Allergies: How You Can Help Your Dog

April 26, 2017 Leanne Poirier Greenfield

Just like us, dogs can develop food and environmental allergies at some point in their lives. And just like us, genetics can play a part in predisposing an animal to developing allergies, but ultimately nutrition and environment will decide to what degree the allergy is expressed.

Nutrition is the foundation of good health. Good health starts in the gut. By feeding a species appropriate raw, whole pray diet you can help ensure your carnivore is getting the nutrients required for optimal health.

Good or friendly bacteria (probiotics) act like the gut’s defence system against “bad” or dangerous disease-causing bacteria and essential for a healthy gut. Prebiotics offer a fertile environment for the friendly bacteria to grow. A diet that provides all the necessary nutrients, combined with an intestinal tract full of pre and probiotics, allows the body to process, create, and absorb the full nutritional value. A gut with poor probiotic flora can become “leaky”, and will allow absorption of foreign protein molecules that would normally be eliminated in the faecal waste – thus allowing entry of potential allergens.

Love Bugs from Adored Beast is the perfect match of both Pre & Probiotics.

In order to prevent allergies we first need to understand that allergies are an inappropriate or over reactive response of the immune system. By understanding this we can support the immune system to lessen or prevent the reaction rather than just treat the symptoms.

The most common method of treating allergy symptoms are antihistamines, which disrupt immune response, or prescription steroids such as “Prednisone,” which suppress the entire immune system. Both options may provide relief, but at what cost to overall health? Rather than restricting the body’s natural defences, we can support it!

Essiac® For Pets from Altramed provides immune system support for dogs and cats. This herbal formula was developed for human use in 1922 by nurse Rene Caisse, who received it from a Canadian Ojibwa Indian. Essiac contains burdock root, sheep sorrel leaves, slippery elm bark and Indian rhubarb root – all herbs that help strengthen the immune system.

Tru-Pine® for Pets is a potent antioxidant formulated specifically for dogs and cats. It’s made from rose hips, white pine bark extract, and vitamin C. The white pine bark extract is a rich source of proanthocyanidins (OPCs), a class of bioflavonoids that offer antioxidant properties and protect your animal’s body against environmental factors that damage healthy cells. Research has demonstrated that although OPCs are found in many plants, white pink bark is the best source.

Next we will talk about treating the symptoms naturally if your dog is already suffering from allergies.

Until then, healthy and happiness!

Essiac Immune System Support

May 5, 2016 Leanne Poirier Greenfield

Many believe Rene Caisse (pronounced "case") is one of the greater heroines of the past century.

After learning of a native medicine man that healed a woman of breast cancer using roots and herbs from the earth Caisse began to test and refine the natural herbal treatment. Driven by the desire to help people and after successfully treating her aunt she opened up her own cancer clinic, taking no money for the treatment which she named Essiac (Caisse spelled backwards).

Caisse endured nearly 50 years of persecution by those in authority, from the government to the medical profession while successfully treating thousands of patients. This modest Canadian nurse from Bracebrige Ontario dedicated her life to helping people afflicted with cancer.

Although Caisse worked with human patients, Essiac is available for pets!

ESSIAC is made up of 4 herbs, all of which grow in the wilderness of Ontario, that work synergistically to support the immune system. The immune system, when supported is very powerful. It's the body's first line of defence against virus and disease. Around 80% of our immune system is in the mucosal lining of the intestinal tract. Most dis-ease within the body stems from an unhealthy intestinal tract. Unhealthy gut = unhealthy immune system = disease.

1. Burdock root: helps to reduce mucus, maintain a healthy gastrointestinal tract, stimulate a healthy immune response, assist with weak digestion and water retention. It contains vitamin A and selenium to help reduce free radicals, and it is rich in chromium which helps maintain normal blood sugar levels.

2. Slippery elm contains large amounts of tannins and mucilages which help dissolve mucus deposits in tissues, glands and nerve channels. The inner bark, rich in calcium, magnesium and vitamins (A, B, C, K), helps nourish and soothe organs, tissues and mucus membranes. It also helps with digestion.

3. Sheep sorrel acts as a diuretic, useful in maintaining healthy kidney and urinary functions. It is rich in vitamins and trace minerals (ascorbic acid, mineral oxides, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, silicon and rutin) and it nourishes the glandular system.

4. Indian rhubarb, used in small amounts, is a gentle laxative and helps purge the liver of toxic buildup and waste. It helps neutralize acids due to indigestion. Its malic acid carries oxygen to all parts of the body, aiding in healing and promoting a positive and balancing effect upon the whole digestive system.

http://essiacforpets.com/modules/pdf/ESSIAC4Pets_Brochure.pdf

http://www.octagonalhouse.com/Rene-Caisse-&-Essiac/rene_caisse_room.htm

The Dogs and The Bees - Propolis-

February 23, 2016 Leanne Poirier Greenfield

Dogs and bees may seem like an unlikely pair and probably are in most cases. However, when it comes to the powerful medicine bees produce this duo is a match made in heaven!

Nutrition, The Foundation of Good Health: Part II...

October 13, 2015 Leanne Poirier Greenfield

…The carnivore asks, "what’s really in that bag?"

As you may recall in part one of this blog we posed the question “if nutrition is the foundation of good health then why is only one week of study dedicated to this subject in the eight years it takes to become a vet”?

Nutrition, the Foundation of Good Health: Part I...

September 28, 2015 Leanne Poirier Greenfield

..."a vet, a professor and Don Draper walk into a bar"

As our Bone House manifesto suggests, being “Committed to the Health and Happiness of Dogs and our Planet” means we are very passionate about nutrition. So fervent in fact, it’s worth stating for the record that we view nutrition as the foundation of good health. And although we are not veterinarians, nor have we ever claimed to be, we are constantly researching, learning and sharing information on how to raise a happy, healthy pup so we can continue to be one more official and trusted house of knowledge when it comes to canine nutrition!

So let’s talk about nutrition, shall we?

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