Natural Animal Clinic

23/12/2024

Happy Holidays everyone! Thank you for your support this year, I'm so grateful to everyone who have chosen to get on the holistic health train with me so together we can achieve best outcomes for your pets.

17/12/2024

Palliative care is enormously helpful for many pets of advanced age.

Pets do not need a terminal diagnosis to enter hospice and palliative care. As senior pets begin to develop a level of frailty necessitating more and more assistance with their activities of daily life, they also qualify for hospice and palliative care services.

It is most common to assist families whose pets have significant osteoarthritis, cognitive dysfunction, loss of muscle tone and strength, and other aging changes that create challenges to their comfort and overall quality of life.

Senior patients may also have one (or several) chronic diseases that may become stable for a long period before advancing and impacting quality of life. That may mean that pets can “graduate” from hospice care if enough improvement is noted and the decision regarding definitive diagnostics and/or more advanced treatments changes.

It is also important to note that palliative care can be provided to any patient, regardless of life stage but depending on the impact of the disease.

A overall breakdown of classification of care stages:
* Palliative Care - the need for care for comfort and pain management in daily activities.
* Early Hospice - usually following a diagnosis of a terminal illness or progression of life altering symptoms. There is a more intensive need for monitoring and management of nutrition, hydration, pain, mobility, and nursing care.
* Advanced Hospice - Last stage of life. Pets may be unable to get up, needing to be cleaned and turned regularly. Intensive nursing care, monitoring, and pain management is required.

Palliative care is essentially comfort care that manages symptoms and can be offered at any stage of life, and in conjunction with curative treatments.

If you think you and your pet may benefit from this service get in touch
via email: [email protected]
or call : 07624 434848

13/12/2024

Holistic approach really shines when it comes to Gut Health.
You may now this, you might have tried already. Have you ever had a tummy ache and had a chamomile tea? Have you ever used Ginger chews for nausea? Mint for stomach discomfort? Honey for heartburn? Aloe Vera for constipation?
That's Herbal Therapy!

Noticed how we turn to "bland diet" to give digestive tract a chance to recuperate? How we eat Broth to nourish the body when ill?
That's Food Therapy

Add on Acupuncture and you'll achieve even better results through nervous system regulation, immune and hormonal balancing. Body tuned in to parasympathetic state - "rest and digest" - that allows concentration on healing processes, regulation of peristalsis that assures nutrients absorption, improved blood flow.

Add Microbiome testing, followed by its reconstitution and support with right Probiotics or FMT (F***l Mater Transplant) and proper nutrition to keep them alive and happy.

Holistic Healing is like a Rubik's cube - multiple facets, that take time to fit and figure out the right moves but once is done....oh my, what a joyful moment! You can put it on a shelf and admire every day from now on.

Get in touch to book via email: [email protected]
call : 07624 434848
or press the button and send a message here

09/12/2024

Grey Muzzle Club service explained.

Any questions, please get in touch:
via messenger,
email : [email protected]
or call : 07624 434848

08/12/2024

There is no greater gift than a life well lived.

A chance to gift your beloved Senior pet with a service that can help improve their winter of life.

A chance to gift a caregiver of a Senior pet with a service that gives them professional support and effective tools to be the best pet parent that their friend needs.

This special offer is created to celebrate the launch of this First of its kind service for pets on the Island.

Hospice, Palliative and End-of-Life is a service crafted to provide much needed support and holistic, gentle techniques to support aging processes whether in advanced geriatric stage or diseased states. All the way through to the peaceful, graceful end.

To purchase or to find out more please email :
[email protected]
or call : 07624 434848

05/12/2024

Are you tired of dealing with head shaking and scratching ears every few weeks regardless of the amount of drops used ?
Tired of your pet scooting across your beige carpet every 4 weeks ?
Waking up to your dog nibbling his feet?
Worrying about your cat loosing fur and licking his belly raw ?

Have you tried 5th new grain free food this year ?
Is your "medicine cabinet" turning into supplement graveyard ?
Do you have gazillions of different shampoos, sprays, ointments and miracle specifics that are not making any difference ?

It may be time to seek out help. You don't have to do this on your own. Internet advice is great but more often than not it's mostly confusing and if not backed by at least basic medical knowledge and/or experience it will rarely be useful to your pet. It usually leads to money and time being waisted, your growing frustration and resignation, and what is tragic for the Pet - perpetuation of ill state.

Let's grab this bull by the horns together! I love seeing my patients win!

Get yourself booked via email: [email protected]
call : 07624 434848
or press the button and send a message here

04/12/2024

I have crafted this service with your Senior Pet in You in mind !

Being in clinical practice for over 10 years, I know how reluctant you are to bring your fragile Pet to the clinic for checkups.
I know how worried you are that they will be stressed, confused, aroused.
I also know that those appointments are stressing you as well, that you have so much to say that you don't know where to start, you may be so stressed that you actually forget what you were meant to say.
At times you also feel like those short 15 minute appointments are useless as there isn't enough time to go through all the things that are on your mind.
You may have a lot of technical questions regarding care for your Pet but there is no time to go over them.
You may have difficulties giving all the medications prescribed but be ashamed to admit it.

And a major one, I know that you may be struggling with carer burden, that can make you feel like you're all alone with all those issues. Feelings of inadequacy, guilt, loneliness may come up especially when it comes to assessing Quality of Life and making End-of-Life decisions. Feeling selfish or guilty and delaying making the decision or feeling rushed to do so.

I don't want you to ever have to feel that way! I can help you along the way.

Get in touch via email: [email protected]
or call : 07624 434848

01/12/2024

If your beloved pet and you as a carer are facing :
- advanced geriatric status,
- cancer or advanced organ disease diagnosis
- debilitating Arthritis or neurological condition impairing mobility
- undiagnosed disease where no further diagnostics/treatments is elected

We turn our focus from CURE to CARE. When we no longer pursue fighting the disease, instead we concentrate on providing maximum comfort, support and Quality of Life that’s when hospice and palliative care begins.

And all this in a calm, quiet, cozy environment of our practice or from the comfort of your home.

Join the Club where we demystify End-of-Life taboos and make it part of natural life rhythm.

Get in touch via email: [email protected]
call : 07624 434848

28/11/2024

Thrilled to announce the new service that consists of spectrum of Geriatric specialised care:
- Quality of Life assessments
- Pain management
- Palliative care and treatment plans
- At Home Hospice care
- End-of-Life at Home or dedicated Private Comfort Room

This is my heart’s work – I love Senior Patients, and I love helping their families go through the last stage of life as graceful as possible and prepare a beautiful goodbye.

Having chance to make peace with aging process and passing time is the best gift we can give ourselves.
Making sure your seniors are pain free and their quality of life is maintained, that they have their needs met. Knowing that you have done your best, makes a huge difference.

Choosing to use those services will allow you to feel supported every step of the way.

Join the Club where we demystify End-of-Life taboos and make it part of natural life rhythm.

Get in touch via email: [email protected]
call : 07624 434848

This practice has innovative approach, it blends new science with ancient traditional practice of TCVM to provide wide spectrum, unique speciality therapies for a Holistic veterinary care and strong humananimal bond.

24/11/2024

We are undeniably heading into the Winter season and we just had a preview a few days ago 🌬️🌨️❄️
Daylight is scarce, long mornings and early dark evenings give us perfect excuse to cozy up under soft blankets with a warm brew and enjoy fairy lights.
Introducing a very important of 5 Elements :

Water 💧
Zhi is the spirit of the Water Element. The most usual meaning of Zhi is Will, though it has also been translated as ambition, purpose, determination, knowledge, mind and memory.
It drives the will to live. Water element main organ are Kidneys that also store the Jing - which is the life essence, the powerful storage of Qi that keeps us alive.

Winter comes with cold and need to seek shelter and warmth, failure to do so will have worse effects on the Yang deficient bodies making them even colder, achy and harder to move. There may be worsening of incontinence, arthritis, mobility, weakness, fertility. It can obviously affect old and debilitated.

It's a season of end of a life cycle, rest and retrieve. It represents last phase of life so Senile age of fragility and delicate health state. Our Seniors may need extra special care at this time.

Try including warming ingredients like Chicken, Lamb, Goat, Oats, Carrots, Sweet potato, sprinkle of Black pepper, Ginger and Cinnamon. It’s also best to feed warm, gently cooked or steamed food at this time especially if you have a senior animal that struggles with cold and his energy levels are low. Same goes for humans.

And for those that need extra help - get in touch with Natural Animal Clinic for a professional advice and TCVM treatment.
☯️

17/11/2024

Did you know that November is National Senior Pet Month!

Our pets are living longer than ever before thanks to better care, the advancement of veterinary medicine and growing awareness of animals wellness. All this allows older pets to be able to enjoy happy, healthy, active lives for longer.

While this is wonderful for the human-animal bond, it also means we should be aware of normal aging changes as well as common health conditions that can arise in the later stages of life. Recognition of early signs will allow implementing changes in your pets life that will help prolong longevity and preserve quality of life for longer. It is important to not assume certain changes in your pet are just due to old age.

Physical signs of aging in dogs may include the following:
- Cloudy eyes or worsening vision
- Bad breath, which can indicate dental problems
- Slowing down or decreased mobility
- Bumps under the skin
- Weight loss or gain
- Loss of house training or difficulty at potty time
- Mental and/or behavioural changes - becoming grumpy/avoidant, lack of interest, getting lost, staring at walls

They may be benevolent but if unchecked they may also be subtle signs of development of underlying issues that could require attention.

A few of the health conditions that are common in old age:
- Arthritis
- Cancer
- Skin growths
- Dental disease
- Heart disease
- Kidney & Liver Disease
- Canine Cognitive Dysfunction
- Neurologic Conditions

While some of these conditions can be easily treated, others will need lifelong management and frequent follow-ups.

As your senior pet begins to show mental or physical changes with age, it is important to discuss these changes with us Vets ahead of time to know what to expect with continued aging. We will advise what treatment options are available, what can be done at home to adjust whole family lifestyle and how to know if they have a good quality of life.

Are you struggling to cope with your Pet's aging process? What are your biggest worries? Let me help you !

13/11/2024

Elbow OA/Dysplasia

Pretty common condition one would think there will be more interesting studies in this area…Most of the recent ones I have found refer to diagnosing and surgical techniques and medical treatment to slow the development of osteoarthritis and reduce joint pain. They also remind that lameness and progressive osteoarthritis may continue in some dogs even after appropriate therapy.
Only one study looking into effects of electroacupuncture in dogs with chronic elbow OA secondary to elbow dysplasia. Even the researchers conducting the study agree that it’s not been well designed. Two important limitations of the study were the low number of dogs enrolled in the study (only 9) and the lack of a positive control treatment (ie, treatment with standard parenteral or local analgesics).

Having had a privilege of treating a few patients with elbow dysplasia/arthritis utilising a mix of Acupuncture, Herbs, Nutritional supplements and manual therapies (like massage, gua-sha) I know how it can impact them positively, improve pain control and mobility. And more importantly those modalities also affect the rest of the body - it provides muscle relaxation, reduced tension and enhances mood. Allows whole body mobilisation that can then be used to improve exercising regimen and strengthen musculature, prevent muscle loss and compensatory changes in posture that otherwise affect other sites.

Multimodal approach is the whole body approach. There is so much we can do beyond medical and surgical treatment!

It may seem complicated and overwhelming but that’s why I do what I do - to offer advice and tailored plans to cover all bases.
Together we can chose the best approach that fits the needs of your pet.

Studies mentioned:
http://assets.prod.vetlearn.com.s3.amazonaws.com/mmah/c1/d67b8a99e54e958f05539774e38d5c/filePV_25_10_763.pdf
https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/228/9/javma.228.9.1350.xml
https://journals.lww.com/clinicalpain/abstract/2004/01000/selected_cam_therapies_for_arthritis_related_pain_.4.aspx

07/11/2024

Are you and your senior pet facing challenging health issues? Recent worsening of condition, mounting amount of ailments? Perhaps new drugs added to the list, changes in daily routine or confusing behaviours? Being a full time carer is a challenging job! As pet owner myself, I understand the unique bond that forms between us and our furry friends, and as our pets age, I know how it changes over time and can impose big changes on your day to day lives.
It's crucial to adjust our care and support to ensure they continue to thrive in their later years. It becomes even more important when health issues become more prominent, complicated and challenging for both sides. Even for experienced pet owners there comes a time when you may be facing issues you are not familiar with.
Aging process is very different for every individual and every family will deal with it differently. Therefore it often requires individually tailored professional support.
Next level support! Which is what I am preparing lately and will be opening this special service soon!

More in the coming days! 🩵

03/11/2024

Finally decided to spend day off on pleasure reading instead of studying and it lead me to this .
For anyone who needs this today 💛

31/10/2024

Happy Halloween/Hop-tu-naa 🎃👻🍬🍭

29/10/2024

Raise your hand if you have ever felt overwhelmed, anxious, stressed when facing making decisions for your elderly pet or taking some actions or even just thinking about having to do so in the future... It is a big responsibility and a challenge that may seem barely manageable without the right kind and amount of support. What is your experience?