Description

Part of the Pet Lover’s Guide series, this volume presents detailed information on alternative therapies for both dogs and cats. Written in a clear, simple manner, the book is divided into three main parts. Part 1, on diet and natural therapies, addresses the importance of diet for pets, and discusses the pros and cons of both commercially available and homemade diets. It also covers the basic explanations of the various alternative therapies widely used by holistic veterinarians and readily available to pet owners (e.g., supplements and herbs, acupuncture, homeopathy, chiropractic and other manual healing). Part 2 makes recommendations for specific health conditions, such as skin problems or digestive tract problems, and describes how various alternative therapies are used alone or in combination with allopathic therapies to treat or relieve the condition. Finally, Part 3 offers an overview of health maintenance and preventive health, and includes information about vaccinations, flea and tick control, weight control, and caring for the aging pet.

Key Features

• Full-color line art and photographs illustrate various plants and herbs, and also techniques such as manual therapies, massage, and other hands-on healing techniques in a user-friendly and easily identifiable manner.
• Special boxes labeled “Where We Stand” present the author’s strong opinions on specific (sometimes controversial) issues in a highlighted, easy-to-find format.
• Key terms are highlighted, making them easy to locate and reference — these terms are also included in the glossary with clear, simple definitions.
• Important information is bulleted and placed in a shaded box, bringing the main points to the reader’s attention in a quick and useful way.
• Clear readability makes information easily accessible to pet owners, helping them to better understand natural therapies and their uses in treating pets. It also enables veterinarians to carry the book in their practices and recommend it to clients.
• Written by established, recognized veterinarians, this book is a reliable source for veterinary professionals.

Sample Chapters

• Chapter 1: Natural Therapies for Your Pet

Related Titles

• Pet Lover's Guide to Canine Arthritis and Joint Problems
• Pet Lover's Guide to Cat and Dog Skin Diseases
• Pet Lover's Guide to First Aid and Emergencies

Table Of Contents

. Natural Therapies For Your Pet Why Use Natural Therapies? So What’s Different About Holistic Medicine? Health and Well-Being Of Your Pet Signs of Poor Health In Animals The Urban Pet and Free Radicals Stress and Health 2. Practical Steps to Prevent Disease and Improve Well-Being The Annual Exam How “Old” Is Your Pet Compared With Humans? 10-Point Home Health Check When to Take Your Pet to The Veterinarian Improving Health 10 Steps to Greater Well-Being And Health 3. Holistic Nutrition Nutrition Basics Classes of Nutrients What to Feed 4. Nutrition Boosters Starting With Supplements 5. Herbs Herb Safety Using Herbal Medicines Herbal Preparations Dosages A Pet Herbal Home Pharmacy Herbal Material Medica Indoor Herb Garden for Cats 6. Physical Therapies Acupuncture and Acupressure Trigger Point Therapy Chiropractic Physical and Rehabilitation Therapy Hands-On Healing 7. Homeopathy The Principles of Homeopathy 8. Bach Flower Remedies Preparation Dosage Choosing the Remedies Aromatherapy (Dogs Only) 9. Recommendations Guidelines Treatment Options 10. Detoxification Program Some General Principles Toxins Leaky Gut Syndrome (LGS) Dysbiosis Vaccination A Naturopathic Approach to Chronic Disease Natural Therapies for Dysbiosis And Leaky Gut Syndrome Repair Tonics Corticosteroid Use Basic Detoxification Program Short-Term Modified Fast Of 1-3 Days Bowel Detoxification Liver Detoxification When to See Your Veterinarian What to Ask Your Veterinarian 11. Skin and Coat Maintaining Skin and Coat Health Signs of Skin Disease Long-Term or Recurrent Skin Problems What You Can Do Therapies to Consider Seeking If Problems Persist Itchy and Overgrooming Cats Itchy Dogs Dog Skin Allergies Bacterial Skin Disease and Hot Spots Yeast or Malassezia Dermatitis Of Dogs Dry Skin and Dandruff Cat Acne Hair Loss and Shedding Blocked Anal Glands Lick Granulomas Doggy Odor Demodectic Mange Wounds, Stings, and Trauma 12. Digestive System Maintaining A Healthy Digestive System Chronic Digestive Problems and Inflammatory Bowel Disease Food Allergies Dental Health and Dental Disease Bad Breath Acute Diarrhea Coprophagy-Eating “Poo” Constipation Flatulence Chronic Vomiting Liver Disease Pancreatic Problems Diabetes 13. Ears and Eyes Ears Eyes 14. The Immune System Stress Immune Deficiency Allergies Autoimmune Disease Feline Infections Peritonitis (FIP) Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) Feline Leukemia Virus (Felv) Cancer Lymphatic System and Spleen Health Infections and Antibiotic Use 15. Disorders of the Grandular System Diabetes Adrenal Gland Health and Stress Addison’s Disease Cushing’s Syndrome Hypothyroid Disease Hyperthyroid Disease 16. Muscles, Bones, and Joints Pain Maintaining Muscle Strength and Function How to Prevent Injuries In Dogs Arthritis-Osteoarthritis, Degenerative Joint Disease and Osteochondrosis Hip Dysplasia Lyme Disease Leg Injuries Myopathy 17. The Spine and Nervous System The Nervous System Vestibular Syndrome In Senior Dogs And Cats Nerve Paralysis Epilepsy and Seizures Head Injuries And Brain Problems Cognitive Disorder or Senility In Older Animals Back Pain and Spinal Problems Disk Disease, Protrusion; Prolapsed, Slipped Disk Wobbler Syndrome: Cervical Vertebral Instability Degenerative Myelopathy 18. Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems Maintaining Health The Cardiovascular System The Respiratory System 19. The Urinary Tract and Reproductive System Maintaining Urinary Tract Health Bladder Infection-Cystitis Bladder Stones-Urolithiasis Xanthine Incontinence (Bladder) Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD, Also Known As FUS) Kidney Disease Female Reproductive System Female Infertility False Pregnancy Mastitis Pyometra or Metritis Male Infertility Prostrate Disorders 20. Behavior Dogs Cats 21. Maintaining Optimal Health Routine Health Care Weight Control Vaccination Heartworm Prevention Flea and Tick Control Aging Surgery or Hospitalization: Preparation and Recovery References Appendix Elimination Diets Glossary

Author Information

By Barbara Fougere, BVSc, BVMS (Hons), Acupuncture and Natural Therapies, Rozelle, New South Wales, Australia