Along with the joy that comes with owning and loving a senior dog, we often face times of uncertainty, decision and grief.  As we cope with the inevitable medical challenges older dogs face, we find ourselves many times taking the vet’s word as final on the condition of our dogs and forget that there are many different ways to treat and heal your dog beyond traditional medicine.

In the past we have discussed alternative dog therapies such as canine massage, acupuncture, hydrotherapy and more that give senior dog owners options beyond surgery. Beyond these physical methods of treatment however there is another approach to consider for helping to improve the health of your older dog and that is holistic care.

Today we are very fortunate to share with you an interview we conducted with Nadine M. Rosin, a Holistic Pet/Toxic-free Living Consultant and author of The Healing Art of Pet Parenthood.

In Nadine’s book she describes how her dog Buttons, diagnosed with terminal cancer, was saved by adopting a holistic regime; a story she was kind enough to share with us today.

In our discussion with Nadine we learned a great deal about how to embrace a holistic lifestyle for our dogs, what steps we need to take and what benefits can result.

Ann-Marie Fleming: Nadine, you were able in many ways to cure Buttons’ cancer through a holistic approach. How was that possible?

Nadine M. Rosin: First off, it was our well-reputed vet who gave Buttons 6-weeks to live without amputation, chemotherapy and radiation within 48 hours of her diagnosis (the lab ran the biopsy twice as the prognosis was so dire- the cancer so insidious). Instead, after much soul-searching, I implemented what I define as a holistic regimen, and after 4 months, Buttons was completely cancer-free for the next 11 years until she passed of old age at 19.

What I did not do was treat her symptoms or “fight” the cancer with natural remedies and alternative treatments in lieu of pharmaceutical drugs. That would have been the same Allopathic approach that traditional Western medicine takes…that the vet insisted I take.

Because I was already very familiar with the age old Eastern medical philosophy that the body’s natural state is one of radiant health and that anything less is due to an overburdened immune system, I took the holistic approach of clear/cleanse/build:

I cleared our home of all potential toxins/causes including fabric softener, dryer sheets, chemical rug cleaners, microwave oven, monthly flea treatments, and rawhide chews to name just a few.

I cleansed Buttons’ physical and emotional bodies of residual toxins with herbs, cleansing tinctures, homeopathy and Bach Flower Remedies

I built her body nutritionally by switching from the vet recommended kibble to only home-cooked organic food and treats, supplements and superfoods.

Ann-Marie Fleming: What is the best way to start to incorporate a holistic approach? What are the first steps people should be taking?

Nadine M. Rosin: Start changing your thinking. “Clear/cleanse/build” is an entirely different paradigm than “take a pill and squelch that symptom”! We actually expect out bodies to get diseased and frail- our dogs to be “old” at the age of 9 or 10! But look at people like Jay Kordich (the Juice Man) who in his 87th year is vibrantly alive, living a chemical-free, raw and organic lifestyle, and we see proof that the body’s natural state is one of health and well-being. Look at Buttons, who was running down the trail for miles at the age of 17.

We are what we eat and breathe and absorb through our skin. Caffeine and sugar, chemical cleaners, parabens in moisturizers and make-up equals an eventually, overburdened immune system and degenerative disease. Processed, nutritionally empty commercial dog food, monthly flea poison, chemically treated plastic toys equals the same. Our pets’ bodies metabolize much faster than ours. They get cancer with far less exposure than we do.

Ann-Marie Fleming: What resources are available for people interested in making these changes?

Nadine M. Rosin: Many good books and websites to help start one’s research. I would encourage folks to read Dr. Gabriel Cousens, Dr. Gloria Dodd, Dr. Lisa Newman/Azmira. Also, just spend some time on the computer googling things like:

“dryer sheets toxic”

“What’s really in commercial dog food”

“toxic rawhide chew”

I am also available as a resource and information on my one-on-one Holistic Pet/Toxic-free Living phone consultations can be found on my website.

Ann-Marie Fleming: You talk a lot about a toxic free lifestyle. What are some easy changes people can make?

Nadine M. Rosin: READ LABELS!!! Just because something is sold off a grocery store (or even health food store) shelf does NOT mean it’s safe to use or consume for ten or twenty years.

Remember, it’s a build-up of toxic burden to the immune system that weakens it and welcomes disease. Read and research the ingredients in things you are using, eating and drinking everyday!

Ann-Marie Fleming: What are some everyday items that people may not even realize are toxic?

Nadine M. Rosin: Plug in air fresheners is a good one along with popular brands of spray air, carpet and furniture fresheners. Same is often true for rug cleaners and stain removers. Many contain one or more of the following:

Benzyl alcohol: “causes respiratory problems, nausea and vomiting, a depressed central nervous system and a drop in blood pressure.”

Camphor: “currently on the EPA’s Hazardous Waste List … readily absorbed through bodily tissue… irritation of the eyes, skin, nose and throat … dizziness, confusion, nausea, twitching muscles and convulsions … avoid inhalation of vapors”

Dichlorobenzene: “extremely toxic, a central nervous system depressant, kidney and liver poison. One of the chlorinated hydrocarbons that is long-lasting in the environment and stored in body fat. Banned in California.”

Ethanol: “derived from petroleum and is carcinogenic … toxic to the skin, respiratory, cardiovascular, developmental, endocrine, neurological and gastrointestinal systems.”

Formaldehyde:  ”toxic if inhaled, poisonous if swallowed.  skin and eye irritant.”

Ann-Marie Fleming: Our audience are mainly owners of older dogs. Can a holistic approach help dogs that are already into their senior years? What lifestyle change would you say can make the biggest impact for senior dogs?

Nadine M. Rosin: A well-researched, well-informed holistic approach can help any living being at any age. In my opinion the things easiest to change with the greatest impact on senior dogs are vaccinations, flea treatments, and household toxin exposure. Food is also important, but one must be very careful when moving to a cleaner diet with older dogs. Much commercial food is made with ingredients filled with pesticides, hormones and antibiotics (in the form of chicken/beef/liver meal, fat, etc.) To suddenly stop feeding that food could cause the body to go into a healing crisis as it starts releasing years of accumulated toxins stored in the dogs organs, skin, and tissue. You do not want that to happen especially with a senior dog.

I encourage pet parents of senior dogs to find a well-reputed holistic vet who adheres to the policy of clear/cleanse/build and together create a slow and gentle change of diet plan. I have known holistic vets who’ve had German Shepherds live into their 20’s. Buttons had more energy at 16 following a holistic lifestyle than at 6 with a standard American canine lifestyle. Human and canine bodies will live long and vibrantly when given the chance. You’ve just got to do things a little bit differently than the mainstream, chemical-laden way.

Nadine M. Rosin is a Holistic Pet/Toxic-free Living Consultant, Pet Bereavement Facilitator, speaker and author of The Healing Art of Pet Parenthood.  For information about her book and consultations visit: www.TheHealingArtOfPetParenthood.com

To our readers -  please feel free to share any experiences you have had as a result of taking a holistic approach to caring for your senior dog. We’d love to hear from you.

Intro by: Ann-Marie Fleming

If you are like many senior dog owners then you have no doubt considered some form of alternative therapy to care for your dog. We struggle with balancing the need for treatment, with the desire to maintain our dog’s quality of life. As our dogs get into their senior years the risks of anesthetic become scary and we are hesitant to put our senior dogs through invasive procedures that come with difficult recoveries.

Perhaps you have looked into the topic we are focusing on today - Acupuncture. In our quest for information on senior dog care we have been fortunate to have connected with Cara Gardner DVM, CVA with the Broad Ripple Animal Wellness Center. Dr. Gardner will be a regular contributor to this blog, helping us to understand the benefits across a variety of non-invasive treatments available for our older dogs. Today Dr. Gardner provides us with in-depth information on the various techniques and options available within the acupuncture umbrella and I can guarantee that you will learn something as I have.
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Overview of Holistic Pet Care and Integrative Veterinary Medicine

Guest post written by: Cara Gardner DVM, CVA

Broad Ripple Animal Wellness Center | @holisticpetdr

Integrative medicine takes standard western medical diagnostics and treatments and combines them with alternative practices to develop the most complete method of treatment for each particular patient. Veterinary integrative medicine does just that for our pets. Modern western medicine treats each symptom and disease process independently while eastern and alternative medical techniques treat the body as a whole working interactive unit. The ancient eastern medical traditions attempt to maintain all the of the body’s organ systems in a state of balance. This holistic view of the body allows alternative and integrative medical practitioners to include many different ways to manage disease. Acupuncture, Chinese herbal therapy, food therapy, reiki, therapeutic massage and chiropractic manipulation are just a few types of alternative therapies used to help bring our pets a sense of improved health and well-being.

Veterinary Acupuncture in Practice: Ancient Art Meets Modern Medicine

Traditional Chinese Veterinary Acupuncture and herbal medicine have been practiced for over 2000 years. That is 10 times longer than western, or modern medicine, has even been around! The basic theory behind eastern medicine and acupuncture is that the natural state of the body is balance. Disease occurs when the body and it’s components are out of balance. Acupuncture is the practice of using small needles to stimulate very specific points on the body to activate local pain relief and body system changes. By stimulating acupuncture points underneath the skin, a combination of events occurs. Acupoints correspond to nerve bundles under the skin and when stimulated by the needle, inflammatory cells, blood vessels, nervous impulses and endorphins are triggered to respond. The wide range of bodily responses to this stimulation helps to promote balance, treat disease and alleviate pain. It is useful for any disease process from chronic arthritis pain, to infections like sinus and nasal problems and allergy flare ups. Dogs and cats tolerate acupuncture very well and, in fact, often really enjoy the process.

Methods of Acupuncture

Acupuncture needles usually stay in place for 10-20 minutes at a time, and sessions are initially done about every 2 weeks until the disease process begins improving, usually 3-4 sessions into treatment. Once the disease process responds to treatment, whether it’s arthritis, liver disease, behavior problems etc., the sessions will be spread further and further over weeks to months until balance and relief has been achieved. Acupuncture points can also be stimulated by a solution of vitamin B 12 and saline placed under the skin over the point to allow the animal to move around during the treatment without having to worry about the needle falling or being pulled out. This is a process called “aquapuncture” and is not common in human acupuncture since people generally lie still during treatments.

Electroacupuncture is another method using a small battery operated unit that attaches electrodes to the acupuncture needles and generates a gentle current that runs from one acupoint to another, or along the meridians of the body. Meridians are the pathways on which each acupunture point is found. They are essentially road maps of the acupoints that cover the body. Electroacupuncture helps promote the flow of energy, blood, lymph and nervous impulses all over the body along these pathways. Lastly, moxibustion is the practice of using a combustible herb or an herb that burns, to help warm the body and the meridians for conditions that are made worse by cold, like some arthritis and other conditions common in older animals.

There are numerous methods and reasons to pursue acupuncture therapy for our pets. It is an uninvasive and gentle way to help almost any painful or difficult disease process. To find a certified veterinary acupuncturist and herbalist in your area, visit the Chi Institute.

About Cara Gardner, DVM, CVA:

Dr. Gardner received her DVM from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine. Originally from Knoxville, TN, Dr. Gardner received a bachelor of arts and science in 1999 from Xavier University in Cincinnati, majoring in Natural Sciences and minoring in Women and Minority Studies. While there she was vice president of the collegiate soccer club team, attended the School for Field Studies Marine Park Management Program in the Turks and Caicos Islands, and was a veterinary assistant at a local clinic. She graduated with the class of 2003 form the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine and has a strong interest in brachiocephalic (or ’smush-faced’) breeds, dermatology, behavior, nutrition, and integrative alternative medicine. She completed a dermatology externship with Dr. Terry Grieshaber at the Animal Allergy and Skin Disease Clinic (now Circle City Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Hospital) and has obtained her Certification in Veterinary Acupuncture through the Chi Institute for Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine.

Dr. Gardner spends much of her free time giving back to the local animal community. She was an appointed member of the Indianapolis Animal Care and Control Board for almost 2 years, and is currently a working board member for a non-profit organization called Paws and think. This organization pairs at-risk youth with orphaned canines and teaches young adults how to train the dogs to be assistance dogs. Paws and Think then donates these well-trained and valuable animals to underpriveleged families in desperate need of an assistance dog. Dr. Gardner also donates her medical and surgical knowledge to INDY Feral, a non-profit organization that helps track, feed, spay/neuter and medically care for the enormous population of stray cats in our local area. She is also a member in good standing of the AVMA and the CIVMA, IVAS, and a volunteer for the Midwest Boston Terrier Rescue Organization.

Currently residing in Indianapolis with her husband, Joe, Dr. Gardner’ s family includes four dogs: Bug, a Boston ‘terror’, Xephe, and Australian cattle dog mix, Oscar, a shepard-whippet mix, Sophia, a 12-year-old teacup poodle rescue and two cats named Roto and ED.

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