New Canine Vaccine Protocol

Source: Dr. Karen Becker  www. mercolapets.com Two years ago, the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) canine vaccination task force updated their vaccination guidelines. The task force changed the previous annual protocol for core vaccines to an every 3-year protocol, with the exception of 1-year rabies shots. (In many states you can choose either a 1-year or 3-year rabies vaccine for your pet. If you choose a 1-year shot, or if your state doesn't offer a 3-year vaccine, the annual protocol is required by law.) The task force also acknowledged in the updated guidelines that for non-rabies core vaccines, immunity lasts at least 5 years for distemper and parvovirus, and at least 7 years for adenovirus. This means that even the updated 3-year protocol is overkill. Veterinarians who are vaccine minimalists, and certainly I am one of them, viewed this protocol change as a small step in the right direction. We feel re-vaccinating pets against diseases they are already immune to poses    significant and unnecessary health risks Why Are 60 Percent of Vets Still Doing Annual Re-Vaccinations? Sadly, despite the new guidelines that are now two years old, members of the traditional veterinary community have been slow to adopt the new recommended protocol. According to Mark Kimsey, a DVM who works for Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc., a veterinary pharmaceutical company, "Basically, what we're seeing is there's a gradual trend toward three-year protocols." Dr. Richard Ford, a DVM who is on both the AAHA canine vaccination task force and the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) feline vaccination advisory panel, agrees with Kimsey. "It's a slow change," says Ford. "Most practices still recommend annual vaccinations. All the vet schools are teaching triennial vaccinations." Ford believes, based on feedback from vaccine manufacturer sales reps, that 60 percent of veterinary practices are still re-vaccinating on an annual rather than every 3-year basis. "Some acknowledged the reality and changed their protocols, while others, fearing loss of a major source of revenue, argued against anything other than the time-honored paradigm: annual boosters," said Ford. It appears there's no shortage of vets out there willing to openly admit they don't want to lose the income from unnecessary vaccinations and new, safer protocols be damned. Hopefully you're not taking your own pet to a veterinarian with a similarly misguided, dangerous practice philosophy.  Unwilling to Change? Addicted to Easy Money? Or a Bit of Both? According to Veterinary Practice News, Dr. Gary D. Norsworthy, owner of Alamo Feline Health Center in San Antonio and a practicing vet for 40 years, is among the 60 percent who aren't budging from an annual vaccination schedule for their patients. His rationale is that he has a number of clients who will only bring their cats in for wellness exams if they believe vaccines are needed. Norsworthy says he's determined not to lose the opportunity to do annual checkups on cats in his practice. So he uses only the 1-year rabies vaccine, and tells his clients he must see their cats yearly. Norsworthy believes "Internet chatter" scares cat owners into believing vaccines are dangerous. He notes that his practice vaccinated 25 percent fewer cats in 2012 compared to 2007. He says he sees only one case of feline vaccine-associated sarcoma for every 65,000 vaccines he injects. Clearly, Dr. Norsworthy, like many conventional vets, makes no connection between other feline health problems and repeated unnecessary annual vaccinations. Like Norsworthy, many DVMs don't know or don't choose to know about the dozens of other health crises that can arise as the result of vaccines, and especially as the result of repeated re-vaccinations. Rather than figure out how to give clients logical, legitimate reasons to bring their pets in for regular wellness exams, the majority of vets apparently prefer to continue the risky business of re-vaccinating their patients year in and year out. Could it be this approach to pet care is why veterinary visits have steadily declined in recent years? Is it really so difficult to explain to pet owners the benefits of bringing their dog or cat in for at least one wellness visit a year? From my experience, it's not difficult at all. I see the majority of the patients in my practice for wellness visits twice a year, and it is extremely rare that I administer any vaccine to an adult animal, excluding the mandatory 3-year rabies. Also according to Dr. Ford, there are some DVMs who would like to follow the new guidelines, but are concerned that vaccine product labels include text that reads "annual booster recommended." This seems a very strange argument in favor of continuing annual vaccinations, doesn't it? If canine and feline vaccination advisory panels have established new recommended guidelines, why would a vet choose instead to take the advice of the vaccine manufacturer's product label?

Spice Remedy for Arthritis

Arthritic Spice Remedy

This is one small topic we covered. This ONE spice in your kitchen is a POWERFUL anti-inflammatory, and can seriously HELP any arthritic pet… What it is and HOW to give it  Curcumin (found in the spice turmeric). There have been positive clinical trials with people using it for arthritis. A past study also found that a turmeric extract composed of curcuminoids (plant-based nutrients that contain powerful antioxidant properties) blocked inflammatory pathways, effectively preventing the launch of a protein that triggers swelling and pain The best way to give it is by adding turmeric to your dogs diet: 1/4 teaspoon per 10 lbs given daily in food. This can also safely be given to cats. The 95% curcuminoids are also available - doses of 50-100 mg/10 lbs daily. This is being added to my new supplement. www.flintriverranchstore.com

NuVet Plus Healthy Pets Naturally

NuVet Plus®

For Dogs & Cats: Healthy Pets Naturally 

At NuVet Labs® we know that a major cause for the ill health of our beloved pets is the lack of proper nutrition with their diets. This is the main reason we developed NuVet Plus®. NuVet Plus® is the culmination of 8 years of research and development, formulated with the goal of creating a nutrient formula that would go beyond mere vitamin replenishment.  The supplement is instead a full-spectrum nutritional supplement that focuses on the root cause of illness and disease while simultaneously boosting your pet’s immune system and overall health.

Today’s pet foods, even premium brands, can contain toxins, and bad bacteria.  Almost all use “meat by-products”; that is an industry term for anything other than meat. Many of the other ingredients are fillers like corn, wheat and barley. Which are prime sources for allergies, skin problems and other more serious ailments.  The regulation of  these ingredients tend to be lax, which means they could end up being tainted with disease causing pathogens.

Our team of pet industry scientists, vets and medical specialists created NuVet Plus® to be a high quality product that incorporates a precise formula of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, herbs and antioxidants that performs synergistically to bring together all the vital ingredients required to improve your pet’s health and keep them healthy. NuVet Plus® is made using only Natural, Human Grade ingredients that are formulated in a FDA registered Pharmaceutical Laboratory. We use a special “paddle dried”, whole chicken liver that provides vitamin potency as well as a taste your pet will love.

NuVet® ingredients are compounded to maintain their integrity and bio-digestibility for complete cellular infusion. Check out our full Ingredient list and descriptions to understand how these crucial elements can help your pet overcome illnesses, allergies and diseases and help them maintain a quality life full of good health, vigor and vitality.

Free Radicals and Antioxidants

With mainstream veterinarian medicine becoming more aware of the harmful effects of free radicals, doctors are more frequently telling their clients to give their pets quality nutritional supplements. Today’s best supplement is specially formulated to attack the cause of an ailment and fortify bones, organs and the immune system.

The NuVet Labs® research team started with the premise that even the most expensive pet foods available are lacking in basic nutrients essential for proper cell support and longevity. It is a fact that some of the ingredients in pet food produce free radicals or unstable oxygen molecules which causes oxidation of the cells and subsequent mutation and death of the cells. Our pets' counterparts in the wild eat a much more balanced diet that is required for the proper maintenance of health.

Recent studies have shown free radicals to be implicated as the cause of more than 50 diseases including heart disease, various forms of cancer, cataracts, and premature aging. Free radicals are unstable oxygen molecules that, according to research, can hit each cell in the body 10,000 times each day. As these free radicals constantly hit the cell membrane, it starts to break down and become weak. This weakness will eventually lead to cell mutation or death of the cell, thereby, attacking the healthy parts of the body and degrading the immune system.

Antioxidants are vitamins, minerals and enzymes that protect the body from the damaging effects of free radicals. Antioxidants, which have healing properties, are found in certain vitamins and foods. The body manufactures a defense against free radicals in the form of antioxidants. However, there are more free radicals actively destroying the cell membrane than our body can defend against. This is where the powerful antioxidants in NuVet Plus® step in to assist the natural defense mechanism of the body. When NuVet Labs® is introduced into the body, there is a boosting of the immune system and a decrease in the ravages of free radicals.

We can help our animals protect against free radicals by supplementing their diet with NuVet Plus®, the product that is formulated to be the most powerful antioxidants available.

Most humans are aware of the destructive power of free radicals and are now taking antioxidants, either in supplement form or by eating the proper types of food. Our pets deserve to have their physiological defenses strengthened so they too, need the beneficial effects of a potent supplement--NuVet Plus®.

NuVet Plus® Canine formula contains: Blue Green Algae, Brewer’s Yeast, Cat’s Claw, Evening Primrose Oil, Shark Cartilage, Oyster Shell, Alpha Amylase, Beta Carotene, Pine Bark, Papain, L Methionine, Alfalfa, Chicken Liver, Vitamin B1 (Thiamin), Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid), Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine), Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, Vitamin K, Manganese, Magnesium, Iron, Copper, Amino Acids (Tryptophan, Threonine, Isoluecine, Luecine, Lysine, Methionine, Cystine, Phenylalanine, Tyrosine, Valine, Arginine, Histidine, Alanine, Aspartic Acid, Glutamic Acid, Glycine).

Vitamins:
Vitamin A  (from beta-carotene)       1000 IU
Vitamin E                                              50 IU
Vitamin C                                              50 mg

Minerals:
Phosphorus                                          83 mg
Potassium                                            50 mg
Zinc                                                       10 mg
Calcium                                              100 mg
Selenium                                            350 mcg

NuVet Plus® Feline formula contains:
Whey Protein, Taurine, Blue Green Algae, Brewers Yeast, Cat’s Claw, Evening Primrose Oil, Shark Cartilage, Oyster Shell, Alpha Amylase, Beta Carotene, Pine Bark, Papain, L Methionine, Chicken Liver, Manganese, Magnesium, Iron, Copper, Amino Acids, Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, and B12.

Vitamin A (from beta-carotene)            1000 IU
Vitamin E                                                  25 IU
Vitamin C                                                  25 mg
Calcium                                                    80 mg
Phosphorus                                              65 mg
Zinc                                                             5 mg
Potassium                                                15 mg
Selenium                                                100 mcg

ORDER YOUR SUPPLY NOW HERE

NuJoint DS Double Strength

Introducing NuJoint DS™ Double Strength

All natural ingredients, no artificial anything, no preservatives Cold pressed to keep nutrients at full strength.

Introducing the newest addition to the NuVet line of natural products: NuJoint Double-Strength (DS)! This hip and joint therapy supplement can help dogs of all ages by accelerating the healing process and reducing pain quickly – now with increased anti-inflammatory properties!

PROTECT: NuJoint DS can be used as a preventative measure to help reduce the risk of osteoarthritis and cartilage deterioration.

STRENGTHEN: NuJoint DS supports optimal joint health and mobility, helping to keep your pet pain free for a longer, happier life.

HEAL: For dogs suffering from joint pain due to osteoarthritis or hip dysplasia, NuJoint DS helps improve mobility by lubricating joints and rebuilding cartilage.

NuJoint DS has increased amounts of the active ingredients MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane), Glucosamine, and Chondroitin. NuJoint DS also includes Vitamin C (Ester-C®) which is required for the synthesis of collagen (a component of joint cartilage), and it can also reduce free radical damage to cartilage. We only use the highest-quality pharmaceutical, human grade ingredients, cold-processed and specifically compounded in a FDA-registered laboratory for maximum potency and effectiveness.

NuJoint DS chewable wafers are flavored with real chicken liver and easy for pets to digest. NuJoint DS is safe and beneficial for dogs of all ages, including pregnant females.

Each NuJoint DS Wafer Contains:500 mg. Glucosamine Sulfate
250 mg. Chondroitin Sulfate
250 mg. MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane)
50 mg. Vitamin C (Ester-C®)
Flavored with Real Chicken Liver 

Recommended Daily Dosage by Pet Weight (lbs.):

Under 10	1/2-1 wafer
10-24	1 wafer
25-49	2 wafers
50-100	3 wafers
Over 100	4 wafers

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Dog Worms and Treatments

Dog Worms and Treatments By Dr Andrew Jones | February 17, 2012

Worms in dogs are very common, with up to 1/3 of all dogs being infected with intestinal parasites; roundworms, tapeworms, coccidia and giardia. In this article, I’ll go over the most common types of worms, and how you can tell if your dog has worms. I’ll then go on to show you how to prevent dog worms, and give the best ways to treat them, both with conventional medication and natural solutions.
Roundworms are most common; these worms are 1-3 inches long, white, and tapered or round- hence the name roundworm. The veterinary name for roundworms is Toxocara canis. These are what most puppies have when diagnosed with worms. Dogs with roundworms often have a distended belly, appearing bloated. In large infestations they can cause vomiting, diarrhea and weight loss, although most pet owners diagnose them by seeing a worm in their dog’s stool. These are easily transmitted from dog to dog via worm eggs in the stool and on the ground.
Tapeworms are the next most common intestinal parasite of dogs; they are known as Dipylidium canis. Most dogs with tapeworms have few clinical signs, although a heavy infestation can cause intestinal upset and weight loss. These are easy to diagnose by finding segments of the tapeworm in your dogs stool- the segments are flat, white, and sometimes described as flat grains of rice. Dogs acquire most tapeworms after ingesting a flea; the tapeworm lifecycle includes maturing in a flea to be able to be transmitted to other dogs. Tapeworms can also be transmitted with other animals, such as your dog ingesting a mouse.
Coccidia is a worm like microscopic intestinal parasite that commonly causes diarrhea in puppies, but can affect older dogs with compromised immune systems. Coccidia is spread from dog to dog via eggs in the stool, contaminating the water and environment. Some dogs can have a small number of coccidia in their intestinal tract, but the organism flourishes if the pup is under stress ( such as overcrowded, unsanitary conditions), leading to diarrhea. Coccidia can be diagnosed with a veterinary microscopic fecal flotation, and should be suspected in any puppy with diarrhea that doesn’t respond to traditional roundworm treatment.
Giardia is a water borne intestinal parasite that more commonly affects adult dogs causing diarrhea; it is also known as ‘beaver fever’. Giardia gets into the water via contamination by wild animals ( such as beavers) and infected dogs. The giardia cysts multiply in the intestinal tract, leading to the signs of diarrhea with blood or mucous in the stool. It is a very difficult parasite to diagnose in veterinary practice, so many clinicians may just treat your dog for it with a conventional anti-giardia medication.
Good hygiene and common sense is the best way to prevent your dogs from getting dog worms in the first place. Pick up feces outside on your lawn, and prevent your dog from eating other dog’s feces. Restrict your dog from drinking water in contaminated creeks, or water that is stagnant in small pools. Practice adequate flea control to limit the likelihood of tapeworms, and ensure that your dog has a hygienic, un-crowded environment to decrease the chances of developing coccidia.
The conventional treatment for dog worms depends upon the type of intestinal parasite your dog has. Roundworms are easy to treat with a common, and safe medication called pyrantel palmoate; avoid using any of the older de-wormers containing piperazine as they can be very unsafe. Treatment with Pyran (Pyrantel) is 2 doses, 10-14 days apart. As most puppies have roundworms, I suggest having them all dosed with Pyran at 6 and 8 weeks- they may need additional treatments. Tapeworms respond well to treatment with praziquantel, which may be combined with pyran ( drontal); generally only 1 dose is required. Coccidia respond best to the sulfa antibiotics, usually sulfadimethoxine ( S-125, or Albon); the dose being 250mg per 10lbs once daily for 14-21 days. Giardia can be treated with 2 common conventional medications, metronidazole, and an older dewormer called fenbendazole. Fenbendazole is also effective against other intestinal parasites, and is becoming the treatment of choice for Giardia. The fenbendazole dose is 250mg per 10lbs once daily for 3-7 days.
A number of different natural remedies are being used to help treat and eliminate worms in dogs. Papaya was shown to be effective in eliminating roundworms in pigs, it may work for your pet and at least it will do no harm. Pumpkin seed has been used for tapeworms. If your pet is a great hunter always re-infesting herself with tapeworms, you may want to consider this. The dose is 1 tsp per 10 lbs of body weight of the ground seed. Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) is a common anti-parasitic used for animals: give 1 capsule of the ground herb per 20 lbs of body weight. Garlic has shown some activity against a parasite called Giardia (causes Beaver Fever). It is useful in recurrent infections.
You should now have a good understanding of the common types of worms in dogs, and be able to recognize the common symptoms of infection: vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and worms in the feces. The four most common intestinal parasites are: roundworms, tapeworms, coccidia and giardia- they can all be prevented with adequate dog hygiene. Lastly you should now be aware of the most effective conventional and holistic remedies to treat your dog if they are to acquire any of these intestinal parasites.
Dr Andrew Jones, DVM
www.vetsecrets.info
www.happytalespets.com
www.fintriverranchstore.com

Happy Tale Pets has just found a wonderful treatment that we wanted to share Effective and beneficial alternative to chemical based parasite products for pets and horses http://effectivepetwellness.com/giveaway/ 

Natural Flea Bath

Here is an easy to make all natural flea bath

Ingredients:

• One Lemon
• Water  (about a quart)

Spray Bottle, sponge or pet brush

Bring water to boil. Remove from heat

Add a sliced lemon to the pot and steep over night

Sponge, spray or brush onto pet

Repeat daily or as needed

Why this works: lemons contain Limonene a fleas repellent and killer. 

Won't harm pets in this diluted state.

www.happytalespet.com/nuvetstore

www.FlintRiverRanchStore.com

Feline Kidney Disease Treatment

Kidney Disease? Your vet may have given you the wrong advice
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If your cat has Kidney Failure, most Veterinarians will advise that you place your cat on a low protein diet. Yet, there are no studies showing that restricting protein will prevent further deterioration of kidney function.

In fact Veterinary Cat Specialists are now advising to not restrict protein - they are advising to maintain protein levels and restrict phosphorus, the nutrient in animal protein that is damaging the Kidneys.

Restricting protein causes a variety of problems:

•    Muscle wasting throughout the body. Your cat’s legs will be weaker, making it more difficult for your cat to walk. 

•    Your cat can become Anemic as a component of red blood cells (hemoglobin) is made up of protein. 

•    Your cat can have a decreased immune system – key components called Immunoglobulins are made of protein. 

•    Your cat may also have delayed ability to heal tissue – the cellular processes that perform this are made in part with protein. 


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Some of what to do
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SOLUTIONS

FLUID, FLUID, FLUID. The most important thing that you can do for your pet with renal failure is to maintain adequate hydration. Offer lots of fresh water. Make the switch to canned food. Look at adding in a water fountain.

PHOSPHORUS REDUCTION:

In early stages of Kidney Disease, the single biggest mineral which damages the kidneys is phosphorus. This mineral speeds up destruction of the remaining kidney cells. Feed a diet lower in phosphorus and use phosphorus binders.

ALOH. Aluminum Hydroxide (ALOH) is a phosphorus binder that is used to reduce phosphorus levels in cats and dogs with renal failure. This product is odorless and tasteless and can be mixed with food (it must be administered with food). This is a dose-to-effect medication. A 2001 study by Peter Markewell (BSc, BVetMed, MRCVS) for the Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition found that "...using a phosphate- and protein-restricted diet, in combination with oral phosphorus-binding agents in those cats in which control of hyperphosphatemia [high phosphorus] and RHPTH [renal secondary hyperparathyroidism] was not achieved by diet alone, resulted in more than doubling of average survival time from the commencement of treatment." The ALOH dose is ¼ teaspoon per 10 lbs daily. The Generic Aluminum Hydroxide Gel Powder can be ordered online at www.thrivingpets.com.

You might also want to try NuVet Plus very low in phosphorus but high in the nutrition your cat needs. 

www.nuvet.com/66819