WHAT ARE CELL SALTS and BIOPLASMA?

Cell Salts are a group of homeopathic remedies made from minerals.
There are 12 basic mineral or tissue cell salts in our bodies. 
Biochemistry is a science developed by Dr. Schussler to show how Cell Salts are utilized in the body. 
Cell Salts are not measured like supplements , but are in minute homeopathic potency. In homeopathic potency, Cell Salts balance the mineral in the body and help the body's utilization of the mineral from concentrations in the blood and minerals from food and supplements.


Cell Salts are safe for dogs with digestive problems. Cell Salts do not have binders and since they dissolve in the mouth they do not need to be broken down in the stomach. 


The Cell Salts are a wonderful way to help the dog take up nutrients.


Cell Salts are a good way to become introduced to Homeopathy. Minerals in homeopathic potency are quite an advantage over supplemental forms. Here are some basic benefits of homeopathic Bioplasma:


1) Immediately absorbed through the first line of digestion-the saliva.
2) Without the need for the body to break down the minerals, they are effective for dogs with digestive problems, as well as puppies, senior dogs or dogs with severe health conditions.
3) Safety because Cell Salts do not have additives or binders that stress the liver,and potenization eliminates the questions of getting too much, avoiding problems, such as bowel tolerance that cause diarrhea (seen with supplemental magnesium), or constipation (associated with iron supplements). 
4) Enables more efficient use of that mineral in the body, whether from a food source or from supplements. 


Cell Salts are not a substitute for a balanced diet or supplements, but improve absorption and utilization of that mineral. 


WHY ARE CELL SALTS ESSENTIAL?


Because minerals are the foundation for enzyme activity in the body and serveas catalysts in energy cycles and functions. For example, the body must first have minerals to make vitamins or make use of vitamins regardless of the source. Cell Salts are used in the basic functioning of the cells including water balance, digestion, removing toxins, elasticity of the cells, oxygenation, nutrition, sodium/potassium balance etc. Cell Salts are my first suggestion for people new to homeopathy because of the ease of selection and dosing, the safety in potency and the quick results. 


FAQ'S ON CELL SALTS


Q. How Many Cell Salts are there?
A. There are 12 basic Cell Salts:
3 Calcium minerals: Calcium Fluoride, Calcium Phos & Calcium Sulphate
3 Potassium minerals: Kali Mur, Kali Phosphate & Kali Sulphur
3 Sodium minerals: Natrum Phosphate, Natrum Sulphur & Natrum Mur
Plus: Ferrum Phosphate (iron); Magnesia Phosphate (magnesium); Silicea (silica); .


Q. Is there a Homeopathic Remedy that will help my dog's entire system?
A. Yes, Bioplasma supports the entire body and immune system. Bioplasma is a combination of 12 Cell Salts. Bioplasma can be given to your dog daily to keep their health and energy at their best. Use Bioplasma before and after exercise to maintain electrolyte level. Use when the dog is stressed or starting to feel ill or out of balance. Bioplasma is useful for dogs for general health care and healing.


Q. What is Bioplasma?
A. Bioplasma is a combination of all 12 Cell Salts. Bioplasma includes:


Calcarea Fluorica 6X(Calcium Fluoride)
Calcarea Phosphorica 3X (Calcium Phosphorus)
Calcarea Sulphuricum 3X (Calcium Sulphur)
Ferrum Phosphoricum 3X (Ferrum Phos-iron)
Kali Muriaticum 3X (Kali Mur-potassium)
Kali Phosphorica 3X (Kali Phos-potassium)
Kali Sulphuricum 3X (Kali Sulphur-potassium)
Magnesia Phosphorica 3X (Magnesium Phosphorus)
Natrum Muriaticum 6X (Natrum Mur)
Natrum Phosphoricum 3X (Natrum Phosphorus)
Natrum Sulphuricum 3X (Natrum Sulphur)
Silicea 6X (Silica)


Q. What is the difference between Bioplasma and the individual Cell Salts?
A. Bioplasma is a remedy in itself. It keeps the minerals in balance & can be given to your dog daily to keep energy levels high, boost the immune system, and keep their physical performance at its best.Think of Bioplasma as a homeopathic One-A-Day general supplement.


More info:
The Calcium Cell Salts are important for bone and dental health, and skin healing. Calcium Phosphate is the Cell Salt for growth and health of the bones. Deficiency symptoms include aching pains, growing pains, bone ailments. Calcium Fluoride is the Cell Salt for problems with the surface of bones and skin. A much safer source of fluoride than supplemental fluoride. Deficiency symptoms include poor dental enamel; spider and varicose veins. Calcium Sulphate deficiency symptoms include acne and other skin problems, slow healing wounds, abscesses, swollen glands, negativity, apathy. 


The Potassium Cell Salts are important for emotional health. Deficiency symptoms include nervousness, anxiety, mental confusion. Kali Mur deficiency symptoms include colds, sinus inflammation,arthritis inflammation, lack of energy and interest. Kali Phosphate deficiency symptoms include anxiety, irritability.poor memory and physical fatigue. Kali Sulphate corrects the functioning of oils in the body. Deficiency symptoms show up as dryness and in the later stages of inflammation including acne and intestinal disorders. Mental symptoms include worry and lack of judgment.


The 3 Sodium Cell Salts balance fluids and water in the body and supportthe functioning of the kidneys, pancreas, stomach and digestive system. Natrum Mur helps with edema, headache, weakness in the sun or heat, chronic sinus conditions. Natrum Phosphate is for complaints of the digestive system. Give right before meals for improved digestion. Deficiency symptoms include acidity, indigestion. Natrum Sulphate for strengthening pancreatic functioning. 


Ferrum Phosphate is the oxygenating Cell Salt, so remember for physical fatigue. Useful for inflammation, fever, and infection. 
Magnesium Phosphate is found inside the cells of muscles and nerves. Deficiency symptoms include muscle pain, muscle fatigue, muscle spasms. 
Silicea is the fur and skin remedy. Deficiency includes excess perspiration, unhealthy skin, brittle nails and hair.

Dog Vitamins - facts you should know

Most 'vitamins' you find on the pet shelves these days are made synthetically through chemical processes, rather than derived directly from plants or other materials.

It is difficult to make the distinction between "synthetic" and "natural" vitamins. Some define a natural vitamin as a concentrated nutrient derived from a quality natural source. The idea is maximum retention of the natural material; with no artificial colors, sweeteners, or preservatives.

Co-Factors

A natural source contains 'co-factors' that come with the nutrient in nature. For instance, co-factors that are usually found with Vitamin C are various bioflavonoids. The bioflavinoids are concentrated from the natural source as carefully as possible. No extreme heat, pressure, or possible toxic solvents are used. There are no sugar or chemical tablet coatings. The nutrients are prepared from high quality raw ingredients. No artificial chemicals are added. Harsh binders and fillers do not hinder absorption. This is why natural source vitamins cost more.

Synthetic vitamins are made in a laboratory setting from coal tar derivatives. No co-factors are present. Most of the pet supplements sold on the market today are synthetic.

Give me an example:

Vitamin C that is found and isolated from oranges is identical to the vitamin C derived from other plant sources, largely because plants containing vitamin C biosynthesize the substance in much the same manner. However, when Vitamin C was first isolated and produced in a supplement form, we did not know about bioflavonoids. They were discovered later. It was found that in nature, bioflavonoids always accompany Vitamin C. In fact, the bioflavonoids are essential for better absorption. They increase bioavailability by 30%. This suggests we should feed our dogs the natural form of vitamin C. What else don't we know?

When feeding your dog organic vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, or plants and herbs such as Green Barley, sea vegetables, dandelion etc., there is no label that indicates how many I.U's or milligrams of this, that, or the other nutrients these plants contain because they are in their natural, whole, organic form, in just the right amounts, the way nature intended. The ideal source of nutrients comes from organic plant sources in their whole natural form, not from isolated or man-made chemical source. Recent studies (in Finland) suggest that isolated natural vitamins may not be good for the health our our pets.

What are vitamins anyway?

Vitamins are living enzyme complexes that naturally produce biochemical reactions in the body. Synthetic Vitamins are chemicals that produce drug reactions in the body.


Canine supplements, as the word clearly states, are meant to supplement a highly varied diet of whole, unprocessed foods.

This is why we love our Green Power! Organic and the whole food - carefully dried and finely powdered for easy absorption. It's the Natural Canine Vitamin!

From Dumpster to Doctor

This dog doesn't do tricks. He does tracheas.

When Debbie Parkhurst, 45, got a chunk of apple lodged in her windpipe on Friday, her dog "Toby" came to the rescue. The 2-year-old Golden Retriever pushed Ms. Parkhurst onto the floor and issued abdominal thrusts (jumping up and down on her chest) until the obstruction was expelled from her airway. Toby's actions, hailed as a canine version of the Heimlich maneuver, saved her life.

"The doctor said I probably wouldn’t be here without Toby," says Ms. Parkhurst. "It was lodged pretty tight because I couldn’t breathe. I tried to do the thing where you lean over a chair and give yourself the Heimlich, but it didn’t work.
"The next thing I know, Toby’s up on his hind feet and he’s got his front paws on my shoulders. He pushed me to the ground, and once I was on my back, he began jumping up and down on my chest.

"As soon as I started breathing, he stopped and began licking my face, as if to keep me from passing out."

A friend arrived in time to witness the canine CPR and drove Ms. Parkhurst to the doctor.
"I literally have pawprint-shaped bruises on my chest,” says Ms. Parkhurst. “I’m still a little hoarse, but otherwise, I’m OK.
"I keep looking at him and saying ‘You’re amazing.' "

From Dumpster to Doctor

Who would have guessed that this medical miracle mutt was once just a cast-away cur? Toby, as it turns out, was rescued from a dumpster by Ms. Parkhurst in 2005.
She admits that the pooch never seemed to be med-school material. "Of all the dogs in the world," she says, "I never would have expected this goofy one here to know the Heimlich.”
But oddly, the dog's rescue procedure was performed exactly the way it is suggested by the American Red Cross: "a series of five back blows and five abdominal thrusts." 2
(The licking part was just improvisation.)

Toby's veterinarian, Dr. Douglas Foreman, is equally baffled at the dog's expert response. "Toby isn’t what you would call the most trained of dogs," Dr. Foreman says. "I have no idea where he learned it from."


Sources:
"Wonder dog is all golden"
Cecil Whig. 27 Mar 2007

Two Dogs Survive the Wave!

Towa, a two-year-old Sheltie and Melody, a one-year-old Golden Retriever were left tied to a shed as the owners raced to save their own lives moments before the tsunami 30 foot wave swept the island. The dogs broke the ropes and raced upstairs to a second floor where they survived the destruction all around them. 

Ms. Kikuchi, her face still red with excitement, said she was so happy to see the dogs, a bit of good news in an otherwise tragic event. "When my father told me they were alive, I was so excited," she said. "It's been so stressful. It's so good to see them"

Mr. Kikuchi and his daughter said they will come back every day to look after the dogs, but they are not going to bring the dogs to the shelter.

"There are lots of people dead and it's too much to ask to bring the dogs," said Mr. Kikuchi. "It would be inconsiderate to other people's sadness."

Dolphins save Turbo - 11 year old Doberman

Someone left the gate open and Turbo, the 11 year old Doberman, decided to go for a swim.

After 15 hours in the water, Turbo found himself stranded on a sand bar, weak and tired. Fortunately for Turbo, a couple of compassionate dolphins were swimming by and sensed the danger. Normally they swim quietly through the channel but today they decided to make a commotion to draw attention to the situation. Their persistent splashing alerted the neighbor to come out and have a look.

Turbo was tired, wet and exhausted, but fine now after some tender loving care! Turbo's 'Mom' explains what happened....

Five Element Theory and Relationships

In the last newsletter we learned about the 5 elements and the organ systems associated with each element. (if you missed the first article you can look on the right sidebar for a link)

This month we look at how each organ is assigned a set 'relationships'. Each organ has a time of day when it functions optimally, and a season of the year when it is most affected by the environment. This means  that if a problem occurs during those hours or during that season, it will alert you to an imbalance that you can address before it becomes serious - don't worry - we'll be giving some actual examples in a bit.

There are specific emotions, colors, times, body parts and foods (as well as others) for each organ. Below is a chart that will help you understand.

Elements/Organs and their relationships

Element	Sound	Emotion	Climate	Season	Time	Odor	Food	Body Part	Secretion	Body Part
FIREHeart Small intestine	laugh	joy	heat	summer	11am-3pm	scorched	millet, mutton, plum	ears	perspiration	tongue
EARTHSpleen-Pancreas Stomach	song	sympathy	humid	late summer	7am-11am	sickly sweet	rice, millet, beef, apricot	mouth	saliva	muscles
METALLung Large Intestine	weeping	grief	dry	autumn	3am-7am	rotten	rice, chestnuts	nose	mucous	skin
WATER Kidney Bladder	groaning	fear	cold	winter	3pm-7pm	putrid	barley, beans, peas, pork	ears	saliva	bones, teeth, urinary
WOOD Liver Gall Bladder	shout	anger	windy	spring	11pm-3am	rancid	wheat, chicken, peach	eyes	tears	tendons, ligaments, nails, genitals

OK - now let's look at a real situation - see if you can tell which element is out of balance.

Fido is a dog with itchy red eyes (always worse in the spring), he barks loudly and lunges at the mailman angrily, his skin has rancid odor, he loves a treat of your leftover pasta and he wakes up scratching at 1 am. Lots of clues here - look at the chart.

Well... did you guess which element is out of balance? If you guessed Wood, very good!! This is a liver problem - the dog is displaying all the symptoms of  wood imbalance. Looking at the 'totality' of the symptoms we would address the liver through diet and pressing some of the liver points on his body (more of this later) - diet and acupressure moves the 'stuck' energy and gets it flowing again. The goal here is to ward off trouble by observing symptoms and then making corrections when it's easy to do. If we took Fido to the vet, nothing would show up on any 'tests' - but we all know instinctively that something is out of balance.

One more example (not as many clues this time!) - Molly vomits after breakfast, but not after dinner.

In this case the time is the main clue - consult the chart and see what you think. Earth?? Right! We would look at the spleen/pancreas/stomach. Stay with us - more and more will come together.

In our next installment we will look at the FIVE CONSTITUTIONS. Building on the relationships we will see certain 'types' emerge and the imbalances that normally go with each constitution.

New Folk Art Pieces available from The Natural Canine

Exciting news - The Natural Canine is pleased to announce the we have exclusive dog folk art pieces available at our website.

These pieces are actually made by Marlene & I right here in Vermont. We love dog, we love art!

These are not dog toys, but rather VERY limited edition (some one-of-a-kind) collectible pieces.

And of course they are all natural! Made from Vermont woods with non-toxic water base paints and Vermont soy clear coating.

The Five Elements

This article is an introduction to a different way of looking at our pet's health. As we progress, there will be practical applications and some interesting explanations about common conditions such as itching, allergies, paw licking, behavior challenges, digestion, foods, etc.

First things first - We need to start with some background information to better understand our dog's health and behavior from this alternative perspective. Let's get started.

In ancient times, long before modern 'medicine' - people relied on their senses - sight, smell, taste, hearing, and touch to diagnose and treat illness. Because people were so connected to the land and their environment - early doctors began to see connections between the major forces of nature and our bodies.

This is not so unusual as we and our animals friends are very much a part of the earth.

What developed from these careful observations became known as the Five Element or Phases Theory. The five elements are:

• Earth
• Metal
• Water
• Wood
• Fire

Each element is linked to an organ system -

• EARTH - is linked to DIGESTION (spleen/pancreas/stomach
• METAL - is linked to RESPIRATION and ELIMINATION (lungs/large intestine)
• WATER - is linked to PLUMBING (kidneys/urinary bladder)
• WOOD - is linked to TOXIC PROCESSING (liver/gall bladder)
• FIRE - is linked to CIRCULATION (heart/small intestine)

With us so far? Here's an example - follow along....

Remember we said each element is related to an organ system?

Let's say there is a problem with the EARTH element (STOMACH) - look at the picture above and you will see the black arrow pointing left to METAL (LARGE INTESTINE) Metal follows earth in the cycle - The stomach (earth) and large intestine (metal) are part of the digestive system. In our dogs, this may show up as vomiting and diarrhea. Ha! - now we have a real life problem we can relate to.

In Western medicine the vet may prescribe a drug to slow down the digestive tract - that's one approach. But consider this - what if we were to give an herb or use acupuncture/acupressure to strengthen or boost the EARTH (STOMACH)? That's a different way to address the problem.

The whole idea of 'health' in this system is to keep a balance among the elements.

How is this done? Well, there is no magic pill or herb to fix everything - this is where the holistic approach comes in -  good diet, exercise, lifestyle, and stress management. With an understanding of the five elements we can correct problems as they come up - and most treatable at the early stages. We will start learning to use our senses (like the ancient observers) to maintain health and detect problems as soon as the imbalance starts.

As we move on in our next article, we are going to explore the Five Elements and their Relationships. Each organ is related to a time of day where it functions best, a season where it is most vulnerable - and going even deeper each organ is related to specific emotions, body parts, colors and food! This gets interesting.

The next article will be posted in about 2 weeks - stay tuned!

Pug aces math test!

A 3-year-old dog living in a Northwest Province of China, knows how to add, subtract, multiply and divide numbers up to 10.

The small, white pug known as "WaWa" ( meaning "baby"), can correctly answer questions such as "How many is 2+2 equal to?" and "How many is 3 x 3 equal to?"

WaWa responds by barking the appropriate number of times and sitting when finished.

To test the claims, a reporter visited the home of Mr. and Mrs. Pang where Wawa lives.

"How many is 9 divided by 3 equal to?" asked the reporter. Wawa barked 3 times and sat on the floor.
Skeptics, believing that Mr. Pang was covertly signaling the answers to Wawa, decided to test the dog without Mr. Pang present. Wawa still responded with perfect accuracy.

Mr. Pang says he began tutoring Wawa in math two years ago after noticing that the pooch showed a natural sensitivity to numbers. He began with hand gestures, showing one finger and saying, "Wawa, this is one," and training the dog to bark once. After a few weeks, Wawa graduated to 2, 3, 4 and so on. Within 6 months, the precocious pup had mastered 1-10 and began learning arithmetic operations.

What's next for Wawa? Geometry, maybe. Everyone knows dogs love to sink their teeth into pi.

Good health in old age

A healthy dog is happy and carefree. He is alert, inquisitive and the eyes are bright and clear. He will immediately notice and react to any change in his environment. His coat is shiny, his fur is thick and evenly distributed over his body. He enjoys movement and is playful when young.

When you come home the tail is wagging - and you are welcomed by a happy dog. When you are ready to go for a walk, he senses this in advance.

He has a good appetite and eats without hesitiation, finishing every bite. He drinks now and again - not too little, not too much.

He produces formed stools 2-3 times a day - the color depending on what he has been eating.
The dog's bodily orifices such as jaws, ears, eyes, anus and vagina are squeaky clean - neither dirty nor sticky and no unpleasant smell.

What is important to your dog?

For the dog, the MOST important thing is his relationship with his master - the person who brings him up lovingly and consistently - giving praise and occasionally a reprimand. Brushing his coat and other grooming related gestures are felt by the dog as an expression of love.

Special characteristics of old age

Ageing is a complex process which begins at birth - here are 2 main principals of ageing:

1. a decrease and reduction in the supply of blood to all organs including the brain.
2. an accumulation of toxins, the body's own 'rubbish', in the tissues - metabolism slows down and waste is no longer satisfactorily expelled.

What can we do?
The diseases associated with old age can be, to a great extent, moderated or even totally eliminated by using preventivie measures. Apply these measures while you dog is still healthy - there is no 'cure' for getting old!

The first anti-ageing remedy is to reduce the meat in the diet by half - and compensting for this by giving protein from living animals, yogurt, cottage cheese and eggs.

The second is to use herbal and homeopathic remedies - mild and gentle, these remedies frequently prove possilbe to prevent the dog from falling ill. (See our Senior Dog Kits )

Why Organic?

The Organic Premise: Many pet owners are aware that food grown organically is free from exposure to harmful herbicides and pesticides, but that is only one small aspect of organic agriculture. 

A larger part of organic agriculture involves the health of the soil. Organic farmers recognize that healthy, vibrant, and live soils and ecosystems significantly benefit crops. Natural, undisturbed soil is alive with microbiotic organisms that exist in harmony with the native plant life.

Synthetic chemicals (such as herbicides, pesticides, and/or fast acting inorganic fertilizers) applied in or around crops interrupt or destroy the microbiotic activity in the soil. Once the microbiotic activity in the soil has stopped, the soil becomes merely an anchor for plant material. In this conventional method of agriculture (in use for only the past 75 of 10,000 years of recorded agriculture) plants can receive only air, water, and sunlight from their environment -- everything else must be distributed to plants by farmers, often from inputs transported thousands of miles to reach the farm. Plants are commonly fed only the most basic elements of plant life and so are dependent on the farmer to fight nature's challenges, e.g. pests, disease, and drought.

So what about our dogs? Dogs have even a greater need for fresh, wholesome, organic food. Our pets are smaller and do not live as long as us humans, so toxic ingredients work more quickly to cause 'dis-ease'. The food you feed your dog turns into dog - out dogs are made up of the food they eat. This is why it is important to feed fresh, wholesome. organic food. 

It takes its toll... Dog are very adaptable - they are carnivore and 'omnivores' and can eat all sorts of things - some quite unsavory. Over time the constant intake of food that is preserved with chemical, artificial colors and flavors and ingredients that may contain toxic chemicals build up and begin to accumulate in the organs of your dog. What happens next is that the dog can no longer process or effectively eliminate the toxins and these are the points where the energy stops flowing and disease begins to set in.

Enter GreenPower! - Our Natural Canine GreenPower! is concentrated and 100% Organic! We cannot stress how important this supplement is for dog owners who are feeding home-prepared diets - whether they be cooked, raw, or combination. All you need is a small amount - our 200g container lasts about 3 months for a medium sized dog. Very economical and highly recommended.

Pred? What's it all about...

WHAT IS PREDNISONE?
Prednisone is a synthetic hormone commonly referred to as a "steroid". Prednisone is very similar to the hormone Cortisone, which your own body manufactures. Prednisone is used to treat many illnesses.

HOW DOES PREDNISONE WORK?

Prednisone acts in part as an immunosuppressant. "Immune" refers to the immune system. The immune system protects you against foreign bacteria, virus, etc. In some illnesses, the immune system produces antibodies which become overactive and cause undesirable effects. Prednisone suppresses the production of antibodies. This can make it slightly harder for your to fight off infection, but also stabilizes the immune system if it is overactive. 
Prednisone also works against inflammation to reduce the heat, redness, swelling, and pain. 
When beginning Prednisone, there is a small chance that it may cause increased weakness for a short period of time. It therefore may be necessary for you to be hospitalized for the first few days for observation.

WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF PREDNISONE?
Side effects do not occur in all patients and are usually related to the amount and length of time Prednisone is used. Potential side effects will be monitored by your vet and include:


Weight gain. Prednisone increases appetite. Follow a diet to maintain weigh. Develop and feeding schedule and stick to it. 


Susceptible to infections. Prednisone slightly decreases your dog's resistance to infection. Avoid dogs with infectious illnesses if possible. Notify you vet if your dog develop persistent signs of an infection. 


Stomach upset or ulcer. Prednisone may increase acid secretion. Give Prednisone with meals, milk or antacids. Do not take on an empty stomach. 


Insomnia and mood changes. The cause is uncertain. It is best to take prednisone at least 3 hours before bedtime. If you are on a daily schedule it is best to take it in the morning. 


Hyperglycemia. Prednisone may increase the amount of sugar in  blood to rise. This can be treated by your vet. 


Hypertension. Prednisone may cause blood pressure to rise. This can be treated by your vet, if necessary. 


Fluid retention. Prednisone can cause dog to retain fluid. This will be monitored by your vet. 


Osteoporosis. Prednisone can make bones become brittle. This usually occurs after taking Prednisone for a prolonged time. It may be recommended that you give a calcium supplement.


Alterations in hair growth. Prednisone can cause a darkening and/or increase in hear growth. This disappears when the dose of Prednisone is decreased. 


Cataracts. After prolonged use of Prednisone, cataracts may develop occasionally. This will be monitored by your vet by periodic examinations. 


Skin changes. Prednisone can cause a change in the condition of  skin. 


Nausea, vomiting, pain, fever, and/or flare-up of disease. Rapid withdrawal or stopping of Prednisone may cause these side effects. Never stop or change your Prednisone dose without your vet's consent.

Our Philosophy - Good Canine Health

Good Canine Health

What does it mean for your dog to be healthy?
Most of us would say that their health simply means not being sick. Our dogs are considered to be healthy if they don’t show any obvious signs of disease.

Health is much more than the mere absence of disease. Health is a state of complete balance of our pet’s physiological, emotional well being (temperament), energy and flexibility. In a Health/Disease Model (either healthy or sick), health and disease form two ends of a continuum. As the body drifts out of balance, your dog’s general resistance is impaired, and she will start to move toward the middle of the Health/Disease continuum, experiencing  minor ailments such as allergies, skin, ear, digestive problems, changes in behavior, joint problems, etc. Diagnosable illness results from increasing imbalances on the ‘‘micro-level’ of physiological functioning. These are most often caused by the poor quality of commercial food, even the so-called ‘premium’ brands (dead and lifeless). Over time, these subtle imbalances gradually lead to a breakdown of the ‘‘macro-level’ physiological processes and the emergence of what we call disease. In other words, long before diagnosable symptoms appear in your dog, there exist detectable preconditions for disease.


I would like to present another model for you to consider. In this model the disease process passes through six stages of development.


1. Accumulation – the first stage is the accumulation of imbalances in the physiology – in this stage you are feeding bagged food and your dog ‘looks’ healthy – but on the micro-level the over processed ‘food’, toxins and metabolic wastes have begun to clog up the system.
2. Aggravation – this is stage two when the imbalances have accumulated to the point where they are predisposed to spread. If the imbalances are not corrected at this point then the third stage begins. (“She did really well on this food for years!”)
3. Dissemination – this is the actual spreading of imbalances through tissues and organs. (“He doesn’t act like he used to…”)
4. Localization – with their localization in certain tissues or organs, imbalances will begin to cause sub clinical impairment. This impairment reaches the point where you begin to notice that something is not quite right;
5. Manifestation – when actual symptoms occur. (“She never used to shake her head and scratch all the time, maybe we should bring her to the vet…”)
6. Disruption – this is the sixth and final stage of the disease process which, if not checked, will progress to the point of impairment, disability or death. (“Your telling me my dog has diabetes??”)


As long as the health and disease are viewed as a dichotomy in which the dog is considered either healthy or sick, then certainly the bulk of health care efforts must focus on neutralizing (suppressing) or removing factors that cause the slide toward the Disease end of the continuum.


The answer is a balanced, home-prepared diet made of fresh, wholesome, chemical-free, real food. Raw, cooked, and combination cooked/raw diets will provide the benefits of a healthy, vibrant, disease-free life!

NaturalCanine.com

Homeopathy

Homeopathy is a system of medicine that utilizes micro-doses of natural substances -- herbs, bark, seeds, berries, flowers, minerals and animal matter. Unlike powerful pharmaceutical drugs, homeopathic remedies have no side-effects or interactions with other medications. The use of conventional drugs and preparations often means the risk of side effects. In some cases, the "cure" is worse than the problem. An example is steroids to treat skin conditions also destroy the liver.
Although the principles of homeopathy date back to the great Greek physician Hippocrates, and before him to the ancient Hindus, modern homeopathy was founded in 1810 by the German physician Samuel Hahnemann. The system is based on a concept called the law of similars in which remedies containing minute amounts of natural substances stimulate the body's own defenses against specific symptoms and imbalances. These substances, if they were given in large doses to healthy individuals or animals, would produce those same symptoms.


Here's an Example: If you were to cut an onion, you would quickly experience watery eyes and a runny nose. In homeopathy, a remedy made from onions (allium cepa) is often applied to relieve the runny nose and watery eyes common in colds and hayfever. A coffee remedy is often used to calm the nerves and help promote sleep. Sulfur, in a large dose, can cause a rash. In homeopathic amounts, it can help heal rashes, scratching and skin problems, and is a popular remedy for those conditions in animals.


The ingredients in homeopathic medicines are so diluted that they carry virtually no trace of the original substance. For this reason they cause no side effects. Homeopathic remedies are FDA approved - (the doctor who started the FDA was a homeopathic physician!)


The healing power of homeopathy does not come directly from the substances themselves, but rather from the energy released from them during a special refining process of shaking and dilution.


Visit our Homeopathy Page

Healthy Digestion

Healthy Digestion

Diarrhea, Gas, Digestive Upsets, Colitis and IBS

Dogs tend to eat many unsavory things they shouldn’t, which is why diarrhea and vomiting are so common. When the problem persists for weeks and months, instead of days, your dog could have a more serious digestive problem. Conventional therapy is to give medications to stop the symptoms - typically steroids for inflammation and antibiotics to control bacteria, and other drugs to control diarrhea (read more below).


The Natural Approach - Many holistic vets recommend a natural approach based on using herbs, homeopathy and diet to soothe, heal and strengthen the dogs digestive and regulatory organs. We have had tremendous success with our control diet, herbal and homeopathic approach. Many owner’s dogs had been on steroids and antibiotics for months or years and are now completely drug free.


Vomiting, Diarrhea and Gastritis - what’s happening with your dog’s digestion?


Conventional Treatment
Conventional vets often prescribe antibiotics, antacids (Pepcid and Tagamet) and steroids for gastrointestinal upsets. These medications function by reducing or stopping the normal stomach acids that naturally occur in the stomach to aid digestion! Antibiotics indiscriminately kill the beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract. Steroids are anti-inflammatory drugs that do not correct the underlying causes.


Conventional treatments simply mask or cover up the symptoms and never resolve the underlying cause. The suppression of symptoms results in an endless (and discomforting) cycle of vomiting, diarrhea and gas for the dog.


The Cause
According to Donald Strombeck DVM, PhD, excess stomach acid is not the real villain. Bacterial invaders, such as Helicobacter pylori, Bacillus cereus, Enterococcus feacalis, e coli, and others are present in as much as 83% of commercial foods. These bacteria burrow into the mucosal lining of the stomach, wreaking havoc when gastric acid burns the lining causing a sore (ulcer). Dogs may harbor these bacteria for years leading to chronic gastrointestinal disorders.


Lowering acid levels
Low levels of stomach acid also allow harmful bacteria to multiply in stagnant pockets along the GI tract. This is called diverticulitis - an inflammation in the pouches where the bacteria has flourished. Excess gas is produced and antibiotics compound the problem because they indiscriminately kill the resident flora, both the naturally occurring beneficial bacteria and the bacterial invaders.

Diet and Incontinence

Diet may be directly related to urinary incontinence.

Why? The reason has to do with moisture balance within the body. Commercial dry foods need to be hydrated. When your dogs eats dry food the moisture required to hydrate those dry nuggets comes from the tissues, cells and organs (this dehydrates the body on a cellular level). When the moisture is robbed from these cells and organs, an imbalance is created in the body including the urogenital tract. The result of this moisture imbalance is a chronic inflammation of the bladder. When the dog gulps water, this is not sufficient to re-hydrate the cells as most of the water goes into the stomach and quickly passes through the bladder placing an additional stress on the system.


All moisture should come from the food. When a home-prepared meal or Sojo's Pre-mix is fed, the food contains about 80% nutrient rich moisture that goes into the cells during normal assimilation of the food in the intestines. Dogs eating a home-prepared meal rarely drink water (except when exercising)! Almost all their moisture needs comes from the food. This produces normal moisture balance and returns the urogenital tract to its normal state.


I don't have time to cook. If preparing food for your dog seems like a daunting task - it isn't! Meals are easy to prepare or you can have a look at our Sojo's foods. It is amazing how dogs respond to real, wholesome food. More energy, healthy coat and of course, a marked improvement in bladder control.


NOTE: Certain incontinence problems come from bladder infections or from hormone imbalances and will not respond to gentle natural remedies. See your vet to understand why your dog is incontinent.

NaturalCanine.com

Diet and Health

A pet’s diet determines its health and life expectancy more than any other care.



Think about these statements for a moment.

• The diet determines your dog’s health and life expectancy more than any other care.
• Your dog is made up of the food it eats. The food becomes your dog – food literally turns into dog!

These statements are very powerful and for those pet owners who are concerned about the health and well being of their dogs, it is important to understand the relationship between fresh, wholesome food and optimal health.

Our modern dog’s ancestors got all their nutrition from their prey as well as grazing on wild berries. Protein and fat came from meat and organs (amino acids), calcium from crunching on bones, and vegetables and grains (vitamins/minerals, enzymes)) from the digestive organs and ripened berries. Dental care came from chewing through skin and bones – teeth were naturally scrubbed clean.


As time passed, dogs formed a relationship with people and the diet began to change. Hunting was no longer necessary as humans fed the new domesticated dog scraps of wholesome food, bones and vegetables.


In more modern times, dogs moved indoors and commercial foods came into the market. Dogs began having symptoms they never had before; like bad breath, itchy skin, dull, dry coats, arthritis, diabetes, thyroid conditions, intestinal disorders, ear infections, heart, liver and kidney disease and various cancers.


Some of these symptoms and diseases actually began to be considered normal!


What happened? What went wrong?


From a nutritional viewpoint this is easy to explain. Compare these two types of diets:

Commercial/processed Food diets

• Highly processed and extruded into kibble. Contain meats and fats that need no refrigeration (how is this possible?).
• Food is ‘dead and inert’ and sprayed with chemical vitamins and protein digest for palatability.
• Food may contain several strains of bacteria, drug residues, colorings, flavorings, diseased tissues, chemical additives, and preservatives.

Fresh food diets

• Minimally processed (sometimes raw), containing naturally occurring vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes and micronutrients.
• Meats are added fresh and contain no hormones, anti-biotic, or drug residues. Food contains ‘living’ nutrients that feed and nourish cells and tissues.
• No need for flavorings, colorings or preservatives.
  

Now, lets look back to the statement: “Your dog is made up of the food it eats. The food becomes your dog – food literally turns into dog!”


It is clear to see from this list that if your dog is made up of the unsavory substances found in most commercial foods, their health will be greatly compromised. Over time (and it can take many years) your dog’s health will begin to reflect those substances from which he is made.

Back to the basics.



A balanced diet will do wonders for your dog’s health and well being. A healthy, fresh, natural diet will help support your dog with any disease or condition! Many conditions may be helped or improved by diet alone – these include skin conditions, digestive disorders, bad breath, incontinence, arthritis, urinary (kidney bladder) and dull coat to name a few.
NaturalCanine.com

WHAT ARE CELL SALTS and BIOPLASMA?

Cell Salts are a group of homeopathic remedies made from minerals. There are 12 basic mineral or tissue cell salts in our bodies. Cell Salts are not measured like supplements , but are in minute homeopathic potency. In homeopathic potency, Cell Salts balance the mineral in the dog and help their utilization of the mineral from concentrations in the blood and minerals from food and supplements.


Cell Salts are safe for dogs with digestive problems. Cell Salts do not have binders and since they dissolve in the mouth they do not need to be broken down in the stomach. 


The Cell Salts are a wonderful way to help the dog take up nutrients.


Cell Salts are a good way to become introduced to Homeopathy. Minerals in homeopathic potency are quite an advantage over supplemental forms. Here are some basic benefits of homeopathic Bioplasma:


1) Immediately absorbed through the first line of digestion-the saliva.
2) Without the need for the body to break down the minerals, they are effective for dogs with digestive problems, as well as puppies, senior dogs or dogs with severe health conditions.
3) Safety because Cell Salts do not have additives or binders that stress the liver,and potenization eliminates the questions of getting too much, avoiding problems, such as bowel tolerance that cause diarrhea (seen with supplemental magnesium), or constipation (associated with iron supplements). 
4) Enables more efficient use of that mineral in the body, whether from a food source or from supplements. 


Cell Salts are not a substitute for a balanced diet or supplements, but improve absorption and utilization of that mineral. 


WHY ARE CELL SALTS ESSENTIAL?


Because minerals are the foundation for enzyme activity in the body and serveas catalysts in energy cycles and functions. For example, the body must first have minerals to make vitamins or make use of vitamins regardless of the source. Cell Salts are used in the basic functioning of the cells including water balance, digestion, removing toxins, elasticity of the cells, oxygenation, nutrition, sodium/potassium balance etc. Cell Salts are my first suggestion for people new to homeopathy because of the ease of selection and dosing, the safety in potency and the quick results. 


BUY CELL SALTS


FAQ'S ON CELL SALTS


Q. How Many Cell Salts are there?
A. There are 12 basic Cell Salts:
3 Calcium minerals: Calcium Fluoride, Calcium Phos & Calcium Sulphate
3 Potassium minerals: Kali Mur, Kali Phosphate & Kali Sulphur
3 Sodium minerals: Natrum Phosphate, Natrum Sulphur & Natrum Mur
Plus: Ferrum Phosphate (iron); Magnesia Phosphate (magnesium); Silicea (silica); .


Q. Is there a Homeopathic Remedy that will help my dog's entire system?
A. Yes, Bioplasma supports the entire body and immune system. Bioplasma is a combination of 12 Cell Salts. Bioplasma can be given to your dog daily to keep their health and energy at their best. Use Bioplasma before and after exercise to maintain electrolyte level. Use when the dog is stressed or starting to feel ill or out of balance. Bioplasma is useful for dogs for general health care and healing.


Q. What is Bioplasma?
A. Bioplasma is a combination of all 12 Cell Salts. Bioplasma includes:


Calcarea Fluorica 6X(Calcium Fluoride)
Calcarea Phosphorica 3X (Calcium Phosphorus)
Calcarea Sulphuricum 3X (Calcium Sulphur)
Ferrum Phosphoricum 3X (Ferrum Phos-iron)
Kali Muriaticum 3X (Kali Mur-potassium)
Kali Phosphorica 3X (Kali Phos-potassium)
Kali Sulphuricum 3X (Kali Sulphur-potassium)
Magnesia Phosphorica 3X (Magnesium Phosphorus)
Natrum Muriaticum 6X (Natrum Mur)
Natrum Phosphoricum 3X (Natrum Phosphorus)
Natrum Sulphuricum 3X (Natrum Sulphur)
Silicea 6X (Silica)


BUY CELL SALTS


Q. What is the difference between Bioplasma and the individual Cell Salts?
A. Bioplasma is a remedy in itself. It keeps the minerals in balance & can be given to your dog daily to keep energy levels high, boost the immune system, and keep their physical performance at its best.Think of Bioplasma as a homeopathic One-A-Day general supplement.


More info:


The Calcium Cell Salts are important for bone and dental health, and skin healing. Calcium Phosphate is the Cell Salt for growth and health of the bones. Deficiency symptoms include aching pains, growing pains, bone ailments. Calcium Fluoride is the Cell Salt for problems with the surface of bones and skin. A much safer source of fluoride than supplemental fluoride. Deficiency symptoms include poor dental enamel; spider and varicose veins. Calcium Sulphate deficiency symptoms include acne and other skin problems, slow healing wounds, abscesses, swollen glands, negativity, apathy. 


The Potassium Cell Salts are important for emotional health. Deficiency symptoms include nervousness, anxiety, mental confusion. Kali Mur deficiency symptoms include colds, sinus inflammation,arthritis inflammation, lack of energy and interest. Kali Phosphate deficiency symptoms include anxiety, irritability.poor memory and physical fatigue. Kali Sulphate corrects the functioning of oils in the body. Deficiency symptoms show up as dryness and in the later stages of inflammation including acne and intestinal disorders. Mental symptoms include worry and lack of judgment.


The 3 Sodium Cell Salts balance fluids and water in the body and supportthe functioning of the kidneys, pancreas, stomach and digestive system. Natrum Mur helps with edema, headache, weakness in the sun or heat, chronic sinus conditions. Natrum Phosphate is for complaints of the digestive system. Give right before meals for improved digestion. Deficiency symptoms include acidity, indigestion. Natrum Sulphate for strengthening pancreatic functioning. 


Ferrum Phosphate is the oxygenating Cell Salt, so remember for physical fatigue. Useful for inflammation, fever, and infection. 
Magnesium Phosphate is found inside the cells of muscles and nerves. Deficiency symptoms include muscle pain, muscle fatigue, muscle spasms. 
Silicea is the fur and skin remedy. Deficiency includes excess perspiration, unhealthy skin, brittle nails and hair.


BUY CELL SALTS