Wellness & Holistic Lifestyle

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Comment by Guinness on April 30, 2008 at 9:45am

HI! Thanks very much for the info. Turned out he did need to see the vet and was in need of some antibiotics. Great suggestions for the immune system boosting and uppper respiratory care as well...thanks very much!

Comment by Laurie on April 23, 2008 at 8:24pm

Boosting the immune system is always a good thing. In addition to vits and anti-oxidants, Quercetin (a specific bioflavanoid) is a really effective natural anti-histamine for upper respiratory. So is the Chinese herb Bi Yan Pian, again for upper respiratory. If discharge is off-colored (just like for people) it could indicate infection. Hydration is key as Jennifer stated, and if you add broth, just make sure it's no sodium or low sodium (better yet, home made, so you make sure there's nothing in it you don't want!)

Comment by Jennifer on April 20, 2008 at 1:45pm

colds could be a sign of something underlying, so just watch for any development. could it maybe be an allergy?
you can boost the immune system with a multivitamin and antioxidant supplement.
giving moist foods and adding broth or other liquids to dry food will help keep him hydrated.

Comment by Guinness on April 16, 2008 at 10:21am

Hi, This is great to have on here! Anyone have any suggestions for what looks like a doggie-cold? Poor Guinness has a terrible runny nose and sounds really congested. Thanks!

Comment by Rubi on April 14, 2008 at 3:52pm

Those are all great recommendations Laurie!! I would also include Dr. Chattigre' at Cascade Summit for homeopathy work (chinese herbs, acupuncture, vom, reiki, etc), as well as Dr. Takashima at Parkway Vet for acupuncture. They both have wonderful reputations. My clients rave about Dr. Hoberg as a great mobile dvm. I love that we have so many to choose from and refer people to! And, they're all quality folks!

Comment by Laurie on April 13, 2008 at 9:38pm

Lisa is a DVM. I don't know if she studied with Marsden or not, but I worked with her at Holistic Pet Vet and also used her at home and she never mentioned studying with him. Too bad he moved to Canada! He was wonderful. Did you go to him when he was at Murrayhill? I saw him years ago not long before he left, and I really liked him.

I've heard great things about Dennis O'Brien too, but I've never used him. Have your pups been to him very often?

Comment by elizabeth knight on April 13, 2008 at 11:17am

oops. i keep deleting my posts thinking I can edit them...d'oh!

Is Lisa Hoberg a DVM? Is she one hwo studied with Steve Marsden before he went back to Canada?

I would add Dennis O'Brien in Vancouver to the chiropractor list. He is very astute and empathic with dogs.

Comment by Andrea Schneider on April 12, 2008 at 12:41pm

This is a really great addition to our groups! Thanks so much for creating it and the response is terrific and filled with a ton of good information.

I also love the picture you chose. It's perfect and very appealing.

Thanks so much.

Comment by Jennifer on April 12, 2008 at 12:21pm

I agree, el knight, that it is so very important for regular exercise of the body and mind to keep a healthy dog. I believe many companies are now focusing on toys that stimulate dogs mentally, which is wonderful and I hope these toys continue to develop.

I recently heard of flyball relay for dogs and it's sounds fantastic!

Comment by Laurie on April 12, 2008 at 12:02pm

Hi Jen,

Thanks for starting this group!

There is such a wealth of (veterinary) holistic health care resources in Portland! Just about everything you could ask for. In addition to Dr. Brown for mobile acupuncture, there is Dr. Lisa Hoberg. Mobile chiropractic would be Dr. Sandra Johnson; for Oriental medicine and acupuncture (non-mobile) Dr. Kelly Jenkins Nielsen of Kindred Spirits in Lake Oswego (she is an incredible diagnostician and practitioner - 503-697-0550); Holistic Pet Vet Clinic, Hawthorne Vet Clinic, Dr. Donna Starita, Dr. Nancy Curran (with Hawthorne Vet but starting her own clinic); Dr. Mary Mandeville for in-office chiropractic; and Dr. Bianca Shaw also has a physical therapy and rehab clinic with an on-staff acupuncturist (Back oon Track Vet Rehab; Dr. Helfer's is Canine Peak Performance.) The the list goes on, as does the list for supplements, herbs, and the like. One product that has many uses that is very inexpensive is apple cider vinegar (the raw, unfiltered kind). Use it for skin issues, bladder infections, ear infections, etc. Dilution depends on problem, whether chronic or acute, etc. Good for arthritis too.

One of the most important things about a holistic life style is that we maintain one for ourselves -- in addition to that which we do for our precious animals. If we stay calm, stress free, relaxed, and content (through exercise, personal time, meditation, etc.) that will obviously create a better environment for them to live in as well, so there's a double bonus!

Laurie

P.S. For anyone outside of Portland (i.e. closer to Eugene) Dr. Patricia Kortekaas does canine physical therapy and rehab -- and has a stellar reputation.

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