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Holistic Health for Dogs
by Marina Zacharias
CRANBERRY JUICE
Cranberry juice is an "old folk" remedy that has a long history of usage for
preventing and treating urinary-tract infections. The "Empire" boys still
consider it to be just another "quack" remedy because it has not been
scientifically proven...until now, that is!!
In a recent study, some 153 elderly women (average age 78.5 years) were randomly assigned
to consume 300ml. (about ten ounces) daily of a cranberry juice beverage or a synthetic
placebo drink that was similar in taste, appearance and vitamin C content.
After six months of treatment, women receiving the cranberrgy juice had 58% fewer
urinary-tract infections (UTI) than did women receiving the placebo.
There were some interesting aspects to this particular study. For example, in the past, it
was thought that cranberry juice increased the acidity of the urine, which would make it
more difficult for certain bacteria to grow. However, in this study, the urinary
acidity was not increased with cranberry juice. Its beneficial effect must therefore be
attributed to some other action.
We do know that cranberry juice contains relatively large amounts of a compound called
"hippuric acid" which is known to have an antibiotic activity. There also
appears to be an unidentified substance in cranberry juice that prevents bacteria from
binding to the bladder wall. Ovbiously, if bacteria cannot attach themselves to tissues,
they cannot cause an infection.
We have had excellent results in using cranberry concentrate capsules (1000 mg.) for
dogs in preventing reoccuring UTI and cystitis problems. The concentrate is of course much
easier to administer plus it contains no sweeteners or added sugars.
For those animals that have chronic reoccuring infections, we have obtained stable relief
using a Chinese herbal forumation called LINDERA 15. This formula can be used safely
for long term use in both dogs and cats.
If a bladder infection should occur, in the majority of cases it can be treated easily and
quickly by a variety of natural methods, without resorting to continual rounds of
antibiotics which can create its own set of problems, i.e., yeast infections.
To treat an infection, BHI BLADDER AND INFLAMMATION are two homeopathics that work well to
relieve symptoms and make the animal more comfortable. They can be given frequently in
acute symptoms. The glandular called ALBALPLEX works well in conjunction to clear
the problem. It gives direct suport to the kidney, liver and urinary tract functions. It
also aids the immune system and
can be used until all signs of infection are clear.
(Ed. note - All of you out there that have read this, must also have recently read or
heard on the news that the FDA has approved the use of certain herbal remedies, such as
SAW PALMETTO, for prostate, and ST. JOHNS WORT, for depression...it won't be long before
other NATURAL products will FINALLY get the APPROVAL of the EMPIRE...& then it won't
be considered "quackerry" anymore!!)
"NATURAL REARING NEWSLETTER" is
copyright protected; no parts may be reproduced without written permission from the
publisher.
If you would like further information on holistic care for your animals, including a
sample copy of the NATURAL REARING NEWSLETTER, please contact
Marina Zacharias, POB 1436, Jacksonville, OR
97530,
phone: 541.899.2080, fax 541.899.3414 or
e.mail: ambrican@cdsnet.net.
PARVO VACCINE -- An Overview
by Denise A. Mankin, DVM
A recent rash of Parvo cases in Southern California has prompted a hard look at our patterns of vaccinating. Viruses continually build up tolerances to vaccines and what you faithfully used in the past may be less effective today. There has been alot of controversy over the need for vaccinations themselves or the "schedule" that has been recommended by both the maufactureres and veterinarians. The latest look at the vaccination program has given way to a new protocal of still vaccinating puppies, then giving a booster a year later and then to either do "titers" on each of the diseases, which is not financially practical at this time as each one costs about $40, or to just vaccinate every 3 years...not yearly as recommended previously...and take note of the word "recommended" as it was never a "law" like the rabies vaccine is.
All of us are familiar with parvovirus and its significance as an infectious disease in our canine companions. Many of us have heard the stories of puppies, sometimes whole litters, becoming infected and the subsequent struggle to survive.
To the frustrations of dog owners, breeders and veterinarians, the commercial vaccines have failed to immunize pupies at an early age primarily due to an inability of the vaccines to override the immunity puppies received from their dams...called "maternally derived antibodies."
As veterinarians, we have made recommendations of continuing vaccination schedules to 20 or 24 weeks of age in the hope of vaccinating when the maternal antibodies are low enough to allow the vaccine to do its work. During these weeks of repeated vaccinations, the immunity received from the dam is waning and cannot protect the puppies, leaving a "window" of opportunity for the virus. This window usually starts around 7 to 10 weeks of age.
Last year, a new vaccine ws introduced by Intervet. In multiple studies, Intervet's Progard vaccine has been shown to effectively override maternally derived antibodies and prevent the "window" from occuring. One such study conducted at the Universityof Wisconsin-Madison by Dr. R.D. Schultz, et al, compared six vaccines and their ability to provide protective immunity in puppies with similar levels of maternal antibodies. The puppies in the study were divided into six groups and each group was vaccinated with a different manufacturer's vaccine at six to seven weeks of age and at nine to ten weeks of age.
The puppies were then challenged with parvovirus five weeks after the second dose of vaccine was given. The results of the study show that three of the vaccines FAILED to protect the puppies from infection, clinical disease and death. These vaccines are BIO COR's Adernomune-7L, Fhone Meieux's RM Conine 6 (DA2P-PL) and SOLVAY"S GALAXY 6MHP-L. A fourth vaccine, SmithKline Beecham's Vangaurd 5/L provided significant protection against death, with one of the eight vaccinated puppies dying, but did not prevent infection and clinical disease in the remaining puppies.
Two of the six vaccines did provide protection from death and disease: Ft. DODGE's Duramune and INTERVET's PROGARD. Of these, Intervet's vaccine was shown to provide vaccine induced immunity in more of the puppies at an earlier age.
A comparison of SmithKline Beecham's Vanguard 5/L and Ft. Dodge's Duramunie and their ability to prduce protective immunity with Intervet's Progard was demonstrated in antoher study showing the ages at which the vaccines protected the puppies. For this study, three groups of puppies were vaccinated at 6, 9 and 12 weeks of age, each group receiving a different vaccine. The levels of antibodies were checked prior to vaccination and each week up to 15 weeks of age. The study showed the response rate to the 6 week vaccination to be 54% of those puppies given the Intervet vaccine and 0% with the Ft. Dodge and SmithKline groups. After the 9 week vaccination, 100% of the Intervet group responded adequately while only 18% of the Ft. Dodge group did and 0% of the SmithKline group. After the 12 week vaccination, 82% of the Ft. Dodge group and 50% of the SmithKline group had responded with protective immunity.
Another concern of the veterinary community is the lack of immune response seen in certain dogs to repeated vaccinations long after the nterference from the maternally derived antibodies has waned. This has been reported primarily in large breeds of dogs with Dobermans and Rottweilers being the most notorious for this problem. European studies have shown the Intervet vaccine's ability to provide protection even to these "chronic non-responders."
The recommended schedule for the Intervet vaccine is 6, 9 and 12 weeks of age with either the 5-way (without leptospirosis) or the 7-way (with lepto) with boosters being given annually. This vaccine schedule and the protection it provides can allow for earlier socialization of litters and individuals with the concern of parvovirus infection.
(Ed. note. This article came to me from a friend in New Mexico...the note at the bottome reads "via High Desert OC" so we cannot give proper credit to the source for further information.)
I hope that this leads to a discussion with your own veterinarian about
the type of vaccine he uses on your rottweiler, the schedule and frequency.
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