Holistic to us, for our pups, means we focus on trying to find a healthy balance between the inside and outside as we raise them-in terms of nutrition, socialization, environment and health practices....and of course just loving them as they grow. Mind/Body. Health/Nutrition. Happy/Healthy.
 

 

VACCINES:
Vaccinosis is a term we are hearing in relation to the reaction pets show, when vaccines have an adverse affect. Conventional vaccination schedules are still practiced in many veterinary hospitals. If someone feels more comfortable with giving multiple and repetitive vaccines, that is their choice. As human medicine evolves to include alternative therapies like acupuncture, Chinese herbs etc. there are many exploring less conventional modalities for our pets, too.

Dr Jean Dodds was a forerunner in considering what over-vaccinating may be doing to our pets. Her protocol focuses on a modified vaccine schedule, that assists, rather then overwhelms the immune system.
This is one link of many, we found to Dr Dodds Protocol, on the web.
 (http://www.itsfortheanimals.com/DODDS-CHG-VACC-PROTOCOLS.HTM) 

and another...

http://www.naturalrearing.com/coda/n_new_vaccination_protocol.html
 

While I believe (and that is my opinion not to be taken as gospel) that many pets are over-vaccinated and the risk to altering the immune system to it's detriment occurs, when multiple vaccines are given at the same visit, I still believe in giving core vaccines. So, we follow Dr Dodds protocol.
 

Can over-vaccinating trigger auto-immune problems? I think yes. Cancer? Hmnn not so sure about that-especially as there are breeds and lines within breeds, that have shown they are cancer prone-vaccines may trigger a cancer cell to mutate, but maybe aren't the whole picture?
 

An informed pet guardian may also do fine, if they insist on a modified vaccine protocol like that of Dr Dodds. When a pup person tells me they have just vaccinated for three different things at one visit, or worse yet when the pup is showing signs of illness and the vet vaccinates for the suspected malady...I want to cry. Vaccines are to help prevent, they are not cures, nor Band-aids.

After years of fostering and working in the NYC shelter system, personally having held pups and kittens as they die from Parvo, Distemper and Panleukopenia, no vaccines are not an option for me. I also worry about the implications of others who do no vaccines as they bring their dogs to shows, parks, etc. Is there a greater risk? I wonder.

 

Feeding a natural, holistic diet, limiting chemicals and pesticides where possible and not over-vaccinating makes sense to me (and again my opinion!)-but the belief that a healthy dog can and will fight off every virus without some help from previously built up antibodies, does not seem reasonable.

 

So, what about the extra non-core vaccines? Lyme, Lepto? etc. They are not part of Dr Dodds' protocol.

 

~

 

NUTRITION:

What is Raw feeding?
 

Here is a link with answers to many questions..

 http://www.rawlearning.com/rawfaq.html

I am not a purist-following just one mode of anything, but there are many that believe feeding commercially prepared foods account for an increase in cancers, auto-immune issues, etc. in dogs. I do feed on a Prey model raw diet...but then sometimes a BARF model...and then sometimes combined with a grain free kibble as basis for their diet. It's yer choice...but anything is better than foods that are high in wheat, soy & corn! Many dog food companies use grains and meat by-products to boost the protein levels in a processed kibble.
As I said, I am not a purist! But I do avoid feeding my pups the equivalent of mystery meat & taco chips.

http://www.rawfed.com/myths/feedraw.html
 

My dogs love veggies, so I give them to them. Some diets say dogs don't need veggies-well mine love them, so why wouldn't I provide them? In hotter weather my dogs get lighter proteins and seasonal veggies mushed up and mixed with fresh ground meat or necks, etc. In colder weather, higher fat meats and cold weather veggies like pumpkin, squash, etc.
Dogs benefit from a rotational diet and simple ingredients...that are identifiable.

Here is some info on raw feeding for those who might want to consider it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raw_feeding

Some suggestions for transitioning to a raw diet are to add fresh ground beef or turkey. Adding a digestive probiotic is also a good idea in general-immune systems are strongly affected by a healthy gut, but even more important if feeding/switching to raw.

My dogs love to chew fresh beef knuckle bones or neck bones-doing so prevents tartar coating teeth, as well as keeps muscles strong in their jaws and front ends-as they rip and shred. Some dogs are very aggressive chewers and may crack teeth on large weight bearing bones-so use your judgment. Our dogs also eat beef, chicken or turkey necks and wings-as long as they are not cooked, there is no danger of splintering bones. I also feed them partially frozen to slow down the chewing process. They also love Yogurt, cheese, eggs, fish, etc.

Stepping down from the soapbox now..