Magazine Articles

Canine cataracts can affect all breeds and ages of dogs. While certain breeds are prone to congenital cataracts and diabetic dogs often get cataracts, senile cataracts occur in dogs over 6 years of age.  Each of a dog’s eyes has a clear lens inside that is used for focusing, just as a camera lens.  A normal lens in the eye is made up of 66% water and 33% protein. A pump in the lens keeps this balance in check. When this fails, the protein fibers in the lens clump together creating a crushed-ice appearance when looking into your dog’s eye.

Nuclear sclerosis is very common in dogs older than 6 years of age. It is common for dog owners to think their dog has cataracts when they notice a pearl-like, grayish-blue reflective haze in their dog’s eyes in direct light.  Nuclear sclerosis is not a cataract and does not interfere with vision.  The lens has simply hardened with age. However, it’s very easy to confuse the two.  Your veterinarian can tell the difference between a cataract and nuclear sclerosis when they examine your dog’s eyes with an ophthalmoscope.  

It’s easier to prevent cataracts than cure them.  Studies in people show that taking extra vitamin E and C reduced the risk of developing cataracts by approximately 86%.  The eye has a greater concentration of vitamin C than any other organ in the body.   Only a few species do not produce their own vitamin C, specifically: bats, humans, guinea pigs and primates.  Since dogs produce their own vitamin C, supplements for canines often don’t include it.  Make sure you examine the ingredients in your dog’s supplement to ensure it is included if your dog needs it.  A diet that is rich in antioxidants also helps to prevent cataracts.

A dog with cataracts should get vitamin A, C and E along with zinc in his diet.   Studies on lutein, a yellow carotenoid pigment, and cataract formation indicate that this carotenoid is a valuable tool in both preventing and treating cataracts.  Kale and carrots are excellent sources of lutein. Adding brightly colored fruits and vegetables to your dog’s diet will help to prevent cataracts along with other diseases such as cancer.  If impaired eyesight is causing your dog to bump into walls and furniture, choose 3 different scents or perfumes to help them identify where they are in the house.  Spray one scent low on the doorjambs on either side of the door.  Use another scent for the stairs.  You may need to use the third scent if he is also bumping into certain pieces of furniture. Dogs can compensate for lack of sight with smell.  Blind dogs quickly learn to navigate to the middle of doors and avoid the stairs with this technique!

There are drops, in addition to the dietary support mentioned above, that can be placed into your dog’s eyes which have been shown to reduce or eliminate cataracts.  Ethos Bright Eyes drops from Switzerland contains N-Acetyl-Carnosine.  Dogs with cataracts were found to be seriously deficient in this one particular antioxidant.  Peter Aldred, the CEO of Ethos Bright Eyes drops states, 

“Our drops are deliberately buffered to have a pH of 6.4 for this allows the drops to penetrate the cornea and reach the lens of the eye.  This creates a momentary and slight stinging sensation but is needed to create a delivery mechanism for the anti-oxidant.”

“Animallover-Jan” in Anderson, Indiana, has been rescuing dogs and cats for over 40 years.  One of her rescues, a terrier beagle mix she named Gweedie Love, was diagnosed with senile cataracts when she was 8 years old.   Her sight deteriorated over the next two years and Jan then began giving her Ethos Bright Eyes drops for Pets.    Two months after starting the drops Jan was convinced of their efficacy.  Gweedie Love’s eyes were much clearer and she was navigating and playing just like she was before the cataracts appeared.   Gweedie Love is now 16 years old and still enjoying a quality life without the symptoms of cataracts.

Sight is a wonderful sense that enriches our furry friends' lives as it does our own. By following the above recommendations, you can help ensure that your dog will enjoy its eyesight for many long years.

As seen in the June 2011 issue of Dog World magazine.

Unfortunately, behavior problems in dogs are becoming more and more common. The good news is that natural cures are proving to be very effective. A dog's anxiety can surface in a bewildering number of ways - from cowering in a closet for hours during thunderstorms to shredding the carpets or subjecting the neighbors to non-stop howling whenever he's left alone. Holistic alternatives can help your dog cope with stressful situations, and some simple behavioral modification techniques used in conjunction can reinforce desirable behavior patterns.

The feelings experienced by our dogs are pretty much the same kinds of feelings that we have. Every dog experiences a wide range of emotions. They can feel afraid, insecure, and worried. It’s often difficult to understand why a particular dog is experiencing unwanted or unpleasant emotions because we simply can not sit down and have a chat with our dogs. However, significant changes in routine have been known to trigger anxiety disorders in some dogs.

When pets are left alone for the majority of the day, they may get frightened, bored, lonely or anxious. Dogs may exhibit destructive behavior simply because they’re uneasy. An unwanted behavior might be an outlet for nervous energy. It’s important to understand how much our dogs need their own quality time with their families. If you plan a daily routine that allows you to give your pets some undivided attention and love, you’ll probably find that you enjoy it as much or more than your dogs.

Nutrition can also affect disposition

The brain itself has very high energy and nutrient needs. B vitamins are collectively known as “stress vitamins” because they help in high stress situations. Vitamin D is also involved in healthy brain development. There are receptors for Vitamin D in your dog’s brain and recent research is discovering a link between Vitamin D3 and mood. Vitamin D activates receptors on neurons in regions of the brain implicated in the regulation of behavior. Importantly, vitamin D increases serotonin production. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that affects the ability to handle stress and feel content and is believed to play an important role in anxiety. Calcium and Zinc also play important roles in brain and nerve function. A complete and balanced supplement such as Deserving Pets VITAL VITIES will provide balanced vitamin supplementation for your dog.

Melatonin and Endorphins

Dr. Linda Aronson, DVM, of Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine says that melatonin is effective in calming dogs with anxiety. Melatonin actually works with endorphins, special stress-reducing chemicals produced by the immune system. Melatonin enhances the effect of endorphins; thereby, aiding the ability to withstand stress, and promoting a greater sense of general well being. Give dogs weighing less than 10lbs 1mg of melatonin twice a day. Dogs weighing 35 to 100lbs should receive 3mg of melatonin twice a day, and you can give 6mg to dogs weighing over 100lbs. Aronson cautions people to use plain melatonin tablets not sublingual, time-release, or capsule forms.

The Thundershirt

The following solution may seem unusual, but dog owners swear by it. Bonnie Valiente, VMD, admits feeling dubious at first when she learned about the product. Since then she’s guided hundreds of dog owners who have contacted her at www.shopbff.com and they’ve been overjoyed with the results.

The Thundershirt makes dogs feel like they are being caressed or held. It’s used to help reduce anxieties such as separation anxiety, obsessive barking, fear of thunder or fireworks, destructive behavior, and social phobias that include fear of new people or new pets. Dogs immediately relax when the shirt is placed on them and they find the feeling comforting. Thundershirts have Velcro safe closures and they come in all sizes.

Homeopathy, Herbs and Flower Essences

A specific homeopathic remedy, Ignatia, is a wonderful remedy for emotional stress and loneliness and it has proven very helpful with separation anxiety. You can purchase this remedy at many Health Food Stores. Give a pellet or two to melt in your dog’s lip pouch three times a day for a few weeks. A Chinese Traditional Herbal Formula called Shen Calmer often works very well, especially, in conjunction with behavior modification. A flower essence blend called Separation Anxiety, made by Spirit Essences, can be added to the drinking water every day.

Q&A

Q: I have a black lab that I love dearly. He is super sweet and listens very well. Our only problem with him is that when we leave he ruins things, rips up books, eats things, and just makes a horrible mess. I now get fearful of what our house will look like when I open the front door. What should do? Is there anything I can do? He is only one year old so maybe he'll grow out of it. Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated! We love him but cannot have everything in our house eaten.

Best,
Carly


A: If he is an only pet, a companion dog or cat may help by keeping him company when the family leaves. You can leave him with safe bones to chew and/or fill appropriate toys, like the Clever K-9, with cheese or snacks so he can spend time searching these out to keep busy. Soothing classical music left on in the background may help. Make sure he gets some heart pumping exercise, playtime, and TLC. Exercise often helps burn off excess nervous energy. Additionally, you can leave a noise sensitive recorder on during the day and listen in to discover if any particular event, such as the mailman, triggers the unwanted behavior. You can also go through all the motions of leaving without leaving. Don’t give your dog special attention before you leave the house. After you have done this for several sessions, you can leave the house for short periods of time and then gradually increase the time period you are absent.

Here’s a recipe for a calming Diet. Turkey is high in L-Trytophan (one reason why we mellow out after holiday meals), while barley and chamomile calm the nerves.

2 cups turkey, cooked
2 cups barley cooked with 3 eggshells
2 teaspoons chamomile flowers made into a tea with ¼ cup water
2 teaspoons parsley
2 cups of cooked carrots
1/3 cup olive oil

Mix all ingredients together and serve. Adjust portion for size of dog.

From Dr. Khalsa’s Natural Dog

An article with references to the use of melatonin in dogs can be found in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Volume 215, No. 1, July 1999. “Vet Med Today: Animal Behavior Case of the Month” was written by Linda Aronson, DVM, MA; from the Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA.

As seen in the May 2011 issue of Dog World magazine.

Not many people consider watching their dog chew and scratch all evening an inexpensive form of family entertainment. Yet, too many of us find ourselves in this situation. Once upon a time, skin allergies and GI sensitivities like Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD) were relatively rare. Times have changed as our dogs are exposed to many more chemicals, toxins, drugs and vaccines that can have the effect of confusing the immune system.

The immune system’s ‘computer’ logs substances as either friends or enemies. An allergic reaction is the body’s response to something relatively innocent that the immune system has decided is ‘an enemy’. The substances that cause allergies can be foods, environmental airborne particles, and contacted and injected substances. We tend to think of the allergen as the problem; however, it’s actually the immune system’s inappropriate response to the allergen. For example, many children enjoy peanuts, but some children have a severe allergic reaction when given any food with a trace of peanut in it. This violent reaction is caused by a ‘computer error’ within the immune system.

Common food allergens in dogs include beef, egg, wheat, dairy and corn. I firmly believe that over-vaccination and feeding the same processed pet food every day has increased the incidence of allergies in dogs. A typical vaccine broth includes egg and bovine serum and both are common in dog foods. When injected with a vaccine, our dog’s immune system ‘computer’ may mistakenly log beef, chicken and egg in as ‘enemies’. Over-vaccination and vaccine safety issues have been raised for more than two decades. As one example, Current Veterinary Therapy IX, a well recognized reference text, states that the practice of giving annual vaccinations “lacks scientific validity and verification” and goes on to note that “immunity to viruses persist for years or for the life of the animal.” Blood tests, called Vaccine Titer Tests, are now readily available to determine if your dog is protected.

Continued daily contact with a food or substance may eventually result in an allergy to it. As an example, doctors often become allergic to the latex and/or talc powder in the surgical gloves donned many times a day. Similarly, we usually feed our dogs the same processed food day after day, while a varied or rotating diet might result in fewer food allergies.

Certain foods have long been recognized as a cause of allergic skin reactions as well as IBD in dogs. A new test for food sensitivity and intolerance based on your dog’s saliva is coming onto the market in early 2011. You obtain the test kit, which includes a special cotton rope to collect the saliva, and follow the instructions at home or go to your veterinarian. The NUTRISCAN™ panel from Hemopet in Garden Grove, CA will test dogs for intolerance to Corn, Wheat, Soy, Beef, Dairy and Eggs. This may help you know what foods your dog should avoid.

There are many effective holistic treatments that work to eliminate allergies in dogs. Homeopathy, Traditional Chinese Herbs and special allergy elimination techniques such as N.A.E.T. have proven effective.

Also, recent research in Sweden showed that children who begin supplementation at an early age with a multivitamin/mineral have a 39% lower chance of developing allergies. Starting your puppies early or getting your dog on a complete preventive supplement such as Deserving Pets Vital Vities may prove beneficial.

My five-year old Bijon, “Mr. Benny“, gets hot spots. We have a grand vet who treats him with pills and they seem to put the hot spots on hold. The prescribed spray is also applied, but difficult to use as he licks off the coverings in short order.

Do you have any better suggestion?

The best approach with hot spots is to prevent recurrences by finding the underlying cause. Many things can cause hotspots from matted fur to a new shampoo, from fleas and ticks to allergies. Dogs have many more of the specialized cells that cause inflammation in their skin than we do. We can compare their itchiness from a hot spot to what we experience when we have poison ivy. The more they bother the area, the more it itches and a vicious cycle begins.

Once a hot spot appears it has to be treated. They usually clear up much more quickly if you catch them at an early stage. A homemade remedy of baking soda and water, mixed into a paste can be applied to the irritated area and left on for a few hours before being washed off. Vet-Aid Sea Salt Wound Care Spray, a natural formula with an enzyme called Lysozyme, may provide immediate relief when applied. It also acts as a natural antibiotic. Dr. Rose’s Remedies Spray can also provide relief and accelerate healing.

Hot spots can dramatically increase in size rapidly. What was the size of a quarter may grow by several inches in a few hours. ‘An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.’ is a very appropriate adage for hot spots. Matted fur, plant burs, and a new shampoo are causes that don’t occur routinely. As Mr. Benny gets hot spots with some regularity, I suspect allergies may be an underlying cause. In this case, it would be good to begin an aggressive campaign to minimize allergens. Regular vacuuming, supplements to keep his skin and coat healthy, air purifiers in the home, and a simple hypoallergenic diet will often help.

In my book, Dr. Khalsa’s Natural Dog, I have many recipes designed for dogs with allergies. Allergy Free Muffins, one of the recipes, can be frozen and later defrosted and crumbled into an entire meal for a dog of Mr. Benny’s size. The Tilapia and Potatoes recipe is tasty and easy to prepare.

Allergy Free Muffins

1 cup rice flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
¼ cup oat bran
1 cup millet flour
1 cup goat’s milk
¼ cup water

In a large bowl, mix dry ingredients. Mix wet ingredients separately. Mix wet and dry ingredients together. Spoon mixture into oiled muffin tins. Bake for 40 minutes at 375 degrees.

Tilapia & Potatoes

1 lb of fresh tilapia or other white fish
4 cups of chopped white potatoes with skin on
1 teaspoon mixed herbs
1/3 cup olive oil

Place potatoes in pot with herbs, olive oil and enough unsalted water to just cover potatoes. Bring to boil and cook until potatoes are tender. Slice fish into strips and add to potatoes and water. Mix in well and bring to boil again for another 10-15 minutes until the fish flakes or is cooked through. Remove from heat and cool. Refrigerate to store and it will provide several meals for Mr. Benny.

As seen in the March 2011 issue of Dog World magazine.

Holistic therapies work synergistically with each particular therapy having it’s own strong points. Integrative health care combines the best options from different healing disciplines. Knowing which option or options would work best for your dog’s particular medical problem puts you well ahead in the ‘game of health’.

Backbone Basics

A dog’s backbone can be compared to a horizontal suspension bridge, held up at each end by his hips and shoulders. The vertebral column holds and protects his central communication system called the spinal cord. Nerves branch out from the spinal cord exiting between the vertebrae and communicating to all parts of the body. Acing as a relay center, it both sends and receives information from the brain.

When spinal bones get "stuck" (subluxated) and don't move correctly they can irritate these delicate nerve branches. This can interfere with the vital "life force" that’s relayed through your dog’s nervous system keeping his brain in touch with his body. When some of the vertebrae in a dog’s spinal column are not in the correct position and nerves become inflamed the muscles will react. Typically they become too tight and sometimes too weak. Discs, ligaments and other connective tissues may become inflamed also.

A sequence of events comes into play when a dog begins to feel discomfort in his back. First of all, his vertebrae are no longer aligned presenting a mechanical problem. In an attempt to stabilize and protect the area, his muscles might tighten or go into a painful spasm. Last of all, the nerves exiting his vertebral column might be compressed and inflamed. Minor back problems if left untreated can escalate into debilitating and dangerous disc problems.

Many people incorrectly use the term ‘slipped disc’. A disc can thin, bulge, rupture or protrude but it doesn’t slip! Each spinal disc has a jelly-like "ball bearing" core that is contained by bands of fibrous tissue. Healthy discs give your dog flexibility, allowing normal turning and bending. Disc protrusion causes extreme pain. With protrusion and rupture, a dog may become paralyzed. A lack of sensation in his hind legs and loss of bowel and bladder control may follow.

Danger Signals

Low-grade back pain acts as a danger signal alerting us to a possible displacement or pinched nerve. Tight painful muscles signal something is wrong, alerting us humans so we can get medical help before things go too far. Our dog’s back may hurt him but he has no way to tell us. I’ve seen many agility and working dogs perform poorly solely due to back pain.

Testing the health and integrity of your dog’s spine is accomplished by softly kneading the muscles on either side of the backbone the entire length of the back. You may find that some of the muscle groups are soft and pliable while one particular area has very tight or even rock-like muscles. A tight area might be out of alignment with a consequent decrease in ability and performance.

Breeds such Dachshunds and Basset Hounds will always be prone to back problems because of their genetic and physical composition. With any breed, jumping and rough housing may cause back injuries.

An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure

While it’s a good idea to have agility and working dogs adjusted several times a year, tight hard muscles may indicate the need for a quick visit to a chiropractor or veterinary acupuncturist. A simple spinal manipulation and/or acupuncture treatment often nips back problems in the bud. If these therapies are not available in your area, you may want to try Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine or homeopathic remedies. I’ve found the Chinese herb, Liquidambar 15, from Seven Forests (800-544-7504) to be very helpful. A typical dose would be; Dachshund- one pill three times a day: Basset Hound two pills three times a day: Doberman – three pills three times a day. Spasm Repair, an excellent homeopathic combination remedy, can be obtained from PHP (800-245-1313) with instructions on the bottle.

Learning how to recognize and treat the problem early often prevents more serious back problems. Pain killers and anti-inflammatory drugs may mask the pain but they don’t address the mechanical problem setting the stage for disc disease. In Chapter 8 of my book Dr. Khalsa’s Natural Dog, I write about a Dachshund named Max who, with holistic treatment, smoothly recovers from severe intervertebral disc disease. Spinal manipulation, acupuncture, Chinese herbs and homeopathy can all be used to successfully correct the problem.

Dear Dr. Khlasa,

Maggie is our 10-year old German Shepherd. When she first began dragging her hind feet around we thought it was arthritis. Later on my veterinarian said she has a neurological disease called Degenerative Myelopathy. Sometimes Maggie falls when she turns and she now has trouble getting up. We wonder if there are holistic things we can do to help her.

Cory and Bill

Dear Cory and Bill,

Maggie’s problem lies in her spinal cord. These large nerves are coated by a fatty sheath for protection. Just imagine how an electric cord might short out because it’s plastic coating is damaged. This damage is preventing her brain from communicating quickly with her hind legs. You may have noticed that Maggie initially showed reluctance to go down the stairs. This was because her brain was not getting fast enough feedback on where her hind legs were.

This disease is gradual and progressive but the course of events can often be slowed with holistic intervention. Ask your local veterinarian to check her thyroid because if it is subnormal, supplementation may also help her neurological deficit.

First of all, it’s important to give Maggie regular daily exercise to maximize her muscle tone. Acupuncture has proven helpful with this problem and routine treatments often slow the progress of the disease. Maggie should get an extra 500 IU of Vitamin E and 100 mg of Ubiquinol Co Q 10 every day in addition to a complete and balanced vitamin formula such as Deserving Pets Vital Vites www.deservingpets.com

As seen in the February 2011 issue of Dog World magazine.

Most of us would agree that ear infections in our dogs are just all too common. It’s the rare dog that gets only one ear infection and oftentimes the problem crops up again within months. The good news is that once the basis for infection is understood and handled the problem can be solved.

Healthy Harmony

In a healthy ear canal, yeast and bacteria live in delicate balance.When there’s excess wax, oil or moisture in the canal the microclimate is altered and infections occur. A yeast with the strange name of Malassezia pachydermatitis takes full advantage of any waxy, oily or moist conditions, disrupting the balance while creating inflammation and discomfort.

You’ll most likely notice more head shaking and scratching along with general itchiness and discomfort. Scaling, crusting, redness and irritation within the ear, fur loss and perhaps a grey peppery speckled skin under the ear-flap may follow. This yeast can also infect other moist areas, such as the groin or underarms. In very severe cases, the skin can resemble grey elephant skin.

[Sidebar: Place a cotton ball in your dog’s ear. If you find a brown, waxy substance with a sweet, musty, yeasty odor there’s a good chance that your dog has an overgrowth of Malassezia. Your veterinarian can confirm this with a simple staining procedure.]

A Long Way to the Bottom

We can easily view only a fraction of a dog’s ear canal as it’s made up two canals that sit at an angle to each other; the vertical and horizontal canal. Therefore, infection is often undetected or mistaken for dirty ears or waxy buildup. Infections are typically treated for a week or two but the very bottom of the ear canal often remains infected, far away from prying eyes . So the infection that ‘came back’ never actually ‘went away’!

Ear infections are typically treated with a mix of antibiotic, antifungal and steroid combinations. This protocol treats the superficial symptoms in the outermost area of the canal but never addresses those conditions in the ear that supported the imbalance in the first place. Months pass and bacteria take the lead. Finally, resistant bacteria become the front runners.

Some Basic Solutions

In most cases, getting down to the basics to handle the problem isn’t so difficult. It’s very important to be consistent and diligent. Additionally, while any dog can get an ear infection, certain breeds are more susceptible than others. Routine swimming may also contribute by adding excess moisture.

If your pup has simple Malassezia overgrowth this easy to prepare formula can be very helpful. Administer twice a day for a week, then once a day for two weeks, followed by twice a week for one or two months.

4 ounces of either: rubbing alcohol or Tris EDTA
1 Tablespoon of Boric acid powder
4 drops of Gentian Violet 1% solution

All ingredients with the exception of Tris EDTA(on the web) can be purchased at a local pharmacy.

Mix all of these ingredients together and shake well. Place in a dropper bottle. Make sure your dog's ears are not inflamed or ulcerated before you use this product. Use Tris EDTA if your dog’s ears are generally sensitive. If your dog exhibits pain, or great discomfort after application discontinue use immediately Dr. Roses Skin Treatment Salve www.drrosesremedies.com works wonderfully for irritated ear flaps.

Make sure you consult with your veterinarian and don’t hesitate to use conventional ear treatments when necessary. Painful bacterial infections often require additional medications and veterinary supervison.

After the Storm

After the infection clears up, dogs prone to ear problems should have their ears cleaned with an ear cleaner to retain balance and remove debris. Ideally any ear cleaner should limit the growth of yeast and bacteria in addition to removing excesss wax and oils. A natural product, DermaPet Malacetic Otic Ear Cleanser, contains an acetic acid (vinegar) and boric acid solution which has proven effective against Malassezia and certain bacteria. Massage into the ear and leave for 5 minutes and wipe out with a cotton ball. This helps correct the conditions that led to the imbalance and keep new infections at bay.

Q and A

Dear Dr. Khalsa,
Our Maggie is a wonderful 5 year old Basset Hound. At two years old she began furiously scratching both her ears. No sooner had we finished treating her ears then they were in trouble again. At first, Maggie had brown stuff in her ears but after a few years it turned into a nasty smelling green stuff. Maggie is the sweetest dog but she now hates having her ears touched and she needs unusual antibiotics because she now has antibiotic resistant bacteria. We love her so much and we take one step ahead and two back. Is there a way we can fix this never-ending problem? We’re scared that we’ve used up all our options.

Joyce or JG

Maggie’s story is not an unusual one and Basset Hounds are one of the breeds prone to chronic ear infections.

The first thing we need to do is handle the resistant bacteria. A Chinese Herb, Huang Lian Jie Du Teapills (Huang Lian Ji Du Wan) by Mayway and sold in many Whole Foods Stores has proven very effective against resistant bacteria. I’ve often seen it work more effectively than antibiotics. Give Maggie 6-8 of the tiny herbal pills orally 3x day for one month. Your veterinarian can prescribe a topical ear medication to keep her comfortable during this time or you can try all natural Zymox Otic, available on the web. It contains 3 active enzymes that are both antibacterial and antifungal. The company also makes an ear cleaner to use with it.

I want to build up Maggie’s general health and immunity also. This is very important in both handling her present infection and in preventing future infections. Maggie should get 3 tablespoons of coconut oil twice a day. Coconuts contain Lauric acid, which has both antifungal and antibacterial properties. Clinically, I’ve found daily doses of Deserving Pets Vital Vitamins www.deservingpets.com extremely beneficial in handling chronic ear infections.

After the inflammation and infection subside begin to clean her ears once a day for a week and then twice a week, checking for any debris or infection. You can use the DermaPet ear cleanser mentioned above. Continue with daily Deserving Pets Vital Vitamins and coconut oil. Perhaps she’ll let you use a squishy hair tie to hold her ears above her head for an hour or so every day, allowing for more circulation and reducing moisture.

[Sidebar: Conditions conducive to yeast and bacterial growth can easily persist so creating a weekly routine to clean, balance and check your dog’s ears will truly help prevent chronic ear infections.]

As seen in the January 2011 issue of Dog World magazine.

It’s been said that eyes are a reflection of one’s soul. As a holistic veterinarian, I find a dog’s coat to be a reflection of his inner health. In fact, Chinese Medicine teaches that the health of the liver is mirrored in both the eyes and the coat. Several components work synergistically to create that vibrant coat - the one that stops you in your tracks to catch another glance.

Coat Gardening Made Easy

How does growing a great lawn compare to growing a great coat?  For just a moment, think of the inner environment of your dog’s body as soil. This soil creates his inner biological terrain and is the single most important factor in both maintaining good health and in growing a great coat. Good soil grows strong healthy plants. We all know that we need to routinely fertilize our lawns to grow thick, verdant grass. All the cells in our pet’s bodies also need ‘fertilizer’, in the form of a complete and balanced supplement, to do their jobs well.

It’s Not Just About Calories

Proteins, fats and carbohydrates supply calories but not the tools needed for the maintenance and continued health of our dogs. The cells in our dog’s bodies are like miniature cities, bustling around and continually repairing themselves. Quality supplementation will provide the tools needed for living and will help to grow healthy, thick coats with good pigment. Deserving Pets www.deservingpets.com has designed a preventive supplement having superior ingredients for both coat and general health. A distinct improvement in the coat is noticed within two or three weeks and dogs really love the taste.

The Well Oiled Do

Coconuts and their oil are classified as ‘functional foods’ because they provide many health benefits beyond their excellent nutritional content. At one time, coconut oil was a significant part of the American diet, with the food industry considering it superior for use in food preparation. During WW II when the Japanese occupied most of the countries producing coconut oil, Americans were forced to turn to other oils for cooking. Recently, coconut oil is coming into it’s own once again. It’s medium chain fatty acids are used immediately in the body without circulating in the bloodstream. Its daily use reduces dandruff and odor and supports thyroid function. Coconut contains Lauric acid; famous for its anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. I suggest gradually moving up to one teaspoon of coconut oil per 10 lbs of body weight divided between two meals. Dogs typically enjoy the taste and you can find it at any health food store and many markets.

Thyroid Function

Interestingly, thyroid hormones increase the metabolic activities of almost all the tissues in the body, including those that create the coat. That’s because thyroid hormones have the capacity to activate nuclear transcription in the genes, leading to the formation of proteins in the body. A quality supplement and coconut oil help to support the thyroid, but it’s still a good idea to routinely test the thyroid function in an older dog. A company called Hemopet http://www.hemopet.org/ performs a very complete thyroid test and it’s founder, Dr. Jean Dodds, is a foremost authority on thyroid problems.

Homeopathy Can Help

Some dogs may need just a little more help to move things right along. The homeopathic remedy Lycopodium 6c is easily found in health food stores. I’ve been know to say that you can almost watch the coat growing when you give this remedy for a month. Just give one pellet slipped into the lip pouch and let it melt on the gums. Homeopathy doesn’t work like pharmaceutical drugs so you only need to give it once a day for one month.

A Little Help from Our Herbs

While all the shampoo and conditioner in the world can’t replace the luxurious vibrant coat grown with good health from within, there’s a wonderful, inexpensive home-made rinse you can use after shampooing to further enhance the coat.

Healthy rinse and/or spray
2 tablespoons of chopped Rosemary leaves
2 tablespoons of chopped Lavender leaves
2 Tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
Place ingredients in glass or enamel pot and add 6 cups of water. Bring to a boil and, after a brisk boil is achieved, immediately remove from heat. Let mixture sit for a few hours, then strain and store. Use as rinse after a shampoo.

*From the book Dr. Khalsa’s Natural Dog

Ask The Holistic Veterinarian

Dear Dr. Khalsa

My eight-year old Pomeranian, Buddy Boy, has two bald spots on either side of his rump. Two years ago I had his thyroid tested and routine blood tests and they’ve all come back normal. He doesn’t itch or scratch and I just can’t figure out why he has these matching bald spots. I think his coat has thinned out over the years, too.
-- Tammy

Dear Tammy,

First of all, I’d suggest you have a routine yearly blood test and also check his thyroid again. Check both his T4 and Free T4. Buddy Boy’s thyroid function may have tested normal two years ago but may be low now. Two years is a longer span in a dog’s life than in ours. Typically, hypothyroid dogs can’t grow a good coat. You may also want to do a histopathology with your veterinarian in order to arrive at a possible diagnosis.

If his thyroid is normal, you can begin to give him melatonin, available at most health food stores. A dog his size would get 1 mg once a day. I’ve had many dogs with similar coat problems respond very well when given melatonin.

You can also open up a Vitamin E capsule and rub the contents right onto each bald spot, increasing circulation to the area and stimulating growth. Vitamin E is good to apply topically to areas that aren’t growing new coat.