I’d like to talk to you about pet vaccinations. I cannot tell you legally what to do since I’m not licensed but I can share with you what I do with my own pets - or in had done!
I actually believe several things happened to my own dogs due to the practice of overvaccinating…
My previous dog, Fridge - a big, beautiful golden retriever boy - was an amazing and wonderful dog. I got him as an 8 week old puppy from a client of the veterinarian I was working for at the time. During that time parvo virus was really wrecking havoc on our dogs and puppies, so the vaccine was being further developed and supposedly made better.
Well, since I was so entrenched in the “traditional” medicine idea that you use preventatives, vaccinate, and feed kibble, then vaccinate some more, I proceeded to REALLY vaccinate Fridge. He got a good series of puppy vaccinations because I was taking him with me to work on a regular basis. I wanted to make sure he was really “protected”. Well, I may have ended his life early by overdoing it.
You see, Fridge started having seizures shortly after I started his regimen of vaccinations. I never equated the two either. He always had so many allergies to so many things. I was using regular fertilizers, cleaners, and pesticides on top of it all. It never occurred to me that Fridge was most likely suffering from heavy toxicity due to all the chemicals he was encapsulated in, including the overvaccinating.
Poor guy, I wonder if things would’ve been different if I had known the truth. I think so. He’s one of my primary reasons for publishing AspenbloomWellPet. Shadrach, my Neapolitan Mastiff, is my other primary reason. I want to help pet owners NOT go through what I’ve gone through with my two special boys.
My husband and I got Shadrach as a rescue. Not a traditional rescue but a rescue nonetheless, meaning my cousin rescued him and we ended up with him. I was a bit further along in my knowledge of a natural approach for humans, in fact much further along but not as savvy on pets, YET. Shadrach has been implemental in my discovering and continuing to discover the way to true wellness for pets using natural remedies, products, and approaches.
I vaccinated Shadrach, a couple of times, normal puppy shots. I didn’t overdo it but Shadrach’s system was already compromised due to the fact he had been abused and nearly starved to death prior to coming to live with us. He needed raw food, natural care, not more toxicity to battle. He was not well the first year and half we had him and now I wonder if the vaccinating and preventatives (pesticides really) were compromising his system further. I was still feeding “premium” kibble. I used flea and tick shampoo. I used the heartworm preventative. During all this time I also painted my house - more toxins for Shadrach to battle AND my husband and I.
Shadrach had continuing health problems, especially allergies and skin problems. He contracted Bordetella from a dog friend of his. He was so sick for nearly 3 months. He got 2 full courses of antibiotics and got skinny all over again. It was agony for us to see this young dog so sick and we thought we were doing all the right things. In fact, I vaccinated him for Bordetella a few times after his illness thinking I was further protecting him when in reality I was most likely further compromising his system.
Thank God, I started researching things. I thought, “if we can do natural for us, why not our critters”. I discovered this whole world of holistic natural care, and you are now reading my findings. I found a couple of great holistic vets willing to help educate me. Now, at 5 1/2 years old, Shadrach is fully “natural”. He’s healthy and I believe that’s why he is healthy. I am hoping that I didn’t shorten his sweet life by my unknowing “care”. I’ve met some wonderful people in the holistic industry who’ve guided me and helped me learn. Now I’m going to be further educated and certified so I can help as many others as are willing to learn. My hope is that many more animals will be spared the harm that was done, albeit unwittingly, to my poor boys.
Animals have always been my passion and now coupled with the need to share natural care, I hope many will be spared unnecessary pain and suffering - critters and their owners.
Kim Bloomer of Aspenbloom is a preventative pet care consultant and also publishes a pet wellness RSS channel, Aspenbloom WellPet and Aspenbloom Pet Products. Go to Aspenbloom Pet Care for details. Coming soon - “All God’s Creatures” audio preventative pet care classes in Pet World Of Interest.
Tags: holistic health, natural care, pet care, pet health, pet nutrition, pets, vaccinations
Many dogs today suffer from itchy skin caused by a variety of factors. Dogs actually have more sensitive skin than humans, and are often exposed to a variety of irritants in their environment. These grooming tips may help alleviate your dog’s constant itching.
Brushing your dog daily will remove pollens, grasses, and other outdoor irritants as well as stimulating the skin’s circulation and preventing matting. Brush carefully and down to the skin, taking care not to tug on tangles, and using a soft bristle brush on sensitive areas.
Bathing should also be done on a monthly basis, following a thorough brushing. Use a natural, low lather, low irritant shampoo, wet your dog down thoroughly with lukewarm water, and apply the shampoo using your hands. Avoid getting water or shampoo in his eyes and ears, and lather all over, right down to his skin, then rinse thoroughly. Shampoo residue is a major cause of skin irritation for dogs. After rinsing, towel dry your dog, and avoid using any coat finishers or blow dryers, which can also cause skin irritation in a sensitive dog.
Grooming is essential for a dog’s skin health, helps you identify skin problems early on, and is a great way for you to bond with your dog as well!
About The Author
Alexandra DeBoer is the creator of a low-lather shampoo line for sensitive dogs. You can learn more about her company at: www.barknbath.com.
bow-wow@barknbath.com
Tags: animal, dog training, dogs.puppies, family, home, pet care, pet disease, pet health, pets, recreation, sportsCanis Familiaris - also known as the common and tamed family dog, is quite the remarkable creature. Down to his furry coat (and in some cases, not-so-furry coats), his adoring eyes, white dagger teeth, four stubby paws and tail; dogs have long known to be man’s best friend.
It is, in fact, this reason, why I am continually adopting “rescue mutts,” and puppies who need a good home. Just the other day, I made the mistake of shopping in a local natural pet supply shop. Not a large store, (about the size of a Dollar General), I strode inside. With merely the intention of purchasing natural dog food for the other five dogs that reside with me, I happened to pass by a small enclosure at the very front of the store.
Inside the pen were 6 butterball-sized pups. Only 6 weeks old, they had the charm of a panda bear and the personality to match. Peering over the litter, I saw a small sign that the store owner had erected describing the age, litter parents and information about their shots, etc. Of course, what made matters worse was the fact that my 13-year old daughter had tagged along and had fallen in love with the huddled brood.
There, in the midst of the slumbering pups, was one in particular that we took to immediately. A white dog with black cow markings — both halves of his face were black with a white streak down the middle. And in the center of his forehead was a distinct, black ink blot. On his pudgy back was a long and wide, ebony patch that indented in areas. He lay there, grunting as he snored; and was simply adorable.
Now, my first thought was to head to the other side of the store, away from these incredibly cute pups. However, my heart melted at the site of them. Making certain that my husband and children were in complete agreement (as dogs are a BIG responsibility), we decided to add yet another new member to our very-growing family.
With a long and satisfied sigh, my daughter retrieved the pup who was later to be named “Thor.” A rottweiller/bluetick hound/lab mix that was positively irresistable, was officially adopted and a permanent family member. When we brought “Thor” home, our gamut of dogs came running to see their newest “brother.”
Sniffing him from head to toe, our Chinese Sharpeis, our rottweiller-shepherd dogs, and our rottweiller-doberman dog all welcomed “Thor” with remarkable acceptance. Having had him in the house now for just two days, Thor has adapted well to his new surroundings and family. He is a quick learner and follows the lead of the rest of our pack when it comes to house training, and eating routines. Play is always abundant as the other dogs, myself, and my other family members are always at Thor’s and our other “childrens” disposal.
This doesn’t go without saying that all of our pets are neutered or spayed, receive all of their necessary vaccinations, routine heartworm medication, flea & tick treatments, weekly baths, monthly nail trims and deworming meds. Each week, our pets eat an average of 50lbs of natural dog food, (and of course people-food for treats), have a very large, enclosed yard to run and play in, our house to slumber in, and individual collars, leashes, pet toys and food bowls. Not only this, their toys are always stored in a box where they can retrieve them at will.
Many potential pet owners think that owning a puppy is cute — or that having a puppy is all fun and games; when in fact, puppies grow up to be sometimes very big dogs. All pets, whether it be a cat, a dog, a ferret or a bird, animals need lots of love, undivided attention, continuous maintenance, healthcare, and training.
Futhermore, if more than one pet is owned, it is vital that good pet owners spay or neuter their animals to keep the pet population down. Adequate shelter, sufficient food and health maintenance is crucial to our furry friends. If you’re like me, your heart sinks like a rock when you see lovable, huggable puppies. The key to being a good pet owner is knowing your limits — financially, mentally, emotionally, and physically. If you’re going to own pets, you have to be financially responsible for them. You must also realize that pets demand and need a lot of your patience, understanding, love and attention.
Getting back to “Thor –” I have ultimately decided that Thor was to be the last of our doggie-adoptions. With each dog having his or her own buddy now, we are whole and complete. The animals in our lives are essential to our minds, hearts, and souls — and in closing, my hope is that each pet (globally) who becomes adopted has the equal opportunity to have a happy, healthy and loving home as well.
Copyright — All Rights Reserved
To have or Not to have — How Many Pets should an Owner own?
by C. Bailey-Lloyd
About the Author:
C. Bailey-Lloyd - Author of “Somewhere Along the Beaten Path”
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Tags: pet adoption, pet health, pet ownership, pets, responsible pet owners