Modern Dog Acupressure

02/12/2024

02/02/2024

Does your dog have arthritis, neuropathic pain or chronic pain? Then chances are your vet has prescribed gabapentin. But there have been ZERO controlled research studies on gabapentin to treat chronic pain. And case reports show mixed results. And it hasn’t even been FDA approved for dogs!

And one vet told us it wasn’t helping the dogs and the ones coming to her had bad reactions … like tarry diarrhea, aggressiveness, low energy, tremors, difficulty breathing, anxiety, loss of appetite and digestive issues.

There are better options when your dog has pain. Click the link to find out more about why you should avoid gabapentin ... and learn about natural pain relief for your dog.

https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/gabapentin-why-this-vet-will-never-prescribe-it/?fbclid=IwAR3wWKxVCJcpj1PcqXSLPMukslYhGV62DyqqDWyDm1e9ZZzltfLw4jxMcf

12/20/2023

That includes when teaching them (what some call training).

12/19/2023

Adding water to kibble doesn’t make kibble a better option. It’s still “feed” not food. But adding so much water that the kibble floats make the feed a choking hazard.

Please don’t! It’s dangerous and, oh my god, deadly for dogs that have laryngeal paralysis or collapsing tracheas.

𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐟𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐭 𝐤𝐢𝐛𝐛𝐥𝐞

Adding a bit of water to the food bowl to moisten kibble seems to have escalated to adding so much that kibble floats. This is unnecessary and risks unintended consequences. Dogs curl their tongues when drinking. Floating bits in the water becomes a choking hazzard.
Video in comments.

12/14/2023

Everyone! Neutering/spaying are no longer hallmarks of responsible pet ownership. No matter what your vet, groomer, kennel operator, neighbor, etc. say. Do your own homework. Learn more of the pros/cons and decide what is best for YOUR dog. What is right for one is not necessarily right for another. Be a critical thinker. Resist fear. Be well! Hugs to the paws!

https://bvajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/vetr.3609?fbclid=IwAR3jqTIluvWJd3Luw9DOGRyW5AaraAeVP-UDP-ulIvBupiRejTTZEM8-poM

12/13/2023

Great tips on cutting nails!

12/08/2023

Keep learning!

There are so many reasons as to why minimally processed pet foods🫐 are better for your pet’s overall health span & lifespan versus ultra-processed pet foods🥫.

Otitis👂🏼 or ear infections in dogs, is a top 10 veterinary health problem according to research. They are often chronic, while treatment primarily consists of flushing, antibiotics, and/or antifungals.

In a new peer-reviewed veterinary study, scientists show that the prevalence of otitis was significantly reduced within the groups of dogs that were consuming from 26 to 100% of their diet as non-processed foods.

"On the other hand, eating 76–100% of the diet during puppyhood as kibble significantly increased the prevalence of otitis later in their life."

Furthermore, in another previous Finnish Veterinary study, scientists showed healthy human food leftovers offered to puppies significantly reduced allergy symptoms and skin problems later in life. This long-term, protective effect increased the more often real foods were added, so the more exposure puppies had to a variety of healthy leftovers, the more protection there was from developing skin issues down the road.

“…even if the dog eats 80% of its food as dry, adding a minimum of 20% of the food as raw significantly decreased the risk of AASS [allergic skin disease] later in life.” – Dr. Anna Hielm-Björkman

Looking to upgrade your pet’s bowl but not sure how?

In the new sequel to the #1 New York Times bestseller, The Forever Dog, comes the The Forever Dog Life: this highly anticipated book contains more than 120 nutritionally packed recipes for delicious food bowls, fresh food toppers, broths and DIY treats, along with non-toxic cleaners and all-natural recipes for body and home. The ultimate handbook to help your dogs and cats live their best life. The Forever Dog Life book is now available for pre-order worldwide! https://foreverdoglife.com

12/01/2023

Get it?! 🤣

Dogs with GI issues provide plenty of opportunity to take p**p pics - if we can find them during leaf season 🔦🤦‍♀️

I ask some clients for these pics because they can clarify an issue.

▶️ transit time

▶️ inflammation

▶️ constipation

▶️ a need for more or less fiber

▶️ possible benefit of a specific type of fiber

▶️ possible effect of probiotics

There can be more information in that pic depending on a dog’s history.

Happy 💩 hunting, fellow dog parents😆

**p

11/17/2023

Don’t be fearful. Be informed.

A respiratory disease has been reported in Oregon, and Washington dog owners received a warning this week. I don't know if this is the canine flu, but the symptoms are the same:

** Coughing and/or sneezing
** Fever
** Nasal discharge with yellow/green mucus
** Difficulty breathing / rapid breathing
** No appetite
** Lethargy

I believe in informed and minimal vaccines for my dogs. Therefore, I won't be vaccinating my dogs for the canine flu because I don't know if a vaccine will protect my dogs. Instead, I'll avoid areas populated with dogs (dog park, doggy daycare, kennels, dog-friendly businesses) and focus on boosting my dogs' immune systems through diet and supplementation.

Vaccinating our dogs is personal and shouldn't be taken lightly, nor should it be judged. Whether you choose to vaccinate your dog for the canine flu or not, please be safe.

What You Need to Know About the Dog Flu Vaccine https://buff.ly/40JTjpD

11/17/2023

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder 😍😍

11/16/2023

Think outside the box!

💭🤔📦 Think Outside the Box 📦🤔💭

Scenario: Your dog is experiencing health or behavioural issues and you’re working closely with your vet. An underlying cause hasn’t been established yet and your current option is medication to mask or numb the issue.

Thinking outside the box for what could be contributing to the health concern could be highly beneficial in supporting your dog’s condition. These considerations and changes below will add to your dog’s general wellbeing and may even have an impact on easing the condition present.

Chemical Considerations

💦 Water Quality
Swap tap water to filtered, purified or (my personal choice) local natural spring water. This will help with your dogs overall health and wellbeing as well as gut health and organ function.

🧼 Chemical Cleaners and Washing Detergents
These are common causes of skin irritation in our pets, especially because their skin makes contact with floors, carpets, couches and bedding daily. If the chemicals attach to the fur, they may also be ingested while grooming. Learn how to make your own cleaning products and washing detergents at home using natural products like Castile soap, bicarb soda, vinegar and dog appropriate essential oils.

💨 Air Fresheners
Scented candles, air freshener plug ins and deodorising sprays again increase the toxic chemicals that your dog is exposed to. Removing these may help with health problems and overall will help promote the health and longevity of your dog as these have also been linked to causing cancer.

🍃 Garden Chemicals
Irritation, skin inflammation and potential behavioural problems are not necessarily the focus with this point. Lawn care chemicals have been linked to causing cancer in dogs. Opt for natural and home made herbicide or pesticide lawn products.

🛌 Bedding
Your dogs bed could contain a cocktail of chemicals. Memory foam beds, waterproof bedding and synthetic covers are the biggest red flags. These chemicals are stored in your dog’s body and brain, and may be contributing to health issues. Opt for natural fibres where possible.

Sound Considerations

💡 Fluorescent Lights
The sound and light emitted from these may impact dog behaviour and stress levels. Ditching the dinosaur technology may help with anxious tendencies and behaviour issues.

🎶 Bluetooth
Frequencies from Bluetooth devices are undetectable by our ears. However, your dog can hear anywhere from 60 HZ to 45,000 HZ, so it's possible they’re able to hear the Bluetooth frequency your devices are giving off. Switching Bluetooth off on your phone when not in use as well as turning off the devices will help reduce the noise in the home which could be contributing to canine stress.

💻 Wifi
There is still arguments around whether your dog can hear wifi or not. If you feel your wifi is emitting a frequency detectable by your dog that it is impacting behaviour, turn this off at night when not in use and ensure the dog beds are not located near the modem.

🔌 Power Saving Plug Adapters
Recently, these were found to be causing anxious behaviour in a dog. If you have made power saving upgrades within your home, check to see if removing them helps with your dog’s behavioural issues. Read this post https://www.facebook.com/share/p/baPHwQSBWcSzuR6w/?mibextid=WaXdOe

Environmental Considerations

☘️ Plants in the Backyard
Consider if there’s an environmental irritant which you may be able to remove. Plants commonly found in our backyard that are considered highly irritating to our dog’s skin:
Rye grass
Clover
Paspalum
Moses-in-the-Cradle
Wandering Jew
Turtle Vine
Ivy
Purple Heart

🦠 Mould
Mould can cause a host of health issues in humans and animals. If this is a problem in your home, address is immediately.

Energy Considerations

😡 Social Dynamics within the Home
Dogs are highly sensitive emotional beings. If there are tensions, constant arguments and problems within the home this may impact the behaviour and even health of your dog.

😩 You’re Own Personal Well-being Practices
Dogs mirror our stress. If we are not looking after ourselves and managing our stress levels, this may cause additional stress for our dogs.

Health concerns, skin issues, anxious behaviour and behavioural issues may have subtle connections to the environment we cultivate for our dogs at home. Reducing chemical exposure and sound “pollution” could make a world of difference to the wellbeing of your dog.

11/12/2023

Apoquel has been on the market a few years now. It was not well studied before its use in veterinary medicine for “allergies” and skin disorders.

If it’s ever recommended to you for your dog, you’ll want to be informed on the down side of things. You may be trading skin issues for a death sentence.

11/10/2023

Beware. Raw hide chews don’t digest. They can cause blockages and toxicity as they sit in the stomach and colon. Just don’t!

11/10/2023

Cool website. Ticklab will test any tick for disease On this website they also have an interactive map that shows, by state, how many ticks have been tested and how many have been positive/negative.

https://www.ticklab.org/?fbclid=IwAR2omg--OL1sKAhcjRCuxZ6qB-4kZaKXw18JqqRE2gXpYi1Qp4ghBjX9x08_aem_ASWEhicTM_GlpqWQC89dLxWs2tAoX37kZjUV1juHeIDRlSnbD9kQk9rwICeJrUJFVcI

Bitten by a tick? Determine if you were exposed to a tick-borne disease before symptoms ever appear, with fast, reliable laboratory tick testing results.