The Complete Single's Guide to Being a Dog Owner by Betsy Rosenfeld

Author:Betsy Rosenfeld
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Adams Media, Inc.
Published: 2009-07-15T00:00:00+00:00

As always, I speak on this topic from painful experience. While living in Seattle, the training facility Bella almost flunked out of (due to separation anxiety) recommended an herbalist to prescribe her a calming remedy. I had a brief conversation with the herbalist and told her what was going on with Bella. Three days later a package of herbs arrived in the mail. They were in baggies not bottles, and were labeled with the name of the remedy and how many Bella should get each day. That should have been my first clue something was amiss, but figuring the training facility, known as the best in the region, would only recommend a trustworthy herbalist, I started Bella on the herbs.

While I can’t squarely blame what happened next on the herbs, I believe they played a part. Soon after, Bella started vomiting, which continued through weeks of intermittent diarrhea and listlessness. After two emergency surgeries, and a vet bill equal to a down payment on a condo, Bella eventually regained her health and I my sanity. But the process most likely could have been avoided had I been more careful about the herbs.

Certainly, a dog may have a bad reaction to veterinarian-prescribed medications, but these drugs are regulated and consistent. Herbs and herbal remedies are not. I knew the names of some of the herbs Bella was taking, but had no idea what their strength was or how concentrated they were. To make matters worse, the herbalist was on vacation in China and couldn’t be reached. So, while I am not trying to discourage you from giving your dogs herbs, I strongly encourage you to do so under the close supervision of an experienced—and reachable—doctor or licensed herbalist.

Massage, Chiropractic, and Physical Therapies

There are many other complementary therapies in addition to acupuncture and herbs, such as canine massage, chiropractic care, and physical therapy, which can significantly improve a dog’s health and vitality. Marlene Grass, RVT, CMT, writes in an article for Petplace.com, that the soothing sensation of touch and the manipulation of muscles may provide benefits for dogs including:

An increased overall sense of wellness

A general sense of calming and reduction of stress

Increased flexibility and movement

Pain reduction or relief of pain

Decreased recovery time from surgery or trauma

Increased circulation of the blood, lymphatic, and nervous systems

Removal of toxins from the body and its organs

Independent practitioners as well as doggie spas with services such as water therapy, massage, and assisted exercise have opened shop across the country. These treatments can be tremendously helpful for dogs dealing with the above problems.But again, as with acupuncture and herbs, check the credentials of anyone who lays their hands on your dog.

DOGMA:

DIY

There are numerous books and DVDs available on canine massage as well as workshops and distance-learning courses that teach the art of canine massage.

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