04/17/23 Empower Hour! BEAM training
03/27/2023 Empower Hour! Eden Energy
How Can I Help My Dog With False Pregnancy?
Short on time? Get the gist:
- Nearly 80% of unspayed dogs will experience at least one false pregnancy.
- Symptoms of false pregnancy can be behavioral (e.g., nesting, mothering) and physical (e.g., swollen mammary glands, milk production).
- Medication is rarely necessary – but track the BEAM.
False pregnancy – how common is it?
If you’re the pet parent of an unspayed dog, there’s a nearly 8 out of 10 chance that your pup has experienced a false pregnancy after estrus (a heat cycle) or that she will experience one in the future.
Signs of false pregnancy – don’t fear!
You may observe your dog nesting and gathering (and guarding) toys as if they’re her puppies. You may also notice swelling in the mammary glands and even milk production. Don’t be alarmed! In most cases, false pregnancy is due to hormonal fluctuations (which may trace back to wolves ensuring milk availability for puppies) and she’ll be just fine and back to herself within a month.
Should I Worry About False Pregnancy?
When healthy, a dog experiencing false pregnancy will typically have mild symptoms that don’t require any treatment other than symptom support.
When considering the false pregnancy – and anything else that is “out of the ordinary” – we emphasize looking at BEAM first and foremost.
BEAM stands for Behavior, Energy, Appetite and Mood. These four qualities will guide you in assessing your pet’s overall health. It’s a simple yet sensitive way to monitor your pet’s current state of balance. Note that sometimes a dog experiencing a false pregnancy may have minor changes in BEAM as she may be sleepier than usual or a bit more protective of her toys or other household objects that she may be mothering.
Treatment for False Pregnancy
If the symptoms your dog experiences are more than mild or bring discomfort, you may want to support her so she feels more at ease. First, determine if that’s the case. Are swollen mammary glands troublesome for the dog? They can get quite large but are they actually dragging on the ground when she walks? Is she active, eating, and happy or her appetite has gone down and she became irritable/isolating?
Sometimes Pulsatilla is indicated for false pregnancy, depending on other symptoms.
As there are over 100 of the 7,000 homeopathic remedies that may help a false pregnancy, a holistic or homeopathic practitioner who can help by phone is an important member of your health care team.
For great information and links regarding finding a holistic and/or homeopathic veterinarian, please visit www.holisticactions.com/select
Some tips to support your dog
- It can be disturbing to your dog to remove the objects she’s chosen to mother. To minimize upset, please consider removing those while she is outside or in another room.
- To help dry up the milk faster, avoid handling her mammary glands and consider using a cone if you see that she is licking or self-nursing, which can perpetuate milk production.
Again, false pregnancy is quite common and although it can be alarming to us as pet parents, it typically requires no treatment. Of course, for the piece of mind and to support her body through this – consider using a few steps from the happiness protocol.
Spaying will prevent it from happening again, but please wait until all signs of the false pregnancy have passed.
Finally, if there’s any chance that your dog has been impregnated, or if she’s showing a decrease in BEAM or any other concerning symptoms, please have her examined by your local veterinarian.
The Healing Power of Medicinal Mushrooms For Your Pets
Medicinal Mushrooms – Can Our Pets Eat Them?
Did you know that medicinal mushrooms (we are not talking about the ones that grow on the side of the walking trail) have been used for many years to support humans and animals. Some of the mushrooms have been even called the mushrooms of immortality.
In veterinary medicine they have been used to
- Activate immune system
- Cancer prevention and therapy
- Geriatric medicine
- Prevention of degenerative diseases, and much more.
In this webinar Dr. Ihor Basko joined us to discuss the use of medicinal mushrooms to help your pets. Let’s learn how this potent nature miracle can enhance our and our pet’s lives.
All You Need Is Love – Love Therapy For Pets
You remember that Beatles’ classic “All You Need is Love”? Stories, songs, and media of all kinds, keep coming back to the idea that “Love is the greatest power.” We smile and nod at the sentiment, but what if there are real scientifically measurable benefits to love? What if these can powerfully impact our pets’ health and well-being? Let us introduce you to Love Therapy!
Love Therapy
The scientific evidence continues to show that love, happiness, and most actions which can help our pets thrive, come from the heart, not the head.
Everything we share here at Holistic Actions! is based on these same concepts.
Love Therapy is as simple as engaging with your pet and saying “I love you” whenever you see them. The more often you say it, the more powerful the healing effect. A strong and genuine intention behind the words is key!
Is Love Therapy Just a Woo-woo?
Now we know what you’re thinking: What’s the big deal? Why does this matter? It all sounds warm and fuzzy, but where are the facts?
The theory that our thoughts can have an effect on our outcomes is well-established in psychology. This powerful effect of mindset is exemplified by the “Positive Medicine” movement. Drs. Jordyn Feingold and Scott Barry Kaufman’s handbook demonstrates how people can use mindset to transcend their own emotional and physical issues.
More and more research in the fields of consciousness and healing indicate that Love affects not just ourselves, but has a wider range of influence. The Heart Math Institute is one of the awesome research-based scientific communities that are showing us that “adding heart to our daily activities and connections produces measurable benefits to our own and others’ well-being.” Dr. Allen Schoen is a leader in this field. You can listen to Allen expound on the heart-to-heart connection between people and pets:
Author Robert Kopecky’s article sums this all up in a wonderful way by saying:
Love is the “…simplest solution to every misdirected ill and injury ever perpetrated within our sphere of consciousness. Every problem, approached with Love, finds its proper solution; every injury, treated with Love, finds a spontaneous (sometimes miraculous) cure…”
You can also browse our Forum for many more stories about the effects of love people have seen with their pets!
Love Therapy is a simple, cost-effective, and rewarding strategy to add to your pet-care toolbox. Telling your pet “I love you,” gazing at them affectionately, and just calling their name are all ways to put it into practice.
All in all though, it was the 4 wise sages from Liverpool who said it best – All You Need Is Love…
What is one step you will take to add more of Love’s
wholesome power to your pet’s life?
02/27/23 Empower Hour! Member Q&A
Hydration: How To Really Drink Water
The founder of the Hydration Foundation and an inspiring speaker, Gina Bria joined us to share about the aspects of water most of us are not aware of. She shared many compelling tidbits about water, hydration, and energy, including the use of light and movement to help your pet’s bodies to be the best that they can be. Enjoy!
Love, Animals & Miracles With Dr. Bernie Siegel
Dr. Bernie Siegel (1932), who prefers to be called Bernie, has retired from a long practice as an assistant clinical professor of surgery at Yale of general and pediatric surgery in 1989 to speak to patients and their caregivers.
For many, Bernie needs no introduction. He has touched many lives all over our planet. In 1978 he began talking about patient empowerment and the choice to live fully and die in peace. Bernie embraces a philosophy of living and dying that stands at the forefront of the medical ethics and spiritual issues our society grapples with today. He continues to assist in the breaking of new ground in the field of healing and personally struggling to live the message of kindness and love. His prediction is that in the next decade the role of consciousness, spirituality, non-local healing, body memory and heart energy will all be explored as scientific subjects.
Bernie speaks and runs workshops and medical education across the country and is devoted to humanizing medical care. His books Love, Medicine, and Miracles; Peace, Love, and Healing; and How to Live between Office Visits are classics in the field of healing.
Bernie has been named one of the top 20 Spiritually Influential Living People on the Planet by the Watkins Review which is published by Watkins Books, an esoteric bookshop in the heart of London, England.
Bernie is introduced by Dr. Allen Schoen. Treating animals just as any healer would treat human beings, Allen Schoen has become one of America’s most celebrated veterinarians. In addition to his veterinary work, he is known for his book Kindred Spirits: How the Remarkable Bond Between Humans and Animals Can Change the Way we Live and C.A.L.M. – Conscious Animal Lovers Movement. Enjoy the video!
Here is what one of our members said after watching the webinar “I hope I can make some permanent changes based on the last 20 minutes as I relisten and on my 4th time now already. There are some wonderful learning and life changing opportunities in the Monday webinars!”
01/30/2023 Empower Hour! Member Q&A
Feline Conjunctivitis in Cats: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment
Many cats have chronic problems with conjunctivitis (inflammation of the eye membranes). Often, the problem comes and goes. The symptoms of feline conjunctivitis in cats are red, swollen, watery, crusty, or goopy eyes.
Causes of Conjunctivitis in Cats
Causes include infection, congenital defects (small or absent tear ducts), facial conformation (Persian features), and scarring from previous infections. Unlike humans, allergies are rarely involved. The most common cause of conjunctivitis in cats is a viral infection, usually with a herpes virus.
Feline Herpesvirus: What You Need to Know
In cats, herpes is an upper respiratory virus (not an STD); it’s also called “rhinotracheitis” and is one of the components of the combination upper respiratory/panleukopenia (feline distemper) vaccine for kittens. The vaccine does not actually prevent herpes infection; its main function is to reduce the severity of the disease.
Herpes attacks the nerves, and is painful. It usually causes quite a bit of redness and a watery discharge. It often attacks only one eye, producing a lopsided squint. Affected cats tend to be photophobic; that is, they squint against the bright light, or try to avoid it altogether.
Nearly all cats are exposed to the herpes virus as kittens. For most cats, no further problems occur. However, herpes is a sneaky virus, and likes to lie dormant until it gets a chance to get one up on the immune system. Because stress suppresses the immune system, cats under stress are particularly susceptible to recurrent herpes flare-ups.
Diet and Feline Herpesvirus
Diet is also a factor in feline herpes. Corn is deficient in the amino acid lysine; as dry foods have, over the years, replaced meat with corn gluten meal and other poor-quality ingredients, herpes flares have become more common. Dry food is not good for cats for many reasons; this is just one more. Cats need a high protein, high moisture diet such as canned, homemade, or raw food. Long-term nutritional support with antioxidants, BioSuperfood, and other immune boosting supplements will also help prevent recurrences.
Treating Conjunctivitis in Cats
Antibiotics are ineffective against viruses, so conventional medicine doesn’t have a good treatment for herpes. Nevertheless, most veterinarians use topical eye drops or eye ointment containing antibiotics as a treatment. Steroids may also be included in such topical products; they will reduce pain and inflammation, although there is a risk that the immune suppressing effects of steroids will inhibit healing.
There are several holistic treatment options for herpes. One of the simplest is l-lysine, which is inexpensive and readily available at the health food store or drug store. It comes in capsules or tablets, usually 500 mg. Capsules are much easier to work with, if you can get them. (There is a liquid lysine supplement but the concentration is low and it contains The dose is 500 mg twice a day for 5-7 days (total 1,000 mg/day). Lysine has a slightly salty taste, and is easily disguised by mixing it with wet food or meat baby food. If that seems like a huge dose for a cat, it is – but that’s what it takes to work. Once the acute episode is under control, a maintenance dose of 250 mg per day can be given indefinitely.
To relieve irritation and wash viral particles from the eye, you can make a homemade saline solution. Use 1/4 teaspoon of table salt to 1 cup of water (room temperature). Three or four times a day, use a cotton ball to drizzle a small amount of saline into the cat’s eyes. Make the saline fresh each and every time, because bacteria could grow in the solution between treatments.
Another surprisingly effective treatment for conjunctivitis in cats is “Willard Water.” This is a catalyst that theoretically changes the molecular structure of water. It is usually available at health food stores. Follow the directions on the bottle to make up a gallon at a time. Use this as the only source of drinking water for your cat. The effects are not scientifically explainable, but they are usually immediate – within a day or two – and dramatic.
Homeopathic remedies can also be very helpful for these kitties. A formula that I designed has proven to be exceptionally good helpful: Only Natural Pet Eye & Upper Respiratory Treatment Homeopathic Supplement Remedy
Because herpes flare-ups are so commonly stress-related, stress management is an important part of treatment. Flower essences such as Spirit Essences are designed for this type of support. Additionally, all cats benefit from Play Therapy and Indoor Enrichment.
If symptoms worsen or persist for more than a few days, a check by your veterinarian is warranted. Herpes can cause serious corneal ulcers that may result in loss of vision if untreated.
Holistic veterinarian and author Dr. Jean Hofve has more than 20 years’ experience in integrative veterinary medicine. She has a passion for feline health and nutrition, and has intensively studied and researched pet nutrition and the pet food industry since the early 1990s. She has written dozens of articles and has been interviewed for print, radio, and television around the world. She is an advisor to AAFCO, the organization that sets standards for pet food production.
In 1995, she founded Spirit Essences (now owned and operated by Jackson Galaxy), which makes flower essence remedies for many animal health and behavior problems. Her first book, The Complete Guide to Holistic Cat Care: An Illustrated Handbook, co-authored with nutritionist Dr. Celeste Yarnall, won a 2010 Certificate of Excellence as well as the 2010 Muse Medallion Award for best book from the Cat Writers’ Association.
Dr. Jean is retired from veterinary practice; she is no longer providing consultations. However, she is on Holistic Actions! faculty and participates in member webinars and the forum.
Constipated Cats
Constipated Cats
Figure 1. A normal stool is Type 4; anything below that (Types 1-3) is moving toward constipation.
A surprising number of cats have problems with constipation (abnormal accumulation of feces and difficulty defecating), and similar but more serious conditions such as obstipation (complete obstruction of the colon by feces) and megacolon (damaged nerves and muscles in the colon causing an inability to defecate).
Signs of Constipation
Constipation is uncomfortable, even painful. Constipated cats may defecate (or try to) outside the litterbox, because they associate pain or discomfort with the box itself. Other signs of constipation include
- Irritability
- Painful Abdomen
- Lethargy
- Poor Appetite
- Loss of Appetite
The Colon
The colon, the last part of the intestinal tract, is a large muscular structure ending at the rectum. It contains most of the intestinal bacteria that reside in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. These bacteria finish up the digestion of protein. By-products of this process include short-chain fatty acids that nourish the cells lining the colon. Some of these lining cells absorb water, while others secrete mucus to lubricate the stool and keep it moving along.
Frequency
Most cats defecate about once a day. A constipated cat may only defecate every 2 to 4 days, or even less. Usually the stools are hard and dry, because their long stay in the colon allows for absorption of most of their water content. However, occasionally a constipated cat can appear to have diarrhea, because liquid stool is the only thing that can get around the stuck mass of feces.
Causes of Constipation
Causes for pooping problems include neurologic problems, pelvic injury, obstruction (by hair, bones, etc.), pain (especially in the low back), and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). (See this article for more info on IBD.) A dirty litter box may cause a cat to avoid the box and become constipated by holding the stool too long. Hooded litterboxes are a particular problem because they hold odor in, potentially making the box environment extremely unpleasant for the cat.
In more than 18 years of experience as a feline veterinarian, I have not personally seen constipation problems in cats who do not eat dry food. It’s logical, therefore, to think that diet plays a significant role in development of the problem. (Since I first wrote this article many years ago, I have heard from several readers whose cats developed constipation problems even on all-wet-food and raw diets; so, it’s not impossible, but happily it is fairly rare.) Some cats may need more fiber than is present in very low fiber diets such as most canned, raw, and homemade diets. You can always add a pinch of fiber (ground flaxseeds and ground chia seeds, aka Salba, are reasonably palatable and work very well).
Indeed, the initial treatment for constipation is usually a change in diet. Historically, these cats have been put on high-fiber dry foods. Fiber modulates intestinal mobility. Depending on the type of fiber and the circumstances, fiber can either speed up or slow down digestion. It’s therefore used for both constipation and diarrhea. Light, senior, and hairball foods all contain increased fiber, and there are also several medical high-fiber diets.
High-fiber foods often seem to lose their effectiveness over time.
Usually, any diet change helps, at least initially. However, high-fiber foods often seem to lose their effectiveness over time. More fiber, such as canned pumpkin, may be added. Again, sometimes this produces a temporary improvement. Yet most of these cats continue to have problems. In fact, excessive fiber can irritate the digestive tract, potentially aggravating the issue. Psyllium and powdered cellulose seem to be particularly harsh.
Since fiber encourages water absorption and increases the amount of stool produced (because it is indigestible), many experts have swung the other way and are recommending “low-residue” diets to minimize stool volume. “Low-residue” means that the food is highly digestible and produces minimal waste. Cats digest protein and fat best, but there is controversy about carbohydrates; it is clear that many cats are carb-intolerant. By this theory, the best food would be high fat, high protein, and low fiber, as well as high moisture. One would think that such a food would also be low fiber, but that is not necessarily true. However, most canned foods fit the bill, as do most homemade diets. However, some low residue diets incorporate a large amount of digestible carbohydrate, even in canned foods; excess carbohydrate may contribute to obesity and even feline diabetes. Reading the label is an important skill to develop (learn more about that in this article).
Cats eating some canned, homemade, and raw diets actually produce less stool, and may defecate less frequently simply because there is less waste. The key to distinguishing this from abnormal constipation is the extreme dryness of constipated stool, and the increased difficulty in passing it.
Water balance is crucial in constipated kitties. Most vets will give constipated cats subcutaneous (or even intravenous) fluids to boost their hydration.
Treatment for constipation depends on the severity of the problem. For mild cases, occasional enemas may be all they need. For severe blockages, the cat must be anesthetized for manual extraction of the feces (a process my favorite tech graphically but accurately refers to as a “dig-out”).
Once the cat is “cleaned out” by whatever means, it’s wise to take steps to prevent the problem from recurring. Several options are available; an individual cat may need only one of these, while others need several or all of them.
- Canned, Raw, or Homemade Diet. High-moisture diets keep the cat hydrated, and these diets are far more digestible and produce far less waste than dry food. Because canned and homemade diets tend to be extremely low in fiber, addition of a small amount of powdered psyllium (available in bulk at most health food stores) may be helpful.
- Water Fountain. Many cats will drink much more running water than they will ever take from a bowl. There are several types of pet fountains, from “cascades” to “waterfalls” and even more elaborate! I first noticed that my cats loved to drink from an inexpensive “feng shui” rock fountain from Bed, Bath & Beyond; but it was too hard to take apart and clean as often as was needed. Worse still, it was made of plastic (as most pet fountains are), which can leach chemicals into the water. We recommend the Glacier Point Fountain for Cats.
- Miralax. Start with 1/8 tsp twice a day in food, and increase as needed up to 1/4 tsp twice a day. Active ingredient polyethylene glycol; not the same as poisonous ethylene glycol; very safe for cats long-term, and more palatable than other products.
- Lactulose. This is a sugary syrup that holds water in the stool and keeps the stool soft; therefore it’s easier for the cat to pass. Cats are usually not fond of the taste. Fortunately, lactulose now comes in a mild-tasting powder (Kristalose) that can be encapsulated by a compounding pharmacy, or simply added to canned food.
- Other Stool Softeners, such as DSS (docusate sodium). Your veterinarian can prescribe these.
- Vaseline (Petroleum Jelly). The primary ingredient in most over-the-counter hairball remedies (Laxatone, Kat-a-lax, Petromalt), petroleum jelly (or its close relative, mineral oil) can be given to the cat by mouth. Most cats tolerate it, many cats come to like it, and a few even enjoy it. The Vaseline brand is, according to my cats, the tastiest; but other cats prefer one of the flavored hairball types. Give 1/3 to 1/2 teaspoon per day. Because it can interfere with nutrient absorption so giving it on an empty tummy (at least 2 hours apart from meals) is best. Petroleum jelly is a large molecule that is completely inert in the body. It’s the ideal lubricant and “escort” for intestinal contents, because it reaches the colon unchanged. Vegetable, coconut, and other digestible oils are broken down and absorbed in the small intestine, and cannot lubricate the colon where it’s most needed.
- Cisapride (Propulsid). This drug was withdrawn from the market for humans because of dangerous side effects, but it is considered safe for cats. Your vet can order it from a compounding pharmacy. It seems to work best in combination with stool softeners. There are similar drugs being developed, but it could be a long time before they’re available.
- Pediatric Glycerin Suppositories. Although they may not appreciate having a suppository pushed into their rectums, most cats tolerate it. Your vet can advise you on technique and frequency.
- Enemas. This is usually done by a vet, but many cat guardians have gotten good at giving enemas at home. Mineral oil, K-Y jelly, soapy water, and plain warm water are all fine; you may have to experiment to see which one works best for your particular cat. Consult your vet on the type and amount to give; your cat’s colon is smaller than you might think, and it’s relatively easy to overload it. One well-meaning guardian administered a full human enema bag to her cat that pushed everything in the GI tract back the wrong way, and the poor kitty ended up vomiting feces! Fortunately he did survive. Note: NEVER use a “phosphate” enema such as Fleet; it can rapidly produce a fatal phosphorus overdose.
- Slippery Elm Bark. This powdered herb can be added to canned food (add extra cool water) or made into a syrup. Its mild taste is well tolerated by most cats. See this article for more information.
- Other Herbs. There are many herbal formulas available for people, but many herbs, such as Cascara sagrada, are too harsh for a cat. It’s best to consult a veterinarian who is knowledgeable about herbs to prevent an adverse reaction.
- Resolve Pain Issues. Sometimes constipation occurs because of low back pain, which makes it uncomfortable for the cat to defecate. Chiropractic and/or acupuncture can be very helpful. See the directory at www.ahvma.org for a practitioner in your area.
- Exercise. Staying active helps stimulate the intestines and keep things moving. If your constipated cat is also a couch potato, try Play Therapy.
- Stress Management. There is always an energetic or emotional component of any chronic disease, and stress plays a significant role in many gastrointestinal conditions. The essence remedy “Happy Tummy” was designed by SpiritEssence to help address the energetic underpinnings of constipation and other GI diseases.
- Fluid Therapy. Some cats do very well with occasional (daily to weekly) infusions of subcutaneous fluids. Your veterinarian or vet tech can show you how to do this at home. Give fluids whenever you notice your cat’s behavior indicate oncoming constipation.
- Manual Removal of Stool. Commonly referred to as a “dig-out,” this is a procedure done under anesthesia for extreme cases that have not responded to other treatments. It is unpleasant for the digger, and likely painful for the cat post-op. Ask your vet to consider providing pain management for a day or two afterward.
- PEG Polyethylene Glycol (Colyte®) Infusion. This non-surgical procedure is not commonly used in clinics, but your vet may be willing to look into it. It requires the cat to spend 24 hours at the vet’s to receive an intranasal infusion of liquid Miralax. (Make sure your clinic has real human 24-hour supervision; a few do not disclose that everyone goes home at 6 pm.) It does not require anesthesia, but fractious cats may require sedation; a dose of pain meds may help keep them calm afterwards. It is relatively comfortable for the cat, and in most cases moves the stool out about 12 hours later. If your veterinarian is on VIN (Veterinary Information Network), the link to the protocol can be found there.
- Surgery. If there is damage to the nerves and muscles of the colon, a “sub-total colectomy” is the last resort. This surgery removes the colon, and joins the small intestine to the rectum. Unless and until the small intestine develops more colon-like functioning, the result is chronic diarrhea. However, the cat will be much more comfortable. The overall success rate of this surgery is over 90%.
Be Observant
If your cat is chronically constipated, the most important thing for you to do is be observant. Look for early signs of constipation; straining, abdominal discomfort, decreasing appetite, etc. Be aware of how often the cat is defecating. (If he does not produce adequate stool for more than 2-3 days, call your vet, or begin home treatments if you have established this routine. Kitty constipation is far easier to treat when it’s caught early; and dietary changes are more likely to be successful. If you wait, treatment will be far more expensive, and there is a greater chance of irreversible colon damage.
Click here to read Dr. Jean’s extensive interview on Floppy Cats on constipation.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have questions or concerns about your cat, please contact your veterinarian. If you are dissatisfied with your veterinarian’s advice or treatment, then it would be wise to seek a second opinion.