http://www.vaccines.net/DMSdraft.pdfI
This study shows a clear link between vaccines and diabetes and Metabolic syndrome. I believe that this same thing occurs in our dogs, cats and horses..
Natural Immunity by Pat McKay: Free Download February 7, 2010
Pat McKay has been kind enough to provide her wonderful books on natural pet healthcare as free downloads. Follow this link to get your free copy of “Natural Immunity” http://animalhomeopathy.net/id23.html
The Problem with Conventional Healthcare, by Karl Robinson, MD January 30, 2010
Problems with our healthcare system. What homeopathy can offer.
Filed under Medical Issues, Principles & Practice of Homeopathy
Thanks Karl for this brilliant discussion of the problems with conventional medical care. Readers, if you think this only applies to human medicine, you are sadly mistaken. The very same thing is happening in veterinary medicine. If you haven’t seen the introduction to homeopathy videos by Dr. Karl Robinson, available on this site under the homeopathy tag, take a moment to watch and learn.
It is universally agreed: our healthcare system costs too much and does not work well. As a conventionally trained M.D., who opted years ago to practice homeopathy, I would like to offer my observations on both the conventional and the homeopathic way of approaching illness.
The current gargantuan and enormously complex healthcare system needs to be reduced by a full one half. It is bloated beyond good sense and beyond affordability. And the fault lies only partially with the insurance companies and Big Pharma. I believe the very way conventional medicine is practiced is at fault.
Consider this typical scenario: you go to your Family Doctor complaining of fatigue, weight gain, arthritic pains, disordered digestion with gut pain and constipation. Your doctor runs tests and finds you have low thyroid and sends you to an endocrinologist who runs more tests and prescribes a medicine which you will be expected to take for the rest of your life. Score one for Big Pharma. Your family doc also discovers high blood pressure and, when one drug does not bring it down, prescribes two—for life. Later, you get sent to a gastroenterologist and later still, a rheumatologist. Along the way more tests, and more prescriptions. You already go to a psychiatrist and take an antidepressant. You now have five doctors in play, none of whom talk to each other. A really good Family Doc could manage all your problems with few or no referrals. Fifty or sixty years ago he was known as a “GP” or “General Practitioner” and did just that. But nowadays he or she is practicing “defensive medicine” and doesn’t want to be sued so it’s a kind of insurance to refer out and over test. Little wonder our healthcare is so ruinously expensive. And it is ruining us with healthcare costs going up at roughly twice the rate of the overall Consumer Price Index.
No new healthcare law is going to fix this bloated system. It is inherent in the very structure of modern, technologically oriented medicine. Realize that we have this system because 1) doctors believe in it (we created it) and 2) the public believes in it. People when ill or when they worry they are ill, want all the tests, want to be seen by all the specialists. But realize that all these tests and referrals and prescriptions cost someone whether it be you or your insurance company or Medicare or Medicaid.
Now, if the patient stops any or all of his medicines, the illnesses return. These illnesses are being managed not cured. Not to mention the all too frequent problem of adverse drug effects.
Contrast the above model with the homeopathic. A woman in her late forties comes to me because of debilitating migraines occurring twice a week. They are so severe she cannot function despite two powerful analgesics. I do a one and a half hour interview in which I explore all aspects of her complaints and how she relates to her environment (food, weather, job, relationships, hobbies, fears, anxieties).
I learn she also has hypertension, arthritic pains, poor digestion and constipation. She has five medical problems and is taking six pharmaceuticals.
Then I learn that five years ago her son was killed in Iraq. As she speaks, tears roll down her face and she says, “I’m sorry. I promised myself I wouldn’t do this.” I pause and then, as gently as possible, ask when the migraines began. Four to five years ago—following the tragic loss of her son. I now know more. She is still grieving, and the headaches appeared shortly after her son’s death. So, in truth, I have uncovered a sixth problem—grief.
For a homeopath, how a patient reacts to her problem is as or more important than the problem itself. This woman has unresolved grief which had triggered her pathology. Also, she is hot-natured, can not bear the sun, loves salt, and her face is oily. She is introverted and rejects consolation. These symptoms lead me to select the medicine, Natrum muriaticum, and I give her a single dose.
Within a month her headaches are fewer, her mood brighter, and her bowels are functioning normally. Within three months all problems have resolved. She begins to discontinue her drugs. She now admits she was probably depressed and hadn’t realized it until she came out of it. All this with infrequent doses of Natrum muriaticum!
As a homeopath, I gave one homeopathic medicine unlike the conventional doctor who prescribed six pharmaceuticals. And, that one medicine covered all the pathologies.
This patient is on the road to a radical improvement in which all aspects of her physical and mental well-being have been addressed with a single medicine. This methodology is quite different from the conventional system which strives only to control or manage the problems. And it was accomplished with one medicine given infrequently and one that produced no adverse effects! The positive results this patient achieved are not exceptional with homeopathic medicine. In fact, diseases far more complex and difficult than migraines can be greatly helped with homeopathy.
Does this mean that everyone who is treated with homeopathy always has an excellent outcome? Of course not. Nothing is one hundred percent. But, by taking into account all aspects of the patient, not only the main complaints but her disposition and how she lives in, and reacts to, her total environment we stand a better chance of a good outcome.
Homeopathic medicine is a serious discipline and is effective when administered by a trained homeopathic physician. And it is extraordinarily cost effective.
As a homeopath, I rarely prescribe pharmaceuticals. I write only five to ten prescriptions a year and these simply to tide patients over until they no longer need the drugs. Yes, I aim to get people well enough so they can stop taking their medicines. I try to order as few tests as possible because, as a homeopath, I do not prescribe on laboratory data. I refer to specialists infrequently. If someone has a rectal bleed, sure, I want the gastroenterologist to scope them. If they are having a heart attack they need to be hospitalized swiftly. When surgery is indicated, it is life saving. But, by and large, I don’t refer much.
The whole idea of being a doctor “is to restore the sick to health, to cure as it is termed.” That quote comes from Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of homeopathy. That’s aim one, aim two and aim three.
I would encourage you all to look into this extraordinary, gentle, healing art.
Obscessive Compulsive Disorder in Dogs January 21, 2010
This is a link to an interesting article linking obscessive compulsive disorder in dogs to a gene variation. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/19/science/19dogs.html?ref=health#
The reason I posted this link, is because behavioral problems are one of the main reason that pets are euthanized. Samuell Hahnemann the founder of homeopathy was a pioneer in the treatment of mental and emotional disorders in humans, freeing many patients from the horrors of 1800′s mental institutions.
Homeopathy can used very successfully to treat animals suffering from mental and emotional disorders.
Hidden Dangers in your Cat’s food and supplements: Benzoic Acid January 12, 2010
A study published in 1972 in the Veterinary Record, entitled, Experimental Benzoic Acid Toxicity in the Cat, clearly showed that even small quantities of benzoic acid are toxic to cats. Symptoms of toxicity included: abnormal behavior, oral ulceration and salivation, internal organ damage and death.
Benzoic acid continues to be added to food and supplements marketed for cats. Play it safe, read the ingredient list on any product purchased for feline consumption and avoid those that contain benzoic acid or PABA (parabenzoic acid).
Finni’s Story May 2, 2009
This is from Pat Jordan who has been doing considerable work investigating the effects of vaccinations.
Finni and his rabies vaccination
We want to tell you a very sad story about our dog – and tell you to carefully consider vaccinating your Finnish Spitz!
Our Finnish Spitz, named Sukunimi Finni, was born on March 19, 2007. He received his first rabies vaccination in Wales on June 11, 2007. A few weeks later he came to Holland with us, and grew up as a very lively, happy, healthy and handsome dog. No health problems at all.
As we did with the dogs we had before, we went to the vet after one year for his regular vaccinations, and one of these was the booster rabies vaccination. This happened on May 27, 2008.
A few days later we noticed changes in Finni’s behaviour. He suddenly was afraid of water; he did not run into the pond, which was one of his favourite habits before. He even seemed frightened to come close to the water.
We also noticed that the spot between his shoulder blades, where the vaccination was given, was painful.
Hardly three weeks later, Finni suddenly behaved very strangely: he fell on his back, trampled with his legs and some saliva dripped from his mouth.
It all happened within a very short time and we were not sure what was happening. Unfortunately, a few weeks later it happened again, and now we were absolutely sure this was an epileptic seizure (a short period of stiffness, convulsions, trampling with the legs, a lot of saliva). This time he had two seizures, one after the other and we directly went to the vet.
A physical examination and several blood tests followed. No physical cause was found, and Finni got Phenobarbital which is the most common treatment. We started with a low dose, but as Finni still experienced seizures every two-three weeks, the dose was increased until he reached the maximum according to his weight.
Unfortunately, in spite of this, the seizures continued every two-three weeks and became worse (clusters of 3 or 4 seizures after each other). We were very unhappy with this, and despite a lot of visits to the vet where we mentioned this all started after the rabies vaccination, no other treatment was given, except extra rectal Valium.
Then we started several less toxic treatments: homeopathy, Bach flower remedies, allergy free food (James Wellbeloved). Nothing helped Finni, he became worse and worse.
In desperation we phoned a vet who is connected to the University Clinic for Animals in Utrecht. He immediately said that this was not ‘ordinary epilepsy’, and that an MRI-scan of Finni’s head was absolutely necessary.
We agreed to pick up all necessary paperwork the next day in order to go to Utrecht that same day. But that night Finni became very ill – the seizures did not stop any more. The next morning the vet saw Finni and had no other option than to put him to sleep…
This vet performed one significant test: he turned on the water tap, and, although Finni was almost unconscious, he was terrified. This was a specific reaction belonging to rabies, and in this case that rabies might have caused the illness. Because of this Finni was isolated and brought to a special laboratory in Lelystad where several tests were done. The final conclusion is: ‘a rare reaction of the rabies vaccination causing inflammation of the brain tissue and cerebral membrane’.
As we discussed this later on with the vet, he told us that it is the best to always determine the titre of the antibodies of rabies in the dog’s blood – and according to this level, decide if the dog needs a vaccination!!
Jos and Arry de Bruijn (Holland).
We were extremely sad when Jos and Arry told us about Finni’s illness and eventual death, and wondered whether anything positive could come out of this terribly sad situation. We are therefore very grateful to them for telling Finni’s story and giving their permission to alert other Finnish Spitz owners across the world to the possible dangers of the rabies vaccine.
Finni was put to sleep in early December and left an enormous gap in Jos and Arry’s lives, so we were thrilled for them when they decided to offer a dog from their local dog shelter a new home, and we wish them many happy years with Mickey, pictured below.
Steve and Alison Piearce
Sukunimi Finnish Spitz
Polo Horse Deaths: pharmacy error! April 24, 2009
The needless deaths of a string of prized polo horses in South Florida has been determined to be the result of pharmacy error! Looking at the stats below for human pharmaceutical errors should we be surprised that a miscalculation by a compounding pharmacist would result in the death of animals given the “tainted” formula? This is one of the biggest problems with drug based therapies. How can you be sure the drug you were prescribed is the one that you are actually given?
One other consideration is the dependence of the sport horse community on “performance enhancers”. Just like the human sports world, talent doesn’t seem to be enough. Every trainer has their special blends of drugs and supplements supposed to make the horse a better athalete. What really happpens is the horses are injured younger and they have much shorter careers than in times past. We are breeding and training “flash in the pan” horses without the stamina and long term health to perform into their middle age, or even much beyond puberty.
My friend and trainer Ginny Padgett and I still have a dream of raising a healthy horse to run naturally and win. I think this goal is very obtainable. We just need to find a horse owner willing to “buck” the current system.
Medication Error Statistics
Medication errors are a
common occurrence and
continue to be a problem in
the health care industry. It
is estimated that the annual
cost of drug-related morbidity
and mortality is nearly
$177 billion in the United
States.
1
Approximately 7,000
deaths occur each year and
medication errors occur in just
about 1 of every 5 doses given
in hospitals.
2
The FDA states
that there is at least one death
per day and 1.3 million people
are injured each year due to
medication errors.
3
The National Coordinating
Council for Medication
Error (NCCMERP) defi nes a
medication error as being “any
preventable event that may
cause or lead to inappropriate
medication use or patient
harm, while the medication
is in the control of the health
care professional, patient or consumer.” Such events may be related to professional
practice, health care products, procedures and systems including: prescribing; order
communication; product labeling, packaging and nomenclature; compounding; dispensing;
distribution; administration; education monitoring; and use.
2
Common causes of medication errors include incorrect diagnosis, prescribing errors,
drug-drug related reactions, dose miscalculations, incorrect drug administration and lack of
patient education. Other factors that can contribute are job-related stress, improper training
or education and sound-alike look-alike packaging of medications.
3
did aal etPhillips J.
retrospective analysis of medication errors between 1993 – 1998 and found that the most
common types of errors were from administering improper dose (40.9%; 36.4% being
overdose), wrong drug (19%), and wrong route of administration (9.5%). The investigators
also found that the most common causes of errors were performance and knowledge
defi cits (44%) and communication errors (15.8%).
4
By Steven Morgan, Pharm.D. Pharmacy Practice Resident
ftjhthtdddscription
The
A Joint Publication from the University Health System Pharmacy Department, Risk Management and Ambulatory Services
Editor: Brandi Kelly, Pharm. D
EPA to Investigate “spot on” Flea Products April 23, 2009
Here is a link to an excellent article on the dangers of flea and tick products. http://www.apnm.org/publications/resources/fleachemfin.pdf
It seems that the epa has received numorous complaints about topical flea control products. I have seen the list of products that the epa is investigating. It includes, promeris, frontline, hartz products, biospot, among others. Let’s take a closer look at the investigation and what you need to worry about as well as how to protect your pet.
There is a huge difference among the active ingredients in “spot on” flea products. THIS IS WHAT YOU REALLY NEED TO KNOW: there is a big difference between the new flea products generally sold through the veterinarian and spot on products available at major retailers. THAT DIFFERENCE IS THE ACTIVE INGREDIENT: many over the counter products available at major retailers or feed stores contain ORGANOPHOSPHATE INSECTICIDES. These were the products we used 20 years ago because it was all we had. There is a VERY limited margin of safety with organophosphate (permethrin, pyrethrin) products. If you fail to follow manufacturers directions or if you accidentally apply an product made for dogs on cats, the result can be disastrous. “Back in the Day:, we treated many cases of organophosphate toxicity caused by this products, not always successfully.
The bottom line, is that you need to read the package, not all products are created equally. Any product containing either or permethrin or pyrethrin should be avoided at all costs, there are safer products available.
Frontline and advantage both contain active ingredients with a wider margin of safety. The primary complaint I hear after application of these products is local irritation and itching at the site of application. Occasionally, I see transient hyperactivity associated with these products. I have yet to see death associated with these products.
That said, you as a pet guardian, should work on environmental control and not put chemicals directly on your pet. Approximately 75% of the flea burden exists in the environment and not on the pet. So, controlling fleas in the environment is more important that treating them on the pet itself.
The other thing that needs to be discussed is that HEALTHY PET’S DON’T ATTRACT FLEAS! If you are actively engaged in a program of holistic health for your pet, you will notice a drop in the flea population naturally over time. How great is that!
Pets in Need Clinic April 9, 2009
Dr. Marcia’s Pets in Need Clinic will be held on July 12th at Calusa Veterinary Center in Boca Raton. (www.cvcboca.com). We hope to be able to offer low cost basic veterinary healthcare to people affected by todays economic crisis. If you would like to donate, or volunteer, contact Dr. Marcia at martin@cvcboca.com.
Pets in Need Clinic (PINC) April 8, 2009
LOCAL VETERINARIAN TO HOLD SECOND “PINC” DAY; CHALLENGE TO VETS GATHERS STEAM NATIONALLY
Continued Area Hardship Prompts Second Pets in Need Clinic and a
Mobile PINC “Meals on Wheels”
Henrietta, NY – For three hours one Saturday afternoon in February –inspired by President Obama’s recent call to service – Henrietta Animal Hospital owner Dr. Michelle Brownstein held her very first Pets in Need Clinic (PINC) to provide basic veterinary medical support to dogs and cats whose owners have fallen on hard times. “The outpouring of support from the community was overwhelming,” said Dr. Brownstein. “With 25 people volunteering their time, we were able to see more than 20 pet owners with 30 dogs and cats in real need of fundamental veterinary services.”
Two months later, if anything, that need has increased, and Dr. Brownstein is offering a second PINC on Saturday, April 25 from 12-3 pm at the Henrietta Animal Hospital (3156 East Henrietta Road). Local veterinarian Dr. Edward Gschrey from South Towne Veterinary Hospital in Henrietta was moved by Dr. Brownstein’s efforts, and will be joining her for the April PINC to increase the number of pets that can be served. Some of the recipients of services from the first PINC will be “paying it forward” by helping to volunteer their time on April 25.
In addition to doing her part in the Rochester area, Dr. Brownstein has gone global with PINC. “From the beginning, my hope was to challenge other vets across the country to set up their own Pets in Need Clinics – as well as others in their individual areas of expertise,” she said. Through her national veterinary networks, she posted information about PINC, offering to share her expertise and her Henrietta Animal Hospital model to build the PINC concept.
The media attention and word-of-mouth from her successful PINC has resulted in interest from national media as well as veterinarians in California, Tennessee, Florida, and Missouri ready to take up her challenge. “I’m happy to share our model to help them replicate PINC in their areas,” she said, noting that her efforts started with “a lot of personal calls and letters to local organizations such as the American Red Cross, United Way, Catholic Family Center, Jewish Family Service, Open Door Mission, Salvation Army, Veterans Outreach Center, and Visiting Nurse Service, followed by calls for volunteers, and food and medical suppliers, distributors, and manufacturers.”
In addition, Dr. Brownstein is working with a colleague from the Visiting Nurse Service of Rochester and Monroe County to join him for a “mobile” PINC on Saturday, April 18, as he delivers food to shut-ins through Meals on Wheels. Henrietta Animal Hospital also has joined the Nevada-based “Feeding Pets of the Homeless,” and will be a collection site for dog and cat food drop-off. Details will be available through the Henrietta Animal Hospital website and the PINC facebook site.
As it did with the first PINC, the upcoming April 25 Pets in Need Clinic targets recently laid-off workers, people who have lost their homes or suffered disasters, veterans who have fallen on hard times, or those for whom the economic downturn has affected their ability to provide basic veterinary care for their pets. Two mandatory documents will be required in advance: a signed referral letter from a social worker, case worker, or member of the clergy, and a registration form. The registration form is downloadable from www.henriettahosp.com. Both documents need to be received by April 19. The referral letter and the registration document can be faxed to Henrietta Animal Hospital at 585-321-9975, emailed to drbrownstein@henriettahosp.com , or mailed to Henrietta Animal Hospital, 3156 East Henrietta Road, Henrietta, NY 14467.
The Clinic will provide distemper and rabies vaccines, preventive de-worming for dogs and cats, heartworm testing for dogs, feline leukemia testing for outdoor cats, and a complimentary dose of heartworm pills. Limited amounts of food also will be available. Drs. Brownstein and Gschrey will be donating their time, and all goods and services will be free of charge, although a minimal payment is suggested, as Dr. Brownstein believes in pet owners having a vested interest in their pets’ health care.
PINC also is looking for volunteers to help out during the clinic times with greeting, registration, data entry, and other non-medical duties. Volunteers are encouraged to sign up early and can do so by calling 585-334-3800, or visit www.henriettahosp.com and click on PINC Volunteer.
For more information about PINC, please call the Henrietta Animal Hospital at 585-334-3800, or visit the PINC Facebook site.
Dr Marcia has accepted Dr. Brownstein’s challenge! I will be holding a PINC clinic in Boca Raton in late June or early July. If you want to help or donate to this great cause contact dr. brownstein at the above address or drmarcia at drmarcia39@gmail.com.
DrMarcia is already a member of Feeding Pets of the Homeless. www.petsofhomeless.org. This a great organization helping to provide food to pets whose owners otherwise may not be able to afford it. Food donations can be left at Calusa Veterinary Clinic, 6900 Congress Avenue Boca Raton florida (www.cvcboca.com). Broward county Meals on Wheels will pick up and distribute the food to seniors in need.
By working with PINC and Feeding Pets of the Homeless, we are hoping that distressed families will be able to keep their beloved pets happy and healthy even in these difficult times. It really is the very least we can do to sure that fewer animals end up in shelters.
