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By Sally Gutteridge Forward By Dr. Douglas Crandall, DVM.

© Furry Joy 2015. All rights reserved. Page 1

Introduction

Welcome to the beginning of a whole new dimension of knowledge about your dog’s health.

Pharmaceutical medication has become our go-to choice, in this modern age, we assume that the veterinarian has the answers without exploring the kinder more natural possibilities.

The problem with expecting the vet to treat everything is that he, or she is not with your dog all the time. The vet can only treat on what we report and a great vet welcomes owners with an opinion and some researched input on the health of their dog.

Instead, we see the vet as the one with exclusive knowledge on the health of our dogs. We often do not explore the practices that have a less invasive effect on their small bodies and minds.

In many ways we adopt the same principles as humans, we take painkillers from the doctor instead of stretching out our muscles on daily basis and take regular medication rather than change our eating habits for the better.

We need to get back to the roots of good health, to recognizing the importance of food as fuel and how we can help our dogs to heal without using a whole host of harmful chemicals. We need to do this now, if we are to ensure great holistic health for our canine friends.

This book will provide you with another option for each possible affliction, ailment and health problem that your dog may encounter with a focus on natural, non-invasive and chemical free canine care. We aim to take you directly to the heart of your dog’s well-being and have you questioning your approach to your own health along the way.


Author Foreword

It is envisaged that you use this book as a learning experience, a way to enhance the natural health of your dog and employ the tips and advice in the best way possible. I truly believe that the advice you find here will help you to help your dog in many ways, whether he has visible health problems or not.

It is vitally important though that you do not use this book as an alternative for an expert veterinary opinion when your dog is unwell. A good veterinary surgeon will be well aware of a lot of natural therapies and many are supportive of them as a tool towards good canine health. However I would like to state that if your dog is not well he must go to the vet, particularly if his health is deteriorating.

Alternative therapy, natural remedies and a holistic approach to the care and good health of your Shih Tzu will enhance his life. Be sure though, as a responsible pet parent, to use common sense if your dog is unwell or a particular treatment does not seem to be improving his condition.

In the same way it is important to obtain veterinary diagnosis for a serious illness. We aim that you work with the vet, yet also explore every option, when bringing your dog to perfect health.

The information given it this publication is copyrighted under the name of the author. It should not be reproduced or replicated in any way.

Should any part of the advice given here be referenced the source, this publication, publishing date and the authors name should be cited clearly. Please see the legal stance at the back of the book regarding your own approach to treatments outlined in the publication.


Contents

Introduction .................................................................................. 1

Author Foreword ....................................................................... 2

Contents ...................................................................................... 3

Why Herbs and Remedies? ......................................................... 5

What is Natural Therapy? ............................................................ 7

Vitamins and Minerals ................................................................. 8

Natural Therapies Explained ........................................................ 9

Homeopathy .............................................................................. 9

Bach Flower Remedies ........................................................... 10

Chinese Herbs ........................................................................ 11

Hands on Healing for Body and Soul ...................................... 11

Hydrotherapy .......................................................................... 12

Canine Chiropractic ................................................................. 12

Acupuncture ............................................................................ 12

Massage at home.................................................................... 13

The Vaccination Debate............................................................. 14

Homeopathic Vaccination........................................................ 16

Solutions for Specific Problems ................................................. 17

Anal Glands ............................................................................ 17

Anxiety Stress & Fear ............................................................. 17

Arthritis ...................................................................................... 18

Herbs and Plant Remedies ........................................................ 20

Asthma & Breathing Problems ................................................... 20

Reverse Sneezing ................................................................... 21

Back Problems ........................................................................ 21

Bites and Stings ...................................................................... 22

Burns ...................................................................................... 22

Bleeding – First Aid ................................................................. 23

Cancer .................................................................................... 23


Car Sickness ........................................................................... 24

Constipation ............................................................................ 25

Diabetes .................................................................................. 26

Diarrhea .................................................................................. 27

Eyes ........................................................................................ 28

Ears ........................................................................................ 29

Heart Problems ....................................................................... 30

Fleas ....................................................................................... 31

Heat Stroke – First Aid ............................................................ 32

Incontinence............................................................................ 33

Internal parasites..................................................................... 33

Heartworm .............................................................................. 35

Kidney support ........................................................................ 35

Liver ........................................................................................ 37

Old Age ................................................................................... 38

Poisoning – First Aid .................................................................. 39

Pregnancy and Help with Whelping ......................................... 39

Mastitis .................................................................................... 40

Ringworm ................................................................................ 40

Lesions ................................................................................... 40

Seizures .................................................................................. 41

Surgery ................................................................................... 43

Trachea Disease ..................................................................... 44

Conclusion ................................................................................. 44

References ................................................................................ 45

Bibliography ............................................................................... 46

Index .......................................................................................... 46


Why Herbs and Remedies?

Herbal medicine was around long before the chemical pharmaceuticals that we rely on today.

You probably have a whole world of medicines right there in your garden and simply don’t know it.

Herbalists and natural therapists use the plants and wildflowers around us to create remedies for many ailments.

These remedies work to restore balance in the body and avoid the chemical imbalances and side effects that many prescription drugs can bring.

The sad thing about herbal healing is that it is only a small niche in the market of drugs available today. It takes a really good search and often some intensive research to find a local herbalist.

The lack of availability where natural remedies are concerned has two reasons. The first is that your veterinarian, and the veterinary profession in general, has high investment in the pharmaceutical industries. Veterinary schools talk very little about nutrition and even less about herbal remedies. This is described in greater detail by holistic veterinarian Andrew T. Jones in his book veterinary secrets. http://www.veterinarysecrets.com

The second reason that herbal medicine is often overlooked is because we, as a species, have been very successful in creating chemical drugs that work. We are born in hospitals, we go to the

http://www.veterinarysecrets.com/


doctors when we are sick and are prescribed conventional medicines which always make us better, or so we believe.

Pharmacy drugs are big business and this includes veterinary medicine.

The side effects of conventional medicine can be vast and in some cases we even take medicine to deal with the side effects of other medicines.

Chemicals can affect the immune system and major organs inside the body of your dog, which is why it is vital to consider the natural route when treating your pet.

The information given in this book can, and will, change your view on the health of your Shih Tzu.

It will empower you and help you to realize that you can offer your dog a lot more than a trip to the vets when he is off color.

You will find that the same advice appear again and again within these pages. This is because the basics of holistic health are good diet, great nutrition and strengthening the body from within.

Specific vitamins will target areas that disease will affect and certain supplements have many functions.

The aim of this book is not to replace your veterinary surgeon in regards to the health of your dog, but to join him or her with another educated view, to bring forth information that you can use alongside your vet’s advice in order to keep your dog as healthy as possible.

Even if you only use a few bits of advice given here, when caring for your dog, you will be completely blown away by the power of holistic healing.

Plants, vitamins, minerals, herbal tonics and their ability to heal will leave you wondering why on earth you never tried them before.


What is Natural Therapy?

Natural therapy is the use of carefully applied natural remedies and ‘hands on’ therapies to help your dog re-align with perfect health and well-being.

Natural therapies and remedies are another option to try when helping your dog into perfect health. They are proven time and again to work and be far less invasive than many pharmaceutical medications.

We will talk about what you can do to help a dog that is suffering from health or problems and how you can treat them; using gifts directly from the earth, the use of healing energies, massage and other therapies and even simply by learning all you can about a holistic diet for your dog.

Natural therapy is not a pre-determined replacement for veterinary care but it can work alongside it, and in the case of some individuals it can be the best course of treatment to take, in order to provide fantastic results in the health of your dog.

Natural remedies can certainly help with minor ailments and hands on therapy such a Reiki and other healing methods can relieve stress within your dog based on physical, environmental and psychological problems.

We are about to introduce you to holistic care and natural remedies for your Shih Tzu. From flower remedies by Bach to Manuka honey to fight infection.

From canine touch therapy for stress to best additions to canine chow. You may be surprised at just how helpful a few small changes will be on that niggling ailment that your dog simply can’t seem to lose.


Vitamins and Minerals

Vitamins and minerals are essential for keeping your dog healthy. When you look at a pack of dog food it is important to acknowledge the vitamin content of the food.

Some of the cheaper commercial dog foods may have less vitamins, or those of lower quality, yet to meet the status of a complete food they will at least have the bare minimum.

The book, in this pack, that talks about dog food will give you more information on great nutrition.

When you prepare your dog’s food at home and use a good mix of ingredients you will already be providing him with a vitamin rich diet naturally.

There are a lot of food supplements available now. Manufacturers are acknowledging that more and more people are losing faith in commercial pet foods.

Raw or home prepared food is becoming increasingly popular and if you are not a fully functional canine nutritionist a vitamin and mineral supplement is a good idea to ensure that your dog’s needs are met.

So which supplement should you choose? Well if your dog has a raw diet with adequate bones then his calcium needs will already be met. So you can go for a good holistic multivitamin supplement without added calcium.

If you feed a diet of kibble and cooked meats/veggies a good supplement will either include calcium or you will give the calcium separately to a multivitamin add-in. The best way to purchase multivitamins is in powder form and specifically for dogs, the human tablets and caplets can be difficult for your dog to break down.

Essential fatty acids are important to the dog that has skin or joint problems and are usually in the form of oils that can be added to the dog’s food.


Digestive enzymes are one of the things that holistic veterinarians regularly prescribe. These plant based enzymes are a gentle route to good digestion for your dog that work in harmony with his, or her, body to keep his digestion healthy.

If your dog has been eating commercial food for a long time and you have decided to change his diet, digestive enzymes will help to regulate a healthy digestive system from the point that you begin to use them.

Extra vitamin E is a good addition to the diet of the older dog. A total of 100 IU is plenty for a daily Shih Tzu dose so be sure this is included in any overall vitamin supplement.

Vitamin C is also essential in your dog’s diet, just as it is in yours, so be certain to ensure that your chosen multivitamin supplement contains at least 250mg per daily helping.

Natural Therapies Explained

When I talk about natural therapy for specific health problems and symptoms, it is important that you have an idea of where each of the methods come from and exactly what it is that they entail.

Each method of therapy used in practice has been tried and tested, some therapies work better for some than others. Your dog’s own specific problems and symptoms may require a careful process of elimination between methods and remedies to find a perfect balance or his, or her, health and well-being may be dramatically improved by the first method that you try.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy as a natural remedy has been proven to have a highly effective result on both people and pets. The idea behind this particular remedy is to introduce a plant or mineral based substance into the body that would normally produce the same symptoms as an ailment, illness or condition.


This is an idea first introduced to natural healing by Hippocrates and then finely tuned by German Doctor Hahnemann. Each homeopathic remedy is produced via dilution and succession which dilutes toxic components and prepares the remedy to target the specific problem that it is designed for.

The benefits of Homeopathy are vast. This type of remedy is far gentler than chemical based drugs with harsh side effects. It is also, usually, less expensive than conventional medicine.

The remedies are usually taken orally and with dogs, as opposed to people, homeopathic treatment is often short and sweet. The treatment, depending on specifics, can change your dog’s behavior slightly for a short time. If you are new to natural healing and unsure it may be a good idea to find a homeopathic veterinary surgeon in your area or at least that offers online support.

Bach Flower Remedies

Flower remedies, or more specifically Bach flower remedies are a set of 38 different types of plant based remedies designed to heal the emotions.

Edward Bach, in the 1930’s developed this increasingly popular natural remedy type which, although scientists cannot specify exactly how, works perfectly to restore natural and emotional balance to the individual.

One of the better known flower remedies is rescue remedy which is designed to specifically target anxiety. Used by people and also by the owners of anxious dogs, to calm their pets, rescue remedy is one of the most popular natural anxiety remedies available.

Bach flower remedies come in a bottle with a dropper. They can be administered directly onto your dog’s tongue or dropped into his drinking water. Although the remedies are all different a combination of more than one can be used to help alleviate specific problems.


Chinese Herbs

Herbal remedies from a practitioner of Chinese remedies is another increasingly popular natural therapy. The remedy will be created specifically for your own dog after a diagnostic assessment of his, or her, condition. The resulting remedy is usually a powder that is mashed into the dog’s food two or three times a day.

It is important to be aware of bear bile farming in China when looking at Chinese medicine. Bear farming is a cruel practice of collecting bear bile for its medicinal purposes. This type of farming is gradually being outlawed and replaced by cruelty free methods.

Hands on Healing for Body and Soul

Canine massage, canine touch, hands on healing and Reiki are all highly effective methods of making the physically uncomfortable or stressed, anxious Shih Tzu happier and pain free.

Hands on therapy focuses on areas where the body has become weak or started to struggle. Anything from hip problems to excessive anxiety can be treated in this way.

Canine Massage will work the muscles around the area of pain. It is used to rehabilitate stiff and tense muscles. Massage in this way will help your dog’s muscles to perform to their full potential thus giving the best support possible to joints and all other areas of your dog’s body. Canine massage is a really good choice after injury.

Canine Touch is quite a new therapy type that focusses on the dog’s anxiety levels to calm a long-term or short –term stressed dog. Canine touch looks very similar to Hands on Natural Healing and Reiki.

The therapist places hands onto the dog passing positive energy into the dog and taking away negative energies. This type of healing, along with many natural therapies contradict science as there is no scientific explanation of how they work, yet there is no doubt that they do work.


Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy is the act of using water and natural currents to strengthen the dog’s muscle capacity.

The dog will be exercised naturally in a warm pool with the input of a trained therapist into and away from water currents. This will both soothe pain and build strong muscle that can cope with problematic joint problems such as hip dysplasia and arthritis.

Canine Chiropractic

Chiropractic clinics are becoming a normal part of human health, interestingly the holistic veterinary profession too is experiencing fantastic results with this non-invasive technique.

A chiropractic professional works to align joints back to where they should be in the body. This takes place as a series of treatments depending on the type and severity of the problem. The realignment of joints improves energy flow and well-being.

Dogs with old injuries, arthritis and similar problems are benefitting greatly from this type of treatment. This type of treatment may also be used with acupuncture for an overall result.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture looks painful doesn’t it? Long needles inserted straight into the skin of your dog may be something that you would like to avoid at all costs.

In actual fact the act of acupuncture is not as you would expect. When a specialist is trained in the skill they learn exactly where the needles go to prevent pain. The needles are designed for purpose and usually the dog will not even feel them enter the body.

Acupuncture is described as channeling energy into areas of the body that need it the most. The needles are inserted along meridians of energy sending impulses to the brain and improving balance and energy flow throughout the body of the dog.


The common opinion is that, during acupuncture, the subject may feel a dullness in the muscle and even relief while the needle is in the body, some dogs even go to sleep during treatment.

Acupuncture is successfully used as a treatment method for many illnesses and ailments from arthritis to organ failure. Acupressure is similar yet fingertip pressure is used at sensitive points as opposed to needles.

Bach flower remedies can be added during treatment to calm the dog’s emotional state.

Massage at home

The benefits, to your dog, of a daily massage cannot be overstated. Massage will bring emotional support, improve energy flow around the body of your dog and relax his body completely.

You can easily massage your pet at home over a few minutes every day.

Start a massage with the ears of your dog, spend some time rubbing them, the ears are high in acupressure points and will prepare the rest of the dog’s body for your touch. Then gradually work your hands in smooth strokes down your dog’s body towards the tail. Take care to feel each area gently and be aware of areas of sensitivity because this will show you where there are potential problems inside the body of your dog.

With sensitive areas you can cup both hands over the area, one on top of the other, and apply then release gentle pressure in a repetitive motion. Follow your dog’s breathing pattern and this will help him to relax.

The idea is to keep energy flow moving and not allow the energy inside your dog to focus on one particular area and sweep positive, healthy, energy around the body of your dog.

When you have massaged your dog in this way for a few days you should start to notice that the sensitive areas become less tense and his demeanor is generally more relaxed.


Aromatherapy massage is the use of specific oils when massaging. Oils that target emotional states or physical ailments are an essential part of natural healing.

The Vaccination Debate

Canine vaccinations have been a controversial topic for a long time.

Holistic veterinarians state that to have a dog vaccinated every year we are subjecting his, or her, body and immune system to unnecessary stress.

The vaccination debate seems to be one related to that of other pharmaceutical medicines.

Are veterinarian’s suggesting that we vaccinate our dogs, every year, for financial gain at the cost of the health of our canine companions?

I personally do not vaccinate my own dogs, ever, as rescue dogs they arrive ready vaccinated from the initial course administered by the rescue organization, and this is where their vaccinations end.

The conventional veterinary recommendation for vaccines is a course of puppy vaccinations over a two week period, in two separate vaccines. This is to immunize the puppy against serious and often fatal diseases.


It is actually a good idea to administer this first vaccination set particularly if your puppy lives in an area with high canine population.

If an adult dog has never been vaccinated and goes into rescue care they will usually vaccinate via the same type of course.

After the initial vaccination course many vets advise that the dog needs a booster vaccination every year, this is the point where holistic vets often disagree with conventional veterinary medicine.

Over vaccination can create more health problems than it actually prevents. This is because the act of chemical vaccination will cause a reaction in the dog’s body. Every dog is different and many times the vaccination side effects will go unnoticed.

Jones, A T (Veterinary Secrets) states the possible damage that over vaccinating our dogs can present.

Short term and instant side effects to vaccination include:

Allergic reactions such as breathing difficulty and facial swelling

Twitching

Muscle weakness

Swelling and even abscess in the area of vaccination

Vomiting

Diarrhea

Itching

Facial swelling

Collapse

Long term disease related to the immune system is another effect of over vaccinating a dog. Over vaccination can be as little as a yearly booster. Remember that vaccination is meant to strengthen the immune system by introducing it to certain chemicals? Well these same chemicals attack the dog’s immune system leaving your pet susceptible to many types of long-term disease.

Long term immune system disease includes;

Long term anemia


Skin allergies

Arthritis

Leukemia

Bowel disease

Thyroid disease

This list is by no means exhaustive.

Along with adding stress to the immune system by vaccination every year we are also taking away its ability to naturally heal the body of the dog, because the same immune system is busy dealing with the chemicals that we administer via vaccination.

Deciding on how often you vaccinate your own dog is an important job. Do not allow your vet to tell you that a yearly booster is absolutely necessary. Weigh up the risks of the area in which you live and also your dog’s general health as part of you decision.

Homeopathic Vaccination

There is a vaccination type available in homeopathic medicine. The immunization based in homeopathy is created directly from the disease itself yet rendered harmless by the process that it incurs to become the remedy.

Homeopathic immunization is known as nosodes. It works by exposing the body to a harmless yet effective imprint of the disease and preparing the immune system to cope should the animals become infected.

The use of nosodes is a better remedy for the dog as it is completely harmless. This type of treatment is not considered a legal course of vaccinations though and boarding establishments will usually not accept the dog as fully vaccinated.


Solutions for Specific Problems

This area of the book is your go-to reference for natural healing at home. Each area of the book and every ailment within it is carefully researched and put forward on its strength of effectiveness against the particular health problem.

Anal Glands

Anal glands are two tiny glands that sit each side of your dog’s anus. When functioning properly these little scent glands express fluid as your dog toilets. If they become impacted or infected the anus area will swell and become sore.

When impacted the glands need expressing by a vet, so in order to prevent this you should ensure that your dog’s diet contains plenty of fiber. A soft diet that the dog passes easily with loose stools will not put enough pressure on the anal gland to keep it working properly.

Allergies can also cause anal gland problems.

Anxiety Stress & Fear

If you live with a dog that is suffering from anxiety or fear, the most important thing to do is find the reason for the behavior. If, when you have identified the source of your dog’s stress, you cannot eradicate it then a natural remedy will certainly help him to cope.

Temporary stress relief is usually needed around the times when fireworks or gunshot sounds are plentiful, storm season is another time that can cause the dog anxiety.

Herbal remedies for temporary anxiety;

Bach Rescue Remedy – available in chemists and health food stores. A couple of drops on the tongue (or a few drops in the dog’s drinking water) three times a day should help.


Valerian is a remedy that originates from the Valerian plant. It acts like a natural sedative on the brain and nervous system. Because of its effectiveness for canine anxiety Valerian is available both on its own and in a remedy mixed with Skullcap ready prepared for dogs. You can find it in pet stores and online.

Chamomile tea has a calming effect, if your dog is not keen

on drinking it directly you can soak a nice treat in the solution.

Oats and oatmeal is known to calm nerves so may be a good addition to your dog’s food during the times he becomes anxious.

A “Thunder shirt” may help your dog during times of anxiety,

this is a tight coat which will make his chest and torso feel snug, which has a calming effect on the worried dog.

Separation anxiety can also be helped in the short term by using these particular remedies, however ideally they will be used together with a good progressive behavior program for improvement.

Excessive licking, self-harm and depression are all signs of stress and anxiety.

Interestingly they are also signs of allergy particularly to food types.

Long term stress can, and probably will, result in serious illness. It is important that your dog is happy in his environment, well-exercised and fed the best possible diet to keep him healthy and stress free.

Arthritis

One of the big problems that Shih Tzu owners deal with are joint problems within the bodies of their dogs. The breed has become increasingly popular as pets and more puppies have been born.


Sadly genetic problems due to increased, plus sometimes even irresponsible breeding are common in the breed now.

The two main problems that you may come across as a Shih Tzu owner are hip dysplasia and patellar luxation (slipping of the kneecap).

If your dog is suffering with one of these problems it is initially important to get veterinary attention for a diagnosis. You can go to a conventional veterinarian and then introduce holistic remedies into the routine or search for a holistic vet in your area.

If you already have a diagnosis of joint problems with your dog then it is never too early to introduce herbal remedies to his, or her, life. In fact even before a diagnosis you can take certain precautions to keep your dog’s body strong;

Vitamin C will support the skeletal system of your dog and help to prevent quick degeneration of the joints. 250mg a day for the Shih Tzu. Stress depletes the levels of vitamin C in the body so it is important to be aware of this and maybe give a little bit extra during stressful times. Vitamin E will help to reduce pain and support the joints to prevent further damage. 100IU a day.

Glucosamine hydrochloride and Chondroitin are great for rebuilding cartilage and preventing further damage to the joint. Often these two supplements are sold together as one easy dosage for canine joint problems.

Fatty acids are truly essential for the dog that is suffering with arthritis. Fish oils containing omega 3 in his diet every day, a good quality sea jerky or a good amount of fish in the dog’s diet will all keep his essential fatty acids topped up.


Green lipped Mussel is a supplement similar to Glucosamine that helps the body to rebuild cartilage.

Because canine joint problems are so common now you will easily find pre-prepared powders and supplements that offer the extra nutritional support needed for the arthritic dog.

Herbs and Plant Remedies

Turmeric is a spice that contains Curcumin that is widely used for joint problems in humans and dogs. Turmeric can be added to your dog’s food, ¼ teaspoon a day has been shown to reduce swelling and pain in affected joints.

Ginger is a good herb for pain relief and stress in dogs. It can be given as extract or included in your dog’s food by grating as you cook. You could even make Shih Tzu ginger treats by baking the treatment into basic dog biscuits (You will find a recipe in the food book of the pack) Be careful not to overdo the ginger though as it can prove too strong for your dog to consider eating.

Along with supplements it is important to keep your dog’s weight down, keep him active, avoid salt and high protein foods plus consider some kind of hands on healing.

Asthma & Breathing Problems

Asthma is a problem that can be easily exacerbated by allergens in the environment and within the lungs of your dog. Stabilized oxygen is available in oral form in health food stores and even online. It has been providing good results for the dog with asthma and allergy based breathing problems.

The supplement comes in liquid form and can be added to your dog’s food or water daily three drops per day, or three drops twice


a day if your dog is struggling with the condition. The improvement of breathing for the asthma affected dog should be seen within a few days, maybe a bit longer for older dogs.

For more information on the use of oxygen in stabilized form visit; http://wellstasis.com/StabilizedOxygen.htm

Reverse Sneezing

Reverse sneezing is another breathing problem that is caused or exacerbated by allergies. It can also be a genetic problem and like many other genetic conditions is better managed by the body of the otherwise healthy dog.

The Shih Tzu by ‘design’ can also occasionally briefly suck his palate backwards causing a brief episode of reverse sneezing. If your dog suffers regularly with this condition it is important that you consider potential allergens in his food and environment.

www.holisticanimalmedicines.com offers a reverse sneezing natural remedy containing custom homeopathic remedies; Carbo Veg, Aconite Nap and Bach Rescue Remedy.

Back Problems

The Shih Tzu is vulnerable to vertebral disk disease, caused by arthritis. The spinal tissue becomes inflamed and the dog’s hindquarters become stiff as part of the disease. Left untreated this can lead to paralysis.

That is not to say that every member of the breed will suffer from this condition, just that it is something to look out for.

Pain killing is the thing at the forefront of our minds when we are looking to work towards making a back problem better for our dog. However it is important to also think about supporting the dog as a whole so that the body can then work harder to cope with the physical problem. As the body copes the pain will naturally lessen.

http://wellstasis.com/StabilizedOxygen.htm

http://www.holisticanimalmedicines.com/


Supplements that will support the body of the affected dog are very similar to those used for arthritis. See page 19

Preventative measures are also a good idea when your dog is getting older or has history of arthritis. Good digestive health, Manganese, Vitamin C and keeping the dog’s weight low will all support the body and spinal disks of your dog.

Many things have been used for swelling prevention within the joints of the arthritic dog inclusive of;

Glucosamine Fish oils Parsley Licorice root St John wort Aromatherapy massage with peppermint and ginger may

help the affected dog. Homeopathy provides joint support remedies that include

Rhus Tox and Arnica

Bites and Stings

Bites and stings can be extremely sore and will need immediate attention. If you are aware that the source of the bite or sting is safe and provides no long term danger to your dog then you can treat the pain and swelling in the area at home.

Insect bites can be treated with a paste of baking powder and water applied directly to the area.

Aloe Vera applied topically directly onto the area will take the pain out of the sting.

Arnica applied topically and via an oral supplement will aid healing.

Burns

Aloe Vera directly from the plant is nature’s perfect minor burn remedy. For minor burns cut your dog’s hair away from the area


and squeeze the fresh gel directly onto the burned skin. It will soothe the pain quickly and aid rapid healing.

Bach Rescue Remedy will help your dog to cope with any minor shock.

Bleeding – First Aid

The presence of blood associated with the body of our beloved dog can be terrifying. It is important to know what to do if your dog cuts himself.

With a large cut your dog may need veterinary intervention to prevent severe blood loss. If this is the case it is vitally important to apply pressure to the wound and elevate the affected area. Elevation will slow blood circulation to the wound.

Cayenne pepper works to clot blood at the point of exit so cover the wound with this.

With smaller wounds that stop bleeding quickly it is important to remove hair and debris from the area and make sure it is clean.

Initially cover the cut with petroleum gel to prevent any foreign dirt entering the wound and healing can be aided with special manuka honey, available from health stores, which has a fantastic track record for healing and preventing/dealing with potential infection.

Apply the honey twice daily but watch your dog for licking, for he will like the sweet taste.

Cancer

Cancer is as common in dogs as it is in people. The condition itself is the result of diseased cells multiplying at a rate which causes illness within the body.

Although we cannot control the cancer we can, if we make careful changes to diet, lifestyle and introduce specific supplements slow the rate of the disease.


The diagnosis of cancer has to be confirmed by a veterinary surgeon. It is important that you know what type of cancer you are dealing with and how advanced the disease is at the point of diagnosis.

The most important thing to manage when you have a dog with cancer is diet. The food that your dog eats will literally be deciding which cells have the biggest hold on your dog’s body, which will grow and which will slow in production. By feeding good quality foods, minimizing chemicals in the internal and external environment and supplementing carefully you will be supporting your dog’s immune system while it works to cope with and even fight against the disease.

There are supplements that work specifically to arm the dog’s body and immune system to deal with cancer:

Vitamin C Vitamin E Selenium Omega 3 essential fatty acids – Flax or fish oil Mixed flavonoids, available as food supplements from

health food stores. These are antioxidants with anti-cancer properties.

Curcumin – found in the spice Turmeric. Garlic for antioxidant properties. Digestive enzymes available in supplement form.

If your dog has been diagnosed with cancer then you will need a care plan that requires a specialized individual approach to his, or her, health.

I strongly suggest that you locate a good homeopathic vet that can assess your dog’s individual health and plan supplements accordingly.

Car Sickness

The dog that suffers from car sickness can be helped with a few remedies.


The most important thing to do is try to avoid travelling after the dog has eaten or travel sickness will always occur.

If the dog is sick every time he goes into the car he will soon develop a phobia of the car itself and the problem will become self-fulfilling.

To alleviate the problem of vehicle vomiting you can give your dog a herbal car sickness tablet designed for humans, be careful to check the ingredients though for any chemical ingredients that could be harmful to your dog.

Other remedies for car sickness are:

Rescue Remedy by Doctor Bach

Ginger root for its anti-nausea properties

Homeopathic Nux Vomica, again for anti-nausea and anti-vomiting.

A good desensitization program alongside the use of these anti-nausea supplements will help your dog to cope in the car.

Constipation

Constipation is a common problem for smaller dogs and may occur infrequently. The most important thing about constipation is to check that the dog has not eaten too many raw bones, possible on the RAW diet, or something that his digestive system cannot cope with causing serious bowel obstruction. Pork bones can cause constipation.

For prevention of constipation try adding a small amount of bran to your dog’s meals. This will provide him with the fiber that his body needs to keep his bowel working healthily. Nux Vomica,


silicea and sepia are all homeopathic remedies that target repeated constipation.

Constipation can also be avoided by regular exercise and keeping your dog hydrated. Bach Crabapple remedy will also target inner cleansing and detoxification.

Diabetes

Diabetes is a serious illness that needs veterinary diagnosis. It’s caused by the body producing ineffective insulin, or not producing enough of any insulin at all this disease needs careful treatment.

Conventional treatment for diabetes consists of insulin injections to support the body. There are a lot of things that you can do alongside this which will help your dog to regulate his own blood sugar from within his body.

Diet is the first thing to consider with the diabetic dog.

Home prepared foods or even the RAW diet will be the best approach, there are certain veterinary approved canine diets that focus on health for the diabetic dog. You could feed a mixture of diet or decide on one food type as your dog’s regular meal. Take a look at the book on dog diet, within this package for more information on dog food.

Exercise is vitally important because it decreases the amount of insulin needed by the body and also keeps your dog in shape and his organs healthy.

Supplements that are known to help the dog’s body to deal with diabetes are;

Vanadium is noted to have a similar effect on the body as insulin.

Omega 3 oil to increase insulin sensitivity. Cinnamon is known to mimic insulin to improve blood sugar

regulation.


If your dog is diagnosed with diabetes it is a good idea to keep a small amount of corn syrup on hand at all times in case of low blood sugar.

If the dog becomes unwell very quickly a small amount of syrup rubbed onto his gums should regulate the blood sugar. It is important that he is taken to the vet after an episode of this type to check his overall condition.

Diarrhea

Episodes of Diarrhea are to be expected when living with a dog. Some dogs are more susceptible to digestive disorders than others yet diarrhea is a condition that all dog owners can expect to see at least once.

The main risk with diarrhea is that of severe dehydration. The condition can be caused by any number of things inclusive, but not exhaustive of;

Food change Anxiety Worms Allergy Serious illness

Diarrhea can originate in either the small or large bowel area of the dog. Large bowel diarrhea is often due to the dog eating something that he shouldn’t and is also called colitis.

If your dog poops a lot, or has continual loose stools, then he may not be digesting his food or his food may not be providing the nutrition that he needs. Digestive enzymes will help along with a diet overhaul.

A one off incident of diarrhea from a normally healthy dog it is a good idea to simply not feed the dog for 24 hours and give his digestive system a rest.

Then if the symptoms settle down a small meal on the second day consisting of bland rice with some chicken, do not rinse the rice as the starch given off from cooking has a binding effect in the


body of your dog. Then if all is well by the end of day two begin to introduce the dog’s usual diet back into the feeding equation.

Longer term diarrhea will need veterinary attention as severe dehydration can be life threatening.

Dehydration can be confirmed by gently pinching the skin at the back of your dog’s neck, if it doesn’t spring back into place instantly then your dog is starting to become dehydrated.

Eyes

Shih Tzu eye care can be a complicated business. This is because eye problems are one of the most common hereditary ailments within the breed.

Your dog’s eyes should be bright and a little discharge is normal even if it leads to discoloration of your dog’s fur on his face. Any excessive discharge, redness, cloudiness or similar signs of ill-health are a potentially serious issue with the Shih Tzu.

Dullness, cloudiness, redness and excessive tearing of the eyes can even actually be a sign of bad doggy diet. Remember – great health comes from within and is taken from the fuel that you feed to your dog.

So what can we do to keep those big brown eyes shining?

Here are some ideas direct from nature;

Take care of your dog’s liver – Chinese medicine states that eyes and liver are linked, so if you ensure that your pet’s liver is supported his eyes will stay healthy too.

Milk thistle (250mg and Glutamine 500mg) as food daily

additions to your dog’s food will help his liver to perform its function perfectly.

Probiotic supplements added the dog’s diet such as

lactobacillus acidophilus have been proven to modify skin bacteria and the pigment that causes excessive staining.


White vinegar added sparingly to your dog’s diet, in as little as ½ tsp per meal can change the acidic content of tears thus reduce continual staining. Organic is best.

Euphrasia, regularly called eyebright, is a herb that can be

given either as a tonic or used to wash away eye discharge, *it can be found in health stores.

Take a look at the intensive Shih Tzu eye care guide within this holistic package for a really good overview of your dog’s eyes.

Ears

Does your dog suffer from ear infections? If so it is important that you look again towards his diet for the answer.

Wheat is one of the biggest additives to commercial dog food and causes repeated ear infections in dogs. Ear infections as a whole are usually closely related to some type of allergen within the dog’s diet or external environment.

There is a diet based on allergen elimination, described in the short book called Skin Itching and Allergies that can help the dog that suffers from recurring ear infections. When you take the allergen out of the diet the dog’s body will become strong enough to maintain its health.

Yeast infections of the ear, and sometimes of paws, are usually started by a reaction to a specific or certain food. Yeast infections of the ear gradually increase in severity as the ear gets dirtier and can be avoided by keeping your dog’s ears clean and healthy and supporting his immune system with diet and careful supplementation.

If your dog has clean and healthy ears they will just need maintenance to stay that way, with a good diet and careful observation your pet’s ears can always be healthy.

You can clean your dog’s ears out with white vinegar which is a highly effective solution against bacteria.


This should only be done to clean healthy ears as it can sting broken skin. Simply add some to a clean cloth and clean the outer part of your dog’s ears. Never poke anything into the dog’s inner ear as this could damage the sensitive eardrum.

Dietary support of the dogs ears are essential fatty acids such as omega 3, vitamin C and apple cider vinegar all available in health food stores.

Ear mites are similar to other mange mites and may need veterinary treatment. They are far too small to be seen by the naked eye but produce a lot of brown discharge from the ear and, like infection, have a very distinctive smell.

If antibiotic treatment is given for infection remember to then up your dog’s intake of natural probiotic afterwards to restore balance within his body.

Canine hearing loss should be checked by the vet. It is often an unavoidable part of old age, yet can also be due to injury or infection of the ear.

Heart Problems

The dog that suffers with heart disease can be given a number of supplements to aid heart function. As with every other serious illness it is important to obtain a specific diagnosis and then add-in any supplements to conventional treatment in the first instance.

CoQ10 is a vitamin that comes up again and again as a good natural add-in treatment for heart disease. CoQ10 or Coenzyme Q10 is a substance that is present in every living cell in the body. It is said to improve circulation and oxygenation directly to the heart. This is a supplement available in tablet form or it is present in high doses in liver of kidney.

Other heart herbal tonic remedies can include;

Omega 3 fatty acids Magnesium Hawthorn Garlic


Dandelion Taurine Antioxidant supplement

The idea of the herbal approach is to strengthen the heart and improve its function by plant based supplementation.

It is important that you work with your vet when deciding on the best approach to heart disease. Whether you stay with conventional veterinary medicine and manage as the holistic remedy add-ins take effect or go straight to the nearest holistic vet for your dog’s treatment is completely up to you.

Keeping your dog trim, his teeth clean and his diet naturally healthy will all help his body to cope with heart disease at any level.

Fleas

Fleas are one of the most common types of external parasite and can be very difficult to get rid of. They thrive on an animal that is under par or unwell so it is vital to keep your dog as healthy as possible. A healthy dog that is nutritionally satisfied, strong and fighting fit will be less likely to suffer from infestation.

If a dog is suffering with a flea infestation he will become itchy and after a while he will become depressed. Fleas breed quickly and a dog can go from being a host to three or four to having a coat full of the little blood suckers in no time at all. Flea bites can easily cause an allergic reaction.

There is good news though, not all dogs have fleas and your dog can go his whole life without playing host to the little parasites at all. He will only have fleas if he comes into contact with them in some way such as catching them from another dog.

It is really good news when your dog is at low risk of contact with fleas because it means that constant spot on treatment, from the vets, is wholly unnecessary. Instead of repeated chemical treatments you can carry out a natural flea prevention schedule and keep your Shih Tzu chemical free.


Your flea prevention kit should include a flea comb, some homeopathic shampoo and boric acid, available from health shops, for the environment such as the dog’s bed and your carpets.

If your dog has a major infestation that has been untreated you may want to approach the vet for a one off flea treatment to rid your pet of the large number of fleas then move on to the treatment and prevention detailed in our book Skin Itching and Allergies.

If you do decide on a one off chemical treatment it is vital to avoid pet shop chemical treatments unless they have been veterinary approved. Pet shop chemicals can cause severe allergic reactions and burns. They are really not worth the risk.

Advantage is one of the gentler flea treatments available from the vets. This is the one that most holistic vets prefer.

You will find a comprehensive list of natural flea deterrents, remedies plus a treatment and prevention plan in the book within this course called Skin Itching and Allergies.

Heat Stroke – First Aid

Heat stroke is an emergency situation. A dog cannot sweat to cool his body as we do therefore he can only rely on panting to keep himself cool, bringing cool air into his body through his mouth. If the air around him is no cooler than his body then the dog will suffer from heat stroke.

It is much better to avoid taking the dog out in a vehicle or in the sun at all than to risk heat stroke.

Many dogs die from this condition every year which escalates rapidly to fatal consequence.

Dry food heats up the body from the inside, so consider this when planning the dog’s diet during the summer months. Also keep some rubbing alcohol handy as when rubbed onto the pads this can cool the body of the dog.


If you think that your dog is suffering from heat stroke do not immerse him in cold water as this can cause severe shock.

Get your dog into a shaded area and either drape wet towels over him, or dribble cold water over him gradually. A dog with the symptoms of heat stroke should always see a vet.

Incontinence

Incontinence can be caused by a few different problems within the body of a dog. Infection, old age and illness can all lead to a dribble as the dog sleeps or the panic as a dog can no longer hold himself for as long as he once could.

Incontinence is most often urinary based and the dog will need careful examination and observation to confirm exactly why the incontinence is occurring.

Methionine is an amino acid that works to neutralize the urine of an incontinent dog.

Incontinence is related to urine that is alkaline based and the methionine adds some acid to it.

It is important that you check the urine first, before using this remedy, to ensure that the dog’s urine is in fact alkaline based. A good holistic veterinary surgeon will be able to help with this.

Internal parasites

The area where you live, and the contact that your dog has with others will have an influence on whether your dog suffers from worms.

Common internal intestinal tract parasites are:


Roundworms

Hookworms

Tapeworm

Signs of infestation are scratching, scooting, swollen stomach, lack of condition and excessive hunger.

When a dog is infected there will be signs of worms in his poop that look either like rice grains or wriggly worms.

When a dog is infested with internal parasites, worms, many holistic vets recommend a one off treatment of veterinary approved medication before moving on to preventative measures. This is because it can be very difficult to get rid of established worms via natural remedies.

Traditional worm treatments were far harsher on the system of dogs than the newer remedies available from veterinary surgeons now.

Older worming remedies contain chemical called Piperazine which can be unsafe for your dog so is best avoided.

A newer treatment from the vet such as Milbemax or Drontal will clear out the dog’s digestive system of the parasite in order for you to then introduce natural and preventative measures.

Foods and supplements that will help your dog’s body to repel worm infestation are;

Garlic Raw carrots Pumpkin Seeds Papaya

After the initial treatment it is a good idea to add digestive enzymes to your dog’s food for at least three months to rebuild a naturally healthy digestive system.


Heartworm

Heartworm is a dangerous parasite that infects the heart of the dog often not showing symptoms until the heart is full of worms and damaged.

Veterinary surgeries in areas where heartworm presence is high and infestation likely often suggest preventative treatments. Veterinary treatments do not stop the worm getting into the body but they prevent the young worms developing into adults.

Heartworm is passed into the body of a dog by the bite of a mosquito. Not all mosquitos carry the worms.

The first symptoms of infestation are often coughing, breathlessness and coughing, by this point the damage to the heart has already begun.

A dog that has diagnosed heartworm will usually need a conventional veterinary treatment followed by preventative measures and holistic support to rebalance his heart and body.

Along with a healthy diet and supported immune system you can also keep your dog unattractive to biting insects by providing him with herbal supplements such as;

Wormwood Mugwort Clove Buds Spearmint Herb Turmeric Black Walnut Garlic

Dogs tend to try to prevent contact with mosquitoes as part of their own natural defense system. You may notice that they steer clear of warm, damp areas where the little biters wait.

Kidney support

The kidneys are a vital organ within the body of your dog. They cleanse toxins from the body and maintain hydration.


Dehydration and decreased appetite in your dog along with depression and loss of muscle mass are symptoms of poor kidney function or even kidney disease.

If you suspect kidney problems in your dog then it is important to get him checked by a vet. Kidney problems left undiagnosed and untreated can have fatal consequences.

After diagnosis and while working alongside your vet, or a holistic veterinarian, you can begin to offer your dog extra support for his kidneys through natural care.

Keeping your pet hydrated is one of the most important things you can do when kidney problems are present. The more fluid that goes through the kidney the better it will function.

Diet should be low protein, low phosphorus and contain no dairy produce.

Extra protein will put more strain on affected kidneys. Choose a food supplement carefully and add natural probiotic to the food too. The probiotic will flush away uremic toxins from the body of your dog.

Once again the omega 3 fatty acids are a good addition to the diet in this instance, flax or fish oil will support the body and vitamin B is said to help the affected dog feel better.

Herbal kidney support can be given with the following supplements mixed as a tonic;

Marshmallow Hawthorne Dandelion leaf Ginko

Anti-vomiting and nausea reduction supplements will give the dog that is suffering from kidney problems some relief from feeling sick. Nux Vomica is an effective homeopathic remedy for sickness.


Liver

Liver problems are quite common in older dogs and can be caused by a number of different conditions inclusive of chronic liver disease.

The liver has a very important role within the body of your dog and as the largest gland within the body it is responsible for taking nutrients from the digestive process and eliminating toxins.

Symptoms of liver dysfunction can include swollen abdomen, vomiting, irritability, jaundice and lack of appetite.

Signs that a dog’s liver is not functioning properly should always be checked over and diagnosed by a veterinarian, the support and natural care that follows is paramount to how well your dog’s body copes after diagnosis.

Good quality food is, as ever, very important to support liver function. Many veterinarians state that a high protein and low carbohydrate diet is the best approach for liver support.

Milk Thistle is an organ specific herb that is a well-known natural option for supporting weak, diseased or dysfunctional liver. Milk thistle is a dry herb available at pharmacies and online for pet use.

Vitamins C & E are important antioxidants that will support

the dog’s body. Liver disease also results in the loss of Vitamin B from the dog’s body so a complex B vitamin is also necessary.

Bioflavonoids containing EGCG (isolated from Green tea) will offer auto immune support. It’s available in pet stores and online.

A supplement of the Amino Acid Glutamine has shown good

results for liver problems caused by digestive tract function.

You may also want to add a good pro biotic to your dog’s food if a lot of anti-biotic treatment has been administered.


Old Age

Old age creeps up on all of us, not least our dogs who seem to get there far too quickly.

There are some ways that we can help to prevent illness in our older dogs, simply by supporting their bodies as they age.

If your older dog shows no signs of illness then this is great. It is important that we keep his body, including his joints and digestion working perfectly to keep him healthy.

You can support your dog’s joints with supplements for prevention that we talked about in the arthritis and hip dysplasia area of the book.

Digestive enzymes to ensure absorption and a vitamin mineral supplement to ensure that all of the nutrients reach where they need to go will keep your dog’s digestive system working and effectively supporting his immune system.

A good all round feeding system and diet, inclusive of fresh steamed veggies to keep the stomach clean and provide some natural enzymes, will also help to keep your older Shih Tzu’s immune system strong and able to cope with the onset of any age related disease.

Keeping your older dog fit, trim and healthy will keep him young so ensure that he gets plenty of exercise. Do not under estimate the power of happiness and mental stimulation on the older dog for great geriatric health and happiness.

A widely used supplement for both dogs and people is Chlorella. This is available in health food stores and some pharmacies. Chlorella is a vast mixture of many different vitamins and has proven time and again to slow ageing in dogs and people.


This little supplement is obtained from single cell algae in freshwater and when researched it indicated that regular use improved hemoglobin count thus increasing oxygen carriage to all areas of the body. One gram of Chlorella a day is enough for your Shih Tzu.

Vitamin E is also a good extra addition to the older dog’s diet as it is known to slow down cell ageing. This vitamin also helps to improve general circulation, stamina and general endurance.

Poisoning – First Aid

In the event of poisoning it is vital that you get the dog to the vets. Symptoms of poisoning include panting, confusion, delirium, staggering and collapse.

Veterinary attention is the most important thing when a dog has been poisoned, this is the case whether he has eaten severe poison or something that seems simple, but isn’t, like chocolate or raisins.

If your dog eats things that he shouldn’t or you feel that there is a risk of poisoning it is a really good idea to keep activated charcoal in the home.

This is available at many pharmacies and online in powder or capsule form. This type of charcoal is perfect for incidents of poisoning because when it reaches the dog’s stomach it will bond with the poisonous substance and literally take it out of the body.

Pregnancy and Help with Whelping

When a female dog is pregnant it is vitally important that she get the best possible diet and nutrition that you can find for her. The food that she eats will not only be keeping her strong but it will also be feeding her developing puppies.

A complete vitamin supplement is a must for any female dog that is or may be pregnant.


Take a look at the food for natural health book to explore more about a dog’s diet. Puppies with defects are far more often born to parent dogs that do not receive the best possible nutrition pre conception, during pregnancy and whelping.

Back pain is quite common for the pregnant dog, it can be helped by gentle massage or hands on healing as it described earlier in this book. Tea made with red raspberry leaves is said to help with more comfortable birthing yet there are conflicting views with this.

Mastitis

Mastitis in a female dog when she is feeding her puppies is quite a common occurrence. Symptoms are obvious as the teat becomes sore and swollen then she prefers not to feed from it.

This can be a very serious infection so the dog must see a veterinarian if she stops eating, looks unwell or becomes lethargic.

Phytolacca is a homeopathic remedy that can help with mastitis, administered in drop form to the dog.

Ringworm

Ringworm is not actually a worm at all but a fungal infection of the skin. It causes hair loss in a circular shape on the body of the dog and is contagious to both humans and other animals.

Papaya or raw garlic rubbed into ringworm a few times a day is said to treat the infection naturally. Another thing to do is rinse your dog with a warm solution o two parts water and one part apple cider vinegar. It will fight the infection and also make his coat gleam.

Lesions

Coconut and neem oil (separately) have also been proven to aid rapid healing when applied directly to skin lesions. You can also make dried liquorice tea and apply to the lesion a few times a day.


Seizures

There are many types of canine seizure and some are brief and seem mild (Petit mal) while others create quite severe fitting type behavior (Grand mal).

Otherwise unexplained seizures are generally labelled as epilepsy.

Epilepsy does not usually have one obvious cause and the condition can be a product of a few different factors. Genes, environment, stress, vaccinations and general illness can all contribute towards a state of epilepsy in a dog.

A cause of epilepsy that seems to be increasing is dogs is that of food allergies. Chemicals that are found in dog food could actually be causing enough of an allergic reaction in our dogs to cause seizures and even longer term epilepsy.

This, in itself is enough to send you running to the ingredients on the packaging wouldn’t you say?

This is not the only cause though and without being certain, and being able to treat a specific reason for seizures we can only treat them and try to keep our dogs as healthy and safe as possible.

The first thing to do if your dog is diagnosed with epilepsy is take the vet’s advice, if you have a holistic vet all the better, then start to make some changes.

Be aware that a seizure due to epilepsy can be triggered by bright or flashing lights, stress and things like the television where things move quickly.

Full spectral lighting in your home all year round may regulate your dog’s light sensitivity and is especially useful in the winter months for the well-being of an epileptic dog.

Alongside being certain that you are feeding the best diet that you can there are some supplements that may help to regulate and balance the body of the epileptic dog.


Essential fatty acids. Magnesium. Vitamins C and E as for their benefits as antioxidant

vitamins.

Rescue remedy can actually help you to stop the seizure as it occurs. If your dog has epilepsy then it is a good idea to have some rescue remedy on hand.

You can give the dog a few drops on the tongue as soon as the seizure, or signs of a pending seizure, show.

Although a temporary fix this type of seizure treatment should not be the only one used, you need to look deeper into prevention by strengthening your dog’s body from within, with holistic care.

Taurine is an amino acid supplement that is used for early onset seizures, when the condition of epilepsy is just beginning to show.

Valerian root is used for anxiety disorders in dogs and one that has had a good result for holistic veterinary medicine when used to control long term seizures.

Skullcap, valerian and oat straw is another herbal mixture that has shown some results towards controlling epilepsy.

Homeopathic remedies that have worked well in cases of epilepsy are:

Aconite Belladonna Thuja – often used if the seizures are thought to be caused

by vaccinations.

If your dog has a seizure it is important that you seek veterinary attention to rule out specific causes such as cancer or infection. Always seek advice on your individual dog’s condition rather than reduce conventional medicine on your own.


Surgery

If your Shih Tzu needs surgery then you can certainly prepare him before the event, and help him to heal afterwards, with natural remedy help.

Surgery is a traumatic experience that involves anxiety and fear for the dog. It can also involve a lot of pain and confusion afterwards.

Prior to surgery it is vitally important that your dog is receiving all of the nutrition that he needs in good quality food and extra complete vitamin and mineral supplements.

A healthy immune system will aid quick recovery and help your dog’s body to cope with both the anesthetic and the intrusion that surgery causes. If your dog is in pain prior to surgery then you can administer Bach Rescue remedy to help alleviate the related anxiety.

A pre-anesthetic blood test is often offered at the vets on the day of the procedure, this is to check that major organs are functioning properly before subjecting the body to the anesthetic. If you have surgery planned for your dog it may be a good idea to have the blood tested a few weeks before to check the organs, then you can strengthen the dog’s body with herbal support.

After surgery herbal support is a very good idea. Arnica is a common and popular herbal remedy that has consistently succeeded in reducing bruising and aiding rapid healing.

Similarly an extra influx of vitamins into the body will help your dog to heal. Vitamins B, C & E will all be utilized by the dog’s body for healing.

Again Rescue remedy is a good addition for the dog that is anxious and in pain after surgery, to calm and settle the fear and confusion.


Trachea Disease

Trachea disease is caused by the collapse of the cartilage rings in the windpipe of the dog. Coughing is one of the main symptoms and it can be related to heart problems causing the lungs to retain fluid and extra coughing.

When you are supplementing a dog’s diet with trachea disease in mind the idea is to build strength and capability of the cartilage in the throat. Alongside this it is important to treat any associated condition such as heart problems, and of course make the dog’s diet as healthy as possible.

Supplements to build cartilage capability include glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM. Many of the supplementation for arthritis page 19 are also good for trachea disease as it supports cartilage in the same way.

Chiropractic sessions and acupuncture are also possibilities for the dog that is suffering with this condition.

Conclusion

The reason we wanted to create an entire pack that focusses not only on remedies but also on diet and general health is because a dog literally ‘is what he eats’.

When the body becomes exposed to a passing virus it is far more likely to be able to shake off the exposure if the immune system is healthy to begin with.

When the dog has an accident, leaving an open wound, the body is far


more likely to fight off any passing bacterial infection if the immune system is strong and supported by diet and general well-being.

Genetic disorders are far less of a problem when the rest of the dog’s body can pull together to support the overall animal.

Good diet and lifestyle creates strong organs and a healthy dog.

Herbal remedies do far more than treat a problem. They do so without otherwise affecting the body or the dog’s natural capability to maintain his or her own good health.

This is a claim that cannot always be made by veterinary and pharmaceutical medicines.

We hope that this book has led you to a new understanding, has provided you with other options for treating ailments or illnesses and most importantly has put you firmly back into the driving seat of the health of your Shih Tzu.

References

http://www.veterinarysecrets.com

http://www.ahvma.org

http://www.bahvs.com

http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/

http://www.britishhomeopathic.org/bha-charity/how-we-can-help/articles/epilepsy-in-dogs-and-cats/

http://www.veterinarysecrets.com/

http://www.ahvma.org/

http://www.bahvs.com/

http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/




Bibliography

The Veterinarians' Guide to Natural Remedies for Dogs: Safe and Effective Alternative Treatments and Healing Techniques 8 Dec 2010 Martin Zucker

Natural Remedies for Dogs and Cats (Keats Good Herb Guide) 1 Nov 1999 C.J. Puotinen

Natural Remedies for Dog Diseases Natural Remedies for Animals Series) 18 Sep 2012 Mark Gilberd

Home Remedies for Dogs 21 Nov 2014 by Richard Adams

Veterinary Secrets: Natural Health for Dogs and Cats23 May 2014 by Andrew Jones DVM

Index

absorption, 38 Aconite, 42 activated charcoal, 39 acupressure, 13 allergen, 29 Aloe Vera, 22 Andrew T. Jones, 5 anesthetic, 43 antibiotic, 30 antioxidant, 24, 42 anxiety, 10, 11, 17, 18, 42, 43 apple cider vinegar, 30 Arnica, 22, 43 Aromatherapy, 22 arthritis, 12, 13, 19, 21, 22,

38, 44 auto immune, 37 Bach, 7, 10, 13, 17, 25, 26,

43 Back pain, 40

bear bile farming, 11 Belladonna, 42 Bioflavonoids, 37 blood, 23, 26, 27, 43 boarding, 16 booster, 15, 16 bowel, 25, 27 bran, 25 brown discharge, 30 cancer, 23, 24, 42 Cancer, 23 Canine Touch, 11 cartilage, 19, 20, 44 Cayenne pepper, 23 cell ageing, 39 Chamomile, 18 chemical ingredients, 25 Chiropractic, 12, 44 Chlorella, 38 chocolate, 39


Chondroitin, 19 clean your dog’s ears, 29 clot, 23 Coenzyme Q10, 30 colitis, 27 commercial pet foods, 8 conventional medicine, 6, 10,

42 CoQ10, 30 Coughing, 44 Curcumin, 20, 24 dehydration, 27, 28 diarrhea, 27, 28 Digestive enzymes, 9, 24,

38 digestive system, 9, 25, 27,

34, 38 dog food, 8, 26, 29, 41 Drontal, 34 drugs, 5, 10 Dry food, 32 ear infections, 29 Ear mites, 30 EGCG, 37 emotional support, 13 energy, 11, 12, 13 enzymes, 9, 34, 38 epilepsy, 41, 42 Euphrasia, 29 Fatty acids, 19 fear, 17, 43 fish, 19, 24, 36 flavonoids, 24 Flax, 24 Garlic, 24, 30, 34, 35 genetic problems, 19 Ginger, 20, 25 Glucosamine hydrochloride,

19 Glutamine, 28, 37 Grand mal, 41

Green lipped Mussel, 20 Hahnemann, 10 healthy ears, 29, 30 heart disease, 30, 31 Heartworm, 35 Herbal medicine, 5 herbal tonics, 6 Herbalists, 5 hindquarters, 21 hip dysplasia, 12, 19, 38 Holistic veterinarians, 14 homeopathic medicine, 16 Homeopathy, 9, 10, 22 Hookworms, 34 Hydrotherapy, 12 immune system, 6, 14, 15,

16, 24, 35, 38, 43, 44 immunization, 16 infection, 7, 23, 30, 40, 42, 45 Insect bites, 22 insulin, 26 joint problems, 8, 12, 18, 19,

20 kibble, 8 Kidney problems, 36 kidneys, 35, 36 lethargic, 40 Licorice, 22 Liver problems, 37 Magnesium, 30, 42 manuka honey, 23 massage, 7, 11, 13, 22, 40 Mastitis, 40 Methionine, 33 Milbemax, 34 Milk thistle, 28, 37 Milk Thistle, 37 mosquitos, 35 nosodes, 16 Nux Vomica, 25, 36 Oats and oatmeal, 18


older dog, 9, 38, 39 omega 3, 19, 30, 36 Omega 3, 24, 26, 30 Over vaccination, 15 Pain killing, 21 patellar luxation, 19 Petit mal, 41 pharmaceutical industries, 5 pharmaceutical medicines,

14, 45 Piperazine, 34 poisonous substance, 39 Pork bones, 25 pre-anesthetic, 43 pregnant, 39, 40 prevention of constipation, 25 Prior to surgery, 43 probiotic, 30, 36 Probiotic, 28 raisins, 39 raw bones, 25 RAW diet, 25, 26 realignment of joints, 12 red raspberry leaves, 40 Reiki, 7, 11 Rescue Remedy, 17, 25 Rhus Tox, 22 rice, 27, 34 Roundworms, 34 seizures, 41, 42 Selenium, 24 sepia, 26 Shih Tzu eye care guide, 29 side effects to vaccination, 15 silicea, 26

Skin Itching and Allergies, 29 smaller wounds, 23 St John wort, 22 Stabilized oxygen, 20 steamed veggies, 38 supplements, 6, 8, 19, 20, 23,

24, 25, 28, 30, 34, 35, 36, 38, 41, 43

Tapeworm, 34 Taurine, 31, 42 Temporary stress, 17 the diabetic dog, 26 Thuja, 42 Thunder shirt, 18 Thyroid, 16 toxins, 35, 37 Trachea, 44 Turmeric, 20, 24, 35 uremic toxins, 36 urinary, 33 vaccinations, 14, 16, 41, 42 Valerian, 18, 42 vertebral disk disease, 21 veterinary diagnosis., 26 virus, 44 Vitamin B, 37 Vitamin C, 9, 19, 22, 24 Vitamin E, 19, 24, 39 vitamins, 6, 8, 38, 42, 43 vomiting, 25, 36, 37 White vinegar, 29 windpipe, 44 wound, 23, 44 Yeast infections, 29


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TTHHEE AALLLL AA TTOO ZZ GG TT KKEEEEPPIINNGG YY …shihtzuweb.com/natural-remedies/pdfs/The All-Natural A To... · 2015-01-06 · Natural remedies can certainly help with minor ailments