RAWPET DIGEST
August/September 2015
IN THIS ISSUE: - Sw i t ch i n g y o u r cat t o " r aw " - A n i n t er v i ew w i t h Th o m as San d b er g f r o m Lo n g Li v i n g Pet s - Hi d d en t o x i n s an d h eal t h i er al t er n at i v es - Ch i r o p r act i c f o r an i m al s - Th e 3 r d l aw o f h eal t h - A n d m o r e!
Turner, a Shetland Sheepdog. Photo credit: Jill Ermeler
Raw Pet Digest Editor-in-chief: Kristin Clark Technical editor: Dr. Jeannie (Jeannette) Thomason
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Our mission at Raw Pet Digest is to share this information with a broad audience to help improve the lives of our carnivore pets. We sincerely hope the information presented in this magazine will be of use to you and your pets.
DISCLAIMER: All information contained in Raw Pet Digest is intended for educational purposes only. It is not provided in order to diagnose, prevent, or treat any disease, illness, or injured condition of the body or pets and the author(s), publisher, and contributors accept no responsibility for such use. Anyone or their pets suffering from any disease, illness, or injury should consult with their physician or veterinarian. The statements herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the author. The articles herein are for educational purposes only. The decision to use, or not to use, any information is the sole responsibility of the reader.
Merlin, an American Pit Bull Terrier. Photo credit: Bre Altherr
FEATURESAND COLUMNS Letter from the Editor - 4 Switching Your Cat to a Species-Appropriate Diet - 5 Hidden Toxins, Safer Alternatives - 9 The Importance of Clean, Pure Water - 14 Long Living Pets: An Interview with Thomas Sandberg - 19 Animal Chiropractic Care - 29 Spotlight on Health: Dr. Kelly Ablard - 34 Starting the Conversation: An Introduction to Vaccines - 36
Barkley after playing at the dog beach. Photo credit: Kristin Clark
The Story of WolfBear - 40
Schatzie, a Carolina Dog. Photo credit: Kim Bloomer
Letter fromtheEditor Welcome to the August/ September issue of Raw Pet Digest! It seems hard to believe that it?s already time for another issue, and yet, time keeps marching along. They say time flies when you?re having fun, and I think that couldn?t be any more true. I?m having a blast, and part of what brings me joy is putting together this magazine for all of you. We had overwhelmingly positive responses to the articles in the June/ July issue, which was really rewarding. There are so many people who are starting to embrace natural health for their pets and themselves, and I couldn?t be happier about it. For all of you who are stepping out of your comfort zone? whether it means switching your pet to a species-appropriate diet, trying essential oils, or listening to your intuition instead of what your vet is saying? I applaud you! That personal empowerment and accountability is part of what achieving and maintaining lasting health is all about. In this issue, we continue to branch out and provide you with more tools to help you feel empowered when it comes to helping your pet achieve and maintain health. There are many people out there who are not aware of all the various options they have when it comes to natural, ?alternative? options for their pets. So, starting with this issue, we will be featuring different businesses that can support your pet in achieving and maintaining natural health. My hope is that this series will give you a sense of the myriad possibilities out there. These businesses are representative of many different modalities, because what resonates with one person or animal may not resonate as much with another. But, once you start to see the many different options available, your ?toolbox? will grow to include lots of different options. And your increased knowledge can only enhance and support the empowerment so vital to achieving and maintaining natural health.
Kristin with Cleo, Motley, Elle, and Barkley. Photo credit: Adam Gilbert
Along with featuring individual businesses, we are continuing to look at different natural healing modalities. In the June/ July issue, we looked at essential oils. In this issue, we examine the animal chiropractic modality. Of course, we are continuing our exploration of the 8 laws of health with an article about the 3rd law of health: clean, pure water. And, we look (as always) at how animals can be teachers, healers, and inspiration. We don?t stop there, though. This issue also takes a look at hidden toxins in your home and some alternatives to them. It gives some tips on how to switch your cat to a species-appropriate diet. It includes an interview with Thomas Sandberg from the Long Living Pets Research Projects. And, in the spirit of stepping outside of your comfort zone, it asks you to take a moment to think? really think? about vaccines, their dangers, and their efficacy. This is a subject that we will explore in greater detail in upcoming issues, but we kick off the discussion in this issue. Take some time to read and absorb the article and the information in it. But above all else, enjoy your summer! Thank you for reading,
Kristin 4
SWITCHINGYOURCATTOA SPECIES-APPROPRIATEDIET
Lycan, a Belgian Malinois. Photo credit: Bre Altherr
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This is Part 1 of a three-part series. Part 2 will cover the details of transitioning to a ground diet, and Part 3 will discuss switching to prey model and whole prey diets. Many of the most common questions I receive are related to transitioning a cat to raw. They are also sometimes the most difficult to answer, as there are many variables. What is the cat eating now? What kind of raw diet are you interested in? How flexible is your cat? What products can you source? And so on. We?ll cover transitioning to specific diets in later articles, but to get you started, here are four guidelines that apply to any feline transition and will go a long way toward ensuring your efforts are successful. Don?t St ress It First and foremost, don?t stress the transition. You are not in a race, and unless your cat is suffering ill effects on his current diet, there is no reason to rush, nor is there a deadline to reach. This is a lifestyle change? for both you and your cat? that might involve starts and stops and perhaps even a little backpedaling. There?s nothing wrong with that! However long it takes, however convoluted your progress may be, don?t push, don?t hover, and don?t stress. Cats are sensitive creatures and pick up emotions easily. If you are hovering over him, shedding anxiety, and begging him to just eat one bite (and I have counseled owners who have done exactly that),
your cat will be more likely to want to hide from whatever dire happening he intuits has you so upset than he will be to eat. So relax. Take it easy, and enjoy each milestone as your cat learns to eat the way nature intended for him. You?ll be better able to manage and even enjoy his progress. I?ve spoken with many owners who exclaimed that despite cringing during the first few bone-in meals, the sound of their cats chomping through bone now gives them a curious sense of satisfaction, and so it will be with you in time. Let your cat set t he pace Many owners are so excited when they first learn of the benefits of raw feeding, or so appalled when they come to understand the true nature of standard commercial diets, that they want their cats switched to raw overnight. While a smooth, rapid transition can sometimes happen, it?s not that frequent (except for kittens), and if you push your cat too hard, you?ll sabotage your own efforts. Cats, just like people, have different personalities and preferences. Whatever your cat?s unique perspective, allow him to take the transition at his pace. Some are adventurous and will dive right into a new food. They may take to raw in a single meal. Others are more timid and need to see and smell the new food several times before venturing a bite. Many, unfortunately, are addicted to kibble and are initially reluctant to even try anything new. Every cat is different and every transition unique. In addition to preferences, cats need to learn how to scissor through meat, skin, tendon and, eventually, small bones, and they need to work up the jaw strength to do so. They are easily discouraged, so it?s important to start small and slow, with you setting your cat up to be successful at every step. A cat that attempts to crunch through a thigh bone (which is much thicker than the bones of his natural prey) and fails will often be reluctant to make another attempt at a bone, even when offered something as easy to break as quail ribs.
Photo credit: Tracy Dion
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Never try to force your cat to eat the new food. And never try to starve him into eating it, as you could cause him to become very ill within a remarkably short time. Cats are prone to a serious and potentially fatal disease called hepatic lipidosis, or ?fatty liver disease? that is brought on by starvation. It can happen in as little as 48 hours, especially if they are overweight, so don?t let your cat skip more than a couple of meals. Offer him whatever it takes to get him eating regularly again and then start the transition over at the point just before he began refusing food. Moving at the cat?s pace will ensure he feels confident and comfortable as you move forward with the new diet. Serve t hree or f our schedul ed meal s One of the biggest hurdles to a successful transition is the all-you-can-eat kibble buffet served in so many feline homes. There is very little incentive for a cat that is never truly hungry to try something new. If you?re free-feeding, your first transition step should be to accustom your cat to scheduled meals. This may mean starting with several small meals a day, but the goal is to work down to three (or four, if you can manage it). If you?re not free-feeding, but only offering one or two meals, your first transition step will make your cat very happy ? you will need to add that second or third meal. Most cat owners are unaware that the frequency of meals has an impact their cats? health, and there is a lot of confusion around how often a domesticated cat should be fed. The majority are either free-fed or fed only once or twice a day, despite the fact cats evolved to spend most of their time hunting and would naturally eat between 8?12 small meals every 24 hours. Because it?s so important, I?m going to digress a moment here and summarize why offering at least three or four meals to adult cats (and four or five meals to kittens) is so strongly recommended.
First, smelling food triggers a cat?s digestive system to begin working, and constantly smelling food? as free-fed cats do? keeps that system primed and ready to go all day, pulling energy from other systems and potentially causing issues like premature aging, poor coat quality, and chronic cystitis (a painful bladder inflammation). In addition, a carnivore?s digestive physiology has incorporated hunger as an integral part of its healthy workings. Indigestible solids are retained in the stomach until digestion of other food products is complete and it is, in fact, hunger pangs which propel this material forth. If the cat is never allowed to become hungry, the regulation of waste movement is compromised, leading to discomfort, hairball regurgitation, and other digestive issues. On the flip side, the cat?s stomach can?t expand like a dog?s to accommodate large meals, and cats can? and often do? regurgitate if fed too much at one time, as might happen with a cat fed only once or twice daily. Eating too fast, as cats tend to do when they are very hungry, can also cause discomfort and regurgitation of the meal. Additionally, as the cat becomes hungry, the buildup of bile acids in the stomach can cause him to become nauseous, provoking what many have termed ?hunger pukes.? Finally, the frequency of a cat?s meals impacts the pH of his urine. ?Post-prandial alkaline tide? refers to the increase in urine alkalinity that follows the ingestion of a large meal, a pH change that can lead to the formation of painful and potentially deadly struvite crystals. Eating smaller, more frequent meals? mimicking their instinctive hunting behavior? naturally helps maintain a cat?s pH in the normal range. It only makes sense that following the cat?s evolutionary behavior patterns as closely as possible will provide the most benefits to the cat, and offering at least three or four meals a day is a workable balance for most cats and their owners (before work, after work, and just before bed). 7
Be f l exibl e, but persist ent We all know how ?finicky? cats can be, and how often they change their furry little minds. During the transition, you?ll likely encounter days when your cat refuses something he ate with gusto the day before. Don?t let this discourage you. Keep offering different meals. Use bribes liberally (sprinkles of freeze-dried chicken treats, etc.) on top of the food you?re offering, but don?t be afraid to take a step back to the last thing he ate, even if it means offering smaller meat chunks or less raw mixed with canned. Some cats will take to raw after a single meal; others may take weeks or months. Kibble addicts often take several weeks. Some might run into problems with certain products or meats, such as constipation related to bone-heavy commercial blends, or intolerance to grain-fed beef and chicken meats. A few cats may do fine for several weeks after a full transition, only to suddenly run into an issue that causes you to backpedal a bit. Don?t let any of these delays, plateaus, or problems discourage you. And above all, don?t let a recalcitrant cat make you give up. Think of it like this: three years for a cat is equivalent to 28 human years; seven years for a cat is equal to 44 human years; 11 years is equal to 60, and so on. If we'd never eaten a piece of fruit, a vegetable, or a bite of salad for 28, 44, or 60 years, we'd probably be hesitant to try it, too.
Eventually, however, your cat wil l try it. I had one owner whose cat ignored a dollop of raw food that was offered to him at every meal for a full 29 days, and on the 30th day finally ate that pea-sized bite of raw. After which, he rapidly became an avid raw food fan. So no matter how long it takes to get your feline friend to accept a raw diet, you can outwait him. Your persistence and patience will pay off in an immeasurably healthier, longer-lived, and happier feline companion.
Photo credit: Tracy Dion
Concl usion Although the ease and timeframe may differ, all cats can be transitioned to raw; just learn what tricks and tips work best with your chosen diet and combine them with the four basic tactics described here. Thousands of cat owners have already done it? and seen their cats?health make amazing improvements? and you can too! -By Tracy Dion
Photo credit: Tracy Dion
Tracy Dion is a writer and feline care and behavior consultant, specializing in nutrition and feeding a species-appropriate diet. She has worked with rescue and shelter organizations rescuing and socializing cats, dogs, birds, rats, and reptiles for many years, but her focus for the last decade has been on cats. She is dedicated to improving their health and welfare through owner education, and is passionate about improving the owner/animal bond through increased understanding of natural feline behaviors and needs. She is a professional member of the Cat Writers?Association and past Editor of Raw Instincts Magazine, as well as the mind behind CatCentric.org. Her articles have been published by the Feline Nutrition Education Society, the online magazines Raw Instincts and Catnip Chronicles, the American Council for Animal Naturopathy, and more. 8
HIDDENTOXINS,SAFERALTERNATIVES This article is an overview of the toxins that our pets may be exposed to on a daily basis. Government regulations do not truly protect our pets (or us, for that matter) from toxins in household products, pet products, flooring and furniture products, or yard products. In the first part of the article, we look at products that can directly affect our pets and their health, and also look at some safer alternatives to those products. In the second part of the article, we examine items that may not directly impact our pets, but are commonly found around our homes and therefore can still affect our pets and us. PART ONE: PRODUCTS THAT AFFECT OUR PETS Cleaning and Household Products Common household cleaners are among the most toxic products in the home. Chemicals in scented products, soap, detergents, softeners, scourers, polishes, and specialized cleaners for bathrooms, glass, drains, and ovens contribute to indoor air pollution; are poisonous if ingested; and harmful if inhaled or touched. Some chemicals cause acute or immediate effects, such as skin and respiratory irritation, watery eyes, or chemical burns. Corrosive drain cleaners, oven cleaners, and acidic toilet bowl cleaners are the most acutely dangerous. Other chemicals have long-term, chronic effects, such as cancer. Chlorine bleach and ammonia produce fumes that are highly irritating to the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. Products with these ingredients should never be used near a pet with asthma, heart, or lung problems. Fragrances that are added to many cleaners, such as laundry detergents, may cause acute effects such as respiratory irritation, headaches, sneezing, and watery eyes in pets.
Plants on a beach. Photo credit: Milton Clark
Other ingredients in cleaners may have low acute toxicity, but can accumulate in the body and contribute to long-term health issues, such as hormone disruption and cancer. When the sudsing agents DEA and TEA come into contact with nitrates (often present in products but undisclosed), they react to form nitrosamines, which are carcinogens that easily penetrate the skin of a pet. Apart from the acute or chronic health effects that chemicals present to our health and our pets? health, chemicals that are washed down the drain and go into waterways threaten fish and wildlife. Phosphates, surfactants, and any petroleum-based ingredients are known aquatic toxicants. Instead of using harmful cleaners, use essential oils, baking soda, and vinegar to clean. The internet is a great source of information for recipes for safer cleaners. Dryer sheets and fabric softeners are loaded with toxic chemicals that can harm health. Toxins and 9
toxic fumes absorbed by clothing are breathed in when the clothing is worn, and are absorbed into the brain or into the skin. Chemicals in fabric softener products are strong smelling, which requires the use of heavy fragrance to mask the pungent smells. There are many dangerous chemicals in fabric softeners and dryer sheets. A few to be aware of (this list is by no means exhaustive) are: - Benzyl acetate: linked to pancreatic cancer - Ethanol: can cause central nervous system damage, and is included on the EPA Hazardous Waste list - Synthetic Limonene: an artificial citrus fragrance that is a known carcinogen - Ethyl Acetate: listed as a narcotic on the EPA Hazardous Waste List - Chloroform: a known neurotoxin, anesthetic, and carcinogen A safer alternative is to use baking soda in place of laundry detergent, or you can find recipes on the internet to make your own nontoxic laundry detergent. White vinegar can be used in the rinse cycle to soften clothes and eliminate static cling. Dry your clothes without using chemical fabric softeners and dryer sheets, and instead use essential oils, such as lavender, on a damp cloth added to your dryer. Felted wool dryer balls can help laundry dry faster, keep it free from static, and be scented with pure essential oils if desired.
Air fresheners also contain harmful ingredients; currently there is no safety testing for air fresheners. The synthetic fragrances in air fresheners can cause changes in blood flow, blood pressure, and mood, and they can trigger migraine headaches. Chemicals in air fresheners can accumulate in fatty tissue over time, increasing the danger from those chemicals as they build up in an animal?s body. A few of the harmful ingredients found in air fresheners are: - Phthlates: hormone-disrupting chemicals. These are found in air fresheners labeled as unscented or all natural. Phthlates are also linked to liver cancer. - 1,4 Dichlorobenzene: a known carcinogen and EPA-registered pesticide linked to lung damage. It is found in the majority of air fresheners, toilet deodorizers, and mothballs. It was introduced into the American market in the product Febreze, and works by attacking the odor receptors in the nose and eliminating the sense of smell. - Synthetic fragrances: known to contain respiratory irritants that cause inflammation in the lungs, leading to increased mucous production and a greater vulnerability to other chemicals, allergens, and infections. - Benzene and aldehydes: linked to cancer, reproductive effects, and central nervous system problems. Effects on the central nervous system are increased cases of Alzheimer?s, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson?s, and other diseases of the central nervous system.
Instead of using toxic air fresheners, you can diffuse essential oils in your household. Be sure to use essential oil products that have not been exposed to pesticides and herbicides, and that have not been distilled with chemicals. I diffuse Young Living? essential oils in my house, because I know those products have been made from certified organic plants, grown in uncontaminated ground, and distilled without the King, an American Bully, enjoying a raw meaty bone. Photo credit: Kim Bloomer use of chemicals.
Photo credit: Milton Clark
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Furniture and Flooring You may have watched or heard about the 60 Minutes exposĂŠ about laminated flooring manufactured in China. The product was found to have elevated levels of formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen, recognized to cause upper throat and nasal cancers, as well as leukemia. Are you aware that upholstered furniture could be poisonous to you and your family (both two-legged and four)? In 2005, health advocates and the EPA were able to force flame-retardant chemicals called PBDEs (Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers) from use in furniture manufacture. The chemicals were being detected in the human body, and were suspected of disrupting hormone signals, along with interfering with the development of the brain and nervous system in children. Our pets, with their smaller bodies similar in size to children, are subject to harm from those chemicals also. Many PBDEs are no longer used, but other dangerous chemicals are being used instead. In one study, every subject tested showed exposure to TDCIPP (a member of a group of chemicals known as chlorinated alkyl phospates). TCDIPP is regularly used as a fire retardant in polyurethane foam made for use in upholstered furniture. Results from studies indicate that TDCIPP causes cancer; the chemical is considered a probable human carcinogen. I believe that it is a likely pet carcinogen as well. It is thought that pets ingest significant amounts of fire retardant chemicals because they spend time on the floor or on furniture, therefore having more exposure to household dust contaminated by fire retardant chemicals. Does your pet like to sleep on your bed? Then be advised that common items that give off fumes and fire retardant contaminants are mattresses, mattress toppers, and any other product that contains foam and fire-retardant chemicals. To help reduce the potential threat of these items, ensure flooring, furniture, and other products are manufactured in the United States and not
imported from another country. When new products are brought into your home, make sure there is adequate ventilation to air out fumes from new furniture and bedding. Pesticides Pesticides are toxic substances that are released with the intention of killing living things. This includes products that kill weeds (herbicides), insects (insecticides), and other organisms (mold, fungus, rodents etc.). Pesticides have been linked to short-range effects, such as headaches and nausea, and to long-range effects, such as cancer, endocrine disruption, and reproductive harm. Chronic health effects may appear years after exposure to pesticides. Pets are especially susceptible to pesticide exposure, because many of the activities they participate in (playing in the grass and putting objects in their mouths) increase exposure to pesticides. Think your lawn care products are just fertilizers? They are more than fertilizers, because they also contain chemicals that kill weeds and insects. The products are sold separately or in combination with fertilizers. The products may contain organophosphates, carbamates, phenoxy, and benzoic acid herbicides such as 2,4 D, MCPP, MCPA, pyrethroids, and organochlorines. Poisons in lawn care products are absorbed through the skin, by mouth, and by inhalation. Exposure can take place during application of the product, or by touching contaminated grass, shoes, lawn furniture, clothing, or toys. Many chemicals remain active for over a year, and certainly also affect our pets. Just a few of the symptoms of lawn-care-product poisoning are rashes, seizures, vomiting, diarrhea, depression, irritability, sleep disturbances, fatigue, dizziness, unexplained fever, irregular heartbeat, heightened blood pressure, stroke, and death. Some long-term symptoms include immune suppression, cataracts, liver and kidney dysfunction, heart disturbances, and cancer. There are several methods to safely remove weeds and promote lawn growth. Weeds can be pulled out, killed by pouring boiling water on them, or 11
smothered by putting several layers of newspaper or mulch on them to block the sunlight. White vinegar or salt can be used to kill weeds. White vinegar can be poured on weeds, and salt can be sprinkled on garden paths to kill weeds (apply salt carefully because it can erode concrete and leave the ground barren). Physical barriers, like lawn edgings and retaining walls, can keep weeds at bay. To help your lawn stay strong, look for certified organic fertilizer products, which will provide nutrition for your lawn and garden plants. The bonus of using these alternate methods of yard care will be that harmful products will not be tracked into your home on your feet or on your pet?s feet.
toxic to humans, it is toxic to our pets also. Symptoms of poisoning may include salivating, dilated pupils, tremors, vomiting, hiding, shivering, and skin irritation. Many pet deaths occur every year from the use of these products, which contain pyrethroids, organophosphates, and carbamates.
There are many toxin-free ways to deter insects in your home and yard. Citrus peels, cedar, and essential oils such as peppermint and lemon eucalyptus will help to deter mosquitoes, ants, spiders, and other insects. Herbal plants in your yard can also discourage insects. Think about planting peppermint, lavender, catnip, citronella, basil, lemongrass, lemon thyme, mint, rosemary, chives, dill, fennel, lemon balm, oregano, parsley, and thyme. Ornamental plants that repel insects are marigolds, alliums, chrysanthemums, nasturtiums, petunias, lantanas, and geraniums.
To repel fleas and ticks, use shampoos that are free from toxic, cancer-causing chemicals. There are natural products, such as essential oils, that can be very useful in repelling parasitic insects. I use essential oils from Young Living? to keep parasites at bay. Essential oils mixed with spring water or witch hazel can be misted on the animal to deter fleas and ticks. During flea season, vacuuming carpets and washing hard floors daily is the least harmful way to control fleas in the house. Products containing natural cedar oil are available, and are very helpful in repelling and controlling fleas. In my area last year, fleas were very bad, and I used a combination of Young Living? black pepper, peppermint, oregano, and orange essential oils to steam my carpet and hard floors after daily vacuuming. When I shampooed my pets, I used Young Living? Animal Scents? Shampoo, and added essential oils such as PurificationÂŽ , citronella, and lavender to the shampoo before using.
Pet Pesticide Products
PART TWO: WHAT AFFECTS US AFFECTS OUR PETS
We see and hear advertising every day about various products to kill fleas and ticks on our pets. You may hear the brief disclaimers about adverse side effects. Most pet owners are not aware that flea and tick preventives are actually pesticides. It doesn?t matter what form the product comes in. Spot-on products, pills, dips, shampoos, and collars all contain pesticides. Please understand that these products are not safe. What goes on your pet will go into your pet, because the pesticide will be either absorbed through the skin or ingested when the pet grooms itself. Read product labels before purchase; anything that recommends the use of gloves for application indicates that the product contains ingredients that are toxic to humans. It is not much of a stretch to realize that if something is
Food, Kitchen, and Personal Care Products By now, you are aware of the many dangers that surround your pet. The potential harm doesn?t stop there, because there are several other things in the typical household that can harm your pets as well as you and your family. Apart from the toxin-containing products listed above, be aware of poisonous ingredients in food, in the kitchen, and in personal care products. If a harmful product is on you, it will get on your pet. Here is a short list of things you may want to research further: - Pesticide residues in produce. - Aluminum and copper cookware are linked to damage to brain tissue, chronic illnesses, and mental disturbances. 12
- Chemicals in plastic storage containers are implicated in endocrine system disruption. - Dishwashing and dishwasher detergents commonly contain carcinogenic chemicals that may deplete oxygen levels and cause harmful algae growth; disrupt thyroid and endocrine systems; cause eye irritation, skin rashes, and allergic reactions; cause organ damage; induce asthma; are associated with heart disease and respiratory problems; cause tissue necrosis; and increase mortality. - Aluminum in antiperspirant and deodorants has been linked to Alzheimer?s disease. - Parabens used in personal care products, such as cosmetics, moisturizers, shaving cream, tanning products, and processed foods products, have been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer, because they mimic the activity of estrogen in the body. Commonly used parabens are methylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben. - Propylene glycol (found in personal care products) is a known neurotoxin that can cause dermatitis, kidney damage, liver damage, gastrointestinal irritations and discomfort, nausea, headache, vomiting, and central nervous system depression. - FD&C colors in many personal products are made from coal tar derivatives and are known to be carcinogenic. - Fluoride is a toxic substance used in dental-care products, which has long been used in rodenticides and pesticides. Exposure over time causes dental fluorosis, skeletal fluorosis, arthritic symptoms, bone fracture, and damage to brain and thyroid health.
Refrain from using non-stick, aluminum, or copper cookware. Use cookware, utensils, and storage products that are stainless steel, cast iron, glass, ceramic, wood, or bamboo. For cleaning, use detergents that do not contain harmful ingredients. Research making your own cleaning products with baking soda, white vinegar, lemon juice, and hydrogen peroxide. Read the labels on products before purchase, and avoid using those that contain harmful ingredients. You can research household and personal care products on the Environmental Working Group website, www.ewg.org. The site provides very useful ratings of consumer products. It is up to us to be informed of the poisons that lurk in food and common products used around the home. When we become aware, we can become proactive at removing those toxins from our surroundings. A little research on the internet will provide many ways to avoid the use of chemicals. Our health, and the health of our pets, depends on the choices we make to clean up the toxic dumps that our homes have become. -By Carole Milligan Carole is certified as an animal natural health coach, and is committed to guiding pet guardians to achieve optimal health in their cats and dogs. You can visit her website at www.pawsitivecarnivorepethealth.com, or read her blog posts at https:/ / pawsitivecarnivorecorner.wordpress.com/ . If you are interested in learning more about specific products that may be harmful to you or your pet, please see her website for information on consultation options.
Grow your own food items if possible, or choose to buy only certified organic fruits and vegetables. If you eat meat, buy meat that is pasture-raised and finished and that comes from a certified organic source. Avoid processed foods. Avoid canned foods, unless the container is BPA-free. 13
THEIMPORTANCEOFCLEAN, PUREWATER
Ryu, a Rot t weil er, enjoying a day at t he l ake. Phot o credit : Bre Al t herr
In this installment of our ongoing series on the 8 laws of health, we will be talking about the 3rd law of health: clean, pure water. As a general rule, it is important to make sure your dog or cat has access to fresh, pure, clean water at all times. Notice I said clean, pure water? which is slightly different than just saying fresh water. In this article, we will look at the importance of providing water that is free of chlorine, fluoride, and other harmful substances. Researchers regularly find that the tap water in most places in America contains chlorine, fluoride, and varying amounts of various dissolved minerals, such as chlorides, sulfates, and bicarbonates. It also contains small amounts of aluminum, nitrates, insecticides, herbicides, and prescription medications (including, of course, antibiotics, mood stabilizers, and hormones, to name just a few).
Chlorine bleach (in the form of chlorine dioxide) is added to our tap water to disinfect it. This practice, which began in the early 1900s, is cheap, but it certainly isn't safe. One of the things that chlorine does is neutralize oxygen. In essence, this means that once it?s inside the body? whether it?s our pet?s body or ours? it depletes the body?s oxygen, which in turn makes the body?s pH levels more acidic. This disrupts the immune system, which as you know can throw the whole body out of balance and lead to various illnesses and diseases, and cause allergy symptoms. It?s interesting to note that water found in nature actually contains small amounts of hydrogen peroxide, which moves the body?s pH to more basic levels. In other words, unlike our tap water, natural water helps support the correct oxygen levels and pH balance in our dogs? and cats? bodies, as well as ours, and therefore supports the immune system.
Lycan (Belgian Malinois) in the water. Photo credit: Bre Altherr
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Chlorine's impact on the body can be seen in other ways as well. When chlorine products come into contact with organic proteins, they produce byproducts called trihalomethanes (THMs). One example of a THM is the carcinogen chloroform. Studies have shown an association between THMs and cancers of the liver and kidneys; they have also been shown to be contributing factors in colon and bladder cancers, diabetes, and kidney stones. Chlorine also damages enzymes, which means that when it is ingested (through the water), it wreaks further havoc on the vitality of our pets (and us). It can also decrease absorption of calcium while increasing calcium and phosphorous excretion. Fluoride is also added to the water supply all across America, under the guise that it is good for dental health. However, there has been a large amount of evidence that shows fluoride to be a bio-accumulative poison when ingested. Fluoride is cumulative in its effect upon the body, so each time you or your pet drink fluoridated water, its effects increase. Some of the most common known effects of fluoride ingestion are cancer, brittle teeth, heart disease, and arthritis. The EPA actually classifies fluoride as a toxic waste product (it comes from aluminum processing, uranium processing, and the manufacture of fertilizer), but it is still added to water supplies. In addition to being added to our tap water, fluoride is also used in pesticides, insecticides, and fungicides, as well as being an ingredient in many rat poisons. There is much more in our tap water than just chlorine and fluoride. It is interesting to look at a list (in alphabetical order) of the top 100 most common toxins found in America's public water supply. As you'll see, the list contains things like mercury, arsenic, and cyanide: 1) 1,1,1,2-Tetrachloroethane 2) 1,1,2-Trichloroethane 3) 1,1-Dichloroethane 4) 1,1-Dichloropropene 5) 1,2 Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) 6) 1,2,3-Trichloropropane
Barkley running in the ocean. Photo credit: Kristin Clark
7) 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene 8) 1,2-Dibromoethylene 9) 1,2-Dichloroethane 10) 1,3,5-Trimethylbenzene 11) 1,3-Dichloropropane 12) 1,4-Dioxane 13) 2,2-Dichloropropane 14) 2,4,5-T 15) 2,4,5-TP (Silvex) 16) 2,4-D 17) 2-Hexanone 18) 2-Nitropropane 19) Acetochlor 20) Aldicarb 21) Aldicarb sulfone 22) Aldicarb sulfoxide 23) Alpha-Lindane 24) Aluminum 25) Ammonia 26) Aniline 27) Anthracene 28) Antimony 29) Arsenic 30) Atrazine 31) Barium 32) Benzene 33) Benzo[a]pyrene 34) Beryllium 35) Bromate 16
36) Bromide 37) Bromobenzene 38) Bromodichloromethane 39) Bromoform 40) Bromomethane 41) Cadmium (total) 42) Carbaryl 43) Carbon tetrachloride 44) Chloroethane 45) Chloroform 46) Chloromethane 47) Chromium 48) cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene 49) Cyanide 50) Dalapon 51) Di(2-Ethylhexyl) adipate 52) Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate 53) Dibromochloromethane 54) Dibromomethane 55) Dicamba 56) Dichlorodifluoromethane 57) Dichloromethane (methylene chloride) 58) Dieldrin 59) Dinoseb 60) Endrin 61) Ethylbenzene 62) Ethylene dibromide (EDB) 63) Heptachlor 64) Heptachlor epoxide 65) Hexachloro-cyclopentadiene 66) Isopropylbenzene 67) Lindane 68) m-Dichlorobenzene 69) Manganese 70) Mercury 71) Metolachlor 72) Monochlorobenzene (Chlorobenzene) 73) n-Butylbenzene 74) n-Propylbenzene 75) Naphthalene 76) Nitrate 77) Nitrates & nitrites 78) o-Chlorotoluene
79) o-Dichlorobenzene 80) Oxamyl (Vydate) 81) p-Chlorotoluene 82) p-Dichlorobenzene 83) p-Isopropyltoluene 84) Pentachlorophenol 85) Picloram 86) Radium-226 & Radium-228 87) sec-Butylbenzene 88) Simazine 89) Styrene 90) Sulfates 91) tert-Butylbenzene 92) Tetrachloroethylene 93) Thallium 94) Toluene 95) Total haloacetic acids 96) Total trihalomethanes (THMs) 97) Toxaphene 98) Trichloroethylene 99) Trichlorofluoromethane 100) Vinyl chloride So how do you make sure that you are providing your pets with clean, pure water? The best way to do this is to provide them with filtered water. Unfortunately, not all filters are created equal, nor are all bottled waters truly pure. Many bottled waters are actually just tap water that has been bottled, and some of them contain fluoride and various minerals. Check the label to see if chlorine or fluoride has been added back to the water. Also, note that Brita water filters often do not completely remove chlorine and fluoride. Reverse osmosis filtration systems and the Berkey water filter (with the optional fluoride filters) are good alternatives. They are more expensive, but if you are able to get them, they will help ensure that your water is as clean and pure as possible. You can also get bottled spring water that is in a BPA-free bottle; well water is also a great option if you have access to a well.
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One other bit of information: it is worthwhile to invest in a stainless steel bowl for your pet's drinking water. This is because plastic bowls can harbor bacteria and leach chemicals out into the water. Make sure that you clean the water dish and refill it daily, or whenever it gets low. It is vitally important that you provide your pets with clean, pure water. Doing so helps keep all of their systems, including their immune system,
healthy. It supports their bodies in maintaining balance and health, and may even encourage them to drink more because the water is more natural and may taste better. Following this law is part of the total approach to helping your pets achieve and maintain true, lasting health, so that they can thrive throughout all your years together. -By Kristin Clark
WolfBear, a German Shepherd, playing in the water. Photo credit: Cheryl Olmstead
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LONGLIVINGPETS:ANINTERVIEW WITHTHOMASSANDBERG
Camelot and Odin, Great Danes. Photo credit: Thomas Sandberg
One of the things I wanted to do when I created Raw Pet Digest was bring you interviews and other information from experts in natural healthcare and feeding of our carnivore pets. Thomas Sandberg is one such expert? his research into natural feeding has helped him double the life expectancy of his Great Danes, reduce cancer rates, and help his dogs thrive. He didn?t stop there, though? as you will see, he is leading a long-range study on the effects of a species-appropriate diet vs other types of diets on 1,000 dogs. I found his insights fascinating, and I was able to learn some things from him. I hope you enjoy the interview as much as I did. And if, after reading it, you are interested in participating in his study, you can get more information about how to participate at his website: www.longlivingpets.com. 1. I know that you first became interested in raw feeding because you wanted your Great Danes to live longer. I also know that you are passionate about preventing and/or treating cancer in our dogs. In your opinion, how does a raw diet aid both longevity and overall health? Yes, the short lifespan of giant breeds like Great Danes always puzzled me. When I asked why they had short lifespans, I was always given reasons like: ?They are genetically disposed to a shorter lifespan,? ?Their hearts are too small for their huge bodies,? or ?That?s just the way it is.? I never
Camelot, a Great Dane. Photo credit: Thomas Sandberg
got a reason that made sense to me. It occurred to me that the aging process seems to progressively escalate in larger dogs compared to smaller ones. What causes this process to speed up in larger dogs? This is not the norm in the animal kingdom. Many huge animals live very long lives. For example, elephants can live on average for 60 years, some whales live over 200 years, gorillas can live for 50 years, and lions can live 15-18 years in the wild and 20-25 years in captivity. What is the one thing all of these animals have in common? They eat the food they are designed for by nature. When we change this, we interfere with nature and there are consequences to that. We humans caused incredible damage to our pets when we altered their food to make life more convenient for ourselves. I believe this is the main cause for the shorter lifespan in large breeds. Large dogs need a lot of nutrients to sustain a strong immune system that can reduce the damage from free radicals. Smaller dogs appear to manage this better, but they really do not. I believe smaller dogs can also live much longer if they are fed the right food. To find out if my theory had any merit to it, I decided to start this 30-year-long study. I initially wanted to only use my own dogs, since I truly did not know the long-term effects of this type of feeding. When I decided, after studying the digestive system of carnivores down to cellular
Meshach, a Great Dane. Photo credit: Kim Bloomer
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levels, to drop all vegetables and fruits, I was definitely concerned. I did not want to suggest this to others before I knew more. I did not announce my study to anyone, but one by one other pet owners found out about my research and wanted to be a part of it. After about 3 years I had 80 dogs participating. Most participants fed a mix of raw and some vegetables; only a dozen fed meat exclusively. After a few years I was convinced that longevity and good health are mostly related to what types of food we feed our pets. What makes this obvious is when we compare pets on commercial ?dog food? with pets on raw food diets. This becomes quite evident when pets are switched from kibble to raw food. Amazing improvements are the norm here. How veterinarians can ignore this blows my mind. I have hundreds of stories that clearly show that switching to a raw food diet fixed a number of issues that drugs and medication prescribed by veterinaries did not fix. In fact, in many cases, the drugs and medications prescribed by veterinarians ultimately made it worse. I?m in the process of collecting some of these success stories on a new website: petsloverawfood.com. The plan is to send concerned people there to read these real-life stories and hopefully encourage them to switch. I have not come up with anything new, nor am I following a newly found fad. What I believe in has been available for thousands of years. Commercial dog food was invented in the 1800s! So what is the fad here? All I have done is go back to nature. If dogs came with an instruction manual on how to take care of them, we all would have done the right thing. That manual would have told us what we should feed to keep our pet?s organs working properly and to sustain a strong and effective immune system. In short it would say: feed your dogs a variety of raw meats and edible bones. How nice would it be if all dogs came with a quick-start guide saying:
Instructions: Read Before Feeding Me! You will learn how to make me live a long and healthy life that will also save you thousands of dollars in veterinary expenses. That?s why I wrote my book, Learn How to Add Years to Your Dog?s Life!, which is a simple manual to help you get your pet started on a raw food diet. All living creatures have digestive systems that are designed for certain foods, and our carnivore pets are no exception. When the right food passes through a dog?s digestive system, it provides all the vital nutrients needed to sustain a strong immune system. In my opinion, it is the health of the immune system that is the main factor in a dog?s ability to stay healthy and live longer. Dogs are carnivores and require a carnivorous diet: a variety of meats and edible bones. There is no way around this if you want your dog?s health to be optimal. For longevity, a raw food diet reduces premature aging by limiting the damage that free radicals cause. It also promotes a healthy pancreas, which provides a dog with most of the vital enzymes necessary for good digestion, and a solid immune system that can fight off diseases like cancer. I believe cancer is a metabolic disease and can be prevented and, in many
Thomas with his Great Danes. Photo credit: Thomas Sandberg 21
cases, cured metabolically. Cancer cells are different from normal cells. The damage is mostly done to their mitochondria; they lose their ability to metabolize fat. Normal cells can burn energy from both sugar and fat. This has been proven in scientific studies by Thomas Seyfried. This damage to the respiration in cancer cells gives us a unique opportunity to kill cancer cells by reducing the glycogen production that cancer depends on to survive and multiply. In short, the best prevention against cancer is to feed a raw food diet very low in carbohydrates. When damage to a normal cell causes that cell to become a cancer cell (which happens all the time) a strong and healthy immune system will act on these cells and prevent them from becoming full-blown, out-of-control cancer cells. This is how it works in humans and dogs when they have a healthy immune system. The problem occurs when we feed dogs food they were never designed for. Over time, the pancreas suffers from trying to handle this ?wrong? food and loses its ability to function at an optimal level and produce vital and necessary enzymes. That compromises the immune system, which in turn increases the cancer cells? chances of surviving, multiplying, and metastasizing. 2. Do you have any specific ideas on why diseases like cancer are appearing in our dogs at younger and younger ages? Other than processed food causing a comprised immune system, I think vaccines are one of the main reasons. I have seen the pressure to vaccinate dogs increase significantly over the last decade. I get emails several times a year from my veterinarian recommending I bring my dogs in to get vaccinated for one disease or another. This is often combined with a horror story about dogs that supposedly got ill or suffered because they did not take the vaccine(s). I?m appalled and disgusted with this growing trend. I?m convinced that vaccines can cause cancer, and if the dog is also on a
kibble-type diet, the immune system is already weakened and the risk of cancer developing increases even more. To further complicate this, we know that the blood of our dogs is hereditarily contaminated with vaccine viruses several generations back. This makes it even more important to feed a diet that promotes a strong immune system. I can?t stress this enough: there is no better defense against cancer than a strong immune system. The immune system is the body?s natural defense, which no artificial drugs can ever match. In a human body there are approximately 75,000 enzymes. I have never seen the number for dogs, but it can?t be that far off. Enzymes can only be maintained and produced by the body itself. There is no medication or drug that can accomplish what nature can do. But nature needs the right raw materials to do that; that?s why it is so important feed the right food. 3. There are lots of raw diet philosophies out there (commercially prepared raw, prey model raw, a mix of raw foods that are cut up for the animal, etc.). Have you found one type that you prefer? If so, which one? Does it ever depend on the dog (size, breed, activity level)? I know this is a controversial topic and some do not agree with me. By the way, I don?t ever tell people what to feed. I think most raw food diets are better than commercial kibble-type diets by far. Personally, I don?t feed any vegetables or fruits, nor have I for over 15 years. After studying the digestive system very carefully, I don?t see any evidence that dogs need vegetable and fruits. I personally believe veggies and fruits put stress on the pancreas, since it has to struggle with food it was never meant to deal with. I don?t know how much damage, if any, this can do to a dog, since there is no research done on this that I am aware of. I never tell anyone to drop the veggies and fruits, but I let them know I did that 15 years ago and my dogs have never had an issue with it. Some well-known professionals, however, are very vocal about this and do not agree with me; they say it is straight-out harmful to eliminate plant materials. This is another part of what I am studying and hope 22
to produce more data on. But back to your question. I?m mostly concerned with what goes into the stomach of a dog or cat, not how this food is fed. Whether that food is fed prey-model style or cut up in pieces is of less importance to me. Not everyone finds prey-model-type feeding feasible and will not do it. I have something I promote called ?raw in a bowl? for those that can?t stand the thought of ?prey model raw? or ?franken prey? type feeding. ?Raw in a bowl? is a mix of raw meat, organ meat, and edible bones. I have found that many that are reluctant to feed raw like to start out with this, since it is cleaner and it is also easer to balance the ratio of meats, organs, and bones. To a new raw feeder, it looks more balanced and gives them some comfort in the sense that their dog is getting a healthy mix of food. I have no problem with this type of feeding since it eventually gives the dog?s digestive system what it needs. I have also accepted dogs in my study that are on several premade/ packed commercially made raw food. I don?t know enough to recommend any brand. I?m curious to see the results. I know for some it is a challenge to feed homemade raw food, and the commercial raw food products do have a place since it is better than feeding kibble for sure. It?s also another alternative to get people eased into the world of raw feeding. 4. I saw on your website that you spent 15 years researching raw feeding in dogs. Can you describe how you did this research? What specifically were you studying? How many dogs were involved? For the first 15 years, I followed 80 dogs that were fed a raw food diet. These owners reported to me once a year. They basically gave me the health condition of their dogs. None of them had any severe health issues and so far only one has died of cancer. The study is too small for any serious conclusions. It was a pre-study to first of all make sure I was not doing any damage to my dogs. I was a bit concerned when I dropped the veggies and fruits after 6 months since I did not know anyone that had done that. They thrived on
it; in fact, their poop got much better and some itching issues that one of my Danes had ended. When I saw the same trend in others, I started to become increasingly aware of how raw food diets were superior to commercial dog food and how damaging kibble-type diets were to dogs and cats. Based on the results from the first 15 years, I decided to increase this study in numbers to give it more validity and to confirm the trends I saw from the first 15 years. I tried to find people or companies to fund this, but after 3 years I gave that up and decided to continue to do this on my own. This has become my life mission, since I can?t just sit back and do nothing with the knowlege I have gained. I have spent most of my life savings but I know somehow it will be well worth it. If I die poor but have helped some pets live a longer healthier life and dodge cancer I?m all good. I really want to show how raw food can drastically reduce the risk of cancer by providing numbers that will be much lower than the current cancer rate of 50% . My prediction is that raw fed dogs can reduce instances of cancer to under 10% . I know this sounds unbelievable to many people, but I firmly believe it, and I?m confident I will have the numbers to back it up. This study of course is not a scientific study. I never claimed it was, but that is what the opponents of raw feeding use all the time to discredit me. They know very well that no raw food study will ever take place in a true unbiased scientific trial since
Meshach as a puppy enjoying his dinner. Photo credit: Kim Bloomer 23
nobody will back this up financially. If there ever were to be one, I can?t imagine anyone willing to invest millions of dollar into a study like this without benefiting from the results in some way. As the raw feeding community grows, at some point the billion-dollar commercial dog food industry may say enough is enough and put forth a study that disproves the benefits of raw feeding. However, that?s a study I would be very skeptical about. I?d rather get real-life stories from real-life pet owners that feed raw. These are the type of testimonials I like to see and am collecting, instead of results produced by studies tainted by possible financial gain or interest. Raw feeding is a grass-roots movement. Changes will come from below, not from the top down. We?re fighting the powerful commercial dog food manufacturers and the veterinarians that are against raw feeding. This will take time, but I already see changes that are very encouraging. We are at a point where we no longer can be ignored. There are just too many stories that confirm pets thrive on raw food. I get approached by veterinaries that are curious about what I do. Some are even sending their cancer cases to me. Their problem is the same: they can?t use what I have discovered since it is not scientifically proven. Some still very much like to support me, but they prefer to stay behind the scenes for now. However, I see a change coming soon.
these numbers cannot be ignored. Secondly, I hope to see an improvement in the average lifespan of pets. I will compare this with current expected lifespan statistics. Other statistics I will look at are: diabetes; heart disease; diseases to organs like the liver, heart, and kidneys; autoimmune disorders; periodontal diseases; and more. In short, any disease that has a statistic is of interest to me to track and compare. This data will mostly be collected at the time of death, so this will not be available for quite some time. Yes, people can still sign up. If they are interested, they can go to my website, www.longlivingpets.com, for more information. I may go past the 1,000 if I can find time and get some funding support.
I hope to confirm my initial findings that a balanced raw food diet is superior to commercial dog food. The most interesting information to me will be to see the number of dogs that get cancer. Statistically it should be half of them. I?m confident this number will be 80-90% lower. I can?t wait to see what the veterinary community will come up with to discredit these real-life numbers. Again, I know they will call this a non-scientific study, and they are correct, but still
8. Do you look at vaccine usage or other chemical usage in the pets you?ve studied, or are you solely focused on feeding as the variable you?re studying?
6. How long do you find, on average, that raw-fed Great Danes and other large dogs live on a raw fed diet? What about small dogs? I have seen a trend so far that healthy Danes fed raw early in life can almost double the expected lifespan of 6-8 years. Smaller dogs can also extend their lives significantly in my opinion. I predict that in the future we will see many small raw-fed dogs living into their mid-20s. This is something my study should confirm. I have hundreds of small dogs participating.
7. Have you done any studies on generations of naturally reared dogs? Do you consistently find that later generations of naturally reared dogs live longer, 5. In the next phase, I know you are following healthier lives than others? 1,000 dogs that are fed a variety of raw diets. I have many naturally reared dogs on my study. It is What sort of information are you hoping to learn in too early to see any trends, but I suspect this to be this phase? Can people still sign up, and if so, how? very beneficial to their health and longevity.
Yes, I track vaccines in all dogs. This is done at a later point, however (mostly at the time they pass away). I do however encourage minimal vaccination, or preferably none at all. I also try to track what type of environment they spent most of their lives in. I encourage pet owners with yards and lawns to not use chemicals. 24
9. What sort of results have you found regarding different from my ordinary feeding regimen. vaccine usage? Do vaccines negatively impact a Feeding, fasting, and calorie restricting this way pet?s longevity and health? puts the dogs in ketosis and flushes out cancer From all the dogs I have helped that have cancer, I cells. I recommend this to everyone. It is also very definitely see a trend. Most of these dogs have beneficial to do this when switching a dog to raw been vaccinated multiple times. Several got from kibble. Fasting, then a calorie-restricted diet, cancer shortly after their vaccination. I can?t make is also the first step in my cancer protocol. This has any definite conclusions, but I?m tracking this very shown to be very effective in stopping cancer carefully. I do suspect that many vaccines are growth. damaging to a pet?s immune system. This makes sense, since most of these vaccines are poisonous. In my opinion, the mix of kibble and vaccination is a bad, and often lethal, combination.
12. Do you have any tips for people that are getting into raw feeding, specifically about finding good meat suppliers?
This is always a challenge. If you live in or close to a 10. What sort of proteins do you typically feed your large city you can find good sources. The internet or Great Danes? Can you describe a typical day in other raw feeders in your area are great sources of their diet? information. You can google raw feeding groups I feed a variety of proteins, but mostly chicken, and your city. pork, turkey, beef, and lamb. I also feed chicken 13. How important is it for meat to be organic, and turkey gizzards, and I feed liver and spleen hormone-free/antibiotic-free, and pasture-raised? most often for organ meat. I also give eggs and Does your study look at the differences between sardines on a regular basis. A typical meal is a mix raw-fed dogs that are fed meat with hormones and of these foods. antibiotics vs dogs that are fed meat that is hormone 11. What are your thoughts about fasting? Do you and antibiotic-free? fast your own dogs?
Ideally, we all want to feed organic meats. I Yes, fasting is very important. I fast my dogs every personally can?t afford that, so I feed meats from 3-4 months for 2-3 days. Then I calorie restrict the grocery store; this is part of my study. I have a their food by 30-40% for 3-4 days. So altogether, small group that feeds organic food that I track. The there are 7 days every 3-4 months that are reality is that very few can afford this. 14. I saw on your website that you discuss the need for supplements. What sort of supplements do you recommend? Why are supplements important if the dog is getting a raw-fed diet? Since I don?t feed my dogs organic meats, I do supplement them. I regularly give:
The pack out for a walk in the snow. Photo credit: Thomas Sandberg
- Apricot seeds for cancer prevention - Omega 3s to balance out the omega 6s found in meats - Coconut oil for the MCT oil (60% ): since I don?t feed any carbs my dogs are in low ketosis, which in short mean they are fat burners. The MCT oil bypasses the digestive system and goes straight to the liver, where it is converted to ketone 25
bodies. This is an excellent source for cellular energy metabolism. The great thing about this is that cancer cells cannot metabolize on fat? they need sugar. Since I don?t provide that, cancer cannot survive. This is in my opinion the best protection against cancer. - Essiac Tea (maintenance dose): I brew this myself from a reliable source that makes their product from the 8-herb-formula recipe developed by Rene Caisse (not her 4-herb-formula recipe). These herbs have many important vitamins and nutrients. This tea is also a great detox protocol to give to pets that were on a kibble diet. - Diatomaceous earth 15. I recently read an article from a vet that argued that there are lots of chemicals found in soil that find their way into grasses and other plants consumed by herbivores. These herbivores then get the chemicals in their bodies, and these are concentrated even more in the carnivores that eat them. The article then went on to say that, for this reason, feeding our dogs a vegan (or at least a vegetarian diet) was safest for them. What is your response to this? What do you say to people who are concerned about the chemicals and toxins that herbivores are exposed to? The first part may have some truth to it, but the soil has an amazing ability to cleanse itself. It is true, however, that there are chemicals that can?t be broken down and end up in the meat. How much this damages our dogs is impossible to tell. But, using that as a reason to feed a dog a vegan or vegetarian diet is absolutely ludicrous to me. A carnivore?s digestive system is not designed for that type of food and lacks many of the enzymes needed to break this food. For example, carnivores do not have nearly enough amylase to effectively break down cellulose. Also, the digestive tract of a carnivore is much too short to handle plant materials. Feeding this type of diet is very upsetting to me. I know that some people, including veterinarians, are misinformed and believe this is a good food alternative.
16. Why do you think that there is a common myth that dogs are omnivores and should be fed fruits and vegetables (and even grains)? I think this misinformation comes from sources like dog food manufacturers and veterinarians. The majority of pet owners still trust these. Look at dog food manufacture?s websites; they claim dogs are omnivores and cite misinformed medical professionals. I won?t call them liars but they come darn close. I have written to several of these manufacturers and asked for proof, but I have never heard back from any of them. 17. I have had many different people tell me that their vets told them that their specific breed of dog cannot digest meat and proteins as well as other breeds, and so they should focus on feeding fruits and vegetables. Have you ever come across any breed that does not digest meat, bones, organs, and glands well? Why do you think that vets are saying this? I have heard this about Rottweilers, Labradors, Dachshunds, Terriers, and Australian Shepherds, so it?s a pretty wide range. I?ve never seen an instance where a particular breed does not handle raw food appropriately as long as I have been involved with raw feeding. This makes no sense to me since I don?t see any difference in a dog?s digestive system regardless of breed and size. I?m not sure how this came about, but I suspect it came from someone that did not like to feed raw. I have two Dachshunds that were switched to raw when they were 8 and 11 years old, and they thrive on it. They lost 5 pounds each, they have more muscle mass now, and their stamina has greatly improved. They eat meat, organs, and edible bones, and they can digest everything perfectly. 18. What do you say to someone who is nervous to make the switch from feeding kibble to feeding a species-appropriate diet? Buy my book! Haha! But seriously, I wrote this book specifically for all those sitting on the fence. They know the benefits of raw feeding but are scared that they will not do it right and harm their 26
pet. Too many books have been written about raw feeding that make the process of switching and maintaining much too complicated; this scares pet owners and stops them from switching. It really is quite simple, especially when you take out the carbs as I and many others do. Start with one meat type (most people choose chicken), then add other meat types every 3-5 days. You can also give a mix of raw right from the get-go. Many dogs can handle that just fine (all of mine did). I recommend making the switch after fasting for a day or two. As a general rule, don?t mix kibble and raw, as they are two completely different food types. Only mix them if the dog absolutely won?t take to raw after 4-5 days of trying. 19. I saw on your website that you take your dogs for a medical exam each year. What does the exam involve? A full blood panel unless I suspect anything else. So far I have had no issues. 20. What differences do you see, physiologically, between kibble-fed dogs and raw-fed dogs? So many things! The main thing, and in my opinion the most important thing, is that we see a much better immune system in raw-fed dogs. This is a result of healthier organs. Another important factor is less damage from free radicals, which helps slow down the aging process. Other obvious things are more muscle mass, shinier coats, cleaner teeth, and less poop. I could go on and on. In 99% of the cancer cases I get, the dogs have been fed kibble most of their lives, so that is another thing I track carefully. I know of a few raw-fed dogs that have gotten cancer, but they were also fed veggies. I?m not ready to make any conclusions from that, but so far I have not seen a dog on an all-raw-meat-no-veggies diet with cancer. Therefore, in my opinion, the best defense against cancer is a carb-free diet. I?m not alone in suggesting this. There are several studies and trials going on that will back this up. Some are with dogs
that already have cancer: they are being fed a calorie-restricted ketogenic diet (no carbs) combined with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. This study is showing some very promising results. 21. What are your thoughts on exercise as it relates to natural health? Exercise is extremely important for the health of a dog, physically and mentally. They are genetically designed to exercise daily. In the wild, they were always on the move searching for food. The need for this has not changed. 22. You recently enrolled in the American Council of Animal Naturopathy certification program. What do you hope to learn or achieve through the program? I hope to learn more about natural healing and hopefully help people understand that there are powerful alternatives to standards of care when it comes to keeping pets healthy and healing them naturally if they become ill. Too often we run to our vet as soon as an issue occurs instead of giving nature a chance to heal our pets. We all know how quickly vets can write prescriptions, which often are temporary fixes at best and often end up making things even worse. 23. I saw that you have various projects going on for which you are asking for public funding. What does the funding you get from people go for? Is it tax-deductible? At this time, the funding goes to me so I can free up more time from my regular work. I?ve funded this research project for over 15 years myself and have spent thousands of hours managing it. Adding 1,000 dogs to my project completely overwhelmed me. I need to allocate much more time to this study now. Due to my use of amygdalin in cancer therapy and prevention, I can?t set up a nonprofit organization. It gets tricky getting it approved. I have tried for 6 years. My funding campaign is on GoFundMe: http:/ / www.gofundme.com/ longlivingpets
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24. Is there anything else you would like to share? I want to mention that I may come down hard on veterinarians. I have several that I have become very good friends with that do an amazing job with animals. They are some of the most intelligent people I know. They have saved my dogs? and cats? lives more than once. I?m forever grateful for that. They are also the first ones to admit that dog nutrition is a subject that they did not study much during their education. It?s just not a priority, which is really sad.
right food is for our pets are still a tiny minority. We need to stay together against the growing false and misleading propaganda that opponents of raw feeding are publishing. The internet is a fantastic medium for us to share what we are so passionate about. Unfortunately, it is also a fantastic medium for spreading false information, lies, and conspiracy theories. Many buy into these and share them so they spread quickly and become impossible to control. That?s why I?m so pleased that a magazine like this exists. Thanks for publishing this; I know it is a lot of work.
One last thing. We pet owners that care about our dogs deeply and understand how important the
-By Kristin Clark
Thomas and his dogs. Photo credit: Thomas Sandberg 28
ANIMALCHIROPRACTICCARE Chiropractic care deals with the nervous system. The two most important parts are housed within the skull and spinal column. The spinal cord carries nerves that are distributed to every organ, tissue, and cell of the body. The nerves exit the spinal column between the bones of the spine (vertebrae). Chiropractors have discovered that the misalignment of a joint that has lost motion and position, called a subluxation, adversely affects the function of the organs, tissues, and cells supplied by that nerve. Dysfunction of the nervous system can lead to a series of illnesses and conditions. A certified animal chiropractor aims to correct the dysfunction with a specific thrust, called an adjustment, and restore proper nerve flow as well as proper alignment and joint movement. Therefore, chiropractic aims to eliminate the cause of the problem and not simply treat the symptoms. The Anat omy Anastasia, a Great Dane, getting an adjustment from Dr. O'Connor. Photo credit: Erin O'Connor
"The beauty about chiropractic is the fact that it works with natural means. It puts nothing new into the body, nor does it take away any natural gland or organ. Chiropractic simply releases life forces within the body, sets free rivulets of energy over nerves, and lets nature do her work in a normal manner." ? BJ Palmer, developer of chiropractic The Science Behind Chiropract ic Chiropractic is a wonderful holistic treatment method for not only people, but pets as well. Animal chiropractic is a gentle yet highly effective treatment modality that allows the animal to utilize their very own healing capabilities.
A dog's spinal column has over 100 separate joints. It is similar to ours in that it has cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral regions, but a dog has one more thoracic vertebra and two more lumbar vertebrae than we do, and three fused sacral vertebrae instead of five. Each of these joints must move and function correctly for the dog to perform properly. If a dog loses normal motion and position of a joint, there will be compensations formed elsewhere. The weakest areas, which are the areas that are adjusted more often, are transition areas of the spine where the vertebrae change shape. These are at the atlas, or first vertebrae just behind the skull (atlanto-occipital junction), the base of the neck (cervicothoracic junction), the middle of the back (thoracolumbar junction), and the last vertebrae of the low back (lumbosacral junction). Depending on 29
where a dog experiences a subluxation, they will experience loss of normal movement in the area, but certain other areas of the body will be affected as well. For example, C1 vertebrae supplies the pituitary gland, scalp, bones of the face, middle to inner ear, eyes, and controls blood supply to the head. The nerves from T8 vertebrae supply the spleen, stomach, liver, pancreas, adrenal glands, and mid-back. L4 vertebrae supplies reproductive organs, rear legs, prostate, uterus, and ovaries. With these examples, you can see how if the nerve isn't able to signal properly from the brain to these end organs and then from the organ back to the brain, the dog can have dysfunction.
chiropractor in your area, visit AVCAdoctors.com for a directory. You can also visit the International Veterinary Chiropractic Association at IVCA.de. How To Tel l If Your Dog's Spine is Heal t hy The only definitive way to know if your dog needs to be adjusted is to have them examined by a certified animal chiropractor. However, there are a few ?home checks? you can do to see if they would benefit from chiropractic.
Qual if ied Doct ors
Put your dog in a sit and hold a treat in front of them. Now bring the treat to their shoulder. They should move directly from nose to shoulder in a simple, easy motion. If they scoot back, twist sideways, or do anything besides that simple lateral neck movement, they may have a problem in their neck.
Entrust the health of your animal only to a trained professional. AVCA Animal Chiropractors are licensed and certified chiropractors or veterinarians. Certification means your animal chiropractor is recognized by the American Veterinary Chiropractic Association. By dealing with a Certified Animal Chiropractor, you are assured of the services of a skilled, dedicated professional who will work to provide the very best care. If you are looking for an animal
Another way you can check your dog is to feel along their spine. Feel for heat, cool, swelling, or muscle twitching. You can gently press along their spine and see if it causes them any discomfort anywhere. If they jump, turn their head, if you feel muscle tension or twitching, or temperature changes, they may have a problem in that area. This can be difficult at first, if you've never felt your dog's body in this way, but the more you feel these areas, the more sensitive you will become to these subtle changes. Many times
Dr. O'Connor with her dogs, Bella (Italian Greyhound) and Lolo (Border Collie). Photo credit: Erin O'Connor
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dog owners who regularly stretch or massage their dog detect changes easily, since they get used to feeling what their dog's normal body feels like. You can also observe your pet. If they have difficulty executing certain movements, such as walking, running, going up or down stairs, jumping into the car or on a couch, getting up from laying down, squatting, or sitting, they may have a chiropractic problem that needs to be addressed. Abnormal posture when standing or sitting, nail dragging, and side sitting (where the dog looks like they are attempting to lounge) can also be indications. Causes of Subl uxat ions Subluxations, where a joint loses proper movement and positioning, are caused by three things: trauma, toxins, and thoughts (stress). How can this translate into your dog's life? The trauma could be a major trauma, such as falling down the stairs. It can be a micro trauma over time, such as tugging their neck on a leash, a car ride with unexpected stops, or landing off center after jumping off the couch. Toxins are what you put on or in your dog's body, such as harsh chemicals or processed food. Stress can be from thunderstorms or being boarded in a kennel. Age can also lead to degeneration of the spine. Extra weight also causes additional stress on the spine. Performance dogs have higher physical demands on their bodies, similar to a human athlete. Many dogs also don't get the exercise that they are designed to, fully stretching their legs, back, and abdomen.
tension in the area where the adjustment is given, due to the joint not moving properly. Sometimes this area can be sensitive, and this is where the animal chiropractor must place their hands to adjust. However, dogs usually do perfectly fine. If there happens to be any sensitivity, it is over extremely quickly, and then the dog experiences relief. Animal chiropractors work with your dog to allow them to be as relaxed as possible for the adjustment and to allow for a positive experience. The entire chiropractic treatment lasts as long as it takes to check every joint in the animal's body. For example, a dog who shows is usually very still and calm while being worked on and many times can be checked and adjusted within minutes. A dog who is nervous or hyper may take longer, as the animal chiropractor works at a pace the dog is comfortable with, often letting it take breaks to walk around the room. However, for most animals the chiropractic treatment is over within 5-15 minutes. Frequency of Care Healing with chiropractic care takes time. The animal chiropractor performs an adjustment and then the dog's body does the healing from within. There are many factors that can influence the healing process, such as how long the condition or symptoms have been going on, whether the dog is old or young,
The Adjust ment Most dogs enjoy being adjusted. They quickly learn that it makes them feel better, which makes it a positive experience. Many also learn to lean into adjustments and will begin to relax during them. Licking and chewing during an adjustment is a feel-good response that many dog owners will observe. There may be muscle Dr. O'Connor adjusting Koney. Photo credit: Erin O'Connor
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processed versus wholesome raw nutrition, medications, whether the dog is at their ideal weight or overweight, trauma to the neck on walks from pulling on the leash, activity levels, other health conditions present, state of the dog such as overgrown nails, and cooperation of the owner in care. A dog who is experiencing conditions or symptoms usually needs more frequent care, as recommended by their animal chiropractor. As they improve, the time between adjustments is lengthened. It is much easier to maintain health than to regain it. A few chiropractic adjustments a year can greatly benefit a healthy, happy dog. Performance and senior dogs who are not experiencing outward symptoms usually respond well to care that is a little more frequent; usually monthly adjustments work well. Health is about much more than how you feel. It is the body's ability to adapt to its environment and physical, chemical, and emotional stress. Chiropractic can go a long way in helping that. Exampl es of Condit ions t hat may Benef it Remember, since animal chiropractic affects the nervous system and the nervous system controls every organ, tissue, and cell in the entire body, as well as restores normal movement, a vast
variety of conditions can usually benefit. The more common conditions many chiropractic patients present with are limping, abnormal posture or movement, pain, paresis, paralysis, seizures, ear infections, allergies, arthritis, tremors, muscle spasms or imbalances, inability to execute a desired movement, and chewing abnormalities. Often, owners will also bring in performance animals or come to perform puppy or adult wellness adjustments. Many times neurological conditions with no known cause are related to misalignments of the upper neck. The upper neck area is where the brain stem develops into the spinal cord, and every nerve signal being sent out to the body from the brain has to start at this point. The misalignment, or subluxation, causes abnormal nerve transmission. The abnormal nerve signals can manifest as seizures, paralysis, ataxia (drunken sailor gait), tremors, and more. Chiropractic adjustments may benefit these conditions. Animal chiropractic can also usually help senior dogs retain or regain function as they age. It helps to promote healthy joints. Many senior dog owners report their dog has more energy after an adjustment. Sometimes it even allows them to do things that they did when they were younger, but no longer attempt to do. ?Side sitting? or ?puppy sitting? many times is indicative of a pelvic or sacral issue, rather than the dog attempting to lounge. Animal chiropractic may be able to help restore normal square sitting through adjustments. Licking and chewing of the paws may be related to your dog's neck. There is a bundle of nerves that leave the middle of the cervical spine in the neck and run down through the front legs. If one of these nerves is irritated, it can lead to paresthesia (the fancy term for the tingly pins and needles sensation felt when the foot ?falls asleep?). Many times adjustments can remove the irritation. The same goes for the rear, but it is usually due to an irritation of the nerves in the low back and pelvic areas.
Dr. O'Connor adjusting Jinx. Photo credit: Erin O'Connor
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Animal s That May Benef it This article is focused on our canine companions, but any animal with a spine can benefit. My practice focuses on small animals including dogs, cats, exotics, and native wildlife being rehabbed at a local wildlife center. Some animal chiropractors choose to focus on large animals, and some treat both large and small! In Summary Chiropractic care is beneficial for a variety of conditions, and to help maintain health. It is great for micro-injuries from everyday stress and to help prevent injury. Remember, when seeking chiropractic care for your pet, only entrust their care to a professional certified by the AVCA or IVCA. Whether it's an injured animal, performance animal, or a family companion, chiropractic can be a simple way to
make a positive difference in their health and wellbeing. -By Dr. Erin O'Connor, AVCA Animal Chiropractor Dr. O'Connor earned a Bachelor?s of Science at Eastern Illinois University, and her Doctor of Chiropractic at Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa. She attended Parker University in Dallas, Texas to become an AVCA certified animal chiropractor. Additionally, she is certified in carnivore nutrition by the American Council of Animal Naturopathy. Dr. O?Connor is co-owner of Vitality Chiropractic Center in Aurora, Illinois, where she works alongside her husband, Dr. Paul Nottoli. Together, they provide whole family care to people and pets. Their practice has been recognized locally with numerous awards. The most common animals Dr. O?Connor adjusts are dogs and cats, but she also sees exotics and wildlife. In addition to running her practice, Dr. O?Connor provides chiropractic care at an animal hospital once a week, volunteers her services at Fox Valley Wildlife Center, provides guidance in prey model raw feeding with her business called Roaring For Raw, mentors animal chiropractic students, lectures for dog groups, and has served as an adjunct professor of anatomy and physiology at College of DuPage and President of the Holistic Chamber of Commerce. To learn more about Dr. O?Connor and animal chiropractic for your pet, visit myvitalitychiropractic.com. To find a certified animal chiropractor in your area, please visit AVCAdoctors.com or IVCA.de.
Charlie the cat getting an adjustment by Dr. O'Connor. Photo credit: Erin O'Connor
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SPOTLIGHTONHEALTH: DR. KELLYABLARD Many times when our pet is exhibiting illness symptoms, the only option we think we have is to take it to a veterinarian. However, there are so many other alternatives that may actually be a much better fit to help our pet achieve true health: for example, animal naturopaths, chiropractors, iridologists, and homeopaths may all be able to help our animals achieve health naturally. Because so many people are not aware of the various options that exist beyond veterinarians, we are starting a regular series that features a different practitioner of an alternative healing modality in each issue. We plan to include practitioners from all types of natural healing modalities, to help give you a better sense of what options are available to you and your pet. This, coupled with our other regular series on alternative healing modalities (such as the article on essential oils in the June/ July 2015 issue of Raw Pet Digest and the article on animal chiropractic in this issue), will empower you with even more information as to the myriad of options that are available when your pet?s body and immune system need a little extra support. Welcome to the first article in this regular series! In the June/ July issue of Raw Pet Digest, we talked a lot about essential oils. Many of you wrote in and told me how you use essential oils for your pets, but some of you also had questions about how you can use essential oils even more. I think that researching various essential oils and experimenting to see what resonates best with your pet both go quite a long way, but what if you want to talk to someone who is trained specifically in using essential oils? You could speak with a certified animal naturopath or a certified aromatherapist. This month, we feature one such business: Dr. Kelly Ablard PhD, EOT, RA: Fine Essential Oil Blends Customized for You and Your Pets.
Dr. Ablard first became interested in aromatherapy almost 25 years ago when she was advised to use a blend of essential oils to address endless migraines. As she puts it, ?Their great efficacy led to my pronounced respect and appreciation for aromatherapy.? Eventually, she decided to become a certified aromatherapist so that she could learn more about the healing powers of essential oils and provide an alternative therapy to support the well-being of others. In addition to being a certified and registered essential oil therapist, she holds a PhD in Chemical Ecology, an MSc in Primate Conservation, and a BSc in Zoology. She sits on the Board of the British Columbia Association of Practicing Aromatherapists and is a member of both the British Columbia Alliance of Aromatherapy and the Alliance of International Aromatherapists. Primarily, Dr. Ablard?s business focuses on supporting and enhancing the well-being of people and animals (companion and captive) through the use of essential oils. I think it is important to reiterate here that, just as we mentioned in the article ?Introduction to Essential Oils? in the June/ July 2015 issue, Dr. Ablard recognizes that essential oils can support and enhance well-being, but they do not, in and of themselves, ?cure? diseases or illness. In addition to supporting and enhancing well-being, she also offers consultations on olfactory marketing, scent branding, research design for olfactory-based studies, and workshops, classes, and seminars on aromatherapy and chemical communication across the animal kingdom. While Dr. Ablard has found that many dogs and cats require essential oils that have anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, anti-spasmodic, sedative, and analgesic properties, her favorite oils for dogs and cats are: - Peppermint (Mentha piperita) and ravensara (Ravensara aromatica) for dogs - Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) and geranium (Pelargonium gravolens) for cats 34
Dr. Ablard is able to create unique essential oil blends that will specifically support and enhance each individual on a case-by-case basis. She offers Skype or FaceTime consultations as well as in-office and in-home visits (in-home visits are limited to the lower Mainland area of Vancouver, British Columbia). Prior to the consultation, a health history of the pet must be completed and signed. In the case of online consultations, the pet owner can scan and email the signed health history prior to the unique essential oil blend being created. Once the consultation is completed, the blends will be made and shipped to the pet owner within 24 hours (if the consultation takes place in-person, the blends are made at the time of the consultation). I was quite interested in the various ways she has been able to help dogs and cats with essential oils, and so I asked her to describe her favorite experience working with a dog or cat. Here is what she had to say: ?My favourite experience was working with a beautiful dog called Molly who suffered from Cushing's disease. She was having difficulty walking and had a large tumour growing behind her ear. The blend I created for Molly was quite
helpful. It was a joyful moment when I heard that Molly, who was treated with the blend topically for a little over two weeks, would no longer be needing surgery, and had walked more in a week than she had in months.? Dr. Ablard goes on to say, ?Essential oils are used as the first line of treatment in conventional medicine throughout parts of Europe to treat people, and animals are known to self-medicate with essential oils. The essence of plants are powerful remedies. I think people forget that most 'Westernized' pharmaceuticals originated from medicinal plants, but when synthesized into drugs, the plants are altered in a way that may diminish their intended healing benefits. I think there is value in researching the therapeutic properties of essential oils and implementing them on a clinical level (i.e. aromatherapy) so that people and animals can begin to heal in the ways nature intended.? If you are interested in setting up a consultation for yourself or your pet with Dr. Ablard, or if you would like to learn more about the services she provides, go to her website at www.kellyablard.com or email her (kelly.ablard@gmail.com). She is available Monday through Friday, 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM Pacific time, and Saturday and Sunday 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM Pacific time. -By Kristin Clark
Emma and Dr. Kelly Ablard. Photo credit: Kelly Ablard.
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STARTINGTHECONVERSATION: ANINTRODUCTIONTOVACCINES Vaccinations. For many people? both supporters and non? the very mention of the word can cause an almost religious fervor. It seems like almost everyone has a strong opinion about vaccines, their efficacy, and whether or not they are safe for our pets and ourselves. The subject of vaccinations is of course far beyond the scope of one article, so we will be addressing the topic not just in this issue, but in upcoming issues as well. Our goal here at Raw Pet Digest is to open up a conversation about vaccinations by bringing you solid information that you may not otherwise be aware of, and, as always, letting you make your own, informed decision about the information presented. As we have emphasized in Raw Pet Digest since we launched, personal accountability is one of the tenets of naturopathy. The role of a naturopath is to educate and inform, not to convince. And, of course, as your pet?s guardian, your role is to help them achieve and maintain true health so they can live a long and happy life where they thrive, not just survive. Keep these facts in mind as you read the information we present about vaccinations, whatever your stance is. Try, as much as you?re able, to let go of any preconceived notions you may have? just as you may have had to let go of preconceived notions about the best food to feed your carnivore pet. Keeping an open mind and thinking critically about the information and beliefs you hear and hold are vital in making sure that your pet always gets the best support possible in maintaining balance and health in mind, body, and spirit.
Š Pera021 | Dreamstime.com - Veterinary Surgeon Is Giving The Vaccine To The Dog German Sheph Photo
Most people in Western society have been taught that vaccinations are the only way to prevent disease and stay healthy, but is this really the case? Are vaccinations effective? Are they safe? What does the unbiased research show? And why is there such a push for more and more vaccinations for animals and people? We will aim to answer, in an objective way, all of those questions, over the course of this and upcoming issues. In this article, we will take a brief look at vaccinations, some of the theory behind them, and alternate theories. In future issues, we will explore these topics in much greater detail, and of course look more closely at alternative and natural ways to keep our pets healthy and thriving. Louis Past eur and t he Germ Theory In the 1800s, Louis Pasteur put forth what he called the ?germ theory.? Essentially, this theory says that germs are the cause of disease; to eradicate disease, we must eradicate and kill the germs (note that ?germs? refers not just to bacteria, but also to viruses, fungi, and protozoa). As Tim O?Shea puts it 36
in his book The Sanctity of Human Blood, ?the germ theory stated that there were separate diseases and that each disease was caused by a separate microorganism. It was the job of science? to find the right drug or vaccine that would selectively kill off the offending bug without killing the patient.? Our society?s acceptance of the germ theory is why so many of us, when someone is sick, try to avoid that person at all costs. We worry that they will spread their germs to us and we will be powerless to resist those germs, which will almost invariably lead to us getting sick ourselves. This wholehearted acceptance of the germ theory is worth examining. As we continue the conversation on vaccinations, start to think critically about the theory. Does it bear up under close scrutiny? Does anyone stand to profit from it? Do you accept it because it?s what you?ve been told your whole life, or because it truly makes sense? Do you know anyone that always seems to be healthy, even in the face of other people succumbing to whatever is ?going around?? Conversely, do you know anyone that seems to constantly get sick, even when other people around them are completely healthy? How do these sorts of occurrences fit into the germ theory? Louis Pasteur, who was actually a chemist, not a doctor, founded much of his career on the germ theory. But were there any other theories, either then or later, as to what really caused disease and illness? Ant oine Bechamp and t he Terrain Theory One of Louis Pasteur?s contemporaries was a scientist named Antoine Bechamp. He took a different approach to disease, illness, and their causes. His research led him to the conclusion that bacteria and parasites can only wreak havoc in an unhealthy environment. This is the idea behind the terrain theory: that germs are only a problem when they gain a foothold in a host because that host has a weak, out-of-balance immune system. The terrain theory explains why some people seem to never get sick, even if they are surrounded by illness and disease: their immune systems are in balance, so bacteria and parasites can?t overwhelm them. This
doesn?t mean that the germs aren?t in the host? they are, but in balance, so they are not a threat. It also explains why some people frequently get sick; their immune systems are weak and therefore unable to maintain a proper balance of bacteria. The ?bad? bacteria can overwhelm their immune systems, and illness results. Germ Theory vs Terrain Theory Most people have never heard of Antoine Bechamp and the terrain theory. His theory, while widely accepted by many of his contemporaries, had one major drawback: it did not have the potential to bring about as much profit as the germ theory did. This is because the germ theory focused on the idea of disease prevention rather than maintaining health. In other words, it put the burden of disease prevention in the hands of scientists and pharmaceutical companies, because the only way to ?protect? against the germs that were ?causing? illness was through a drug or vaccine. And that ?protection? is worth a lot: according to the National Vaccine Information Center, the global vaccine market is currently worth $30 billion, and is expected to rise to $100 billion by 2025. The terrain theory, of course, can never bring in money on that scale. That's because it says that as long as an organism?s immune system is in balance (which is achievable by following the 8 laws of health we described in the April/ May 2015 issue), it can maintain the health of the organism. Organs, tissues, and systems would be healthy, and germs would not have a suitable environment (or terrain) that they could flock to and throw out of balance. Many scientists of Pasteur and Bechamp?s times believed that an overabundance of germs (such as occurred in a diseased individual) were indicators of weakened, unhealthy tissue. This was because diseased 37
tissue was a target area for germs? it was a hospitable area for them. However, the germs did not cause the weakened state. On the contrary, they simply took advantage of it, much like vultures take advantage of carrion they come across. Vultures, of course, do not cause an animal to die, but as soon as it?s dead they come in huge numbers to eat. Perhaps, if you never saw the actual predator that killed the animal, but only saw that dead animals were surrounded by large numbers of vultures feeding on them, you might conclude that vultures were the cause of the animal?s death, rather than opportunistic scavengers taking advantage of that death. Germs are like vultures: the terrain theory states that they do not cause the tissue to be diseased or weakened, but they do flock to that diseased tissue because it is a hospitable environment in which they can feed and reproduce. And, of course, this allows far greater numbers of them than would normally be found in a healthy host, which means that the immune system is thrown further out of balance and illness and disease can occur. Vaccinat ion vs immunizat ion As a society, we have been programmed to think that vaccinations are synonymous with immunization. We have been led to believe that by vaccinating our pets, our children, and ourselves, we gain immunity from disease. But are vaccinations actually synonymous with immunization? Not really. Immunization means to
make someone (person or animal) immune to something. Vaccination, however, means to give someone a vaccine. This is an important distinction, and one that deserves some critical attention: giving someone a vaccination is not the same as making someone immune to something. If vaccinations did confer immunity, it would stand to reason that once you or your pet was vaccinated against something, you or they would no longer get that disease, ever. You and your pet would be immune to it. But in fact, that is not the case. Take the case of boosters, for example: veterinarians and doctors insist that things like booster shots are necessary, which indicates that immunization was not conferred by the vaccination. Or think about the claim that is sometimes made that an unvaccinated animal threatens the health of others, even those that have been vaccinated. If vaccination conferred immunity, wouldn't vaccinated animals be completely immune to the disease in question, no matter what? Vaccinat ions and disease While we will explore this more in future issues, I think it is worth taking a quick look at what is generally found in vaccines in this article. Most vaccines contain formaldehyde, aluminum, mercury, and other similar things; these are called adjuvants, or helpers. Formaldehyde, of course, is a carcinogenic. Mercury can cause permanent nerve damage and autoimmune
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disorders. Aluminum is known to be a strong neurotoxin. In addition to the adjuvants, there is the active part of the vaccine: the disease itself, which is grown or cultured in various mediums, including the lung cells of aborted human fetuses, kidneys of African green monkeys, infected animal cells, or human blood. Remember, according to the germ theory, we must defend against the germs that ?cause? disease. Vaccines were created under the assumption that, when an organism is exposed to a disease through the vaccine, that animal or person will produce antibodies to the disease, which will result in lifetime immunity because it will teach the immune system what the disease looks like and how to deal with it. This idea also partly came about from the fact that natural immunity is achieved when a living organism is naturally exposed to a disease. However, natural exposure occurs much differently than exposure that comes from a vaccination. Natural immunity happens after recovering from the disease. This is because, when the actual disease occurs, even though the tissues are in a weakened state, the bacteria or virus or parasite must pass through many of the body?s natural immune defenses, such as (for example) those found in the nose, throat, and lungs, before ever reaching the bloodstream. Additionally, the actual, natural disease does not contain the adjuvants carried in vaccines, which can throw the immune system into further disarray and weaken it more. By passing through in a natural fashion (such as through the nose, mouth, and lungs), the germs trigger many biological events that are essential in building true natural immunity. When a vaccine is introduced directly into the bloodstream, especially for a disease that would otherwise never be able to bypass the body?s front-line defenses, the immune system must frantically scramble to overcome the germs and realign in balance. However, when a puppy, kitten, or child experiences a disease naturally, their
immune system is able to learn how to properly deal with the issue and lifetime immunity is the result. This is true for all diseases: the goal for our pets must be complete immunity, which can be achieved safely through natural immunity. In future issues, we will look at some of the common diseases and illnesses that people routinely vaccinate against, including parvo, one of the most feared puppy illnesses, and see that it is possible to gain natural immunity from them? and in fact, many have. Vaccines and Nat ural Heal t h As I mentioned at the beginning of the article, the subject of vaccines is a huge one, more than could possibly be covered in a single article. While we will be discussing it at length in future issues, I wanted to start you thinking about vaccinations and where they fit (or not!) in helping your pet achieve natural health. Following the 8 laws of health with your pet means that you give your pet species-appropriate food; daily, appropriate exercise; clean, pure water; access to sunshine and (where needed) the correct supplements; practice moderation; allow your pet fresh air; give them plenty of quality rest; and trust in the natural process. All of these things result in the natural health and balance of the immune system. In other words, your pet?s internal terrain stays healthy, which means that bacteria cannot gain a foothold. When your pet is exposed to various diseases, their internal terrain and immune system can respond appropriately to the disease, which ensures that they remain healthy and gain the benefit of natural, lifetime immunity. Many vets and mainstream society would have you believe that the only way to ensure the health and safety of your pet is through vaccinations, but this is based on the notion that the germ theory is correct. Again, as you think about natural health for your pet, remember the 8th law of health: trust. And remember to ask yourself who stands to profit from vaccines, and by how much. -By Kristin Clark 39
THESTORYOFWOLFBEAR
WolfBear, a German Shepherd, with his best friend, Cheryl Olmstead. Photo credit: Cheryl Olmstead
I love animals and nature. Growing up, my grandmother called me the ?Pied Piper,? because I made friends with every furry or feathered creature I met. Like many kids, I loved dogs best, and my sister and I would occasionally set up camp in our backyard, snuggled in between our three dogs for an adventurous night under the stars. During the times that I didn?t share my life with a dog, I longed for one and would often check the rescue pages just in case a window would open and fate would allow me to welcome a new best fur friend into my arms. Looking back, I?ve loved many dogs, each one exceptionally. I?m a firm believer that our walk of faith allows us to go through many seasons (joy, sadness, tribulation, and even sickness) to prepare us for the journey ahead. We are refined by these experiences, and they are the foundation as well as building blocks of our lives. If we ignore our foundation or a block is askew, our purpose and journey is weakened. Dogs make up part of that journey; each one arriving at the perfect time, weaving their lives in and around ours. They bring us joy, healing, companionship, and when they leave us, inevitable heartache. Each dog is a unique gift, an individual in personality and temperament. But there is usually one dog in our lives that stands out from among the rest. Perhaps without the pets we?ve loved previously, we would not be able to love that one special dog in the way that we do.
Harley and WolfBear. Photo credit: Cheryl Olmstead
The special one, sometimes referred to as a ?heart dog? or ?soul dog,? is the dog with whom we connect with on a higher plane. There is a closer bond, a deeper relationship, and a way of communicating with this best friend that cannot easily be put into words. Everyone who has experienced this relationship with their own heart dog knows exactly what I mean. My heart dog is resting beside me as I type this; his name is WolfBear. He?s my brave boy, friend, companion, playmate, and healer. I can?t imagine life without him, and I want to give him the best, healthiest, longest life possible. I want to stretch out every minute of it so that I can appreciate and enjoy him for as long as he?s entrusted into my care. He is a gem of a dog. Yet, I?m certain, without the love and loss of the dogs before him, our relationship would not be what it is today. By loving and caring for the dogs that came before him, I learned lessons on health and nutrition, which prepared me to learn how to meet his needs better. On January 20, 2012, at twelve weeks of age, WolfBear arrived by airplane at the Dallas airport. A German Shepherd, he was already in the earliest stages of future protection sports training, yet his owner needed to rehome him. At the time, we had one long-coat German Shepherd named Harley and had been looking for another female like her. WolfBear is a male with a standard coat. But one look at a picture of his adorable, needy little face and we knew it was meant to be! After picking WolfBear up from the airport, we drove the three hours home while he slept like a log in his crate. I could not wait to get my hands on his adorable puppy self and introduce him to Harley. I dreamed of sweet puppy kisses, fuzzy puppy snuggles, and holding him close. Once home, what I got when I opened his crate was a twenty-five pound land shark that had been in training to increase his prey drive. He had been encouraged to bite. He latched his razor-sharp teeth onto anything that moved with extraordinary intensity. Unfortunately, his first demonstration 41
Dogsarepart of our journey: eachonearrivingat the perfect time,weavingtheir livesinandaroundours. They bringusjoy,healing,companionship,andwhentheyleave us,inevitableheartache. -Cheryl Ol mst ead
Photo credit: Milton Clark
was on my husband?s forearm. He was not a vicious or mean dog. He was simply doing what he was trained to do from six to twelve weeks, and he did it very well. He was a wooly black and tan warrior who took his job seriously, and that part of his personality was not quite expected. Hours after meeting him, I realized WolfBear didn?t know how to relax. He had been working for his food, in training all day from a very young age, and his intensity level was off the charts. Dreams of kisses and cuddles quickly evaporated for fear he?d take a bite of my face. Harley took the brunt and although they played, her cheek was quickly chewed to a bloody pulp, which was unacceptable. At this point I called in a very well-respected trainer experienced with sporting dogs to evaluate WolfBear. The trainer said he had never seen a puppy with that level of intensity, yet assured me he was just doing what he learned to do and gave me tips on how to work with him. If there was an upside, it was that WolfBear already knew his basic commands, was house trained, crate trained, and extremely smart. He loved his toys and quickly bonded to all of us. I began to hand-feed him and engaged him in light training and lots of play. Sadly, he also suffered from severe allergies. It was apparent that owning WolfBear would require an investment into his health and physical and mental wellbeing. We loved him enough to give him that, and soon he realized he no longer needed to perform. I witnessed the exact moment of transformation when the mantel of intensity fell from his countenance, his eyes lit up, and he visibly relaxed for the first time. Joy! Owning WolfBear is a privilege and a delightful challenge. He is extremely social, adores people, and is never far from his ball. He is generous with sweet doggy kisses, loving nibbles, and is the perfect 105-pound mischievous snuggle buddy. He is also very high energy and could be the poster child for the need to adhere to the 8 laws of health. His immune system was very weak when we got him, and he requires fresh and natural food to keep him free
from harmful medications and breaking out into itchy fits complete with red paws, yeasty ears, and anal gland misery. Being my only dog, his minimal requirement of two hours of exercise a day forces me to enjoy the outdoors when I might be tempted to work too many hours. His freethinking, smart mind, and his ability to communicate, is engaging, and fosters a relationship of deep respect and emotional and spiritual connection. My faith has grown in learning how to care for him naturally. I?m able to give him this gift and for that I am grateful. Through owning him and Harley, who suffered her own serious health challenges, the course of my life changed. I spent many years researching about dog health and wellness; as a professional website and content marketing copywriter, my specialty is now focused on enabling dogs to thrive. I?m about to unveil my new website, The Canine Life, and I?m also in the process of taking animal naturopathy courses. I?m passionate about wanting to spread the news that dogs can live happier and healthier lives that fulfill them physically, mentally, and spiritually when we provide them what they need to thrive. -By Cheryl Olmstead
WolfBear. Photo credit: Cheryl Olmstead
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Merl in enjoying a chicken. Phot o credit : Bre Al t herr
RAW PET DIGEST August/ September 2015