If you’ve decided to move your dog to a whole foods, raw meat based diet, give yourself a pat on the back! Your dog will be much healthier and happier because of it. If your dog could talk, I’m sure she’d say “thank you!”

Depending on your dog’s age, health condition and the time she’s spent on her current diet, a food transition may be challenging at first (but rewarding, so don’t give up). Some dogs experience diarrhea or constipation as a result of the detoxification process. Other dogs experience changes in energy levels, while some show no effect from the change in diet. This is a natural process. Think about what it would feel like if you ate fast food consistently and then switched to only smoothies, stir-fries and salads. You’d eventually feel great, but there would be a short adjustment period.

One way to assist your dog during this adjustment period is to add herbal remedies. Herbs can encourage a healthy detoxification process, reduce digestive discomfort, increase appetite, support the nervous system and decrease inflammation. The adjustment period shouldn’t take longer than three to four weeks. If your dog is experiencing extreme digestive discomfort or refusing to eat there may be something else going on and it may be best to consult your holistic veterinarian.

How To Give Herbs

There are a variety of ways to give herbs to your dog, including infused tea, dried herb, glycerite (tincture), capsules and more. How you give herbs to your dog will depend on her taste preference and her symptoms. But when you’re dealing with digestive discomfort the best method often contains the least amount of liquid and tastes the best. I personally think glycerites (herbs extracted in glycerin) are the best method during a food transition. Glycerites both taste good and contain a higher ratio of herb to liquid so that only a small amount is needed. You can buy glycerites or follow the recipe below to make your own.

5 Herbs To Help Switch Your Dog To Raw

Here are five herbs to give your dog for a smooth food transition.

1. Chamomile – Matricaria recutita

Parts used – Flowers, leaves, stems
Action and uses – Chamomile is a great herb to support any excess gas or bloating your dog may be experiencing. This plant also works to support the nervous system by gently calming your dog. Chamomile works quite quickly after consumption.

Chamomile Dosage

Glycerite/Tincture – 1-2 ml per 20 lbs of your dog’s body weight, 2-3 times per day
Infused tea – ½ cup per 20 lbs, 2-3 times a day (1cup = 10-30g herb)
Dried herb – 25-150 mg per lb, sprinkled onto food.

Cautions or Contraindications – not for use in pregnancy, not for dogs with known allergy to the asteraceae family of plants.

Research:  A herbal medicine of the past with bright future.

2. Fennel – Foeniculum vulgare

Part used – Seeds
Action and uses – Fennel quickly relieves any gas or bloating that your dog may be experiencing. If your dog loses her appetite during the beginning of a food transition fennel can help to increase it again.

Fennel Dosage

Glycerite/Tincture – 1-2 ml per 20 lbs, 2-3 times per day
Infused tea – ½ cup per 20 lbs, 2-3 times a day (use 10-30g herb per cup of tea)
Dried herb – 25-150 mg per lb, sprinkled onto food.

Cautions or Contraindicatitons – not for use in pregnancy.

Research:  Foeniculum vulgare Mill: A Review of Its Botany, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, Contemporary Application, and Toxicology

3. Marshmallow Root – Althaea officinalis radix

Part used – Root
Action and uses – Marshmallow has a soothing demulcent action to gut mucosa and is used to relieve heartburn, digestive inflammation and both constipation and diarrhea. Marshmallow infused tea has a goopy consistency that some dogs may not like, so try giving small amounts throughout the day rather then dosing all at once.

Marshmallow Root Dosage

Glycerite/Tincture – 0.5-1.5 ml per 20 lbs, 2-3 times per day
Infused tea – ½ cup per 20 lbs, 2-3 times a day (use 10-30g herb per cup of tea)
Dried herb – 25-150 mg per lb, sprinkled onto food.

Cautions or Contraindications – The mucilage created by this herb may reduce absorption of some medications when taken in high doses.

Research: The Pharmaceutical Importance of Althaea officinalis and Althaea rosea : A Review.

4. Burdock Root – Arctium lappa

Part used – Root
Action and uses – Burdock root is an herb that blurs the line between herb and food. It is best known as a nutritive liver tonic because of its high nutrient content and ability to cleanse the liver. This is an excellent herb for supporting the detoxification process during a food transition.

Burdock Root Dosage

Glycerite/Tincture – 1-2 ml per 20 lbs, 2-3 times per day
Infused tea – ½ cup per 20 lbs 2-3 times a day (use 10-30g herb per cup of tea)
Dried herb – 25-250 mg per 20 lbs, powdered and sprinkled onto food.

Cautions or Contraindications – None

Research: A review of the pharmacological effects of Arctium lappa (burdock).

5. Milk Thistle – Silybum marianum

Part used – Seeds
Action and uses – Milk thistle gently supports the liver by restoring damaged cells and improving function. It contains antioxidants that assist in reducing oxidative damage caused by processed foods. This is a great herb to use for almost all dogs going through a food transition.

Tinctures are the best method of administration for this herb as the potent constituent silymarin extracts best in alcohol. You can remove the alcohol from a tincture by adding boiled water to the dosage; let cool, and then give to your dog. This process will evaporate most of the alcohol.

The post Transition Your Dog To Raw: 5 Herbs That Help appeared first on Regal Bullies.

Recently I learned of a pet product company called Under the Weather, which at the moment appears to be offering only diets for sick dogs. Their product announcements in a veterinary industry journal caught my eye because they’re definitely not your typical processed, low-quality therapeutic or prescription pet food.

If we can believe the company’s package labels, ads and website, the formulas are made of 100 percent human-grade meat (chicken or bison), and all the ingredients are raised or grown in the U.S. These are definitely pluses.

According to the company, their freeze-dried diets are “… designed to soothe a dog’s digestive tract during times of upset, such as vomiting or diarrhea.”¹ They also state the diets are “… only to be used until healthy digestion is restored and the stool is normal for [two to three] days.” These are intelligent feeding guidelines.

The Under the Weather diets are intended as a convenient way for pet parents to feed a bland diet to a dog with temporary tummy troubles. Instead of having to cook chicken or hamburger as part of the traditionally prescribed bland diet, pet parents can grab a packet of Under the Weather and just add water.

On the surface, these products seem like a wholesome and super easy way to offer your dog a bland diet. However, the biggest problem I have with them is that one formula contains rice, and the other contains oatmeal. In general, I’m not a fan of the traditional bland diet still prescribed by most veterinarians, which is what the Under the Weather formulas are based on. The standard bland diet is typically 3 parts white rice and 1 part boiled chicken or hamburger meat.

The bland diet I recommend uses ground turkey, which is a lower fat protein source (so it’s easier to process for pets with pancreatic inflammation), and more importantly, pumpkin, because it’s the perfect fiber for most pets with digestive issues. A basic knowledge of the different types of fiber is important in understanding what effect each type will have on an animal’s body.

Fiber: Dietary Versus Functional

Fiber, which is actually the tiny threadlike structures in fruits, vegetables and grains, has traditionally been defined as the remnants of plant cells that are resistant to digestion, which includes lignans, cellulose and the indigestible carbohydrates found in plants.² However, by definition this omits indigestible carbs found in animal sources, such as chitin, as well as fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and other digestible carbs that are resistant to digestive enzymes in the gut.

For this reason, in 2001 the Institute of Medicine developed definitions of fiber that distinguished between fiber that occurs naturally in foods (dietary fiber) and other isolated fibers that may be added to foods or dietary supplements (functional fiber). Examples of specific types of dietary fiber found in plants are cellulose, hemicellulose, lignins, beta-glucans and resistant starches (found in bananas and legumes). Examples of functional fiber are inulin, oligofructose, plant gums and pectins.

Fiber: Viscous Versus Nonviscous

Fiber can also be classified as viscous and nonviscous, based on its consistency when mixed with water. If the fiber gels in water, as pectins, beta-glucans, psyllium and some gums do, it’s considered viscous. Viscous fiber slows gastric emptying time, can delay the absorption of some nutrients (including sugars) in the small intestine and lowers cholesterol.^3,4

Fiber: Soluble Versus Insoluble

Fiber is further classified as soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber, such as beta-glucans, gums, most pectins and psyllium, disperses easily when stirred into water. Cellulose and lignins do not disperse in water, so they’re classified as insoluble fiber.

Research shows that a fiber’s solubility does not predict its effect on the body, as previously thought. Soluble fibers bind with fatty acids and slow digestion, which can have a stabilizing effect on an animal’s blood sugar levels. Soluble fiber has also been shown to help lower cholesterol in humans.^5,6

Both insoluble and soluble fibers can be fermentable, and most whole plant fibers contain both soluble and insoluble fiber. Insoluble fiber provides roughage, which helps to bulk up the stool and move waste products through the intestine. Because of this, insoluble fiber prevents constipated and keeps pets regular.

In my experience, almost all pet parents and many veterinarians lump all fiber into this category, assuming all fiber creates the same laxative effect in the gut. However, some fiber, such as the pectins found in bananas, is actually binding and potentially constipating to mammals.

Banana pectins draw water out of the feces, putting it back into the body. When water leaves the colon, harder stools are the result. But in the case of diarrhea, adding a small amount of mashed banana to your dog’s bland diet (if he’ll eat it) can often help reduce the incidence of loose stools.

Fiber: Fermentable Versus Nonfermentable

In addition to solubility and viscosity, fiber is also classified as fermentable, partially fermentable and non-fermentable. Fermentable fiber sources, such as pectins, beta-glucans, guar gum, inulin and oligofructose, provide a food source for the billions of bacteria naturally found in your pet’s gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Some fiber sources, such as cellulose and lignin, are nonfermentable. In general, fruit and vegetable fibers are fermentable and grain fibers are nonfermentable.

Current fiber research is focused on the actions and influence of certain types of fermentable fiber in feeding beneficial bacteria in the GI tract. The GI tract is the largest immune organ in the body. GI lymph tissue, called Peyer’s patches, as well as Gut Associated Lymphoid Tissue (GALT) is impacted by the balance and health of the microbial microenvironment (the gut microbiome).

Scientists are evaluating how foods can help heal or harm this critically important bacterial balance within your pet’s gut, and fermentable fiber can play a huge role in modulating your pet’s GI defenses for the better.

Why Pumpkin Is Better Than Rice in Your Pet’s Bland Diet

Canned pumpkin (100 percent pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling) provides about 80 calories and 7 grams of soluble fiber per cup, compared to 1.2 grams of fiber in a cup of cooked white rice. Pumpkin is very rich in soluble fiber (the type that dissolves in water to form a viscous gel) that coats and soothes irritated bowels. Soluble fiber also delays gastric emptying, slowing down GI transit times, and therefore the number of episodes of diarrhea.

When your dog has diarrhea, she can lose important electrolytes, including potassium, which puts her at risk of dehydration. Hypokalemia, or low potassium levels, can result in cramping, fatigue, weakness and heart rate irregularities. Pumpkin happens to be an excellent source of potassium, with 505 milligrams per cup.

Pumpkin is also safer for diabetic pets. Unlike rice, which is a grain that ultimately breaks down into sugar, pumpkin extracts may actually restore beta cell function.⁷ Beta cells are the cells that produce insulin in the pancreas.

Rice is a bland source of fiber, but in my opinion, it isn’t the most species-appropriate choice for a recovery diet for carnivores, nor is oatmeal. Dogs have no nutritional requirement for grain, so feeding a pro-inflammatory food to treat GI upset makes no sense. Additionally, the FDA has issued a potential warning about arsenic loads in white rice.⁸

Over the years I’ve acquired many new clients who bring their still-sick pets to me after following their own vet’s bland diet recommendations. Often, the dog’s stools improved slightly on a diet of cooked rice and hamburger, but the rice tended to look much the same coming out as it did going in, which is a clear indicator very little of it was digested or useful as a nutrition source.

Why Ground Turkey Is Better Than Other Protein Sources

My reason for recommending turkey is simple — it’s lower in fat than hamburger and chicken (and bison meat). Fat can worsen GI upset and exacerbate pancreatitis. Rinsing boiled or baked meat removes surface fat, but it can’t remove the fat that remains in the flesh.

For this reason, I recommend fat-free meat for bland diets. You can easily find fat-free ground turkey or turkey breast in most grocery stores, along with 100 percent solid packed pumpkin in the baking aisle (make sure it’s not pumpkin pie filling). If you prefer organic and non-GMO foods, look for fresh organic pumpkin and turkey meat.

Alternatives for Allergic Pets

If your dog won’t eat pumpkin, I recommend using skinless, cooked, mashed sweet potatoes (my preference, but white will do in a pinch). If he seems to have trouble with turkey meat, you can substitute cooked chicken breast or codfish (though both are higher in fat than turkey).

If your dog’s diarrhea doesn’t resolve in 48 hours, he grows lethargic or is acting like he’s sick, it’s time to visit your veterinarian. If a bland diet resolves the diarrhea, you can transition him back to his regular food 24 hours after his stools have returned to a normal consistency. It’s important to remember that bland diets are for recovery only. They aren’t nutritionally balanced and shouldn’t be fed long term.

The post The Best Food for Pets With Tummy Troubles appeared first on Regal Bullies.

10 Signs Your Dog Is Happy

1. His eyes and eyelids are relaxed, he blinks a lot, his gaze is soft and his brow is smooth. His ears are also relaxed, not cocked or pointing. His mouth is open a bit with a few teeth visible (but not bared), his tongue may be lolling and he may even appear to be smiling.
2. She’s holding her body in a relaxed posture versus a tense or stiff stance. She’s holding her tail high and wagging it with such gusto her whole body is wiggling. Alternatively, her tail may be in a more neutral position, with a softer, slower wag.
3. He has no destructive behaviors, even when he’s home alone. Happy dogs generally get plenty of physical and mental stimulation. Bored, under-exercised, under-stimulated dogs are more likely to become destructive, along with dogs who suffer from separation anxiety.
4. She loves to play. Happy dogs are always up for a game or a walk or a ride in the car. Since exercise and play are so natural for dogs, if your canine companion doesn’t seem interested, she may be dealing with some pain or an illness, and it’s time to make an appointment with your veterinarian.
5. He’s belly-up and tongue out. Happy dogs tend to show their bellies and tongues as they wriggle around on their backs. Happy belly displays are different from submissive belly rolls in which the dog’s mouth is usually closed and his body is stiff.
6. Her appetite is good, which indicates she’s both happy and feeling physically well. A noticeable decrease (or increase) in your pet’s appetite can be a symptom of an underlying condition.
7. He’s happy barking. Some dogs rarely bark, but those who do tend to have a higher-pitched bark when they’re happy that usually doesn’t last long.
8. She play bows. Many happy dogs raise their backsides in the air and lower their chests to the ground as an invitation to play with either their favorite human or a doggy friend.
9. He leans into you. A happy dog will often lean into your hand when you pet him, and lean into or keep contact with your body whenever the opportunity presents itself.
10. She’s thrilled to see you. Happy dogs are without fail excited to see their human come through the door, even if said human has only stepped outside for a minute to check the weather!

The post 10 Ways to Tell If Your Dog Is Happy appeared first on Regal Bullies.

Scientists have recently discovered yet another reason we MUST save nature’s pollinators from extinction, specifically in this case, honeybees. In addition to the invaluable pollination services they provide, honeybees may also be a source of alternative tools to fight infections in the face of ever-increasing numbers of antibiotic-resistant pathogens.

Researchers at Lund University in Sweden have identified 13 lactic acid bacteria strains found in fresh honey that produce a multitude of active antimicrobial compounds. Their study results were published in the International Wound Journal in September 2014.¹

Bacteria in Fresh Honey Heals Wound Infections

Fresh raw honey has been used throughout history to treat infections. It is found in the honey stomach of bees and is quite different from the manufactured honey sold in grocery stores. In fact, highly processed store-bought honey is akin to high fructose corn syrup, which is more likely to increase infection and should never be used to treat topical wounds.

The bee honey bacteria was tested in the laboratory on severe human wound infections such as MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), Pseudomonas aeruginosa and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE). When the bacteria was applied to the infectious organisms in the lab, it neutralized all of them.

The lactic acid bacteria has also been tested on horses with persistent wounds. The bacteria was blended with honey and applied to the wounds of 10 horses – wounds that had not responded to any other treatment.

The result? The honey mixture healed all of the horses’ wounds.

The same formula has also previously been shown to protect against bee colony collapse.

Living Lactic Acid Bacteria Has Unique Properties Not Found in Store-Bought Honey

The Lund University researchers believe these promising results are due to the broad spectrum of active antimicrobial substances that are unique to the honey found in a bee’s honey stomach. According to lead study author Tobias Olofsson:

“Antibiotics are mostly one active substance, effective against only a narrow spectrum of bacteria. When used alive, these 13 lactic acid bacteria produce the right kind of antimicrobial compounds as needed, depending on the threat.

“It seems to have worked well for millions of years of protecting bees’ health and honey against other harmful microorganisms. However, since store-bought honey doesn’t contain the living lactic acid bacteria, many of its unique properties have been lost in recent times.”²

The researchers plan to conduct further studies on the use of honey to treat topical infections in humans and animals.

Manuka has an exclusive ingredient with antimicrobial qualities called the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) that give it extraordinary antibacterial activity. Honey releases hydrogen peroxide through an enzymatic process that gives it its antiseptic qualities, but active manuka honey contains a “special something” that makes it far superior to other types of honey when it comes to killing off bacteria.

The level of UMF varies, which is why each batch of manuka is ranked and priced according to the quantity of UMF it contains. The higher the concentration of UMF, the darker, thicker, and more expensive the honey. A rating of UMF 10 or higher is recommended for medicinal use.

The honey used to treat wounds is a medical-grade honey, not just a jar from a shelf in a kitchen. Medical-grade honey is cultured to insure it doesn’t contain bacterial contaminants.

The Extraordinary Healing Properties of Manuka Honey

I use manuka honey extensively on my animal patients to manage resistant skin infections (for example, hot spots, feline acne, and acral lick dermatitis) and large wounds that can’t be closed surgically.

This is a (quite gruesome) photo of an extensive soft tissue de-gloving wound to the left rear paw of a homeless cat I found in the ditch while driving to work. The wound had developed gangrene

The post Manuka Honey – Treats Pet and Human Wounds When Other Treatments Fail appeared first on Regal Bullies.

Many pet parents look in their cabinets first to treat minor health issues in their animal companion.

There are a number of household items many people have on hand that can serve a dual purpose as health remedies. Good things to have in your cabinet at all times include canned 100 percent pumpkin, povidone iodine and 3 percent hydrogen peroxide.

The post 8 Home Remedies for Minor Dog Emergencies appeared first on Regal Bullies.

Unfortunately, recurring ear problems are very common in dogs. Otitis externa is the medical term for inflammation or infection of the outer canal of the ear, and some dogs are more prone to the condition than others. To make matters worse, there are apparently a lot of misconceptions among dog parents about what causes itchy, inflamed, infected ears, and how best to deal with them. Veterinary journal dvm360 recently addressed several of them.

5 Facts Versus Fiction About Canine Ear Infections

Preventing Ear Infections

As I mentioned earlier, some dogs are much more prone to ear infections than others. If your pet is one of the unlucky ones, I recommend checking his ears daily or every other day at a minimum. It’s wax, moisture or other debris collected in the outer ear canal that invites infection.

The solution is simple, but you must do it religiously: Clean your pet’s ears when they’re dirty. If his ears collect a lot of wax every day, they need to be cleaned every day. If his ears don’t produce much wax or other crud you can clean them less often, but you should still check them every day and take action as soon as you see the ear canal isn’t 100 percent clean and dry.

If you think your dog might already have an ear infection, it’s important to make an appointment with your veterinarian before you begin a cleaning regimen. In many cases an infection leads to rupture of the eardrum, which requires special cleaning solutions and medications. For healthy canine ears, my six favorite cleaning agents are:

Please NEVER use rubbing alcohol to clean your dog’s ears! It can cause burning and irritation, especially if the skin is inflamed. Use cotton balls or cotton rounds ONLY to clean the inside of the ear canal. You can use cotton swabs to clean the outer area of the ear, but never inside the canal, as they can damage your dog’s eardrums.

The best method for cleaning most dogs’ ears is to saturate a cotton ball with cleaning solution and swab out the inside of the ear. Use as many cotton balls as necessary to remove all the dirt and debris. Another approach is to squirt a small amount of solution directly into the ear, then follow with cotton balls to wipe the ears clean. However, this method may make your dog shake her head wildly, drenching you in ear cleaning solution!

All-Natural Treatments for Bacterial Ear Infections

Culture test results indicate that an increasing number of canine ear infections are caused by bacteria that are resistant to most antibiotics. These are cases for which alternative therapies can provide highly effective, non-toxic relief. One example: A 2016 study tested the effectiveness of manuka honey to treat bacterial ear infections in 15 dogs.¹

Researchers applied 1 milliliter (mL) of medical grade honey in the dogs’ ears for 21 days. The results showed the honey “promoted rapid clinical progress,” with 70 percent of the dogs achieving a “clinical cure” between seven and 14 days, and 90 percent by day 21. In addition, the bacteria-killing activity of the honey worked against all bacteria species tested, including multiple strains of drug-resistant bacteria.

It’s important to note that it doesn’t appear the antimicrobial activity of honey is enough on its own to resolve every ear infection. Most of the dogs in the study had complete symptom relief by day 21; however, several still had bacterial infections. Another remedy for resistant ear infections that’s receiving a lot of attention is medicinal clay. Green clay has been shown to effectively treat a variety of bacteria that have been implicated in chronic ear infections, including pseudomonas and MRSA.²

The post Itchy, Inflamed Ears? Don’t Make These Common Mistakes appeared first on Regal Bullies.

Chronic ulcerative paradental stomatitis, or CUPS, is an extremely painful, difficult-to-treat condition of the mouth primarily seen in dogs. It’s also referred to as ulcerative stomatitis, idiopathic stomatitis and lymphocytic-plasmacytic stomatitis, which is more often seen in cats. “Stoma” in Latin means mouth, and “–itis” means inflammation, so wherever you see those two words together, you know there’s an inflammatory disease of the oral cavity.

Paradental disease and periodontal disease are different things. Periodontal disease affects the tissues and other structures of the gums. Paradental disease affects the soft tissues that come in contact with the crowns of the teeth, including the mucous membranes lining the oral cavity, the palate, the inner cheeks, tongue and lips. Pets can have periodontal disease without CUPS, CUPS without gum disease or both. However, they are distinctly different problems and must be managed differently.

CUPS can occur in any dog, but certain breeds are thought to be predisposed, including the Maltese, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Scottish Terrier, Cocker Spaniel, Bouvier des Flandres, Dachshund, German Shepherd and the Greyhound. The condition can occur even in young pets who under normal circumstances would not be old enough to develop oral or dental disease.

Symptoms and Diagnosis of Chronic Ulcerative Paradental Stomatitis

The cause of CUPS isn’t known, but it occurs when an animal’s immune system mounts an inappropriate hypersensitive response to the bacteria found in the plaque that accumulates on the teeth. Pets with this condition are unable to tolerate bacterial plaque on the crowns of their teeth. Even minor plaque buildup can result in an overwhelming, destructive and extremely painful inflammatory response in the mouth.

A pet with CUPS will invariably have very stinky breath. Typically, the gums are swollen and there’s inflammation in the back of the mouth. The mouth and gums are flaming red. Other signs include ulcerations of the inner cheeks and on the gums where they meet the lips, and excessive drooling of thick, ropey, saliva.

There may or may not be plaque on the teeth, and there can be exposed bone where the gums have receded. The gums may also bleed. Because the mouth is so painful, many pets with CUPS lose their appetite as well. Your veterinarian will order a complete blood count (CBC), blood chemistry evaluation and urinalysis.

Since it’s very important to rule out other immune-mediated diseases that affect the oral cavity, such as pemphigus, your vet will also want to perform a physical exam to check for lesions of the skin and mucous membranes in other parts of your pet’s body.

Initial Treatment Procedures

If no underlying diseases are identified and CUPS is suspected, the next step is a comprehensive oral health assessment under anesthesia. This involves a very detailed examination of your pet’s mouth, including probing and charting of each tooth, as well as a full set of dental x-rays. All compromised teeth, meaning those that are dying, dead or loose, will be removed, along with teeth that are crowded, because they can be plaque magnets.

The need for multiple extractions surprises many pet parents because often what is visible on the surface of a cat’s or dog’s mouth can appear minor compared to what’s happening below the surface. The remaining teeth will be thoroughly cleaned both above and below the gum line, and polished. Biopsies are also frequently taken to make sure there are no other diseases present.

Most veterinarians also apply either a dental sealant or a product that leaves a waxy coating on the teeth to help inhibit accumulation of bacterial plaque on the crowns.

This protocol may sound extreme, but those of you who have pets with this painful condition realize how much better they feel after their mouths have been cleaned, infected teeth have been removed and they begin to heal. It’s a very important step in relieving your pet’s suffering and preventing additional degeneration.

Ongoing Care of Pets With CUPS

After the healing period, which is usually two to three weeks, your dog or cat should be feeling noticeably better. This is when you must begin a very aggressive, consistent routine of removing plaque from your pet’s teeth.

It’s not just a matter of tooth brushing, but rather a twice-daily disinfecting program to minimize the amount of bacteria that accumulates in your pet’s mouth. It’s important to remember that CUPS isn’t a problem of plaque buildup as much as it is an immune system response to the presence of plaque and specifically, bacteria. Any amount of plaque can trigger inflammation.

Twice-daily brushing with a nylon bristle toothbrush is recommended. Most veterinary dentists agree that no mouth rinse, gel, paste or water additive alone can control plaque to a sufficient degree in CUPS patients. These products can be used in conjunction with brushing, but daily brushing is an absolute must if you hope to prevent a recurrence.

I recommend a solution of coconut oil, colloidal silver and probiotics swabbed over the surface of the teeth twice a day, which can be quite effective in reducing plaque buildup after the initial dental procedure. I also suggest giving the supplement Standard Process Bio-Dent, as well as a daily pet probiotic.

Dogs and cats with CUPS should be seen regularly by a veterinary dentist for professional oral exams and cleanings. If degeneration continues to occur, a full mouth extraction to remove all remaining teeth may be warranted. This may sound like a radical solution, but it’s important to remember that a pet with uncontrolled CUPS is in constant pain and has a significantly decreased quality of life, even while you’re doing the time-consuming task of twice daily brushing and disinfecting.

Removing all the teeth provides immediate, dramatic relief in most cases. Most pets respond well and after their mouths heal, their quality of life greatly improves. Pet parents say things like, “he acts like a new dog,” or “she’s back to being a kitten again.” Your pet may need to eat soft food for the rest of his life, but at least he’ll be eating without pain or discomfort.

Dietary and Other Considerations

Addressing your pet’s diet and removing all potentially allergenic and pro-inflammatory foods, including carbs and starches, is also very important. A GMO-free fresh food diet is ideal, because it’s soft in texture and contains whole food nutrients that are effective against inflammation.

I also recommend talking with an integrative or holistic veterinarian about natural anti-inflammatories. I suggest an esterified fatty acid complex, as well as insuring your pet’s diet is rich in omega-3 fatty acids. I also use plant-derived sterols, as well as proteolytic enzymes to help manage inflammation naturally.

I also suggest giving ubiquinol, which is a cellular antioxidant that helps support gum and soft tissue health. I recommend removing all potential toxins from your pet’s environment that could negatively influence the immune system. Pets with CUPS absolutely should not be vaccinated. Their immune systems are already struggling, and additional vaccines will only complicate the situation.

In some cases, early intervention, excellent homecare and a very aggressive integrative protocol can help manage mild to moderate cases of CUPS without the need for full-mouth extractions.

The post Symptoms and Diagnosis of Chronic Ulcerative Paradental Stomatitis appeared first on Regal Bullies.

[Updated March 21, 2016]

Bees may sting, but they create some of the world’s most valuable, versatile products. Honey, bee pollen, royal jelly, beeswax, propolis, and even the venom from bee stings are all touted for their human health benefits – and many experts say that dogs derive the same advantages.

Feeding honey to dogs is nothing new. Juliette de Bairacli Levy, whose Natural Rearing philosophy has offered alternatives to conventional treatment for over 60 years (see “A History of Holistic Dog Care,” Whole Dog Journal July 2006), recommends honey in all of her animal care books.

“I believe I could not successfully rear domestic dogs without this remarkable antiseptic food,” she says in The Complete Herbal

Handbook for the Dog and Cat. She adds that while honey is not a normal item of diet for carnivores, lions in the wild enjoy honey and it is considered a staple food of the omnivorous bear.

“Honey is the greatest of the natural energizers,” Levy writes, “a nerve tonic and a supreme heart tonic . . . Predigested by its makers, the bees, it is absorbed immediately into the bloodstream of the consumer. A diet of only milk and honey can sustain life for months in humans and animals. It has been well and longtime proved that honey is also highly medicinal and will inhibit growth of harmful bacteria in the entire digestive tract and destroy those of a toxic nature.”

Levy recommends fasting animals who are ill to let their digestive organs rest and the body to heal quickly. In addition to water, the only food she recommends for fasting animals is honey.

An invert sugar, honey contains mostly glucose and fructose, which are monosaccharides or simple sugars. Monosaccharides are more easily assimilated than the disaccharides and polysaccharides found in table sugar, milk, grains, legumes, and starchy vegetables. A tablespoon of honey supplies 63 calories. Honey does not require refrigeration but keeps best in tightly sealed containers stored away from heat and light. Honey thickens when refrigerated.

Depending on the flowers harvested by the bees, honey is light or dark in color, and its flavors vary from delicate to complex. Raw honey contains vitamins A, B-complex, C, D, E, and K, plus calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, silicon, sulfur, potassium, manganese, copper, and iodine, with darker varieties such as buckwheat containing higher mineral

levels. Vitamin C levels vary; some honey contains up to 300 milligrams of vitamin C per 100 grams (about 3½ ounces or 7 tablespoons).

Honey has been a medicine as well as a food for millennia. Ancient Greek, Assyrian, Chinese, and Roman physicians routinely prescribed it for health and longevity and for conditions such as indigestion, diarrhea, fevers, coughs, colds, flu, asthma, allergies, and ulcers, and as a revitalizing food for athletes, soldiers, and those recovering from illness or injury. Honey is said to increase the absorption of calcium consumed at the same time, help treat or prevent anemia, reduce arthritis pain, and work as a gentle laxative to help prevent constipation. It was also applied topically to treat open wounds, burns, cuts, abrasions, and skin infections.

Honey for Dogs

Most dogs love the taste of honey, so it’s usually easy to feed. Some dogs eat it right off the spoon, some get it in their dinner, and quite a few enjoy their daily honey on toast with butter. In Denison, Texas, 50 miles north of Dallas, beekeeper and companion dog trainer Michele Crouse considers honey the best medicine for her dogs Bonnie, a four-year-old Staffordshire Terrier, and Cracker, a five-year-old yellow Labrador Retriever.

“Bonnie has always had a hard time with allergies,” Crouse says. “Her symptoms used to be worst in the spring and early summer, but they continued through the fall ragweed season. She rubbed her face, licked herself, especially on her feet and the inside of her thighs, and scratched on her stomach like crazy, creating dime-sized sores. She itched so much that the vet prescribed Benadryl and prednisone.”

To prevent these attacks, Crouse feeds her dogs a tablespoon of honey twice a day. “I mix it with their food or feed it directly,” she says. “Sometimes I’ll give them berries as a snack, with the honey mixed in. Both Bonnie and Cracker love the taste. Otis, our mixed-breed, isn’t interested in honey or anything sweet. Fortunately, he doesn’t have allergy symptoms.”

Crouse uses raw honey which she strains through a single filter to remove debris. “Otherwise,” she says, “it’s straight out of the hive.”

As long as Bonnie receives her daily honey, she remains free of allergy symptoms. “But if I forget for a week or so,” says Crouse, “the symptoms come right back. I know several other dogs who have had the same response. They react to seasonal allergens until their owners put them on honey, and then they’re fine.”

Crouse agrees with beekeepers and health experts who have observed that local raw honey works best on allergy symptoms. “It makes sense,” she explains. “When you eat the honey, you ingest minute amounts of local pollen, and after your body adjusts so that it doesn’t react to the pollen, you can be exposed to larger amounts, such as when plants or trees are in bloom, without being affected.”

In addition to using honey as a food, Crouse washes her dogs with it. “I start with a clear, natural shampoo base from an organic supplier,” she says, “and mix it with an equal amount of honey to which I’ve added aloe vera and essential oils like lemon grass, orange, lemon, lavender, tea tree, citronella, and the Asian herb May Chang (Litsea cubeba). All of these plants have disinfecting, deodorizing, or insect-repelling properties. The essential oils make up about 5 percent of the formula, so it’s safe for adult dogs and older puppies. To dilute the shampoo and make it easier to use, I add about 25 percent water.”

Crouse says that the resulting shampoo doesn’t lather much, but it cleans the dog well and soothes the skin. “I let it stand for a minute or so, rinse it off, reapply, and then give a final rinse. I board dogs, and if a visiting dog is scratching and itching, I’ll give him a bath in honey shampoo, and that always helps.” In Jacksonville, Oregon, Natural Rearing consultant Marina Zacharias feeds her dogs honey and applies it topically to cuts and wounds.

“The high sugar content of honey is one of the factors that makes it such an excellent infection fighter and wound healer,” says Zacharias. “Glucose oxidase, an enzyme in honey, produces hydrogen peroxide, which helps kill harmful bacteria. In addition, there are yet-unidentified substances which bees collect from flowers that give their honey antibacterial properties. For best results, it’s important to use raw honey that hasn’t had its effectiveness destroyed by processing.”

Clinical trials of burn and injury patients show that the application of honey as a wound dressing rapidly clears infection, inflammation, swelling, pain, and odor while speeding the sloughing off of necrotic tissue (dead skin) and the growth of new skin cells. It remains moist, seals wounds – including skin grafts – and protects them from exposure to air, absorbs pus, reduces scarring, and prevents wounds from sticking to bandages. Unlike other topical antiseptics, honey prevents microbial growth without causing tissue damage.

Raw honey eventually crystallizes or solidifies, making it difficult to apply. In addition, honey crystals can feel sharp on tender or inflamed skin. For best results, apply soft or liquid honey. To liquify crystallized honey, stand the jar in hot water until it can be stirred or poured. Microwaving is not recommended because in addition to destroying enzymes and other nutrients, heating honey in a microwave increases its hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) content, which adversely affects its flavor.

In addition to applying honey to wounds, Zacharias has successfully treated wart-like growths with honey. “When honey is applied daily, they eventually soften and disappear,” she says. “Juliette recommends honey as a treatment for burns. I have personally seen this work, and the healing is remarkable. In one case, a young mixed-breed toy dog tripped his owner and the scalding hot coffee she was carrying burned his back. The skin did not blister but it was very painful and angry looking. Thanks to honey, the dog healed very well, and his hair grew back beautifully.”

The procedure Zacharias recommends is to wash the burned area with vinegar and apply honey thickly every 10 minutes until the pain subsides, then apply light bandages over the area. “Unfortunately, the hair will need to be clipped away,” she says, “and if the dog wants to bother the bandage, you will need to use an Elizabethan or cervical collar.”

On other wounds, Zacharias says, you can apply honey directly without bandaging. If the dog wants to lick it off, try distracting him for 20 minutes or so and give the honey time to be absorbed by the skin. You can reapply it this way three or four times a day.

“Honey applied twice a day healed an open cyst that wouldn’t close in one of my older Basset Hounds, Savannah. As soon as I started applying honey, her skin closed over the wound, it healed fast, and we avoided surgery.”

Herbal Honey for Dogs

Most dogs enjoy the taste of honey, which simplifies the administration of fresh or dried medicinal herbs. “Canine Allergies and Your Dog’s Health” (May 2007) described how the herb cleavers (Galium aparine) helped cured a dog’s allergy-related sores on its legs. Several readers who began feeding their dogs cleavers tea reported that the strategy worked for them as well. Brewing tea is one way to add cleavers to your dog’s diet, but another is to make an herbal honey.

Start by coarsely chopping enough fresh lemon balm, thyme, sage, oregano, lavender, basil, or other herbs to loosely fill a glass jar. Alternatively, fill the jar half full with loosely packed dried herbs. Fill the jar with honey, covering the herbs. If the honey is too thick to pour easily, warm it by placing the honey jar in hot water or heat the honey gently in a saucepan or double boiler just until it is liquid.

Seal the jar of herbs and honey and leave it in a warm location, such as a sunny window, for at least two weeks. For a double-strength herbal honey, wait a month or more, then fill another glass jar with herbs, pour the contents of the first jar into the second jar, and let the honey stand another month. If you’re in a hurry, heat the honey until it’s almost boiling and the pour it over the herbs. The honey won’t be raw any more, but it will still contain significant healing properties, and it can be strained and used the same day.

Before using herbal honey, filter it through cheesecloth or a strainer to remove plant material and store it at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Add the medicated honey to your dog’s food. In addition, keep a small jar of honey (herbal or plain) in your first-aid kit or backpack for use in emergencies.

Honey infused with the herbs mentioned above is an effective dressing for cuts, surgical wounds, burns, lick granulomas, abrasions, hot spots, and infected wounds. It can be given orally to prevent infection from viruses or bacteria, soothe a sore throat, help an anxious dog relax, improve sleep, and speed recovery from illness. Added to food, herbal honey helps reduce gas and other symptoms of indigestion.

Another way to feed herbs is to mix them with thick raw honey (refrigerate honey for a thicker consistency if necessary) and shape it into small balls that are easy for the dog to swallow. Use the same technique you would to pill a dog.

All honey, especially organic raw honey, has medicinal benefits, but the honey best known for its antimicrobial properties is manuka honey from New Zealand. More than 20 years of research have shown it to naturally destroy harmful bacteria such as Staphaureus and Streptococcus (including drug-resistant strains); Helicobacter pylori bacteria associated with stomach ulcers; vancomycin-resistant Enterococci; and Pseudomonas. The veterinary use of manuka honey includes its application as a dressing for burns, amputations, and wounds, and its internal use for gastrointestinal and digestive problems.

Can honey be given to dogs with diabetes? Experts disagree as to whether honey has all of white sugar’s harmful effects or has a slower blood sugar absorption rate, putting it lower on the glycemic index and making it less likely to disrupt the patient’s blood sugar levels. Some tests have shown honey to cause a significantly lower rise in blood sugar, but results vary according to the type of honey used. Discuss this with your holistic veterinarian.

Also, consider feeding dark raw local honey or raw organic honey. The safest way to feed a therapeutic tablespoon once or twice a day to dogs with diabetes is to start with smaller amounts and always feed it in combination with fats, which by itself lowers a food’s glycemic index. Coconut oil and butter are excellent honey partners. Observe your dog’s reaction before increasing the amount and discontinue use if he displays any adverse symptoms.

Bee Pollen for Dogs

As they collect nectar from flower blossoms, bees also gather pollen, a high-protein food, to carry back to the hive. While doing so, they spread pollen from flower to flower, fertilizing plants so that they produce berries, fruits, nuts, and vegetables. More than 100 crops grown in the US are pollinated by honeybees.

Bee pollen, which is collected from hives and sold as a health supplement, has long been prized for its proteins, amino acids, vitamins, enzymes, and other nutrients. Approximately half of its protein is made up of free-form amino acids, which require no digestion; they are immediately absorbed and utilized by the body. It is unusually high in the bioflavonoid rutin, which strengthens capillaries, protects against free radical damage and has anti-inflammatory effects.

Proponents claim that bee pollen improves energy, endurance, and vitality, speeds recovery from illness or injury, helps convalescents gain weight, helps the overweight lose weight, reduces cravings and addictions, fights infectious diseases, boosts immunity, improves intestinal function, increases fertility, and helps prevent cancer.

Bee pollen is also a widely used remedy for hay fever and allergies. As with raw honey, which contains small amounts of bee pollen, it is said to be most effective when derived from local hives and taken for several weeks prior to allergy season, then continued through the year. This desensitization process begins with tiny amounts, such as a single pollen grain or pellet, and continues in gradually increasing amounts until the maintenance dose, as much as a tablespoon per day for human adults, is reached.

Some canine athletes are fed bee pollen to improve their strength and stamina; some owners give it to their dogs as an all-purpose supplement or to prevent allergy symptoms. For best results, avoid inexpensive imported heat-processed pollen in favor of raw, unprocessed pollen from local beekeepers. Fresh bee pollen is slightly moist and requires refrigeration.

Like people, dogs can have allergic reactions to bee pollen, including wheezing, breathing problems, and even anaphylactic shock. Start with a single grain of bee pollen and carefully check your dog’s response. If he shows no symptoms of discomfort, give two grains the next day, and slowly increase the amount over several weeks to a maintenance dose of 1 teaspoon per 30 pounds of body weight per day, mixed with food. Bee pollen is often blended with honey.

Using Royal Jelly on Dogs

To appreciate the nutritional value of royal jelly – for bees, at least – consider that all queen bees begin life as worker bees. It is only because they are fed royal jelly and nothing else that they grow larger than worker bees and live far longer. While the average worker bee lives for five to six weeks during summer, queens live for three to six years, laying 2,000 eggs per day.

The queen bee’s longevity and fertility gave rise to royal jelly’s reputation as a miraculous rejuvenator, fountain of youth, and energy enhancer. Modern researchers have substantiated at least some of these claims, describing royal jelly as a metabolic catalyst, a substance that combats fatigue, increases energy, and supports the adrenal glands. Some of royal jelly’s components are natural antidepressants.

Royal jelly has become a popular supplement for humans and for some canine athletes and breeding dogs. Organic royal jelly is available in natural foods markets. Highly perishable, it requires refrigeration. Most labels recommend taking small amounts, such as ¼ to ½ teaspoon once or twice per day between meals on an empty stomach. Adjust the label dose for your dog’s weight, dividing it in half for dogs weighing 60 to 80 pounds.

Because of its slightly sharp, bitter, biting taste, dogs may not care for royal jelly. Blends of royal jelly and honey, which are also popular, may be more to their liking. Try mixing your own by blending 2 ounces (4 tablespoons) organic royal jelly with 6 ounces (¾ cup) of local raw honey. Keep refrigerated. Give your dog ½ to 1 teaspoon of this blend twice per day, morning and night.

Some manufacturers of human and canine grooming products add royal jelly to their shampoos and conditioners, claiming that it enhances hair color and increases volume. Those claims have not been scientifically tested, but royal jelly is certainly a luxury ingredient.

Propolis for Dogs

Few substances are as antiseptic as propolis, a sticky, resinous material also known as “bee glue,” which is gathered from the buds, bark, and leaves of deciduous trees. Bees seal cracks and holes in their hives with propolis to prevent the entrance of intruders and to disinfect or sterilize bees brushing against it. When a mouse or other invader is stung to death in the hive, bees seal the body in propolis, preserving it while keeping the inside of the hive sanitary.

Although propolis has been used for millennia to fight infection and improve health, it is unfamiliar to most Americans. However, it’s gaining popularity as a natural antibiotic that doesn’t disrupt beneficial bacteria or cause other side effects. Propolis, which is rich in bioflavonoids, is effective against viruses, harmful bacteria, yeasts, and fungi. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, helps prevent allergies, and speeds the healing of ulcers and skin problems such as acne, eczema, wounds, cuts, and burns.

The only down side of propolis, especially when it comes to treating dogs, is its awful taste. Freeze-dried propolis is sold in capsules, which can be hidden in food, and small amounts of propolis tincture (liquid extract) can be placed in empty two-part gel caps, which are sold in health food stores, just before using.

Propolis tincture can help protect dogs from canine flu, kennel cough, and other infectious illnesses. It can be applied to cuts, wounds, burns, bites, stings, hot spots, and lick granulomas (its bitter taste helps deter licking). However, its stickiness can complicate topical application. Mix propolis with a small amount of olive oil to create a less sticky disinfecting salve. Mix it with honey to help heal gum disorders.

Beeswax for Dogs

Bees produce wax to construct the combs that store honey. Beeswax contains more than

300 different chemicals. It’s best known for its use in candles and as an ingredient in cosmetics, floor wax, furniture polish, and salves.

The makers of herbal salves often use beeswax as a thickener. Michele Crouse makes body bars by combining beeswax from her hives with coconut oil, avocado oil, cocoa butter, and mango butter. “They’re the consistency of a ChapStick,” she says, “and they do a great job of healing sores, moisturizing dry skin, and soothing cracked paw pads.”

Bee Venom

Some people pay to get stung by bees or injected with bee venom in medical clinics. Apitherapy, or bee sting therapy, is common in China and gaining popularity in Europe and the US. It is said to alleviate arthritis, other symptoms of inflammation, and allergic reactions to bee stings.

Now dried bee venom is being added to some New Zealand honeys and topical creams to provide the benefits of apitherapy without the pain. The theory is that venom that is ingested or applied externally has the same health benefits as venom that’s injected.

Large-scale venom collection is made possible by a technology developed in Russia and New Zealand in which a bee venom frame is mounted on top of a hive’s honey frame. Bees receive a mild shock from the frame’s electro-stimulator and in response sting a glass collection sheet. Venom dries on the glass, which is taken to a nearby laboratory for processing. The dried venom is removed from the glass and mixed with honey or used in other bee products.

Arthritis is the human condition for which bee venom honey is said to be most effective, but bee venom honey success stories include the treatment of auto-immune disorders, shingles, tennis elbow, bursitis, lower back pain, ligament injuries, premenstrual syndrome, and other conditions. Bee venom honey is said to support the body’s natural coritsol levels, increase blood flow through affected joints, and inhibit the production of prostaglandins, which are chemicals that increase inflammation.

New Zealand honey producers have received testimonials describing dogs whose arthritis,

hind end weakness, torn ligaments, and even hip dysplasia improved as a result of using bee venom honey.

Bees Are in Serious Danger…

For the past two decades, Juliette de Bairacli Levy has asked her followers not to use honey or other products from honeybees because these helpful insects are under so much environmental stress. Between pesticides, mite infestations, foulbrood disease, hive-damaging moths, and other problems, bee populations have dramatically fallen across North America. Now Colony Collapse Disorder is destroying entire hives. Bees look healthy one day and disappear the next, becoming too weak to return to their hives. In most cases, the victims have been raised for commercial crop pollination, given supplemental feedings containing white sugar, and exposed to chemical pesticides.

At the same time, organic beekeepers and beekeepers who feed their bees disinfecting essential oils report that their hives stay healthy even in areas where Colony Collapse Disorder has become common.

In her many years as a beekeeper, Levy prevented bee diseases by growing disinfecting herbs near her hives. “The bees themselves are natural herbalists,” she wrote, “and will gorge themselves on bitter rue or pungent lavender and rosemary. My bees enjoyed excellent health and possessed complete resistance to the many diseases afflicting the local white-sugar-fed bees.”

Local organic honey, if you can find it, can be an excellent addition to your dog’s diet and health care. A good second choice is organic honey from nearby states.

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#2 – Stay With Your Dog

Many owners have been warned not to comfort their dogs at the risk of reinforcing the dog’s fearful behavior. But a heavy storm is not the time to leave your dog alone and force him to buck up. In fact, since dogs are pack animals, they naturally want to be with their families during a scary event. Even if your dog is crated, make sure to stay in the room with him or her so you can offer physical and emotional support. Gentle massages, soothing talk and reassurance that everything is under control can help your dog feel much better about the situation.

#3 – Consider Natural Therapies

There are many anti-anxiety medications you can ask your veterinarian about if your dog has severe anxiety, but we recommend trying natural therapies first, such as a calming chew. For dogs that have a mild phobia, they seem to work quite well. Melatonin is a natural hormone that is used for many ailments, including insomnia. It’s a natural way to make your dog feel more tired and hopefully sleep through the storm or take the edge off their anxiety. Bach flower extracts and lavender oil are also natural calming alternatives that you might want to try. Make sure you ask your veterinarian for specific dosage advice and administration before giving your dog any natural supplements.

#4 – Try Professional Help

If your dog’s phobia is severe, you may want to talk to your veterinarian about getting prescription anti-anxiety medications to ride out storms. Although most owners find this option the least satisfying, it should still be considered if your dog is severely suffering and nothing else seems to work. You might also enlist the help of a professional dog trainer and/or behaviorist who can offer the best options for your particular dog’s phobia. All dogs react different to different methods of treatment, so you’ll want to try as many as you can.

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