Holistic Veterinary Services

Arden and Wonton - Two Canine Seizure Cases, part 9. Arden is near cure!

2012-02-01T11:58:00.000-08:00

Arden
This is a very grateful, wiggly Arden, now just 4 years old. We could hardly get her to pose for the photo! Her recheck yesterday was stellar, reporting just one, very mild seizure in the past 10 months. Her pretreatment frequency was every 2-12 weeks! That blur you see under my arm is her tail wagging furiously. She is still calmer, less frenetic than pretreatment and was doing well in general. She is near the end of her healing.

It is exceptional that a patient afflicted to a severe degree with a serious problem like epilepsy, become cured in just three doses of one homeopathic remedy, but it does happen. And, perhaps it has for Arden. Only time will tell.

She was treated for Lyme disease recently by the local, conventional veterinarian she sees for routine matters, after testing positive with the standard Lyme test. It is unlikely she had Lyme disease. Her lameness at the time of the appointment was in a leg with a chronic limp, a cartilage injury I suspect. Note that this test is for antibodies, the stuff we all make after exposure to a noxious thing. Since Arden tested positive years ago she will likely always test positive, even though she likely does not have the disease. In fact, she possible never had the disease. For more information see my article on my website www.holvet.net titled Your Dog Does Not Have Lyme at http://www.holvet.net/lyme.html.

I have given Arden a two part treatment to triage her state. First, she has gotten a homeopathic drug for her lameness. It is actually a remedy made from poison ivy. Few folks know that poison ivy will weaken ligaments and make joints sore in addition to creating the infamous itchiness. As a homeopathic preparation it acts much like a perfected vaccine to stimulate an individual to correct a lameness (or itchiness, etc). The second remedy will be a repeat of her original one, in a higher potency. I am hopeful that it will be her last as it stimulates her to make her corrections permanent and erase all tendencies toward seizures. Keep rooting her on.

Arden and Wonton - Two Canine Seizure Cases, part 8. Wonton is still itchy!

2012-01-24T12:41:00.000-08:00

Wonton's progression to cure continues. It seems Wonton's seizures are responding well, with only one seizure noted this month. It is the longest he has ever gone between seizure episodes (six months!) since they started when he was two years old. It was mild and short. His new homeopathic prescription was started in late October (see blog post, Part 7). He improved greatly. His itchiness of his face, paws, and ears was dramatically reduced as was the redness/ inflammation in his skin. His personality became even brighter. Great!

He has also had a new wrinkle (couldn't resist the pun!) in his health. Wonton had two separate incidents of collapse or difficulty/hesitation on jumping/sitting. It was not definitively diagnosed but it is not uncommon for Pugs to have spinal troubles affecting the nerves and/or muscles of the legs. He recovered well without intervention.

His improvement in his skin health has faded and he has finally had another seizure. My assessment is that the remedy is stimulating a curative, homeostatic, or corrective response, but the interval between treatments has been too long. So, onto the next higher potency, or strength of the same remedy.

This is a good illustration of the need to proceed in a timely fashion in constitutional homeopathic treatment. When too much time lapses between points of stimulation in treatment the body tends to slide down that slippery slope back to its familiar chemistry of pathology. It's a bit like weeding a garden. If the job is unfinished and some roots of the problem remain, they will slowly return. Wonton has not lost too much momentum so I expect a full and uneventful return to progression of cure. His next check-in will be within two months.

Arden, on the other hand, is overdue for his six month recheck, however, his owner reported in late October that he is still happily symptom/seizure free. This is now a full year of no seizures, which had bothered him every two to twelve weeks, for most of his young life. He has accomplished this on three single doses of one homeopathic drug. I suspect at this point he may well be cured as defined by homeopathic standards. That is to say, he is symptom free, and the chemistry/physiology that created the problem in the first place is likely permanently corrected. He is not likely to ever have another seizure. He is much healthier than he was before treatment, and he has likely added to his lifespan. I expect him to live months or years longer than he would have without treatment.

I've been a homepath well over two decades now and results like this never cease to amaze me. I'm lucky to witness and be awed by what homeopathy is able to do.

Arden and Wonton - Two Canine Seizure Cases, part 7. Time for Change for Wonton the pug.

2011-10-17T14:52:00.000-07:00

Wonton had his eighth appointment today. He remains seizure free for the past 11 wks! His skin is still a very significant issue and so I'm concluding that his original, and only remedy thus far has stimulated only a partially curative response. A fabulous partially curative response, for which we are very grateful, but partial none the less. We have unfinished business. So the remedy has been changed to match the current symptom picture, ie., the entire group of all the new, active symptoms, as well as the symptoms from the history.

In cases that respond well to homeopathy we often see this reversal of problems. They sometimes show up very obviously in the reverse order of how they first appeared. Wonton had rather severe dermatological issues months or years prior to the seizures. In fact, suppressing the skin problems may have contributed to the expression of the seizures. Now we have a chance to heal the "bad chemistry" rather than drive it deeper. It is likely that treating the skin with suppressive medications would bring back the seizures. We are looking for a true cure here, and Wonton's wonderful owners are being very patient and dedicated to make this happen.

I feel confident about the case and hope to see Wonton resolve some of his skin issues quickly so he can have some fast comfort.

2011-09-26T16:00:00.000-07:00

Notes on Neoplasene for treatment of Cancer in Dogs, Cats and all Animals -

In my veterinary practice I treat more cancer than anything else. Neoplasene has been extremely useful for increasing longevity and quality of life in my patients. Doing mostly phone consultation work with patients at long distances, I am often asked for some qualifying details on the use of the new "herbal chemotherapy" (my label for it) Neoplasene. Here is a bit of background for understanding this promising new choice in cancer treatment.

History - It is not registered as a prescription drugs as are most chemotherapeutic pharmaceuticals. The formulator, Dr. Terry Fox, wanted to get the drug out on the market quickly, into the hands of those who could immediately create great benefit with it - veterinarians. To present it as a drug for humans would have initiated a plethora of legal hoops to jump through and would have cost millions of dollars. The drug would not have reached patients for years, and it's price would have been much, much greater. The FDA has visited Dr Fox and examined his facilities and manufacturing practices. They were satisfied with allowing him to go forward with Neoplasene on the market for animal use only, through sale exclusively to licensed veterinarians.

Neoplasene is a chemotherapeutic agent. Like any other chemotherapy treatment the use and optimal protocol needs to be prescribed and monitored by a veterinarian with Neoplasene experience. This will help ensure positive results and avoidance of many severe or extreme problems. Neoplasene can be well indicated after debulking surgery, although surgery if sometimes not in the best interest of the patient.

Neoplasene is contraindicated in cases where conventional chemotherapy treatment is used. Conventional chemotherapy attacks and depresses the immune system (and other systems needed for optimal health), while Neoplasene stimulates, uses, and needs the immune system (and other systems) for best results. Neoplasene is also contraindicated in cases where antiinflammatories or steroids (like prednisone) are used, though there are exceptions for certain situations. It has been designed to work best in combination with a comprehensive approach including optimal diet and supplementation, as well as homeopathy.

Often the most difficult obstacle for the oral form of Neoplasene (the most commonly used form) is palatability for dogs and cats. It can be mixed with a strongly flavored food or syringed directly by mouth. This is something best worked out on an individual basis.

Neoplasene is not a magic bullet, but it is very powerful. And as is true for all things that are powerful, it can create apparent miracles or (when used without advanced medical knowlege) it can cause great harm. It may not be appropriate in every case. But where it is applicable the benefits can be extraordinary.

Arden and Wonton - Two Canine Seizure Cases, part 6. Good News for Wonton the pug.

2011-08-27T12:32:00.000-07:00

The last post for Wonton stated he had been seizure free for 6 wks (would have had 3 in that time period prior to my treatment) and that his itchy irritated skin was better.

The overall news is good. He has had several rechecks since that time and he is showing a curative pattern of change in his physiology. His road has not been as smooth as Arden's which gives a great opportunity for learning.

6.27.11
One seizure during the first week that the new, higher potency of Thuja was given. This is not totally unexpected. A homeopathic drug stimulates the patient's body to get active and change in a good way. En route some symptoms can get stirred up. This is, in part, because our bodies - dogs, cats, people - all use inflammation as a temporary stage to heal dysfunctions. Of course, when we get stuck in this stage, which happens all too often, we wind up with chronic inflammation and that can wreak havoc on a system. In the temporary stage, on the way to health, this inflammation can cause symptoms to flare up. So Wonton had a seizure. Still a great record.

He also is having more swelling, redness, and itchiness (inflammation!) in his right ear and face. These are old symptoms revisiting, very typical. It may be coincidental - a slight change in diet or environment or it could be a seasonal effect, but we hope it is the due to the reaction stimulated by the remedy. Then it is likely to resolve on its own and usher in a higher level of health.

7.26.11
No seizures! The main issue now is the inflammation and itching of the ear and face, with a new area of irritation in the axilla (arm pit). This is wonderful news. The focus of pathology is now much more superficial - at the level of the skin. Conventionally this pattern is not often acknowledged as a path to improvement/cure. It is obvious with something like an abscess. "It's coming to a head," we say, and we know that's a good thing, as the deep infection pushes its way to the surface. This is true for all curative processes. Wonton's seizures are deep seated in the neurological system. As they have diminished, superficial pathology is flaring. This is called peripheralization, and it is one of the techniques the body uses to heal.

Note, too that these are old symptoms that are revisiting. Wonton had facial swelling after vaccination (vaccinosis) years ago that was suppressed, not cured, with conventional treatment. He also had itchy face and paws last year that was suppressed, not cured, with conventional treatment.

Sorry for the itchies, Wonton, but we welcome them. Now we have the opportunity to cure these issues for good.

I prescribed a higher potency of Thuja and will recheck Wonton in September or October, as needed. Let's wish him luck!

Arden and Wonton - Two Canine Seizure Cases, part 5. Arden is near graduation!

2011-08-26T05:39:00.000-07:00

Arden, the very happy lab came in for a recheck appointment on 6.21.11. His report? NO seizures. Not one. On one day in the previous month he had a moment of a "vacant look" accompanied by tongue smacking. It lasted about 30 seconds. It could have been a very mild petite mal. It could have been something funky tasting he picked up off the ground. We'll never know. It doesn't matter. He is in a very curative pattern, and I hope almost finished ("graduates" I call these patients). Record speed for a seizure case. I like to tell my clients that I like them, but I hope I don't see them very often!

The rest of the 6.21.11 Arden report -
Still calmer and more even tempered. No longer hyper, just energetic. Starting pet therapy training! Amazing. Left hind lameness is gone. No longer eats family's clothing, just carries it around. Ears are fine. Coat looks and feels softer, sleeker, "like silk."

This case is near finished. Treatment was the next higher potency of the same remedy - Thuja occidentalis 1M, and the next recheck is set for 6 months.

I started this case in January. This is what the process of true cure looks like. Arden's chemistry was like a couch potato who needed to train for a marathon. It takes time for the body to change its physiology. When it does, the change is generally permanent. It is reset to the devine default. Just as when a person's body with a fever returns to 98.6. It tends to stay there as that is the default, until of course, something else interferes with the natural functioning.

So there you have it. An "incurable" disease on its way to nonexistence, via homeopathy, proper diet, supplementation, and mostly accomplished by phone consultation with great team work between doctor and owner. Nice job everyone.

I like Arden's mom. I hope I don't talk to her for a while. : )

Arden and Wonton - Two Canine Seizure Cases, part 4. Arden's Good News

2011-05-11T05:54:00.000-07:00

First follow up on Arden, the exuberant lab - 3.3.11

Arden is "doing beautifully" per her owner! She has had a remarkable, immediate behavioral response. Her owner, Mary, can see she is "more even tempered" and "a lot less hyper"! She is coming to call better when she is outdoors and giving up her stolen items (a favorite past time of hers) more readily. This alone is astonishing, that a personality that has been firmly in place for the lifetime of this dog has changed dramatically in one month! This alone is life changing for this dog and her family. What's just as pleasing is the seizure report.

There have been none. It has been a total of 3 mos seizure free, including this last month on the start of her treatment with me. This is the longest amount of time Arden has had between seizures. Could it just be coincidence? Sure. She has had 3 consecutive months without seizures before. But it is also possibly a very good start to her road to cure. It is all the more likelywhen considered in context with the improvement in personality and the skin report. The itching/chewing of the paws and tail have stopped completely! Again, a severe lifelong problem resolved in a month! If you have followed the entire Arden/Wonton thread of blog posts you may recall that Wonton the pug had similar skin issues, and a similar, immediate improvement. Interestingly, Mary also reports that the coat texture has changed. The fur is softer to the touch. This is a common response to my treatment.

Do note that these improvements, at their current level, may not be permanent, yet. While the end result of a cured case will be the enjoyment of these improvements permanently, they may wax and wane over the course of treatment. That is why assessment of the progression of a chronic disease hp case is so difficult and best left to a well trained, experienced professional. It is too easy to react quickly to an improvement fading and want to switch remedies or quit altogether. Patience is a vital skill for a homeopath. And a homeopathic client!

Going forward - the supplements and diet are continued, and Thuja is given at a higher potency to stimulate her chemistry to rise to the next level of healthier function. A recheck is set for two months. I am so excited for Mary and Arden. This is such a great start.

Arden and Wonton - Two Canine Seizure Cases, part 3 - Wonton's Amazing Start

2011-05-11T05:14:00.000-07:00

The story continues happily.

First some background on Wonton, the pug. Now 6 yrs old Wonton has been suffering from seizures for 4 years. That's most of his young life. They are grand mals that happen about once every two weeks. He also has some chronic dermatitis, with much rubbing of his face and licking of his paws. Very uncomfortable. He has had multiple adverse vaccine reactions - acute facial swelling, generized pruritis, rashes, hives, urticaria. He has also suffered from chronic otitis (ear infections) treated palliatively with topical corticosteroid/antibiotic ointments. His personality remains true to his breed - happy, sweet, bright.

His treatment included a customized supplement protocol, a grain-free home-prepared diet to correct his dysbiosis (poor bacterial mix in his stomach and intestines) and the homeopathic drug Thuja occidentalis. You might notice this is the same hp rx as for Arden, our other seizure case in this blog thread. This is just coincidence. Supplements included a good multivitamin (most multivits on the market are poor quality), and another to help with the environment in his GI tract. This is very important. The environment in the stomach and intestines will dictate the environment in the rest of the body, including even the brain.

First Follow Up Appointment - 3.14.11
Amazing! Wonton's owner, Jenna, has been seizure free for the first time since he was two yrs old! It has been six weeks. He should have had three in that time frame. Once he showed signs of starting one but it never came. I have been a doctor in practice for 26 years and practicing homeopathy for 24. I am still amazed and delighted like a child every time I see results that seem so miraculous like this.

Understand that the homeopathic drug did not do what conventional drugs do. The Thuja did not suppress the seizure chemistry, or alter the brain chemistry in any way. All it did was stimulate Wonton to change it, to correct it himself! Like a coach that trains an athlete, Thuja gave the instructions and Wonton's body did the work. This is why homeopathy can truly be called curative. Once a patient's body returns itself to normal chemistry, a state called homeostasis, it tends to stay there. Homeostasis is the default for body function. That is why, when done properly, there is no need for homeopathic treatment after cure is reached. The body is in "balance" and tends to stay there.

Wonton's paw licking has also decreased by approx. 90%. He used to lick for 20 minutes at a time. Now it is just 1-2 minutes. That's a huge difference. There was an aggravation of his occassional tendency to vomit. He had one week where he vomited three times. A typical flare up of symptoms during a move toward cure.

This is a very promising beginning for Wonton!

The Thuja dose was increased and a recheck set for one month.

Wellness Brand Pet Food Warning - 1

2011-03-31T06:36:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I had a phone consultation appointment with a client who lives in the midwest. I have been treating one of her cats since July 2009. It has been a great frustration and sorrow for me as Queen Rose "Smith" had severe symptoms that included severe pain that was poorly responsive to any treatment. It turns out she is likely a victim of the Wellness pet food thiamine deficiency. Thiamine is a member of the B vitamin complex. The deficiency disease is called Beriberi, still a common disease of impoverished countries, but not here in North America! After several months (and a significant financial investment with all her vets) Queen Rose was "cured" within days of starting vitamin B complex injections. Wow. This is yet another example of why I recommend variety as one of my primary dietary guidelines. Variety is so very important - in brands of commercial foods, in flavors within a brand, in types of meats and veggies in home prepared diets. Had Queen Rose's family been able to implement this simple principle from our very first appointment she would likely have responded very quickly. Severe oral pain and anorexia prevented any change in diet at that time. We wrongly trusted her Wellness brand diet to provide adequate nutrition for a curative response to my homeopathic treatment. Brief info on this recall and other current food recalls are listed on the AVMA website and can be viewed at http://www.avma.org/petfoodsafety/recalls/2011/default.asp. Note that the "best by" expiration-type dates listed at this site may not be accurate. This thoughtful client has been feeding Wellness almost exclusively for years to a very large, closed population of cats as she is a wonderful, big-hearted rescuer providing superb care to her crew. She has been experiencing severe problems in several individuals over several years. It has cost thousands of dollars. Many of her loved ones have improved relatively instantly with the supplemental B vitamin injections. So, the problem may be worse than Wellness knows, or worse than they are willing to admit. This is an enormous problem. More to come...

HolVet makes national news

2011-02-21T19:10:00.000-08:00

CBS news has started airing the brief segment they produced two weeks ago at my practice. It features two of my favorite little miracles. Enzo, a very happy Yorkie who no longer seizures and a mini doxie thriving two years after a diagnosis of brain cancer (also with seizures).

You can view it here...
Holistic medicine not just for humans anymore | Eyewitness News 9

I'm very proud of the feature and I hope it will open minds and offer choices to many pet owners. Spread the word!

Arden and Wonton - Two Canine Seizure Cases, part 2

2011-02-16T08:30:00.000-08:00

Background on our seizure cases…

Arden P.

Arden P. is a beautiful, happy, 3 yr old black lab – easy excited and restless in the office. Her photo is not quite ready, yet. I met her Jan 31st. I liked her immediately as she pounded my chest to greet me! She did a great job of self soothing by carrying and shaking a small dog bed that I have in the exam room. Her owner has done a fine job of working with her to redirect her energy. I’m so blessed to work with such wonderful clients.

Arden’s seizures are grand mals, 2 wks to 3 mos apart. A very unusual characteristic is that she does not lose consciousness completely. She is aware of her family around her and can be comforted by them during the seizure. They started in Dec of ’09.

Note, she was given routine annual vaccines 2 days after one of her seizures! This constitutes medical malpractice. No vaccine is tested or approved for use in individuals with any chronic disease. This is a very big issue with me. Most of the pets I treat have vaccine related damage. But that is a huge topic for a huge blog thread at another time. Suffice it to say, it was not in Arden’s best interest.

Also of interest as a homeopathic case, Arden used to eat clothing, once needing surgery to extract a sock that was obstructing her stomach! Can anyone relate? She has very itchy paws and tail, and a “yeast infection” that was suppressed with corticosteroids in ’08.

I assessed Arden as having vaccinosis (chronic postvaccinal disease), sub-optimal diet (a grain-based kibble), and a generalized yeast infection (not just in her ear, though that is where it showed up).

I always give two prognoses to my patients at the first appointment. For Arden, her prognosis for improvement is excellent. I have little doubt that we can make a difference in the quality of her life. Her prognosis for full cure is good. That means a better than 50% chance for full cure, which is defined as no seizures, no meds, and expires as an old lady from natural causes. After all, that is the job of all doctors – to get you to the point where you don’t need them anymore.

Her treatment started with a homeopathic drug for vaccinosis, Thuja occidentalis, in a potency high enough to stimulate a curative change in physiology without excessive aggravation. Aggravation is the phase of curative change where things look worse on their way to getting better. It is similar to the phase of an abscess coming to a head before erupting and draining, or a fever that spikes just before it breaks. Arden also received appropriate nutraceutical supplements, and started a grain-free diet.

Arden’s response to this first step in her treatment will be evaluated at her first follow up appt in early Feb. Let’s all wish her the best!

Arden and Wonton - Two Canine Seizure Cases

2011-02-07T16:48:00.000-08:00

I have just started two cases of seizures this week – Arden, a beautiful, bouncy, active, three yr old black lab, and Wonton, a sweet, mellow six yr old Pug. I am treating both by classical homeopathy, and the generous owners have agreed to allow me to blog the cases as they progress. It is a rare opportunity to witness the unfolding of a treatment of a serious and complicated problem.

It is a professional risk for me, I suppose, to commit to documenting my work as it happens, whether I succeed or fail. However, I have given these both these critters a good prognosis, so I am confident we will have some improvement. Also, while it is not legal or ethical to make guarantees in the field of medicine, I do, always, make just two guarantees to every client. One – professionally, I will give you my best. Two – personally, I will treat you like family. On these two counts I cannot fail.

The other aspect of such an open door dynamic, an online reality show if you will, is that even if there are challenging issues, setbacks, surprises, or troubles, there will be something to learn and that is one of my main two goals. The other is to inspire.

Homeopathy is not magic. It can’t cure every patient. However, it can cure many with conditions we conventionally label as “incurable”. When it does that, it surely will seem like magic to many. Of course, those diseases we call incurable are only those which we cannot resolve by standard, popular protocols.

It is interesting to note that both these dogs were diagnosed with Idiopathic Epilepsy. I will give a free phone consult appointment to the first responder to post the definition of idiopathic. Google it. It is very enlightening really. It is a blatant example of how the medical community gives fancy Latin descriptions to create fearful sounding medical jargon, and it can sometimes be quite meaningless, despite the professional and technical aura it creates.

Seizures are all too common in dogs. I was just filmed (do we say filmed anymore? …taped? …dvd’ed?) for CBS News. They are soon to release a series on holistic medicine. It will air nationwide. I’ll keep you posted on that date. The importance to this story is that they asked for two local, successful cases to film as part of the segment. One is a brain cancer, the other is a seizure case. It really hit me as I sat down to compile notes for this blog how horribly common are seizuring canines. It is a sad sign of the times. I want to change that.

Arden and Wonton have just had their first appointments. I will blog their intake with photos as soon as I get them. Let’s all wish them a smooth and successful journey.

Early Isagenix Results Look Promising

2010-05-06T06:18:00.000-07:00

Early results of HolVet clients using the Isagenix system of Cleansing Nutrition are showing the expected, remarkable results. Becky H. has lost over 40 lbs and has registered to do a triathlon with me in September! Her partner, Jeannette, has lost over 40 lbs as well. Good thing, since they have just received a two year old foster child to run around after! Laurel O. had to stop using her blood pressure aids after just 2 weeks on the system as her blood pressure had normalized! She also lost 12 lbs and has the energy she used to when she ran and competed as an avid athlete.
This Isagenix Cleansing Nutrition system is more than living up to my expectations as a health care professional. I have been officially offering this service through the practice for about 2 months and the wonderful news is mounting. It is a whole new paradigm for health and weight loss. For example, a hard and fast rule of weight loss is that 1 lb per wk is safe and anything faster than that is not. This is a huge icon of “fact” in the health and weight loss industry. However, I now know this is simply not true. I have seen many people lose more than one pound per week, much more, and they are not having problems with it. In fact, those who lose weight at any pace seem to be gaining great health as they go. There is no extra “cost” to the accelerated pace. There is no loss of energy. There are no mood problems. There are no sleep troubles. Actually, all these parameters and more improve greatly as the weight is released regardless of the pace. Nor is the weight rebounding. The typical yo-yo effect of crash diets is not occurring. Of course, this way of nourishing oneself becomes part of a permanent lifestyle change. Isagenix is set up to make it easy to reach a health goal and then maintain it for the rest of your life.
I can definitely say that the launch of my long incubated dream of serving both pets and people has been a great success. I couldn’t be happier with the results. They are astounding. I now have something very powerful to offer my clients! …and their friends, and their family, and their coworkers, and their neighbors, and…..
Which brings me back to the critters. I am currently working out formulae and doses for pets for various applications – the main one being cancer, since it is what I treat most. But I suspect all pets could benefit, same as for people. My own two dogs are the first line of research always. Bless their little volunteer hearts. I have several patients as well on various products of the system currently. I will blog about the response of my patients as soon as I have results.

Meat for dogs and cats. Organic or ammonia?

2010-01-06T10:30:00.000-08:00

I am often asked if one must feed organic meats when starting on feeding a home prepared diet for their pets. Many pet owners are reluctant to start thinking that the meat must be organic. I always reply that it is the same choice as it would be for us humans. Organic is always the better choice for the long run. If you have the room in your budget for organic, then do it. If not, certainly going from most commercial dog/cat foods to a home prep diet with conventional (non-organic) meat is still a huge leap in improvement for the nutrition of most pets. It is far better to start a superior diet that is not perfect than it is to not start at all.

That being said, the relative importance of choosing organic is underscored by the following report (from 1.6.10) on ammonia(!) in conventional ground meat. I believe it may be only one of many contaminants in non-organic foods. You may need to copy and paste into your web browser.

http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2010/01/04/ill-have-a-burger-and-fries-with-everything-hold-the-ammonia/?icid=mainhtmlws-main-wdl5link5http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2010/01/04/ill-have-a-burger-and-fries-with-everything-hold-the-ammonia/

Swine Flu found in a dog

2009-12-22T07:52:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, the first case of swine flu was confirmed in a dog. Here's what the AVMA release said...

"December 21, 2009, IDEXX Laboratories confirmed 2009 H1N1 influenza virus in a dog in Bedford Hills, New York. A 13-year old dog became ill after its owner was ill with confirmed 2009 H1N1 influenza. The dog was lethargic, coughing, not eating, and had a fever. Radiographs (x-rays) showed evidence of pneumonia. The dog was treated with intravenous fluids, antibiotics, nebulization and other supportive care, and was discharged from the hospital after 48 hours of care. It is currently recovering. Tests submitted to IDEXX Laboratories were negative for canine influenza (H3N8) but positive for 2009 H1N1 influenza."

Here's my take away on this.
• This is not cause for panic, but underscores the importance of taking pets to a veterinarian if they are showing signs of illness. This is especially important if someone in the household has recently been ill with flu-like symptoms.
• Pet owners should remain vigilant. By vigilant I mean touch your pets, palpate them, pay attention to how they eat and play and sleep, notice what they produce when they pee and poop! You are their guardians and advocates, just like parents for human children.
• So far the clinical signs include lethargy, inappetance/anorexia, coughing and difficulty breathing. Some of the animals have developed pneumonia. Any animals showing these signs of disease should be examined by a veterinarian as soon as possible.
• As always proper hygiene and sanitation measures should be followed to limit the spread of all contagious disease, including this new influenza virus.
• IMPORTANT - There is no evidence to suggest that pets have or will spread the virus to humans or other animals. To date, all of the sick pets became ill after a person in the household was ill with flu-like symptoms.

That's all the info available right now. If you have further questions call me at the office. HolVet 845.338.3300.

Blessings to all this holiday season. Hope this info helps. MY

Poinsettias and Mistletoe - Toxic for pets

2009-12-18T14:05:00.000-08:00

Just a quick reminder that poinsettias and mistletoe are toxic if ingested. While most pets will leave them untouched, some will munch them right down to the stem! The most common toxic effect is gastrointestinal irritation, resulting in vomiting and diarrhoea. However, large amounts can be fatal.

It's kind of ironic that plants that represent beauty and romance can be so poisonous, no? Did you know that a homeopathic form of mistletoe is commonly used in the treatment of cancer? There is a very interesting truth I learned in vet school, "the only difference between a drug and a poison is dose." Think about that one for a while!

In the meantime, choose the placement of all your holiday decorations with care. Pet-Proof your seasonal decor and have a wonderful season with all the joy it is intended to bring. And if you do hang some mistletoe be sure to give all your four legged loved ones a big kiss from me!

Second Hand Smoke Kills Cats

2009-12-08T19:00:00.000-08:00

Here's great news if you are looking for motivation to quit smoking. When people smoke in their homes, their pets take in second hand smoke just like non-smoking people would. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is finally making an effort recently to make smokers aware that their habit hurts not only themselves and their families, but their pets as well. This reinforces what holistic veterinarians have been saying for years.

Most folks are aware of the scientific research that shows that people who smoke are more likely to get certain types of cancer and other diseases, but a lot of people don't know that the same goes for the pets of smokers.

It has been known for several years that cats who live with smokers are twice as likely to develop malignant lymphoma — fatal to three out of four cats within a year — and are more likely to get mouth cancer. Second-hand smoke doubles the risk of lung cancer in dogs with short noses and it puts long-nosed dogs, such as Collies, at 2.5 times greater risk of contracting nasal cancer.

In my practice lots of folks who are not very alternative or natural or holistic minded are motivated to become so after seeing success in their pets on treatment. Perhaps this info, too, will motivate smoking pet owners to get a little more healthier! One can only hope! Spread the word!

Rabies found in Central Park Racoons

2009-12-08T18:32:00.000-08:00

Recently, three racoons have been found to be positive for Rabies in Central Park. This is the same virus as we have in our dogs and cats, and the same one in the typical vaccination. Interesting to note is that the statistics reveal only about 0.1% of Rabies cases , or one in one thousand, are fatal.

Here's the whole article...

December 7, 2009, 6:04 pm
Raccoons in Central Park Raise Rabies Concerns
By A. G. SULZBERGER
City health officials are warning visitors to Central Park to avoid contact with wild animals and to keep their dogs on a leash following the discovery of three rabid raccoons, two in the last week.

The discovery was a surprise because, in the previous six years, only one rabid animal had been found in Manhattan, with the majority of rabies cases in the city isolated to Staten Island and the Bronx. Another rabid raccoon that was found earlier this year, near the northernmost tip of Manhattan, was believed to have crossed over from the Bronx on a railroad bridge.

“There is concern that it could spread to more raccoons,” said Dr. Sally Slavinski, a public health veterinarian for the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. City employees will be enhancing their surveillance of the park to look for signs of other sick animals and are urging parkgoers who spot disoriented or aggressive animals to report them by calling the city’s 311 information line.

There hasn’t been a human infection of rabies in New York City since 1953, around the time that the city began mandating rabies vaccinations for dogs to combat the disease, according to the health department. At the time, the disease, which is transmitted through a bite from an infected mammal and is usually fatal without treatment, was a significant problem in the city. One report described a dog frothing at the mouth racing through the crowd at a public pool and biting the officer who finally captured it.

In the early 1950s, before vaccination programs curbed the cases, about 40,000 people were bitten by rabid dogs nationwide each year, with about 40 people dying annually from the disease, according to news reports from the time. In 2007, the most recent year for which figures were available, just one person contracted the disease, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Worldwide, however, rabies remains a major killer.)

In New York State, 512 animals were identified as carrying rabies, the third most in the nation after Texas and Virginia, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Most rabies cases now involve wild animals, with raccoons being the most common carrier, followed by bats, skunks and foxes. (Nationwide, domestic animals like dogs, cats and cattle account for less than seven percent of all infected animals).

The variant of raccoon-borne rabies did not arrive in New York City until 1992 but now accounts for the majority of cases in the city and the state, said Ms. Slavinski. So far this year, 20 rabies cases have been identified in the city: 14 raccoons in the Bronx, 4 raccoons in Manhattan, a raccoon in Queens and a bat in Staten Island. In the previous six years, the Bronx has had 78 cases, followed by Staten Island with 69, Queens with 7, Brooklyn with 2 and Manhattan with 1, according to the health department.

Swine Flu and Cats

2009-12-08T17:44:00.000-08:00

From an AVMA news bite I've just received - Cat Flu Truths and Myths -

What is most interesting is that right at the end of this AVMA post is a reference to the Amer An Hosp Asso's THREE YEAR booster recommedation! I wish more conventional vets would pay attention....

Just a few weeks ago, a 13-year-old indoor cat in Iowa was diagnosed with swine flu. "Two of the three members of the family that owns the pet had suffered from influenza-like illness before the cat became ill," explains Dr. Ann Garvey, a veterinarian with the Iowa Department of Public Health.

Although everyone recovered, many pet owners remain concerned about their own cats and families. As is the case with so many other illnesses, the facts are hard to separate from fiction. We've debunked some misconceptions, and we offer facts and pointers to help you deal with cat infections.

Feline Flu: Myths and Facts

Cats can catch H1N1, aka swine flu This is now fact, thanks to the confirmed Iowa case. It's reason for caution and concern, but not panic. "The risk of other cats becoming infected appears to be low at this point," says Dr. Alfonso Torres, former chief veterinary officer of the United States and current associate dean for public policy at Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine.
People can give cats swine flu Experts believe that people can transmit the H1N1 virus to cats and ferrets. "We're seeing reverse zoonosis, with the virus jumping from people to animals," explains Torres. But few such cases have been documented. According to Dr. Kelly M. Wright, director of The Cat Clinic of Orange County in Costa Mesa, Calif., "generally, these types of viruses target different cells in the respiratory tracts of humans and other mammals." In other words, a virus that can thrive in the respiratory tract of one type of mammal isn't likely to do so well in another.

People can give cats other types of flu Experts believe this is likely but uncommon. Nevertheless, it's better to be safe than sorry. "Avoid direct contact with pets if you have the flu," advises Michael San Filippo, a spokesperson for the American Veterinary Medical Association. "Keep them off of your bed and be sure to cover up coughs and sneezes. Wash your hands regularly." He adds, "Pets are members of our families, so exercise the same precautions that you would for other friends and family."

Cats can catch other types of animal flu That statement has been true on occasion. A 2006 report from Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine mentioned that cats can contract avian flu -- aka "bird flu" -- and also transmit the virus back to birds. "This helped the virus spread between poultry farms," says Dr. Wright. It's also one of the many reasons you should always keep your cat indoors.

Human flu and cat flu are the same This is a myth, according to Dr. Wright. "The term ‘flu' is used to describe an influenza virus," she explains. "But cat upper respiratory viruses are most typically the feline herpes virus (FVH-1) and feline calicivirus (FCV)." She adds, "I think we use the word ‘flu' descriptively so that owners understand that the symptoms of these conditions can mimic a human flu virus."
How to Help Your Cat

Although true flu among cats doesn't occur often, your cat can still develop respiratory problems and other symptoms that resemble human flu, as well as symptoms unlike those associated with human influenza. A cat with a respiratory infection may not only sneeze and cough but also lose its appetite, develop a high fever and find it difficult to breathe through its nose. The cat additionally could squint, develop cloudiness or heavy discharge from the eye, and experience severe swelling of the tissue around the eyes.

Any cat that develops such symptoms needs to see a veterinarian. The veterinarian can recommend treating the respiratory symptoms with antibiotics, which will help combat the bacteria contributing additional discomfort to the cat. Your veterinarian can also prescribe an ointment to ease eye symptoms, and nose drops to relieve nasal congestion.

Although animal health experts continue to investigate how well the human swine flu vaccine works on cats, a readily available vaccine -- the FVCRP -- can help prevent most other feline respiratory infections.

"FVCRP is a common combination vaccine recommended by the American Association of Feline Practitioners every three years that will help protect against both the calicivirus and the herpes virus," says Dr. Wright. "These are the two most common respiratory viruses in cats today."

Juice Feast Day 1

2009-01-06T14:59:00.000-08:00

A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step. Lao-tzu.

Greetings and Welcome to my First Long Juice Feast!
It's day 1 for me and I expect this to be a fabulous journey! As a holistic/homeopathic veterinary blog you might be surprised to see such a personal thread. I think it is important to practice what we preach and often in the office at HolVet we advise and counsel pet owners on issues with their own natural health quests. So I’m making a public record of my juice feast. I’ll be documenting my weight and changes in appetite, energy, mental state and disease symptoms just as if I were taking my own case as a dog or cat! Feel free to comment on which breed you think I could be!
I’m open to doing the gold standard 92 day feast with the support of the encyclopaedic website juicefeasting.com. I’ve signed on for 30 days to start. If it feels right I will continue from that point. As you can imagine I’m well versed in nutrition and natural healing, and experienced with some short term (3-21 days) water/juice/master cleanse fasting and feasting. So imagine my surprise when I felt trepidation about a 92 day juice feast.
I’ve gotten off to a rough start on the practical side of things. I have a brand new GreenStar juicer and today was the first day I tried doing a predominantly fruit juice. It was a disaster with lots of pulp in my juice and sloppy pulp backing up the chute and spraying everywhere! I was very surprised. The GreenStar is considered by many to be the best. I spoke with the rep from GS and I tried their suggestions only to get lots of pulp still in my juice and now lots of juice in my pulp! I ran the pulp through a second and third time and it was still very wet. My old Champion did much better. I got the GS so I could do wheatgrass and because of the reputation for better quality and quantity of juice. I'm not so sure now. There was a lot of juice lost in that pulp. I finally ran it through a nut milk bag and got clean juice. However, that's just too much time for everyday of a 3 month feast. I may try a Samson. David Rainoshek of juicefeasting.com seemed to write well of it, and his advice of, "The best juicer is the one you'll use," is really, really smart.
After I juiced for the day I went for a run. It was also an unexpected challenge. I knew I'd be really sore from yesterday's “6 mile, 11 hill” race, and the lactic acid in my quads, hams, and glutes did not disappoint. But then an old knee pain flared up and I was reduced to a walk in my first mile. So I went for a nice walk.
So... I'm borrowing back my old Champion (thanks Kathy) for tomorrow, and doing my corrective exercises for my knee alignment! And if there is anyone out there looking for a juicing partner post a note!

Raw Food Diet for Me

2008-12-30T17:10:00.000-08:00

Three years ago, my wife Lauren snapped another branch of my conventional diet paradigm tree without even realizing it. She found a magazine article on the supermodel Carol Alt. It was about raw food diet for people. Carol Alt was sharing how her many health problems had greatly improved eating a “high raw” diet. High raw is rather arbitrarily defined as a diet consisting of 80% or higher raw foods. As Lauren was recounting the candid account of vanishing disease conditions I had an epiphany. An OMG, How-Could-I-Have-Missed-This-All-These-Years epiphany.

I had to go raw. For me, there was no choice not to. I had been preaching this for years for my patients! I had been going over the common sense philosophy of this diet with every new client for many years! Yet, it had never occurred to me to apply it to my own life. How could I have missed it? Oh sure, I always ate a great cooked food diet. Plenty of local, organic food. Low in all the problematic stuff - red meat, fats, refined sugars, and dairy. And, of course, I had near zero tolerance for the really toxic crap – artificial chemicals, colors and flavors, preservatives, high fructose corn syrup, etc.

So I’ve been mostly raw, sometimes 50%, sometimes 100%, for the past three years. And soon I’ll be doing a juice feast. It will surely change my life, and how I practice veterinary medicine.

Rabid dogs: the other kind

2008-12-15T07:12:00.001-08:00

Not all dogs that suffer from rabies have aggressive symptoms. This video shows the other most common form the disease takes.

My Raw Food Conversion

2008-12-08T07:18:00.000-08:00

Three years after graduating from vet school I was helping the well known veterinary homeopath Richard Pitcairn create his first-ever certification course for veterinary homeopathy. Richard is often referred to as the Father of American Veterinary Homeopathy. He solicited my opinion on including the topic of nutrition in the course. I rolled my eyes. “That’s not what vets will be coming to the course for,” I said, knowing full well he’d be talking about that stupid raw food stuff. But he included it anyway (thank goodness) and we all learned a lot more than we had in school. And Richard has a way of teaching that just makes sense to the scientific mind. So, I was converted.

I began cautiously, and with only a little faith. When I started changing my patients’ diets to natural and raw, my success rate jumped dramatically. Most notable among the early cures were the diabetic cats. I was curing about 50% of these cases. After adding the diet changes my cure rate for feline diabetes rose to above 95%, and has remained there ever since. Wow. Now I was a true believer. So, on I went happily nourishing my patients with species-appropriate diets, and getting better and better results. I’ve made changes to the recommendations over time as a result of feedback from my patients and their people. I’ve adapted the diet to fit a busy lifestyle, to fit a tight budget, to be sensitive to vegetarian/vegan pet owners, and to please a fussy, finicky eater, and still get the maximum benefit. I've made this basic raw pet diet information available free on my web site.

I’m delighted that now there are raw food diets available commercially! There is Nature’s Variety, Aunt Jeni’s Home Made, Stella and Chewy’s, Bravo, Oma’s Pride, and Steve’s, just to name a few. My clients that prefer convenience have used these wonderful products with great results. Other clients looking for the most inexpensive way to feed optimally will prepare the diet themselves from my design. It’s great to have the choice!

I love when a dear paradigm of mine gets crushed. And so it was with my views on conventional diets vs. natural/raw feeding of dogs and cats. My patients felt better and got healthier, and did it quicker, too. My clients were happier, and so was I.

How to feed cats.

2008-12-02T09:37:00.001-08:00

My interview with Rick and Amanda of SuperFunScience.com about proper pet nutrition. In a nutshell: the closer your pet's meal is to actual prey, the happier and healthier he or she will be.

What I learned in school about pet nutrition

2008-12-01T13:45:00.000-08:00

I have for many years advocated for raw food (especially raw meat) diets for dogs and cats. It wasn’t always that way. For the first few years of my homeopathic practice, I made the typical recommendations of most conventional veterinarians: “Get a high quality, good brand commercial canned or dry pet food.” I’m not sure how we evaluated what “good” or “high quality” was. I remember recommending Eukanuba® because it was only sold at pet supply stores (not at the grocery stores), and their published product information said they had higher-quality ingredients. It had the appearance of being different, and somehow that translated into better. Many veterinarians recommended it and sold it.

Here’s the amazing thing: we knew little more about pet nutrition than the average pet owner, as we were educated little more than the average pet owner. Though I went to a great veterinary school (University of Missouri) that produced exceptionally well-prepared graduates for clinical practice, the bulk of my nutritional education consisted of a few hours per day for one week. That’s right – a grand total of one week out of four years for a discipline that is now one of the three main pillars of my approach to optimal health for pets. And that’s not the oddest part. Believe it or not, it was taught by a Hill’s® Pet Food company representative. It seems many of the veterinary schools in the U.S. use Hill’s reps to teach nutrition! I would guess the schools save money by not having to have a full time nutritionist on staff, or they get deeper discounts on their Hill’s products.

Hill’s is the maker of the line of prescription diets called Prescription Diet (though there is nothing really “prescription” about it) and Science Diet. You may have heard of their much imitated string of acronym named diets – R/D, W/D, C/D, etc. To their credit most of the teaching was good, generic physiology, with only about 10-25% of the time spent on how their products fit the needs of various pathologies. It was good marketing for them and a good start of a nutritional education for us. But, it was not enough.

And that was all there was. Most pet owners do not realize this fact, but I have just checked with recently graduated vets and the story is still very much the same.

I intend to keep blogging on this particular topic so stay tuned.

The Cost of Holistic Vet Care

2008-06-05T07:07:00.000-07:00

When Willy Simone had a near-fatal attack of FUS, I was ready to recommend a cystotomy if I was unable to successfully treat him. This is a surgical procedure that will clear the blockage.

I have always maintained that the cost of keeping a pet in my care is 50-70% less expensive than conventional veterinary care, and this case is a perfect example of how.

A cystotomy is the recommended conventional procedure for urinary blockage in cats. Veterinary hospitals in the Hudson Valley, where I am located, charge about $1,000 for this surgery, after you figure in the hospitalization and anesthesia costs. The same surgery performed on a cat like Willy in New York City, where he lives, costs about $2,400.

My fee, after all was said and done with Willy, was less than half that of my neighbors', and less than 20% of the cost of a reputable veterinary hospital in New York City.

Curing a Cat's Urinary Crisis Over the Phone

2008-05-28T12:50:00.000-07:00

I got the first call about Willy as I was preparing to go to Boston for the marathon. Willy is a ten-year-old male cat, and his owner Ann had seen him straining unsuccessfully on the litter box.
Feline Urological Syndrome, or FUS, is a blockage that prevents a cat from urinating. Left untreated, the cat can become toxic and die, as it is unable to remove waste products from its body.
The Simones live in New York City, two hours' drive on a good day. Had his condition worsened, I would have recommended bringing him in for local care, like a cystotomy - a surgical procedure that effectively straightens out the kinks and clears all the blockages.
However, I also knew that the drive and the surgery would further compromise Willy's immune system by adding stress. Although I was prepared to recommend surgery, I instead treated Willy homeopathically, as well as with a combination of herbs and modifications to his diet.
I spoke with Ann about Willy several times over the weekend, even as my partner competed in the Boston Marathon. By Monday Willy was able to urinate again.
A lot of animals are stressed about cars, and whenever I can take some of that stress off by treating over the phone it's my pleasure.

Herbal Repellents for Fleas, Ticks, and Other External Parasites

2008-05-08T12:29:00.000-07:00

I have two poodles in my family who enjoy spending quite a bit of time outside in this beautiful weather (you can learn a bit more about Bijou and Janvi by taking a peek at my Facebook account, if you're so inclined). Running around in the woods within our invisible fence, they have plenty of opportunity to bring home unwelcome friends, especially ticks. Now I'm a veterinarian, and I know that ticks function very much like slow-acting mosquitoes, but it's still pretty disgusting finding a bunch of those engorged buggers on my boys.
Enter Buck Mountain Botanicals, the formulator of the amazing cancer drug Neoplasene. They have a product called Parasite Dust for Animals, which is a combination of three ingredients (neem herb, yarrow, and diatom flour) and a triple threat for external parasites. As described in the clinical guide:

Yarrow functions as a repellent
Neem heals the wounds created by the parasites
Diatom flour dessicates the bugs

I pulled a few bloated ticks off of my poodle Bijou this morning and Terence poured a small amount of the dust on them as an experiment. Their little legs, which had been slowly wriggling, stopped moving within seconds. I've been told that this product even works on embedded parasites like scabies and mange, and I'm inclined to agree!

Neoplasene: the Future

2007-12-06T08:14:00.000-08:00

Research is ongoing with Neoplasene, and the protocols and treatment methods are constantly changing. The effects of bloodroot’s active ingredients have not been researched aggressively, because most pharmaceutical companies will not spend money on something that they may not be able to patent, such as a plant. However, there is an astounding study on the effects of bloodroot on cancer from the medical school at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, done in 2000. This study was done in vitro with prostate cancer cells and skin cancer cells. The results were so clearly impressive the researchers remarked, “We suggest that sanguinarine could be developed as an anticancer drug.” The clinical case histories from veterinary hospitals throughout the U.S. are now accumulating, and are adding to the profound data of this very promising drug.

Homeopathic Emergency Kits

2007-12-05T07:16:00.000-08:00

Over 80% of all of our appointments are by phone. This is possible because our clients have learned to be observant, take good notes, and are willing to be our partners in maintaining their pets' health. We ship out any appropriate remedies immediately after a telephone consultation, and we work with local, conventional veterinarians to provide services that cannot be offered over the phone.

Many of our longstanding clients find that this relationship is supported by keeping an emergency homeopathic kit at home. We offer one here that includes fifty remedies that we often prescribe. If a client places an emergency call, more often than not the appropriate remedy for the problem is at hand, which prevents the need to go to an emergency clinic for treatment.

These kits are also money-savers for our clients. After only six remedies are given the kits pay for themselves, and they can be used hundreds of times. We don't offer them as a way to make money, we offer them as a way to save animal lives and our clients' wallets.

There are certainly other kits available on the market, and as long as they are used with a homeopathic professional's guidance, they are all a good value. Here's some of the details on the one we offer to our clients:

All remedies are in a 200C strength. Included are arnica, arsenicum, cocculus, drosera, ignatia, lachesis, lycopodium, nux vomica, phosphorus, and rhus tox, among many others. Like all homeopathic remedies, as long as they are kept away from strong sources of heat, light, and electromagnetic radiation, they have an indefinite shelf life.

Treating with Neoplasene

2007-12-05T07:09:00.001-08:00

As I've mentioned in prior posts about how I treat cancer in your pets, the new drug Neoplasene is an amazing addition to my arsenal of homeopathic remedies. I always tell clients that they are critical to my patients' care, for several reasons.

The treatment can be felt. There may be a mild, immediate burn or itch. Cancerous tissue will swell and feel sore once the reaction begins, as the immune system is kickstarted and must process the dying cancer cells. The immune system works through the production of inflammation. This is a natural and very effective process that the body uses to heal most any problem. Often, with surface tumors, there is a reddened ring of healthy skin visible around a thin, grey ring of macerated, or softened, dead tissue which rims the tumor. Additionally, the entire surface of the tumor will likely become grey and macerated as it approaches sloughing. The dying cancer tissue is being rejected by the body.

Good wound management is critical. With this loss of the diseased tissue, there will be an open wound which must be well managed for successful treatment. It must be kept moist with an appropriate wound salve. It is important not to allow a hard scab to form. Be aware that scarring may very well occur as the body works to heal the wound left behind by the vacated tumor. In two to ten days the dead tissue will slough off. If this takes more than five days, there is probably living tumor present, and continued application is called for. The shedding of dying tissue should not be forced. It must be allowed to fall off naturally. Forced removal will often create bleeding and leave bits of surviving tumor behind. Licking, rubbing, chewing and scratching must be prevented, as mentioned above. And, it must be left to heal as an open wound. In our modern medical culture it is not very common to allow large wounds to heal in an open manner. The common urge is to suture the wound closed. Nice, neat, clean. However, it is best not to do so. Continued sloughing and drainage of discharge must be allowed to occur without interference.

Rarely, cancer may reappear long after the treatment series with Neoplasene has ended. This can happen because not all of the diseased tissue was destroyed, or because the conditions that caused the cancer in the first place still exist and can recreate it from scratch. The good news is that there is no evidence of development of resistance by surviving cancer cells.

There's more to say about Neoplasene, but I'll save that for my next post.

Treating Cancer Cases

2007-11-21T06:57:00.000-08:00

So what have I learned about using this amazing new cancer drug, Neoplasene?

Well, there may be surviving cancer cells after the initial application of Neoplasene. This can happen when the medication does not come into contact with all of the mass due to its size or shape. A series of applications may be necessary and would be determined by the needs of each individual case.

There are three treatment options with Neoplasene – topical, injectible, and oral. Any combination of these forms may be used on a patient. And occasionally removal by surgery, or debulking, prior to beginning any Neoplasene treatment may be the optimal approach.

Topical treatment with the ointment form works well for exterior or surface cancers. The mass can be treated all at once, or in sections, depending on various factors. Topical application of the ointment will create a local effect and cause a slight burning sensation on cancerous tissue. Successfully treating with topical Neoplasene depends upon getting a sufficient amount of the drug in contact with the cancerous tissue long enough to trigger apoptosis. This may mean close monitoring, bandaging or using the dreaded E-collar to prevent licking and chewing by the patient. A small price to pay for the wonderful work of the drug.

The injectible form is called NeoplaseneX. It is administered directly into the tumor and can provide the concentration needed to eliminate a mass when it isn’t possible to remove it in other ways. Even though it is applied directly into a mass there is also a generalized effect. This means tumor tissue at distant sites anywhere in the body will also start to die. This reaction must be monitored well.

Giving Neoplasene orally, as a capsule or liquid also has a generalized effect, like the injectible. Cancer cells anywhere in the body will respond with apoptosis. Oral treatment can be used alone, but is usually used as long term continued care in conjunction with initial treatment by injection or topical. It requires a long term commitment by the family for its success. Oral Neoplasene is a somewhat bitter liquid that is usually well accepted when mixed with wet foods, esp. those with in a sauce or gravy. For the very finicky palate the liquid can be put into a capsule. This must be immediately prior to administration as it will start to dissolve the capsule within minutes.

When oral Neoplasene is given, care must be taken to avoid digestive upset. It is best given with a meal. This creates an immediate dilution in the stomach. Once diluted in the circulatory system, it is able to do its work without causing harm to healthy cells. The optimal dosage of the oral form is “to gastric tolerance.” This means that a moderate dosage is initiated and then the dose is increased slowly until the first sign of gastric upset occurs. The maintenance dose for long term aftercare is then set just below this amount for maximal effect with no side effects. The length of this treatment will vary from case to case.

In my next post I'll talk about what else can be expected during treatment.

The Wonder Drug

2007-11-20T09:17:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I posted about why I'm more confident about cancer cases these days than ever before. It's because of an amazing new drug called Neoplasene.

Neoplasene does not burn tissue like whole bloodroot. Instead it causes cancer cells to die by a process known as apoptosis. This means that instead of cells being attacked and rupturing, they quietly and prematurely come to an immediate end of their life cycle and they die of “old age.” They enter into a self termination process and fold up like a tent, so to speak. The immune system of the patient handles them as they would other dead cells. There are chemotactic factors and inflammation and macrophages that act like the video game Pac Man critters eating up all the little bits.

It does all this while sparing healthy, normal cells! That means its effect is selective and exclusively against cancer cells. Research suggests that the distinction is made by way of a bonding affinity for the sugars unique to the cell membranes of cancer cells. This makes it extremely unique and valuable. It knows the difference between cancerous and healthy tissue. It sticks to the bad guys and leaves the good guys alone. Actually, given a high enough dosage over a long enough time, healthy cells would also succumb. However, by adjusting concentration and exposure time the neoplasm is destroyed while normal cells are spared. So, unlike most conventional “chemo” treatments, it’s not toxic at recommended doses.

Furthermore, with all of the information gathered so far, again unlike most conventional chemo treatments, Neoplasene works on any type of cancer! A dog or cat could have two different kinds of tumors or cancer simultaneously, not a rare situation, and the treatment would still be just as effective!

Treatment with Neoplasene must be performed by a veterinarian and has some nuances. In my next post I'll discuss some of the variables.

I Hope He Has Cancer

2007-11-19T12:00:00.000-08:00

“I hope he has cancer.” I said that recently, in reference to little Dash, a two year old Persian. I really said it, and I really meant it. Of course when I caught myself in the thought it was quite the trip. Wow, cancer treatment is a whole new ballgame!

Dash was a small bundle of smoky grey affection. He seemed generally healthy but he had some problems show up in his lab work. Suddenly his choices of diagnosis were FIP (feline infectious peritonitis) or a malignancy. I had more confidence of treating the possible cancer than of treating the possible FIP. That realization was a real shocker for me. The reason for my confidence of choice was a relatively new medicine called Neoplasene®.

Neoplasene® is a relatively new drug approved for veterinary use. It is derived from the perennial herb bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis). It is so named because the sap of the root is a reddish color. It has historically been used as a dye, an emetic (induces vomiting) and a wart and tumor treatment, esp. by Native Americans. In cancer it has been used as an escharotic paste called Black Salve, which destroys much or all of the flesh it comes into contact with, whether it is healthy or not. This is indiscriminate necrosis. The revolutionary new drug Neoplasene is not whole bloodroot nor is it Black Salve, anymore than stainless steel is iron ore. It is, in part, an isolate of the active ingredients of bloodroot called benzylisoquinolone alkaloids, with the primary one being sanguinarine. This makes all the difference.

I'll be posting more about Neoplasene, and why I find it so amazing, in future posts.

For Your Pets: HolVet.net

2007-11-08T07:32:00.000-08:00

We are extremely excited to announce the launch of our new website, HolVet.net!

HolVet.net is a resource for pet owners the world over. It includes recommended natural pet diets, information on the dangers of pet vaccination, and details on our approach to health care for pets. Read up on our proprietary line of vitamins for dogs and cats, or learn more about Dr. Yasson herself.

We will continue to add content to this page and make it a more powerful resource for loving pet owners.

New York City Appointments

2007-09-18T11:27:00.000-07:00

Dr. Yasson has set her schedule for in-person appointments in New York City for the upcoming months.

She will be available on the following dates:
Friday, November 9, 2007
Friday, December 14, 2007
Friday, January 11, 2007

Appointments are forty-five minutes and are scheduled from 10AM until 4PM. Please call the office at 845/338-3300 to make an appointment.

New clients are advised that a phone consultation prior to the physical exam will be necessary to take your pet's full history. All new clients must complete a release form prior to the first appointment.

Dear Lifesavers . . .

2007-09-18T07:25:00.000-07:00

From longtime client Heather Bennett

I have been trying to write (now almost a book in size) a note expressing what you guys have done & given to me. I am so thankful for these last 6 years. Six years I would not have if not for you all. No soft tummy to scratch while reading a good book. No big beautiful black eyes peering into the shower and saying what ya doin, mum. No perfect paws asking for a slurp of milk.
You didn't laugh when I sent stupid daily logs or asked silly questions. Just kindness, care and compassion. I truly, with what's left of my broken heart, thank you for every second you gave me. And I will never forget you all.
The little tree was such a thoughtful memorial for Bino. I will take wherever I go. And now the GreenWorld Project owe you too, as my friends think a tree is better than a card.
Maybe my procrastinating this note was an omen, as I have taken in a stray girl (?) we named Pearl, so named because her only marking is a teardrop white spot on her bib. I hope you will never have to get to know her professionally, but I have told her about you.

Ask Me Anything!

2007-09-10T08:13:00.000-07:00

I take a holistic approach to veterinary medicine, and this means that my methods are often very different than those of conventional vets. Because homeopathy and holistic medicine is so new to many people, I am more than happy to spend fifteen minutes on the phone with any new client, answering questions about my practice in general, or your pet in particular.

Simply call my offices at 845/338-3300 and let my staff know you learned about my free consultation offer from my blog. They will be happy to set you up with an appointment.

Pets and Nutrition

2007-09-05T09:16:00.000-07:00

One thing I've discovered in twenty years of holistic veterinary practice is that 9 out of 10 patients that walk through my door are getting suboptimal nutrition. How well would you do if all your food came dehydrated or canned? (If this does describe your diet, call me. We need to talk.)

I've seen many supplement fads come and go. I've tried many, debunked most. With over 50% of my work being with cancer and diabetes patients, I can't afford to use a supplement that doesn't work. Then I finally found the best combination of ingredients and dosages for consistent and impressive results.

Of course, I had to develop it myself, because it was nowhere on the market.

Here's what I have seen using my VetScripts™ supplements with my patients:

Kidney Failure and Cancer patients start eating and gain weight again.
Diabetic patients' blood sugar decrease by as much as 30-40%.
Hospice patients find the strength to get out of bed.
Less severely ill pets become strong, energetic, and develop beautiful coats.

They're also a breeze to give to your pet - having dogs and cats of my own, I know what the challenges are! No premixing, no special handling, no fighting with pills or games of hide-and-seek while wrapping the pill in something tasty. VetScripts™ is tasty! It's a win-win situation!

VetScripts™ Feline and VetScripts™ Canine are among the lowest priced multivitamins per gram of active ingredients (don't be fooled by the many cheaply priced products that are mostly filler). Isn't that what you want for your four-legged loved ones?