Canine Cancer Secrets

Did you know that dogs have a 1 in 2 chance of developing cancer?  That means that 50% of dogs WILL develop cancer.  It’s an epidemic!  Did you also know that you can easily increase your dog’s chances of remaining healthy significantly?  It’s very simple, feed your dog a healthy diet and educate yourself about the everyday hazards that your dog faces.

Andrew Lewis has done a remarkably good job of educating K9 lovers about preventing cancer, AND, if your beloved beastie already has cancer, you’ll learn what to do to help them recover too!  Check it out at:

http://budurl.com/caninecancersecrets

Retaining Ovaries May be a Key to Prolonged Life In Women and Dogs

Dr. Andrew Jones, DVM, shares with us an article from DVM Newsmagazine.  This information is critical for both humans and animals alike.  New studies are being administered every day in centers around the world, and I would like to thank people like Dr. Jones for keeping us up to date on important findings that can make a significant difference in the quality and longevity of our lives.

DVM NEWSMAGAZINE

West Lafayette, Ind. — We know that women tend to live longer than men, but a new study shows that the same may be true in dogs, especially if a female dog’s ovaries are not surgically removed early in life.

A study conducted at the Gerald P. Murphy Cancer Foundation compared the medical histories, ages and causes of death in 119 long-lived rottweilers with a longevity of at least 13 years with 186 rottweilers with a normal longevity of about 9 years. The study was published in the December issue of the journal Aging Cell.

“Like women, female dogs in our study had a distinct survival advantage over males,” said the lead researcher David J. Waters, associate director of Purdue University’s Center on Aging and the Life Course and a professor in the Department of Clinical Sciences.”But taking away ovaries during the first four years of life completely erased the female survival advantage. We found that female rottweilers that kept their ovaries for at least six years were four times more likely to reach exceptional longevity compared to females who had the shortest lifetime ovary exposure.”

This study’s findings are in line with those of a study conducted earlier this year at the John Wayne Cancer Institute in Santa Monica, Calif., of 29,000 who had hysterectomies because of benign uterine disease. Although those women whose ovaries were removed before 50 years of age were protected against ovarian, uterine and breast cancer, increased mortality from other causes was noted compared with those who had their ovaries for at least 50 years.

Both studies call into question the automatic removal of the ovaries when hysterectomies are performed in dogs and women.

So do you NOT spay your dog?

Dr. Jones shares his thoughts with us on that age old question. “I always said what I was taught that the benefit of spaying is to PREVENT things like Mammary Cancer.

Now I would wonder about spaying ( and neutering) the larger breeds later in life- such as after 2 years of age. Clearly we are in a learning phase- Talk to your own Veterinarian, and point him or her to the article.”

Given this information by Dr. Jones, I feel it is more important now than ever to make sure you are feeding your dogs good quality food, giving them a supplement to help support their immune system, keep them away from pesticides and cleaning chemicals, and communicate directly with them to ensure you are dealing with issues in the early stages of development when you have more options for treatments.

Need a good quality supplement developed by a vet? http://budurl.com/dogsupplement

The Food You Are Feeding Your Dogs Could Be Shaving Years Off of Their Lives!

I realize this blog post has a gruesome subject but knowing this stuff is better than remaining unaware.

My friend Andy Lewis has put together critical information that every dog (and cat) owner needs to know so I’m glad to share it with you today.

He reveals the statistics about canine death rates & then shows you how they link to the food your dog (or cat) may be eating.

It’s important you see the video, now viewed by 1,102,546 shocked dog owners, and read the disturbing report here, read by over 5,354,931 dog owners that Andrew has created.

See them now and then come back here to continue…

Andrew’s findings:

The Three Leading Causes of Death in Dogs are:

1. Cancer

2. Heart Disease

3. Kidney Disease

This is how they link to your dog’s diet..

1. Cancer: The chemicals & preservatives used in many commercial dog foods are known to cause these cancers..

- Kidney cancer

- Bladder cancer

- Skin cancer

- Stomach cancer

- Spleen cancer

- Leukemia

The same cancer-causing chemicals & preservatives have been banned from use in human foods because of these known problems…but continue to be used in Fido’s food.

2. Heart Disease: The high proportions of cheap unhealthy fats found in many commercial dog foods cause arteriosclerosis and arterial blockages resulting in death by heart attack.

But also, the lack of more expensive omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFA) also causes canine heart failure because without omega-3, ventricular arrhythmias occur and can result in sudden death.

3. Kidney Disease: An 11-year study of acute renal failure in dogs concluded 45% of cases are caused by toxins and 35% by infectious disease.

In the US, April-May 2007, over 2200 dogs died in a 3-week period from poisonous toxins found in the commercial dog foods they ate.

And nutritionally inadequate diets lead to defective adrenal glands unable to manufacture adequate cortisol, a hormone vital for health and resistance to infectious disease (Dr. Alfred Plechner DMV).

If you feed commercial dog food, than consider very carefully the possible consequences.

Andy never did and his dog Noble, died. Many owners ignored the warnings back in 2006 and were devastated by the Dog Food Scandal of 2007.  (Yes, Andy’s been doing this for a long time.)

But the good news is, the many thousands that listened and took his advice, followed his guidelines still have healthy dogs today.

Andrew Lewis, author of Dog Food Secrets – Get your copy today!

To Bark or Not to Bark? Debarking a Dog – Is Surgery the Right Remedy?

Debarking is a painful, confusing temporary solution to a much deeper human management, miscommunication and training problem. When the urge to bark is suppressed and not dealt with properly, then even after undergoing the surgery, the bad behavior only redirects and then surfaces in other inappropriate activities.  Ultimately, the animal lives an unhappy life, and may lose their home or more tragically, can even lose their life.

I’m a professional animal communicator and animal behaviorist who works with resolving different problems with dogs, and I can tell you that in all my 40 years experience, debarking is completely unnecessary major surgery.  Barking in dogs is easily corrected when they are listened to and managed properly.  That’s why debarking is so controversial!

I worked with a fellow dog lover, Kim, whose dog pal Jody had recently become horribly aggressive – barking and attacking and biting strangers or other dogs… to the point that she thought she was going to have to find a new home for her… or put her down.

Kim was heartbroken as she and her kids loved Jody very much. She couldn’t take Jody for a walk without fear that there would be a fight – with other dogs and even people! Kim couldn’t figure out why all of a sudden this was an issue.

It was heart wrenching to see and Jody’s behavior had escalated to a critical point. She just wanted to know WHY her dog’s behavior made a turn for the worse, and what she could do to resolve it without having to put her friend to sleep.

Was it something she was doing wrong? Did something happen to Jody or was something else going on that she didn’t know about? She just needed to know that she was doing everything she could before she made the final decision. She needed those answers FAST!

Come to find out it was all a misunderstanding! One that almost cost Jody her life.

Kim and the kids had been watching TV and seen several shows where some really bad things had happened to some people in their community… tragic stories of people attacking and hurting other innocent people… and where dogs had attacked and hurt people too…

It had made them afraid. And Jody got the message. After that, Jody just wanted to protect her family from all those bad things… but since she didn’t know exactly where or who the bad people were, she became indiscriminate in her aggressive defensive actions.

Jody’s behavior changed dramatically after our consultation, and I’m delighted to report that Jody is still happily living with her loved ones and doing her job.

Jody was reacting to something in her environment as are most dogs.  Once you know why your dog is barking, you can take the proper steps to correct their behavior.

What can you do if you have a bad barker?  One of things you can do is so easy!   Train your dog out of this by teaching them to Bark (Speak!) on command.  Once they know the command, then you can teach them Quiet!  Easy!

Dogs who continue to bark are simply not being managed correctly or they have something important they need to communicate with you.  Considering the expense and the risks of surgery, debarking a dog should never be the first option for corrective behavior modification, but rather different management, communication and other training methods should be adopted.

And by all means, learn how to talk to your dog.  Animal communication is vitally important!  You can’t really know what’s going on from their viewpoint until you ask them.  And they can participate in resolving things, once you know what they’re thinking.

Just like humans, animals have their own side of every story to tell! But if we don’t take the time to listen to them, then their life, happiness, health and well-being will suffer…

Watch as Pet Psychic, Val Heart, communicates with Eunomia, the dog

This is cool! Watch while I work with this special rottwieler:

Top 10 Pet Poisons of 2009

Dr. Andrew Jones brings us this report today that I feel every animal lover needs to know about.

Top 10 Poisons of 2009

1. Human Medications

For several years, human medications have been number one on the ASPCA’s list of common hazards, and 2009 was no exception. Last year, the ASPCA managed 45,816 calls involving prescription and

over-the-counter drugs such as painkillers, cold medications, antidepressants and dietary supplements. Pets often snatch pill vials from counters and nightstands or gobble up medications accidentally dropped on the floor, so it’s essential to keep meds tucked away in hard-to-reach cabinets.

2. Insecticides

In our effort to battle home invasions by unwelcome pests, we often unwittingly put our furry friends at risk. In 2009, our toxicologists fielded 29,020 calls related to insecticides. One of the most common incidents involved the misuse of flea and tick products–such as applying the wrong topical treatment to the wrong species. Thus, it’s always important to talk to your pet’s veterinarian before beginning any flea and tick control program.

3. People Food

People food like grapes, raisins, avocado and products containing xylitol, like gum, can seriously disable our furry friends, and accounted for more than 17,453 cases in 2009. One of the worst offenders–chocolate–contains large amounts of methylxanthines, which, if ingested in significant amounts, can cause vomiting, diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst, urination, hyperactivity, and in severe cases, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors and seizures.

4. Plants

Common houseplants were the subject of 7,858 calls to APCC in 2009. Varieties such as azalea, rhododendron, sago palm, lilies, kalanchoe and schefflera are often found in homes and can be harmful to pets. Lilies are especially toxic to cats, and can cause life-threatening kidney failure even in small amounts.

5. Veterinary Medications

Even though veterinary medications are intended for pets, they’re often misapplied or improperly dispensed by well-meaning pet parents. In 2009, the ASPCA managed 7,680 cases involving animal-related preparations such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, heartworm preventatives, de-wormers, antibiotics, vaccines and nutritional supplements.

6. Rodenticides

Last year, the ASPCA received 6,639 calls about pets who had accidentally ingested rat and mouse poisons. Many baits used to attract rodents contain inactive ingredients that are attractive

to pets as well. Depending on the type of rodenticide, ingestions can lead to potentially life-threatening problems for pets including bleeding, seizures or kidney damage.

7. Household Cleaners

Everybody knows that household cleaning supplies can be toxic to adults and children, but few take precautions to protect their pets from common agents such as bleaches, detergents and disinfectants.

Last year, the ASPCA received 4,143 calls related to household cleaners. These products, when inhaled by our furry friends, can cause serious gastrointestinal distress and irritation to the respiratory tract.

8. Heavy Metals

It’s not too much loud music that constitutes our next pet poison offender. Instead, it’s heavy metals such as lead, zinc and mercury, which accounted for 3,304 cases of pet poisonings in 2009. Lead is

especially pernicious, and pets are exposed to it through many sources, including consumer products, paint chips, linoleum, and lead dust produced when surfaces in older homes are scraped or sanded.

9. Garden Products

It may keep your grass green, but certain types of fertilizer and garden products can cause problems for outdoor cats and dogs. Last year, the ASPCA fielded 2,329 calls related to fertilizer exposure,

which can cause severe gastric upset and possibly gastrointestinal obstruction.

10. Chemical Hazards

In 2009, the ASPCA handled approximately 2,175 cases of pet exposure to chemical hazards. A category on the rise, chemical hazards—found in ethylene glycol antifreeze, paint thinner, drain cleaners and

pool/spa chemicals–form a substantial danger to pets. Substances in this group can cause gastrointestinal upset, depression, respiratory difficulties and chemical burns.

Prevention is really key to avoiding accidental exposure, but if you suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please contact your veterinarian or the Animal Poison Control Center’s 24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435.

Learn more about treating your animals at home with Dr. Jones’ Veterinarians’ Secrets Revealed Home Study Course.

Einstein Learns a New Trick – How to Shut a Door!

Sounds simple enough doesn’t?  However, not many dogs ever learn to close the door after themselves.  It’s a new level of taking care of themselves in a human world.  I was absolutely thrilled at how easy it was for him to pick this up.

Being able to speak to him directly and show him in my mind exactly what I wanted him to do of course made this task so much easier to teach.

Check out this very cute video of Einstein shutting the door!

Foods Hazardous to Your Pets

I see many dogs with symptoms of illness that are often very difficult to diagnose.  There are times you simply don’t know what you are doing to your animals by feeding them foods you believe to be very healthy for them.  Your dog may have been exhibiting mild symptoms of illness like lethargic behavior or being off their food for a while.  These are indications that SOMETHING is going on with your dog.  One of the first things to consider is what you are feeding them.  (Asking your dog directly what is going on at this point is vital as well, it could also be a sign of depression or other root cause.)

With the help of Dr. Andrew Jones, DVM, I am presenting you with a short list of hazardous foods to avoid with your dog(s).

There are a number of common ‘human’ foods that can be toxic for your pets… The important thing is to know exactly what to avoid. Here is a complete list.

Alcoholic beverages

It is often sweet – attracting dogs and cats, but can cause serious and fatal intoxication. Don’t ever offer this to your pets.

Here are some of the signs and side effects:

- Incoordination/ataxia

- Excitement

- Depression

- Excessive urination

- Breathing rate is slowed

- Cardiac arrest and death

Avocado

Avocado leaves, fruit, seeds and bark contain a toxic principle known as Persin. The Guatemalan variety is most toxic – but all have toxic potential. They cause vomiting/diarrhea – primarily gastrointestinal distress.

Chocolate (all forms)

Chocolate contains theobromine, a compound that is a cardiac stimulant and a diuretic.

Signs:

Initial excitation.

Increased drinking and urinating.

Vomiting and Diarrhea.

Theobromine causes an increased heart rate and arrhythmia -.

Seizures can then be seen.

Death is then possible.

ACTION PLAN: Induce vomiting, give activated charcoal, and go to the Vet if depression and seizures begin. Baker’s chocolate and high cocoa content chocolate is the most toxic; the toxic dose is 2 baking squares for a 10lb dog. Regular chocolate bars have little real chocolate and are seldom toxic.

Coffee (all forms)

Coffee contains dangerous components called xanthines, which cause nervous system or urinary system damage and heart muscle stimulation

Fatty foods

The primary concern here is severe gastrointestinal upset- and in some cases Pancreatitis. This can be fatal in some pets- and it is ALMOST always triggered by a High Fat Meal, such as gravy or bacon.

Macadamia nuts

Macadamia nuts contain an unknown toxin, which can affect the digestive and nervous systems and muscles of dogs. This has lead to paralysis. A small number of nuts and even the butter can cause this.

Moldy or spoiled foods

Many molds contain a type of toxin called an Aflatoxin. This is thought to be a common cause of “compost toxicity”. Signs include GI (Vomiting/Diarrhea), muscle tremors, in-coordination, elevated temperature, excessive salivation, and liver damage. Avoid feeding ANYTHING moldy to your dog or cat.

Onions, onion powder

Onions contain the toxic ingredient thiosulphate.  Pets affected by onion toxicity will develop anemia. 1 Onion can cause this. Fortunately ALL dogs recover once they are stopped from ingesting onions.

Raisins and grapes

As few as 6 grapes and raisins have caused acute kidney failure in some dogs. The toxic ingredient is not yet known. There is no treatement. AVOID feeding ANY grapes or raisins to your dogs.

Yeast dough

The yeast dough/uncooked bread dough will rise in your pet’s stomach causing severe gastrointestinal distress (vomiting/diarrhea), bloating, and signs of alcohol toxicity.

Xylitol

Xylitol is a artificial sweeter found in “SUGAR FREE” Products, such as gum, candy etc.  Signs relate to a sudden drop in glucose (blood sugar), in-coordination, collapse and seizures.  Avoid feeding any gum/candy to your pets.

Apples, Apricots, Cherries, Peaches and Plums.

Ingestion of large amounts of stems, seeds and leaves of these fruits can be toxic. They contain a cyanide type compound and signs of toxicity include apprehension, dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, hyperventilation and shock. Note – it’s the seeds and stems that contain the toxic component, not the fruit itself.

Potato peelings and green looking potatoes

Potatoes and other Solanum species, including the tomato, are members of the nightshade family of plants.  These plants contain solanine and other toxic alkaloids which, if eaten in large enough amounts, can produce drooling, severe gastrointestinal upset, including vomiting and diarrhea, loss of appetite, drowsiness, central nervous system depression, confusion, behavioral changes, weakness, dilated pupils and slowed heart rate.

Nutmeg

High levels of nutmeg can be toxic, even fatal. The toxic component is unknown.  Signs of toxicity include tremors, seizures, nervous system abnormalities or death.

Tomato leaves & stems (green parts)

The green parts of the tomato plant are considered toxic because they contain solanine, which has the potential to produce significant gastrointestinal and central nervous system effects.

Dr. Jones has an amazing home study course – Veterinary Secrets Revealed Home Study Course – check it out now.

CPR for Dogs

Dr. Andrew Jones, as many of you know, is one of my favorite on line vets.  I try to follow his blog postings when I can, because they are truly remarkable in the valuable information he gives away.  I think you’ll appreciate this CPR posting as much as I do.

CPR, by Dr. Andrew Jones

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation is the most important first aid technique that every pet owner should be comfortable with. Chances are that you will never have to use it, but it will save your pet’s life if a ball is lodged in his airway.

This section describes the basic technique. This is also covered in my pet first aid manual, Pet First Aid Secrets: Complete Canine And Feline First Aid Manual, but it is included here because of its importance. For a demonstration and more thorough description, refer to my video: Pet CPR.

There are some very basic steps:

1) Assess responsiveness

2) Establish a patent airway

3) Perform rescue breathing

4) Cardiac massage – establishing circulation

STEP 1: RESPONSIVENESS

The first step is making sure that your pet is truly unresponsive.

1) CHECK his breathing by placing your hand in front of his mouth and nose.

2) CHECK for his heartbeat by placing your ear against the left side of his chest – this is the area where his left elbow touches his chest, immediately behind his left armpit.

STEP 2: AIRWAY

The second step in CPR is obtaining a patent airway.

1) PULL the tongue out of your pet’s mouth, but be careful to not get bitten.

2) STRAIGHTEN the neck by moving the head to be in line with the neck.
DO NOT HYPEREXTEND IN CASES OF NECK TRAUMA.

3) PERFORM two rescue breaths, by closing the mouth and performing mouth to nose ventilations. IF they continue, then proceed to STEP 3, BREATHING.

If there are no breaths, then look into the mouth.

4) VISIBLY inspect the mouth and look down the throat for a foreign body. If you see something, reach into the airway and remove it.

5) IF the airway is still not open, attempt HEIMLICH (shown in following steps).

6) TURN your pet upside down, with back against your chest.

7) WITH both arms, give sharp thrusts to the abdomen.

AFTER 5 thrusts, stop and check to see if the object is visible in the airway. If so remove it and give 2 mouth-to-nose rescue breaths. If the breaths do not go in, repeat HEIMLICH.

STEP 3: BREATHING

After achieving a patent airway, perform RESCUE BREATHING.

1) CLOSE your pet’s mouth and breathe directly into his nose until his chest expands. If the chest does not expand then go back to STEP 2 – AIRWAY.

2) VENTILATE at 15 breaths per minute. One BREATH every 4 seconds.

3) PROCEED to STEP 4 – CIRCULATION

STEP 4: CIRCULATION

1) ENSURE there are no major points of bleeding. Control as necessary.

2) GENTLY lay your pet on his right side.

3) LOCATE the heart, which is found on the lower half of the chest on the left side, behind the elbow of the front left leg. Place one hand below the heart to support the chest; place the other hand over the heart.

4) COMPRESS the chest 15 times followed by 2 rescue breaths. 3 compressions every 2 seconds. Compress the chest 1/2 inch for small pets and 1 1/2 inches for large pets.

5)  EVERY 15 times follow up with 2 rescue breaths.
Continue heart massage compressions and the rescue breathing until you hear a heartbeat and feel regular breathing.

Once your pet is breathing and his heart is beating, call your veterinarian immediately.

For more of Dr. Jones’ health tips I encourage you to get his home study course.  It’s a one-of-a-kind program that helps you diagnose issues at home, and when possible treat them yourself.  http://budurl.com/drjonesvetsecrets

Aggressive dog Behavior – An Underlying Cause!

Val Heart gets to the root cause of aggressive dog behavior.

Animals that pass through many different homes, who go through shelters, who are abandoned or lost always bear the scars and wounds of those experiences.

One of the most common emotional issues animals often experience is the emotional frustration of being misunderstood. Regardless of where they have come from and what they’ve suffered or experienced, what they need from you is your respect, your willingness to communicate with them to find out from them what is going on, your understanding and lack of judgment, followed by providing a foundation of stability in their home.

From there, they can heal and go on to live happy lives.

Well intentioned, loving animal owners often do exactly the wrong things in their attempt to help these animals. They do not need affection or a stronger more forceful approach as much as they need direction and a way to feel safe in a secure family group. They also need jobs to do, a way to focus their energy and spirit so they can fulfill their purpose here.

A fearful animal does not need you to protect them. They need you to help them find their confidence again. It is cruel to let an animal live in fear. If you love them, then teach them what they need to know to not be afraid anymore.

An aggressive animal is usually in reaction to something their human has inadvertently taught them – they can sense when you are frightened or feel out of control, so they will take over trying to protect you! Every family group needs a leader, someone in control who can be trusted.

An example of aggressive behavior that backfired was when a dog was attacking a friend’s husband, and the dog would not even let him into their bedroom. It was a tense situation and they desperately needed help before they had to put their dog down.

After communicating directly with the dog it turned out the marriage was in trouble and the dog was acting out the wife’s anger toward her husband.

If they had not taken the time to listen to their dog, he would have lost his life. The dog thought he was doing the right thing. Now that they knew what the real trouble was, they could give him different signals, and he didn’t have to suffer or die.

Many animal lovers simply do not realize when their animals are reacting to something that is going on in the home. If you are ill, stressed, addicted to drama and/or not a good leader then the animals in the house will react accordingly.

Their world view is vastly different than our own. They need to have a leader, feel safe, have adequate food, share affection, be in a pack of some type and be allowed to fulfill their purpose in this lifetime. When these basic things are not met, then they will do whatever makes the most sense to them at the time, which may include acting out.

Sometimes the only way to determine the root cause of a behavior issue to ask the animal directly why they are misbehaving. Many times it is not an obvious answer, but one that you would never have thought of.

Are you ready? Take a pro-active approach to improving your relationships with yourself & your animals through improved communication, energy medicine, health & balance for body, mind & spirit. Working with chronic pain, illness, trauma, training, behavior, performance, euthanasia… specializing with dogs and sport horses.  Visit www.valheart.com to learn more about animal communication classes or to schedule an appointment today.