Health Topics

In my experience, skin afflictions are the most challenging. They can be influenced by parasites, microbial infections, contact dermatitis, nutritional imbalances, seasonal allergies, leaky gut, dysbiosis, stress, aberrant behavior, hormonal disruption, metabolic abnormalities and more. Working through the list is often tedious and frustrating however addressing core areas can contribute to success. No skin affliction can be fully addressed until the basics are met. If basic nutrition is met, sometimes the skin condition resolves because it was directly caused by a deficiency. Even if there is a concurrent illness, the pet will have a better chance of recovery if the physiology is optimal. 

Food is fuel- an energy source, in the form of calories.  In addition, it's components are a supply of essential nutrients.

  There is a common approach to weight loss whereas less food is less calories but, this also means less essential nutrients. Now, if the pet loses weight it may also lose bone mass, brain activity, muscle elasticity, in addition to unhealthy fat.  Cutting calories is cutting nutrients too. So, what other way can adjusting food contribute to weight loss while maintaining proper physiological function?  Using fresh foods will allow the body to extract what it needs while avoiding excessive calories from less bioavailablle sources. 

Animals have instinctual behavior. All behavior is purposeful. Sounding is useful. Playing is useful. Elimination is useful.  Every behavior serves a purpose. Just because it may not seem appropriate to us, it has purpose to the animal.  Engagement and communication is crucial to being a trusted leader. Developing respect helps the pet to know when their behavior is welcomed or needs to be redirected. If the pet is able to practice "inappropriate behavior" it becomes a habit, harder to solve than molding appropriate behavior. Do not view the behavior as bad, it is inappropriate by human standards.  Very simple actions can convey approval or disapproval to your pet. For every action you want to stop, it must be replaced by an approved action. Stopping all inappropriate behavior leads to a frustrated pet.

Animals communicate with body language, scents, pheromones and sounds.  Their sounds can seem irrational to our human ears.  Understanding why the noise is made is a first step in reducing or changing sounding patterns.   After all,  they are communicating something to us. We need to communicate back. It will remain a foreign topic until it is explained.

Mobility can be compromised by deformity, injury, degenerative disease, neuropathy, stress, hormone balances and nutrient deficits. Identifying the physical cause will  determine the approach to heal, support or mitigate mobility challenges. Once identified intervention can be implemented in the form of pharmaceuticals, nutritional supplements  devices, physical therapy, remodeling environment encouragement.

Chronic disease has a cause. It may be blamed on aging but with age comes failure of function. The pancreas may stop producing insulin.  The stomach starts making less stomach acid.  The eyes dry. The joints become.stiff, the heart becomes enlarged, teeth build plaque, the bladder becomes weak, the brain activity becomes dull.   There are often deficiencies or abundances of nutrients or toxins. Addressing lifestyle while concurrently addressing these may provide resolution or at least a more manageable solution. 

When a parasite finds a suitable host, it feels welcomed and decides to raise a family there. When it comes to parasites be proactive, be vigilant and be smart about the strategies used. Employ techniques to avoid harsh chemicals and pesticides.

Let Jennifer know what species or area of animal care should be featured.