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The Healing Benefits of Turmeric Golden Paste You may have heard of the benefits of the spice Turmeric. Curcumin (the active ingredient in turmeric) supplements are getting more and the more common by the day, however, the most effective way to receive the full benefits of this spice is to cook it on your stovetop! Curcumin’s bioavailability increases at cooking temperatures. Additionally, researchers have found that cooking curcumin in coconut or olive oil leads to the formation of a compound named ‘deketene curcumin’ which has better anti-cancer activity than curcumin itself. Combining black pepper with turmeric powder increases antioxidant activity in cooking. What are some of the benefits of Turmeric Golden Paste?
The Healing Properties of Turmeric for Dogs with Cancer* Turmeric has healing properties that have been known to block the cancer cells in dogs that are suffering head or neck cancer. In some cases, it has also been known to shrink tumors. Turmeric Paste Benefits for Dogs with Cancer include:
For more great benefits and the scientific research behind turmeric and curcumin, click here. GOLDEN PASTE RECIPE:
Note: You may omit pepper if you cannot tolerate it. The absorption of turmeric will still be improved by cooking it and adding oil, but it will be less effective without the pepper. DOSAGE: Start off slow...1/4 tsp. 2-3 times a day with food and water. This may be the actual dose for small dogs and puppies, but for larger dogs increase the amount by 1/4 tsp until you see results. You may give Golden Paste up to 3-4 times a day once tolerated if necessary. When adding turmeric to your dog's diet for the first time, if there are any signs of loose stools or upset stomach then you may wish to reduce your serving to 1/8 tsp or so, and remain at a lower dose for a longer period. It will eventually pass and the gut microbiome will soon benefit. 
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 It's the one word you fear hearing the most from your veterinarian. CANCER. The word alone immediately strikes fear in the heart of a pet parent. Sadly, the odds are you will hear this word someday, especially if you have more than one dog in your lifetime. One in four dogs get cancer; half of the dogs over 10 years of age die from or with it. In the US, cancer is the primary cause of death in dogs over two years of age. The disease is rampant, much more so than in the past when our pets were much healthier. There are approximately 65 million dogs in the United States. Of these, roughly 6 million new cancer diagnoses are made in dogs each year*. It may be hard for us to notice something is wrong with our dog at first...unless a mass is bulging out noticeably from the skin, most cancer grows invisibly inside the body. Most of the time, routine blood tests are normal, and the disease may be advanced by the time of diagnosis. That’s why it’s called the silent killer. Consult your veterinarian if you observe any of the following signs in your pet:
Many of the signs seen with cancer are also seen with non-cancer conditions, however, they still need prompt attention by a veterinarian to determine the cause. Cancer is frequently treatable and early diagnosis will aid your veterinarian in delivering the best care possible. Why are dogs getting cancer at an increasing rate? The potential for cancer begins when carcinogens damage and alter the DNA in a cell. The damaged DNA sits and waits until the conditions that promote the creation of a cancerous cell are just right. Exposure to toxins and viruses, and in some cases genetic predisposition, can damage the gene that protects the body from cancerous cells. With each passing year, the number and concentration of carcinogens our dogs are exposed to increases. Sadly, these days, exposure to toxins and carcinogens is unavoidable. While it’s impossible to avoid every carcinogen, we can certainly work to decrease our dogs’ exposure to these toxins. By following the steps below, you may be able to help reduce the risk of cancer in your dog:
What if your dog is diagnosed with cancer? First, take a deep breath and do not panic. Second, don't give up hope! Although the treatment for cancer in dogs is similar to the treatment for humans (surgery, chemotherapy, radiation), most dogs tolerate it extremely well. Additionally, there are many natural and holistic therapies that have been proven very helpful, such as Turmeric Golden Paste. Essiac Tea, Medicinal Mushrooms and CBD/THC oils. Do your research, join Facebook groups…educate yourself. Finally, as difficult or insensitive as it may seem, enjoy today. This may be the most important step of all. Dogs live in the moment, so take whatever moments you have left and enjoy them. Cancer or not, no pet parent can anticipate how long their dog will live. If laughter truly is the best medicine, then living life to the fullest with your pet is the most powerful treatment of all. *Animal Cancer Foundation **Animal Wellness Magazine  April is Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month. It’s a reminder to people to speak out for animals who they feel may be abused or neglected.
It is incredibly hard for most pet parents to understand why people would intentionally hurt their own pets, however this is the sad truth for hundreds of thousands of animals. Although conditions for companion animals have greatly improved over the last few decades, especially in Western societies, there are still many people who view pets the old-fashioned way: as property. These individuals typically don’t recognize pets as sentient beings capable of having emotions, only as objects they have the right to do with as they wish. And, sadly, sometimes that includes acts of cruelty. Animal cruelty laws can vary from state to state (all 50 states have them, some are stronger than others), and every city or county has different ordinances that spell out what constitutes illegal treatment of an animal. It’s important to understand what is or isn’t considered prosecutable animal cruelty in your community. The Most Common Types of Animal Abuse
Signs of Animal Abuse
Who Abuses Animals Cruelty and neglect cross all social and economic boundaries and media reports suggest that animal abuse is common in both rural and urban areas.
Correlation with Domestic Violence Data on domestic violence and child abuse cases reveal that a staggering number of animals are targeted by those who abuse their children or spouses:
Learn to recognize animal cruelty. Some signs and symptoms to be aware of:
Report animal abuse if you see it. If you witness someone abusing an animal, whether they are physically abusing the animal or neglecting the animal in some way, report it to local animal control. The animal control officers will keep your name confidential. Know your state's animal cruelty laws. All 50 United States have animal cruelty laws, though they differ from state to state. To see a state-by-state listing of animal cruelty laws, click here:http://www.straypetadvocacy.org/PDF/AnimalCrueltyLaws.pdf Understand the link between animal cruelty and domestic abuse. If you suspect animal abuse in a home, your phone call could open the door to more help for the family. Animal control officers are aware of the link and if they feel there is other abuse in the home will report it to social services — and vice versa. Teach children to respect animals. Children learn how to treat animals from the adults in their lives. You can help children understand that animals are living creatures who have the ability to feel pain, joy and sadness. Volunteer to foster animals. One of the best ways to help animals is to become a foster family. Foster families provide temporary homes for pets that are abused, injured or sick and who need some time to recover. Set a good example for others. If you have pets, be sure to always show them the love and good care that they deserve. But it's more than just food, water, and adequate shelter. If you think your animal is sick, bring him to the veterinarian. Keep your pets clean and groomed. Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine & Acupuncture for Pets by Dr. Debra Szpicek The Pets I Love Veterinary Hospital The practice of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) and Acupuncture have been around for over 4000 years. For many dogs, this practice can help alleviate many ailments through alternative treatment. Acupuncture and TCVM have many benefits that may help your furry friends without the use of drugs or surgery. Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine includes not only the practice of Acupuncture, but the use of Chinese herbs, and diet as well. Today, we will focus on Acupuncture for Pets. Acupuncture involves the insertion of very thin needles through the skin at strategic points along pathways called meridians. It is most commonly used to treat pain but is used for other ailments such as metabolic disorders, skin disease, and mental well being. Acupuncture also releases musculoskeletal and myofacial tissue (a thin saran like wrapping that surrounds all muscles, muscle fibers and nerves) constrictions. The basic idea behind the practice of acupuncture is that Qi (pronounced Chi) or energy flows in the body along meridians, or pathways, much as blood circulates through blood vessels. On these meridians there are points on the skin surface referred to as "acupuncture points". Qi can become blocked or stagnant, leading to dysfunction in the body. The insertion of needles help to direct the flow of Qi and unblock these areas, thereby balancing the body. It is via the acupuncture points that the energy flowing within the meridian can be reached and therefore, where the energy can be manipulated. The harmonious flow of Qi through the meridians is found in a state of health. But in disease states, Qi becomes excessive, is blocked or is depleted. This results in the clinical signs of disease which we observe in our pets. Acupuncture is most widely known for it's use in pain relief. Muscle, joint and nerve pain can be effectively treated with acupuncture. It is, however, used for other ailments as well, such as metabolic disorders, skin disease and mental well being. In companion animals, acupuncture is most commonly used to treat:
Acupuncture may be used in conjunction with conventional medicine to enhance the effectiveness of treatment. It may be used as the sole modality when conventional treatment is not possible due to the age and physical condition of the pet, or the nature of the disease. Dr. Debra Szpicek is a veterinarian and co-owner of "The Pets I Love Veterinary Hospital" in Monroe NY. She graduated from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2002 and completed her clinical year at the University of Missouri. After having her own health issues, in which acupuncture played an integral part in her recovery, Dr. Szpicek attended "The Chi institute" in Gainesville Florida and became a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist in 2012 . Dr. Szpicek practices Integrative Veterinary Medicine, a balance of Eastern and Western modalities, bringing you a comprehensive approach to pet care. She offers your pets the best of both worlds! To Make An Appointment, or for More Information on how Acupuncture and TCVM can help your pets, please visit: The Pets I Love Veterinary Hospital
How important is your dog’s oral hygiene to his overall health? The answer is that it's VERY important! In fact, dental disease in dogs is a common problem and if you don’t maintain your dog’s oral health, it can have a direct impact on your dog’s vital organs like his heart, kidneys, liver and digestive system. Most pet parents should brush their dogs’ teeth. In fact, some dogs need it more than others. Whether it’s due to their genes, diet, chewing habits, and/or the chemical composition of their saliva, some will live their entire lives with clean, white teeth and healthy gums with absolutely no effort put forth by their owners, while others may develop plaque/tartar at an alarming rate. A buildup of plaque is not just unsightly, it’s unhealthy. Tartar buildup at and under the gum line enables bacteria to enter under the gums. Most dogs who have bad breath also have gingivitis (swollen and inflamed gums), usually bright red or purple, which bleed easily. If ignored, these bacterial infections in the gums slowly destroy the ligament and bony structures that support the teeth. Because the gums have a lot of blood supply, infections in the mouth can also poison the dog systemically, potentially causing disease of the heart, kidneys, liver and digestive system. Aside from the fact that a healthy mouth is good for your dog’s overall health, there’s another strong incentive to keep your dog’s mouth healthy...you’ll avoid having to put him through dental cleanings under anesthesia. It’s expensive, risky and it shouldn’t be necessary if you take a few simple steps to keep your dog’s mouth healthy. With patience and persistence, most dogs can be taught to tolerate and even enjoy daily tooth brushing. The secret is to progress very gradually, allowing your dog to adapt at his own pace. Start with a gauze-wrapped finger versus a toothbrush, and lightly massage the very front teeth. Praise often, keeping sessions short. Add a bit of organically flavored, fluoride-free toothpaste, coconut oil, or a homemade toothpaste (see recipe below) to make each session seem like a yummy treat. Experiment with different flavors to see which one your pet likes best. Progress back toward molars over time. Then, once your pup seems fully comfortable, switch to a child-sized brush, finger brush or even an electric toothbrush if your dog will tolerate it! There are several pet-formulated products designed to help dissolve plaque on their own, although you can use them in conjunction with brushing if you’d like. Petzlife is one product we’ve tried with excellent success. These tasty gel and spray-on formulas are made with natural ingredients that include pure distilled water, grapefruit seed extract, thyme and peppermint oils. They also contain neem, which has proven antifungal and antiseptic qualities. Additional Tips To Maintain Your Dog’s Dental Health: Feed a Raw Diet. Dogs fed a natural diet with chewy muscle meat as well as raw meaty bones and recreational bones usually have healthy mouth. Natural diets provide the right habitat for your dog’s healthy oral microbiome. Natural live enzymes and “good” bacteria help prevent tartar build up. Give Your Dog a "Raw" Bone Raw bones not only taste good and are fun to chew, but the process of gnawing on them stimulates the gums, exercises the jawbone — and yes, removes tartar from the teeth! A good raw bone will provide your dog with hours of pleasure and help ensure his dental health. However, you need to make sure you give the RIGHT type of bone, as the the wrong type of bone can result in a variety of problems The one thing to remember is to NEVER give cooked bones...the most dangerous bones are those that can splinter and/or be swallowed, like any cooked chicken and turkey bones, or cooked bones from steaks, cuts of lamb, veal, beef and pork. For a guide to feeding raw bones click here: Perfectly Rawsome Give A Daily Probiotic Supplement Probiotic supplements can help create a healthy bacterial environment in your dog’s mouth. You can buy a probiotic specifically made for dogs. Goat's milk is a great alternative! Feed Bone Broth Make bone broth for your dog and feed it several times a week. It’s chock-full of minerals that really help strengthen teeth and gums. Coconut Oil For Gums Coconut oil is antibacterial and is excellent for gums. You can use it to brush your dog’s teeth and gums instead of toothpaste. Make sure your coconut oil is organic, cold-pressed and unrefined.
STAGES OF DENTAL DECAY AND GINGIVITIS Do your dog’s teeth and gums look like pic #1, with pearly white teeth and healthy, pink gums? Or like pic #2, with a bit of tartar and gum inflammation, maybe some bad breath? Or (hopefully not) like this severely neglected dog in pic #3, with heavy tartar, rotten teeth and gum disease? This dog is likely to feel chronically ill from all of the bacteria. 
Omega 3 Fish oil is probably the most important supplement you can add to your dog’s diet, regardless of what type of diet you feed. Dogs require two types of essential fatty acids for healthy development and maintenance of their cardiovascular and nervous systems: Omega-3 and Omega-6. While Omega-6 fatty acids are plentiful in a dog’s diet, regardless of what they eat, Omega-3s are not. Because Omega-3s are fragile and break down quickly in the presence of heat, air or light, they are lacking in both the commercial and fresh foods that we tend to feed our dogs. While pet food labels may state that Omega-3 essential fatty acids have been added, the reality is that the food is deficient in Omega-3 due to unavoidable exposure to air and light, unlikely to survive storage in bags of kibble, or may be rancid even before being added to pet foods. Feeding a good Omega-3 supplement is therefore advisable. BENEFITS Proven benefits from EPA and DHA include:
CAUTIONS Fish oil should be protected from light, heat, and air. Store liquid fish oil in dark bottles in the refrigerator. Purchase amounts that can be used within one or two months to avoid rancidity. If you notice an “off” odor, discard the oil. For those concerned about contaminants, look for molecularly distilled products. More concentrated forms, with higher amounts of EPA and DHA per gram, result in lower levels of contaminants. At The Canine Cure , we prefereco-friendly, sustainable sources of fish oil. The fish used in most high-grade products are wild caught, non-threatened anchovies, sardines and mackerel, which feed off small plankton. Since these small fish are lower on the food chain, they do not have as many toxins in them as larger fish that live longer and are higher on the food chain. These smaller fish have the lowest levels of mercury and are the safest to eat. . DOSAGE Use products made for either humans or dogs. The amount of EPA and DHA in various fish oil preparations varies. Look for concentrated forms when giving high doses so you use smaller amounts of oil. Healthy dogs can be given 100 to 150 mg EPA and DHA per 10 pounds of body weight daily; dogs who have health problems can be given up to 300 mg per 10 pounds of body weight. One ounce of canned fish with bones (sardines, jack mackerel, pink salmon) averages about 300 mg EPA and DHA combined. The recommended dosage of liquid fish oil products is often too high, adding unnecessary fat and calories to your dog’s diet. High doses of fish oil can interfere with platelets and lead to increased bleeding, and too much can contribute to rather than reduce inflammation. If you have any questions on dosage, please contact your veterinarian. Here's a link to one of our favorite products: Iceland Pure Sardine and Anchovy Oil  |
Cheryl FuchsTwenty years ago, Cheryl began her self-taught study into the world of natural, raw diets, supplements, the truth about vaccinations and a holistic lifestyle for dogs. Archives
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