much sense. On the other hand, if we are looking at only one variable - levels of T-4, for example - then we can generate valid statistics that, while they may or may not indicate the amount of healing that an animal experiences, they can be used to justify the statistician's job.

There's another aspect of this that I've been grappling with, to no great avail. I think some practitioners are somehow just better equipped to deal with some problems than with others - note my reference to my ability to treat hyperthyroidism and diabetes and not cancers and allergies. (This is incidentally not limited to alternative practitioners - you'll often hear a western practitioner say something like, "Well, I know that technique works well for Dr. X, but in my hands I didn't have nearly the success she has with it.")

Holistic practitioners often talk of their ability to heal almost anything and everything that came to them when they first started practice. However, as they became older and wiser, they found it more and more difficult to really heal many of their cases. The only thing we can come up with is that the Universe must send us what we are capable of - easy stuff at first, more difficult diseases, stretching our abilities, later on. Spiritual/intuitive/energetic/shamanic healers (honest ones anyway) will tell you that they have no control over the results of their treatments - there is a higher being in charge, and they can only work with that energetic and pray for the best.

So, all this is a bit of a Woo Woo answer, but the best I've been able to come up with.

So, what did I tell clients about any particular therapy to treat a specific disease? Well, I tell them that I have no idea if what I do will work or not in this specific individual, for this specific problem. (This isn't really different from western medicine, no matter the strength of their statistics - there is no way to assure a treatment will work on this particular patient, at this particular time.) I look at it as a 50/50 proposition - either what we try works or it doesn't.

Now after a few years of experience, I was able to tell (most of the time) when a treatment was progressing positively, when we weren't getting anywhere, and when the case was deteriorating. And, there were a few problems that responded so well to one type of treatment (acupuncture for arthritis, for example), that's what we used almost all the time.

However, even with these biases, I'd occasionally get bit on the behind - after a dozen or so successes treating a particular disease with acupuncture, for example, I'd have two or three in a row that were dismal failures - humbling indeed. Or, I'd think a particular kind of medicine wasn't especially potent (flower essences comes to mind here), but I'd try it anyway, out of desperation... and get unexplainably miraculous results.

Finally, I can assure you that success will be more certain (and longer-lasting and more whole-body/mind/spirit) IF you do what you can to return the animal to its natural state. Let the dog be a dog, the cat a cat. The more natural the environment we raise our pets in, the healthier they'll be. Use natural foods, decrease toxins in the environment - smoking, noise pollution, toxic chemicals, etc. Don't over vaccinate. Use antibiotics only when ABSOLUTELY necessary... and all the other good stuff you've (hopefully) already heard.

Dr. Rose DiLeva's response:

The spectrum of holistic modalities is vast and continues to grow each day as we research and learn how better to heal our companion animals. Since my experience and education focuses on acupuncture and Chinese medicine I will answer your question from that perspective. So, I will list for you some of the conditions that I have treated with acupuncture and Chinese herbals with good to excellent results: arthritis, asthma, allergies, some behavior issues, such as fear aggression, anxiety issues, bladder infections, dermatitis, degenerative joint disease, spondylosis, pain management, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, gastritis, gastroenteritis, colitis, constipation, inflammatory bowel disease, bacterial infections, fungal infections, viral infections, sprains, strains, tendonitis, hindend weakness, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, healing fractures, acute and chronic trauma, feline urologic syndrome, urinary incontinence, urinary retention, vomiting, diarrhea, the side effects of chemotherapy, seizures, epilepsy, vestibular disease, renal disease, liver disease and cancer.

Additionally, I have been able to eliminate or decrease the dosage of many "conventional" medications using Chinese herbs, thereby, reducing the potential for undesirable side effects. Whatever the medical condition is, I have found that acupuncture can strengthen and support the body and help the animal achieve a general overall feeling of well being.

Comment from Emi:

Recently, there has been a little discussion on Rescue Remedy, kidney disease, as well as older pets in general. This is an area, which is near and dear to my heart.

As a Samoyed rescue volunteer, I have 3 senior Sams. One has only one kidney with very little function remaining, and all three have had their fair share of health issues. In working with my holistic vet, she has done some miraculous things to enhance their quality of life without intrusive or dangerous surgery. After 8 years of tests upon tests for allergies and steroids given to one of my seniors, she has been cured now for 1 full year with a homeopathic remedy. Incontinence is a common occurrence for older females, and this too has been curbed with a natural remedy called Causticum. We have addressed kidney failure, arthritis, and even liver cancer through a holistic approach and homemade nutrition. (All of our fuzzies get fed a raw/homemade diet).

I am wondering why nature's approach has not been pursued more aggressively in the pet arena. Why are we so quick to give our dogs cortisone shots vs. exploring the true cause of the problems and enhancing the overall health of the animal so that they may fight such allergens on their own? Why do so many people feel that a bag of kibble contains all the nutrients that an animal needs, when they are naturally born to eat fresh foods? Granted Total Cereal contains 100% of the vitamins and minerals for humans, but we wouldn't want to eat that every day of our lives, would we?

I am not discrediting the wonderful work that conventional vets do, as they have saved my precious ones more than once. However, I would like to see the holistic approach be given a little more credit and offered as an option. I think that if the general public were more educated in this aspect, it would lead to better decisions being made on behalf of their animals.

Demodectic mange

Question from a member:

I'm interested in a cure for demodectic mange. We took in a very sickly dog last September. We've been putting lots of immune system-building supplements into him, but still the mange persists. Out of desperation, we have taken him to a local conventional vet for periodic dips, which I'm sure are quite toxic, but at least he gets some relief and hair growth for a while. This vet's only advice is euthanasia or continual dipping. We're about to purchase a special food of a better quality than we're giving him now.

Dr. Randy Kidd's response:

Demodectic mange can be nasty and almost impossible to cure. Problem is that it is an outer manifestation of an inner imbalance in the immune system. So, we'd like to do all we can to enhance the immune system. Further problem here is that some animals are born with almost no immune system capability... and there are some that may never respond, no matter what we try.

Echinacea, taken orally, is my herb of choice to help balance the immune system. Sometimes acupuncture can be helpful in balancing the immune system. Other factors can be considered: nutrition - some people have luck with adding brewer's yeast to the diet (also see previous question), decreasing stress, etc.

Of course, I'd like to use less toxic stuff to kill the bugs, but in my experience the less toxics (herbs, for example) are also less effective. However, I'll see the occasional patient that will respond better to the herbs than to conventional drugs/dips.

Might try such herbs as wormwood, Echinacea, or one I've been looking at recently Sweet Annie (Artemesia anuus). Make a tea from the herb and use it as a dip. As some animals are sensitive to topical herbal remedies (as are some animals sensitive to commercial dips) do a test spot first - apply the tea to a small area and wait a day or two to see if there is any reaction on the spot.

Hope this helps and good luck.

Dr. Rose DiLeva's response:

Demodectic mange is caused by mites that live in the hair follicles. It is often difficult to diagnose because multiple skin scrapings may be required.

It is more common in younger animals but does affect those that have weakened immune systems. Regarding the food issue, diet is a major factor in the health of a pet. I would highly recommend a good quality food that does not contain BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin, by-products, other preservatives or colorings. I would also recommend food allergy testing this dog. It can easily be done by a blood test and sent off to the right lab. Many of my skin problem cases had food allergies at the source. You'd be surprised how many dogs are allergic to wheat, corn, beef, soy, and yes, even lamb and rice.

Just because some commercial pet food manufacturers say they have developed a hypoallergenic diet, does not mean that it doesn't contain something your pet may be sensitive to. I don't recommend just switching to a new diet haphazardly and waiting to see what happens. I like to find out the cause of the problem. I like to find out exactly what that pet is reacting to.

At the same time, I would be supporting the immune system with acupuncture and Chinese herbs. In Chinese medicine, the defense system or immune system is called the "wei qi." There are various herbs that can strengthen the "wei qi." The best choices, of course, would be dependent on the other clinical signs I detected at the physical examination.

Since the demodex is producing a lot of toxins, it would be beneficial to get the dog on a liver cleanse type of formula. Additionally, fresh filtered water can help as well. Demodex can be difficult to cure, I have found that ivermectin injections are sometimes necessary to break the cycle. Yes, it can be toxic, but sometimes it's the only thing to do. Good luck!

Comment from Susan:

My vet gave my dog some topical medication, along with the ultra-hypoallergenic Z-D dog food, and it all cleared up rapidly.

Treating URI in cats

Question from Julie:

As a volunteer with a local shelter, we see a lot of upper respiratory infections (URI) in our cats. We have an offsite adoption center for the cats from our shelter, and if they contract URI, we then have to find foster homes for them to recover, which of course then puts our own animals at risk. We have heard that grapefruit seed extract can help with URI's. If so, what dose should be given and how frequently? Also, is there any other type of treatment we can provide to our cats to help prevent URI's.

Dr. Rose DiLeva's response:

Upper respiratory infections in cats have plagued us for decades. It is, off course, important to determine if the problem is bacterial, viral or fungal, as each would be approached in a different manner. Generally speaking, I would make sure that the environment that exists in your foster homes is free from contamination as much as possible. Cleaning the cages or enclosures the cat(s) are in with a chlorhexidine solution regularly is imperative. Make sure their stay is pleasant, lots of fresh air and sunlight, plenty of brushing, petting, and love, perhaps a cozy bed to lie on while recovering.

Remember, we want to treat the mind, body and spirit. I always play soft, calming music in my treatment rooms while a pet is getting acupuncture. It makes the experience that much more pleasant and comfortable; the owners enjoy it as well! Perhaps playing classical music or something with ocean or dolphin sounds can be arranged. These cats need attention and love as much as any other sick pet and should not be in a cold, dark, isolated place just because they sneeze. Be practical about it. I would rather see these cases in foster homes specifically set up for respiratory problems then to see them left with little to no interaction with their caretakers. And remember, always wash you hands after handling a sick cat.

Obviously, we are trying to enhance the immune system in these cases. We must strengthen the body's defense mechanisms. We must tonify the "wei qi," as Chinese medicine refers to it. The use of antioxidants and Probiotics is important. There is a Probiotic called Culturell that can be found on line at www.culturell.com that is good for the immune system. I think some pharmacy stores may have it. Vitamin C can be given. The powdered form seems to work better.

There are Chinese herbs whose combination can enhance the immune system, target the lungs and have antiviral activity. I have treated cases that have combined acupuncture, Chinese herbs and a pulmonary homeopathic remedy with success. The Chinese herb, Huang qi tonifies the immune system, the lungs, blood and Qi (the Chinese term used to describe the energy that runs through the body).

Lysine has antiviral activity against the herpes virus. The dose in kittens is 125 mg twice a day, for adult cats 250 - 500 mg twice a day. There is also a Feline Upper Respiratory nosode that is available.

Dr. Randy Kidd's response:

About 10,000 different bugs cause URI in cats. (Not really, but it seems like that.) The good thing is that most of them are pretty innocuous; only a few cause any real problem. Two bad things:

1. They are usually highly contagious.

2. The "bug" is often a virus, which conventional antibiotics will not touch.

Grapeseed is one I've heard used, but I haven't used it myself. I've had reasonable luck treating individual cases with herbal remedies - To suppress coughing licorice root, Glycyrrhiza glabra, mullein, Verbascum thapsus, thyme, Thymus vulgaris, osha root, Ligusticum porteri, and coltsfoot, Tussilago farfara. If necessary to re-establish normal airflow, ginkgo, Ginkgo biloba may be helpful. Always add an immune system balancer such as Echinacea. I'd make a tea from the fresh or dried product, and either add some to the diet, or to the water of those who are drinking and who continue to drink the tea water. When you give the herbs - any of them mentioned above or grapeseed - in this way, there is not much worry about dosage - basically let the cats decide how much they need. May be hard to achieve a "therapeutic level" although I'm convinced very small amounts are often effective; but the risk of toxicity is minimal. (Where we get into trouble is when we use concentrated herbs - tinctures or capsules made from tinctures.

My problem is that I've never dealt with an in and out, multiple cat, shelter environment like you have. It would be nice to come up with a prevention program, either some way to routinely dose the incoming (and permanent residents) with some of the above herbs, but especially Echinacea... or a delivery system such as an aromatherapy aerosol. Herbs to consider for the aerosol would be thyme, chamomile, lavender, and mullein. Simply plug the aerosol and let it waft throughout the shelter. Since I've never tried it, dunno if it'll work, but might be worth a try.

Would also be interesting to see if anyone else on the list has had any luck with prevention in shelters.

Hope this helps, and if you come up with any other answers, I'd like to know.

Comment from Linda:

We haven't tried Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE) lately. For URI's, we have a lot of success with high doses of vitamin C (we use a powdered form of Ester-C currently) and sometimes supplementing with vitamins B, A and E, and the herbal tincture, Echinacea. (We have also often treated URI's using homeopathy, but that requires some folks who can do a serious job of taking the case and choosing remedies).

URI's respond really well if your fosters will commit to cleaning the eyes and nose just before mealtimes. Use a "kitty sauna" by running the hot shower for a few minutes in a closed bathroom, turning the water off and bringing the cats or kittens in for 5 to 10 minutes to loosen up the mucus, then clean them with damp washcloths like a mother cat might.

To PREVENT URI's, we think that lowering stresses is very helpful. Fostering helps that in general, and lowering the noise level helps. Flower Essences like Rescue Remedy can be useful; and again, vitamin C is a big help when a body is dealing with extra stress. Some sort of gentle play can help the cat to de-stress, too!

We haven't used essential oils, because we keep reading that cats are extra sensitive to some of them. I, personally, am not convinced they are dangerous, but I don't use them any more to be safe around my own cats :-( I have read about a form of EO, the aerosol, that is supposed to be lighter and safer for birds and cats but, again, I haven't any actual experience at all to share. EOs should be TERRIFIC for dogs, I'd just take care with individual different species' sensitivity.

Spreading the word about holistic options to rescue groups and vets

Question from Linda:

My question is how holistic rescue groups can better include and cooperate with groups that are not yet holistic in orientation. When our volunteers talk to prospective adopters, donors, etc., these people usually say at some point that the holistic idea makes good sense. (I'm talking about people who have a lot of experience as pet owners, as well as those who have only their own health care experience from which to judge).

Sometimes, though, members of other *rescue groups* feel threatened by the holistic approach. On the other hand, we had one organization request permission to "borrow" our approach to treating cat upper respiratory infections, and I know that is a good sign. I'd love to know of any instances where groups cooperatively did a study, or reviewed veterinary records together to help evaluate the holistic approach.

As I see it, the holistic community has fewer bouts of serious illness to treat and talk about, and the conventional rescue world does not notice this quiet. When they discuss medical care, and someone mentions that their rescue has not seen X disease last so long, or Y condition goes away in a shorter time for holistically-cared-for animals, it really seems to just be taken as a threat or bragging, not as something needing serious consideration.

Dr. Rose DiLeva's response:

The best way to open people's minds is through education. If you or other members have a story of how various alternative treatments have helped a pet, then tell that story. Chances are someone will know someone else who may have heard another story from someone's friend of a friend of a friend. The point is that's what gets people thinking that there are other ways of dealing with illness. Many of my clients that seek out acupuncture for their pets do so because they get it themselves or know someone who does. You will find "like-minded" people, and they will help spread the word. I would not try to "convert" anyone. Just let them know that other options exist. It can be a turn off if you come off too strong.

Of course, directing them to alternative & complementary veterinary sites on the web is helpful. Some of these sites may have newspaper articles telling success stories. Try www.altvetmed.org as a start. There are plenty of studies that exist in each of the holistic modalities discussing their successes. That does not mean, however, that it makes the evening news. When I visited Best Friends in March and acupunctured some of the animals, many of the employees did not even realize that acupuncture could be done on animals, especially the rabbits! That bit of information right there can get a conversation going between people that were previously unaware. Perhaps Best Friends can be at the forefront, once again, in the use of holistic veterinary medicine. You'd be surprised how many may follow. Good Luck!

Dr. Randy Kidd's response:

This is a great question, and one worthy of some philosophizing. I've been reading a wonderful book, The Biology of Transcendence, a Blueprint of the Human Spirit by Joseph C. Pearce, so some of his terminology may creep into my answer.

This is a question that most of the vets I know who have transitioned to holistic practices have had to deal with at one time or another. What we're really dealing with here is a tremendous amount of enculturation of most of the real world - a culture that has developed a tremendous amount of doctrine and dogma surrounding its current "religion", Science. "Modern" medicine has then been incorporated into this religiosity and for the "true believers" only their doctrine and dogma (medicine as science) is acceptable.

It's a difficult row to hoe. From the conventional folks: "If your medicine doesn't conform to my concept of how science works, it isn't really medicine." And then: the folks who have transitioned into holistic/alternative medicines (many of these methods require a momentary suspension of disbelief to accept their new way of looking at health and disease) have the added burden of changing an internal belief system that has been preached to them over the course of 12 years of pre-college plus 8-10 years of college. Pretty tough stuff!!! I've known several holistic vets who have had nervous breakdowns because of it. I expect this "dissociation from the customary" happens to everyone who tries to accept a new belief system, perhaps to a lesser degree than with the holistic vets I've known.

What I'm saying is that I don't think we can ever expect all (or even most) of the folks to accept a new way of thinking too quickly. Like the old saw about trying to teach a pig to sing - Don't try it. It'll only frustrate you, and probably make the pig mad too.

Here's something else I think I'm seeing - seems to me there' s a whole lot of really mad folks out there - on both sides of the fence. Holistic: why won't they listen to me? Conventional: how dare they think they have a better way! Anger will get the human spirit nowhere. Traditional Chinese Medicine has the seat of anger in the liver and gallbladder. I recently had my gallbladder removed - think I've got a problem with this??

OK one more input. I was recently involved with a marketing group that had done extensive surveys defining who uses holistic/alternative methods. Their numbers fit nicely into a pyramid form. At the bottom of the pyramid were a significant number of folks who would not use alternative methods. Ever. No matter what! From the marketing perspective, these folks were a lost cause. At the middle of the pyramid were folks who might use alternative methods... if they were convenient, if they knew about and understood them, etc. From the marketing perspective these folks were worth some marketing effort, but not too much, because it takes a lot of effort to "fully convert" them. At the top of the pyramid were a small number of folks who used the alternative methods extensively, but interestingly almost never exclusively. Marketing to these folks was easy, like preaching to the choir... but doesn't the preacher get the advantage of hearing really good music??

Another interesting part of this survey was that the pyramid did not reflect any other demographic, such as age, sex, education, salary, geography, etc. That is, there are folks who use alternative methods from all walks of life, with all kinds of money, and all levels of education. Thinking about it, my holistic clients reflected perfectly this research.

A phrase from Pearce's book, apparently from Jesus: "By their fruits you shall know them." And I guess that's been my approach to trying to get folks to understand and accept holistic methods. If I can model in my own life a more natural and holistic, spiritually-oriented way of living, and if I can pass some of this on to my family and to my extended family of friends and clients, maybe this will be enough.

Sorry about the philosophical stuff. I love these kinds of questions.

Can non-vets get licensed in acupuncture?

Question from Adrienne:

I am looking into supporting my own rescue efforts with an animal wellness center and a boarding facility that offers all services in the wellness center to the animals it boards. Acupuncture and oriental message would, I believe, go a long way in alleviating the stress of owner separation. It would also benefit the dogs in my not-for-profit rescue.

The problem, however, is that people certified in both Chinese medicine and acupuncture while interested in working at such a facility are not allowed to without a degree in veterinary medicine. In the case of treating humans a degree in medicine is not a requirement as those licensed in acupuncture sometimes have many more hours devoted to acupuncture alone. A doctor of medicine on the other hand has to divide his/her time and does have the same schooling requirements.

If I am restricted to only veterinarians licensed in acupuncture it would be cost prohibitive as they tend to not want to work on site. Do you foresee the doors opening to licensed acupuncturists and Chinese herbologists anytime in the near future? This would open wide the opportunities for animals and make it, alternative medicine, much more affordable to the non-wealthy animal owning population.

Dr. Rose DiLeva's response:

There is a reason it's called Veterinary Medicine. As much as everyone would like to think that human medicine and veterinary medicine are alike, they are not. It is the art of medicine that true veterinarians practice. If we didn't know the differences between man and beast, then everybody could "play doctor." What if we didn't know that chocolate is toxic to your dog or that Tylenol could kill your cat? Metabolisms are different. A dog's metabolism, structure, function and needs are very different from a cat, a bird, an iguana, a horse or a rabbit. A veterinary education is far from easy and every bit of that knowledge acquired is necessary to make intelligent medical decisions.

After 4 years of college there are 4 more years of Veterinary Medical School. If pursuing a specialty such as orthopedics, internal medicine, cardiology, radiology, homeopathy, acupuncture, Chinese medicine, chiropractic, etc., etc., etc. There are years more of study and extensive experience. There are continuing education requirements to ensure that the one's level of expertise is kept informative and up to date.

Chinese medical theory has no similarity to western medical thought. With the expertise of a veterinary acupuncturist you get the best of both worlds. There are thousands of Chinese herbs and each of them has different mechanisms of action and different indications. It is the true practitioner of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine that knows how to utilize, combine and manage each individual case.

I do not think that any doors should be open to unqualified individuals practicing medicine on animals. In my opinion, human acupuncturists should work on humans. I would not consider placing acupuncture needles in a human, and human acupuncturists should not place needles on animals. It is unethical and illegal. Leave the practice of veterinary medicine to the doctors of veterinary medicine. If someone's interest is that intense then let him/her investigate the means to that end. Get the education and fulfill the requirements necessary.

Many things are cost prohibitive in life. Wouldn't it be nice if all health care were free, if all homes were affordable, and we didn't have to pay taxes? Unfortunately, that's not how the real world functions. Trying to take the short cut in the veterinary care you provide at your facility is not the choice I would recommend. I hope this sheds some light on the subject.

Dr. Randy Kidd's response:

I've been involved in several licensure disputes - chiropractic, acupuncture, naturopathic, etc. Each state has its own regulations, and none seem to be worded the same. In some states acupuncturists can legally work on animals; in most they cannot. In some states the MD's are still trying to reserve acupuncture for themselves, despite the fact, as you mentioned, that acupuncturists have far more training in the actual methods involved. In some states acupuncturists (or chiropractors) can work on animals IF there is a veterinarian present OR IF there is a veterinarian intimately involved with the case. They're all different. And, in my opinion, it's all a bunch of BS to try to protect one's turf... or maintain control of the insurance dollars.

To be honest, I don't think that letting acupuncturists work on animals will ultimately lower the cost of the treatment. I've seen it in animal chiropractic - chiropractors initially want to work on animals because they are so responsive, they don't talk back, they're soooo cute, etc. But after a few months of seeing how hard it really is to work with the animals, they either back off or they start to charge prices that are about the same as, or higher than, the typical vet fee. I think that in the real-world marketplace, the professional will eventually charge whatever it takes to make a living and to pay back the schooling she/he has received.

Here's what I also think though. I think that you and your cohorts at the shelter can learn all you need to know about alternative medicines to help the animals under your care. Plenty of help available form herbs, aromatherapy, flower essences, massage, etc. and this is all available to you and yours without a vet or acupuncture degree. And, since it may be illegal for you to stick acupuncture needles in an animal or human, you can always learn acupressure - a non-invasive method that is almost as powerful as acupuncture.

In fact, I believe in the healing power of the "common wo/man" so much, I'm trying to start a school where folks can learn about the alternative methods for animals. Have already designed the classes and am looking for a way and place to begin. Just need a few more hours in the day - maybe next month I'll get it off the ground.

Good luck to you, and wish me luck. Maybe we'll meet again - as student and teacher.

Flower essences

Question from Rosi:

We have been using flower essences in the water (we also use purified water) at our no kill shelter which houses 90 cats for the past year and a half. Some of our residents have been with us since we opened the shelter 3 years ago, and probably will live out their lives with us. We are a free roaming shelter, which means that we only isolate ill cats and new arrivals. Otherwise large cozy cages (which we call their private apartments) are available to those of our residents who prefer privacy, to those who will argue at night when we caretakers aren't around to break it up.

We received a large supply of flower essences, books and instructions on how to prepare them for different applications. We devised a preparation for depressed cats i.e., cats who have lost the will to live after being surrendered by their owner. This is very common in a shelter environment. We have another mixture for aggressive cats to help them live more harmoniously with the other cats in our shelter. We have a general mixture for the general population to help them adjust to living in a group setting with other cats, reduce fear and anxiety and to help them lose attachments to the past so they can start their new lives fresh.

We find the flower essences work wonders and would never be without them! I have case after case I could cite, about how dying cats or aggressive cats were turned around; but I don't want to get into all that here. We just know the essences do help.

My question though is twofold: the right way to mix them to get the optimum benefit from their usage and the proper dosage. The person who donated them to us told us to use three drops of each essence we desire into a small bottle (the little dark brown ones with the dropper). We were told never use more than three essences in any one mixture and always use Larch in every mixture; then add three drops of brandy, and fill the bottle with distilled water. We were taught to add three drops to any size water bowl, but we have been adding more to the large community water bowls, because they're bigger. We operate on volunteer power, and I want to be sure we train everyone correctly. I know it's not a science and they have been working for us; but would like your opinion on dosage and mixing.

Dr. Rose DiLeva's response:

Flower essences are dilute extracts of different types of flowers and tree buds that are used to treat behavioral and physical problems in both animals and people. They are thought to affect the psychological aspect of the animal.

I frequently use the Bach Flower Essence, Rescue Remedy, in my office. It can have effects that result in a calmer pet, a less stressed pet. The other flower essences I use are Anaflora Flower Essences for animals. They have formulas that focus on Bereavement, Special Stress, Loneliness, Harmony, Tranquility, Recovery Remedy, St. Francis Formula for Injured Birds, Aggression, Relocation, Calm Kitty, Service Animals, Pound Puppies & Kittens, too!, Good Dog!, Senior and Fur and Feather.

A few drops in fresh filtered water are all that is required. I don't believe how these formulas exactly work has been documented yet, but I have seen them have positive effects in some cases under certain circumstances. I cannot comment on the preparation or dosage of flower essences.

Someone was very kind to have donated such a wonderful gift. Best of Luck!

Dr. Randy Kidd's response:

Glad to see you're using the flower essences. I think they are the perfect thing for what has to be a major problem with any shelter operation - emotional upset and imbalance.

The way you're dosing sounds good to me. The great thing about the flower essences (and homeopathic remedies) is that we are using the essence/spirit/energetic/or whatever of the remedy... so dosages aren't important as they are with western medicine drugs. In fact, there are some of us who believe that the larger the container you put the essence in, the more chance the energy has to expand. It sounds crazy, but the fact that they work at all is considered crazy by some!

Three (or I've also heard 5) remedies are probably enough in any one mixture.
Alternative methods of application include: Make up your mix as you've said; put a few drops of this "mother" mix into a small spray container (e.g., a flower spritzer works well), add a few ounces of distilled water. Then spritz over any animal that seems to need more than a usual dose. (I've seen this work on ANGRY, WANT TO KILL YOU horses - calming them down after a few applications, given a few minutes apart.) Also might think about using the mix in an aromatherapy aerosol - plug in and let it flow - could even run it overnight. Incidentally, lavender, used as an aromatherapy application, has been proven to be calming for pound dogs, decreasing the frequency of barking.

I like your use of Larch. Are you using walnut - for adapting to change? I think most animals, whenever they are moved or disrupted from their normal family environment, go though an emotional crises related to the changes.

Flea treatment

Question from Brenda:

Is there a non-chemical alternative to Frontline, Advantage or Revolution for fleas control for cats? I've heard so much about convulsions and chemical reactions, that I'm not sure I want to use a product on my cat that requires me to use gloves.

Dr. Randy Kidd's response:

Of course there are many, many alternatives to the potentially toxic flea control products. Problem is - I've not found one that is effective... at least here on my KS "tick and chigger" farm. (For some reason, we don't seem to have much problem with fleas out here, but folks in town sure do). As they say, "I share your pain" - I'd love to not have to use the toxic stuff. Heck, I sometimes get the idea that our ticks actually relish the herbs I try.

Here are some suggestions:

1. First, be sure you have a problem. Do you see fleas, ticks?? We've been on this farm for more than five years now with two different dogs and an assortment of cats. I have yet to see a flea, but starting in about mid-April I've had to pick at least a half dozen ticks off Pokey after each and every walk in the woods, which was often several times a day.

2. Do all you can to eliminate fleas in the environment - run the vacuum often, brush all pets often - use the combs that catch fleas and drop them in soapy water. If fleas are an in-house problem consider having the professional "Flea Busters" de-flea your house.

3. Improve your cat's immune system. I typically see most or all the fleas on only one of the pets in the household - the one with the poorest immune system. Immune boosters include natural foods; minimizing vaccines; minimizing toxins and stress; exercise; herbs such as Echinacea; etc.

4. Try some of the natural products - most of them contain a combination of herbs, and they come as powders, dips or sprays. You may have more luck with them than I have.

5. Know the enemy. Check with your local vets and/or extension agents: When are the fleas active in your area? Is there typically a winter or summer kill off? Concentrate on the times of the year when the problem is at its worst.

6. If last comes to last and you do need to use one of the chemical products, use it as minimally as you can. For example, the ticks are alive year round in my area, but they are not much of a problem from mid Oct. to mid April. So I can get by using the chemicals April thru Sept.

If the label says the product lasts 30 days, see if you can make it last 45 to 60 to 90 days. Keep checking, and use it only when necessary. I really hate to recommend any product because they keep changing them, seemingly every week or so.

I don't like the oral or injectable ones and the products that use cholinesterase inhibitors have always been toxic. I've not had much luck with collars of any brand or kind. The newer spot on products that are spread through the sebaceous glands seem to be working so far, in a check with local vets seem to have very low toxicity problems... but we haven't used them long enough to really judge how safe AND efficacious they will prove to be.

7. Finally check with your nearest holistic vets altvetmed.org and see if they have had any success with natural products IN YOUR AREA.

Dr. Rose DiLeva's response:

Oh yes, the ever present question of the flea. There are over 2,000 species of flea! One adult flea can produce over 250,000 offspring in a period of 4 weeks. Just how rapidly they reproduce depends on environmental factors such as temperature and dampness.

The flea goes through several stages in its life cycle: the egg, larva, pupa and adult. The pupa stage is particularly resistant. All stages can be present on your pet and in your environment simultaneously. This is why the focus of treatment needs to include both. Many different natural remedies exist for handling this type of problem, but most times you need to be doing more than one at a time. Herbal products do not last as long as the more potent and more toxic products on the market, but they are generally safe and can be used more frequently.

Of course, the healthy pet is the pet that will best be able to defend themselves against fleas. Give those antioxidants. Garlic and brewers yeast have been helpful in some cases. PetGuard has a brewers yeast and garlic tablet for both dogs and cats that is very palatable and easy to crush. This combination has yet to be proven as a means of flea control.

A healthy diet is also imperative. Pets on all natural or raw diets are less attractive to fleas. Fleas tend to choose compromised pets over healthy ones to feed on.

Use a flea comb daily. Dip the comb in a bowel of soapy water to kill the fleas.

Vacuum carpet, dog/cat bedding, and furniture. This is about as nontoxic as you can get. Do this frequently and then throw out the bag. You will undoubtedly pick up eggs, larva and adults. Leaving the bag on the vacuum will just give those fleas another place to breed.

Machine wash all the fabrics that your pet touches, such as bedding and bed covers, once a week. Bathe your pets.

Fleas can suck a lot of blood from a pet, and, in large numbers, can make a dog or cat anemic. This is especially true of small or young pups & kittens. Products such as Natural Animal's Shampoo or Cloud Nine's Herbal Dip are good choices. I like Halo's Cloud Nine Dip because it can be mixed with pet shampoo or diluted with water and sprayed on your pet.

There are also herbal flea collars for cats that contain oil of pennyroyal, oil of eucalyptus, oil of cedarwood, oil of rosemary and oil of citronella. Flea Busters is a product that contains sodium perborate. Neem is an ayurvedic herb that comes in a shampoo or spray that can kill adult fleas.

Simmer two cups of fresh peppermint leaves in a quart of boiling water for 30-40 minutes. Mix this with a gallon of warm water. Let the mixture cool. Sponge this onto your pet every couple of weeks. Let air dry. Keep the mixture out of your pet's eyes.

Another thing some people have tried is to take a lime, lemon or orange and slice it thinly. Then rub it against the grain of the fur. Fleas supposedly dislike citrus and will be repelled.

Good Luck!

Calming shelter and rescue animals while in your care

Question from Elaine:

I'm involved in a group that recruits foster homes as a way of helping homeless dogs. We are a small all-volunteer group with no facility, and as many rescue groups very limited funds. We get dogs from a wide variety of situations, strays, owner releases (these are everything from a much loved companion whose owners truly are unable to care for them any more, to neglected dogs that neighbors have guilted the owners into releasing).

We have helped our local shelter by taking dogs that came in healthy and sweet, but started to deteriorate, because of the stress. We've also dealt with feral puppies. Many of these dogs come to us very stressed and for different reasons, grief, lack of socialization, etc.

I'd be very interested to hear what suggestions you would have to help these dogs adjust not only to their new foster situations, but the changes they will be going through when we finally find them their new forever homes. The closest holistic veterinarian I know of is over two hours away. So, though I would love to use acupuncture and such, any treatments that require weekly vet appointments are not practical at this time. Thank You for any suggestions you may have.

Dr. Randy Kidd's response:

Can you imagine the stress involved in being uprooted from home and hearth, no matter the circumstances, and moving into a building with bunches of other barking dogs, new smells, new foods, new socializations, no idea of what is going on or how long it will last. So, yes I agree, we need to do whatever we can to ease the stress.

Couple of suggestions:

1. Bach flowers // flower essences (Bach flowers are a trademarked brand of flower essences) - these are a cinch to give - mix a couple drops of the mother tincture into a few ounces of water, add a few drops of this mix into water, spritz it directly over the animals, or use it as an aerosol, spread throughout the kennel.
Where the flower essences are sold, they will have a brief description of what emotional condition each of the remedies is good for; simply match the emotional symptoms with the remedy. (There are also several user-friendly books that explain them in more detail.) You can mix up to 5 remedies and use them all at once. I'd probably use walnut for every animal that comes in, and I'd have Rescue Remedy on hand for the ones that look like they're crashing. Then I'd have a few more on hand, depending on what kinds of animals you typically get in (e.g., Quaking Aspen for the quaking, terrified dog, etc.).

2. Aromatherapy seems to me to be an inexpensive way to help emotional problems. There are many ways to aerosol the aromas throughout the building; check with a local health food store. Lavender is a favorite of mine, proven to lessen the frequency of barking in a kennel situation. My wife has used it for homesickness when she takes extended camping trips with teenage students. Might also want to have a few other aromas on hand to elevate spirits, calm, etc.

3. I'd have everyone working in the building and everyone who adopts learn basic massage techniques. Nothing better for man or beast than a good hands-on rub - and the best way I know of to socialize any animal. The Tellington Touch method is a specialized form of massage that claims to reconnect the head with the body. I used it for years on every animal that I was treating, as a way to introduce me to them. I found it to be very calming (for me and them), and if I could get the animal to accept a few minutes of Tellington Touch, I never had any problem with my chiropractic adjustments or acupuncture treatments. There is a book and video that explains the technique and courses are given across the country.

A final note: Do whatever you need to de-stress yourself and for the other folks working with the critters. Y'all are an important component of the overall adoption process. To be effective, you absolutely must stay calm, de-stressed and healthy yourself.

Dr. Rose DiLeva's response:

Any change in an animal's routine can cause stress. I've seen many cases of diarrhea and gastritis start because a pet sees that their person has brought out the suitcases to take a trip or move, or a visitor has stayed for a few days. Obviously, these rescued animals are under a tremendous amount of emotional stress that can manifest physically. As you probably know, acclimating and socializing these dogs can be a slow process.

Time, caring and lots of love are the answer. I have always seen that music can have a very calming effect of animals. It is something that is easy enough to provide during their transport to your facility, at the facility and also as a recommendation to those that eventually keep these dogs as pets. There are many CD's out there with the beautiful sounds of nature, running water, waves at the beach, birds singing, dolphin/whale sounds. There are CD's that are made by a process called Heim-sinc. These sounds actually placed the listener into a certain level of calmness. It actually says not to listen to them while driving your car, but they work wonders in my office. Perhaps playing something of this nature while socializing, etc. will improve the mood.

Good Luck!

Comment from Penny:

I would like to respond to the question about suggestions for calming shelter dogs and helping them to face the future. For years we have used our calming technique of holding and rocking (in a rocking chair) frightened dogs (and cats), including feral puppies, etc. Even larger dogs, that have a problem getting into your lap, benefit from being held and calmly cuddled.

We usually try for an absence of stimuli at this time, so that the animal feels that nothing is more important to you than these few moments when you totally share yourself. Your heartbeat can be heard and felt and your arms surround and quietly stroke the animal. We often wrap them in blankets or towels, so that they feel completely protected. They arrange themselves in the way they are most comfortable.

Our goals are to require nothing, to support, to reassure, and to bond. We hold the animals as often as needed. This is a very successful way to build trust and hope.

Treating rabbits

Question from Pat:

How timely! I have 12 rabbits in my home; 11 are rescues. I have been blessed that all have come to me healthy - until now. I'm struggling to help #12 bunny to get healthy. I rescued him from a hutch. He has been treated for a bad case of fur mites and is in the middle of his second round of baytril for a UTI with struvite crystals evident. X-rays show no bladder stones.

It seems to me vets are at a loss when it comes to rabbits, both for rabbit-safe antibiotics and for long term maintenance, if the medical issues resolve. I've been looking at www.rabbitmedicinechest.com for supplements. They suggest LOTS of stuff for him, two renal remedies, a supplement called systemajuv, Pro Bac, vitamins... is bombarding his system with a bunch of "natural" remedies recommended?

Friends are suggesting chiropractic and/or acupuncture. I want a healthy boy with a healthy bottom. He's been through the mill with the mites, urine scald (the fur completely fell off his back side and he needs almost daily butt baths). DO I go this route or simply keep pushing his healthy diet of grass hay (TONS), fresh greens, and very limited pellets?

Dr. Rose DiLeva's response:

Bunnies are wonderful pets. I've had them as pets, myself, for over 35 years. I have found that they are very sensitive, smart and loving creatures. Rabbits love to be touched and cuddled.

As far as your #12 bunny, I would manage the diet initially. Keep that Timothy hay available at all times. I am not familiar with the products mentioned above, however, if some of them are homeopathic remedies they should be safe to use. Rabbits respond well to acupuncture. If you can get #12 to a qualified veterinary acupuncturist for some treatments you might get a big surprise. There are herbs that can help also, but I would get the advice of a veterinarian that has experience dealing with herbs and rabbits.

Best of Luck!

Dr. Randy Kidd's response:

12 rabbits, eh! While I was practicing in KC, I met several lovely rabbit rescuers, and they always seemed to have a dozen or two dozen or three dozen ... or more rabbits running around. What is it with you rabbit folk?

I'm not a rabbit expert, and there are only a few vets in this area I'd consider really qualified with rabbits to know which drugs etc. to use. Rabbit medicine (along with some others, e.g., pocket pets, reptiles, birds) is a specialty that only a few of us have pursued. So I always defer to them on questions concerning western medicine.

The rabbits I worked on had a variety of problems, head tilt, arthritis, GI problems that seemed to respond well to acupuncture, chiropractic and herbal medicines. The nice thing with rabbits and herbs is they'll actually relish a lot of the more bitter herbs that I can't get dogs or cats to even taste.

My favorite treatment for urinary problems of all ilk (seems that a lot of these we never come up with a definitive etiology, and I think many are viral - thus antibiotics won't work over the long haul) is: 1) dandelion root and 2) golden seal or Oregon grape root, perhaps with some 3) Echinacea added. The dandelion is a good flusher (diuretic), and the Oregon grape root is effective vs. bacterial and viral bugs. Echinacea is also effective against viral and bacterial bugs and is most effective as an immune system enhancer. (IF you use the golden seal for more than a few days, add some yogurt or acidophilus culture.)

If you don't use herbicides on your lawn (if you do, shame on you), you can probably dig the roots from the yard and feed them to the bunnies. The greens are also good and won't hurt anything. The other herbs you'll probably have to buy from the health food store (although Echinacea is really easy to grow - perhaps for next year).

For early-on GI problems, I've found nothing better than slippery elm bark. Simply put the herbs atop bunny's food and let him munch away.

If the easy way out with herbs doesn't work, I would look into acupuncture and chiropractic. I've had a few bunnies on whom we were using acupuncture for other problems who were reportedly also cured their chronic GI problems.

Good luck!

Chronic renal failure

Question from Donna:

What is your uptake on the current prescription foods being used to treat CRF? My 16.5 year old was newly diagnosed three two months after receiving radioactive isotopes to treat his hyperthyroid.

All blood work was done prior to treatment and everything was normal including a renal sono, which only showed some small amounts of gravel in his bladder. His cardiac sono was normal also.

On a pre surg blood test before getting his teeth cleaned, his BUN was 74. Surgery was delayed until it could be brought down to a safer level for surgery.

Current BUN was 64 Creat 3.4. Sub-Q fluids were started last week at 300cc LR every other day. Blood work will be repeated after a few more treatments. He hates the prescription food and eats little, which is OK for now as he is still overweight. 14.5 ounces. What alternatives do I have in regard to foods that he will eat that will not further endanger his kidneys?

Dr. Rose DiLeva's response:

There are a number of renal diets on the market such as: IVD modifed, Waltham low protein, Iams multi-stage renal and Hills K/D. In all honesty, most of the cats dislike the taste and have little interest in eating some of these foods when they already feel nauseous. If they do like it, the dry seems to go over better than the canned, but then the cat does not get the water intake it would with a canned food.

The best choice, in my opinion, is to go with a homemade diet. The best book is called, "Home Prepared Diets for Dogs and Cats" by Dr Donald Strombeck. Some of these diets may need a calcium supplement as well. Good Luck!

Dr. Randy Kidd's response:

Chronic renal failure (CRF) is never an easy one to treat. Sometimes all we can do is palliative treatment (make the patient feel better), and one of the best ways is with fluids such as you are giving.

About the diet: Turns out I'm a bit of a rebel on this subject also (what a surprise). The initial work that posited the adverse effects proteins in the diet have on the kidney was done in the 1920's or 30's - somewhere way back then... and hadn't been updated until recently.

Newer info says the protein may not be as detrimental to the kidneys as originally thought. While high quality low quantity protein is never a bad idea for overall health (including kidney health), perhaps the proteins don't have as much adverse effect as once thought.

So, my take on all this is: I'd rather the cat eat than completely shut off... so, I'll do quite a bit to get him to eat a diet with better quality protein, but I don't force the issue like I once did. I also think that it's as important (probably more important) to feed natural foods (no artificial preservatives, no synthetic flavors or colorings, etc.) as is feeding the quality of the protein. I've found that what many vets think is a high quality food, is simply the food that they know (not necessarily the best quality of food available)... because that food has been touted to them via good advertising and pretty sales reps. Ah well!

I have successfully treated several cases of what appeared to be chronic renal failure CRF with acupuncture (and some herbal helpers such as dandelion root or turmeric), and I've also had some luck treating hyperthyroidism with acupuncture and homeopathy.

My take on the BUN and creatinine is that they will now offer you a good way to monitor fluid balance and whether the CRF is getting worse or not. When I worked as a clinical pathologist, I saw some extremely high values of these when the animal did not appear very sick; and some just-over-normal values where the animal was very sick, so total numerical values don't mean much to me.

Hope this helps.

Olive leaf extract

Question from Vicki:

What do you think about boosting immune systems with olive leaf extract? I have been using with cats specifically, but really am not sure about dosage.

Also, it is supposed to be an antifungal as well, do you think would assist with ringworm?

Dr. Rose DiLeva's response:

The active component in olive leaf is a phenolic compound called oleuropein. It is very potent in small doses. It is claimed to be an antioxidant, antiviral and antimicrobial. One author suggests that olive leaf extract is effective against over 100 organisms, such as E. Coli, Girardia, Chlamydia, Meningitis, Rock Mountain Spotted Fever, Lyme organisms and Hepatitis.

I have never used it alone or in combination with other supplements, but from what I have discussed with other veterinarians knowledgeable in these subjects, the evidence is lacking. Additionally, we are unsure of the dose in animals.

Dr. Randy Kidd's response:

I've heard of some folks using olive leaf for a number of things, but unfortunately I've never tried it, so I have no first-hand info. For the immune system, I've always used 1) Echinacea spp or second choice = Angelica. I especially like Echinacea because it actually enhances the balance of the immune system, i.e., you can use it for any immune problem, and because it has bi-directional qualities, it stimulates or inhibits the production lf lymphocytes - depending on what is needed at the time.

Also, it's an easy plant to grow in your own backyard, so you can have your own supply on hand. Some folks (including me) think the plants grown locally have more curative powers for local problems. It is a mite bitter (and can deaden your mouth like novocaine from the dentist), so some animals object to it... then I go to angelica or some other substitute.

The best thing I can say about the Dosage with all herbs is that "it all depends" - probably on several factors: what fertilizer was used to grow the plant, time and method of harvest, way of preservation, etc., and etc. Herbs in their natural form are highly variable in their biochemical content, and that's what we deal with as herbalists. We simply give small amounts on the food, let the innate wisdom of the animal help us with selection, and realize that when using small amounts of the total herb, we may have slower and less-potent effects... but we have greatly lessened the chance for toxicity.

Now, if you fool with Mother Nature and extract some chemical you assume (ass out of you and me) to be the active ingredient, then the rules of the game change. When we are using the "active ingredient" of a plant, we have returned to the western medicine paradigm, and we have the same problems of dosage ...AND of possible toxicity, since we have concentrated the biochemical.

Again, I don't specifically know about olive leaf's antifungal properties but many of the herbs have anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. That's one of their big advantages.

Sorry I couldn't help more with olive leaf extract.

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