Spay/Neuter

Why should I get my pet fixed?

Pet overpopulation is the number one problem for animals in America. Some homeless dogs and cats just roam the streets. Others are killed in city pounds and shelters. Many of these animals are healthy and adoptable. The best way to avoid the problem of unwanted pets, and the kindest thing you can do for animals generally, is to make sure that your cat or dog is spayed or neutered.


But surely my one cat or dog can’t make that much of a difference?

One unspayed female cat is actually capable of generating a family of 85 million in ten years! Besides, fixing your pet will make your life much easier.

Will spaying or neutering affect my pet's behavior?

Only in a very positive way! Spaying or neutering your pet can help some of your pet's behavior problems. Some of these problems include:
• house soiling
• marking, spraying
• persistent barking or meowing
• roaming, escaping
• fighting with other pets
• biting humans or other pets
• bleeding and other problems associated with female pets being in heat

Read the entire article.

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Help Animals, Inc.

"H.E.L.P. ANIMALS, INC., a 501 ( C ) 3 Tax Deductible, Non Profit Organization supplies the masks through monetary donations received. We do not have the funds to gift the mask sets to all fire stations. We rely upon individuals, businesses and local communities to raise the funds for their Fire Houses, Police K9 Units, 501 (c ) 3 Animal Shelters and Wild Life Rehabbers. Donations sent to us are tax deductible as allowed by law!" Read the entire article.

If you would like to help your local municipal fire station, K9 unit or shelter, give them a call and see if they have pet masks on their ambulances. If not, and you would like to purchase masks to donate, H.E.L.P. Animals Inc., they can help you by getting the masks at a reduced price! Last year, Bandit's Buddies purchased 6 sets, one for each ambulance in my county and made the donation in Bandit's Memory. Click here to read about Bandit's Buddies, LLC donation!

Fleas/Ticks/Mosquitos

Those pesty parasites!

Fleas, ticks and other parasites are attracted to animals in a weakened or run-down condition and they usually leave the healthier pets alone. One of the best ways to parasite-proof your pet is to improve the overall health of your pet. Good food is essential to good health. While it seems more expensive in the beginning, a high quality diet is an investment that pays off in the long run. Many believe that the flea allergies suffered by so many animals are related to a weak immune system. A change in diet helps to improve immunity, and many holistic practitioners suggest adding enzymes and supplements to improve pet health.


Click here for more tips.
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Evanger's Dog and Cat Food

FDA Orders Pet Food Maker to Obtain Emergency Operating Permit

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an order requiring that Evanger's Dog & Cat Food Co., Inc., in Wheeling, Ill., obtain an emergency permit from the FDA before its canned pet food products enter interstate commerce.

A recent inspection revealed significant deviations from prescribed documentation of processes, equipment, and recordkeeping in the production of the company's thermally processed low acid canned food (LACF) products. These problems could result in under-processed pet foods, which can allow the survival and growth of Clostridium botulinum (C. botulinum), a bacterium that causes botulism in some animals as well as in humans.

"As outlined in the Food Protection Plan, the FDA uses a risk-based approach to locate the areas of greatest risk for foods, and targets preventive controls and inspections to those areas, " said Dr. Stephen Sundlof, director, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. "The FDA's authority to issue an order requiring an emergency permit is an enforcement tool designed to prevent unsafe foods from reaching consumers.” read the entire article.

Evanger's has information on their site as well, www.evangersdogfood.com

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Annual Rabies Vaccine

Are annual shots a risk for dogs?
BY DIANE MCCARTNEY
The Wichita Eagle

Like a good pet owner, Pat Wohrley followed her veterinarian's advice and took her dog in every year for vaccinations.

Now she thinks the vaccinations, including a rabies vaccine that the city of Wichita requires yearly for dogs and cats, cut her dog's life short.

Sadie, a shepherd-setter mix, had to be euthanized in 2002 after she contracted an autoimmune disease that caused her body to attack its own red blood cells.

Veterinarians at Kansas State University's College of Veterinary Medicine told Wohrley they thought Sadie's illness was a "reaction from all the vaccines she'd been given throughout her life," Wohrley said.

"Her body just said enough's enough."

Most dogs and cats get their yearly vaccinations and suffer little more than an annoying sting and maybe swelling at the injection site.

But with a growing number of pets suffering vaccine-related reactions ranging from hives to potentially fatal tumors and autoimmune diseases, more pet owners -- and veterinarians -- are asking: How many vaccinations do pets really need?

Vaccination overkill?

In Wichita, rabies is the only vaccine that is required by law. Core vaccines for dogs such as parvo, distemper and hepatitis are recommended for good canine health but are not mandatory.

Most veterinarians, including those in Wichita, use a rabies vaccine for dogs that is guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to give immunity for three years.

That's why Michael Nawrocki, president of the Wichita Veterinary Medical Association, calls yearly rabies vaccinations "overkill."

"Every animal, whether they get the one-year or the three-year vaccine, it's the exact same vaccine; it's good for three years," Nawrocki said.

www.kansas.com/news


What about cats?

Endorsements for a new vaccine protocol extend back to 2001, after the veterinary profession recognized an alarming increase in an aggressive cancer at vaccine injection sites in the early 1990s. Support since then has only grown.

The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Council on Biologic & Therapeutic Agents, the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) as well as immunologists and clinicians at 22 veterinary schools in North America all err on the side of fewer vaccinations rather than more.

No cat that has had even one rabies vaccination has ever developed rabies. The last case of a human getting rabies from a cat was 1979 in Indiana.

Whether your cat needs any vaccine should be based on age, health condition and proximity to exposure. To do otherwise is overkill. Read the entire article.



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Dr. Jane Call this week

MAKING THE BEST EVEN BETTER
"ASK DR. JANE"
THURSDAY, APRIL 24TH, 8:30 PM EST

Dr. Jane has made a few improvements to the Life's Abundance formulas. By making minor modifications (like adding blueberries, pomegranate, etc.), Dr. Jane has significantly boosted the nutrition of this great kibble. But don't worry .. dogs and cats will not be able to detect any difference because Life's Abundance has the same great flavor they already love!

To learn more about these exciting changes, call 712-580-0380 Thursday night at 8:30 p.m. EST and enter pass code 626116# after the prompt. Questions from customers will be taken starting at 9:15 p.m.

Please note: Dr. Jane cannot legally advocate any treatment over the phone or by email. We ask that you please refrain from asking Dr. Jane diagnostic questions.

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The Housebreaking Bible

The Housebreaking Bible doesn't offer a "quick fix" or a miraculous "dog trainer's secret" that promises to make your dog perfect overnight. In dog training, as with most things in life, quick fixes rarely yield lasting results. And the only real secret in dog training is that it takes a little time and effort to create long term improvement in your dog's behavior.

Our program is designed to be a source of quality, step-by-step housebreaking instructions and in-depth, detailed solutions to your dog's housebreaking problems. We are committed to offering a free dog housebreaking program that yields solid, long-lasting results based on the foundation of a good relationship between you and your dog. Visit Housebreaking Bible Now.
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Dr. Pitcairn on Dental Problems in Pets

To clean the teeth, one can use a soft toothbrush and suitable ones are sold by veterinarians. The most effective and useful treatment of the gums and teeth is make a solution of vitamin C and water. Use the ratio of 1/2 teaspoon of vit. C to a cup of water. Dip the brush into this solution and gently rub it back and forth along the teeth, especially where the gums and teeth meet. Only the outside of the teeth needs to be done. Once a day will be sufficient.

In my experience, dogs and cats that regularly eat bones do not need to have their teeth cleaned in this way.

If the gums have become inflamed, e.g., red and swollen or discharging pus, then an excellent treatment is to use the herb Myrhh. Make a dilution by adding 1 teaspoon of the tincture (the alcoholic extract) to a cup of water. Gently apply this to the gums once or twice a day. Either use a soft toothbrush or, if the gums are too sensitive for this, flush the gums with this solution using a syringe.

If your animal has developed abscessed teeth, ones that are loose or that have holes in them, a dentistry may be necessary to clean up the situation. Usually the teeth are removed, the rest cleaned. After this you can put into practice the advice given above.

Some animals are especially prone to gum disease and a very useful supplement for them is CoEnzyme Q10, a natural substance found in the body. Given as a white powder in a capsule, the amount to use if 10 mg a day for cats and 30 – 60 mg a day in dogs, depending on their size. This can be added to food. As a safe nutritional supplement it can be used indefinitely as long as the need is there. Read the entire article.

Read more about Vitamin C.
Read more about Myrrh.
Read more about COQ10.

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Peppermint Oil and Mosquitos

An extract of a common herb is being touted as a cheap alternative to existing pesticides in the war against mosquito-borne disease.

Peppermint oil is recommended by fans of alternative medicine to ease symptoms like indigestion, nausea and even to treat colds and flu, reports New Scientist magazine.

However, research by malaria experts suggest that the herb extract can not only repel adult mosquitoes, but kill their larvae before they even hatch.

Some experts say that peppermint oil could become a low-cost and more environmentally sensitive solution to eradicate the insects that carry potentially dangerous diseases such as malaria, filariasis, dengue fever and West Nile virus. Read the entire article.

While other manufacturers may be tempted to sell oil of cornmint or menthol as peppermint oil, Nature’s Sunshine sells only pure, unadulterated peppermint oil. A little goes a long way.


Click here to read more about peppermint oil.

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Chemicals

High Chemical Levels Found in Dogs, Cats

By Elizabeth Weise,
USA Today
Posted: 2008-04-17 12:22:44

(April 17) - An environmental group has tested dogs and cats for chemical exposure and found some levels much higher than in humans.

The analysis, being released today by the Washington, D.C.-based Environmental Working Group today, found levels of brominated flame retardants (used in furniture, fabrics and electronics) in cats 23 times higher than in humans, and mercury levels (likely from fish in pet foods) five times higher. In dogs, levels of perfluorinated chemicals (from stain- and grease-proof coatings) were 2.4 times higher than in people. Overall, 35 chemicals in dogs and 46 in cats were found.

A study found that levels of chemicals from stain- and grease-proof coatings were 2.4times higher in dogs than in people. Pets may have higher concentrations of chemicals in their bodies because they have more contact with the ground, where pesticides, dust and chemicals concentrate, a scientist said.

The research used blood and urine samples from 35 dogs and 37 cats collected at Hanover Animal Hospital in Mechanicsville, Va., in December and January. Results represent average levels. Samples had to be pooled because "lab methods require a larger sample than any single animal could provide," says EWG's Jane Houlihan.

The testing "raises tantalizing questions," says Larry Glickman, a professor of environmental health at Purdue University's School of Veterinary Medicine in West Lafayette, Ind. "These things are just too controversial to ignore."

Glickman says that "we'll need to figure out how widespread this contamination is, where's it coming from and whether it's associated with adverse health events."

"Because cats are finicky, owners find a food they like and stick to it," which could explain the high levels of mercury in cats, says Marion Nestle, a professor of nutrition at New York University who's researching a book on pet food. The same could apply to dogs, especially because they're often fed organ meat. "If they're eating only one thing, and there are toxins in it, then it would be concentrated."

Pets' high levels of exposure come about because they spend their days in direct contact with floors and the ground, where dust, dirt, chemicals and pesticides concentrate. They also chew on toys, "so they have exposures to plastics," Houlihan says.

The findings give cause for concern, Houlihan says, because "there's a 20-year body of scientific literature showing that pets can be sentinels for human problems."

www.usatoday.com

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Olive Leaf

Most people know the benefits of olive oil for circulatory health. But Nature's Sunshine Olive Leaf Extract alone appears to support several circulatory needs all at once, including blood pressure balance, healthy arteries, normal heart rhythm and free radical protection.

Oleuropein, a key constituent, is a prime example. It was found to be one ingredient in a compound produced by the olive tree that makes it particularly robust and resistant against insect and bacterial damage. It is thought to prevent LDL or “bad” cholesterol from oxidation, much like vitamin E, but with even stronger results.

Protects against viral, bacterial and parasitic invasion, and is especially desirable during foreign travel. Does not harm beneficial bacteria. Helps the body control blood pressure. Fights free radical damage as a strong antioxidant. Supports healthy blood sugar levels. Serves the immune, circulatory, urinary and digestive systems. The research suggests that this may be a "true anti-viral" compound because it appears to selectively block an entire virus-specific system in the infected host. It thus appears to offer healing effects not addressed by pharmaceutical antibiotics.

Researchers at Upjohn found Olive Leaf Extract effective in test tube experiments against the following viruses: herpes, vaccinia, pseudorabies, Newcastle, Coxsacloe A 21, encepthlomyocarditis, polio 1, 2, and 3, vesicular stomititus, sindbis, reovirus, Moloney Murine leukemia, Rauscher Murine leukemia, Moloney sarcoma, and many influenza and parainfluenza types.

They found it effective against these bacteria and parasitic protozoans: lactobacillus plantarum W50, brevis 50, pediococcus cerevisiae 39, leuconostoc mesenteroides 42, staphylococcus aureus, bacillus subtilis, enterobacteraerogenes NRRL B-199, E. cloacae NRRL B-414, E. coli, salamonella tyhimurium, pseudomonas fluorescens, P. solanacearum, P. lachrymans, erwinia carotovora, E. tracheiphila, xanthomonas vesicatoria, corynesbacterium Michiganese, plasmodium falciparum, virax and malariae.

NSP's Olive Leaf Extract is an amazing product delivers one of the highest levels of oleuropein available anywhere. To ensure maximum results, NSP's Olive Leaf Extract is specially prepared by a patented process to concentrate its desired natural benefits. And considering its high level of effective ingredients, standardized to 12 percent oleuropein, it is competitively priced.


Read more about Olive Leaf Extract

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A Call for Help

Animal control officers in Jackson County, Georgia seized 300 dogs on February 28 from L&D Farm and Kennel, a commercial breeding facility in the Nicholson area. According to a report in the Athens Banner-Herald, Jennifer Marie Hughes, 34; Brandy Shree Stone, 25; Marie Hughes; and Ronnie Hughes, were each arraigned on five felony and 55 misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals.

By all accounts, the L&D operation was a "puppy mill," a place where many dogs are held and bred purely for profit. Investigators from the Jackson County Animal Control Department and the state Department of Agriculture - prompted by a former kennel employee's complaint - raided the 23-acre L&D Farm and Kennel on Feb. 21.

With very short notice, several Atlanta rescue groups and shelters, including LifeLine Animal Project, quickly acted to provide housing, love and care to the hundreds of dogs seized in the Jackson County case. As the legal proceedings slowly progress, these rescuers are struggling with the growing financial burden of caring for the dogs, whose ultimate fate has yet to be decided by the courts.

LifeLine Animal Project has set up a special fund to help the dogs seized in the Jackson County case. All donations to the fund will be distributed to the many shelters and rescue groups who are providing care for the dogs until the case is resolved. Click here to help.

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Tips for Finding your Lost Pet

Start foot search immediately. The sooner you start searching, less distance your pet will have traveled. Thoroughly search the surrounding property and continue in the direction that your pet was last seen heading. Go door-to-door, starting close by initially, moving further out later.

Bring a flashlight and check EVERYWHERE: in closets, cupboards, and all accessible spaces inside your home; behind washers, inside pipes and culverts, in heavy brush, sheds, basement crawl spaces, open garages, under decks. Your pet may be stuck somewhere, extremely frightened, or injured and lying low. For lost cats and other climbing critters, check trees, roofs, and attics. Read the entire article.

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Protect your skin this Summer!

Sunshine Horizons

Soon it will be warm and we will all be out in the sun having fun. Fun in the summer sun can result in not-so-fun summer sunburns. As summer nears and we indulge in outside activities, it is important to remember to protect our skin from the sun’s potentially damaging ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV exposure can cause more than just sunburn.

Skin cancer, premature aging and ocular damage have been increasingly attributed to excessive time in the sun. Additionally, individuals with fair skin or those taking certain prescription drugs can be more susceptible to UV damage.1 The American Academy of Dermatology recommends following the “ABCs” to prevent sunburn. “A” stands for AVOID the sun in the middle of the day, “B” stands for BLOCK the sun’s rays by using an SPF 15 or higher sunscreen, and “C” stands for COVER up using protective clothing such as long sleeves and a hat.2 To further expand on these recommendations, Nature’s Sunshine Products offers the “D” component of protection. The additional “D” stands for DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS clinically proven to protect your skin from within.

Two recently published studies indicate that carotenoids from tomatoes (lycopene, phytofluene and phytoene) may help protect the skin from UV-induced damage. Both studies examined the photoprotective effects of synthetic lycopene and a tomato extract containing lycopene, phytofluene and phytoene as dietary supplements. After 12 weeks of supplementation, researchers noted a significant increase in both serum and skin carotenoids. At weeks 0, 4 and 12, skin reddening was induced in all groups with a solar light stimulator, and the skin was examined before the reddening and 24 hours afterward. At each exposure time, the reddening lessened over 12 weeks, indicating a preventive effect. At 12 weeks, the synthetic lycopene group saw a 25 percent reduction in the reddening intensity. The tomato extract group saw a 38
percent reduction. 3,4 Lutein and zeaxanthin are two other carotenoids that have received attention for their photoprotective effects. One study demonstrated an oral combination of the two carotenoids to provide more than a four-fold increase in sunburn protection when compared to placebo.

Researchers commented that in addition to these findings, the oral combination also protected the skin from increased free radical production, and it increased skin surface lipids, skin hydration and skin elasticity. For those who sunburn easily due to fair skin, superoxide dimutase (SOD) supplementation may reduce redness significantly. In one study, volunteers were separated into three groups based on the complexion of their skin. UV-induced reddening of the skin was done at the beginning of the study, and again each week for four weeks. Volunteers were blindly given either an SOD supplement or placebo. Skin redness and videocapillaroscopy were used to assess inflammation.

Individuals with the fairest skin complexion endured a 7.6 percent longer light exposure before damage occurred when taking SOD than the placebo group. The two darker skin complexion groups both saw less than a 1 percent difference between the SOD and the placebo group.

These nutrients are available through Nature’s Sunshine Products. Carotenoid provides a potent combination of UV-protecting ingredients, including lycopene, phytofluene, phytoene, lutein, zeaxanthin and more. SOD is also available for individuals with fair complexions. Protecting your skin from within is an important step in maintaining healthy skin and enjoying your summer, but not the only one. Remember to also use Natria Sunscreen topically. And for year-round skin and whole-body protection and maintenance, enjoy the great taste of Thai-Go (Stock no. 4095-1) daily. Thai Go is a rich source of xanthones, bioflavonoids and powerful antioxidants.


Shop Nature's Sunshine
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Brunfelsia Plant - poisonous to dogs

ATTRACTIVE BRUNFELSIA PROVES DEADLY TO DOGS
www.aspca.org

According to a recently published study by Dr. Safdar Khan, veterinary toxicologist for the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC), dogs seem to be particularly attracted to the seeds and berries of the Brunfelsia plant, also known as “morning, noon and night” and “yesterday, today and tomorrow.” In fact, canines are most susceptible to poisoning by this gardener’s favorite, aptly named for its fragrant flowers that bloom in vivid purple and gradually change to lavender before fading to white.

From 2001 to 2006, the APCC treated 38 cases of Brunfelsia poisoning involving 42 dogs. One California hound experienced stiff limbs and excessive drooling after ingesting several seeds from the plant. A terrier puppy from Florida developed life-threatening seizures after consuming another part of the plant. With help from the APCC and the services of a local emergency veterinarian, the puppy eventually made a full recovery. However, three of the cases proved fatal.

“Brunfelsia toxicity can progress very rapidly to a potentially lethal situation, so it’s critical that pet parents seek immediate veterinary care,” says Dr. Khan. “If pets consume any part of the plant, they can become ill within hours and develop gastrointestinal problems such as vomiting and diarrhea, as well as tremors, seizures and muscle rigidity that makes the animal appear to be in a ‘sawhorse’ stance.”

The most commonly affected breeds are Labradors and golden retrievers, who, because they are very active, may be more likely to get to the plant’s seeds and leaves.

If you have Brunfelsia in your home, please keep the plant in an area where pets can’t reach it, or replace it with a nontoxic alternative. Pet parents should remember to take precautions against the many plants and flowers that can prove harmful to their animals.



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Low Income Pet Owners - help

The AAHA Helping Pets Fund provides financial assistance through AAHA-accredited veterinary practices for emergency and non-elective veterinary care. We can help in three types of cases:

* When a pet owner is receiving certain forms of government assistance
for low-income individuals
* When a pet owner experiences a temporary financial hardship
* When a veterinary practice acts as a Good Samaritan and no pet owner exists

The Fund does not accept applications from individuals. Only AAHA-accredited veterinary practices can apply for a grant on behalf of the pet in need. Assistance is limited to $700 per AAHA-accredited practice per calendar year. The maximum available to each family is $500 per year and $1000 lifetime.

After a completed application is submitted, the AAHA Helping Pets Fund replies quickly with approval status — usually within 24 hours. AAHA-accredited practices can apply to the program, but are not obligated to do so, and funding is limited to the amounts indicated. Click here for the guidelines.

The FVEAP (Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance Program) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable corporation. We are managed by a Board of Directors, each one of whom is committed to the welfare of all animals, but especially cats and kittens. Each of them has experience with rescue and Trap, Neuter & Return programs. The Chief Executive Officer is a volunteer who has experience as a no-kill animal shelter director and who manages the routine affairs of the FVEAP. Click here for the guidelines.

The purpose of The Pet Fund is to work towards a future where decisions about companion animal medical care need never be made on the basis of cost. Perhaps most importantly, we provide information to owners about preventative care, pet insurance programs, and financial services which will ensure that pet owners are able to develop financial resources on their own and avoid future emergencies through care and planning. Such information is often hard to find, and The Pet Fund provides a user-friendly, comprehensive starting place where all of these resources can be easily accessed. Click here for the guidelines.



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Dr. Jane Conference Call - 4/10/08

"Discoveries in pet nutrition are made everyday and when those discoveries prove sound, we make corresponding changes to our formulas ... based upon solid scientific data. Tomorrow night, Dr. Jane will share the great news about our new product formulations! Life's Abundance is better than ever, and our Gourmet Dental Treats are too! To learn more about these exciting developments, call 712-580-0380 tomorrow (4/10/08) night at 8:30 p.m. (EST) and enter pass code 626116# after the prompt."

Dr. Jane Bicks' conference calls are open to all customers as well as potential customers of Healthy Pet Net products.

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How to Give Pills to Cats

Pilling a cat doesn't have to be as hard as you think it is! The best way to pill a cat is not to alarm them and for you to stay calm as well. They aren't likely to relax enough to swallow if they are afraid of what you are about to do. When you get confident with pilling, the cat will feel better about the process as well.

Some cats can be pilled while they are in their favorite resting/sleeping spot. Other cats may require you to kneel on the floor and put him/her between your knees. Getting somebody to help you, at least for the first few times makes it easier to put the cat between your knees so you have a good angle to administer the pill.

Pick the pill up with your thumb and index finger of one hand. Put the palm of your other hand on top of the cat's head, and that thumb and index finger on either side of its mouth. Your cat's mouth will fall open naturally as you tilt the head back. If it doesn't, gently push down on your cat's lower front teeth with your middle finger of your other hand that is holding the pill.

Drop the pill in your cat's mouth as far back as you can. Let the cat lower its head just a bit as you rub the neck and throat until the pill is swallowed.
DO NOT keep the head tilted back. Try tilting your head back and try to swallow! You can't! Offer your cat a moist treat or its meal after you have given the pill. Broth or moist food is helpful in getting the pill to dissolve.

If you are going to give your cat a capsule, wetting it first will help it slide down more easily.

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How to give pills to a dog

Pilling a dog is so much easier than pilling a cat! You can open the capsules or crush the pill and mix them into food or you can hide the capsule/pill in a treat that your dog will swallow whole. Use only as much food as the dog will definitely finish. Make it a small serving and make sure your dog is hungry. After s/he has finished that serving, you can follow-up with more food. Baby foods are also an option. You can mix the herbs with peanut butter (I suggest a natural peanut butter that does not contain sugar). Mix the herbs and peanut butter together and then stick it to the roof of the dog's mouth. As the dog licks the peanut butter off the roof of the mouth, it will melt and he'll swallow the herbs with it. To pill a dog: have the dog sit down and tilt the dog's head back. Lift the lips away from the teeth, hold the upper jaw by the gums directly behind the canine teeth, and gently push down on the lower jaw with your other hand to open the mouth. Place the pill in the very back of the throat, close the mouth and keep it shut. Stroke your dog's throat softly until the pill is swallowed.

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Seasonal Irritants

Don’t Let Seasonal Irritants Keep You Inside this Spring
Horizons (3/1/2003)

The cold temperatures, snow and rain give way to new life, green grass, blossoms and—sniff, sniff, sneezing. Seasonal respiratory challenges can chase some people back indoors. But spring is meant for picnics, kite flying, hiking and more. Don’t let those blossoms keep you inside this season. Let NSP help support your respiratory system the natural way.

ALJ® —Time-tested nutritional support
Certain airborne particles that are benign to most people can wreak havoc for others. For instance, one person can inhale an irritant uneventfully while another reacts to the same particle as if it were an enemy. In such instances the body turns on its cleansing mechanisms, and the immune system is put on active duty, producing irritation, complete with sneezing, coughing and a runny nose.

ALJ® combines selected herbs—boneset herb, horseradish root, mullein leaves, fennel seeds and fenugreek seeds—to nourish the immune and respiratory systems. Herbal nourishment supports the body’s efforts to maintain a healthy respiratory system even when the spring breezes blow. This product has been an NSP top seller for many years. Available in capsules, kosher Vegitabs® or as a liquid.

HistaBlock® —Minimize the effects of irritants and pollutants
During an allergic attack, mast cells in the body release histamine and other chemicals to attack the invading irritant. These chemicals cause reactions, including sneezing, a runny nose and itchy eyes.

HistaBlock® contains herbs and nutrients to help the body maintain stable mast cells. It provides antioxidant strength and supports the body’s efforts to maintain normal mucous membranes and keep nasal passages open. HistaBlock contains stinging nettle, quercetin, bromelain and immature orange peel.

Sinus Support®—Because you want to smell the roses
Sinus tissues often respond to nutritional support. NSP Sinus Support contains several herbs that provide respiratory support, especially in springtime!

Fenugreek & Thyme—Clearing a path to better breathing
The herbal combination Fenugreek & Thyme supports healthy mucous membranes and sinuses. Fenugreek herb contains mucilaginous compounds—gel-like substances known for their ability to soothe tissues. Thyme is also known to support respiratory health, especially bronchial and throat tissues. Together, these herbs support the body’s efforts to maintain respiratory health.

Enjoy spring. Find natural support with NSP supplements!

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Health Analyzer Quiz
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Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids always benefit heart
Published: March 12, 2008
www.upi.com

KANSAS CITY, Mo., March 12 (UPI) -- Omega-3 fatty acids may sometimes result in "fishy burp," but the fatty acids always benefit the cardiovascular system, a U.S. doctor says.

Dr. James O'Keefe of the Mid America Heart Institute in, Kansas City, Mo,. says several trials demonstrate the positive benefits of ingesting omega-3 fatty acids. However, the most compelling evidence for the cardiovascular benefit provided by omega-3 fatty acids comes from three large controlled trials of 32,000 participants randomized to receive omega-3 fatty acid supplements containing DHA and EPA or to act as controls.

"These trials showed reductions in cardiovascular events of 19 percent to 45 percent. Overall, these findings suggest that intake of omega-3 fatty acids, whether from dietary sources such as fish or fish oil supplements, should be increased, especially in those with or at risk for coronary artery disease," O'Keefe says in statement.

Click here to read the medical abstract from Mayo.

Nature's Sunshine Omega contains lemon to significantly reduce the aftertaste from fish oil and to reduce gas. Read about Super Omega 3.

Antioxidants-Diabetics

Antioxidants Are Lifesaving for Diabetics with Cardiovascular Disease
by Helmut Beierbeck

(NaturalNews) Atherosclerosis starts with the deposition of low-density lipoproteins (LDL or “bad cholesterol”) in blood vessel walls. However, LDL deposits by themselves do not cause atherosclerosis. LDL lipids have to be oxidatively damaged before cardiovascular disease (CVD) develops (1).

Given the role of oxidative damage in the development of CVD, antioxidant therapy seemed the obvious thing to try. It was therefore surprising that several large-scale clinical trials of patients with cardiovascular disease failed to show any benefit from antioxidant supplementation (2). There were indications, however, that a subset of patients in these trials might have derived a benefit from taking antioxidants. These patients had two things in common, namely diabetes and a particular form of the haptoglobin protein (3,4).

That this type of patient indeed benefits from antioxidant therapy has now been confirmed in a clinical trial (5). 1,434 diabetics with haptoglobin phenotype Hp 2-2 were randomly assigned to receive either 400 IU per day of vitamin E or placebo. After eighteen months the vitamin E group had less than half the number of heart attacks, strokes or cardiovascular deaths as the placebo group (2.2% vs 4.7%). These results were significant enough to halt the trial. read the entire article.

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Vaccine Protocol Pt 6 - Precautions

I attended a continuing education seminar on Saturday, March 29 by R.D. Schultz, Ph.D. who is the Professor and Chair at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine. (I even got the official certificate!) This week's blogs have highlighted topics discussed and included excerpts from his scientific paper entitled "Guidelines for the Vaccination of Dogs and Cats".

The most important thing to point out as a result of this seminar and reading the materials is that clearly, we as Americans are overvaccinating our animals. As he pointed out...most of the vaccines immune the pet for life (easily checked with titers) and therefore if we continue to give vaccines every year, we only work to suppress the immune system and risk disease. The comments below are typed notes from the vaccine meeting I attended on March 29, 2007: Speaker R.D. Schultz, Ph.D.

Understanding the Immune Response to Vaccines

Innate vs Acquired Immunity: A healthy immune system will take care of 90% of bacteria, parasites and some viruses. For certain things, the immune system will remember what it saw before and will respond more effectively. The immunology memory for some vaccines is for a lifetime of the dog. A dog's body remembers the Lepto vaccine for 6 months. Distemper/Parvo and Adeno vaccines are remembered for a lifetime. (this is easily proven by you running titers on your dog) Kennel Cough is not vaccine preventable, it only manages it, it is too complex to totally prevent with a vaccine. Small breed dogs are more at risk to the adverse reactions from the Lepto vaccine. Mini Dachsunds are most at risk of adverse reaction. Weimeraners tend to show the most reactions to vaccines.

Important: The rabies vaccine and lepto should NEVER be given at the same time as any other vaccine. They are the most reactogenic of any of the vaccines.

Adverse Reactions:

The following is a list of Severe Reactions that are possible following vaccinations: Vaccine injection site sarcomas, Anaphylaxix,Arthritis, polyarthritis, hypertrophic osteodystrophy, Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia,Immune Mediated Thrombocytemia, Thyroiditis, Myocarditis, Post vaccination encephalitis oor polyneuritis, Seizures, Abortion, congential anomalies, embryonic/fetal demise, failure to conceive

Reactions can be within minutes, months or years. Sarcomas can show up 6-7 years later. It is foolish to believe that vaccines and pesticides don’t cause adverse reactions and immune deficiency diseases. Any dog who has had a seizure, should never be vaccinated again. Do not vaccinate pregnant dogs/cats.

Moderate Reactions Immunosuppression, Behavioral changes (such as sudden agression, change in personality), Vitiligo, Weight loss, Reduced milk production, Lameness, Granulomas/abscesses, Hives, Facial edema, Atopy, Respirateory disease
Allergic uveitiss (blue eye).


Mild Reactions: Lethargy, Hair loss, hair color change, Fever, Soreness, Stiffness, Refusal to eat, Conjungtivitis, Sneezing, Oral ulcers.

The immune system of a dog develops as early as 40 days of mutation and much of it is developed at birth.

There is a strong relationship between nutrition and trace minerals and the immune system. Diet: needs to contain all required nutrients. You could feed raw, but you need to know that your pet was given a complete diet, so the need to supplement is important in a “natural’ diet if you don't buy premade foods.

The endocrine and neurological systems are tied in with immune system. When you give your pet a vaccine, that vaccine has a potential effect on those systems and the hemotologic system.

Dr. Schultz' current endeavor includes his participation in a study regarding rabies vaccines. You can read more about it at The Rabies Challenge Fund.

Duration of Immunity: "It has been common practice since the development of canine vaccines in the late 1950's to administer them annually. The recommendation to vaccinate annually was based on the assumption that immunity would wane in some dogs, thus to ensure immunity in the population, all dogs required revaccination since it was not practical to test each animal for antibody. Little or no research has been done to demonstrate that the practice of annual revaccination has any scientific value in providing greater immunity than would be present if an animal was never revaccinated or was revaccinated at intervals longer than one year."

Additional Information from Dr. Schultz: What everone needs to know about canine vaccines.

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Oprah Show - Puppy Mills

Please tune in tomorrow for an extraordinary hour of television (Friday, April 4): The Oprah Show will be airing a special episode highlighting the cruel realities of puppy mills. Viewers will be shocked to learn of the awful tactics and deplorable practices used to produce these purebred puppies and the newest fad, "designer dogs". Lisa Ling is the investigative reporter. Viewers will also see what impact these puppy factories have on the pet overpopulation. The Humane Society of the United States President will be on the show discussing the HSUS campaigns to stop puppy mills and end pet overpopulation.

Visit www.hsus.org for details and www.Oprah.com for local listings.

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Menu Foods Press Release

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
MULTI-DISTRICT MEDIATION PRODUCES AGREEMENT IN PRINCIPLE

Toronto, Canada – April 1, 2008 – Menu Foods Income Fund (TSX: MEW.UN) announced that the parties to the Pet Food Multi-District Litigation (including Menu Foods) today advised the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey that their mediation has produced a comprehensive, cross-border agreement in principle between the parties, addressing all major terms of settlement.

The settlement in principle is subject to several conditions, including the approval of certain other parties, the execution of a definitive settlement agreement and review and approval of the U.S. District Court and the Canadian courts. The parties advised the court that they are confident that a definitive settlement agreement can be reached.

The definitive terms of settlement, together with a motion for preliminary approval thereof, are scheduled to be filed with the U.S. District Court on May 1, 2008, with the hearing scheduled to occur at 11:00 a.m. on May 14, 2008. The scheduling for Canadian court approval has not yet been determined, but is expected to occur in a similar time frame.

The settlement amount will be funded by the defendants, including Menu Foods and its product liability insurer. Menu Foods’ estimate for recall costs remains unchanged at Cdn.$55 million.

Pet owners with potential claims should not contact Menu Foods regarding the agreement in principle. If and when a definitive settlement agreement and claims process have been finalized and approved, the administrator of the settlement fund will give notice to pet owners with details on the procedure for making claims on the settlement fund.

Read the entire article.
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Vaccine Protocol Pt 5 - FPV

FELINE PANLEUKOPENIA VIRUS (FPV) VACCINES

Types of Vaccines Available:

1. Modified Live Virus (MLV) Vaccines : These preparations contain attenuated (avirulent) feline parvovirus (feline panleukopenia virus) at various titres, without adjuvant. There are injectable preparations and others for intranasal application, alone or in combination with other vaccinal antigens. MLV vaccines are advantageous for their faster onset of action, greater efficacy at overcoming maternal antibody, and greater likelihood of conferring sufficient immunity.

2. Inactivated (Killed) Vaccines : Killed adjuvanted FPV vaccines are available; a single injected dose may induce good antibody responses in naı¨ve cats within a relatively short time span. Killed vaccines may be beneficial in wild and exotic species or pregnant queens, where MLV vaccines are not recommended.

Mechanisms and Duration of Immunity (DOI):

1. DOI after natural infection/disease is lifelong.

2. DOI after vaccination with MLV vaccines is 7 years or longer, based on challenge and serological studies.

3. DOI after vaccination with a killed panleukopenia vaccine was demonstrated to last for 7.5 years.

4. While most cases of feline panleukopenia are caused by infection with FPV, variants of canine parvovirus (CPV-2a, CPV-2b, and CPV-2c) have emerged that infect cats and may cause disease. Current FPV vaccines afford protection against these CPV variants.

5. Systemic immunity from vaccination is mediated by neutralising antibodies. Antibody titre correlates with protection. Secretory IgA and CMI are not important for protective immunity.

6. Maternally derived antibody (MDA) interferes with active immunisation for varying periods of time in the kitten, depending on the titre of colostral antibody and the amount of antibody absorbed during the first 8 hours after birth.

7. The ‘‘window of susceptibility’’ is defined as the period of time, during which a kitten can be infected by field virus, while vaccines of low viral titre and/or low immunogenicity do not immunise. By analogy with canine parvovirus, an immunity gap is assumed to exist at around 6 to 8 weeks of age, when antibody levels are too low to protect against natural infection, but still high enough to interfere with vaccination.

8. After completing the kitten series at around 16 weeks and vaccinating again at 1 year of age, revaccination need not be done more often than every 3 years.

9. The presence of serum antibody, regardless of titre, in an actively immunised cat over the age of 16 weeks is correlated with protection.

Precautions:

1. Concerns have been raised regarding the reversion to virulence of MLV strains, but this has never been documented. Nevertheless, in regions or facilities where FPV is not endemic in domestic or wild susceptible species, MLV vaccines should not be used.

2. MLV FPV vaccines should never be used in pregnant queens because of the risk of transfer of virus to the fetus and fetal damage. In some countries, inactivated FPV vaccines are licensed for use in pregnant queens, but in general, unnecessary administration of products to pregnant queens should be avoided.

3. MLV FPV vaccines should never be administered to kittens less than 4 weeks of age, to avoid damage to the cerebellum which is still developing in neonates.

4. MLV FPV vaccines should be used with caution in severely immunosuppressed individuals – although the risk appears small, with severe immunosuppression (for example with clinical FIV or FeLV infection or with the use of highly immunosuppressive drugs) failure to control viral replication could potentially lead to clinical signs after vaccination.

5. When vaccination is being used to control disease in the face of an outbreak, the more rapid induction of immunity induced by MLV vaccines is of clinical advantage.

Incubation Period:

After infection, it takes 2 to 7 days for signs of disease to appear. Vomiting usually develops 1-2 days after the onset of fever. Diarrhoea may begin later but is not always present. Dehydration develops rapidly, and an affected cat may sit at a water bowl, obviously thirsty, but without drinking. Terminal cases are hypothermic and may develop septic shock and disseminated intravascular coagulation. In the environment, the virus can remain infectious for one year or more. Therefore, all facilities where infected animals have been present must be considered infected.


Vaccine Protocol Guidelines Full Abstract.

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Vaccine Protocol Pt 4 - Canine Distemper

CANINE DISTEMPER VIRUS (CDV) VACCINES

Types of Vaccines Available:

1. Modified Live Virus (MLV) Vaccines : These are the most common products. They generally contain the CDV strains Rockborn, Snyder Hill, Onderstepoort, Lederle, or others at various titres. There are many biotypes of CDV which can cause varying clinical signs in a wide variety of species. However, serological differences among the many isolates are insignificant, and vaccination with any one of the current vaccines should provide protective immunity against any biotype.

2. Vectored recombinant (rCDV) Vaccines: A poxvirus recombinant product is available in the USA and a few other countries. It is highly effective and safer than MLV vaccines. It is therefore often used in wild and exotic species that are susceptible to CDV infection and disease. It can also be more safely used in younger animals than the MLV and it is more effective at immunising pups with maternally derived antibody (MDA).

3. Inactivated (Killed) Vaccines : Killed vaccines, not readily available, are not effective and therefore should not be used for immunisation against distemper.

Mechanisms and Duration of Immunity (DOI):

1. DOI after natural infection/disease is lifelong.

2. DOI after vaccination with MLV vaccines is 7 years or longer, based on challenge and serological studies.

3. DOI after vaccination with rCDV vaccine is 3 years, based on challenge and 4 years based on serology.

4. DOI after vaccination with killed vaccines is unknown.

5. Systemicimmunity is predominantlymediatedbyneutralising antibody thatprevents infection,or antibody andCMI inthe vaccinated animal. Humoral immunity is provided by IgG; secretory antibody plays little or no role in preventing infection in a vaccinated animal.

6. Maternally derived antibody (MDA) interferes with active immunisation for varying periods of time in the puppy, depending on the titre of colostral antibody and the amount of antibody absorbed after birth.

7. The ‘‘window of susceptibility’’ is defined as the period of time, during which a pup can be infected by field virus, while vaccines of low viral titre and/or low immunogenicity do not immunise. Unlike CPV-2 vaccines, there generally is not a long ‘‘window of susceptibility’’ for CDV vaccines (less than 2 weeks). The rCDV vaccine is more effective in immunising in the presence of MDA than the MLV vaccines; thus, it is possible to immunise puppies at an earlier age with the rCDV vaccine than MLV.

8. Puppy vaccination using MLV products should not start earlier than 4 weeks of age; after completing the series at around 16 weeks and vaccinating again at 1 year of age, revaccination need not be done more often than every 3 years. The last dose of rCDV can be given at 12 weeks.

9. In the absence of MDA, MLV and recombinant vaccines provide immunity immediately after vaccination.

10. CDV vaccines are among the most effective vaccines when compared to vaccines for any other species. Actively immunised dogs will not develop disease regardless of the amount of virus they are exposed to by contact infection.

11. The presence of serumantibody, regardless of titre, in an actively immunised dog over the age of 16 weeks is correlated with protection.

Precautions:

1. In geographical areas or isolation facilities where CDV is not endemic in domestic or wild susceptible species, MLV vaccines should not be used. The risk of introducing a virus into a host population is unacceptable. In this situation recombinant preparations are preferred because of their safety and effectiveness.

2. Certain MLV CDV vaccines (e.g. based on the Rockborn or Snyder Hill strains) can regain virulence after about 7 experimental back passages in dogs. Since vaccinated dogs minimally shed virus, natural back passage rarely occurs. Susceptible wild carnivore species do shed the virus.

3. The MLV preparations are attenuated (modified) for use in the domestic dog, not for use in wild and exotic species. These vaccines are highly virulent (e.g. in the ferret, black-footed ferret and grey fox), causing disease and death. Vaccination of these species with MLV vaccines should never be considered.

4. Puppies younger than 4 weeks should not be vaccinated with MLV vaccines. For such young pups and for wild or exotic susceptible species, rCDV vectored vaccines are recommended. When locally unavailable, one should make every attempt to obtain rCDV vaccines rather than use an MLV product.

Incubation Period:

Signs of disease appear between 2 and 6 weeks after infection. During the incubation period, CDV causes immunosuppression, making the animal more susceptible to microbial infections. These may lead to respiratory disease, pneumonia and death, before
the more typical signs of distemper virus infection appear. In the environment, the virus quickly looses infectivity.

Robin's Notes:

Measles and Distemper are nearly the same virus. Dogs are immune for distemper immediately upon receiving the vaccine.

Vaccine Protocol Guidelines Full Abstract.

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