One of my favorite brands of canine accoutrements is Blueblood – Luxury Goods for Dogs. My black and tan Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Louis Reginald wears the Gretel faux ostrich collar and lead set. We are both highly impressed by the quality of the product and its unique style. As a canine consumer, I really connect to the brand’s overall vibe, even having posted about it in a past entry (Fit for a Noble Beast).

Due to Louis and my admiration for Blueblood, we are extremely honored that Alexis Moran, one of the founding members of the Blueblood team has taken the time to answer a few questions for us. While Cup of Dog is primarily concerned with canine health and nutrition, we really enjoy introducing quality brands and products that enhance the lives of pets and pet owners. After all, it is our feeling that in order to truly achieve optimum health; life must include beauty, art and ingenuity. These are the adjectives that Blueblood embodies.

Cup of Dog: Tell us about the dogs that were the inspiration for the inception of the Blueblood brand.
Alexis Moran: My business partner Tina Pao and I met at our dog park: Alta Plaza in Pacific Heights. It is an extraordinarily beautiful park, where dogs of all shapes and sizes play - leash-free. The backdrop of one hundred year old mansions and the Bay of San Francisco is spectacular. We were inspired by all of the dogs in our neighborhood and more importantly, an eclectic group of cool, chic dog owners who we felt could use a dog accessory brand that was sophisticated and fun, with a fashion meets function appeal.
COD: How did you and your partner, Tina go about making the concept a reality?
AM: We just pounded the pavement! We took our backgrounds/ strengths and combined them with asking a lot of questions. People in our industry, friends and colleagues have been very supportive throughout the process. We had the least experience in the manufacturing aspect of the business. So far, that has probably been the area in which we have learned the most.
COD: Who are your favorite non-dog designers?
AM: Great question!! I would say Ralph Lauren has always been one of my greatest influences for his impeccable taste and ability to create a brand that epitomizes luxury and style. I have always looked up to Martha Stewart. I think she is a great business woman to have taken what is “everyday” and always make it imaginative, tasteful and elegant. I also love Michael Kors for classic American design, and the brands Missoni and Etro for great colors and patterns. John Stefanidis, Allegra Hicks, and Albert Hadley are favorites and I look to their interior design work as well.
COD: Who/ what inspires Blueblood’s designs?
AM: It could be anything from an architectural pattern, or an illustration, to the latest fashion trends. We are also inspired by gorgeous high-end belts and handbags and beautiful textiles in great color combinations.
COD: Cup of Dog is excited to see new patterns and fabrics, such as the Poulet (pictured left, also available in Brown)! As of now, your current product offerings include collars, leads and beds. Do you plan to expand on the range of Blueblood products?
AM: We do indeed! We plan to grow and expand as a brand. We like the whole lifestyle concept and feel that a full line of Blueblood luxury, for dogs AND people, would be very exciting for the future. Currently, we are focusing on getting a few products “right.” In addition, we are currently working toward a harness design.
COD: What are your thoughts on all of the canine apparel that is out there? Is this an avenue Blueblood would consider for the future?
AM: We certainly have companies we like and admire. Tina has small dogs and she loves to dress them in Tanner and Dash’s sweaters. I love Harry Barker’s packaging and also think Mascot’s line is really chic. I love their preppy patterns and great hardware! We only plan to design and sell our own products. For me, design was the reason I wanted to start this company.
COD: We love that your products fit big dogs; there are so few classy lines that big fur kids can wear too! However, Louis Reginald and I adopted a mixed breed fur baby from a shelter. Ella Bean is full-grown at a whopping two pounds. Are you planning for Blueblood to include tiny sizes or a line dedicated to Blueblood puppies?
AM: We have discussed that and the answer is yes! Our harnesses will be geared toward the tiny to medium dog. It will not not have any hardware that may weigh down a little one, who is 10 pounds or under.
COD: Your range of retailers is expansive! Tell us why you think there has been such a positive reception to the brand by so many boutique retailers.
AM: Our retailers seem to love our patterns, colors and while some of them hesitate about the weight of our hardware, they get that the hardware is what makes our leads and collars so substantial and utterly chic! They love that our beds are not only beautiful, but also very easy to wash from the cover to the insert. They are durable and practical in addition to being pretty enough for the most polished living room!
COD: Tell us what it is like working in the canine industry.
AM: It is very interesting to say the least! Most people we’ve come across have been very positive and encouraging toward us. There is definitely an element of competition and politics in this business that we did not anticipate. But, after all, business is business-right?

That’s certainly true!

Thanks again to Alexis for all of her great answers and spending some time with Cup of Dog! We can’t wait for more new products to become available and to follow the evolution of the Blueblood lifestyle brand.

For more information on Blueblood - Luxury Goods for Dogs, to purchase, or find the retailer nearest you, please visit www.bluebloodpups.com.

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I have noticed a recent surge in the marketplace in products and services attending to dog poop. Some are pretty funny, some really work and others are mind boggling in their stupidity.

Let’s check some out and as more and more comes to our attention, Cup of Dog promises that The Poop Chronicles will continue to keep you informed in the latest and greatest in poop technology.

Leading off in the poopy product range are the indoor/outdoor bathroom devices designed for the small to extra large dog who just needs a place to go - anytime. These products are great for working fur kid parents, apartment dwelling pups, older dogs who need a bathroom close-by at all times and a hundred other reasons that these are at the top of the poop management product list.

For the dog who is too ritzy for old fashioned, disposable piddle pads, there is a new place for dogs to get down and dirty, while staying nice and clean. The Original Pet-A-Potty, pictured here, was created with the idea that there could be a sanitary place for dogs of all sizes to relieve themselves indoors or on balconies, allowing for owner’s long work days and clean floors. The wooden boxes contain either synthetic grass or sod through which the urine drains into a collection pan that needs to be cleaned regularly. They range in size from 26 x 34 inches to 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 feet. The grass, real or synthetic does need to be replaced from time to time to keep the system odor free. Poop needs to be collected and disposed of. Visit www.petapotty.com for more info.

If the Pet-A-Potty is a little to generic looking for Fluffy’s taste, check out the Penthouse Dog Potty. Same concept as the Pet-A-Potty, but very different, style wise. This Bentley of dog toilets is 42 x 42 inches and will hold dogs up to 100 pounds. It is specifically marketed towards pups who live in apartments in urban communities lacking in grassy areas to take care of business. Visit www.cosmopolitancanine.com for more info, or to purchase.

For picking up the poop, which is not only necessary for keeping rats away and sidewalks pleasant, but law in most places, Bon Ton makes cute bone shaped baggie holders, with biodegradeable poop bags, both available in a variety of cute prints.

The holders attach easily to any leash or key chain, allowing for easy access and seasonally, new colors and patterns are added to the collection. For more information or to buy, go to www.petego.com.

For the more eco-conscious pet owner, Scoopies, the hand shaped poop-picker-upper is completely biodegradable and dispense individually, making awkward fumbling with perforated baggies a thing of the past. Pick up your own Scoopies at www.dogbar.com.

If you or your community can not pick up the poop for one reason or another, not to worry! You can hire a service like Doody Calls. This ingenius company will not only come and remove crap from your own yard, you and your neighbors can get together and hire them to clean common areas as well! In addition to poop scooping, Doody Calls also has services for deodorizing outdoor areas that have attained that certain doggie aroma, kitty litter service, and brown spot treatment to help save your lawn from the destruction that dog urine can cause. It would be super awesome if they added a service to clean up carpets that have been mutilated by a puppy’s training accident…hint, hint. Truly, why pick up dog poop when you can pay someone to do it for you??? To locate your local Doody Calls franchise, click here.

So your dog has one of the grossest poop habits ever. Your beloved Fifi has a tendency to eat her poop after relieving herself, or worse, indulge in excrement left by other four legged friends. This habit, known as coprophagia, happens for a variety of reasons. While the only way to end the behavior for good is through extensive training, I recommend the addition of a supplement to his diet that should make his poop taste awful and assist you in that process. There are a lot of generic products available said to do this, but I recommend Solid Gold’s product SEP (Stop Eating Poop). Solid Gold is a reputable brand, whose products do not contain any harmful additives. None of their products were involved in the recalls and I am a proponent of natural, healthy solutions to canine issues, rather the veterinary intervention and medication. Visit www.solidgoldhealth.com for more info or to purchase. Truthfully, training to stop this behavior really is your best bet, and SEP is a good aid, but in the long term she could get used to the taste of the supplement and keep at it. Its a good idea to rule out any medical problems that may be causing her desire for stinky snacks and then praise her with a lot of treats whenever she ignores her poop. Make sure she doesn’t see you cleaning up after her, as that may be a cause of this behavior. You clean it up with a baggie, she cleans it in the only way she can. Sick.

Finally, in honor of the dog poop, the crappiest toy ever, introducing Mr. Poops and his sibling, Mini Poo. This squeaky toy is pretty gross, however, in honor of the nature of this post, I thought it necessary to be included. I guess this is one way of having fun with the whole poop thing…Regardless, if you and your dog cannot live without this novelty squeaker toy, visit www.dogbar.com and order yours today.

Thanks for checking out these products, there are plenty more where these came from. The Poop Chronicles is dedicated to the fact that every doggie poops and when dogs do it, its up to us to make sure that their digestive system is working properly and to share the best and newest products and resources out there.  Finding stylish and silly solutions to make the chore of poo disposal a little more fun is just another benefit of four legged family members!

Wishing everyone happy digestion!

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It seems that there is just no stopping the Chihuahua these days. Proving that they are not simply sidekicks for socialites and movie stars, Cup of Dog has spotted Chihuahuas in all kinds of news articles. We have our paragliding pal, our Buddhist prayer pup and now, Tiny Dancer, five inches of certified canine therapy.

Tiny Dancer resides in Lake County, Florida and in his quest to become a therapy dog, was turned down by a number of certification programs because of his size. Not a breed that is easily dissuaded by convention, Tiny Dancer continued in his pursuit, spending weeks training and learning how to spread cheer and behave in hospital and other public settings.

Since having received his Therapy Dog Certification in January, Tiny Dancer has attended schools and camps for children and adults with chronic and life threatening conditions.

I can’t wait to see what the versatile Chihuahua is spotted doing next!!

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Haaretz, one of the largest Israeli newspapers has published the results of a study, which proves that children who are raised with dogs have lower blood pressure. Although the health benefits of dogs for adults has been well documented, this study is one of the first of its kind geared towards children.

Proof, once again, that all we really need is doggie love!

Click here for the complete article.

Dedicated, with love to my baby nephew Elai Yosef. 

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A two year old long haired, male Chihuahua named Conan has followed his master, a Buddhist priest’s lead and together, they pray.

Conan resides at a Buddhist Temple on Japan’s Southern Island, Okinawa. Conan sits next to his master, Joei Yoshikuni, facing a Buddhist deity and clasps his paws together in prayer position. When the priest chants and raises his clasped hands, Conan follows, raising his paws and joining them at the tip of his nose.

Originally the temple pet, and now the temple’s main attraction, Yoshikuni guesses that Conan’s unique behavior has raised tourist travels to the temple by 30 percent.

First a paragliding Chihuahua, now a praying one…What’s up with these Chihuahuas?

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What to do? You have been invited to a friend’s doggie birthday party and you are absolutely stuck on what to give as meaningful and unique gift. Enter ARFdog. The solution is at your fingertips. For the discerning pup, I recomend the Spa Gift Box, guaranteed to delight even the finickiest bather, for the more active dog, only the Sporty Gift Box will do.

Attending a Puppy Shower? No problem! ARFdog’s New Puppy Welcome gift box will take care of that. You can select the gender of the furry new arrival and rest assured that the gift you are giving will attend to all of new baby’s needs.

The great thing about ARFdog is that the company’s owner, Ricki Noto, has thoroughly researched the products on the market for dogs and culled out the best of the best to curate themed collections that are suitable for every occasion.

Currently, there are five different collections to choose from including the Sporty Gift Box, The Spa Gift Box, the Beach Gift Box, the New Puppy Welcome and the Sleepover Suitcase. Prices range from $125 - $150.

By the way, Louis Reginald’s 1st birthday is coming up….

Visit www.arfdog.com for more information.

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Flying has now gone to the dogs, at least in Frankfurt! In what all pet lovers hope will become a standard amenity, The Lufthansa Aviation Group has raised the bar for jet-setting pets. Called the Frankfurt Animal Lounge, Lufthansa has been planning this addition since the 1990’s.

The lounge will be made available to all animals flying through Frankfurt’s airport. Individual climate controlled chambers will ensure comfort for whatever species may happen to be passing through that day. Services are available to reduce the stress of traveling for their guests of honor.

Given that the airline already touts itself as a world leader in solutions for worldwide animal transport, this new endeavor will certainly secure ‘role model’ status regarding animals and air travel.

Lufthansa Cargo has been responsible for the safe transportation of thousands of animals. The airline is equipped to handle live bait, rare fish in addition to  the annual count of over 1,300 horses and over 10,000 house pets.

All creatures, large and small, will be taken care of near Gate 26 at the Animal Station built at Frankfurt Airport, which is purported to be the most modern service center for animal transport in the world.

When Louis Reginald, Ella Bean and I travel the globe to explore worldwide canine culture, we will be sure to make a stop at Frankfurt Airport and personally review the experience offered. Until then, visit their website for an in depth list of the amenities provided for animal transport.

P.S. Ella and Louis would both like to commend Lufthansa on their new facility as they demand nothing less then the same consideration as any two legged passenger.

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I am privileged to have received permission from Dr. Jeanette Thomason to print her wonderful article on natural heartworm prevention. Dr. Thomason is a veterinary naturopath whose website www.thewholedog.org contains a plethora of information regarding raising dogs, holistically. In addition to naturally rearing champion Boston Terriers, she maintains a blog on her website, online store stocked with natural products, and co-hosts the popular Internet radio show, Animal Talk Naturally.

Natural Heartworm Prevention

by Dr. Jeannie Thomason

The cause of heartworms are mosquitoes. For dogs, and sometimes cats, they can cause life-threatening problems because they transmit heartworms. These are parasites that enter the bloodstream as larvae and migrate to the heart. Six months after reaching the heart, the larvae turn into adults, and that’s when problems begin. Full-grown heartworms eventually fill the heart, blocking flow of blood to the lungs and doing damage to the heart. By the time you see symptoms, they’ve already done damage to the heart.

The heartworm has 5 separate larval stages referred to simply as L1, L2, L3, and so on. It also has two separate cycles that combined makeup the lifecycle of the heartworm. One cycle takes place in a mosquito and the other inside a dog.

The mosquito becomes infested when it bites a dog, which is harboring L1 (MICROFILARIAE). This can only happen if the dog is also harboring the L5, or adult, male and female heartworm as the Microfilariae are their offspring. These Microfilariae can live for up two years in the dog’s blood but must be taken up by a mosquito in order to develop any further. If they are not they will simply die of old age.

Once the mosquito is infested, the larva must go through to stages of development or molts L2, and L3, before they can infect another dog. This, mosquito, stage takes anywhere from two weeks to several months depending on the weather. The warmer the weather the faster the development.

The importance of temperature:
While the larvae are developing in the mosquito, the temperature MUST remain above 57 degrees Fahrenheit at all times, day and night. If at any time during the mosquito stage the temperature drops below 57 F, the development is halted and must start over. It is only the L3 larvae, which are capable of infesting your dog.

So, now lets say that a mosquito has bitten an infested dog and the temperature has remained above 57° for a minimum of 14 days since that bite and the mosquito bites your dog. Still your dog is not infested because the L3 larvae are deposited in a tiny droplet of mosquito saliva adjacent to the bite not injected into your dog as many would have us believe.

Providing the humidity and temperature are such that the droplet does not evaporate, the L3 larva must swim through the saliva and into the mosquito bite, thereby entering your dogs system. Once inside your dog the L3 larva must spend the next two weeks or so developing into the L4 larva. During this period of time the larva is living in the skin, not the blood of the newly infested dog. The L4 will continue to live and develop in the skin for the next three or four months where it develops into the L5 stage.

Once it makes this development into the L5 it then leaves the skin and enters the circulatory system. The L5 or young adult then migrates to the heart and pulmonary arteries. Once there it will mate approximately 5 to 7 months after entering the dog’s body. That is of course assuming that the dog has been infested with both male and female larva. This mating produces the Microfilariae.

Prevention is by far the most important part of medicine. As you all know by now, I am convinced that having a very strong immune system is of the utmost importance to your dog. I believe that a strong healthy dog will throw off parasites and illness all on it’s own.

With that said, dogs that are not at their peak of health should be first started with a good diet, (I recommend a raw diet or a chemical free, grain free healthy food), supplementation and general remedies for a period of time to strengthen their immune system. Then, the wonderful, natural treatment effects will kick in! (See my articles on the immune system here.)

NOW, realize this, a dog must be essentially healthy in order to resist succumbing to heartworm (or its treatments). This statement is more than just an idle observation – it is the principle that ensures the survival of wild canines, who (think about this now…) suffer far greater exposure to heartworm-carrying mosquitoes however, succumb in far lesser numbers than domestic dogs!

Dr. William Falconer, a veterinarian with a homeopathic practice in Austin, Texas states: “The heartworm has been out there forever as far as we know, but we don’t read reports of wolves and coyotes being wiped out by heartworm, and yet domestic dogs are falling prey to it.”

Interesting point, don’t you think?

So why are our pets/domesticated dogs falling prey to heartworms? Surely they are healthier then the wild canines, with all our feeding of scientifically balanced, processed foods and vaccinating them to prevent them from getting nasty and sometimes fatal diseases right? WRONG!

We’re vaccinating our dogs way too much and too often, we’re feeding them poor nutrition to say the least, and we’re using chemical pesticides to kill their fleas and ticks. All of these things combine to weaken their immune systems, and their immunity is what’s going to save them.

On the other hand, Foxes, coyotes, and wolves go unvaccinated, eat only raw meat, bones, and only a very few herbs and/or berries when there is no meat available. These wild canines are never exposed to the dozens of toxic chemicals we use to kill fleas, ticks and even heartworm on our dogs and in our homes. Interesting that some seem coyotes and foxes have been found through research, to be able to “fight off” heartworm infestations and some others become host to the parasite however, in small enough numbers that the heartworms don’t threaten their hosts’ lives.

Veterinarian Dr. Jeffery Levy states: “Thanks in large part to the scare tactics of many veterinarians in promoting preventive drugs, many people believe that contracting heartworms is the equivalent of a death sentence for their dogs. This is not true.”

Dr. Levy practiced for seven years in the Santa Cruz, California area, and treated many dogs with heartworms. The only dogs that developed symptoms of heart failure were those that were being vaccinated yearly, eating commercial dog food, and getting suppressive drug treatment for other symptoms, such as skin problems.

Dr. Levy concluded from this that it was not the heartworms that caused disease, but the other factors that damaged the dogs’ health to the point that they could no longer compensate for an otherwise tolerable parasite load. “It is not really that different from the common intestinal roundworms, in that most dogs do not show any symptoms. Only a dog whose health is compromised is unable to tolerate a few worms. Furthermore, a truly healthy dog would not be susceptible to either type of worm in the first place. It seems to me that the real problem is that allopathic attitudes have instilled in many of us a fear of disease, fear of pathogens and parasites, fear of rabies, as if these are evil and malicious entities just waiting to lay waste to a naive and unprotected public.”

Whichever end of the scale holistic veterinarians place themselves on, they all agree about the first step toward heartworm prevention and treatment: A dog must be essentially healthy in order to resist succumbing to heartworm (or its treatments). This is more than an idle observation – it is the principle that ensures the survival of wild canines, who suffer far greater exposure to heartworm-carrying mosquitoes but succumb from the parasites in far lesser numbers than domestic dogs.

Parasites were never intended to kill their hosts. When they do, be assured that something is very out of balance. A parasite’s whole evolutionary thrust is to continue to live/survive its life cycle; if it kills its host, there’s a dead end. The fact that our domestic dogs are dying of this disease in greater and greater numbers indicates that something is way out of whack!

Given the wild canines’ efficiency in dealing with heartworm, virtually all veterinary naturopaths and holistic practitioners, recommend utilizing as many aspects of the wild canines’ lifestyle as is practical for domestic dogs, including, most importantly, a natural diet of raw meat, bones, minimal vaccination, and severely curtailed exposure to flea/tick - killing pesticides.

Animals with healthy, balanced immune systems are not in need of specific preventives because their very lifestyle is their preventative!

Heartworm Prevention

Most veterinarians (that are not holistic practitioners) will recommend giving a daily or monthly pill to prevent heartworms, but in actuality you’re not preventing them; you are administering the cure on a regular basis. This cure for heartworm is toxic. It contains a chemical insecticide. The chemicals are capable of causing disease. The dosage is much smaller than the actual treatment, but when it’s administered month after month, the toxic side effects become a serious health risk.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, 65% of adverse drug reactions and 48% of all reported deaths resulting from drug reactions are caused by heartworm preventatives. The potential side effects of Ivermectin (the active ingredient in Heartgard) include liver problems, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, depression, lethargy, skin eruptions, seizures, tremors, paralysis, autoimmune disorders, thyroid problems, fever, weakness, dizziness, coughing, nose bleeds, difficulty breathing, pneumonia, irritability, sudden aggressive behavior, nerve damage, fertility problems, and sudden death. Other chemical heartworm preventatives have many of the same side effects.

These drugs weaken your pet’s immune system that recognizes the chemicals as poison. The body works hard to eliminate the toxins and major organs, like the liver and kidneys, are taxed. For this reason, the pet’s body is not able to handle contact with the normal bacterial or viral substances in our world, so it gets sick more easily.

Part of the veterinary industry has acknowledged these dangers. These “alternative vets” are open to natural, safe and effective alternatives. Many of these vets believe that the long-term use of heartworm prevention drugs are a link in the chain of diseases such as arthritis, liver and kidney diseases, skin allergies, and many types of cancers.

Learn how to boost your pet’s immune system here, as appeared in the Whole Dog Journal, January 2004 Issue.

Dr. Michelle Tilghman, D.V.M. says, “Strengthen [your pet’s] resistance with whole foods. Dogs are more likely to resist heartworms when they are given all-natural foods, which help keep the immune system strong.

If you don’t want to feed them a natural raw diet or make their foods at home, then please, use a commercial food that is free of grains, potatoes, additives and preservatives.

Read about Rubicon, a holistic, organic, grain and potato free kibble that is layered with freeze dried raw meat and bones here.

Dr. Mona Boudreaux, D.V.M. says, “Give [your pet] garlic. This pungent herb makes the blood bitter and is thought to repel mosquitoes, cleanse the blood, and strengthen the immune system. Dogs over 50 pounds can have as much as two teaspoons of garlic a day, and smaller dogs can have 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon a day. Caution! Garlic can be a problem for cats, so don’t give them too much if at all A safe limit is 1/8 teaspoon or less a day for up to two weeks at a time.”
There are several great Natural Preventative Programs out there. I will share a few with you here. However, PLEASE Remember, the key is to keep your dog’s healthy with strong immune system not to rely on herbs or other modalities while still feeding junk food, vaccinating and using chemicals on your pets.

If you live in a region with a large mosquito population and/or your dog has been on a not so perfect, kibble diet and regularly vaccinated until now, you may want to use an herbal/botanical approach.

The first one, I personally used for a few years with my own dogs in the past. It consists of three herbal products:

Artemisia Combination - This is used like a monthly de-wormer.
HSII -(sold by Nature’s Sunshine) this is to keep the heart strong. It can be given every few days or at least once a week.
Black Walnut - This is a great nutrition booster helping metabolism and keeping the animal less desirable by parasites [fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes].

A Prevention Program Using These Herbs

Guideline for weight:
*Under 5 lbs - 1/4 capsule Artemisia and 1/8 ml of Black Walnut Liquid Extract (2 to 5 drops)
*10-25 lbs - 2 capsules Artemisia and 1/4 ml Black Walnut Liquid Extract (5 to 7 drops)
*25-50 lbs - 2-3 capsules Artemisia and 1/2 ml Black Walnut Liquid Extract (10 to 15 drops)
*50 lbs and over - 3 capsules Artemisia and 1 ml Black Walnut (20 to 25 drops)
*100 lbs and over - simply double the *50 lbs and over instruction above

During the first week of each month [for 7 days]:
Based on a 12-15 pound dog (adjust accordingly)
One (1) Artemesia first thing in the morning and one (1) in the evening [as close to 12 hours apart as possible] on an empty stomach [as much as possible] so the properties have a chance to kill parasites without having to be blended with a full meal. Most dogs have no problems with this formula on an empty stomach. If your dog does, you can give as much food as necessary with it, but this is a rare necessity. This is like a monthly de-wormer.

One (1) HSII every few days or at least once a month. This is used to keep the heart strong.

1/4 ml Black Walnut Liquid Extract (5 to 7 drops), sprinkled over food, daily or given orally!

Given all month long:

Four to five (4-5) days each week, I put 1 to 1-1/2 ml Liquid Black Walnut in their drinking water or 1/4 - 1/2 Capsule sprinkled on their food.

To Order These herbal formulas, click here.

On the average, using the recommended Nature’s Sunshine Products mentioned above, this heartworm program should last approximately 2 to 3 months for a 50 lb. dog!

I’ve found that most pets like Black Walnut Extract. A little bit of Black Walnut goes a long way, so be sure to adjust this according to weight like the rest of the program.

Please use wisdom and common sense in deciding whether the natural approach is for you and your pet family. Since the herbal way is less expensive than the drugs, please be sure you make the investment to have your dog tested annually.

The above herbal formulas have been used in higher dosages to treat heartworm positive dogs! Please click here for more information.

Since the best way to prevent heartworms is clearly having the dog’s immune system in tiptop shape, I want to share two products that science has proven work to improve the immune system. They are:

Transfer Factors (found in Bovine Colostrum) and Humic extracts, specifically Fulvic acids.

When scientists remove every larger and identifiable component from colostrum, including milk, whey, individual cells, etc., what remains last of all is the ultramicroscopic transfer factor. Transfer factor has been best described as tiny fragments of molecules, possibly DNA fragments that somehow remain functional. These fragments seem to be energized with some unknown mysterious power of self-replicating communication.

Dr. Falconer currently is doing a study and having great success with a new, not yet available, highly potent transfer factors product to treat heartworm positive dogs.

Interestingly, in many ways the scientific studies on the mysteries and mechanisms of fulvic acid parallel exactly the studies on transfer factors. So far as we know, no other scientists have actually put the two together. Scientists working with fulvic acid know that it also is an ultramicroscopic substance that has a most unique messaging relay system that is activated when it comes into contact with living organisms. Just like transfer factors, fulvic acid sensitizes cells, passing on unique information related to immunity. It also has been shown to assist in activating protection and defense mechanisms that are able to be passed on and remain with the organism for life, even with just one contact.

As a preventative, many are using the Vital HF™ that is a Humic Acid/Fulvic Acid product.

Young Living Essential Oils

Here is a program that I have had people share with me: Young Living’s essential blend, Di-Gize in conjunction with Young Living’s Parafree. I have two testimonies from people with dogs that had been tested “high positive” and after 21 days are now testing “mild”.

Following is one of the Heartworm protocol using Young Living products.

Give Di-Gize and Parafee on the food daily for 7 days in a row each month.

Dosage:
* Tiny to small dog: I would give 1 drop of Di-gize, and an 1/8 of a dropper of the Parafree.

* Medium dog: give 2 drops of Di-gize, a 1⁄4 of a dropper of the Parafree.

* Large dog: give 3 drops of Di-gize, a 1⁄2 of a dropper of the Parafree.

* Super sized dog: give 4 drops of Di-gize, a 1 of a dropper of the Parafree.

NOTE: Di-Gize can be given daily every day of the year if desired. It is it is good for the stomach, intestinal/digestive tract and the urinary tract.

There have been testimonies that people have successfully used the following to rid heartworm in rescue dogs that tested positive for heartworms when they entered their care.

Young Living Heartworm Protocol

Please keep in mind that this may not work for your individual pet.

Supplements and Oils needed from Young Living Essential Oils:

* Di-gize
* Parafree
* Immupower
* Essentialzyme
* HRT
* Mineral Essence
* Sulferzyme
* Vitagreen
* Either Berry Young Juice or NingXia Red Juice

The Di-gize and Parafree are the most important items to begin with; however, you will want to add the rest of the items to the diet as soon as possible because they help to rebuild the damage done by the heartworm.

Mix the above items with a wet food mixture and feed this daily. You will want to make sure you keep up this regimen as long as it takes to get the dog free of the heartworm (testing comes back negative). I have had cases clear up within a month and one case that took 4 months to fully get heartworm free. Persistence is the main key.

Now, how much of each to give the dog? Well, of course it is going to depend on the size of the dog. Here’s a basic guideline; feel free to adjust accordingly.

* Tiny to small dog: I would give 1 drop of Di-gize, a 1/8 of a dropper of the Parafree and 2 drops of the Immupower. I would give a 1/8th of a teaspoon of all the dry supplements and an 1⁄4 dropper full of the liquid HRT and Mineral Essence. I would give 1⁄4 oz of the BYJ or NRJ.

* Medium dog: I would give 2 drops of Di-gize, a 1⁄4 of a dropper of the Parafree and 2 drops of the Immupower. I would give a 1⁄4 of a teaspoon of all the dry supplements and a 1⁄2 dropper full of the liquid HRT and Mineral Essence. I would give 1⁄2 oz of the BYJ or NRJ.

* Large dog: I would give 3 drops of Di-gize, a 1⁄2 of a dropper of the Parafree and 2 drops of the Immupower. I would give a 3⁄4 of a teaspoon of all the dry supplements and a 1⁄2 dropper full of the liquid HRT and Mineral Essence. I would give 3⁄4 oz of the BYJ or NRJ.

* Super sized dog: I would give 4 drops of Di-gize, a 1 of a dropper of the Parafree and 2 drops of the Immupower. I would give a 1of a teaspoon of all the dry supplements and a 1 dropper full of the liquid HRT and Mineral Essence. I would give 1 oz of the BYJ or NRJ.

Leigh Ann Foster VT, CVA, Certified Animal Behavior Specialist, Professional Animal Rescue and Rehabilitator.

PLEASE NOTE! Only Young Living Essential Oils should be used in these prevention and treatment programs.

To order the above Young Living products, click here.

Heartworm prevention requires a multi-faceted approach, which includes not only boosting and keeping the immune system in top shape but not exposing your dog to mosquitoes as much as possible.

I’ve been successful with a preventative program, but would not recommend this for dogs who are kept outside because they have increased exposure and are thus at higher risk.

To provide as much protection as possible from mosquitoes, you can use cedar mulch in the dog house, make sure there is no standing water for the mosquitoes to breed and prior to leaving the house and again upon returning after play or “business”, your dog can be misted with an essential oil spray made of distilled water and 100% pure, therapeutic grade essential oils (The Whole Dog and Dr. Jeannie only recommend and use Young Living Essential Oils) and make up your own spray which you can make up and keep by the door.

The mist I personally make up and use is made of 1 cup of distilled water with 10 drops of geranium OR 4 drops each of lemongrass, grapefruit and peppermint. Shake before spraying. I use this on myself as a great mosquito and bug repellent when I am out in the garden in the evening. Nice and safe with no worries of toxic chemicals on the skin.

Another great mosquito repellant spray made with essential oils is as follows:

20 drops of each of the following oils per 10oz of distilled water:
Purification
Peppermint
Orange

Mix them with 10 oz of distilled water, shake and spray the pet down every time it goes outside. If it stays outside all the time, then it is suggested using Purification “neat” along the spine and on the ears 2 – 3 times a day. (This will also help deter flies.)

There a many essential oils that make very effective and safe insect repellents, you may want to try some different combinations for yourself and dogs to see what works best for you.

Again, PLEASE NOTE! ONLY Young Living Essential Oils are recommended or used by the Whole Dog as we know these oils to be 100% pure, organic and therapeutic grade.

So in a nutshell, keeping your pet parasite free, whether it’s heartworms or other parasites, requires good whole nutrition which means a raw or home cooked diet or at the very least, the highest quality grain and potato free pet food, and natural source supplements.

I do not recommend people take their dogs off their heartworm medications unless they agree to do so with their holistic vet or veterinary naturopath’s supervision. There are plenty of alternative or holistic veterinarians for you to consult with.

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The Dangers of Pesticide Application and the Pests Themselves

Following up on Flee Fleas!, I wanted to be sure to give and overview of the health ramifications of the fleas and ticks themselves.

Fleas can cause a variety of illness, beyond the annoyance of their presence. Each flea bite instigates minor irratation and some pets develop an allergy to their saliva, resulting in flea allergy dermatitis, which can result in horrible itching, discomfort along with hair loss and and a variety of other skin problems including redness and scabs. In addition, fleas are often associated with tapeworm. When a dog grooms himself, he may ingest a flea carrying tapeworm larvae and the tapeworm will continue to grow in the dog’s gastrointestinal tract. Fleas also can cause flea bite anemia in tiny dogs and puppies. When many fleas feed on a small pup, signifigant enough blood loss can occur that requires veterinary intervention.

Tick bites present a plethora of highly degenerative illness. Ticks make their way through Fluffy’s coat, dig their heads under the skin and gorge themselves on your pet’s blood. The most common tick bourne illnesses are Lyme disease, Ehrlichiosis, Basesiosis and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Click here to find out which tick bourne illnesses are most common in your area. Be sure to be as diligent in checking yourself and family members for ticks if you find one on your pet and/ or live in a high risk area.

Knowing the risks of these pests, I still avidly promote the use of natural flea and tick prevention and care. Consistent use of pesticide application on our pets to control flea and tick infestations are as dangerous as the pests themselves. These health risks are not limited to our pets. Poisonous to the touch, friends and family members giving their dog affection are unknowingly ingesting these toxins through their skin as well. Children are at a much higher risk, as their bodies and nervous systems are still developing and exposure to these pesticides can create risks for acute poisoning.

According to Rose Marie William’s article on BNet,

“Pesticides are neurotoxins that destroy and target pest’s nervous system, promoting an early death. Nerve gases were originally developed during WWII to use against the enemy. At the conclusion of the war, chemical companies were left with stockpiles of these toxins, and peacetime uses were sought…Little or no thought was given to health and environmental consequences and thousands of products were introduced before the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was instated.

Two-thirds of flea pesticides are neurotoxic, some are capable of reproductive damage in lab tests, and the EPA lists approximately one-half as carcinogenic,” (Williams, Safe Flea Control & Organic Labeling - Health Risks and Environmental Issues).

While ineffective against the flea cycle, pet owners spend millions on pest control, unknowingly bringing chemicals into their home that are highly toxic to their pet’s nervous system, seeping into the animals skin, poisoning them through their eyes and nose, permeating into their lungs, heart, liver, kidneys and bloodstream. Dogs who are consistently exposed to these chemicals can suffer from a variety of health repercussions. Exposure may result in immediate or long term responses of respiratory problems, trembling, seizures, vomiting and diarrhea.

In response to consistent exposure to flea and tick preventative, the flea has a longer life cycle then ever before and is able to thrive in conditions once known to kill them. Responding to the more persistent nature of the pest’s, the multi-million dollar industry of pet pesticides has had to use ever stronger chemicals to eradicate them.

In my first post on the subject, Flee Fleas!, I discuss how I go about controlling fleas and ticks without the use of pesticides. While researching the subject, I found a plethora of information available with plenty more suggestions on how to do so. It is clear that it is becoming increasingly obvious to consumers that pesticide application is compromising the health of our pets, yet veterinarians, those who are supposed to be looking out for Fido and Fluffy’s best interest, continue to push prescription pesticide products.

The National Resources Defense Council has also published a highly informative article on the risks of flea and tick preventatives.

It is time for responsible pet owners to look beyond the industries that push these products on pet owners and decide for themselves if they will pay for expensive pesticide products in addition to the veterinary care that their pets will need from exposure to chemicals. Diligent prevention and care of your pet will be more effective then any chemical pesticide.

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No, Tinkerbell Hilton hasn’t been checked into the Betty Ford Clinic - sorry, this isn’t the stuff of tabloid fodder.

Many a dog owner who makes the switch from a commercially prepared dog food full of chemicals and additives to a wholesome, natural diet may find Fido showing some pretty disturbing signs of illness, otherwise known as detox.

You have bravely made the leap from your veterinary advised dog food or the supermarket brands advertised in seductive TV spots to a holistic diet and rather then seeing any benefits, your dog is vomiting, itching as if an army of supercharged fleas has infested and smells like a wet dog soaked in garbage water. To top it off, he just let off some explosive diarrhea on your new white carpet. What’s the deal??

With the plethora of unnatural chemicals our pups are exposed to, once you start removing those toxins through diet, stopping the use of pesticide preventatives or the countless other standardly used dog ‘care’ products, all the chemistry Fido was previously exposed to has got to get out somehow.

This is the period of detox. Those who switch from a conventional diet to a raw meat diet, or BARF are most likely to experience this at its most intense, as the raw diet stimulates the immune system in hyper drive, purging your dog’s system of the toxic waste that had accumulated in his system. I know when I made this switch for Louis, his ears were disgusting, expressing a thic