The Honest Kitchen - pet food with a passion

Here are some home remedy tips and ideas for winning the war on summertime fleas.

Control of all life stages in the flea life cycle in both the environment and on all animals in your pet’s vicinity, is crucial.

Diatomaceous Earth is a great product for killing fleas that live in yards and homes. This product does not contain chemicals and can be used freely on furnishings and carpets as well as outdoor areas. Vacuuming of excess product (as well as fleas, eggs and larvae) is a vital step in controlling fleas, too.

Pennyroyal herb is another renowned flea repellent, although it should not be used around pregnant animals or people. Pennyroyal, which is a member of the mint family, can be planted around yards and particularly near doorways to homes, to help keep fleas at bay. In addition, Pennyroyal Essential Oil can be diluted in water and sprayed liberally in indoor and outdoor areas.

Nematodes are a highly effective option for lawns and other outside areas. These microscopic organisms feed on flea eggs and larvae and help to control flea populations, naturally. Ask your local gardening shop for details on ordering nematodes.

An electronic flea trap may be another worthy investment, to combat fleas inside without chemicals.

For topical application directly on the pet to repel fleas and soothe irritated skin that can result from flea-bite dermatitis, try one of the following.

To keep fleas away:

Lemon Water – Dr Pitcairn recommends steeping lemons in water over night and spraying the solution on pets the following morning.
Tea Tree or Citronella oil on inside of collar works as a natural flea collar to repel fleas.
Lavender, lemon balm, rosemary and other woodsy essential oils are also thought to be helpful- add 2-3 drops of essential oil to ½ litter of water, spray pet and surroundings.
(Remember, dogs have very sensitive sniffers so be sure to dilute essential oils well and do not apply near face).
Neem Oil (be aware that some pets can be very allergic to Neem) can be found in many commercial products including shampoos and sprays.

Try one of the follow for irritated flea bit dermatitis:

Evening Primrose Oil is helpful for direct application to skin that has been irritated by fleas.
Tea rinse- To help sooth irritated skin (external rinse), steep a couple bags of black tea in 1 gallon water. Allow tea to cool and soak pet.
For an herbal tea rinse, steep a couple of Chamomile teabags in 1 gallon water, add a tablespoon or two of comfrey leaf and / or aloe leaf for additional soothing relief. Allow tea to cool and soak pet. Refrigerate unused portion.

Fighting fleas from the inside out

Building a strong immune system is crucial for helping pets to fend off fleas as well as overcome the effects of allergic reactions to flea saliva (flea bite dermatitis). First off, a natural diet is key. Supplementation with a cleansing herbal supplement such as Sparkle is also beneficial. Homeopathic Urtica Urens (nettle), Sulphur, Rhus Tox (Poison Ivy) and Pulex Irritans (Human Flea) are all used for various flea bite reactions. We don’t recommend spot-on treatments for fleas but if these become absolutely necessary, supplementation with Honest Kitchen Invigor can help the system overcome the effects of the chemicals these products contain.

Along with a fresh, natural diet, dietary supplementation with Vitamin C as well as an Essential Fatty Acid such as flax or fish oil are also thought to be beneficial for immunity and reducing any inflammatory response.

Hypothyroid condition refers to the inability of the thyroid gland to produce sufficient thyroid hormone. The thyroid becomes less active than it should be, and symptoms such as weight gain and lethargy as well as problems of the skin and coat, arise. Thyroid condition is possibly the most common auto-immune disease to affect our dogs. It is thought to be caused by environmental factors, such as the consumption of highly processed, poor quality commercial dog foods, over vaccination.

Certain breeds are more prone to the disease. Rottweilers, Labradors (chocolate especially), and Golden Retrievers are especially prone, and some veterinarians report a rate of 80% of tthese breeds being diagnosed with the condition. Other breeds that are commonly affected with hypo-thyroid include Boxers, Cocker Spaniels, Akitas, Chows and Dobermans. While a large percent of dogs have the condition hypothyroid, a similar percentage of cats suffer from hyperthyroid (an opposite condition). Researchers are trying to pin point the cause of thyroid condition in pets, and commercially processed dog foods is a big culprit.

The hormones of the thyroid have an effect on every cell in the body at a metabolic rate. The thyroid gland is responsible for regulating metabolism, so some of the clinical signs of Hypothyroid condition include lethargy, weight gain, dry and brittle coat, or an excessively oily coat with a heavy ‘dog smell’ (even right after a bath). Some dogs are chilly and seek heat or have neurological changes (sudden aggression, seizures). Some dogs exhibit no typical clinical symptoms and the diagnosis of other health issues will eventually lead to discovery of an underlying thyroid problem.

Hypothyroid condition is not an easy one for veterinarians to definitively diagnose, although the telltale symptoms are easy to spot for many vets, and diagnosis can be complicated by the fact that blood level standards for a diagnosis have changed over the last several years as well.

Iodine is a mineral that’s vital for thyroid health. A great source of natural iodine is seaweed or kelp (as well as many shellfish). Supplementing the diet with a small amount of kelp is usually recommended by holistic veterinarians for animals diagnosed with or at risk of a thyroid imbalance. Supplementation with glandular extracts is also very helpful, as is the use of adaptogenic (traditional Chinese and and Ayurvedic) herbs such as Ginseng and Astragalus.

An invaluable resource for many pet parents in the diagnosis of thyroid problems (and many other underlying health concerns) is Dr. Jean Dodd, who is is an expert in the field of canine blood analysis and specializes in autoimmune conditions. She is world renowned for her work in this field, as well as in the ongoing Rabies Challenge study. Dr. Dodd is the founder of Hemopet, a service that allows you to have your pet’s blood-work analyzed, to assist with diagnosing underlying conditions that are detectable because of high or low levels in the blood chemistry.

The term Epilepsy refers to a collection of disorders in which seizures occur without an identifiable cause. Diagnostic testing is used to rule out causes such as tumors, trauma, poisoning or infection, before a diagnosis of epilepsy is made.

Epilepsy most commonly begins in pets between 6 months and 5 years of age. It is most common in dogs and relatively unusual in cats. There is some evidence that heredity is partly responsible – so pets who suffer with epilepsy should never be bred – and much speculation that continued annual vaccinations are a primary cause of this disease. Nutrition is also thought to play a significant role.

The goal of seizure treatment is to reduce the overall incidence, length and frequency of seizures; worryingly, the more seizures a pet has, the more predisposed they are to further seizures – so early diagnosis is very important.

Medication is usually prescribed when the frequency of seizures reaches one per month.

Conventional epilepsy medications include Phenobarbital (which has several unpleasant side effects such as wobbly gait, excessive thirst and urination, increased hunger and excessive sedation) and potassium bromide which is not yet approved for use in dogs and cats but becoming increasingly prescribed for canine epilepsy because it has fewer side effects.

Diet may have an effect on the incidence of seizures in some pets. Anecdotal research shows that a diet free of chemical preservatives such as BHA, BHT and Ethoxyquin may help to reduce seizure frequency. Artificial flavors and colorings should also be avoided in seizure-prone pets. A minimally processed, home made or other natural diet is thought to be beneficial; such diets are richer in natural antioxidants, enzymes and other important compounds that are necessary for optimal health.

The goal of nutritional therapy is to nourish the brain and nervous system, while detoxifying the body and the pet’s surrounding environment. Limiting consumption of organ meats (especially liver) is also wise during detoxification, since these are the most heavily contaminated with antibiotics and other medications.

Going Gluten-Free: A 2005 article in the Whole Dog Journal implicated gluten in the epileptic seizures of certain dogs; one dog in particular was suffering at least one grand mal seizure every week until the owner switched him to a gluten-free diet. The dog went a number of months without a single seizure after going gluten-free, and then only suffered on when the owner ran out of food and had to purchase a glutenous, lamb and rice diet. To learn more about our  grain free and gluten free food options for pets click here.

Supplementation with choline or lecithin is also recommended by many holistic vets. These compounds are used in the treatment of human neurological disorders. Lecithin (commonly made from soy) contains a compound called Phosphatidylcholine which, when consumed, is broken down into choline. Choline promotes methylation and assists with the formation of acetylcholine – vital for brain function.

B Vitamins are beneficial for the nervous system. Vitamin C and Zinc are also useful. Discuss the appropriate dosage for your pet, with your holistic vet.

Rescue Remedy, a combination of five Bach Flower Essences, is useful when a seizure does occur, to help calm the pet.

Homeopathy: Under the guidance of a homeopathic vet, supplementing with Silicea or Thuja (30c) is sometimes helpful. Arnica Montana (specifically for seizures that begin after an injury to the head) is also recommended. The Tissue Salts Kali phos (when nervousness, irritability or other nervous disturbances are present), Ferrum phos (when head congestion accompanies seizures; head is hot and eyes are bloodshot), Natrum sulph (for epilepsy that began after a head injury) and Silicea (for seizures that occur at night) – all in the 6x potency – may also be helpful. As with all the suggestions in this article, these remedies should only be used under the supervision of a holistic vet.

Environment: A holistic approach to the management of epilepsy also involves helping your pet to stay clear of environmental pollutants such as exhaust fumes, pesticides used in your yard, cigarette smoke, air fresheners and household cleaners as well as exposure to new carpets which are often pre-treated with formaldehyde and other toxins.

Addison’s Disease is also called adrenal insufficiency or hypocortisolism, which means low or decreased activity of the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are located just above each of the dog’s two kidneys. The adrenal glands are part of the endocrine system, and are really made of two parts, the medulla and cortex. The medulla is responsible for production of epinephrine- this is generally not affected by Addison’s.

The adrenal cortex produces the hormones (cortisol and aldosterone) that give instructions to virtually every organ and tissue in the body. Here are some of the jobs of cortisol and aldosterone hormones: Cortisol mobilizes nutrients, modifies the body’s response to inflammation, stimulates the liver to raise blood sugar, and also helps to regulate amount of water in the body. Aldosterone regulates salt and water levels which affects blood volume and blood pressure.

Though all the causes of Addison’s Disease are not fully understood, in some cases it is an auto- immune disorder in which the pet’s body makes antibodies that destroy its own adrenal glands. The process can take months or even years. Some less frequent causes may be related to severe chronic fungal infections, and adrenal cancers. The onset of Addison’s disease (as well as Cushing’s, liver disease, kidney failure and other auto-immune system disorders) has been linked to the increasing long-term use of veterinary drugs that are commonly prescribed for various skin problems.

Addison’s Disease appears to be getting more and more common in dogs, the United States. The disorder is much less common in cats. Clinical signs occur as a result of the decreased output of adrenal gland hormones. Some of the signs pet owners notice are extreme weakness, loss of weight and vomiting. These symptoms can be vague and intermittent, making a definitive diagnosis difficult in many cases.

Conventional treatment for Addison’s disease involves administration of supplemental hormones for the life of the pet. Some natural treatments include a healthy fresh food diet to help improve your pets overall health, glandular therapy (using whole animal tissues or extracts of adrenal glands), antioxidants, and some herbal remedies. With natural medicine there is no one modality that will cure all, but rather it involves treating the body as a whole. Some herbal remedies to help strengthen the adrenal glands include Borage, Dandelion leaf, Licorice, Nettle, and Spirulina.

Some great resources:
“Natural Health Bible for Dogs & Cats”, by Shawn Messonnier, DVM

The following web site has some very informative links: www.k9addisons.com

Please remember, dietary and other health-care changes should be made under the guidance of your vet, particularly when underlying health conditions exist.