Dr. Keith Weingardt, DVM

06/30/2024

Some cats are accepting of acupuncture. Some cats really don't like acupuncture. This cat, Romeo, LOVES his acupuncture. This picture captures his acu-high, mid Bliss. I see him monthly to help him with chronic renal failure. Between his treatments, whole food diet, herbs and supplements he has great quality of life.

05/29/2024

Meet Miso, my newest furry friend! 🐾 Recently, she took her first steps into my practice space, accompanied by her loving mom who wants to ensure Miso's journey starts off on the right paw. Miso, like many of my patients, is a bit shy and cautious, maybe even a tad fearful of new experiences. But here's the thing: I see this all the time, and it's my goal to make every pet feel safe and comfortable.
In a world where things can often feel chaotic and rushed, I believe in taking it slow. Building trust isn't just a part of what I do; it's at the heart of everything I stand for. That's why I’m a big proponent of Fear Free practices. From the beginning, 25 years ago, my goal has been to create an environment where every tail wags with joy at the mention of a visit to "Dr. Keith."
Because when our furry friends feel happy to see us, we know we're doing something right. Thank you to all our wonderful clients who entrust me with the care of their beloved pets. Together, we're building relationships that last a lifetime.

05/15/2024

Nothing feeds my soul more than the smile on the face of a happy dog and the sparkle in their eyes.

05/02/2024

WOW! What a whirlwind the last few months have been. I felt like an update was long overdue...

First I want to thank all my amazing clients and their wonderful animals for your kindness, patience and support as we transitioned to our new practice model and launched our platform.

Second, I have been working hard in my role consulting with ThorneVet and am very proud of my recent formula additions to the line - Peaceful Pet and Longevity Complex. The feedback has been tremendous and I am super stoked to be able to help animals far and wide live longer and feel calm and grounded in the process.

Lastly, I was invited to teach at the veterinary school at Louisiana State University at the beginning of April. I was in the clinics teaching acupuncture and integrative modalities to 3rd and 4th year students. It was so fun and I found it deeply fulfilling. I told them I was planting seeds of other ways to look at things and hoping in time they would germinate. I introduced an approach to medicine that addresses the root rather than hacking at the branches. It was clear that my message resonated with many of the students. I tried to make it fun and had them practicing needling oranges before they needled each other! They got me a beautiful card and T-shirt at the end of my time. Brought tears to my eyes.

03/04/2024

Their happy place on a cold winter day! 💗😻

02/29/2024

I am very excited to announce the release of my newest formulation for ThorneVet!

Longevity Complex

It is a one-of-a-kind formula that I spent many hours researching and formulating.

Longevity Complex is a cutting-edge animal health supplement that combines a powerhouse of ingredients for beneficially influencing the body’s longevity pathways and promoting healthy aging in our companion animals.

It can be used as part of a rotation in the prevention of disease as well as part of a protocol to address more serious conditions like cancer and auto-immune diseases.

link in comments.

02/20/2024

As promised, we are excited to share with you Dr. Keith’s new logo!

This logo is a work of art that captures the love and healing energy that Dr. Keith shares with the dogs, cats and their people that he cares for. If you know Dr. Keith, you know that he finds his power, solace and connection in Nature. His love of the plants and trees is captured in the logo. The roots of the tree run deep, bringing up the vital force of the Earth, cradling the animals and blossoming into the heart shaped leaves signifying the love and care that Dr. Keith provides for his patients.

We hope you resonate with this new logo as it signifies an exciting change and brings forth new energy to the care that Dr. Keith provides to you and your pets. We look forward to take this journey with you and your beloved animals.

We invite you to explore our new space and enjoy the many new features on our brand new platform we built for you! Link will be in the comments 👇

02/14/2024

As we weathered the recent ice and snowstorm in the Pacific Northwest, it reminded me of the challenges our beloved pets face during these tough times, especially our older furry friends. Watching them struggle on slippery surfaces tugs at our heartstrings.

One thing that stood out to me was the difficulty dogs have in maintaining traction on icy paths. While our young pups bounce back quickly, our seniors need a little extra help. That's where products like Dr. Buzby’s Toe Grips and Ruffwear Booties come in, providing the grip and protection needed to navigate icy terrain safely.
And it's not just about preventing slips. The booties also shield our pets' paws from irritation and abrasion caused by snow and ice. Links in comments

Even in the cold, it's crucial to keep our pets active. Just like us, if they don't use it, they lose it! Indoor activities like tug of war, fetch, or puzzle games can keep them mentally sharp and physically engaged.

Looking for DIY puzzle game ideas? link in comments

If your pet does take a tumble, quick action is key. Homeopathic remedies like Arnica montana and Hypericum perforatum can provide relief from trauma and nerve pain. And let's not forget about joint support—a good supplement regimen can work wonders in keeping our pets comfortable and mobile.

Massage and range of motion exercises can really help keep our animals’ joints limber and will help you assess where in their body they may need some support. I refer many of my patients to Heal Animal Massage. Similarly, if you feel your pet could benefit from physical therapy, consider a consult with Dr. Kelsey Jonas or her associates at Canine PT and Me. links in comments

Here's hoping we've seen the last of the winter storms. But just in case Jack Frost pays another visit, let's be prepared to support our older pets through the challenges.

Wishing you and your furry companions health and happiness!

02/09/2024

Manny, one of our sweet pug patients cruising Portland style!

02/05/2024

🌟 Exciting News for Animal Lovers 🌟
We're thrilled to share a sneak peek of something special coming your way!

Behold, a glimpse of Dr. Keith's new logo! This emblem embodies the love, care, and healing energy that Dr. Keith pours into every furry friend he treats. But wait, there's more... Can you guess what the rest of the logo is hiding?

Want to see the full logo reveal? Subscribe to our newsletter on our website (link in comments below) to be among the first to witness the big unveiling! Plus, as a subscriber, you'll gain exclusive early access to Dr. Keith's new platform, making it easier and more convenient to care for your beloved pets! Don't miss out on this exciting journey with us! Subscribe now and stay tuned to your inbox for more updates!

02/01/2024

I am very excited and proud of my newest formulation...Peaceful Pet! I have started my own dog Otis on it and he is defintely more peaceful! Link in the comments😁

12/06/2023

More information regarding the respiratory virus from Dr. Scott Weese, a veterinary epidemiologist in Canada. From his data it looks like the spike in Oregon was in June and is now lower.

Trupanion also did a webinar with Dr. Weese and a couple of other veterinarians.

The links will be posted in the comments.

12/05/2023

First of all....Thank you all for the kind and wonderful birthday wishes! I appreciated and felt all of the love! It was a lovely sunny day in the Pacific Northwest and I enjoyed every minute of it.

On a second note: I had posted last week about medicinal mushrooms to help boost our dogs immune systems in light of the unusual canine respiratory virus that has been going around. FB seems to have throddled that post (you can go back on my timeline to read it) and it has had very little exposure. I do not completely understand the FB algorithm and find it frustrating. Anyway, since then, I have continued to have more clients concerned, so I wrote up another post.

Canine Respiratory Disease Concerns:

I have been fielding many concerns from clients who are worried about the respiratory disease that appears to be circulating in the canine community. As of now, they have not determined the underlying cause of the illness. It appears to be viral in nature based on the current information that we have. Dogs are developing discharge from the eyes and nose, sneezing a cough that is persistent. In some dogs the disease is progressing deeper into the lungs and causing pneumonia and more severe disease.
One thing that I have heard from my people is that general veterinarians are recommending to get boosted with all of the vaccines to make sure they are protected. I don’t agree with this approach. If the disease that was circulating had a vaccine, it would make sense to get this particular vaccine. Challenging your dogs with a number of vaccines that they may not need is not a way to strengthen their immune system.
My approach would be to use common sense and avoid high traffic, high density dog areas like dog parks, boarding kennels, training classes, dog sports and groomers. At least until the hysteria has died down a little bit.
Remember what Pasteur said – the pathogen is nothing, the terrain is everything. Support your pet's terrain making it a healthy environment and less likely to succumb to an infectious disease. Start with whole, real food diets and nourish your pet on a deeper level. Build immunity with medicinal mushrooms and antioxidants so that if exposed to the disease they have the best chance at fighting it off or minimizing illness. Act quickly if your dogs starts having respiratory signs to keep them isolated from other dogs and give them appropriate support guided by a veterinarian versed in holistic modalities. Many pets can get through illness without relying on antibiotics or other suppressive treatments. Herbal medicine has been dealing with disease epidemics for thousands of years and when utilized appropriately can be lifesaving.

Links to the two items I have Otis on are posted in the comments.

11/22/2023

I am hearing from quite a few people concerned about the unusual respiratory illness that is affecting dogs in the US.

Health officials have confirmed instances of the respiratory disease in canines in California, Colorado, Oregon, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. There have also been cases reported in Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Illinois and Georgia, suggesting the illness may be spreading.

While the cause is unknown and there is not a specific preventative, I recommend boosting your dogs immune system by giving the immune boosting power of organic, hot water extracted medicinal mushrooms. I designed the formula for ThorneVet’s Mushroom Medley and have started my own dog Otis on it to help keep his immune system strong.

You can order from my ThorneVet affiliate link here:
https://thornevet.com/product/mushroom-medley/?ref=3025

Or through my Amazon affiliate link here: https://a.co/d/eQx6fI5

11/14/2023

This Dr. Keith's wife Beth....Please join me in wishing Dr. Keith a very HAPPY 50th BIRTHDAY!! He has a lot of light left to shine on this world!

11/08/2023

I am going to increase my presence on Instagram and will have less content on
Facebook. Please follow me there!

172 Followers, 19 Following, 19 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Dr. Keith Weingardt, DVM, CVA ()

11/08/2023

Otis "helping" with storm debris clean-up!

07/27/2023

Otis cam on the Salmon River Trail 🤩🌲🌳

07/13/2023

Otis P. Dog - Animal Buddha

I often marvel at how animals are our best teachers. When I observe how our young dog, Otis explores his world, it makes me jealous. Zen mind, beginner mind right from the start. He is so thoughtful to the sights, sounds and smells all around him. When I wander the woods for a special sit spot, he loves to settle in and bathe in the scenery, watching and feeling everything. In the hectic busy times that we live in, don’t forget to take a breath, have a seat and be like Otis.

06/30/2023

Interesting information on timing of spaying and neutering based on breeds.

There has been a lot of great information that has become available that looks at the importance of hormonal development in young dogs. Allowing animals to go through puberty with their s*x organs has been found to have important effects in the development of musculoskeletal and immune system health. In addition, the changes that a pet goes through when they reach s*xual maturity can help prevent health issues later in life (ie – urinary incontinence in spayed females). In researching this topic, I came across a very interesting study that evaluated when to have your dog spayed or neutered and how this differed across breeds of dogs. Here is the study for you to review and share:

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2020.00388/full

06/23/2023

Hi There! My name is Otis and I recently went on a road trip with my family to Colorado. I visited with my sister, Sunshine and we had a blast exploring the mountains. Taking the trip made my Dad think of all the things that are important to have with you when taking a journey like this with your pets. Here are some of the items that may be helpful to have on hand:

Homeopathic remedies:
o Aconite 30 C – great for shock or trauma
o Arnica 30 C – for sprains, strains, bruising or injury
o Hypericum perforatum 30 C – helpful for back pain or nerve injury
o Nux vomica 30 C – great for toxicity and associated nausea
o Arsenicum album 30 C – good for garbage enteritis or food toxicity
o Cocculus indicus 30 C – great remedy for car sickness
o Apis mellifica 30 C – ideal for bee stings or bug bites
o Urtica urens 30 C – good for red, itchy rashes and swelling
Gastrointestinal remedies:
o Bentonite clay – amazing for absorbing toxins that cause gastroenteritis
o Probiotics – Vetriscience Fast Balance GI Paste
o ThorneVet – Gastriplex – great for almost all GI upset
Wound remedies:
o Mad About Organics – wound balm
o Chlorhexidine or Povidone iodine to clean wounds
o Sterile gauze and bandage material
Pharmaceuticals:
o Anti-inflammatory – NSAIDs – carprofen, meloxicam, etc.
o Gabapentin – for pain
o Trazadone - for panic attacks/anxiety
o (Note: all pharmaceuticals would be for animals who have needed this or have conditions which may warrant this support. Not every pet needs these medications in your emergency kit).

05/12/2023

Consideration #5 - REPOPULATE WITH BENEFICIAL BUGS
There has been substantial research showing that a healthy, balanced microbiome (population of microbes – bacteria, yeast, fungi, viruses in our intestine and on the surface of our bodies) is of paramount importance in having healthy digestion but also immune system health. When there is inflammation in the intestine this causes a disruption in the microbiome. Some organisms who are beneficial may be lost and there is the potential that pathogenic organisms who had been kept in check by the probiotic organisms may overgrow. This imbalance in the microbiome is called dysbiosis. It is a common phenomenon in human and animal medicine. This potential imbalance is compounded by using antibiotics and other drugs like anti-inflammatories. While the pharmaceuticals may take out the pathogen, it wipes out the good players too.
This is why it is so important to work on repopulating the gut after a digestive issue, especially if your pet has been on antibiotics to treat the problem. Sadly, many veterinarians will reach for metronidazole or another antibiotic medication when dealing with diarrhea and other digestive issues. Years ago, when I was an intern in an Emergency and Specialty Hospital, the Internal Medicine specialist I worked with would often have her patients on two or three antibiotics at a time. In retrospect, while she was working hard to help these animals, she was unintendedly sterilizing the gut of her patients and setting them up for a chronic cycle of disease.
Not all probiotics are created equal. Many of the products on the market contain organisms that are very unstable. There are some that are very sensitive to temperature changes. Others are sensitive to pH and moisture. People are paying a lot of money for probiotics that are not surviving to make it to the intestine where they work. That is why I recommend a sporulated probiotic. Some people refer to them as soil-based probiotics. Part of their life cycle involves a spore which is its dormant phase. This spore protects the organism from temperature changes. It also protects it from the harsh environment of the upper intestinal tract and stomach. Once they reach the small intestine and colon with the appropriate moisture, temperature, and nutrients, they bloom to survive for long periods in the intestinal tract. ThorneVet’s Gastriplex includes Bacillus coagulans – a sporulated, stable, effective probiotic for helping create a healthy probiotic population in the gut. Similarly, Gastriplex also has a non-pathogenic yeast strain of probiotic called Saccharomyces boulardii. This strain of probiotic has been shown to survive antibiotic administration. It can help maintain an environment that promotes healthy bacteria and inhibits pathogen overgrowth. The presence of these stable, effective probiotics in ThorneVet’s Gastriplex is another reason to include this in your pets treatment plan when recovering from gastrointestinal issues. It can reduce inflammation, prevent leaky gut, and promote a healthy probiotic population in the gut.

You can purchase it here:
https://thornevet.com/?vet=AnimalHealingArts
and use the coupon code DRKEITH for a 10% discount.

05/11/2023

Now for consideration #4

PREVENT LEAKY GUT
When the intestine is subject to inflammation there are characteristic changes in the intestinal tract (ie.- altered blood flow, increased inflammatory cytokines, free radical damage and disruption of the microbiome), which if persistent, can lead to more serious issues. Normally the cells lining the intestine present an impenetrable barrier to food, toxins and antigens in the intestinal tract. The mucin layer lining the cells and the tight junctions between the cells act as this barrier. With chronic inflammation, these tight junctions between the cells become more porous and leakier. Over time the leakiness through these breaches in the barrier can progress. This can cause symptoms of food sensitivity, gas, cramping, bloating, loud bowel sounds, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Some dogs, which owners describe as having a sensitive stomach, may often have some degree of increased intestinal permeability which has caused increased immune (think allergic-like) reactions in the gut as well as having other symptoms like skin reactions, host spots and rashes. Subsequently, addressing inflammation as mentioned in Consideration #3 is of paramount importance in preventing leaky gut. It is also really important to help those tight junctions seal up snug by promoting tight junction proteins and support the health of the cells lining the intestine. Glutamine has been shown to help promote both of these functions. It has also been found that the protective barrier of mucin which lines the intestine is composed of complex glycosaminoglycans. By providing N-acetyl-glucosamine as a supplemental nutrient, this can increase the protective layer of mucin and prevent not only inflammation but hinder the development of leaky gut. ThorneVet’s Gastriplex helps reduce inflammation while also helping seal the tight junctions of the gut by supplementing with glutamine and N-acetyl glucosamine. So if your dog is having a hard time getting back on track after digestive upset, start sprinkling Gastriplex in their food and work up to the full dose over 2-3 days. Keep on this for 2-4 weeks after resolution of symptoms to help support a healthy bowel environment and prevent recurrent problems. Part of creating a healthy bowel ecosystem involves reducing inflammation, sealing the tight junctions between cells, and making sure to help repopulate the intestinal tract with beneficial microorganisms or probiotics. More on this topic in Consideration #5.

You can purchase it here:
https://thornevet.com/?vet=AnimalHealingArts
and use the coupon code DRKEITH for a 10% discount.

05/11/2023

Consideration #3...
REDUCE INFLAMMATION
Sometimes our dogs will keep backsliding with recurrent digestive symptoms despite an adequate fast and offering small amounts of easily digestible, bland food. In this case, there may be additional support needed to help them get over the hump and get their digestion back on track. Often, regardless of the cause of the digestive upset, inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract is a big piece of the puzzle. Working to reduce the inflammation gently will help improve many of the symptoms. Demulcent herbs are ones that soothe and coat irritated mucous membranes. Slippery elm bark and licorice root are amazing demulcents and two important ingredients in ThorneVet’s Gastriplex. Glutamine is an amino acid also present in Gastriplex, that is protective to the cells lining the intestine and also suppresses the pro-inflammatory signaling pathways in the gut. If your dog seems to recover and then flare up again, I recommend adding ThorneVet’s Gastriplex to the treatment plan. Start sprinkling a small amount of Gastriplex into their bland meal and increase to the recommended dose over 2-3 days. Many times, initiating this support will nudge things in the right direction. I recommend continuing for 14 days beyond resolution of the symptoms. Some dogs need to stay on Gastriplex longer term and can do so without any complications. The formula is not only effective at reducing inflammation in the gut, it also helps to tighten up and seal the tight junctions lining the intestine. This is an important effect to counteract one of the more serious consequences of the inflammation in the intestine which is the development of leaky gut. We will talk more about this in consideration # 4.

You can purchase it here: https://thornevet.com/?vet=AnimalHealingArts
and use the coupon code DRKEITH for a 10% discount.

Full disclosure: This has been my favorite formula for digestive issuess for the last 20 years and I have had great success with it. For the last few years I have been consulting with ThorneVet to develop formulas and educate the pet loving community.

05/10/2023

Consideration #2 if your dog has a digestive problem....

2. BLAND EASILY DIGESTIBLE DIET – SLOW & EASY TRANSITION
Once the digestive issues appear to be settling down, the dog is holding down water, has been symptom free or showing improving symptoms over the past 12 hours, then you can offer them some easily digestible food. Many vets for years have recommended chicken and rice. I find this to be a poor choice as the rice can be difficult for some dogs to digest and can be pro-inflammatory. I prefer lean cooked meats like lean ground turkey, chicken or beef combined in equal proportions of soluble fiber like mashed sweet potato or organic canned pumpkin. Soluble fiber has a balancing effect on the digestive tract and provides a prebiotic source of nutrients to the beneficial bacteria of the gut. I usually start with a very small amount relative to their normal sized meal. Just to test the waters. If they consume this eagerly, without any digestive upset like nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, then I will gradually add a little more bland food to the next meal. If after 24-48 hours, the dog seems stable with this introduction, is feeling good and acting more normal, then I add a small amount of their normal diet to the mix. Start with 25% normal food with 75% bland. Gradually add more normal food while weaning down on the bland diet over a 3–5-day period. Adjust the transition based on how the dog is doing. If things are going smoothly, you can transition more quickly. If things are going bumpier with repeated gastrointestinal symptoms, slow or stop the transition. Further fasting may be needed if there are a lot of symptoms or your dog is feeling poorly. Now may be a good time to reach out to your vet to see if they may need to be checked out. Next, we can talk about how to help our dogs who are having a hard time getting their digestion back on track.

05/08/2023

One of the most common problems we deal with in dogs is digestive issues. This week I will post daily and address the:
TOP FIVE CONSIDERATIONS IF YOUR DOG HAS A DIGESTIVE PROBLEM

1. FASTING
When in doubt FAST. With almost any digestive issue, my first line of defense is to fast the pet of any food. I will still allow access to water. If they can’t hold down water, then it becomes important to consider a visit to the vet. Remember that the biggest enemy of a patient with digestive issues, especially if they are older or more fragile, is dehydration. With diarrhea, fasting can sometimes fix the current digestive symptoms. It is important to remember that vomiting and diarrhea are protective mechanisms that the body uses to get rid of pathogens, food or toxins that are not resonating with the digestive system. By fasting the patient and not adding food to an already upset system, this allows for things to settle down, inflammation to subside and for toxins to be removed from the intestinal tract. These defense mechanisms are usually effective in initiating the healing process. When we fast the pet, we allow for the digestive tract to work on the process of healing. If we feed a pet with active digestive upset, rather than healing the gut, the digestive tract becomes focused on attempting to digest and absorb nutrients. Yet, because of the underlying imbalance the dog cannot properly digest and process nutrients. This can create a vicious cycle of intake of food too early leading to persistent digestive symptoms. So, if your pet has an upset stomach, fast them of any food for 12-24 hours. If the symptoms settle down, then we can slowly introduce a bland, easily digestible diet. Leading us to consideration # 2… stay tuned tomorrow.

03/29/2023

Happy Wednesday from Otis P. Dog!

01/31/2023

Dr. Keith has been working with ThorneVet and has designed Canine Cognitive Support formula to help our elderly canine friends enjoy an optimal quality of life!

https://thornevet.com/product/canine-cognitive-support/?vet=AnimalHealingArts

There is a link to a blog post he wrote there as well.

We have found it to be really helpful for our older canine friends! If your dog is more severely affected we have found working up to double dosage may be more effective.

A powerhouse of ingredients designed to support cognitive and mental health in dogs. Although this formula can be used by dogs of all ages to support their neurologic health, the formula particularly excels in supporting the aging dog. Learn more by reading the Canine Cognitive Support Article by Ke...