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.

Non-Invasive Treatments give Senior Dogs Options to Surgery

By Ann-Marie Fleming www.DogQuality.com

One of the hardest decisions to make as an owner of a senior dog is deciding on the best treatment for conditions they face as they grow older. For many ailments such as joint problems, heart or kidney disease, injuries etc. the options often presented include medicine and frequently surgery. Unfortunately, as our dogs get older the strain that surgical procedures place on our senior dogs becomes a serious cause for concern and a risk many are not willing to take. However, thanks to a variety of non-invasive treatment options such as dog acupuncture, canine massage, physiotherapy, hydrotherapy and even Reiki, there are alternatives.

Dog Acupuncture:

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese veterinary medicinal practice using very specific points in the skin along the body’s “meridians” to stimulate a certain effect or change within the body. The process itself entails the insertion of small needles or small amounts of saline just under the skin to stimulate the nervous system and promote recovery.

While acupuncture is useful for dogs of all ages, you cannot help but see how particularly beneficial it can be for older dogs.

“Since acupuncture is so helpful for so many of the conditions suffered by older pets like weakness, arthritis, organ dysfunction, immune system support, cancer treatment, cognitive problems and bladder or fecal incontinence, it can drastically improve the outcome when added to other treatments. Often older dogs will have a number of disease processes going on at the same time, limiting their body’s ability to handle certain medications to help with one problem, potentially making another one worse. Acupuncture is of great benefit to these pets as it will maintain function in one area and supports the treatment of another disease by another means,” states Dr. Cara Gardner, a veterinarian with the Broad Ripple Animal Wellness Center in Indianapolis and a Certified Veterinarian Acupuncturist.

If you are wondering how the dogs feel about having tiny needles inserted under their skin, Dr. Gardner explains, “the process itself is very relaxing and many dogs end up sleeping right through the treatment.”

When asked what type of success she has had with dog acupuncture, Dr. Gardner shared a story about Frank, a dog suffering from a severe neck injury that had been on prednisone for almost a full year. When Frank was taken off this steroid his pain became so extreme that he would not eat, move or even wag his tail and while on the medication he was never truly himself. According to Dr. Gardner, after one session of acupuncture Frank began to play with his brothers. After 2 sessions, he was able to jump up and down and chase the ball. Then after 3 sessions of acupuncture and herbal therapy, the prednisone was discontinued.

Canine Massage:

Most people at some stage in their life has received a massage to either treat an injury, condition or many times simply as a form of relaxation, but have you ever considered the benefits it can have for your senior dog?

Canine massage, adapted from human techniques, is the practice of soft tissue manipulation with physical and mental benefits. As your dog gets older they often face stiffness and pain caused from arthritis, joint problems or even injuries incurred as a result of their age. Massage can not only help to loosen the muscles, but it can go a long way in relieving pain and promoting healing.

“Massage programs help maintain muscle tone, range of motion and flexibility while decreasing the atrophy of muscle tissue and relieving the pain and discomfort of aching muscles. Massage can also address a dog’s emotional adjustment to declining ability to perform normal dog activities,” describes Kate Titus, Canine Massage Therapist and owner of A Loyal Companion, out of Arizona.

As with many forms of treatment, canine massage requires a program consisting of ongoing therapeutic sessions. Each session involves an element of establishing trust with the dog prior to the hands-on work.

“A typical session often includes a brief gait analysis to look for obvious hitches in the get-along; an opening where I determine if the dog is open to the intense interaction we’re about to have; actual hands-on time where I’m exploring muscles and looking for and addressing tension and knots; periods of stretching after that particular muscle group is warm and supple; a closing where I signal through consistent hand movements that we’re done. I always ask the dog if she enjoyed the massage and thank them for opening up to me,” describes Titus.

According to Kate Titus, the frequency of the massage depends on how long each dog holds the effects of the treatment. She explains, “Some senior dogs can hold the effects about 4-6 days, others only 2-3 days. A good guideline is one time per week. The benefits of massage can be cumulative, but the work for senior dogs should be continuous and consistent. They’d never complain, but you’ll notice the subtle changes in posture, movement and disposition in a dog that misses her massages.”

Kate has found success with many dogs throughout her career, but one that stands out is Mercury, a 16 year-old Husky mix who participated in an 8-week program to see if he would tolerate the interaction and benefit from the work.

“During the first three sessions, Mercury was in constant motion and would not let me near his hips – his problem area. After some brainstorming and success with this same technique with another client, we tried to focusing Mercury with a bully stick. Wow, did that work. He finally lay down during our sessions and I was able to address the muscle tightness in his hips and the compensatory problems caused in his spine and back muscles. By the 8th week, Mercury was playing with the bully stick rather than chewing it and was encouraging us to join him in the back yard for a romp. His owner commented that he is doing things now that he hadn’t done for 5 years. He was exploring his surroundings, trotting and cantering, and had more energy throughout the day.”

Reiki:

For those senior dog owners that are open to treatments that are perhaps less mainstream, you may be interested in the growing popularity of Reiki, a form of therapy in which practitioners seek to transmit a universal energy from a distance or by placing their hands on or near the person or pet. Reiki seeks to restore order and balance to the body.

Don’t fool yourself, Reiki is far from being a new concept, in fact its roots can be traced back to the 1800’s where it is believed to have evolved from Japanese meditation techniques.

Leaming Chee-Brown (aka Ming), first and second degree Reiki practitioner with Reiki Fur Babies, explains this technique, “Reiki is a means of adding more energy to an animal’s life force battery to jump start the healing process. The healer acts as a conduit for the flow or energy and it is possible to transmit this energy given over distance. That is why we can send Reiki anywhere in the world.”

The benefits associated with Reiki range from reducing stress and anxiety to providing relief from respiratory, circulatory problems, even pain – many issues senior dogs face.

Reiki, however, is not without its sceptics, especially surrounding the concept of distance treatments, but if you ask many of the patients who have received help from Reiki Fur Babies, the results are real. For example, recent success was achieved with an older dog that continually dug deep holes due to anxiety. Her parents had tried everything without success, and as a result turned to Reiki Fur Babies for assistance. According to Ming, “After two Reiki sessions, this dog has not dug a single hole. She was digging due to anxiety and Reiki was able to relieve her anxiety. Her owner now says she is a happy dog and has stopped her digging.”

Physiotherapy:

Physiotherapy is focused on improving movement and physical function as well as helping to relieve pain. As with many alternative methods of treatment, physiotherapy is primarily used for treating humans, but recently because of its effectiveness, these methods have been adapted to help improve the quality of life for animals. Since Physiotherapists have specialized university education, which focuses intensively in Anatomy, Physiology, Biomechanics, Histology, Orthopedics, Neurology, and Pathology, they are able to assess and treat joint, spine, muscular, and neurological dysfunctions.

Senior dogs suffering from mobility issues can benefit greatly from this type of therapy. Some conditions that canine physiotherapy has been known to treat include back, neck and pelvic pain, tendon, ligament and muscle strains or tears, joint pain as well as helping with rehabilitation after surgery.

According to Shelly Malcolm, a Licensed Physiotherapist and owner of Pawsitive Action based in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, “Treatment by a physiotherapist will increase mobility, increase muscular strength, and decrease pain, allowing a senior dog to improve their function and live more comfortably, active, and mobile as they age. Physiotherapists can apply their skills and knowledge to treat arthritis, muscle weakness, pain, vestibular (dizziness) issues, weight management or advise on sport and activity modification.”

After a thorough assessment has been made, treatment typically begins with more frequent sessions focused on restoring the proper movement, regaining muscle mass and optimal tone, which is accompanied by a home program. As progress is made, the frequency is reduced and more emphasis is placed on continuing the therapy through the home program.

Shelly Malcolm recalls a recent experience with an eight year old collie named Ruby who had developed a weak leg as part of overcompensating from an injury. As a result of Ruby constantly favouring the injured leg, the muscle became very small and tight, while those on the uninjured leg became larger and stronger to compensate.

“Ruby’s treatment included a healing program with manual therapy, ultrasound, acupuncture and exercise. Ruby’s owners were taught how to properly exercise Ruby’s weak leg to build up the muscle and to put her on a weight management program to keep her weight down. In the beginning Ruby underwent a series of treatments which then tapered them off to once a month and then checkups to ensure she continued to improve. Thanks to her treatments, Ruby is spinning around, going for long walks, and has a much improved and pain free quality of life,” describes Malcolm.

Canine Hydrotherapy:

While the benefits of hydrotherapy in humans have been well-documented, canine hydrotherapy is still relatively in its infancy. Hydrotherapy, which involves moving and exercising in water, has been known to help with recovery for surgery, injury and to improve the overall health of its participants. Of particular importance is the fact that movement in water provides a safe way to regain or improve movement through low impact exercise.

The benefits of hydrotherapy thankfully are no longer just for humans. Canine hydrotherapy is fast becoming the therapy of choice for older dogs suffering from joint pain, hip dysplasia, spinal problems, knee injuries and the list goes on. As dogs get older and face mobility issues, canine hydrotherapy can becomes a valuable source of exercise leading to both physical and mental well-being.

As Tanya Morin-VanderHammen, Canine Hydrotherapist and owner of the Vancouver, BC facility WaterWorks Paw Spa explains, “A canine parent will seek canine hydrotherapy for reasons that include arthritis, paralysis and other mobility issues or to just help fitness and muscle tone in a safe environment. The benefits of swimming and movement in water on the physical body are well known and have been used with humans for centuries. It is as effective for senior canines. The buoyancy of water supports and lessens stress on the joints, encourages freer movement and provides a safe environment for exercise. Water increases relaxation which can help pain and spasms. When moving in water, the resistance is 15 - 20 times that of moving in air so the muscles are being used without the stresses of weight bearing creating a safe way for senior canines to exercise and build muscle and relieve aches and pains.”

Other benefits of warm water treatments include increased circulation helping to keep the skin and coat healthy, decreasing stress and detoxifying the body. Water can also decrease inflammation and improve the immune system.

Tanya shared one of her favourite success stories, a heart warming tale about a white German Shepherd named Keira who was recovering from physical and emotional abuse that led to a dislocated leg and muscle atrophy. Keira’s new mother had brought her to WaterWorks Paw Spa in hopes of building her confidence and muscle in a safe, nurturing environment.

According to Keira’s owner, after four sessions her improvement was dramatic. The warm water treatment encouraged blood flow and limb movement giving her the exercise and fun that she needed. As a result of her treatments, Keira was able to build muscle in her healing leg.

Overall, whether the treatment of your choice for your older dog is acupuncture, physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, massage or even Reiki, the thing to keep in mind is that you have options. As the world of dog care continues to expand and evolve, senior dogs continue to be a direct beneficiary, giving dog owners alternatives to help create a better life for their four-legged family friends.

So do your research, talk to your vet and open your mind because there are new ways to help you and your dog enjoy a happy and healthy life together well into your dog’s golden years. Afterall, isn’t your dog worth it?

Ann-Marie Fleming is the Founder of www.DogQuality.com, a site focused on products and information to help older dogs enjoy life.

I read one of the best articles in a long time on senior dogs today called Old Dog, Good Dog which talks about so much more than the health issues faced by older dogs…what I really liked about this piece was that it talks about a self-fulfilling prophecy that often happens. As owners we tend to change our behaviour towards our dogs as they get older and often times those changes take away many of things that keep our dogs young.

Certified veterinary behaviorist Dr. Lore Haug explained it best, ““A lot of old dogs get what I call the shrinking world’ syndrome. Their owners get in a rut with them; they start walking the dog less and they don’t train the dog or teach him tricks. The dog doesn’t get as much stimulation and enrichment maybe they stop taking the dog to the dog park and there’s a significant decline in mental and physical challenges.”

Could we be speeding up the aging process for our beloved four-legged family members? The thought of it makes me sad, but it also means that there is a lot that we can do as owners to slow down the effects of aging. In fact this is something I believe very strongly in. I get asked quite a bit why I am so passionate about the senior dog products we sell like dog strollers and it is because they can act as a mechanism for senior dogs who still need the mental stimulation of going on walks and it also allows for your dog to walk when they can and enjoy the ride when they need a break - bottom line is they still get to play, exercise and enjoy life.

The article teaches us that by understanding the effects of aging we can learn to adapt so the fun can continue. Getting old doesn’t mean taking things away - it really just means a new beginning

Ann-Marie Fleming is the Founder of www.DogQuality.com, a site focused on products that help older dogs enjoy life.

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